Day One: Early Morning

[Bardock]

Bardock was now finished with his foraging, and had stuffed his supply duffel with his findings. The only thing that would set him back now was if he should somehow lose it?which would suck. Now he was settling down to try and catch a few winks. Sleep was important, but was a costly luxury. Any error could prove to be his demise. His scouter was programmed with an alarm to go off a few hours before sunrise, or if any body of energy came within striking distance of a long-range attack. Strategy may have been his weak-point, but survival was in his best interest. As far as he was concerned, it was still pre-game preparations. Fighting would commence with the dawn, and then bodies were going to hit the floor.

He was just beginning to doze off nicely when the blaring noise emitted from the machine covering his ear. Immediately, his eyes snapped open to attention. He shoved his bag into a secret crevice to keep its contents safe, and put up his guard. The scouter indicated that the powerlevel was potentially huge?not good. Bardock cursed his blind third eye. Without his Ki Sense, he couldn?t tell if it was friend, foe, or unknown. It removed any tactical possibility.

A large figure leapt up onto his perch, surprising the saiya-jin. With reckless abandon, he thrust out a fist, disregarding the identity. He felt a strong hand grasp his fist firmly, catching the attack.

?Whoa, Pops. Little slow there,? a familiar voice rang out.

?Raditzu?? Bardock wondered aloud.

?That would be a yes,? his son grinned. Bardock withdrew the attack and retrieved his bag, slinging it over his shoulder.

Not long after, another presence was made known. A loud crash came from nearby, and a stumbling figure rose from the ground.

?Raditzu!? it exclaimed. Clearly feminine, but Bardock couldn?t place the voice. The woman turned to the elder saiya-jin, scrutinizing his face.

Here it comes, Bar groaned.

??Goku? What?re you doing in that get-up??

?Actually?? Bardock began, scratching an itch.

?This? Pops,? Rad interrupted, jerking his thumb towards the patriarch.

?Pops?? the female inquired, obviously confused.

?You can call me Bardock. I?m Goku?s?? (he spat the word out with disdain) ??and Raditzu?s father, hence the resemblance.?

He shook his head. He didn?t understand why everyone insisted on calling his son ?Goku.? It was ?Kakarotto,? goddamnit, and any other name was a besmirching of his saiyan heritage. Was his birth name not good enough for him? Did he have to adopt an Earth moniker instead? Banishing the thoughts from his mind, Bardock stared at the girl, feeling a sense of familiarity, but unsure of its source. If he?d still had his ability to detect bodies of energy, it may have removed some of the mystery.

?Do I?know you from somewhere?? the old man inquired.

?Not that I know of?my name?s Bra,? she answered.

Bra.

Then it hit him: Friend or Foe II. He?d seen her once, agonizing over Raditzu and Vegeta fighting. She had begged Eighteen to stop it while he stood there blabbering like a fool. Then he saw her once more, going Super Saiyan the instant her comrades fell to Kao?s hand. But this?this couldn?t be her?not in such a short amount of time. She had?matured?far too quickly. He gave the young girl an up and down glance he couldn?t help before remembering who, she was. Bardock nodded curtly, a gesture of respect, but not quite heeding to the full extent of the oldest of traditions. ?Princess.?

Turning to face his son, he addressed another issue, grunting, ?So, what?s next? We going to go rip some people apart? We?re kinda missing someone, doncha think??