Dark Past

Chapter 6

The three sat there as the symbols turned into words they recognized. They sat there, reading to themselves:

Progress Report #1- Project #22051- Year #1

I have selected a location that I found to be suitable to conduct the experiments. My entire facility has successfully been completed as of two months prior to this report. I have sent the location and blueprints for my Laboratory to you on two disks via one of your spies. The materials to undergo the awesome task you have asked me to perform have been acquired, except for one, but the mistake is easily rectified. I have started a small embryo, and once the last element is applied, it will start the growing progress.

"Well that was brief," Goten commented.

"What disks could he be talking about," Katrina asked.

"I don't know, but we'd better hurry through these, the rest of my family should wake up in about an hour, and I don't want to be caught here. Not yet."

Progress Report #2- Project #22051- Year #1

Embryos #22051-1 through #22051-5 have all been a failure. All these attempts have been assessed, and the problems have been solved. I have to expand my facility as soon as possible, due to the enormous amount of space the equipment has taken up. However we are concerned about the attention this would attract if we were to be seen. Granted our location is remote, we see it in the best interest of the final project you desire if the military would assist us in this move. Embryo #22051-6 has just gotten underway. All vital signs are strong and normal. We hope to have the first android born sometime within the next month if all goes well, however, this is unlikely due to the complexity of the project.

"So what does that mean," Katrina asked turning to Trunks, "If androids are supposed to be machines, then how come he's growing on from an embryo?"

"Cell wasn't exactly made of metal. He was an organic life form from what everyone's' told me, but he was still an android."

"Oh."

"Hey," Goten said, "You two ready to go on?"

"Yup."

Progress Report #3- Project #22051- Year #2
Embryos #22051-6 and -7 have both failed. Though they were born, their vitals quickly faded shortly after they were fully operational. Since then, we have adopted a new method of growing the embryos, and this new method has been determined to have a 110 increased posterity rate. Embryos #22051-8 and -9 have been successfully 'born'. Since the time of their 'birth', they have undergone several tests In order to determine the power level they may reach. They tested positive and were immediately sent into a training program to harness their powers until we can program the tactics desired into them. In the video sent to you, the military may view these exercises first hand.

"So he actually managed to do it," Goten quietly said.

"I wonder when he decided to use human test subjects," Katrina questioned out loud.

Progress Report #4- Project #22051- Year #2

Numbers 8 and 9 were destroyed exactly one month after the last progress report. The disobedience that was seen in Cell was all too evident as they refused order after order they were receiving. This defiance was seen two weeks after coming online. I have been running vigorous tests on their main programming to find the problem. It seems that in giving them room to think for themselves in order to adapt to different combat conditions, we allow them too much independent thought. Independent thought eventually leads to rebellion in these artificial life forms. Therefore, we are beginning to undergo a process in which we can allow the future androids to react properly to changing combat conditions, while at the same time restraining the freedom of thought to a strictly combatant level. It is hoped that by doing this, Android #22051-10 will not only be obedient, but powerful as well. We are making breakthroughs never thought imaginable in the scientific community. Enclosed along with this report are some statistics of the fighters we have gathered data on. We are programming all these moves into the main software of the androids.

"How many more do we have left to go?" Trunks asked.

"Eight."

Progress Report #5- Project #22051- Year #3

Androids #22051-10 through -14 have malfunctioned. It took a week to find them within our facility. I have suffered minor casualties-considering the power these androids possess. By limiting their thought functions we had made their program mutate and break the blockades I placed to prevent any disobedience. This mutation contaminated the other parts of their programs, resulting in a change of target. Instead of having the target of the training robots, they had no target. This caused a program flaw, due to the fact that they were supposed to have a mark of some sort at all times. Because of this, they went off in search of something to destroy. After apprehending the four androids I had to annihilate all of them. Following the examination of their programs, I have decided to take a new approach to put the power into an obedient unit. Test subjects have been found to practice this procedure on. Enclosed with this report are the details on both the program and test subjects. I have gotten the go ahead from officials and started certain tests and courses to make sure #22051-15 and #22051-16 are successful. So far all has gone well.

"I think he's talking about testing humans now," said Katrina.

"I think you're right, but what I want to know is how this guy sleeps at night knowing what he's doing. This guy must have been a monster!" Trunks said.

Progress Report #6- Project #22051- Year #3
The two test subjects have been responding so well to the treatment, I have acquired more similar to them. It is hoped that the other two will respond as well as the first set. I have already sent you the results from just a few of the experiment results, and as you can see, they are phenomenal.

"Okay you guys, we'll have to come back and read the rest after this one, I can hear my dad starting to come down stairs."

Progress Report #7 Project #22051- Year #4
We have reached a breaking point in our research. #22051-16 was able to reach her maximum capability. Unfortunately, her body was not able to handle this surge in power, thus causing her body to disintegrate. The same unfortunate truth goes for #22051-15. After reaching his full power, he too met the same fate. However, from these occurrences, I have been able to see that to put this sort of power into a machine, no matter how complex, is practically impossible due to the AI that must be inserted into each of them. To put this ability into a normal human body would cause the sudden surge of power to be too much to handle, and they would end up destroying themselves. It is with this information that I say I have come up with an entirely different program. This will not only ensure complete obedience, but also incorporate the same power into a soldier. The only difference is that it will not be physical, but mental. The power will be just as devastating to an opponent, however, it will be inflicted a differently. I have started the first android with psychic abilities. Its embryo is growing nicely and it should be up and running within a month after this report.

By this time, everyone in the house was up and wandering around somewhere.

"Hey, I thought you said it'd be at least an hour," Goten fumed, " it's only been thirty five minutes."

"So sue me! We can come back sometime later today and finish it."

"How can you be sure that we'll get to see them today?"

"Well, mom's got work, dad's too busy with his training to notice anything else, and Bra's going over to Gohan's house to play with Pan today."

"And how do you know this?"

"I heard my mom talking about it yesterday night."

"Oh."

The three made their way out to the kitchen and sat down at the table.

"Where have you three been," Bulma asked as she eyed the three suspiciously.

"Down in the science lab, I wanted to show Goten and Katrina some of the new models you were working on to help with our training. I thought they were pretty cool."

"Yeah," Goten chimed in, " I thought they were really nicely done."

"MmmHmm," Katrina continued, " You did a nice job."

"Okay you three, I can tell when you won't talk," Bulma said as she searched form her purse, "I have to take care of some things at work today, so I won't be home until later on tonight. Your sisters' going over to Gohan's house today, and Vegeta.. well, you know."

Trunks shot Goten an 'I told you so' look. About two hours later, Bulma called up to Bra who came running down the stairs excitedly. The two made their exit and left the teenagers sitting on the couch watching TV. The second Bulma and Bra were on their way, the three quickly made their way back to the decoder.

"Where were we," Trunks said as he turned the machine back on.

"Number eight," Katrina voiced as they all sat back in their places.

Progress Report #8- Project #22051- Year #4
Due to a mistake made while in the training room, #22051-17 has been terminated. The people responsible for the mistake have been penalized and the matter has been taken care of. #22051-18 and -19 have been born, and we are harnessing their psychic powers as of this report. They are working on the levitation of small objects. So far their attempts have been successful. We hope to be able to tap into their full powers as soon as next month. Enclosed is a tape of their progress and what we hope they will be able to do once we are finished with them.

"Next," Katrina said.

"I'm working on it!"

Progress Report #9- Project #22051- Year #5

Numbers #22051-18 through -21 have been terminated. Their level of power was not where we wanted it to be. Though they could cause some destruction, it was not enough to meet our requirements. Numbers 22051-22 as well as -23 have been operational for a month, and are showing signs of immense psychic ability. We have already completed the first steps of the training program and are now in phase two, which is a simulated mission. Enclosed is the procedure that they will have to go through as well as the main objective. I have also sent you the results from phase one, and as
you will see, they are off the chart.

"He's not very thorough in his reports," Goten said.

"I think," Katrina uttered, "that's because he originally didn't want them to ask any questions at all. So when he was forced to, he must have been as short as possible."

Progress Report #10- Project #22051- Year #5

Although #'s -22 through -24 power was extraordinary, their control left
something to be desired. Thus, our scientists figured out the problem and the specimens were terminated. Although they were capable of lifting small objects into the air and
placing them at the set coordinates, their moving of larger ones was unpredictable.
This resulted is several failed missions. Their mind control was limited to ten seconds, and the ability to inflict physical damage through the mind was simply not possible. Their more deadly abilities were so inaccurate and spontaneous; they could inflict the
damage on any one person up to fifty feet away, whether they were a target or not.
These weaknesses have been analyzed, and we have reached the final phase of operation #22051. The next soldier we bring up, could be the one we have been working toward for so many years.

Without saying anything, Trunks punched some buttons so they could view the final reports. Their minds were still absorbing all of this new information, trying to fit the pieces of the puzzle together.

Progress Report #11- Project #22051- Year #6

We have successfully created a soldier with the power of Cell. She has complete obedience to her master, and is fully capable of controlling every aspect of her powers. #22051-25 is your most powerful weapon. We must complete her training
before she is ready. This will take precisely one year. In the mean time, we are creating another soldier. We have begun the process of bringing her genes up to the standards that will make her eligible to become apart of our program. Enclosed along with this report is a videotape of the destruction #22051-25 is capable of.

Katrina knew that the soldier they were talking about creating next. The number would be 22051-26, her number. This made sense though; the memories she had must have been of them preparing her for their program.

Progress Report #12- Project #22051- Year #6

We have successfully created another psychic soldier. Her power surpasses that of -25, and with the proper training, she could take out an entire army by herself. Her program will be more extensive than that of -25 and she will need to go basic training exercises constantly to keep in top condition. It will be well worth it when you witness her awesome power in the video record I sent you. Her accuracy is down to the millimeter, and her obedience to her superiors is outstanding. Once 25 and 26 are done with training, we will send them to you.

This ends the progress reports sent in by Dr. Geode. Shortly after this was turned in, his lab was destroyed and he, as well as numbers 22051-25 and 22051-26 disappeared under unknown circumstances.While the search for them lasted a full year, none of them were found. The videos and disks that were sent to the military are still in a top secret storage facility along with the remains of his lab and previous experiment data.

"So who was 22051-25," Trunks asked looking at Katrina.

"How should I know? I'm just now remembering them preparing me for those awful experiments. And that was more than a year ago."

"Okay, so now we know that you're a psychic, do you think you can use your powers to do anything," Goten questioned.

"I don't think I can... It's been such a long time since I've done it last-"

"No, you did it the other night."

"What are you talking about Trunks?"

"Remember when I found you reading this in the first place?"

"I don't think that was an act of psychic ability so much as dumb luck."

"No, not the fact that I caught you. Do you remember you thought I had said something, but I didn't?"

"Don't start that again, I heard you clear as day."

"Exactly! But I never said that out loud, I was thinking it though. What were you doing as I read this thing?"

"I was..trying to know what it was that was going through you mind."

"So," said Goten slowly, "You can tap into your powers, but not at will. It only seems to happen at random."

"Yeah, I guess that's it."

"But you have the power to destroy an army."

"Ah, but only if I'm properly trained."

"So do you think we could uncover the powers you have?"

"I don't know any of the training methods, and if I do, I can't remember."

"What we need to find," said Trunks as he got up, "are those videos and disks that he sent the military."

"But Trunks, you read the report, those are in some la-di-da top secret government place," Goten argued.

Katrina thought for a moment. Had she seen something else in the drawer? But- that's it! Inside the drawer she had seen something else.

"You guys, I know where the videos and stuff are!"

"What," Trunks' head snapped in her direction, "Where?"

"In the drawer the book came out of, I saw some disks and videos."

"Well," Trunks exclaimed as he scooped up Katrina and headed out the door. "What're we waiting for?"

They went back into the room were it had all started. Trunks let Katrina down and she hobbled over to the drawer. With some slight effort, she opened it and pulled out a disk and video.

"Hey, that's only one of each," Goten said.

"I know, but it's better than nothing, Trunks, you got a place where we could see these?"

"Sure."

They went into Trunks' room and locked the door behind them; they couldn't afford anyone to see them-they still weren't clear as to why Bulma had possession of the apparently top secret military report. Trunks loaded the disk onto his computer and they saw pictures pop up on the screen.

"Hey look, it's us..." Goten said as he watched the images flash across the screen.

"They have all our battle technique and stats. Hey look, there I am," Trunks said as he pointed out a picture of himself.

"Wow, they got everything on you guys. The Kamehameha, the light of death, solar flare, big bang... It's all here. They did a good job."

"Unfortunately this doesn't tell us anything of importance. I already knew my dad used the Kamehameha as his main move."

"Well," Trunks said shutting off the computer, "there's always the videotape."

He walked over to his VCR and popped the little black tape in. After a
short time of fuzz, the crackling screen came to life and the face of and elderly man was on it.

"Hey! That's Dr. Geode!" Katrina was frantically pointing at the screen as he started to talk.

"As I have promised," the cold voice began, "here are the tapes of #22051-25's destructive power. This particular mission was a simple find and destroy operation. The target was set to be two tanks, which were armed with live ammunition. There were also two robots moving about the enclosure, which were secondary targets. As you will see her power is that of unimaginable levels."

The tape switched to a scene in a jungle environment. Two tanks sat armed and ready to destroy whatever stood in their way. A barely visible shadow walked right in front of the tanks and stood still for a moment.

"As you can see, she is able to cloak herself to match her surroundings

as well as cloaking herself from radar. This makes her practically invisible to both the naked eye and any type of mechanical detection."

The woman suddenly uncloaked herself and she was dressed in camouflage attire. Her hair was put up in a helmet, but some single red strands still hung out. She had her back turned to the camera, but never the less, Katrina instantly recognized her. The tanks fired at the woman and she just stood there and outstretched her hand. The huge bullets stopped menacingly inches from her face. Two shadows in the background caught the three's attention as they realized the androids were lurking just a few feet away.The woman took her other arm and made a sweeping motion. The tanks lifted off the ground, and were blown away at least fifty feet. The woman put her hand into a fist and they blew up.

"Wow." Trunks had a look of disbelief on his face.

The woman then turned her attention to the bullets in front of her and they went zooming into the place where the androids were lurking a moment before. They hit, and parts started to scatter everywhere. The woman turned to the camera and said with dead emotion in her voice, "Mission completed."

The tape then went back to fuzz and Trunks got up to turn it off.

"I can't believe she was able to do that with only her mind, " Goten stated after a short silence.

"I've never seen anything like it before in my life." Trunks took both the tape and disk then put them next to each other on his desk. They sat there for a little while, thinking what they had just seen. All of them were in disbelief of it actually happening.

Katrina sat there with an almost sick feeling in her stomach. That had been her mother. The same woman she had dreamt kicking and screaming for her child's safety. But now, it wasn't her. It was the same body, the same figure that her mother's soul had always been in, but something was different. Katrina's mind rewound the tape back and was looking at it, play by play in her mind.

It was her eyes- they were dead. Like hers had been that first day she had been walking along the street. She realized that those people had managed to break her. To control her like a puppet. She was no longer the same woman who had attempted to rescue her.

She was their so-called 'perfect soldier'. They had taken away her humanity for their sick project. Her stomach gave a quiver, and Katrina told it to calm down. The last she needed to do now was get sick over this.

"But why would your mom have something like that," Goten murmured. To Katrina, the voice was distant, almost like she was outside of herself looking in on the three sitting there in the room.

Her mind snapped back to Bulma. What role had she played in this? Was she genuinely concerned about her safety or was it all just some mask she was hiding behind?
I

f this was all just some sick role she was playing, then Bulma was a very good actress. But how could she be sure? She knew the answer, but couldn't bring herself to do it. She couldn't bring herself to confront Bulma quite yet.

She had to wait.