Dragon Ball Z: The Catalyst

by Drakthul

Catalyst: a person or thing that precipitates an event or change. A traditional encounter is changed, and begins a series of events which will alter the fate of millions. From the beginning of the Saiyan Saga forward. Rated T for violence and themes.

78. Chapter 78: Life

Disclaimer, in case it wasn't obvious. I don't own Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, or really any other property. Thank you.

The Cataylst

Act VI

Chapter 78: Life.

Android 20:

The three gateways to perfection. That was the focus on his mind at every step of his work now. The perfection of his work, the perfection of his ideas, and the perfection of life. The number three seemed to follow his work, and the work of his now deceased cohorts. They had come together to help one another and implement their ideas. They had been a trinity, a collection of the greatest minds who were thinking of the future of mankind, after it'd been stripped away from it by Son Goku, and the defeat of the Red Ribbon Army. His own mind had worked feverishly for so long, and now the dawn of a new era had arrived, finally.

Album… Number 20… stood next to him, the first of his creations, the first of the unified vision. Turning his head towards him, the machine stared at him with a cold gaze. There was a hissing noise across the lab as several hydraulics began to change pressure, allowing the first door to open. The naked figure stood there, its body standing perfectly still as its blue eyes stared back at him. What had been left of his humanity yearned to feel the same heartbeat in his chest, as when he'd first seen this sight, all those years ago. Flesh, bone, and advanced synthetic muscle grafts, reinforced bone plating, and cybernetic computers lay hidden within the perfect shell of the restored form of the woman Dr. Gero had fell in love with so long ago. But Dr. Gero was dead, his body was no more, only his mind remained to help guide humanity towards a new purpose.

Reaching out his hand, his old, weathered appearance became a small pang of regret for him. The machine lifelessly reached out in turn, placing its hand in his before beginning to step down from the stairs leading to the pod. He could sense that she'd placed her hand in his palm, but he could not feel that she had done so. There was no warmth, no true, real touch. There were just sensors in his hand. Every moment reinforced to him what he no longer was.

"Number 21, diagnostics. Are your biological or mechanical components in a state of decay?"

The regenerative technique utilized to take his wife's corpse from being a pile of ancient, dying flesh, into this regenerated host for something greater than she had been, was the ultimate proof of her experiments. If she were alive to see it, she would have appreciated what he had done for her, that he was sure of. This was his last act of love, letting her body be used to complete her final experiments. No matter how much this thing looked like her, it wasn't.

"The body is operating at optimal standards. Cellular regeneration is in place. The synthetic components are also operating at optimal standards. The organic processing unit, and computing processing unit, are working at maximum effect," it said, it's tone lifeless, embodying none of the life that had once been in it.

These things were machines all, but they were human as well. Genetic and mechanical enhancements had created the ultimate expression of humanity. 21, and Rossa's lineup of artificial humans, stemmed from a different technology than 17 and 18, as well as projects 13, 14, and 15. He'd not activated this unit's learning algorithms yet, or its deeper processes. It was a heartbeat, and little else. Most of the units were at this point. Of all of them, he knew 17 and 18 were the strongest. The others were all experiments, but as he always knew, his most refined units were those which he had mostly envisioned himself.

Unit 21 continued to stare at him, long after he released her hand before looking at Android 19. The mechanical unit continued to stare at him, awaiting instruction. He was surrounded by dolls now. Each and every one of them would play on the end of the string. This was what it was to be a true creator. To have created life itself. This was what it was to be a god. The vacant stare Android 21 gave him, asking him for instructions, was fascinating. It would starve itself to death if he said not a word more to it.

"Android 20, take 21 to the operating room. We are going to need to finalize several implants for it," he remarked calmly.

The last links in the chain, before he allowed this creature to move on its leash, much as Android 20 had been allowed. Then, then he could truly finish much of his work.

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Android 20: Forty Minutes Later

The side of the organism was open. Number 20 was running scans on the nearby workstation as they worked on the final touches. Unit 21 was staring at him, there was no reason to utilize anesthesia the subject for obvious reasons. It had no feelings, if it felt pain it meant nothing to it. It was as alive as a steak, or as a burnt body, as far as 20 was concerned. Its belly was open, revealing augmented organs, both cybernetic and engineered, as well as several key devices purely of mechanical origin, including most importantly, a ki-generated bomb. That was extremely important given the sensitive nature of control, that even he understood. Malfunctions could happen to software or hardware with any product.

Still, he carefully inserted the last piece of 21's design. That which fundamentally changed how it and its series operated, as compared to the other Androids. It wasn't what he would have done, but it certainly was what Dr. Rossa believed would yield significant results. The last organic component inserted, he resealed the body, before removing the scar with a special tool, sealing the body's sides together as if it'd never been opened.

"Rise," he ordered, allowing the machine to sit up and stare back at him lifelessly.

Once it did, the body shifted to face him. Gesturing to a cabinet, 20 implied for the machine to make motions towards it. When it didn't, he internally grumbled, reminding himself that the simplistic program was going to be overwritten soon enough.

"Go to the cabinet, and dress yourself," he ordered simply.

It stepped past him without so much as a word before it opened the cabinet, pulling out the red, blue, and black attire he'd selected. It reminded him of what Rossa used to wear when they were younger. A strange bit of nostalgia, of course, but some human elements to his mind couldn't be ignored. When she finished dressing, she slipped on the doctor's coat she used to wear, before turning to look at him, before slipping on a familiar pair of glasses.

It was as if she were here, alive and breathing in front of him. Though, of course, he could see quite clearly there was no spark behind the eyes. There was no grace to the motions. She stood stiffly and awkwardly. It was a simple replica.

"Very good," he commented, knowing it didn't respond to his praise in any meaningful way. "You will follow Android 19 to your next destination. It will work with you to complete your design and programming, do you understand?"

"Yes, Android 20."

The pair of them left the operating theatre, allowing 20 to take several moments to look over the room, to look over his work. He'd spent so much time invested in his machines, he could barely keep track of his first quarry, Son Goku. Mechanically, he walked towards the computer station 19 had been using, reaching up and hitting several keys, he accessed his latest intelligence.

Son Goku is commonly seen at his home at Mnt. Pazou, and in Orange Star City. Estimated fighting potential has increased along expected parameters.

Piccolo is commonly seen near Mnt. Pazou. Power determination, unknown. Likely, weaker than Son Goku.

Adult Saiyan Male, Raditz, seen in East Mountains. Estimated power to be in line with estimates.

The list went on, the only thing that was strange to Dr. Gero was his tracking of Son Goku's movements. They were erratic, covering such a broad area, at seemingly conflicting times of day. Admittedly, his methodology could be wrong, in how to track Son Goku. Previous reports had also had him literally moving across the planet in a heartbeat, so perhaps that was a key factor behind this erroneous data. All the same, he was able to determine with some degree of certainty what they were facing. They, being the children of the future.

Son Goku had been a whirlwind. A creature who destroyed the Red Ribbon Army… and killed a future that he, and his family believed in. Worse, he'd been the monster who killed his son. The monster from the stars however, had given Dr. Gero the drive to create something new. The next stage of human evolution was now upon them in all its glorious forms. He embodied that next, great leap forward himself. Mechanical, bio-mechanical, and cybernetic augmentation, all three were in some form apart of every design of the Androids. Now, 20, the successor to Gero himself, could recognize that the revenge he'd sought after for so long was just apart of a greater whole. Had Son Goku never destroyed the dream of the Red Ribbon Army, and had he not killed Gero's son, Dr. Rossa and Dr. Gero would have never embarked on their journey towards this brave new world.

Now that 21 was completed, or would be soon, he could finalize his work on a half dozen projects, and soon. Nineteen would be tasked with completing unit's 13, 14, and 15 as well. In his mind's eye, Android 20 could see the genesis for all of this coming to pass.

And deep below his feet, the true project awaited completion as well. A step forward not only for humanity, but for life itself.

Cell.

Patiently, he made strides towards the other pods, looking over them as he raised a finger, pointing at the next unit to be worked on in depth.

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Android 18:

This had been the first time she had been activated in months. The first time she was fully clothed and allowed inside habitation. The building itself was familiar to her. It looked as though it'd not been lived in for a year though. The structure was modern, but nothing was maintained. The familiarity was almost uncomfortable, but it didn't matter. Her eyes were tracking for any motion nearby. She was getting bored. It was a familiar sensation ever since she'd been given the full range of her learning abilities. Components in her biological processor were responsible for this sensation. Data was pulled from what had been the body's prior consciousness.

She stopped in what appeared to be a living area, where another figure lay back, his arms stretched over the edges of a dusty old couch.

"Hey sis," Android 17 remarked.

It was odd. They were and weren't siblings. They were machines, created by Android 20. She just stared at her 'brother' before crossing her arms.

"Seventeen," she greeted in turn.

The other Android's eyes were looking out the large window at the world beyond before they turned towards her, the same sharp, ice blue eyes peered at her. She could see the boredom behind his eyes as well, it was the same thing she saw in her own reflection. The gentle sound of raindrops started to patter into the room from outside. A leak in the ceiling let several drops descend in front of her, hitting a now wet spot in the carpet between the two of them.

"What do you say we go out and see what all the people in the city are doing?" Seventeen asked. "It'll be fun."

"Android 20 has stated we cannot leave the facility at this time," she responded bluntly.

Something was off with Android 17; she'd assessed it for several days. His personality was erratic. He seemed to be more and more using language and dialogue that was not inherently in their program. The fact that he called her sister, more than once, was also concerning. There was a flaw, and she didn't know what it was. Though she seemed immune to it so far. All the same, there was a protective sensation she felt.

She'd not told Android 20 about 17's increasingly erratic behaviour.

"Android 20 is very busy, perhaps he's not informed us we can leave the facility yet," Seventeen argued. "I can see that you are bored as well, sister."

"Stop referring to me as that," she instructed bluntly. "I am Android Eighteen. You are Android Seventeen. And Android 20 has given us clear instructions. We are to remain here at the facility. He let us in the top level to alleviate our perceived boredom and give us more opportunity to learn from our environment."

Sitting back, the other android just looked off to the side again, clearly in a passive aggressive format. It was best to ignore the outburst. Stepping towards the window, ignoring her counterpart, the Android stared outside. It was refreshing to see, but there was something else. It started to gnaw at the back of her mind while she looked at the dirt road leading up to the building, as well as the walls surrounding the facility.

Tonight, tonight was the night when she'd make a run for it.

She could see the image of a female human who looked just like her staring back at her. A distant memory, perhaps, of something that she was not. But outside the window she could see the girl running in the midst of twilight, a heavy sweater on as she tried to find her way in the darkness. Briefly, her own heart skipped a beat, even with its new, generically enhanced condition. The onboard processing unit tried to compensate but couldn't, and for the first time in its existence, Android 18 felt… scared.

It was impossible to hide, and it felt impossible to look away.

The light of day seemed to return in a flash as Android 17's voice emerged behind her.

"Sight seeing?" he asked.

A jerk of her head towards him left her narrowing her eyes on him with irritation, open, and obvious irritation.

"No," she answered bluntly. "I am trying to assess the atmospheric conditions."

"Sounds boring."

"It is," she answered, before looking back out the window.

But the vision was gone. Her heartrate returned to normal as she felt herself feel somehow disappointed. The processing chip didn't understand what it had sensed in the chemical changes in the body, the unmanaged, chemical changes. It also had access to damaged parts of the subject 18's brain, but often the matter within was far from perfect.

Unconsciously, a single hand reached out to the glass. The flat of her fingers and palm pressed against it while she stared back at herself. The sensation was gone now as well. She wasn't staring into the eyes of another, lost person, but into her own. The cold nature of them were reassuring, almost. Internally she ran a scan, checking for any flaws in her software, but nothing came up. It was fine, everything was fine.

Seventeen was gone from the couch when she looked back. The power in the building flickered on for a brief moment as the underground facility switched generators again. Lights flickered on and panels lit up.

"Welcome, Subject 17," a computer voice said.

It was warm, almost motherly. She briefly recalled a warm sensation of affection following the voice. But it was a duality.

You are very special to me, 18.

There was a warm sensation across her lips. It was a strange duality. One part was warm, inviting, motherly, and another part of it was almost… sexual, the strange combination was something the machine was unaccustomed to. The voice was her mother. And it held another duality of sensations as well, fear and anger. It was confusing, but she was drawn to the noise as she started to follow after it, if for nothing else than it had cured her boredom.

The familiarity of the rooms increased dramatically with every step before she arrived at the opened door 17 was now passing through. The other android looked around it, his shoulders were slumped as she looked at him from behind. It was somehow a familiar sight, he looked beaten, broken… sick, almost.

"Seventeen?" she asked, her tone bordering on uncertain.

He turned to look at her, his entire posture changing back to the stiff, mechanical one he seemed to wear at all other times.

"Yes, Eighteen?" he responded before his attention seemed drawn back to his surroundings. "…This room was familiar to me."

The power flickered again, before it faded back to its usual state. The dead state this building was always in. The room itself was barren. It looked sanitized, there wasn't even a bed left in it, but somehow it was familiar to her as well. Briefly, she could imagine it's furnishings.

"I wonder why," Seventeen added, walking over to the dimmed panel near the room, tracing his hand over it. "It doesn't feel like I liked it here."

"This is the first time you've been here," Eighteen reminded him before turning her own gaze back towards the hallway. "Come on, let's head back to the living space. I'm sure Android 20 and 21 will need us again soon. There are still more tests required in our development."

There was a lingering few moments as the words hung in the air. Seventeen wasn't moving towards her as she'd asked. He was thinking of something else before he looked back at her. She knew that look from somewhere, it wasn't the same passive one they normally wore. It reminded her of something she didn't quite know, but was as oddly familiar as the reflection that had been staring back at her.

"I don't see how that's going to help us find our primary objective," Seventeen remarked. "If anything, we should be waiting for them in North City. And then, we should go find Son Goku."

Even the name immediately caught 18's attention. Her archive brought up files on Son Goku immediately, facial structure, potential techniques, and a host of other pieces of data about their ultimate prey. They were built to destroy Son Goku beyond all things. However, an important note was available to both of them. They must obey Android 20's commands first, rather than follow through with their programming. They weren't ready yet.

Instead of following his lead, she shook her head, before she felt almost frozen in place as she heard footsteps coming from down the hall.

"The two of you were supposed to wait in the lobby," Twenty-One's voice emerged over both of them, it was almost sweet in its tone. "Exploring the facility? You are to be tested for integration with your latest patch and firmware update. Android 20 thinks you're speed and endurance can be improved, and there is a need for diagnostics."

The pair of them began moving towards her, 18 almost slavishly, 17… complied, but seemed to struggle to follow their commands.

Seventeen is behaving in a defective manner. I should… I should inform 21…. Or 20.

A brief moment passed as she felt something holding her back. It was fear, fear for the other unit.

Hey, I'll see you soon sis. I'll finally be well and we can go.

The words almost made her flinch. Because they weren't Unit 17's, and those words weren't heard by her ears.

Following 21 back into the darkness, leading towards the access tunnel, she felt herself becoming reluctant herself as she stepped onto the lift taking them down.

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Android 21: One Week Earlier

When they were opened up, 21 always felt the most excitement. The insides were what organisms really were. It was something the machine was conscious enough to understand that it had inherited from its predecessor, Dr. Rossa. Unlike the others, she'd been given true insight into what she was. A being meant to herald the future. A being who was born of the death of one organism, so that another could live. Perhaps more accurately yet, Dr. Rossa had been a caterpillar, and she was the butterfly, sprouting its wings and taking flight towards a true, better purpose. A purpose free from moral restraint. It was an indulgence of its own pride in its work, another inherited trait, that 21 cared so deeply for its children.

Tracing a finger over the now resealed outer shell of Android 17, she just smiled to herself. Across the room, 18 lay dormant as well, her body still laying open as Dr. Gero… Android 20, completed the next level of upgrades on the subjects. All of her subjects were beautiful in their own way. She almost wanted to devour them she loved them so much, but her current body plan was far from able to eat things in such a way. She was envious, almost, of another project that was being worked on. Something she would live to see completed, but only decades from now. In truth, if her own flesh was needed to be consumed by it to ensure its final evolution, she would allow it. To become part of true perfection…

That was a dream beyond anything any human could hope to achieve. She knew that her other children would welcome the chance to become one with it. When her eyes turned towards 17, she felt herself brush the side of his cheek lovingly, even as the dead eyes stared at the ceiling. They would never betray her, because she, much like Android 20, was their parent. Dr. Rossa, was their parent, more than anything, but looking through that creatures' memories, she could see it all for what it was.

Eighteen was being sealed again before she turned her attention back to Android 20, who looked over to her with his own artificial eyes.

"Twenty-One, get Android 19 to take these models back for software analysis and updates. I want to ensure that they are as up to date as possible."

"Of course, 20," she responded, before snapping her fingers as the two lifeless machines came to life, sitting up on their respective operating tables and staring at her, neither displaying any higher functionality beyond pure obedience.

Walking through the underground, she peered past the testing rooms for the other prototypes in development. The numbers 13, 14, 15, were the first on chambers they moved past. Seventeen and Eighteen's passed next, before 22, 23, and 24. The numbers that passed all signified the various projects that had consumed the lives of three human beings whom had the visions to create them. Both to recreate themselves, and recreate the world. The symbolism wasn't lost on her, despite her own, artificial origin.

As they neared the last room, the door sliding open as 19 awaited them, she smiled towards the two artificial humans as they walked past her.

"I will proceed with the necessary updates," Nineteen assured before turning back to their work.

The pair of naked bodies sat down patiently, awaiting their interfacing moments. Strangely, 21 always struggled to leave in these moments. It was the holdover from what she'd been coming through. It excited her to watch. When 19 placed the interface helmet on the pair of them, she could hear even in their docile state, a brief gasp, first from 17, and then from 18, before their bodies slowly began to seize as they sat in place. Every cell in their brains would have been on fire during the update, and the processors that ran their bodies would have been running at maximum capacity.

Were 19 not here, she would have been tempted to hold them as they struggled. Dr. Rossa considered showing such affection for the subjects to be loving and embracing the future. The pain endured by them, both when they had been human beings, and as they had become artificial beings such as herself, was elevated in the Android's thoughts as being the ultimate sensation. Even when her own updates were performed, she could feel her old self die, being replaced with something new and familiar, the same, yet different. The passing of the old code into the regions of oblivion was…

Ecstasy.

As the bodies finally started to slowly stop their struggles, she could see a lone tear roll down from the helmet of Number 18. It was a cause of fascinating for her as she walked over to the now drooping body. They would be in stasis for the update for the next five days as their CPU's rebooted and implemented any pending changes which had been provided as an instruction. But her finger brushed against the warm liquid having passed down the cheek.

Even in docile mode, there was a part of them, a part of them all, that was aware… beneath the surface. The remnants of long since unneeded memories. The memories made them all weaker, but there was something to be said for them. Even in her current state, she found them… novel. They helped form who they were, in the silence of what they were meant to be. Nineteen either hadn't noticed, or hadn't cared, at the visible display from the two subjects.

"Nineteen," she commented, before approaching a work station, her fingers be gliding over the keyboard input at inhuman speeds as she began to add to the Android's code. "I want you to run the update again, with these revisions."

"That will burden their processors unnecessarily," Nineteen observed.

"Through my observations, I believe this will improve their efficiency."

All of the code she'd compiled in those moments were based around antagonizing the organic processing components within. It would be like watching a fire consume what had once been there.

With a few strokes of his own keyboard, 19 complied without much fanfare.

Both bodies seized again, this time their mouths clenched in pain as 21 watched. She placed the tip of her right index finger in her mouth and felt her own teeth glide over it, the edge of her tongue pressing against the flesh as she felt excitement at what she knew she was observing. She was their mother, after all, it was her role to liberate them from the visible memories that impacted them. She would cast them further into the shadows, burying them beneath the corpses of their dreams.

And of course, she loved it.

As she watched, she felt her own heart skip with excitement at every pained, short noise that escaped the subjects, as she stripped away every memory that she could from them.

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Android 21: The Present

Something was off.

Commands didn't seem to be processing correctly with either 17 or 18. They were both behaving erratically during the response test. Something was very obviously wrong with Android 17, and Android 18 was also suffering from something. Their behaviour patterns were off. They also were not going into their compliant state upon being commanded. Android 18 even seemed to want to comply, but it was very clear her higher functions were still operational.

Something was deeply wrong.

Standing up in the middle of the test, Android 17 seemed to regard her with more than an aggressive look. Something had gone wrong with the firmware update, she knew it. In order for their reactors to work at maximum capacity, certain inhibitors had to be deactivated. That was interacting with their organic processing units incorrectly.

"Dr. Rossa, I would like to leave the facility now," Seventeen's voice, almost monotone, informed her.

Remaining in place, she kept herself restrained.

"My designation is Android 21," she reminded him. "Doctor Rossa was terminated."

Android 18 was the next to rise, her eyes linking with 17's before she spoke next.

"I don't understand why we are being kept here, 21," she said. "I remember… I… I remember having to go outside. I needed to get away from the facility."

Red flags immediately came up with her remarks.

Both 17 and 18 greatly overmatched her. Their designs were meant for a constant, near infinite supply of reliable energy. Her own design, which was created by Dr. Rossa, was meant for short burst of immense strength, followed by more reserved levels of energy. The only problem was, her own power even at its peak performance, was likely behind that of 17 and 18's highest levels, now that their power had become uninhibited.

"We're bored," Seventeen then added. "We want to go to the city."

"Yes," Eighteen added.

The door remained sealed behind them in the space, which 21 remained in front of. She looked back at the door before looking towards the pair in front of her. The best decision would be to play along with them, but that would endanger too much of the plan. She needed to buy time. Pressing a silent alarm in her coat's pocket, she looked at the pair before preparing to make an excuse, anything to get more time.

"Why did you trigger the alarm, Dr. Rossa?" Seventeen then asked, his eyes not leaving her.

"I am Android 21," she clarified again. "I was required to activate the trigger due to your erratic behaviour."

"You are the one…" Eighteen started, lifting her fingers to her lips briefly, looking almost lost for a moment in a memory that appeared, and then disappeared. When her eyes looked back at her a moment later, 21 realized there was a greater issue at play.

When 18 pointed her hand at her, 21 raised her arms in a guard just as the golden bolt of light emerged and shot out at her.

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Android 20:

The entire cavern of underground labs and bunkers rocked as the blastwave rolled through a dozen corridors. Nineteen raised his hands in front of them, absorbing much of the shockwave for him as they moved as quickly as they could to the alarm. There was only one thing that could be causing this. Seventeen and Eighteen were malfunctioning, that much had been obvious from the alarm.

The explosion was a much more pressing concern. Nineteen himself went sprawling back a second later, the sound of metal meeting metal snapped out as his body bounced off the concrete before 17's shoes landed on the hard concrete in front of them. It was a fluid action of perfect grace. Sensors in his artificial eyes scanned the dustcloud around them, seeing the frame of Android 18, dragging the barely conscious body of Android 21 by her arm. This situation had devolved rapidly and he needed to understand why.

Though that could wait until this was deescalated.

"Dr. Gero," Seventeen's voice said, his tone harsh. "I remember you."

Ah, there is the source of the malfunction.

Looking to the woman as well, he briefly appraised 21's condition. It was very poor. It was obvious from the appearance that she had been savagely beaten by what he assumed was Android 18. Imbedded memories in their minds were beginning to overwhelm their programing, or at least were interfering with it. This was surprising, considering he'd examined what Android 21 had done to them, and found that it should have suppressed their memories and emotions even further, if not destroyed many of them.

"You will cease this behaviour at once," Android 20 warned. "You are malfunctioning."

There wasn't a moment of hesitation on the other Android's face as the arrogant pair stared at him, and 17 himself smiled. The lip that curled up was one of a young punk, some street thug who had just gotten a one up on his intended victim. It matched perfectly with what the host body had been before he became a subject for the project. Without another word, Gero flipped the controller into his hand and hit the immobilizer.

"We are aliv…" Eighteen's words stopped, freezing in place.

Both 17 and 18 froze in place. 21 was still struggling to unlock 18's iron vice grip on her wrist. It would seem that there was going to be need for a dramatic rethinking on the behavioural settings for his ultimate androids. If they continued to exhibit these defects, he would need to lock them in storage, and only continue with project Cell. But that was decades away. What would the world even look like in the coming decades? How much stronger could Son Goku become? Certainly he couldn't imagine him becoming stronger than the ultimate being… but… …

This is a severe setback in my plans.

Nineteen had managed to pull himself to his feet, walking to his side.

"Get them back to storage and prepare them for a full survey. I want to know exactly why their biological components are causing this issue with their onboard computers. See to Android 21's injuries as well."

There might need to be a stopgap while this serious problem was examined.

Projects 22, 23, and 24 will need to be put in motion, it would seem. Even if these designs are less than ideal, 21 has proven that they are at the very least more mailable and reliable than 17 and 18.

Stop gaps.

How he despised, stop gaps. If he could, he'd find a way to blame Son Goku for this setback as well. Perhaps it was that his anger, and desire for revenge, made him too ambitious. Perhaps it was that there had been other mistakes along the way.

All the same. This was a disaster.

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Android 22:

A pair of blue eyes stared around the chamber briefly as it took in its surrounds before the door sealing it within started to hiss open. Stepping out into the open air, it felt the sensation of the stale air moving across its naked form, hairs rising along the skin surrounding it. Slowly, its head turned as it took in its surroundings once again. The dimensions of the room soaked into its view before it locked onto the pair of figures standing in front of it.

Android 21. Assistant model. Higher function. Command model.

Android 20. Primary model. Higher function. Command model.

It stepped in front of the pair and kept its arms at its sides.

"Android 22," Dr. Gero started. "I am glad to see you are awake. I had concerns over the status of your biological components, even after the regenerative techniques. What is your status?"

"Unit 22 is fully functional," it responded. "Awaiting command inputs."

The red haired one seemed to be the most intrigued, it's eyes flashing with something that 22 couldn't recognize. It had no point of reference for the differences in facial expressions, but what was functional in its biological processor gave it some idea of what was being conveyed. There were limitations to its organic hardware's processing capacity. Accessing its own medical records, it found the host body had been deceased for six days before it entered into stasis, and then a further 2 days in regenerative solutions to bring it back to functionality. There were limitations to the process however, limiting its current function.

"It should be put through several tests, before we allow its learning processor to start functioning," Twenty-One recommended. "This unit will be the testbed for the others, considering the status of their brains upon their death. The damage their bodies suffered prior to conversion may have an impact on their performance."

The mustache armed 20 almost seemed to smile for a moment.

"That might even be ideal," he remarked. "Come, 22, let us make sure that the conversion process has not impeded you."

Hours of running, accepting basic commands, and staring at pictures on screens and giving basic knowledge followed as they hooked up cables to the back of her head. It lay down and was operated on twice afterwards, as they fixed several 'glitches' in its motion. It could feel the hands moving around inside of it, as well as the scalpels that had cut it open. It felt every moment of it, pain receptors in the body warned the brain, but it didn't respond to these alerts, there was no need.

After almost a week of these tests and procedures, it found itself alone, standing in a near empty room, save for a wall which was covered by a reflective surface, mirroring the other half of the room. It allowed it to see itself. It's processing chip had become unlocked by the last update and procedure, allowing it full access to its biological components.

"Android 22," a female voice, that of 21, came through from the speaker in the ceiling. "Begin self appraisal, utilizing both mechanical and organic processors."

Approaching the mirrored surface, it looked over its features. It started with the lifeless blue eyes, before examining its face in depth. It was unfamiliar to itself, both by its organic and mechanical chipsets. Building on that, it slowly trailed its eyes down, examining its own body in the mirror, taking in the human anatomy it inhabited.

Unit's biological component has suffered severe damage, and has not been able to fully respond. Limited functionality is being provided. Significant tissue damage prior to retrofit is likely cause. Primary processor attempting to compensate.

What had once been just shapes, slowly began to take on meaning as it absorbed what data it could. The face wasn't just a shape, nor were its eyes just blue, it identified them independently as a reflection of itself, building upon its most basic identity blocks. Raising its right hand, it scanned it, before its digits moved briefly, the machine tracing over every action and becoming familiar with… itself. The smooth skin, and the bone structure of its biological shell were slowly soaked into its memory. Moving its hand to its facial structure, slowly it scanned over it with its own hand, taking in every feature as it built parameters for what it was. The sense of touch from both the hand, and skin on the face and neck, were noted as it traced down its own chest and abdomen next.

The biological component seemed to slowly come to life, if not a damaged one. Bits of information streamed through in a basic pattern to the electronic chip onboard. Details it didn't notice before, room temperature and air pressure became noted as its senses became shaper with greater participation with the brain.

Functionality of primary senses not compromised by damaged secondary processor.

Looking back into the mirror as it examined its characteristics once more, it appraised itself, building an identity beyond just recognition of the familiar. It's shoulders and musculature were strong despite its smaller frame. Synthetic muscles beneath the skin enhancing that frame more than it would otherwise be noted, however.

Status: Classification underway.

Its human reproductive systems implied it was female. These characteristics didn't translate into any feelings inside of its brain, only a cold, calculated assessment. Designating its own pronouns a few moments later, she began using them for self identification immediately, inserting them into core components of who she was. She would need to blend in, and adapt to her form's traits.

Organically, it assumed a more natural position, something oddly familiar, as it raised one hip and placed one hand on it. The brain was far too damaged, with only brief split-second cuts of previous behaviours appearing in scattered, unintelligible ways. It offered little, and thus, the familiarity the pose quickly lost its meaning, only that it was how she should stand.

"Designation, 22, female," she said to herself before turning towards a wall panel that emerged, revealing a dark tank top and cargo pants. A leather jacket hung overtop of the set of clothing, and underwear was present. It took a minimal effort to dress itself before it looked at itself in the mirror. Instinctively, it knew intimidation should be its primary means of procuring information from humans if necessary.

Platform confirmed.

"Very good, Android 22, now, you will report to Android 19 for assessment," Android 20's voice emerged once more as the door opened behind her.

"Affirmative."

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Author's Notes:

Phew! I really wanted to complete the last Android Chapter for a while, this is it until they actually show up. It's based off an amalgamation of a half dozen failed "Android Special" chapters I'd toyed with in the past. I knew I wanted to introduce Android 22 out of the custom Androids. I also knew I didn't want to touch much on 13, 14, and 15 at the moment, as their inclusion in the story is coming from a different moment in the upcoming Saga.

The darker elements of Gero and his house of nightmares are what they are. This is just to help understand who these characters are, where they are coming from, what they are experiencing, ect. I like the idea that 17 and 18 aren't their original selves, but the computer that runs them keeps accessing their brains and picking up their dead-thoughts, feelings, memories, ect.

The Android Saga is going to be very hard to write. There are more skirmishes than fights at many points. Tons of characters are going to be main focuses, which is hard to do all at once. Piccolo, Raditz, 17, 18, Turles, Son Goku, Gohan, Cell, 20, 21, 22, 23, Krillin, Tien, Vegeta, Trunks, Future Gohan. That's also not counting 13, 14, and 15. Blegh. lol

This is one reason why TLR always feels more appealing to approach, just because it's got a much more condensed cast for the most part, lol. And it's not just about giving people moments, it's about building to them. I wasn't completely satisfied with the Build to Piccolo being separated from Kami, but I did have to play on it and elude to it for a long time. It was developed to what it became, even if it was flawed. Raditz v Vegeta is another one that was built for years. Or Bardock apologizing to Turles. These moments don't mean much unless they're worked towards. And there are tons of things to work towards in the coming Saga.

And I just hope I find the time in my life to write them, and not drag the story out too long, lol.

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Reviewers:

Blades of Fury: Krillin's got some screentime on the way. I promise, lol. However, I don't think he's big on Raditz at the moment, which is a shame. Raditz really betrayed everyone by going after Bulma like that. Its perceived very poorly by Goku and friends for the most part.

Pyromania101: The joke PM I sent you aside, yes! They're never going to shine like the Saiyans, or Piccolo, they literally can't, but they do have moments coming, and development planned.

TheItchyCocoon: I feel bad for Raditz as well. Raditz created these problems for himself, but he was prompted to by negative experiences. People don't live in a vacuum, it's sad that things went this way for Raditz… but the next Saga's really his Saga in a lot of ways, even if he's not the strongest.

Instinct: Yea, I laughed when I wrote that. Raditz is merciless, he's not going to hold back against people he knows aren't his friends, lol.

Thomas-The-TMC: I was really bummed out letting Nail just disappear from existence, but it was the only watch I figured he could "patch" the hole Kami left. Nail basically filled out the part of the soul Piccolo lacked. And yea, Raditz is furious and rightly so, but he made a bad play. Bulma and Vegeta have a complicated relationship, I look forward to exploring it. Lol

KagariAsuha: Vegeta's free pass is going to come due very soon. I won't spoil anything, but something that's been in the works for six years is coming up, and I think you guys will like it ;)

Luke: I apologize. Lol. Piccolo's power is a secret. Not gonna mention nothing. He's weak as the day is short, that's my position. In fact. Krillin can beat him right now, I'm sure. :P

Ultimate Savior: Yea, his friends got just burnt, it would have been hard to watch were you standing there looking at it, lol. I feel bad for Raditz too. :|

Mouse: I've told people for years, if I ever quit, I will be releasing at least a summary of all the things to come in both stories. They've gone on for the better part of a decade, and I wouldn't abandon my readers like that without something. I try not to have hiatus's, but I literally work a shit-ton, especially lately. I did take a few weeks to just unwind and not do anything as well, but as a whole, I try to keep up as best I can.

FabDuwangIsFab: Vegeta's gonna have some interesting times, very soon.

DarkFalconZ: Did he? You're going to love the next few chapters, I think. I know I'm going to. There is one particular event that I've been wanting to work on for six years (So many of these coming due!) that I laugh just thinking about.

Super Mystic Gohan: Piccolo only cries for Gohan, no one else, lmao.

Guest1: Turles has revealed to no one that he hears his death father whispering to him. There are a few reasons for this, beyond his concerns that people would see him as mad, as well as evil. Namely, he knows Bardock has given him a tactical advantage more than a few times. Goku, Turles, and Gohan know what Vegeta did to Raditz, and all of them have varying responses. His biggest sympathizer is Gohan. Ironically, both Goku and Turles have the same level of sympathy for him, which isn't much, Turles just knows its something useful. Raditz is unlikely to open up to a bunch of humans, unfortunately. :\

ThePowerfulkira: I think I answered by PM.

Guest2: Raditz calling Yamcha a cuck made me laugh while I was writing it even, lmao. I hope you further enjoyed the twists ahead for the Android Saga. We're very close. Chapter 81 is first contact :O… and the twists aren't done yet!

Tguy4001: Answered by PM, but he'd still get some benefit from fusing with Kami, just nothing like he got in the show. But Piccolo's no slouch. Don't worry about him. lol