Ok, time for the story to move on… something of a slower chapter this time, I'd expect. Anyway, enjoy!

Chapter 3:

The Hunt Begins

"How is she?" Goku asked for what must have been the hundredth time. A moment earlier, Bulma had finally re-entered the room with the results of the tests in one hand. It was just lucky that the smartest person of Goku's acquaintance was also quite possibly one of the greatest young minds on the planet… that, and she had access to a world-class, state-of-the-art laboratory.

After hearing about what had happened, the rest of Goku's old friends had been there in moments. Master Roshi had arrived first with Krillin and Yajirobe in tow. An hour or so later, Tien and Chiaotzu had arrived as well. Goku had kept pacing up and down the corridor the whole time.

"She'll be fine," Bulma smiled. A unanimous sigh of relief escaped the room. "It looks like it was just a twinge caused by the stress, so the baby should be fine, but… can I talk to you two alone for a moment?"

Goku and Chi-Chi nodded and followed her into the other part of the lab.

"I didn't know if I should say this in front of the others," Bulma started awkwardly.

"What is it?" Chi-Chi asked, growing suddenly pale, "is something wrong?"

"Not… as such," Bulma began, "but the stress could have accelerated the birth."

"Accelerated?" Goku asked, scratching his head.

"Sped up," Bulma simplified it, remembering that Goku never did have much of an education. "In fact, it could happen… any time between today and tomorrow."

"What?"

"Take it easy," Bulma reassured them, "there's a hospital on-site."

"Here?" Chi-Chi snapped. Goku and Bulma both gulped; here came that famous temper. "I'm supposed to have my baby here?"

"Um… actually, she might have a point," Goku spoke up."

"What?"

"Well, those two said they'd be back," Goku pointed out, "so won't you probably be safer here?"

Chi-Chi paused. At some point, everyone had to listen to reason, and it was true that nothing could offer quite as much protection as Goku and his friends.

"Now," Bulma said, "I think we need to talk to the others."

***

"You said they were Androids," Krillin said as the group gathered in the lab. "I still remember you saying something about an Android being made by the Red Ribbon Army."

"But the Red Ribbon Army was destroyed," Master Roshi pointed out, leaning on his walking stick, "and years ago. I hardly think they'd be in a position to keep this up."

"Well, somebody's gathering up the dragon balls," Yamcha pointed out, "so who could it be?"

"Could be Pilaf," Krillin pointed out, "he was always after the dragon balls, and he was around when the Red Ribbon Army started messing things up. Maybe he found some old Androids they hadn't activated yet."

"That makes sense."

"King Piccolo was after them," Tien recalled.

"Only to restore his youth," Roshi reminded him, "besides, the Piccolo we know now is his son, and he's never shown interest in the dragon balls."

"Well, whoever it is," Goku announced, getting up out of his seat, "we can bet they're up to no good. How many dragon balls do they have?"

Bulma checked the dragon radar. "They've just found their fifth one."

"Really?" Goku asked. He didn't even sound that worried- more excited, like a young employee about to start work at a new job. "That only leaves two. I'd better get going, huh?"

"Wait a minute," Chi-Chi butted in, "you're leaving? Now?"

"Relax," Goku grinned, flashing a peace sign, "I'll be back before you know it." With that, he leapt from the window, onto the Nimbus cloud, and was away into the air with only a yellow streak behind him.

"Wow," Ox-King, whose arm was still in a sling, noted, "that thing can really move, huh?"

"That Goku," Roshi sighed, "always rushing into things."

"He's impossible," Chi-Chi huffed.

"So, Chi-Chi," Roshi cleared his throat, "it must be exciting waiting for the little tyke."

"Yeah," Chi-Chi smiled, "although it's also been tougher watching my figure with the baby there."

"I shouldn't worry about it," Roshi grinned, "after all," he added lewdly, his face red, "they say the first place a woman loses weight from is the chest, and I'd hate to see you lose those-"

-THWACK-

A moment later, Roshi was on his knees, rubbing a large swelling on his head as Bulma moved her fist back to her side.

"You never change, do you?" she sighed.

***

"The two-star dragon ball, doctor."

"Ah, excellent," the old man smiled, taking the orange orb and placing it back alongside the others. "Only two more to go, and… eh?" he turned to the source of a steady, rhythmic beeping. "Interesting. What's this?"

On one viewscreen, there was an image of a familiar yellow streak moving across the sky. "It seems one of my probes has detected something," the man realised. His voice turned to one of surprise, then of evil, cunning glee. "Why, it's him! Goku must be on his way to the nearest dragon ball. Why, this is…" he grinned, "perfect. It seems our plans are to accelerate."

He turned to the figures that stood at the edge of the room. "You all know your mission."

Androids 9 and 10 nodded. 11 stood apart from them, flexing his skinny wrists.

"We will accomplish our task," 9 said flatly.

"And now…" the old man turned round, "what about you… Android 12?"

The case behind him was now open. Within it, a pair of cold blue eyes opened, and what stepped out was a beautiful young girl in a dark-red puffy dress and corset, with a blood-red bow in her flowing, black hair.

For a moment, she stopped and looked at him with what he could only assume was hatred. Then she paused, as if remembering something.

"I am ready, doctor," she said softly.

"Good," the old man nodded, "I see that's been taken care of nicely. And the rest of you?"

Behind Android 12, seven gleaming lights lit up, and the doors of other tanks opened up.

"We are here to serve," seven cold, mechanical voices rang out. Android 8's precursors, it seemed, were still 'alive' and well.

"Excellent," the old man grinned madly. "Just imagine his face when he realises what's going to happen. He took everything from us," he smiled wickedly as he looked down at the dragon balls, "and now, we are going to take everything from him!"

Ok, not much happening there… and no Piccolo at all (looks down in shame). But fear not, as events are going to pick right up next chapter; though it was fun writing ol' perverted Roshi. But what is the secret of Android 12? And did anyone see that Androids 1 through 7 would also turn up?

Next Chapter: Goku faces Androids… 1, 2 and 3? That's right! Plus, our evil mastermind™ puts his sinister plans® in motion!