[AN: This takes place at the same time as Chapter 10 - Trip to the Circus.]

Bulma looked at her watch. Right on time, she thought.

Maestro's college reminded her of the college she used to attend – a lot of spacious outdoor areas, angular buildings, and busy students, eagerly chattering as they moved from one room to the next. While it was the weekend, and most classes weren't on, many students still lingered around the large campus, presumably catching up on work.

This was where she was going to meet his professor.

Finding his office hadn't been too difficult. The college had given plenty of detailed instructions, and the room codes were relatively simple to figure out.

Staring outside the door to the office, Bulma wasn't sure what to think. She wasn't worried about letting too much information slip into the wrong hands. But, despite this, she still felt a twinge of nervousness coming through her. Even if she withheld the truth, the fact of the matter was she was coming to ask his professor whether Maestro would be prepared to create killer cyborgs. It was a question she still didn't know the answer to.

Every time she thought about Maestro, she always imagined a younger version of herself. He was a child prodigy. He was adequate with robotics. And, judging by what she had heard from his mother, he also had a family that was willing to accommodate his every need.

Perhaps the question wasn't just "Would Maestro willingly build dangerous androids?", but rather "Would she have done it, if she had the technology?"

At her age, she was building the Dragon Radar, without any understanding of the dangers behind it.

Without it, she would never have met Goku, but…not for the first time, Bulma wondered what life would have been like if she hadn't investigated the Dragon Ball the family owned.

But that was long in the past. What she had to focus on now was the present.

Bulma knocked three times, and opened the door.

Seeing the office, Bulma was hit with…almost a wave of nostalgia. There was nothing special about the place – small, cozy, and surrounded by bookshelves. A large, modern-looking clock hung on the wall in front of her. It was just like any other office for a university professor. It reminded Bulma of her times at university, many years ago. Too often did she remember barging into the offices of her professors, excited to work on one idea or another, regardless of whether they related to the syllabus at all.

The professor was just sitting at his desk, reading some sort of scholarly article. At least, that was what Bulma assumed, considering its thickness and lack of variety in page layout.

Seeing Bulma, he quickly stood up and offered his hand.

"Bulma?" he asked. "From the Capsule Corporation?"

"We had an appointment," she answered formally.

Now was the time to get into business mode.

The professor nodded. "I'm Professor Locrian."

He offered a seat on the other side of his desk, which Bulma gladly took.

"So…" Bulma decided to take the first charge. "I wanted to talk to you about Maestro."

Locrian's eyes rose up.

"Maestro…" the professor started, eagerly. "Very bright boy. He was probably one of the greatest students in the Engineering faculty for…at least the past 10 years. And he achieved all that at an age most would believe impossible."

"I know," Bulma replied half-heartedly. She had seen all of the files on him – the newspaper articles, the awards, the information she'd heard second-hand from Bayonet.

Locrian's eyes narrowed. "You know about him?"

"I've been doing some research," Bulma answered. "I…I've been thinking about hiring him."

It was the easiest explanation. It gave a reason as to why she cared so much. Capsule Corp normally did background checks on their employees. After all, if they accidentally saw something they weren't meant to, like Vegeta…being Vegeta…

"For Capsule Corporation?" The professor seemed impressed.

"I just wanted to know what you knew about him."

Locrian nodded, understanding.

"Well, I've known Maestro for many years, ever since he started attending this college. He was around…10 years old. So, of course, it was natural to keep a close eye on him."

Bulma gestured for him to continue.

"He's very bright, and we obviously knew he was going to go far. He could manage the workload easily, and was always eager to experiment, even outside the curriculum."

"I've heard about his achievements," Bulma commented. "In terms of academics…it's obvious he has a talent. But I've been curious…about other things. Do you know anything about Maestro that might be…significant? Anything that he was working on after he graduated, for instance?"

She didn't know if Locrian had any information about the entire Android blueprints situation. She couldn't say it out loud. Not here. Not in front of him.

Locrian frowned. "I'm afraid I don't know much about what he's been doing since then. I know he got on the tour of Capsule Corp…when was that again?"

"About 2 weeks ago," answered Bulma. "I've been looking up on him since then, but…I haven't been able to contact him."

Locrian seemed concerned. "Do you need his home address?"

Bulma shook her head. "I already have his home address. I've visited his home address. But he wasn't there."

"He wasn't there?"

"Yes," Bulma continued. "That's why I wanted to ask whether you knew where he was."

Locrian scratched his head absent-mindedly. "I don't know why he wouldn't be there, but…I'm sure if you visit another time, he'll be there."

If he had come home, his mother would have told us, Bulma thought.

Perhaps the professor had seen Bulma's hesitance, for he added, "It shouldn't be long. He's a bright boy. It's not like he's vanished off the face of the Earth."

"But, if you were to guess…do you know where he could have gone? He didn't give his parents any indication of where he went."

The professor frowned, in thought. "I have no idea," he said. "He would often come over to the college when he was still enrolled, when he needed more room for his work. But those were for projects purely part of the curriculum."

"Alright." Bulma thought back to what she had rehearsed to say.

"One more question," she asked. "Do you know…" Recalling the names in the address book Gohan seized for her, the address that she had gone to, and found empty. "…Percus? And Woody?"

"Percus and Woody…" Locrian mused. Then his eyes lit up. "If you had said their names individually, I doubt I would have remembered. But, together…I think I recall them."

"Do they know Maestro? I think he has connections with them."

"They were his friends here at the college," Locrian answered. "I remember them. They were a lot older than him, normal college-age students, but I recall them always shadowing him around. Always together."

"Like bodyguards?"

Locrian frowned. "Perhaps. I'm sure the relationship was more of a legitimate friendship than protection. But Maestro was a lot younger than all the other students here. Perhaps Percus and Woody felt like he needed people to protect him."

"So…are they still studying here?"

"I don't think so," Locrian answered. "If I remember correctly, they left a few years ago. They were in the same course as Maestro, but they didn't share the same brilliance. We were considering advising them to try a different course, one that they wouldn't be having academic difficulties with, but they dropped out before that came to terms."

"Oh." If they had dropped out several years ago, it was unlikely people would know or even remember them.

And it also means that they could be entirely independent, Bulma thought. They might have careers and incomes, and…a way to support Maestro with any of his schemes.

Perhaps Bulma was taking the worst possible scenario, but…with even the potential of Androids, she couldn't risk being lax.

Then Locrian stared at Bulma directly. Suddenly, his expression wasn't so carefree. There was some intelligence there, some curiosity that was making Bulma uncomfortable.

"It's time I asked a question," he said, eyes narrowing.

"Why do you want to find Maestro that badly?"

"I told you, I want to hire him," Bulma answered, the well-rehearsed lie coming easily off her lips. But a twinge of nerves started in her chest.

"And that's all?"

Locrian wasn't convinced.

A half-truth, decided Bulma. If that's what he needs to believe me.

"I'm worried about him," Bulma admitted.

"Worried?"

She breathed out. "He's a bright boy. I just…I'm worried about what he'll do if he's left on his own. That kind of intelligence could easily be taken advantage of. "

"And what's to say you're not going to take advantage of him, too?"

"Because…I know what it's like, to lose yourself in your own ego. And I know how to bring them back."

There was silence. All Bulma could hear was the ticking of the clock above them.

"You have suspicions about him," Locrian stated. It was a fact.

Bulma nodded.

"Do you have proof to suspect him?"

The Androids flitted past Bulma's mind, the papers scattering.

17 and 18 flooded out from them, only to be replaced with something more menacing, their shadows lengthening, features disappearing until their silhouettes covered her imagination.

"That's strictly company business, Professor Locrian," she answered, trying to come back to reality.

"Company business…of course."

And that was when Bulma realised Locrian didn't believe her lie. Not at all.

"You know," he said, his voice deepening in suspiscion, "There are a lot of stories that get spread amongst the students here. Stories about your organisation."

Bulma scoffed. "They're a load of rubbish. Students love to make theories, even if there are no truths behind them."

How many times had people confronted her to ask her ridiculous questions? Whether it was a member of the media, or a random person she'd met at a party, it seemed like she could barely get her name out before the questions came out. Is Capsule Corp really blackmailing the government? Is it true they're building explosives that can demolish cities? What about artificial experiments? And cloning?

Sometimes, Bulma thought their theories were often less plausible than the truth. That was how life was supposed to work, but…Bulma used to think her life was crazier and more fantastic than anyone's imagination. The theories people came up with helped to disprove that thought.

"That may be true, but…"

Locrian's eyes were drilling deep into her, examining her for any sign of weakness. Bulma held herself stoic. She couldn't give anything away. She never could. Not even for a second.

"There are a lot of these theories, you see," Locrian continued. "So many, in fact, that you'd assume at least one of them has a grain of truth to them."

"If they do," Bulma replied stiffly. "If one of them is true, I'm sure it's the most logical, the most boring, and the most ordinary. For one, I can assure you we are not genetically engineering dragons."

We're only summoning them, to wish people back to life. Out of seven mystical balls created by God, who is also an alien.

And that thought made Bulma smile.

"The most boring…that's probably true."

He paused.

"I just wanted to tell you, Ms. Bulma…the students aren't the only one spreading rumours. And they're not the only ones who get suspicious."

"I know."

And then, with that, it was as if a signal had been sent between the two of them. A silent message, that said I understand what you're trying to tell me.

Bulma got out from her chair.

"I should probably get going," she said. "I have a lot of work to do. Thankyou for the information."

Locrian nodded, a slight smile coming to his face. "If I have any ideas about what Maestro is up to…perhaps I'll contact your organisation. I'm sure he'll be over the moon to find out they're interested in him."

"I'm sure he will."

Once she was out of the building, Bulma suddenly realised she had been holding her breath.

Why did he have to mention his suspicions?

Her fists clenched, her chest tight, she walked slowly away from the campus, feelings of frustration bottled within her.

No one understood how difficult keeping a secret was.

Almost accidentally, she had been the one left to keep the existence of aliens away from the rest of the world.

It had started once they arrived back from Namek. Having those Namekians holed up in the Capsule Corp building for several months…it wasn't like they were intrusive guests. They didn't even need to eat. But that was when all the hiding started. They couldn't go outside. They looked too much like Piccolo. There may have been the opportunity that someone would recognise them as kin to the monster who so briefly terrorised Earth, many years ago.

And after that…the floodgates had been open, and there was no way to escape it. It became routine that whatever the Saiyans did, Capsule Corp would be there to cover it up. From summoning Shenlong to developing their training systems…and not to mention Cell.

Everything changed for the worse then. People had seen Vegeta, Piccolo, Krillin, and all the rest with their own eyes. They had seen what Goku and Gohan had done first-hand.

She still needed to thank Mr. Satan for his PR spree. "They're just tricks", he told the world. And the world believed him, because surely that made more sense than accepting people who could fly and shoot lasers and move faster than a camera could pick up.

But then Vegeta was staying with them, and Trunks was growing up, and…she had to keep it a secret. She could never say they weren't entirely human.

And that secret split her down the middle. Suddenly, her life had two parts to it – the Saiyan part and the human part. And those two parts could never mix. The moment one was aware of the other's existence, conflict was bound to happen. Humans could never understand aliens, and for the Saiyan part…Vegeta still didn't bother accustoming himself to Earth society. Although he had seemed a little different after Majin Buu was defeated…

One day, Bulma had decided, when Trunks was older, she was going to sit him down and explain in great detail all the sacrifices she had to make for him. For all of them. She had given up any illusion of an ordinary life.

And now she was constantly looking over her shoulder, just waiting for someone to discover the truth. Because if that happened…she had to do everything in her power to stop the news from spreading.

It was for them. She was doing it all for them, and they didn't even realise. Vegeta, Trunks, Krillin and Yamcha, Gohan, Goten and Goku…

Not for the first time, Bulma wondered what would have happened if she had never found that Dragon Ball in her attic. What would have happened if she had never met Goku in the first place…

Perhaps it wouldn't have been for the best. Perhaps Goku's brother would have still arrived on Earth, and, not having a force to oppose him, would have destroyed everything.

It was times like that where Bulma realised…she could never go back. She could never even imagine what her life was like without the Saiyans. They were the only reason the Earth was still standing, after all.

Sighing, she uncapsuled her helicopter, ready to go back home.

One day, she thought. One day, I'll explain what I've done for those Saiyans. But not today.

And so she left, her mind moving to Maestro.

She didn't get any new details about his whereabouts. But she hadn't expected to.

She just hoped Gohan and Videl's lead would be more useful.

[AN: Second Chances is not dead! If you wanted to know why there has been such a long hiatus...well, there's two reasons. The first is I've been very busy with work, and a Youtube channel about Dragon Ball that I've been managing (at MozillaVulpix! *shameless plug*).

The second reason is Dragon Ball Super. I wanted this story to be an in-depth look into Gohan's character arc after the Buu Saga, and I've been realising...Super might actually continue to develop his character, whether it's for the better or for the worse. Because of this, trying to actually look into Gohan's character sometimes felt a little...presumptuous of me. Like, if I keep going in this direction, I'm going to start making him seem out-of-character compared to what's happening to him in the new materials. And I didn't WANT that to happen when I started writing.

Unfortunately, the next chapter isn't going to come out anytime soon. I still have those prior commitments. Really, this is like a little 'bonus chapter' to assure everyone, NO, I haven't forgotten about this.

But perhaps soon, this story will continue. I definitely don't want to give it up. I love it too much.]