Chapter Ten

Goku's breath was ragged as he wrapped an arm around Goten's shoulder for support; the fight was finally over, after luring the four sub-humaniods away from the campsite and into the rocky desert climate. To their surprise, two of the enemy units had been modeled and shaped after Trunks and Goten. If it wasn't for the blood, Goku and Vegeta would have known both of their sons were dead. As they headed back to camp silently, each of them contemplated whether the battle was over or not. If in a short time this strange, unknown man could create two droids, what else did he have up his sleeve? Keeping a good pace to catch their breaths, each knew they would have to find and destroy the mastermind behind the attacks. That meant, Makoto still wouldn't be safe.

"I felt an energy spike a while back, she must have got her powers again," commented Trunks to no one in particular. If so, then she would be waiting patiently for their return. Flying through the foliage, the encampment got closer as they noticed how silent it was before focusing on the tents still standing. Goku plopped down on a stump, taking a needed rest next to Goten. Vegeta frown, looking at the strange, large foot marks in the dirt surrounding the tents before moving over to the one Makoto was occupying.

"Let her rest, she probably needs it," said Goten, looking at his father with a worried expression. Vegeta gave a grunt and tore the zipper down, peering in to see an empty sleeping bag and hole ripped in the other side of the tent.

"Well I'll be, they had someone stashed that took her," he said, grabbing everyone's attention. Trunks was by his side like no other, peering into the Trunks only for his fist to clutch tightly as a silence moved over them.

"How are we going to find her?" asked Goten. Trunks started to think until he realized what Bulma had packed for this type of emergency. Pulling out a hand held computer, he knew what he was going to need to do.

"I can get the computer chip in the body of the androids we faced and find the location of where they were created. I'm sure that will lead us to them, and then we can figure out a plan," said Trunks. The group moved back toward the desert to rest while Trunks worked, waiting when it would be time to battle once more.

Makoto didn't know what day it was in her immobile state, feeling as if she was a psychiatric patient from the amount of medicines used. She wasn't sure what she was given and would rather take the pills than be forced with harsh shots, her arms still bruised from the rough handling. The small room she occupied had no windows, soft blue walls, a metal framed twin bed covered in white sheets with a dark blue comforter, and beige carpet. The only thing she was allowed to wear was mandated clothing she was sure used for patients; the thin cotton white and blue stripped button up long sleeved top and matching pants. Lying on the floor, her hand lazily picked at one of the smooth white buttons as she tried to make shapes out of the stucco ceiling.

The ache in her shoulder and elbow from the first encounter with Bardock felt like normal, as if her body had already healed the wounds. It was odd how quickly it healed. She began to wonder back to the pills, trying to memorize their colors and size so she could identify them with Ami when she got home…if she got home. Depression moved through her as she curled up on the carpet, frowning as she picked at the carpet. Her thoughts were dispersed by the lock opening echoing through the room. Ignoring who was entering, Makoto continued her task at removing the small hairs of carpet that were above a certain height level.

"Come." The command was so forceful and she was surprised that Bardock was paying her a visit, especially since she hoped he had forgotten her presence. Trying to command her body, Makoto felt the muscles finally give into her commands as she slowly rose onto wobbly legs. Bardock wrinkled his brow, cursing a bit under his breath as Makoto felt she read his mind.

"Two small blues, one medium white, one medium yellow, and three large pinks," she replied, feeling the slowness in her speaking. Bardock nodded, watching her slowly start to move in the direction of the door but became irritated. Swinging her into his arms, Bardock moved quickly down the halls toward his destination before depositing her in a chair. Makoto looked around the room, noticing they were in his private laboratory.

"You will see the start of my experiment there," he said, his deep voice echoing around her as he continued to work at his table. Mainly, it was for gloating but to let her knew he was serious. While she was out and before she was placed into a tube, he extracted just what he needed to start his experiments but knew she would come in use later and decided not to dispose. Since this first one was proving successful, he was going to make multiple.

Makoto felt her stomach roll when she looked at the glowing green watery tube while something floated in the middle with tubes surrounding it. Making her way toward the tube, Makoto felt her stomach twist and roll as she froze, staring at the child. Her hand covered her mouth for a moment as she looked away, trying to figure out how and when this was possible. A panic pulsed through her as she started at that…things…growing in the tube. She could count the fingers and toes, head and eyes were developed and it looked like it just need some more growing. Pressing her hand against the glass, she stared at this child…half of it was hers. She felt herself denying it, not believe this could be hers as she crumpled to the ground staring up at it.

"Others will be produced, and I'm sure with this successful experiment I can sell the rights to making it possible for models to have children without ruining their bodies," said Bardock. Makoto felt the anger surge through her.

"Having a child is a gift, not some test tube experiment," she angrily. Bardock perked up a bit as he continued his work.

"It doesn't matter, humanity will be enslaved soon," he retorted and Makoto's anger finally broke.

"Humanity did nothing to you nor did it kill your father. You are making a mistake to think you will get away with any of this," said Makoto, steadily and watched him stop his work to look in her direction.

"My entire race and planet is gone, there is nothing left besides those men disgracing my race with their 'peaceful' tactics. Not only did they all turn their back on my planet, and our families, but they left it be destroyed," replied Bardock, feeling his anger rise. She was pushing the lines of his temper while messing with his thoughts and questioning his tasks.

"You're not the only one; I am the last of my race, my people were destroyed but I was able to have the chance to live and recreate my legacy. That's what your family, whether you want to admit it or not, is doing. They are living in memory of who they are since they are different. This is our, and even your, home now. Why destroy where you live?" asked Makoto, her heart and soul pouring into this conversation. She felt pity for him, knowing what he was going through with feeling alone. He hadn't had a chance with the way he was raised to only know how to do these deeds or given a chance to live. "At least you're not alone in this world and have someone to talk to about all the changes you're going through. Accepting your different all alone is hard, but at least you will know what to expect by getting to know your family. I am sure if they knew you existed you wouldn't be here, alone, doing such things."

"No one could replace my father!" Bardock felt his anger at the stinging truth to her words, knocking over beaks and ruining a few of his experiments in the making.

"No one is trying to replace him. Your father died with honor and I'm sure he would embrace the future. Who would want to spend their life always fighting without time for themselves? To explore and see what wonders live out in the universe? Isn't being a scientist and coming up with new breakthroughs something you enjoy? You could change your mind before it's too late," said Makoto, softening and feeling her sympathy playing a large role. He grew up alone, no mother and no father just like she had. Although she had gone down the wrong path, meeting her friends had changed her for the better. All he needed were some friends, someone to show him the path in the right direction. She could tell he was tense by the way his posture held, looking down at the metal table holding spilled liquids and broken glass. "I barely know anything about you but I can tell we're similar in quite a few ways. Both of my parents died, long ago when I was young but no one wanted me. Not even my own family. I moved from foster care since older children are hard to adopt. Finally at the age of fourteen I got a job, an apartment, and have worked my way up to where I am today. I was alone, and because I was different I had no friends. My height is intimidating to those where I live, and I had a bad reputation. I used to pick on the weak because of all the anger building up inside me. Why did they leave me? Why did no one want me? My first friend was the best gift in the world; she believed in the good in me no matter how intimidating I looked."

"What's your point?" he interrupted, not wanting to hear anymore. Makoto had managed the creep up to the table while speaking, standing closely next to him while examining his body. There was something fighting inside him, perhaps he still had a chance? Pressing a hand against his back, she felt his muscles become tense. Slowly, she pressed herself against his back and wrapped her arms around his waist in a sincere hug. Makoto felt his breath hold as she squeezed tighter.

"I believe in you Bardock," she said softly, the tears springing to her eyes at that moment while she remembered how it felt to be with everyone she loved. This was her time to prove to them how much they believed in her by saving a life. Things didn't have to end badly with anyone dying. A cool hand pressed over hers as she felt him take a deep breath.

It took a few days for Trunks to retrieve the data from the almost crushed android. He was lucky there was one left but he was feeling as if time was ticking too much. From being in a rush, he made a few mistakes and felt himself having to start over countless times. He was nervous, wondering what they were going to do with her. His father's words were echoing endlessly in his head while he thought about Makoto. This was his fight for her, and he wasn't going to give up now. His thoughts were cut off by Goten pressed a hand against his shoulder.

"Take a break and get some rest," replied Goten, worried for his friend who was working by the light of the campfire. Trunks shrugged his hand off as he continued to look through the date retrieved for some insight on the location. Goten let out a sigh and plopped down next to his friend, looking up at the stars strangely while the silence moved through them. "What do you think about Makoto?"

Trunks paused in his work, knowing that this was the time. His thoughts began to race as he thought about the time in the time chamber where he got to know her, feel her presence, and within that year knew she held a part of him no other woman had managed to snag. She was beautiful, truly beautiful and any man would be lucky to have her…and he was going to have her. He knew a side of her she was sure no one else had saw, something he felt lucky to have been able to see. There was a connection and he could understand how she didn't want to come between his friendship with Goten. They had grown up together, being best friends and knowing everything about each other. Trunks knew Goten was attracted to her for the simple fact she could cook. Trunks knew the words coming were true, and wondered how his friend was going to take it.

"I love her," said Trunks, moving back to his work while he searched through the data endlessly. Goten placed a hand on his shoulder, making him paused to stare his friend in the eye for a moment only to see a small smile take over his serious persona.

"Glad you could finally admit it," replied Goten, slapping Trunks on the back. Trunks grinned and continued to work, listening to the crackling take over as the two sat silently again until Goten broke the silence once more. "When did you know?"

Trunks knew it was time to be honest with his friend.

"I took her to the time chamber to harness her new power," said Trunks, peering up at Goten who nodded wanting more. "I was able to see a side of her I never knew, this sort of magic moving through me. I knew I wanted to be with her, not just out of force of spending time in a room together but more than that. She turned me down before things could ever happen, suggesting not to be something to come between friends."

"How thoughtful," said Goten, happy that there was one woman that would do the right thing. The last woman to get between them purposely pulled at both of their strings just to see what would happen and then choose the winner in the fight. In the end, they managed to talk about it while sparring at Goten's house to their anger out. That was when they made a pack to never let it happen again. "So here's the plan. I'll let you go in for the save so you can prove to her your knight-in-shining-armor deal to win her heart. Then, she will be all over you!"

Trunks couldn't help but laugh. Goten was understanding, but Trunks wondered when Goten would have his chance to find someone to care this much about. Hopefully soon that one day would happen. Suddenly pausing on the data, Trunks grinned.

"Location has been found."

AN: Thank for patiently waiting and the reviews!