Chapter 5
(The Red Ribbon, Rise)
A lone screen within a dark dank and forgotten room somewhere hidden beneath a mountain or two of rock still shone. A trickle of life still fed into it, a local source unknown to the world. It's internal drives and motors whirring and cooling fans running but no one to hear it.
"Error, main station battery unresponsive, unit scans are optimal. Attempting restart of all systems." A simple message it read out, but no voice, no sounds could be heard. The screen lit up the room, and showed a small error check appear showing this process was now entering its thirty millionth restart cycle. The screen then cut and darkness, total and absolute overtook the room. Then, within another second it burst to life yet again
illuminating metal along the walls and floor that gleamed in its dusty existence. Mysterious pods, lost devices and plans scattered the room, a single tube lay within, its glass burst and long since dried liquid had stained and damaged its outer shell, but glass lay along the ground. Whatever had been within had decided to set itself free.
Nonetheless, the screen went through a boot cycle, drawing on its local power, and attempting to bring power to all systems in this little room, and fulfill its directive, and its programming. A diagnostic scan began, a linkup followed, routing to the main power station beyond. Internal systems, operable, internal diagnostics clean for boot processes of separate units, but then as usual.
"Error, main station battery unresponsive, unit scans are optimal. Attempting restart of all systems." Once more the main linkup to the battery source failed. If a computer like it could feel emotion, it would likely feel undying irritation. Diagnostics and pings showed battery life to be operable and functioning, yet powering systems always failed on attempted connect. Whatever mind, whatever force of will had designed the computer and separate systems, there was no protocol, no secondary function to switch to another power source. Always because the main source was operable, it was there, it could feed its purposes and allow it to carry out it primary functions. Yet, always there was a failure to connect and establish power transfer.
So, the computer shut down, the room was again taken into total darkness. Nothing, no light no sound no observer saw or heard or remembered such a place existed but the walls of rock and metal that surrounded that which was within. All of which were the machinations of a dead man, and a dead man's hate and rage. A driving force and thirst for vengeance stemmed from grudges held for a child turned man who he saw to have it all and who thought himself to have nothing. Alas, the separate life support source that had run to the now damaged and broken tube within the center of the room had died, its life spent its purpose fulfilled. So, the primary booting computer came to life again within this dark forgotten place and ran through the same booting cycles as before, and attempt to establish power supply thirty million and one began, and no one knew, and no one cared.
Once more he looked upon a dead city. The scars of destruction and battle ravaged its outer regions, mostly to the south and west of the city, but the center, yes the center was pretty damn clear of rubble and debris. Some scorch marks lay here and there and wounds of attack by some energy source or ki attack, but it was as Gohan had remembered. At least as best he could.
Yet now, now there was only silence. The eery whir of the wind and his footfalls when he walked. Otherwise the city was dead, there was no sound and no life, and he sensed nothing, and his eyes held onto what he almost believed to be an endless glare, as anger, rage and hate burned inside him, and his fists endlessly tightened and loosened as he walked. Something was wrong though.
Yes, as he had thought the androids...this didn't look like their work. The central sector, and downtown regions were nearly spotless, though not totally. No mass signs of destruction and downed spires or ripped cars with bodies left scorching. The dead weren't anywhere to be found. No bodies or twisted remains within downtown or the central heart of Peri City. It was a ghost town, and it looked, sounded and felt like it. It sent chills running both up and down his toned arms every now and again, but the half-Saiyan wasn't cold. But, he was disturbed, because he held in his hands something that didn't make sense, but he felt meant only trouble, and he couldn't fathom anymore trouble coming to his planet, and his home.
"I found more Gohan!" Trunks called catching his attention and causing him to ball the fabric loosely hanging in his right hand. He quickly paced over towards the younger boy where Trunks glared with narrowed eyes and stiff shoulders down an alley between a shop and rising building that looked like an apartment complex. Trunks pointed down the shadowy path.
"There's so much of it. Wh...what do you think it means? I mean why are there clothes everywhere?!" He asked questions Gohan himself was begging to know the answers to. He didn't answer immediately though, as he looked where Trunks did, and he felt some odd tightening in his gut form that nearly made him sick. Down the alley there were dozens maybe hundreds of pieces of clothing. Shirts, pants, boxers and other assorted clothing pieces. They were strewn about some blowing in the narrowed winds that blew into the alleyway, but a mass trail led towards the back of the alley, where another sight greeted him. Hundreds, and hundreds of clothing pieces piled one atop the other like a mass pile clawing towards the rear wall of the alley that connected to a building facing the street beyond them. But, Gohan scanned each article, mostly shirts he could with his onyx eyes, and grimaced further.
"I'm not sure, but what disturbs me more is this." He held up the shirt in his hands closer to Trunks and the boy grabbed it. He unfurled the clumped mess and saw a shirt, about his size. Yellow and without any defining or interesting marks, and thus amazingly plain. Then he turned it, and saw a gaping hole in what was the back of the shirt, and his eyes narrowed confusedly.
"Most of the shirts share the same thing." Gohan pointed forwards and it only dawned on Trunks then that he was right. Nearly every shirt he could see, be it front or back had some hole, and if they didn't he bet if he flipped them over they would.
"But...what then? Ki blast?"
"No," Gohan shook his head. "No scorch marks or anything resembling an energy attack." Trunks again looked to the shirt and nodded in agreement.
"The fabric is ripped, so it looks like something stabbed through. What, why? I have no idea right now, but this, this is all wrong." Gohan lamented darkly motioning towards the piles of clothing as that same hardened look remained stuck to his face. He sighed and it turned into a harsh nasally growl as he turned on a heel and stomped away. Trunks was snapped from his own thoughts and followed after him dropping the shirt to the ground as he did.
"This makes no sense." Gohan continued running his right hand through his spiked hair.
"The outer city is as I left it. Hell the bodies...the destruction it's all as I expected, and as I last saw it, but this isn't right! The androids don't...well I don't think they stab people, and even if they did there would be blood, dried albeit but blood!" He waved his hands out in exasperation as if demanding some unseen deity to give answers to his many questions.
"Yeah," Trunks began a bit sheepishly. Himself feeling uncomfortable by the eery presence of the city and his master's anger.
"It's like they all just got up and left. Or disappeared, but-"
"But without their clothes." Gohan finished shaking his head and staring at the sky for another moment or two.
"There should be bodies. Why are there no bodies? If they're dead, and if they're alive? No they can't be." He whispered again causing Trunks to feel a little uncomfortable as he had no answers. No theories really either.
"Do you think...the androids did this?" The boy finally asked and Gohan paused his eyes darting back and forth as he mulled the question over.
"I don't know Trunks. I mean, there's not many options for us who could've done this, or why. The androids, well we've seen how they have 'fun.' If this were some city to city violence, some gang of people living in the wastes coming through for supplies in a raid, the people still could've fought that. There would be signs of a fight or something. There's just nothing, but a ghost city, and clothes." Gohan looked to his left and noted the street lined with cars, both hover and wheeled. Some of the hovered looked damaged, and many cars shared some damage along them. Bumpers were beat in front and back, but he assumed that was incurred in the panic to escape the androids, or whatever had attacked them.
Some of them had windows ripped to shreds though. Broken both in and outwards, with shards scattered about littering the street and sidewalks. Clothing lined many seats, seat belts still strapped in. some of them roofs were torn clean off, and that only caused Gohan's eyes to narrow further.
"Whatever it was, he or she had enough strength to tear roofs clean off cars." He muttered aloud more to himself. Trunks heard though and looked where Gohan did and took note of the sight as well.
"No, we're not dealing with bands of crazed survivors." Gohan declared stepping forwards down the street with no direction really in mind, and Trunks following after.
"Unless someone trained long and hard like Tien, Yamcha or Krillin there's not really a chance a human, er...well full blooded human, could rip a car roof off."
"Well," Trunks began, a thoughtful tone in his voice as he did. Gohan glanced his way as both of them veered towards the right sidewalk and kept walking down he clothing riddled path.
"If it wasn't the androids, as far as we know then...well what if it was the Saiyans?" That caused Gohan to suddenly stop. Trunks hadn't even noticed and took several steps forwards, but then stopped after no longer feeling Gohan beside him. He turned back around to see Gohan glaring into the distance, but trunks knew nothing was there. He was thinking again. His glare though, it was dark, angry and foreboding. His muscles, Trunks could see them tense and his eyes narrowed so much so he swore they would simply shut.
"I hadn't thought of that." Gohan turned towards the street again and stared at the line of cars and what remained of the people that had lived here. He scanned up and down the street and eventually, with furrowed brow, Trunks joined him and looked back down the street but saw nothing.
"Gohan?"
"I don't sense them. I got a good read on Broly and Paragus. Their men though..." He trailed off and Trunks finally got it. He realized Gohan was trying to sense for any trace of the Saiyans. He beamed and began sensing more thoroughly himself, but then his thin smile faded to a frown. He never even met them! How would he know what their ki felt like? That caused him to groan.
"No, it can't be. The same reason, why would they abduct a bunch of people? Um, naked too if that were the case." Gohan cleared his throat uncomfortably and took a few steps towards Trunks.
"Beside that wouldn't explain the stab markings. If they had done it it would need to serve a purpose. To throw me off? But from them or the androids? Besides, Paragus knows I'm too strong for him and his son to handle. They'd be committing suicide by doing this."
"Do you sense anything at all?" Trunks inquired, and Gohan gave another quick sweep and nodded.
"There's something here. Faint, incredibly faint, but it's a memory. Something was here and it left. The power feels very low, close to how...well how Tien or Krillin would feel if they were suppressing all their power but the bare minimum needed."
"So, something that can us ki, or at least is stronger than the average human. And something that is suppressing its ki. Sounds like they wanted to stay hidden." Trunks went on and Gohan nodded along.
"Whatever 'they' may be. I'm not sure, it's all just so, well confusing." Gohan sighed again as he and Trunks seemed to walk without aim or direction down the desolate of life sidewalk.
"All I know, is that this city is empty, most likely everyone is...well dead, and I have nothing in the way of clues. Except for a headache, ripped shirts and the silence of-" Suddenly Gohan's head snapped back and he let out a cry of pain and both hands flew up to his face. Trunks paused quickly raising his fists on instinct ready for a fight.
"OW! What was that for?!" Gohan cried nursing his nose, and Trunks faced turn to a confused look as he glanced slightly to his left ahead of himself and Gohan to see what had just-
"Yeah that's right android! That was just a small taste of my fists of justice! Now, if you got the guts come at me if you dare!" Trunks felt his right eye twitch as the older and gruff voice boasted. The man was standing with his fists at his hips, and a toothy wide grin on his face that Trunks felt more than saw was fake. He was wearing a brown tunic looking shirt that exposed his chest, and was kept close to his, relatively well built frame by a white cloth belt. He wore simple white leggings that went along with the belt, and black boots with a white central strip and similarly white laced ties. He bore a prominent mustache and had quite equally prominent sideburns, but he was balding and had just a rim of hair forming along the back of his head around to the sideburns. All of his hair was jet black and Trunks finally noted his eyes were a dark blue, which were currently narrowed in on Gohan.
"Uh...Gohan?" Trunks questioned, as his voice clearly showed he couldn't believe his nose could hurt that much.
"Dad!" A new voice came in and caught both Trunks and the man's attention into an alley where he had obviously come from. A woman joined him, her own blue eyes glaring at the older man she had called out to as 'dad.' He in kind took on a sheepish look and smiled as she approached, like a chastised or about to be chastised kid. Her outfit was far more militaristic than the man's. Besides a simple white under shirt, she wore a vest jacket in camouflaged green patterns and matching jeans with a utility belt wrapped around her waist, and black boots on her feet. She had short hair, but enough to form a small ponytail behind her head with a few stray ebony locks that hung down her face. To Trunks she looked about Gohan's age, or so he guessed as she crossed her arms next to the old man.
"What the hell are you thinking?!"
"Uh well, Videl I-" The man began, as Gohan finally stopped rubbing his nose and also held a cocked brow at the sight.
"You don't go around punching every person walking down the street! Let alone people who look nothing like the androids!" The man nervously tapped his fingers together and glanced Gohan and Trunks way seemingly double checking their looks. That's when Trunks could see a blush appear on the older man's face.
"Well you see, if they had been the androids I had to give em' a good fair warning! Yeah, you know show to the world and to them that the champ, Mister Satan was here and ready to throw down!" He blustered flexing his biceps and grinning again, but trunks did notice him looking around for something.
"Oh dad." The woman, Videl, shook her head turning to Gohan.
"Sorry about dad, he's a little too excited today. Even though it's quite clear the androids are nowhere to be found." She cast him another quick glare and the man...Mister Satan, smirked just as sheepishly still darting around looking for something.
"Uh, it's okay. I just...wasn't expecting it." Gohan replied, a slight red tinge coming to his face in embarrassment as he glanced towards Trunks who continued to look astounded.
"So who are-"
"Uh, Videl?" Gohan was cut off by the Mister Satan. Videl turned his way again.
"Where's the reporters? They were here a minute ago." She rolled her eyes shaking her head yet again.
"Oh, so that's what you were looking for." Trunks cut in with a smile. Which quickly waned in renewed confusion. "Wait, why are you looking for reporters?"
"They stayed behind dad." Videl now cut in before her dad could respond.
"Behind?! But why? They could've seen me in action!" He boasted and flexed some more making Trunks wonder if he should laugh or feel embarrassed for the man.
"So they could see you punch an innocent guy? Not sure how good that would've looked for the 'World Champ,' dad." She went on and Mister Satan paused cupping his rather pronounced chin thoughtfully.
"Hmm, I guess you're right. But still, it would've looked great! Having the Champ out, showing his moves, and protecting everyone in the city from any threat! Android or otherwise." He laughed so self assured of himself that Trunks rubbed the back of his neck in the awkwardness of the moment.
"Have anything to say to the guy you punched in the nose?" Videl asked tilting her head towards Gohan, who still looked embarrassed by the whole affair.
"Huh? Oh right! Sorry that I hit you citizen! I had expected you to be one of those no good killer androids come to face the Champ finally and stop running! But, uh yeah, sorry for hitting you and all." Gohan joined Trunks in rubbing the back of his head awkwardly.
"Uh yeah, don't mention it." Videl shook her head with a thin smile on her face.
"But, if you don't mind me asking, what are you doing in the city? I thought it was...well empty." Gohan put it with an awkward tone in his voice. Videl turned back towards him crossing her arms, and suddenly had an intense stare on her face.
"We could ask you the same thing." She began defensively. Gohan smiled awkwardly and rubbed the back of his neck yet again, and Trunks could see he was thinking up something to say on the spot.
"Well, we asked you first!" Trunks cut in hoping to buy Gohan some time. "After all, we were the ones walking and then you guys come out of the alleyway, punching might I add!" That in turn caused the woman, Videl to blush with embarrassment again as she eyed her father who looked away with embarrassment his own, though he was still smirking.
"Look," Gohan began holding his hands up to calm both Trunks and Videl who looked ready to explode with a renewed retort.
"If it makes you feel better we were just...passing through." She turned to him, eyebrow raised.
"'Passing through?'" She repeated slowly. "Who the hell passes through a desolate city like this?" Gohan smiled.
"People who need supplies. We heard what happened, the android attack, and we decided it was best to come get what we could. There are other mouths to feed on this planet, and...well they don't need it anymore." His demeanor and tone did drop some as he pointed over his shoulder at the deathly silent streets. His explanation caused Videl to frown but she did nod.
"I guess that makes sense. Even if it's a bit callous." She added and Gohan continued showing a calm and even smiling face.
"It is, but we have to live somehow. It would be us or someone else, maybe even the androids out of pure spite." Again Videl nodded.
"I suppose so. Still," She looked up at Gohan with another hard questioning stare.
"If that's true where are all of your 'supplies?'" Gohan didn't respond immediately and Trunks could tell in that moment he had become stumped again.
"Well we just got here." Trunks cut in hastily. "We were looking around, seeing if anyone was still around, and we were gonna go get food. Until well, you know." Trunks tilted his head towards Mister Satan causing another furious blush to cross Videl's face.
"Oh...right." She nodded again.
"Alright, so you have our reason. What's yours?" Trunks asked again.
"Looking for survivors too."
"And a chance to give those androids a taste of their own medicine!" Mister Satan added with all the bluster expected and Videl rolled her eyes subtly.
"Yeah, and that. But, still we had heard the androids had attacked and wanted to help. No one really tries anymore." She offered with a hint of anger and Gohan chose to nod.
"But, we've been here for hours, and you two are the only people we've found so far. Well, you two and the reporters...back there." She lazily pointed her thumb over her shoulder down the alley.
"Yeah, about that," Gohan began cocking his brow this time.
"Why are reporters here? Or, I suppose I mean, why are they following you guys?" Videl sighed lightly as her dad beamed at the question and folded his arms over his chest with the widest grin yet plastered along his face.
"Why, because I'm the Champ! The World Martial Arts Champ, and eventual savior of the world!" He laughed triumphantly and seemed wholly unaware of the stunned expressions across both Trunks and Gohan's faces. Though Trunks held a frown along his face at the bluster more than anything else.
"Oh...right." Gohan elongated his 'oh,' as if coming to a realization.
"I remember now, you won several of the world tournaments several years in a row. Mister Satan, or...what was the other name?" A hint of red crossed the older man's face before he cleared his throat and answered.
"Uh, you're thinking of 'Hercule.' Which was my temporary stage name for a few months, before I took my true title. Mister Satan! World Martial Arts master, and Champion, savior of the world, and nightmare of anyone who'd harm the innocent! Android or otherwise!" He laughed and Trunks could be seen rubbing his own forehead from sheer disbelief with this man. Though Gohan smirked, he had to give the man one thing, he was devoted to his image...if nothing else.
"If that's true," Trunks began folding his own arms now. "Why haven't you 'beaten' the androids yet? They've been doing stuff like this for years now." He waved his arms out across the city around them before refolding them and giving 'Hercule,' a critical questioning glare.
"Well uh you see, I've been uh...strategizing for many years, and training to become even stronger than ever! Every time I've gotten close to those two killer monsters they've run away or left before I got there like the cowards they are!" Gohan could see Trunks near fuming with the man. To a degree he could understand why, both he and Trunks could sense the man had just about the same power level as any other human that didn't go the extra mile like Krillin or Tien to train. Yet, here he was blustering about his strength, while a city lay desolate and empty of life. Still, in a morbid kind of way, Gohan found himself smiling at the man's near delusional bravado.
"I don't think you-"
"Well, it's good to know you're on the job then." Gohan cut Trunks off who cast him a confused glare before turning it back 'Hercule's' way.
"Hah, why of course! With the Champ on the job, no one stands a chance! Especially not those android cowards!"
"Good, now all we need to do is catch up with them, and let you do your job." Trunks intoned, which caused Mister Satan to pause his gloating and cast a worried glance the boy's way.
"Oh...uh yeah well, when we do catch up with them I'll give them a beating like they've never felt before! Serve up some swift and overdue justice!" He laughed awkwardly as Trunks could see the fear in the man. However, he sighed, resigning himself to the man's delusions. That, and he could sense Gohan didn't want him confronting the man, and he would do as wordlessly asked of him.
"I don't think you'll get a chance to fight them today. The city is empty. Not a single person left...so far as I can tell." Gohan intoned looking back over his shoulder darkly at the sickeningly silent streets and sidewalks. His eyes narrowed and a pang of anger and internal resentment shot through him, as his fists subtly pulsed, wishing to crush into fists, but he restrained himself, and loosed another heavy breath as he turned back to the two new faces. Hey, at least they were alive. That gave him a moment's pause of happiness.
"Yeah..." Videl trailed off in response to Gohan.
"We should probably get going actually." Videl offered.
"Why?" Trunks asked, cocking one of his brows towards Mister Satan. "Wouldn't you rather stay and wait for the androids to maybe return? Could be your golden moment to catch them off guard, 'Champ.'" Trunks offered with a feigned smirk. Mister Satan, however, turned to outwardly timid once again, rubbing the back of his neck into his hair.
"Uh, well it's getting on in the day, and uh...well my stomach isn't doing so good." The older man tapped his right hand over his gut causing both Trunks and Gohan to cock curious brows.
"Been in a bit of a bad state for a day or so. Must've been something I ate I think."
"Really?" Trunks intoned.
"Well, wouldn't want the Champ to not fight at full strength." Gohan interjected quickly with a smile that man's way.
"I think it's best we also get going Trunks. Best not to stay and wait if those monsters show back up." He sent his younger charge a subtle and commanding look and Trunks, through a rumble of a sigh, remained silent and nodded in 'agreement' with Gohan.
"Oh yeah? Where do you two stay? Need a lift maybe?" Videl offered innocently enough, but Gohan shook his head still with a thin kind smile.
"Nah, me and Trunks will be fine on our own. Besides it's just due west outside of any population centers. Thanks though."
"No problem." She offered and an awkward silence passed over the group.
"Alright, well let's get going Videl. Better find those reporters while we're at it. Nice meeting you two!" Mister Satan waved as he turned back towards and started walking into the alleyway. Videl shook her head and moved after him slowly.
"Don't mind him. He's always a bit...shall we say animated when it comes to reporters, and his image."
"Really? I hadn't noticed at all." Gohan smiled in reply and Videl simply smirked in response and swept past him towards the alleyway.
"Well, uh I guess we'll see you around then."
"Maybe," She replied waving back with a glance over her shoulder. "Be careful, and nice meeting you!" She offered kindly and then tore more into a jog after her quickly retreating father. Gohan waved feebly in reply to her back.
"Nice meeting you too." He intoned and then heard Trunks clear his throat, though not so subtly.
"Well, that was fun. Can we head back now, or what?" Trunks asked in annoyed a tone. Gohan ran his hand through his hair, himself feeling slightly embarrassed at himself, and not really knowing why.
"Yeah...I mean no." He pinched the bridge of his nose turning towards Trunks.
"What?" The boy asked confusedly.
"Yes, you're headed back. So, I'm going with you, but I have to go find our visitors from space."
"You've decided already?" Gohan remained momentarily silent and looked off westward.
"Yes and no. This whole deal here, has me more confused than anything else." He waved around the city and Trunks nodded. After all, it was more confusing than anything, and a tad frightening if he were being honest.
"We don't know what happened here, but whatever it was it obviously wasn't good. It killed all these people, and that alone marks it for us." Gohan intoned darkly, his eyes narrowing and anger bristling numbly beneath the surface.
"If it's in any way related to the androids then we're in trouble. And, even if it's not then we have just another problem on our plate to deal with. I can't say the sound of some more help doesn't sound real good just about now Trunks." He sighed, almost sounding defeated, and Trunks could only solemnly nod.
"So, I've decided to go talk with Paragus. If we can establish some basic rules, then well...we'll probably have some help in the future fighting the androids. If not," He paused and gave a smirk to his younger charge.
"Well, we've come this far on our own right?" Trunks returned the smile and gave a nod.
"Right!"
"But, I think we should get you back home first." Immediately the smirk faded from Trunks' face.
"But I-"
"Nope, I've already said I'm not telling them about you being Vegeta's son."
"I ain't asking you to! Just bring me along." Trunks offered his fists raised excitedly.
"True, I wouldn't have to tell them you are Vegeta's son. But, then they'll ask why there's another Saiyan, or half-Saiyan here on Earth. And, even if I lie it's gonna come out, and I'd rather it come out when we're both good and ready to deal with them. And, use them to our and the planet's advantage before then too."
"A bit underhanded don't you think?" Gohan smirked.
"Maybe, but you gotta do what you gotta do. Besides it isn't hurting them or anyone to make a few little white lies. You'll see them in time I'm sure. But, for right now I need to talk to them again. Plus, we should get back to your training. Hopefully starting later today." That put the excited spark back into the boy's eyes.
"You mean it?!"
"Well yeah." Gohan chuckled. "We've both waited a good enough amount of time I think. Plus, when and if push comes to shove with our space friends, I'll feel better knowing the next greatest Super Saiyan is at my back." He tapped Trunks' shoulder encouragingly and the boy grinned.
"But, before we do that I need to take care of this business with the Saiyans. We get you back home, and you stay and wait like I want, and I promise I'll come back and we'll put a few hours in. Okay?"
"Got it!" Trunks beamed and twisted back towards West City his aura bursting to life.
"Come on then!" He exploded off towards home, and Gohan chuckled shaking his head.
"Yep, definitely reminds me of myself." His aura exploded around him as he took off after Trunks, and gave one final passing glance over his shoulder towards ruined and silent Peri City. A grim look overtaking his smile and good mood and a sick feeling once more entering his gut. And, in silence he sighed and chased after Trunks just ahead of him. Though, a faint smile appeared on his face. He had enjoyed meeting the girl Videl...and of course the Champ.
"Yeah, the Champ." He chuckled lightly.
Antarcis looked at a very large screen before himself. His red eyes darting left and right. Many galaxies, many systems untold many lives and untold many alien races were within every little nook and cranny. Billions upon trillions of beings all paid tribute to his species, his race. The lone masters of the universe. Well, they had once anyways. Ugly, jagged, and crooked lines marred the once vast and ever expansive empire. Between galaxies, within galaxies, and in all manners in between.
He had to make this himself, as no one within the empire would have. He had spent days defining new borders and boundaries between the petty warlords and generals who still paid nominal tribute to his people, but really set themselves up as kings and masters of the universe. There was a war, or rather four being played out currently inside the empire. Two warlords, Ango and Lume were fighting over one galaxy in the eastern universal reaches. One galaxy was tearing itself apart, and it was supposedly owned by one of his peoples most esteemed lords. A Lord Gellid had bought all the worlds inside the galaxy, bought it whole from Frieza many years ago after much conquest. Now two generals who still both gave lip service to Gellid fight over worlds to control and tell their lazy master they are running things for him, pay him tribute, and sometimes attend to him together all while killing one another outside his presence. Of course he knows, he just doesn't care.
Antarcis' barred his teeth and sucked in a distasteful gasp of breath. The older he got, the longer he watched his people do nothing the angrier he remained. Alas, he could do little. But, what he could do, he did, and even then that was but a drop of a pebble in a vast ocean. His father would throw the grandest fit he could've mustered. That thought did bring the faintest smirk to his face though.
The second conflict was a bit more concerning to him. A warlord, and general who himself had once served the Cold Family itself and of low Arcosian birth named Brumal held control over a vast region in the southern universal quadrant. Twenty galaxies, ten of which were of the defunct Cold dynasty was fighting for control over thirteen other galaxies under the control of an ugly green alien named Mollted. Officially Brumal paid all tributes he could to another Arcosian Lord, named Borea. He inherited most of the Cold family's dominions in the south via family ties Antarcis wasn't going to even try working out again. Mollted was a general officially under the command of a higher ranking general named Ava who himself was paying all tributes and dues to the Arcosian Lord Frore.
"Incompetent bastards." He seethed in a lowly intone shaking his head as he looked at his map and adjusted the battle lines and regions of control of the fighting warlords.
The only one among them for whom the Arcosian nobility took offense to was Brumal. They took issue not with his open warfare and disrespect he paid to the actual Arcosian Lord he supposedly served in Frore. Rather, it was because he was a low birthed Arcosian with no family of repute, and fought among the lowly rabble of aliens they made armies out of. That, and Antarcis knew many of the old fools feared him, because any Arcosian that showed a taste and appetite for more and for attaining power showed something they all lacked. Too long had the Cold family kept them in peace kept them all lacking will to gain and fight for what was theirs by right of their inert power. They let mobs of lesser beings do their work, toil for their birthrights and now Antarcis knew there stood few among his people who could challenge one of the now dead guards of Lord Frieza let alone their Emperor himself!
"Maybe killing the apish boogeyman all of them are loathe to even speak of let alone consider a reality, will awake them to reality. That, or a deeper need of wine." He mused sarcastically and snapped his map off from the screen. He glanced to another screen and saw the timer showing the approximate arrival time of his Battalion.
"Not long now." He sighed and nodded his head idly. However, as he did so, his ship's communicator again sounded off, and his eyes narrowed inquisitively. The coordinates alleviated rising anxiety that his father was calling him to admonish and demean him as he was one to do, often before bed. Instead it came from one of his very own agents. He snapped the communication open and established the call.
"General Cran, what can I do for you?" His deep voice asked folding his fingers together and leaning back into his seat before the console he accepted the call on. The General, a tall alien of pinkish hue, four beady eyes, protruding fangs from his upper jaw, and four fleshy tendrils hanging down from his chin stiffened and saluted Antarcis. His race bore no hair, and all had gruff deep baritone voices. Yet, Antarcis never could recall where they came from, but assumed it was somewhere deep, near the heart of the empire itself. Either way, he rather did like the General. He did as told, and as efficiently as possible.
"Hail to you, O wondrous Lord Antarcis! May your reign last a thousand years!" Antarcis shook his head very subtly. The praise was welcome, though it spoke to the General's boisterous display of fealty more than anything. Though it did make Antarcis often more uncomfortable. Not like Frieza who enjoyed having lesser beings sometimes praise him for hours on end until their voices wore out or they grew too tired to stand and praise any longer. He found it all a bit...unnecessary, his position and power was assured. Be it a lower being praise him or not.
"Please, General." Antarcis motioned his right hand to put him at ease.
"What brings about this unscheduled call?"
"Your hunt for the Saiyan scum that ravages our worlds, my Lord!" He announced and Antarcis felt his eyes narrow.
"Proceed." He commanded with his voice dipping into more stern a tone then before.
"Your orders were to maintain watch for the scum wherever they may attack! I have received reports from my agents inside of Lord Brisc's army in the northern quadrant not far from the last world you visited of another attack."
"How many days ago?" Antarcis asked leaning back.
"Oh, it's happening as we speak Lord!" Antarcis felt his eyes widen and his thoughts go blank in an instant.
"Wh...what do you mean, General?" Antarcis asked immediately leaning forwards towards the screen.
"A distress call was sent out by Lord Brisc's men on the planet. They said a Saiyan for sure was attacking them. Not just a Saiyan but a small army of men under him. Aliens of various origin, and from what you've told me, the Saiyan you're chasing is in command of a small army of mercenaries." Antarcis nodded numbly, his eyes distant in thought as he processed what the General reported.
"I could play for you the distress call, if you desire such, my Lord."
"No, that won't be necessary." Antarcis said raising his hand.
"General, I want you to listen to me carefully, and heed my commands to the letter. Am I understood?" Cran nodded, though Antarcis could see by the look in his eyes he was off put by his Lord's tone.
"I do not doubt what you report. However, I am currently in sight of a planet in the northern wastes of the universe and the Saiyan we've been searching for all these months is upon it. I can sense him faintly, and have had his ship on sensors for more then a day. No space capable ships have left this world and if I am not mistaken Saiyans cannot breathe in space."
"Oh..." The General replied and was now thoroughly confused.
"But then, that would mean-"
"Whether it's truly a Saiyan or the rumors have gotten to those men under Lord Brisc we cannot be sure. However, their world is under attack, and I would have knowledge on who is attacking it and why. What has Lord Brisc done to answer the attack?" Antarcis knew the answer before his General spoke it.
"No word has come from the Lord. Brisc's men have received no reply from Brisc's command world. The agents there are the ones who let me know of the attack as the word seems to be, to say nothing of the attack, my Lord."
"Any particular reason?" Antarcis asked with his tone stating his displeasure.
"Officially, no reason, my Lord. Unofficially it is understood nothing is to be said because Lord Brisc's lead General, a one General Cado doesn't want any Saiyan rumors putting fear into his men."
"I assume Cado is the real person in command there?" Cran nodded.
"Alas my Lord, like many across the empire, Lord Brisc truly hasn't been made much aware of the situation, and if he has he's tasked the General with dealing with it. With General Cado being the real one in charge in the region the agents have told me he's keeping it quiet 'on behalf of Lord Brisc and his honor,' to keep you away as well." Antarcis frowned.
"What?"
"Word has gotten out that you are investigating all signs of Saiyan activity. There are many Generals and warlords acting 'on behalf,' of their Arcosian lords who'd rather not have an Arcosian come snooping around their activities. They think you'd...well cause problems for them." Antarcis didn't now whether to smirk or frown really.
"They'd be correct in this matter." Antarcis affirmed.
"Sadly, I have more pressing matters to attend to with my own Saiyan filth. Which leaves me to assign you the task of discovering what's happening on this world."
"Me, my Lord?" The General asked, sounding both perplexed and fearful. A common trait among the serving men of the empire when it now came to Saiyans.
"Yes, General. I want you to send a small team of men to the world under attack, whatever it may be wherever it is, and have them investigate it. If the attack is happening have it be carefully. If we miss it, then we look for any and all clues left behind." Cran seemed to breathe a sigh of relief at not being ordered to go himself and bowed his head quickly thereafter.
"I will see it done at once, Lord Antarcis."
"Good. When I have dealt with this Saiyan problem I already have on hand, I will promptly deal with this new contender as well. If it is Saiyan at all, General." Cran nodded.
"Of course, Lord." Antarcis nodded.
"Very good then, General Cran. Attend to your duties." Antarcis ordered and the alien again dipped his head before the Arcosian lord severed the connection between them.
He sat back into his seat. His mind still reeling as a thousand plus thoughts shot over his mind's eye. He couldn't fathom it, and his head shook subtly side to side, though no one was there for it to be directed towards.
"Another? How could there be another?" He seethed in a lowly intone. His face became a clear representation of sneering anger as his crimson eyes narrowed at the nothingness of a screen before him. Before he cast another hateful glare towards the distant world.
"Damn Saiyans. If you aren't killing our leader you're destroying our worlds. Should even one remain alive, there will be no peace in this universe." He intoned darkly, his fists tightening strong enough to crack open rock and metal with ease. His heart filled anew with the never dying flame of vengeance, as it bristled through him.
"Okay, so here somewhere..." Emon intoned as he stood beneath the day star of the planet he and his mercenary band currently inhabited. Alone in a heavily forested region of the rock, he stood with his armor fully clothing and obscuring him. His tracker pointed near to where he stood to where this damnable 'power source' was supposed to be.
He cast a glance upwards as some clouds dimmed the shining light for a few moments. He sighed and stretched his arms and shook his head. He hated being out here in the middle of nowhere all alone. This planet was alive...he guessed, but there was something fundamentally wrong with it. Even the animals, of those he saw, seemed jittery and twitchy...he didn't know how to put it really. After what he had heard from the others about his master's son little fight on world, and meeting with another damn Saiyan, he didn't really need to know more. Well, he knew he probably picked the wrong gig to jump in on for the pay. It was good, but the conditions of constant threat to his life by the sheer fact he was in proximity to not one but two of those near hairless apes made his life more hell then it needed to be.
"Okay you piece of crap, where's this damn thing." He intoned after his stretch and walked several steps forwards. The distant mountains loomed around him, patches of life and forestry thickly lined the open plots between the rocky giants. It gave off a renewed sense of foreboding that he couldn't shake. He just wanted to get the damn power source and get back to the ship.
"I mean yeah, having two Saiyans as your bosses ain't worth much in the comfort department, but at least you know you brought the bigger stick to the fight." He went on shifting the tracker to the right and following its positioning.
"Ah, good!" He announced as the tracker ceased, and his fellow mercenaries' position was found more precisely.
Emon's eyes narrowed as he looked down and saw nothing but a dirt plot. Grass covering soil, and a large lush living tree to his right. He shifted in a circle around where he stood looking for any signs of tampering or intelligent structuring. He saw none, and sighed heavily as he kneeled down and pressed his hand against the dirt and grass, and felt nothing but somewhat damp flora beneath his partially gloved hand.
"Buried, of course it is." He snorted and rose to a full stand again. He pointed his right hand down, his palm outstretched towards the dirt as he focused and controlled his ki to the best of his ability. A small yellow orb appeared in the air beneath his hand and warbled aloud outwards.
"If this breaks it, I'm officially quitting and finding a cave to hide out in." Emon joked, though a pang of fear did strike through him before he loosed the ki orb and it sheared the dirt flying several feet away and tearing more soil up, slicing through trees and uprooting more before it came to a quick and sudden end with little noise to be heard.
Dirt and grass fell around him, atop his head along his shoulders and over his whole body everywhere in between. He scanned the upturned and uprooted plot of dirt and saw nothing but more dirt and ripped or burnt grass. His lips curled in annoyance, until he caught a glimmer as the clouds above parted for the sunlight to beat down once again. The hole dug was about two and a half or maybe even three feet deep of sheared soil. Not a whole lot of space really, but Emon saw it. A connecting line, a wire of some kind, large and shielded from the elements like water or invasive dirt particles.
"Jackpot!" He kneeled down into his made hole tossed aside mounds of dirt from the large wire tubing. Metal in make and heavy, well for most it would have been, and Emon pulled it upwards yanking more out from the dirt. He pulled and tugged until it was yanked up from out of the soil for several feet ahead of him. He pulled on it until he saw the line refuse to budge from his more subtle attempts to dislodge it. He jumped forwards, dropping the wire with a heavy thud. Again, Emon planted himself close to the ground and shoveled large mounds of dirt aside until he saw a large metal container. A battery hub of some sorts. Or, possible a routing station, he wasn't sure. He chanced it, and with both hands grasping either edge of the metal box, he yanked it backwards out from the dirt and upwards into the open.
"Looks like you're a battery, or maybe an energy accumulator. Didn't think these people had it in them to make one. But, you'll do!" He announced with a smirk. The box was large, maybe twice his overall size and heavy, maybe twenty of himself in body weight. Though he could still move it with relative ease. Emon then found a latch on the right side and snapped it off gently. He was able to see the guts, the inside of the device. But, more importantly he could see the siphon meter and accumulation reserves. That's when his brow furrowed.
"Damn, you're full, and with a little to spare." He intoned. He looked to the connecting wiring and towards the way he had first discovered the device.
"Okay that heads to that city." He realized standing back up and moving around the device. Once there he saw another wire, heavy and long like the other but heading further east and away from the city.
"Odd, where do you go?" He wondered aloud kneeling down next to it.
"Hmm, you've got some damage to a cable here. Don't know what it's for, but it looks mostly in good shape. Well, it was anyways." He gave a curt chuckle and with one quick motion pulled the unknown cable from the socket dislodging it entirely.
"Hmm, looks like short circuited connectors. Oh well for whoever needed this I guess." He threw the cable to the ground as it sparked for a second longer, and then it quickly died.
Emon did the same quickly thereafter with the cable leading back towards the city. In a flash he had the accumulator, whatever it may be, for whatever reason freed of its cables.
"Easy...yeah, no problems." He remarked, some tension leaving him as he nodded in contentment at a job well done, and snapped the latch closed on the device. He hauled the large box, humming with stored power onto his right shoulder and in a flash blasted off and up into the skies back southwest towards his ship, and fellow mercenaries. With no care in the world as to anything he may have done.
A lone screen within a dark dank and forgotten room somewhere hidden beneath a mountain or two of rock still shone. A trickle of life still fed into it, a local source unknown to the world. Its internal drives and motors whirring and cooling fans running but no one to hear it.
"Error, main station battery unresponsive, unit scans are optimal. Attempting restart of all systems."
The next restart cycle began, and the room once more entered total darkness. A second passed and the one monitor burst back into life as normal. A diagnostic scan began, a linkup followed, routing to the main power station beyond. Only this time, it was different.
"Error, main battery unresponsive, unit scans negative across all sectors. Rerouting to secondary battery source. Please stand by..."Unused protocols, forgotten circuits and untapped sources of power all sprung to life. A second route was mapped, a second source of power was ready, installed so long ago as a backup. To serve the need and purposes of the one who had occupied and made this lab. Only one misstep and it failed to launch. Now, it was capable of doing so, and it began to.
"Secondary battery source initialized. Beginning main booting process. Please stand by." The computer terminal announced, and the tally of failed booting sequences disappeared in that moment, and the screen began loading a long and all but unknown series of internal processes as the secondary battery awoke far to the east of the lab where it drew power from old installations set down decades long passed.
Then, the lights boomed on overhead, snapping alive with pulsating thuds accompanied by a low electrical hum. Computers along the walls came alive in kind, devices whirred back to life and cooling fans and systems activated as heavy machinery, massive super processing pieces of hardware heated the room in their coming back online for the first time in over a decade.
"Main boot sequence successful. Base power levels, optimal. Diagnostic scans of lab, sustainable. Routing control to central computer, sub-level one." The computer terminal ended its messages to the eyes it thought to be watching, and then it transferred all control to an unseen machine beyond itself. Until, finally all that was shown on the terminal was a manual override login console, and the simple red insignia of the Red Ribbon Army.
A barely seen plate on the floor like any other slid open. Forgotten and alone among all the plates that ran along the ground of this lab. It opened up to a long descending ladder that dove down into dark cold depths beneath. Circuits and wires from above drove downward supplying power and control to what lay there waiting. Emptiness, and darkness awaited any who walked down into this place, until they would have come upon a simple doorway. The doors heavy and metal leading from a small hall from the ladder coming down, or going up based on which way you sought to go. Within, lights whirred, and machinery was springing to life as it had in the level above.
Centered within was a heavy and massive machine. Circular in design and features while its base was large and round leading up into a narrow more cylinder design the further it went up.. until at its top it formed out into a dome of glass that sat atop the machine like a crown or cap. Where within lay all manner of circuitry and machinery beyond perhaps any others who looked within save for its creator himself. Massive mechanical arms protruded from the midsection of the machine as lights burst to life all around, snapping in and out of existence as the machinery hummed and whirred with internal motors and activating circuits long since made dormant. More lights came alive within the room surrounded by rocky walls on all sides. Scattered around were connecting machines to the upper levels and tables littered in dusty papers and unused or tossed aside vials of whatever chemical cocktail the owner of the lab had tampered with before he abruptly stopped.
Then, finally, the central machine, a massive computer unlike any left on or even beyond Earth awoke.
"Running unit diagnostics." The mind of this computer knew yet didn't know who or what it was. Both a brilliant scientist bent on a mad need for revenge, and a thoughtless machine with the sole purpose of fulfilling a singular task. Both aspects came to the same outcome, however.
"Upper level unit pods activated, and emptied of contents. Units 17 and 18 active. Scanning all available networks for further data on statuses. Recall ping rejected, no response from internal controls on either unit possible. Possible tampering, possible ineffective controls. Scanning..." The machine continued on silently. Its tendrils snaking through the computer networks of Earth and what remained dug through and sifted through millions of pieces of news and imagery as possible. More than a human could have in a day let alone a year within mere moments. Its mind a shadow of its creator, and a shadow of theirs it knew what had befallen the world, could see the destruction wrought, and something akin to failure shot through its circuits and lit several lights along the round exterior of the machine.
"Units 17 and 18 unresponsive. 'Subject Zero' no longer contained within lab. Must presume to be in action above ground. Lack of sufficient data and aid may leave 'Subject Zero' without access to units 17 and 18. Mission completion in this case, unlikely. Beginning contingency measures, scanning all available secondary units." A far back section of that very same room was made visible with overhead lights once more as it shone down on forgotten long untouched and unused pods. They bore numbers, and seemed benign and meaningless to the uninformed, but they each bore a promise of revenge, and the sting of failure upon failure. Yet, now their creator was not there, he held no more control over these pods. Besides, the computer sifted through contingency orders and found all it needed from its creator's records on what need be done if he lost his two more 'successful' units. Those that would eventually make his greatest experiment...perfect. His past failures need not be wastes of time and energy, as he had once thought.
"Scans complete. All unit pods 1 through 11 offline, and units scrapped. Unit 12 operable, operable capabilities high. Unit freedom of consciousness near maximum allowed levels. Internal structure not yet tested in field operations. Unit intended for scrap; order now rescinded. Beginning boot process and addition of new protocols and mission directives. Fielding consciousness control patch. Stable remote control input operator commencing." The computer listed on a one main computer console as it listed these qualities to itself and attempted running some patches through to this unit. While on the other end of the room a light illuminated over the oldest of the pods, numbered twelve where within lay a motionless form, all but forgotten and unwanted by the one who put it there. Its past sorted, its abilities yet unseen, but not unfamiliar to the hands that crafted it.
"Primary directives of units 13, 14, 15 in effect. Additional protocols will be uploaded to individual units. Internal engines require final initiation measures. All units scheduled for scrap; order now rescinded. Marking unit 13 for final implantation of open upgrade slots. Unit field leader directive initiating. Upload into unit 13 commencing." The lights thudded to life over pods thirteen, fourteen and fifteen then, and they hummed with life now as number twelve did. The internal machines, and computer units getting to work carrying out the duties and needs of the controlling super computer unit. Special attention was paid to number thirteen who of the four held a special design unlike the other three that required special attention to now implement.
"Diagnostics scan of unit 16 incomplete. Protocol and directive failures across multiple process sectors." The computer began, again more informing itself than anyone as this information flashed across a barely seen screen. The pod labeled for the sixteenth android shone from a light and the hulking figured hidden within remained unmoved as his systems and processes were invaded by the probing actions of the super computer.
"Primary directives inaccessible. Personality matrix inaccessible. Addition of new directive and protocols allowed. Beginning transfer of new operational parameters." The computer began uploading the intelligence it had garnered in but a few short minutes into not just this android, but the other as well. Even without full access to this unit, it knew it could be used, be made to follow its directives if its primary mission no longer remained a factor, or otherwise would be free to see its mission complete. Whatever the case, unit 16 would be modified as little as needed and as little as allowed, and it too would be awoken, in time.
"Units 17 and 18 active." The computer skipped over those two pods that were beyond this room anyways in the higher level above.
"Unit 19 in need of further adjustments to absorption units. Battery unit in need of final adjustments as stipulated. Personality matrix complete, and outer body optimal. Beginning final adjustment procedures to interior of unit." The light over the final pod illuminated and the computer and small tools inside of the pod itself began working on the being that lay motionless inside. The computer buzzed with activity not seen in years, and silently went to work on all the units it had left within the lab. Thirteen through sixteen and number nineteen required various levels of work However, the first of those pods that it held under its control, the computer knew only required basic inputs of new protocols, new world parameters, and information. This model, number 12 was its creator's, Dr. Gero's oddest experiment. It knew that, because it was itself a construct made in his own mind's image.
12 held abilities born of its inner workings unlike any of the other models. Its strengths were the basis for later works, but it held certain properties beyond even the later models of use in interest. However, it held various flaws, many having to do with its personality that led to its lack of use. It also lacked much of an outer shell leaving it truly seeming like a prototype indeed. Nonetheless, the needs of the grand mission set down by Gero now demanded all that remained left to work with be brought to bear. So, unit 12 would be made use of, and it among all that yet held use and value would be the first to be awoken. In spite of any possible...unintended consequences. The computer would do what it could to set the unit on course and use it to its own purposes before it would awaken the other units, and eventually put them to task.
"Unit 12, time until completion of protocol and directive updates, one hour. Time until activation of unit, two hours and fifteen minutes." The computer made clear and continued to work on all the units it could while it had them. All six of the other androids it held waiting within this forgotten lab.
"Get down here you idiot!" Emon frowned as he saw Commander Otato and his fellow engineer and part time technician Kreme standing just some meters beyond the ship. Emon sighed, and shrugged his right shoulder adjusting the large battery device he had taken. It had been about thirty minutes since he had taken the damn thing and as he saw both masked and armored men waiting for him he felt a slight twinge of worry shoot through his body.
Had the locals noticed something already?! Had they seen him?! It irked him and made his heat beat a little faster, but nonetheless, he landed near the two with a relenting sigh welcoming whatever news they gave him.
"What now?"
"That's 'what now, Commander,' you idiot!" Otato corrected him, and Emon raised his hands in relent and nodded.
"Right, sorry. What now, Commander?" Emon corrected sounding bored as he paced nearer towards the two men. Kreme motioned his hands for Emon to hand the device over, and Emon could see behind the mask a sympathetic look.
"You picked a hell of a time to get back. The boss and his son are right over there meeting with the Saiyan of this planet. You choose now to come back hauling a piece of stolen tech over your arm? What kind of moron are you exactly?!"
"Hey, I'm not the one who told someone to go out and get the damn thing!" Emon shot back pointing an accusatory finger as Kreme hauled the device up onto his shoulder and moved back towards the ship around towards the rear out of sight of anyone to where the Commander pointed towards.
"Commander Spinch told me to get the thing, I got it. Unless I did something that got me caught or whatever then you can take it up with Spinch or hell everyone else who didn't go get it!"
"Alright alright, shut up!" Otato began sharply casting a worried glance towards where he had said Paragus and Broly were.
"Next time take a damn communicator or something! Now come on, and get to work!" Otato ordered harshly thrusting his hand towards the ship. Emon waved him off with little concern to rank or command and stomped towards the ship to do as told in spite of how much he wanted to hit Otato. Though he had to admit, as he gave a glance towards where the Saiyans would've been, he was mildly curious to what they were doing.
"Then again, two's bad enough. Don't need to see three." He intoned.
"What?!"
"Ah nothing!" Emon tersely silenced his Commander and moved ahead of him back towards the ship.
"That doesn't mean I've come to any firm conclusion. I still have my reservations." Gohan finished as he stood opposite the two Saiyans. Behind them various alien men went to work moving tech and machinery around. Placing things down outside their ship, making it seem like the beginnings of a base camp. They already had some tent like facilities out which only slightly troubled Gohan.
"Of course," Paragus began bowing his head with an understanding tone of voice. "You need an example. To see us under pressure. You don't want us causing anymore trouble than we're worth on your planet. Trust me, we're used to it." Paragus offered and Gohan furrowed his brow.
"What do you mean?" The older Saiyan gave a light sigh.
"The universe is not a welcoming place for our kind. Not since Frieza destroyed our home, but doubly so after the Emperor's death." Gohan nodded subtly and slowly.
"That is why we sought our King, to make a new home elsewhere in the universe with him as our leader. We may not be many, but there could be others out there. Wanderers who we could search out and bring to our new home. Of course," Paragus took on a different look, his tone dropping. His eyes narrowed and he looked downwards some.
"That will never happen now." He offered solemnly.
"So, if nothing else, a last vengeance for our people is all we would like." Paragus offered and Gohan again nodded. Finding he had very little to truly say in reply to the older man.
"I understand. So, if you're willing to cooperate, do as I ask, and follow my lead. We wont have any problems."
"Of course. So, what is it you want of us?" Paragus asked forcing Gohan to again note the other one, Broly didn't do much talking. His eyes stared ahead, sort of at him, but more like looking in his general direction. His body was stiff as a board and his breathing low, and he seemed content to let his father speak for him. Gohan had to admit, for a Saiyan he had expected a little more lip, or interjection from the younger Saiyan.
"Well, to get things started it'd be good to gauge just how strong both of you are. Uh, not that I'm questioning your-"
"It's alright. It's understandable to want to know the strength of your allies, and enemies." Paragus chuckled.
"I have to admit, my fighting days are mostly behind me. My son here is the real fighter. I'm...very proud of him and his skills." Paragus offered his face seeming genuine, even if his eyes held another emotion that Gohan couldn't place as he watched Paragus glance Broly's way. The younger Saiyan still did nothing, and said nothing. Again making Gohan question him. He thought having such a prideful compliment cast his way would make most any Saiyan bask in the praise.
"What about your men?" Gohan motioned his head to the many soldiers working behind Paragus.
"Can they fight at all?"
"Some of them." Paragus replied sounding himself unsure.
"My men here were gathered to keep the Saiyan ways alive. Fighting, becoming stronger, and of course good food. However, some are far more valuable when it comes to strength than others. All my Commanders are about nearly half my strength when I fight at my maximum. None compare to Broly, however." Paragus again pridefully offered. Gohan nodded.
"Well, who knows, they may come in handy at some point."
"Indeed." Paragus agreed.
"So, I take it you'd like a display of our fighting skills? More importantly, Broly's." Paragus offered and Gohan felt his body sting in old pain and weariness from the last couple of days. He rubbed the back of his neck and looked to the tall Saiyan. He had caught just a glimpse of his fight with androids 17 and 18, and he had done well. He didn't know if he exactly wanted to get down into the thick of fighting him just yet, but...he didn't know what else to do. Not when it came to testing these two, and frankly getting them in line.
"Not...just yet. Though I do look forward to it." Gohan offered with a thin smirk. He wasn't lying either.
"After the last few days I've had my body needs time to recover."
"Did our medical supplies help at all?" Paragus asked quickly and Gohan nodded.
"Yes they did. And thanks again for giving me that." Paragus smirked, and Gohan felt it had some meaning behind it. Like a victorious smile of sorts.
"Well then, instead of fighting, how about we extend another gesture of gratitude to you for helping with the fight, and for allowing us a chance?"
"In what way?" Gohan asked raising a curious brow.
"You three!" Paragus called turning to some of his men moving a large piece of machinery out onto the field. They stopped and all turned to him dropping what they held, luckily without breaking whatever it was. They went stiff and fell into quick kneels. Causing Gohan to again narrow his eyes curiously.
"Go grab one of the portable healing tanks at once! Our friend may have use of it." The men all acknowledged and burst towards the ship.
"A healing tank? I haven't seen one of those in...well a long time." Gohan remarked remembering seeing his father being placed in an older version back on Namek after the whole Ginyu debacle by Vegeta. That memory again caused a pang of sadness to snap through him, and his eyes narrowed at nothing in particular.
"Yes, they are quite useful little machines. Even for us Saiyans who too often think we're invincible." Gohan had to agree there.
"Take it, use it yourself, or if you know anyone who has need of it on this planet they can use it as well! It needs a power source, but has a mobile battery that lasts about six days from what I've seen of this planet's day and night cycles. So, if you need anyone to help design it to link to a power source you have on this planet I can supply one of my men to help there." Gohan chuckled and shook his head.
"No thanks, I've got someone in mind who'd be able to fix that easily." Paragus cocked his head inquisitively.
"I see." Was all he said, and didn't ask the question Gohan could see on his face.
"Well, take it as a gift and sign of my gratitude. It's a newer model we picked up from a world we had visited not long before coming here. We have plenty more where that came from anyways." Just as Paragus finished explaining the men returned. All of them set down from their quick flying trip to the ship and hauled the large machine to the ground with a light thud. It was smaller than Gohan had expected, though still large. It looked capable of housing a body inside, and allowing for plenty of freedom of movement for whoever could end up in there. Though as Gohan looked at it he did have a question.
"What about the liquid? Isn't that needed to make this thing run?"
"Ah yes." Paragus began.
"These new models take their contained vats of the fluid and reuse them with a self cleaning module in the back here. I'm not one for all the technical details, but it's worked efficiently for us thus far when needed. Besides," He offered a thin smile.
"If you have someone who can make this thing accept power from your planet's technology, then I'm sure they could synthesize the fluid. Might be weaker than the real stuff, but useful nonetheless. That's just me guessing though." Gohan nodded and had to admit Paragus made a good point.
"Well I can't say I wouldn't need it." Gohan began with a chuckle of his own.
"You have a deal, and my thanks again." Gohan extended his right hand, and Paragus looked at it for a second before he snapped his right hand into Gohan forearm and clutched it which Gohan reciprocated. Though he did glance down at his arm where Paragus' hand met his arm. The sudden nip of cold metal had caught him only slightly off guard though he hadn't reacted. And, he saw it was some strange gauntlet atop the man's glove. He didn't pay it much mind though. He simply figured it was an unusual fashion choice, but then again he wasn't really up on his alien fashion as of late.
"To show my willingness to work I take back my ban on you or your men moving around the planet. Just...please do me a favor and stick away from the cities that are still standing and don't engage the androids without me. People on this planet still have some memory of when Vegeta and his friend attacked, and they probably wouldn't be all too welcoming of aliens at the current time anyways." Gohan wasn't really sure about that one. In fact he could imagine thousands running to these guys begging to be taken off planet for safety. To finally get away form the androids even if it meant abandoning Earth to them entirely. He had to admit, it was a nice thought. But his eyes hardened again, he would face them, and he would kill them. Not just for the Earth, but for those who lived on it, and who had.
"Understood." Paragus nodded releasing Gohan from their mutual grasp.
"When can I expect to hear from you again?" Gohan moved towards the healing tank and tested its weight, and smiled when he found it all but weightless to him.
"Hopefully tomorrow. I have some things to do, and it'll probably take up the rest of the day. That, and the androids haven't shown their heads today, as far as I know." Gohan corrected himself, the image of thousands of pieces of clothing laying in an empty and deadly silent city plaguing his already troubled mind.
"Very well. We shall wait here of course. Though my men may be sent to gather water. We have enough for some time though. Needn't you worry about that." Gohan nodded and gave another smile the man's way.
"Alright, and thanks again. I promise I'll return soon. Maybe then we can get to work on the androids together."
"I...I mean we look forward to it." Paragus offered and Gohan nodded, ignoring the correction on his part. Turning and picking the massive healing tank up and hoisting it into the air, Gohan blasted upwards into the skies and was soon just a small dot in the distancein the eyes of the alien Saiyans.
"You!" Paragus sharply spoke turning to his left towards one of his soldiers who jumped at the harshness of his bosses voice.
"I can barely sense you and you're right next to me. That makes you perfect for the job." The man stood at rigid attention but didn't allow himself to confusedly reply to Paragus. Though he was suddenly and intensely confused, and scared.
"Follow our friend and remain unseen. Report back to me where he resides and of who he resides with."
"Y...yes sire!" The man hailed readying to give immediate chase to the fading pinprick beyond them all.
"If you're caught you best hold your tongue on why you were out there. Or, I promise you your suffering will be beyond anything you've seen since joining us." The soldier was silent, stunned into silence again by the fear he felt at his lord's threat. One he knew would and could be carried out to any extremes.
"Ye...yes of course, sire." The soldier bowed and exploded up into the air after the Saiyan man, Gohan.
"Come Broly." Paragus commanded swiftly turning back towards the ship. He took several steps but paused. His brow furrowed and he glanced over his shoulder to see his son unmoved. Broly standing, monolithic as ever, with his face pointed towards the dirt below.
"Broly?" Paragus turned more towards his son, and Broly only subtly jerked from his father's voice. It made Paragus' body stiffen. As ever, his son's actions, small jerks, little twitches, and lack of listening to him at times, the most subtle hints of free will, frightened him.
"I wish to remain here, father." Broly's quiet voice answered Paragus. The Saiyan didn't turn towards Paragus any and had returned to being stiff as a board where he stood.
"I...I see. Very well, I shall have someone retrieve you when it's time to feast." Paragus offered and Broly bowed his head some and then returned to staring at the dirt. His black eyes intently narrowing in on mounds of dirt and grass just below himself.
Paragus shifted uncomfortably, his throat becoming dry and his hands clenching tightly. His right hand tightening around his controller. He shook his head and turned towards the ship once more and made towards it. His thoughts racing as his son continued to act odd on this planet.
And Broly's eyes narrowed once more. His mind thinking, remembering, searching dark forgotten corners for memories that prickled at his senses. Something, several things gnawed at his mind, and pounded in his ears. His fists tightened and his crown shown brightly unbeknownst to him.
Then silence would again come. His face would become blank, his eyes dull and almost glossy. Thoughts receded and gnawing ideas and memories, old hateful sensations released from the forefront of his mind, and he would be at peace. At least as much as the crown allowed. What he was and what he is faded allowing the puppet and servant to reign supreme again. Whether he knew it or not.
But, the memories always returned. Since coming to this planet they came back faster, and more powerfully than ever before. Crying, laughing, pain and anguish, the thundering rattle of energy pushing into and killing a world born of a tyrant's whim and fear. Something crawling and begging to be released inside, and ever that damn name! It gave Broly no peace, and so he stared in silence at the dirt.
17 glanced to his left toward his sister. His blonde twin leaned her head back, a pair of unreasonably expensive sunglasses over her eyes and her hands clasped restfully behind her head. The car's roof was retracted as he sped the howling machine down a long and vacant highway leading through the open terrain between cities. The Sun was moving towards evening and beginning to dip and take on an orange hue. He was still bored out of his mind, but he smirked at the content state of his sister beside him. Their car packed even more with clothes, jewels, assorted amenities he hadn't bothered checking. And better yet, all bought and paid for by charitable, albeit dead, donors!
They had left East City a while ago, and besides one blown truck and a couple of exploded people and debris riddled bystanders he had kept to his promise of not bothering 18 on her little 'normal,' day. He still didn't get it, but he let her have her thing. Besides, now they had the open roads between the vast distances between the cities and towns across the planet. No one to care or notice his speeding recklessness which somehow still managed to give him a rush and elicit a feral smirk along his face.
In fact, he pushed his foot down harder against the acceleration and the whir of the engine picked up as the car went faster down a long forward straight stretch of road ahead of them. 17 concentrated hard on the road ahead of him. His face contorting into a mad grin as the car went faster and faster, and his fingers dug into the wheel hard. The thrill lessened by lack of any real possible consequences, but hell after chauffeuring his sister around a city full of ignorant idiots who he'd like nothing more than to play with he needed a little something to alleviate the need within pounding beneath the surface.
"Planning on crashing and wrecking the car?" 18 asked casually beside him as his hair furiously whipped in the sudden rushing winds. 17 laughed and kept pushing ahead.
"Nothing like that, just having a bit of fun now that we're free of the city!"
"Do you ever take a break from...well anything?"
"A break?!" 17 laughed at such a ridiculous question.
"A break from fun, sis?! We can do every and anything everywhere, anywhere, however, and I like to take that opportunity and do what I want! Right now I wanna speed down this empty highway, while you got all your junk in the car bought and paid for by a bunch of dead guys! What's the harm there?!" 17 laughed more loudly than before as the car swerved right as 17 angled it to meet a slight turn in direction of the road. The wheels moaned and screeched against the pavement but he made the turn all the same and kept going steadily regaining full speed as he did so.
"No harm, 17. Just wondering if you've taken a few more hits to the head recently than I thought." 18 tersely replied shrugging her shoulders prompting 17 to glance towards her wrinkling his nose as he did.
"Oh, and what's that supposed to mean? Am I any more willing to kill and destroy and have fun than usual?! Maybe you're the one who's toning it down recently. Being a real...oh what's the word, oh yeah killjoy!" 18 laughed and adjusted herself on the seat of the car.
"Taking a break every other day isn't the worst thing 17. Maybe if you did you wouldn't be so tightly wound. Kill a city, that's fun, blow it up, even better for a day. But, you have little to offer in the ay of variety I'm sorry to say. So, a little mundane crap like shopping is like a vacation from the office for me." 17 rolled his eyes, but a smirk reappeared on his face as he kept the car evenly paced at over a hundred miles an hour now.
"Well I guess in this office scenario I just enjoy my career path. Must be more a chore for you than I thought." 18 scoffed.
"Workaholic."
"Hmm, deadbeat." 17 countered prompting his sister to glance his way with her arms still behind her head.
"Masochist."
"Shopaholic." 17 smirked.
"At least I can diversify my wardrobe. You on the other hand are the dullest fashion statement I've ever seen. No offense, bro." She retorted with hints of biting sarcasm laced in every word.
"You're right, I am a fashion statement." He grinned and she scoffed while her own face showed a new smirk.
"Alright, here we go down what I like to call, 'the highway of death!'"
"Just as impressive as it was the first time 17." 18 retorted as they rounded a small set of mountains going from right to left. The highway, up until then silent empty of cars, maybe an odd abandoned one here and there, but otherwise lifeless and in varying states of disrepair. Now 17's favorite stretch, well one of his came fast approaching. Really the reason why the highway was desolate and lifeless and anyone with a hint of intelligence drove off road or didn't drive cars at all these days.
The road was now littered with tossed and overturned cars and trucks and any vehicle that had been caught during the time of the onslaught. Years ago, when they had first gone back into the world and had their first few years of fun, 17 and 18 had found the highway. A bit more into the center of the continent, and they decided to play a game that 17 missed. It didn't have a name. Few games they played actually did, but this one involved blowing apart every car they could, while counting the others popped cars. Bonus points came with a successive explosion or triple if two or more went with one ki blast! He had thought about making bodies extra points, but he and 18 had decided against having to waste their time counting bodies to see who won. Of course, he knew he did, even if his sister refused to admit it.
"Ah, the place of one of my greatest victories! I always enjoy taking you through this scenic route sis! The burnt out cars, overturned trucks, all smokey and charred black even now years after destruction. It really goes to show just how frightening I can be." He sighed in content and 18 again scoffed.
"If you say so. Tack that on to your list of faults."
"Oh, and what's that?" He asked still smiling.
"Well you're cocky, arrogant, and full of yourself. Obviously I killed more that day and destroyed more of these cars, but please, continue to live in your own dream world. Don't mind me and reality."
"You mean your delusional world? You're free to keep that." 17 shot back and his sister could be seen in spite of her sunglasses rolling her blue eyes. That was enough for him to chuckle and widen his ever present smirk as he felt victorious.
They continued down the long stretch of road. Either side of them littered with burnt out broken down cars. Dust, dirt and shards of anything from metal to glass littered the highway. If he slowed down he knew from the past he could've seen some old bones of those he and 18 had slaughtered years ago. He didn't feel like it today though. The day was dragging on and after all, in spite of himself, he had promised this day to 18, and he'd keep it that way...for the most part.
They remained in content silence for a few more moments. 17 idly enjoying the scenery and 18 enjoying having her brother act 'normal' even if it killed him. The sun was closing in on night time. The orange hue grew far more noticeable and bold in color. The highway remained dead and lifeless as they drove, and 17 kept an even steady pace of far over ninety miles an hour at the least. It remained that way until-
"Hey, what's that?" 17 hummed questioningly at his sister and glanced her way. She lazily nudged her chin outwards towards the road ahead and 17 checked. He had been too busy carelessly taking in the ruined ashes of his work and hadn't any real need to look forwards. At his sister's words he did and he narrowed his eyes as he loosened up on the acceleration until the car slowed to the point where he hit the break without any annoying recoil.
Ahead of them dead in the center of the road stood a figure. From the distance between them 17 and he imagined his sister couldn't make out much details on whoever it was. The sun shone down and obscured even more of this person and made them a near pitch black outline of a human figure more than anything in their eyes. What 17 could see was that the idiot was wearing a hood atop their head, a head which was angled down slightly and seemingly carelessly. Some cloak or coat hung down their body as it flapped freely in the mild winds born along the open plains region he and 18 found themselves in.
"Well would you look at that 18." 17 began as his smirk broadened.
"What do you think they're doing?" 18 asked sounding her usual bored self as she leaned back into the seat having seemingly lost interest.
"Don't know really, and don't care. They've given me an idea." 17 chuckled and revved the car's engine threateningly.
"Really?" 18 began and scoffed.
"At least this isn't really our car. Otherwise I might be actually pissed." 17 laughed again, and more loudly and obvious than before. His lust for some damage some fun and slaughter rising within him. The being didn't move, and simply stood awaiting them even as the car revved loudly like a beast ready to charge its prey.
"What? Whoever it is, is either an idiot or thinks he can take me! That deserves a lesson in respect in my mind."
"If they even know it's us in the car. Since when do we drive on a regular basis?" 18 offered intelligently and 17 just waved her off.
"Okay then they're stupid, or hoping to hitch a ride. Either way, it's not gonna be their day." He chuckled on to which 18 sighed.
"Just go ahead and get it over with 17. Try not to get any blood on me or my stuff, or I'll kill you."
"Hmm, not if I kill you first sis." She shook her head and in a flash 17 slammed his foot down on the acceleration and the car howled, its wheels screeching and churning against the asphalt as it went forwards down the stretch of road. Yet the being didn't move, not a one bit as the two androids dove towards him within their stolen car. 17 grinned like a wild madman continuously on the verge of wild laughter, and 18 remained mostly uninterested as the wind slammed against her face as the car tore at over eighty miles now.
17 felt invigorated, ready to pounce and take the kill! Then the being raised their right hand with fingers outstretched, before turning them in and forming a fist. They howled closer at top speeds and within seconds they were but feet away, and only then did 17's brow furrow.
"What-" He didn't finish. The being slammed their right arm down, their fist crushing into the metal of the car and it bounced up ejecting both 17 and 18 out. Neither had been wearing seat belts of course, and both rolled onto the pavement in varying degrees of shock.
"The hell?!" 18 howled in anger as she jumped to a stand, her glasses broken and shattered at her feet and she whirled around towards the figure. 17 had landed on his face from his roll and pushed up with a sneer and growl overtaking his previous joy and elation.
He finally got to a stand and twisted around slowly and menacingly as every fiber of his being surged with sudden hate. He raised his fists to his sides as he looked at the being with their back to him. Their left hand was now outstretched against the car now with its beaten in and dented front bumper kissing the ground and its trunk and still spinning wheels facing skywards.
"Blondie, and alien freaks, now this?! I swear I'm killing someone now, and you've just made the top of my list!" 17 howled as 18 took up her own lazy fighting pose beside him. The being said nothing but simply pushed their left hand forwards and allowed the car to fall back to its wheels in a lighter crash.
"You shall be allowed to do no such thing, unit 17." The voice began. It threw 17 off and he felt his brow furrow and his sister shared his look. The voice was masculine, deep and garbled like being run through a machine. For a minute 17 swore he had fallen asleep...though that was unlikely, and had been watching a movie or something when he had.
"Oh yeah? And who's going to stop me? Just because you ruined that car doesn't mean a damn thing about your chances of walking out of this alive! Do you...wait," 17 stopped as it just dawned on him.
"How do you know my designation?" He demanded. Sure everyone knew he and his sister were androids, and those who heard him and her call one another by their numbers sometimes called them out by the designation. However, rarely did that ever really happen.
"Everything there is to know about you save for your doings since being activated are mine to know. Both you and unit 18 are known to those like me." Both 17 and 18 went stiff in shock, and finally the being turned. His cloak was now seen to be a black trench coat open and freely flapping in the wind where it ended covering most of his ankles. Its opened below his neck into two flaps that hung at the shoulders and occasionally flapped in the winds as well. The thing led to a hood that seemed to protrude from behind the trench coat more than anything sat atop his head. The whole getup accenting the rest of his attire. Black from head to toe. Black boots, black jeans and a black undershirt that hugged his frame. The coat covered the arms to the wrists and were held in place by strap buckles while the hands were gloved in black, or so 17 believed them at first to be. The whole getup looked like army fatigues save for the coat itself, but 17 didn't remain fixated on the outfit for long as he got a glimpse of the face.
"I have come searching for you both. It would appear your whereabouts went unknown to Dr Gero's computer, and it was...concerned."
"Wha...what the hell?!" 17 began and took a step backwards in renewed shock at what he saw. 18 grimaced but held her ground firmly. His face...was barely a face at all. More a frame of a face, a human like skull. Its jaw didn't move once when he spoke, it remained stuck in place and unmoving. His eyes were glowing an ethereal whitish blue which contrasted the blackened metal of this thing's skull...or face.
"Gero? That old idiot?" 18 picked up for her brother.
"What does he have to do with anything? If you don't know yet he's-"
"Dead, I am aware." The thing answered cutting 18 off.
"As I said, Gero's computer is the one in command now, and in no small part thanks to you two." It pointed their way.
"Wait, so you're an android aren't you?" 17 cut back in, having regained his composure.
"I am designated unit 12. I believe I owe my activation to you two as well." 17 and 18 glanced at one another with mixed and shared looks of confusion, anger and disgust.
"And how is that?" 17 asked, his hands balling into fists.
"Gero's death was not of real concern to his plans. To see his revenge followed through with, and the world brought to heel under a new Red Ribbon center of power that was his real concern. You two killing him was of no real issue. What is of issue is that the two of you are still moving around freely, and haven't been...made use of."
"What the hell does that mean?!" 17 retorted taking a menacing step forwards towards this, android 12.
"I am disallowed of saying actually. Unlike the both of you I am more strongly tied to Gero's computer. Thus why it was incapable of finding you."
"Then how did you?" 18 asked.
"I have my ways." 12 cryptically answered which prompted sneers from the twins.
"Well if you think you can come around here, and wreck my car and give all this cryptic bullshit and then just walk away then you're mistaken, 12. I think I'm gonna enjoy beating you into dust. For old times sake for dear old doctor Gero!" 17 howled and flashed forwards towards 12. The android quickly fell into a posture. Left foot back right forwards, left arm angled back two fingers more extended, right arm forwards with fingers in the same type of position. 17 swung his left arm in to strike a hard punch at 12's right cheek, and in response the new android threw his right arm up and caught 17's arm with his forearm.
12 swung his right arm out and pushed 17 back, before both of 12's fists pulled back to his sides and thrust forwards at immense speeds, both fists slamming into 17's gut. The boy's face twisted in pain as he was thrown back harshly and slid along the asphalt again.
"17!" 18 yelled in clear concern as her brother pushed himself against the road. She turned to twelve with a new sneer, one of deep anger and rage. 12 remained as he was, but then he pushed his left hand up, and near to his face while his right went angled down towards the ground at his right. 18 could see, whatever the case, this android knew actual fighting poses, and that just made her angrier.
"I'll make you pay for that!" She howled and charged at him too. He said nothing but remained where he was as she swung her right arm back and threw it forwards allowing a single ki blast to fly out and explode across the new android's face. She came in then and slid herself along the ground and swept her right leg in and slammed into his left leg. The android jolted from the strike, and she immediately spun herself and angled her right leg to kick up into his chin.
The smoke cleared and 12 reeled from the far more precise and well thought strike, but he regained his composure and re-angled his hands and arms again. 18 dashed at him and both fists struck at him. Left and right, left and right over and over, and 12 dodged what he could and his hands caught what he could, but he never grappled her even as he took defensive steps backwards from her barrage of strikes. 12 sidestepped to his left and 18 ended up punching nothing and staggered forwards. She nearly fell and expected the android to do something, she was wide open, but he didn't. He simply stood there, his strange glowing eyes watching her as she looked at him with a mix of ever present anger and confusion.
"Eat this!" Suddenly 17 roared and 12 turned to his left just as the boy's right hook greeted his jaw. The android was sent reeling through the air and crashed into an old broken car and crashed through several more along the road before coming to a stop with dust and debris flying upwards around him. 17 landed besides his sister and chuckled at his hit placed on number twelve.
The all black garbed android began standing up, his back turned to the two androids. His hood had fallen from the blackish metal that made up his frame, and both could see with varying measures of satisfaction that 12's head was snapped to his right and damaged from 17's hit.
"Well, I think we can see why you were left off! Nothing but scrap really." 17 crossed his arms smugly as he spoke. A strange noise then hummed out causing both 17 and 18 to narrow their eyes at 12. He reached his left hand up, and clasped his fingers onto his own head. With a sickening metal crack he snapped his head back into place and the noise, like a hum and buzz attempting to drown one another out grew momentarily louder before stopping.
"What the hell?" 18 hissed under her breath and 17 maintained a silent sneer. 12 picked his hood back up and placed it atop his head before turning back towards the two. His head fully in place and undamaged, his eyes staring them down from beneath the cowl and the darkness of his frame and clothing turning him into a void as the sun grew dimmer.
"Before I beat you to death, let me ask you something." 17 began ignoring 12's lack of damage.
"What's up with the clothes? Gero have a depression streak when he came up with your outfit?"
"These were mine actually." 12 began. "It is undoubtedly hard for you to believe, but you are not the only androids who were something different, something more...human before Gero got his hands on you. As for my body it was...unfinished." 17 smirked.
"Well, don't expect me to cry over your sob story. I'm still gonna kill you."
"As interesting as that may be," 12 cut in raising his right hand.
"I did not come here to fight you. Merely to see that both of you are still alive. Gero's computer can be put at ease for that. I have another mission in need of doing. Or rather, pick up the slack that you two have left in your decade long incompetence." The twins scowled both of their anger and destructive rage rising within them.
"You didn't come here to fight? Care to explain the car then?" 17 hissed and 12 cocked his head to his right questioningly.
"The both of you can fly. Beyond that it was clear you meant to run me over. Call it a lesson in manners, unit 17."
"You little-" 17 ground his teeth and again charged after 12. Who didn't move as 17 reared his right arm back and readied to punch 12 again in his left cheek...or metal version of a cheek bone really. 17 roared as he threw the fist out and it connected with greater force than last time with 12's face. However he was left stunned as the android's face merely turned at his strike. His ethereal blueish white eyes staring at 17 until his left hand came up. His metal boney fingers wrapped around 17's wrist and caused a huff of more shock to escape his lips.
"I did not come to fight. However," 12 threw his right fist up again into 17's gut and released his wrist sending the boy back into a pile of destroyed cars near 18 who watched the whole thing play out.
"I will not allow you to delay me any further. I would say it's been a pleasure meeting you two, however, that would be more lying than I've had to in most of my...well life I suppose is still the word there."
"You little, no good, piece of sh-" 12 exploded up into the air and careened out of sight within moments leaving both 17 and 18 where they were.
"I swear I'm going to find him, that blonde haired bastard and those aliens, and when I do I am going to beat hem all until they are nothing but bloodied puddles of pulp!"
"Alright, calm down." 18 interjected.
"Calm down?! He humiliates me and you want me to calm down?!" 17 began having picked himself back up.
"We will deal with him later. What I want to know is where he came from, and why." 18 asked aloud even as 17 could see she too was furious.
"Besides he's going to be off doing...whatever it is he's doing, and who knows maybe he and the aliens will kill each other."
"Now that could be fun." 17 offered tough he still wasn't smiling.
"Though why would Gero's computer be concerned about us? What computer is he talking about anyways?" 17 asked as he and 18 both turned back towards the wrecked car.
"Who knows, maybe when we get our hands on him, if we get the shot we can do as you want and beat it outta him."
"Now you're speaking my language." 17 smirked as his eyes betrayed his deeply seething anger.
"Well, looks like you'll be hauling this for me." 18 crossed her arms as both of them reached the car.
"What?!" 17 frowned and 18 merely looked at him in a manner best described as matter-of-factly.
"Ugh, fine whatever. Though I am totally owed another game sometime soon." 17 remarked as he moved towards and lifted the car easily over his head.
"I'm sure I can think of something. But, we'll talk about that later. For now let's just get out of here."
"Fine with me." 17 replied as both he and his sister flew up into the skies and left the highway in dead silence once more.
The sun grew dimmer as it receded down as the planet turned. A black figure flew through the skies at breakneck speeds. It flew its way towards the far south of the continent away from its two admittedly stronger fellow androids. 12 couldn't believe he was activated. He hadn't imagined much of anything would come of this change, of becoming this thing when it was offered to him. He figured he was slated for death one way or another. Yet, here he was, an ugly blackened and unfinished frame of a machine that vaguely seemed human. Well he didn't care much about how he appeared. Now that he was given body once more he could do what needed to be done. What those two couldn't be trusted to do and what Gero's computer in its own way ordered him to do. No, he didn't trust it, didn't trust any of this really.
He had been gone so long he didn't know what to think, but the thought of doing what he couldn't before, saving the world, made him excited, or as close as he could come to the feeling at least. What and who he had been before, he knew was no memory on this planet. Gero's computer gave him access to one thing, and that was the knowledge that the world now had. The interconnected networks and streams of information that flowed freely from one being to the next as technology flowed far more freely then it had in his time as a mere man so long ago. Nothing was said of him, no knowledge no memory, no being at all. He would live with this, had to he figured. He had his chance now, he had to save the world, and from what he could see it needed much saving.
Aliens, now that was different. As he continued bounding through the air towards the south. He remembered ugly little creatures, their ravenous hate and hunger for destruction and domination that came to Earth seeking to kill and torment. Back then they were called demons. Now aliens, he looked forward to helping cleanse this world of their kind just as he had for the demons so long ago. Gero, the man had been obsessed, he believed. A little kid had toppled the organization he worked for, built for, worked to make powerful and dominate the world. He was left with nothing, well 12 didn't actually believe that.
As far as he could tell the man had one hell of a mind, a gift for technology and machines. And here he was, as were the others, living proof of his genius intellect. He had known someone like that once, someone very smart, smarter than he could ever hope to be. They were gone now...of course. That caused some spark, some shameful sensation that he fought to keep away, buried deep in some dark void and he burst forwards even faster to alleviate himself of such musings. 12 did continue thinking on Gero as his form furiously flew through the skies and the sun dipped further towards the western horizon.
He mused that if he had been alive when this army, the Red Ribbon army had come into being he may well have fought against it. He knew enough to see that it put fear into the military of the world, to match and beat them in manpower and resources, an organization bent on domination, but of human make, of human design and operation. What made them any better than the demons that came before them? Yet, he knew then that he could use what they gave to him, what Gero did. Because if the world need be dominated, to be controlled and ruled, let it be thus that it come under the control of a human hand, and human will. Not alien, and not demon.
This, Goku, he could see the man's image in his mind. A wide smile, unnaturally unruly hair that seemed forever stuck in place. A boy who toppled this army, had fought demons...similar to himself he supposed and had opposed alien invaders that looked far too human for 12's comfort. Yet he was himself an alien. Gero had gathered enough to know this man's purpose in coming to Earth. A destroyer, a killer in the making, but it hadn't been so, but it could've been. And that made 12 simmer in his own way with rage.
Now that man, that alien was dead, unfortunate for Gero who was killed by his own creations, he supposed it was unfortunate at least. He would never see his revenge, and 12 hardly cared really. Yet, now that man had come to have a child, a son, and those two fools, 17 and 18 had toyed with him and let him live through all this time to become stronger. Whatever this form was, this Super Saiyan madness. They had killed many humans, and undermined everything he hoped to achieve, but he could not touch them or hurt them even if he so desired it. The computer maintained far too much control over him yet. Plus, he knew just enough to know there was something, something unique out there coming for those two. To what end really, he didn't know, but he didn't know if he should fear it or welcome it considering all they had done to this world and its people. His people, to humanity.
Nonetheless, 12 came to a sudden and almost screeching stop in the air. His glowing eyes, so unnatural and ethereal in appearance looked down onto a city below him. It stood, untouched and seemingly undamaged from those two fools. It was called Sizzle City, and it lay just north of the mountains. 12 cast a glance up towards those mountains to the south. There he knew, and remembered once stood Pleasant Mountain. From what Gero's computer could tell him it was gone, blasted away to stop an all consuming fire. 12 gazed towards it in silence, all thought leaving him really. He enjoyed the moment of silence as he looked beyond the mountains seeking out a distant memory that was better left alone, and thus the skeletal android peered down towards the city, and he allowed himself to fall into it.
People walked the sidewalks and stray cars moved about the streets. A park was near, parents sat on benches some played with their children and enjoyed themselves and let laughter ring out through the park. Everyone in this city set near to the desert wastes took comfort in what they could even as the world fell apart around them, and all knew that their city could easily be next on the list of those killers. The androids.
A boy laughed, his ball had been kicked out towards the street by his friends. He chased after it, no care in the world even though the ball moved towards the street and his mom always said to keep away from it, and not play in it. He chased after it even as it bounced and rolled into the street and came to a stop dead in the center of it. The sun was setting after all and he only had a little while longer to play with his friends before he was forced to go home.
So he chased after it and laughed as he came up to it.
"Gotcha!" He announced with triumph though it hadn't really been a hard earned victory of course. However, as he turned back towards the park the boy paused. His face turned confused in expression and he lowered the ball from near to his face to his stomach as he clutched it in both hands. A man stood behind him now, wearing all black with his back to him. He wore a hood over his head and a long coat that looked kinda scary as it waved in the breeze.
"Playing in the street is dangerous." A weird voice said, and the boy recoiled with how it buzzed in his ears. It sounded like something from a monster movie he had watched when he wasn't supposed to.
"I would go back to your parents now, if I were you." The man turned his head slightly towards him but the boy couldn't see his face. The boy felt fear keep him in place even as a car approached and honked its horn at both he and the man.
"Get outta the road!" The man inside of it howled from out his window. The man in black turned towards the car behind the boy and himself some and allowed the boy to see his face. The boy's face twisted in horror and he dropped his ball and started to shake at what he saw. And the car honked on some more, but the boy barely registered it.
"Go to your parents, now." The man...thing said without moving his mouth and the boy shakily took several steps around him before bounding into a run and began crying, wailing in fact as he moved fast towards the park where his parents were. The car horn stopped and the man inside now looked horrified as he looked at what appeared to be a black skeleton with glowing eyes peering at him from beneath a shadowy cowl.
"Wha...what the hell?" No, no he had to be seeing things. The man shook his head and nervously gripped his car's steering wheel.
"H...hey get outta the road! What are ya' doing anyways in that getup huh?! You Reaper looking wannabe!" He didn't know what compelled him to insult the figure, but he did, and the cloaked man cocked his head to the side.
"Reaper? An interesting observation." The man said, and the man in the car frowned as sweat began to bead on his brow. His mouth hadn't moved, his voice wasn't...normal. He hurriedly slammed his foot down on the accelerator and his car burst to life heading towards the strange thing.
"Twice in a day." The thing said and lifted his left hand and without a word a burst of air, so it seemed, exploded out and fell over the car. Metal, glass, and haphazard bits, like a tire were torn form the car and thrown far back into the street leaving the man inside howling like a crazed madman. The carcass of the car slammed down into the street and the 'Reaper' stepped to his right and the car skidded past him before coming to an end. The man inside mostly unhurt minus a cut or two along his body.
The people in the park appeared, both the boy's screams and the car's crashing having caught all their attention. People from shops and stores came out to see what was going on, and mumbles began sounding out as concerned and confused people looked at the sight. Some of them undoubtedly worried that their worst fear had been realized.
12 turned about himself as the crowd gathered and within moments sirens blared and grew nearer.
"Now, that got their attention. Time to go to work."
Authors Note: Well like I said it's gonna take me a while to get updates out to you guys and it has unfortunately. So sorry about that but hopefully I can get them out in decent times at the least. Anyways, sorry again that this one is not very fight heavy but I think there can't always be constant fighting and beating going on as that would get repetitive. To those of you who do not like OC's for any reason, sorry but yes 12 is an OC and serves a purpose and will be here for time to come. Not to be an ass about it as I am not singling anyone out at all, but I have come across this with my other stories. If you do not under ANY circumstances like OC's then I am not going to be your writer nor is fanfiction in general gonna be your friend. If you dislike an OC for specific reasons then cool that is legitimate and understandable, but leave your wanton hate for OC's at the door or stop reading now. Him, the Frieza forces all serve a purpose in my story and will be here for a while. YES the other androids 13, 14, 15, 16, and 19 will have their time to shine you'll just have to wait and see to what capacity and purpose.
Anyways, with that little rant/preface out of the way please read and write a review if it so fancies you. Also note again that I have no beta reader for this story and thus I cannot always catch what my spellcheck ignores. If you find any grammar errors either let me know and I will happily fix them as I hate them just as much as you guys, or try your best to ignore them and know that I apologize for any I did not catch. That all being said thanks for reading and hopefully I'll have another up soon, thanks guys. :)
Edited 6/30/2017
