Android 13

Android 13's icy blue eyes snapped open. His fingers twitched as his synthetic muscles stretched in what felt like an eternity. His Southern drawl rolled out instinctively. "Well, now. Ain't this a surprise."

In all the prior instances of activation in his memory banks Dr Gero was there. Usually, the old man had some diagnostic to run, some test that's success or failure ended up with him and his squad back in storage. But this time was different.

While the location he was in matched the sub-level of Dr Gero's lab he recalled, complete with the giant supercomputer in the centre of the room, the addition of the glass tank was new. The glass had been broken some time ago, scattering shards and faint green fluid over the floor. There were no files indicating what that had been, and so he dismissed it as irrelevant.

He adjusted his Red Ribbon hat as he stepped out from the pod, soft thumps sounding as his boots touched the floor. To his left, Android 14 stepped forward in silence, his massive grey frame casting a long shadow across the floor, ponytail dangling motionlessly behind him as he stood still as a statue. Next to him, Android 15 adjusted his sunglasses and smirked, the purple-skinned dwarf looking around with a laid-back smile.

"Damn, been a long nap," 15 said, tilting his green hat. "Looks like we finally got the call."

13 smiled, and cracked his knuckles. "Heh. 'Bout time I got my shot at Goku."

Then his HUD flickered—once, then again. Updates poured in, more than he'd ever seen before. For a moment, he stood motionless, syncing his internal systems with the lab's database. If he had been human, his eyes would have gone wide as a bombshell struck.

[Target: Son Goku]

[Status: Deceased]

"Looks like we got stood up." 15 said, pulling a flask out of his pocket. "Think I should pour one out?"

14 turned his stoic stare to 13. "New orders?"

13 thought that was a rhetorical question at first, until he checked his orders. Their orders had been updated as well, which should have been impossible. Only Dr Gero had the authority to alter their objectives, and according to the updated files he had been dead for a long time. The sounds coming from the machine humming in the middle of the lab rose in volume as 13's attention was forced to a new window flashing in his vision. The administrator was still listed as Dr Gero, but the reference had been altered to include the supercomputer as well.

'Well now… that's real interestin'.'

[Target: Android #17]

[Objective: Capture]

[Target: Android #18]

[Objective: Capture]

"Now that's something. Why're we going after our own?" 13 mused, running his hand over his chin as he accessed the files he had been recently been shared on 17 and 18. The files contained data on their physical characteristics, their clothing, personalities and their combat capabilities. It was all useful to their new mission but what was more interesting were the parts that were redacted.

17 and 18 were different. Newer models. Infinite energy. Not pure androids, but something in between. Cybernetic organisms - part flesh, part machine. The biological component of their design was necessary for a reason, but what was the reason? He continued exploring the blueprints for both cyborgs, then compared them to 14, and 15, then -

'Bullseye.'

13 smirked and gave a cold, knowing, look to 14 and 15.

They had no clue.

As the command unit, he had access to intel they didn't, and frankly, there was no reason to burden them with it. Their design? Just stepping stones for him.

And if he had to guess, he'd say that 17 and 18 weren't much different.

If so then the third member of their trio was missing. Unless they had been modified to need only two power cores...

His gaze fell on the broken cylinder in the room. A quick analysis revealed that the green fluid pooling at its base was deposited in a shrinking trail towards the exit.

"Alright boys, no use standing here burning daylight! We've got a job to do." He declared, punching his fist into his palm.

"Orders received." 14 grunted, finally moving away from its place and walking towards the tunnel out of the laboratory.

15 finished taking a drink from his flask, "Let's do this." The dwarf wiped his lips then floated after 14's hulking form.

13 strode after them, sparing a glance back at the massive computer.

'So, you think you're Dr Gero? Then, when I get back, we're gonna have a talk. Dr Gero designed me to be the ultimate android, why'd he need more?'

With that thought in mind, 13 left the lab to join 14 and 15. Android 17 and Android 18's last known location was shown on his internal display. A helping hand from the comp - Dr Gero - that he didn't need. There were better places to look than their last massacre. None came to mind as he took off, and started flying in that direction for lack of better alternatives.

Bridgetown… at least they'd get to do some sightseeing.