After returning to the Sacred Temple, Bulma and Chi-Chi set off for Namek with the Dragon Balls, while Yuujin, Goku, and the others went to the monitoring room to observe Dr. Gero's actions via satellite.
As expected, after Yuujin spared him, Dr. Gero quickly returned to his hideout, a laboratory hidden deep in the mountains. Consumed with hatred and anger toward Yuujin, he unleashed Android 17 and Android 18, who had been in a state of dormancy.
Unlike other androids, Android 17 and Android 18 were humans modified into androids. To grant them infinite energy and immense combat power, their control mechanisms were somewhat inadequate. Their refusal to obey his commands had always been a source of frustration for Dr. Gero.
With Android 19 destroyed and himself severely injured, Dr. Gero was pushed to desperation. Otherwise, he wouldn't have dared to release these dangerous individuals.
Just like in the original Dragon Ball storyline, after their release, Android 17 and Android 18 initially pretended to show great respect and obedience to Dr. Gero. However, when he let his guard down, Android 17 swiftly snatched the controller from his hands.
Dr. Gero was dumbfounded, shocked and enraged.
"What... what are you doing, Android 17?!"
"Isn't it obvious? Taking back our freedom."
"This is the controller that can shut us down in an emergency, right? To be safe, it's better to destroy it. We don't want to go back into a long sleep, you old fool!"
With a cold smirk, Android 17 crushed the controller into dust.
"Ah… ahh… ahhhh…"
Dr. Gero stumbled back a few steps, utterly panicked.
Android 17 and Android 18 had escaped his control. What now?!
However, regaining his composure, Dr. Gero's gaze turned fierce.
"Damn you, Android 17 and Android 18! Do you think you can escape my control just like that?"
"I can make as many of those controllers as I want. Destroying one doesn't matter—I'll just make another!"
Dr. Gero spoke venomously, feeling somewhat emboldened. Yet, as soon as he finished, he regretted his words.
As expected—
"Oh, really? So that's how it is," Android 18 said, sitting on a dormant pod nearby with a beautiful yet dangerous smile.
"Well, we won't let you succeed, Doctor."
"Android 17," she called.
"Got it!"
With a sinister grin, Android 17 darted forward, delivering a punch that pierced through Dr. Gero's body, followed by a kick that decapitated him.
Thud, thud, thud…
Dr. Gero's head rolled on the ground like a metal ball, his face frozen in extreme shock and anger.
"Android 17! Android 18! How dare you do this to me?!"
"I'm your creator, your father! You ungrateful brats!"
Mocking, Android 17 stepped on Dr. Gero's head.
"Don't say that, Doctor. After all, you've done many terrible things to us."
"With such a cruel parent, isn't it natural to have cruel children?"
"Don't worry. Even though you're dead, we'll still help you kill Yuujin. After all, that's the purpose of our creation."
"Hahaha…"
Laughing wildly, Android 17 kicked Dr. Gero's head into a corner of the lab, leaving it there as the old man screamed curses, powerless to do anything.
"Android 17, look at this!" Android 18 called out, seemingly finding something interesting.
Android 17 walked over to see another dormant pod in the lab, containing a burly man in deep sleep.
"Oh, Android 16?"
"This guy is also an infinite energy model like us, but he seems different somehow."
Rubbing his chin, Android 17 appeared to have a new idea.
"Our purpose is to kill Yuujin, right? Having more people might make it more fun."
"Android 18, let's wake him up too."
"Okay."
Android 18 didn't mind. Since Android 17 suggested it, she followed suit.
Just as she was about to press the pod's control button, Dr. Gero's enraged voice came from the corner.
"Stop it, Android 17, Android 18!"
"Android 16 is an uncontrollable monster, a failed experiment. If you release him, the entire world will be destroyed!"
"Stop! Stop this instant! He must not be awakened!"
It was almost laughable to see the cruel and evil Dr. Gero worrying about the world's survival.
Android 17 and Android 18 were amused but cautious. Android 17 used a radar to scan Android 16's energy levels.
"What's this? The readings show we're stronger."
"Android 18, ignore him. Release Android 16."
"Tch, what a nuisance. Disappear completely!"
As Dr. Gero continued shouting, Android 18, now irritated, blasted his head to smithereens with a ki blast.
"Phew… finally some peace."
Looking relieved, Android 18 pressed the button without hesitation.
Click…
The dormant pod opened slowly. Under the watchful eyes of Android 17 and Android 18, Android 16 opened his eyes and sat up.
"Android 16, congratulations. You're free now," said Android 17, arms crossed.
Android 16 ignored him, expressionless. He scanned the surroundings and quickly noticed Dr. Gero's remains on the floor.
"You killed the Doctor?"
"Yeah, we killed him. That old geezer was annoying, doing all those horrible things to us and wanting to use us to conquer the world. He deserved it," Android 18 replied cheerfully.
Android 16 didn't seem to care. Though Dr. Gero had created him, his death meant little.
"Android 16, we're going to kill Yuujin. Will you join us?" Android 17 asked, noticing Android 16's silent demeanor.
"Our purpose as androids is to kill him, and you should be the same."
"I will."
For the first time, Android 16's expression shifted. He answered curtly.
Android 17 and Android 18 smiled.
"We're comrades, then. Let's go together!"
To be continued…
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