Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Chinks in Android Armor ❯ Android 18's new home ( Chapter 6 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Ball Z, it belongs to Toei Animation Co. Ltd. and was created by Akira Toriyama. However the Oc's Bakelite, Polly Atomica, Infrared and Melmac are mine as is the plot of this fan fiction. It means no harm to the awesome anime and manga! I make no money from this! This is the next chapter in a character piece dealing with Cyborg 17 and with 18.

 

Artificial Heart and Human Mind

By Trynia Merin

 

***

Pain shattered the unity of Cell. Dimly she became aware of something pulling her out of the core of dormant dead minds. All the life forces he had consumed were let loose into the void of space. Fear pulsed around her soul, and yet something strongly grabbed her and held her fast in its relentless soul of silicon.

 

It seemed as if her soul had been thrust back into a hastily constructed body. Jolting to awareness, she found herself awakened as if from death's dreamless sleep. Ghosts of memories dangled tantalizingly before reminiscence only to evaporate in the day of life. Her eyes popped open to see dust blowing past her face, ground hard and solid under her chest. Panicking Dr. Polly Atomica pushed herself up from the ground.

 

In the middle of a barren plain, she rasped breath in and out. Her heart pounded blood through her veins and she screamed, "Curie!"

 

No one answered her plaintive cry. Disbelieving reality for a moment she patted every part of her body she could easily reach. Joy overwhelmed panic and she somehow guessed that if she were alive there was a great hope that others were as well. She fumbled in her pocket and pulled out a battered cell phone bleeping with life. Stumbling across the featureless plane, she soon reached the forest where the cabin lay abandoned.

 

Pulled up in the driveway were the familiar gleaming curves of her car. She dug for the keys in her lab coat pocket and raced toward it. Eagerly she opened the door and shoved the key into the ignition after sliding into the seat behind the wheel. To her delight, the engine turned over. Dust had settled on the car hood and windshield, indicating it must have sat there for more than a mere day. She let the engine run, and then turned on the radio. Before her on the radio dial, the date and time popped up.

 

"Holy shit, its ten days later! I was part of that THING for ten days?" she gasped, combing fingers through her hair violently. She leaned back in the seat and listened to the humming of the engine under the cacophony of the radio. Remotely from a distance, though still inside her body she watched herself listening to the flustered announcer.

 

"Hercule Satan has saved the world from the terror of Cell! Even now, everyone who was gone seems to have been miraculously brought back to life! If you're hearing this and are a victim of lost time, you are in luck! You're alive! We're going to continue broadcasting from ZTV and in Hercule City!"

 

"Hercule Satan saved the day? I wonder how likely that is," she sighed. Then she snapped up and pressed her foot to the gas. She had a daughter to check on.

 

Minutes later, she had reached the main road leading to West City. Desperately her heart pounded beyond hope that Curie was alive and well in the care of Bulma and her mother. As she pulled up to her house, she saw the familiar shape of a car there. She barely dragged the keys out of the ignition before bolting to the front door.

 

It popped open, revealing a surprised blonde woman in a smock who could hardly hold back a bundle of joy rushing out. "Mommy!"

 

"Curie! Oh thank God!" she wailed, almost knocked over by her little girl throwing herself into her arms. She gripped her four year old tightly to her, rocking her as she knelt down.

 

"Dr. Atomica, you're alive! We were so worried! We'd heard that you'd vanished without a trace," Mrs. Briefs gasped.

 

"I heard a lot of other people were brought back," said she.

 

"Come on in. I've been looking after things since you've been gone. Bulma will be so happy to see you. She's in with Trunksy. Can I get you some tea?" said she.

 

"Mommy I knew you were alive! I just knew it!" Curie babbled, squeezing her neck tightly. Sobbing Dr. Atomica buried her face in her daughter's shoulder and wept. Her nanny barely raised her from the ground and strode into the house supported by her.

 

Once in the kitchen she plopped her daughter on her lap and accepted tea from Mrs. Briefs. It wasn't long before Bulma rushed into the kitchen and handed Trunks to her mother. Rising from her chair, Polly raced over and embraced Bulma like a long lost sister. Bulma could not stop the tears at the relief of another friend alive and well. For a time they sobbed and clung to one another.

 

"What happened?" Dr. Atomica asked, drawing back.

 

"They won. Cell's been defeated! I'm so glad you're alive!" Bulma cried.

 

"Why don't you two ladies catch up in the living room? I've got lots of pretty cakes and coffee out there!" Mrs. Briefs suggested. Bulma nodded and followed her mother. Between sips of coffee and mouthfuls of rich creamy éclairs, the two women compared notes.

 

"But Android 16… and your friends… what happened?" said Polly. A few crumbs from the éclair fell on her lap and her daughter reached over to grab them. Polly broke the éclair in two and handed half to her hungry daughter who took it with an excited coo. She plunked next to her mother on the sofa and polished the treat off quickly.

 

"They won. But not everyone came back," Bulma said softly. She held the fussing form of her baby Trunks on one hip, and saw Polly slowly cradling her daughter across her lap. Laying her head on Polly's breast Curie pressed close with her thumb in her mouth and a blanket in her other hand. She didn't want to let her daughter go she was so convinced she'd awaken and find life was just another illusion. The poor girl was weary beyond words.

 

"Should I stay here a while?" asked Polly.

 

"That would be great if you could," said Bulma. "I'll send a car for some of your clothes."

 

"Maybe it would be better if you had some time to yourself," said Polly.

 

"No, you should be here. You and your daughter are more than welcome to stay at Capsule a while," said Bulma. A serving bot set down a tray of hot tea, and both women sat before the large television set blaring the words of the ZTV reporter covering Hercule's finest hour.

 

"I should have been there. I feel so horrible," whispered Polly.

 

"Don't be. C'mon let's get some tea and catch up," said Bulma sadly.

 

"Where's Trunks… I mean the older one?" asked she.

 

"At Kami's lookout. He's on his way back he said."

 

"Vegeta?"

 

"He's… he's not come back. I think… he's going to be away a while," she whispered.

 

"Yamcha and Krillin?"

 

"They called and said they were on their way back as well. Yamcha just called me and said Trunks was brought back to life along with everyone else. He's going to tell us about the battle," said Bulma.

 

"Ten days I was dead?"

 

"Ten days. Curie came and stayed with us a while. I was going to send someone to look for you, but I wasn't sure what to do," Bulma said guiltily.

 

Shakily she gripped the mug of hot tea and sipped it. How good it felt to drink and nibble the sugar cookies and cakes Bunny had brought up. In the company of her friend, she soon was brought up to date about the epic battle she had missed. Although in her mind she knew what had transpired, it had been through the eyes of the monster that had held her.

 

"I saw it all," Polly mumbled.

 

"What was that?" asked Bulma.

 

"I was part of that monster, Bulma. Everything he saw and did I know," Polly shivered, holding her tea. Her hand shook so badly that Bulma had to grab her wrist to steady her from rattling the cup in the saucer.

 

"You're joking."

 

"No. I was aware of so many things. It's all a blur, just snippets of memory. Such hatred and arrogance. For a time I was aware, and then oblivion. Small pieces of a nightmare I came in and out of. I was part of his mind and I was aware," said she.

 

"You… ugh! That's too horrible to imagine!" Bulma gasped. Polly's cup suddenly shattered as plastic shot from her wrist and expanded to crush it.

 

"Sorry," she apologized. Bulma grabbed a tea towel and helped wipe the stain off. Both women shakily regarded each other, their eyes misting with tears.

 

"How was it?"

 

"The two cyborgs were there. Everyone and everything he absorbed. Not all the minds were aware. Some were just reduced to knowledge. However, there were those Cell chose to make aware through his collective mind. It was like being stuck as a fly in amber and unable to act," she shuddered.

 

"Wait, you mean you were aware the whole time?"

 

"I saw the battle through the eyes of Cell. Not all of it was clear. Nevertheless, for some reason I felt something pulling me out of the mire to see it. I was helpless to act, but I saw it all. Vegeta… he fought so hard when Trunks was…"

 

"You… you saw Vegeta fight?"

 

"I saw Gohan and all the others. Fighting their hardest against something that wouldn't die," Polly wiped tears from her eyes. "And I saw 18 spat out. Krillin… he likes her."

 

"I can't believe what I'm hearing," Bulma sniffled. Both women held each other tightly as the story of the battle came pouring out of Polly. There was no need for Yamcha's battle testimony when she had it straight from the mouth of a direct though unwilling witness.

***

Krillin felt clueless when it came to women. He had seen Android 18 fly off in a huff from Kami's lookout the day after the epic battle, and felt as if any possible relationship were forever doomed. Despite Yamcha's reassurance, he really doubted if she cared for him. Still hope sprang eternal when he saw the bags piled up in front of his doorstep.

 

He had heard a knock at the door a few days after the battle. Opening the door he saw the pale faced Android 18 standing there impatiently tapping her foot. Wordless sounds came from his wide-open mouth to which she said, "Well, you might at least look glad to see me."

 

"18… what are you doing here?" Krillin said.

 

"If that's what you're going to say I'm leaving," she snorted.

 

"No… wait, 18 don't leave!" shouted Krillin, reaching out and grabbing her wrist.

 

"Well DID you or didn't you invite me to 'talk'?" Android 18 asked angrily.

 

"Yes I did but I didn't think you'd actually come!"

 

"Then WHY are you wasting my time?" Android 18 snapped.

 

"Wait!" Krillin waved his arms in front of his face frantically. Suddenly he remembered that Yamcha had insisted he invite Android 18 to Kame house for a romantic getaway. He was sure he wasn't able to understand women, but Android 18 were here and he wasn't about to let her go again.

 

"I'm sorry I just… I thought you hated me after what I said about you and your brother!" he blurted out.

 

"You are such an idiot. If I didn't like you so much you'd be toast," Android 18 snorted with disgust.

 

"Come in! Please! Let me help you with those!" Krillin stammered, grabbing her bags in one hand and yanking her in by the wrist. Android 18 sighed and relented as the bald monk ushered her into the home. Thankfully, nobody else was there, because Master Roshi was away at a bathing suit competition to ogle at the contestants.

 

"Nice little place. Had a hell of a time finding it," she said as he set her bags down. He had not expected her to bring everything she owned just about. Judging from the amount of bags, she intended to stay for longer than a weekend.

 

"I'm so glad you're here! I wasn't sure if you were staying at that same place," he said, trying to make light conversation.

 

"I didn't have anywhere else to go," Android 18 said.

 

"I thought you'd be living with your brother?" Krillin shrugged.

 

"Please. He's one of the last people I want to see right now," said Android 18 angrily.

 

"18, I'm so glad to see you. I've been so worried that I majorly screwed up. I guess you must have gotten my letter."

 

"It was sweet," she said as she held out a crumpled folded bit of paper she pulled from her jacket pocket.

 

"Yeah I tried my best. Look, since you're going to stay here, there's an extra bedroom upstairs," he said, grabbing up the bags again. Android 18 nodded slowly, shouldering her overnight bag.

 

Leading the way, he helped her carry her bags up the small flight of stairs. Kame house had three bedrooms, one of which was Master Roshi's and the other two were guest bedrooms. Downstairs futons could be stretched out for guests if more than a few people happened to stay over. Bulma had often come here with Yamcha during the old days of their relationship just to get away from the hustle and bustle of it all.

 

He pulled the closet open and showed her where a few wire hangers were dangling. Android 18 set her suitcases and hanging bags here and there, temporarily placing the hanging bag in the upright position. She stacked the soft luggage nearby, and then put one small bag on the bed, which must have the essentials. Still she wore the clothes that he recalled her wearing from the day that Cell absorbed her. He had to thank Yamcha for his advice given for a love letter.

 

"Um 18…" he asked.

 

"What?" she asked, turning on him impatiently.

 

"Do you want something to drink," said he.

 

"Fine," Android 18 relented, raising a brow. Krillin reached out with his hand to her. She placed her pale one in it, and they strode down to the kitchen.

 

Dr. Polly remained as a guest at Capsule for at least a week. During that time, she stayed to see Goku's funeral and the slow dispersion of Z warriors. Vegeta kept a remote distance, slowly watching Bulma and Trunks as if an outsider or spectator. Somehow, she knew that Bulma needed her there, and she was glad to stay at her friend's side.

 

Eventually Gohan returned with his mother and grandfather to their mountain home. Trunks packed up his time machine and armor to return to his own dimension. Krillin had returned to Kame house so he could resume his life training under Master Roshi as far as she knew. Somewhere through helping to put Trunks down and helping Curie color the skies in her pictures she heard the phone ring. Krillin was ecstatically babbling about the appearance of his mystery woman.

 

"She's HERE! As I live and breathe!" Krillin said in a hushed voice. She could tell he must be muffling the phone with his hand so nobody would hear what he was saying.

 

"That's great," she said quietly, and then felt a strange ache arise in her once more. Glancing at Curie sitting at the table happily coloring, she pushed her glasses on her face more securely.

 

"Yeah. I was thinking she'd be living at that apartment or that chalet. We both know THAT place. Well I just was floored to see her with a whole bunch of bags…"

 

"Bags?" asked Polly. "When was this?"

 

"Yesterday she showed up. He said that she had no place else to go, but I'm guessing that she and her brother had a fight maybe?" Krillin suggested.

 

"Her brother and her had a fight?" Polly started to laugh.

 

"What… what did I say?" Krillin groaned mournfully. Just like him to believe any old story, she'd say. Judging from Android 18, she was far too proud to admit she wanted to stay anywhere just because she was invited.

 

"Krillin she's staying with you not because she HAS to, but because she wants to," said Polly.

 

"Say what?" Krillin said after a long pause.

 

Twisting the cord around her finger, Polly smiled. "Well, think about it. She and her brother aren't exactly the closest of relatives, but he could care less where she decides to live."

 

"What are you saying exactly?" a puzzled voice babbled.

 

"It's her choice. I'm imagining she wants to distance herself from any reminders of that monster. And I think she wants to start over."

 

"St… start over?" Krillin stammered.

 

"With you. You're her ticket to a new life, Krillin. Do me a favor and don't let her go," said Polly quietly.

 

"I don't get it," Krillin answered.

 

"She loves you dummy. Why else would she make up some cock and bull story about having no place else to go! You know that she could live with 17 if she wanted," said Polly.

 

"Um, speaking of 17 have you um…"

 

"No. Nada, zip zilch," said Polly curtly.

 

"Sorry," Krillin said softly. "Is your daughter okay?"

 

"She's fine. However, I've been having some issues with that. Seems her father presumed I was dead. HE took the liberty of having her things moved in with him. Bulma's now hired some lawyers, but my ex won't even return my calls to explain."

 

"Oh man, you mean he blames YOU for getting swallowed by CELL?" Krillin said with disbelief. She heard the thump of the monk sitting down on a chair presumably.

 

"Well, he's used to the idea of me being devoted to work at Capsule. The custody arrangement was that we would have her on alternate weeks. I'd have a nanny he hired care for her when I was at work, and then in the evenings she would come home with me. Then on the weekends, he'd have her. We'd switch off… and if I had any long business trips he'd take her. And the same went for me as well," said she.

 

"So let me get this straight," Krillin tapped his foot on the floor. "You're saying that he changed his mind?"

 

'Pretty much. He thinks that the whole Cell thing was a publicity stunt thrown by Hercule. And that it was a mass conspiracy to cover up a mopping up operation by King Furry's troops," she said. Krillin's brow wrinkled with anger as he listened. Just outside he heard the creak of a chair as 18 turned over and rustled the magazine she was reading. Sunlight bounced off her curves covered only by the green bikini she wore while sunbathing.

 

"I hope she'll be okay. Man she's a cutie," said Krillin. "I hope you've got good lawyers."

 

"Bulma said she'd make sure I got the best," said she.

 

"But doesn't he work for Capsule?"

 

"As an aeronautics engineer. I'm worried this would be a conflict of interest though," he heard Polly sigh.

 

"Look I'm sure it will be okay. The important thing is that the kiddo knows you love her, right. That it wasn't your fault that Mommy went missing for a few days," Krillin gulped, trying to keep his voice as positive as possible. Judging from the quaver in her voice, she was holding something back.

 

"Who knows? You might be lucky enough to learn what its like for yourself," said she.

 

Immediately Krillin felt the blood racing to his cheeks. Foolishly grinning he said, "Well um, I won't jump that far ahead. It's a miracle 18's even TALKING to me."

 

"Krillin you don't know this, but I um… she called me shortly after everyone um… came back," said Polly.

 

"She called YOU?" he gasped.

 

"Look, she was pissed as hell, but she sounded so lost. Let's just say that you were the topic of discussion for a while over a lot of hot coffee for a few afternoons that I was able to get away from here," said Polly.

 

"She… you saw her?"

 

"Who do you think told her where you live? You didn't leave her an address. Just a phone number. She had to ask someone," said Polly.

 

"She came to YOU?" Krillin yelped, glancing back over his shoulder at Android 18 turning over to lie on her stomach. She let the magazine drop to the sand, and pulled on a pair of sunglasses she had borrowed from Krillin.

 

"I'm the only other person she knows she can trust I guess," said she. "Look, I've got to go. I don't' want to keep you from your lady for long."

 

"Um thanks! You take care okay?" Krillin said.

 

"Krillin, where's that lemonade?" Android 18 called from outside. Hanging up the phone Krillin rushed to the counter and grabbed the pitcher with two tall glasses. He set all the items on a fancy tray and carried it out to the veranda quickly.