The Rebellious Duo

"I have to notify everyone right away..." Krillin braced himself with both hands, barely managing to stay upright. He was about to raise his ki to alert his companions when he suddenly realized—at Android 20's speed, by the time everyone arrived, he might have already succeeded in activating the new androids.

"No... I need to confirm where the lab is first." It was a rational judgment, yet the fear did not fade. Instead, it became even clearer—he remembered the moment his chest had been pierced on Namek, and that icy brush with death now crept up his spine again. Gritting his teeth, Krillin chased after Android 20 in the direction he had disappeared.

He was afraid, yes. But this was not the first time he had faced fear.

Android 20 traveled through the mountains for a while before finally arriving before a cliff. "This is it... I finally made it back." Looking up, he saw a cave opening high up on the cliff face. He gathered his strength and leaped into it, making his way deeper into the cave until a heavy metal door appeared before him.

Just as he was about to open the door, the detector on his body sounded once more. Android 20 turned to look—Krillin was floating outside the cave entrance, staring at the place in stunned disbelief.

"So this is it... I found it! I have to tell everyone quickly." Looking at the entrance to the lab, Krillin kept encouraging himself inwardly.

Krillin's energy reading continued to rise on the detector. Android 20 instantly understood his plan. "Trying to call for help? Too bad you're already too late—this saves me the trouble of looking for you." He no longer hesitated. He quickly walked to the metal door, entered the password, and slipped into the lab.

Outside, Krillin raised his ki to the limit and sent out a warning. "Everyone, get over here quickly!" The scattered group all sensed his energy at the same time and rushed toward the lab.

Inside the lab, Android 20 did not immediately open Android 17 and Android 18's sleep chambers. Instead, he first sealed the door, then removed a remote control from the wall. The instant it left the wall, the previously pitch-black lab lit up brightly—three sleep chambers stood in a row against the wall. The chamber marked "19" was already open, leaving only Android 17 and Android 18's unopened. There was another sleep chamber on the floor, but its number had become too blurred to make out.

Android 20 was trembling all over, clutching the remote tightly in his hand, his thumb hovering over the button the entire time—as if he would press it immediately at the first sign of trouble. Uneasy, he walked over to the sleep chamber marked "17." "If possible, I truly do not wish to wake these people... But things have reached this point, and I have no choice. I hope they've been fixed..."

He pressed the switch, and the chamber door slowly opened. A young man dressed in black, with a red scarf around his neck, stepped out.

Android 20 asked cautiously, "Have you awakened, Android 17?"

Android 17 turned around, his gaze falling on the remote in Android 20's hand. His originally cold expression softened, even forming a smile. "Hello, Doctor Gero!"

Hearing the greeting, Android 20 relaxed considerably, though he still found it hard to believe. "You... are greeting me?"

"Of course. You are my creator, after all."

Seeing Android 17's reaction, Android 20 smiled as well. "It seems the repairs were successful. Then I'll wake Android 18 too..." He turned to open Android 18's sleep chamber, failing to see that the moment he turned away, Android 17's gentle expression became cold again.

The chamber door slowly opened. Android 18, blonde-haired and blue-eyed, dressed in a blue denim jacket, awoke from her long sleep as well. Android 17 gave her a look, and the tacit understanding between the siblings made Android 18 understand immediately. She turned toward Android 20, glanced at the remote in his hand, then changed her expression just like Android 17 had. Smiling, she greeted him, "Hello, Doctor Gero!"

"Even you're greeting me?"

"That is perfectly normal."

"It seems both of you have automatically recovered."

Android 18 looked at Android 20 and asked, "Doctor, did you turn yourself into an android too?"

"Yes. I wanted eternal life as well. But honestly, seeing the two of you puts my mind at ease." Android 20 paused. "When I created you, I focused all your functions on permanent energy reactors and increased power, which made the control functions comparatively weak. That was why you completely refused to obey orders before. This time, you must follow my commands properly. Goku's companions will be here soon. Deal with them at once—understand?"

Android 20 regained his confidence and walked in front of the two of them, leaving his back exposed to them.

Behind him, Android 17 and Android 18 looked at each other and nodded at the same time, indicating that they understood. Android 18 lowered her eyes, her gaze lingering on Android 20's back for a moment—the look in her eyes was like she was staring at an object that had already been dealt with.

Outside, the others arrived one after another.

"That is Doctor Gero's lab." Krillin reported the situation.

"Well done, Krillin." Tien Shinhan praised him.

Krillin looked a little embarrassed. "It was nothing."

Piccolo smiled. "Good. We'll take them out before that old man returns!" With that, he and Tien Shinhan rushed toward the lab.

"But... there's one more thing..." Krillin's voice came from behind them.

The two stopped and looked back at him in confusion. "What is it, Krillin?"

"Doctor Gero... he's already returned to the lab."

"What?!"

"I'm sorry..." Krillin explained everything. Piccolo's expression changed drastically after hearing it. "You waited until now to tell us something like that?!"

Before Krillin could explain, Piccolo had already turned around and burst forward at full speed toward the entrance of the lab, repeatedly bombarding the heavy metal door.

Inside, Android 20 listened to the commotion and said with complete confidence, "They're here. Those foolish idiots who don't know their place have reached the door. It's time for you to make your appearance." He had no idea that Android 17 and Android 18 behind him were staring intently at the remote in his hand. Android 17 gave Android 18 a look, and she nodded in confirmation.

Outside, Tien Shinhan and the other two were still striking the door. Krillin shouted, "This door is too tough! We can't break it open!"

Piccolo told the other two to move aside, preparing to blast the door apart with an energy wave. Just as he was about to attack, a voice sounded behind him. "You found it, huh!"

Everyone turned around—it was Vegeta and his son, arriving fashionably late.

At the same time, Android 20 laughed smugly inside. "Go beat them until they're crawling on the ground!" He turned, about to look at Android 17 and Android 18—only to find Android 17 already behind him, snatching the remote from his hand.

"Android 17, what are you doing?" Android 20 was startled by the sudden move.

"This thing—" Android 17 weighed the remote in his hand, his voice terrifyingly calm, "is the emergency controller that can shut off our energy at any time, right? It's for insurance, isn't it?"

Android 20's pupils suddenly shrank as he demanded harshly, "Android 17, what are you planning to do? You aren't joking, are you?"

"I have to destroy it."

Crack. The remote shattered in Android 17's palm, its components falling through his fingers.

Having destroyed the controller, Android 17 dropped all pretense. "I don't want to go back to sleep, you stinking old man."

"Android 17, don't joke with me! Go defeat those enemies at the entrance!" Android 20's furious roar reached outside, freezing Piccolo just as he was about to destroy the door. Hearing those words, everyone felt some degree of panic—except Prince Vegeta, whose face was filled with impatience as he longed to prove himself to the androids.

Seeing everyone hesitate, Vegeta roared, "Damn it, move aside!" He made everyone retreat, then fired an energy blast straight at the door—the metal door crashed down at once.