When Raditz killed Android 19 in an instant, Android 20, who had been watching the battle, broke out in a cold sweat and cried, "Impossible! How could trash like Raditz have such a high power level? That was Android 19, whom I painstakingly created! Taking care of Raditz should have been child's play!"
Son Goku smiled at his words. "Well, Dr. Gero? Was that a big enough surprise for you?"
Dr. Gero's face darkened. "Don't get too smug, Son Goku. It's a shame I haven't awakened my Ultimate Androids, Android 17 and Android 18. Otherwise, why would I fear Raditz?"
"Oh?" Vegeta said. "Sounds like those two Androids should be a little stronger than that broken-down doll. Why didn't you bring them along, then?"
"I thought I wouldn't need them to deal with you, so I didn't bring them," Dr. Gero said. "Do you dare let me awaken them?"
"Tch. Kakarot, give him a chance," Vegeta said. "I want to see just how strong the Androids this old fool is counting on really are."
Son Goku looked at the others. "What do you all think?"
"I have no problem with it," Piccolo said.
"Father, we'd like to see what the other Androids can do, too," Son Goshin and Son Gohin said.
"We have no objections either," Krillin, Tien Shinhan, and Yamcha said. "You'll be there to back us up anyway, right, Goku?"
"All right. Since everyone agrees, I'll give Dr. Gero a chance to awaken those two Androids," Son Goku said.
Dr. Gero sneered. "Son Goku, confidence is a good thing, but blind confidence becomes arrogance. Don't regret this."
"Keep babbling, Dr. Gero, and I won't give you that chance," Son Goku said.
Dr. Gero immediately shut his mouth.
"Lead the way, Dr. Gero," Son Goku said.
Without another word, Dr. Gero flew into the air, checked his bearings, and headed toward his laboratory, with everyone following close behind.
Before long, they arrived at a small mountain. Dr. Gero walked straight into a cave, and the others followed.
A moment later, they reached the laboratory's entrance. Dr. Gero worked the controls, opened the door, and went inside. The others filed in after him.
Dr. Gero awakened the two Androids in their machines.
Then two Androids, one male and one female, appeared before the group.
Dr. Gero no longer cared whether the Androids were under his control. He immediately ordered, "Android 17, Android 18, I command you to kill Son Goku!"
The two exchanged a glance. "Yes, Doctor," Android 18 said. Then she darted forward, appeared in front of Son Goku, and drove a fist into his face.
Dr. Gero burst out laughing at the sight.
Suddenly, Android 17 appeared behind Dr. Gero, snatched away the Control Device with lightning speed, and crushed it in his hand.
At the same time, Son Goku said to Android 18, "Are you trying to tickle me, Android 18?"
Android 18 withdrew her fist. "You really are extraordinary, Son Goku."
"Thanks for the compliment," Son Goku said with a smile.
While the two were speaking, Dr. Gero roared at Android 17, "Android 17, what are you doing? Our goal right now is to kill Son Goku, not fight among ourselves!"
"I know, Dr. Gero," Android 17 said. "But I don't like having someone else control my fate. So you'd better die."
Before he had finished speaking, he vanished and reappeared behind Dr. Gero. With a single knife-hand strike, he sent Dr. Gero's head tumbling to the floor.
"My Ultimate Android will avenge me," Dr. Gero said bitterly. "Android 17, Android 18, you traitors will both die!"
Android 17 stomped on Dr. Gero's head, crushing it.
Krillin, Tien Shinhan, Yamcha, and Chiaotzu all shuddered at Android 17's brutality.
After killing Dr. Gero, Android 17 walked over to the machine holding Android 16, opened it, and released him.
Once Android 16 emerged, he swept his gaze over the group, and his stern expression grew even graver.
"You're Son Goku?" he asked. "Did Dr. Gero have no idea what was going on? Sending the three of us to kill you was just serving us up on a platter."
"It sounds like you have some idea of how strong I am," Son Goku said.
"No," Android 16 said. "I can only detect part of your current strength. I can't detect any of the power you're hiding."
Son Goku nodded. "Dr. Gero has already been killed by that backstabber, Android 17. Do you still intend to carry out his orders and kill me?"
"No," Android 16 said. "I plan to go outside and see the nature and birds I love. Would you be willing to let us go?"
"Android 16, aren't you giving Son Goku and the others too much credit?" Android 17 said. "We might be able to beat them."
"Forget Son Goku. You can't even beat Raditz or Nappa," Android 16 said. "We're meat on the chopping block right now, completely at their mercy."
"I don't believe it," Android 17 said angrily.
Then he turned to Son Goku. "Son Goku, do you dare fight me?"
Son Goku laughed. "What makes you think you're strong enough to challenge me? Beat Vegeta first."
Then he said to Vegeta, "Vegeta, this kid is all yours."
"No problem, Kakarot. I want to see what this kid is made of, too," Vegeta said with a smile.
"How dare you look down on me, Son Goku!" Android 17 snapped. "Once I've dealt with Vegeta, I'll teach you a lesson!"
Vegeta flew into a rage. "You brat, you have no idea how far out of your depth you are, yet you're still spouting off! I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget!"
Android 17 was so furious that he laughed. "Fine, Vegeta. Just you wait. I'll tear that mouth of yours apart!"
Seeing this, Android 16 thought, Good advice can't save someone determined to die. He could only let Android 17 do as he pleased.
"If you're going to fight, let's head outside," Son Goku told everyone. "There's not enough room here."
Everyone nodded.
Then they walked out one after another.
Son Goku was the last to leave. Once everyone else was outside, he found the Cell Embryo and destroyed it. Only then did he leave the laboratory.
Seeing how long Son Goku had taken, Piccolo asked, "Son, what were you doing? Why did you take so long to come out?"
"I went to take a dump," Son Goku said.
Everyone burst out laughing.
Android 17 shouted at Vegeta, "Done laughing yet, Vegeta? Hurry up and come meet your death!"
"It looks like you really do want to die," Vegeta said. "In that case, I'll grant your wish."
With that, he flashed forward to stand before Android 17, and the two launched into a fierce battle.
Before you continue