Royal Namekian Blues Meet Androids 22 and 24!

by Trynia Merin aka StarbearerTM

Disclaimer: I don’t own the Anime or Manga Dragon Ball Z. Toriyama does, and I make no money for writing this story. My fan characters Stellari, Fermi and Bohr, and any other minor chars mean no harm to the anime or manga. Finally we get to the action where the other androids appear. And we find out what happened to Tien and Yamcha! My thanks to all my reviewers! I hope you enjoy this next action packed chapter!

Soon the other two traces blew up into two figures wearing gleaming armor. Oddly enough the designs were similar to one another. A huge hulking giant and a graceful blonde both were wearing gleaming gold and black indicating Elite Second class.

"Oh no, it's Nappa…" Gohan trembled.

"Take it easy, I won't let him hurt you, Gohan!" said Stellari as she wrapped her arm around his waist. Gohan tightened his grip, his eyes narrowing with hatred towards Nappa.

"What the hell are you doing here, runt?" Nappa said.

"Stay BACK!" Gohan growled, lifting his hands.

"Gohan, stop, he won't hurt you, I swear!" Stellari said, hugging him to restrain him. Against her armored form, Gohan trembled with barely restrained rage. She could feel the energies seething just beneath the surface. Across her green scouter lenses growing numbers bleeped urgently.

"Professor, where's the Prince? I saw him and Prince Trunks…" Chablis said, then noticed Gohan's death stare.

"I don't want him near me!" Gohan growled. "He's a bad man!"

"Gohan, relax."

"What's the matter kid? Scared?"

"Leave him alone!" Stellari growled, her brown eyes flaring purple with her own chi.

"Father, go on and help the prince. They're not used to you," Chablis warned. Her own scouter complained in its series of bleeps and whirs at the same time Nappa's did. Both father and daughter gaped at the unlikely duo hovering before them. Nappa could swear he had seen the green and black armor from somewhere in the past. Then it dawned on him that he beheld the colors and armor configuration for a Lower Class Saiyan guard, Squad leader War technician Grade. It was a rank that Burdock had held.

"Nice threads woman. Where'd you get 'em?" Nappa whistled. He had to admit the human looked far more attractive in Saiyan armor then her usual work clothes. Something angry and feral gleamed in her all too human eyes, hovering there by the young half blooded Saiyan son of Goku.

"Never mind! Just leave Gohan alone!" she glared at him. "If you please sir!"

"Daddy," Chablis said. Gohan's eyes momentarily flared blue, and Stellari felt his whole body trembling with ki.

"Gohan, easy…" she urged. "He can't hurt you or anyone! You're stronger than he is."

"I can't let him hurt anyone again!" Gohan said firmly, and to her shock energy flared. She yelped, but Gohan's arm tightened and pulled her close to his body so the aura of power surged over them both. To her shock she was being clutched by a gold haired figure. Gohan's long hair streamed down his back while the tops pointed upwards, and his eyes slanted under gilded brows. Super Saiyan energies surged through her body, kicking up her own chi.

"What the…" Stellari gasped, feeling the chi flooding her body. Her aura glowed intense purple, her hair crackling with power equivalent to Yamcha's numbers. He scouter bleeped.

"By the Legendary," Nappa stammered, his body trembling with fear. "How the hell can that brat…"

"Go away!" Gohan said, his voice tinged with anger. "Or I'll hurt you!"

"Professor, stop him!" Chablis cried.

"I'm getting out of here! I've got no time for dealing with that brat!" Nappa said shakily.

"Go Daddy," said Chablis. Nappa rocketed away at top speed.

"Gohan please!" Stellari said quickly. "She's my friend! I swear to God she won't' hurt you!"

"Are you sure?" Gohan asked, frowning at her.

"You're scaring me, Gohan… this energy…"

"I won't hurt you, Aunt Stellari, I'm only trying to protect you like my Daddy said to," said Gohan.

"Gohan, you've gone Super Saiyan… do you realize?" Stellari asked.

"What…" Gohan blinked. "I can't…"

"His energy… it's… like the Princes! This is impossible!" Chablis stammered.

"Go on Chablis. The prince needs you," Stellari said in a clipped soft tone.

"Yes…" stammered Chablis. Her blue scouter bleeped urgently and she blasted off after her Father. Gohan panted, then blasted off towards where Piccolo and Goku fought with Raditz against other foes.

"Gohan… you can let me go…" Stellari gasped.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize I was still… I won't hurt you I swear it," Gohan said softly, looking at his trembling aunt in her Saiyan armor. Something seemed strange about it, evoking odd visions in the young boy's mind.

They reached the island where a frantic battle was going on. A huge hulking android battered Goku, blazing with Super Saiyan powers. His fists slammed back and forth with blows. Piccolo and Raditz were fighting two others, whose energies blazed.

"I don't want to hurt you!" Piccolo shouted.

"Don't fight me Piccolo, I don't want to hurt you!" shouted a familiar voice. Gohan's teal eyes widened in horror to see two familiar figures wearing Red Ribbon uniforms.

"No, it can't be!"

"RADITZ!" Stellari screamed as he slammed into the dirt. Gohan held her tightly, stopping her from going after him.

"Don't worry, I'll stop them!" Gohan urged her. "Stay close to me! I don't want you hurt!"

"Gohan!" shouted Piccolo.

"TRIBEAM!" yelled Tien. Stellari's eyes widened in horror to see Tienshinhan wearing a long green robe and hat marked with the Red Ribbon insignia. He held hands at the level of his chest, aiming his deadly beam towards Piccolo.

"Cherry Bullet!" Piccolo shouted, forming a light grenade between his hands. His projectile slammed into Tien's tribeam, which knocked the Namekian backwards.

"Wolf fang FIST!" Yamcha screamed, charging towards Raditz. The Saiyan warrior had suddenly recovered, his fists raised to anticipate. Standing still, Raditz upraised fists glowed with energy. He slammed his elbow into Yamcha's back, then his knee. Yamcha slammed into the sand, his spiky hair flopping. The Red Ribbon army insignia graced the back of an emerald green gi and orange scarf. At his hip he carried a scimitar. He rolled over, then drew the gleaming weapon as Raditz landed before him.

"Give up, human! You're no match for me!" Raditz taunted.

"Mr. Tien and Mr. Yamcha, they're… I can't sense their ki!" Gohan said in a tone filled with fury. "What have they DONE to them."

"I'm scanning…" she said, training her scouter. "Wait, Gohan, they've been converted to Androids!"

"How… you can't be sure!" Gohan blinked at her. Goku spun round, then aimed kiko ha blasts in a continuous stream towards the android sporting a Mohawk.

"What are you made of?" Goku panted, sweat pouring down his forehead.

"What's going on… my Dad's blasts are just bouncing off!" Gohan gaped.

Stellari narrowed eyes under her bandanna-covered forehead soaking up the sweat blistering there. She said, "It's true, Gohan. My scouter's trained to detect Android power sources. And both Yamcha and Tien are now partly cyborg! They're protected with a special coating. Just like 17 and 18 are. That's why Piccolo and your father's ki blasts have no effect!"

"Rocket punch!" shouted 16. His fist blasted off, slamming into Goku's stomach. He grunted, shooting backwards. Dust flew up as Goku slammed into the side of the nearest hill with a splintering crash.

"DADDY!" Gohan shouted. He zipped out, holding Stellari as he suddenly hyper indexed. She materialized between Goku and the hulking figure of what she recognized to be 16.

"You are not my objective," 16 suddenly said as Gohan appeared between him and the fallen Goku. Stellari looked behind her in horror over Gohan's shoulder to see that Goku's fist raised, and then dropped.

"You stop hurting my daddy!" Gohan shouted. "HAYYAAY!"

Golden blasts slammed towards 16, knocking him back. Stellari tried to worm her way out of her nephew's iron grip, but he paid her no attention. "Gohan, stop, you can't do this! He's stronger then you!"

"Hold on!" he shouted.

"I have no reason to fight you. You're not my objective," said 16 in a robotic voice as he fixed ice blue eyes on Gohan.

"You won't stop me!" Gohan snarled. "Masenkoo, HAH!"

He finally let go of Stellari's waist, to hold hands before his head. A huge beam twice the diameter of his usual blast sizzled towards 16. Raising a spherical shield, the beam glanced off and surged towards the sky harmlessly lighting up the beach for miles.

"You cannot stop me with your blasts. Desist and retreat. My target is Son Goku," 16 said.

"You won't hurt my daddy!" Gohan said. Stellari drifted back, her eyes darting back and forth in horror.

The earth scientist clad in Saiyan armor blasted off and landed near Goku who was slowly lifting himself from the pit. Staggering he held his ribs while his hair still flickered with super Saiyan powers. 16 lowered his field, then fired one of his fists towards Gohan, and then sent the other veering around the boy towards Goku. Stellari zipped before her brother in law, raising her red covered wrists to generate a solid barrier of ki. Goku blinked blurry eyes to see the green armored figure blocking the explosion that slammed her backwards. Green boots dug into the earth but she stood strong.

"What the heck is going on?" Goku panted, stumbling up behind her.

"Goku, are you okay?" asked Stellari.

"Uh huh, I'm fine. You shouldn't be here…" Goku blinked at her. He stared at her with blue eyes just like his son's, then stared up to where Gohan and 16 were trading punches.

"Gohan's gone Super Saiyan, you got to stop him before he hurts himself," Stellari panted.

"Don't worry. You just stay out of danger!" Goku urged. He touched fingers to his head, and then grabbed her as blasts rained down from 16, which Gohan had blocked with a rapid flurry of fists. Stellari felt sick as she zipped into reality on a sheltered cove. Goku set her down and then pushed her away.

"Wait here!" he said, touching fingers to his forehead and vanishing. Gritting her teeth, Stellari kicked up a bit of sand and tried to narrow her scouter focus.

"I feel so useless. I probably WOULD get in the way. I can't fight these things," she panted. Suddenly pain stabbed into her head, and she held her stomach.

"RADITZ!" she gasped, feeling pain shooting through her body. Angrily she leaned down with her hands before her and shoved off with one foot as she seemed to have been doing lately.

Yamcha's fists pummeled Raditz. Another kick cracked his black armored breastplate. Then his sword slashed down as Raditz fists blocked it. Raditz was pushed back, and then he brought up his gauntleted fist to punch Yamcha's gut while blocking his sword with the other hand. He brought his forehead crashing down against the desert bandit's with a cracking blow.

Yamcha crumpled and staggered back. Shaking his head he regrouped while Raditz shot backwards. His fist crackled with purple energy as he shouted, "Don't push your luck! Saturday CRUSH!"

"Spirit Ball," Yamcha panted, holding his fist before him. As Raditz lobbed his sphere, Yamcha's own projectile whizzed towards Raditz. It swallowed his projectile, then grew in energy as Yamcha's fingers directed it in a dance around Raditz. He dodged and the ball slammed into the earth.

"Hah."

"No chance, idiot!" Yamcha leered. His fingers flipped up, and the spirit ball slammed upwards, crashing into Raditz jaw. He was knocked off balance backwards. Seizing the moment, Yamcha phased out and swung towards him with his sword blazing.

"Wolf fang…"

"Perspex!" Stellari gritted, appearing between him and the fallen Raditz. Both her hands held a long rod of clear plastic that blocked the downward motion of his sizzling scimitar.

"What the hell…" he blinked.

Stellari twisted the weapon around, then poked towards his face. Yamcha avoided it, and then arced his sword around till it stood before his head. Stellari then whirled the staff while bringing up her other hand to block his next slash with a temporary plastic shield. "Get back you!" she snapped.

"What… Stellari… what are you doing here…" asked Yamcha, his dark brown eyes widening in shock. Something doll like and inhuman presided in them now, bearing witness to the awful truth. Her former friend was now one of the Artificial Humans.

"I should ask you! Why are you attacking your friends! What's happened to you?" Stellari cried.

"Stay out of this, babe. This is between him and me!" Yamcha said as he lifted his hand. "Don't make me hurt you…"

"Don't even go there!" she snapped. Yamcha aimed a low-grade blast towards her, but to his shock the plastic rod she twirled like a bo staff deflected it.

"What the hell is that made of?"

"The same stuff as your skin," she said. "And I reckon that's why ki is useless… you went and got an upgrade didn't you?"

"I did it for you," Yamcha said as she advanced on him. Raditz groaned and rolled to his feet. He saw the green and black armored figure barely blocking Yamcha's flurry of fists.

"Bullshit!" Stellari yelled. She blocked his fist, and then whacked his jaw with the rod. It shattered on impact. Yamcha snapped his disjointed neck back with a crack, and looked at her with a mean smile on his scarred face.

"I don’t' know WHY you're wearing that armor, babe, but you've been brainwashed by those dirty monkeys! I won't let them keep you hostage any longer! Give it up!"

"RRRRAAAAH!" yelled a voice behind him. Yamcha glanced as a fist cracked into his jaw. Another, and another followed it. Raditz punched him with powerful blows, back and forth. A ki blaze slammed point blank.

"Raditz, it won't work! You can't use ki on him!" Stellari shouted.

"Woman, get out of here!" Raditz shouted.

"Dammit, he's got a protective coating!" she shouted.

"No wonder," Piccolo said, his sensitive Namekian hearing picking up Stellari's shouts. Then his mouth quirked in an evil grin.

"I don’t' want to hurt you Piccolo, but you give me no choice!" Tien gritted.

"Your choice is to stop or get hurt. Don't make me do this," Piccolo growled. His fist shot out and slammed into Tien, pushing him back. At the same time he formed a light grenade that exploded in Tien's face. Overloaded, he squeezed his triple eyes shut with hands before his face. This gave Piccolo the chance to pummel him with repeated punches.

"They can't win. The power's too great," said Stellari. Focusing her thoughts she tried to access her bond with Raditz. "Raditz, you can't use ki. You got to distract him. I can stop him."

"Woman how?" asked Raditz voice in her thoughts.

"Keep his back to me. I'll do the rest," she said. Raditz nodded, keeping Yamcha just at bay with his rapid-fire kicks and hits. Strangely the human didn't tire as he matched him blow for blow. Another punch sent Raditz head ringing like a gong.

"Enough of this!" Raditz snarled. He suddenly flared gold before the desert bandit who stepped back.

"No way man!" gasped Yamcha. He again drew his sword, and started to arch it towards the gold mane Super Saiyan. This time crescents of blue energy shot towards Raditz. One slashed into his armor, while the other drew blood on his cheek.

"Damn it," Raditz snarled. Another volley slammed into him, and if not for his strength he would have been sliced to ribbons. His armor was covered in bright streaks as Yamcha's ki blades bit deeply.

"RRRAAAH!" Stellari screamed. She raised her hand and then punched a long dagger of plastic deep into Yamcha's lower back. He grunted and felt his body sizzle with pain. The fire caused him to drop to his knees.

"AGHHH… that won't… stop me!" he growled, reaching back and grabbing Stellari. Holding her by her armor he hurled her towards Raditz.

"Hit him Raditz, now!" she said. Raditz brought his fist cracking into Yamcha's head. With his spinal column severed, Yamcha staggered on his feet.

"YAMCHA!" shouted Tien. He broke off his attack from Piccolo.

"You win this round, Goku," said 16. He suddenly vanished, then a huge flare of white energy exploded, blinding them all with its radiance. When Goku and Gohan blinked they saw nothing but steaming smoke. Raditz held onto his wife, then set her down as he leaned heavily on her.

"Dammit, they got away!" Piccolo cursed.

"Daddy, are you all right?" Gohan asked. Both he and Goku had managed to keep 16 at bay.

"Gohan, you reached super Saiyan. That's incredible!" Goku panted.

"Was that really Mr. Tien and Mr. Yamcha?" Gohan asked.

"Rats, they escaped!" Raditz cursed.

"Are you all right love?" she asked.

"I'm… fine… though I wanted to break that bastard's neck!" Raditz gritted. His arm wrapped around her armored hip, and they rose together in a shared gleaming gold aura.

"Piccolo!" called Goku, panting as he and Gohan levitated near each other.

"It's no good. I can't sense them anywhere, Goku," Piccolo panted.

"Aunt Stellari… where…" Gohan panted.

"I'm okay!" she called, as Raditz shot forwards holding her close to him. Gold hair streamed and flapped in the breeze like a waterfall of sunlight down his back.

"I can't trigger the change, brother. It's not… easy," Raditz grunted at Goku. His Super Saiyan energies flagged, before his hair drooped into its black state again. Both Gohan and Goku dropped their own levels, wiping sweat from their brows.

"We'd better see if Vegeta and Trunks need help," Goku said.

"I'm coming with you, Dad," said Gohan.

"No, you go back to Mom and see if she's okay. We'll take it from here," said Goku.

"Listen to him Gohan. They might be targeting your family," said Piccolo. "I'll go with your father…"

"Piccolo, please go with him. There's no telling what Tien and Yamcha might do," said Goku.

"All right, let's go Gohan," said Piccolo. "Can you tell where they are, Professor?"

"My scouter can detect their energies," she said. "You might want one of these…"

Raditz pulled off his scouter and threw it towards Piccolo. The Namekian caught the device and grunted as he hooked it to his belt. "Thank you," Piccolo nodded.

"All right, let's go Brother. Stellari can show us where the androids are with her device…"

"Good luck Dad," said Gohan as he and Piccolo blasted off. Soon they were just a purple and a gold speck on the far horizon.

"You sure you want to stay with us," Goku asked.

"I have the scouter, you don't," said Stellari. "I'm going with you. You guys don't know they've got a special coating that makes them impervious to Saiyan or any ki attacks."

"Rats, no wonder my blasts had no effect," Goku scratched the back of his neck. "What can we do?"

"I'm thinking," Stellari groaned.

"Interesting armor, by the way. Who gave it to you?" Goku blinked.

"You just NOW notice?" Raditz blinked.

"Never mind, let's go!" Stellari groaned, blushing as Raditz held her close.

"But it looks just like…" Goku stammered at Raditz.

"Father's perhaps?" asked Raditz with a wry grin. "I wondered how long that would take you to notice Brother."

"But why?" Goku asked.

"I'm wondering that myself," said Stellari, glaring at Raditz.

"Because some things should not be forgotten, Brother even if we are on Earth," said Raditz cryptically.

"Father may have seen you defeat Freeza, but he deserves to have some presence in our battles now. To wear his design is a means of tribute to our sire."

"Uh okay… if you say so," Goku shook his head, utterly confused. "Still is pretty weird though."

"It is like your Son wearing the colors of the Namekian," said Raditz. "Or the garb you wear in honor of your Master Roshi, is it not?"

"I guess… but let's go see if Vegeta needs help!"

"I doubt he would want our interference, Brother," Raditz warned him as they approached the scene of the fight. Goku drew in his breath sharply to see Vegeta crashing into the nearby mountain. Trunks and Bliss were struggling to fight off 17 while Nappa zipped into place to shield his prince while 18 aimed another blast at him.

"I don't care, they need us!" said Goku. "Vegeta's letting his pride get to him!"

"Brother wait!" Raditz shouted. Suddenly Goku vanished and then zipped in proximity to Nappa.

"You won't stop me, you eyesore," 18 snorted derisively.

Nappa's mouth opened, aiming a blast towards her. She leaned to one side, easily letting his Chou Makou sizzle past her hair. Nappa then crackled with surging black energies. Around him the clouds themselves seemed to ionize. Raising two fingers, he flipped them up. "Say hello to oblivion, bitch," Nappa leered.

"Huh, that's actually impressive," 18 mumbled, extending her arms. "Shield on!"

Nappa's blasts surged around 18's field, crackling against the red ki. Unfortunately her barrier cancelled Nappa's disintegration attack to his shock. Meanwhile Goku landed by Vegeta and leaned down. Angrily the Prince slapped his hand away. "Don't touch me, low class scum! I don’t' need your help!"

"Vegeta, we can't win with ki! They've got a special coating…"

"Get away! This is my fight!" Vegeta snarled, shoving Goku away with a derisive thrust of his gloved hand. Goku backed away, letting Vegeta blast off towards 18 again.

"I guess I get what you mean," Goku shook his head. "But I won't just stand by and let you get creamed. It's not a fair fight. And she's playing with all of us!"

Chablis suddenly yelped as 17 zipped behind her. Grabbing her waist he swung her behind him. "Well well, what do we have here?"

"Let me go you bastard!" Chablis shouted.

"You heard the lady!" Trunks rasped, lifting his sword.

"Oh please!" 17 laughed. He fired a blast that slammed into Trunks hand. With a yelp of pain Trunks released his sword. It spun out of his grasp, before sinking into the ocean under him.

"Dam you!" Trunks drew in his breath. Carrying Chablis who was kicking and punching, 17 aimed another blast towards him. Trunks deflected it, then waved his hands rapidly before his face to generate the burning ball of light. It shot towards 17 who merely spanned his arms and legs, but still held Chablis. With a cackle he let the energy slam dead on into him.

"You fool, that only makes me stronger," 17 taunted, emerging whole and intact from behind the smoke.

"Trunks stop! He's only getting stronger the more ki we use!" Chablis shouted.

"Enough from you, sweetheart. No sense giving him the hint," said 17. He squeezed her neck, and she fell limp in his arms. Trunks zipped to within just a few feet of his nemesis, only to get a rapid series of fists and kick in his face, then a blast at point blank range.

Raditz veered into view, breaking Trunks fall with his body. Simultaneously, a figure in black and green armor spanned her arms wide, generating a solid plastic barrier to cover them against any other attacks. 17 blinked in confusion to see the human Stellari in Saiyan style armor that looked like something out of Dr. Gero's databanks.

"Well well, a blast from the past. What are you doing here, Doc? Come to teach the delinquent a lesson?" 17 asked bored.

"You're making a big mistake kid. You and your sister don't have to do what the Professor Says. He's dead."

"Shows what you know. We don't work for him. We work for us. And I'm sick of hearing your lessons Teach. Time for you to retire!" said 17.

"Don’t' make me come over there!" Stellari said in her best authoritative voice.

"Oh I'm so scared, Doc. Give it up! You'd be better off with us then with those clowns," laughed 17.

"You're delusional," said Stellari.

"Please, give me a break," said 17, rolling his eyes. "While I've got your friend here I don’t' think you'll try anything stupid!"

"I don't need to even touch you," Stellari said with a sickeningly sweet voice. "Why should I spoil your fun. This is all a game to you isn't it?"

"Now you get it. I see why you belong in a classroom and not in a battlefield. Go back to the lab and play with your test tubes before you get hurt," 17 sneered. "You're so not cool like this."

"Burning attack!" Trunks shouted.

"Huh?" gasped 17. A sphere of ki sizzled towards him. AT the same moment, someone punched his stomach and wrenched Chablis from his grip. Angrily 17 kicked Raditz in the gut, cuffing him off while the energy blast impacted. It tossed him back.

"Let her go!" Stellari shouted.

"This is boring. I'm getting out of here before I waste any more energy on you. Lame," snorted 17. "Field on!"

Again the blue sphere sizzled into being around 17 at a diameter of ten feet. Both Trunks and Raditz were flung off with pain lacing through their joints. It seemed that every nerve ending blistered with searing fire that stunned them and scrambled their brains. Stellari rocketed forwards throwing back a red cuffed hand. A hail of spikes sizzled through, slipping into 17's shoulder and neck once his field dropped. He gritted in annoyance, then felt a kick smash into his face.

Stellari gasped, forming a barrier of plastic that shattered when 17's hand slapped her away. Head over heels she tumbled, trying to right herself. The armor held as she brushed hair from her face. Another plastic dart hit 17 in the wrist when he raised his hands to generate a ki ball. Energy crackled disrupted by the plastic that sliced through his wrist.

"Dammit," 17 grumbled. "Enough games, Professor! Give it up!"

An energy ball crackled towards her, thrown from his other hand. He had thrown Bliss up in the air, then caught her with his spike-injured wrist while throwing his blast. Crossing her wrists, Stellari gasped as she felt the blinding energy approach. Luckily Trunks appeared before her, blocking the sphere as Raditz caught her in his arms.

In the meantime 18 had continued to pummel Vegeta. Nappa was tossed around like a rag doll. Finally Goku zipped in when Vegeta was repeatedly used as 18's punching bag. His gold aura dropped and he lay face long in the sand of the beach. Goku's energy crackled at his hip. Slowly he gathered energy.

"That won't work," 18 laughed.

"No!" cried a voice from below. 18 glanced down to see a small figure in red gi that had just arrived to the fray.

"Vegeta!" cried Krillin.

"Get him away from here!" Goku shouted.

"Stay back runt!" Nappa gasped, staggering forwards. Krillin swallowed hard, blasting off into the air towards 18 and Goku exchanging blasts. Goku's Kamehameha simply was deflected by the flick of 18's wrist as if it were a fly. In turn the force of her Infinity blasts crashing into him blew him back.

"Goku!" yelled Krillin. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Nappa gathering up the battered form of his Prince and blasting off to a safe distance. Trunks was still fighting 17 while Raditz was retreating with someone else.

"Is that all you've got?" 18 asked, flipping hair from her face.

"What are you doing! Are you crazy!" Krillin cried.

"Well, well, who are you?" 18 asked as she saw the new fighter zip in between her and a panting Goku. Her last blast had hit him far harder then he let on, and his own energy was flagging.

"Krillin, don't!" Goku cried, his hand upraised.

"Please, stop this! Why are you fighting us like this! What do you want?" Krillin asked.

"Amusement of course," said 18 sweetly. "And these guys are sadly disappointing. I'd hoped for more."

"But… but… you're just beating them around like they were nothing…" Krillin stammered, his eyes fixated on the icy beauty before him.

"Exactly," 18 said, zipping close. Leaning over she pressed a soft kiss to Krillin's cheek. He squeezed his eyes shut expecting her to strike, but gasped in shock at the momentary soft touch.

"Wha…" he blinked.

"Later, handsome," she blinked, then vanished in a flash of energy. At the same time, 17 zipped away, holding Chablis.

"NO!" Trunks screamed.

"Bliss!" cried Stellari.

"Damn it!" cursed Raditz.

"What the heck was that?" Krillin asked, blinking in shock as he stood there relatively unharmed. He touched his cheek, which still felt warm from 18's soft kiss.

"Krillin!" Goku gasped, suddenly materializing near him. "Are you all right?"

"I.. don't know… man Goku you're a mess… what happened?"

"Those two were a bit stronger… ehehe then I thought, I guess," Goku panted with a smile on his face. "Whoa what a workout… where's Vegeta?"

"His goon carried him off I think," Krillin panted. "You found Tien and Yamcha?"

"Yes, and they're under the control of the Red Ribbon army!" Goku snapped.

"No way, are you kidding?" Krillin’s eyes widened in horror. He gulped the lump in his throat down with disbelief. His stomach twisted in knots at the impact of Goku's stern words.

"They have her, I can't believe it!" Trunks yelled.

"Your Majesty, you can't help her!" Raditz shouted.

"Hold on," Goku panted. He touched his forehead, then materialized behind Trunks.

"Let me go, Goku! They have her! There's no telling what they'll do!" Trunks yelled. Goku had pinned the youth's arms behind his back in the meantime to hold him.

"Trunks, you can't help her like this! We'll go after her, I promise!" Goku said. "But this wont' help!"

"Oh man, what's going on? What did I miss?"

"It's a long story," Goku said. "You might want to go after where Piccolo and Gohan are. They saw Tien and Yamcha..."

"All right. You okay here?"

"Go on," said Raditz sharply. "We can handle this."

"R.. right," Krillin stammered. Soon he was just a small white glimmer of ki on the far horizon like Nappa and Vegeta had become. Left alone with a raging Trunks, Goku and Raditz exchanged anxious glances.

"I'm sorry Trunks," said Goku. He flipped Trunks out still holding his arm. Then a second later Trunks head snapped back at the impact of Goku's fist in his jaw. Gently Goku caught Trunks in his arms.

"Must you do that, Brother?" Raditz asked.

"I had to. Man this is terrible… I didn't expect…"

"What now, Brother?" asked Raditz tensely.

"I need to find those androids. But Trunks is going to be awful upset when he comes around," said Goku.

"Someone should explain to him," said Stellari.

"What's the range of that thing?" asked Goku. "Your android radar?"

"I'm not sure…" said Stellari.

"Let's go after them," Goku said angrily. "Give it here…"

"I want to go with you two. I know their weaknesses. Ki blasts won't stop them, Goku. We need to find a way to disrupt their coatings," said Stellari.

"She's right. Somehow her plastics disrupt their ki," said Raditz.

"Bulma has a gun that did the same thing, didn't it?" asked Goku, suddenly remembering. He shouldered Trunks body and then blinked at Raditz and Stellari.

"Yes. That's right."

"You two wait here. I'm going to get Trunks to Capsule and tell Bulma. Maybe she can keep him calm enough so he can follow. Are you sure you're up to this, Stellari?" Goku asked.

"Yes Goku. I want to help," she panted.

"Then let's go," said Goku. "When I get back."

"Right," Raditz nodded. He and Stellari exchanged worried glances as Goku vanished with Trunks unconscious body.

Goku’s mind wandered back to the present moment. He had Trunks to deliver to Bulma, and then his next task would involve what to do next. Instant Transmission was a good thing. Now he had to figure out who would go with him in search of what he sensed was the next danger. In his pocket he carried several small pistols that Bulma had given him. Then he had asked Stellari to train her scouter ahead. Raditz had put one of his own on, and Goku had narrowed his perceptions to lock onto the one named Bliss.

They all hovered above the island where they had found 17 and 18. Goku drifted only a foot from his brother and his sister in law. He swallowed hard, then blinked at them, anticipating the question Stellari gave voice to. "Where's Trunks?" asked Stellari.

"Bulma's getting ready to go with him, as soon as she's ready. She asked me to bring these," Goku said, pulling something out of his pocket.

"Those are the neutrino disrupters she spoke of," said Stellari.

"I've already given a few to Piccolo, Krillin, and Gohan. Chichi also has a few. In case the androids attack. But Trunks was still out cold when I left him at Bulma's," Goku admitted.

"What of the Prince?" asked Raditz.

"He's spending time in a regeneration tank. Nappa's guarding him. Nappa doesn't know yet that Bliss was taken. And Bulma thinks it's better that way. The last thing we need is for Nappa to go nuts trying to find her. Once Vegeta wakes up, then he and Nappa will go after her. But I think we should beat him to it," Goku said.

"What of Tien and Yamcha?"

"Piccolo and Krillin have gone after them," said Goku firmly. "Chaotzu is helping to see if he can track Tien's mind through their special bond. It's not going to be pretty…"

"The Prince will not be happy when he comes out," Raditz said.

"He was badly beaten up by that android," Goku nodded.

“Now what?” asked Raditz.

“Well we can’t just hover here with Bliss in their clutches!” Stellari protested. She turned her back and both Raditz and Goku gaped at the bleeding wound crossing her bare shoulders. With the armor it was apparent she was covered in scratches.

“Not with that bruise. Why didn’t you TELL me you were hurt?” Raditz asked.

“I think we should go someplace less dangerous to think,” Goku said. “Follow me. We need to nurse our wounds and recover.”

Stellari and Raditz flew along after Goku. The back of his gi flapped in the wind under the ki envelope rippling over his body. Black spikes waved just a bit from the mass of hair on his head that Stellari watched. She still tingled with the excess energy Gohan had fed into her from his own Super Saiyan transformation. It enabled her to fly as fast as Raditz and Goku were. He banked sharply, flipping head over weighted boots to land in a clearing in the vast forest. Stellari recognized the landscape as that surrounding his childhood home. Raditz and Stellari soared towards Mt. Pauzo, landing moments after Goku. The small pagoda cabin stood much as she and Raditz had left it the day before when they used it as a getaway so chichi and Goku could spend some time together as a couple. Gohan, Fermi, and Bohr had stayed with the Ox King, and Raditz and Stellari had remained here.

“Always thinking with your stomach, just like a Saiyan,” Raditz chuffed.

“Chichi left something. I can smell it,” Goku said, motioning them to enter the small cabin. It was much as she and Raditz had left it. They sat down around the round table while Goku prepared the rest of the food chichi had left. Dishes clattered and Goku soon warmed the leftovers over a hot fire.

Raditz reached under his armor and pulled out a small flat box. Setting it on the table he opened it, and motioned Stellari to move closer. “Come here woman. I need to tend that wound.”

“I could gather some ingredients…” Goku offered.

“No more of that dead fish and stuff. I have a medical kit,” Raditz waved him off. Goku shrugged and returned to what he was doing. Still he watched Raditz gently undo one of the straps on the green armored vest. Opening one container that was flat like Chichi’s container of blush, Raditz dipped his fingers in it. Goku’s nose wrinkled at the medicinal tang. Whatever it was, Goku figured it was close in composition to a healing salve. Raditz smeared some on Stellari’s cut, and she hissed in pain.

“Stay still. Now, relax,” Raditz urged. He covered the bruises and lateral cuts with a fine film of blue paste. Then his ki flared up around his fingers rubbing it into the wound. Goku watched with amazement to see the cuts slowly knitting together before his eyes. Somehow that salve was turning Raditz ki into a healing poultice.

“But that’s going to leave scars!” Goku protested, plunking down a huge dish of rice in the center of the table. He tossed three pairs of chopsticks to them and Raditz glared at him.

“So what? Scars are a sign of prowess!”

“Maybe to you!” Goku glared.

“Guys ENOUGH!” Stellari snapped. “Let’s just eat, thank you very much!”

“Good idea!” Goku nodded. He shoved a bowl of rice and steamed vegetables mixed with chicken and beef before Raditz.

Stellari groaned when she saw the huge portion he set before her. “I can’t eat all of this!”

“Whoops I forgot,” Goku grinned, eyes shut and scratching the back of his neck.

“Not to worry,” Raditz said. “You start and I’ll finish.”

Then they ate rapidly waiting for Goku to bring up whatever subject he wanted. It was prudent to eat and nurse the wounds that they had sustained. Raditz and Goku’s chopsticks moved in a continuous blur accompanied by the clink of crockery and the slurps and gulps. Raditz gave up and used his fingers to shove food into his mouth, causing Stellari to grimace. Goku didn’t seem to mind, and she ate enough to sate her own ache.

The better half of a day passed before wounds healed, and Vegeta was finally ready to emerge from his tank. Instead of taking a whole day, it had only required a fraction of the time. Soon the Prince, Bulma, and Trunks wended their way towards the Son home to pick up their allies.

"Goku, Professor Stellari!" called a feminine voice. Someone's white boots touched down, ending to thighs encased in blue spandex. A white armored vest identical to Vegeta and Trunks encased a sizable bosom. Blue eyes a shade of Cerulean glanced through a pink lens scouter at the Son house.

"Bulma?" Stellari swallowed hard. She rushed out of the Son house.

"Are you all right Hon? I got Goku's message…" Bulma said. Her blue hair was twisted up into a French braid, and Stellari saw a silver circlet worked with some jewels holding it back. That diadem didn't look familiar.

"Why are we waiting, Bliss could be dead! And my children…" Stellari started.

"I know hon., I know," Bulma said, dropping to hug her friend. At least her body was warmer then Stellari's felt right now though it was encased in gleaming elite and gold armor. Bulma's arms were also bare, but she wore what looked like a white cape around her shoulders. Her white gloves stretched past her elbow, and her boots rose just above her knees.

"I thought you were with Vegeta and Trunks," said Stellari.

"Trunks and Nappa searched for signs of Bliss everywhere, but we can't find a trace of 17 or 18. Trunks was so angry I thought it was better to call him off the search till Vegeta recovered. And Vegeta's nearby here, and he's furious. I figured it was best that we all met in one place and decided what to do before anyone else rushed off half cocked," said Bulma.

"But Krillin, Gohan and Piccolo have gone after Tien and Yamcha, just to keep tabs on them!" said Bulma.

Nearby they heard the thump of white boots tipped in gold as Vegeta, and then Trunks landed. Both were tense with anger, followed by Nappa's hulking form. They assembled behind Bulma who stood next to Stellari.

"You ready to come back with the rest of us? Vegeta needs to know everything you've told Goku and Raditz. Before we all decide what's to be done," said Bulma.

"Is it so smart to let him decide when he's licking his wounds?" Trunks asked. "Oh, Professor, are you okay?"

"I've been better. I just hope that Chichi and my kids are all right," she shivered.

"I've had Goku go back and send them to Capsule so they can be with my parents. It's safer there now for everyone," said Bulma.

Goku appeared out of nowhere, startling them. Raditz stood next to him and quickly moved over to stand next to Stellari. Gently he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Long dark hair draped around her shoulders and Stellari leaned into his chest. He said nothing, simply kneeling next to his mate and holding her close.

"It's okay Bulma. We got Chichi and the kids squared away with your parents," said Goku.

"Don't worry, precious one, they're safe. The Princess' parents have many deterrents. Far safer to protect all our young together," said Raditz, rubbing Stellari's shoulder.

"I know."

"Professor, Raditz, follow us!" Vegeta snapped. "We must withdraw elsewhere and talk!"

"Vegeta I don't want to argue with you now," Goku said softly.

"Just hear us out, Goku," said Bulma, laying a hand on his arm.

"All right Bulma," Goku nodded.

A half-hour later, they had all met up in the remote Capsule training ground where the Saiyans had remained. Just what sort of action plan would take place was being debated in the small sitting area of one of the temporary Capsule huts. Vegeta paced angrily around while Trunks sat tearing up small pieces of napkin to toss into a dustbin. Nappa stood with crossed arms to the left, his eyes stormy with fury towards those who stole his daughter. Tension crackled so fiercely in the small room that it could be felt tingling on everyone's skin causing tiny hairs to stand on end. Bulma knew the Prince had to seize control using all his skills both natural and trained. Goku was a natural charismatic leader, but Vegeta was bred and groomed for the same task. Saiyan Pride dictated Vegeta would be the one to seize control. Now he was making his play for power.

"What now, Bulma? Do we split up or what?" Goku asked.

"I've got to go after Bliss, whether you guys come or not!" said Trunks.

"What's all this blathering about! We need a plan damn it!" Vegeta's harsh voice cut in. "Kakarotto, took you damn long enough to get back. Is your family safe?"

"Yes Vegeta," said Goku. "But I don't know if we should move till we get something straight."

"That being?"

"You almost got killed…"

"Kakarotto, you'd better not push me! I have a right to choose…" Vegeta snapped.

"Father, 18's far more powerful than…" Trunks started to say. He snapped his mouth shut when Vegeta glared dangerously at him.

"I will NOT tolerate insubordination!" Vegeta snapped.

"Maybe so, but we need a plan, Vegeta. And you'll have OTHER Chances to get revenge," Nappa suddenly interrupted. "With all due respect sire. The Third Class DOES have a point. We need a way to counter that shielding on those tin cans!"

"So what do you suggest, Kakarotto? I will turn them into SCRAP!"

"We've got another problem, Sire. Another possible Android," Raditz interrupted.

"This so called 21, eh, Professor?" Vegeta glared at Stellari. She struggled to sit up, guided by Raditz.

"21… you must have heard about that from Raditz," she said quietly.

"I'm more worried about menaces that I can face now. Anything else is irrelevant till it shows its face, Professor," said Vegeta quietly, looking down at her.

"I want to know!" Bulma said sharply.

"Very well," Vegeta relented, rolling his eyes.

"It was called Android 21. Gero took blood samples of all the best martial artists in the world. Chablis was part of that project. They took Saiyan DNA and tried to combine it with human to create the perfect fighter. Gero didn't like genetic engineering. He said straight robotics was the key. But another scientist disagreed. Dr. Minos, his brother was working on the project that created the other telepaths and me. We were all the result of genetic engineering to bring out the most powerful soldiers," said Stellari.

"Wow…" whispered Goku. "You mean like Blue?"

"Yes. Blue and I knew each other all too well. Violet and Scarlett. I was called Silver. But I decided NOT to do what they asked and I freed Bliss from Minos' labs. Gero found out, and I was to be liquidated. Luckily you happened Goku, and because you decimated the Red Ribbon army, the threat was contained. But we were wrong," said Stellari.

"And then you came to work for capsule," Goku nodded.

"That's right," Bulma nodded.

"Why didn't they do something about the bases?" Vegeta glared at them, pacing the room.

Bulma inhaled a deep sigh, "We assumed they'd been abandoned. The King of the World sent agents to liquidate any assets. As far as we knew, the labs had been blown up. But it seems that Gero manipulated computer records to fool the entire world. And if 18 and 19 exist, that means that 21 exists."

"You have got to be kidding, I never knew about this," Trunks gasped, his eyes widening in horror. "I mean Mother and I in my time heard about 21 but we never thought that it had been built!"

"It… It's called the Cell project. We didn't think any progress had been made," said Stellari. "All I know is that a lot of my plastics went into it. And my ex husband's genetic research also was used. He worked alongside Minos. "

"Dr. Minos," Trunks made a face. "Damn it. I thought he'd been killed with Gero… but he might still be alive in this time!"

Stellari nodded, shivering, "That's why the Androids want me. They want revenge for me joining Capsule and stealing Chablis from them. They were trying to make her into an Android as well as use her DNA to make android 21."

"Android 21…are we SURE he wasn't ever made?" Bulma swallowed hard.

"It wasn't just Bliss whose DNA was used. The blood samples of many fighters, including you and Piccolo, and who knows who else was collected," Stellari answered, fixing them in her dark gaze.

Trunks ran his hands through his hair violently. He stammered, "But Mom and I when we tried to learn about the androids, we heard all the experiments were colossal failures. That's why Gero resorted to purely artificial humans made from cybernetic parts instead of being cloned!"

" But if Minos succeeded, then we've got worse problems then 17 and 18!" Stellari stammered.

"How's that?" Vegeta shuddered.

"21's schematics included the ability to absorb genetic material and combine it with its own," Stellari started.

"Wait a minute… that is NOT good!" Bulma interrupted. She had suddenly pieced things together. Her scientific brain reeled with the implications. Vegeta felt the rush of deadly fear when Stellari nodded.

"You may have guessed it Bulma," said Stellari.

"Care to share it with us?" asked Vegeta impatiently.

Bulma drew in a deep sigh, "You know 13, 14 and 15? If they had survived, any one of those three could have taken the parts of its brothers and mad itself stronger…. If what Stellari is saying is correct…"

"Mom, you mean that 21 could do the same thing with 20, 19, 18 and 17!" Trunks said angrily.

"Damn, are you kidding?" Vegeta asked.

"Yes your majesty. If 18 were destroyed, or 16, 17 could simply absorb their body parts and grow stronger. Make a super android. But if 21 did the same… then we'd all be doomed," Stellari whispered.

"We have to make sure that doesn't happen!" Trunks snarled, slapping his hand into his fist.

Nervously Stellari fumbled with her hands, "I had hoped it was just a theory, but now that I've seen 17 and 18…"

"You acted like you knew them," said Raditz.

"Yes, care to explain that, Professor?" Vegeta demanded, striding over to her.

"Please tell us," said Bulma.

"I knew 17 and 18 when they were human. They were just two orphaned twins that were sucked into Red Ribbon's program and brainwashed into thinking Gero was their father."

Trunks' features twisted further into a frown identical to Vegeta's. He snarled, " In all intents and purposes he is. He's taken the worst parts of humanity and enhanced them to make a 'better' life form, Father."

"And I helped in some small way to make him do it," Stellari said.

"That's why you say you're no better than the Saiyans?" asked Raditz quietly.

"Yes. In my own way, I'm just like you, Nappa and Vegeta. I contributed to making a weapon, which could wipe out an entire planet. And already those weapons have killed many," said she.

"Why do you compare your humanity to us, Professor?" Vegeta snapped at her angrily. "What you see as a weakness is what makes you a strong warrior!"

"Vegeta, stop it!" Bulma said. "Don't you get it?"

"Father, please. I know what she's saying," said Trunks.

"Don't you see that doesn't matter?" Raditz suddenly interrupted.

"You're finally showing some sense, whelp," Vegeta smirked. "Such weak regrets are useless to us now. Because you know what created these tin cans, your so-called regrets can be our greatest weapons to defeat them! Do not DARE downplay your past because it makes you who you are!"

"I… didn't realize that," Stellari said.

"You are a fool, Professor. Don't think you have the luxury of feeling guilt. Your whole planet wasn't obliterated by Freeza. So stop sulking about your past and get over it! I will not have the mate of one of my soldiers trying to evoke weak human sympathy!" Vegeta growled.

"Vegeta…" Bulma said.

"He is right, precious one. Put it aside. Focus on the now," Raditz urged. Stellari swallowed hard, putting up a hard mask to hide her emotions.

"Father," Trunks shook his head. Bulma stopped him with a hand on his arm, shaking her head violently in the negative.

"It doesn't matter," Goku suddenly interrupted. "You made a better choice, Stellari. You and Raditz. Vegeta's right. The past is the past. Let it be!"

"Enough of this drivel. None of us will rest till those androids are toast," Vegeta said.

"Do I need to stay? Or go?" asked Stellari.

"You will stay, and that's an order. Let Kakkarot's mate care for your brats. Not when your power and Bulma's are the only things effective against the tin cans!" Vegeta said harshly. "How can we counter this plastic?"

"The only way is to make your ki a frequency that will shatter it, or use an acid to cut through," Stellari said. She sat in the corner, hugging her knees quietly. Raditz sat next to her, lightly resting his arm around her shoulders.

"Or use the neutrino disrupters," said Bulma.

"Woman, can you train Kakarotto and the other Saiyans to use your plastic techniques?" Vegeta asked.

"I think so, Sire," said Stellari. "But the plastic will disrupt Android ki and protect against it. It won't help destroy the androids completely. They have infinite batteries. The only thing you can do naturally is raise your Saiyan ki to a level that MATCHES the frequencies of Bulma's neutrino disrupters. Goku and you can be Super Saiyans, but the energy output isn't the right wavelength. It must be far shorter. And to do that your levels must be double what they are now!"

"It is possible…" Goku nodded. "There might BE a level beyond Super Saiyan."

"Even if that is so, we don't have the time to piss away, Kakarotto!" Vegeta snapped.

"Wait, why not develop a modulator to change your ki to the right sort?" asked Bulma.

"You will find a way to coat our armor to make it impervious to the android's ki," said Vegeta to Stellari. "And then you and Raditz will go with Kakarotto to deal with this 21! Trunks, and I will take on 18 and 17 with assistance from Nappa. And you Bulma will work on more Neutrino disrupters. Let the Namek and the son of Kakarotto and Baldie continue their mission."

"I think it won't take long to get these adapted so they'll work with your ki," said Bulma. "Maybe it can somehow change your energy so you won't have to learn new techniques."

"But the type of power I'm talking about could overload them," said Stellari. "Saiyan ki is very energetic. Your circuits in your pistols only have a short-term effect. The Androids can learn to compensate."

"Or else we can train harder," Goku said. "Perhaps if we had time to train and develop our ki to match the disrupter frequency so we don’t' have to use machines."

"Where are we going to have that time, Kakarotto? Those tin cans are out there mocking me!" Vegeta snarled.

"There's a place on Kami's lookout. Only two people can enter at a time, but one day of training there is like a year…" said Goku scratching his head.

"Is that so?" asked Vegeta. "You'd better not be putting me on!"

"Father, if that's the case, you and I can use Mom's inventions till she makes more. Goku and Gohan can train for a day, and try and learn how to modify their ki to the right frequencies… Then if the devices don't work well enough or burn out," said Trunks.

"Excuse me, I need some air," Stellari said softly. She exited the capsule hut and strode out along the training grounds while Vegeta and Bulma took their attention from her.

"Sounds good, boy," said Vegeta. "Can you and the brat train in a day?"

"Yes. Gohan and I can become much stronger," said Goku. "And you and Trunks can as well. But the room I'm talking about you can only stay there for a maximum time of two days… or two years in your whole lifetime."

"Then you and the brat will enter first for a few hours, or months," Vegeta said. "If Trunks and I cannot find Chablis, we will enter next."

"Chichi won't like it," Goku said quietly.

Raditz voice cut in: "There's another way, Sire."

"What?" Vegeta snapped.

"Let Stellari and me train for a time. If I can reach the next level of Super Saiyan…"

"I will need the woman and you out here. You will go after Nappa and Trunks," said Vegeta. "And as for the woman, she is already trained in combat. And haven't you already trained with Kakarotto?"

"True, but…"

"Where is that mate of yours, Raditz?" asked Vegeta.

"I'm not sure sire," said Raditz.

"Damn it…"

"I'll find her, your Majesty," said Raditz quietly.

"Trunks, Nappa, go with Kakarotto. I hope it won't take more than six months for Nappa to achieve Super Saiyan," Vegeta said.

"Dad…"

"You need to have a clear mind, Trunks. I know you have… certain appetites towards the girl. But you cannot let those emotions cloud your thinking," said Vegeta not unkindly.

Bulma sighed. The sounds of Nappa's footsteps echoed as he and Trunks moved close to where Goku was standing. Reluctantly Goku led them both and bid them rest their hands on his shoulders. Soon they were gone. No scouter could track them at that moment.