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" Salvation "Written By: Debs-dragon Disclaimer: Don' own don't sue. I do own all the other characters that pop into this ficcy as well as the story itself. Rating: PG 13 Some violence & language. If you wish to archive then please ask I'm a nice person. :) Android arc #4
"Salvation"
Chapter 4. Krillin followed Bulma to the rear of the dome and into Bulma's workshop. Moving amongst the many tables that held all sorts of equipment they finally stopped at the computer. Bulma sat down and began to type a series of commands into the machine and then sat back to wait. Krillin pulled up a chair and sat next to her, he still hadn't a clue as to what the woman was up to. "Umm Bulma... Can I ask what it is you are doing?" Bulma turned her gaze to the man beside her. "If my thinking is correct, which it usually is then I should be able to hack into Gero's computers." "But weren't his computers destroyed when the lab was blown up?" asked Krillin. "There is a slim chance that something may have survived. Enough to give us a clue at least." said Bulma, her brows knitted together as she thought. "What if there isn't?" Krillin had to ask. "Then it will take a lot longer to track her down." replied Bulma. She hoped that this wasn't going to be the case as it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. She got up and started to walk out of the lab. "I'm going to get a coffee Krillin, the computer will continue to do its stuff so I suggest you come and get one too. You look like you could do with one." Krillin followed reluctantly but acknowledged the fact that staring at the screen wouldn't make the computer work any faster. They returned a few minutes later and again took up position by the screen. After what seemed like an age to Krillin but was only minutes the computer beeped and the screen flashed. Bulma was immediately at the keyboard, her eyes scanning the screen for the information there. "What is it Bulma? Did you find anything?" asked Krillin eagerly. "Krillin! move back out of my way and let me work will you!" yelled Bulma as Krillin invaded more than just her personal space. Krillin backed off sheepishly. "Sorry Bulma..... but I guess I'm just a little nervous." "Just stay out of my way and let me work." she replied and elbowed him in the ribs. Krillin sat down again and watched carefully. He really didn't understand much of this hi tech stuff but he hoped it would lead him to his obsession. Bulma's brow creased into a frown and she typed more commands into the p.c. Sitting back and letting the computer work she addressed Krillin. "Well it seems that most of the hardware was destroyed in the destruction of the lab." Krillin groaned. Bulma gave him a dirty look for interrupting her. "However I have managed to find something out. If the data is correct then those android's were once flesh and blood like you and me. All I can find is a couple of names and a bit of genetic data on the two. I'm currently searching the network of district courts for any information on Gero and a couple of kids. Krillin's eyes opened wide at this bit of information. "Thats good isn't it?" he asked. "Well in a sense yes it is. I knew that Gero once worked in the field of genetics but then something happened to the company, I'm not sure what though. It was all hushed up and covered over. After that he seemed to disappear and wasn't heard of until there was a bit of a skirmish with something called the Red Ribbon Army. I don't know for certain just how much he was involved in that as it was a long time ago but I do know that Goku had a hand in the halting of the army's exploits. From the little information I could gather from dad at the time Gero was involved quite a bit but no one could prove anything and the guy just vanished. He wasn't heard of again. Most people thought he was dead, but that as we now know was not the case. It seems he managed to find somewhere to continue his work without anyone being the wiser until he launched those experiments on the world." Bulma finished her story and looked at Krillin a mixture of emotions running across both their faces as the realisation set in. "Call me thick if you want to Bulma but that translated to me as Gero took a couple of innocent kids and turned them into monsters." said Krillin. "Thats exactly what I am thinking Krillin but as Gero's work was mostly destroyed I guess we will never know just what really happened. Unless......" she trailed off. "Unless we find Juuhachigou and learn the real truth." finished Krillin. "Thats assuming we can find her and she is willing to talk." responded Bulma. The computer interrupted their musings with a loud beep, both Krillin and Bulma craned forward to see what it had found. There on the screen was information they hadn't dared to hope they would find. Quickly Bulma typed in more commands and the screen flickered as it located the files. "Bingo." said Bulma, as Krillin hovered over her shoulder. "If this data is correct, which it should be about eight years ago Gero lodged an application with the court of Orange district to have two orphaned children known as Jay and Krystal placed into his custody. There's a lot more here on the case but his application was successful. It looks like the kids were orphaned when their parents were killed in a bungled bank robbery. They were then taken into care by a couple..... errrr hang on a tic..." Krillin hopped from one foot to another in anticipation as he waited for Bulma to scan through the data on the screen. "The children were taken in by a couple called Jenny and Howard Williamson, it seems that after Gero took the kids away from them they never stopped in their attempts to get them back. I don't think I need to tell you that the attempts were futile." Bulma sat back and folded her arms. "So now what?" asked Krillin. "Thats all I can find Krillin, the only thing I can suggest now is we try to find this Williamson couple and see if they can help us out more. If Juuhachigou is now alone in the world I would think it safe to assume that she would head for the one place she knew was safe and held happy memories for her." Krillin thought long and hard. "I suppose its as good a place as any to start. You wouldn't by chance have an address there would you?" Bulma typed rapidly again. For once luck was on their side. "Yes." she said in triumph and began to scribble the details down on a piece of paper. "Here you are Krillin, thats the address the records have for them." Krillin took the slip and stared at the writing there. "Thanks Bulma I really owe you one this time." he said and reaching forward he placed a kiss on the womans cheek Bulma smiled at the smaller man with whom she had shared so much over the years. "I'm glad I could help out. Now as its a long way to go to find her and there are no guarantees that she will even be anywhere remotely near the place I suggest you stay here the night and then you can start out in the morning." "Thanks Bulma I am a bit tired so if you don't mind I will take you up on that offer and head off first thing." said Krillin. Getting up from the seat Bulma stretched and yawned. "Come on I will show you to one of the guest bedrooms and then I had better get back to work on that gravity machine or I will never hear the end of it from his royal pain in the ass." Krillin smiled and followed Bulma back through the maze of corridors to a comfortable room. "Good night Krillin." she said. "Good night Bulma, and thanks again for having faith in me and what I am doing." "Hey no sweat Krillin, I just hope you can find her." said Bulma and then turning she headed back to the workshop and the task of fixing the machine. Krillin rose early the next morning and met up with a bleary eyed Bulma in the kitchen. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to wake you." he said as he finished off his coffee. Yawning Bulma rubbed her eyes. "Thats all right Krillin, Trunks will be up in a moment and demanding his breakfast so not much chance of a lie in anyway Im afraid." She reached for the coffee pot and poured herself a cup. "So.... all ready for the big trip?" "Well I suppose I'm as ready as I ever will be. I just hope she doesn't reject me again. Thats providing I can find her." "Look Krillin I don't want you to get your hopes up too much, this is a long shot and I mean the chances of her being there are somewhere in the range of a million to one." "Yeah I know. But I have to start somewhere and this seems as good a place as any." Krillin stared at his empty cup. Bulma placed her soft hand upon his arm and squeezed gently. "I hope it turns up something for you Krillin, you deserve to be happy." Krillin smiled at the simple gesture. "Thanks Bulma, that means a lot to me." Trunks took that moment to appear in the doorway. His small pyjamas rumpled and his hair ruffled from sleep. His eyes opened wide as he saw Krillin there and immediately he scooted across the room to hide behind Bulma's legs. Krillin laughed. "Its okay little man, I'm just leaving." Bulma scooped him up into her arms and ran her hands through his lavender locks. "Morning sleepyhead." she cooed. Trunks stared bashfully at Krillin before ducking his head into the safety of his mothers shoulder. Krillin got up and walked towards the door. "Hang on a sec Krillin." called Bulma, and she quickly grabbed something off the bench top and passed it to him. "Here take this and call me when you have some news okay?" Krillin looked at the satellite phone in his hand. "Thanks Bulma. I will call you as soon as I have any information." He passed through the door and stood on the lawn, with a wave of his hand he took to the sky and headed for the address written on the piece of paper. It didn't take as long as Krillin thought to fly to the town that Bulma had written down. Once he was there he landed on the outskirts and made his way on foot. He stopped at a cafe on one of the main streets and bought himself a coffee and doughnut. He knew the street had to be around here somewhere. He was cursing himself for not having the forethought to bring a map. Finishing off his refreshment he approached the girl behind the counter with the hope of getting some information as to the streets location. He was in luck, the girl knew where it was and hastily scribbled down directions on a napkin for him. Krillin took it gratefully and left the girl a generous tip for her help. Once more he stepped out onto the pavement and into sunlight to resume his search. As he walked the streets he noticed how this part of the country was pretty much untouched by the androids destruction. Most of the havoc that had been caused by Cell had been restored to its former state with the Dragons wish but this part looked as though it had been left completely untouched. Krillin walked for a while longer before he found himself finally staring down the length of a street that was familiar only in name. He began to walk down searching for number's. He found the number 27 at last and gazed beyond the white picket fence up the path to the front door. His heart stopped its wild pounding, instead taking up residence somewhere in the vicinity of his feet as he realised that the house was deserted. The windows were boarded up and an air of desolation hung over the place. Sighing deeply he pushed the gate open anyway and proceeded up the path to the door. He noticed that the door had been opened recently. His heart once more began to hammer in his chest. Could that mean that Juuhachigou had been here? Was possibly even still here? He pushed the door gently and it swung open a touch. As he entered the cool hallway he wondered where the occupants were, from the look of the place it had been deserted for some time. Idly he made his way through searching each room for a clue. When he came at last to a bedroom he saw that this room had recently had someone in it. The dust cover on the bed didn't hold a film of dirt like the rest of the covers. Unfortunately whoever had been here had long since gone. Dejectedly Krillin turned on his heel and left the house. He pulled the door shut behind him and allowing his eyes to adjust to the sunlight pondered his next move. He hadn't a clue as to who had been here. It may have been Juuhachi or then again it could have just been a wanderer looking for shelter for the night. He wondered where the Williamson's were, It was obvious they hadn't resided here for sometime now. An uneasy feeling came over him and the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. Someone was watching him. Quickly he gathered his wits and slowly turned around scanning the immediate area. His search stopped as he located a pair of blue eyes observing him through the hedge separating this property from the next one. "Hello again Krillin." ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ |
