West City.
"See if you can move your arm now?"
Vomi tightened the last screw on Android 16's right arm and instructed Android 16 to try moving it.
With a slight mechanical clunk, the arm, which had been still on the bed, slowly lifted. Android 16 looked at his reattached new arm, clenched his fingers, and felt the state of his body.
"It's amazing, exactly like the original arm."
"That's good." Vomi breathed a sigh of relief, then exclaimed, "Dr. Gero is truly incredible, to be able to create Androids like you."
Android 16 and Android 18 remained silent upon hearing this.
They always felt that this female researcher from Capsule Corporation, who supposedly worked under Dr. Gero, seemed to hold Dr. Gero in high regard.
Perhaps it was just a misconception, but saying Dr. Gero was amazing wasn't wrong.
Which scientist on Earth could create Androids capable of rivaling a Super Saiyan? Only Dr. Gero.
"If you two have nowhere to go, you can stay here with me. Anyway, Vomi and I have already removed those miscellaneous things that could interfere with your will."
"You two are free now, and there's no need to be enemies with Goku."
Bulma called over the nearby cleaning robot to pack up the unused equipment and took it away.
Seemingly noticing their hesitation, Bulma spoke again: "I have no intention of imprisoning you. If you want to leave, you can do so anytime."
"This..."
Android 18 was still somewhat hesitant, but she and Android 16 indeed had nowhere to go at the moment.
"We can't stay here. That guy named Cell might come at any time. If Android 18 and I live here, I'm afraid..."
Android 16 did not finish his sentence, but everyone present understood what he meant.
Cell would never give up on absorbing Android 18, and Android 16 might also become Cell's target.
"Cell..."
Vomi moved slightly, raising the lens in front of her eyes with her hand. From up close, the lens reflected light faintly.
"That's not important anyway. Even without you two, Cell's target will still be Goku, and anyone close to Goku will also be his target!" Bulma said, completely unconcerned.
"Let me see, there might be information about Cell." Bulma turned on the holographic projection TV on the nearby cleaning robot.
Soon, footage related to Cell was found.
"Now broadcasting a news report: In XXX City, an entire city became deserted overnight. There were no bodies on the ground, but countless clothes and pants were left behind. This footage was captured by a helicopter. The specific reason is still unclear..."
"Dear residents, please do not worry. We will promptly broadcast any new information to the public."
"Please believe that our relevant departments will surely guarantee the safety of people's lives and property. Do not believe or spread rumors."
…
Android 16 sat up, watching the news on the projection, his voice heavy: "That was definitely done by Cell. He can absorb others' energy to evolve himself."
Bulma switched through several more TV channels.
She found that not just one city, but several cities had been affected.
"Is there actually one close to West City?" Bulma's face also showed some horror.
Could it be that Cell was already heading this way?
"Android 18, let's leave West City." Android 16 said to Android 18.
"Okay." Android 18 agreed without any further thought.
No matter what, they couldn't drag West City into this.
Bulma had even helped them remove the bombs and some of Dr. Gero's devices that affected their personalities.
If they were to drag this place into trouble, it would be extremely ungracious.
"It's not good for you to leave now. Let me see if I can contact Vegeta and have him take you to the Lookout. It should be safe there." Bulma suggested.
"No need, thank you, Miss Bulma. We have already troubled you with many things. Besides, if we leave, Cell might not be able to find us."
"If that Lookout is safe, you'd best go there. We don't know when Cell will arrive."
Android 18 had her considerations. Cell's power was so strong that she didn't think Vegeta and his group could defeat him. Rather than implicating them later, it was better for her and Android 16 to leave first.
"Oh, Android 16." Android 18 thought of something and looked at Android 16, "Actually, you can stay here. Cell's target is me; it doesn't have much to do with you."
"No, I'm also an Android. Speaking of which, I owe you two siblings a favor, and having someone help will also make things much easier. At least we won't be so helpless when facing Cell."
"You don't owe Android 17 and me anything. When you asked Vegeta to come rescue me, that insignificant favor of awakening you has already been repaid."
"Let's still go together. Although Dr. Gero's program has been shut down, looking at Goku and his group, I still feel an urge to be their enemy."
"Alright." Android 18 sighed.
She knew Android 16 was saying this on purpose. With the program shut down, how could there still be a purpose to kill Goku?
"Perhaps you can't go anywhere."
Vomi tapped a few points on the watch she was wearing.
A holographic image popped out from the top of the watch.
"This is a monitoring device I made earlier, similar to Dr. Gero's small detectors. I had them check the nearby situation."
"Look, is this Cell?"
Vomi continued to tap a few points on the watch, then switched the screen.
Cell was flying rapidly at a low altitude.
Looking at the familiar surroundings, Bulma exclaimed in horror: "Cell is heading towards West City!"
"That's right." Vomi sighed.
"Let me see if I can contact Vegeta or Goku and have them use Instant Transmission to take us to the Lookout."
Saying that, Bulma started calling Vegeta on her communicator.
One second, two seconds…
Beep, beep beep beep–
"Why isn't he answering? He couldn't have forgotten to bring his phone, could he?" Bulma covered her head, feeling quite helpless.
He said he would protect her, but when it mattered most, he dropped the ball.
A moment later, Bulma put down the communicator.
"No way, I can't reach him."
"I'll go lure Cell away." Android 18 said after a moment of silence.
Cell's target was her. As long as she appeared, he definitely wouldn't attack West City anymore.
"If you are absorbed by Cell, his power will further increase, and then the entire Earth will be doomed." Vomi said, looking at Cell continuously approaching West City in the projection.
Just then, a terrifying aura enveloped the sky above West City.
This oppressive feeling could be felt even by ordinary people.
"Android 18, stop hiding. I know you're here."
A resonant, powerful voice spread to every corner of the city.