Reprogrammed

Shut Off and Turned On

t was several days later that Bulma decided that it was time to test out her latest device. She had completed it some time before Trunks and 18 returned, but she had never brought it out to test it yet. She decided that she couldn't put it off any longer. She just hoped 18 wouldn't react badly.

When she found her, 18 was currently reading a book while Trunks sat a short watching TV. Bulma prayed that this would work. Though the reprogramming was finished, and 18 had never showed any signs of hostility, Bulma new that she wouldn't feel completely safe until she had a way to control the android.

"Hi guys, mind if I interrupt?"

The two looked up at her. "Hey, Mom. What's up?"

Bulma hesitantly entered the room. "I have a little something for 18 that I'd like to try out."

18 looked curious. "For me?"

"Well sort of."

She took out a small remote. Trunks suddenly felt a wave of uneasiness run through him. He knew what that was. His mother had said that she was going to try and make one in case of emergency. And truthfully, Trunks had completely forgotten about it.

18 looked at the device in Bulma's hand. "A remote to the TV?"

Bulma laughed nervously. "Well, it is a remote, but it's not for the TV."

"The radio then?"

"No." There was no use in putting it off any longer. "It's actually... for you."

There were several seconds of silence as 18 slowly processed this information. When it finally registered to her, she gave Bulma a look of stunned disbelief. "Excuse me?"

"I said that it's for-"

"I heard what you said!" 18 snapped in outrage. "What the hell do mean, a remote for me?"

Bulma looked terrified as she quickly told the story she came up with. "Well, you see, I discovered something in your data. Since you wouldn't obey Dr. Gero, he designed a way to control you. It's something that I can't change, and it could cause you to go on a rampage, or maybe even self-destruct. And let me tell you, you've got quite a bomb inside you."

"I'm aware." 18 seethed. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Just hear me out." Bulma begged. "When I reprogrammed to you, the program that Dr. Gero designed was installed as well. I couldn't remove it, but I did manage to neutralize it. But there is a chance that you may, shall we say, go bad."

18 appeared to be furious by this accusation. "I would never hurt anyone!"

"You may not have a choice." Bulma explained. "You might not be able to control your body if the program should activate." She held up the device. "That's why I've got this. In case of emergencies, I could use this to shut you off."

18's eyes widened. "Shut me off?"

Bulma nodded. "Yeah, it'll act sort of like a coma. But I would reactivate you right away again. And once you reboot, you'll be back to normal and in full control again." She didn't like the way 18 was looking at her. "It's just a precaution."

"Precaution my ass!" 18 snapped, throwing her book down with such force that it went straight through the floor. "How the hell would you feel if someone came up with a way to put you in a coma whenever they wanted?"

"I-It's not like that." Bulma stuttered. "Come on, don't you trust me?"

18 glared at her. "After this, I don't know. You clearly don't trust me."