Thinks in nanoseconds

"That was amazing, Gohan! I can't believe it's finally over."

...Krillin.

The short little monk, ever optimistic and stubborn, had been a terrible thorn in his side. Through some inconceivable trick of fate, the miserable human had become far more powerful than his companions, gaining the strength of the cyborgs and pushing even further. Cell knew Krillin had been given a spare energy module obtained from Gero's lab. That damned woman, Bulma, had managed to turn the monk into a cyborg just like 17 and 18.

A plan formed in his mind, a spark of hope.

Had it really been just a spare power core, or had Gero intended it for another purpose? Considering 17 and 18's disobedience, it wasn't at all implausible that their creator would have made plans for another model. Gero's untimely demise would have kept the plans from coming to fruition...but might he have been working on another version of the stronger design? After all, each successive unit made after the twins had functioned perfectly. While plans for this final cyborg might only exist in theory, Krillin's existence now might even surpass what Gero could have planned—his experiences as a fighter and knowledge of ki enabled him to far surpass any of the others. He had even been able to nearly match Raditz Jr during their match.

'YES! That's it!' the monster exulted. 'Naturally, it would have been impossible for me to absorb 16. The brute was purely mechanical, without the biology and neurological mapping necessary to integrate into my design. And I couldn't have absorbed Gero, either; the old doctor lacked the permanent energy module of 17 and 18. But Krillin...'

Reflecting back, Cell realized he'd been the one to permanently damage the monk's leg, draining him of so much life force that an immediate operation was necessary just to save his life. The creature chuckled.

'If I'd only realized back then that I was setting myself up for this, here and now,' he inwardly laughed, amazed at his good fortune. 'What a happy accident! Of course, it wouldn't have been possible without my own efforts. And I have Bulma to thank as well...the ignorant mastermind, it seems. Without her unwitting efforts, I might never have been given this key to true, complete perfection.'

Cell's mind raced through all these thoughts in mere nanoseconds, weighing the possibilities.

- Bringer of Death Chapter 74