Ack! I was trying to get this up earlier to avoid delays, but obviously I couldn't do it. I'm really sorry everyone but between exams, homework, essays, a term paper, work, my sister's Sweet Sixteen party and I-CON (a convention at the university I attend), I had little time to type this out! Thank you all so much for being patient. Hopefully this chapter will be up to your expectations.


Chapter 8: Black Paper

Sword clashed against ax as the opponents battled, neither one losing ground. Unsure of what the do, the six hunters continued to look on at the impossible scene; a young girl holding off against a fully-grown man with a weapon she shouldn't be able to hold. They recalled how she was able to fight the HUnewearl they met in the Caves, but this was unreal.

The blue-haired HUmar, managed to put extra force in his next swing, knocking the girl back a distance. She charged at the man but was stopped in her tracks by a Gizonde bolt he fired, stunning her temporarily. Turning off the photon edges on both sides, the man struck the girl with the blunt weapon, rendering her unconscious.

"Now normally I'd call that overkill, but in this case..." Zelos said in a loud whisper.

"What do you mean?" Genis whispered angrily at the HUmar, "What if he really hurt her?"

Most likely hearing the two, the man turned to the doorway where everyone watched the skeptical.

"…A hunter team I presume," He stated matter-of-factly.

"You didn't have to be so rough! If you hurt her-" Genis growled, clenching his Scepter.

"Genis, clam down!" His sister said.

"There's no need to worry. I made sure only to use enough power to knock her out."

The statement made the Newman boy relax by a hair.

"This must seem unusual to you," the man said.

"Not as much as you may think," Sheena said.

"You see, we saw that girl before in the underground caverns" Raine continued, "She was battling a HUnewearl and ran off after she knocked the girl's ax away."

"HUnewearl…by any chance, do you know her name? Did she have pink hair?" the man asked.

"No, her hair was blue," Colette replied.

"Since you seems to know her, could you tell us who she is? Does she have any connection to Pioneer 1?" Raine asked.

He shook his head, "She is not from Pioneer 1, nor does she have any connection to them. Either way, I strongly suggest that you leave this place as soon as possible."

"Leave? Why?" Lloyd asked first.

"I suppose saying 'for your own sake' would not get you out of here any sooner," he replied, "You may not believe this, but this girl works for Black Paper."

"Wait, Black Paper? You mean that group of traders that runs some sort of black market?" Zelos asked.

"One and the same," the blue-haired HUmar responded.

"I heard they dealt in android parts and even slaves, but would they really have a young girl working for them?" Raine wondered aloud.

"That is why I said you may not believe it. I've had several run-ins with Black Paper, including that girl. I'm not sure how, but they have her completely under their control. Since she is down here, they must have some interest in this place. If they were to find you here-"

"What, they'd off us or something?" Zelos interrupted.

"If that's how you want to put it…"

"But we only saw her," Lloyd said, "It's not like she targeted us."

"He was right. Leaving would've been your best option. Too late now," A strange mocking voice said from behind the man.

Turning around, he faced an aging man in Ranger-esque green and white armor. His hair was violet in color and he had a small pair of glasses perched on a largish nose.

"Such a large hunter group. You must be the same ones Presea saw in the Caves," he continued.

"Presea?" Colette repeated.

"Black Paper. There couldn't be any other way you would know her name," the blue-haired man said, indicating the unconscious girl.

"To be more precise, Black Paper is my employer and funds my research," he replied.

"Then who are you?"

"I suppose I could tell you seeing as you lot won't make is past today. I am Rodyle, genius genetic engineer. That girl there is an example of my work."

"You mean that you created her?" Raine asked incredulously.

"No not exactly. I merely enhanced her, made her stronger and faster without changing her physical appearance. I've been researching a way to create super humans and Black Paper agreed to fund me, provided I let them use any of my successes. A major flaw however is that she can only be controlled by a device, which was all too easily destroyed by a sudden jolt of electricity."

"So you used her as a guinea pig?" Lloyd shouted at the geneticist.

"That's horrible…how could you do that to another person?" Colette added, more sadness on her voice than anger.

"It wasn't entirely against her will. She wanted to come onboard Pioneer 2 but couldn't for some reason or another. Black Paper agreed to get her and her sister onboard…for a price of course."

"Alicia…but you didn't do the same to her?" the blue-haired HUmar asked.

"Oh no, it's far easier to experiment on children. Alicia merely became an agent of Black Paper, hoping they'd eventually free Presea, the fool," Rodyle replied.

A faint growl was barely audible from the oldest HUmar, but other than that the hunter team said nothing, glaring at the scientist.

"Now, will any of you tell me about Dr. Osto's research?" Rodyle continued.

"Dr. Os-" Lloyd began to say.

"We are searching for the whereabouts of Pioneer 1, we haven't found any sort of research," Raine interrupted.

"I have reason to believe otherwise, all the more reason I need to be rid of you," Rodyle said, "Dr. Osto can't measure up to me, but there's no telling if he may have come across something by accident. I highly doubt he found a way to create D-Cellular Sub-Life Forms though."

Raine gasped mentally, avoiding the surprise to appear on her face, Sub-Life Forms again, she thought, but why would anyone want to create something that may have really existed?

"It seems everything is keeping me from that research though," the spectacled man continued, "I had sent that Alicia down here to fetch the data for me. She refused to give it to me however until I gave her a straight answer as to when Presea would be freed. She then destroyed the disk right in front of me. If that weren't enough I caught her later on trying to escape with her sister. Black Paper needs agents they know won't betray them, so even though I'm technically not a member, I still had the authority to discard her--permanently."

"YOU MONSTER!" The blue-haired man roared, raising his Flowen's Sword.

"I suppose now would be as good a time as any," Rodyle said with a sinister smile. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a remote control-like device and pressed a button. Three tall grotesque monsters lumbered into the room from the doorway behind the geneticist.

Humanoid in shape, they had no facial features, only a strange node where they would have gone. Their skin colors varied one having blue skin, another green, and the last one gray. Their long arms, which ended in huge clawed hands, dragged on the ground.

"Wha-what are those?" Lloyd exclaimed.

"Repulsed are you? I call them Exbeluas," the scientist replied, "They were early attempts at creating super humans from scratch, if you will. No matter what I did though, I couldn't engineer them to look like normal humans, so I had to settle for changing a real human. Black Paper cannot use them, but their power is still quite formidable."

The three monsters lumbered toward the hunters, each one taking a swipe at them. Their slow movements were easy to evade though. The hunters attacked two to a monster with Raine either attacking all three at once with a Ra-level Technique or healing everyone with Resta. Lloyd drew most of the gray one's attention, avoiding it's blows while delivering his own. Colette backed him up using mid range Diska slashes and the occasional Technique. Sheena's Blade Dance kept the blue one busy as Zelos' DB's Saber dealt heavy damage. Genis switched form fire to ice to lightning on the green creature as the blue-haired HUmar prevented it from attacking the boy with his huge Flowen's Sword. As the battle raged on the Exbeluas's swipes occasional connected, sending the receiver flying. Later on the creatures performed a strange attack, which caused the ground around them to shake violently and be enveloped in a violet, black and red ring. The melee fighters took heavy damage from the attack, Raine having to immediately use Resta afterward.

Despite the powerful move, the monsters proved to be no match for the hunters. One final Razonde from Raine killed all three at once.

Rodyle gritted his teeth, a fearful look in his eyes.

"They were failuresso I never really expected them to be too useful…" he trailed off. He then raised both his arms. A huge fiery explosion engulfed everyone, knocking them down.

"This was pleasant, but I really must be going!" He exclaimed, raising one hand to create a Ryuker.

While still lying on the ground, Genis held up his right hand, a small but brilliant point of light forming in his palm. Before the geneticist could take the Ryuker, strange white rings of life surrounded his body. He turned to see the young boy just as a large twinkling bright light appear and "lower" into his body.

"A Grants Technique? You little-GRRAAAH!" He screamed as the light flashed brilliantly once it reached his center, causing searing pain. The Ryuker light vanished as the man collapsed. He was still conscious but he clutched his chest where the light "exploded".

The blue-haired man was the first to stand, he charged at Rodyle, sword in hand.

"N-no! I beg you! Stop-!"


"Nnghhh…"

A pair of large blue eyes began to flutter open.

"Hey! She's awake!" A young boy's voice exclaimed.

"Ughhh…" the owner of the eyes, a young pink-haired girl grunted. She suddenly felt a splitting headache, holding her head while keeping her eyes mostly shut.

"Here, I'll take care of that," the same voice from before said. The young girl then felt a sort of warmth travel through her, mostly in her head. Fully refreshed, the Newman girl could open her eyes.

She was ion a large room with several machines and wall covered in steel. There were also seven people around her: three female hunters and four male hunters. The nearest one to her was a wide-eyed silver-haired FOnewm around her age, kneeling on the floor.

"Where…Where am I…?" She asked in a low voice, sitting up.

"Take it easy," A FOmarl said, "While that Resta may have healed you, you still shouldn't strain yourself."

The girl remained silent as she looked at each unfamiliar face in the room, trying to collect her thoughts.

"What happened…who are all of you?" She asked, her voice still remaining mostly calm. Confused as she was, she knew getting worked up wouldn't have gotten her anywhere.

"You don't remember anything?" A brown-haired HUmar asked.

"Remember…I…am not certain," she replied, her mind still very much fuzzy.

"It shouldn't be surprising, considering she may have been under Black Paper's control for more than a year. The effect of long-term mind control are still not know," the FOmarl said.

"Mind…control?" the girl repeated. She became silent again. Just what was the last thing she did, that she could remember? Why does it feel like there's a giant gap in her memories?

"I think…I remember having test run on me. They said that if I wanted my sister to come aboard the Pioneer 2 as well, I would have to take a second set of tests and…yes…that is all I can remember. Nothing else can be recalled", she offered, a calm sort of logic on her voice.

"Presea is your name, right?" A blond HUmarl asked.

"That is correct…how did you know?"

"I told them," a blue-haired HUmar answered, "My name is Regal Bryant."

"And I'm Colette," the HUmarl added. The remaining Hunters and Forces also introduced themselves to the young girl.

"Presea, could you tell us who it was that performed these tests? We may be able to explain what happened to you, but we need certain gaps filled in," Regal asked of the girl.

She nodded, standing up. Right then the top priority was knowing what happened to her, and if telling them would've helped, she needed to oblige.

"It started seven years ago, back on Symphonia. Both my parents were sent to Ragol on Pioneer 1. I'm not certain why, but they told my older sister Alicia and me that we had to go with my Aunt and Uncle to Motavia, and not to go to Ragol. They never told us why.

Alicia and I tried to change ship assignments, but our parents placed some sort of block, preventing us from going onto Pioneer 2. For the next two years Alicia tried to find a way to have it lifted. She even considered sneaking onboard the ship.

Then a year before Pioneer 2 would leave Symphonia, a group of people claiming to be from the government said they would allow us on the ship. First however we would have to undergo several tests…that's all I can remember."

There was a brief moment of silence before Raine asked, "Presea, who are your parents if I may ask?"

The girl nodded, "My mother Sayna Combatir was a government official on Pioneer 1. She was mostly likely the one who put the block on our names. My father Seige Combatir was a director for government-sponsored research. He was sent to oversee the research done on Ragol."

"Seige Combatir," Raine repeated.

"Do you…know him?" the girl asked her.

"No, that's not it…" The FOmarl responded. She didn't know him, but had seen the name before. For now, it would be best not to tell her with so much she would already have to be told. Regal walked close to Presea before he spoke,

"What I am about to tell you may be hard to take all at once…and hard to explain." Presea responded with a nod.

"The group that came to you was Black Paper, a group of merchants that run the black market as well as other criminal acts. Since your parents believed you would be going to Motavia, their intent was to sell you into slavery.

However a rouge geneticist Black Paper hired named Rodyle wanted to use you in his experiments. First tests were performed to see if you were a suitable candidate. The test tests were the beginning of the experiments, which was why you can't remember anything after that."

If any of this was shocking to the young girl, it did not show up on her face. She knew she should've been more taken aback by what she was being told, but it was almost as if she wasn't sure how to show it. Perhaps from nearly four years of being under Black Paper's control, she wasn't able to express emotions as well. Raine did say that the long-term effects of mind control were still not well known.

"What did he…do to me?" she asked.

"Rodyle was attempting to create enhanced humans, which was why Black Paper funded him. He altered your DNA and body, making you stronger. Since then Black Paper had been using you mainly to attack hunters, stealing their weapons and other items. "

"Stronger…?" Presea trailed off.

"See that ax on the ground?" Regal indicated, "You wielded that weapon before. Try and pick it up."

Slowly she walked over to the metallic handle, as the photon blade had been deactivated. It should've been too heavy for someone of her build. She may be able to lift it up, but certainly not wield it the way it should've been. If she was startled by how easily the ax came off the ground, she didn't show it. Presea swung the Victor Ax with both hands, then only one.

"I see…" the girl finally said, "How is it that you know about me? And my sister Alicia, is she on Pioneer 2 as well?"

Regal went silent was a short while. Lowering his head a bit he continued,

"I learned about you from Alicia."

"You know her then," Presea said with hopefulness on her voice. Her emotions were subdued for a long time, but not removed.

The blue-haired man nodded, "I was hired to investigate a kidnapping with a possible link to Black Paper, during which I encountered Alicia several times on Pioneer 2. When I managed to catch her, she cried, saying that if she were arrested then her sister would never be freed from Black Paper. When I asked her what she meant, she told me that black Paper was holding her--you--captive. The only reason she became an agent was as part of a deal to eventually free you. I normally would've been suspicious, but she seemed so sincere…I decided to let her go.

It would not be the last time I encountered Alicia either. Over several meetings she told me the whole truth about what happened to you and her. She told me that after the second run of tests, you hadn't returned and she went to the group claiming to be from the government, demanding what happened to you. At first they feigned ignorance of anyone by your name. Alicia threatened, begged and pleaded for you to be returned safely, until they offered to make her a Black Paper agent, saying they would eventually free you."

"…Then…where is she now? If I have been freed, then what about Alicia?" Presea asked.

"I'm…very sorry Presea but your sister…Alicia is dead." Sadness was on the man's voice and his head was still lowered.

The young girl's eyes widened as she said, "What…but…how?" The monotone nature of her voice was replaced with a tone of shock and grief.

Regal then told her about the events that transpired shortly before. About how he went to the mines to look into reports of Black Paper activity; how he was attacked by Presea and managed to knock her unconscious and destroy the device that kept her under control; how Lloyd and the others came upon them; how Rodyle came in and attacked them with his monsters; how he attempted to escape only to be killed in the end.

The pink-haired girl stood motionless, letting everything she was told sort itself out in her mind. All of it sounded so absurd, but she saw the proof herself: her new incredible strength. Then her sister must really be…

"My sister…Alicia is dead…but the one who did it is dead as well…"

"…Perhaps we shouldn't have told you all this at once," Regal said.

"No…I would rather have known about it all now," she assured him, though sadness was still on her voice, "I don't suppose…you would know about my mother and father? This is Ragol after all. Do you know where they are?"

Silence again. Obviously if they didn't know about her parents, they would've just said it outright.

This time it was Lloyd who spoke up, "When Pioneer 2 reached Ragol's orbit we all saw an explosion on the surface. When contact couldn't be made with Pioneer 1, the government hired hunters like us to search for the crew and passengers. So far we haven't found anyone from Pioneer 1 and still have no idea on what happened to them."

"That is why the six of us are here," Raine continued, "This facility was obviously constructed by people from Pioneer 1, so they could either be down here for we may find something about their whereabouts."

"Then for now…I am alone…" the girl said.

"You don't have any relatives or friends on Pioneer 2?" Colette asked her.

Presea shook her head, "As far as I remember, all my family member were going on the ships to Motavia. I am not certain about my friends."

"Oh…I'm sorry, Presea," the blond said sadly.

"You don't have to be. It's not as if it is your fault," Presea responded.

"It's best if we Ryuker back to Pioneer 2 and leave you in the care of social services," Raine said to the young girl.

"Social services…" Presea repeated, "I would rather not…If I may, I would like to accompany you on searching for Pioneer 1's passengers."

Raine shook her head, "Ragol is a very dangerous planet, too dangerous for a young girl."

"Well with that logic then I shouldn't be here either," Genis pointed out.

"You are a licensed Force," Raine replied, "and-"

"And I'm with the rest of you. She'll be with us too," her brother continued.

"I should be able to hold my own in battle seeing as I was an 'attack dog' for Black Paper," Presea added.

"You can't really argue with that," Lloyd remarked.

"Well I suppose you could accompany us, but when we return to Pioneer 2, we'll have to convince Principal Dorr to allow you to join us. It was hard enough convincing him to let Genis investigate and he is a licensed Force."

"I shall aid in convincing the government if need be seeing as I've been investigating Black Paper," Regal stated.

"So you're not coming with us, Regal?" Lloyd asked the older HUmar.

"Actually if I may, I wish to join your team as well."

"What about Black Paper?" Sheena asked.

"After this incident they will probably lay low for quite a while. I was asked if I could investigate the disappearances before but declined. Mostly I want to make up for getting you all involved with Rodyle and Black Paper."

"That isn't something you have to feel sorry for," Anyway what do you guys say? We let both of them join?"

"Of course!" Colette said cheerily.

"I don't have a problem with it," Zelos replied.

"We're already a pretty big hunter team, and since they both really want to join, why not?" Sheena said.

"Yeah, sure, if they really want to" Genis said.

"Ultimately, it's up to the Principal. Still, more members would help in our investigation. There's no telling where we'll go once we fully explored these Mines," Raine stated.

"Then it's settled," Lloyd faced the blue-haired HUmar and pink-haired girl, "Welcome to the team!"


Wooh, that took longer than I thought it would to type up.I broke away from the main plot with this one, but it'll be back to exploring the Mines next chapter. I know it's a sci-fi and all, but I hope it didn't seem too far-fetched. I still hope you enjoyed it. Thanks always for reading!