another segment of good news/ bad news.

Bad news: seems that too few people really give a damn about this fic. so only one review is all that is required to keep this damn thing alive, just so i know that someone actually is reading.

Good news: Several new charaters will make an appearance, including one requested in a review by Morphius. And now, Missing Hunters continues.

Chapter 4: The Team

Jeni spent a quiet night in Montague's lab, doctor's orders, until morning on the ship came. She slowly woke up and looked around the lab. Montague had retired to his room late last night, evidence of him being in the room quite visible on one table. No one else appeared to be in the room at the time, letting Jeni sigh in mild relief. She really hated attracting attention, but it always seems to find her. She slid off the table that was her bed and put her white tank top on. She went for her battle jacket, which was hung off the back of a chair when she tripped. Her instincts kicked in immediately and she landed on her hands. She then pushed herself back up onto her feet and looked down, noticing that she had tripped on a now startled and awake Ash, dried blood under his nose.

"Sorry, Ash," she said in a soft tone. "Didn't see you there."

Ash looked up. "Jennie!" He immediately got himself up and brushed himself off, a lightly dazed look on his face. "What happened?"

"I don't know. All I know is that you were sleeping on the floor." She noticed the blood on his face. "And your nose was bleeding."

"Wha..." He immediately grabbed a clean rag nearby and wiped the blood off. His eyes then widened. "Crud, now I remember. I passed out in here because of you."

Jeni was confused, until she remembered her outburst at Montague last night. She remembered that she didn't have any clothes on, aside from her shorts. "Oh... Well, you ready to find some hunters?"

Ash smirked slightly. "Of course." They left the lab and started for the entrance. "Lets just hope someone is willing to help us out."

"R34Dy f0r duy!" The duo looked at the still malfunctioning NL, who was guarding the front door still. He heard from Montague that those two would be going on a mission this morning, so he was prepared. He then went up to Jeni and gave her a wierd bracelet. "F0r j00. D0 0r5 0rd3r5."

Jeni looked at the item questionably, then put it on. "Well, that's one. May as well post a request at the Guild."

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The motly trio have been sitting in the Hunter's guild for a little over an hour, waiting for someone to actually think about their request. Ash and Jeni were sitting near the door, poking the new item and trying to find out what it is. NL wouldn't say what it was, and put himself into sleep mode near the counter to avoid further questioning. The counter girl was getting a little irked, she didn't like having a trio of HUNTERS being in the room for a long time.

The sound of a door opening caught their attention, with NL not even noticing. A black armored ranger with face gear entered the room. His dirty blonde hair was shaggy and combed back, his brown eyes scanning the room almost like a machine. He towered over the two hunters easily, but NL was just too big for him to compete. That is when the ranger notices the two hunters near the door, namely the newman girl.

"WOAH! What's a chick like you doin sitting on the floor?"

Jeni stared at the guy like he was an idiot. "What's it to you, ranger?"

He put his hands up. "Chill, babe. It was just a question."

She sighed, he had a point there. She got up and stared as well into his face as she could. "For your information, I'm trying to organize a team for a mission. Second.."

"Wait a sec, babe. Was I hearing things, or did you say something about a mission?"

"I said I was seeking out HUNTERS to join up for a misson." She then remembered that he counted. "What, you intrested?"

The ranger smiled. "Of course." Jeni smiled very weakly. "For a price, babe."

Her smile turned to worry. "P-price?" she stuttered. "W- What kind of p-price?"

"Price, as in a good reward for my sevices babe." he then started to glare at the huntress. "All these missions have one, right?"

"O-of course." She nervously giggled. Ash wasn't all that much amused. He didn't like the way he spoke to her very much, as if he were trying to get at something. "We pretty much save the hunters on Ragol, as it is our mission, and get some thanks from those hunters and payment from the Guild."

He frowned. "The price the damn feds pays is never enough. If you want me on your team, babe, you lot are going to need to give me something in return."

"Hey, what the hell do you mean 'give you something in return?'" Jeni and the ranger looked at Ash, who had suddenly got up while yelling his outburst.

"Dude, what's your problem? Chill. Its just as I said, I would like a little extra to join your party."

"If it's something extra you want," Jeni started, glaring at the man, "you'll get it within reason." He didn't seemed phased in his argument. "If it makes you feel any better, I'm not sure that I'll be around for that long, and the mission is quite dangerous. If I should die, then my friends and all party members will get an equal share of my money and equipment in my checkbox."

That got his intrest. "How much are we talking, babe?"

She got angered at being called 'babe' once more. "Millionare in meseta, plus loads of equipment that could make these soldiers kick some serious ass. Most of them rare and powerful."

"And that's only if you should fail to see this thing through by natural or creature causes, right?" She glared an evil glare. "Chill, babe. I have no intention of killing my employer." She took what he said and pondered on it before nodding. "Good to hear. So, who's in the team right now?"

Ash coughed. "She and I are in it for starters. The machine napping over there is with us as well."

"Cool. You dudes and dudette have names or something?"

"Jennie Knight, Bluefull."

"He-eey, I heard of you. One of Pioneer 2's best swordswomen and chicks, right?"

"I get that alot," she said throught gritted teeth, "but none go THAT far in describing me."

"My apologies, babe." Her blood boiled again. "And you?" he asked, referring to the hunter.

"My name is Ash, Redria." He points to the android. "He is NL,but you won't get much out of him, even out of sleep mode. He is a great ally and an excellent shot, thought."

"Cool. The name's Snake, Yellowboze. You give me a mission, I give you alot of dead creatures, dudes." He then smiled. "So, when do we go?"

"As soon as we get at least two more HUNTERS, then we can go." She walked over to NL, tapping on his visor. "Yo, get up. We need to do a weapons check for our weapons."

The visor flashed as NL reactivated his systems. "4fir/4i/3!" Snake blinked as the machine woke and spoke wierdly. He glanced at Ash, searching for a clue.

"Told ya. His speech card got pretty banged up yesturday, and he is to stubborn to replace it." Snake nodded as the two returned. NL and Jeni immediately sat down and took out all their weapon capsules (think about it, a real person can't carry a whole load of large rifles easily. The capsules would be alot easier to carry and would explain the wierd shining crap when they are replaced). Jeni took out her two, which opened to reveal a Bravace lightning pistol and one of the many DB sabre models.

"Babe, what are you doing?"

Jeni glanced up angerly at Snake. "Weapons check. And call me Jennie before I open up another hole where you don't want one." She opened up the hilt of the gun and started her examination of the photon core. NL took his capsules out and started his check. He had six weapon capsules on him, and all of them were pretty dangerous. He started to check out his ever trusty FINAL IMPACT master's shotgun, making sure all of its parts functioned properly. The GUILTY'S LIGHT ice photon launcher was at his feet, easily larger than his gun and damn near as tall as him. The hilt of his STAG CUTLERY rested near him, his only close quarters weapon with a blade on each end. Currently, its blade was off. A Hell Laser was next to the launcher, one of his most powerful weapons and very damn useful. The other one contained his pistol, the CUSTOM RAY VER.00. His last capsule contained his twin VICES, his machine guns that got him out of many very tight spots.

"Dude, you use all of those guns?" NL looked up and nodded. "Dude." Ash and Snake sat down and started checking their weapons. Ash always wore his ANGRY FISTS, even if he was on the ship. He also carried his DOUBLE BRAND, a weaker version of NL's STAG CUTLERY, and a VARISTA for good measure.

"SHIT!" Jeni tapped the generator of her pistol, which didn't seem to be working right. It dully glowed and went bright on occasion, but it clearly wasn't a good sign for the vereran huntress. "Anyone need to visit the checkroom?"

Snake got up, not even bothering to open his capsules. "I'll go with you, ba... I mean Jennie. I got to get my better weapons anyway." The two HUNTERS got up and left the guild, jogging over to the check box barely a quarter of a mile away. The counter girl saw them coming and knew what to do.

"Names, please."

"Jennie Knight, Blufull."

"Snake, Yellowboze."

She tapped her computer. "HUNTERS confirmed. Enter, please." The two hunters walked behind the counter and teleported to the checkboxes below the level.

"Lets stop at yours first, Snake. I'd like to see what you have at your disposal."

"More like try and steal my equipment."

"You forgot, I could supply this ship at least twice over. I don't need any more weapons." The two walked in front of Snake's checkbox, which opened when he touched the pad. They entered the room and looked at the walls. The check boxes were large, walk in closets of sorts, with clear drawers for each item added in. There are two hundred drawers, each one capable of carrying only one item or set of items each. They lock up when something is inside, with recovery items being able to be grouped while all other tools or items have induvidual sections. Snake's, however, has a problem.

"Snake, what's with all these junk weapons and armor?" Jeni asked innocently. Only about twently drawers were in use, and they held either purple type guns or armors that mildly skilled HUNTERS used. "I haven't held on to these since I found yellow weapons."

"Well, babe, I have some cash problems and trouble using all of my stuff. I don't know how to remove my armor at all."

Jeni glared at him, then sighed. "Come with me."

Snake followed the huntress to her check box. "What's the problem, babe?"

"The problem is, this mission is very dangerous!" She placed her hand on the pad. "You go down there like that, you won't last long enough to even have kids, let alone a reward."

"I don't care that much. My weapons are pretty good against most creatures." The doors opened and revealed a check box that was virtually loaded with weapons and armor. Snake's eyes turned big as saucers at how strong some of those weapons appeared.

Jeni looked at the ranger and giggled. "See something you like?"

Snake nodded. "I see alot of things I like the looks of." They entered the room and started sorting through all of her stuff. He decided that maybe borrowing a few weapons would be good. Jeni went straight for her armors and shields, while Snake checked out the assortment of guns she held. Snake picked out from her stores a Geist Laser, a pair of JUSTICES, a VARISTA, and a DB Sabre for good measure. He was about to ask Jeni if he could borrow them when she was in his face.

"Let me see your armor." Snake obeyed and showed his armor, which caused Jeni to frown. "How long have you been a ranger?"

"About a year." He returned the frown. "Why?"

"I'm surprised you lived that long wearing the armor backwards." She unhooked him from his armor and tossed him a set of armor that appeared to be thicker than the old armor. "Use that and my Divinity barrier. Guardian armor isn't as strong as Divinity armor, but it will keep you alive."

"Hey, thanks babe." He slaps her ass, which has her eep in surprise. He regreted it a second later when she suddenly turned around with her eyes completely purple. "What the.."

"RAFOIE!!!!!!" A firy explosion engulfed the ranger and sent him to the nearest wall. She then suddenly slammed him into the wall and drew her DB Sword, pointing it down low. "IF YOU EVER DO ANYTHNING LIKE THAT AGAIN, I WILL MAKE SURE THAT YOU NEVER GET THE CHANCE TO HAVE KIDS EVER! GOT IT!!!!!!!!" Rather shaked by what had just happened, all he could manage was a nod, but that was enough to get her to release him and to seal her sword. Her eyes turned to normal before she turned around and walked towards the entrance.

"Dude, what the hell's with you, chick?"

"I am not one of those girls that you can just slap in the ass and get away with." She turned and glared at him. "AND, a creature who you couldn't possibly imagine damn near killed me. He tore up my body in his final act and infected me." She turned away, picking out her Celestial shield, G-ASSASSIN SABRES, and COMBAT machine guns from her boxes. "There may be no cure for this disease that I caught, and it has made my nerves tingle for the past few days."

"Sorry, babe. I didn't know." He then walked up to her nervously, not wanting to invoke her wrath again. "Is it OK if I borrow these?"

Jeni looked at the weapons he was planning on borrowing, then grinned mildly. "You can keep those and the armor, even if I can be cured." She motioned to the door. "I have enough, as you can see."

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The two returned after being in there for about 15 minutes, only to enter the HUNTER'S guild with two new hunters within. Ash went up to Jeni. "Welcome back." Jeni smiled back at him. "We have two new party members."

"So I see." Jeni walked over to the two. The one she was closest to was another hunter, which spiky black hair and brown eyes that clashed with his all white attire. The other one is a blue armored RAcast that seemed to be designed for speed and evasion. "Your names please?"

The hunter responded first. "My name is Adrock, skyly. Master of heavy blades."

Jeni nodded before the machine spoke. "MBA-758-S TEMJIN, WHITILL."

She nodded again. "OK, before we begin, we need to do equipment checks on both of you. One in our team was about to commit suicide with some weak weapons, and I don't want someone to get in trouble because of a trashy weapon." The two nodded and withdrew their weapon capsules. Adrock was wearing Holiness armor with a celestial shield and followed by a little robotic Sonitri (for those of u who don't know, Sonitri is a HUnewarl special mag that looks like those little bots from the mines in those storage rooms). He had only two weapons, but both are strong enough. He has a set of Vulcans with augmented accuracy and the legendary Last Survivor sword. Temjin wore Guardian armor with a SECRET GEAR and followed by a pair of Varahas. He also took with him a Pallash for close quarters, a Hell Laser, Vulcans, and the Slicer of Assassin.

"OK then. We are going down to Ragol to find out what happened to all of the missing hunters. If they are still alive, we are to try to help them get back to the ship. If there are any abnormalities, get out and find the rest of the group. We are going down in teams of three. Adrock and Temjin seem to be good pals, so they stay with each other. NL, you are going with them." NL, Adrock, and Temjin nodded. "Snake, your with Ash and me. We will enter the caves, while you three..." She thought for a moment. "You three pick where you want to go, but avoid the ruins." She stopped speaking.

Ash and Snake were the first ones to get up. "Allright. Lets move then." Adrock and the androids walked past Jeni's group and went straight for the teleporter. When they left, the trio followed.

Snake walked up to Jeni and looked at her. "Listen, I know that I'm not that great with strategies, but wouldn't it have been wiser to take NL or Temjin in this group. They could see traps easily."

Jeni looked at Snake. "Two reasons. First, I have a sixth sense when it comes to traps."

"And the second reason?" Ash asked.

"You, Snake, and NL all know a bit about my illness, but NL won't be understood all to well. I don't want to have them worry about a fellow hunters." Jeni just entered the teleporter with the two guys. She then yelled "Caves!" The teleporter went to work and the three HUNTERS disappeared down into the planet's caves.

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Love it, hate it, still reading? let me know. and apologies to morphius if i messed up with snake a little. Then again, his combat skill may back him up where he lacks in everyday life. READ and REVIEW!