It took about an hour to get Karen to calm down and get moving. We finally got our act together around mid morning, and the meeting was in about one hour. Viper sent me a message vie bee. Vie Bee was a messaging system that sent small text messages to small receiver units that a person held onto all over the ship. Hunter's Vie Bee system was a higher-level then the standard public. The guild or a hunter who was on my guild card list was the only ones that could contact me. His message was basic and to the point.

"I'll save us some seats for two or for three?" I read off the message.

Karen and me were walking down one of the many walkways through out Pioneer 2. We were headed to a hunter supply store to pick up equipment and supplies. I was going to pick up some stuff for Viper as I beat he forgot to get some supplies himself. Karen however didn't seem pleased about having to see Viper's face again.

"How do you know him Saria?" Karen suddenly asked.

I stopped for a moment and looked at Karen and smiled and then kept on going. She was always one to get into my personal life, whether I wanted her to or not. She however wasn't one to tell secrets. She always kept her word, so I trusted she wouldn't tell anybody or gossip about it.

"I met him when I was doing my training with my double sabers. He made a smart re-mark on how a RAceasal should be working with guns and not with sabers. I got mad and I fought him and that's how it happened." I told Karen.

Karen was pretty quick on the uptake, as I didn't say who had won that fight. I had made a promise not to say a word to anyone about it and Viper agreed to never say also what happened, so no one but us knew what happened in that fight.

"Who won?" smiled Karen as she shifted position to see my face clearly.

I simply smiled and kept on walking deciding it wasn't the best idea to answer that question as it would only make Karen want to know more about what happened. She always got her nose deep into things she shouldn't be involved with. That was Karen in a nutshell.

I was carrying the backpack all the way to the meeting, to me it didn't weigh much but Karen said that the load on my back was enough to break her back. I wasn't sure if she was lying or not but I humored her. I never did mind carrying all the items; it didn't weight much to me at all. We walked all the way to the grand meeting hall. It really wasn't that grand but it was good enough for small events and rallies to keep the people of Pioneer 2 happy. I myself never went to any of them, never had the time or reason. We noticed that the entrance was guarded by the police force of Pioneer 2, which I found odd.

"Why are the police here?"

I looked at Karen and she raised her eyebrow at this as well.

"I don't know."

We walked into the Great Hall, it wasn't as great as I imaged. The hall did have a nice space view but the room really lacked in design. It was huge, but with no great detail. I quickly thought who ever designed the room should have been shot, as the dullness of the room was pretty easily seen. They were police officers in the hall as well. I didn't feel safe. Why are their so many police officers? I looked around the room to see if I could see Viper. I soon spotted him sitting around the middle row of chairs in the room with a bag next to him full of his gear. I waved back and tugged to come along with me. She wasn't pleased but she came along. I took a seat right next to Viper to make sure Karen was close enough to straggle Viper or hurt him.

"Hey Viper!"

"Saria."

Viper's reply was so calm that I knew he was thinking deeply about something, he was often watching the guards with careful eyes. I looked at him carefully and asked the million Mesta question.

"What's wrong?"

Viper was quick on his reply as he watched carefully.

"I don't know, but something's up."

I couldn't spot an odd look on Viper's face like he had a good idea what was going on but didn't want to talk about it. It wasn't like him to keep information away from me; in fact he was usually very open about things. I was about to ask him what was wrong as the Principal came in; he was like the President of Pioneer 2. I didn't know him personally, nor did I really care. I really didn't like politics; it always gave me an unsettling feeling inside.

"I won't waste my time introducing myself so I will be simple and to the point. The government of Pioneer 2 does not have any knowledge of what has happened to Pioneer 1."

I heard a whisper from my side, it was Karen in an evil sounding voice that was not her own.

"…Bull…"

I quickly put my attention back on the Principal as he kept talking as a few hunters also exchanged similar comments. Almost all hunters knew that the government often used hunters as a tool for when they want to avoid the public eye. More Hunters wanted revenge against the government for using us like tools and the opinion was shared among all hunters.

"We want any available hunters of the guild to perform searches of Ragol's surface for any evidence of what has become of Pioneer 1 and its people. The surface teleporters will be turned on later this afternoon, guards will be placed at all active teleports and doors will only open to active Hunter Ids of the guild. If you have any news you are to report it directly to the government and you are not allowed to discuss the matters with anyone else."

I knew this already, the government didn't want to cause a wide spread panic cause of what hunters may find. I couldn't help but feel there were also other motives behind the silence part of the deal.

"In a deal with the Hunter's Guild, we have agreed that all normal items and equipment that may be found may be kept and used or sold as you please."

I felt Viper tap my shoulder as he whispered something in my ear.

"They don't expect survivors. They know something."

Viper may have been a little naïve about his sword skills before they met but he understood the government better then anyone else I knew. He truly could see the government's cover-ups and knew more details then he should. It always gave me a sense of mystery about him as at random times he would know far more then anyone expected. I had a feeling that he may have worked for the government at one time but now he is a hunter and for some odd reason, the mystery feeling makes me like him even more… even if I'm only a machine.

"That is all I have to say, and remember this discussion is a hunters only. You are not allowed to discuss any of these matters to anyone outside of hunters. If you do, it will be considered an act of treason and you're hunter's ID will be revoked."

I shared a glance between Viper and Karen, it must be really deep secret if they are willing to go that far in order to maintain the events of this whole matter above the people of Pioneer 2, which only made me want to know what they know, what they were hiding. I couldn't help but feel that Ragol would be far more dangerous then it sounded.

We have to waste some time for the teleporters to come on now and we visited a small coffee shop near one of the teleporter sites. We were on the topic of what the government could be hiding now and most of all how they are going to cover up this mess. I was thinking about the people that had possibly may have died. Karen wasn't positive about the matter and the same for Viper. They both had more experience with government jobs then I have.

"Chances are currently everyone is dead or almost everyone."

Karen stated as she drank some of her fruit drink. Viper was quick on following it up.

"Karen's right, if the government gave permission for us to take whatever items we find then they KNOW they are dead."

Karen nodded and I nodded too. I frowned a little as it was a sad thought, to think so many people on Pioneer 1 died in one massive explosion. The explosion itself was larger then a nuclear bomb and yet there is no traces of any type of bomb or at least that what the government reports said… not like they were reliable. One fact still bothers me the explosion.

"The explosion… it was unlike anything I have ever seen and it doesn't register as any type of weapon I've ever seen."

Viper took a sip of his coffee as Karen put her cup down and looked down at the table.

"You're right. That explosion itself was odd and it was like something attacked Pioneer 2."

I was surprised to see Viper put his cup down to reveal his smile.

"Maybe something did attack Pioneer 2."

Karen and me stared at Viper for a few moments as if trying to understand if we both had heard the same thing or not. Viper simply laughed at us as he took another drink. Karen and me finally got our senses back quickly replied.

"You're joking! Do you know how huge the thing would have to be in order to attack Pioneer 1!"

"Pioneer 1 had the military on it! The best of the best! What type of monster or creature would be powerful enough to wipe out most of WORKS!"

WORKS, it was the military name for all its forces and military commands. If it was military it was WORKS, the most powerful fighting divisions of WORKS were on Pioneer 1, they were the only fighters that people publicly agreed was even stronger then the Hunter's Guild. They were only a few divisions on Pioneer 2 and they weren't as good as the Hunter's Guild. I guess that was the reason why the hunters got the job of exploring Ragol.

"HAHAHA! I was only joking!"

I almost wanted to hit Viper now; it wasn't a time to joke about such matters. I guess I was in one of my moods. My mood swings sometimes and it doesn't happen all the time. I wish I didn't have this type of malfunction, as it does get annoying sometimes.

"That was no funny!"

Karen looked at me and so did Viper and they both had some coffee at the same time as the silence quickly annoyed me.

"What!?"

Viper seemed like he was ready to move as he responded.

"It may be just me but do you normally get mood swings like this?"

My eyes went wide as I was a little surprised at the subject change but I didn't see any trouble in answering.

"Well… not on a daily basis, just every once and in awhile."

Karen looked at me carefully as if she was looking for something; I recoiled a little in my seat.

"What! What are you looking at?"

She still was pretty close for a few more seconds still and then sat fully in her seat again taking a sip of coffee and then answered my question.

"I was trying to see if you are an android or human."

Did I hear that right? 'If I was an android or human'

"Of course I'm an android!"

Viper shook his head.

"Well for an android you sure as heck act like a human."

'Act like a human'? What were they talking about?

"What do you mean?"

Karen seemed surprised at my response.

"Well it cause… aww never mind."

Viper picked up at that point putting down his coffee now and looking right at my face as if something was on it. I was still wanted to know what Karen met by 'if I was human or not'.

"You're face. It designed to look so real, even I sometimes am fooled by it."

"I knew it was designed that way but what does that have to do with it?"

I asked but Viper also didn't answer the question, which was really annoying me.

"Saria who was you're creator?"

Karen's question even was confusing me even more, why did they want to know about my creator now. I was starting to get really mad over the whole thing. I thought about who my creator was… but I didn't know, I had never questioned myself.

"I…I don't know… I thought I knew… but I somehow… don't."

Viper eyes widen at that statement, as if he knew why.

"Memory wipe."

Karen put her hands over her mouth as she gave off a small 'ooooo' sound, as she had understood the comment. I wanted to know what he met by that as well.

"Memory wipe?"

Viper nodded.

"You've been memory wiped. It basically erasing all of you're memories and formats you're system so you start off new. However, it proven fact that androids cannot be wiped completely and often has some of previous memories and they conflict with its current programming. It explains why you have some glitches and why you sometimes are unaware of you're true motives."

I was wiped? Cleaned of my memories? Why? Who? Was I a failure in some new android design?

"Maybe you should sit the first trip out to Ragol. So you can think about this."

I looked at Viper. I wanted someone to be with for some off reason, like an addicting desire. I knew that it wasn't a good idea to go in this condition questioning all my life now that it appears I was wiped.

"No, I need something to get my mind off these things now, besides…"

I slowly got up as I noticed the teleporters starting to go online but for some odd reason I no longer had any rush to go. Why had I been wiped? I needed someplace to unload.

"I need to get some steam off."

Now more then ever.

We didn't take long to get to the surface of Ragol, the place was a wipe open forest setting and wild life was everywhere, small insects and other creatures all about, a small steam of water. It's sounds were somewhat pleasing to her nature again, wildlife. I hadn't heard the wind blow or natures colors since we had left out home world. It was an amazing site to see, but sad at the same time.

"Its been so long."

Karen was taking in deep breaths of air and smiled boldly as she seemed pleased.

"Fresh air! I forgot what it smells like!"

I didn't need to breath so I couldn't understand what Karen was talking about. I looked at Viper who was looking around carefully, noticing boxes of equipment from Pioneer 1 in nearby.

"Pioneer 1's equipment."

I didn't know what Viper was thinking but he was worried about something. He turned around and started to walk forward into the forest area, a path had been made before. The path was probably made by Pioneer 1 to get to building sites on Ragol surface.

"Lets move."

Viper took the lead slowly walking ahead but his words seem a little… cold. It was like something was deeply bothering him now. Karen started to whisper into my ear as we walking into the forest, keeping a good distance from Viper so he didn't hear us.

"Is it mean or something bothering him?"

I nodded and turned my head a little.

"He doesn't normally act like this. Maybe he had family on Pioneer 1?"

Karen shrugged. She didn't have any better thoughts then I did.

"Saria, Karen come take a look at this."

I quickly walked up next to Viper. Karen slowly walked up to the other side of Viper.

"What is it?"

He pointed out into a small clearing ahead where we saw some bear-like creatures and a den of what looked very similar to wolfs. They all looked weird and they seemed very peaceful.

"They look so CUTE!"

I opened my eyes and looked at Karen with great surprise and Viper was also looking at Karen with the same surprise.

"You think…"

"…their cute?"

I couldn't believe that Karen really though the creatures looked so cute, as I personally felt that they didn't look good in anyway, and it appeared Viper agreed with me.

"Of course! I bet they would hurt a fly!"

I knew what was coming next but I didn't have react fast enough to stop her as Karen walked out of the bushes and right for the nearest bear-like creature. I had my mouth open as I couldn't figure out if she was be courageous or just plain dumb. Viper and I only watched in horror to see what was going to happen next. We watched as all the creatures now looked at Karen as she came cheerfully close to one of the bear-like creatures.

"Now you wouldn't hurt a fly would you! You cute little…"

I watched as the bear creature raised its claw about its head and then swung it right down with great force right onto Karen's head. She fell to the ground in pain from the blow, and now all the creatures seemed to be gathering to all attack her at once. My anger took over as I ran forward out of the bushes.

"NO!"

I detached my red mechguns from by back and started firing like mad at the monster that had attacked Karen with a few simple shots to its head as I ran out of the bushes. The red mechguns easily broke threw the creatures body and threw it skull as the creature gave a yell of pain and fell to the ground dead. It wasn't over; many more of these creatures came right after that one. Viper had already drawn his Sange and Yasha; he seemed ready to fight as he glared into the eyes of the monsters as he ran forward as fast as he could. I pulled out my second red mechguns and stood nearby Viper. I felt safer, being back to back with Viper. Karen, with a red face and blood coming from her forehead got up and drew her sword. She looked ready to kill as she had been taken by the cheap shot. She rose up her left hand and yelled out as her energy formed in her hand into a red ball and suddenly flew at the creature so fast, that I almost didn't see it happen.

"FOIE!"

The fireball easily broke threw the bear-like creature like a cannon ball threw a wooden ship as the creature instantly hit the ground from the powerful Foie attack.

"Cover me!"

I spun around as I saw Viper had charge forward with his Sange and Yasha ready to attack. The wolf like monsters seemed ready for this move and many moved out of Viper's path. I aimed carefully at their leader, a blue wolf-like creature. Viper stopped and waited for a second as he waited on the wolfs. A brown wolf took the time to jump at him, but he was ready for the attack as he crouched down and as the monster came at him swung his Sange at the creature cutting down the side of the monster as it landed behind him, dead from the single strike. The wolfs attacked in a group now, two wolfs. He didn't seem worried for a second as he spun around slashing off the head of one monster with his Sange and as the second came in Viper trusted his Yasha right at the belly of the creature and watched as it impaled itself on the katana. The blue wolf took the time to attack as well. I couldn't fire, it was right between me and Viper and if I shot it would be crossfire damage. I watched as Viper dropped his weapon, grab his gun, and hit the ground and use his feet to catch the monster by its belly and send it back into the air using his legs. It flew up into the air in surprise as Viper shot it with his gun causing damage but it didn't seem to brother the creature as it body was stronger then the gun as it started to bleed but it was going to come down and slash at Viper. I didn't give it a chance, as my red mechguns suddenly shot it rapidly pushing to the side and landing as a dead body right next to Viper. I turned around to watch Karen as she had to take care of a bunch of bear-like creatures and I couldn't see clearly as a circle of rotating fire balls surrounded Karen and kept pounding away at the creature till they screamed as they fell to the ground dead. I heard her yell out as she performed her attacks.

"GIFOIE!"

She screamed out the words as she held her up high, out of her hands came out two fireballs which began to rapidly circle around Karen badly damaging anything around her, repetitively with the circling fireballs. The monsters didn't stand a chance as her fireballs ripped them appear and the monsters fell to the ground. She had performed two Gifoie attacks and that had taken care of those monsters. We all stopped and looked around to notice all the monsters in the area were dead, some brunt, some bleeding from guns shots and others from swords. Viper placed his gun back in its spot and took the time to yank his Yasha out of the belly of one of the creatures and then picked up his Sange. I put my mechguns back behind my back. Karen placed her sword back behind her as well as she took a breather.

"RESTA!"

Viper pointed his hand at Karen as he performs a tech called Resta. Resta was a healing ability, which both humans and newman could learn. Androids were the only ones that could not perform and techniques.

"Is everyone alright?"

Karen nodded in reply to Viper, and I nodded as well. I couldn't help but feel this was just the beginning of what Ragol had to offer.