Disclaimer: Sega owns PSO.

(If you already know the background of PSO, skip the prologue.)

Prologue

The Pioneer Project was a desperate plan for desperate times. The destruction of their home worlds was near. Before the evacuation could begin, probes were sent deep into space to find a suitable planet. When a candidate arose, the first interstellar transport ship, Pioneer 1, was sent to establish a colony. After confirming Planet Ragol as a suitable planet, the colonists of Pioneer 1 readied the planet for the main wave of refugees. Construction of the Central Dome had begun.

Seven years later, Pioneer 2 had finally arrived with thousands of refugees aboard. Just as it entered Ragol's orbit and opened a communications link with the Central Dome, a massive explosion rocked the planet. All contact with the people of Pioneer 1 had been lost.

This tale is only part of a never-ending story. One of many heroes will appear. Most will remain unnoticed. They are the hunters. They are highly skilled (usually) mercenaries hired to carry out various jobs and missions. They have become so popular, that they have formed a hunters' guild that notifies them of any available jobs. Hunters' guilds also allow clients to make requests in a more efficient fashion. The lives of the hunters vary from person to race to class.

On the Pioneer 2, there are three races. They are Humans, Newmans, and Androids. Humans are the primary race and make up roughly half of Pioneer 2's population of 30,000 citizens. Newmans can best be described as genetically altered Humans with Feline genes fused into their DNA structure. Being that they are still Homo sapiens, they are genetically compatible with Humans. Their resemblance is the same as Humans with the exception of elf-like ears and slightly elongated canines. Designed to be improvements on Humans, Newmans reach physical and mental maturity in one year. However, Newmans often die early from old age because of this. Modern technology has allowed them to be properly educated within this short period. Newmans are also known for their strong spiritual energy. This characteristic often directs them into the Force class or scientific community. Androids were originally created to serve mankind in difficult and dangerous tasks. In modern times, they have reached intelligences high enough to gain citizenship as independents. However, they are forbidden to have artificial skin and must be clearly mechanical for identification purposes. As mechanical beings, Androids have no spiritual energy and cannot use techniques. But, they are able to ignore most status effects and can detect trap mines that would normally be invisible.

The hunters are divided into several classes. First there are the Hunters. They specialize in close-range melee combat and are skilled with blades. The Hunter class is physically the strongest of all classes. It is suitable for all races. The Ranger class is the midway point in terms of physical statistics. Rangers specialize in long-range energy weapons. This class is meant for Androids and Humans. Newmans generally do not have the accuracy necessary to acquire this occupation. Forces have strong and advanced Techniques. Though physically weak, they have great spiritual power within them. They tend to gravitate toward the scientific community because of their poor battle skills. Since Androids are unable to use Techniques, only Newmans and Humans can enter this field.

Chapter 1: Memories

It had been over 12 hours since the explosion. Officials had urged the populace to remain calm. Because Pioneer 2 has nowhere near the military power of Pioneer 1, hunters have been contacted from all parts of Pioneer 2. Principal Tyrell, the person in charge of Pioneer 2, has asked several to investigate the explosion. Somewhere in the city was an area exclusive to hunters. It was here that they could get supplies, go to a Hunter's Guild station, visit the hospital, or go down to Ragol. Many hunters suspected that the Principal was worried about his daughter, Rico. Everyone knew this hunter/scientist as "Red Ring Rico". Other hunters were not as concerned and believed that there was no need for panic. Two of these hunters, specifically Androids, were among them. The taller, bigger one whose head seemed to be covered by a helmet was a male Ranger, or RAcast, with black and orange metal plating. His registered hunter name was T-65. The smaller, bizarrely cuter Android was a female Ranger, called a RAcaseal, with a bow on the back of her head and a paint job similar to the RAcast. She was known as Galactica, (GA to T-65).

"I wonder what caused that huge explosion," said T-65. "I knew that Pioneer 1 had lots of firepower, but I didn't think it could..."

"It couldn't have caused that big of an explosion, regardless of whether it was an accident or otherwise," interrupted Galactica. "I suspect that something on the planet caused it."

"That's what we're supposed do find out, GA," said a new voice. It was a somewhat short, human lady in a white and purple, highly decorated dress. Her long black hair was in a knot with a long pin going through it, letting the rest of her hair fall behind her shoulders. She was a FOmarl.

"How come you're not coming with us?" asked T-65.

"I've already been down there," she replied. "I would go along, but many of the plants in the forest give me bad allergies. Besides, you two should be able to handle it together. The animals are vicious, but not very strong. It should be a great place to get some experience. Just work together and fulfill your quest...By the way...exactly what is your quest?"

"The client wants us to collect dirt samples from the residential area," answered Galactica. "He wants to check for residue that might have been left behind by the explosion."

"Too easy," sighed T-65. "How am I supposed to earn any respect as a hunter by picking up dirt? I want a real challenge!"

"It was the only job available, muscle-head," said an annoyed Galactica.

"Well, maybe you didn't look hard enough, Miss I'm-too-special-to-do- anything!" shot back T-65.

"At least Mom decided to build me with two optical sensors!" shouted Galactica as she pointed to her pale-blue eyes that were devoid of pupils. The FOmarl stood by the two, listening amusedly as they continued to bicker. They had always done this sort of fighting ever since their "mother" completed T-65, the younger android. She should know. She was whom they called Mom.

Several years ago, before the Pioneer 2 had been completed, scientists all over the world had been recruited or volunteered in the 2nd phase of the Pioneer Project. Some of the more popular scientists such as Dr. Osto and "Red Ring" Rico had already left on Pioneer 1. There were still plenty of dedicated scientists left at home, though. Although the biggest name joining The Lab on Pioneer 2 was Dr. Montague, a specialist in biotechnology, there were other scientists who had their own talents.

In a workshop on one of the space stations near the construction of Pioneer 2, there was a lone FOmarl, barely an adult, toiling away on her computer. She seemed to be entering calculations for blueprints on androids. Her fingers seemed to glide over the keyboard seamlessly. As she typed silently, another figure entered the room. Startled by the sound of the door opening, the FOmarl almost jumped out of her seat as she turned around. She sighed with relief as she recognized the would-be intruder. It was a young lady not many years older than herself. She wore a regal- looking, gold and lavender dress. Her tall headdress partially hid her long blue hair that ended with a barely noticeable weaved ponytail. This was the outfit of a FOmarl. Her height nearly dwarfed the relatively short black- haired FOmarl seated before her.

"How is your progress on GAL-104 coming along, Mina?" asked the taller woman.

"I'm almost done with her blueprints," replied the shorter FOmarl, known as Mina. "I think that orange and black would make a good color pattern for her," she said as she returned to her typing. "Oh, and you can call her Galactica now. All I need now are the RAcaseal parts. Did you get the order forms I asked for?"

"Yes..." the Force replied uncomfortably.

"What's the matter, Alicia?" Mina asked noticing the uneasiness in her voice. "You did get the right disk, didn't you?" she said turning away from the screen.

"Of course I did," Alicia replied, revealing the desired item. "It's just that...some of the parts you asked for seem a little...unorthodox. I'm no expert on the inner-workings of androids, but some I've never even heard of."

"That's because I'm going to build them different from most androids," Mina said returning to her work with a sly smile.

"What do you mean by different?" Alicia asked suspiciously. She knew that her little cousin was notorious for designing things with some sort of twist.

"I'm going to give them real emotion," Mina said still smiling.

"That's not so different," Alicia said, confused. She began to think to herself as she handed over the disk. "That can't be it," she thought to herself. "Maybe she's losing her touch. No. If that were the case she wouldn't be smiling like that. What are you up to?" she thought staring at her. "Well, I'll just leave you to your work," she said as she exited the room.

3 months later...

In the same workshop was a similar scene. However, instead of Mina typing away on a computer, she was welding the chest plate of a certain black and orange RAcast in a charging station, with her face being protected from the sparks by a face shield. After this task was complete she removed the shield and walked over to the computer. She took a cable from the desk and plugged it into the back of the RAcast's head. She then tapped a single button on the keyboard.

"This shouldn't take long," she thought. A few minutes later, the screen confirmed that the data upload had been completed. She disconnected the cable and turned on the charging station. She stood back as blue waves of energy encircled the RAcast. Mina then contacted Alicia via intercom.

"Alicia? Are you there?" she asked.

"Yes," responded Alicia. "Are you done already?" she asked surprised.

"Yep," Mina replied happily. "Bring Galactica here so she can meet her new brother."

"We'll be there in a minute," Alicia said. Mina then looked over to the RAcast. Despite her calm demeanor, she was very excited. She was so excited that she almost forgot the activation code. She stood in front of the charging station trying to recall it.

"Now what was it again?" she asked herself. "Oh yeah! Activation code INCOM T-65!" she commanded the station. Suddenly, the blue waves changed into a single green wave that subsided quickly. The android began to move, seemingly testing its limbs for complete mobility.

"Hello, there," Mina said as she looked upon the large android.

"Uh...hi," it said nervously as it looked down at her." You look familiar. Are you the MOTHER unit?" it asked.

"Yes," she said still trying to hold back her jubilance. "But you can call me Mom, Mother, Mommy, or whatever," she added quickly.

"Uh...ok...Mom," he said a little confused. Mina could no longer hold herself back as she heard him say the magic word. She nearly tackled him as she gave him the tightest hug she could manage.

"I'm so happy to hear you say that!" she said excitedly. After hearing no response for several seconds she realized that she was hurting him. She immediately let him go.

"Sorry about that," she said grinning. "It's just that I got so excited. Are you okay?"

"I'll be fine," he said a little shaken. "But how did you get so strong? No offense, but shouldn't you of had some trouble holding onto my metal structure so tightly?"

"I'll explain later," she said slightly embarrassed. "Right now, we need to give you a name that suits you. Do you have any suggestions?"

"Well, I kinda like the ring of part of my serial number," he said. "How about T-65?"

"That sounds pretty good," she said thoughtfully. Just then, the doors opened and Alicia walked through. Behind her was a smaller android with a metal skirt.

"We're here," Alicia declared. The one behind her peeked around her shoulder to see whom she was supposed to meet.

"Don't be so shy, dear," Mina said lovingly. "I want you to meet your new brother, T-65. T-65, this is your sister, Galactica."

"Hello," Galactica said shyly as she slowly came from behind Alicia.

"Hi," T-65 answered back.

"What is your serial number?" she asked curiously.

"It's INCOM T-65," he said flatly. "How 'bout you?"

"My serial number is GAL-104," she responded just as flatly.

"That's kinda funny," he said with a chuckle. "You're a female android and your serial number reflects that with GAL."

"I don't see what's so funny about it," Galactica said with slight annoyance.

"That ain't all that's funny," he said with a growing smile. "Your name starts with the same three letters."

"Humph! What's really funny is that your name is part of your serial number," Galactica said with increasing agitation.

"That's because my name just sounds cool," he said with a smirk. "I think GA would be a pretty good nickname for you."

"Well..." was all that she could say as she actually thought about what he had just said.

"Come to think of it, GA does sound like a nice nickname," she thought to herself. "And it's shorter too." During this entire conversation, both Mina and Alicia had been listening.

"I don't think this will be the only time that they're going to argue," Alicia whispered to Mina.

"Neither do I," she whispered back. "But then again, what else could you expect from siblings?

They had always been able to fight amongst themselves, even in dire situations as things presently were. Mina would break it up if it went on for too long. This was one of those times. Even after reminiscing to her self for several minutes, the two were still going at it.

"Just because you're a little older doesn't mean anything!" T-65 yelled as he arched over his sister, trying to show his superior size.

"It means you should listen!" Galactica shouted pointing a finger in his face.

"All right! That's enough out of you two!" Mina said, pushing them apart. "It's time for you to get going. Clients don't like having to wait around all day long. Now remember to watch out for each other. And don't forget to feed your Mags."

"But..." they tried to say.

"Go!" she screamed.

"Yes, ma'am!" they said quickly as they teleported to Ragol. Mina decided to go shopping while they were gone. She was oblivious to all of the people staring at her.