Chapter 8: Research

(Guest starring Isis Mk. X from Pioneer Alley)

Since Mina no longer had an actual career, she saw fit to visit the Hunters' Guild more often. She saw one quest that caught her eye. Its description was:

Client: Alicia

Quest: "To help our study, collect data on native animals on Ragol."

Reward: 2,500 Meseta

"Excuse, me," Mina said to the Guild Girl, "I'll take this quest."

"I'll contact the client right away," she said, picking up a phone. "It'll probably take a few minutes for her to get here."

"I'll just wait here," Mina said, walking to a corner. "Don't you think there should be some seating arrangements in here?"

"You're not the first person to say something like that," the Guild Girl admitted. "Maybe if we get enough complaints, someone will put in some chairs."

"Excuse me," Galactica said as she walked into a classroom, "but are you Miss Mk. X?" Typing a lesson onto a big screen was a very short android with the appearance of a little girl. She looked similar to Galactica, except that instead of being orange and black, she was cyan and grey. The bow that held on her skirt was bigger and more exaggerated. Her hair was hard, solid metal, unlike Galactica's chain hair.

"Yes," she said almost emotionlessly. "Galactica, correct?"

"Yes," Galactica said, somewhat speechless. "It is an honor to work as your assistant."

"Have been wanting an assistant ever since Pioneer 2 left," she said just as flatly as before. "Call Isis."

"I'm sorry, I thought you were Isis," Galactica said, now confused.

"No, am Isis," the short android said, pointing to herself. "Linguistic skills were damaged after personality code became corrupted. Contractions and pronouns are often omitted from speech. Also lost preprogrammed personality that was more suitable for teaching and daycare. Now, am only teacher." "How did your personality become corrupted?" Galactica asked, now looking at the screen.

"Unknown," Isis replied. "Maybe because am a factory-made android. Not built as a citizen. In fact, new body shells had to be made."

"What factory would that be?" Galactica said, glancing at the screen.

"Mark Robotic Industries, Inc." Isis said. " The first was body shell was Mk. IX. That is why preference is to be called by first name, Isis."

"How do you communicate with others, especially students?" Galactica asked curiously.

"Symbol Chat when necessary," Isis said. "Associates have grown accustomed to interpreting emoticons or understanding impaired language. Galactica is understanding relatively well."

"Well…um…Isis," Galactica stammered, still grasping everything she just heard. "What is the lesson plan today?"

"Algebra, Geometry, Palman History, Coralian History, and Chemistry," Isis replied robotically. "Newmans learn so fast."

"Indeed," Galactica agreed.

"Hello, I'm Alicia Baz," said a blue-haired FOmarl, walking to the Guild. "Someone accepted the quest?"

"Yes, she's right over there," the Guild Girl said, pointing to Mina.

"Alicia-chan!" Mina exclaimed.

"Mina?!" Alicia also exclaimed. "You took my quest?" The only difference in Alicia by that time was the small, reddish diamond planted on her forehead.

"I suspected that it was you," Mina said, smiling. "So, what's with the Native research?"

"Uh…sorry," Alicia apologized. "I can't tell you why we need the data."

"The Lab put you up to this, right?" Mina asked knowingly.

"You know they won't let me say," Alicia whispered. "If you hadn't resigned from the Lab, I wouldn't have to do this."

"You know very well why I quit," Mina said defensively. "Anyway, how do I carry out this research? You're the biologist of the family."

"Well first, let me put this tool on you," the taller Force said, putting a wristband on her right arm. "You know better than me that the animals on Ragol are too dangerous for normal study. This tool will analyze your weapons and their bodies." Mina frowned, confused by what her cousin said.

"You have to kill native species with a specified weapon," Alicia clarified. "We data from 5 different native animals. Their biological data will be stored in capsules inside the tool."

"This thing doesn't look big enough to hold that many capsules," Mina commented. "Am I using a storage system?"

"Yes, but it will only last about 20 minutes," Alicia warned. "Come back by that time. The tool also won't detect animals that are too small."

"You know, Alicia, this seems more like something up your alley. What do you think?"

"Personally, I don't agree with this plan," Alicia admitted. "Even though it's for research, we shouldn't kill animals for data. I don't understand what my boss is thinking…I should go with you to get the capsules myself, but…Sorry, I'm too weak."

"Don't say that," Mina said, trying to comfort her cousin. "With time and experience, you'll get stronger. Now then, I'm off."

"Please hurry!" Alicia called out to the exiting Force. "And be careful!"

"Class, meet Galactica Chikara," Isis said to the uniformed Newmans. "Galactica will be the teacher's assistant." Girls wore purple dresses or skirts while the relatively few boys in the class wore black pants or shorts. It was a class of six boys and eleven girls. The ratio of boys to girls was all part of a semi-scientific experiment concerning school performance.

"Good morning Miss Galactica!" the class chimed cheerfully.

"Good morning," Galactica said nervously. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed two children tiptoeing through the door and into the room.

"Late again, girls," Isis said blankly, noticing them. "Galactica, meet Taya and Misha." They were the same size as the other children with Taya being the shorter one. She had sky blue, shoulder-length hair and light pink skin. Misha was a blonde with short pigtails. Her skin was dark tan. Both wore skirts.

"Sorry for being late, Isis," Misha apologized.

"We got a little hung up," Taya said, sitting at her desk.

"Are you often late?" Galactica asked.

"Sorta…" Misha trailed off.

"Maybe we can help break that habit," Galactica hinted. "But let's just continue with the school day."

"First is Algebra," said Isis. "Galactica, summarize what is onscreen to the class."

"And that makes capsule number four," Mina said just after destroying a Monest. She was in the rainy area near Central Dome known as Forest 2. Her weapons of choice were Soul Assaults, sub-machine guns that could generate spiritual energy from enemies. Her Mag was Shato, an advanced, blue, kitten-like Mag. So far, the Forest had been child's play to her. Everything had been so easy to kill, that she only used Techniques to take out large groups of animals. She was walking down the large path where so many other hunters had encountered great resistance. First came a trio of Goboomas. She killed them with the Technique called Gizonde, a single bolt of lightning that shot from her hand and through each beast. Next came a pack of wolves that were easily killed with the same Technique. As she passed a red (locked) laser fence, she noticed a pair of Hildebears on the other side. They could not attack through the fence and neither could she. Mina didn't want to have to waste time looking for a switch.

"You may be the biologist, Alicia," she thought to herself, "but I'm the technologist." Taking out various tools, Mina began to tinker with the fence and its mechanism. She switched the polarity, allowing her to pass through it and to the next side. As soon as she entered, the Hildebears lumbered toward her to attack. Before they could really do anything, she used a Technique called Gibarta. It launched shards of ice in front of her, killing the Hildebears almost instantly. A Hildebear then leaped from an unseen tree and almost landed on her. Despite being caught by surprise, she used a barrier to block the immediate swing of the animal's fist. She took a step back, a fired with her guns. Taking a hail of photon bullets, the Hildebear also fell to the ground dead.

"It looks like this one ate a Trimate," she thought, picking up said item from the spot that the animal had melted into the ground.

"Analyzing bio data," sounded the research item, filling the last capsule. "Analyzing battle data…. Setting data code."

"And that makes five," Mina said, acknowledging that the quest was complete. She was just about to use a nearby teleport, when she noticed a light coming from behind her. She turned quickly, ready to face any threat. Instead, she saw that the light came from a message capsule on the ground nearby a previously unnoticed column. She went to the capsule and activated it.

"I heard that this tall column was built to commemorate the immigration of Pioneer 1," spoke a thoughtful female voice from the capsule. "But…it may just be me, but it doesn't look very new. And these patterns…aren't they characters?"

"Hmm…" Mina pondered. "Who left this capsule here? Could it be from Rico? It certainly does sound like someone with her personality. As for the column, I can't tell whether these designs have any meaning. But if it is old, Nadja should have some valuable input." Mina then went to the teleport to finish her quest. Upon arrival at the Guild, she gave the capsules to Alicia.

"I've confirmed all 5 sets of biological data," said Alicia, looking them over. "Your job is complete. I'm sure that this data will help us proceed with that research." Alicia stared at the device somberly.

"…Is something wrong?" Mina asked noticing that Alicia didn't look very happy to receive the results.

"Oh…no, nothing!" said Alicia, snapping out of her thoughts. "Sorry."

"Okay, I'll just take my reward and be on my way." Mina said walking to the counter. "If you need anything else, you know who to call."

"Enough for today, class" Isis said to the students. They were currently working on a formula for adamantium, an (almost) indestructible metal. "Continue tomorrow."

"Class is dismissed," Galactica said, starting to put away materials. All of the students left except for Taya and Misha, who helped put away materials. Isis had told them to stay after class.

"Miss Isis?" Taya called to her after finally putting everything away.

"You wanted us to stay after class?" Misha also called out. Isis glanced at Galactica and began working on her lesson plan.

"Yes," Galactica answered, understanding the signal. "We just wanted to ask why you two are supposedly late every day."

"Well ya see…" Misha started, "the thing is…we don't have very good transportation."

"Elaborate," Isis said, walking over.

"My big brother can't drive us to school because he's training to become a Hunter," said Taya. "When he drove us, we usually got here on time."

"But now," Misha began, "we have to either walk or wait for that loser, Cloud. That's her brother's cousin…or is it nephew?"

"Misha's mother cannot drive to school?" Isis asked as emotionlessly as ever.

"She's a hunter," Misha said. "Mommy usually can't take us because she's busy looking for quests and stuff. She misses Daddy. He was on Pioneer 1. And my sister, Daniela, won't do anything for us. She's a Force. And…"

"What about your mother, Taya?" Galactica asked, stopping Misha from babbling any further. Taya looked down uncomfortably.

"Taya only has a brother, no mother," Isis whispered. "Adopted."

"Oh…I'm sorry," Galactica said, widening her eyes in surprise. "What is your brother's name?"

"It was Taft, but he said he was going to change it to Xero, spelled with an x," Taya said thoughtfully.

"Taya…what's your last name?" Galactica asked, growing suspicious.

"…He said that we don't need a last name," Taya remembered.

"Does he have an android friend named T-65?" Galactica asked with some agitation.

"You mean the black and orange RAcast?" Misha asked, knowing whom she was talking about. "What about 'em?"

"That RAcast lives with me," Galactica said. "I think I can help you two get here on time."

"Is T-65 your boyfriend?" Misha teased, making Taya giggle.

"Do not be so silly," Isis said. "Androids cannot experience emotions as complicated as romantic love."

"T-65 is my brother," Galactica said, slightly offended. "We were built by the same person within months of each other."

"Tardiness problem will be solved," Isis stated. "Dismissed from class."

"Sorry about that, Miss Galactica," Taya apologized as she began to leave. "Say you're sorry, Misha."

"I didn't know!" Misha whined. "Sorry Galactica." Misha then ran out the classroom to catch up with Taya.

"How old are they, Isis?" Galactica asked.

"The class is unusually young. Most grade school Newmans use growth control medications to better correlate with humans and attend school from age five to age twelve. This rather experimental class ages between three-fourths of a year old and one a half years old. Misha and Taya are over a year old."

"How long does a Newman take to mature?" Galactica asked.

"Without medication, most take 2 years," Isis replied. "Reason for asking?"

"How could Misha's father have been on Pioneer 1 if she is just over a year old?" Galactica questioned. "Pioneer 1 left the system 7 years ago. We left 2 years ago. So she would have to be born on this ship." Galactica could have sworn that she saw a hint of bewilderment on Isis's face.

Notes: Okay, that wasn't too shabby. "But why should I care about some brats at some school?" you might ask. Because it had new characters. More characters equal more plot (or lack thereof). "What's up with that Misha kid?" you might also ask. Um …anyway, I told ya Mina was strong! Looks like a certain lab is still managing to yank her chain.

On the next (long) episode of PSO: Sidestory: Things get off to a rough start, as we can see how a certain pair of Newmans try to get to school on time along with some embarrassment on Galactica's part. And Alicia isn't done with Mina yet. You'll finally get to see how she measures up on the next action-packed (not as boring) episode, "Premonitions of Sorrow." It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood…Only Toonami!