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Chapter 4: To Scilab!
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''So, do you remember anything about your life?''

It was several days after Saito's arrival. The crew had taken him on a tour of HQ and told him what was going on these days.

Saito shook his head, ''All I really remember is waking up in a building over there.'' he said, pointing to the west.

Butch frowned. He had taken Saito outside in the hope that Saito would be more open about his past where there weren't four people and their navis breathing down his neck. Apparently, that was not the case. ''There's nothing over there but a shack three miles out that's been there for years. Do you remember where you lived, or your father, or your last name?''

Saito shook his head stubbornly, ''I only remember Mama, and whenever I asked her about Daddy she started to cry.''

Butch let out an audible sigh. He and Vick had combed Saito's blue PET for any info, but that had turned up naught. The PET was devoid of data of any kind.

And they had another worry too, for everyone had received an E-mail from Slate, their leader, that morning:

To: All Members
From: Slate
Subject: Orders

My business is taken care of and I am preparing to return to base. I should be back around 2200 hours tomorrow. I expect everyone to be at attention.

- Slate

Slate was strict and probably would not be pleased with the distraction that Saito posed to the rebellion.

Butch and Saito headed back to HQ a while later. When he entered, Butch found Terry, Karla, and Vick waiting for him.

Before he could ask what was going on, Karla burst out, ''We found out the name on the side of that building!'' she exclaimed.

''Yes,'' said Vick triumphantly,'' I had Beta enlarge a scan of Saito's photo and...''

''It says 'Scilab'.'' Beta finished in his slow, drone like voice.

''Scilab was a government sponsored research facility, but it was abandoned towards the middle of the 21st century.'' explained Terry.

''Where is it?''

Terry jerked his thumb over his shoulder to a point on the horizon. There, the tops of skyscrapers were just visible. ''As luck would have it, on the other side of Densan.

Densan used to be a thriving city, but tramps and fugitives were its only residents today.

Karla looked down at Saito, ''Whadda ya say Saito? Wanna come with us?''

Saito shook his head, '' No Karla-san. I want to look around here some more.''

''Well, that means that one of us will have to stay here then.''

''I will, the main computer needs to be defragged anyway.'' volunteered Vick.

''Then it's settled. Terry, Karla, and I will visit Scilab then.'' said Butch.

''Huh? We're going right NOW?''

''Sure, we should do it before Slate arrives. It's only the afternoon, we've got plenty of time.'' Butch explained.

Maybe now we'll get some answers... Butch thought, as a grumbling Terry and Karla hurried in his wake.
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