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Chapter 8: A Stream of Data
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Slate, Karla, Butch, Vick, and Terry entered the conference room and sat down at its long table. Saito was still intimidated by Slate, so he stood near the back, avoiding Slate's gaze.

Slate placed the envelope on the table; the words ' Proto Dimensional Chips' were visible.

''Dimensional Chips?'' Terry asked. ''What are those?''

''Let me explain.'' began Slate. ''In the early 20th century, the Earth was visited by a being named Duo. His subordinate, a navi named Slur, gave navis to individuals. These navis were called 'Asteroids.' Now, the recipients of these navis also received Dimensional Chips. These battlechips allowed a navi to manifest itself in the real world.''

''Uh huh...'' Vick said, unconvinced. ''And just how did they do that?''

Slate shrugged, '' I do not know, it was alien technology.''

While he had been talking, Terry had taken the envelope and was now sifting through its contents. The first page showed a photo of a female navi with a green and white outfit clashing with a tall navi with black armor, a green cape, and a yellow green sword.

The next showed a beast like navi with razor sharp claws standing amid destroyed cars and shattered glass. The picture was captioned, Beastman, first contact with an Asteroid.

The third page showed a gray-blue chip with a crystal in its center.

The rest was mostly technical mumbo-jumbo that he didn't understand, but the last one had a photo of a glowing blue tube, which was labeled, Dimensional Converter.

''Anyway,'' Slate continued, ''That threat eventually passed.''

''So... what does that have to do with us?'' asked Butch.

''Well, I've found info, that a scientist within T-Corp has managed to develop a prototype.''

''WHAT! How!''

Slate took the page that Terry had been looking at, and then he pointed to the tube. ''This is a Dimensional Converter. It can create an area called a Dimensional Area. Navis and viruses can enter an area covered by a Dimensional Area.

Now, these chips have a shard of a Converter inside of them, that is how they work.''

Zero continued his operator's explanation. '' Akira-sama has discovered that there is a manufacturing plant for these things somewhere in Japan. We must find it and shut it down!''

''But of course, we need to find out where it is first.'' finished Slate.

''Now, it appears that you have been busy during my absence.'' he said glancing toward Saito. ''Tell me everything.''

Half an hour later, their tale was complete. Everything, from Saito's arrival, to the trip to Scilab, to discovering that Rockman was still alive.

''Rockman... so he is still out there...''

''Hm? You know about him?''

'' Of course I do. He was an exceptionally skilled navi, thanks in part to-'' he stopped himself before he said 'Ultimate Program.'

''Fine.'' he continued, '' This will be our next priority, finding Rockman. He will be able to help us.''

''Hear that Saito?'' Karla said cheerfully, ''We're going to get your father's old navi!''

Saito took out his, Netto's, PET and looked down at it. ''H-Hai...'' he said quietly. Then he looked up at Slate. ''Arigatou, Akira-san.''

''Humph, whatever. We leave for Akihara tomorrow morning.''

And with that, he left the room.

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So now I've introduced a new plot, as well as referenced Stream 21, one of Stream's

Better episodes. I'm still at a loss as to how Blues Soul Rockman managed to hit

Slur with his sword and leave a cut on her cheek, whereas in Stream 48 she was

Hit with far more powerful attacks multiple times and didn't even get scratched.