((Author's Note: Wow, I finally got back into writing this at a steady pace. Now if I can just type it up at that same pace. This may be the one I work on the most at the moment. Also, I'm sorry that the first three chapters are so short. They get longer after these little "intro" chapters.))

Chapter 2: The Hunters

A.U.W. 3083

"Tyrell, the animals have been attacking the civilians. I thought you said they were peaceful!"

Rico frowned, staring Principal Hakuro in the eyes. "They were, sir. I have no idea why they've suddenly grown violent. I've been looking into it, but nothing's come up."

Principal Hakuro scowled. "Then look harder. Pioneer 2 will arrive in less than a year. I don't want them landing and being harried by these animals when they were told it was safe."

Rico was growing irritated slightly, but she struggled to keep it out of her voice. "I understand, sir. It'll be taken care of."

Hakuro's scowl deepened. "It better be, Tyrell. So far you Hunters have been pretty useless with helping us as of late. I don't see what Colin ever saw in them. Just a bunch of rogues, that's all you are… Humph. You're dismissed, Tyrell."

Rico turned away, walking out of his office. As soon as the doors hissed closed behind her, she let out a frustrated sigh. Principal Hakuro was as controlling and power-hungry as they came. He acted like the Hunters were so much lower than the rest of the citizens. They were just servants, tools to him… While her father had great trust and faith in the hunters, Hakuro absolutely despised them…

"And we're trying to find out what's going on, but a handful of hunters can't do much on their own…"

"What if you called all of the hunters you trust the most to form a group to look into this?" the familiar voice of her friend Kana spoke as the Force stepped forward, wearing flowing black-and-red robes. Her black hair was pulled up in an intricate style. "I'm sure an organized team would do a better job at solving this problem, and maybe it will help you to get Hakuro to ease up a bit."

Rico smiled wearily at her friend. "That is a pretty good idea, Kana, but I'm not really sure if any of the others would come. It's been pretty difficult finding anything out, and I've worked with some of the others a couple of times…" She brushed one of her locks of red hair out of her eyes. "Get some of the others and have them meet me out in the Residential Sector, I guess. We'll go with your idea, Kana."

The Force bowed her head slightly. "Very well. I'll get them for you, Rico." With a slight smile, she turned away and began to walk off down the corridor, her shoes clacking slightly on the metal floor. Rico allowed a slight smirk before heading off herself. Principal Hakuro was in for a surprise.

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Rico took a deep breath of the crisp morning air, listening to the singing of the birds around her. This part of the Residential Sector was currently home to only the native animals, but when Pioneer 2 arrived, it would become the new home of a significant amount of the ship's passengers. But for now, she enjoyed relaxing out here in the warm sun sometimes, catching a breather while sifting through her jumbled thoughts.

She tilted her head to the side slightly, watching as Kana stepped into view on the rough dirt path, her dark blue eyes scanning the area. When her gaze fell on Rico, she nodded slightly and motioned her hand behind her. Several others stepped forward, dressed in the armor of their different professions. Rico knew all of them, Hunters who she had worked beside on the Surface Exploration Team when they had first arrived. These were people she trusted with her life.

Rico took note of all the familiar faces before she started to speak. "I know this is sudden, but I'm glad you came. This has to do with the order from Principal Hakuro, as you all may know. He ordered us to investigate the violent outbursts of the native animals, but so far, we haven't gotten anywhere in that investigation. Kana gave me an idea. I chose only my friends I could trust the most, you, for this. I propose that we form an official organization to look into this matter and defend the citizens from these violent animals."

Zanryu, the Ranger who was Kana's husband, spoke up. "It's a good idea, I agree. It'd be much easier to find out what's going on if we formed such a group instead of being as disorganized as we are now," he said, his voice muffled by the black mask her wore. He ran a hand slightly through his black hair, the scar over his left eye giving him a menacing look, even though in truth he was actually a kind-hearted person.

"And if there are others we can find and trust, we can recruit their help," Rakion spoke in his metallic voice, the RAcast folding his yellow-armored arms. He had been Zanryu's partner for several years now. "With a larger force than what we have here, the investigation may go smoother than it has."

Rico nodded, satisfied. This was going better than she had expected. She shouldn't have doubted that her friends would be willing to band together like this. "So then, who's with me?"

Without hesitation, without pause, the Hunters all stepped forward as one. Rico couldn't help but smile at this. Just like when they arrived six years ago and were assigned to the Surface Exploration Team, they had all chosen to follow her. As she spoke, her voice was firm and filled with determination. "We Hunters will be the ones who get to the bottom of this while Hakuro just sits at his desk. We'll be the ones to protect our friends and families here on Ragol from this threat."

A roar rose up from the group as they pumped their fists in the air. Rico knew that her friends would stick with her through this. She was about to speak again when she heard the familiar roar of a Booma from behind her. Within seconds, several other roars accompanied the first, along with the howls of Savage Wolves.

Why am I not surprised?

Rico pressed a button on her storage unit, holding out both hands to her side as light gathered into her hands, forming her massive Red Sword. Her friends readied their weapons, ranging from rifles and mechguns to double sabers and staves.

As the animals drew closer, their eyes filled with bloodlust and rage, the Hunters prepared themselves for a fight.