NiMh batts will get around 1.35 to 1.40 Volts per cell fully charged. This will quickly drop to 1.2V per cell and stay there until the pack is nearly discharged, when the volts per cell will drop rapidly.
So, 1.35 times 8 is, um, 10.8, and if 1.4, it's 11.2.
If you're only seeing 9.59, you probably have something wrong with your battery or charger. I'd almost be willing to bet you've lost a cell. They sometimes just short out when they go bad. 10.8 minus 1.2 is 9.6V. Eerily close to the voltage you're seeing...
Where does your battery indicator show when you put in a new pack? What does the V read after you've run the pack for 4 hours? The V after 4 hours should be incredibly close to 1.2 times 8 (9.6V) since NiMh batteries have a very flat discharge curve.
Hope this helps a little...
Rhoderman