Togusa looked at the papers in front of him, wondering about the young woman who wanted to join Section 9. He knew her since she was a baby a few months old and watched her grow. A few years ago Ira Morgan would to be a rather unlikely addition to Section 9, but Togusa was glad that had changed and it was good to have her. She was a brilliant sharpshooter. She did not use the Hawkeye and was still able to shoot a one-cent coin from the distance of fifty meters. This was quite a challenge, since she was only twenty two and still allowed room for improvement. One day she could surpass the best, she could even become as good as Saito.
"So, am I in?" she asked. She was incredibly impatient, which stood in great contrast with how calm and focused she could be while sniping. In one second she was able to concentrate on her target and take it down with the accuracy of five millimeters.
"Yes, definitely. I'm glad that you are with us, Ira."
"Gosh, I hate this name…" she snarled "What possessed my mother to name me like that"
"Why?" asked Togusa, knowing her antipathy for her name, but she never said why she disliked it so much. It actually suited her.
"People think that I'm named after some goddamned terrorist organization… What an irony it is now, huh?"
"I thought it is short for 'Irene'?"
"I wish" her smile widened "It's Hebrew I think."
"Your mom had a fancy than." He smiled, but a bit sadly. Ira's mother died when the girl was only fourteen, and she had a rather complex relationship with her father. Not that it was his fault – Ira was simply a difficult person to deal with, and she used to be a walking nightmare to raise when she was a teenager.
"I'll change that name someday," she said angrily, but Togusa knew better, that she would not. She was promising that since she was sixteen, and never kept her word. So, he did not answer, but gave her a paper binder instead.
"Take that to the office, they will deal with all formalities."
"Will do, thanks," she said, stuffing the binder into her rugged backpack and taking out a packet of cigarettes. She opened it and pulled one out with her teeth.
"You smoke?"
"I'm trying to quit, but considering all good snipers in films smoke… Plus, I'm holding on to family tradition," she answered sarcastically, looking for a lighter. Togusa shook his head and took both, the packet and the cigarette from her, crushed them and threw them into the bin.
"Hey, what the…"
"No smoking sign."
"I don't see any!"
"Then I'll order to put some all around the building. Now scram and let me see you with a cigarette one more time…!"
"I'm not a teenager anymore, Togusa" she smiled, but she was not angry any more. She remembered how half of the old Section 9 team scolded her, when Azuma smelled cigarette smoke from her clothes. Batou Made her run five miles to show her that smoking was bad for natural lungs. She quit then. Togusa must have thought of that too, since he sighed and smiled.
"I know, but I'm older, wiser and from now on I'm your boss."
"So, is quitting a an order?" she tilted her head a bit, but when received no other answer than a frown, stood up from the chair. She had a slender figure, jet-black hair, that was always tied in a loose bun, and her father's grey eyes. She was actually pretty, if someone liked that type of women.
"So?"
" Go, already…"
"Yessir!" she saluted and turned to the door, but those suddenly opened and both saw Saito coming in, looking at some papers. His hair had grown grey on his temples, but otherwise, he was looking younger than he really was.
"Togusa, the report…" he said, but then noticed Ira and stopped surprised.
"Saito. What a surprise…" The young woman sighed.
"What on earth are you doing here?" he asked, frowning. She bit her lip, but after a split second she strengthened and said with a clear voice.
"Well, long time no see. Good to see you're feeling well… Dad."