Disclaimer: I do not own any part or portion of the characters created for "Ghost in the Shell." The members of SWAT 3 are mine and that is about it. This story was written with respect for the series and I hope that the owners of the original material take it as the highest form of flattery.

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The hostage situation was resolved. Section 9 supported by a Tokyo SWAT unit had been able to flush the hostage takers out and Saito and the SWAT unit's designated marksman had wounded, incapacitated, or killed the eleven member team that had taken over the embassy. The SWAT entry team itself had responsibility for clearing the hostages and getting them to safety. It had all gone smoothly. There were only a few civilian injuries to report.

The mission over, Saito scanned the rooftops with a spare scope. The shooting had been more than competent and between the two of them, the opposition did not stand a chance. It had been impressive and Saito wanted to acknowledge his counterpart. He spotted the blue armor and uniform two buildings away also holding a scope and scanning the rooftops his way. His counterpart spotted him lowered the scope and gave him a formal bow. Without waiting or looking for his response, the blue uniform rappelled down the side of the building.

He had worked with her unit before; Tokyo SWAT 3 was becoming the backup unit of choice. He suspected that the Major knew someone on the team or had formed it and was training it herself for eventual inclusion into the Section. If the latter he thought it would be brilliant. The idea of a second team sounded good and the Major did say that the Section's size was its main weakness.

A second team that was already formed and working well together would minimize training time. They would be a group to have a friendly rivalry with and provide new challenges to keep the Section sharp. The predominantly police content of the SWAT team would balance the current military content of the Section. He hoped this is what the Major had in mind. He would raise his questions with the Major tomorrow. Right now he had suspects to question.

Next Day Morning Briefing:

". . .the Prime Minister is pleased with our performance in this case. The financier behind the hostage takers was apprehended by Togusa and Batou earlier this morning. The Chief and I will be interviewing him after this briefing. Pazu and Bouma will collect evidence at his residence and storage unit. Ishikawa will analyze the computer. Saito, you have a meeting in 2 hours, I will give you details after the briefing. Afterwards you will join Pazu and Bouma. Dismissed!" With those words the Major concluded the morning briefing.

The Major motioned him over, "Saito, do you have any problems with SWAT 3?"

"No, Major. We work very well together. I was going to ask if you had incorporating them into the Section in mind."

"You get along with their designated marksman? No rivalry or other issues/"

"None of which I am aware. She is very skilled and together we have done a good job coordinating and covering our teams. There hasn't been much chat though, normally in the 'hurry up and wait' that is sniping if you have a partner to work with there are usually pleasantries. Right now we are only exchanging acknowledgements as seen through spare scopes. The minimal communication is curious."

"I do hope to wholesale absorb SWAT 3 into the Section; at least as many of them as will come. However, the reason Sgt. Mori is quiet is because she recognizes you and feels you might have an objection to working with her once you are reminded of the facts of your joint history. Here is her file; you are meeting her in the Tachikoma Bay in two hours. You will probably want to have the discussion over food; I recommend something other than the Ministry canteen."

Puzzled, Saito got himself a cup of coffee and went to his workstation. Why wouldn't he be able to work with her? 'Shared history?' He didn't recall dating a cop or working with a female sharpshooter, designated marksman, or sniper prior to the occasional mission with SWAT 3. He opened the file.

The Major or Ishikawa had put a timeline of service on the top. Police service since the war, commendations galore, promoted very quickly. He skipped to the start of her military service. Very high marks as a sharpshooter, moved to sniper training and then duty with 43rd joint task force then the operations her unit had been involved with during the war.

His suspicions that the Major had known someone on SWAT 3 were confirmed. Sgt. Mori and she had performed several joint operations. Skimming the list he saw the words "Missing in Action' and 'Presumed Dead' next to a battle whose name he knew and his heart nearly froze. It was a battle that had taken place before he faced the Major in combat and had been spared to join her.

Now he knew why he must speak with the Sgt. This was going to be awkward. He pulled out his phone and made reservations for a private room at a nearby restaurant; one that high officials normally dined. This was going to call for superb food and drinks to smooth the rough edges of this conversation.