A Heart's Dilemma
Chapter 1 Summit of Friends
Batou had his large cyborg frame sitting in the oversized plush sofa in the debriefing room with his cybernetic eyes watching the news on the big screen television. He was lifting weights in his usual fashion. The news was playing; it was about a plane that blew up in England. Two hundred plus lives were lost. While passing the terminal during take off the plane blew apart. Large pieces landed inside the terminal killing an unknown number of bystanders. Batou was used to incidents like this; he dealt with it almost on a daily basis with his job. He was former military and now worked for section 9. As an elite police force, Section 9 was to handle everything from serial murderers to terrorist cells.
"Just what the world needs, more airplane accidents. No wonder people have a fear of flying." Batou lightheartedly said aloud. He of course was not afraid to fly or affected by the images shown. Images of people where shown, some screaming for help, others motionless with white sheets over them.
"Rescue efforts are still being made inside the tower. It is unknown how many casualties there are at this time. No group has yet to claim responsibility for this travesty," the news anchor casually stated.
"Batou, I need you and Togusa to meet me at the Prime Ministers office in thirty minutes. Bring a Tachikoma just in case," the chief said urgently to Batou over the mind link.
"Ya, sure Chief, no problem. Think of me already there." Batou smirked as he rose from the sofa. He turned off the television and made his way for the Tachikoma garage. "God, I hope my tank is ready. Just when I thought it was going to be a quiet week too," he thought to himself.
"Proto, is my Tachikoma ready yet" Batou barked out as he entered the garage. He was already upset with the bioroid seizing his tank all the time. He was steaming because Proto wanted to examine again to figure out if the natural oil Batou has been giving affected his Tachikoma.
"Yes Sir, it's cleared for work." Proto quietly replied. "I just finished."
"Its about time, I don't get why all you technicians always have to be messing with my Tachikoma." Batou snapped out then instructed to the think tank "Meet me outside by my car in five minutes."
"Aye Aye sir" happily replied the blue tank.
Batou then left to go see where Togusa was. They had to go meet with Aramaki at Prime Minister Kayabuki's office in less than twenty meets. As Batou departed the hall that lead away from the Tachikoma's garage, he noticed Togusa already standing by the elevators to the car park. The light brown-haired person had his head hanging down as he finished his conversation on the cell phone. He flipped the phone closed and slid it into his pants pocket.
"All set big guy?" Togusa asked without even glancing at Batou as he approached.
"How'd you know it was me?" asked a puzzled Batou.
"Who else clomps around here with boots like those?" Togusa jokingly responded. He then more somberly added "Plus, the Chief told just you and me to meet him. Any idea why just you and me were asked to attend?" He glanced up and looked at the taller man's face. Togusa staring at the other man's eyes could not get use to Batou's cybernetic eyes. The eyes did not resemble humans at all unlike the major's who had lovely normal appearing eyes.
"How the hell should I know? You met the women more times than me. We just better get our asses over there before the Chief rips us a new one." Just as Batou finished, the elevator doors binged open and the two agents entered.
Batou drove on the way to see the Prime Minister. He could not stand it when Togusa drives. To him, Togusa drives like an old woman, slow and steady. In addition, he wanted to make up for the lost time waiting for the Tachikoma who was following them.
As the car and think tank entered the parking garage, Togusa broke the silence. He had been too afraid to speak with Batou driving; he did not want to distract the cyborg.
"Are you sure the Chief wanted both of us in this meeting. It is just so strange. Hey, maybe she finally wants to thank you for helping save the day with the refugee problem last year." Togusa said with a smirk on his face.
"Your guess is as good as mine. Just hurry your skinny butt up so we're not late."
The two men then hurriedly made their way to the elevator leading to the office. Aramaki, a mature man slight in stature, was waiting for them as the lift doors opened on the twenty-third floor. He glanced toward his agents and walked to the meeting room without even acknowledging their arrival. The Chief took his seat at the table end's right hand side. Batou then sat next, followed by Togusa. Both of the field agents starred at their boss. They could tell something was troubling him. A minute later, grabbing the men's attention, the Prime Minister entered the room by herself carrying a stack of packets. She had an unpleasant expression and looked demoralized. She handed Aramaki the top packet of papers, gave one to Batou and handed Togusa the remaining stack.
"Thank you for coming on such sort notice. I realize you have important cases going Aramaki, but rest assured this will be your top priority." Kayabuki quickly exclaimed taking her seat at the head of the table. "Please take a look. This packet includes everything we know about this direr situation. The organization listed has just bought three nuclear weapons from the Russia Federation. They are a known threat to Japan and her allies. My cabinet and I believe they plan to use on of the bombs on Newport City. The Umibozu were deployed to prevent the sale just arrived back with this Intel ten minutes before I called you. Two teams were on a mission to Russia, and only one member has come back. The group they encountered refers to themselves as Nihon Sekigun. All we know currently on them is that they are hiding in Asia and the leader maybe a female cyborg. I am asking you to find those bombs and bring in the ringleader."
"Is this the same group that helped the Palestinian terrorist group destroy Jerusalem?" Togusa quickly asked recognizing the group's name. Not knowing the answer, the Prime Minister looked at Togusa and slowly focused her gaze upon Aramaki encouraging him to reply.
"Yes, I have heard they are that devious bunch. It is believed their goal is to start a world revolution and overthrow all of the monarchies and their allies. Section 9 will help you Prime Minister in whatever way we can. These individuals are unscrupulous characters and are not afraid to take human lives." Aramaki somberly said. Then he rose, bowed to the Prime Minister and quickly headed for the door. The other two men, questioningly glanced at each other, grabbed the papers and rose to follow their boss out of the room. At the door, they turned and bowed to the Prime Minister and left the office. The younger men caught up with Aramaki at the elevators, he was paging through the packet while waiting for the elevator going down.
"So Chief, have you dealt with this group before?" Batou asked, causing Aramaki to look up with a graven expression.
"No. I never dealt with them personally. However, the Major has right before she joined Section 9. She brought down one of their cells that bombed an Israeli aircraft here in Newport City. She was able to subdue them and bring in a few to stand trail. Dealing with the aftermath of that case is how I became aware of their transactions" Aramaki exclaimed matter of factly.
"I don't remember her ever working on a case like that. I thought she used me for all her missions. I feel so hurt by her leaving me out. I thought her and me went from the Chilean mission straight to section 9. And here she had other work. Women, always holding onto their secrets." Batou jokingly stated through his large grin.
"Batou this is not the time for your jokes." sternly said by an upset Aramaki. His two subordinates saw concern upon his face. Could it be that this case was not going to be easy, or was something else vexing him? "Meet me at head quarters for team debriefing in twenty minutes. Make sure everyone is there and has read the packets." The three men then stepped into the opening elevator and headed down to the cars. No one spoke as the lift descended to the parking garage. The two younger agents then sensed that their Boss had other things on his mind when he did not mention the new case at all. It was not like the Chief not to inform them fully of what they were dealing with. He already had already indicated he has familiar with this group. When the doors opened, Aramaki promptly stepped out and briskly walked to his car parked nearby.
As Aramaki hastily drove off, the two agents slowly walked to Batou's car. Yet, before they could enter the vehicle, the Tachikoma inundated them with questions. "So what did the Prime Minister want? Was that Aramaki that just drove off in a huff? Please oh please tell." The think tank hopping about quickly exclaimed at the two men. The men just looked at each other, both with a puzzled expression. Neither one wanted to answer the robot about their boss. His demeanor at the conference confused them. It was unlike Aramaki to be distracted before a meeting and then to up and leave before being dismissed.
Batou broke the silence as he entered the driver's seat, "Ask us later Tachikoma, and follow us back to head quarters." Then while driving Batou added teasingly to Togusa "So this was a complete waste of time. Plus, I didn't even need to drag along the think tank."
"I don't know, its something to see the Chief acting weird. I wonder if it's the case or something else that has him irked." Togusa gently asked. The two would remain silent for the rest of the drive back to base.