Well, I just wanted to update people, that I made minor changes to the first chapter, nothing that will alter the story or anything. And I am the type of person who will do that. shrug
Guide:
'Speech' – Verbally talking with cybercomm.
Speech – Talking only through cybercomm.
'Speech' – Thoughts
"Speech" – Talking
3 – A Modest Rebellion
ANDRIOD AND I
Part A
"Here?" The Major asked, surprised, "This is the factory that still manufactures those outdated androids, Chief? It's smaller than I thought." She joined him at the front door of Genesis Andross, an android company that recently made the public eye. "Androids committing mass suicide… The media is going to be all over this."
"You be quick." Aramaki ordered, "While I talk to the man in charge, you've got ten minutes to survey the items that come off the production line."
"Right." She turned to her awaiting Tachikoma unit. "You ready?" The tank waved a claw in the air.
"Of course! I may not look it, but I am a professional!"
Once on the factory floor, the Major and Tachikoma got to work searching through terminals and inspecting fresh material off the assembly line. The Chief gathered information from the plant manager.
"The same model was involved in each incidents, correct?"
"Yes, Model GA07-JL. Users of that particular type nicknamed it Jeri. They sold quite well after they were released, but now they're only eight-thousand units operating in the entire country." Abe rubbed the back of his head solemnly. "To be honest, Jeri hasn't been our top seller for some time. All we produce for it anymore are after market repair components. That model design has become obsolete. Besides, its movement and speech are clumsy. There's no way to know how long we're going to continue making parts for it."
As Abe and Aramaki spoke, the Major scanned through the factory systems via linking to a computer. A touch of annoyance surfaced on her face.
"Can you think of a reason why the Jeri model in particular would display such behavior?" The Chief asked. The manager appeared confused for a moment before speaking.
"It would be more difficult to…not think of one." He shifted a little closer to Aramaki. "The thing is, users make inappropriate retrofits to their Jeri units that aren't in recommended standards. On the other hand though, this makes the company executives happy because it helps the product sell. Profit is the bottom line." He nodded to the workers behind them. "Some of the kids here at the factory are down right scared of her. They say that the Jeri's have cursed their own fates! If you find out what's behind all of it, I'd be grateful."
"Not to worry. Thanks for your time." Aramaki sent the Major a sharp look before turning to leave.
Several news reporters, microphones in hand with cameramen scampering to follow, dashed the front steps of Genesis Andross. Coincidently, the members of Section 9 had already left the building. Once out of ear shot of the press, the Major offered her assumptions to the Chief. They waited on the sidewalk for Aramaki's ride back to headquarters.
"I'm positive it's being caused by a type of virus. It could've been slipped in with regular check-up programs, then it spreads like wildfire from one Jeri to another when their users connect to the internet. The time release virus was probably planted in one of the Jeris brought in for routine maintenance, then it infiltrated the factory's program that way. Just to be on the safe side, I've got Ishikawa running a payload analysis." Aramaki listened, eyes away in thought.
"A crime by an ordinary user…Unrelated to the National Assembly Building occurrence, you think?"
"Probably." She concluded, "I managed to get a list of the Jeri users." A dark red car pulled up, rear driver's side door opening.
"Good. Check them out individually starting with the highest priority." Aramaki stepped into the car. "Give Batou and Paz copies of the list."
"Way ahead of you there, Chief. I'll start research on the first one now." He closed the door and the car was off. She started for her own sedan, turning to the waiting blue think tank. "Tachikoma, return to base and stand by for further orders. Sorry, doesn't look like we'll need you this time around." The unit brought its claws together, body slightly rocking.
"M-Major, from what I understand, when somebody house sits, they're entitled to a souvenir from the people who went on the trip." Here, the tank leaned its body closer, each eye focused on the Major. "…Riiight?" Motoko opened her car door, taking a moment to hear the A.I's wish.
"Tell you what. As a souvenir, how about stories of my adventures? I'll tell you so many you'll never want to hear another!" She watched in her rear view mirror as the Tachikoma bounced and whooped in utter glee, despite the fact that her commander had been slightly sarcastic. "Incredible. They're asking for souvenirs now…" Grasping the steering wheel, she focused on her task at hand and hit the gas.
Chief Aramaki sat back in his seat as an Operator drove him to Section 9 headquarters. His fingers gently rubbed his face. For some reason, he was much tired than usual today.
Ishikawa, are you there? Hooked in at the Dive Room, Ishikawa answered.
Yes, sir. I finished analyzing the data. It's nothing like the virus detected in the National Assembly Building recently. This is definitely more amateurish. There is one thing that bothers me. An information window appeared in Aramaki's vision. The same virus warning appeared as the Major found. A small section was brought in closer. I found something that looks like a security code.
He protected his own Jeri so that it would be the only one left uninfected. The Chief held his chin in thought. In which case, there's a high probability that the culprit has an android that hasn't malfunctioned. What about the information the manager gave us? A second window opened up, displaying information on the Jeri android.
It all seems to check out. No new 07-JL models have come off the assembly line in the past 3 years. But when they announced the discontinuation, there was a flood of complaints from hardcore fans opposed to the halt in manufacturing.
'Relay your findings to the others immediately, it might help them. Good work for such a short amount of time.'
Ishikawa logged off the machine he was using. He pushed the dive hood above his head with a heavy sigh.
Matti, who had been manually researching the Jeri's history on a separate terminal, sensed something had bothered him. She turned to him over her shoulder.
A little hesitant, she asked, "Everything alright?" Though he knew she would not fully understand, he spoke aloud anyway.
"…He complimented me."
Curious to ask, yet deciding against doing so, Matti only gave his back a curious expression. The sound of the Major's voice suddenly came through her cell phone.
"Matti, meet me out front. You're with me on this case." She picked it up, answering quickly as she started to leave.
Ishikawa called after her, "Have fun!"
