Guide:

'Speech' – Verbally talking with cybercomm.

Speech – Talking only through cybercomm.

'Speech' – Thoughts

"Speech" – Talking

3 – A Modest Rebellion

ANDROID AND I

Part B

"Moving on to our topic of the day, specifically the recent bizarre events of the mass android suicide. We invited modern sociologist Dr. Miyashiro to join today's program. Now then, tell me, doctor, what's your professional opinion of these weird circumstances?"

"Well, first, everyone knows, of course, that androids aren't living beings. So it's not accurate to refer to it as 'suicide'. Perhaps we should call it self-termination."

"Yes, but there's been a lot of rumors that robots are beginning to show evidence of having their own ghosts, just like in the old science fiction pulps."

"I find the idea hard to believe. On the other hand, maybe this really should be viewed as a thrill seeking crime that's-"

"What a load of crap." Togusa blinked, glancing to Batou, who grumbled, "Focus on our damn assignment, will yeah?"

He switched the on board computer from satellite television to data they had received from Ishikawa. The image of a Jeri appeared, specs popping up to give a small explanation of a feature. Batou and Togusa were on their way in tracking down the only one lacking a temptation for 'self-termination'.

"Those Jeris used to be pretty darn popular," Togusa noticed, "Their capabilities weren't much to speak of, but they were cute. Now a days, you don't see these very often."

"Which ought to make our investigation easier if there are that few of them." Batou said, "Besides, their suicide trend is causing a rare machine to become even rarer."

"I'm confused though," Togusa started, shaking his head, "I mean, why are we the ones doing the foot work. Local police can be in charge of it."

"Don't you remember the robot that caused all the ruckus last month? You know, the one at the National Assembly Building built by Genesis Androids?" Togusa shrugged.

"Sure, I can recall the entire event, but you know perhaps the two cases aren't even remotely related." He waved his hand, emphasizing his idea. "Looking for some cause and affect relationship that was probably never even there…"

"Isn't our job is what you're really trying to say." Batou finished with a smirk. "Being ready for that one in a million job is what the works about. The other million minus one time, you simply spin your wheels and come up empty. Besides, we don't even know yet where this android suicide virus came from."

Togusa sighed, tiredly. He was already exhausted from staying up the night playing seemingly never ending games with his kids. Batou smiled at his friend.

"Can't back out of it now, chum. We'll start with the top of the list and work downward. Let's finish this damn job and get over it."

Togusa laughed, "Public service, what a joy!"

Their first stop was the apartment of a young man. The neighborhood location definitely proved he had some money, which was not too much of a surprise; if anyone wanted to transform a Jeri into a sex doll, they would need the dough to do it.

Treading through the hall, Batou and Togusa crouched on either side of their suspect's front door. Batou reached up, taking the door handle. With a simple curl of his wrist, the bolts stressed, literally prying from the door. The lock was no longer a problem.

"Why do you always have to be so rough?" Togusa exasperated, "I could've opened to door without leaving a scratch!" Batou stood.

"A commendable skill, but it's way too slow." He waved his friend in.

After deeming the home empty, they examined a room that reproduced an original theater setting; there were piles of film cases and a self of VHS tapes. A love seat faced a bear wall with a pull down screen. In the back of the room, a projector connected to a laptop sat on a table.

"Someone's a major film freak." Batou muttered, scanning a self stacked with ancient VCR and DVD players. He picked up a reel tin from a stack. In his hand was a movie titled Alphaville. Under it was A Bout De Souffle.

Meanwhile, Togusa clipped a dummy barrier to the back of his neck. Pulling a wire from the collar, he plugged it into the laptop. A screen of data came into view.

"Whatcha got?" Togusa removed the cord.

"The same virus infecting the Jeris." He grinned. "We have scored."

'…of all the places I can visit in Japan…' Matti stood behind the Major as she sat 'negotiating' with a bribing brothel owner. Living three months in Japan, she had never pictured stepping foot in the red light district. She was so young last time she stayed in the country that she was blissfully unaware about the dirty happenings in the streets. She could not help but become flustered, hearing her scolding Ma and laughing 'brothers' back home in her mind.

The Major, who had not noticed Matti's uncomfortable behavior, got a link from Batou.

Major. We found our man. The guys got sharp instincts, he was one step ahead of us. I'll show you our current location and all the information we were able to gather. Now all we need is Ishikawa's data.

Nodding to her partner, they left as Motoko relayed Batou's information to the rest of her scouting team.