-Here is Chapter 2 of Teen Titans: SAC. I like to thank the two people that reviewed for this story! As of right now, it is my least reviewed story. But I'm not concerned. Even if there was only one reader, that's still a great thing IMO. I'd still be happy to update this story!
-Not much to say (for once) other then I finally saw the original Ghost in the Shell. It is very interesting and has a very deep story. It also gave me a few more ideas for this story (even though officially, the GitS timeline is different then the GitS: SAC timeline)!
-Oh, and one last thing before I start the story. I am always trying to improve my story, grammatically, prose wise, or structural wise. Granted, I normally save the proofreading until after I post it up, but still, I hope to have at least a readable chapter for all of you. Looking at my last update of another story and the reviews I got for it (where I did proofread before I updated), I obviously still have a long way to go.
-Oh, and one final final thing…in terms of communication in this story, this is how it works.
"Normal speaking."
'Thought.'
Written words on something. Like a wall, book, whatever.
Sound effects.
"Telepathy."
-And there you have it. If you were ever confused about it, sorry.
-Enough of that…on with the story!
Titan Tower"You've seen these kind of androids Cy?" Robin asked with curiosity.
"Yeah." Cyborg responded with a slightly sullen expression. "I've seen these androids being developed a few decade or so ago in Japan. With the aim of making them as close to human as possible, in which they could be used for a number of applications."
"How come I haven't heard about this?" Robin wondered.
"You probably have heard a blip on it on the news." Cyborg commented. Cyborg went to the computer and accessed the web. He accessed sites that were all about androids and cyborgs in other countries. "The thing is, androids weren't very popular here in the states. While it took off in Japan and Europe, most Americans probably have never seen them due to local political wrangling and moral fears."
"Androids AND cyborgs?" Beast Boy looked at the data.
Cyborg nodded. "Not only did they develop more realistic androids, they also applied it to improving humans."
"Ooooooo." Starfire looked at the information shown on the computer. "So, there are other you out there?"
"Yes and no." Cyborg responded.
"No?" Raven questioned.
Cyborg looked at the team. "Remember when I was working undercover at HIVE and I had to use a holographic disguise?"
The team nodded.
"Well…" Cyborg looked at the computer screen. "These cyborgs are a lot more realistic looking, and a lot more advance. I wouldn't have needed a holographic disguise if I had these parts."
Beast Boy looked at what Cyborg was looking at. "Whoa! That person is a cyborg? He looks like a normal person!"
"Yup." Cyborg replied. "Advancements in synthetic skin, synthetic flesh, and even synthetic muscles have advanced far beyond what we are used to in this country, even military application." Cyborg paused as he remembered how he became a cyborg. Not only did he lose his mother on that day, he also lost a big portion of his normal human body.
"If they are so good, how come we don't see them here?" Robin asked.
This time, Raven responded. "Same reason why realistic androids aren't allowed here. Morality. Given that unlike Japan or Europe today, religion is still a very important part in this nations."
"Yup." Cyborg agreed. "The exception of course is in military applications in the states." 'Especially since I came from a military compound.' Cyborg mentally added. "But even here it is limited to advancement of arms and legs. Granted, it's possible that some Black Ops operation go a step further and do have full cyberization, but for the majority of the US military, it is very limited." Cyborg then thought about a few other things. "Also, think about what this could mean. With the advancement of cyberization in Japan and Europe, if anyone could replace an arm or a leg with a stronger one…are you going to have people giving up their bodies just so that they are a little more powerful or faster? Some of the criminals we face are tough enough. Imagine if they had stronger arms or legs. Or something else…"
"Well, that's the moral issue here." Robin surmised. "However, in your case…since you were already cyberized…wouldn't you have benefited from this development?"
Cyborg didn't answer right away. He simply looked at his robotic arms.
"You could look more like the old Cyborg that wasn't Cyborg!" Starfire added.
"Yeah!" Beast Boy smiled. "Too bad I won't be able to call you metal head…"
Everyone stared at Beast Boy.
"Not that I ever called you that before…heheheh." Beast Boy replied embarrassed.
"If you want to look more human, we're fully support it." Raven replied.
"Yeah." Robin patted Cyborg's back. "We could last a few days without you."
Cyborg smirked, but he later frowned again. "Thanks guys, but I believe that protecting this city is much more important then me looking more human. Besides, it won't exactly be a cheap process. These companies are out for the money you know. Not to mention safety and privacy concerns. At least with this body, I know what each piece does and how to fix it. If I allow another company to rebuild me, then I would have to use their specs for maintenance. I'm not sure I should take the risk."
"Okay." Robin replied. "But, if you ever change your mind…just remember we're all here for you."
"Thanks Robin." Cyborg looked back at the computer screen again, and sighed.
-Later…
Medical Room"Is she okay?" Beast Boy asked concerned.
Raven showed an unknowing expression to Beast Boy. "According to all the readings, they indicate that she is physically healthy."
"Then why isn't she awake?" Beast Boy looked at the comatose Terra. The EKG next to her beeped quietly. Beast Boy watched Terra's rhythmic breathing.
"It probably took a lot out of her Beast Boy." Raven replied slightly somber tone. "Being turned to stone and vice versa hasn't been done before and we the full effects right now." Raven turned to Beast Boy. "And even if she wakes up…"
"That doesn't mean she is off the hook." Beast Boy sighed. "I know."
"Good." Raven started to exit the room. "Get some sleep Beast Boy. If something happens, I'll let you know."
Beast Boy continued to watch the comatose Terra for a little while longer, before he took up Raven's suggestion and exited the room.
AirplaneThe plane was mostly full of people ranging from businessmen and women, families, and other questionable figures. In Motoko case, she was sitting next to a sleeping fat man. The man was snoring loudly. At the moment though, that didn't matter since she was reviewing the case that was presented to her. And although she was on a plane, she was still able to access the satellite uplink to Section 9.
"Ishikawa…" Motoko asked through her neural receptors. "Do you have any information about the incident at the World Court International?"
Ishikawa, Section 9's hacker and computer genius, was back at Section 9's headquarters. "Major, aren't you NOT supposed to use any electronics that give out a signal on the airplane. Including yourself?"
Motoko smirked. "There doesn't seem to be any problems. No worries from me." She changed the subject back to the mission. "Now about the World Court Incident…"
"Well, first World Court was a relatively minor company over all." Ishikawa responded through his neural receptors. "They primary build homes all around the world. Then resell then for a profit."
"Home builders?" Motoko asked.
"Pretty much." Ishikawa replied. "Not exactly a company that would have any enemies."
"Then the only reason why they were targeted was not because of anything they have specifically done, but simply because they were the first one to use androids." Motoko surmised.
"That's what it appears to be." Ishikawa agreed. "This could mean some extremist religious group could be behind it, or someone who has a beef with the Genesis Corporation. One problem though, no one has yet to claim responsibility."
"So, all of this is only speculation." Motoko thought of all the possibilities, but first, she needed more information. "As for Genesis Company…"
"They recently built a new plant in Jump City." Ishikawa continued. "They seemed to realize they had a problem early on and stopped all android shipments for the immediate future until the problem is solved. Unfortunately, I can't give you anymore since they apparently took their servers off the net."
"Guess I have to pay a visit to the Genesis Jump City Manufacturing Plant to get to the bottom of this."Motoko retrieved a map of Jump City. She also reviewed the video one more time in her head. "Could you tell me about this group of vigilantes? I assume they're vigilantes since they do not appear to be part of any official law enforcement agency."
"Lets see…" Ishikawa searched the databases. He finally found some information that he needed. "Interesting. Remember the Justice League?"
"A group of genetically modified people plus a few extraterrestrial heroes and heroines…so this group of vigilantes belong to the Justice League?" Motoko thought about meeting said group. It would certainly be a first in her line of work. She had to admit, she wouldn't mind seeing Superman…
"While this group, the 'Teen Titans' are not officially a part of the Justice League..." Ishikawa continued. "They do however, work closely with them. And so, they have a pretty extensive database on them."
"Aren't you worried about being caught?" Motoko thought about everything she knew about the Justice League. "Messing with them isn't exactly a smart move."
"Concerned about my safety I see." Ishikawa smirked. "Don't worry, I was in and out of their system in a flash. None of them would've noticed me." Ishikawa uploaded the data into Motoko. "This is everything I could come up with for these Teen Titans." Ishikawa read off the names to Motoko. "Their names, or rather, their nicknames that they use are Robin, Starfire, Raven, Beast Boy, and get this, Cyborg."
"Well, I'll take them in order. Robin first." Motoko replied as she looked at the data she was given.
"Robin. Real identity, unknown. At least, unknown to most people." Ishikawa added. "Although a little more digging I could possibly find it, but…"
Motoko stopped him. "I get the point. Go on Ishikawa."
"Well, unlike his friends, he himself has no genetic modifications." Ishikawa examined all the videos of Robin. "What he lacks in genetic improvements however, he makes up for in martial arts, leadership skills, and gadgets."
"Why improve the physical body with artificial improvements when you can do well with what you have?" Motoko smiled at that thought. Somehow someone doing well without cyberization or genetic modification seemed better somehow. "Next, Starfire…"
Ishikawa brought up her data."Starfire is pretty interesting. First, she's an alien…"
"Alien? Really?" Motoko asked intrigued. Though she knew there were aliens, especially since quite a few of the Justice Leaguers are themselves aliens, once she lands in Jump City, this could be her first encounter with one.
"That's right. A Tamaranian. Don't ask me where it is. Just somewhere out there." Ishikawa smirked. Even he was interested in finding information on an alien. "Her real name is…Koriand'r. Don't ask me if that is the correct pronunciation either. Given that she is an alien, she has the power of flight, and can shoot energy balls from her arm, called starbolts. As well as laser beams from her eyes. Oh, and she is naturally stronger then most non-cyberized human as well."
"Wouldn't a lot of people would like to have her genetics." In these days, genetic engineering was just as big as robotics and cyberization. Though the latter might get all the press, at least in Japan, especially with the recent Laughing Man case, interest in genetic engineering was still big. After all, not everyone wants artificial parts in him or her. Motoko sighed. After she finished reading up on Starfire, looked at the next data file. "And now Raven…"
"Raven, apparently Raven is her real name. She doesn't appear to have a last name that I'm aware of. At first indication, Raven appears to be human. Yet she somehow has a lot of power within herself. So much power in fact, that she must keep her emotions in check, or else this power could become unstable." Ishikawa read the list of all the things Raven has done. He read them to Motoko who seemed fascinated by what this little girl could do. "How she obtained this power is unknown. One of the beliefs is that she was born in some kind of cult. Her mother, Arella did belong to this Satanic Cult so, at least that part could be true. However, the latter part, the idea that her father is a demon…well…"
"A demon?" Motoko thought of all the stories she heard as a child about why she had to do this or some demon might take her away. She never really took too much credence to them. Would be strange if those stories turn out to be true after all. "Well, I've seen some amazing stuff in my time. And as amazing as that story is, whatever the reason, it can't be fully explained with what we know."
"True. Though I would guess genetic engineering or possibly alien in nature. I'll leave that question to be answered for another day." After Ishikawa then accessed the next file. "Beast Boy… his real name is Garfield Logan. He has the power to recombine his DNA to become almost literally any animal. This was made possible because of desperation by his parents. His parents, Mark and Marie Logan, were biologist. During a trip in Africa, Garfield contracted a disease that his parents believed that only animals were immune to it. So they injected him with an untested drug. The end result is what you have."
"Doing everything to save your own offspring. Can't blame them for that. Though…I wonder if Garfield appreciated it…" Motoko thought about her situation. Because of her cybernetic body, she doesn't have the possibility of having children. She'll probably never know what that feeling would be like.
"There's also some more information here about how he met the Teen Titans. About how his parents died and was raised by this really cruel man…" Ishikawa added.
Motoko stopped Ishikawa. "I can review that when I touch down." Motoko looked at the final file. "And finally, the 'cyborg'."
"Cyborg's case is pretty impressive." Ishikawa said through their neural connection. "His real name is Victor Stone. Vic for short. His parents, Silas and Ellinor were very advanced scientist. They apparently gave their son Vic Stone an IQ boost."
"Interesting. So they used their son as a guinea pig?" Motoko replied.
"You can put it that way I guess." Ishikawa continued, becoming more intrigued with his story. "If you look at the timeline, you can say he was the first American to cyberized."
"Which isn't many I might add…" Motoko wondered. "Still, if he was the 'first', how come I've never heard about it? I thought that, until VERY recently, there were laws against this in America?"
"Well, as we know, not everyone follows the law." Ishikawa replied. "Especially if it deals with the military…"
"Isn't it funny how the most advanced technology are usually started by the military. Of course, WE came from a military facility." Motoko added.
"True. But as you know, given the political situation in America, they couldn't have this get out to the public." Ishikawa commented. "Not to mention, Vic's cyberization was due to an accident that killed his mother. Not only did Silas use the new cybernetic body without the permission of the government, a big no-no obviously, but also, he did it against the wishes of his own son. Vic was not exactly fond of his new body. Now, whether or not he needed the body to survive is unclear however. Still, he became a cyborg after this."
"I know the feeling." Motoko added. She remembered the time she was cyberized. Her case was also a matter of life and death. Though she still didn't like it. "Anything else I should know?"
"Well, I uploaded all the data that I could find. So if there is anything you feel that could be useful, you can check it out by yourself. The only thing I can say now is, these 'Teen Titans' could be a useful ally in the future." Ishikawa concluded.
She looked out the window and saw the Titan Tower coming into view. "I am about to touch down in Jump City. Wish me luck."
"Take Care Major." Ishikawa signed off.
Titan Tower"Hey guys!" Robin announced to the group. "I discovered the plant where these androids came from. We should check it out."
"But we stopped these psycho robots already." Beast Boy replied while playing Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. "Why do we need to check out their factory? I'm sure the company that made them fixed the problem already."
"Possible." Cyborg added. "But if the problem was caused by either someone who wanted to bring down this company, or…"
"Or someone who wanted to take over these androids for their own cause…" Robin concluded. "We still need to check it out."
Cyborg nodded. "Well, I'll get the car ready…"
Jump City Airport"Major Motoko Kusanagi I presume?" A man approached Motoko at the gate. "I'm agent Jaime Hedgecock from the FBI. I will be your liaison here between our authorities."
"Thanks for the welcome." Motoko bowed her head. Motoko wore what appeared to be a gray military uniform. She retrieved her gun from customs and placed it in her holder. "I assume you know why I'm here…"
Jaime nodded. "We have agents at the Genesis Manufacturing Plant as we speak." The agent walked with Motoko, towards a waiting car. "They've allowed access to their plant with one condition, that the media will not report the recent…test failure of their androids."
"Fine by me." Motoko was ushered into a black SUV.
"Oh, and one last thing…" Jaime continued. "You are only here as an advisor to us. You answer to US. Not the other way around."
Motoko smirked. "Whatever you say."
Genesis Corporation Manufacturing Plant"We are not going to 'break in' to the production plant are we?" Starfire asked. "Only criminals do that."
"We're not going to break in." Cyborg assured Starfire. "We're just going to take a peek! That's all!"
Raven gave a questionable look to Cyborg. "Sure Cyborg. We're just going to walk up to them, and ask them if we could see their classified stuff."
"We are not doing that?" Starfire wondered.
Raven sweat-dropped at Starfire's comment.
Beast Boy turned into a rat. "Well, a little peek won't hurt!"
Robin nodded. "I'm sure the Genesis Corp won't mind if we got to the…" Robin looked up and noticed something odd through one of the offices. Robin narrowed his eyes.
-Meanwhile…
"Just so you know, we are fully capable of handling this situations by ourselves." Jaime said to Motoko with an air of disdain. "We especially do not need help from cyborgs."
"Sure you do." Motoko mocked. "Especially with that Slade incident…against an army of robots and chemically mutated beings? You were certainly in control then. Relying on a group who, given the name, were no older then teenagers? And oh, wasn't one of them also a cyborg?" Motoko smirked as the agent's face hardened.
Both exited the black SUV surrounded by a group of FBI SWAT team members. As they approached the plant's entrance, the door opened.
The manager of the plant, a balding middle-aged man walked out and greeted the agents. "Welcome! My name is Rudolf Merchant. As manager of this plant, you have our full cooperation. We want to get to the bottom of this as quickly as we can!" The manager extended his hand to the FBI agent.
"Of course." Jaime looked at the manager who, after a few moments, put his hand down realizing Jaime wasn't going to shake it. "I'm agent Jaime Hedgecock of the FBI. To my left…" Pointing to Motoko. "Is Motoko Kusanagi, an advisor to the investigation. We'd like to know everything that went down on that day. What happened, and why it happened." He looked inside the plant. "A tour of the place might be in working order."
"Of course! We don't want any trouble!" The manager showed them into the plant.
Motoko looked around the plant, noting the machinery, and the people working there. She also noted a ton of androids, different sizes and gender, all lined up in one corner.
"We have a huge shipment ready for Wayne Enterprises. Obviously, they are concerned about the recent events…" The manager spoke nervously.
Jaime interrupted the manager. "Do you have any idea why these androids did what they did?"
"Well, we are currently reviewing the program log to see what went wrong…" The manager nervously responded.
"Mind if we took a look at the log. I know a thing or two about computers." Motoko asked.
"Um…" The manager stared at Motoko.
"We can get a warrant if we have to." Jaime threatened. "But of course, since you have our full cooperation, that wouldn't be necessary right?"
"Yeah." The manager nervously nodded. "The information is at my desk. Follow me."
-Back to the Titans…
Cyborg stared at the window. "I don't see anything Robin."
Robin was sure something wasn't right. "I could've sworn I saw something. It was like a bubble of sorts."
Raven stared at the window too. "I believe you Robin." She slightly narrowed her eyes. "Something isn't right with this situation."
Starfire stared at Raven and Robin. Something was happening between the two and she didn't like it. However, now was not the time to think this. "Maybe we should do the peeking to make sure?"
Beast Boy nodded. "Wouldn't hurt! Besides…" Beast Boy changes into a humming bird. "Who's going to notice little ole me?" Beast Boy flew to the window. He looked in. Again, he saw nothing. "I don't see anything sus…" That was, until… "Huh?" It was like a ghost. Something moved in the corner of his eye.
-Back inside…
"The data should be at my terminal…" He opened the door.
Motoko sensed another presence in the room. "Get down!"
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM! Gunfire rang out in the office. There was a quick flash of an armored transparent man firing at them.
Motoko fired back with her pistol. BAM BAM BAM!
Jaime held his side as the man hit him. The manager lay face down on the floor. The camouflage man crashed through the window.
"The man is wearing some sort of thermoptic camouflage." Motoko commented. "You're going to be alright?"
"Yeah yeah." Jaime spat out. "I'll help the manager. Now just get him!"
-Outside…
The window shattered.
"Whoa!" Robin rolled out of the way.
At first, it appeared as if no one crashed out of the window. Suddenly, in a moment, there was a flash of a transparent man hitting the ground. Before he disappeared again, he quickly jumped up from the road and landed on the roof of the adjacent building.
"What the heck was that?" Beast Boy dropped to the ground.
Cyborg readied his sonic canon and fired at the direction of, whatever that thing was in the vain attempt of hitting it. "Whatever that was, it just…"
Suddenly, another person landed next to them. To his amazement, the woman appeared unharmed despite the fact that she fell from the equivalent of four stories. The woman ran to the adjacent building, jumped onto the fire escape, and continued pursuit of whatever came before her.
The Titans stood there stunned. It was obvious that she wasn't a normal human being. No matter since…
"What are we waiting for?" Robin yelled at the team, snapping them back to reality. "Follow them!"
Starfire nodded and flew up and followed the woman.
Beast Boy did the same. He changed into a hawk and flew as fast as he can trying to keep up with the woman.
Cyborg ran down the street. He followed the sound of something landing on the roof of the buildings. Every once in a while, he was able to see a transparent man running. He aimed his sonic canon at the man, but whoever he was, he was simply running to fast for him. That and he also had to make sure he didn't hit any pedestrians that were in front of him.
Raven used her powers to follow the woman. She assumed that the woman belonged to the authorities so her focus was on the man she was chasing. She too waited for a chance to stop him, but he was simply running too fast.
Robin ran along side Cyborg. He also tried to avoid pedestrians that were in the way.
Motoko aimed her weapon and fired. The man recoiled and fired back at Motoko, who used a rooftop air-conditioning unit as cover. She looked back and saw the man about to escape when he was hit by a sonic blast.
"Gotcha now!" Cyborg said as he looked at the now visible man. It appeared he was in some sort of armor. Even his face was obscured from view.
The man stood stunned for a moment when suddenly, he was hit by a round of exploding disk.
Starfire fired a volley of starbolts at him.
"Azerath, Metrion, Zinthos!" Raven got a nearby pole and based him with it.
Beast Boy came down, turned into a gorilla, and punched him to the side.
The man's armor started to crack. However, undaunted, he rose to his feet and took his gun out.
That's when Motoko kicked his gun away, took his arm, and flipped him over. When the man got up again, Motoko side kicked him to the side. Just in front of Robin who finally reached the roof of the building.
Beast Boy carried Cyborg up to meet the perpetrator.
Robin tied up the man and started interrogating him. "So, it was you all along wasn't it? Why did you do it? Was this all you or did you work with someone?"
Motoko looked at the group from the side. 'They must be the Teen Titans…'
The man looked at Robin and grinned. "You're going to get nothing from me!" The man got one arm free and reached behind his neck.
Motoko scowled. "No!" She ran to the man.
The man eyes widen as sparks came out from the back of his neck.
The Titan's eyes all widened in shock.
"Damn it!" Motoko cursed. She looked at the back of his neck. Smoke was coming out of the holes from the back of his neck. "He fried his brain. Whatever information we could've gotten from him is gone now."
"Fried his brain?" Cyborg eyes widened. "Does that mean…"
"Yup. A cyborg." Motoko checked the armor. 'Whoever he was, he certainly had access to some sophisticated stuff.'
"Fried his brain?" Beast Boy made a face. "I know he wasn't using it properly, but to actually fry it…" That's when he realized something. He stared at Motoko. "Who are you by the way?"
The rest of the Titans then turned to Motoko.
Motoko grinned as she noticed their attention. "We haven't properly met have we? I'm Major Motoko Kusanagi, Section 9."
-------End of Chapter 2
Wow! I finally got this one done! Took longer then expected. First, I was working on my Eva story before this one. That story took priority over this one. Second, I wasn't sure where I wanted to take this chapter. While I knew the general idea, like where they were going to meet, etc., I didn't know how I was going to go about doing it. And third, I was also trying really hard on making sure I used the right words and the right phrases (probably my greatest weakness so far in terms of writing). This of course is meant to try to make the story livelier. Along the same lines, I've noticed in previous chapters of my other stories, I had my characters nod or shake their heads a lot. True, they obviously do that from time to time. But at the rate I was going, they were probably going to have neck strain with the amount they were doing it! Obviously I needed to cut down the number of times I do that, and come up with more basic ways of having the character acknowledge that the answer is yes or no to whatever the question the other character asked.
Next Chapter…now that Motoko and the Titans have met, now what? And who is behind the incident with the androids? Until then…later!