Disclaimer: I do not own GITS in any shape or form. And although I would like my own personal Tachikoma, I'm also aware that they are the brainchildren of Shirow Masamune and that I have no rights to anything related to GITS. However, I do enjoy weaving a tale or two with his creations. Enjoy.

Chapter 8: Section 1, Wreckage

"Talking"
Thinking
(Cyberspeaking)
(Figure it out)

(Batou…where have you wandered?) I blinked and realized my phone was ringing.

"Batou speaking."

"Aramaki here. Why is your link down? We've been trying to reach you for over an hour."

I looked at my watch while I quickly went through my menus, turning the link back on. Another 'I don't know why my link was disabled,' and I'm in the doctor's chair again. "Sorry, I was taking care of some 'personal' business."

The old man harrumphed on the phone and I'm not sure if it's because he didn't believe me, or because he did. "There's been another attack, the main security building at Section 1. The team is already there. I need you to meet them."

"Are they under heavy fire?" I keep two Zastaba and plenty of ammo in my car. After getting caught once without enough heat to protect my partner, I never leave home without them.

"No, they just need your disarmament abilities, they are cleaning house."

"So I missed all the action huh?"

Aramaki chuckled and I suddenly realized I'd been caught in my own lie. "Apparently so." I was already on my way to Section 1 before he spoke again. "And stop back by Dr. Akai's before leaving for the night."

Damn, it's already 4:30am. By the time I get to go home, I'll be late for work. Good thing I don't need much sleep.

ssssss

When I arrived at Section 1, everyone was there except for Togusa. Boma nodded sagely while Pazu and Saito barely looked up from their tasks. I wasn't left to wonder what they were thinking for long.

"Where the hell have you been?" The Major sauntered through the newly created doorway and stopped in front of me, hands crossed over her chest. "We tried to reach you for almost an hour."

"Sorry, I turned my link off, I needed a little private time."

(I thought something had happened to you, you've never turned a link off to me.)

(What good would it do, you'd only open it back up.)

"Huh." She turned and walked away, not answering.

Ishikawa came up and hit me on the back. "It's not fair to fight when we can't hear. We all enjoy a good show." (Did you get Togusa home okay?)

"Fuck you! I'm not fighting with the Major; and if I was, you can get your cheap thrills elsewhere." (Yeah, he's going to be okay.)

"Okay, well, if you're too good to entertain us, you can get to work. I have two unstable devices in the next room over, and the Major has three upstairs."

It was after nine when we finally secured the area. The raid had the earmark of being committed by the same group, but this one felt different. There had been no bombs placed around the building at the PM's place, this one had a total of seven. By the time I'd dismantled the last one, I felt like I'd been put through the ringer. Now I had to go to Section 9, to be put through a different kind of ringer.

ssssss

Aramaki was showing his age as he walked down the stairs to the table I was being examined on. His cane comes out more and more these days, and I'm sure several of us are worried about the future of our little band.

"Hello Batou, thank you for stopping by. I'm concerned about you, you haven't been yourself the last couple of weeks." He leaned forward on his cane to look me deeply in the eyes.

"You didn't give me much choice. For a second there, I was afraid you were going to say I wasn't acting normal. Then I'd suggest you get examined because I've never been exactly normal." I smiled, never expecting a reaction.

Aramaki's eyes crinkled. He rarely smiles. When he does, it's frightening. He walked over to Dr. Akai and they conversed for a few minutes. Satisfied, Aramaki walked back over.

"Quit turning off your link. It's the quickest way we can get in touch with you." He started up the stairs, but stopped. "Dr. Akai said there is nothing wrong with you, so I know you are turning it off on your own." He continued on his way.

"Chief…" He froze. "Can I come talk to you for a few minutes after this?" There was a pause, than his shoulders slumped and he nodded.

A/N: I know, a short chapter. But it just worked out that way. I hope everyone had a great week. I'll talk at ya next week. -TK