This might be one of the most important briefings in her life. She was about to explain to the National Security Council the events of the last several days, and she was reassured by the fact almost all of them had a background in law enforcement unlike the last time she was before a political body that wasn't her supervisory board. The chairman was a man in his late sixties, short and skinny.

"I don't think I have to go into the details of the syndicate."

"Please do, Ms. Kirihara. We, in this council, have heard interpretations from our various official sources, but I would like to hear it from someone who was on the ground."

Misaki glanced down at her notes with the calm realization that once again she wasn't prepared. "Very well." She straightened her glasses and wondered where to start. "The syndicate was one of the first organizations to comprehend the tactical importance of the existence of contractors. It had members from every intelligence agency, often acting with impunity. They were very featured in South America as one of the factions vying for control of the gate."

"Thank you, Misaki," he interjected. "Unfortunately, I know there's a whole lot more, but I am worried about the time. We will skip to the matter of national security that has brought you here. Now normally a classified dossier would be sufficient. However, with the recent legislative chatter, we are forced to devote most of our resources towards this conundrum just like every other government in the world. Therefore, we opted to bring you in, and make use of our individual talents and expertise as much as possible."

Misaki guessed that he reconsidered the wisdom of soliciting information that could prove inconvenient to members in the room. "I am pleased to be of assistance."

"I heard rumors that a contractor caused the collapse in the construction site in Asakusa."

"Yes, Councilman. A contractor, messier code HV-117, with the ability to disintegrate matter, was involved with the incident, although we told the media it was structural instability. HV-117 is currently an unknown factor with no background. So far, he has been very successful at evading capture, leading me to think he is trained."

"How much of a risk does he pose?"

"In the span of one hour, he could level downtown Tokyo."

Murmurs echoed in the chamber.

Misaki continued. "We have done our best, but we cannot keep a lid on his activities much longer. Soon the press will know."

"Shino, with contractors now public knowledge, we can classify them as terrorists, correct?"

"I will need to check with the department, but I see no reason why not."

"Let's check into that and ensure Ms. Kirihara has the support she needs before the worst happens."

"That's setting a dangerous precedent. Identifying a contractor as a terrorist for what they might do?"

A pregnant pause.

"Regardless of the measures you take," another council member chimed in. "It's going to be the same story over and over again. New contractors are being added every week. We have to find some way to integrate them into society, or these types of incidents will continue to happen."

"What you're proposing is foolhardy. Have you ever met a contractor? I assure you they are incapable of being incorporated into regular society-"

"Let's ask Kirihara. She's dealt with them the most."

Everyone in the chamber turned to look at her.

Misaki doubted they would really listen to her opinion. "Um, it's true contractors are incapable of feeling abstract concepts like loyalty. However, they do form relationships of convenience."

"How easily can that be done?"

Misaki thought for a moment. "There's two ways of doing this. Be the most consistent source of income, and work or position yourself so that you are the only person who has what they want."

"Let's move on. What was HV-117 specifically doing when the building collapsed?"

"He was fighting BK-201."

"What do we know about him?"

*Some of you might have heard of him recently due to his extensive activity in Tokyo. The Black Reaper, formerly an assassin for the syndicate."

"What happened to him?"

She took a deep breath. "We apprehended him this past weekend. He was injured when the building fell."

Several members perked up. "Where is he right now?"

"In a special containment facility at Pandora."

"Why was he fighting HV-117?"

"We're not sure at the moment. From my own experience with BK-201, I can attest that he does not play well with other contractors."

"One thing is for sure. We need him to give us everything he can about the syndicate. We've been receiving disturbing reports that it still exists in some form outside of Japan."

Misaki raised her eyebrows. "I was preparing my own report for your review."

"Anything in particular you were going to add?"

"Just that BK-201 was basically responsible for eliminating the entire faction found here in Japan. He killed Yoshimitsu Horai directly in front of me."

"Mm. The remaining syndicate will not sit idly by while their access to the Gate is limited. As we know, their methods are quite effective. Contractors provide many advantages that human security and law enforcement lack."

"You're not suggesting?"

"Why not? You were the one who suggested we integrate them into society. Tell me, Kirihara, what do you think it would take to ensure BK-201's compliance?"

Misaki thought back to the doll standing over Hei's body. "Actually, I think we already have a way."

Misaki spent much of the meeting musing in silence as the council members debated and argued. She could tell that they were about to wrap up, so she tuned in again.

"About this legislation, every country is looking at each other, waiting for the precedent to be set. It's a very likely scenario that contractors receive the same protection under the law as civilians. In that event, we will see contractors officially joining law enforcement and more importantly, militaries. It's going to be an arms race. And that treaty with America does not prevent us from participating. In fact, we have no choice. Contractors have added a new dimension to conflict. These shadow wars in South America and here in Tokyo are just the beginning and will continue to proliferate."

It was not a pleasant reality to think about. The current geopolitical stalemate was almost a comfort to civilian leaders and generals alike. They would not be pleased to learn they had been completely bypassed by criminal elements."

"I think that's enough for today. Chief, your father tells me he can't get you out of the field. I think that once you get tired of running around, you'll have great things ahead of you, albeit in front of a desk. I also don't need to remind everyone that everything discussed in here is top secret, including any information that Section Chief Kirihara divulged. Thank you."


"Has he eaten anything?"

"A little. It's painful after the surgery."

Misaki noticed the medical restraints across his chest and on each limb. There was no confirmed way to deactivate a contractor's ability outside of the anti-contractor weapon. A weapon which they discovered works only once on a contractor.

"Is he lucid?"

"For the moment. General Maxray wants him sedated as soon as they wean him off the morphine."

Misaki closed her eyes. Pandora, after the event with the accelerator, were motivated to prove to the international community that they were not as irresponsible as they appeared. Hence the hiring of General Leonard Maxray, an Afrikaner who had made a name for himself in the private military industry. "Has Maxray been difficult as usual?"

"Once you get past the anti-contractor vitriol, he is a reasonable guy."

"That's one way to put it."

Misaki sighed. "Now is as good a time as any. The Japanese government has a few questions."

"Sure. Let me just ring the guards-"

"That won't be necessary." Misaki glanced behind her at Mina Hazuki who was sitting ramshackle straight in one of the chairs in the waiting room. Mina stood up and walked over.

"Is she a contractor?"

"Will that be a problem?"

"Um...you didn't tell me that, okay?"

The two-inch thick glass door slid open, welcoming Misaki and Mina into the room. Hei was currently lying on the bed, his bored gaze resting on the ceiling. Misaki was not surprised when he didn't acknowledge them.

"How's the stomach feeling?"

"It hurts."

"Sorry." Misaki pulled up the stool at his bedside. "I'm told the surgery went well, so you got that going for you."

He finally turned to look at her. "Where's Yin?"

Misaki shared a look with Mina. "She's fine. I can't tell you where she is, but we're going to keep her safe."

"You don't understand. The Syndicate-"

"The syndicate is everywhere? We know, Hei. The Japanese government is insistent on stamping out its remainders. And the irony is it's partly thanks to you. Point is, don't worry about them."

Misaki readjusted her seat. "Now I came here to talk about you. I'm not going to pretend I am doing you any favors. I am here to twist your arm, although I hope in the future you don't see it that way. There are two options for you. I bet you have already worked out one of them. Pandora can keep you here indefinitely as their specimen and you can be their research subject, etcetera, etcetera. Or you can cooperate with the Japanese government. So, which is it going to be?"

Hei returned his gaze to the ceiling and shook his head minutely. "I can't help you."

Misaki leaned forward, her voice gaining an edge. "Help yourself. Help Yin. I didn't want to put it this way, because I know you wouldn't think twice about killing me if it suited you, but if you want to see Yin again, cooperate. Otherwise, I am walking out of this room forever and I'll leave both of you to the wolves. You don't want that."

Hei closed his eyes. "I said I can't help you. Not that I won't help you."

Misaki furrowed her brow.

Hei scooted higher up in the bed. "Here's the terms of my deal. You promise, no matter what the outcome may be, that you take care of Yin. Keep her away from Pandora, the syndicate, whoever. A personal promise. If you do that, I'll do my best. But don't expect much."

Misaki figured that it was as good as she was going to get. Misaki figured she could dive into exactly what he meant when they were in a more private setting away from PANDORA. "Very well. Mina?"

Misaki accepted the binder that Mina retrieved from under her shirt. "This is an employment contract. We had to smuggle this in here. I need you to sign it, and then they can't do anything about you. Not without risking offending the wrong people."

Hei groggily accepted the pen. His handwriting was atrocious but his signature sealed the deal.

"Great," Misaki breathed. "We'll be back later once my supervisor signs this. Don't piss PANDORA off too bad. I can't promise they won't experiment in the meantime."

As if spent from the encounter, Hei returned to his languid staring at the ceiling, otherwise dead to the world.

Outside the room, Misaki addressed Mina. "Did he seem different to you? More...contractor-ish?"

Mina looked Misaki in the eye. "He was different, but he was not like a contractor."

It didn't reassure her. Misaki thought she got the impression of a doll from the way he behaved.

"Section Chief Kirihara, what a surprise."

"General Maxray. A pleasure."

He went to the glass and leaned against it with his forearm. "Admiring your catch?"

"Actually, General. I am glad to inform you that you are looking at our new employee."

Maxray froze. "Your new employee, you say? What would possess you to want to do a foolish thing like that?"

"Any number of things, I'm sure."

"Hmm. What if I just say no?"

"The documents are already signed." Misaki held up the binder. "The Japanese security council approved the requisition yesterday."

He turned and frowned. Misaki was suddenly aware of how imposing he was.

"And if I just confiscate that document, what would you do?"

Mina stepped forward, her fingers inches from her concealed shoto. Maxray did not miss the movement.

"If you feel you would be successful, then by all means."

Maxray deliberated for a moment, and then relaxed his shoulders. "You're not the boy scout I thought you were. We'll play it your way. Just know, if you think PANDORA will sit back and just let BK-201 go after that stunt he pulled, you're mistaken. There will need to be concessions. Reassurances."

"Feel free to contact my supervisor with whatever concerns you may have."

When Misaki departed, Leonard Maxray turned his attention back to the occupant of the room, and he couldn't help but reminisce on when things were so different, yet the same.

"Kid, there's a secret to fighting that is critical if you want to be successful against contractors. Ninety percent of the time, whoever strikes first wins. Remember this because it goes both ways. If someone gets the drop on you, especially a contractor, retreat."

Hei nodded his head.

"Now what is the goal of fighting?"

Hei thought for a second and then offered, "to defeat the enemy."

"Not necessarily. You are a cog in the machine. We let the bosses worry about defeating the enemy. You just complete objectives. So, the only thing you need to focus on when it comes to fighting is this: to hit without getting hit. That's the purpose."

"Understood."

"Good. Show me your knife-throwing. I want to see if your practicing paid off."

Hei opened his eyes. He recognized that scent. He waited for the older man to pull up a seat and then he rolled his head in his direction. With dead eyes, he acknowledged the newcomer. "General."

Maxray sighed. "I debated talking to you. I didn't want my memory to be tarnished by what you have become. But apparently, the Japanese chief finds something of interest in you."

"She's idealistic and naïve."

"We both agree on that."

Maxray took out a cigar and lit it. "I'm sorry about your sister. It's easy to guess what happened. There was only one contractor I knew back then that could cause such destruction. And when she never appeared, I assumed it cost her life. The syndicate never heard from me after that. I warned them for weeks about that green-haired squeeze of yours. They didn't listen."

Hei winced at the mention of Amber.

"I sent her on a mission that no one should have come back from. Not even you. She claimed to only be able to go back a couple minutes at a time. She came back without a scratch. That was when I knew she was hiding something."

She was hiding something from all of them.

"If you weren't a contractor now, I'd feel sorry for you. Some people just don't get dealt a good hand in life. I think I told you that a long time ago when you were still dealing with your parents' death."


Misaki walked into the office the next morning, an extra pep in her step. For once, things were proceeding nicely. She passed by the break area on the way to her private office when she was forced to turn around and stare at the new addition. Near the entrance, which she totally ignored, sat Yin at a desk with a phone and notepad.

Misaki approached her. "Yin, what are you doing here?"

Kobayashi answered for her, coming out of his office. "Where better to hide her than in plain sight? Let me introduce you to our new secretary."

Misaki furrowed her brows. Ignoring the bulky office attire, she glanced down and noticed the bucket of water in which Yin's bare feet sat. Suddenly things made more sense. "I suppose she can serve two functions."

"Mm. She's going to need your help to learn the job."

Misaki kept her thoughts on the matter to herself. When she transferred to Section 3, she didn't think she would be spending her time teaching a doll how to answer the phone.

Misaki looked over to Mina, who was sitting on the lone couch watching the television. Why wasn't she helping?


Hei was content to wait. He knew that his body needed the rest. Maybe the hamstring which had been bothering him for the past two weeks would heal. Not that it would matter in the long run. The episodes were growing in length. He wondered when the simplest things like going to the restroom were beyond his reach.

Nevertheless, he was comforted to know that Yin was safe, as he stared at the form of her specter in the corner, patiently watching him.