NG:- As promised the second chapter. Moofies to JillTheCrazy1 for reviewing.

Shard:- and the Nightside doesn't claim ownership to Ghost in the Shell.

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Saito checked the local airport Net to determine when the new arrivals would be showing. The arrival data projected their flight to be a half hour from landing so he and Pazu waited outside the terminal, smoking. From the data received from the Chief, the two individuals were of Imperial Air Force background, both currently involved in counter-terrorism for the UN. He leaned against the outer wall of the terminal as he inhaled the smoke. Saito didn't really like Americans, over the past few years they had been trying to screw around Section Nine and now, thanks to the exchange program, they would be over here annoying the hell out of him. He recalled an old saying about them as he stubbed out his cigarette. Overpaid, oversexed and over here. Checking the local Net once more, he informed Pazu. "They'll be arriving soon."

The former yakuza nodded and they re-entered the terminal. Waiting near customs, Saito scanned the crowd, comparing the faces he saw with the photographs he was provided with. He spotted the man; his tussled, dark blond hair was visible above the crowd. Saito weaved his way through the people and approached the man.

"Kelly Sealy?" the man nodded his assent and shook his hand. "My name is Saito. I'm from Section Nine. Is your colleague around?"

"I was just lookin' for her myself. We got separated in the crowd."

"Don't worry problem solved." Pazu appeared with a dark haired woman in tow. "Can we get out of here now?"

Cade and Sealy followed the two men out to their car. "Where'd ya end up, Major? One moment you're behind me, the next you've vanished."

"Slipped and fell. No big deal Sealy." She turned to Saito, "So what's on the itinerary?"

"We'll take you to your place of residence for your time here to freshen up and have a rest if need be. Then to HQ for introductions."

"Sounds great." Cade said as they exited the terminal. Despite the change of season, it was still rather warm and sunny.

"Is that all the gear you bought Major Harrison?" Saito indicated the bags piled onto the trolley pushed by Sealy.

"Only one of the bags is mine. I prefer to travel as light as possible so I intend to source items I didn't bring along from shops in Niihama." She patted a large black and silver suitcase, "And unlike the captain here, I decided to forgo the duty-free."

"It was cheap, Major, and ya can't say that ya can get a better bargain elsewhere."

"A better idea would be to forgo all alcohol and cigarettes, your bank balance and health would be in a better condition." Cade countered

"You don't drink or smoke?" Saito asked.

"I never liked either activity, personally. But I do enjoy a glass from time to time."

"Which is hardly ever. The prude." Sealy muttered under his breath. Cade ignored him and asked Pazu and Saito about Section Nine.

Saito looked at the Americans as they and Pazu loaded the bags into the car. They weren't the sort of people he'd expect to be working in counter-terrorism. Sealy seemed to be rather open and more talkative, and would've fitted in among models or actors with his classic good looks. Harrison was more serious and intelligent, ignoring Sealy's comments, and he could imagine her working in a lab somewhere, finding a cure for cancer, not negotiating with some madman with a bomb. Well I really can't say much on the subject so who am I to judge? He thought as he slipped into the driver's seat. Once everyone had joined him in the car, he drove back into Niihama.

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Chief Aramaki was reading over a report when someone knocked lightly on his office door.

"Enter."

Saito entered with a woman and man. "Chief, this is Major Harrison and Captain Sealy of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Taskforce."

"It's an honour to meet you, sir." The Americans bowed politely.

Aramaki gestured to the seats opposite his desk, "Have a seat, Major, Captain. I trust your flight wasn't too full of hassles."

"Thank you, sir. Bar an altercation at Departures involving a couple of inebriated businessmen, it wasn't too stressful."

"I've had a look at your records of achievement and I must say; they're quite impressive."

"Thank you, sir."

"though Major, I was wondering about a two year gap in your service record just before the end of Second Korean War and a year-long gap two years ago."

Cade pursed her lips at the mention of the second gap and shook her head when Sealy was about say something. "the first gap was due to injuries sustained in a crash. While recuperating, I ended up marrying and having a child so I took 2 years off from the air force, which resulted in my transfer to the taskforce. The second was also due to injuries while on leave, from which I've since recovered fully from." She began to absently rub her forearms.

"I see." Aramaki clasped his hands together. "I'll go straight onto business then. You will be working alongside some of Section Nine's operatives in some of our cases. Major, you will be working with Saito and Pazu on their investigations into threats against micromachine companies; Captain, you're with Azuma and Togusa on the Red Dragon cyberbrain suicide cases."

"Understood, sir."

Aramaki cybercommed Togusa to collect the Americans and to show them around Headquarters. Once they had exited the room he contacted his assistant, Kohl.

"I want you to get some more information on Major Harrison. Something is troubling me about her."

"Yes, sir." Kohl left the room.

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NG:- Did I mention how much I enjoy reviews? They help make me a better writer and it often brightens my day. So come on everyone!! Review and make the Nightside happy. The more reviews I get the more often I'll post chapters!

Shard:- the frequency of chapter posting varies on what the Nightside is doing when she is not on the Pokehub, working, writing MidHaven, or other things which are part of the routine of a university student.

NG:- (ignoring Shard)and a happy new year to all!!