A/N - I think this will be the final chapter in this story for now. I still have the other OC story I'm working on, but I'll let this one rest after this chapter. If I do write anything more with this character in it, I'll make it a stand alone story. I'd definitely like to thank Sin Oan for giving such great reviews and striking up such great conversations with me in messages. I've been given a lot to think about with this character and I see your point. It's a great reviewer who can encourage and give good criticism at the same time.
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Everyone in the room was silent for a long time, thinking about what Kono had told them. Finally Togusa spoke up and asked a question.
"Should we take on someone like her as part of the team? She can't even connect directly with anyone, if what she says is true. Opinions?"
"Batou, why do you think she gave Ishikawa her real name to find her info? She only said it after talking to you." Borma asked curiously.
"Not sure, but I say we take her on."
"I agree." Pazu added. He shrugged slightly when everyone turned to look at him in surprise. "Well, it'll make it easier for me to keep track of her at least, since she's trying to kill me and all."
"Wait, so she really is trying to kill you? I thought that was just because she thought you were some criminal." Togusa said.
"Yeah, she put a death mark out on me after the Yoshida incident. She's never bothered trying to collect on it though, and we've run across each other a few times since then. Maybe if she's working here, I can stop worrying about getting stabbed in the back anytime soon." He said with another shrug.
"I'm not sure about this." Azuma said. "I mean, if what she says is true, someone can control her if they know the right commands. What's to stop them from finding out about her history and setting her up to get to us, or someone important? And she has an active attack barrier up all the time. That creeps me out just a bit."
"True, but I wonder if Ishikawa and Borma could do something about that barrier. She obviously doesn't have a problem with someone playing around in her mind like that." Saito offered. Ishikawa looked interested at the thought of hacking someone's mind to try getting around an attack barrier.
"Actually, what good are her infiltrator skills going to be if we can't use them? She doesn't have any handlers, so we're relying on regular skills and connections that plenty of investigators also have." Borma put in. "What makes her any more special than the other recruits we have now?"
"Well, she does have years of experience, both military and as a police investigator. That's something that we have to take into account." Togusa mused. "I know I'd prefer to have someone who's familiar with procedures but has military experience to fall back on. The whole control issue is the biggest problem though. Chief, what do you think?"
Everyone turned to look at the white haired man seated behind his desk. His chin rested on folded hands and he didn't say anything for a long while.
"I agree with Batou and Pazu; she's worth bringing onto the team, especially for the reasons Togusa listed. However, we are going to need to find a solution to work with her safely. I can't have my agents worrying about connecting to her. And having someone with her resources can only be a benefit. Ask her to come back in, please."
Once more Kono walked into the office and stood in front of the wall screen, hands clasped behind her back.
"Kono, we've decided that you would be a good fit for Section 9, at least on a trial basis," the Chief began. "However, there is still the problem of your Infiltrator programming interfering with standard operations. We need to come up with a solution for that." Kono nodded at his words and looked thoughtful.
"I completely understand, sir." She replied. "Is that the main concern about my joining the team?"
"It's the primary one mentioned, yes. But both Batou and Pazu think you'd fit in here and your years of experience cannot be ignored. Do you have any ideas on how to handle your problem though?"
When the Chief said who'd suggested she join the team, Kono turned to both men in turn, murmuring "keep your enemies close, hmm?" when she looked at Pazu. Turning back to Batou, she asked a question.
"Would you?"
Batou glanced over at the other people gathered in the room, taking his time before answering.
"Yeah. I would and have." He seemed to understand exactly what she was asking, leaving everyone else in the dark. At his words, Kono let her shoulders slump slightly as she brought her hands around in front of her body. A flick of her fingers and a black data chip appeared in her left hand. She held it before her, looking at it sadly. She brought her hands together again and the chip disappeared. Solemnly, she looked at Pazu.
"And you?"
Pazu also glanced around the room before repeating Batou's answer. Once more the chip appeared in her hands, and taking a step, she held it out to Pazu. Looking perplexed, he reached out to take it, his fingers brushing hers. For a moment she refused to release the small piece of plastic, but with a sigh, her hand dropped and she returned to her place before the wall screen.
"How long have you had it?" Batou's voice was soft, understanding.
"I've always had one, just in case. There hasn't been anyone I've felt I could give it to though until now. I assume you'll know who to choose." All hint of amusement was gone from her face; she looked tired and resigned. Pazu wondered if any of her clients had seen her like this; thought she was still beautiful in ways cybernetics couldn't hope to match.
"Yea, we know who to choose. How long will it take to understand the info on the chip?"
"Depends on who's accessing it. If they understand it right off, then the basics can be finished in an hour or so. Longer for more detailed control."
"All right. You should probably wait outside again. We'll send someone to get you when it's time to go down to the workroom." Everyone waited as she left the room again, walking out without a glance at the chip Pazu held.
"Batou, what's going on here? What is that chip she gave Pazu?" Togusa demanded once the door was closed.
"It should contain all the details about her Infiltrator programming and the master control set of commands. Most infiltrators wouldn't have one, but since she was the first, I'm not surprised that she does. Especially since she said her programming was more elaborate and detailed than usual. She's given us the ability to control her and create new handlers. I'd suggest we set up Ishikawa and Borma to do it."
"She just handed over something that can control her?" Azuma sounded amazed at the thought. "Why on earth would she do that?"
"Probably because Batou and I both said we'd do the same. That's what she asked us." Pazu said dryly. "Apparently, she trusts us for some reason."
"Fine then." Togusa said briskly. "Ishikawa, Borma, get to work with that data chip and let's see what you can do with her. Make sure it's legit and there isn't anything hidden in there we need to worry about. After they're done, Morgan can show her around."
"Oh sure, make me be the happy hostess." At Togusa's look of reprimand, Morgan sighed. "Yes, sir. Not a problem. One guided tour coming up."
The rest of Section 9 filed out of Aramaki's office; Ishikawa and Borma hurrying to their workroom to start diving into the information on the data chip. Pazu waited until everyone else had left before starting to leave. The chief's voice stopped him at the door.
"Pazu, keep an eye on her. I don't want her trying anything."
"Understood."
Outside the office, Kono was sitting in the waiting room, arms crossed and eyes closed, seemingly asleep. He paused in front of her, waiting until she spoke.
"So are you appointed my watchdog until someone's sure I'm under control?" Her voice was tired sounding.
"Why me?" Pazu ignored her question to ask one of his own.
"Why'd I give you the chip?" Without opening her eyes, she smiled. "Maybe I like you."
"Is that why you want to kill me?"
"Have you ever considered that if I really wanted to kill you, one of us would be dead by now? I haven't called in that mark in the four years since I put it out, why would I worry about it now?" She finally opened her eyes and looked up at him. "Maybe I really do like you." Ahito's voice, Ahito's smile. Kono watched as Pazu pulled out a pack of cigarettes and went through the motions of lighting up. She could recognize the signs of someone stalling; didn't let it bother her as she simply enjoyed watching the man before her.
"Are the rumors true?" He finally said.
"Which ones? There are a lot of them about me."
"About your face. That it's real and not cybernetic." He kept his own face hidden behind a cloud of smoke and watched as hers went through several emotions – surprise, amusement, resignation.
"Oh, that one. Yes, it's true. This is the face I grew into. Haven't found any reason to change it yet, although having my nose broken four years ago made me give some consideration to the process. Someone punched me in the dark one night for no reason at all. Took a while to heal up and I had two black eyes for weeks." She just looked back at him, idly waving smoke away.
"Huh, sorry to hear that. Come on. Ishikawa said they're ready for you in the workroom." Standing up, she followed him down the hallways to begin her new job.
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