Author's Note: Oh, just to let you know, when you see italics in Quotations, it means it's mind speak or mind phone speaking.

Ghost in the Cyberpunk

New Beginnings Arc

Chapter 1: Fate of Ladybugs and Threads

The sun was bright while it was still cloudy, affording a kind of shade. Though the real sight to behold was a beautiful sight of Sakura blossom trees; their pink petals dancing in the winds. Watching this were families sitting on blankets and having picnics.

A young boy would play around before bumping into a girl his age.

The boy was a four-year-old Caucasian male boy, messy brown hair with brown eyes, wearing blue pants, a teal green shirt and black sneakers.

The girl was a four-year-old Asian girl wearing a purple and white dress, had pale Asian skin, brown eyes, and had ebony black hair cut in a bob hairstyle.

He stared at her, blushing at the very sight of her. She looked at him curiously though as she was wondering why his face was going beet red.

The two blinked in meeting one another, as something though caught their attention. A small little red ladybug flew in as it gently landed on the boy's right hand, as the girl looked in wonderment at it.

He looked at it as well while the ladybug went and flew over, only to land on the girl's hand as well.

The boy looked to her and smiled, "Oh wow. it landed on your hand too." It then suddenly flew away as the two watched it flying passed a Japanese temple gate.

The girl then asked, "You wanna go after it?"

The boy smiled as he nodded, "Sure." and then took her hand, as both ran after it.

Suddenly, the time flew by almost, as it was the same location, same time of year, but now the two children had aged. They were both now ten, wearing school uniforms of black and white design, with her wearing a female uniform with black leggings and her hair a bit longer. she carried with her a book suitcase with a ladybug keychain on it, while the boy had a black backpack with it having a ladybug button on it.

The girl looked shyly at the boy; the first ever since they met, and asked him, "Hey..._-kun... can I ask you something?" when she spoke the name, static was heard.

He nodded, looking a bit shy himself, as he asked, "Um... yeah? What's up?"

She would stand before him and asked, smiling cutely, as she asked, "Do you know what it means for a ladybug to fly between a boy and a girl?"

The boy thought on it, looking up but then answered as he looked to her, "That it flies short distances to take a break until it flies for a real long distance?"

The girl sighs a bit annoyed before turning her back facing him as she said, her voice not sounding as annoyed as she looked, "It means we're eternally connected."

The boy blinked, "huh? Wha... like um... " He shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, I'm not sure what that means."

She looked back asked, annoyed now, "You really are dense, aren't you?" before walking faster.

"Well, I'm not sure what that means, eternally connected," the boy replied. He did have a feeling on what it meant, but he didn't want to say it in fear of being wrong, and making her more upset. "Well, to you, at least."

The girl stopped suddenly and offered him her right pinky finger, "Let's make a promise. to be by each other's side until you figure out what I mean."

The boy reached out, as he gently wrapped his right pinky around hers, and smiled, "Sure. I'll figure it out and stay with you... " But before the boy could say her name, the area all around them began to glitch bright red, buzzing like a TV screen with the cable out. The whole area began to go red and blurry, and even the boy.

The girl looked blue and blurry to him while she reached out, "_-Kun!"

And then it all went black.

A woman with purple hair and red eyes jolted up as she found herself reaching towards the sky. Major Miranda Karther, age twenty-one, full-body cyborg, breathed heavily before she sat up and placed a hand to her forehead, thinking, 'Another dream... but it feels so real this time...' She got up and proceed to wash her body. It wasn't easy being a full-Cyborg with nothing left of your organic body but your brain in a specialize case. Still, it was similar to an organic body, so it still had needs; food, water, waste disposal, even being clean.

She pulled off her pajamas, which consisted of a loose white top and tight short black under armor, as she walked into her shower, and began to clean herself off. She had a slender and beautiful figure but also shown to be quite built for athletics and gymnastics, with an incredible perky DD cup chest, tight waist, slender legs, and a tight butt to showcase her beauty, while on her neck showed neck ports: a standard cybernetic prosthetic used for daily uses. With her purple hair and red eyes, her figure and all, she looked like a goddess, or an angel in real life. And her body being showered clean showed her amazing beauty.

Once she was done, and drying up with a towel, as she didn't really cover her body at all, seeing she lived alone or that her body didn't catch a cold. Or that she just was used to being naked at times. She went to her closet to get suited up. Her apartment was a lavished apartment with two floors as she threw the towel aside. Though as she was scrounging for her clothing, an icon in her optic lit up showing an incoming call from a Doctor Oulette.

She would answer asking, as she got started on getting dressed "Can I help you doctor? I'm in the middle of getting ready for work."

"My apologies, Miranda," the Doctor replied. "I just wanted to let you know that you're due for another system's check at Asaka-Tech. You don't usually come in unless damaged."

"Can I ask why for the sudden change?" She asked getting her usual gear on for work. which entailed her to wear an outfit based on a unique style.

It consisted of a light purple leotard worn over the chest that went just above the crotch. The bottom of the leotard was black. A utility belt was attached on the leotard, precisely around or at the waist. A dark purple leather jacket covered her upper set of apparel. Under her waist, clothing similar to pink leggings, which went up halfway to the thighs, revealing her rear. She wore sneaker-like boots that were purple. Considering the impracticability of her getup, and final fingerless military gloves.

She even flexed the gloves as she pointed out, "I'm sure the chief would've said something."

"It's been the glitches you've been having," the doctor explained, "Last time, you said they were... advancing. I just want to see if the upgrades haven't been causing problems."

Miranda remained silent using this split second to mull over her choices of telling her or keeping it private.

"Mira?" The doctor asked, using a nickname for her.

"Apologies. I was just getting some sleep from my eye. The glitches have returned but they haven't advanced." Miranda stated with a cool, calm, and leveled, tone.

"You're still taking the medication," the doctor asked her.

"Obviously." Miranda answers as she takes one now.

"Hmmm," the Doctor thought as Miranda left her apartment, "I'll probably have to increase the dosage if this is continuing. After work, I'd like you to come over so I can see if there is any damage."

"And I thought we'd have to wait till the 3rd date." Miranda joked before going to an autocar to take her to her work place.

Elsewhere Slum District

Megablock: Paradise Falls

A man in his early 20s breathed heavily as he was sweating...

He was a Caucasian male at the age of twenty-one, physically fit like an athlete or runner/swimmer. He had shaggy spikey brown hair and brown eyes, with a compact muscle structure; very pleasing to any female, or homo's, eyes. Though he did appear to have cybernetic augmentation and implants. Under his eyes going down to his jaw were a line of cybernetic design and pattern. His elbows and knees were metallic gray showing joints, while his forearms had cybernetic patterns, with the knuckles being blackish gray. On his calves were cybernetic patterns, as well as on his heels. His palms had two ports of sorts, as did the back of his neck for chip and plugs, and had cybernetic patterns on his chest. He was currently wearing a pair of black under armor underwear. On his back though, was a spinal augmentation cybernetic enhancement of sorts, with his spine in grey meal, with it stretching close to his shoulder blades, and green lenses on the side bolt joints while the upper back column had a green line lens on it. And under that armor was the only part of him that was organic except for his brain/

Well, he was still 79 percent cyborg, but that was in later detail. He hunched over as he groaned, rubbing his face to wake himself up and get all the tired out.

He sighed, as he looked at the floor in that memory and sighed, "Motoko..."

While most of his memories were muddled he remembered the name of that girl.

A ring tone buzzed in his ears, as his irises lit reddish yellow, as he mentally clicked his phone comms, "Aaron Snow speaking. Who's there?"

"It's me, Lee," a somewhat cheery toned voice spoke up. More excitable than happy or cheery.

Aaron sighed, as it was no surprise, as his Techie friend was kind of a jittery fellow at times. Aaron got up as he groaned walking to the showers, as he pulled his shirt and pants off, strolling to the shower, "Yeah, what's up, Lee?"

"We got a job lined up for us and the gang," Lee replied as the shower switched on as Aaron stepped in, "Big Corp gig job. Big, bigum, there man."

Aaron got drenched in the warm water as he sighed, "That big, eh?"

"Definitely big, suppose to stick to those suits," Lee said

"Not exactly the best calls on those dicks," Aaron replied as he looked up to see the bolted handlebar he put there. He then hopped up and began to do chin-ups, as he showered, "Don't forget the Arasaka job that the Fixer Fauxman fed us. And then sold us out to."

"Okay, I admit, that was a tad bad on our sides, but we earned the cash," Lee encouraged to do, as Aaron finished the sets.

"Yeah," Aaron said as he washed up and turned off the shower, "That was right after I throttled him, punched his left side so hard his optic fell out, and then he pleaded mercy for me to stop by paying us instead of walking off thinking he'd get away with sending us out on a suicide mission..." Aaron then dried himself off as he walked to his closet, "... of which he didn't tell us any intel at all about the Security Drones, or the Spider Tank that nearly killed Kurt and Maritza. Not to mention you freaking out all the time."

"I DID NOT FREAK OUT!"

Aaron opened the closet to pick out his gear and clothes, as he said, "You were running around and rolling around screaming at the top of your lungs, 'I don't wanna die' or 'I didn't sign up for this', or shouting, 'are you freakin' kidding me'." He then grabbed what he wanted and proceeded to get dressed, "Seriously, Kimmy thought you were gonna finally piss your pants."

Lee remained silent before he phoned, "You suck man."

Aaron finally finished dressing as he stood to look at himself. He was wearing a black spandex tight turtleneck sleeveless shirt with two silver digital pattern lines going down his pecs and under his arms. He wore military-style baggy blue jeans with a white line going on front and back of the thigh parts, a black belt with two belts dangling on the sides, black kneepad guards, and black sneaker combat boots with straps on the sides. He also wore black gloves, as well as a green combat jacket with the collar almost big enough to be a hoodie, with a white upside-down Y pattern on his back, white trim on the tail, collar as well as a pattern line on the back of it, white shoulder guards, with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and with the left sleeve being all black armored of sorts.

"So what's this job," Aaron asked.

"Well, apparently there's a big kidnapping of cybers by the Maelstrom. They're getting ready to sell them over to the only guys that would take cyber parts, and, you guessed it, Scavengers," Lee replied. Aaron shuttered at that,

"Ugh, Scavangers. The Rats of the Cyber Underworld."

"More like Vultures," Lee commented.

"How should I know? We live in city areas; I doubt any of us have ever gone to a zoo before," Aaron sighed, annoyed on pointless details like that. "And let me guess the only Cybers are from our side of the neighborhood, none of the 'Solid income' types, am I right?" Aaron asked annoyed.

"Well..." Aaron stopped before he walked to a door as he asked, "Lee, what's going on?"

"Nothing," Lee denied.

"Come on, that was your 'there's a catch' going on in there," Aaron said as he opened the door and switched on the lights, "Who else got kidnapped?"

The room was actually an armory with an assortment of weapons ranging from a katana with a neon blue handle on it, to pistols, shotguns, rifles, machines guns, all advanced. "Okay, well, apparently a politician's daughter might have been kidnapped," Lee implied. "Looked her up and apparently she's Kagome Mitsu's only daughter. And boy, she's fine. Built in all the right places, I mean..." Lee said, and whistled.

"Lee focus the details." Aaron said annoyed at him focusing on the girl.

"Tell me why she was kidnapped."

"Well, you know how politicians' kids are: they wanna get away from it all, go to a club, make bad decisions, snuggle up with a guy or girl after their first night of extremely hot sex..." Lee went on, and then got serious, "...and then things turn to shit when a Maelstrom gang busts in to go all cyber-psycho and almost turn everyone into swiss cheese.. only for the Scavengers to scare them off and take the survivors. One of them being the daughter of Mitsu who heard of the Merc, Aaron Snow. She called our fixer, our new fixer, Dex, and said you and the team we're part of can do this job."

Aaron gets his lucky weapon and said, "Just our lucky. And the price for returning her unharmed?"

"10.5 Billion Yenny," Lee screamed out in excitement. Aaron got his pistol and shotgun, as he smirked, "Now that sounds like a worthwhile payment."

"Oh, just so you know she things Daddy dearest is gonna try and get someone from the anti-terrorism groups who work for the government to try and save her before they do what they usually do."

Aaron then blinked, as he walked out of the armory and asked, "Wait. Anti-Terrorism group?"

"Yeah, don't know the whole details on them, but if we don't get on this, we lose our pay," Lee began to freak out, as Aaron heard him rolling around on the floor, "AND I CAN'T TAKE ANOTHER DAY OF INSTA-NOODLES!"

Aaron sweatdrops, "Dude... you need to get laid..."

He then gets his coat on and said, "Did you send the rest of the team the info you sent me Lee?"

"I did and I called you last," Lee said, but also whined, "AND I'M TRYING TO DO THAT!"

Aaron shook his head as he sighed, "Signing off now, and I'll meet you at the usual place." And called off, as he walked out the apartment, "It's just one of those days."

The Year: 2077

Location: San Tokyo (formerly San Francisco and San Diego, and remnants of Tokyo taken to them)

The two cities that were once San Francisco and Sand Diego, were now a combined larger city known as San Tokyo. After the last World Wars and the devastating Earthquake known as the San Andreas, aka The Big One, the former cities of California were left in ruins. For a whole century, the city had been going through slow construction and through mergers, had become one of the larger cities in the former USA, rivaling that of New York. It was one of the largest and most advanced cities that were controlled by the American Rus Empire, but aided by Tokyo, Japan in its reconstruction, as well as the corporations that had survived the war and gained a somewhat corporation government system that coexisted with the American Empire.

Due to the severity of the bombs going off after WW 3 and 4, humanity had to change as a result. Thankfully with the advancement of technology as it was able to be saved, the city of San Tokyo city became one of the largest locations famous for its cybernetic prosthetics and enhancements. The city's inhabitance began to augment themselves with cybernetic improvements that could improve or enhance traits like vision, strength, speed, make them be able to survive any environment. This also came to be as a form of evolutionary lifestyle as well as a way of life that was called by those who could afford it, Cyberization.

Because of this, now the line between Machine and Man was blurred, and would soon to disappear.

But when new technology arose, so did new conspiracy and new chaos.

Gangs began to cyberize themselves to make themselves more unstoppable forces to deal with. As a result, the devastation and havoc wrought upon these gangs caused violent rebellions and uprisings, as well as crimes involving hacking, kidnappings, drugs, and so on.

To counter this, new Law Forces were created to take care of the problem. The Anti-Cyber Police force which were in charge of policing, monitoring, and controlling rogue cybers. But also a new elite and freelance force was developed to balance the ACP. A force with the power to dispense both justice and punishment… for the right price. They were called Cyberpunks or Edgerunners.

Like Bounty Hunters, Edgerunners, whether cyber or human, dispensed justice and situations like the Adventurers you would read in RPG mangas and games. Whether solo or in groups, they would get the job done, all for the dream to make it big in the new world.

But there was also government sect groups, like Section 9.

Elsewhere

Major Kathers walked into the headquarters of Public Security Section 9. She was about to enter the lab when a elderly voice spoke, "Major. Assemble the team to the meeting room." It was the chief of their department, Aramaki, "I'm afraid you're appointment with the doctor will have to wait."

the Major stopped as she asked, "What's going on, Chief?"

"There's been a kidnapping for Politician Mitsu's daughter, her husband, sectary general, is asking us to step in to rescue her before the kidnappers kill her." the chief said through the Cyber-call.

Major ran to the meeting room, as she radioed, "Batou, you read this?"

"Already on my way," the figure said, as he commed back to her.

He was a big medium muscled fellow, age unknown, but he was dressed in a kind of relaxed military garb, with silver platinum blonde hair tied up in a ponytail, and had silver socket eyes. This was Batou, a lead investigator and former ranger, as well as the Major's 2nd in command to the group. A kind of big brother to the Major.

Once she said that, she entered and found the other members of Section 9 there. Another older gentleman with shaggy brown hair and beard with a kind of older soldier vibe named Ishikawa: Covert Intelligence and Technology Executive Officer. A gentleman in his late twenties with blondish brown hair, dressed as an investigator, and seemed the less cyberized, Togusa: Former cop and the one who was mostly pure Organic. A gentleman with slicked back brown hair, dressed like a yazuka agent, Pazu: Investigator. A bigger guy who was bald, had the same build as Batou, but had red lens eyes, Boma: ISpotter, Investigator, and bomb specialist. A gentleman with a shaven military cut and had a cybernetic eyepatch on his left eye, Saito: Tactical Sniper. And leading the team was an elder gentleman in a gray business suit with wild silver hair, Daisuke Aramaki: Lieutenant Colonel and section head, who was sitting behind his desk.

Major joined in as she sat in a chair and asked, "What's the situation on Mitsu's daughter, Chief?"

Pazu then pointed out, "From what the police stated, it looked like there was some kind of brawl between Cyber Gangs. Maelstrom involvement as well as scavengers."

"Which is why we're going full tactical armaments without the Tachikomas." Aramaki explained.

"What do we even know about these guys," Batou arched an eyebrow, "They sound like a bunch of thugs."

"The Maelstroms are actually heavily cyberized gangs," a voice spoke out, as they all looked to see the doors open.

She was a Caucasian female of twenty-one, much like the Major, with a slender figure and impressive chest. Though she was blonde with short cut hair to an almost buzz pixie cut, green eyes, wore a black pencil skirt, black pantyhose, high heels, a white button up shirt with a black vest on with a MiliTech sigil on there, as well as having crescent moon silver cybernetics under her eyes, and having black fingers on her hands.

Togusa looked to her and asked, "And you are?"

"This is Kera Sedine of MiliTech. She's their liaison as well as bringing knowledge of what the Maelstrom are as well as their habits." Aramaki explained.

"In the week alone, they have raided our company of our chrome-based technology to augment themselves more. but to do so without any standard means causes great psychotic drawbacks that make them as the police dubbed these as "Cyber Psychos"." Kera explained, showing images of people who were heavily cybernize to do acts of great violence.

"These guys heavily modify themselves, knowing full well they'll go psychotic," Batou arched an eyebrow as he half-smirked, "Dang, and here I thought it was gonna be dull."

"The usual locations are factory warehouses, so their location wouldn't be far off from the clubs from the Mid-section of San Tokyo," Kera stated.

Major then arched an eyebrow, "And you know this how?"

"We sent squads to either take back or negotiate the return of our products," Kera explained, "But sadly, we end up with calls from Trauma Team on the teams' expiration."

Aramaki narrowed his eyes a fraction and asks, "Can you possibly give any idea how it is these people discovered the identity of Secretary Mitsu's daughter for them to kidnap her?"

"It's quite possible that they have a Netrunner in their group and hacked her personal ID," Kera explained as she strode in to stand next to Major, almost examining her with her eyes, as she went on, "They're probably trying to leverage the Mitsu branch of MiliTech to get the latest in our cyber tech. Last week, they managed to steal one of our experimental drones, the Flat Head."

"A what?" Boma asked confused, never hearing one of those before.

Kera held her hand out, as the palm revealed a coin projector, as it showcased the named product. The hologram revealed a 360 showing of a four-six spider-shaped drone with a box head in front with three lens eyes. It showed it varying from being a folded-up box to its spider form, and even displaying amazing feats of walking up walls and ceilings. "The Militech MT0D12, or Flathead for short," Kera explained, "An experimental military grade unit for surveillance and reconnaissance missions. State-of-the-Art, homing without a standard port and with titanium-fiber actuators. It has dynamic camouflage armor and motor impulses rivaling that of the human nervous system."

Batou smirked, as he joked, "Looks like the Tachikomas have got a new baby sibling."

"We were hoping to use the buy-back of the drone to negotiate the hostages that the Maelstrom have," Kera implied.

Aramaki wasn't impressed, "You had something like that in circulation, and yet your company didn't take precautions or even had the chance to inform us of this possibility of it being taken for possible terrorists?"

"You have to understand. MiliTech has an image they're trying to keep. And that also means we have to be discreet on what we make," Kera explained, as she stated, "If companies like Arasaka or Asaka-Tech ever got their mitts on it, we'd be going through the Tech Wars. And they'll go through the channels to hire mercs to get what we have. The Flathead is minor compared to what we don't show."

Aramaki remained disappointed in the younger woman's face, "We are called Public Security for a reason. we may work for the government, but we have our obligation to the citizens of this nation no matter where they're from. And if you see retrieving your asset is more important than the loss of lives then you know where the door is. Otherwise, I suggest you own up and help give us intelligence that we can use to make sure this outcome does not come to pass." Narrowing his eyes more he asks, "Do I make myself clear?"

"Very clear, Chief of Sector 9," Kera reported. But then sternly stated, "But don't forget: That you're currently using an Asaka-Tech product asset." and looked to the Major, "She's basically an asset. Don't think for a moment they won't recall her if you screw this up." She then looked to the Chief, "Both Asaka-Tech and Arasaka have a vested interest in it."

That got Aramaki angry, but he kept his expression as it was before. The Major was more than a product. she's an intricate part of his team... Batou on the other hand snapped, "You..."

"Batou." The Major stopped him from saying something he'll regret.

"Just keep doing your job, and we'll get along well," Kera implied, and then walked out, but stopped to the Major, as she pulled out a Yenny Chip, "For the Maelstrom negotiations. Money talks to them just as much as Tech." And then walked away as the door was closed behind her.

Kozu heaved a breath of annoyance, "You buy cybernetics from the companies, and they think they own you."

Boma crossed his arms, as he said, "Technically..."

"Please don't say they do," Pazu groaned.

Batou then said, 'Sorry about that chief, 'but I really don't like that chick."

"I'm not too fond of the Corporations poking their business into public safety," Aramaki said, as he looked serious, "But that still shouldn't stop us from trying to do our job."

The Major then asked, "So what's the plan, Chief?"

Aramaki then said, "Major. You will lead the ground team while Saito keeps an eye on the girl and Ishikawa remains back on the helicopter to investigate if someone did not instigate this altercation or if it is as Ms. Sedine says."

"And if the Maelstrom make it a kill hostage situation if they find us," Togusa asked.

"Pray that they think Saito's a bad shot," Batou said, encouraging Saito to snipe the next idiotic Malestrom gang member to get a twitchy murder boner.

Saito remained stoic, but they knew he'll not miss either with his cyber-eye or his own skills.

"We'll begin the operation as soon as you all get your gear all set up." Aramaki stated, leaving his orders as that.

Major looked at the Yenny card, and put it away on her, as she nodded, "Let's suit up and get underway. The more time we waste, the more time the Maelstrom gets to getting impatient and killing the wrong person."

"Roger." The team stated exiting the room one by one, Batou being the last one.

Aramaki stated, "You feel something's off about this, major?"

"Just a bit. Just seems a bit too lightly that a street gang of cyber-psycho fanatics got lucky in kidnapping the daughter of a politician so easily without having to strain so much," Major explained. "It's almost like it was set up."

"Yes I felt the same way," Aramaki stated, "However, the situation we cannot allow anything to dissuade us from doing our duty. Do not let the girl die." He then said with a softer tone, "Do what you feel is best, Major."

"Understood, sir," the Major nodded, and then walked off to get ready, though she still couldn't figure on what would happen next. Yet it still unnerved her on not to know what was going on.

Elsewhere

Tequilla Sunsets

The place in general was a drive-in trailer restaurant area not too much overlooked, but a perfect dive for Edgerunners or Cyberpunks. In fact, it was a good meeting place for Aaron to meet with the others. In fact, he spotted one at the moment, attempting to flirt with one of the sexy Latin waitresses wearing a rather skimpy outfit.

He was a Caucasian of twenty-one, slim frame but not too skinny, with light tan skin, not too bad looking, with blonde spikey hair that waved to the right, and green eyes to boot. His frame was small muscle build, perfect for a runner, with silver and orange-colored cyber legs with orange kneecaps, a cyber black and orange joint on his left elbow, or was his left elbow, and had a cyber pattern over his left eye going down from eyebrow to cheek. He was dressed in black baggy combat shorts that had a pouch on his left leg, twin belts with one around his waist and the other dangling on his left, a white and tight turtleneck t-shirt with a gray center, gray and orange sneakers with black fingerless gloves, a black and gray armored hoodie jacket with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and had a yellow cap with an Arasaka insignia on it.

"C'mon, Maria," he pleaded, "I'm gonna keep making it weird unless you say Yes to a date!"

"No, you're being too clingy and weepy as usual, Lee," Maria struggled to pull him away.

Aaron blanched at this while he mutters, "Lee..." he then grabbed the thin man by the back of his collar and asked, "Are you bothering this lady from working again?"

"C-C'mon, man! I was waiting for you to arrive, and when I see the..." Lee began, and then he suavely wooed, "... lovely and irresistible Maria..." He then reverted to him freaking out, "... I've got to nut up or shoot my dick off!" He then calmly said, "Besides, that girl is fine, you know what I'm sayin'?"

"Yeah, and so is everyone else with ears." he said dragging him back to their usual booth while waving back, "Sorry about him, Maria."

"Thanks, Aaron," Maria said, swooning a bit from seeing Aaron, as she walked away, almost distracted by him. Though Lee and Aaron both calmly watched her sway her hips in his direction, Lee squeakingly asked, "How is it every girl wants to throw their tail at you, but you don't get a girl yourself? You take a vow of celibacy?"

He tosses Lee lightly into the booth and said, "Nah, just found the right one who really got me feel that spark you claim to feel. Ya know?"

Lee blinked, "What? Who? Maritza? You know Punk or Moxy girls are nuts." But then thought on it, as he smirked, "Though I have heard crazy girls are amazing in the sack, so.. yeah, I'd smash that."

"I can hit you if you want." Aaron threated with his hand as a chop or a fist. (edited)

"Relax, man," Lee replied.

"Wait, Aaron's gonna smash you, Lee," a new voice spoke up as a big fellow walked in. The two turned to see who it was that was speaking to them.

He was a twenty-five Native American/Caucasian mix of a male, heavily muscled standing almost 6-7 1/2 feet in height. He had tan skin, short cut red hair, heavily muscled; in fact, there was scarring on some parts of his body that almost looked like muscle was tearing out of him. But he had red cybernetic components on his shoulders and biceps, with red metallic pieces on both sides of his lower jaw and nose rim, with black metallic bits on his collar bone, between his pecs, and framing his impressive eight pack abs, and his forearms were metallic red and gray with the fingers black metallic digits. He had squinty eyes that hid brown eyes, and a friendly smile despite his massive and insane build. He wore blue jeans that clung to his massive, muscled legs and calves with a black belt, black kneepads, black sneakers, a red and black sleeveless hoodie that almost looked like it was gonna rip off him, with on the back a black A in a circle, and two-wheel weights ranging to 90 lbs strapped to his thighs for heaviness. This was Kurt Stahl, The muscle and Heart of the group.

"No Kurt... I mean I'm just gonna beat sense into Lee till he stops thinking like a weaselly letch." Aaron said getting ready to hit Lee with his fist.

"Well, that's what I meant," Kurt smirked, as he sat down, almost making the bench they sat on catapult them away. Due to Kurt's past being with the Animals, a gang that favored physical enhancement with nanotech, fortified cybernetic endoskeletons, joint and tendon enhancers, and the occasional JUICE serum, being that big wasn't a question that didn't go unexplained. He then smirked as he took a soda, "So when are the others getting here? Ernesto, Maritza, Innoske, and the others?"

"We're still waiting for them. No idea the time." Aaron said before asking harshly, "Right, Lee?"

Lee froze up trying to sneak by them only to be caught and went back to his seat.

"Well, they should be getting here soo..." Aaron began.

But then a slender pair of tanned hands with green fingernail polish covered his eyes. "Guess who," a cute and pretty voice spoke up.

Aaron half-smirked at this turn of events, as he said, "Maritza."

The hands pulled away as the trio looked to see the 4th member of their gang making a show. She was a twenty-year-old Caucasian hottie with tan skin and short cut hair that spiked to the front and green eyes, with green lipstick. She had a slender figure with a bit of gymnastics, with a green cybernetic around her neck and collar bone, C cup breasts, tight waist and slender legs, with a cybernetic neck splinter slit on her left, neck ports in the back, and port palms for guns and cash cred transfers. She wore a skimpy green bikini top, dark green mini skirt with long thigh high black and white striped leggings with black pouches on the mid thighs, green and white sneakers, and an open dark jade green jacket with black trim, cuffs, and two black lines on the elbow and forearm of the jacket. This was Maritza, a former member of the Moxy Girls, and as such, was a hottie with attitude.

She jumped up on the bench behind them, striking a sexy pose, as she said, "Your Green Hottie with the Body as arrived boys."

"Maritza!" Lee called in a wooed manner speaking cutesy, "Did you have a nice time getting here? Do you wanna sit with me?"

Maritza sat next to Aaron, as her hand gently stroked his right thigh, as she cooed, "Got my seating buddy, Lee. Try flirting with Maria again."

Lee would glower, "I would, but Aaron threatened to Flat-line me if I try it..."

Kurt smirked, "Maybe if you actually found a girl that was more like you, it would work out better than you annoying the poor girl with your shrieks."

Lee slammed his fist, pointing accusingly at Kurt, "Well it may seem easy to you, Mister Big and Mean. but that's not how it works! True love comes from those who can find a connection not being similar in any way, shape or form. and that's why I will not rest until Maria admits she loves me or I find a girl that I know is my destiny," He said being dramatic about this.

"Or until she gets a restraining order on you, and then we have to find another spot," Aaron implied, as he took Maritza's hand from his thigh, making her pout. "Besides, I'm pretty sure Maria's got her eyes on Miguel."

Lee screamed in horror, before despaired, "Not Miguel... anyone but him..."

Maritza then pointed to him, "Yeah, and if he finds out you've been flirting with his chicita, he's gonna wanna carve your balls off."

He whimpers holding onto Aaron, "Please Aaron... you gotta help me..."

"Hola," a Latin voice spoke out, making Lee jump.

Walking to them was a twenty-year-old Latin American male with tan skin, dark brown or black hair combed back with brown eyes, and a similar build as Aaron. Though he had cybernetics much like he did, only they were more gold plated. His entire right forearm appeared to be gold plated with black fingers on his hands, his left forearm was black cybernetic with a gold outer plating on it, with his index, middle finger and thumb colored gold, along with a gold jaw armor plating on it. He had a black button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, a brownish red vest on with Uzi automatic guns belt/holstered on his thighs, behind him were two sheathed machetes for combat, with white pants with gold kneepads, and black leather boots with gold tipped toes and heels, and wrapped around his right arm was a black suit jacket with the back showing a gold cross with a gold skull marking on the back of it. And around his neck was a gold cross on the right within the center was a gold head pendant of a wolf. This was Ernesto, former member of the Valentino Gang, and sharpshooter of the group.

Kurt smirked as he tossed him a beer, "Ernesto."

"Kurt," Ernesto smirked as he grabbed the bottle, as he popped the top off with his thumb, "You guys saying Lee's balls are gonna get carved off? Who'd he piss off this time?"

Lee whimpered, "No one..."

Silence swept over the group, as they expected Lee to tell them all. But then Ernesto looked to Aaron and asked, "Is he trying to flirt with Maria again?"

"Yes," Aaron stated.

Ernesto looked to Lee as he said, "Miguel's gonna have your balls if this keeps up, Amigo."

Lee screamed as he begged, "Aaron... you can't let him know... if you do... I'll die..."

"Then stop flirting with Maria and stop screaming about it," Maritza said as she stood up and slapped the back of Lee's head. When he crashed on the ground, she huffed as she crossed her arms, "Seriously, man. You gotta know when to not womanize another man's woman."

At that moment, they heard a vehicle pull over and saw it was a Thorton Mackinaw MTL1 black heavy truck. And coming out of the truck were the 5 remaining members of Aaron's crew. Coming out of the driver's seat was a 22-year-old Hispanic male with brown hair tanned skin, with a similar build as Aaron and Ernesto, with a small muscle build for athletics. His eyes had been replaced by a silver and red cybernetic visor, ports in the back of his neck, and muscle enhancement joints for his arms and legs. He was wearing brown baggy military pants with light brown armor plating on the thighs and knees, brown marine boots, with a machete on the right with a heavy gun holstered on his left, a brown marine vest on with a shotgun strapped on the right with a heavy rifle on the left, black gloves with a shotgun shell sleeve on his left forearm, and had a radio transceiver strapped to his right peck, and a cowboy hat. This was Tio Conner, former member of the 6th Street, and an expert in Heavy and Military weaponry.

The 2nd one coming out of the passenger's side was a twenty-year-old African American with Aaron's build, dark black skin and shaved black hair. His build was athletic like the others, and his cybernetics were in his palms and the back of his neck as well, showing he was something of a Netrunner. He wore black baggy pants with black boots on, a heavy black duster jacket with no shirt showing he had chest and ab cybernetics with a white tattoo of a skull on his chest with silver bones on a necklace around his neck, and a silver visor. This was Seth, a Net Runner and former member of the Voodoo Boys.

The 3rd member coming out of the back was a mystery, as his age and appearance were hidden by his clothes. He was of the same height and build as Aaron was, but like it was said, he was well-hidden. He wore black baggy pants with teal blue armor on his thighs and on his boots, with a teal blue combat vest atop a long-sleeved shirt, with teal-blue and black gloves. He had black spikey shoulder guards, and a black hood on, as well as a skull-shaped teal-blue skull gas mask. Though his right arm was showing as the sleeve was torn, only to reveal black and teal-blue cybernetics. He was known only as Ghost, as he was a Nomad of the Wraith Tribe, and as such, he was their silent vehicle handler. And damn, he may not have talked much, he was a fighter and a driver.

Ghost remained silent exhaling as he joined the others of his crew.

And then the last two members came out of the back as they walked to them. Their appearance was of nineteen each, and both were Asian twins. The first was a nineteen-year-old Asian male with shoulder length black hair tied to an upper ponytail, slim small muscle build and pretty handsome. His cybernetics involved a blue cybernetic jaw as it looked like an Oni mask, blue cyber optics, and two blue cybernetic lower legs and feet, with the toes resembling a ninja's shoes and black knuckles. He wore black baggy ninja pants with a holster belt, holding two semi-automatics, a sleeveless black turtleneck with a blue hood scarf around his neck, and his entire left arm was in a blue and black sleeve, while his right arm had a black elbow guard, as on his back were two katanas sheathed. This was Innoske Hashibira, the one known as the Blue Oni.

With him was a female nineteen-year-old Asian female with a similar build as Maritza, but had a small chest, but slender powerful legs. Her cybernetics included facial markings underneath her eyes with black and pink cyber eyes, and a glowing dragon tattoo that was seen on her left shoulder and extended downward to how much it covered her body, as well as a small red horn on the right side of her temple. She wore a black turtleneck shirt with no sleeves with a black jacket with ruby red forearm guards and Kanto wrist bands, red short shorts, and thigh high black combat leggings and boots with two kadochis holstered on the outside of her calves. This was Fumika, the Red Oni.

Tio smiled as he and Seth greeted the others as they sat down, "Hey, boss."

"Glad you guys made it, Tio," Aaron smirked.

Seth took a beer as he said, "Dis job must be paying very well to acquire all the Outcasts."

Aaron pointed to Lee, as he said, "Ask him. He got us all called here for it to save a government official's daughter."

Innoske sat down in a meditation stance on a table to them, as he said, "They must really wish for her safety to call upon unwanted like us."

Lee pointed out, "Actually it was her mother who hired us. Her dad's the one who wanted some big Government group to rescue her."

They all stopped as they looked at him, like this was big news on this, as even Fumika popped up and asked, "What?"

Lee sat down and explained in greater detail, before ending it, "So yeah... to recap, Mama Mitsu hired us to get her daughter back because well... being Edgerunners and all... while Daddy dearest seems to think we'd want in with those Cyber-psychos in the making and had this Public Security group go in to save her."

He then used his implants to show them how much the mother was willing to pay their little group of Edge Runners to get her daughter back unharmed.

Fumika groaned, "Ugh, come on!"

Maritza sighed, "Nooo, we need that money."

Ernesto shook his head, "Who would even go in to mess with those cyber-psychos?"

"Ever heard of Section 9?" Lee asked.

Everyone shrugged about this, but Seth spoke up, "I ave. Before I was cast out of the Voodoo boys and our turf, we heard about a counter-terrorism unit that deals with cybernetic crimes and acts of terrorism. Dey also say that an angel leads dem."

Aaron blinked as he felt his ghost stirring, "An angel?"

"Dey say she appears and disappears like de wind. Dat everyding she fights falls to her control," Seth continued to woo with his spell-chilling description. "And even more so... it is rumored... dat she is all cybernetic, except her mind. Like she is the holy opposite of the Corpo Devil, Adam Smasher."

Ghost hissed at the name...

They all shivered as they knew full well about Adam Smasher. A former cyberpunk merc who had ridden to the top of the Arasaka head to chief of security. It was Block and Street legend that he took down the infamous Johnny Silverhand. And even more so, he was the only know cyborg to ever go full borg/no organic. Without even going Cyber-Psycho. Maybe he was never human to begin with as he was the Grim Reaper incarnate, the butcher to a frozen locker of human meat to carve up.

Aaron sighed, "She must be something this angel's considered to be the opposite of A.S." he said for Ghost's benefit.

Seth shrugged, "Vell, dese are just rumors. And nobody has evah seen dis angel."

Aaron stood up as he said, "Well, Angel or CTU, doesn't matter. We got a call, let's go and drop a ball on the Maelstrom."

Kurt grinned, "Oh yeah we're gonna flatline those suckas."

Ghost gave a thumbs up.

"Lee you're in the car keeping an eye on everything." Aaron said as he got up to walk to the door in their vehicle.

"What?! No, I'm the negotiator," Lee argued as he and the others went to the vehicle. "I'll be stuck with Ghost and Seth as they're NT'ing and getting the vehicle to evacuate the civies." Lee then smirked, "Besides, I heard they've got this new MiliTech drone, the Flathead. Might buy them off before we kill them."

Aaron said, "I thought you said the girl we're sent to save was a looker. and just your type. So you're saying you'd rather let a cute girl die so you can do the bait and switch on them?"

"Your putting words in my mouth," Lee shot out, "I'm not staying behind! PERIOD!"

Kurt smirked, "This is gonna be fun to watch him freak out."

Maritza smirked, "I'm so hoping he's gonna pee his pants."

Aaron shook his head, "Well, it would be an idea to have me, Maritza, Lee, Kurt and Tio go in first as buyers for the Flathead." He looked to Seth and said, "You can locate the hostages when we're close, Ghost and Ernesto will guard him, while the twins infiltrate and have Seth guide them."

Ghost nodded agreeing with that plan.

"Then let's get to work on it then," Aaron said as he hopped in his car with Lee jumping in along with Maritza. And as everyone drove to their destined location, Aaron then sighed, "And hope these CTU guys and their Angel don't fuck it up.

Later that Night

Factory District

The Factory District was long abandoned in the Lower Sector of San Tokyo. A long-forgotten graveyard of the industrial age before cybernetics made it big. Now it served as hideouts for the Malestrom Gangs, who were notorious for hiding out in places like that. Like in front of one factory, two gang members stood at the door. They were dressed in heavy armored black leather, black boots, but had cyberware that heavily modified them, some of which were missing portions of their faces with red eyes in place of them. And even on the inside, male and female members were hanging around, drinking, modifying themselves, or revving up for a war.

At the hideout one of the punks muttered, "Hey man... I'm bored..."

One of the other thugs were sitting in a Netrunner chair, keeping an eye on security, while another was Fuming out with an inhaler, as they groaned, "How long is it gonna take for those Corpo crappers to come down here for that hostage? We haven't touched the girl or the others and my dick's chromed out for some action."

"You really wanna ask the boss this?" The Netrunner asked knowing what happened to the last guy who tried, he was fragged faster than he ever saw.

The goons sighed, knowing full well they didn't wanna mess with Royce. Ever since he overthrew Brick, things were kinda rough all over. What with that guy wanting to rob MiliTech for everything they got. Though they didn't notice they were being spied out from a few buildings outside.

And a particular 'angel' was surveying the best way in and waiting for the window to open. While Batou was checking out the area as well. "Damn, these guys are not joking around," Batou implied as he looked around the outside. "Incendiary mines and shrapnel wall mines in place near the door. MiliTech turrets at some key areas, and motion detector cameras with every spectrum lenses. And not to mention, it's got Netrunners on High alert. How the hell we gonna get in without setting off an alarm?"

The Major looked around before noticing something and she commed in, "Saito, an unfamiliar Van's approaching. Get an Image scan of it for Aizawa to run through and see if it's a buyer for the Flathead."

Saito got a glimpse through the sniper scope, as he scoped it out. "Not getting any MiliTech license plates. So they're not Corpo thugs."

Ishikawa was running through the files, "Haven't found anyth... wait a minute. There was a call earlier, wanting to talk about the Flathead. Said four people were going in, but..." Suddenly the systems seemed to get fuzzy, as he noticed interference. "Major, we're getting some interference. Might be a Netrunner trying to block the intel."

Batou arched an eyebrow, "Someone's hacking us to keep from being found out? MiliTech?"

"Hard to tell," Ishikawa replied.

"I want IDs on all of the people coming. Batou we're going optical stealth to investigate further." The Major issued the following order. She then jumped off, activating her Thermo-optical cloak as she does, landing gracefully on another building as she always did.

Batou hopped off next on radio silence, cloaking as he radioed, "Well, this will be fun. Been a while since we sneak in." The Major and Batou got in close to the Chavillion Emperor, as they saw the occupants exit the vehicle. Aaron, Lee, Maritza, and Kurt as they calmly walked to the gate fence.

Batou looked, "Hey... these guys don't look like your typical corpo thugs."

"Street punks, maybe," Saito questioned.

The Major watched, zooming in as much as she can from her eyes, before getting a feeling from her Ghost, "I think they're Cyberpunks. See if Pazu has any intel on them especially the one who looks like their leader."

Pazu looked through the database, as he found something, "Wait, I think I found something on the leader. Aaron Snow, age 21, but some of his info is either missing or deleted. Only thing I can find is that he goes by codenames: Snow or Ladybug, though more commonly called Tentomoshi, which means Ladybug."

"So the guy is Lucky," Batou asked.

"Says from a file, he was one of seven to eight survivors on a runaway bullet train crash in Kyoto," Kazu reported. "There were no other fatalities, except for one stewardess, and..."

The Major felt a pain in her head hearing the words Ladybug.

She couldn't stop herself from exhaling heavily.

Batou asked, "And...?"

"Apparently, he was responsible for the end of the Yakuza boss, the White Death," Pazu finished.

Batou looked surprised at this, "You're kidding. This guy was responsible for the Death of the vilest mafia boss in Japan?"

The Major clutched her head as she tried to keep herself form screaming.

Meanwhile

Aaron had reached the door and knocked on it. Suddenly, the two turrets aimed for them, making Lee jump a bit in fright. Even as one of the Malestrom spoke, "State your business, Meat!"

"Heard you got merchandise from MiliTech," Aaron spoke up as he smirked, and brought his hand up, rubbing his fingers together, "We got the Yennies."

The Maelstrom looked at it, "Show it then we'll get the merch."

Aaron shook his head as he said, "You gotta let us in, dumbass, for you to see anything."

The Malestrom shared a look before making a comm-call, "Boss, we got some meat trying to buy the mech."

Silence was all set in motion, until the door opened with a buzzing click. Aaron reached out and opened the door, showing a darkened factory inside with only red lights lighting the place up. He looked to the three and sighed, "Guess we're going to them." And walked in, with the trio not far.

Though while Kurt was about to go in, the two invisible agents followed to slip in quick. they managed to get in passed Kurt as he closed the door, and followed the others. As they did, Lee noticed there were laser tripping shrapnel mines all around the stairs and some in hallways as they passed them, the mines deactivating as it allowed entrance.

"Yeesh, these guys must have robbed a MiliTech convoy," Lee implied. "Never seen them so well-armed."

Aaron would look around trying to get the mind-coms working or if they're jamming the coms, "Can you hear me?"

Back outside, far from the Malestrom area, a van was parked, with Seth sitting in a Netrunner chair, with Ghost and Ernesto on guard point inside. Seth was successfully hacking through as he spoke, "Hear ya loud and clear, Aaron"

"Good. Be careful while you're hacking their systems. we can't let the girl die we'll never get paid." Aaron said before he felt something that made him look to the side.

"I'll keep an eye out and do what I can to switch off the traps if dey backstab us," Seth responded. But then he arched an eyebrow, seeing feint movement behind the group, but they kept dropping out. It seemed rather confusing, and just dismissed it as cam ghosts.

Aaron still felt like someone was there... causing his Ghost to stir... but he can't place it before he heard someone walking towards him.

However, they stopped as they came across the main factory floor, to where a chromed-out Maelstrom male stood at the waiting. When Batou and the Major saw him, they were a bit shocked to see a Maelstrom in person. The guy's skin was almost missing, with his stomach empty and showing only cyber muscle and servos and cords, his forearms nothing but mechanical muscle, and the top part of his face was missing with only red eyes glowing. Five of them.

Aaron Mind-commed Lee, "This the boss?"

"No, this is Dum; he's the one who wanted to sell the Flathead," Lee radioed.

Maritza groaned, "Please tell me Seth's helping the twins find the hostages faster. I'm getting an itchy trigger finger here."

"Maritza, stand down. We can't start blasting while they hold her hostage." Aaron ordered harshly at her, "Once we have confirmation she's safe with the twins then you can shoot them as much as you want."

Dum then spoke out, "You guys fixin' to buy this thing or not?"

"Definitely. that is if it's what you advertise." Aaron answered.

The garage door behind him opened, showing a lounge station with the Maelstrom Netrunner scanning the place, and a few Maelstrom lounging about, as Dum welcomed them in, "Come in."

The four did so, as Batou and Major stepped in as well, still unseen. Dum showed them the ropes, as well as a demo of the Flathead in action as it showed it had the same camouflage features as the Major and Batou did as well. Though they questioned the use of the Flathead as Dum, who had the control splinter in his neck, almost threw up as he felt vertigo from seeing the world upside down when the Flathead scaled the ceiling. Once the demo was done, and Dum had the Flathead folded into a suitcase configuration, he took the Splinter out and smirked, "Well?"

"Would 50,000 Yenny be enough," Aaron smirked, as he held a Yenny card.

Dum was about to take it... until a big burly Maelstrom gang member waring a leather jacket, had a metallic red beard, as well as most of his upper face gone with just a single eye, shot out, "What the hell, DUM!? You tryin' to play your name?"

"But boss... they got the Yenny." Dum tried to say.

"You let in CTU agents in here," Royce bellowed.

Dum blinked, as he pointed to the four, "These punks?"

"Not them," Royce shot out, as the Netrunner in the chair. The Netrunner's eyes glowed, as suddenly, much to everyone's surprise, the cloaking on Batou and the Major were deactivated, or rather hacked, as Royce pointed at both of them, "THEM!"

The Maelstrom aimed their weapons at Batou, Major, and the four, even as Lee freaked out, "OH SHIT! Man, this is not what I thought was gonna happen!"

Though Aaron stole a glance at the Major, and got a good look at her. Something about her... seemed to spark something in him, as he whispered, but loud enough for her to hear, "An angel..."

The Major froze when she saw him wondering, "Who are...?"

Though one of the Malestrom gang members walked at Major's side, as he smirked, "Damn, this girl's got a fine chassis." He eyed her from top to bottom and back, "Mmmm, a very fine work job."

"Oh really? Care to put your hands where your mouth is?" She asked getting in close with a charming, disarming smile, before she went and kneed him where the sun doesn't shine.

The Maelstrom flinched as he fell to his knees, but not before Royce aimed a gun at her head, making Batou aim for his, as everyone aimed and ready to fire, until Aaron spoke up, "Look you want the Yennies, we'll give you all we got. We're just interested in Isabelle Mitsu."

Royce looked to him and asked, "What's your business with her?"

"Her mother hired us to retrieve her," Aaron replied.

"The hell?" Batou asked indignantly.

Royce thought on it, and smirked, "Alright." He then grabbed Major's pocket, as he pulled out the red Yenny card, as he smirked, "Fifty Billion Yenny. Man, MiliTech must want this girl back so badly." He then tossed it to one of the Malestroms as he prepared to take the money. "You know what I think?" He then leaned in smirking at Major as he said, "I'm thinking... we should ask for more... after we toss your shells to MiliTech." He then smirked, as he taunted, "It doesn't matter what you Chroms do..." and then shouted at them, "WE'RE GONNA RING OUT TONS OF CASH FROM MILITECH TIL THE DAY THAT GIRL DIES!"

Aaron then did something that no one, not even the members of Section 9 would expect. He then just moved like he was move at the speed of sound and rammed his fist into Royce's gut so hard that it actually caused his stomach to be indented as he said, "That's not a nice thing to say about a girl."

Royce fell to his knees as he glared at Aaron, "You're gonna regret that, Chume."

But suddenly, all systems went red, as the Malestrom Netrunner screamed, his systems being fried, as he fell in the chair dead. Suddenly, the systems were all going out of whack, as Dum shouted, "That broad's card! It was viral trapped!"

Batou smirked, "It's not the card bastard."

Aaron blinked, "Huh?"

"Aaron! I managed ta find de girl," Seth spoke up as he radioed not just them but the two agents. "She and the others are in teh garage on de other side of the factory. I'm gonna try and deactivate the systems while whoever it is causin' all de mayhem."

"Wait, the card's not boobytrapped," Aaron asked.

"Nah, it is. But dis is somethin else," Seth said.

Aaron looked around before seeing the 'angel' as saw the look in her eyes as she fought, "Guys... she's net hacking the place while she's conscious."

Royce noticed it as he shouted, "KILL THE BITCH!" and then bolted to disappear as the Maelstrom aimed their guns at everyone.

Lee freaked out as he shouted, "AH! BULLET STORM!"

Maritza smirked, as she pulled out two Arasaka TKI-20 Shingen, and smirked, "And here I thought this was gonna be dull!" And fired away.

Aaron and Lee ducked, as they pulled out their weapons; Aaron held a Malorian Overture and a Militech M10-AF Lexington, of which Lee had a Militech M10-AF Lexington himself. And Kurt rushed a group of Malestrom, mowing them down with pure strength.

The Major ordered, "Everyone, for now work with ese punks to take out the Malestroms."

Batou went running at Dum, and shouted, "Hey Five-eyes I'm calling you out!"

"TRY ME, CHUME," Dum shouted as he ran forward to punch him.

Batou side stepped out of the way before delivering a powerhouse punch to the big guy's gut. Dum gagged, but not before he twisted his spine 180 degrees, as his right arm split open to a Mantis blade and slash at Batou. Batou moved out of the way going boxing formation until he went and jabbed at Dum's face, aiming for his eyes.

Dum though, with broken optics, shouted, "You Faggot Chume! I'm gonna...!"

But suddenly was slashed by a pair of green mantis blades, as Maritza was behind him, and in front of Batou. Her jacket was off, revealing she had green human cyber arms from shoulder to wrists, and revealed amazing Mantis blades. she stopped as Dum's head was on her right blade and she grimaced. "Ugh, I hate it when this happens," Maritza said as she flicked Dum's head off, "It's like getting something stuck in your teeth."

"How about you let me punch the guy so that doesn't happen again kid?" Batou suggested.

"How 'bout you stop playing with your food and just rip the guy's arms off," Maritza suggested.

But then Aaron spoke up as he said, "Guys! Get behind Kurt!"

Kurt had ripped the two main doors to the factory wing, and stopped to use them as shields, as Aaron and Lee got behind him. Well, Lee hopped on the big guy's back to take point, as Aaron put his two pistols away and drew out from his back a DB2-Satara. Maritza put her blades back and drew out ehr submachine guns as she went to Aaron's left to take point.

She looked to the two agents and smirked, "You guys can wait here. We'll take this."

"Pazu, Boma, Togusa, give us covering fire!" The Major ordered.

They did so, but Aaron and the others moved forward, as they were bombarded with Maelstrom fire. Kurt was acting well as the barrier for them, taking the fire, while the trio gave returning fire to the Maelstrom. Though suddenly, the automatic turrets that fired at them, turned and fired at the Maelstrom as well. Even a few backed up Batou and the Major as they took on the Maelstrom that were attacking the two. Batou blinked, as he asked, "What the heck is going on?" He looked to the Major and asked, "Your doing?"

"Ishikawa?" The Major asked him.

"Not really... Miss Major," Seth spoke up. "Jast figured de brass tax dollars needed a bit of backup for de backup."

The Major blinked hearing this new voice while she said "Normally id' be surprised you hacked into our Mind-comms but I appreciate the assist. Try and keep them distracted while I secure the hostage." She then went thermoptical cloak and hurried over where Saito last spotted the hostage.

"More likely we crashed into each other, Major," Ishikawa reported. "Though instead of butting heads, we came to an agreement."

"He'd find a path to de hostages, vile I take care of de scum, and both your people," Seth finished.

"What'd you say?" Batou asked, angered that this kid things Sec 9 are the same as the scum.

"Batou stay focused!" The Major snapped as she used her rifle to fire at the oncoming Malestroms, going for kill shots.

"He's talking about the Maelstrom, Batou," Ishikawa corrected. "And he is right. I managed to find a spot to get you guys to the hostages."

Aaron got the map in his head as well as the others, as he asked, "Kurt, you see it?"

"Gotcha, just keep to the back," Kurt said, as Lee fired at another Maelstrom, hitting his legs as he fell over, the crash killing him.

"However, before you go runnin' trough, dere is..." Seth replied as he advised, "...a small problem."

The Major stopped as she looked over the corner to see the problem.

She noticed there were three remaining Maelstrom members, but the hallway was littered with booby traps, shrapnel mines. But the big problem was the massively large Maelstrom member who was overstocked on JUICE, and whose entire face was a lone red eye with a spiked mohawk. His muscles bulging out with Gorilla arms, and had a smash hammer in tow.

He looked down to them all, as he droned out in a grizzled tone, "You all are... tiny things..."

"Saito, keep an eye on the large one, I think he's going Psycho..." She ordered while looking around from her place to find the hostage.

Batou whistled, "Dang, someone's been eating hearty."

"You guys stand back," Aaron spoke up as he walked forward, "I got this."

"I don't think so, kid," Batou began but the Major stopped him. He blinked, "Major?"

"The Angel's got better instincts," Maritza smiled as she holstered her guns, and looked to Aaron, "There's a reason why he's the leader."

Aaron holstered his rifle, and looked up to the Goliath, as he chuckled, "Puny boy. No. A little birdie. Aren't you scared?"

"Not really," Aaron confessed.

The remaining Maelstrom members behind the giant shouted, "Yeah? Kill him!/Rip that chrome cock's head off!"

The Maelstrom walked to him, and then began to ran, as he asked, "Did you never learn to fly?!"

Suddenly, the part on his back activated, and to Aaron's perspective, it seemed time was slowing down around him as he sped at normal speed towards the Maelstrom Colossus. He balled up his right arm, as a Mantis Blade shot out, planning to shish kabob his head. Only the Colossus wasn't slowed, he was matching his speed.

Aaron blinked, 'Oh crap. He's got a Sandavistan too.'

The Colossus brought his hammer up and shouted, "TIME FOR ME TO TEACH YOU!"

However, Aaron crouched down and leapt upward, as the hammer smashed down. He flipped over the Colossus's head, and used his blade to slam into the ceiling, holding him in place, as his left arm pointed at the Chume's head.

And Aaron smirked, "Thanks, but I don't need to fly." And then folding out of his forearm, was a projectile cannon system, as he finished, "I can jump real good."

And then fired the projectile at his head, exploding the Maelstrom's cranium, finishing him off. though in real time, it was all sped up, making the battle into seconds than minutes. As in split seconds, everyone saw the two fight, and it ended with the Maelstrom's head exploding, and the body crashing down in normal time.

Lee smirked as he shouted, "Ha! that was super nova, man! Chromehead there didn't know a tiny bird to a Hawk, man!"

The Major watched, but for some reason it's causing her pain to see before Aaron finished it and said, "That was... impressive."

Aaron landed on the ground, as his arms returned to normal. But then remaining Maelstrom who hid behind the colossus were freaking out, and then bailed, screaming that the punk wasn't human. Though they didn't realize that the traps in the hall had been switched on... and were blown to bits, as their blood and remains were smeared on the wall.

Everyone looked at this in like, 'those idiots' kind of way, as Seth called, "Sorry, just switched dose on ta clear de path. Should be safe now."

Aaron shook his head as he said, "Thanks, Seth."

The Major came out of her phase before saying, "Batou, Togusa, secure the hostage. Everyone else make sure the Maelstroms are rounded up. Ishikawa, can you pull anything form their networks to find out if they were hired by any known Cyber-terrorist groups?"

"Doing it now," Ishikawa replied.

Meanwhile the group went to where Aaron met the twins, "This it?"

"Pretty much," Innoske said. Just waiting for all of you to arrive."

Though Fumika then looked at the major and asked, "Who the fuck is she?"

"Hey, watch it, girl. She happens to be the Major," Batou shot at her, while annoyed, "Anyway why are Cyberpunks getting themselves involved in a rescue op? Don't you have a turf war to fight or something?"

Kurt just walked passed them, as he looked to Aaron, who nodded. He then walked to the door, and immediately, ripped the doors down, as the teams saw the occupants. They were all stripped naked, washed down, possibly as a means to psychologically break them into mind puppets, or get them prepped for the Scavengers later on. Somewhere shivering curled up in a fetal position, while others had their cyberware limbs removed and left helpless. But one particular caught Aaron's eye, as he remembered the file. She was a blonde girl with blue eyes, having cyber marks above her eyebrows, fairly pretty and young.

He walked in as he took off his jacket, as he walked over to her. To which she was easily frightened of him, believing he was a Maelstrom cohort or fledgling. But he draped it over her shoulders, as he said, "Isabelle Mitsu? Your mother sent us to bail you out."

The Major went towards them mentally asking, 'Her mother?'

She then said, "We're with Public Security Section 9. Your father sent us to rescue you."

The girl took this all in; both her parents hired these people to help her, and then she broke down crying, her face hidden by her hands at all this.

Moments Later

Trauma Team arrived and they took over, helping the kidnapped civilians to be at ease, as well as to treat them with missing limbs and malnutrition. Isabelle was suddenly hugged by her parents, who had arrived and hugged her close. Though from afar, the Major and Batou watched all this.

"It never ends does it?" Batou asked the Major.

"Not really, no," Major implied, but then looked at the family, "Still.. I'm just relieved we got here in time."

"That makes both of us," Aaron suddenly appeared, sitting at the roof of the vehicle they were leaning against.

Batou sighed, "Look, you kids did good, but you should leave the agent work to the agents."

"Sorry, but we were hired by the girl's mother, and we needed the money too," Aaron pointed out, and then smirked, "And I ain't a kid, I'm 21, pops."

But the Major let a small knowing smirk, as she stated, "Well, we are living in a day of age where cyberization makes age irrelevant. For all you know, I might be 100."

Aaron smirked, "Doubful. You seem way younger to talk like a century woman, missy."

Batou looked between them and can't help but feel something wrong about this in the pit of his metallic stomach.

Aaron hopped off the vehicle, as he said, "Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks for stepping in." He then said, "Turns out that Yenny card the Maelstrom took from you guys was boobytrapped."

The Major's smile faded as she murmured, "I guess it was..." before looking up at the night sky.

Aaron looked at the Major and asked, "So... Major... you got a name aside from your friend here? Or did your parents really call you Major when you were born."

"Miranda Kathers," she replied.

Aaron looked confused on that, as he arched an eyebrow and tilted his head on that. But then shrugged, as he walked off, as the Emperor Chevillion drove up to pick him up, "Well... just wanted to say thanks."

Miranda smiled back, "We should be thanking you for the back up."

He didn't turn to wave her, but he did wave his hand out as a 'you're welcome' kind of way as he hopped in. The vehicle drove away, as they saw it leave, while Aizawa pinged them.

"What is it, Ishikawa?" The Major asked.

"We tried finding the link to whoever tipped off the Maelstrom on the Mitsu heiress, but..." Ishikawa said, as he sighed, "Turns out the Netrunners were all killed. Seth confirmed it when he tried to follow it, only to find the last of them killed. Not by a Net attack either. though it seems we both found the address; our Netrunner Punk friend though left me a map to the location. Said I owed him a beer next time we meet."

"Never expect with you get owed a beer to a kid." Batou joked.

While the Major ordered, "Have the rest of the team escort the Mitsu family back home, Batou, Togusa, and I will remain to investigate the map. Have three Tachikomas meet us on route."

"Roger"

Moments Later

The trail had led them to an old warehouse, andother one. But it seemed long abandoned with no signs of Maelstroms. But there were a lot of hidden Net satellites and cables. The perfect place for a Netrunner Dive.

The Major exited from her Tachikoma and told the give of them, "Spread out and find anything that could be useful."

All five of them, the two agents and the minitanks responded, though the tanks sounded like children speaking, "ROGER!"

Batou and Togusa entered the rear, guns at the ready, as they traversed a dead and dark hallway.

The three tanks rolled behind them as the dark began to make them feel scared.

One of them, Sasami, blinked, as she asked, "So what exactly do Nerunners do, Major? I've never heard of them until now."

The other one, Mihoshi, then asked, "And the Maelstrom? Shouldn't cases like that go to police? They don't seem like terrorists."

"Netrunners are more of a slang term for those who go through net dives, but for crime reasons or those who went through cybernization without proper means of cybernetic replacement. I heard that they spend most of their diving in ice baths to keep their bodies from overheating."

The Major explained, "Unfortunately, the Malestroms went after someone who helps keep our country in order, it just will cause problems later on in the future. So we were sent in to make sure that this doesn't happen. The police on this part of the city might have stormed the place and make the punks do something desperate that wouldn't be good for anyone."

"And the Netrunners here? They were working with the Maelstrom for what purpose," Batou asked.

Togusa rounded a corner, as he theorized, "There've been files online showing kidnapped victims being raped or experimented on. Some people get off on it. As well as seeing cybers go cyber-psychotic. Apparently, there's a growing fetish for the latter. Last guy was a few years ago, former military that slaughtered a Trauma Team and SWAT force."

"OH yeah. I remember hearing about that... the bastard killed most of them before a CTU came to deal with it." Batou stated, "Shame our organization wasn't around then, maybe could've save the poor bastards."

"There was something odd about it though," Togusa said as he looked around to find cables leading somewhere, "Apparently, there were points that he disappeared and reappeared. Almost like he had been going faster than the naked eye could keep up. And that during the autopsy, he was missing a cyber component. More specifically his back."

"you mean the main component to his accelerated speed was a spinal replacement?" A tachikoma asked.

"Never figured they could pass to make those," Batou spoke, getting fairly interested. "Heard spinal prosthetics were in experimental stages."

"Well, this was military grade technology," Togusa theorized, "Maybe the culprit was an ex-military soldier being used for experimentation."

"Or maybe it's someone who came after the incident?" The Major suggested as she walked over to a terminal and looked at it. Then asks, "Batou do you remember all those procedures and the insurance that you won't wake up during your Cyber-implanting?"

"Yeah, they were hell to pay for," Batou implied.

"Many of the Cyber Punks weren't so financially able to do so and thus some were forced to go Cybernization while conscious. Some research speculates that a 3rd of the reason why Punks go psycho is because their subconscious remembers the pain their bodies went through to go through the under-the-table implants." The Major explained looking a little sadly, "Many good people forced to go through this painful method instead of doing what they can to ensure they don't suffer just to get ahead in the world. Unaware of them themselves slowly becoming ticking timebombs,"

She looked back to the Tachikomas and stated, "it's why Cybers like us are considered to be Corpo stooges to those who didn't have the Finances." She even gestured to Togusa, "Unlike Togusa who realized it was his choice to remain mostly organic, these people didn't feel like they could get anywhere in life without some sort of edge."

"And these street cybers must go through immuno-blockers like crazy," Batou implied, but then stopped as he and Togusa noticed a room with a closed door. With the lights still on, as it escaped through the lower crack.

"Another reason they turn to a life of crime."

Batou radioed, "Major, we found signs of life." West hallway, lit doorway."

"Everyone approach with caution." The Major ordered heading to Batou and his Tachikoma's location.

Batou leaned in close, and heard only the buzzing of screens, but no movement, as he radioed, "It's quiet. Way too quiet. Even for a Netrunner dive."

"Go thermoptic to investigate, and be careful."The major commed, reaching Batou.

Batou's vision switched to tactical body heat, and found there were cold spots in there, as he reported, "There are bodies in there, but none of htem seem warm."

"Might be in those ice tubs you were talking about, Batou sir," Sasami Tachicoma said.

Batou looked to the Major who stood up, as she said, "Screw it." And kicked the door down,a s she shouted, "Freeze!" But then stopped as she and the others saw what the room held. All the netrunners, some in chairs, one in an ice tub, and some that looked like they were run. but all of them were bleeding externally from ears to eyes, while those in the hairs had their heads blown off.

Togusa went and stated, "Major they're Brains fried. Like some sort of Feedback like that one-time Batou made a suspect lose his memories."

"How many times do I gotta explain it? He did that himself."

Togusa gave a smirk to his buddy while saying, "Unlike you two they're not equipped with Cyberbrains so whoever did this hacked their way and then fried them."

Major looked around, and noticed one of the downed Netrunners, as they had a gun in their hands. She knelt down, and looked as she said, "Looks like someone hacked the Netrunner, used him to fry their brains, shoot the Netrunners who were in bath and bed..." looked around and saw the destroyed monitors, "Then destroyed the hardrives along with any evidence..." and then looked at the Netrunner, "And then finally forced the last to blow their brains out."

Batou grimaced, "How many people can do that?"

"Good question," Major implied, as she sighed, and stood up, "But whoever it was, managed to cover their tracks well." She then radioed the Chief, "Are you seeing all this, Chief?"

"I am... find out what you can before returning to base." The chief reported, "Good work on the primary mission."

Much Later On

Sector 9 Meeting Room

Aramaki sat behind his desk when the rest of the team, "Good work out there, team. You all did your duty exceptionally well, especially working with an outside variable as those "Cyber Punks"."

"More like juvenile delinquents," Batou argued, as he looked a bit dissatisfied on that. "Why the heck did anybody say that a gang of thugs were hired as well? We all almost had our heads blown off."

Togusa also stated, "The Flathead was also taken as well when we were scrounging for anything stolen by MiliTech to use against the Maelstrom in arrest development if they got off for kidnapping."

Pazu then stated, "Then there's the death of the Netrunners that seemed to tip off the Maelstrom about Mitsu's daughter. This was organized by someone pulling the strings."

"Apparently you were listening." The Major spoke up, "It wasn't the Secretary Mitsu who hired them, it was his wife who hired them to save her."

"But then why did MiliTech hire us when they could have the mercenaries do it for them," The Chief realized on something. "One thing about MiliTech is that they don't hire you without knowing what you do. They're very cautious when something happens to the employees. Which makes me wonder if they've already hired mercenaries, then why were we needed at all? And why this particular group?"

"And from among the Maelstrom members that were rounded up, Royce was missing among them," Togusa stated.

Batou sighed, as he said, "So it goes from a kidnapping to a mystery."

"Maybe neither knew of each other?" Aizawa suggested.

"Whatever it is, I don't like not knowing who was pulling the strings and I'd like to know why," the Chief implied. "Someone went through a lot of trouble to set this up as well as to cover their tracks."

Meanwhile

Asaka-Tech

Asaka-Tech International Armaments was a megacorporation specializing in weapons manufacturing and private military contracting. Aside from MiliTech, it was one of the world's largest manufacturers of weapons and military vehicles, with facilities on every continent. Like MiliTech, it provided equipment for hundreds of nations as well as both private and governmental organizations, especially the NUSA military and police forces. This equipment included but was not limited to personal firearms, drones, tanks, aircraft, ships, and Assisted Combat Personal Armor. An alternate branch of the corporation provided private military forces ostensibly for the purposes of defense, peacekeeping and nation-building missions, however these forces have been used to aid terrorist organizations and military coups in the past.

At the moment, sitting at the head honcho's desk was a man with heterochromia; left eye brown, right eye yellow, with a few cranial implants for communicational purposes. He was adult, wore a business suit, Caucasian, had short brown hair shaved at the sides, had a look saying everyone's expendable and no loose ends. This was William Cuttner, one who held the cards and hoped to push the boundaries for cyberization... and who saw those as assets than people.

Cuttner sighs as he mutters, "That could've gone better..."

Kera walked in as she walked to his desk, "Sir? Mitsu's daughter was saved. The Maelstrom gang is all but taken care of, but Royce got away. And the Major's performance ran well..."

"But it could have gone better..." he said getting up, "We both agree that the Major's performance was as expected when working with others but I'm only saying that if she was alone the it'd show everyone about the true gain of our technology since her entire body but her braincase was made by our company. But instead, Mrs. Mitsu had go behind her husband's back and hire Cyberpunks."

He then went to the window, "If it isn't for those HLFs or the Cyber Punks then we'd have what we needed to push the boundaries of what it means for Cyberization."

"Speaking of the Cyberpunks, there's something you need to see," Kera stated as she suddenly projected an image from her palm. It showed Aaron using the Sandavistan against the Colossus, as she stated, "It's the experimental Sandavistan Falcon Mk 6 that Lt James Norris was equipped when he was in our employ."

He stared in surprise as he asked, "I thought all parts of that project was scrapped."

"You ordered that the Sandavistan would still be in use for the Full-body shelling project. Which also brings up another problem," Kera replied, as she zoomed in on Aaron's face, "It's Test Subject 99."

Cuttner froze, he then asked, "Are you certain? TS-99 was supposed to be terminated when..." he then asked, "Has TS-99 made contact with the Major?"

"They did, But it seems the memory suppressants are still in effect," Kera assured to him. "It seems she doesn't know who he is."

Cuttner exhaled in relief, "Good. Good... keep it that way. If those two ever meet up and interface... everything we worked so hard for will be worthless." He went and took a sip of his scotch, "What did TS-99 do during the raid on the Malestrom hideout? Any tactical data we can use to our advantage?"

"So far, we weren't able to get anything," Kera pointed out, but then she stated, "Though Sector 9 are looking in to the Netrunners that we took care of."

"Damn that old fossil... can't leave well enough alone." Cuttner said going to his chair and tries to relax.

"What should we do," Kera asked.

Cuttner cleared his throat, "For now keep a close watch on both of them, have our doctors on the inside keep a watch on the Major and review her dream memories... anything that brings it back to us or the project needs to be deleted." He then stated, "And find out who TS-99 is going to as a tune upper, since he's no doubt suffering from the same troubles as any punks. We can use them to our advantage too."

Kera nodded, and walked out, leaving Cuttner to take in all the info that was gathered. TS-99 had survived, thus this meant he would be a danger should he and the Major interact. Something would have to be done before everything he strived to push his company for would be put to ruin. This virus... had to be quarantined.

He would take a swig of his drink before wondering if he should make a call to see how one of his more... 'luquadive' projects were coming around.

Next Chapter: Identities and Bullet Trains

And there it is, the intro to the two groups as well as the beginning chapter of the New Beginnings Arc. Once again, I thank Twilightnite13 for helping out with this. Expect to see more soon.