Ghost in the Cyberpunk
Chapter 3: The Great Brain Caper
Inside his apartment, Aaron Snow huffed tossing the card on the table and muttered, "Damn Corpo..."
Aaron grumbled, as he shot up and walked out, leaving Lee and Maritza be, as he said, "You guys can stay or leave, just make sure you don't make a mess with your make-up sex event." And then walked out with the door closed.
Lee looked at the door before glancing back at Maritza, "Mari-chan... I'm worried..."
"'Bout what? Aaron's one to keep his cool," Mari said, as she looked at Lee. She did look concerned on this, as she said, "Though, I have to admit. Aaron's never been that aggro."
"Something about that full-cyborg, seems to set him off as much as whenever someone calls him Tentomoshi..." Lee said, while it's true he usually panics when he's worried or scared, he was serious and she knows it.
Lee arched an eyebrow, as he leaned on teh side next to her as he asked, "I thought it was because she was pushy. But yeah, I think it's mostly ladybug stuff."
Lee arched an eyebrow, "You think the WD thing might have traumatized him, reminds him of his former bad luck, or is he being reminded that he got bit by one as a child?"
Maritza shrugs, "We know he's been quiet about his past, more than Ghost does and you know how he is about his past with the twins."
Lee thought on it, as he looked to her and asked, "Still though.. you think he can talk at all? I haven't heard him saying a word. Ever." A moment of silence between the two though, as Lee asked, "So... I'm sorry."
Maritza blinked, "huh?"
"For... you know... flirting with every girl," Lee sighed, as it wasn't the easiest thing to do.
Maritza sighs, "What can I do? You're a player...you seem to flirt with every pretty girl you see..."
Now Maritza was dejected and went to lay down on the couch.
Lee leaned in as he stated, "I do it mostly because you're amazing when you're jealous. I'm the luckiest guy alive knowing that there's a girl that goes that super emotional for a wimpy guy like me. And the only reason I'm this strong is..." The last part blushed, as it was both embarrassing in emotion and for him, "... is because of you, Mari."
Maritza blushed and then surprised him by grabbing him and getting on top him, literally sitting on his lap and asks, her Cyborg eyes now having heart shapes, "You mean that?"
"I wouldn't be an Edgerunner anymore if I didn't have you, my sexy praying mantis," Lee smiled, as he gently caressed her sides, "You can even eat my head, and I'd still stay with you."
She then and made a rough kiss on him which almost lasted for a month before saying, "Good.. because After this, I want you to never flirt with any other woman again... or else I'm gonna take that offer, got it Lee-kun?"
Lee smirked as he said, "Promise. Because that's the girl I wanna stay with." And then sat up as he brought her in for a deep kiss, as he pulled them both down, giggling.
Aaron was outside of his apartment as he heard the joyous cry of "OooooH Leeeeeeeee~!"
Aaron sighed, as he walked down the lobby way, as he tried to think of something to do. True he could hang out with one of the others, but they all had their thing. Kurt was working out and making sure he'd never go roider. Seth was serving the Net, saying his Ghost needed to surf the waves of the Grid. Twins hanging out with their kid sister, Ernesto getting his clothes tailored, and Ghost and Tio were doing an army gun check and loading up the safe house. Possibly playing 1st Person shooters. Aaron then looked at his left arm and saw the hand shake a bit. He sighed, as he groaned, "I need to see Doc again."
He would exit out the back since the front was being used by the On-off couple again.
He walked outside the stepway from the Block, as he looked out to the brightness of the day. The light touching the buildings as he viewed the reflection of the skies on the somewhat grimed buildings, yet still showing beauty. He half-smirked, as he said, "Still... it's way better than that fake world she's living in." And then ran off to the Rip Doctor to get his hand checked out.
Once he arrived he heard sound of his Doctor going Sim again...
"All these squares make a circle. All these squares make a circle. All these squares make a circle," The pudgy rip doctor said, as his black skin looked like charcoal black, his fat lips speaking, and wearing white doctor pants, with two cybernetic arms that were tapping the chair.
Aaron blinked, as he grimaced, "Either he's Simming, or he's tripping..."
"I like to think I can do both," the Doc smirked.
Aaron jumped a bit and said, surprised the doc was both simming and seeing at the same time again, "Don't do that!"
"Aaawww, but it's fun to watch a maggot jump like you did," the doc smirked, as he took off the Sim, and rolled over, "So tell me, what are you replacing or fixing today? Mantis blade going a bit dull from slicing maggot skulls? Your leg implants cramping up your calves? Is your penis falling off from too many STDs?"
Aaron wasn't impressed and said, "Just check out my arm." Showing him his cyber-arm.
"Alright, Maggot," the doc said, as he rolled over to a spot in teh room, with a turning wheel above him with several cyber arms was shown, as he smiled, "Get in the chair, and I'll take a gander." His arms popped out of their sockets by robotic arms that placed them on the wheel, as a new pair were inserted.
Aaron went to a table and laid his arm out to be examined.
Suddenly, clamps locked his ankles and right hand in place, as the Doc wheeled over, as he smiled, "Comfy?"
Aaron remained silent, "Just get to work..."
His arms suddenly split into four as they were like spider limbs, and began to open up the left arm and examined the bits. The doc flipped on a pair of goggles to examine the micro bits, as he looked through. Within a manner of minutes, the doctor had a prognosis as he said, speaking in a dire tone, "Just as I thought."
Aaron looked a bit in concerned, and asked, "Doc?"
"I suspected something like this would happen," The Doc dreaded out loud.
Now Aaron as being a bit concerned on this, as he asked, "Doc? What is it?"
The Doc looked to him, his goggles folding upward, as he said, "I suspect..." and then talked normally, as he smirked, "You're still a virgin."
With his free arm, Aaron bopped the Doc on the head hard as he said, "Shut up about that and tell me what's going on with my arm."
"It's easy, Maggot. Its warranty expired a long time ago," The Doc said, as he stated, "That arm of yours is what we call in the business the following: POS."
Aaron looked at it and flashed back to the previous owner of it and asks, "Can't you, idk... replace parts for it or something?"
"Does the term, Outmoded, mean anything to you, turd," The Doc said, "They don't make parts for this particular arm anymore." He then reverted his right arm back to human form as he scratched his chin, "It's a miracle that this arm's lasted 4 years now. I remember when you came in after that White Death job with those half-burn Yennies and gold Ed bars. You wanted me to refit the projectile arm that Maine left for you after his..." He then cleared his throat as he tried to avoid the subject, knowing it was personal to Aaron.
Aaron then said, "What do you expect me to do? find some Corpo to rob and take any arm?"
"I have replacement models for you, you brainless maggot," The doc replied, feeling a bit insulted that he suggested such a thing. He then pointed to the arms on display, "I do have other more upgraded models. Like the latest MiliTech Projectile mk5, that has five rounds instead of 1. Though I suggest you delay the shots one at a time."
The doc though looked at Aaron, not convinced, as he sighed, "You seriously want to save that arm, don't you, Maggot?"
Aaron looked at the Doc and said, "You know what this arm means... who it belonged to... I... I gotta save it..."
"I know," the Doc said, "But there will come a day when you'll have to put the past behind and keep moving forward." He then rolled over with a bag of immuno blockers. "But in the meantime, take some of these to help with the arm's circulation and gears. The arms will still be here in case that one blows up."
Aaron took the blockers and paid the credits, "Nice doing business with you."
As Aaron left, the doctor looked at him coldly, as he left, as he said, "One of these days, he's gonna be a legend for the next big dreamer looking for a death sentence." And then smirked, "Called it."
When he was out of the Ripper Doc station, Aaron felt himself being called by someone.
Aaron picked up, as he answered, while walking on the crowded sidewalk, "Aaron Snow speaking. Who may I ask is calling?"
"How are you doing with that hack of a doctor?" A monotoned voice asked.
Aaron stopped as he asked, "Doing fine? Who is this?"
"Just a concerned citizen who wants to give you a bit of advice... Don't trust anyone... especially those directly under Cuttner's paycheck..." the voice warned
"Is this Eddy," Aaron asked, figuring this was some kind of prank.
"It's not Eddy," the voice said.
"Eddy, you SOB, you owe me 500 Yennies," Aaron shot back annoyed at the mention of this Eddy.
"It's not Eddy," the voice responded yet again.
Aaron shook his head, "Y'know, I know now you're not Eddy, because he's a big idiot who always wastes his money on corporate investments. One day, he invested 1,000 Yennies for Trauma Team, and he barely got enough to get his kidneys back. And yet he still invests, thinking it'll pay off," Aaron shook his head, knowing full well the stupidity of Eddy.
"I'll also be warning the Major, in case you're worried for your warrior princess," the voice spoke out to him.
"She's not my warrior princess... I don't even like Corpo-bitches..." Aaron said only for him to feel his Cyberbrain being hacked as he felt his vision being distorted and his color input turning red as his body dropped.
And the voice, now angry snapped, "I DON'T! You...DARE call her th-th-that!"
Aaron's body almost felt like it was twisting slowly to break his bones. The bones that were still organic in some parts.
Aaron never felt like this before... this guy somehow was able to hack him before he could stop him... and even now he's unable to fight the hack... Before he felt his arm break off... Aaron felt his body stop paining before the voice spoke, "Apologize... she's... no-o-ot like the others..."
Aaron fell to his knees breathing heavily from the hold, his left arm still attached thankfully. Even though by passers only glanced at him in confusion, he at least wasn't drawing a crowd. He managed to get on one knee, as he grabbed an Immuno and injected the painkillers, able to breathe again.
"Sh-sh-sh's as Seth describe... an Ang-angel..."
"Okay, I get it," Aaron said as he stood up, and asked, 'Why do you care?"
"I... Lost my memories... they were ta-taken by Cutt-ner... I remember her face among those who he kept an eye on... as well..." He then stopped and stated, "take her offer...see how l-li-li-life is like on the other side... But becare-fu-u-ul though... if you do..."
The voice ended as the icon of being called deleted itself.
"Hey, what? What do you mean by that?! AND WHAT MAKES YOU THINK I'D TAKE THE OFFER," Aaron shouted.
Before it fully deleted, he sees an image of his ladybug coat pin.
When the signal ended, Aaron all but blinked, "Wha...?" He sighed as he rubbed his eyes in both exhaustion and annoyance.
Moments Later
Afterlife
The Afterlife was the name of a club in San Tokyo, known throughout the decades for its solo and merc clientele. Also ran by Rogue Amendiaries, a famous solo who barely looked 80 but physically retained the look of a 29-year-old, possibly due to the cybernetics that had extended her life as well as enhanced her appearance. She was a former partner/lover of the legend, Johnny Silverhand. The bar itself was once a mortuary, but now a bar dive for Edgerunners, experienced ones. If you had the street cred, you could make it there. Maine, Aaron's mentor, was one of them before his untimely demise against Arasaka. And now... Aaron had that luxury.
He currently sat at the bar, as he was thinking on the advice the mysterious voice spoke up on him. He couldn't figure if it was Sector 9's doing to prompt him in through trickery. That and he knew that Lee and Mari were going all freaky still in his apartment. At the moment, the barkeep walked over to him, Claire Russell. She had short black hair dyed red at the tips, brown eyes, a kind of chubby but sexy look to her, Aaron's age, wore blue overalls with a red tank top, and her left arm was blue and black cybernetic from bicep to hand.
"Hey, Aaron, what'll it be tonight," Claire asked.
"Martinez, please," Aaron droned out.
Claire went to give him his drink and asks, "So how's business going for ya?"
"I think I just went from a simple job to a fuster cluck," Aaron said as he stared at the drink in hand, looking at his reflection through the liquid.
"Getting those nightmares again?"
"Nah, the nightmares I can handle. It's this full-body cyber chick that's been bugging me," Aaron said, still not touching the drink. "Ex-Military from how she is, dresses kinda revealing, purple hair, pale skin, great body, red eyes. Only thing organic about her is her brain. Which is completely unheard of... except for the legendary Adam Smasher."
"Oh, you finally heard of those full-shell Cybers?" She asked as if that's common knowledge.
"So, they are a thing? When they'd come out," Aaron asked, putting the drink down and not even bothering to drink.
"You mean when did people start going that way?" She thought about then said... "Ten years ago. It's been a plan before WW4, but no one was able to be able to survive the process."
Aaron blinked, as that sunk in, "Then why do people do that? Dump their bodies like that for bodies that might end up killing them?"
He then felt a paper smack him over the head, "Get this through your head. No one simply dump their bodies. it was a method of last resort at the time before they perfected the process, to save the brain and this so-called ghost that people they have. But now a days the only concerns people have is the cost of maintenance and body-age upgrades."
She sighed, looking down, "you know about my dad right? I'd still have him if we had the money. But we didn't and I lost him." Claire then put the final touches on his drink as she said, "it's because of that the topsiders figured out how to make androids that look and act human as well as something I found really weird."
Aaron sighed, as he asked, "So what are you suggesting? I take up the government's offer and get a full-body prosthesis to be their lapdog? Only to get the body taken away if I fail the job and end up in a jar?"
Claire sighs, "You're missing the point as usual... So which government group wants to recruit you?"
Aaron shrugged, as he said, "Not really sure myself. They're some kind of CTU group, Section 9?"
She froze before the room got cold, as Rogue came out and asks, "What did you say?"
"Section 9. That girl I said in description? She's with them," Aaron said.
Rogue said, "Damn boy... you stepped into shit this time... especially with a group like them."
Aaron looked to see the legend herself, Rogue Amandiaries, as he asked, "So what? They're a CTU, not the president of MiliTech or Arasaka."
"No but they're not like any of the Corpo-dogs, they're more loyal to the government than the company. Some of my former regulars were the kind of punks they go after. Cyber-terrorism and that shit. and the most quieted rumors I heard is that there's about only 8 or 9 members in that group." Rogue stated.
"I'm guessing one of them is a smoking-hot woman, almost naked, an Angel," Aaron asked.
"So, you heard of the Major." Rogue said, "She's got this strange ability to do stuff no netrunner can do. That's why she' the leader of her small team on the field."
Rogue looked around and then whispered, "But this isn't the place to talk. come with me." And leads him to her office, "Claire, he'll have that drink on me. in my office."
Aaron left teh drink and followed Rogue upstairs to the main office. Once inside, and the door closed, Aaron sat down at a nice comfy couch, as Rogue sat at her desk. On it was photos of her old friends, as well as her and Johnny himself as a couple.
She then connected with him via private chat on a closed terminal and asks, "Connected?"
He opened the port behind the back of his neck, and hooked in, "Gotcha."
They would arrive in the cyber-chat and Rogue said, "I'm guessing you know the Major already."
Giving him a semi-blurry image or her in a uniform.
Aaron stood there, and nodded, "Yeah. But she showed off more thigh, cleavage, and back than this military getup. Goes invisible, hard-ass to say the least. Really pushy. full-body shell. Only thing remotely human about her is her brain."
"All of the Government groups or people with high class bodies have this new camo."
"So, what makes her so special," Aaron asked, though he remembered as he asked, "Wait. Is she able to hack a cyborg's positronic brain system?"
"Something like that," Rogue answered before telling him, "She is a highly skilled melee fighter and one of the world's most skilled hackers and net runner anyone's ever seen. And if you believe in that sort of thing, her abilities are rarer than ESP. She has a lot of military connections, and is the kind of person that sections of the government hire to assassinate without leaving a trace, they never succeed. She can even control two Full-shell bodies at once."
"A puppet master as it were," Aaron asked. "Now that's spooky."
"Given how she's been working for the government and under the tutelage of the director, Daisuke Aramaki, she wouldn't do that unless she's backed against the wall." Rogue explained showing him an image of an elderly man.
"This guy Aramaki aka the Chief, as she called him," Aaron asked.
"Yeah, he's the chief of Section 9 and works for the Minister of Home Affairs. From what I heard he's a tough old dog and a former Lieutenant Colonel." Rogue explained.
Looking at the guy, Aaron had to let a small smile spread out, "If he's that tough, and the Major works under him, he's got my respect. Probably as tough and deadly as you, Rogue."
"He's got some parts of his body still his while others are cybernetic, and even though he doesn't show up on any of the field missions he has big sway with the diplomatics and pull with the police and armed forces. He's someone YOU do not want to mess with." She warns.
Aaron's half-smirk remained as he commented, "I like him already."
His image replaces with that of a familiar camera-lens like eyes man with pale hair and muscles through his clothes, "This is Batou."
"Aaah. The button-eyed guy," Aaron assumed. "He's always hanging around the Major. He's her boyfriend? Brother?"
"Don't know but he's arguable the strongest member of them, not to mention how his camera eyes are due to him being a Ranger during the war." Rogue stated, "Here he got those grey, goggle-like cybernetic eyes, standard equipment for Rangers since WW3 to WW4."
"So, he's been in the shit then," Aaron replied. "Guess his cheery joking attitude hides wounds not even a cyber body could get rid of."
"Don't let his demeanor fool you he'll beat you to a pulp if you do anything that harms the regular person." She states, "And according to his online shopping, he spends his money on training equipment even though his muscles aren't organic, as well as oil for those mini-tanks they use."
"He works on his body even though he can't get any buffer, and he dotes on those spider tanks," Aaron asked, as he shrugged, "He sounds like Lee and Tio if they were put in the body of a member of the Animals."
Rogue actually found that funny, "I don't know what his attraction to the Major is, but just don't do anything that'll seem like an insult. He has great respect for her despite the age difference."
"I will remember that if we ever cross paths," Aaron said as he was advised, "And the others?"
He then sees the image of the blond with the mullet like hair style, "Officer Togusa, the only one who has more organic parts in him than any of the other members, of Sec9."
"He's 100 percent organic? That's a twist for the CTU 9 group," Aaron said amazed that there were still fully organic humans at all in this day and age where cybernetics were required to live and a sense of lifestyle. "Anything else about him?"
"Other than having a Cyberbrain, he's one of the most uncorrupted officers who has my respect." She then got close and threatens, "DO NOT insult him or threaten his family... got it? If you do I'll beat you so hard you'll need an old box-with-legs for a replacement body."
"Wait, wait, hold on," Aaron stopped her as he asked, "He's a family man too?" Aaron shook his head, "Boy, Kurt's gonna be begging to babysit the kid if they're still in the single digits."
"Those two reasons are why Aramaki recruited him, a family man, and an uncorrupted cop." She affirmed, "Not only that but his special skill sets as an investigator assisted with many of their success as well as bring a variety to their squad. Whenever the Major's unable to he takes command on the field."
"Nice," Aaron smiled. "Is that it?"
"For Togusa, yes." She then slid his image to replace one with a man who has thick set of hair and a slight beard, "This is Ishikawa, head of their Covert Intelligence, Net Runner, and technology specialist of their group. He has little more cybernetics than Togusa but less than Batou."
Aaron blinked for a moment, "Wait, I know this guy."
Rogue blinked, "You two... met?"
"Nah, Seth met him. He showed me his mugshot when he said this guy owed him a beer," Aaron said.
Rogue sighed, "Good god... you guys have another drinking buddy..."
before clearing her cyber throat, she continued, "He's mostly doing net runs for his team and hacking from behind."
"He and Seth might actually get along," Aaron commented.
Rogue then showed a big burly bald fellow, with two red optics and ports on his head, "This is Boma. While he shares the same height and strength as Batou, he's the team's resident explosives specialist. He also works as the team's resident cyber-viral warfare expert, often developing vaccines for viruses within minutes of their creation. When he's not out on the field giving them rear support or bring in weapons."
The video then switched to another gentleman with a shaved head and an eyepatch over his left eye, "This is Saito. the Ace sniper of Sec 9. He's got more Cybernetics on him than Togusa but less than Ishikawa. Even though he's the squad's ace sniper he can handle a regular auto-mag rifle with as deadly precision. Most of his Cybernetics involves that left eye of his, code named "Hawkeye", which he uses to link up with satellites to allow for shots of incredible accuracy. Given his history I'm guessing he's able to think like how his enemy snipers do and impact the success rate of Sec 9's missions involving Sniping. He regularly partners up with Boma."
"I see," Aaron said.
Then the image shows a man that seems to be mostly dress in old-school Yakuza apparel, "This is Pazu, the underworld's a blaze about him, especially with the clans."
'"Quite the group," Aaron said to all of them. "Makes me wonder why these guys wanna hire us on the side."
"You said they wanted to take you in, right?"
"Not take us in. More like side-hires," Aaron replied.
"You make it sound like something from those old books, that gang of irregulars?"
"Somewhat, yeah," Aaron replied. "What do you think I should do? I already turned down their offer."
"They still left you a way to contact them right? Try net running to learn more of their actions involving Cyber-terrorism, maybe see how they're different from the other groups that are taking Asaka-tech's money."
"Yeah, still not a big fan of that last part," Aaron replied.
Hour Later
Aaron's Apartment
Aaron had left the bar and gotten back home, after Rogue's little chat and briefing. He had already seen the Section 9 in action, and the Major at work. It just seemed a bit... too soon or too easy to get a job with them. He shrugged as he went for the door to open it.
He would find the living room a mess, again... but more so than usual with fabric torn and stuffing pulled out.
Aaron groaned, as he looked around, seeing their clothing strewn about. And finally, seeing Lee and Maritza in bed, fast asleep, Lee on his back with a smiling and happily sleeping Mari curled up next to him. He shook his head as he had to let a small smile on his face show this on-and-off set. Now if only the two could stay together.
He sat down on the still in-one-piece couch rectangle, and spotted the card. He thought on it, wondering if he should or not.
Meanwhile
The Major and Batou returned to the Sec 9 HQ, classified location, when an Operator, one of the Cyborg models, a female brunette in a reddish brown mini skirt dress, approached, "Welcome back, Major, Batou."
"Hey, ladies," Batou waved, "Miss us?"
"The chief is eager to hear your report," The Operator said as she went on to do her next duty.
Batou sighed, "Well, this will be fun. Telling him hiring a gang of mercs was a no go. Wonder if the Baboon will badger us to death."
"Well, I hope you have the time because I have an appointment," The Major stated as she left him to face the chief solo, which was like thought someone to the lion in his den.
Batou paled, as he shrugged, "Oh boy." And they walked off, as he headed to the Tachikoma hangar. "Well, might as well see how they're all doing."
the Major kept walking as she reached the laboratory.
Within the lab was a full-set of cybernetic examination gear, including a scanning bed, and bio-fluid samples. Surgical tools, as well as limb repair or replacements, and skin grafting as well as a tool to make seams or blemishes of damaged skin or seamed skin patches disappear. Working at her station was a woman with brown hair, eyes, kept in well fit shape, with neck ports and dressed like a cyber doctor, with her hair cut to her shoulders and semi curly. She was Dr. Jeane Oulette, the Major's physician and the one who perfected the shelling technique used on the Major.
"Doctor," The Major stated.
The doctor turned to see the Major and smiled, "Mira. You finally made it." She walked over, and gently scolded her like she was her own daughter, "I requested a check-up with you not too long. You had me worried that something happened.""
"Apologies but we were called away to rescue Secretary General Mitsu's daughter from Malestrom." She said as she began to disrobe.
"I see. I have heard about those particular gangs; augmenting themselves to the point where they're no longer even resembling humans," Oulette shuddered at such a thought, as the Major took her boots off, "I even heard there was another gang involved. Turf war?"
"Not that I heard of. Besides we should have dealt a major blow to them," Miranda stated, now fully naked, as she turned and went to the table to lay over.
The doctor walked over as the Major's body was scanned from top to bottom, as she asked, "Any discomfort? Internal damage?"
"Neither."
Putting aside the doctor attitude, she smiled to Major like a mother and asked, "How are you?"
"I'm fine. I can't feel anything," the Major assured her.
Oulette shook her head, "No, I meant..." and pointed to her head. "In here."
She sighed and stateed, "Just a glitch as before."
Oulette took an interest in that, as she looked at the data, and sure enough, there was info on this in the data stream. "How frequent have they been?"
"Just as the last time, Doctor."
Oulette looked to them, trying to hide her worried side, and asked, "You made any illegal or encrypted downloads?"
"No."
"Permission to delete them," Oulette asked them.
My name is Miranda Karther, and I give my consent," The Major stated.
Oulette erased them, and smiled, "Done."
She then got up and said, "Thank you, doctor. Though I still don't see the need for something that appears to be harmless."
"These glitches are signs that your mind is still trying to mesh with your cyber body," Oulette informed her. "That's why you're taking the medications to suppress them until they're gone."
"You believe I will go Cyber Psycho?"
"Well, usually cyber psychosis isn't caused from just cybernetics. It's mostly a psychological factor involved of losing one's self."
Major sat up as she asked, "But how do you know what's a glitch and what's me?"
"Oh, it's easy. I've been studying the mind for a long time," Oulette assured her, but didn't think on what she'd say next would hurt Major or make her worried, "I can see your every memory, current thoughts, decisions..."
"Decisions?" Major asked.
Oulette shook her head, "Sorry, that's not what I meant." She walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder, and assured her, "Mira, I wouldn't never tamper with anything that wasn't you or was you." But then she noticed something in her charts, "Hmmm, according to this, during your scan, some thought patterns caused your pulse to race. Not stress related either."
She thought about it, but since the 'glitch' was deleted she can't remember, "I don't know why..."
Oulette shrugged, "well, maybe in time, we'll come across it." She then nodded, "You can go and get dressed, Mira."
After Mira dressed, she left as she walked to her office... to which she was getting a call.
She would answer and asks, "hello?"
"Major?" Aaron's voice spoke out.
"Mr. Snow?" She asked before saying "This is a surprise."
"Aaron, please. Mr. Snow was my father," Aaron corrected. "Just tell me a few things. this job. It's not gonna take over our rights and have us take our brains out to be put into government-issue bodies that they'll take back and put our brains in cold storage for experimentation?"
"Of course not." She assured, "If they were, my brain would've been in cold storage for experiments 10 years ago."
"You're not an Edgerunner," Aaron pointed the fact out. "But if we're to work together, I've got 3 conditions and 1 hidden condition."
"Alright, name them," Major demanded.
"1. We're working with you, not for you. Meaning, my chain of command in my group still stands; we got things organized, so I'd like to at least work the way my team works and with whom, as well as keeping any of your docs off of us. 2. Access to Section 9's gear, with Seth working alongside your Netrunner, and Lee access with your tech. Meaning part of the pay is whatever he fixes he can keep. It could be something useless or broken down, or a Spider tank shell he could work with. and 3. No suits. For us, cyberware and our outfits aren't just lifestyle, it's style of life. I'd rather take a cheese grater to my forehead than wear a military suit."
"I'll have to talk it over with the Chief, but I think those are acceptable." She stated.
Aaron nodded, "okay then. I just have one final question to ask."
"Yes?"
Aaron was quiet for a moment, but then sounded flirtatious as he asked, "So... whatcha wearing?"
Aaron though looked down and saw his right hand shaking a bit. It suddenly balled up into a fist... and jabbed right to his face, smashing in. He fell over groaning in pain at the action.
"That should teach you to ask someone so personal," She said before hanging up.
Aaron smiled as he had to chuckle at that, holding the bruised left cheek. But as that happened, a memory flashed in his mind.
He fell to the ground on his butt, at the age of ten, as he was slapped in the face by that same girl, blushing.
"You, dumb jerk!" the girl shouted at him before she ran in tears
Aaron sighed, as he held his face, looking up at the ceiling, "I really suck when it comes to mystery girls."
Aaron would then wonder why thinking about the major makes him think about that girl from his dreams.
The Major though leaned in on her chair, looking up at the ceiling, and unbeknownst to her, smiled small and softly.
The Major would get a call from her chief through mind comms, "Major, report to my office."
"On it, Chief," Major said as she got up and walked to the office. Once there, she asked, "You wanted to see me, Chief?"
"I got the report from Batou's point of view about how the recruitment's going with those youths. I want to hear it from your point of view." Aramaki said as she came in.
Major sat down, as she asked, "Well, what did Batou say?"
"Many course words I wouldn't repeat to any grandkids." He answered, "And he thinks it was a waste of time to recruited them as a part of Section 9."
"Well, it was same. Snow and I were in a verbal disagreement; I tried pushing it and he ended up pushing back," Major implied, seemingly looking away to avoid the gaze.
Aramaki sighed as he thought, "Maybe it is a difficult task, however I believe having people who the general public would call Cyber Punks would be beneficial to our means to keep the people safe."
"Well earlier, I just got a call from the infamous Mr. Snow, saying he would agree to it on some conditions," the Major said. "He's not fond of uniforms, he'd like access to the garage, and he prefers that the team he's working with work the same way they did before us."
Aramaki smirked, as if accepting the challenge, "Very well. But should the situation require our methods I hope they'll be able to follow our method in handling situations."
"I'll relay that to them when they come in" the Major said.
"Good." He said with a nod.
"You're dismissed, Major," the Chief said, dismissing her to go.
She turned and left
The Next Day
Section 9 Base Garage
Batou glowered as he waited for the 'new members'.
Togusa looked to him and asked, "What's wrong with you, big guy? I thought you'd be happy to have extra help."
"I would've if it's actually from someone other than the same punks we put away or try to stop." Batou stated still annoyed.
"Funny, Batou," Pazu said, as he asked, "Aren't these the punks that stopped the punks we were sent to rescue the Mitsu daughter from?""
Boma was eating a slice of pizza, "might be rough around the edges but I think they'll be a good fit."
Though the Major and chief were pretty quiet about it, and more so just as the Major spotted or heard a vehicle coming down the garage entryway. Speeding on in was a red and white Yaiba Kusanagi CT-X3. With teh rider being Aaron as he stopped ten feet from Section 9.
The chief watched as he asked, "Mr. Snow?"
"I take it you're the Major's Chief then," Snow said as he got off his bike.
He nods, "My name is Daisuke Aramaki, Chief of Public Security Section 9."
"Nice to meet you," Aaron nodded, not certain if shaking hands was a good thing. He figured this was a military facility so he just waited for the others to arrive. Which they did, in a Chevillion Emperor truck, a pair of ARCH Nazaré "Itsumade" bikes.
The other members of Sec 9 watched as they came.
The members of the Outcast came out of their vehicles, with Kurt coming out of the back due to his bulk. Driving down to them was another Chevillion, only it was more desert paint and built with Black and blue designs; an indication of the Wraiths. Coming out of the driver's seat was Ghost, who just casually waved and said nothing.
Batou however said, under his breath, "Yeah great job being inconspicuous..."
Tio then looked to him and Boma saying, "Says one of two guys who have buttons for eyes."
"Hey!" Batou shouted, "these were requirements to being an Army Ranger punk."
Boma looked down slightly.
"Not insulting or hating, just watch what you say about another's style," Tio said, as he pointed to his visor, "This makes it hard to use 3D glasses, but it was required too."
Boma then asks, "Were you part of the technical scanning?"
"Somewhat," Tio replied. "I also did sniper jobs too."
Saito raised a visible brow at Tio's words.
Kurt walked up with the others as he looked around and asked, "So what kind of garage is this? I don't see any tanks or Humvee vehicles."
"Actually, our tanks are up on their own special hanger." Ishikawa informed them, "However, we need to give you the proper clearance since you kids are gonna be working with us."
Ghost waved his hands dismissing the kid comment, and pointed to Innoske and Fumika, the latter nodding in agreement, "Ghost is right. Everyone here is in their twenties. It's only me and my brother who are in our late teens."
"Ishikawa didn't mean anything like that. You're just younger than most of us." Togusa tried to explain, while glancing at their youngest member, the Major.
Maritza then asked, as she pointed to Major, "So... how old is this kid?"
"I'm around your age." The Major said not deterred.
"Ah, so you're a kid amongst these guys, eh," Maritza teased.
Aaron shook his head, as he walked over to the Chief and Major, as he asked, "Well, I think we've teased each other long enough. I'll get straight to the point: What's the job?"
"Ishikawa's right, we need to give you all security clearance before we talk about how things are done here in Section 9." Aramaki stated before turning and telling them, "Follow us please."
They did so, as they followed the Chief and Major.
The others make it as the Chief had them go through many different tests and other Standard procedure before they gained all the necessary clearance possible for them to come into the building when they want to. before they reached and sort of common room and the chief stated, "We do not have a job right now per say however we do try and keep ourselves active until our skills are necessary."
Lee groaned, "Seriously? We could do way more in one of the Megablocks or Rogue's bar."
Maritza looked at Lee, "Lee-kun, don't forget why we're here. I mean it's not like they have jobs on around the corner."
Lee sighed, "I know, sweetie."
Aaron shook his head, as he said, "What we're trying to say is that we've also got our own stations back at the Megablock to work in. We've also got a weapons cache we need to keep an eye out should things go to pot."
"Hold on you kids have weapons laying around without anyone watching them?" Batou asked in disbelief.
"We always had the possibility that war was gonna break on the streets. That we also wanted to be prepared in case of anything," Aaron said. "We also make sure we keep them off the streets. And of course... this is San Tokyo."
Batou then asked, "Then how about you hand over those weapons like good boys and girls before a war happens."
Togusa however said, "While I don't share his main reasons, I think you guys should let us at least examine them."
"You have any idea how dangerous that would be for us," Aaron implied to the two. "Not everyone has a government satellite or Special Ops forces watching out for our backs. You'd be grateful we have them hidden in storage."
Ishikawa looked and suggested to his younger friends, "Maybe we should trust them with this since it is what they have covered."
Batou was annoyed while Togusa was concerned.
Aaron then said, "When teh shit hits the fan here, you'll be thanking we've got what we've got."
Lee then sighed, "So we're supposed to sit here, be bored out of our skulls just waiting for something to happen?" Lee looked to Aaron and asked, "Dude, why did you talk me and us into this?"
"You said you wanted to build your own spider tank to go with Flathead," Aaron half smirked at his friend's annoyed face.
"Well if you're so antsy maybe some time in the shooting ring might work." The Major suggested.
Tio smirked, "Sweet. Tantomosi vs Major. See who's got a better shot."
"I'm afraid I cannot join you; I have other duties to perform, but Togusa, Batou, or even our tactical sniper Saito might be up for a challenge." The Major said as she began to walk with Aramaki.
"I'd say you're chicken, but considering what I've seen, I retract that," Aaron smirked, as he walked off, "We'll just save it for a date."
The Major did something that everyone from the team didn't expect, she flashed Aaron a genuine smile, "I'm holding you to that."
Aaron waved back on that, not turning around, but smirking as his face was kept hidden.
The others were either stunned, shocked, or surprised by this as the Major rarely smiled.
However, the confusion was put on hold as high alert went off.
The rest of the team of Sec 9 got the mind coms and Batou shouted, "Hurry Rookies, we got a mission!"
The Outcasts looked to him, as Innoske said, "Main office or will he radio us?"
"The chief's gonna tell us through Mind Comms." Togusa explained, "We need to get suited up."
"Aaron, can you hear me?" he soon heard the voice of the chief speaking to him.
Aaron turned on comms, "Yeah, read you loud and clear, Chief."
"Patch me through the rest of your team as well." Aramaki ordered, "I'm going to the mobile headquarters the police are using outside of the scene, and prepare for an A2 loadout, if you have questions ask one of the other members."
"Got it," Aaron said, and spoke out, "Outcasts, synch your comms to mine. Seth, pick up the frequency and tune it to everyone."
"Got it," Seth said as he sat in teh chair in teh Chevillion, moments later, "Comm Links. All systems go."
"Ghost" the silent driver heard, "Take corridor C to reach the hanger to pick up your team, "
Ghost did exactly what was ordered without even saying as much as a word as he drove to Corridor C and sure enough the group was there.
Boma waved, "hurry kids."
As he entered the armory room, where most of the team of Sec9 are already wearing great military suits. while Batou has his forearms exposed.
Once everyone had their weapons and armor, most of the Section nine team were heading to the Tachikomas as Ishikawa said, "Seth help me keep an eye on things in the net side of things." the older man said going to a room.
"Rodger that," Seth said while still in the chair, relaying everything. "Just make sure after this you buy me that beer. You ain't getting out of that easily."
"Depends on the result of the mission kid." Ishikawa said as he entered his chair as well and prepared to be called in.
Meanwhile in the Mobile Headquarters parked right next to a Geisha tearoom house. The police on scene seem to have an argument going on, as one of the upper ranked officers stated, "I can't hand over command authority without a rational explanation! This matter falls within police jurisdiction!"
"I am not obligated to explain." The man in a red suit said, sitting across from them stated, behind him were two army officers, arms before his face as he repeated, "Don't be stubborn. Relinquish command authority to the military."
"We're stubborn!?" The same officer repeated, angry.
"Gentlemen, is this the time for petty squabbling? Aramaki asked, wearing a neck device like a reading collar around his neck in a U-shape as all the officers were surprised to see him.
"Aramaki..." the red suited man said as the police all stood up and saluted the older man.
"Aren't the customers involved the issue here?" Aramaki asked them.
Yes, sir." The Police officer stated, and reported, "We have reason to believe that the patrons who're being held are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and his personal secretary, a Representative form Asaka-Tech, as well as the chief of the Minister's support association, and two people from the North American Industrial Promotion Alliance. It's been seventeen minutes since geisha androids took all of them hostage."
Another Police officer then reported, "And according to the hostess who was able to get away, there could have been two casualties but we have no way of confirming it yet. So far, we haven't determined or verified the complete situation within the building."
"Have they issued any claims or demands?" Aramaki asked looking at them.
A lower ranked officer spoke, "Not at this time, sir."
"Transmission blackout?" The man in the red suit answered that one, "My guys are on it."
"And media control?" The third officer at the table answered, "We put Code 14 into effect nine minutes ago. It won't hold for long."
"Section 9 will handle the incident from here. Hold your position." Aramaki announced. and unlike what most people would think, the Police higher ups doing the same thing as they did with the red suited man of the military.
They however accepted that, "Sir!"
Aramaki turned to the red suited man and said, "Kubota..."
Aramaki then turned to leave while Kubota follow him outside of the MHQ.
When they were out Aramaki took out an insert port form the tech-looking collar for Kubota to take and insert into his neck port.
"Why the military intervention?" Aramaki asked in a secured Comms.
"One of our people is in there." Kubota answered, "That's all I can say for now."
"All right, tell me about it later." Aramaki said, getting a better picture, "Leave this to me."
Kubota nodded, and pulled out the cord as it retreated into the tech-collar. Aramaki then asked, "Major. Aaron."
Running through the field the Major was in a similar suit with an assault rifle in her arms, Aaron next to her, "We're almost there."
"What's up, Chief" Aaron asked.
"The military are Anxious to jump in. Watch your backs." Aramaki warned.
"Thanks for the concern." The Major dryly said, before asking, "Togusa, Lee?"
"Yes?" both radioed
"How's the searching on the Hacker going?" The Major asked, wanting a report.
"Seth's searching any signals there," Lee advised.
"All I'm detecting is some weird signals..." Seth said sounding weirded out.
"How weird," Lee asked.
"Like it's connecting to someone in some sort of Friend-ID signal between each Geisha and some sort of..." Seth paused and shouted, "It's a Cyberbrain! Each Geisha bot is connected to a Cyberbrain!"
Aaron blinked as he radioed, "Is that possible?"
"Only someone's net running skills are betta dan mine or Ishikawa's... dey heavily encrypted de links o I can't figure out who de bots are connected to." Seth responded.
Aaron asked, "Is that possible?"
He looked to the Major, as he asked, "Someone better than you?"
"I maybe a hacker but even I'm not good..." She stated back as she asks, "Who's the best at stealth amongst your team?"
"Ghost and the Twins," Aaron answered.
The Major nodded, telling Aaron, "Send them in, we'll have Saito and Tio give them support from a distance."
Aaron radioed them, "Innoske, Fumika, Ghost. You guys are going in. Saito and Tio will be sniping support."
"Understood." Innosuke spoke for the three as they used their skills to infiltrate the building without anyone spotting them.
Fumika managed to slip in through the window, as her cloak was turned on, and she reached for her left palm to pull a red micro-fiber wire, ready to decapitate someone.
Ghost held her shoulder and shook his head, gesturing with his fingers to over his eyes, messaging that they're here for recon, nothing else.
Fumika groaned at this, not liking this.
Ghost then pointed up to the ceiling to crawl between the floor and ceiling space.
Fumika lifted a floorboard and found a pathway, as she took it to go hiding and seeking out any signs.
But not before she asked Ghost, "Are the Government lapdogs listening and watching?"
Ghost nodded, and Fumika held her hand up, flipping the bird to them as she said, "Tell them they're too soft on this." And with that disappeared.
Ishikawa had to smirk at this as he and Seth saw the gesture, and said, "Cute."
Ghost would continue to where he detected heat sources and spied inside. Seeing not just the Geisha Android but also what appear to be Cyberpunks all of them keeping an eye around as the Matron or oldest Bot there seems to be stealing data from someone, an Asaka-tech rep, Ghost then linked his eyes to both Ishikawa and Seth before showing them what he saw.
"Guys, Ishi and I just got 'word' from Ghost," Seth radioed. "Seems one of de Geishas is hackin' one of de guests/hostages. An Asaka-Tech Rep."
Aaron blinked as he got the news, "Wait, what?"
They then saw Ghost zoom in on the Cyberpunks with the Geishas, showing a private link between each punk and the robots, expect for the matron bot.
Fumika also took notice of this in plain sight, as she saw them, and reported, "Ghost and I have spotted them. Five punks. Maelstrom, three males, two females, they appear in the models of 3 Solos, 2 Techies, and one Netrunner working through the data of the clients."
Seth and Ishikawa radioed that intel, and Aaron asked, "Any idea who the executive is and why they're doing this?" "Possible information steal,"
Seth explained. "Some corporations get hacked into ta steal the latest tech and blueprints before dey get to the prototype boards. Gives dem an edge to get in first place to who built what."
"So why is it only that guy when the Secretary General is the bigger target?" Boma asked, confused.
Ishikawa then said, "Fumika. Ghost. Can you two try and move in for a better view at his face? I might be able to identify him."
"Does it really matter? Why don't we go in and blast the bots to the scrapheap?" Kurt asked, getting annoyed.
"Yeah, I'm not sure that's what the government agents would do," Aaron said, sweat dropping as he stood by next to the Major.
"Hold on. We got a facial recognition thanks to Innoske," Ishikawa replied as he loaded the data of the individual. "His name is Dr. Osmond, and..." Suddenly, the video feed showed the Geisha that held the doctor in place, suddenly open its face as it screeched in anger. And then snapped the man's head as he died. "Shit! The Geisha just attacked."
And then the video feed showed it going all ape on it by smashing its fists into it like an ape would. Suddenly, the Major bolted right in there, as Aaron went, "Guys, they just took away their privileges and now it's open season." And rushed after her, pulling out his modified Lexington.
Batou blinked, "Guess we're going in." And followed after, a bit confused on why the Major didn't give the order to go in.
The Major, then ordered, going thermo-optical stealth, "Ninja team take out the geisha and secure the remaining hostages!"
"Everyone else watch your fire and take out the hostiles before they decide to kill the others."
Without a second word, Innoske and Fumika shot out, while Ghost deactivated his cloak, as the Maelstrom turned to see them. Though the Geisha looked to see them, it stopped, and then turned to the other Geishas. It hissed something out to them as its eyes bugged out. The remaining Geisha then let go of the hostages, while one crawled in front of them like an angry attack dog. The other Geishas shredded off their yukatas, as it seemed that it slowed them down, and ran out of there like animals or soldiers to fight the others.
Ghost relayed what happened to Seth who would see how the Matron bot is the one giving the orders.
"Dat's weird," Seth said as he and Ishikawa worked on this, "Dere doesn't seem to be a link with dat Geisha. De ghost box isn't even controlling it."
Ishikawa explained, "The androids in this establishment takes their general routines from the Matron bot who knows the ropes better, you can think of it like a Cybernetic version of an insect colony between the Queen and the drones."
Running in the hall, the Major turned a corner, only to nearly get swiped by one of the rogue Geisha drones, as it attempted a round-house kick. The Major dodged it as it smashed through the wall she had passed, taking a pillar with it, as it looked to her. Its face frozen with its calm and stoic gaze at the Major.
Before anything could happen, it was shot in the head, it's white blood and cybernetic bits sprayed before it slumped to the side and Batou revealed himself, "Be careful, Major. These things are being hacked through the Matron, go after it while we take care of the hostiles!"
However, two more Geishas popped up, screeching as they came at Batou and Major... only for them both to get shot at, both by single fire, and by rapid fire, as Aaron and Ernesto stood behind the Major and Batou's other side. "You should watch your backs, and we'll take that to consideration as well, B," Aaron said.
Batou glowered at this, and shot back, "Just remember we're here to save the hostages not kill innocent bystanders." He then hurried into the main room.
Aaron and Major rushed after them, as Ernesto looked around for any other surprises. But not before Aaron shot at them both, "Should have thought about that before someone got killed by the Queen bitch in the room."
"That's enough Snow, just focus on the ones we can save." The Major snapped as she went and got into firing at one of the punks.
One of the women punks rushed at her, and managed to stab the Major's left hand, pinning her to the wall. Before the two could do anything, a heavy Solo Punk shot at them both, as they both fired. The bullets bounced off his artificial flesh, as he chuckled, "That tickled, flies."
"Kurt, we got a heavy with your name on it." Aaron radioed, single shooting at the Malestroms as the ninja teams gets the hostages out of the immediate danger zone.
Fumika was escorting a female secretary out, a young one, when one of the males shot out, as he shouted, "BITCHES BE MINE!" Fumika sneered at this, as she pulled out her fiber wire, and did a whip motion. The punk crashed as two of his legs were gone, and he was now disarmed only with his right arm remaining, as he shouted, "MY FUCKIN' LIMBS! YOU BITCH, YOU FUCKIN' BITCH! AAAAAGH!" Fumika then said, "You are unfortunate that I was ordered not to kill."
Togusa would come in and reports, "Major I confirm two others casualties, a female with a head traumatic wound, and one male Caucasian: dead."
"Dammit, we have to take that Matron down," Major scolded herself, and looked to the chackling female Maelstrom. "You look very well-built, babe," She smirked, as her left arm became a scythe-shaped mantis blade, as she brought it close, cutting the Major's front as it became a slowly-developing daring V neckline showing her cleavage and navel, "How much of you is still organic? Got a pelvic port to play with?"
But then suddenly the Maelstrom froze as she tried to go down further with her blade, as she struggled, "What... what the... why can't I move?"
The Major then pushed her off, and with the knife still embedded in her hand, stabbed the Maelstrom's neck, as she said, "Sorry, I don't' have time to play."
The gang member collapsed, grasping her neck, as the Major walked pass her, "Besides, you're not exactly my type."
The Matron screamed as two of the geisha bots went to attack her s it tried to crawl away.
However, smashing through the room was the Heavy Maelstrom solo with Kurt pinning it to the ground. And as a result, they crashed atop the Matron's legs as it attempted to get away, crawling and attempted to get away. However, Aaron managed to rush in with the Sandavistan activated, folded out his Projectile and fired the Maelstrom's head, and then kicked the Matron into a wall. And at normal speed, it was done rather well and fast as the Matron crashed in a heap, flinching and unable to move.
The matron with its remaining arm reached for the Major, its original synthesized voice pleading, "Please help me..." It was almost as if it was taunting her in rubbing salt that she failed to save the Asaka-Tech head he killed. "Please... Please help me..."
Aaron looked at it as he was a bit unnerved of this taunting, "Okay, this is just creepy." But then the Major unloaded the whole gun into it as it twitched and thrown about with every shot. He looked at her as it was getting to her, and went to her, "Major, stop!" and grabbed her right gun hand.
The Major breathed heavily before she remembered that these Geisha bots were being controlled and asked, "Who are you? Why did you do this?"
The Hacker then said through the bot's remaining speaker, "Those who side with Asaka-tech will die..." before revealing its metallic infrastructure skull and lunged at her.
Then it was Aaron's turn to shoot the head, as it fell back, seemingly dead.
The last of the Geisha drones all slumped to the floor without the Matron to direct them.
The remaining Punks groaned, "Aw fuck..."
Moments Later
After the authorities were okayed to go in and take the hostages to care and the Maelstroms for questioning, there were also others coming in. A teach of researchers hired by Asaka-Tech came in to examine the Geishas. Though also walking in, was Dr. Oulette as well, as she was hired to overlook the investigation. But also, something else, as she spotted the Major looking at her damaged left hand.
She went over and asked, "Major, what happened?"
the Major looked to her and blinked, "Dr. Oulette? What are you...?"
"I was told of what happened involving one of Asaka-tech personal being taken hostage and I had to come on the off chance of you sustaining damage."
Major looked at her left hand, as it was limp with little to no finger movement, as she shrugged, unfazed, "It's not that bad. Could have been worse if the Malestrom sliced off my head."
The doctor was horrified by this, "We must make sure your hand is replaced before anything else."
Togusa went to the Secretary General and asked, "Are you alright sir?"
"Yes, I'm fine thank you." The rather portly and older man answered before he went and picked up a case of some sort.
Togusa looked a bit confused on that, even as Innoske popped up at Togusa's left, "A man who hastens gratitude often has something to hide."
"Come on, I'm sure he's just surprised after what happened..." Togusa suggested though he did find it odd, "So any of the Malestroms talking?"
"Actually..." Innoske said, sounding a bit awkward at what would come.
Moments Later
Togusa and Innoske were at the scene, with a few MaxTac troops confused as they were. The Maelstroms were either shorted out with their nose and ears bleeding, or had been put out from being on fire. Internally on fire. But one thing was certain about them: their minds were all destroyed including their ghosts.
"How did this happen," Togusa asked, shocked and horrified by this.
One of the MaxTac men explained, "We were planning to put a Ghost Suppressant collar on each of them, hoping to take them for interrogation. But before we did, they started convulsing and spasming. and then their minds and systems started overloading and..." He pointed to the bodies, "Well, this is what happened." Innoske said, rather suspicious about this turn of events, "It seems whatever or whoever orchestrated this and hired the Maelstrom... didn't want them taken for questioning. They were probably afraid of what they might have said."
"Sir, what should we do about these Punks?" A less than confident MaxTac man asked, gesturing to Innosuke and the other Cyberpunks.
the sergeant shrugged, "Take the bodies and then dump them in the Lower Section. Let the Scavengers take the junk back."
"Hold on." Togusa said shocked by this.
Innoske sighed, as he stood up, "Typical response for both living and dead of our living. There wouldn't be much to learn from this."
"First off, they're part of our investigation," Togusa interrupted, "We'll be taking the bodies back to examine them."
"Once you're done with them, you can dump them back to the Lower Sections," the MaxTac advised, and then he and his men walked away, with one kicking dirt in Innoske's path.
Togusa glared angrily back at the MaxTac, before asking Innosuke, "Are you okay?"
"I will be fine," Innoske assured him, as he turned to walk away, "You cannot change the way a person feels or react to another. There are some people that choose not to accept those of Lower class. But there are those more accepting."
Togusa exhales, knowing that anger's not gonna help in this situation as the bodies of the Malestroms be taken away back to HQ for autopsy.
The Major sat down as Oulette was patching up her hand, as it was a way to pass time, and at least be a bit calmer due to the end of the battle. Major was keeping an eye on the hand patching, as she also looked over at the downed Geisha that was the Matron. But she also looked around and didn't see Aaron anywhere either.
"Are you looking for someone?" Dr. Oulette asks, seeing her glancing around.
Major blinked, a bit startled by that, as she confessed, sounding uncharacteristic, as she answered, looking back to her, "Oh, Doctor. um... well, I guess I'm just trying to um..."
"She's wondering where her new boyfriend/coworker went off to," Batou said, making the Major a bit annoyed as she lowered her head, grumbling.
"Her new what?" Dr. Oulette asked, confused.
"Her latest boy-toy project is all..." Batou joked, but before he realized, the Major Ghost-infiltrated him, and used his left fist to punch him to the ground, "GAK!"
The Doctor, knowing who was responsible, chastising her, "Mira."
Major looked a bit childing to the side, as she said, "Well, he started it."
"But that does not help your case when you hack and control his arm like that," Dr. Oulette chastised like a mother with a rebellious daughter who did something wrong.
"Doctor," Major tried to complain as a child, but heard footsteps from behind. She turned to see Aaron; a bit surprised as his facial expression showed it.
"Wow. Never thought from that fierce exterior, I'd see you act like this, Major," Aaron said, honestly surprised by her somewhat childing behavior.
The Doctor noticed him and asked, "I take it this is young man that the Sergeant was talking about?"
Batou, on his back groaned painfully, "Uh huh..."
Aaron looked to her and asked, "And you're the Major's mother?"
"I'm more of her medical examiner and provider," Dr. Oulette stated, and offered him a hand to shake, "Dr. Oulette, on loan to Public Security Sec 9 from Asaka-tech while Major Kathrine is with them."
Aaron took her hand with his right one, as he answered, "Aaron Snow. and yes, that is my name." He looked to the Major, as he commented annoyed, "Unlike the Major here. her name sounds fake, if you ask me."
Dr. Oulette felt insulted, "It is her given name as shown on records."
Aaron shook his head as he pulled back from the handshaking, as he stated, "Well, either you're lying or it's false."
Now it was Major's turn to get angry as she pulled from the doctor and stood to him face-to-face. Aaron actually withdrew from seeing her angry face while Batou, though relieved to see her not being on best terms with the punk, only concerned by her anger.
But then Aaron looked away as he shrugged, "But then again, I'm not worthy to have a new body and new identity if that's the case."
"WOOOOOOORTHYYYY..."
Everyone looked and saw the Matron Geisha slowly shaking itself awake again. This time, the voice of the male returning, as it began to try and get up, looking like a puppet pulled on tangled strings. Though it was more like that girl in the Grudge films, as they twisted themselves and stood crookedly as it turned to face them. Half its face was gone and the hair was messed up, while the Yukata it wore was ruined and barely holding itself on the pale body. Everyone looked at this, even as Togusa and Innoske showed up, as they saw this too.
Though the only one that spoke up was Aaron, as he wearily sarcastically said, "Well, that's not creepy at all."
He then shakily stepped to them, almost falling apart with its steps, but maintained itself not to fall down. But spoke to the Major as he stated, "How can you be worthy, Major? You're just a brain in a box." And stopped as it slumped to her, stating, "Nothing but a puppet on strings."
Then bobbed its head back and forth slowly side-by-side, like a cobra being hypnotized, "Strings..."
"How is that thing talking? I thought the kid shot its processor," Batou asked not getting it.
Lee was a bit freaked out by this, even as he was picking up scattered splinter chips that the Maelstroms dropped. But Aaron then picked up as he asked, "Are you... here?"
"No. At any possibility, this isn't my physical body," the Geisha said, as it picked up the head of one of the other Geishas, looking at it. "The black box your Netrunners found was mostly for the Maelstrom. It's more of a way to mislead others." He then looked to them as he taunted, "Run, run as fast as your Ghosts can, you can't catch me... I"M THE PUPPETEER MAN!"
The Major glared as she asks, "Why are you doing this? Why are you putting innocent lives at risk?
"Innocent? Is... Is that what you thought Dr. Osmond was? Innocent," the Matron asked, almost sounding rather insulted that the Major thought that. "Oh, you have no idea the skeletons hidden in his closet. But no matter what I tried to find in his head, I couldn't find what I was looking for. So, I got rid of useless garbage." And then tilted his head as it spoke, "But not before I wiped away his ghost."
"Then let me ask this: why did you have the Maelstrom killed," Togusa asked, getting to the point.
"Oh, they outlived their usefulness to me after I hired them," the Matron said. "They all died a good death: Quick and Clean. Something those like us aren't afforded." He looked to Aaron and asked, "Wouldn't you agree, Ladybug?" He smirked, "Yes. I know of you and your crew. Rather quite an amazing record... Outcasts."
The Major froze hearing the world Ladybug as she saw the image of the insect flash before her.
The Matron smiled, as it got into her face, startling her, as it said, "So when I leave, you all can go to your very lives until I pop back. And I promise, nothing and no one would go after you. You'll have peaceful lives without me ruining it. I'm not that big of a scumbag on those I hold respect for. Even if they're insects to a higher lifeform."
The Major hardened her expression while Batou shouted, "You're not some kind of higher lifeform, you're just a high-grade punk who wants to kill everyone! We've seen some outrageous shit during World War 4, but you the worst of them all!"
Aaron also stated, "And we don't need your permission to live."
"Other's might," the Geisha said, as its smirk twisted to grow bigger, "The Chief at Section 9. The Megablocks' inhabitance, Batou's dog, Innoske and Fumika's little sister Konoka..."
It then chuckled, as it looked to Togusa, "...And oh yes, Officer Togusa. Your wife and daughter."
Everyone's horrified expressions was on their faces as he smirked, seeing this reaction as he finished, "Y'know, when the Frankenstein scientist ripped my brain out and shelled it, they said that there would always be a lack of feeling, a numbness. Said I would have to get used to it. I clawed my own body to try and feel anything, but nothing. They say that overdoing on cyberizing drives a person mad, but what really drives a person mad is the lack of who you are. Strip away all the Humanity and you lose your mind." It then chuckled, "But the one way I appreciate my immortality... is by watching all mortals in front of me dying."
Suddenly, Aaron rushed up and skewered the Geisha's heart with his Mantis Blade going through, as he whispered in its ear, "You just lost another puppet."
And then retracted as all it left was a gaping hole in the Geisha. It looked down, unfazed by this, but looked to them, as it poked its hand through the hole, "That looks painful." It then stumbled back, as power was being lost to it, as it said, "Oh well. Like the Maelstrom, the Geisha's usefulness was short-lived."
Its lights went dim as it finally was shut down.
Aaron walked back to them, until he touched the Major's hand, and blinked, as he realized it was shaking.
When things had settled down, the group was now at Section 9 going over the details of the case.
Aramaki sat behind his desk, "As you all are aware this unknown hacker used a small number of these Malestrom hoodlums to initiate an act of cyber terrorism against members of our government and took the lives of two personnel." The screen in his office showed the corpse of the blonde man whose entire cyber head broke apart, as well as the Asaka-tech employee.
Lee and Maritza, who sat together, with Maritza stating, "Yeah, but he only went after the Asaka-Tech scientist guy. What was so big about him?"
"It seems that Dr. Osmond was one of the heads working on Cyber-Prosthesis," Ishikawa answered. "Apparently, he was trying to push the ambassadors at that place to try and make contracts for Asaka-Tech."
"Especially since the Secretary General is in charge of Foreign Affairs to be the neutral party between then. But there is one thing that bothers me." Aramaki stated, "Who this man is and why he was kill before the androids as well as Malestrom came to cause such a ruckus?" Aramaki asked, focusing on the unknown after removing the image of Dr. Osmond, "Where did he fit into this picture?"
"Well, probably someone that this Puppet master didn't care about," Tio replied, as he answered, "He seemed more fixated on the Asaka-Tech head than the Secretary or the blonde."
"He's actually the Secretary's bodyguard," Ernesto answered. But then thought, "I think."
"Nah, the bodyguard was the girl," Pazu corrected.
"Pazu's right, though she's had severe injuries, we believe she's gonna make it." The Major stated, while she then suggested, "Why don't you talk to your friend within the military? Maybe he can shed some light on things." Aramaki thought about it.
Aaron, who stood behind the Major, asked, "Friend?"
Aramaki remained silent before stating, "I'll contact him and see about arranging a meeting, in the meantime, all of you continue investigating any leads on who this hacker is and how we can prevent him from striking again." Section 9, picking up on the cue, all got up and walked out of the office.
Aaron though walked away heading to the garage, "Well, you guys have fun with playing detective. I'm heading home."
Batou shouted, "hey hold on! Just because we're not shooting people, that doesn't mean the job's done!" Togusa however let Aaron go.
"Let him go, Batou," Togusa replied, "If he doesn't want to help with the investigation, then that's it."
"See, he gets it," Aaron said with his back turned, "Besides, Cyberpunks/Edgerunners are mercenaries. And mercenaries are like hookers: You gotta pay them extra to get excited."
Lee looked at the others and mind commed, "Should we be offended by that?"
"No, it is fairly accurate," Kurt replied.
Lee looked at Maritza if she felt the same way.
Mari shrugged, "I got no complaints. If anyone wants a reaction, I charge 'em."
Tio then went to the garage as he said, "And to be fair, I'm just a gunman, not a detective. I suck at Clue."
Fumika nodded and followed him, "Yeah, just checking boxes, looking in rooms, it's a horrible game."
Seth though looked to the group and said, "I'll help dig up what I can. I don't have much in de way of a life like de others, so I'll keep an eye out. If we still have the vids from the restaurant?"
The Major watched Aaron go, as Batou looked to her and asked, calmly, "You're not gonna order him to stay?"
"Like he said, not everyone's strong suit is investigating crime scenes." The Major stated, "Get plenty of rest everyone, as soon as you do, we're investigating more."
Batou shrugged, as he walked off to get some rest. Though he stole a glance at the Major looking at Aaron's path. He lightly smirked as he was out of earshot, "Guess she does have a type."
Later On
Aaron's Apartment
Aaron entered his apartment, ignoring the mess by Mari and Lee as he headed straight to his room.
He would have gone right to sleep... had it not been for a familiar voice, "Looks like a hurricane went through here." Aaron whipped around, pulling out his Lexington as he aimed... at the Major, as she calmly and casually said, "Either that or a while party went on in here."
Aaron sighed, as he groaned, holstering his gun, as he turned his back to her, "Why are you here? Major."
"I came to make sure that you're okay after our first mission together." She stated approaching him, with a bottle, "Care for a sip?"
Aaron arched an eyebrow, as he asked, "Why are you being so nice to me after I walked out? You know full well that this was a contract only."
"Like it or not we're part of the team now, and I'd like to get to know my teammates." She answered, "Is that so unfamiliar to you?"
"It is, honestly," Aaron pointed out to her as he asked, "What exactly where you before this Section 9?"
"Well like I said I went through the experiment that made me the full prosthetic Cyborg you see today, and also wanting to make sure no one else suffered the same fate because of Cyber-Terrorism, I trained to be an agent." The Major Summarized for him.
"So, you were with the military of the Cyber Corp. I heard about those guys: cyborg experimentations used on the battlefields. Buncha harasses treating cyborgs like they were goddamn weapons." He then crashed on the couch that was still in one piece as he said, "I'm surprised you didn't go cyber-psychotictic with those people."
"The procedure that allowed me to become this way ensured I wasn't conscious before I woke up in my new body." The Major explained, "And in that time I worked off my debt by fighting in WW4."
"Like I said, all that mental trauma would have driven anyone nuts," Aaron said. He looked to her as he said, "You can try and make yourself comfy here." Though looked around, as he grimaced, "As comfy as this place would allow."
"Thanks I think I will." She went and leaned on his desk. "So how about you?" She asked, "How'd you become a Cyborg anyway?"
Aaron looked to her and thought about it for a moment, and then shrugged, "Odd thing. I don't remember."
She blinked, "You don't remember?"
He shook his head in a positive response, as he explained, "I don't remember how it started at first. I woke up in the junkyard..." and pointed to his back as he said, "... with the Sandevistan already integrated in me. Had to modify and upgrade the parts when I started growing. Thing's been in my back since I could remember back to being ten years old."
The Major was quiet for a moment, then asks, "May I see it?"
Aaron thought on it, and took his jacket off, revealing he was wearing a black turtleneck skin-tight T-shirt that showed off his build. But then he slipped it off, revealing the grey spinal implants of the Sandevistan itself.
The Major stared before tentatively tracing her finger long his Cybernetic.
Aaron went a bit stiff, feeling her fingertips on his back, but cautiously, his hand slowly slid down to his Lexington should something happen. Though it didn't go unnoticed by the Major.
"Don't worry I'm not going to hack you... just want to feel the difference between your cybernetic connections to mine." The Major assured him. as her fingers felt soft and velvet-like.
"Can't blame me for being cautious. Anyone I get close, it's just to kill me," Aaron confessed, as he explained. "In this place or any other city with Lower Sections, you can't get by on naivety or good morals. Not even friends are an option as soon as money or selfishness becomes a factor. I got out of the last crew when I was seventeen before that happened."
She then stopped here metal met flesh as both felt a sensation that made them shudder.
Aaron jolted as he tickled, as he said, "Yeah, that... that's still me. Real me."
"I-I know..." She said before sighing, "I just didn't expect to receive such a reaction..." While clutching her hand her heart pounding even though it's mechanical.
He turned a bit to her, as he asked, "Can you... still feel?"
"I may be full prosthetic, but that doesn't mean I lost my sense of touch."
He then turned to her as he asked, "May I?"
The Major would lower her arms and warned, "Just so you know if you plan to grope me like that punk did, I'll beat you with your own hand."
He half-smirked as he said, "Seeing as you can hack into a Ghost and make the person punch, choke, or rip off their dicks with their own hands, I know better." He slowly reached up to her as she sat down next to him. He then gently cupped the right side of her face, as he asked, "Can you... feel this?"
He got his answer when she leaned towards his hand.
Aaron blinked, "I take that as a, yes?"
The Major remained silent, closing her eyes as she felt his hand on her face.
He looked at her though as he saw her more than just a hardened soldier. It was a bit odd, but there was something beyond the hardened exterior. He knew he shouldn't after considering the last girl he got close kept too many secrets. It was the main reason why he left: she never opened up to him when something was troubling her. Though she seemed to be... softened... due to him for some odd sense of mystery. Even she began to realize this as she thought to herself.
Though Aaron asked, "Major?"
The major blinked before asking, "Hmm?"
"Is this hair color your choice, cyber choice," Aaron asked.
"They said it was the hair color I had before the accident..." She stated, then asks, "Why?"
"I was just wondering..." Aaron said, while he looked away smirking. Though the Major picked up what he was trying to ask.
"Ask me that and I'll use that arm to punch you in your still existing pelvic regions."
Aaron had to chuckle at that, as he said, "Sorry. But still, it's a..." but then blushed as he pulled away, scooting away as well, "It's nice."
Mira blushed before she looked away and said, "TH-thank you..."
"Yeah, um..." Aaron said, but then asked, "Um, I know this is a personal question. But since you're a full-bodied cyborg with only your brain. Is it possible to um..."
"To what," Mira looked to him and asked.
"Be in a relationship," Aaron asked, managing to ask the question.
She raised a brow at that, "in what sense?"
"Well, any and all type, considering you might be... well..." Aaron attempted to ask, not trying to make it personal. But on the off chance he might not get another chance to ask, he would have to consider asking her. "Anatomically impaired."
The Major blushed a bit in surprise, while Aaron slightly freaked out as he defended his questioning, "I'm not trying to be a pervert, I just heard rumors is all. Some cyborgs are unequipped down there, either male or female."
Her face becomes so red she went and slugged him hard enough to hit the opposite wall and the hurried-out muttering something he couldn't hear, the door closing behind her as she left.
"I'll take that as inconclusive," Aaron groaned, as he pulled himself up, and laid on the couch, looking up at the ceiling. He thought on it aloud, as he said, "Meh... it's probably best it just says far apart for both of us. Nothing good comes in a city where friendship and love get you killed."
The Major made to her bike and muttered, "Idiot..." Before she started it up and drove back to HQ.
Inside her office was Dr. Outlette lightly tapping her hands against her chin as she thought about, and worried what she saw earlier during the aftermath of the incident. Having no choice, the Major's doctor set up the basic security methods before she makes a call to Cuttner, "Mr. Cuttner... we have a problem..."
Next Chapter: The Ballad of Fallen Angels