Ghost in the Cyberpunk
Chapter 6: Down the Rabbit Hole pt.2
Garage
Aaron was walking to his bike parked there, as he was getting ready to take off. Guess he just needed a change of scenery at the moment as it left a rather unpleasant feeling in being in Asaka-Tech Labs.
He felt someone sitting behind him and a pair of arms, around his body, as a familiar voice asked, "Need someone to come with?"
Aaron sighed, as he said, "No."
She looked at him and asks, "Are you sure? I understand how you might want to know... but..."
"I'd rather keep business and social living separate, and all I can feel from you is business," Aaron stated, as he said, "Major."
She looks at him annoyed, "I'm only concerned about you, Snow. After all we went through yesterday alone."
"I get it. I do," Aaron said, but he said, "But I really need to be alone."
Mira looked at him before she exhales, "Fine... but you owe me after you get back. Understand?"
"Yeah," Aaron said, as she got off the bike, and he sighed, "Might be a while though." And then sped off before the Major could get an appropriate time on it.
The Major pouted a bit before exhaling, asking herself, "What am I gonna do with him?"
"Ishikawa, Seth, what can you find about where we can find Kuze?" The Major asked the two.
"Sadly, not a whole lot," Ishikawa implied. "Seth was only in there for a few seconds, and even he couldn't find anything. It's like whatever this system Kuze is using is foreign to us."
"Damn... and I thought we had a lead on him..." She said before marching back.
"By the way, Seth wanted to talk to you on a private line," Ishikawa said, as he cut off. "
"How's de boss man? Heard your chief forced him ta get an exam," Seth asked.
"It's standard precaution Seth, so far there's been no trace of Kuze coping his ghost into Aaron like he did our prisoner." The Major explained, "I'm heading to the Chief's office now to find out."
"I meant wit Aaron's fear of being in an exam room strapped to a table like dat," Seth implied. Though there was a silence as the Major was a bit surprised on that. Seth heard the silence and asked, "I'm guessin' he nevah told you either, eh?"
"No, he didn't..." The Major stated saddened by this new info.
"He doesn't really talk about it, as he doesn't remember it or choose not to remember, but to him, it's been one fuckin' nightmare haunting him," Seth explained. "He managed to get drunk and told me de whole story. How he wakes up strapped to a table, scientists talkin about him and a successful meshin' with the hardware on his back... and seein' his spine in a jar bein' carted off." Seth shivered as he said, "Anydin' after that, goes blank. He can't remember what happened."
The Major remained silent as she walked the halls to the Chief's office.
"Sorry. Didn't mean ta throw dis on you like dat," Seth stated, as he tried to explain, "I just wanted to tell you so you don't tink he was bein' stubborn."
"No. Thank you, I just wish he could've told me." The Major commented a she ended the call and knocks on the chief's door.
"Well, his past or fears aren't somethin' he likes talkin about," Seth implied as he hung up.
"Enter," the Chief said, as he poured over the files and databases.
She entered, "I'm afraid that Kuze left no trail to his physical location."
The Chief sighed, as he thought aloud, "It's rather troubling. We know very little about him or his location, nor his motives for aiding the American Empire with swapping brains with the Foreign Affairs Minister, or hacking and killing an associate of Asaka-Tech. The only thing we do know is that he's obsessed with some project called 2571."
"Maybe I should bring it up with Dr. Oulette considering this so-called project seems to be relating to Asaka-tech," The Major deduced.
"Maybe. But until he makes a move or find out who else was involved with 2571 aside from Osmond, we'll have to wait for his next move," The chief said, "So we'll just have to wait."
The Major sighed, leaning against his desk, "You know how risky that is..."
"It is, but we have little to no information on the project 2571. I already tried speaking to Cuttner about this and he simply says it was a medical project," Aramaki explained, but then grumbled, "I didn't buy one bit of what he said, nor the fact that he has no knowledge of who was on the project. I even pestered him on anyone named Kuze that may have some connection to it, but nothing. Until we can get an idea, we are flying blind."
"And we all know how grumpy you get when we do that." the Major teased.
"Agree, and this is upsetting me more and more," Aramaki sighed, rubbing his head, "We have a fugitive that we know so little except his motives, and the target is being supremely uncooperative even when they realizes there's a homicidal individual out to get them."
"Don't you hate that rare Corporate neutrality thing that's been going on?" The Major jokingly asked.
"I do, but unfortunately Cuttner is being really stubborn about this," Aramaki sighed. "And then there's the parent corporation, Arasaka. Even though the child has left the nest, the parent is watching over them like a hawk. And quite frankly, Arasaka could also put pressure on the Empire as it's one of their many military suppliers. For now, we'll be on standby on any situations occurring from this, Major, so you should get some rest like everyone else," Aramaki said.
"Got it, chief." She said as she got up to leave.
Later On
Major's Apartment
It was a high-class place due to her contribution to the country during the war and also her job as part of Sec 9. It was flawlessly white with a beautiful view of the city, clean living room area. The bathroom was nice and the bed looked super soft for her as well. It did seem a bit feminine due to her hardened soldier attitude. Though her living room had a holographic display.
The Major took her shoes off, as she was preparing to wash up, until she heard a knock on the door.
She had gotten her gun ready, just in case, and approached the door asking, "Who is it?"
However, an unfamiliar Hispanic high-pitched voice spoke out, "Housekeeping, you want me to fluff pillow?"
The Major would get her gun ready and said, "Come on in."
"Housekeeping, you wish me to service you," it asked her again.
"Come in," She said, waiting for the voice to enter, with the keycard they'd have.
"Housekeeping, you want me to put mint on pillow," the female asked again.
"You can come in, already," the Major was getting impatient on this.
"Housekeeping, you want me to park porpoise in Pink taco Stand," the Hispanic voice spoke up.
The Major looked confused on that, and went to the door, "What is going...?" And then opened the door... and saw Aaron standing there.
"Hey," he spoke in the voice, but then stopped. Realizing it was the fake voice, he cleared his throat and spoke normally, "Sorry. Hey."
"You know you could've just commed me." She said revealing the gun that she had in case he as an enemy.
"Didn't have a keycard, and I didn't want to hack the door," Aaron said, and then pointed at the gun, "That and you always shoot first if someone comes up behind you. At least I think you do."
"Only if they don't call first," She said holstering the gun then asking, "So... you're feeling better?"
"Yeah, sorry for being like that," Aaron apologized, "But since you were over at my place, I thought of going over to yours to make it even."
"Again, you could've called ahead." She pointed out as she went and asked, "You want anything?"
"Um, well, water works for me if you're in the mood for a beer," Aaron said as he looked around the place, as she went to the kitchen. He blinked as he said, "This place is bigger than mine, I'll say." But then looked to her and asked, "But why so much space?"
"A woman has her needs," Miranda said, being cute.
"Yeah, but why so much space? It's just you here," Aaron asked, smiling at her cuteness.
She teased a little bit more, as she smiled to him, "You'll find out when we come back from our dinner."
Aaron blinked, as he asked, "Dinner?"
"Remember? I invited you to dinner and you said it'd be the first time you break your no-suit rule?" She reminded, "After you saved me."
Aaron blinked, as he realized that, "Oh yeah." But then blinked, "Wait, you're cashing that in now?"
Mira shook her head as she teased, "Not now, but it is tantalizing to think about, isn't it?"
Aaron then smirked, as he said, chuckling, "Yeah, though still when you said that, I wasn't aware you had a male suit ready for me for a night out."
"Don't worry We'll go out to get one," she said, winking at him.
"Well, I didn't say that..."Aaron said but shook his head, "Okay, I'm confused. Are we staying here to have a drink and enjoy the view, or are we going to go out and come back here? But still..." Aaron blushed as he scratched the rim of his nose, "Despite all that went on yesterday, I admit you look lovely in a dress when you're not held hostage."
"We'll have drinks tonight, later another day or when this case is over, we'll be going out," She said smiling at him.
She gave him a bottle of beer, as she led him over to a spot to where they saw a view of the city. Once both of them sat together, he asked, "You bring all your dates over to see this view?"
"Only those that make it to the milestone," she answered, looking at him playfully.
"How many did," Aaron asked, as he took a swig of his beer. She then giggled playfully, not wanting to answer. "Should I be jealous then, or just try my best to our best them all," Aaron joked.
"I'll let you decide that." She said enjoying the view.
Aaron then took another swig, as he said, "Still... both the Megablock and this place have some pretty great views."
"I didn't get to see the view last time," She remarked taking a sip. She then turned and asked, "Maybe next time we're at your place we can see the view?"
"It's on the top roof. I sneak up there when nobody's looking or when I don't have a job," Aaron explained to her, as he said, "Though I've never taken a date up there. Well..." He sighed as he said, "I haven't dated anybody since, well, you know..."
"I know," She said understanding, "And I won't force you."
Aaron though looked to her as he said, "You're not forcing me, Mira. If anything, I... I really do want to try and make this work."
Mira smiled hearing that, "Good. because for some reason, this feels right."
She scooted over to him to nuzzle up as she smiled, while he blushed, "Eh, Mira? Think you might be a bit too drunk already to get this close?"
"Maybe, maybe not," She said before offering, "Wanna find out if I am?"
"After what happened today, I'm not looking forward to taking advantage of a drunk woman," he told her, as he put his drink down, and gently petted her on the head, "Attack Kitten."
"Did you just call me Attack Kitten?" She asked with a suspicious expression.
"Well, yeah, you're like a kitten or cat," Aaron explained, as he half-smirked at her clueless face, "You play with your targets before you kill them. You also remind me of a kitten once. She was pretty affectionate to me all the time I walked in her alleyway. But before that she was wary of me and bit at my fingers. It was only after a while when I brought her fish, she started to take a shine to me. Though still... she liked to nibble at me because she thought it was fun."
Aaron sighed as he hung his head in embarrassment, "Yeah, now that I think about it, it's a silly name."
Mira arched an eyebrow, as she stifled a giggle and smirked, as she said, "I hope you had a better nickname planned out than that."
"Well, one but I felt it would be too much," Aaron implied.
"Good because you'd be a cute Puppy," She smirked back.
Aaron blushed as he smiled, "I like that, but never pegged you for a dog person."
"You sort of remind me of one," She said scratching under his chin.
"Arf arf," Aaron teased her but said it in a more regular tone than a dog's tone, but he spoke up and said, "You strike me as more of a cat person."
"Do you wanna purr for me instead?" She asked smirking.
He then reached out and gently scratched under her chin. Mira yelped a bit, but let out a cute yelp, but blushed as she purred, as Aaron smiled, "I was right. You are a cat person."
Mira then went and gave a playful and alluring, "Meow~"
Aaron held a hard face, but inside, he was screaming, 'Oh no, she's too cute! My one of many weaknesses with her!' He instead smirked, as he said, "That's actually rather sexy."
The two had a laugh together, as they relaxed with one another. Though for a moment, things were quiet as Major nuzzled with him, but Aaron was a bit quiet, as he said, "Major?"
She went and laid on his lap and gave another alluring, "Meow~3"
He wanted to tell her that he remembered a girl and a boy he met after he had run away, but he sighed, looking dejected on it as he shook his head, "It's nothing."
"You sure?" She asked, serious after seeing the dejected look on his face and sat up.
"Well, it's nothing too serious. Yes. Not until we find Kuze," Aaron thought aloud, as he sighed, shaking his head, "Dangit, it's supposed to be my turn to crash over at your place, and I can't get that monster out of my head."
"It's okay if you want to," She said as she nodded to her Double bed, "We have room."
Aaron looked to it as he said, "You sure?"
"Yeah, after all you been through, you deserve it," Mira assured her as she went to the bedroom, and stripped down to only her panties, and then moved to sleep on one side of the bed.
He followed suit as he was down to black boxer briefs, and gently got in… and almost sank into it as he blinked, "Whoa. This is a... really soft bed."
Mira smirked hearing that, "Yes it is."
He pulled himself up to her, as she gently grabbed him and pulled her close to him, as he said, "Thanks, Mira."
"Your welcome Aaron."
She then rested next to him, as he held her close, their warmth yet again comforting to one another.
It kept the two warm in this cool place.
Though the Major stirred awake a bit in the night, as she lay next to Aaron as her hand rested atop of his on his chest. The fact that he had put himself in that kind of dangerous situation was nothing new to her. At times allies she had often got in dangerous situations. But with Aaron, her ghost screamed or pleaded for him to be alright. And was scared that he was in danger.
She never understood why... but her ghost was telling her that the two of them together was right.
Aaron stirred awake, even though it was still nighttime, and looked to her, "Mira?"
"Yes?" She asked him.
"Oh, sorry. Did I wake you," he asked sitting up a bit, though blinked as he felt himself sinking into the bed, "This bed is way too soft."
"No, I just been going over things in my mind..."
Aaron smiled, as he looked at her, which made her blink in question. "What is it?"
"I guess I just smile when I see you for some odd reason," Aaron confessed on that.
She blinked at that, "Funny, when I'm near you I just feel like I can let my guard down.
"I hope that doesn't cause problems for you when you're out in the field," Aaron said, though was a bit worried if that did cause problems for her.
"Of course not," She said turning to face him, "What I mean is that I just trust you more than usual."
Aaron blushed a bit on that, as she had that much trust in him. Though at that, he finally said, "I remembered what Kuze did when we got out."
"You mean when he took you over?"
"For a moment, it was more like he overloaded something. And then..." Aaron thought on it as he was deep in thought, "I'm not sure it was true. And there wasn't a virus involved..."
She sat up and asks, her hand over his, "Aaron, what is it?"
"Well, you recall when I said my mother died in a mishap between a gang shootout on a bridge, right?"
"Yes." She said confused.
"Well, the truth is... I can't remember that part, or back further. More like fragments or puzzle pieces, but I can never get the whole picture because of pieces missing," Aaron explained. "But when he attacked me yesterday... there were pieces shown back."
Mira remained silent as she let him continue on.
"The memories showed she didn't die at all when I was seven. She was working for Trauma Team," Aaron explained, as he went on, "Though we were in an argument about Arasaka Academy. That big preppy school for the insanely rich to go to. I think I didn't want to and ran away that day." He thought on it clearly, "Was night... and it was raining at.."
"And then what," Mira asked.
He sighed, as he crawled off the bed, and looked around for a piece of paper. The Major got off and followed him as he took one and a pencil. He then started to sketch the area that he remembered in it, "And then, I remember this place.."
She climbed out to follow him, using the sheet as a makeshift dress.
He then managed to sketch out the area, as he stood there in his underwear, and then showed it to her. "The memory ended there with me and two others... at this place." Mira took the picture, and gasped as she saw it was a familiar Japanese gate with Sakura cherry blossom trees growing around in a park.
The moment she saw it Mira felt a pain in her head, causing her to clutch it.
Aaron saw this as he held her, "Mira? MIRA!" She fainted in his arms as she felt it. Though as this happened, 'glitches' began to come out.
The blossoming of cherry blossoms rained down... A group of kids hanging out at the park sometimes on the weekends before dusk. And the little girl holding the boy's hand as she smiled brightly at him.
She looked around, trying to make sense of it.
But it was too much, as she blacked out, as she heard Aaron's voice, "Miranda! Mira!..." 'N-no... don't...'
Mira thought as a strange thought popped up, 'That's... not my name... say my name...'
Motoko
Suddenly, Mira slowly woke up in a strange place. It looked like the inside of a garage, and she was gently sitting or lying down in a dentist-like chair, with a blanket on top of her.
She looked around trying to break free. Though as she looked around, there were cyber limbs on display, menu charts of cyber components and implants. And monitors showing life signs and vitals.
Though walking in, Aaron spotted her and ran over, "Mira." He knelt down and asked, "You okay?"
Feeling a bit more calmer, she nodded but asked, "Wh-where am I?"
"I panicked and took you to a Ripper Doc," Aaron explained, "The doc had to restrain you when you started thrashing out of control when he was trying to figure out why were you glitching in and out. And also, when you punched him in the face."
"And I'm not too fond of that memory, either," the Doc said as he stood behind Aaron, with a big black right eye.
She saw this and stated, "I must apologize for that doctor..."
"Apology accepted," the Doc said behind Aaron as he said, "My girlfriend is into that kinky BDSM stuff, so I was in a flux between dazed and heavily turned on." Aaron handed Mira her clothing from before, as the doctor asked, "Though I have to ask, has this happened before?"
"No... I've experienced glitches but nothing that strong..."
The Doc thought on this, as he said, "I'm going to have to bring the Doctor down. This is probably his expertise."
Aaron blinked, as he looked to him, "Wait, you're not the Doc?"
He smiled, "Oh no, I'm just the patch-job man. I can put you back together, but he's the real master at this," and then walked off as he said, "You can get dressed with your boyfriend. I won't be creepy now." And like that, he was out of the room, as Aaron was done unstrapping Mira.
Mira looked at him and asked, "Permission to hack-punch him?"
"Probably not a good idea," Aaron advised. "He's not someone you wanna get on the bad side of." He then gave her a small smile, "And I have been on the receiving end of you, so I know better."
Mira smiled a bit before finishing getting dressed, but stopped and asked, "Aaron... How did I get here undressed?"
Aaron blushed, as he said, "Um,,, well... I was in a rush so I wrapped you up, grabbed your clothes and rushed you over here."
"I hope no one saw anything of mine underneath," She said a murder intent emanating from her.
Aaron half-smirked, "Being killed by you might not be such a bad thing."
She stopped and pouted rather cutely, "It wasn't supposed to be a joke..."
"I wasn't joking, honestly," Aaron said. He blushed a bit as he mumbled, "Dang, I don't even know why I'm saying this to you. It's weird but it feels like I've known you more than just the Maelstrom hit."
"Ah, Young love," an elderly gentle voice spoke up, getting the cyborgs' attention. "It's a beautiful and rare thing these days."
The gentleman who spoke up was standing at the door. He was a Caucasian man of his sixties, kept in surprisingly good shape, possibly a cyber body, brown eyes, white hair cut short, a kind smile to him, but had signs of cyber prosthesis other than neck ports. His hands had a kind of cyber exo-skeleton exposure with them for precise or faster reflexes, his eyes had c-shaped parts next to his eyes and seemed to have a show of a spinal cybernetic implant in behind, which was rare since spines were a difficult cybernetic prosthetic to pull off. he wore black pants and shoes with surgical pouches containing sterilization fluid, a doctor's shirt, and a lab coat, as he walked in.
Mira tilted her head confused, as was Aaron as this was the first time he met him as well.
"I take it the purple-haired girl is the real patient," he said as he sat down in a wheeled chair, and wheeled over, as he asked, "And not the stubborn Edgerunner who doesn't want to get a more updated Projectile arm?"
Aaron nodded, as he pointed to Mira, "That would be her... um...?"
"Selig, Abraham Selig. But my patients call me Abe," he said as he gestured Mira to sit down. "I mostly work in the back preparing immuno-blockers and pain suppressants for those who had undergone surgery. My assistant, Po assists me in more complex surgeries, but he does a fairly good job on his own."
"Doctor Selig," She asked, feeling like she heard the name before somewhere.
"Pretty much," he said, as he pulled out a VR-looking device, as he asked, "Put this on, please?"
She did so, as she gently put it on as she laid back down, and he wheeled over to a computer console, as he remind was being scanned, "So how long have these glitches been existing?"
Mira thought about it before stating, "Since I served combat in WW4."
"Interesting. Your age," Selig asked, making sure it wasn't something related to the mind.
"You should know never ask a girl her age, Doc." She said teasingly.
"I'm a doctor, not your boyfriend, madam," Selig implied. "Doesn't matter to me, what matters is the patient's wellbeing. That and your age is a factor at times. Those at the age of 70 get shelled in a full-body prosthesis to try and start a new life, but they hadn't developed the ALZ-112 bio brain fluid they install in cyberbrains to prevent Alzheimer or dementia. That usually would cause glitches that makes the patient confused on where they are."
"So, you're saying age could be a factor on why the mind would reject a cyberbody," Aaron asked.
Selig blinked at that, as he stopped looking at the scans and asked, "What?" He turned to the two and asked, "Where did you both get an insanely impossible idea like that?"
"It's because I'm a Full-shell Cyborg who was changed at the age of 10," She explained.
Selig looked at her, and then at her scans, and said, "I'm not sure who told you that, but if you've been full-bodied since ten... it's impossible for your mind to reject your body," he cross his arms, as he looked to Mira, "In actuality, you've perfectly become well-balanced together. If your mind was rejecting it, it was possibly due to a poor physician's skill."
"What?" She asked confused, and murmured, "But Dr. Oulette said..."
"Cera?" Selig asked, as he turned to her, "You... know Cera Oulette?"
"She's my primary physician," Mira said, before she asked him, "How do you know Dr. Oulett's name?"
Aaron blinked, "You know her?"
"She and I were colleagues with Asaka-Tech. We were both cyber physicians designing on new cyber physiology. She worked on prosthesis as I did; my expertise involved on trying to create and improve central nervous system enhancement for better reflexes, helping patients who were disabled or full-body paralysis. Even tried creating cybernetic spines."
"I suppose I should thank you then for the work you put in so that I would've have to have died with my parents 10 yrs. Ago," Mira said.
"Your parents? What happened to them," Selig asked.
"Died in a plane crash caused by Cyberterrorism."
Selig didn't seem to believe that, but asked, "But you said your body was rejecting your mind or the other way around?"
"That's what Dr. Oulette told me when I began to have glitches..." She said now even more confused, "That it's caused by my shell rejecting my brain..."
"My dear, your brain can never reject that body. It would have done so the day of when your mind was shelled," Selig said, as he tried to explain it, "The only thing that would have caused a rejecting would be a poor physician's touch or the cyberbody had malware, and I doubt any of that was possible with Cera's work."
But Selig then took one of the medicine injectors the major had on at all times, "Honestly, I don't think you even need this."
The Major remained silent, "This doesn't make sense..."
"It doesn't make sense as to why you'd need to take a medication to..." Selig said, but then realized something, as he said it, "Cuttner. Project 2571."
That made the two-look surprised as Mira asked, suspicious, "How... do you know that?"
Aaron picked up on that, and asked, "2571? You know that?"
"I know. I was part of it," Selig confessed, as he stood up.
Mira exchanged a look with Aaron,
He walked to a part of his office, as it had a file cabinet as he explained, "The project was meant to perfect the full-body cyberization for patients who were in paralysis or to give heavily damaged people or elderlies a 2nd chance at life. But there were those who wanted to use the project to weaponize an individual. And I quote: create a weapon that didn't question orders."
The Major was silent hearing this, "no... but Adam Smasher..."
"Adam Smasher was updated with the technology 12 years ago when we made a success," Selig said sadly, but then confessed, "But the intricacies of shelling a brain didn't happen overnight. Much like Eddison inventing a light bulb, it had to be perfect. Meaning, that Oulette had to fail until she could figure how to do it right." He then asked, "Something's happened. Hasn't it?"
Mira looked a bit worried in confusion, as she asked, "What do you mean?"
He sat down as he said, looking to Mira, "I thought there was something about you that was familiar... Motoko."
Hearing that name made both of them freeze up.
Aaron then asked, "How... how'd you know that name?"
Selig sighed, as he looked to Mira, "Because.. that's your real name. Motoko Kusanagi."
"No... You-Your wrong! My name is Mira Kathrine!" The Major shouted in disbelief.
"No, it's Motoko. I just regret that I was unable to come out in the first place," Selig said, knowing this would hurt her.
"Why didn't you," Aaron said, confused on this.
He turned to him and said, "Mostly because this project was done illegally."
The Major got up and aimed her gun at him, "You're, lying... My name is Mira Kathrine... Major of Section 9."
"You have proof of that," Aaron asked. But then noticed Selig placing a cube on the table, as the Edgerunner asked, "What's that?"
He then tapped on it, as a holographic screen displayed, showing a screen of files. they were personnel files of individuals, as he explained, "This is a list of those that worked on Project 2571. Myself included, though my area of expertise was utilizing cerebral meshing and neuro-cybernetics." He then flipped through as he said, "The master behind this project was the head cyber doctor..." and then stopped at Dr. Oulette, "Cera."
Aaron then blinked as he asked, "You're saying Dr. Oulette had something to do with this project?"
"Yes, and if I'm guessing, the reason you're all here about this... it's because of Kuze has begun to enact his revenge on Asaka-Tech for stealing his life," Selig deduced as he looked to the two, "Both your lives."
"You're lying." Mira snapped. "Dr. Oulette would never..."
Aaron though looked at the file, and then walked out as he said, "Doc, keep Mira... Motoko here for now. I don't want her stopping me from finding out the truth."
"No, I need to go." Mira insisted, "I need to get the truth from her no matter what." She then got in front of him and said, "Aaron... this is about my life we're talking about... Not just this file... I need to be there too." Her eyes began to water for the first time he known her, "Please..."
"She should go," Selig said, as he stood up, "And you need to hurry to find those answers. If Kuze is already hunting down members of the project, then she might be the target he needs to understand what they took from him. And how to duplicate the process that made you what you are."
The two looked to each other and Aaron gently took her hand as they made haste.
Later On
Apartment Complex
The apartment was well kept and clean: Something a surgeon was known to do. Though it was quiet, even while there were guards posted outside to keep her safe, the doctor slept soundly in her bed. Though she didn't notice a shadow looming over her. Though the sudden change of atmosphere awoke her, as she started a bit, seeing Mira standing by the side of her bed.
"Morning Doctor." Mira said coldly, "Surprise house call."
She sat up, as she sighed, "Mira! Oh thank God. I tried calling you hours ago, but you didn't respond. I honestly was a bit worried about you." But the Major looked at her coldly and didn't respond. This made the doctor a bit nervous, "What?" No response as she said, "Mira, you're scaring me."
"Now you know how everyone feels," The major said pulling out a gun, "Get up."
Though at the moment, she was startled when she heard footsteps as she saw Aaron walk in, "Evening, Doctor. We need to talk."
"H-How did you get passed the guards," Oulette asked, confused as to why Snow was there.
"Hacking, knocking them out," Aaron shrugged, "You learn a lot when you're an Edgerunner."
"We came to talk to you about your..." Mira faked a pause and asks, "What was it called again? Lucrative? Shady? how about Illegal? That's a good word for an experiment, right?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Oulette said, nervous and scared.
"She's talking about Project 2571: a project involving full-body prosthesis that seemed to involve forced memory loss," Aaron implied. "Something your former colleague, Dr. Abraham Selig, told us about when he realized the medication Mira was taking was designed to suppress memories, not keep her brain from rejecting her body."
Oulette felt cold now as she heard a sniffle and saw Miranda holding back tears, "Was everything you told me a lie? Just some pretty words to keep me from knowing the truth!?" She took a deep breath as she asked, heartbroken, "Are my... Are the people who gave birth to me really dead?! Or are they in on this too?!"
Oulette sighed, knowing full well this couldn't last, as she answered, "Your parents did die. But not of a terrorist attack. From fallout radiation from a bombing zone left after the last war. You were adopted by Dr. Kusanagi while also given the name your parents gave you. Motoko. But you didn't know it, but... your body was overgoing treatment to deal with an onset of Leukemia. You were fine all this time because you had a strong desire to live." She then looked to Aaron, "Because of him. When you both met at the age of four."
"What...?" Major asked shocked.
"And the full-body procedure," Aaron asked.
Oulette sighed, as she said, "The intricacies of shelling a mind... it had never been done before. There were several tests, experiments... those that didn't survive it before you, Mi... Motoko."
Mira, or Motoko, was calmly furious on this as she asked, "How could you do this?"
"My work was important. It would have pushed the boundaries we had in placed to limit our evolution," she explained. "I didn't want to go that far, but Cuttner... he insisted on creating a weapon with problem solving skills of that of a human. It was cruel what he suggested, even what he did."
Aaron then asked, "What did he do?"
"He brought us test subjects, threatened us not to ask questions, but Selig began to poke around and..." she explained. "It's the reason why he was in hiding and took most of the research with him after Test Subjects 98 and 99 were the only survivors left."
Then Aaron remembered what Lucy told him back when they were together. Aaron pointed to himself, "Me. I'm one of the test subjects."
"Like Motoko, you were supposed to be in the full-body program," Oulette explained sadly to him, "But Cuttner and Arasaka discovered your mind and body had a high tolerance for cyberware. So instead of risking a quick death, they wanted you as a test subject for some of the projects that would have pushed you to cyber-psychosis." She then pointed to his back, "Such as the weaponized Icarus Sandavistan installed into your back."
Aaron didn't know what to say, before asking, "You said that Mi-Motoko and I met at four... but my memories of my mom dying in a Gang-shoot out..."
"Those are not your true memories... they were... grafted on you by the previous user of that technology, back in our Russo-US branch... David Martinez," Dr. Oulette said. "It's possible when you were given the memory suppressants, that past became your new one."
"You're saying that somehow his memories and mine.. merged," Aaron asked, a bit skeptic that something like that happened.
Aaron then asked, "What happened to him?"
"You both have similar circumstances, however he died fighting against Adam Smasher."
"What," Aaron asked.
"You both had strong tolerance and compatibilities for Cyber-wear and cybernetic components. But Cuttner wanted to use you as the test subject for Motoko," Oulette explained, "So he had you opted for testing instead of full shelling. Selig had just finished upgrading the latest Sandevistan. He warned us not to install it onto a child, but Cuttner ignored it and did it anyway. You seemed fine at first until he activated it nearly six times, pushing you mind to a breaking point. Until Selig managed to inject you with the compound I later gave to Motoko for memory suppression, he managed to use it to help sedate you even when you forgot about it. Cuttner deemed you dead and had you disposed. At a guess, Selig managed to save you and get you far from the city."
"But why couldn't I remember anything if it was one dose," Aaron asked, "Was it that big of a dosage?"
"That may have been a factor. Or maybe... " Oulette deduced but wasn't certain, "Maybe... you chose to forget and realized there wasn't anyone left alive. Even I'm not aware of what he did to the failures."
"Then restore our memories, now!" Mira-Motoko demanded.
Oulette shook her head, knowing full well the two wouldn't like the answer to come, "I can't. The drug was meant to suppress memories, not erase them. If anything, it has to take time to restore them."
"I'm guessing Kuze wasn't informed of that, was he," Aaron asked, to which the doctor flinched at this as the two realized it.
"You knew! You knew, who he was the whole time," Motoko angrily and heartbroken, she interrogated, "You've known that Kuze was one of 2571's test subjects."
Oulette sighed, as she confessed, "I did. But I didn't think he survived this long without a cyberbrain."
Both blinked at this as the Major asked, "Without a... Doctor, what is he?"
"He was shelled just like you were, but without a full examination and rushed by Cuttner, it seemed he had a violent mind," Oulette deduced. "Selig did a psyche evaluation when he found out about you kids, and it seemed the boy had an abusive mother, ran away and was hunted down by punks, crooked cops. He was the only one of you who was on the brink of cyber-psychosis. And he wasn't' even fully cybernetic. Until his mind was. There was a short in the system, and he flatlined. There was no brain activity at all."
Aaron though blinked at this as he asked, "Are you saying the reason we haven't found a link to his mind... is because it's his ghost that's out there?"
"Theoretically yes. But he shouldn't have survived this long without a body," Oulette said.
The two looked to each other and were going to leave.
Oulette found herself in tears after seeing Mira's face.
"I'm sorry. I should have done something; I wanted to kill myself, but then... when I saw you..." she confessed, on her knees, "If I could at least keep you safe as long as I could... I know I'm beyond redemption."
The two left as the door closed, as Oulette sighed, "I truly earned the nickname, Frankenstein."
Moments Later
Section 9
Aramaki had remained silent in his office; something was wrong since the two had left...
He couldn't quite put his finger on it, even after things seemed normal, but it was odd enough on it. Though he got a call from Ishikawa as they reported, "Chief. I think I found something. It was buried in old archives, literally buried in a way. But there was something we found on Project 2571."
"Send everyone a link to a chat-lobby, we need all hands-on deck." the chief ordered.
1 Hour Later
Everyone, both Section 9 and Outcasts were present and accounted for. Well, except for the Major and Aaron at this point. And it didn't go unnoticed by everyone.
"Where's the Major?" Batou asked, "And the kid."
Kurt looked to him and asked, "Honestly, I thought you knew. You're always hanging out with your sis."
Pazu smirked, "Oh you hear that, Batou? The Major's your long-lost sister."
Batou frowned, "Shut up."
"Has anyone heard anything from either of them?" Togusa asked concerned, "Anything at all?"
The Outcasts looked to one another, as Ghost looked to Togusa and waved his hand off saying 'no'.
Maritza answered, "Honestly... aside from his apartment, the bar hangout, or here, Aaron's... not the most social of us."
"We've been trying to break him out of it, but he's always walking off when nobody's a show or when the job's done at times. He doesn't really talk much about anything except a job. I think he keeps business and pleasure separate."
Pazu noted, "Something I'd do."
Seth did say, "Dough he has been actin' weird since the Geisha and Milinka incident. Now even with dis deep dive to get Oulette off his back."
Maritza and Tio both looked freaked out as Tio said, "You think Oulette did something?"
"The doc might be a little... focused on the Major, but she hasn't done anything to undermine us," Saito reported.
Ernesto looked to the Chief as he asked, "You think Cuttner, the man who's the money man, would?"
"Officially I cannot say." Aramaki answered, which didn't help them Except for when he said, "However, I feel that he's interfered with our operation for too long." Turning to the top hackers they currently have, "Ishikawa, Seth dig up what you can on Cuttner and this Project 2571 that Kuze hinted to us, it might give us a lead on where our two field commanders are And be discreet." he then turn to the heavy hitters, "Batou, Kurt, you two are to continue searching for Aaron and the Major." Turning to the stealth team, "Ghost, Innosuke, and Fumika, drive at their usual places to hang out." he then ordered the other four, "Boma, Pazu, Lee, Maritza, go to this Rip-Doctor that Aaron mentioned previously, he might be the last person to see Aaron." Turning to the snipers, he orders, "Saito, Tio, get the Tachikomas and survey any unwanted guests." If Cuttner believes us to be another corporate funded hit squad then he's got another thing coming to him." Aramaki declared confidently, "I'll go see if Kubota or the Minister of home Defense has any inklings on this so-called illegal project. If they prove true, I'll go to the Prime Minister to see that his Corporate neutrality is revoked."
When the team got their assignments, Batou and Kurt were heading out as Kurt said, "I think I might know where they are."
"Lead the way." He said then mentally commed, "Tachikoma. Get over here!"
Roger!
Elsewhere
Z's Last Chance
Aaron was getting as many weapons as possible he could so they'd be ready should Cuttner or Asaka-tech try to take Mi- Motoko away.
In the garage, he parked his bike earlier and found an old Archer Hella EC-D i360 that he and Lee were working on together alongside Ghost. One of the many perks working with a Techie and a Nomad. Once he loaded it with a gas can and a full tank, Aaron was stacking up on enough ammo and weapons to take down a private army. Once he loaded his guns in and loaded up his Lexington and revolver, he went to check up on Motoko.
Motoko remained silent since they left Oulette's place... hugging her legs to her as she was silent.
Aaron walked up to the living quarters of the garage, as he saw Motoko sitting on the couch in the position. He couldn't blame her on this, as she had realized for nearly twelve years, she had been living a lie. He walked over to her, as he gently sat down next to her, as he didn't know what to say to her, but merely be there for her. Should she wish to talk to him.
"Aaron..." She spoke after so long.
He looked to her a bit startled, seeing as she had been so quiet, and asked her, "YYeah? What's up?"
"She said we knew each other before we became like this... right?"
"She did," Aaron answered, taking a moment of silence, but then said, "Though... I think I remembered something. When we were four."
She turns to look at him, her expression showing him how much she needs to hear this.
"We didn't meet at the time, but we had both spotted a little ladybug. Nothing too significant at the time, but I was so entranced by something that should have gotten wiped out by the last war. So, I chased after it. I later crashed into you, because I think you wanted to go after it too."
The major remained silent, even though she wanted to correct him about how the WW3 & 4 were solely outside of Japan so the Ladybug would've been unharmed, just couldn't... as she listened.
"Well, I dunno if the World Wars were responsible or if it was just a coincidence that the Ladybug existed or not," Aaron shrugged as he wasn't sure about the extinction of them, "Still.. it was pretty rare to see something like that." He then sighed, "Anyway... I helped you up and that's when it happened. The Ladybug landed on my finger. And oddly enough, it flew over to yours. And then moments later, it flew away. I think that was the day we met."
She tried to remember it to hopefully bring out her true memories.
"Though there was a time skip in the memory," Aaron said, as he shrugged, "Maybe that's how dreams or important memories work."
"Oh..." She said dejected at her failure to remember, "I just wish I could remember..."
"We were ten in the memory," Aaron answered, as he blushed, feeling a bit embarrassed on what would come, "In it, you asked me what it meant when a ladybug flew between a boy and a girl."
She blinked, "I... did?"
"Yeah," Aaron smiled, but he said, "Unfortunately, I answered, that it flies short distances to take a break until it flies for a real long distance."
She then said, "That sounded very stupid to say..."
Aaron huffed a chuckle, "Yeah, but then you said something that was a bit shocking to me."
"What did I say?" She asked looking at him.
"You said that we were eternally..." Aaron said, as he was about to say it, but then he got a bit hesitant and it, as he blushed red, "Um... well, you said we... um, we were... ah..." Aaron tried to say it, but his face was burning red, as he fumbled. He freaked out calmly as he held his face, "I can't say it. I mean I know what you said, and later on, I figured it out.. I was gonna tell you that night we met up at the gates... but even now, I'm freaking out on the meaning behind those words."
Aaron groaned, "What is wrong with me? I fought Cyber-Psycho Maelstroms and crossed Nomad Territories, but saying what I'm trying to say... ugh!"
Motoko was a bit surprised to see him this flustered up by this. She stiffened a giggle, but then..
It means we're eternally connected.
"We're... eternally connected," Motoko said, suddenly remembering that.
"Yeah." Aaron answered, before he looked at her and asks, "You... You remember?
The Major nodded at that, and Aaron sighed, "Phew... finally managed to get it out. Even though I chickened out." He then sighed as he leaned back, "Anyway, I said I didn't know what that meant, and you said I was.. pretty dense." He smirked, "I guess you were just as brutal with honesty as you are hacking infiltration ghosts."
Motoko let out a little smile, "And don't you forget it."
"But you did make a promise with me," Aaron said, as he looked to her, "You said we'd stay together until I figured out what you meant by Eternally Connected."
Motoko looked down, "But it seems like we did separate no matter what we promised..." And was saddened.
"Which I might have regretted not saying to you before all this," Aaron said. But then took a deep breath, "So before anything happens, It means we're soulmates. Romantically intwined. Destined to be together no matter how long or tangled that line is!" He then stood up as he called it out, "AND I SERIOUSLY WANNA STAY BY YOUR SIDE EVEN IF THE PROMISE IS DONE! MOTOKO KUSENAGI... I LOVE YOU!'
Motoko blushes looking at him and asks, "You... love me?"
Aaron's face went from blushing to beet red, as his face was overheating much. He then took his jacket and pulled it over his head, as he was now in a fetal position sitting up on the couch, groaning, "Ugh, I can't believe I said that. I mean... yeah, with my memories coming back, and with everything going on, I... ugh..."
Motoko couldn't help but smile at this as she went and said, "Don't worry, you big baby." She then went and inched her face to his saying, "I feel the same way as you do. I love you too, Aaron Snow." And then gave him a firm, but gentle, loving kiss on the lips.
Aaron relaxed in this, as he kissed back, but pulled away, as both blushed, as he asked, "What are we doing?"
The Major narrowed her eyes, "It's called kissing, you big dork."
"Yeah, I know. But now, with that's been going on," Aaron explained, "Seems a bit late for a sudden flow of emotion when we should be thinking on what to do next."
Motoko grabbed his wrists and pulled him to her, "Do you think I'm concerned about that after finding out that the life I thought I knew was a lie? Because of you I'm remembering more and more... and I want us to be together again before we think of what to do."
Aaron smiled, "Oh no, I'm down with that. I'm just wondering on our escape plan out of the city. If... you still want to escape."
His own answer was another kiss, Motoko then went and began to undo his clothes.
"Oh, my goodness," a familiar childish voice spoke up, as the two blinked at this, "I'm in what's known as an adult situation."
The two turned to see Tachikoma there. the Major asked, "Tachikoma?"
It suddenly appeared right on their level, its cloaking was off, as it looked embarrassed, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be a peeping tom. This was the first adult situation I ever saw."
Aaron blinked, as he asked, "Wait. Who's with you?"
The Major had an annoyed expression as she hacked the person responsible and made them punch themselves so much they're ejected out of Tachikoma's hatch by force.
She was annoyed alright, as she sat up and arched an eyebrow, "Batou. Really?"
Batou grinned nervously when he saw he was caught, "H-Hey Major... go-good to find ya..."
Aaron though blinked, "Wait, who else is here?"
A familiar black and red hand poked out at the start of the stairway down, as Kurt spoke up, "Hey. I told him... you were at our usual HQ is. And, don't hate..." He then held up a case of bottled beer, "I brought beer."
Kurt's other hand rose up and he too was punched in the face by his own hand, hard enough to force him on the ground while the Major got up and storm off to a private room and slams the door shut hard, enough to make all four of them, especially Aaron and Tachikoma to wince.
Aaron sighed, as he said, "You guys can save some beers for her."
Once the two were settled and Kurt sporting purple bruises on his face, the trio shared their drinks. Batou and Kurt pretty much got the gist of what Aaron finally told them, about how he and Major were being used by Cuttner; one as a weapon asset and another a failed experiment thought dead. And even more so how the Major's memories were all fake and that she was saddened and confused as to who she really was or who she trusted.
Batou finally asked, "So why didn't you guys come back?"
"I wanted to get Motoko far away from San Tokyo. Far from Cuttner and Asaka-Tech," Aaron answered. "As for me... it's hard to know who to trust when you have trouble figuring out what's real and what isn't." He took a swig from his beer as he said, "but... I do know.. the Major and I are connected... and for now that's all that'll keep me going."
"Why not come back to Sec 9 with us?" Batou asked, confused, "It's like a fortress in there."
"Maybe, but that's not gonna stop Cuttner," Aaron replied.
Kurt then asked, "But there's something else, isn't there?"
Aaron wondered on that, and then he replied, "Who's to say how far Project 2571 goes. What if the government gave Asaka-Tech the contract to do it? They could force Section 9 to give us up."
That got on Batou's nerves, "Are you shitting me?! After everything you still think we're corrupt?!" Batou shouted grabbing Aaron.
"Not you guys," Aaron said, but looked concerned, "I'm worried how far Cuttner's going to go with this. You guys answer to the Prime Minister, but Cuttner... he's a slime bag that would do anything and everything to get what he wants."
"Then he'll have to face us." Batou shouted, "That's how it is with Sec 9."
Suddenly, at that moment, bright search lights were shown outside, as they heard sirens and military vehicles coming in. Batou and Aaron ran over to a window, as they saw what was going on. MaxTac swat vehicles hovered in; advanced police forces that dealt with cyber-psychos. with them, San Tokyo police forces, as well as a military group that seemed to be cyborgs as well. One of them was a vivacious redhead in a military suit, tan skin, and combed back red hair with a bang framing the left side of her face, smiling at the scene.
She reached for a mic.
"Attention inhabitance of Z's Last Chance," the woman spoke up as she said, "This is Lieutenant Colonel Kurutsu of Unit 501 of the JDSF. You have the Major in there; we are demanding you return her to us. As requested by William Cuttner of Asaka-Tech."
Aaron grimaced, as Batou sighed, "I stand corrected."
The major pulled herself out and asks, "Col. Kurutsu?"
Kurt looked to her and asked, "You know her?"
"She was my CO before I transferred to Sec9," Motoko said.
"Major Miranda... no, Motoko. You're hereby ordered to go back to Asaka-Tech. We have confirmation that you've been affected by a virus by a terrorist," Kurutsu said. "Cuttner was informed by Dr. Oulette of the situation."
"Meaning Cuttner made her talk," Aaron deduced. "That ass."
Batou blinked, "Wait... whose' Motoko?"
Motoko froze and said, "She knows... She knows my real name..."
"Motoko, please come back to Asaka-Tech. You have a chance not to get thrown in prison," Kurutsu pleaded to her, as MaxTac were getting ready to storm the place. The vehicle Manticore, the MaxTac vehicle AV-9 attack ships, and their drones surrounding the place.
"How long have you known my real name, Kurustu?" Motoko demanded her CO.
"I've had my suspicions, but when Cuttner told me, it confirmed it," Kurutsu spoke in their private comms. "Still.. I'm a bit surprised you still kept your comms with me after you left to become a stray dog with Section 9."
"It's better to be a stray then a dog who follows orders that you should know aren't true... especially now!" Motoko shouted.
"Major, I'm doing this to try and spare your life. If this keeps up, they'll kill you. There won't be any way a cyber doctor can bring you back on this," Kurutsu tried to reason with her.
"How do I know I can trust you?!" Motoko exclaimed, "YOU KNEW AND YOU LIED TO ME INSTEAD OF TRYING TO TELL ME!? HOW DO I KNOW YOU'RE NOT MORE IN BED WITH CUTTNER!? HUH!?"
She continued on as everyone was feeling her mental might, "I FINALLY FOUND OUT THE TRUTH ABOUT MY PAST AND YOU WANT ME TO THROW IT ALL AWAY?! JUST LIKE ANY ANDROID OR GUN?! IF YOU THINK ANYONE HERE WHO ARE SHELTERING ME IS MY ENEMY, ESPECIALLY THE BOY I FOUND AFTER 12 YEARS, THEN I'D RATHER DIE FREE WITH MY GHOST IN TACT AND NOT DESTROYED BY SOMEONE LIKE CUTTNER!"
Many officers outside were either knocked out or having trouble moving their bodies. Someone in uniform approached Kurustu after the Major's rage, "I told you we should've killed her before she left." His metal arms sparked with electricity, "Give me the order, Col."
"No Let me talk to her, I know her." An older man with a hat and googles said to Kurutsu, "I trained her in martial arts before she registered."
"Screw off, Ibachi! She's gone AWOL and we need to put her down before she goes 'psycho' on us."
The other cyborg said. Ibachi glared, "You never liked her, Raizo. So I doubt your intentions."
Raizo's metal arms sparked as he glared at Ibachi.
"Then allow me to state this: your friend has been labeled as a cyber-psychotic responsible for the multiple homicide of Arasaka corpo branches. Whether it was self-defense or not, it still makes him a threat. As such, Cuttner has given the order and much effort to have him wiped off the map," Kurutsu said. "And I don't care how good he is, one man against an entire force like this, there won't be a nut left. Here's the Ultimatum: If you surrender, I swear I won't have him harmed in anyway. You know he's not invulnerable, Kusanagi."
Motoko froze hearing that before turning to Aaron.
He wasn't looking to her, but she knew how he was. Somehow in flashes, when she was picked on by three boys who took her doll... he tried to get it back, only to get outmatched and punched nonstop. He was like that, even now with the Sandavistan; he wasn't one to know his limits or know when he was outmatched. At least the Maelstrom Solo was an easy opponent, he was psychotic.
Aaron got his gun out ready, "Bring it..." But suddenly he buzzed a bit and fell down, unable to move.
Batou blinked, "What the...?" Suddenly he fell over as well, knocked out as both had their Ghosts hacked.
Kurt blinked, "What ...?" But then spasmed as the same thing happened to him, as he crashed down.
The Tachikoma blinked, as it panicked, "Major... wha...?"
Motoko sniffles and said, pleading, "I'm sorry... Please forgive me... I just..." Motoko had tears in her eyes as she called, "Kurutsu, promise me you won't hurt him, or the others, and I'll go with you willingly!"
Kurutsu was silent on that, as she nodded, "Understood."
"Agent Batou and one of Section 9's Tachikomas will take him and his cohort to Section 9 for process," Motoko said as she walked to the garage door.
Once the door opened, it showed MaxTac aiming for her in caution, but she walked out as she made her way to Kurutsu as she said, "You did the right thing, Kusanagi."
"Ensure that Agent Batou and Tachikoma takes them and I'll even let you cuff me."
However, the Major fell to the ground in confusion, as behind her a Ghost Lock was placed in her neck ports... by Cuttner himself.
"Cuttner..." She growled.
"Don't worry, Kurutsu is one to keep her word," Cuttner said, as he knelt down, "Sadly... I just can't take the risk of another Kuze going about." he then radioed the order, "Tear this place apart and burn it to the ground. No survivors"
"YOU BASTARD!" Motoko screeched before Raizo kicked her in the gut.
Looking at Cuttner he said, 'Forgive me, sir. but this bitch had that coming to her for a long time."
"I'll haver her dealt with, but FIRE," Cuttner ordered. And much to Motoko's horror, MaxTec and Unit 501's drone forces went to work. A barrage of heavy firepower rained down on the garage station as the concrete walls were being shredded. The glass windows smashed and obliterated with no signs of stopping this. Then the Manticores fired missiles at it, wreaking heavy explosions as the scene became a massive warzone as the whole sight blew up in smoke, and all came crashing down. Once the firing stopped, all that was left was burning piles of rubble and melted steel... and a Tachikoma's claw sticking out, half melted and charred.
As well as a cybernetic left arm. Aaron's arm.
"NO!" Motoko screamed seeing this, doing all she could to turn, screaming heartbroken, "AARON!"
Next Chapter: Ghosts Stand Alone