Note: I do not own Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex or Jormungand; all rights belong to their respective creators.
19:37. In an alley on the outskirts of an Eastern European country.
Hidden within the shadows of an alleyway, Major Motoko Kusanagi observed the imposing hotel standing before her.
"I followed the boy's group all the way here. I used the journey to close the distance by leaping from building to building… and to get a better sense of this world," she murmured to herself.
Her attention shifted to the scene unfolding at the entrance. Two cars pulled up, and from them emerged nine armed individuals, escorting the white-haired young woman she had seen before. At her side were the two adults who had accompanied her, as well as the same red-eyed boy who, barely an hour ago, had taken her by surprise inside that clandestine facility. But what unsettled her most wasn't him—it was the object now held in his hands: the only piece capable of sending her back to her world.
However, one detail stood out even more. The group entered the hotel without bothering to conceal their weapons, and no one—neither employees nor guests—seemed alarmed in the slightest. Everything pointed to this being no ordinary place, and that young woman and her team wielded a level of influence worth investigating.
"I wasn't wrong about them…" The Major muttered under her breath, keeping her eyes fixed on the group. "They're professionals. I can tell at a glance that most of them have military training. And that white-haired girl… something about her unsettles me. She's dangerous, I know it."
She waited until the team had fully entered the hotel before activating her camouflage and moving stealthily.
Just before stepping inside, she stopped. She couldn't risk the red-eyed boy detecting her again. He had already caught her off guard once, and she wasn't about to give him another chance—especially not when he was surrounded by his armed companions. She wouldn't make that mistake.
If she wanted to reclaim the artifact, she would have to wait for the perfect moment.
From her position, she watched as seven of them—including the boy and the young leader—boarded the elevator heading to their floor. The doors closed, leaving only two men in the lobby: one middle-aged, with fair skin, gray hair matching his eyes, and the other, a towering figure with tanned skin, black hair, and green eyes.
Once the boy and the rest of the group had left the reception area, the Major cautiously moved closer, keeping a safe distance from the two men who had stayed behind. Her objective was clear: gather as much information as possible.
She observed as the middle-aged man turned to the larger one. "Hey, Hugo, take care of checking the second floor. I'll go meet up with the others on the third. Who would've thought things would get this complicated…" He said, pulling a pack of cigarettes from his pocket.
The man called Hugo nodded silently, and both headed for the elevator. Within seconds, they had disappeared behind the metallic doors.
Now alone, the Major quickly processed the information she had gathered.
Nine in total, excluding the white-haired girl… though I'm not sure if she has any combat experience. Hugo will patrol the second floor, while the other man will join the rest on the third. From his attitude and presence, he seems to be the most experienced—possibly the leader of their squad. Everything points to this group being an elite bodyguard unit, assigned to protect that young woman… But the important thing is that I now know exactly where my target is.
This will be an extraction mission. Retrieve the artifact as discreetly as possible and get out of the building before I'm discovered. I don't want to engage this group, but if they try to stop me… I won't hesitate to use force. My priority is getting back to my world.
With that determination set in her mind, the Major, still camouflaged, moved swiftly and silently toward the staircase, making her way to the third floor.
In room 102 on the third floor, Koko and Valmet's room, the team had gathered to discuss what had happened during their recent deal with the clandestine company. Tension still lingered in the air as they exchanged impressions about the unexpected infiltration.
"So everything went south because of a spy…" Lutz muttered, still processing the information. "You need guts or be a complete idiot to sneak alone into a high-security private facility, packed with armed guards and a top-tier surveillance system. And the most impressive part is that they did it in broad daylight."
"We don't know if it was just one person," Mao interjected, crossing his arms. "But if it was, they definitely had way too much confidence to attempt it."
Valmet scoffed in clear annoyance.
"It doesn't matter how confident they were; they're still an idiot," She snapped. "That damn spy turned everything into a mess, with alarms blaring and bullets flying everywhere… If they had crossed my path, I would have taken care of them myself."
"Yeah, sounds like you had a real party in there. You could hear the commotion from outside," R commented with a smirk, recalling the sound of gunfire.
"It was certainly chaos," Tojo agreed. "We were ready to launch a counterattack, but at the last moment, Lehm ordered us to prepare for retreat."
He fell silent for a moment, lost in thought. There was something about the whole situation that didn't quite add up, something that had been bothering him ever since they left that place. Finally, he decided to share his thoughts with the others.
"Mmm... Something is off about all this. It doesn't make sense for someone to infiltrate a place where everything is against them. It's practically suicide. If it really was just one person, then they had a damn good reason to take that risk."
The others pondered his words, but it was Lehm who broke the silence as he entered the room with his usual laid-back demeanor, a cigarette dangling from his lips.
"Whatever it is, it seems our clever leader already has a pretty good idea of what happened in that place… Don't you, Koko?"
All eyes turned to Koko, but she merely smiled enigmatically.
Meanwhile, Jonah stood apart from the group, leaning against the wall, carefully inspecting the mysterious metallic cube he had found.
"Honestly, I only have a small hunch, but that doesn't really matter now that we're done here. We should get ready—tomorrow, we leave at sunrise for our next destination". Koko concluded as she loosened her tie and pulled it off her neck.
Upon hearing her words, everyone in the room nodded without objection. Most of them trusted the white-haired woman completely and considered the matter settled. With the decision made, each one set off, either to take their shifts on watch or to prepare everything needed for their departure.
Jona was about to leave with the others when Koko's voice stopped him.
"Wait, Jonah. I want to talk to you about something." The young woman gave him a cordial look, but with a serious undertone that made it clear it was an important matter.
"Alright," he replied without hesitation. He closed the door and turned to face the conversation with Koko.
Meanwhile, in the hallway, Tojo glanced at the closed door and commented indifferently:
"Looks like Koko has something to discuss with Jonah."
The others kept walking, each heading in their own direction, while Lutz had already gone ahead to his room.
"I'm not surprised. He was acting strangely in that place. He seemed distracted, especially at the end of the route". Valmet said with a hint of concern in her voice.
"Yeah, so much so that Koko had to call his attention more than once". Mao added.
"That doesn't sound like something Jonah would do," Wiley interjected, frowning in thought.
"I also noticed that he strayed too far when we were near the exit. Maybe he saw something we didn't". Mao suggested calmly.
Lehm, who had been listening, approached the group while exhaling a puff of smoke. "Whatever it is, it seems Koko has it under control. We should focus on following her orders. I'll go inform Hugo of the situation". He said in his usual calm tone before heading toward the elevator.
The others watched him leave, unaware that someone else was nearby. The Major had been in the hallway for several minutes, observing them from a distance. Thanks to her camouflage and flawless stealth, she had managed to enter using the stairs without being detected. Though
invisible, she knew the group in front of her was experienced enough to pick up on the slightest suspicious sound. That's why every one of her movements was calculated to the millimeter.
She had already identified the room where her target was: number 120. She had seen everyone else leave, except for the boy and the white-haired woman.
Is he with her? she wondered. It's very likely. She had hoped to ambush him when he was alone, but this might be the best opportunity she had to get close without too many obstacles in the way. Besides, she thought, I think I can take advantage of this situation.
Now, she only needed the right moment to execute her plan.
The opportunity came immediately when Lutz left his room, which was right next to room 120. The Major took advantage of the small gap the blond man left when closing the door and, with agile and silent movements, slipped inside before it shut completely.
Once inside, she quickly inspected the place. The room was empty, but she could see traces of recent activity: half-packed suitcases and a closed rifle case, indicating that at least one of the occupants was a sniper. She couldn't identify the weapon without opening the case, but what was evident was that this group was planning to leave very soon.
Looks like I have even more reason to hurry, the purple-haired woman thought.
She made her way to the window and carefully opened it, observing the building's facade. Her target was in the adjacent room, and the ledge separating the two windows provided a viable access route. Without wasting any more time, she stepped out and began climbing with trained precision.
However, just as she was about to leave the room completely, she heard the unmistakable sound of the doorknob turning. Someone was about to enter.
Meanwhile, in the adjacent room, Koko stood in the middle of the quarters, unbuttoning the first two buttons of her blouse before letting herself fall onto the bed with a soft sigh. She settled in calmly, crossing her long legs, then fixed her gaze on Jonah, who remained motionless with his usual impassive expression.
"Jonah, what was it that distracted you when we were near the exit of that place? I imagine it has something to do with that object you were playing with a moment ago". Koko asked naturally, cutting straight to the point.
". . . Are you referring to this?" Jonah reached into his pocket and pulled out the strange cube. "I found it lying on the floor inside the building. I thought it was interesting, so I took it". He explained as he handed it to the white-haired woman.
Koko took the artifact cautiously and examined it closely. At first glance, it looked like some kind of machine, which made sense given the type of facility they had been in. However, what surprised her the most wasn't the object itself but Jona's recklessness in carrying it without knowing what it was. It could be anything—from a useless device to something dangerous, like a bomb or a tracker.
Even so, she couldn't completely blame him. After all, Jonah was still a child, and it was natural for him to act impulsively at times. Besides, the cube seemed to be either powered off or broken, and if it had truly been something important, it was unlikely they would have left it abandoned on the floor. Still, a lingering sense of distrust remained in her mind.
The white-haired woman snapped out of her thoughts when she noticed Jonah had the same thoughtful expression she had displayed minutes earlier.
Koko offered him a small smile. "What's wrong, Jonah? Do you have something else to tell me?"
The boy looked directly into her eyes.
"Yes. There was something else that caught my attention in that place".
Koko raised an intrigued eyebrow. "And what exactly was it?"
"Before we left, I felt the presence of someone right in front of me," Jonah said seriously. "But when I looked, there was no one there. It was strange… even though I couldn't see them, I was sure someone was there. I even heard the sound of a gun aiming at me".
Koko listened carefully to Jona's words. She was well aware of his ability to sense hidden presences—an instinct that rarely failed him. The seriousness on his face made it clear he wasn't imagining things.
A sniper? A stealth expert? Whatever it was, someone had been watching them closely. But for now, her priority was dealing with what was in front of her. Somehow, she felt that the mysterious object was connected to everything that had happened.
With slow movements, she approached the room's safe. Its lock seemed old, but it was secure enough. She turned the mechanism, entered a code that only she knew, and, after opening it, placed the artifact inside before locking it again.
Then, without taking her eyes off the cube, now out of reach, she turned on her heels and looked at Jonah. She slowly walked toward the window before speaking.
"The best thing to do is take it to Minami. If anyone can tell us exactly what it is, it's her".
Jonah nodded silently, accepting her decision without objection.
In the adjacent room, the Major found herself in a tight spot as she saw the door slowly opening. With a swift motion, she managed to slide her body completely outside the window, gripping the ledge with both hands as she hung in midair.
Just seconds later, the sound of the door fully opening echoed in the room. Mao entered, intending to grab a few things, but his attention was immediately drawn to something unusual—the window was completely open. His instincts kicked in instantly.
Quickly, he drew his CZ-75B and cautiously advanced toward the window, pressing against the wall for cover. With calculated movements, he peeked outside, carefully scanning every corner. However, he detected nothing suspicious.
Mao sighed, relaxing his stance as he holstered his weapon. Then, he ran a hand over the back of his neck and muttered.
"Looks like Lutz left the window open again…"
With a resigned gesture, he shut the window and left the room.
Meanwhile, the Major remained hanging from the ledge, holding her breath until she was sure the danger had passed. Once Mao had walked away, she carefully started moving toward the adjacent window.
From her position, she had a clear view inside. The boy and the white-haired woman were alone. She also noted that the woman was closer to her location.
I finally found him. I need to act fast before the others notice my presence.
With that determination, the Major placed one hand on the window frame and, with a precise push, slid her body to the edge. She remained completely still, waiting for the perfect moment to make her next move.
"Now!" she thought after a brief pause, carefully opening the window and slipping inside with feline precision. Without wasting a second, she moved in stealthily and lunged at the white-haired woman.
Koko immediately felt a firm grip restraining her from behind, immobilizing her within seconds. She couldn't see her attacker, but her instincts screamed that it was a person. A shiver ran down her spine as she felt the cold barrel of a gun pressing against her temple. The shock barely gave her time to react, but she still managed to shout:
"JONAH!"
However, the young boy was already prepared. In one swift motion, he drew his PX4-STORM and aimed precisely at the seemingly empty space in front of him, guided by instinct and subtle traces of presence.
"I know you're there. Let her go!" He ordered firmly, without a hint of hesitation.
The Major knew she couldn't risk a blind shot and made her decision in an instant. She activated the mechanism that disabled her thermoplastic camouflage.
Before the incredulous eyes of Koko and Jonah, a female figure slowly began to materialize, like a shadow slipping out from behind a veil of nothingness.
Both reacted differently.
Koko, still trapped in the grasp of her attacker, kept her composure and quickly began analyzing the situation.
Jonah, on the other hand, though he did not lower his weapon, couldn't hide the astonishment in his eyes. He had seen many things in his life, but this sudden appearance was still shocking even for someone like him.
"Calm down, kid. I don't want to hurt her; I just want that machine you took earlier. Hand it over, and I'll let her go". the Major spoke in a firm and authoritative tone, hoping the boy would understand and not complicate things further.
Jonah remained silent for a moment, thinking before responding. "Are you talking about that cube-shaped artifact?"
"That's the one". The purple-haired woman answered with determination, leaving no room for doubt.
After confirming what she meant, Jonah looked toward Koko, who had the combination to the safe where it was stored. However, when he saw her face, he realized that the white-haired woman had other plans in mind.
Koko's expression had completely changed. Her eyes reflected a calculating coldness, barely hidden behind her tousled white hair. Her icy gaze exuded a sense of absolute control, as if she had already foreseen every possible move of her attacker.
The Major started to grow impatient. Something didn't add up in the boy's attitude—he was taking too long to decide. She knew she had to end this quickly before the others intervened. Without hesitation, she pressed the barrel of her gun even harder against the young woman's head, trying to force an answer.
Before Jonah could react, he saw Koko's hand rise in a clear signal for him to stay still.
"Why the rush, Miss Chameleon?" Said the white-haired woman in a carefree tone, flashing her signature smile. "After all, you just got here. Why don't we have a little chat?"
The Major was surprised by Koko's words, but what truly unsettled her was that eerie smile the young woman wore so naturally.
"For someone who has a gun pointed at their head, you seem awfully calm". The Major commented, not relaxing her stance.
"In my line of work, it would be shameful to fear the merchandise," Koko replied, maintaining her composure. "But there's something peculiar about your weapon... its structure and weight are different from any conventional model. Adding to that the extreme camouflage trick you pulled earlier, it's clear that you have access to highly advanced technology—so advanced that we might even consider it impossible for this era… or even for this world."
The Major slightly furrowed her brow. "Where are you going with this?"
Koko's smile faded, replaced by a much more serious expression. "Who are you?"
"That's none of your business". The Major responded firmly. "Just hand over the machine you took, and I promise you'll never see me again. Consider it one less problem in your path."
Koko narrowed her eyes, trying to get a better look at the woman holding her captive.
"And how exactly am I supposed to trust your words if I don't even know what… or who I'm dealing with?" Her tone turned cold and calculating. "Before we talk about exchanges, I need more information to negotiate with you."
"A deal? Are you trying to negotiate with me?" The purple-haired woman asked, squinting slightly as she tried to decipher the young woman's true intentions. She knew Koko was scheming something.
"Exactly". The white-haired woman responded naturally. "From what I can deduce, that object Jonah found must be extremely important to you—important enough for you to go to these extremes. But I can also sense that this isn't your only problem, am I wrong? What if I told you I could help you? Besides, I'm completely certain that you're alone, so an extra hand wouldn't be bad for you right now."
The Major let out a soft sigh. I have to admit, she's good... With the little information she has, she's managed to corner me. And since she doesn't seem willing to back down easily, it's probably best to hear what she has to say for now.
"I have a feeling you won't let me see what you're really up to so easily". She said coldly, though a slight hint of interest slipped into her tone.
"Seems like I finally caught your attention. But as I said before, if you really want to know more, just answer the questions I have about you... Mmm, and while we're at it, why not start by answering my previous question? Who are you?" Koko asked in a cheerful tone, waiting patiently for a response.
The Major closed her eyes for a moment, reflecting. I don't like this idea, but I'll give her what she wants. After all, she's capable of uncovering the truth on her own, so it's best if she hears it directly from me and on my own terms. Besides, this will allow me to better analyze her game and, hopefully, take control of the situation my way.
She took a second before opening her eyes and fixing her gaze on the young woman, whom she was still holding tightly. "Alright, if that's what you want..."
Jonah watched the shift in dynamics closely. Koko had completely turned the situation around, making her attacker yield to her demands instead of the other way around. However, he wouldn't let his guard down. If things went south, he was ready to fire first.
"I am Major Motoko Kusanagi, tactical commander and second-in-command of Section 9". The purple-haired woman replied.
"Section 9?" Koko slightly furrowed her brow. "I've never heard of that organization... And considering that I have extensive knowledge of almost every intelligence and security department, that strikes me as rather curious."
With more interest in her voice, she continued: "From your name, I deduce that you're of Japanese nationality, which means your team must also operate in Japan, correct?"
Koko's eyes gleamed with keen curiosity as she analyzed every piece of information the purple-haired woman was providing.
"You are correct. Japan is the epicenter of our operations since Section 9, also known as Public Security Section 9, was established as a search and rescue organization. Officially, it's categorized as an international entity, but in reality, it's an anti-terrorism and crime-fighting unit operating under Japan's National Public Safety Commission. However, what truly sets us apart from other security departments is that our agents can act with or without government consent. We are practically unknown to the public, though the National Diet and certain sections of the security forces are aware of our existence as a covert operations unit". The Major explained in a calculated tone, ensuring she provided just enough information to satisfy the young woman's curiosity without revealing any compromising details.
Koko listened carefully to every word. After the revelation of her attacker's identity, she remained silent, immersed in her thoughts. The pause lasted a few seconds until she decided to speak.
"I don't understand why you're giving me information about such a secretive government unit so easily. It makes me think that you're not at all concerned that this could be used against your department... or maybe you trust me too much not to reveal it". She remarked with a smile, though her tone suggested she didn't believe that possibility. "Although, to be honest, I'm certain it's not the second option. That only leads me to one conclusion: what you just told me doesn't pose any threat to you or your team. After all, you mentioned that Section 9 is practically unknown to the public eye and that even within your own government, some barely consider it more than an extension of the police force. That means any information about you must be highly classified, no matter how trivial it may seem."
Koko paused for a moment. Her eyes narrowed, and she slightly lowered her head in concentration. A bead of sweat ran down her face as the pieces started falling into place in her mind. When she finally lifted her gaze, her expression reflected disbelief.
"The only thing this leaves me with are options we would normally consider pure fiction... And that makes me think that strange artifact you're trying to recover holds all the answers. So why don't you save us some time and tell us right now what's going on? More importantly, tell me what that machine means to you and what it's used for". She demanded firmly, her voice filled with authority.
The Major responded without hesitation. "I figured you would deduce it so easily, especially with the hints I left in my explanation. I'm sure it was a feast for a mind as sharp as yours. I did it all in the hope that what I'm about to tell you won't be so hard for you to believe… First, I'll start by telling you what I am. I come from another dimension."
"Another dimension?" Jonah murmured under his breath.
"It's another reality, a universe different from ours," Koko replied naturally.
"As you said, I basically come from a world very similar to this one, but with clear differences. One of them is the level of technological advancement, which is far more developed. To help you understand, you could imagine it as an extremely distant version of your own future—so distant that the year in my time doesn't even resemble that of this Earth."
The Major paused briefly before continuing:
"And even considering how advanced we are, I never would have believed it possible for a technology to exist that could instantly transport someone to another place—let alone another dimension. We always considered such ideas nothing more than absurd theories of science fiction. And judging by the expressions on your faces, I see you think the same. I don't blame you. I believed it too—until, in the middle of a mission, I came across a strange artifact."
Kusanagi sharpened her gaze, and her tone became more serious. "That artifact transported me to that laboratory where we met earlier. It was there that I lost it… and where you found it. Now you know why I want it back."
The Major fell silent, watching Koko closely. She awaited her response and, at the same time, wanted to ensure that the information she had provided was enough to satisfy her curiosity.
The room once again sank into a silence that felt eternal. Both sides remained on edge, waiting for someone to make the first move. The Major noticed that neither had any intention of acting immediately, so she seized the opportunity to speak with a serious and commanding tone, addressing the white-haired young woman she was still holding.
"What I just told you is the whole truth. Whether you believe me or not, that's up to you. Now that I've answered all your questions, all that's left is to hear the deal you mentioned earlier. But since you're having such a hard time speaking, I can only assume you're hesitating. I'm not surprised—after all, you've realized just how complicated and surreal my situation is. However, given your indecision, why don't you let me be the one to propose a deal? It's practically the same as before: just hand over the artifact, and in return, I won't shoot you." She concluded as she moved her finger even closer to the trigger.
That last action only prompted Jonah to do the same with his weapon, eyeing her with the firm intent to be the first to shoot if necessary.
Meanwhile, Koko remained silent, unfazed even in the face of the cold threat she had just received. The Major, in an attempt to put an end to this situation once and for all, pressed on with her ultimatum.
"I don't have time for this, so why don't you just make a decision already? If you don't want to die—"
But before she could finish, she was abruptly interrupted by an outburst of laughter coming from the white-haired girl.
The mocking outburst significantly eased the tension between both gunmen, replacing it with a sense of unease and apprehension. Koko finally stopped laughing out loud and, with slow movements, lifted her face, revealing a wide, playful smile and a keen gaze. Her eyes carried an unsettling air, as if they could see beyond the obvious.
"I have to admit, your story is anything but conventional, but at the same time, it makes sense". Koko remarked with relentless logic.
"So you believe me," the Major responded, raising an eyebrow without showing any surprise. "But that doesn't change anything about what I was ask—"
"Wait, I'm not finished speaking yet," Koko interrupted with an authoritative tone. "It's true that many people would have accepted your deal just to save their lives. Others, on the other hand, would have tried to take advantage of the situation to blackmail you and get their hands on some of your technology. But I'm not one of those people."
She paused briefly before continuing with a calculating smile.
"I see beyond simplistic ambitions. And that's why I like you, Major Motoko Kusanagi. So much so that I'm willing to propose a deal that benefits us both. But before that, I want to confirm something. From what I observed in that machine—now I know it was what drew you here—it seems it's no longer fully operational, is it? I'm no expert on the subject, but I deduce that the sudden travel damaged it.
"Besides, there's something else that confirms my theory: you're still here. If it were functional, you would have left a long time ago. Am I right again?" She concluded with a playful tone.
Motoko slightly furrowed her brow.
"That's right. It seems that one of its mechanical components was damaged, and unfortunately, I don't have the knowledge or the means to repair it". She admitted with visible frustration. It was yet another obstacle in her attempt to return home, and the young woman's mischievous tone only irritated her further.
"I see… A mechanical defect, huh? Hmm... I know the right person to fix it. Someone I trust completely, and I assure you, your artifact will be in good hands. However, even with their skill, the repair will take time."
"That's why I propose this: join my team temporarily until the machine is ready. From what I've seen, you'd be a great addition to my squad. If you accept, I'll make sure you lack nothing… I might even spoil you from time to time."
Koko smiled with a playful expression, but her gaze made it clear she was serious.
"Besides, you'll be safer with me. For someone who doesn't want to be discovered, the best thing is to keep moving constantly. And, lucky for you, I never stay in one place for too long. So tell me, Major, do we have a deal?"
The Major closed her eyes, lost in thought. She now understood Koko better—or at least enough to know that she was dangerous. She didn't trust her, but she also couldn't ignore the reality of her situation: she was alone in an unfamiliar world, without resources, without her team, and without a clear plan to return.
The greatest doubt tormenting her was whether there was truly anyone in this world capable of understanding and repairing such an advanced device. The technology of this era was still far from reaching that level. But for now, she had no choice but to trust that the white-haired young woman was telling the truth.
That said, if they tried to use the machine for their own gain, they would be in for a great disappointment. Thanks to the ORION project schematics she had obtained earlier, she knew that the artifact could only be activated by someone with a fully prosthetic body—like hers. Without that requirement, it was nothing more than a complex tangle of wires and circuits, useless to anyone who tried to exploit it.
The lingering hesitation over that proposal remained. The idea of accepting an offer from someone she barely knew was unbearable. She had memorized the names she had been given: the boy was called Jonah, and the white-haired young woman was Koko. Apparently, she was in charge of the group. However, beyond that, everything else was just theories based on her observations. She knew they were involved in shady dealings, though she had yet to determine the full extent of their activities.
But for now, she had to set those doubts aside. She was trapped in a surreal situation with very few options. Koko was offering her temporary shelter and access to resources while her only means of returning home was being repaired. She didn't like the part of the deal where Koko mentioned "spoiling" her—it sounded as if she saw her more as a pet than an ally. She hoped it was just a joke meant to provoke her, a verbal game to remind her that she had no choice but to accept.
And the worst part was that she was right.
Throughout the entire conversation, the Major had felt how Koko had moved her pieces with precision, pushing her toward a single possible conclusion. It had all been calculated from the beginning, and now, this was the final move that would secure her victory. A deep sigh escaped the Major's lips before she opened her eyes, reflecting her exhaustion. Finally, she decided to speak again to the troublesome—but undeniably brilliant—white-haired young woman.
"After analyzing it, I've come to the conclusion that your proposal was never really an option. You made me believe I had a choice, but the truth is, I didn't. If I were to reject your offer right now and try to act against your plans, I'm certain that a bullet would pierce the window right behind me… and end up lodged in my head."
"So, you've already figured it out". Koko replied in her unmistakably cheerful tone.
"I suspected as much. Everything around us was far too quiet—most of the time, that's a clear indicator of danger. Besides, I can tell when I'm completely surrounded. I can conclude that there's a very skilled sniper in the building next door, while behind that door, I assume there's a large group of well-armed individuals ready to storm in at any moment. Meanwhile, in the adjacent room, there are others prepared to fire through the walls. Your entire team is well-prepared to counter or eliminate me". The Major stated with absolute certainty in her voice.
Jonah remained silent, surprised by how precisely the woman had identified the current positions of his teammates. He also had the ability to sense their presence, but not with the level of accuracy she had just demonstrated.
"I have to admit, you keep surprising me. You're scoring more points in my interest in you. But let me give you a piece of advice before you make a decision: you'd be wise not to underestimate my team. They're quite interesting people themselves". Koko concluded, her tone filled with pride as she spoke about her squad.
"It's quite the opposite. I'm fully aware of your team's capabilities—so much so that I can confidently say that even if I managed to escape your sniper's sights, the men behind the door would do everything in their power to lock me down and shoot me at the same time. And even if I evaded their attack using my camouflage, there would still be the ones in the other room, who wouldn't hesitate to shoot through the wall as if it were made of paper, leaving me trapped in a hail of bullets. I'm also taking into account the boy standing right in front of me—who, without a doubt, would be the first to act".
"You may think my chances are slim, but if I make the right moves, I could still escape and put an end to all of this. However, right now, my priority is not to complicate the situation any further, so I have no interest in taking more risks". The Major stated in a resigned tone.
Jonah tensed as he saw the woman start to move, but relaxed when he realized she was only slowly moving the gun away from Koko's head. Finally, she released the grip she had on her.
Now free, Koko smiled at the gesture. She took a few steps until she was standing next to Jona, who remained on high alert.
Koko stood by his side as she watched the woman—now known as Motoko—slowly raise both hands, signaling her surrender. Then, she let go of the pistol she had been holding in one hand, allowing it to hit the ground with a dull thud.
From her position, the white-haired girl was finally able to get a better look at the woman. Until that moment, much of her appearance had been unknown to her. Previously, she had only caught fleeting glimpses of her face during the moment of her capture.
Now that she could see her clearly, she noticed that the woman had an imposing figure and a short haircut, similar to other dangerous women she had encountered—those who shared certain common traits. Moreover, she radiated the dominant presence typical of most military personnel. However, there was something else about her, a peculiar nuance that didn't quite fit the rigidity of an ordinary soldier.
Koko sensed that, despite her martial bearing, this woman had an insurgent nature—someone who wouldn't hesitate to act on her own if the situation required it. But that was a matter she would address later. For now, she just waited to hear the words she had so carefully planned to make her say.
Motoko lifted her gaze and locked eyes directly with the white-haired young woman before speaking in a calm tone:
"Fine, the victory is yours. I surrender... I accept your deal."
She shrugged and offered a weary smile toward the two young people standing before her.
Koko returned the smile with satisfaction before shifting her attention to Jonah, who still kept his gun raised, with no intention of lowering it. The woman had already surrendered, yet he remained distrustful.
Koko sighed at his attitude, imagining that the rest of her team was probably just as alert.
With a calm gesture, the white-haired girl raised her arms and wrapped them around Jonah from behind, resting her chin on his head.
The boy didn't react to the gesture, remaining impassive. He was far too used to these displays of affection from Koko. His focus remained fixed on his target—the woman in front of him. Even if she had surrendered, that didn't mean she was harmless. She still had a weapon slung over her shoulder, and his instincts told him he couldn't let his guard down around her.
"Jonah, lower your weapon. That's no way to welcome our new teammate. The same goes for everyone. Someone inform Lem that the situation is resolved and that he can regroup with us."
Koko spoke firmly, raising her voice just enough to ensure that every one of her subordinates could hear her.
Jonah hesitated for a moment but eventually complied, lowering his weapon with visible reluctance. Then, he turned his face slightly to glance at Koko.
She nodded in approval, and shortly after, the sound of multiple weapons being secured rang out in unison.
Satisfied, Koko refocused her attention on the Major, who had already relaxed her arms. Then, she released Jonah from her embrace and confidently walked up to the woman.
"It will be a pleasure to have you in our ranks. Until now, my team consisted of nine people, so that makes you number ten". She said with a radiant smile, intertwining her fingers behind her back.
Then, she tilted her head slightly, as if suddenly remembering something important.
"Oh, by the way, I forgot to introduce myself. What a careless mistake," she said in a playful tone. "My name is Koko Hekmatyar, and I am an arms dealer."
She extended her hand with confidence, as if that title was as natural as the air she breathed.
The Major held Koko's gaze for a moment. There was no surprise in her expression, just a silent acknowledgment of the situation she had found herself in. Finally, after a brief breath, she lifted her hand and shook the arms dealer's.
"The pleasure is mutual," she responded calmly. "Although something tells me this will be... interesting."
Koko let out a mischievous chuckle. "Oh, it definitely will be". She whispered.
As their hands remained clasped in that handshake, the Major knew that her fate had just been sealed. What had started as a mission had turned into an unexpected twist that pulled her even further away from home. But for now, there was no turning back.