All language subtitles for Ghost.In.The.Shell.SAC.Solid.State.Society.2006.DVDRip.XviD.AC3.CD1-JOKE

The evacuation of passengers and flight crew has been completed as per the terrorist incident response plan.

All incoming flights are to remain circling outside the airport control zone and await further instructions.

Flights low on fuel are to divert to land at another airport.

305 to 102 -

Public Security Section 9 has arrived.
Please advise.

This is an priority transmission.

Section 9 has been given full authority to direct this operation.

We already have fatalities over here.

Even if that's the arrangement, they should give us some say in how this operation is run.

That's enough.

Recognize your own role.

We do not have the capability to deal with an incident of this type.

Found it.

All outgoing flights have been suspended.
The immigration checkpoint is closed for operations.

According to our preliminary reports, the fugitive is willing to submit to an inspection, ...

but when he heard that Public Security was taking charge, he seemed almost... delighted.

Delighted?

I have no idea.

So?

I guess dai-sempai won't be meeting up with us after all?

He said that he was in the middle of another personal inquiry for an investigation.

Indeed, it was thanks to Batou that we could piece together the complete picture from the disjointed clues in this case.

Pazu and Boma, bring another two men to the North Gate.

Understood.

We are storming in from the front.

Yes, sir!

However, you've changed, sempai.

You finally gave up on that Mateba autorevolver of yours.

Not really.

According to our information, Ka Gae-Ru shouldn't be augmented.

Then on the ground there...

... is your proverbial unexpected problem.

In other words, he may have seized the gun.

Even so, it's just a 9mm pistol.

Oh, my.

Colonel Ka Gae-Ru!

This is Public Security.

We can consider allowing you safe passage from the country as you demand.

First let the hostage go, then we can further discuss this.

Colonel Ka Gae-Ru!

Do you hear me?

Ka Gae-Ru!

Put the gun down!

Everyone hold your fire.
Hand the gun over.

Togusa.

That guy appears to have inhaled fast-acting military grade microsteroids.

Understood.

Colonel Ka Gae-Ru!

The Puppeteer is coming - I don't want to die!

If you don't want to die, then put the goddamn gun down now!

What did you say?

I won't let you take me in!

Stop!

Damn it!
What the hell just happened?

The Puppeteer, huh?

The name's not half bad.

Prime Minister Kayabuki.

Operatives marked with "bon*" character tattoos belonging to Generalissimo Ka Ru-Ma's loyalist group ...
*The kanji character 梵 (bon), meaning Buddhist.

... have been commiting suicide one after another in the country.
Even his eldest son Colonel Ka Gae-Ru has just killed himself.

And yet, you still insist that there is no need to interrogate the Generalissimo?

Regarding Colonel Ka Gae-Ru's death, it has also been reported that it was due to a botched arrest.

Even if we suppose that this is an unspecified terrorist threat by Seok Republic remnants, ...

... we can't prove that Generalissimo Ka Ru-Ma, isolated under house arrest, was involved as well.

While the Refugee Naturalization Act is being implemented, please avoid any incidents that may fuel the opposition parties.

It is my understanding that this is why Public Security Section 9 exists.

I understand.

Ishikawa!

Dig up the record of Ka Gae-Ru's confession.

Yes, sir!

We're moving out!

Is this really fine?
We have yet to obtain authorization.

As long as no one finds out that Pandora's Box has been opened, ...

... it won't count as breaking faith.

Has any new evidence been discovered at the scene?

No, not yet.

Find witnesses concerning the victim's...

Batou!

Do you hear me, Batou?

I hear you.

Where are you right now?

I'm over at the thirteenth tattooed man's place.

Another suicide?
Yeah.

This place looks similar to our safehouses.

It's likely that this was just one of their dens.

Leave that end to the prefectural police.
Bring a subordinate down to check out this location.

A hideout revealed by Ka Gae-Ru himself in his confession.

Oh?
But isn't such mainstream work more Togusa's province?

Togusa and I are heading to the enemy's main headquarters.

I see.

Togusa.

How long has it been since the Major left Section 9?

Almost two years now, I think.

It's been that long...

I must deeply apologise for the Ka Gae-Ru incident.

That couldn't be helped.

This case could deal Prime Minister Kayabuki a fatal setback.

She probably wishes to suppress any bad publicity.

But wasn't it Prime Minister Kabayuki herself, ...

... concerned that the Six Powers Pact would object to her Refugee Naturalization Act, ...

... who had Ka Ru-Ma placed under house arrest as a bargaining chip, sparking off this whole fiasco?

That's because Generalissimo Ka Ru-Ma, before seeking asylum in Japan, ...

... had once threatened to launch retaliatory acts of terrorism.

That at the moment of his death, he would visit terror upon the entire world.

Is this the oath of vengeance mentioned in his Seok dissolution speech?

Isn't it our job to find that out and prepare countermeasures?

Although we don't know how he sends out his orders from isolation, ...

... we need only to capture Ka Ru-Ma himself to break the case and bring the truth to light.

The problem right now is - how far along is this terrorist plan of his?

Chief.

The Coast Guard report that they have cleared the airspace along the route.

Right.
Thank them, then prepare to land immediately.

Remember to alter the flight records.

Yes, sir!

No firearms or knives detected.
Clear!

Proto.

Turn the power on and lift the blind.

Roger.

What's the matter?

Chief.

Hmm?
It looks like he did himself in.

This looks bad.

This guy killing himself could mean that his plan has already been set into motion.

That thing is... ?

A healthcare monitoring network terminal.

Simply put, it's a device to exchange medical data with a medical establishment.

It was rumored that Ka Ru-Ma was suffering from serious health problems before he went into exile.

Looks like the rumor was true.

Still, I can't believe that the government is oblivious to Ka Ru-Ma's death.

Hmm?
Bingo!

This guy planted a backdoor in the system.
Looks look he was a smarter-than-your-average-dictator.

Looks like it.
The log records his communications with his associates.

Although we need to bring this back to the lab for analysis, ...

... there's no doubt that at one time he was attempting to use a micromachine virus to carry out terrorist attacks.

What do you mean by "at one time"?

Back when his operatives were beginning to kill themselves off one after another, ...

... they once discussed with Ka Gae-Ru whether or not to suspend the plan.

What does that mean?

In other words, their commiting suicide did not in any way mark the beginning of their plan?

I'm not sure.

However, what puzzles me is that a program that made it seem as if Ka Ru-Ma were still alive...

... was installed by an outside intruder.

At this time, the administration probably still doesn't know the truth about his death.

An assassination disguised as a suicide?

Yeah.

By someone who didn't want the administration to know that Ka Ru-Ma had already been taken out of the picture, ...

... perhaps.

What about the micromachine virus?

It seems to have been delivered to a certain Ma Sha-Ba.

If Batou isn't slacking off, he should be retrieving it any time now.

Togusa.

What's this, then?

"The Puppeteer"?

Azuma, just before Ka Gae-Ru died, didn't he also mention something about about "The Puppeteer"?

What if he did?

The log contains references to "The Puppeteer" as well.
The term appears to designate one of their associates.

Looks like we have to apprehend Ma Sha-Ba quickly.

Make a copy of the log, then rendezvous with Batou.

We must uncover the full scope of their plan at all cost.

What do we do with the corpse?

Leave everything as it was.
Regretfully, we were never here.

Yes, sir.

A clinic?

What's a nice car like you doing in a dump like this?

Pretty hefty security system...

Go flank in from the other side!

Acknowledged.

What?

There's no way for you to hack my cyberbrain in here.

Die, Puppeteer!

Over there?

Batou?

That's... ?

Dodge!

You dumbass!

Until I get back, play dead.

Acknowledged.

Halt!

Major？

It's been a while, Batou.

What are you doing here?

I knew it.
I might ask you the same question.

Call it conducting a personal inquiry for an investigation.

It's coming!

Wait.

What the...

Hold this a moment.

Isn't this... Ma Sha-Ba?

It appears that you know quite a bit.

Know quite a bit... ?
Hey, what exactly are you up to?

Who knows?
I'll be having that back.

I see that you've changed your taste in cars.

When did she... ?

But this one's not bad either.

Batou, I'm guessing that you're here to investigate the serial suicides of those tattooed men.

A word to the wise, ...

... stay away from the Solid State society, or you'll end up killing yourself just like them.

You'll have to find your own ride.

Did I not order you to bring a subordinate along?

That's why I brought that tincan with me.

We came too late.
Ma Sha-Ba's already dead.

The cause of death?

He suffered a fatal concussion when he lost control of the robot and crashed.
It looks like Ma Sha-Ba wasn't the Puppeteer after all.

Batou, why did he come at you with that thing?

Who knows?
That's what I would have liked to ask him.

Perhaps he attacked you because he mistook you for the Puppeteer?

Hey, what is this Puppeteer you keep mentioning?

At present, the hypothesis is that it may be the codename for a suspect...

... who may have caused the deaths of the tattooed men and Ka Ru-Ma...

... by hacking into their cyberbrains and forcing them to kill themselves.

Judging from his skill, he might be a hacker surpassing wizard class.

Wizard class...

Chief.

We've found out what Ka Ru-Ma's plan for terror was.

What was it?

You should come over and see for yourself.

Ka Ru-Ma intended to implant micromachines into these children in order to disseminate a virus.

What the hell?
This isn't a retaliation plan, ...

... this is utter inhumanity!

Sooner or later, Section 9 will probably track me back to this place.

Loki, Conan, I leave the rest to you.

It seems that I can only handle at most two concurrent cybernetic bodies.

The only way left may be to wipe and retrain them from scratch.

I see.
We've even tried natural oil.

However, due to the different subjects, we were unable to achieve results of the same degree.

You're still concerned over the development of these guys?

Africa was much tougher than I had expected.

Even with upgraded augmentations, I'm still exhausted.

Further implants could mess up your cardiopulmonary function, you know.

Can't be helped.
It's an occupational hazard.

Togusa and you, I really take my hat off to you guys.

From the roster we found at the scene, the operatives involved in the plan include :
the thirteen suicides, Ka Gae-Ru, Ma Sha-Ba, ...

... and a certain Raj Poot.
In all, sixteen people.

Who is this Raj Poot?
Could he be the Puppeteer?

It appears that he is not yet in the country.
The communications log would also indicate this.

Not many people would stick with a leader who insisted that they follow him to the grave.

Such is often the sorry end of dictators.

But there were actually sixteen people, huh...

You're late, Batou!

Oh？
When did you get back?

Just now.
Azuma!
Please carry on.

Moving on.
Lieutenant?

Regarding the missing micromachine virus:
A case containing 144 ampoules...

... containing a genetically modified organic virus has been brought into the country, ...

... a biological weapon with a time delayed mechanism.

And this hot potato has vanished into thin air.

Batou.

Are you certain...

... that you didn't run into anyone else at Ma Sha-Ba's clinic?

Yeah.

And there was no sign of anyone who might have caused the robot to go out of control?

Nope.

I see.

What exactly are you trying to ask here?

Ah, nevermind...

Actually, we still haven't traced the owner of that smashed car.

Isn't it possible that it was stolen?

From the look of the car security system installed, I would say no.

Furthermore, the surveillance camera footage was somehow partially erased.

This seems to indicate that someone else was present at the scene.

By someone else, you mean the Puppeteer?

Perhaps.

Although Ka Ru-Ma's plan was never implemented, ...

... but there is a possibility that this hacker called the Puppeteer may commit independent acts of terror.

While we are tracking down the micromachine ampoules, ...

... we also need to focus on investigating this Puppeteer.

Yes, sir!

Togusa.

What do I do?

Go take a break.
Individual body maintenance should take precedence.

Understood.
I'll do that, then.

By the way, Batou?

This morning the Chief had a talk with me and said that it's about time for you to choose your next assignment.

Would you rather concentrate on your duties as training officer, or participate in the Puppeteer investigation under my direction?

It's your call.
Which will it be?

Isn't it obvious?
The Puppeteer, of course.

I see.

Did you find anything?

Yeah, we hit paydirt.

Let's have it.

Firstly, medical examination of the sixteen children reveal no sign of their having been implanted with micromachines at all.

Although suffering from dehydration and injuries from maltreatment, ...

... basically, they're fairly healthy.

However, the sixteen of them have had their memories partially erased, and their personal IDs altered to assign them fake parents.

They could remember their names and addresses, but as far as their parents were concerned, ...

...they had not the slightest recollection.

Furthermore, upon investigation, the addresses given by them turned out to be residences of old folks living alone.

Could those old folks actually be their parents?

No.

From a granny living in a four-and-a-half-tatami flat, to the rich old codger who could afford personal nursing support robots, ...

... there were all sorts, but without exception, all were "Kifu* Aged" hooked up to the healthcare monitoring network.
*貴腐 (kifu), meaning noble rot.

Obviously, there was no sign whatsoever that they had ever lived with children.

Although the household registrations list them as the parents, most likely, these records were doctored.

What's a "Kifu Aged"?

It refers to the bedridden elderly connected to an automated monitoring system which tends to their basic healthcare needs, ...

... just like noble-rot infested grapes withering away on the vine.
That's where the name comes from.

This system was originally developed to deal with the problem of an aging population, and at the same time, prevent old folks living alone from dying unnoticed in their homes.

Unexpectedly, connecting to the network instead rendered its users comatose.

The LPO slammed it as the "vegetable legacy retrieval system".

You're pretty well-informed.

The old bags at the parlor often chat with me about it.

It's sort of like an economy model of the terminal Ka Ru-Ma had.

Wait a minute.

Wasn't it Ka Gae-Ru's intent to make human bombs out of the children?

Why then did he specifically erase their memories of their parents?

Rather than planting them somewhere after infecting them with the virus, ...

... would it not have been simpler to erase their memories of the abductions, and send them back to their parents?

How should I know?

That's true.

They even had cyberbrains specially implanted.
It really is too extravagant.

Actually, the implants seem to have been performed prior to the abductions.
The transform components also appear to be legit.

In that case, there should be records of the implants at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

A guardian is required to sign off on the procedure before it can be performed on a six year old.

There were 144 missing ampoules.

To be on the safe side, let's check this out.

Try and find if there are any matching children in the records.

Assuming that those sixteen kids we rescued had their implants done through through legitimate channels, ...

... their records would have been automatically registered with the Ministry of Health's database.

If they were abducted and had their household records doctored after the implants had been registered, ...

... the number of children with cyberbrain implants listed in the Ministry of Internal Affairs' resident registry should conflict with the number of such children registered with the Ministry of Health's database.

Now I see.

Since those sixteen had their family names altered to match those of the elderly invalids, in theory this should work.

Twenty thousand?

There must be some kind of mistake.

If children were being abducted in such vast numbers, surely someone would have noticed by now.

True.

In any case, this figure far exceeds anything we ever expected.
What now?

Let's start by eliminating the impossible.

First, sort the list of extraneous children in the data by name and address.

Leave that to me, I'll be done in a sec.

A trap?!

This is an emergency warning.
Presence of a Level E class virus has been confirmed.

Please shutdown all machines immediately.

Emergency warning...
Emergency warning...
Level E class virus...

Please shutdown all machines...

Engaging emergency server lockdown...

It's no use, the system is not accepting commands.

Hiragi, Soma, backup the data now!

We can't, it's already been infected!

Our only option is to cut the power!

Help me out.

Was the virus embedded in the Ministry of Internal Affairs database?

We've lost the data on that end.

Is the data from the Ministry of Health intact?

Yes, but why?

Out of the way!

Right now, it must be buzzing like an overturned beehive over at the Ministry of Internal Affairs as well.

Dammit!
We just chopped away our best lead.

In any case, it seems now that there must actually have been twenty thousand abductions, huh?

What do you mean?

Normally, twenty thousand is an implausible number of abductions for Ka Gae-Ru's outfit to have pulled off.

The perpetrator's modus operandi is also too amateurish for it to have been the work of the Puppeteer.

We need only look at the facts of the abductions -
the discrepancies due to the tampering of the household registrations...

... is like a big sign saying "I nabbed them, come and find me!"

I can't help but think that the Puppeteer has some other purpose in mind.

I agree with your point of view.

Chief.

This case was dropped off at the Ministry of Health's Pathogenic Microbes Repository Unit.

Subsequent analysis proved that it was indeed the Seok manufactured micromachine virus.

This proves that the information we gathered was right on the money.

Do we know who dropped the case off?

There were no records whatsoever of when the case was dropped off, nor any footage of the courier.

Could this could be the Puppeteer?

That's possible.

If so, what is the Puppeteer's motive in all this, if not to commit acts of terror?

From the looks of it, this Puppeteer might be a hacker working for some governmental agency or other.

I was bewildered by the elaborate coverup of Ka Ru-Ma's death.

After some digging of my own, ...

... I discovered that Prime Minister Kabayuki and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had canceled a volatile conference on the threat posed by him.

In other words, Ka Ru-Ma, the thorn in the administration's side, had already been dealt with by the hacker employed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as far as they were concerned.

At present, that would seem to be the situation, yes.

If so, maybe we should write this mass abduction thing off as a bluff after all.

Which section was responsible for this?

This case carries great international significance.
Considering the events that have occurred to this point, ...

... our stance on the matter should be similar to that of the administration.

I believe that we should leave well alone on this matter.

Therefore, concentrate on establishing the identities of those sixteen children.

Put the Puppeteer investigation on hold for now.

That is all.

Aw, geez.

All that work for nothing, and a huge mess to clean up.

We at least have to help those kids find their parents quickly.

I'm just setting off now.
Sorry about that.

I have a question.

What is it?

Was it the Treaties Bureau that made an old warhorse like you back off from the case?

About that?
I cut a deal with Nakamura.

I turn a blind eye on their covert operations, and in return, we get a free hand to investigate the matter of this micromachine virus.

And that is fine?

If purging Ka Ru-Ma was required for the good of the country, ...

... surely we should be dismayed that we were passed over for this vital task?

What, then, was the point of you expanding Section 9 over these past two years, old timer?

If we keep going like this, she won't come back.

Whether being passed over for an assassination order should bring regret or rejoicing, ...

... that question may determine what direction the Section will go in the future.

I know what you are trying to say, ...

... but we must also consider the possibility that the Major may never return.

Her talent is more precious to me than even an ESPer's.

In truth, no one can ever live up to her.

Likewise, it's impossible for me to stick around at this post forever.

Therefore, instead of having to expend all of our strength to crack one case,

I would rather build an organisation where we can use an eighth of our strength to crack three cases.

Don't you think that, in this way, we can better carry on our ideals?

This was what I had in mind when I expanded Section 9.

Promoting Togusa to squad leader was also part of this process.

Though, if you had been willing to accept the post at the time, things might be entirely different now.

I'm not suitable for that position.

If you say so.
That might even be true.

But not for Togusa.

Even so, in order for his potential to flourish, he must learn to overcome adversity.

I hope that you can help him along.

I thought as much.

But he's done quite well, actually.

Much like the Major, ...

... he's always fair and balanced, whether at home or at work.

For the sake of Section 9, he's even discussed cybernization with his family.

But gaining the acceptance of another is hard to do.

Indeed, I myself have not been able to gain that.

We haven't had a good long talk like this for a while now.

Looks like I won't be coming home tonight, either.

That can't be helped.
You have heavy responsibilities at work now.

Have the kids been good?

Yeah.

But last week our girl asked to sleep on her own in her room.

It's been calm, but I do kind of miss the sibling fights.

Really?
She's a big girl now.

Oh course!
She's already six.

Six, huh?

Snap a picture of her asleep and send it to me, will you?

Sure.

Togusa, we have an situation!

Get over to Area 47 right now!

What happened?

Sempai, I'm sorry, all the children...

They had all gone missing by the time I got here.

Is this the same thing that happened with Ka Gae-Ru?

Looks like it.

The Puppeteer...

If Proto had really wanted to kill himself, he could have pulled the trigger anytime.

This is nothing but a ploy to stall for time!

Ishikawa, Boma!

Use the IR system to locate the children immediately!

Given our current situation, that may have limited use.

At the same time, request support from the prefectural police.

Bring Proto over to the analysis lab.

Togusa, we need to talk!

Later!
Right now, we need to find the missing kids!

This is important!
I may have some insight into the Puppeteer's identity!

It's Aramaki.

Thank you.

You're late.

Sorry, I was delayed by work.

Colonel Tonoda, how's your health?

Back to his old hobby, I see.

Cut the man some slack already.

They say that his health problems arose from the psychological stress of his time in the penitentiary.

What's with Tsujisaki?
He didn't drop by even once.

And to think that I favoured him the most.
He's forgotten me, the ingrate!

His memory seems to be going as well.

Step out for a moment.
I have something for you.

So ends the legendary Akaoni Poacher in ignominy.

You should consider marrying again.
Tragic is the fate of lonely old men.

I have no desire for something that I can't bring with me to the grave.

The same old retort, I see.

So, what is it that you have for me?

Right, take this.

Actually, I ran into the Major back at Ma Sha-Ba's clinic.

The Major... ?
It couldn't be... ?

I didn't think it was possible at first as well,

but now I'm getting increasingly worried that she might actually be the Puppeteer.

I missed my chance to speak up earlier.

Did you see her do Ma Sha-Ba in?

No, but I did see her take the case of ampoules.

Previously, I would intervene every time we crossed paths with the Major during an investigation.

I've always assumed that she, in her own way, was there to guide us along to break the case.

But it's different this time.

Exactly what does the Major intend?

That I don't know.

But even odds are, the Major was present...

... at the scene of those suspected assassinations.

Batou.

Hurry to Daikyuu ring highway No. 16 with Saito immediately.

This is a matter of utmost priority!

Chief, we have a situation here as well.

The Puppeteer has turned up at Section 9.

What did you say?

Old timer, the Puppeteer appears to...

Let's not jump to conclusions.

I want to confirm this for myself.

Chief.

Since that fellow moved preemptively against us, can we further pursue this matter?

Since that's the case, carry on.

Roger that.

What happened on your side?

Two hours ago, surveillance cameras in the Engan area happened to pick up the image of a known international criminal.

Hmm?
Who would that be?

He sounds formidable, if you need me and Saito to take him down together.

A former Seok Republic class A+ sniper...

... Lieutenant Raj Poot.

Raj Poot？
That's...

That last man who was not yet in the country?

He was head of Ka Ru-Ma's personal bodyguard.

It's believed that he fled to China after Seok was dissolved.

For him to take to the stage at this point...

... is mighty suspicious.

Fortunately, the Intelligence Division has managed to pinpoint his current whereabouts.

The two of you shadow him and try to discover what he is up to.

Roger that.

Togusa, if the Major is the Puppeteer, ...

... then she has become our enemy.

I don't even want to think about that.

One of these days, I will return this favor.

Colonel Tonoda, I take my leave of you for today.

Like father, like son... Like man, like robot...

You didn't turn out to be anything like me.

It is gratifying to know that a phoenix can fledge from an old crow's nest.
Do take care of your health.

Thank you.
Colonel, you take care as well.

How will that guy take out his target?

Like me, he will use his Hawkeye to acquire the target through real-time satellite imaging before taking the shot.

In that case, there will come a point when our GPS tracker will fail due to the inteference caused by the Hawkeye satellite downlink.

We need to apprehend him before that happens.

Got that.

Let's visually confirm the target.

Be sure not to alert him.

Target confirmed.
There's no mistake, it's him alright.

Togusa.

The IR system has located one of the missing children.

Really?
Where?

He's moving through a small construction lot in Kohoku Park.

That's near my place.

Right.
I'll check it out.

I'll inform the prefectural police as well.

Meanwhile, we'll return to investigating the twenty thousand child abductions.

I see.

Damn.
I guess I'll have to put this matter of the Major aside for now.

The Puppeteer, I presume?

I don't really need to ask, no?

Public Security Section 9 just called to inquire if I knew a hacker called the Puppeteer.

I told them I didn't.

So, you were looking for me?

I've come to refund your fee.

It doesn't matter to us whether you actually had anything to do with it or not - your mission objective was achieved.

I regret to say that this is the end.
I am going now.

Leave some way to contact you over the net, then.
Anything will do.

Was this was a puppet too?

What a waste.
Her talent and skill were outstanding.

It'll be daybreak soon.

I wonder why he even bothered turning up now when their plan is already in shambles?

Perhaps to avenge Ka Ru-Ma's death?

That sounds plausible, but how in the world did he get a hold of that intelligence?

Even we were almost left in the dark about that.

That's true.

How long does he intend to keep driving around, anyway?

Speaking of which, look over there.

That's...

Togusa.

The boy has entered apartment no. 602 of block M-26.
You know the way?

Yeah.
I know this neighborhood like the back of my hand.

A "Kifu Aged"?

Return him to me!

I've left all my assets to the child.

I'd rather have him as my heir than forfeit it all to the government.

The poor thing would just have ended up being abused to death, if we had done nothing.

This is...

... the common resolve of all the residents of Solid State, ...

... our little game - nay, our grand enterprise.

Do not meddle in our affairs, if you wish to avoid becoming yet another suicide.

You have been warned.

My gut feeling tells me that his target is somewhere over there.

Turn off the cyberbrain, then help him find a guardian.

Yes, sir.

Death has been confirmed.

Requesting permission to dispose of the remains and retrieve the system terminal.

Dispose?

That's strange.
Didn't he have family?

Our data indicates that he should have a six year old son.

A mistake in the records?
Oh joy.
Even more work for us.

A mistake in the records?

No, that's not it.
That's only because I rescued him.

Which means that, but for my intervention, those social workers would have found and taken the boy into protection as planned.

The suicides of those operatives.

The missing children.

"Kifu Aged".

The common resolve of all the residents of Solid State.

No, what is this Solid State in the first place?
What did that old man mean?

It's me.

Thank goodness I finally got through, ...

... please hurry home, our girl's gone missing!

This is it.

Now!

Wait!

Damn, therm-optic camouflage?

How did this happen?

I've been cut off from the GPS system.

The Puppeteer?

But my kid doesn't have a cyberbrain!

I need you to trace which satellite that bastard is using.

Since we've lost visual contact, our one and only chance to stop him...

... will be the moment before he takes the shot.

I might be able to trace the satellite, but how do we stop him?

That should is his field of fire.

From up here, we should have line of sight to his sniping point, although he will spot us easily as well.

Wear this, or you'll be exposed.

There's no time, our opponent is about to act.
We play to win.

It's begun.

Done!

Send it.

That's his target?

The satellite tracks him at SE37.

There he is.
Drop the link before it feeds back!

He's on to us!

Saito!

Did I nail him?

Wait here, I'll go confirm.

Come on, come on...

Huh?

Papa!

How is it?

Have some faith in yourself.

I see.

Hey, who was that man you were trying to off?

Why were you trying to kill him?

To avenge the Generalissimo, I will kill every last one of you Jap motherfuckers!

Avenge?
Don't fuck around with me!

Now, what was the source of your intel?

A mole turned it over to me.
He told me who was behind the Generalissimo's death,

so that I could cap the bitch.

And does this mole have a name?

A representative named Munei Ito who frequents the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Old timer, have this Munei fellow taken into custody immediately.

Also, this is an image of Raj's intended target.

Looks like he was the mastermind behind Ka Ru-Ma's assassination.

Eh? Unless I'm mistaken, that man is Munei Ito.

How could this be?

Your informant is the exact same guy you were trying to kill!

God knows.

Maybe he was suicidal or something.

Suicidal... ?

Hey, could it be that the Puppeteer set you up as well?

Fuck.
You may just be right.

Were he only human, I'd take that bastard out first of all.
Instead, I got myself taken out by a superior foe.

The Puppeteer is not human?

It's an abduction infrastructure built into Solid State.

Solid State?

Hey, what does that mean?

You don't know?
That is to say, the healthcare monitoring network.

The government of your so-called democratic country takes part in child abductions.

What a farce.

Old timer, dispatch a paramedic team and helicopter over to this place.

Also, run a background check on this Munei.

This is too weird.

I understand.

Then, I found her just after calling you.

It seems like she went over to the neighbor's place in the morning.

Is that so?
Thank goodness it turned out to be nothing.

You shouldn't run off by yourself without telling Mama the next time.

Yeah.

Well then, I'll send you to school.

I feel a bit guilty about heading right back to work like this.

Is that alright?
You look exhausted to me.

I'm invigorated just by seeing your faces.

Really?
That's great.

See ya!

What's wrong?

Oh, nothing.

Togusa!

I've bagged Raj Poot over here.
The Puppeteer appears to be involved as well.

You mean... the Major?

Yeah, but as it turns out, the Major is most likely not the Puppeteer.

Raj Poot claims that the Puppeteer is an abduction infrastructure built into the healthcare monitoring system.

Abduction infrastructure?

He referred to the healthcare monitoring network as "Solid State", and insinuated that our government was mixed up in this somehow.

Back when I ran into the Major, she had actually warned me to stay away from the Solid State society.

Initially, I had thought that "Solid State" was a reference to "soshi*", ...
*The kanji characters for electronic element 素子(soshi) can also be read as motoko, the Major's name..

... in other words, to stay away from the Major herself.
*The kanji characters for electronic element 素子(soshi) can also be read as motoko, the Major's name..

But in fact, she was telling us to stay away from the healthcare monitoring network.

Ka Ru-Ma and company were most likely purged because they discovered the infrastructure, and tried to use it for their own ends.

So that's how it is.

It's from Mama.

Hold for a moment.

Hello?

You ignored our warning.

Who is this!

For that, we will take your adorable daughter.

Togusa!
Togusa!