All language subtitles for Anti-Terrorism 1998--

It was
unmistakable--

a wolf raising its stem and stern,

its sail dripped blood-red.

These things served
but one purpose--

to strike fear and
terror into the hearts

of any who came across them.

Each stroke, each painful breath...

they believed it brought them ever
closer to the ends of the earth.

But onward they pushed, for the
ends of the earth they sought.

Gloria, honor, these
things awaited them there.

But so did something else.

The waters have stilled,
the winds have died.

I suspect her sight to be true.

That, or we're near the abyss.

Lyngvi, lost land of legend and fable,

we found it, Baldur.

Of that you can be certain.

Aye. If the night proves
your woman to be wrong again,

she'll find herself rowing
for 20 men on the morrow.

Have faith, Ulfrich,

for if Freyja's led us
to Midgard's edge for

nothing more than gloom and fog,

I'll gladly take your
place upon the rail.

Or at least Thor will.

The eyes of the wolf moon point
the way with Frigg��s distaff.

That they do.

Our destiny may lie on these shores.

It's still your oar
to row upon our return.

If we return, eldest.

No Northman has dared
sail this far before.

We shall claim this island
and all it bears for our own.

And if Northmen have sailed here before?

Well, then we'll take it anyway.

This land may yet prove our kingdom.

Forgive me, brother.

Your kingdom.

Aye.

Father will be pleased.

Perhaps he'll give it to Ulfrich.

The weather here seems
to suit his temperament.

Disappointed there's
nobody here to greet us?

No army to grind to the ground?

No,

it's just a strange sensation,

almost as if I've been here before.

Have you ever known such a thing, Sif?

Some say such feelings are of

long-forgotten memories
of our past lives.

So, tell me, Freyja,

does your foresight extend back as well?

On occasion.

Well, if I lived before,
that means I died as well,

a mistake I won't be making twice.

Don't encourage him, wife.

Thor's already too eager
to ride with the Valkyries.

You'll find your path to the
gates of Valhalla soon enough,

whether it be here or some
other godforsaken land.

But what of your path, brother?

It's to look after
you, of course--

make sure you don't die
before your proper time.

- Aegir!
- Aye.

Go with Thor and scout the shoreline.

I'll expect you both back within
an hour with enough food for 20 men.

More if you plan to eat as well.

That's one man

who will never know the
dishonor of growing old.

Aye.

Sail with Thor long enough,
we'll all be spared from it.

Forgive me. I forgot my place.

Remind me. Where is it?

By your side. Always.

Then there's nothin' to forgive.

One day, I'll be a king,

and you my queen.

Take care not to forget
that as well, hmm?

Be mindful of them.

It's a dangerous game they play.

Sif and Ulfrich?

You know very well who I speak of.

You can't deny nature.

And Thor's
that--

a force of nature,
if I've ever seen one.

I haven't known such dreariness since

spending an evening alone with Ulfrich.

It can only mean we've entered
the realm of the frost giants.

Well, if we've truly
crossed into the mist world,

then Sol herself would be hard
pressed to shine her light this far.

And if you honestly
believe we're the first men

fool enough to venture this far, then

I believe it as well.

Who goes there?

Do you expect the deer to respond?

Or the rabbit, perhaps?

Let's unmask your stalker.

Aegir!

Aegir!

Aegir!

So, tell me, Freyja,

what do you expect we'll find here?

Gods? Giants? Monsters?

I want a piece of them all.

Well, careful now, Bragi,
or a piece you may have.

Your imagination exceeds
that of even Thor��s.

I suspect we'll find little
more than lonely trees and

some scattered rocks
in this miserable place.

So much for trees and rocks.

Thor!

What's wrong?

- Where's Aegir?
- Speak, man.

He's been taken.

- Taken? by who?
- By a great beast.

I--it moved like
a wolf, but...

but not like a wolf
I'd ever seen before--

easily the size of a
man, but maybe larger.

And you left Aegir to them?

No, I followed him until I lost 'em.

I'd have been lost,
too, had I continued.

They led me into a trap.

- I barely escaped with my life.
- Then we've little time.

Hodur, Tyr, Geirrod,

mind the ship and the women.

They can busy themselves with the ship.

We'll mind ourselves. Sif?

Well, come on, then.

Nothing the lot of us can't handle.

Set the tents?

Let's see what they find.
Our stay may be brief.

If Aegir died, I only hope he died well.

If he's dead, envy him.

He sits in the great hall drinking

Lerad's mead while we freeze our stones.

Aegir couldn't drink for piss.

They'll send his ass back

when he can't finish
the horn in three drafts.

What is it?

Nothing.

Tracks.

Look at their size.

Ah, it's animal just the same.

Baldur?

These tracks are laid in twos.

Tell me, Ulfrich,

what animal walks on just two legs?

You may get your monsters after all.

Fabled isle, eh?

You can keep it.

I don't understand.

I truly believed it our destiny
to discover a new kingdom.

Thor, if you're ever to
rule or lead, you must learn

to forsake such things in
the face of greater needs.

Aegir is your kinsman.

What say we find him, if
only to provide the rites?

Expanding our kingdom we'll leave
for another time and place, huh?

This is why you lead, Baldur.

You're right about one thing, brother.

There is something on this island,

and it doesn't much like men.

- What is it, Freyja?
- Do you sense something?

Only suffering and death.

This place has known both.

Well, you don't need the
sight to figure that one out.

Wait, there's something in there.

- Stand back.
- Ulfrich, wait!

By the skalds.

I've no words for that stench.

It's all right.

- It's all right.
- No, it's not. It's not all right.

- You must leave at once.
- We're not here to hurt you.

But the others are.

Forgive our manners.

It's been months since
we've had real food.

My name is Hel.

This is Garmur.

How is it you've survived if
you haven't left this hall?

Grubs, worms-- whatever
the dirt provides.

The better question is how
did you know of this island?

- What brought you here?
- Thor.

- And where from? Where do you hail?
- Thor!

Please continue.

We came from Faroer.

Explorers you could say,
though misguided to be sure.

We were seduced by the
stories of gods and giants.

So we sought the isle of the immortals.

In the end, I suspect we
made the same mistake you did.

What mistake?

Coming here.

So you were attacked by
these same wolves as well?

Shortly after we first arrived.

We would have left, but we'd
already stripped our boat for wood.

It wasn't long after we were forced to

reinforce the walls with
whatever we could find.

And then?

And then we prayed they wouldn't get in.

Those are not creatures of this realm.

Not one night passes without the
howl of those demons at our door.

Please,

I beg of you, leave this
place while you still can.

Take us with you.
Before they return.

Ah, I've heard enough.

Ulfrich.

Ulfrich!

What's the matter with
you? Where are you going?

We shouldn't be sittin' here
listenin' to such absurd tales--

creatures from other realms? Demons?

Aegir is still out
there. He may yet live.

Thor saw one of these
things with his own eyes.

You yourself saw the damage
inflicted on that skull.

Oversized wolves. Nothing more.

A meal that will finally fight back.

Well, I say bring them on.

Until we know what we're
up against, we would do well

to heed that woman's warning.

What's more, these
people are our cousins.

These people are not our cousins.

Hiding? eating grubs?

They are weak and pathetic
and of no consequence--

whether you like it or not,
they are north men just the same.

Waste your time with 'em if you like.

I'm goin' after Aegir.

Hermoid, Heimdall, with me!

You forget your place, Ulfrich.

Forgive me...

Brother.

You ask for that which is not needed.

You're right.

Borr, Bragi. The rest
of us will continue on.

You and your brothers will
stay here and guard the village.

With our lives, Baldur.

We should hope it won't come to that.

Thor.

What ails you?

...felt like fire was
coursing through my veins.

I can't explain it.

It was as if I was dreaming,
yet I did not sleep.

What did you see?

A great warrior!

A poisoned sky, a sea
serpent of unimaginable size.

This warrior, did he
wield a strange weapon?

A hammer.

Yet it was a hammer I'd never
laid my eyes upon before.

How do you know of this?

I believe you saw ...

the hammer of the gods.

Of course.

The warrior, he bore a serpent shield.

believe it was you, brother.

Oh, yeah, clearly,

as Baldur alone wears the serpent.

Now, are we here to find our kinsmen,

or sit here debating the
meaning of Thor's dreams?

You all right?

You're wearing a hole in the earth.

Apologies if my duties
are arousing your slumber.

Be still, if you're so sorry.

Did you hear that?

There it is again.

Bragi, did
you see any--

by the giants. Must you do that?

I'll happily return to
my post if you'll shut--

where'd the others go?

Njord!

Tonight ...

we drink at Odin��s side, Borr!

Let's not keep him waiting!

Baldur!

What?

Borr, Bragi!

Do you really think?

Everyone back to the village. now!

Hel!

Garmur!

Garmur!

We're too late. They've been taken.

Four men, dragged away by wolves?

I told you. These are not
wolves as you and I have known.

Hel, Garmur, show
yourselves if you still live!

I'm so sorry.

There was nothing we could do.

Everyone inside!

Everyone.

Clearly, these are not simple wolves.

This is an enemy unlike
any we've ever known,

and a situation none of
us could have foreseen,

not even you, Freyja.

Or you, Thor.

We're only here 'cause of my
damn notions of glory and destiny.

Sentiment is noble, youngest,

but the burden lies
solely on my shoulders.

I brought us here, not you.

That's all fine and good, Baldur,

but what are we gonna do now?

I've already told you.

We need to leave.

No. We should fight these
things with our full force,

before they thin our ranks any further.

If you listened to me before, Borr
and his brothers would still live.

Mind your words, Ulfrich.

Baldur might tolerate your insolence,

but I have neither his
patience nor his virtue.

We have underestimated
these wolves once.

Not again.

We're going back to the ship.

We're to leave, then?

No.

We're not going anywhere
until we find the others.

We'll collect those at the
beach, and once we're 14 strong,

we'll come back, find our kinsmen,

and kill anything that gets in our way.

And what of these people?

They survived without us for months.

Let them survive another few days.

Thor!

Give him room, woman.

What is it now, brother?

I'm beginning to think you
have no threshold for pain.

Another vision?

Worse this time.

Much stronger.

Baldur slaying another monster?

Not exactly!

He was standing there

at the mountain's peak.

He held the hammer to the heavens
and called down the lightning itself.

I felt the lightning.

And it burned through
me like Sol's flame.

Thor.

I believe these visions are
leading you to the hammer.

It's up there somewhere
on that very mountain.

The visions may be mine,

but the hammer's for Baldur
alone there...

to find.

We'll come back for you.

Not till we've vanquished
all these creatures.

And find my hammer.

Your hammer?

Let's make haste,
you flat-footed mares!

They've been gone for hours.

Safe to say they've either
ventured inland for the night

or they're dead.

Either way we'll be
needing the tent, then.

Freyja, you and Geirrod see to it.

Tyr, you and I will go
find something worth eating.

I'm sure we can find something
without having to wander too far.

- What is it?
- Thor!

A man!

Long dead.

Imagine being so frightened
as to choose dishonorable death

rather than face what lay beneath.

I damn nearly can.

I pray none of us
face such a dim choice.

These visions of yours,

I don't believe they're of Baldur.

Baldur is the greatest
warrior I've ever known.

How could you of all
people question this?

Because...

I have foreseen his destiny.

And?

It lies along another path.

Well...

you're wrong.

You'll see.

Now, forget this nonsense and move.

Is it wise venturing
back into these woods

after what happened to Thor and Aegir?

A man's got to eat.

I'm not going hungry on
account of a few wolves.

If anything, I'll feast on them.

Tyr?

Get up, you lazy bag of bones.

Odin's fury.

Come on, you. Time to
meet the end of my blade.

Thokk's tears.

I knew Hodur and Tyr wouldn't
let that spit go to waste.

Go give them a hand with the kill.

And hurry up already.

Hodur!

I'm ravenous.

Geirrod?

Not good.

No!

I can't believe it!

Believe It.

We're pretty well wracked now.

How? How?

How do wolves take
entire ships, I ask you?

Thor, did you happen to
see a vision about that?

Don't take your fury out on Thor.

This isn't his doing.

You told me earlier if I wanted to lead,

I needed to set aside my
selfishness and think of others.

Let me do that now, Baldur.

It is clear to me now that we
are not alone on this island,

and I'm not speaking of
demon wolves or puny villages.

There's something going on here.

Agreed.

If we find our friends, I
believe we'll find our ship.

That's the first sensible
thing you've said this day.

It'll be dark soon.

Let's gather our supplies,

make our way back to the village.

We camp there tonight.

We take back what's ours tomorrow.

Here we are.

I don't understand.

Where'd they go?

Did they flee? Or attempt to catch us?

Perhaps they were
attacked and finally taken.

They survive on their own for months,
only to succumb the day we arrive?

Exactly.

Something's not right.

If they were taken, why no blood?

We believe there to be
something else to this.

I think we're getting
closer to the truth.

But what truth?

I still don't understand.

Nor do I.

Only somehow these people play a part.

In the meantime, the sun is nearly set.

We'll prepare to stay the night here.

I despise the notion of hiding.

There's no honor in it.

We risk drawing the
ire of the Valkyries.

He's right.

I'd rather go down fighting.

Aye. Or we'll never see Valhalla.

How well do you see
in the dark, Hermiod?

Or you, Heimdall? As well as a wolf?

They've been preying on the fact
that they can thin our numbers

and catch us off guard.

Well, no longer!

We will hold this position tonight,

but make no mistake.

We won't be hiding.

If they're fool enough
to try and overtake us,

they'll fail.

And then tomorrow?

We will bring the fight to them!

For odin!

- For odin!
- For odin!

To honor the soon dead.

They dragged away their dead.

Not all!

But will they dare return?

They're fare no better.

We'll crush them into the ground!

You fought well today, brother.

It's a shame you didn't die.

Not before my proper time.

Skirnir did die well.

We'll need a vessel for the ash.

Baldur, you must see this at once.

What in Odin��s name?

I was hoping you could give
me some insight into that.

Creatures that revert back to men,

such sorcery should not be possible.

You never believed the villagers,
surely you believe your own eyes.

Thor cut down no man today, only beast.

And yet here a man's head rests.

Those damn villagers may be right,

but they don't know half
of the horrible truth.

The creatures walked
amongst them as well.

But I recognize this man.

He was here in this very hall.

He's right. I'd never
forget this man's face,

but I'd sure like to try.

Must this be in here?

Hermiod, do something with this.

What exactly?

Anything. Just get it out of here.

I believe it's far worse
than you imagine, Thor.

The urn, what was so special about it?

It bore an encryption on the inside.

And what did it say?
Before you broke it.

Beware the sons of Loki.

- The God.
- The trickster.

- The same.
- What do you think it means?

Loki had
two sons--

Jormungand, the Midgard
serpent, and Fenris, the wolf.

Jormungand,

that's what I saw in my vision.

That's the snake that Baldur's
gonna slay with the hammer.

One thing at a time, youngest.

I'm more concerned with this wolf.

It said the blood of Fenris
will grant everlasting life

and the ability to
shape-shift like Loki.

Wait, you're saying the
villagers were the wolf creatures?

They were one and the same all along?

And just a fraction of
them, from what we've seen.

None of this seems real.

Shall I fetch back the head?

You sought out the gods, Freyja.

Appears we've found them.

So what now?

Tomorrow we find out if
all your visions are true,

or just the ones that
get us into trouble.

He waits to see you.

The invaders still persist.

They have proven most
determined and most formidable.

There is one among
them, a young warrior,

he fights like no man I've ever seen.

They now quest for the hammer.

Forgive me.

I have failed you.

So, the warrior has returned.

Bring him to me. Kill the others.

Do not fail me again.

Tell me, Northman,

why is the one known as Ulfrich
in disfavor with the others

if he is eldest?

Why does this Baldur lead in his place?

Skoll.

Should I call on Hati as well?

You've got a warrior's spirit.

You deserve to die holding your sword.

If you only had arms.

How talkative are you feeling?

More than your friend, I hope.

His mother.

Yes?

A thrall from the south.

A slave girl.

A bastard son.

Intriguing.

Thank You.

What you lookin' for?

Grubs? Worms?

No, I'm retracing my steps,
learning from my mistakes.

There.

I favored my spear side
too heavily during a lunge.

I'm no good with spears.

I prefer shorter weapons, I believe.

You really just lookin' at dirt?

What else weighs on
that mind of yours, Thor?

It's just dirt, Sif.

It's dirt.

Thor!

I warned you

for the last time.

You're stirring yourself over nothing.

Stolen glances.

Hidden touches.

I've seen my fair share of nothin'

from you, Sif,

and you, brother.

Have you nothin' to say for yourself?

At least have the self
respect to deny it, woman.

Then you leave me no choice.

I challenge you, Thor.

Here?

Now you can't be serious.

I'd raise your sword, brother.

I believe he is.

Are you just gonna stand
back and do nothin'?

Deferring to one's younger
brother is humiliation enough.

don't expect you to
understand such things.

I'm not gonna lose my woman as well.

Don't do this, Ulfrich.

The days of you tellin'
me what to do are over.

Prepare yourself.

Do you really believe this is what we
should be concerning ourselves with?

Enough!

How dare you?

You dishonor the codes.

You speak of honor and codes when you
challenge your own brother?

You know nothing of these.

Oh I see. I am your brother
when the purpose suits you.

We don't have time for
petty squabbles!

These demons could return
at any moment.

Ulfrich!

I hope you grow old...
and rot together.

Please, Ulfrich, you can't leave.

No, Baldur, that's one thing I can do.

Ulfrich!

Sif, give him time.
He'll be back.

But what of the wolves?
He's not safe.

He's made his decision,
as we all must.

We'll give him an hour to return.

If he's not back by then,
we move out.

We can't afford to lose a man
of Ulfrich's skill.

That's not what concerns me.

What concerns me is if that skill
were turned against us now.

Stay back.

I mean you no harm.

We gave you a chance to leave.

Two, actually.

You lied to us, demon.

I may have left out some details,
but what I told you was true enough.

Northmen came to this
isle seeking the gods.

Well, they've found them.

I see now destiny has brought you
here for a reason, Lord Ulfrich.

Stop speakin' in riddles.

Why did you want us to leave,

and what is this destiny
of which you speak?

You'll have all the answers in due time.

All you need to know now

is I can offer you the
things you've always wanted

and always been denied.

Go on.

Come with me and drink from his blood,

and you'll not only have
power and immortality,

but a woman who treats you the
way you deserve to be treated,

like a king.

Whose blood?

Fenris?

And what would you require in return?

Nothing you wouldn't give.

Willingly.

No point in wallowing.

We're all to blame.

He'll come around.

Or he won't.

Comforting.

Would you prefer I'd
let them kill each other?

'Course not.

Well, take comfort in that.

It's all I've got.

Unless you wanna spend
another night here,

I suggest we get moving.

Thor, any new visions
we should know about?

All I know is we need to go there.

Then there we'll go,

and if the god's will it, we'll
cross paths with Ulfrich again.

What is it, Thor?

I'm uncertain,

'cause there's something ...

familiar about this place.

- We were here just yesterday.
- No, no, it's not that.

I can't quite explain it.

How far do you think it?

Nearly a day's journey to
the base of the mountain.

I don't know how I know that,

but I do.

Let's get moving, then.

Stop!

On your guard.

I fear we're no longer alone.

Ulfrich?

Brother, tell me you're not
in league with these demons.

Ah, spare me your reproach, Baldur.

I was little more than a servant to you.

Little more than nothin' to you.

It doesn't have to end like this.

I concur, youngest.

Come with us, Thor,
and the others may go.

You'll find your ship
awaits you at the shore.

No.

It's just a trick,

another way to thin our
ranks. Keep the line, Thor.

I've nothing against Hermiod or Heimdall

or even Freyja.

But make no mistake!

This is your last chance to leave this
place with your sword in your hand.

When you reach the
river of blood, Baldur,

remember this moment,

the moment you failed
to follow your pride,

the moment you damned yourself
and everyone you loved.

Run.

- Run! Get them out of here.
- Go!

My entire life I have hated you.

Then you better summon it all.

- Baldur!
- Freyja, let's move!

Run!

Run!

Take Thor.

Kill the rest.

Baldur, no!

Go!

We have to keep moving!
Can't afford to stop!

No, we can't afford not to.

They'll catch up to us soon,

and then Baldur's sacrifice
will have meant nothing.

Well, what would you suggest?

We'll use their strength
and speed against them.

We'll channel them down this slope,
and then they won't be able to stop

until they're met by our steel.

We set a trap for them this time.

You're damned right.
We don't have much time.

Gaze upon your destiny, Ulfrich!

For this sword shall cleave
your head from its shoulders

- before this day is through!
- We'll See.

We'll See.

I never believed him
capable of such things.

We should follow.

He can't escape what's
coming to him now.

They didn't collect their dead.

I don't believe these beasts can
truly be killed like you or Ii.

- They bleed well enough.
- That much is certain,

but I saw one with a paw that
looked like it was growing back.

No matter how many we think we kill,

they just get back up
again once they've healed.

I know of no living thing,

beast, man, or god that
heals from a severed head.

These sons of the bitch.

I didn't survive all this
time just to die like this.

Where are you from, old man?

We voyaged here several months ago,

built a small village even,

but then they attacked.

We were just looking for a new home.

Now I'm
afraid I'm--

I'm all that's left of my people.

Forgive us if we've
heard that one before.

It's just another trick.

- Kill him!
- No! Wait! Wait!

I, I. ..

I can prove it.

I can prove it!

Th--these creatures, their
limbs, they grow back,

so take one of my fingers.

Take one of my fingers. If it
grows back, so strike me down.

No, it's all right. Just do it quick.

Remind me to apologize
if I don't kill you.

When you do, apologize that is,

the name is Vali.

If what you say is true,

how is it you've survived all this time?

I haven't left the protection
of the tree for months.

Apparently it's a theme on this island.

Well, let's move.

We're wasting time.

We are leaving, aren't we?

Not until we kill everything
on this entire island.

Move!

So, you plan to retrieve Mjolnir,

the hammer of the gods.

How do you know of the hammer?

You youngsters, you never make time
anymore for the old stories, do you?

No one ever makes time for
the old stories anymore.

Vali.

They say the hammer fell from the sky,

a mighty gift from Odin himself,

its power so great that only
one mortal man could harness it.

Baldur.

His name has been lost through the ages,

but he already wielded it once.

It is said he will
return and wield it again.

Don't you see?

Baldur will return.

Let me finish.

Please.

Loki had
two sons--

Jormangand and Fenris, we know.

But did you know that Jormungand

was felled on this very
island by the great champion?

He struck down upon him with the hammer,

but not before the great
serpent had bit him.

So he was victorious,
but at terrible cost--

his life.

Odin was pleased, though,
so it was prophesied

- this champion would one day return
- Can't resist!

and reclaim his place amongst the gods.

Don't let go, Thor.

You must see it through.

See the warrior's true identity!

Face your destiny!

No!

Thor, can you speak?

It's not possible.

Who did you see?

It was me... all along, not Baldur.

But I don't understand it.

It doesn't make any sense.

Baldur is dead, Thor.

It's hard to believe, I know,

but you must finally accept
that you were the chosen warrior.

You were the champion.

And you still can be.

That's why they wanted you.

Fenris.

I killed his brother, so
he killed both of mine.

He and his minions, they live
here in mortal fear of the hammer,

the only thing in existence that
can truly end their immortality,

so they guard it, ever vigilant,

for all times against...

Your return.

But he can't resist his
desires for vengeance.

He means to kill you,

even if it puts his own life at risk.

Well, he'll have his chance.

Thank you, Freyja.

I'm in debt to you.

And you, can you fight?

I'm middle-aged. I'm not dead.

Well then, the hammer awaits.

- We'll never get through that way.
- We'll die trying.

Wait.

There's another way.

We'll go around.

Show us.

Come here.

I guess your people weren't
the first ones here, either.

Our ship is down there somewhere.

There, I can see it.

Secured for departure.

Let's move.

Could have stabbed you in the back.

Sneakin' around, Thor,

that's not very becoming.

Probably nothin' new for you or Sif.

Vali!

Take them through the passage.

Sif!

Find our friends.

What of you?

I'll follow when I'm done here.

Go!

A noble sentiment,

sparing them your demise.

Don't worry.

I will deal with them soon enough.

What has become of you, brother?

You are not the man today
that I've known my entire life.

The man you knew is dead.

He was weak, a coward.

And I loathed him.

You've thrown your
life away, and for what?

To live among these demons?

Power changes a man, brother,

and for the first time

- I truly know how it feels.
- You had power, Ulfrich.

Not like this.

Even now it courses through my veins.

You've no idea.

There can only be one of us, though.

Let's get this over with.

Now, brother, you'll see true power.

You're right.

There can be only one.

Are you sure this is the way?

It's not much farther.

How will Thor find us?

If he truly has been here
before, he'll have no trouble.

Trust me.

So, this warrior, what if he returns?

Aye, what then?

That teek.

What's going on?

Perhaps your friend was taken prisoner.

Impossible.

Thor didn't lose.

You must come at once.
The bastard son has fallen.

Ulfrich has been slain.

Before they come back.

Aegir.

Sif.

- My sword.
- Of course.

Freyja.

Hold on.

Tonight you feast on the Saehrimnir,
and drink at Odin��s table.

Shame. He won't keep as long dead.

By the way, you really should
watch what you say around wolves.

We have pretty good hearing, teek.

You.

Surprised to see me?

He won't let you have it. You know this.

You'll be rid of me soon enough.

Vali, what's going on?

You think Thor is the only
one who seeks the hammer?

You foolish old man.

Sif!

Do what you came to do. Find the hammer!

Go!

I will return.

I can't tell you how long I've
awaited your return, son of Odin.

I am Fenris, son of Loki.

The wolf-god. I know.

Then you must also know why you're here.

Aye.

- But do you?
- Of course.

You are here to die, brave warrior.

Are you ready?

Your mortal heart betrays you.

It pleases me that I should
be the one to teach you fear.

The hammer, the instrument
of my brother's demise,

and the only thing that
could ever render me mortal,

so I keep it close right here.

- Why?
- Because you can't help yourself.

You are drawn to the hammer.

Your lust for it insatiable.

Well, thank you for tending it for me,

but I'll be needing it back now.

Come and take it.

Well, that wasn't so bad.

To kill a brother's slayer
is a rare opportunity, indeed.

He killed me as well, they say.

Except he was not a
favored son of the gods,

so while he rots in the underworld,
you dishonor him by staying here.

Well then, he and Ulfrich
can honor each other.

Freyja!

I guess she didn't see that coming.

Wait!

What?

I'll see you again.

on the plains of Asgard.

Until then, sister.

Nothing can save you now, brave warrior.

I only hope my brother isn't insulted.

This is almost too easy.

Just the same, say hello to him for me.

Tell him yourself.

We have to go.

Vali's path. We'll go around.

No!

Wait here.

Are you sure?

You did it, Thor.

Freyja?

She died well.

Reunited with Baldur. As it should be.

...the hammer.

May I--

may I hold it?

How can I guarantee you
wouldn't use it against me?

I still owe you a finger.

Only you can wield it, remember?

I'll think about it.

And so...

they sailed away from Midgard's edge,

each lost in their own
silent contemplation.

Though they'd won the day,

they left more on that
isle than they'd taken.

Per the Special Anti-Terrorism Measures Act,

we now place all terminAIs in the designated area
under Public Security's electronic control.

- to a shutdown of operations, Home Affairs has...
- HQ to Squad 357.

Transfer command to Section 9.

This is Priority One.

Murderers!

Murderers!!

Give back our water!

- Give back our water!!
- Despite increasingly fierce protests,
a contract has just been signed

- Despite increasingly fierce protests,
a contract has just been signed

between a Kuzan water company
and the Japanese giant Harimadara.

"Give water to the war orphans!!"

"Give water to the war orphans!"

It�s starting.

All channeIs within the revised limits are clear.

All Home Affairs
and MLIT lines now under our control.

Ready for domination.

Begin.

All lifelines, surveillance, etc.
for the building and roads now dominated.

Profiling cyberbrains and terminAIs of
4,022 people in the area.

1 ,1 02 require follow-up.

Aramaki! I�m not giving you my crime scene!

This is Section 6.
Who said you could infiltrate our comm lines?!

We need to prevent casualties,
not play departmental musical chairs!

Or will you take the fall when we can't
even pin down their means of attack?!

Chief Aramaki, explain yourself.

vice-Minister Kitahara.

l thought you were attending the celebratory banquet?

What you warned me of is happening, then?

We got an anonymous tip that
a Qhardi group mobilized three hours ago.

Anonymous?

Can you trust it?

Yes. The Yotsubashi Building area is
definitely the target.

The old ape's sure fired up,
considering we're flying blind here.

Batou, this is the outfit
we've been after ever since

the cyber-contamination at Harimadara
four months ago.

"We"? You mean you.

Did you make this, Major?

It ain't a toy, rookie.

It�s a military-grade virtual comm link.

It�s almost impossible for hackers to listen in.

Section 9 forced the domination through.
We'll have orders soon.

Nab one of the terrorists.
l want bait to draw out our prey.

Is it that super-wizard-class hacker,
Fire-Starter?

Isn't that just what you want?

We don't even know if there's really
someone pulling the strings.

What I want is to formally establish
my spec ops team.

If you're scared of unknown enemies, drop out.

Piss off.

"Corporate Killers"

Our status as an independent
offensive unit is riding on this.

Public Security handles the incident,
and we handle what caused it.

Go.

The enemy just gave the go-ahead.

Capture them!

You deserve this...
Greedy rich-country bastards!

Today, we've followed the principle
of free trade

to maintain fair prices that will spur
postwar economic recovery.

This was his only weapon.
Something's fishy.

The riot squad opened fire?!

The west team's slaughtering protesters.

Some are even shooting other cops!

It�s the biggest simultaneous Ghost Hack ever.

It�s crazy, but it's the only explanation.

There's no tech that'd control
100 people at once.

The perps on my watch are all dead, too.

Check the riot squad's lines
and find out what caused the attack.

There's a log that might be Starter's, but...

Then this isn't hacking.
It's a virus.

I don't see one in the sequence.

It's a self-destructing Stuxnet-type.

Someone must be sending packaged
actions meant to control groups.

You, eh?

l made a deal with the devil
for the sake of rebuilding and independence!

Just like you wanted!

And it invited a second slaughter
by water and e-money

to follow the first slaughter with guns!

- You said cyberbrain tech and the prosthetics industry
- I want a media blackout now.

- would build us a future,
- This is Priority One!

but hope wasn't
what they brought to Qhardistan!

They merely sowed the seeds of betrayal

that would grow to bleed away my people's pride!

Have a taste of what that feIt like!

Then you'll have no choice
but to grant me asylum!

Because this is a civilized, pacifist nation!

Oh, is it?

Optical camoflage!

You can't stop Fire-Starter.

Someone hacked my line?!

Major?!

Saito!

Shit.

Hello!

Give me a weapon!

Okay!

Major, I�ll be right there!

Don't be stupid.
Go after the one who hacked me!

On your knees!

I'll shoot you dead if you resist.

That was outta nowhere!

This was your job, moron!

Sorry! That was an accident.

Equip some handrails!

Do it, Saito.

I let him get away, sorry!

"Section 9 Office"

You finally take the job,
and then you execute someone on the national Net?

Who, me? You have no proof.

Are you claiming you had no choice?

You're a super-wizard-class hacker
in an ace unit.

Was the Army overestimating you
when it rated you five stars?

Tell me about the virus and that heavy cyborg girl.

No cyber-virus was detected.
The girl's name is Emma Tsuda.

Apparently she's famous on the Net
as a game app maker.

Nine hours after her arrest,
that's all you've got?

I guess a former Special A Rank inspector
for the Army like you

gets to have lots of talented subordinates.

My people's dedicated effort got
multiple perps captured alive.

Wow, great work arresting
some mindless packaged drones.

We could've stopped it
if we'd had special authority.

Then stop playing gangsters and join Section 9.

Unless you work directly for Home Affairs,

you do get official oversight
and you don't get secrecy.

Can you guarantee I'd be able to stay myself?

Cutting-edge equipment can protect
cyberbrains and prosthetic bodies.

And my Ghost? My beliefs?

Depends on how skilled you are.
I'll even consider a budget.

Create an international counterterrorist agency for us

with the same budget as the Rangers.

I�m gonna go eat.

Aramaki, it's been a while.

Colonel Hozumi.
What brings Army intelligence here?

I�ll take the girl now.

Care to explain?

They're from a squad I trust.

Ex-major Motoko Kusanagi, of the 501.

Hated your master so much
you became a stray, eh?

Your intel's dated.
They recreated my rank.

The cyber-virus used is crucial for us to investigate.

Explain why it's crucial, please.

It's a triple package of brainwashing,
Ghost infiltration, and false memory creation.

False memory? Last I checked,
the government doesn't admit that's possible,

despite all the reports.

virus units entered this country via a certain broker.

Trust me: You won't even manage to indict that girl.

Unfortunately, she's been transferred to Unit 501.

When?

The moment I agreed to their request for cooperation.

I've never thought you were clever, but this?

You'll regret any foolish stubbornness.

Terror by false memories...

Your claims are finally proven, Major.

So is the existence of a virus
that enables Ghost-hacking.

Here's your next job: Escort the girl to Unit 501.

What? There was really a request?

Signed by the Defense Minister.
Now give me one of your men in exchange.

Did your scary ex-colleague make you want a guard?

I want information sharing.
Go renew old workplace friendships.

Can I ask one thing?

What is it?

Assuming I did shoot her...

...why didn't you use my Ghost
infiltration key to stop me?

I can't answer hypothetical questions.

I see.

This is Dr. Zhinzhee Bekka Arr Thied,
the one the Major killed.

She's Qhardi, but she graduated
from Kuzan Royal University as valedictorian.

A big player in Kuzan water importation
since the provisional government days.

But she supported terrorism when she realized
the world would forsake her people, eh?

She's smart and she's got motive,
but she's not a hacker.

Someone else packaged this.

What about the girl we captured?

Her name's Emma Tsuda.
A 1 7-year-old war orphan.

She makes hit cyberbrain games,
which she copyrights under the name "Tin Man".

"Tin Man"... As in The Wizard of Oz?

What's that?

- In spite of everything, I still believe
- Supposing she's a teenage super-hacker, how does she fit in?

- that people are really good at heart.
- Don't tell me she's the one you're after?

- I wish to go on living even after my death.
- I'll know when I dive into her Ghost.

lshikawa, stay on the virus and the girl.
Saito, you go to Section 9.

Paz and Borma, you release the bait.

Batou, Togusa, and I will escort the girl.

We're starting the second round.

Suggestion for you,
Miss "Hothead Who Charges In Blind".

How about I become team leader
and lead us in a sensible retreat?

Brave thing to say in my cyberbrain space.

Step outside and let's fight!

Whoa, knock it off, you guys!

He's finally on the move.

Thought I�d die of boredom!

It might be cool if we could ride in you.

The Major requested a personnel transport shaft
from the Maintenance Department!

Will we pilot you from inside?

Isn't that our mobile arsenal?
Where would the weapons go?

We can just resupply each other.
If we armed this guy, he could be our backup.

Backup, eh?

Why are we using an outdated Logistics model?

Ape-Face couldn't get the budget the Major wanted,
so he gave us these bots.

Neurochip-type AIs are hard to hack or infect, anyway.

So basically, it was us or the junkyard?

What? Not good enough
for the ex-cop still wearing a necktie?

My late father said looking classy
shows faith in yourself.

Watching you, ex-Ranger,
I see what he meant.

Bold words, kid.

Mr. Batou suggested modifying us
so people could ride us!

I think it's a really great idea!
What do you think, Major?

Don't talk nonsense. I hate machines
who pretend to have personalities.

She's here.

Did you hack my line to
deliberately get yourseIf caught?

What is "Fire-Starter"?
Is it really the name of a hacker?

Intelligence wants you.
Military courts don't do plea bargains, you know.

I smell seawater.

We aren't even allowed near the sea.

Programmers are like weapons:
We're forbidden by law from moving freely.

So you are the group's hacker.
What are you after?

Long ago, glassblowers had no freedom,
because glasswork funded the state.

If they left the country,
they were blinded first.

You're a refugee?
That's why you started a massacre?

Do you think cyberbrains make people happy?

Are your memories trustworthy?
Or were they planted by someone?

When micromachine-based cyberization came to pass,
experts worldwide warned us:

"False memories will be used to commit crimes".

Every organization wants that technology.
My technology.

You mean you successfully made
memory-manipulation tech?

Your memories might even be...

I�m diving right here, right now!

Saw that coming.

We don't know what this virus is.
What if you're infected?

I'll blow it away, and her cyberbrain with it.

A hacker who commits mass murder
just to escape deserves assassination.

During your dive?!

Your cyber warfare style is twisted.

I prefer the term "super-wizard-class".

"Wizard"... Magician.
Magician who can't go home...

I'm diving straight in through her line.

Uh-huh, ignore protocol.

Hey, something's weird.

You're being hacked!
They're doing it through her cyberbrain!

What's going on?
This isn't just backfire!

Emma... Danger... Emma...

You...

Major!

I'm sorry, Emma... I'm sorry.

It�s okay. I wanted this.

Don't cry, Brinda.

There are two Ghosts in there?

I heard about Section 9's meddling.

You couldn't have shot her
before she started blabbing about asylum?

That shooting is currently under investigation,
Deputy Director Amagata.

I can imagine the profound effects
this incident will have

on the Next-Generation Weapons
Review Committee you serve on.

The year-end industry fair has been cancelled.

And thanks to pressure from
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

we won't be unveiling
our prototype weapons, either.

It�s shaking the foundations of the company.

I hear you're pressing for large-scale water sales
even after Dr. Thied's death.

I have a duty to fulfill my contract.

And effective use of resources is key
for an international company.

There are some out there
who can't even secure drinking water.

If you just want to criticize my economics,
I'm going back to work.

You're not cut out for government work.

Start an NPO and go live
in some refugee camp.

He's annoying.

He's a classic ex-politician,
and he owes me one from my intelligence days.

Which means he's a reliable source.

NPOs, camps... and Foreign Affairs?

The council on weapons development!

Was that the objective behind
the cyberterrorism against Harimadara?

Lately there's a debate about
whether next-gen weapons

should be produced domestically
or developed abroad.

The overseas faction would be thrilled
if a domestic manufacturer got attacked.

Here we go: an NPO that
"treats cyberization disorders".

They disseminated cyberization and learning devices

in refugee camps in Kuzan during the war.

And domestically?

Got a hit on that girl
in the same NPO's treatment records.

Cyberization rejection syndrome.

Apparently she ran away

from a war orphan facility
because she rejected being cyberized.

Not wanting a cyberbrain means you're sick?

The white paper on cyberization
the MHLW released after the war

classifies it with anorexia.

That's news to me.

The cyberization business is insanely big money.

Pretty predictable that people
who don't want it get treated as sick.

Could she be a genuine multiple personality?

The prevailing theory is that
personalities split but Ghosts don't.

The issue is, what did that NPO

have to do with a business deal motivated
by military development?

Go at the military-industrial complex from
both ends: soldiers and companies.

It�s me. The others got caught.

Don't worry, you'lI see them in the afterlife.

Hello!

Y-You a cop?

I-I prepared a confession.
Let me call my lawyer--

You're not getting that chance.

You killed our bait,
so you're gonna tell us everything.

Started to miss your old home?

I�m only here to bring in your witness,
Lt. Col. Kurutsu.

Tsumugi is standing by.
Dive if you want to.

Assuming she has a Ghost, that is.

What do you mean?

I�m stepping out.

As a member of the committee,
I need to be at Harimadara's product inspection.

Still obsessed with getting promoted?

It's something you ran away without doing.

Nice to see you, Kusanagi.

I didn't think we'd have
another chance to work with you.

Are these your men?

Yes. Batou and Togusa.

This is Tsumugi Dokuro.
They're both cyber warfare tactical officers.

"Both"?
Are they sharing a body?

She says they're two identical twins
in one conjoined body.

I dunno how they move.

The world's full of surprises.

Let's get started.

So, only the body came back.

What do you mean?

She's a technical officer in
Lt. Col. Kurutsu's command.

She was investigating a hacker
with a special neurochip-type cyberbrain.

He's known as "Scarecrow",

and he's a suspect in the terrorist
attack on Harimadara.

Another Oz character?

Huh?

Our conclusion is that he's a special spy
based on postwar tech.

Emma was the one who reasoned it out.

She hypothesized a hacker
with the same disorder she had.

Someone who had to incrementally
replace his brain with neurochips

and prosthetize his body to survive.

She had that disorder?

Personality attenuates, and selfhood can't be
retained without auxiliary cyberbrains.

Emma transformed her impairment
into her signature trait, as did Scarecrow.

Emma regularly used advanced cyberization
to structure her selfhood,

but Scarecrow is different.

To compensate for his attenuated personality,
he dubs the Ghosts of others,

steals their bodies,
and assumes their identities.

Like the scarecrow who can't think
inserting a false brain into his head.

Seriously?

In other words, this is...

The body is Emma's,
but it's being operated by a man's brain

which is only one-third the normal size
and cyberized with neurochips.

So what I dived into was
the girl's dubbed Ghost.

What happened to her brain?

Ghost Dubbing would've degraded it.

It's either in the trash or sliced up
in his research lab.

That's awful...

Poor Emma. I�m sorry.

It's okay, Junior. Don't be afraid.

I know the lions will come.
The people with courage...

Who are you?
Tell me who you work for.

I am a scarecrow.
My brain is fading away.

I am tin.
My heart is fading away.

Is that Emma talking, or her dubbed Ghost?

Tin Girl, give me the scarecrow man's name.

His name is Brinda Jr.
Please, don't blame him.

Got a hit at a postwar nursing home!
And the same NPO is involved with it.

Brinda Jr., age 32.

After he was cyberized,
he became an accountant at an employment agency.

His personality's thin,

but he memorized a 200-digit number
in two seconds for an IQ test.

That's textbook for someone with
special cognitive abilities.

Find out which organization
set him up as a hacker.

Roger.

I'm diving into that man's Ghost.

There are only a handful of
proven double Ghosts in existence.

We don't know the dangers.

l want to know which Ghost has motive.

You're doubting Emma?
She's the victim here.

Then I'll confirm that.

Batou, be my backup
in case they back-hack me.

Two against two, eh?

Togusa. Get all the records copied.

Roger. Oh, here...
Sorry, it's a call from my dad.

Hey Dad, it's been a while. Yeah.

Batou! Restrain Togusa!

Got it. I�ll become the Lion.

A Mateba, still?

Don't move!

Major!

Let's go.

This is crazy! I found a Starter log
on his comm-it's the virus!

He must have kept the virus inactive
within his neurochips.

His infiltration was unexpectedly quick.

So, it combines victims' memories of past hostility
with objects in front of them

to plant instantaneous false memories?

I can get deadly, right?

That was your last breath if you don't.

Don't underestimate me!

The scarecrow is the virus's host
and Togusa's brain is the package, right?

Yep. But the infection route's disturbingly selective.

Only people around you are being infected.

Does that mean the onset can be regulated?

That'd be impossible without
a third party to switch it on.

Which I guess means it's a virus
whose damage can be controlled.

Then it's military.
Reanalyze yesterday's infection data.

We don't want to chase the virus;
we want to chase the enemy in possession of it.

I wish to go on living even after my death.

Hidden data?

For these 620 reasons,
we oppose cyberization without free choice.

Reason: We submit that software
within the cyberbrain

is vulnerable to third-party tampering.

Reason: Electronic alteration of
memory causes abnormalities

in the totality of our independent
will referred to as the "Ghost".

Do you actually think a world
without infection and infiltration is possible?!

Tsumugi! You alive?

I�m running a sim of the scarecrow's brain.
Help me.

You have Emma Tsuda's Ghost infiltration key,
don't you? Make me a backdoor.

I see, you're going to use
Scarecrow's cyberbrain structure

to approximate a vaccine?

Reason: There are currently seventeen
possible ways to alter our memories.

Shit!

Major! Why won't you use my Ghost
infiltration key to stop this?!

It�s no use.
Brinda won't let her.

I will become anyone.
I've inputted and erased many Ghosts.

I disappeared, too... Who am I?

Was Unit 501 a target, too?
Aren't you a victim after all?!

There was no other way.

What are you after?

Don't disappear, Emma.

Let's go on living after our deaths, together.

They're here.

An attack barrier!

Major!

Colonel!

They fought each other with attack barriers.
One of them got forwarded.

I can't believe it was stronger than ours...

You were infiltrated for a moment.

Delete all relevant operational headquarters
from the cyberbrain Net.

Go after Brinda.
There's nothing left to do here.

Damn stray dog...

Looks like we pulled it off.

The host and Starter are still active.

We can see the ocean, Emma.

This creeps even me out, Major.

Report.

Col. Hozumi from Army intelligence
was the one to recruit Brinda Jr.

"Scarecrow" is an op cooked up
by their old Investigations Section

during a period when they were
working on Ghost Dub devices.

Hozumi got on the Next-Gen Weapons
Review Committee through Foreign Affairs.

But she wasn't there long,
and Kurutsu of Unit 501 took her seat

at vice-Minister Kitahara's recommendation.

Unit 501 got a hold on Hozumi
through military musical chairs, eh?

Reason: We can prove that false memories

- compel us to commit murder, suicide,
and other criminal acts.

- Which one built the pod?
- compel us to commit murder, suicide,
and other criminal acts.

Unknown. But Army intelligence decided to
rally by interfering with the Review Committee.

I'd guess that somewhere in there,
the two hackers became aware of each other.

The attack on Harimadara is the connection?

There's no evidence they did it.

But Hozumi is in the overseas
weapons development faction,

and Harimadara's a domestic faction stronghold.

Who shot our bait?

A Kuzan water cartel hit man.
Hozumi's playing with serious fire.

She used the pretext of wartime industry

to interfere in Kuzan's affairs while
she was stationed there during the war.

If she can't subdue the domestic faction
and give the cartel the profits she promised,

it'll retaliate against her.

Starter analysis results?

Couldn't pin down the trigger,
but I got my answer

from the fact that we couldn't find
the infection route into the building

even though Section 9 had domination over it.

It was a C4ISR network.

A military communications system.

Things are starting to come clear.

Col. Hozumi's the one who activated Starter

and patched the virus through
to infect the VIP room's security.

She was after the woman the guard shot.

Senior vice-Minister Kitahara,
who's with the domestic faction.

That massacre was a smokescreen
for one murder?!

Guess she's a born war-lover.

Why snipe Tin Girl?

That was a bluff.

She must've wanted to get rid of us
and get Tin Girl safely to the 501.

So her little visit to Section 9
was a smokescreen, too?

She backed down so easily
because she was after Unit 501 from the start.

So she could set up anti-cyberbrainist
Emma Tsuda as the massacre's ringleader.

Harimadara, the vice-Minister, the 501...
She had a threefold plan to take them all out!

What about the Ghost of the girl
who got dubbed?

If she does have her own will,
why'd she knowingly let Hozumi use her?

Just from the circumstances,
the scarecrow is the one you've been after.

He didn't necessarily write the virus.
Hozumi said there was a broker.

If she told the truth,
someone out there made and sold it.

That's who I�m after.

This is all speculation.
Right now, there's only one way for us to get proof.

l assume you have Togusa's location.
We'll meet en route.

We're going to capture both Ghosts-
the scarecrow's, and the girl's.

Togusa's the problem.

Blowing a married teammate's
brains out ain't my job.

We know for sure this infection
plants false memories, right?

You saw him talking to his dead father.

There should be a shared form.

I'll get infected, so you ID it
and version up your makeshift vaccine.

You want to mirror your own brain?

Worst case scenario, blow my brains out.

So that's my job?

If you don't like it, make me the leader.

A checkpoint?

You're on the wanted list
as a suspected terrorist!

Shit, it's Section 9!
The ape used to be in Army intelligence.

He cut a deal with Hozumi,
and he's framing us!

She may just want us to think so.
I'll send Section 9 our intel.

After all this, you're still relying on him?!

- No.
- Why, then?!

My Ghost is whispering that I should do it.

Wait! Where are you going?!

Stop!

We promised we'd go far away.

Goodbye.

I released the package!

I�m going on ahead.

I told you to shoot if things went south!
Take a damn gun with you...

Major...

She's in pieces!

If she's a neurochip version,
she's still alive.

We'll go on living.

It�s a Ghost Dub, not a transfer?!

That's a Harimadara prototype!

Major!

Two Ghosts have been
dubbed into that thing.

We're going to stop it! Logicomas,
give me everything you've got!

Yes, sir!

Where the hell would they abandon
their own lives to go?

The ocean.

Huh?

They're not going anywhere!
This ends here!

Next-gen weapon or not,
its brains are rookies.

Aim for the eyes and legs,
and it's a piece of cake.

For real?!

Got you now!

What's that?

It's Army intelligence!
The bastards requested an artillery strike!

You've cut off your sensory system?!

Crap!

You discarded intensity regions...

Recognition systems, memory fields,
the Net that maintains your architecture...

You even jettisoned your own Ghost!

You want a life you've stripped
all meaning from?!

Goodbye.

It's over.

Return to base.
We're going to Kuzan, by way of Benares.

The world's cyber economy has only just begun.

I'll pay whatever it takes to reconcile with the cartel--

On your knees, hands in the air!

Oh, the wanted poster.
Told you so.

You're just like that Section 9 chief.

Never happy unless you're digging up
what's dead and buried.

It's something you ran away without doing.

Nothing's going to change, Kusanagi.

We're an independent offensive unit.

We stand independent of the system,

and we have truly discrete personalities
that don't get packaged.

When we're officially approved
as top priority, we'll root out

all the sorry bastards who conspire
because they're afraid of a scandal.

And you count me as one of them?

I never changed your channel.
Contact me whenever you want to come home.

You're free to go. We voided
the wanted notice Col. Hozumi put out.

vice-Minister of Defense Kitahara
wants to thank you.

Is that some sort of joke?

A political one.

Section 9 just went through
Col. Hozumi's possessions

and confiscated a Ghost Dub device
and an outline of the Scarecrow op.

They couldn't arrest her, though.

No-but then she confessed.

Her chopper was shot down
with Kuzan weapons.

She's afraid enough of the cartel's revenge

to request protective custody
and a plea bargain.

So she'll get let off scot-free.

I�ll make sure she doesn't.

The NPO she worked with is a front
for dirty cyberbrain business.

Not only that, we've detected Starter
in her cyberbrain, just like your intel said.

She got a lot of people injured or killed,
and I'll make her pay for that-

even if I can't take her to court yet.

Where did she get the virus?

Through a broker, she says.
She claims to know nothing about its author.

I see.

Was it really the cartel
who tried to kill Hozumi?

Even if it was someone who wanted to
prevent us from investigating her,

I�m sure any trace of them is long gone.

Major.

All of you came?
I didn't know I had such admirable subordinates.

You could've been attacked
while in custody.

We've been keeping an eye on
all the suspicious characters who came by.

One more thing.
I told the Minister of Home Affairs

that your team contributed to deterring the virus.

Use your vaunted cyberbrain to read
Public Security Commission report N2077.

As of tomorrow, you get special authority.

Without official oversight.

This case isn't over.

Investigate the high-level hacking virus
and any organizations involved,

and plan to attend plenty of funerals
along the way.

I shot Thied.

You must have had a hunch that
an intelligence bigwig was behind this,

meaning you would've wanted
an intel advantage at any cost.

So why didn't you stop me?!

Because I don't have
your Ghost infiltration key.

No organization will ever have it.

I promised your late commander that.

Bottom line, all we figured out
was that someone out there

used a couple of anti-cyberbrainist hackers
and a miserable water company chick.

We may be looking for a crime
worth sacrificing lives over,

but all we have are money-mad war profiteers

and a man and girl obsessed
with casting things away.

For now, that is.

Which one had agency, the man or the girl?
Did they even have real will?

When they blocked my infiltration, at least.

But they fled with nowhere to go,
then had to transfer into that weapon.

That think-tank's cyberbrain had
a massive output system.

Hmm?

What if the reason they cast away
what made them themselves

was to output the last thing left into the Net?

You think that's where they were going?

Pouring the last shreds of their Ghosts
into the Net... Is that even possible?

It�s been researched,
but it's impossible to prove.

But in the moment their Ghosts were lost,
I got the feeling they'd fused.

That two lives had become one...

That isn't like you. Ghosts are
the most independent things in this world.

Even the ones being controlled are fundamentally,
eternally standalone.

Like our squad, yeah?

Yeah.

Well? The floaters are all ready.
I got a set of two.

Even someone with
a titanium skull wouldn't drown.

You seriously want to swim
in the ocean in midwinter?

Gotta shake off those memories
of almost drowning.

Plus it ain't too often
l get to see you in a swimsuit.

That's your real goal?

- Huh?
- Unbelievable.

No, no! I�m doing this all for you!

I�ll take a rain check.

I�m telling you, you got it all wrong!