Story 2: Story Harder

>BREET BREET BREET
>The loud, obnoxious buzzing of your alarm clock rings out.
>You quickly reach over and slam it with your hoof.
>You are Gleaming Blade.
>Former member of the Manehatten detachment of the Equestrian Royal Guard.
>Current member of Japanese Public Security Section 9.
>You slowly slink out of bed and rub the sleep from your eyes.
>Looking out the window you can see the moon hanging low in the sky.
>2 hours until sunrise, 1 hour until Batō arrives to pick you up for work.
>With a stretch and a sigh you wander into the small kitchen suite of your cramped apartment.
>It's been nine months since you were sent to Earth. Though you spent one of those months in hospital after getting shot on your first day at work.
>Overall you like to think you've settled in nicely. Though there's still plenty of things that you haven't managed to wrap your head around.
>Ironically one of those things was something your head was literally wrapped around.
>The cyberbrain.
>As impossible as the idea was to you, it was something you experienced just about everyday. Though you tended to run off the grid when you weren't expecting to be called in.
>Wireless communication and data exchange directly interfaced with your brain.
>Back home in Equestria most communication is done by mail.
>Wireless communication is the stuff of fiction.
>But as you've been told on more than one occasion, Earth isn't Equestria.
>Stumbling half awake into your cramped apartment's kitchen you look for something to make for breakfast.
>As different as Earth is from Equestria, at least the food is generally the same
>After finding that you're out of milk and used up the last of your microwave oatmeal packets you settle for toast.
>You stuff two slices of bread into the slots of your toaster before retrieving a few spreads from the fridge.
>With the telltale 'ka-chunk' of the toaster finishing your golden brown toast pops up. Which you promptly grab and smear with butter and strawberry jam.
>You devour your measly breakfast and head to the bathroom to clean up.
>A quick shower, and bit of grooming later and you're ready to go.
>With a bit of thought you switch your cyberbrain into online mode as you throw on a jacket and grab your wallet, keys, and badge which promptly go into your pockets.
>There's about 15 minutes until Batō shows up, so you decide to take a look at the news.
>Scouring the news net with your cyberbrain the headlines fill your vision.
>Monday August 7th, 2031.
>Excavations underway in old Osaka.
>Refugee riots quelled by SAT personnel, refugees cite Equestrian immigration as cause of unrest.
>Yakuza coup kills seven.
>American Empire and Japanese delegates arrive in the United Kingdom to discuss trade deals.
>Equestrian-Japan trade agreements ratified, import duties slated for abolition.
>Emperor Naruhito stricken with influenza, expected to recover within two weeks.
>You shake your head as you skim through the article on refugee riots.
>"We languish in the dead pre`war cities."
>"Been waiting for years."
>"American intrusion."
>"Faulty corrupt government."
>It seems that every other week there's something going down in the refugee district.
>You feel awful for them.
>Sighing softly to yourself you clear the digital overlay from your vision and head for the door.

>Just as you get to the curb Batō's bright yellow Lancia Stratos pulls up.
>The passenger window retracts slowly as the imposing cyborg grins at you.
>"And how's the noble steed doing this morning?"
>Rolling your eyes you open the door and plop yourself down in the passengers seat.
"I'm doing well enough, could use a few more hours of sleep though."
>"Couldn't we all." Batō says as he pulls away from the curb and back down the street.

>You drive through the streets of Nīhama city. The glass windows of the towering skyscrapers shining and glinting in the light of the morning sunrise as the star creeps it's way into the sky above the sprawling metropolis.
>Along the sidewalks the early risers, both human and pony have begun their daily routines.
Businessmen stride along with their briefcases.
>Children, and a few foals head for the train station as they commute to school.
>A few pegasi flit through the air. Avoiding the growing crowds on the sidewalk.
>An almost idyllic scene, save for the sounds of traffic.
>Overall it raises your spirits as opposed to your earlier choice of reading material.
>As you continue to listlessly stare out the window Batō's voice brings you back to reality.
>"Something on your mind?"
>You turn away from the window and face your companion.
"Not really. Just enjoying the sights"
>"Still not used to it yet?"
"Not really."
>You say with a laugh.
>Batō just smiles and shrugs as he continues driving.

>Batō and yourself Push through the doors of the Section 9 building, and are enthusiastically greeted by the reception gynoid seated behind the desk.
>"Good morning sirs!" says the chipper android woman.
"Good morning Hachi."
>Batō gives you an amused look before greeting the automaton himself.
>"Morning."
>Striding past the reception office the two of you head to the elevator.
>"You call her by name?" Batō asks as he calls the elevator.
"Why not?"
>"She's one of thirty identical units. It just seems a little strange to me."
"This coming from the guy who only uses one specific Tachikoma."
>Batō folds his arms and shakes his head.
>With a ding the elevator door opens and you step in.
"I just figured it was simpler than calling her Number 8."
>"To each his own I guess."

>The elevator reaches it's destination and you disembark. Finding yourself in the lounge.
>Members of the forensics team mill about, as well as a few gynoids.
>Before you can even grab a cup of coffee the Chief calls out you from the doorway.
>"Gleaming, Batō. I need you in my office immediately."
>Forgoing your coffee you follow the chief down the hall to his office.
>Inside you're greeted by the rest of the Section 9 team.
>"Nice of you to stop by" smiles the Major.
>Before you can respond the Chief speaks.
>"Three hours ago there was a murder outside the Kiyoshi hotel. The victim was 48 year old Dr. Quick Recovery. An Equestrian immigrant to the United States, and the one behind the equestrian compatible cyberbrain research."
>Switching on the screen on the wall behind you Aramaki continues.
>"He was headed to a meeting with representatives from Megatech and Derumo corp. to discuss new research findings on improving cyberbrain compatibility with Unicorns and their innate magical capabilities which current equestrian model cyberbrains inhibit."
>The screen flashes images of the victim. A pale brown Pegasus with a lengthy bear and a Red Cross cutiemark.
>"At the time of the attack he was in possession of a briefcase with documents on the research he had compiled which was stolen by the murderer. It is vital that those documents are recovered."
>Aramaki turns the screen off as everyone turns their attention back to him.
>"Do we have any sort of idea who was behind the murder?" Asks Togusa.
>"It's suspected that the attack was carried out by an anti-cyberization group, but no conclusive evidence has come up so far."
>"So we're going into a blind investigation." Pazu says.
>"Not entirely. For the purpose of our investigation our forensics team has been given Dr. Recovery's cyberbrain."
>Aramaki furrows his brow.
>"From the visual data still retained in the data center we've identified the two who carried out the attack."
"So then it's open and shut, we get the two goons who killed him and find out their motivation."
>"I have a feeling it's not that simple, is it Chief?" Asks the Major.
>"Correct. Both subjects were found dead less than a kilometre away from the scene. Their cyberbrains had been remotely overloaded. This suggests that they were victims of hacking and were used to carry out the attack as puppets of the true mastermind."
>"So that means we're facing someone skilled enough to hack two people at once." Batō says as he looks in the Major's direction.
>Major Kusanagi rolls her eyes.
"So we still don't have a clue beyond a guess that it was anti-cyberization terrorists."
>Aramaki frowns.
>"True. You'll have to do your investigation from the ground up. For now I'd suggest checking with his business contacts and the higher ups at Derumo and Megatech. They may have information as to who would be opposed to his research being put to use."
>Everyone gets up to leave as Aramaki shifts his attention to paperwork.
>Yourself and the rest of the team exit the office.

>You sigh loudly as you open the passenger side door to the Major's red Mazda.
>"Something on your mind?" She asks as she slips into the drivers seat.
"It just seems so depressing. The guy was trying to help others, and now he's dead and his research stolen."
>You shake your head as you take your seat.
"I just still can't believe that humans can do such things."
>Major Kusanagi sighs softly.
>"Even we have trouble believing it. We're just inured to it by now."
>With a flick of her wrist the Major dons her purple sunglasses.
>"For now, try to keep your mind on the task at hand."
"Right."
>Without further delay Major Kusanagi pulls out of the parking lot, and out onto the roadways of Nīhama.

>As the Major weaves in and out of traffic on the highway you take the opportunity to search for anything related to Dr. Recovery's murder.
>With a few thoughts your vision is obscured by data windows as you scour the internet for news about the attack.
>Police statement.
"No."
>Cyberbrain Sclerosis micro machine ad.
"Filter."
>A few other tid bits, nothing more than conjecture from civilians, and conspiracies from some site labeled POL. Nothing useful.
>Clearing the overlay from your vision you turn to Major Kusanagi at the wheel.
"Major."
>She doesn't respond, her scarlet eyes cast an empty gaze ahead as she continues to drive.
"Major?"
>Again no response, she only continues to stare listlessly towards the road.
>You call out a third time.
"Major!"
>This time you get her attention, and her eyes refocus as she quickly glances in your direction.
>"Sorry, were you saying something?"
"Uh, no... Just wanted to ask something. W-were you net diving just now?"
>The Major smiles slyly.
>"If it helps, I probably drive better when I am.
"That doesn't reassure me in the least... Is this why Batō won't let you drive him anywhere?"
>Major Kusanagi sighs in mock exasperation.
>"What was it you wanted to ask me?"
"Nothing really, just wanted to know a bit more about the people we're going to question."
>"Well, Togusa and Batō opted to go see the executives. So we're going to meet with his traveling companions."
"Any thing relevant you tell me about them, Major?"
>"One of them is his research assistant, and the other is a close friend of his. I'll give you a copy of the data the forensics team pulled from Recovery's cyberbrain."
>In the corner of your vision a small envelope icon flashes.
>Wasting no time you open the message and retrieve the two data files.
>The first displays a tall, dark haired caucasian man by the name of Matthew Scot.
>The second shows an eggshell coloured unicorn stallion named Hollowed Oak.
"Should I take Mr. Oak? He might feel more comfortable talking with me."
>The Major shrugs.
>"Sure, the more information we can get from him, the better."
>You file the data away in your cyberbrain's internal storage medium as the Major pulls off from the highway.

>Not long after Major Kusanagi pulls up against the curb in front of a large hotel.
>The sidewalk directly in front of it was cordoned off by police tape, and the remnants of blood and a chalk outline of a pony could be seen in the middle of area as policemen scurried about.
>With a silent nod between the two of you you exit the the vehicle and head towards the building, ignoring the scene before you.
>Your hooves clop against the cement walkway as you approach the doorway.
>The doorman quickly glances at both you and the Major before giving you a look halfway between curiosity and disgust as he opens the door for you.
>Looking up at the Major reveals a mischievous smile across her face.
>As you reach the front desk the clerk gives you another funny look before Major Kusanagi pulls out her badge.
>"B-but the police have already questioned our staff!"
"We're with Public Security, not the police.
>You say matter-of-factly.
>"We're looking for for a Matthew Scott and Hollowed Oak, can you give us their room numbers?" Asks the Major.
>The flustered clerk nods and turns to a computer on the desk.
>"Rooms 874 and 875."
>The Major nods and you both head for the elevator.

>Arriving at the eighth floor you exit the elevator alongside Major Kusanagi.
>The two of you walk through the hallway as you search for rooms 874 & 875.
>Reaching the far end of the hall you spot the two doors across from each other.
>Knocking on 875 you get no response.
Exchanging glances with the Major you knock on 874.
>This time a cautious voice from behind he door responds.
>"W-who is it?"
"Public Security Section 9."
>The sound of a latch being undone is heard before the door opens revealing the man from the data file the Major had given you.
>"Matthew Scott. I'm Major Kusanagi, and this is Gleaming Blade. We'd like to ask you a few questions about Dr. Recovery."
"We'd also like to speak with Hollowed Oak, if you know where he is currently."
>You add.
>Mr. Scott nods as he opens the door wide enough for you and the Major to step into the room.
>"I'm terribly sorry if I sounded scared when I answered. I've been on edge after what happened. Please, come in."
>Mr. Scott motions for you to enter.
 >"Hollowed should be here soon. He went to pick up something to eat." He says as he shuts the door behind you.
>"I have to say, i'm a little surprised the police hadn't come to see us first."
>"The police transferred all investigative duties to us as soon as they were alerted." says the Major.
>"Due to Dr. Recovery's position it's in our jurisdiction."
"We would have been here sooner, but we had preliminary information to gather first."
>Mr. Scott nods in understanding.
>"Of course..."
>Just then then there is a knock at the door.
>"Who is it?" Asks Scott.
>"It's me. Hollowed."
>Scott quickly shuffles back to the door to open it, and  a unicorn stallion matching the Major's datafile, and carrying plastic bag full of takeout containers trots into the room casually before giving a shocked expression upon seeing you and the Major.
>"Hollowed this is Major Kusanagi and Mr. Gleaming blade." Scott assures.
>"They're investigating what happened to Quick."
>Hollowed Oak's face relaxes as he places the plastic bag down with a relieved sigh.
"We're sorry if we startled you. We didn't plan on interrupting your lunch, we just want to ask you both a few questions about Dr. Recovery and any information that could help us find where his documents were taken."
>"O-of course." Stammers Hollowed Oak.
>"We'd like to speak with you both individually if you don't mind." Says Major Kusanagi.
>"Not to imply that you're suspects in any way, but for information verification purposes."
>Scott and Oak both nod their heads in understanding.
"Mr. Oak, if you'd come with me then."
>You say as you head towards the hotel room door. Hollowed Oak follows you, leaving the Major with Mr. Scott.

>You sit across from Hollowed Oak in the small kitchen suite of his hotel room. He stares nervously downwards at the table beteewn the two of you.
>You press your hooves together and rest your forehead against them as you give a heavy sigh.
"Alright. How about we just start simple?"
>Hollowed Oak nods.
"Where was Dr. Recovery headed when he was killed this morning?"
>"The Megatech corporation head office." Says Oak.
>"He was meeting with their and Derumo's executives to discuss manufacturing his new cyberbrain designs."
>You nod.
"Those designs being the ones he made to allow to unicorns to retain their magic after undergoing cyberization."
>"Correct."
"And besides you and Dr. Scott, who else knew he was in Japan?"
>"The executives of course, and his clinic staff in the United States. Other than them I can't think of anyone else."
>You furrow your brow as you lean back in your seat.
"Did Dr. Recovery ever receive threats from anyone?"
>Hollowed Oak nods.
>"All the time."
"From who?"
>"All sorts, anti-cyberization groups, unicorns who were cyberized and lost their magic, even folk back in Equestria sent him letters condemning what he was doing." Hollowed sighs.
>"Said he was pushing us down a path not meant for us little ponies. Though the only true threats were from those anti-cyberist groups."
"Any group in particular?"
>You ask.
>"The Human Liberation Front mostly. About a month ago they sent him the nastiest yet. Said they'd seen greed turn mankind into an 'abomination if machine and flesh.' Told him that they'd stop him from further 'soiling' the denizens of Equestria."
>You frown as you patch yourself into the Major's cybercomm.
"Major, Oak is telling me the HLF was sending Recovery threats."
>The voice of Major Kusanagi floats through your head as she responds.
>"That's what Dr. Scott's been saying. Anything else?"
"Not yet."
>"Let me know if he says anything useful."
"Yes ma'am."
>You disengage from the cybercomm and turn your attention back to Hollowed Oak.
"Did the HLF send him anything after that?"
>Oak shakes his head earnestly.
>"Not that I know of, but it's possible."
>A heavy sigh escapes you as you press a hoof to your face.
"If those cyberbrain schematics are in the wrong hands, what could been done with the design?"
>"It could be used to give cyberized unicorns back their magic, but it could be changed to forcibly feed the magic back into the braincase. In that case it'd be deadly. Matthew would know more about it than me."
>You nod your head as you deactivate your cyberbrain's audio recorder.
"Well... There's not much more I can ask you."
>You say as you get up from your seat.
"If the Major has wrapped up with Mr. Scott we'll be on our way shortly."
>Getting up from the table you quickly send Major Kusanagi's message, asking her if she's finished.
>Almost immediately she responds.
>"Just finished."
>With a nod to yourself you open the hotel room door and trot out into the corridor.
>Hollowed Oak follows behind you as you make for the door opposite you.
>Opening the door to Mr. Scott's room you calmly trot in and stand next to the Major.
>The two of you begin your silent correspondence over the cyber-comm.
"Get anything useful outta him?"
>"He said the HLF was sending threats, and told me about the cyberbrain's specifications. Other than that not really."
"That's just about what I got from Oak."
>"I get the feeling they know more than they're letting on."
"Yeah, I do too. Seems like something has them spooked. Something other than their friend being ventilated."
>"I'll have them put under observational surveillance. Other than that we can't do much with them as it stands."
>Breaking from your digital dialogue Major Kusanagi heads towards the door leaving you to deal with Hollowed and Matthew.
"I'd like to thank you for giving us the time to question you. We intend to do everything we can to find out exactly who did this, and where those schematics are."
>The two of them nod solemnly.
"On that note we want you to be cautious, try not to go out in public on your own for a while. We don't know if you may be in danger as well. If you have anything else your like to tell us you can reach us at this number."
>Reaching into your coat pocket with your foreleg you retrieve a small white card with nothing but a phone number printed on it and pass it to Mr. Scott.
"Have a good day, well... As good as it can be under the circumstances at least."
>With that you turn and head out through the room's door back to hallway.
>"Batō and Togusa just wrapped up at Derumo, before they go see Megatech's bigwigs they want to stop for lunch someplace not too far from here." Says the Major as she leans against the far wall.
>"They want to know if we feel like joining them."
"Sure, I could go for something to eat right about now."
>"I'll let them know then."

>Trotting into the small but lavishly decorated restaurant you scan the occupied tables until to spot a familiar white ponytail and brown lions mane in a window booth at the far end of the room.
>Motioning for Major Kusanagi to follow you weave through the maze of tables, chairs and their occupants towards Batō's table.
"Hope you're hungry enough to eat a horse!"
>You say with laugh as you approach.
>Batō raises an eyebrow.
>"Togusa, didn't you order the baniku? Seems undercooked to me."
>Shaking your head yo slide into the booth and sit beside Togusa as the Major slides in next to Batō.
"So how did your interview with the Derumo guys go?"
>"It was a waste of time." Huffs Togusa.
>"All they said was that the Schematics are incredibly valuable, and they want us to find them ASAP... nothing we didn't already know."
>"What about you?" Asks Batō.
>"Anything useful come from his friends?"
"they gave some credibility to the HLF theory. Apparently they were sending him threats in the mail."
>"And according to them, those schematics could be dangerous." Adds the Major.
>"What kind of dangerous?" Togusa asks.
"Exploding unicorn heads in the street dangerous."
>Before you can continue a waitress saunters up to your table to take your orders.
>Without giving her time to speak Batō makes his order.
>"Beer, and a beef cutlet."
>Flustered, the waitress nods and quickly jots it down on her notepad before turning to Major Kusanagi, who shakes her head and points to you.
"Green salad, and renkon tempura please."
>she writes down your order and turns to Togusa.
>"Just give me the lunch special." He says.
>With a few scratches into her notepad the waitress scurries off.
>A few moments pass in silence before Batō speaks up.
>"So the HLF was sending threats, and the cyberbrain schematics could be used to blow ponies heads off."
"Here's to hoping the whoever took them doesn't know that."
>The Major sighs and folds her arms.
>"Here's to hoping we find them."
>You mutter an "Amen" under your breath as you look out the window, expecting to watch the people wandering along the streets.
>Instead you see two black jacketed men with ski masks on pointing assault rifles at you.
>Your eyes widen in shock as you yell out.
"GET DOWN!"
>You leap out of your seat at the booth and press yourself to the floor.
>Your colleagues do the same as a hail of automatic gunfire shatters the window and tears through the restaurant.
>The shrieks of panicked patrons and the screams of those injured in the attack echo throughout the room.
>Shutting out the noise you and your companions find cover behind anything decently thick and hunker down as more bullets rip past you.
>Togusa is quickest to return fire. Racking the slide of Mateba Unica 6 auto-revolver he sets lose three .454 casull slugs at the gunmen.
>None of them hit, but they force your assailants to find cover of their own by hiding behind the wall supports of the window frame.
>Batō uses the opportunity to take a number of shots at the rifle wielding attackers himself, though much like Togusa he fails to land any hits.
>The exchange of gunfire continues sending gyprock and wood splinters into the air as the bullets impact the tables, chairs and walls of the establishment.
>Quickly you look around for any sign of the Major, as she seems to have completely vanished.
>Unable to see her you switch to your Augmented Reality vision, which reveals the Major's silhouette crouched a feet from a window adjacent to the gunmen.
"Clever girl"
>You mutter to yourself as you reach into your coat pocket and remove a small disposable lighter.
>Linking to her via cybercomm you get Major Kusanagi's attention.
"Major, give me a few seconds to distract 'em before you make your move!"
>The Major doesn't respond, but you know damn well she heard what you said.
>Turning back to Togusa you catch him mid reload as he slides a pair of half-moon clips into the cylinder of his gun.
"TOGUSA!"
>Your shouting draws a number of bullets towards you, which violently shred part of the upturned table you're hiding behind, but at least you had Togusa's attention.
>You wave the lighter at him and gesture in the direction of the shooters.
>He gives you a confused look for a fraction of a second before smiling and nodding.
>With your plan in motion you cock your foreleg back and whip the 99 cent ignition device towards the open window frame that conceals your aggressors.
>The lighter sails through the air and time seems to slow as watch your idea unfurl.
>Right as it reaches the center of the window frame Togusa's revolver spews forth a fiery plume and it's lethal payload.
>Two-hundred-and-fifty grains of copper jacketed lead slam into the bic at 1,900 feet per second. Needless to say the fireball is quite impressive.
>With the shooters now reeling from the small incendiary that just went off on their faces the Major leaps through the adjacent window and firmly plants her invisible foot into the stomach of the first rifleman.
>Without missing a beat she grapples the criminal as he doubles over in pain and throws him into his partner as she disengages her optical camouflage.
>Rising from your spots behind cover Batō, Togusa, and yourself advance towards the Major and the two assailants now crumpled in a heap as the Major levels her firearm at them.
>Seeing their AK pattern rifles on the ground Batō scoops them up incase they get any funny ideas.
>"Togusa," starts Major Kusanagi. "There's ambulances on the way, go help the injured bystanders."
>"On it Major." He responds as he heads back into the trashed restaurant.
"You two gotta have balls bigger than Discord to pull something like this."
>You sneer at the two gunmen.
>Glancing back at the shattered window glass and frayed and splintered wood and gyprock walls fills you with anger. More so when you think about the bystanders injured in the attack.
>One of the shooters tries move away from you. Bad move.
>In one swift motion you plant your right foreleg on his chest and pin him to the ground.
>"You'd better start talking, or else." The Major spits.
>As if on cue Batō wrenches one of the Kalashnikova, folding it in half with his hands. His white optical sensors whirr and click as he stares down at the man with a malicious frown.
>Both of the masked gunmen swallow hard.

>You stand outside the interrogation room back at Section 9 HQ.
>Through the glass of the one-way mirror you can see the two men who had tried to kill you, Togusa, the Major, and Batō just an hour ago.
>Both of them sit at the steel table, worried expressions on their faces.
>Batō stands next to you, his arms folded as he scowls at the criminals through the glass.
>"Four people." He states flatly.
"Pardon me?"
>You ask.
>"Those bastards killed four people when they shot at us." Batō hisses, the anger behind his words barely contained.
>"On some level it's ironic. But I find it sickening."
"Ironic, how so?"
>Batō sighs.
>"Here in Japan, our word for 'four' is pronounced the same as our word for 'death'." He explains as a pair if symbols appear in your cybervision overlay.
>四/numeral equivalent to four
>死/kanji representation of death
>"That's why we don't have a fourth floor in most buildings."
"Oh... Sorta like the whole unlucky 13 thing huh?"
>Batō doesn't answer, instead he continues to glare at the two men in the interrogation room.
"Soooo... Are we gonna go in there or?"
>"Once the Major gets down here."
>As if on cue the Major Kusanagi comes striding down the hall before stopping next to you.
"Speak of the draconequus."
>The Major gives you an inquisitive look.
"Equestrian expression."
>Major Kusanagi just folds her arms and faces towards the window into the room.
>"Josuke Yoshikage, and Shinji Rokubungi. They're a couple of ex-yakuza that took up contract killing when their syndicate was disbanded two years ago." She says.
>"And someone had the balls to set them on us." Chides Batō as he places his hand on the doorknob.
>"The sooner we get these bastards dealt with the better."
>Twisting the doorknob with more force than was needed, Batō slams the interrogation room door open causing the detainees to jump.
>You simply watch from behind the glass as he and the Major enter the room and close the door.

>You are Batō.
>You are staring down the two SOB's who made the mistake of shooting at you and your colleagues, and boy howdy are you angry.
>Not only did they open fire on you, but they managed to kill four bystanders and injure several others.
>You don't take kindly to that.
>Motoko leans against the back wall of the interrogation room.
>Guess she's playing good cop this time.
>Fine by you.
"So."
You begin
"Either of you lowlifes wanna tell me why you attacked us?"
>Neither of them say anything.
"Silent treatment huh?"
>You sneer down at the seated criminals.
>"We're waiting for our lawyers Kodak."
>If you weren't ready to break these bastards in half with your bare hands you would've been tempted to laugh.
"Lawyers? You think you finks are getting to see your lawyers?"
>Both of them look at you incredulously.
>You place your hands on the steel table with a heavy thud.
"You're dealing with Section 9 here asshole. You don't get lawyers."
>"Section 9 doesn't exist! You're bluffing."
"You wanna bet?"
>You spit the words from your mouth with such pathos that the two jump in their seats.
"As far as the state is concerned, you're terrorists for shooting up that restaurant."
>Your white optical sensors slowly rotate as they focus intensely on Rokubungi's face.
"And unless you start telling us everything, we can push that to international levels on suspicion you had something to do with Dr. Recovery's murder this morning."
>Josuke and Shinji share worried glances before looking down at the tabletop.
>You look back towards Motoko, a wry smirk stretched across her face.
"If you don't want to talk I can have forensics rip the information we want straight from your cyberbrains. Of course that would probably burn out your attack barriers and cause some sort of damage if we did."
>Standing up straight again you breathe in heavily.
"So one last time... Start. Talking."
>With heavy sighs both of the gunmen look up at you before Rokubungi speaks.
>"Okay, we were contacted just the other night..."

>You are Gleaming Blade.
>Watching Batō intimidate goons into giving up info was getting boring.
>Instead you headed up to the to the lounge. Figured you could use a bit of relaxing after nearly getting a changeling makeover.
>As you trot into the lounge you pass several members of the forensics team.
>They must be on break considering all the work they're doing to recover Recovery's cyberbrain data stores.
>Props to them. Spending your whole life in Equestria you had never seen a dead body until you had come to earth, and those guys work with them for a living.
>You can't imagine yourself doing what they do.
>Grabbing yourself a cup of coffee you pull up a seat at one of the unoccupied lounge tables.
>As you settle into your seat Ishikawa and Togusa enter your view and approach your table.
>"Togusa tells me you had an exciting lunch break today." Says Ishikawa as he takes a seat opposite you.
"If it hadn't happened during lunch it would've been considered routine."
>"Fair enough." He says as Togusa sits down beside you with a mug of black coffee in hand.
"Have the forensics found anything else useful in the cyberbrains since this morning?"
>Ishikawa sighs as he runs his hand down his face and over his beard.
>"A few notes Recovery had made and his to do list from the week before he left for Japan."
"What about the guys who killed him?"
>"Nothing legible so far. Their brains were fried so bad that there was grey matter seared to the cyberbrain chassis. I doubt we'll get anything out of them."
>"It's not a big deal at this point." Interjects Togusa.
>"We've got the two guys who attacked us down stairs at the mercy of Batō and the Major. They'll have more to tell us than two burnt out cyberbrains."
"True."
>You sip at your coffee in silence for a few moments before Ishikawa whispers for your attention.
>"Is it just me, or is that operator staring at us?"
>"Yeah, I see it too." Says Togusa.
>"Maybe it's glitched?"
"Which one?"
>You ask as you slowly turn around as if you were stretching your forelegs.
>Togusa gestures faintly towards one of the several identical gynoids at the other side of the room. Drawing your attention to one of them which stares directly at you.
>As you make eye contact with the automaton it quickly looks away.
>"I just checked its reference ID, it's number 8." Says Ishikawa.
>"I'll let the Major know so she can get it checked out." He adds.
"Sounds like a good idea."
>You finish your coffee quickly and get up from your seat.
"If you'll excuse me I'm gonna go check and see how the interrogation is going."
>Togusa finishes his own mug and gets up as well."
>"I'll go with you."
>You nod as you leave Ishikawa by himself at the table as Togusa and yourself head for the elevator.

*DING*
>The doors of the elevator open with a swoosh as you step out onto the concrete floor.
>Togusa follows behind you as you make your way down the narrow hallway to the interrogation room.
>As the two of you approach the interrogation room you're greeted by the Major as she stares into the room through the window.
"Any big revelations yet?"
>You say.
>"A few." She responds.
>"They don't know who hired them, but they were hired to watch Recovery's companions and 'take care' of whoever went to talk with them."
>Major Kusanagi frowns.
>"They also said that they were monitoring our conversations while we were at the hotel."
"What?!"
>You exclaim as you look up at the Major with a questioning look.
>"Did they set up bugs in the rooms?" Asks Togusa.
>The Major shakes her head.
>"According to them the equipment was already set up, they just had to connect to the network."
"Then what does that mean?"
>"It means we've got to bring Recovery's friends down here, now." Comes Batō's voice as he steps out of the interrogation room.

>Before you sits Dr. Matthew Scott and Hollowed Oak.
>Neither of them are willing to look up from the surface of the steel table.
"Are you gonna tell us everything this time, or will we have to scrub your brains for what we need to know?"
>"We'll tell you." Says Matthew.
>"But you gotta know, we couldn't tell you everything back in the hotel or else we would've!"
"Then tell me!"
>The pair exchange glances before looking at you.
>"Two days before we left the United States we both received letters. There was no return address, just blank envelopes with our names on them." Begins Hollowed Oak.
>"The letters just said that if we allowed Quick to make the trip that he'd be killed and we'd be next." He continues.
>"We showed them to him, but he just said that they were empty threats and we came here anyways." Says Dr. Scott.
"Right."
>"A few minutes after Quick left his room we both got letters again, delivered by room service. It was right as they were delivered that we heard the gunfire." He says. A distraught look washing over his face.
>"When we opened the letters they included a small bugging device." Interjects Hollowed.
>"They told us to put them in our rooms, and that we were being watched so we had best not say anything to the police or anyone that came to investigate."
>You sigh heavily as you look the two of them over.
>"We wanted to tell you about everything, but we were scared for our lives!" Hollowed exclaims.
"You had every right to be."
>"Y-y-youuuu sss-Shoullllld be!" Hisses a twisted and raspy version of Matthews voice.
>Your eyes dart to Dr. Scott to see him heaving and spasming as his eyes roll back in his head.
>again his voice, distorted, speaks.
>"Y-yoooooooo-vE br bro k-kkk ken the rulesssS. As suchchch I will have to p-punish y-ou."
>With each syllable his body twitches and jumps, joints in his hands clenching unnaturally.
"MAJOR!"
>You shout, as the door flies open and Batō and Major Kusanagi storm in with their firearms drawn.
>"i CaNnot punnnnish you direct-irect-irectly Mr. oAk, b-b-ut I cann rob you of t-two friendssss in one daaaaaaaaaay."
>Major Kusanagi wastes no time plugging into Matthew's cyberbrain uplink ports.
>"I'll trace the hack!"
>"tRYYYYyyyYy as yu-o mi-might miss KusssssSanag-gi-gi. You wonnnnn'T st-st-sTop mE.
>Hollowed Oak stares at Mr. Scott with abject horror shown on his face.
>"What's going on?!" He cries out.
>His Cyberbrain has been hacked!" Yells Batō.
>"ILL spARE hiss dig-ni-ty anD nOt hackkkkk his-is-is 'ghoooooost. How, ever. His Ti-time is uP!"
>The Major quickly withdraws her data plug as Matthews body spasms and screams before falling out of its chair and hitting the ground with a thud.
>Blood leaks slowly from its mouth and nostrils as the sound of steam escaping his cyberbrain casing is heard.
"Mother of Celestia..."
>"Get the chief." Says the Major. "I've got a trace."

>It took a moment for what had just happened to sink in.
>A minute ago you were interrogating two persons of interest.
>Now you stood over a dead body, twitching as the last bit of energy in its nervous system wanes.
>The scent of burnt flesh assaults your nostrils as it emanates from the thoroughly roasted grey matter within the corpse's cyberbrain.
>Staring down at the body you can feel the revulsion churning in your stomach.
>"Gleaming, are you okay?" Says a voice from behind you.
"Yeah..."
>Comes your reply, not even paying attention to who had spoken.
>You continue to to stare, the corpse's fingers still clenching ever so slightly, all while that putrid stench invades your airway.
>A hand nudges your shoulder.
>"Hey, you in there?"
>You jump a little as the weight on your shoulder snaps you out of your daze.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm good."
>You say as you turn around to look at Batō.
>Out of the corner of your eye you can see Togusa escorting Hollowed out of the room.
"In the name of Celestia, that was... Horid."
>Batō frowns and steps towards the body of Dr. Scott.
>"This son of a bitch is really starting to piss me off." Says the hulking cyborg.
>"First he tried to have us killed, now he kills a damn witness while in our custody!"
>"Well, you can take your complaints to him directly soon enough." Says the Major."
>"Ishikawa's running a trace on the signal data I pulled during the intrusion." She continues.
>"Once that's finished if the chief gives us the go ahead we can go pay him a visit."
>With a 'hmpf' Batō makes for the doorway as members of the forensics team arrive to remove the body.
>Not wanting to be in their way, nor wanting to spend anymore time with the loathsome thing, you too, exit the interrogation room.

>"So that's where you traced the signal to?" Asks Major Kusnagi, as she stares at the green blip on the monitor before her. The ambient light casting a pale green glow over her face.
>"Yeah, the storage facility for the maglev train junction in the north end of the city." Ishikawa replies zooming in on the map display.
>"Though that's only where I traced the end of the signal to. There were two other locations the signal switched from before ending at the depot."
>Ishikawa hammers out a few commands into his terminal's keyboard and the screen zooms out again and places two more green blips on the map.
>"The other two intrusion signals were traced to the apartment complex that's being constructed a kilometre south of the train depot, and the shopping plaza across the street."
>Your brow furrows as you scrunch your snout.
"That's a huge amount of ground to cover during the hack. How could our culprit get that far in only a minute and half?"
>"That's just it, they didn't, and they weren't using relays either. " Ishikawa states.
>"The data that Major gave me contained instances of three separate hacks while they were in our custody. Pretty sloppy job though, no change in encryption or protocol. That's why only downloading one attacks data stream gave me all three of the attacks' information."
>"Data leak from the hacker's interface." Says the Major.
>"Exactly."
>Pointing at the blip on the shopping plaza Ishikawa turns towards you and Major Kusanagi.
>"The first hack occurred while they were being brought in, just as Scott and Oak were brought to the vehicle. It lasted about 3 minutes."
>The bearded data specialist rubs one eye and points to the next pale green blip over the apartment building.
>"This one started just as our victim entered HQ, and was only 45 seconds long."
"And the last one?"
>"Twelve minutes later, after Mr. Scott had been processed and admitted for interrogation. Lasted five minutes, the last minute and a half..."
"Was when he was hacked and killed."
>"Right."
"But why would they still be at the train depot? They heard that we were gonna trace the signal, so they could've easily made it to a new location by now."
>"He's right." Says the Major.
>"Can you tag the interface the hacker was using? We could catch him next time he connects to the net."
>"Already tried it. Whoever this person is, they're using a computer of some sort instead of a cyberbrain. So tagging it hasn't yielded anything." Is Ishikawa's reply.
"Wouldn't there be security cameras in the depot?"
>You inquire.
"We could use them to see if he's still there."
>Ishikawa and the Major exchange glances.
>"Do it, at the least we can determine if they've moved."
>"Yes ma'am."
>Lowering his net-diving brace and furiously typing at the keyboard in front of him Ishikawa tears through the myriad of security attack barriers surrounding the CCTV system of the storage facility.
>Several moments pass as he works.
>"Found some." He says matter-of-factly.
>"There's about 12 of them, but they're newer models, a bit harder to crack."
>"If anyone can crack them, it's you."
>Ishikawa shrugs sheepishly under the heavy diving brace and resumes typing.
>On screen however, you can see his progress.
>Layer by layer.
>Barrier by barrier.
>Streams of barely coherent text cascade down the terminal screen before you.
>The letters and digits continue to churn and scroll until they suddenly stop, and the monitor clears. A single line visible.
>Connection at 556.762.22.45.308 return = success.
>"Got it!" Exclaims Ishikawa as he removes the diving brace and the screen switches to the the CCTV feeds of the train storage depot.
>One by one the different views of the security cameras flicker to live in a grid of surveillance footage.
>Each of the 12 stuttering displays showing a different section of the building.
>With baited breath the three of you scan the monitor for something, anything that could be the perp.
>"There, camera D4." Says Ishikawa drawing your eyes to the image.
"I don't see it."
>"I'll blow it up, hold on."
>The view from D4 expands to fill the screen.
>The limited view overlooks a small office with no lights and the walkway around it.
"I'm still not seeing it."
>"I'll back it up a few seconds"
>As Ishikawa rewinds the footage you see a quick flash of light with the office. Nothing bright, just a quick dim flash of light like that of an electronic screen.
>And in the dim glow of that negligible moment of illumination...
>"That's our target." Says Major Kusanagi.

>The inside of the tactical deployment van is cramped as everyone tries to get their gear on.
>Flack vests and body armour are strewn about and the sound of velcro ammunition pouches being opened and closed interspersed with the swift clicks and clacks of firearms being loaded drowns out the low rumble of the van's engine.
>As Batō, Bōma and Pazu fiddle with their equipment you sit in silence.
>Unlike the rest of the team you had the bright idea to get ready before you left.
>The custom flak jacket weighs down heavily against your shoulders, and the sheath for the electrified combat dagger digs into your side uncomfortably, prompting you to adjust your position.
>As you do, you crane your neck to look towards the driver seat.
"Hey, Togusa, how far to the depot?"
>Quickly looking back into the van's interior, Togusa responds.
>"Just a few minutes, is everyone ready back there?"
>"We're good to go, just get us on site!" Batō exclaims from his seat at the rear.
>"Alright then." Responds Togusa.
>As he turns the van down a back alley you cast a glance over your teammates.
>Batō, Pazu, Bōma, Saito, and The Major.
>Weapons loaded and drawn.
>Body armour zipped and buckled.
>Stealing a glance at Togusa in the drivers seat and you see even he has his firearm out as he parks the vehicle.
>You steady yourself and take a deep breath as Batō opens the rear door.
>"Lets go! Move!" Urges Major Kusanagi.
>With that you scramble out of the van with everyone else.

>The evening air is cool as you step out into the alleyway adjacent to the bullet train depot surround by other members of Section 9.
>Next to you stands Batō with a type 89 Howa battle rifle resting on his shoulder.
>"Alright listen up!" Exclaims the Major.
>"As you all know our target's an excellent hacker, and seemingly very well connected." She continues as she holds a FN P90 across her midsection.
>"What we don't know is their species, race, name or any sort of personal information, but that's not our concern. We are here to retrieve Dr. Recovery's documents if at all possible first, and to capture or neutralize the target second."
>Everyone silently nods thir heads.
>"Now, Batō and Bōma, you two will take the front entrance."
>"Yes ma'am!" Reply the imposing eyeless cyborgs.
>"Saito, cover the building from the station rooftop."
>"Got it Major."
>"Togusa."
>"Major?"
>"Take Pazu and go through the rear of the building."
>The two of them nod and grunt in acknowledgement."
>"Gleaming." She says casting her gaze at you.
"Yes ma'am?"
>"You're with me."
"Yes Major!"
>"From here on out, stick to cybercomm."
>The last word not coming from her mouth, but instead ringing out inside your head, with the distinct warbled tone of the cybercomm audio codec.
>With that order you know that there's no screwing around.
>It's showtime.

>You press your body against the cold exterior of the building.
>Major Kusanagi does the same across from you, the two of you separated by the heavy double steel doors of the west entrance.
>"Is everyone in position?" Asks the Major.
>"At the entrance now." Comes Batō's reply.
>"We're good to go over here Major." Says Pazu.
>"Saito, what's your status?"
>"Ready to go ma'am."
>"Get ready to enter on my mark."
>You breathe deeply as you wrap your tail around the hilt of your combat knife.
>"Go!"
>As the word rings out within your head the Major makes a single fluid motion and drives her leg into the left door.
>The impact shears the door off its hinges and sends it flying several feet into the nearly lightless depot.
>Instantly you gallop into the doorway, scanning for any signs of movement.
>Satisfied that the coast is clear you defer to Major Kusanagi.
>Wordlessly she motions for you to follow closely as she slinks further into the dark storage area.
>Swiftly the both of you navigate through the dim interior of the sprawling building, weaving through piles of scrap metal and train parts.
>"Major, Gleaming?" Ishikawa's voice enters your brain.
>"Go ahead." Says the Major as you continue to advance.
>"Ive been monitoring the office for a while now, about three minutes ago the terminal went off, and hasn't been on since. So I can't confirm if the target is still there."
"Has anyone left the office?"
>"Not through the door I can see, but from the blueprints there is a large ventilation duct in there. If they know about it they could use it to move about the facility."
"Just great."
>"The good news is that that vent doesn't go to the outside. They'll have to... Hold on."
>"What happened?"
>"I just lost contact with camera D4"
"Was it shut down?"
>"No, more like it was destroyed. Shit! Just lost C5!"
>The Major and yourself swap concerned glances.
>"Major, I'm losing the cameras in the administration section. Hurry up."
>Major Kusanagi grits her teeth and takes off in a sprint further towards the admin center.
>Not keen on being left behind you gallop full speed after her.
>"Everyone," Says the major's voice through cybercomm.
>"Ishikawa lost contact with the CCTV cameras in the administration end of the building. They know were here. Get in there and stop them."
>"On our way!" Responds Bōma.
>"Heading there now Major." Togusa states.
>As the Major and you navigate the maze of storage materials the cybercomm comes to life again.
>"Bōma and I are just outside the office Ishikawa was watching." Begins Batō.
 >"The door is wide open and the camera looks like it was ripped out of the wall."
"Any sign of the target?"
>"Nope, no documents either."
>"Damn!" Spits Major Kusanagi.
>The two of you stop just in front of a doorway marked administration/receiving.
>Throwing the door open you find a hallway that forks to the left and the right, each marked differently.
>On the left, administration.
>On the right, receiving.
>Nodding to the Major you head down the right while she takes the left.

>As you rush down the hall the chatter over cybercomm continues inside your head.
>"More broken cameras, but no sign of the target." Says Bōma.
>"Any idea which direction they're going?" Asks Togusa.
>So far just running about in the admin center if the way they're breaking the cameras is any indication." Replies Ishikawa.
>"Are we all just gonna screw around in the admin center? They could be halfway to a different section by now." Chimes Pazu
"Well I've got the receiving zone covered, I'll let you know if I see anything."
>You add.
>"After sweeping the admin we'll branch off and check the surroundings. Understood?" Interjects the Major.
>"Yes Major" responds the team and the cybercomm goes quiet.
>Continuing down the hallway it abruptly the hall turns left and opens up into an enclosed loading dock.
>A single freight truck sits in one of the loading bays with pallets of plexiglass and fibreglass sheets strewn about the massive room.
>As you look about you accidentally step on a hard object that digs into your hoof.
"Agh!"
>Looking down at the object you see  it's a broken security camera.
"Major!"
>You shout over the cybercomm, but get no response.
"Major Kusanagi, can you hear me?"
>Again no response.
>Worried you reach out to the rest of the team.
"Hey, is the Major running in autistic all of a sudden? I can't get through to her."
>Nothing.
>Not a response from anyone.
"Oh for the love of Celestia.."
>You say aloud.
"Something go wrong with the operators?"
>"I can assure you it's not a technical failure." Says a voice that echoes through the loading dock.
>"They can't hear you because I do t want them to."
>You quickly scan the area, searching for the source of the voice.
"You hacked our cybercomms?!"
You say incredulously.
>The voice only chuckles.
>"Oh no, something that full of attack barriers was much to difficult. I settled on a easier method."
>With every word you continue to swivel your head, still looking for the speaker.
"Whatever you did it won't help you, we're already here it's only a matter of time until they come this way, and find us. Even if I can't call them."
>"Perhaps, or I can take this truck and escape. After dealing with you first of course."
"Then show yourself... Come get me!"
>You shout.
>"tch tch Such bravado, I can see why you work in law enforcement.." Taunts the hidden voice.
>You grit your teeth.
"Well, gonna stay in hiding forever?"
>You say as you grip your knife tightly with your tail.
>"Very well."
>Your eyes dart about. Scouring every inch of the loading dock to find the concealed voice until you're drawn to the sound of the truck's freight trailer door opening.
>The door retracts into the trailer's roof as a deep blue unicorn with a black mane steps out of the trailer. A briefcase and laptop bag attached to his saddlebag.
>The revelation throws you for a loop. As you struggle to make sense of it.
"Y-you're... An Equestrian?
>"Truly public security hires only the /brightest/ individuals Not what you were expecting?"
>A look of shock plastered itself across your face.
>You've dealt with other ponies while with Section 9 before, hacking scandals, data breaches. But never something of this nature.
>You could barely comprehend it.
>Your mind struggles to come up with a threat, or something to convey your authority, however,
"Why?"
>is all you can think of.
"Why would you do all this? Dr. Recovery... His work was to benefit unicorns. Why would you try to eliminate it?"
>The confused and hollow stare you give the stallion before you is all you can muster as the shock of it all gets to you.
>His face however contorts into a sneer.
>"'Why'? You want to know 'why'?" Asks the cobalt coated pony before you.
>"Because opening that rift was a mistake." He says with venom in his voice.
>"The moment Celestia saw what was on the other side she should've closed it and hidden the knowledge of it away. Instead she sent emissaries and made contact."
>The anger in his voice continues to build.
>"Now the disease of human technology is spreading to Equestria! Cyberization, cyberbrains, internet, computers, machines of circuitry and silicon slowly are spreading throughout our homeland."
"But it's done won-"
>"IT'S MAKING US LIKE THEM!" Screams the stallion.
>"We have the pinnacle of achievement through magic! A stable society, weather at our control, and ponies are active and engaged in society!"
>The anger and malice behind his words invoke thoughts of the HLF and their anti-cyber rhetoric taken to an even greater extreme.
>"Humans poison their land with nuclear warfare, and murder one another for a simple difference in opinion. They're lazy and complacent because they don't need to be near one another to hold a conversation. They don't do labour because machines do it for them."
>The sheer anger expressed in his face frightens you. The glare he gives pierces through you like a dagger as he rants.
>"Tell me. What is the one thing that allows you to do your job?" He asks.
>"How is it that you can go to work and betray pony kind for the humans, hmm?"
"My cyber-"
>"WRONG!" Bellows the enraged unicorn.
>"It's magic! Equestrian, unicorn magic!" Is his reply.
>"You don't speak a word of Japanese! Without the translation spell swirling about in your head you couldn't buy lunch, let alone converse with your colleagues! Magic made you capable of your job. Not the man made prison you've trapped your brain in." He states flatly.
>"In fact, let's see how you fare without that spell!"
>His horn glows with a brilliant teal light for a moment before the light envelopes you.
>You feel light headed for but a second, but swiftly regain your composure.
>"See how well you can do your job without the glory of Equestrian magic to aide you!" Sneers the criminal before you.
>"Dr. Recovery robbed plenty of unicorns of their magic with his old cyberbrain designs. They got what they deserved for accepting man's technological cancer. But for him to give magic back to these... /Traitors/! That would be oh so unforgiveable."
>You glare angrily at the stallion as he stares at you, the look of superiority on his face filling you with ire.
"I'm taking those documents back, whether you give them up willingly, or I take them by force."
>You state.
>"Try it, race traitor."

>You both stare at each other for a moment. Sizing each other up.
>Your tail still tightly grasps the dagger in its sheath. Ready to draw it at any moment.
>Without warning you charge the detestable unicorn as you free the weapon from its scabbard and activate the power cell within its hilt, loosing the electrical current across its surface.
>With a lightning fast swing at your foe you attack.
>The blade slices through the air with a metallic ring, barely missing the unicorn as he leaps out of the way.
>Not allowing him a moment between your attacks you swing again, The blade narrowly avoiding his face as he dodges the swipe.
>Again you attack, this time thrusting the dagger straight at him.
>The move catches him off guard and the electrified blade contacts his chest just enough to deliver a tiny zap as the tip draws the smallest drop of blood.
>Reeling from the shock the blue stallion grimaces as he fires a blast of magical energy straight at you.
>You quickly sidestep the attack, only to be caught by his left foreleg driving itself hard into your face, sending you sprawling to the floor.
>As you try to stand up his foreleg connects with your stomach.
>With the wind knocked out of you you collapse to the floor again. The hard concrete surface colliding with your jaw as you hit the ground.
>Breathing heavily you look up to see the stallion glaring at you. The look in his eyes is one of disgust.
>"I expected more from the mythical Section 9." He hisses as he cocks his leg back for another hit.
>Unable to get out if the way in time, you instead quickly whip the knife from behind you and drive it towards his leg as swings it towards you.
>The razor sharp dagger lodges itself deeply into his forehoof, stopping against bone.
>With a squeeze of the button the knife discharges an electric shock into the wound, causing your assailant's leg to spasm as he screams in agony.
>As he staggers from the pain you scramble to your hooves and approach your opponent.
>The capacitors drained and the electricity no longer coursing through his foreleg the unicorn pulls the blade from his leg with a steady trickle of crimson blood.
>Casting a teal glow around his injured appendage the pony meets you gaze.
>"Keep it up and They'll be ordering a pony sized body bag for you!" He spits as he shrugs off his saddlebags and tosses them aside.
>You say nothing as you slowly shuffle towards him. Watching for any sudden movement.
>The two of you approach one one another apprehensively, looking for an easy hit.
>You strike at him with your hoof, only to have it blocked by a small magic barrier.
>Undissuaded you strike again, only to be blocked a second time.
>You continue to throw out punches and he continues to block them. your hooves starting to hurt from the repeated impacts against his defense.
>Clenching your teeth you throw a hard left hook to his face, aiming for his right eye.
>Instinctively your opponent's eyes turn to focus on the hoof heading towards his face as he throws up another of his teal magical barriers.
>Right as your left hoof connects with his shield you drive your right up into his chin. The blow connects with solid thwack and throws his head back with a jerk.
>Not giving him any chance to recover, you immediately follow up by tackling the stallion, knocking him to the ground and following up with several blows to his face.
>Left.
>Right.
>Left.
>Right.
>As you go for another hit he pulls his head to the side and your hoof slams painfully into the concrete floor.
>Like lightning he uses the reprieve to lurch forward and stab at your chest with his horn.
>The sharp tip of his cranial appendage digs into your flesh and draws blood, forcing you to recoil in pain and surprise.
>Now given a window to follow up your foe roughly shoves you off and rolls to his hooves.
>You get up only to receive a hard hook to the left side of your face, followed by a even harder one to the right.
>"Can't keep up mudpony?" Cackles your arrogant assailant.
>The condescending tone of his voice puts a sneer on your face.
"I'm doing just fine."
>You spit the words at the stallion as you deliver a backhoof to his snout and jab to his larynx, forcing him to cough and sputter as he attempts to breathe.
>A hard elbow to the side of his head sends him stumbling into a crate.
"Give up."
>"No!" shouts the haggard unicorn as he fires a blast of magical energy into your chest, sending you to the floor.
>You struggle to get up the last blow having knocked the wind out you, and from the corner of your eye you can see your attacker approach.
>"It's been fun mudpony." States the stallion.
>"But I've got to get going before your friends get here."
>As he steps closer the low whine of your electro knife becomes audible, looking up you can see him brandishing it within the telekinetic grasp of his horn.
>The sound of the blade swishing through the air alerts you to his attack.
>In response you muster your strength and lunge at the unicorn, wrapping your forelegs around his head and neck.
>Before he could struggle against you you let yourself fall backwards and slam his skull against the floor.
>Quickly you retrieve the dropped knife and hold it to your opponent's neck.
"You're not going anywhere!"
>You hiss.
"Drop the spell you're using to jam the cybercomm."
>"Why should I?" Rebukes the defeated pony.
>You discharge a small burst of electricity from the knife into his neck drawing a grunt of pain from the criminal.
"That's why!"
>A second later his horn illuminates briefly, and a steady flow of information relating to the reestablished communications network overlays itself into your vision.
>Breathing a sigh of relief you send a location ping to your teammates.
"I've got the perp under wraps, need help bringing him out."
>Your message goes unanswered for a few seconds, before a confused sounding Togusa responds.
>"Nihongo de kurikaesu kudasai."