Story 1 (couldn't think of a clever title)

"Are you serious about this?"
>You ask incredulously as you and your partner drive down the highway.
>"I wish I wasn't, unfortunately it's true. The UN mandated that we have an obligation to let them in and help them acclimate to our society." He says while unwrapping a nutrient bar.
"So despite the already critical refugee issue we're being forced to admit immigrants simply for the sake of the UN's reputation?"
>"That's the gist of it."
"Good grief."
>"It gets better. We're also forced to accept a number of them as recruits into all aspects of law enforcement."
"You don't mean..."
>"That's why the Major called us in." Your partner says as he nonchalantly takes a bite from his pale grey nutrient bar.
"I wonder how the Major feels about it."
>"I'd be less concerned about her opinions and more concerned about the effect this'll have on our team. It took us a while to learn to function as we do. Throwing someone from a technologically impaired world into ours isn't going to go smoothly."
>You just sigh heavily and shake your head.
>"Cheer up, at least you won't be new guy anymore."
You smile half-heartedly.
"At least there's one bonus."


>You are Gleaming Blade. And you have been assigned to a special paramilitary police force on earth.
>You were more than happy to accept your placement, though earth was certainly different than Equestria.
>The buildings were massive, bright lights and signs were everywhere and the level of technology was beyond your comprehension.
>Not to mention that humans had more than one language.
>While "English" sounded more or less like Equestrian you had been assigned to a country that spoke an entirely different language, but a spell cast on you before your departure made the language barrier non-existent.
>So here you sit, a large office with lavish decorations and a large device called a "Television" on the far wall.
>As you sit and look around you hear a door open a close, and you quickly turn your attention towards the sound.
>A man and woman, (the man significantly shorter.) enter the room and approach you.
>"Mr. Gleaming Blade, my name is Daisuke Aramaki, I'm chief of operations here at Public Security Section 9, and this is our field commander. Major Motoko Kusanagi.
>The woman smiles and gives a short bow.
>"It's a pleasure to meet you."
You quickly return the bow.
"Likewise ma'am."
>The man motions for you to take a seat as he pulls out his own chair from behind his desk.
>"Now we have a brief number of questions we'd like to ask you before we introduce you to the rest of our staff. Just to help us better understand your skills."
"Of course."
>"Excellent. Now, since your arrival have you undergone any cyberization including cyberbrain installation?"
>You give him an confused look.
"No... Though I'm not certain what that means."
>"Very well, what was your prior occupation? I assume it was in law enforcement for you to have be assigned to us."
You nod eagerly.
"Yes I was a part of the Manehatten guard corp, so I'm familiar with the city type layout."
>Aramaki grunts in acknowledgement.
>You look towards Aramaki expecting the next question however The woman speaks instead catching you off guard.
>"Gleaming Blade, my team must be able to reliably respond in any circumstance. Including those that are life threatening or under threat of civilian casualty. Are you prepared to handle such situations?"
>The firm expression across her face unsettles you, and you nearly forget the question entirely.
"I... Uh. I can."
>"Very well." She says with a hint of exasperation.
>"But should you be unable to, we will not compromise our mission to ensure your safety. And we expect you won't either."
>You swallow hard.
"Yes ma'am!"
>Both Aramaki and the Major nod to each other before Aramaki turns to you.
>"In that case allow me to welcome you to Section 9, Miss Kusanagi will introduce you to the rest of the team. As much as I would like to do it myself I have administrative duties to tend to. You are excused."
>You nod and get up from your seat. Your hooves tapping against the floor as you head for the exit, Kusanagi right behind you.
>Once you were in the hallway the Major sighed.
>"It should go without saying, but the team isn't exactly used to idea of ponies just yet, so they may not be entirely onboard with the idea of you joining us."
>You nod.
"I understand. It's quite the shock being put here myself."
>"You'll also want to look into getting a cyberbrain at the very least. Even our least augmented member has a cyberbrain. It'll make communication with the team easier. Though if you are opposed to it I suppose we can't force you to."
"I can't make a decision as I don't know what it means. Could you give me the short version?"
>The major sighs lightly.
>"At its most basic a cyberbrain is a sort of protective enclosure that covers your brain and allows you to directly interface with the internet without a computer as well as giving you a degree of on person data storage, wireless communication, and other benefits."
>Taking in what you've just been told you cast you glance at the floor in thought.
"I take it that those little tabs on the back of peoples necks are then?"
Kusanagi nods and reaches behind her neck and pulls a small black cable into view.
>"For person to person networking and data transfer."
>She gives the cable a quick tug and it zips bag out of view with a click.
"Well then I'll look into it in the next few days I guess."
>"Let us know when you do, we can cover the expenses as part of your coverage. But for know if suggest focusing in meeting everyone else."
>The Major opens a door to your left and motions for you to enter.
>"They're all waiting for you."

>You are Bato.
>And you're having a hard time believing what you're seeing.
>A pony, about 4 1/5 feet tall with eyes that look like something off a manga cover just standing next to the Major.
>You cycle your optics on and off.
>No dice.
>You knew about ponies, hell you've seen them on the news, but seeing one in real life is a different experience entirely.
>Somewhere between uncanny valley, and heartwarming.
>You prod your partner, Togusa, in the ribs with your elbow.
"Gonna take some getting used to, huh?"
>"I'll say."
>You look around the room at the rest of the crew.
>You take snapshot of Saito's face. >That's priceless.
>The pony steps towards you all and gives a slight bow.
>"H-hello, uh my name is Gleaming >Blade. It's a pleasure to meet you all."
"Hey how about that, it speaks Japanese!"
>This time Togusa elbows you.
>"You wanna say that loud enough for everyone to hear you?"
A few seconds of awkward silence hang before the Major saves the day.
>"As he said, his name is Gleaming Blade, and he's going to be a part of Section 9 from here on out. Introduce yourselves. He's just as much a part of the team as you or me. Got it?"
>A resulting "yes ma'am" echoes throughout the room.
>One by one everybody exchanges pleasantries and a few cans of beer are opened. Everyone settles into the usual routine of waiting for a call.
>Eventually you find yourself sitting rather awkwardly with the new guy or rather the new stallion as you sip your beer.
>"So... What is it that Section 9 actually does?" He asks earnestly.
>You give a look of disbelief.
"You saying they didn't explain anything to you?!"
>"Not really, I was just told where I'd be headed and where I'd be working. Other than telling me you were paramilitary I wasn't given much information."
>You press your face into your hand and groan.
"We deal with the threats to national security that are too high profile for the regular public to know about and too dangerous for the police, but not exceptional enough to require military or special forces intervention."
>You swig back half of your beer.
"The simplest way I can describe us is as mobile armoured riot police. If that makes any sense."
>Gleaming nods.
>"Yeah I think I get it. And from I've been told everyone except Togusa has some sort of mechanical alteration to their body. Right?"
"Correct."
>"I take it that's why your eyes look like that then."
>Your brow furrows as you glare at the small equine beside you.
"Right again."
>You finish your beer and lean back in your seat before turning back to Gleaming Blade.
>"Just out of curiosity, where'd you learn Japanese. The rift bring you guys to earth only opened about half a year ago or so. I didn't think it'd be that easy to pick up."
>The pony chuckles.
>"Actually I cant speak a word of it. As much as I know you probably won't accept my explanation the only way I can put it is 'magic'.
"Give me enough alcohol and I will."
>The two of you share a laugh before the Major calls out for you.
>"Bato!"
"Yeah, what?"
>"The chief wants everyone in his office. Something's going down at the docks by the Kurosawa building."
"Right!"
>You motion to the bewildered diminuative horse as you stand up.
"Today's your lucky day rookie."
>Gleaming Blade looks at you with an eyebrow raised.
"You're getting a crash course in criminal asskicking."

>You are once again Gleaming Blade.
>As everyone piles into Aramaki's office you opt to stand at the back of the room rather than take up a seat.
The room falls silent as Aramaki enters.
"Tell us Chief, what poor S.O.B. has us on his tail today?" Bato asks.
Wasting no time the Chief turns on the TV screen behind you.
"Ten minutes ago a group of five individuals took over a loading freighter and are holding the crew and cargo hostage and demanding 1.5 billion yen to be handed over in cash. The cargo is a large shipment of Prothetics and components set for military usage. Needless to say, allowing this to be lost is against national interest."
the screen flashes with images of the freighter's deck as men in dark clothes and masks scurry about unleashing gunfire upon the crew cabin and port holes.
">You will secure the crew and cargo. Under no circumstance can that cargo be destroyed, or else Section 9 will be on the hook for compensation. Major, from here on you're in charge."
>The Chief waves dismissively.
>As the team gets up from their seats Bato pats you on the back.
>"Looks like you've got it easy on your first day. You just have to sit back and watch, we'll show you how we work."
>You give a weak smile and follow the group out of the office.

>In the hall the Major starts issuing orders.
>"Ishikawa, Borma. You're on communications. I want to know what they're up to and if the try to contact anyone."
>"Roger that"
>"Pazu, Saito. Get on location and set up while the rest of us collect our gear. Don't let any of them leave the ship."
>"Got it."
>"Bato and Togusa get the van ready and load the equipment. I'll take the rookie down to the Tachikoma and get him acquainted and meet you there."
>"On it."
>Everyone heads to their assigned duties, leaving you alone once again with Major Kusanagi.
>"Normally we wouldn't need a Tachikoma with us for a hostage situation like this, but we have no way to keep you safe as it is and it's better to get them used to you sooner rather than later." She says as the two of you head down the corridor to the elevator.
"Get them... Used to me?"
>You ask with a puzzled expression.
>The Major adjusts her gloves before calling the elevator.
>"Yes. They can be a bit excitable, especially around new people."
>The elevator dings as its doors part allowing the two of you to step inside.
"So they're a sort of police dog then?"
>Major Kusanagi chuckles.
>"Not quite. Though I think it'd be hard to explain in a way you'd understand so I'll leave it to them."
>You feel your organs lurch as the elevator begins its descent. The slight whirring of the motor and cable barely audible as you ride down in silence.
>With another ding the elevator doors part again as you exit.
>The Major leads you down a short hallway with a single pair of double doors at the opposite end.
>"This is where the Tachikoma are kept, though they have free reign most of the time."
>Pushing past the double doors you find yourself if a large circular room with a large rectangular column in the center and alcoves set into the walls, each with a squat blue metallic spider like object inside.
>As you look around a number of the "spiders" spring into motion.
>"Major! Everyone, the Major is here!"
>With that all of the "spiders", which you assume are the Tachikoma scuttle out of their alcoves and surround the two of you. Their childlike voices ringing out as they barrage you and Kusanagi with questions.
>"We're sorry our synch session was at the same time as the welcoming of the new team member!"
>"Why do you have a small horse with you?"
>"Do you need us for a mission?"
>Major Kusanagi silences them and directs their attention to you.
>"This is Gleaming Blade, he's the new member."
>"Oh wow!"
>"Our new member is a pony?!"
>"At last, someone else who knows the struggles of being four-legged in a two-legged world!"
>"Do you have a ghost like the Major?"
"Well I'm not..."
>Before you finish the Major cuts you off.
>"We need one of you in order to keep him safe, he has no real training in a situation like this."
>With that the Tachikoma all begin jumping and shouting exuberantly"
>"Me me!"
>"Pick me!"
>"Over here!"
>"Please pick me!"
>You back away ever so slightly from the writhing mass of machinery before you and give the Major a worried look.
"Before I start picking... Just what are you?"
>The inarticulate sounds of excitement ceased almost instantly as the crowd of quadrupedal mechanoids shifted their optical sensors left and right.
>"You mean Major didn't tell you?"
>"We're Tachikoma!"
>"Second generation personal multi-ped tanks"
>"Equipped with state of the art Artificial Intelligence!"
>Two of the Tachikoma slide out from the middle of the crowd, stopping just a few inches from you before jitteriness their claws back and forth.
>"Tah-Daaaah!"
"Impressive... I think."
>You look towards the Major.
"Any reccomendations?"
>"Not really, funtionally they're all identical. Though if you use number 13 Bato might not be too happy with you."
"Hmm."
>Giving only the slightest bit of thought you point your towards the Tachikoma closest to you.
"I guess I'll take you then."
>The Tachikoma you selected claps its claws together excitedly.
>"Hurray! I'll do my best!"
>The rest of the Tachikoma sigh loudly and head back to their alcoves muttering to themselves.
>"Aww."
>"Lucky for Tachikoma..."
>"Maybe next time."
>The Major rolls her eyes as she motions for you to follow her to the central column.
>"We're going to take the cargo elevator down to the main floor and get our equipment before we head out. After we're geared up we'll take the van with Bato and Togusa to the docks."
"The Tachikoma will fit in the van?"
>The tachikoma chuckles.
>"Of course not, I'll follow behind the van until we get there!"
"Uh, wouldn't that be a tad conspicuous?"
>"Normally." Says the Major.
>"But I can hide easily!"
>with a flash the Tachikoma disappears from view.
>"Now you see me!" says the disembodied voice of the Tachikoma "Now you don't!"
>With another flash the Tachikoma reappears witha little wave of its claw.
>"Pretty cool huh?"
>You look the tachikoma over as the Major taps a few buttons on the column.
"Was that some sort of invisibility spell?"
>"A spell? like a wizard?"
>"You've got to let go of the concept of magic while you're on earth." says the Major.
>"Its a optical dispersion field, it takes the light around the Tachikoma and warps it to appear as if there's nothing there. We use smaller versions on a personal scale when we need to infiltrate a building."
>The cargo elevator opens and the Tachikoma steps in with the Major.
>"Lets not keep them waiting. We want to get this dealt with as soon as we can."
>You oblige and step into the elevator.

>You are now Togusa.
>You're also loading the Section 9 Party Van.
>Rifles, flack vests, ammunition, monitoring equipment.
>All the stuff you'll need to take down the five people holed up on the freighter.
>Despite the fact that the mission should be a the front of your mind, you're more focused on the new team member.
>He seems like a decent guy... But the fact that he's extra dimensional pony leaves you a bit weirded out.
>It doesn't help that from all youve seen and heard on the news, that where he's from violence is nearly non-existant.
>How's he gonna hold up when the bullets start flying?
>You try to push the thought from your head and finish loading the van.
"Hey, Batou! Did you already get the Howas on board?"
>Batou sticks his head out the back doors of the vehicle.
>"Yeah, you get all the magazines loaded?"
"Yeah. They're on the table with the wiretaps."
>"I'll grab em in a minute. So what d'ya think of Gleaming Blade?"
"I'm not sure what to think really... We haven't seen him do anything yet."
>Batou smirks.
>"True. But you did share a few words with him. how'd he seem to you?"
>You frown.
"He seems all right, but I'm a bit concerned about his lack of experience outside of day to day policing."
>Batou sighs and ducks back inside the van.
>"I can't say I blame you. But there's not much we can do other than hope he can deal with it and learn. He's been appointed by his land's rulers and the UN we don't have much we can do about it."
>With a sigh you pick up a number of flak vest and climb into the van.
"Well the Major took him to get a Tachikoma to use for the mission, so at least he'll survive even if he can't handle the situation."
>Batou squeezes past you and out of the van to grab the magazines.
>"Yeah that'd be a nightmare for us."
>As you hang the flak vests the sound of the cargo elevator arriving and the Major's voice make themselves heard.
>"Have you two finished loading up yet?"
"Almost!"
you call out.
>"Well hurry it up, Ishikawa just confirmed that Saito and Pazu are already setting up on site."
"Yes ma'am"!
>You say as you scramble to get the computer equipment on board.

>You are Gleaming Blade.
>The first pony liason to Public Security Section 9.
>And you are rather uncomfortably seated inside a Tachikoma.
>Thats understandable, they were built to accomodate a human, not a pony.
>But the sooner you can one retrofitted the better.
>As you lament your lack of comfort a small viewscreen activates a few inches from your snout. The Major's face in the center surounded by a few white rings.
>"You okay in there?"
"Nothing I can't deal with
>"Sorry about the seating. But we're almost on location. You can get out and stretch your legs then."
"Yeah. Once we're on site, what do you want me to do?"
>Batou's face apeasrs opposite the Major's
>"Stay with the Tachikoma and do as you're instructed. it's a high risk situation out there so we can't afford any slip ups."
>"Batou's right. You'll have to stay near the Tachikoma if you want to keep in contact with us on account of you being unable to access the cybercomm."
>You nod in acknowledgement.
"Stay with the Tachikoma, do as you say. Sounds simple enough."
>The Major'simage once again centres itself on the screen.
>"Just a heads up. As much as we'd like to take these guys in without casualties that might not be possible. From what we've been told deadly force isn't exactly common in Equestria. So be prepared for it."
>You nod weakly
"Of course, If its too much I'll try to look elsewhere."
>The Major's brow furrows before her image disappears from view.
"Hey, uh Tachikoma?"
>"Yes Mr. Gleaming Blade?"
"How much further until we get there?"
>"Right now!"
>With a lurch you feel the Tachikoma come to a stop.
>The Tachikoma's housing opens up and you scramble out and quickly stretch as the Section 9 van rolls up next to you.
>With a slam the back doors of the van fly open as Batou the Major and Togusa jump out.
>"Show time!"

>The four of you, or rather five counting the Tachikoma huddle near the van as Major Kusanagi types away at the keyboard of the monitoring system.
>"Ishikawa will patch their radio frequency and the video feeds from the ship's security system through in a moment. From what he and Borma found out only one of them has a cyberbrain and he's running in autistic mode, likely to prevent interference from the likes of us."
>Batō frowns more heavily than normal.
>"Only one of them has a cyberbrain? Are they one of those anti-cyberization groups?"
>"Not likely. If they were they would've just destroyed the cargo and been done with it."
>Tentatively you try to break into the conversation.
"Anti-cyberization? What do you mean?"
>Togusa answers your question.
>"Some people are opposed to replacing parts of your body with cybernetics. And amongst those are groups who take it too far and try to kill people over it."
>Your ears flatten against your head as you grimace.
"Oh."
>As you mull over the concept of killing over a difference of opinion the small screen of the monitoring gear flashes to a composite view of multiple screens.
>"We're online." The Major says without looking up.
>The many images show the myriad of halls, rooms and storage areas within the hulking freighter.
The Major zooms in on one of the images revealing two of the culprits holding the ship's crew at gunpoint.
>"That's two of the bastards, and the crew." Says Batō.
>"But what about the other three?
>Panning back out the Major scours the grid of video feeds to find the rest of the hostage takers.
>I'm not seeing them on any of the cameras."
>"Then where the hell are they?" Batō asks.
>As if on cue Saito's voice sounds from the speakers within the Tachikoma.
>"Major, we're seeing three targets on the deck. They just came up through the deck hatch."
>With a smirk the Major looks towards the Tachikoma.
>"Does that answer your question? Saito, just keep an eye on them. Let us know if they go below deck again."
>"Copy that Major. Pazu and I will check in again in 5 minutes."
>"Understood."
>Major Kusanagi returns the monitor's screen to the feed of the hostages.
>"Now that we know where they are, we can plan out our attack."
>"Finally." Says Batō.
>"Standing around gets old after a while."
>The Major closes the monitor and looks towards the docked freight ship.
>"Batō, make your way down the dock and get in through the starboard porthole at the back. According to Ishikawa it's the captains quarters, and there's no one in there."
>"Ooh. Straight to the luxury suite."
>"I'll make my way to the deck, Togusa I'll need you to remove the gangplank and then go with Batō."
>"Got it!"
>The Major turns towards you.
>"Gleaming Blade, I'll need you to get back in the Tachikoma and on the deck with me. From there you can head below deck to the cargo bay. Don't let any of them damage the cargo if they manage to get away from the rest of us."
"R-right."
>"We'll wait for Saito and Pazu's check in, then we move in."

http://youtu.be/DPEo_BB2Kok

Once again you're inside the misshapen confines of the Tachikoma.
Creeping towards the freighter floating at the dock with Major Kusanagi 50 yards ahead of you.
You continue your slow approach until she turns and puts her hand up, signalling you to stop.
The Tachikoma goes completely still, save for it's optical sensors which dart back and forth.
The small screen in front of your face blinks on, the Major's face in the center.
>"We'll hold up here until Saito confirms status on the deck."
"Right, then we'll head up the gangplank."
>"I'll take the gangplank, you'll scale the bow with the Tachikoma. You'll make less noise that way."
"Wait, the Tachikoma can walk up a vertical wall?"
>"Of course!" Interjects the Tachikoma.
>"We look like spiders for a reason!"
"I see..."
>"Remember, once you're on deck you have to get into the cargo hold quickly incase they spot us and try to eliminate the prosthetics.
"Right!"
>With that the Major's face shifts to the left of the screen and a white ring with the words "Saito Sound only" appear opposite.
>"Major, they've cleared the deck. About 10 seconds ago they all headed back into the ship through the bridge and down the stairs."
>"Understood Saito, keep us informed if they come back up."
>"Yes Major."
>Saito's icon disappears from view and Major Kusanagi's returns to the middle of the screen.
>"Batō, Togusa, get into position! Gleaming, get on deck!"
>A unanimous "Yes Ma'am is heard as everyone rushes towards the ship.
The Tachikoma zips towards the boat before taking a flying leap and ad hearing to the bow with a light thud.
"Less noise my flank..."
Ignoring the shift in your weight as the eager think tank scurries up the exterior of the boat you quickly look out at the Major through the Tachikoma's optical relays.
>As soon as you catch a glimpse of her she disappears with a dim flash as her optical camouflage activates.
"Tachikoma!"
>"Yes Mr. Gleaming Blade?"
"Going invisible right now might be a good idea."
>"Right away!"
Through the optical relay screens you see the dim flash as the Tachikoma also masks itself as you comb over the lip the bow and onto the ship's deck.
>A loud creak lets you know that the gangplank has been removed, and a light knocking on the Tachikoma's enclosure tells you the Major is beside you.
"All right, Tachikoma get over to the cargo hold hatch."
>"Yes sir Mr. Gleaming Blade!"
>The Tachikoma hastily skates towards the cargo hatch and pries it open.
>With a quick look down and a jump the exuberant metal spider lands gently on the floor of the cargo hold.
"It's dark. Mind turning on a light or two?"
>"Okay!"
The Tachikoma drops its camouflage and turns on a solitary headlamp, illuminating the area in front of it.
>In the glow of the Tachikoma's light you can see stacks of hundreds of hermetically sealed crates labeled in both English and Japanese.
>デンノー／電脳
>ｃｙｂｅｒｂｒａｉｎ
>あし／足
>LEG
>にくたい／肉体
>BODY
>うで／腕
>ARM
>"Wow! All these cyber parts! They must be worth a whole lot!"
>The Tachikoma turns around and looks around the hold
>More crates and containers full of prosthetics
>Arms, Legs, entire prostetic bodies.
>All in sealed metal bins.
"All right, we just have to stay here and hope no one tries to damage these crates! sounds simple enough."
>The Tachikoma's housing opens and you stumble out, stretch your legs and feel your hooves against the hard steel floor.
"Much better."
>As the feeling returns to your extremities the sound of heavy footsteps echo out from deeper within the ship followed by gunshots and yelling.
>"HEY GET THOSE BASTARDS!"
>More gunshots muffled by distance are heard before Batō's voice rings out from the Tachikoma.
>"We've run into a bit of trouble, watch out!"
>"Be careful Mr. Batō!" the Tachikoma says with a worried tone in it's voice.
>"Focus on protecting that cargo. Now that they know we're here that's their trump card!"
>More gunfire, and closer this time.
"Tachikoma! Watch the door!"
>Your order comes too late as the door flies open and a livid young man in dark clothes brandishing a handgun barges in.
>"Fuck! They're already in here!" He yells at the sight of the Tachikoma before firing several shots towards the think tank.
>The majority of his shots go wide, harmlessly pinging off the reinforced metal of the prosthetics storage crates.
>The bullets that do hit the Tachikoma glance off the sleek metal exterior.
>In return the Tachikoma unloads a six shot burst into the criminals midsection from the machine gun in its claws, the rounds penetrating the cheap body armour and sending the assailant to the floor as his vital fluids pour out through the holes in his body.
>You're given no time to contemplate the extreme violence you just witnessed as the Tachikoma urges you to hop inside.
>You oblige and scramble into the safe confines of the spider tank's body, the lack of comfort no longer an issue at the moment.
Inside the Tachikoma the voices of Togusa, Batō and the Major clamour as they exchange information.
>"The Hostages managed to get out unharmed, both guards are dead." Comes the voice of Togusa.
>"I've got one pinned down in the galley!" Says Batō.
>"Gleaming, what's your status?" Inquires the Major."
>Shakily you respond.
"One target... Eliminated in the h-hold."
>"Copy that." She replies.
>"The last two just headed for the main deck." Togusa declares.
>"Gleaming Blade, Tachikoma, you can get on deck the fastest. Get up there and stop them.
"Yes ma'am!"
>Deftly the Tachikoma scales the inner walls of the cargo hold and scurries back out through the cargo hatch in the ceiling.
>On deck you survey the area just in time to see to figures bolt out from the cabin.
"Stop right there!"
You shout at the felons as the Tachikoma steps towards them with its claws open, ready to fire.
>Both of the criminals raise their firearms, AK variants with sleek polymer furniture.
>"I'd get your multi-ped to stand down asshole! If you kill me all those prosthetics and anyone still on this boat are gonna blow sky high!" The criminal on the left says with a cocky smile.
"What?"
>"You heard me. There's a bomb in the cargo hold tethered to my cyberbrain. Shoot me and it'll rain cyberbrains for a fuckin' week!"
>As the Tachikoma lowers its claws the cabin doors fly open again as Batō, Togusa, and the Major storm out with their weapons drawn.
>"Put your weapons down and keep your hands where we can see them!" Barks the Major.
>The two fugitives laugh.
>"No can do sugar tits, like I said to your friend there's a bomb in the hold and if my cyberbrain goes offline Ka-Boom!"
>He waves his assault rifle outwards to emphasize his point. As he does a faint whizzing sound is heard as the criminal's hand is violent torn off.
>Bone, flesh, metal and blood splashed to the four winds as the Rifle clatters to the ground.
>In the moment of shock and awe Batō swiftly disarms the second perpetrator and wrenches the rifle from his grasp.
>"Nice work on Saito's end, huh Major?" Batō says with a grin.
>With their weapons gone both of the felons surrender, prompting Togusa to go search for and disable the bomb.
>You figure that now is as good a time as any to exit the Tachikoma.
>Climbing out and onto the deck's surface you can feel the worn and corroded metal plating beneath your hooves.
>As you walk about to alleviate the minor cramping in your fetlocks the two apprehended goons take notice of you.
>"Holy shit, it's one of those fuckin' horses."
>"Now I've seen everything, only just got approved for immigration and they're already in the police."
>"Hey buddy, why the long face?"
>The two of them laugh raucously until Batō silences them with a kick to the stomach.
>"The Chief says a detachment is on its way to pick these two up and secure the cargo." Says the the Major.
>"Batō, go help Togusa find the bomb I doubt he can move those crates by himself.
>"Sure thing."
>Batō makes his way to the cargo hatch and jumps down leaving you with the Tachikoma, Major, and the two criminals.

>The wait is spent in an uncomfortable silence.
>Partly because no one has anything to say.
>Partly because your mind was now free to wander back to the man the Tachikoma ventilated.
>There was something surreal about it. >As if it was impossible for something like that to be real.
>The sound of flesh being torn, the smell of gunpowder, the sight of blood spilling forth like it did.
>Never in you life had the idea of killing somepony, even in self defence crossed your mind.
>But now it was the only thing your mind could think about.
>you hadn't even been the one who shot him. The Tachikoma did.
>But even so, the idea of ending a life weighs on your mind.
>You glance at the two men kneeling just a few feet from you.
>The missing hand of one of the pair was only made your mind further concentrate on the violence which seemed so unbelievable to you.
>It had all been in self defence though that thought did little to reassure you.
>Before you can contemplate things any further you're snapped out of your melancholy by the Tachikoma excitedly jumping up and down.
>"Major Major! The Detachtment Mr. Aramaki sent is here!"
>You trot to the edge of the ship to take a look, and sure enough a line of police and Special Assault Team vehicles with their sirens blaring are pulling up along the docks.
>Breathing a sigh of relief you turn around to face the men you'd be handing over to the police.
>But as you look the two sleazebags over something makes itself very apparent.
>The man with the missing hand is smiling.
>Before you can even manage to ask what he's got to smile about part of his left thigh slides open and ejects a compact handgun which he promptly grabs with his remaining hand and brings it to bear, leveled at Major Kusanagi's back.
>"Sorry bitch, I'll see you in hell so I can fuck your corpse!"
>As the Major started to turn around the cretin squeezed the trigger.
>BANG
>One bullet tears through the air and into the Major's side.
>BANG
>A second into her shoulder.
>Just as he prepares to squeeze it again you do the unthinkable.
>You dive.
>Right into the Major knocking her to the ground with a thump
>BANG
>a third bulet zipped towards you and hit with squelch.
>Right between your ears.
>CRACK
>The last thing you saw was the criminal's head fragment into red mist and metal chunks.
>There was no time.
>Only darkness.

>Soft beeping.
>Soft, steady, rhythmic beeping.
>That's all you can hear.
>You can't feel your fore or hind legs. Nor can you bring your eyes to open.
>Soon the beeping fades out and you slip from consciousness.
>Again, you can hear the beeping.
>Just as it was before. But you can hear other sounds too.
>At first they're incomprehensible.
>Nothing but garbled noises.
>But as you try to listen the noises become clearer.
>Voices, people speaking, words.
>You recognize one of the voices.
>Aramaki.
>The other voice is unknown to you.
>As the voices babble on you turn your attention to your legs.
>At first you can barely feel them, but as you focus you begin to feel them more clearly.
>You lay in the darkness, simply feeling your body. Taking inventory more or less.
>As the voice of Aramaki continues to converse with the unknown voice about one thing or another.
>You will your eyes to open.
>At first, nothing happens.
>You continue to see the empty darkness.
>But you try again, and can feel your heavy eyelids slowly retreating.
>Only for a blinding light to assault your vision.
>"He's waking up!" Says the voice you don't recognize.
>The light fades from your eyes allowing you to see clearly.
>Aramaki and a a woman in a nurses uniform stand at the foot of the bed you lay on.
>"Ah, you're awake finally. How are you feeling?" Asks Aramaki.
"G-good... Where, Where am I?"
>"Newport city General Hospital. You were brought here after being shot."
>Your mind flashes back to that moment and you grimace.
"I see. How long was I out for?"
>"Four days."
"Hmm... Is Major Kusanagi okay?"
>"She's in excellent condition."
>You give a weak smile.
"Good."
>"Now there's a more pressing matter I need to discuss with you." Says Aramaki.
>"The level of damage to your brain was more than simply removing the bullet fragments and bandaging you up."
>Aramaki's expression goes from neutral to a slight frown.
>"In order to save your life an intrusive cyberbrain needed to be installed to take over for the damaged tissue."
>Your eyes widen as Aramaki continues.
>"As you were unconscious and contacting next of kin was improbable within the timeframe we had to save you, Section 9 signed off on the consent form for cyberbrain implantation surgery."
>Aramaki bows his head slightly in your direction.
>"If you were opposed to the concept of cyberization then I'm sorry, but it was the only option."
>You furrow your brow as you think about what you've been told.
>You hadn't really had the chance to think about whether or not you wanted a cyberbrain, or any form of cyberization for that matter, but as it stood whether you did or didn't. It was out of your control now.
"Well, I guess I'm just like the rest of the team now."
You say with a smile.
>Aramaki nods.
>"Very well. As it stands your cyberbrain is locked to running in Autistic mode so you don't get overwhelmed while you recover. Once you're released from the hospital you'll be trained to use it."
"I'll look forward to it."
>Aramaki smiles and nods.
>"I'll let you rest then."
>With that the Chief straightens his jacket and leaves with the nurse.
>You sit in silence following their departure.
>Nothing but the steady beeping of the heart monitor to keep you company.
>You lay back on the bed with a sigh.
"At least I'll have a hell of a story to tell when I see my friends back home."
>You chuckle at the idea of telling your buddies in the Royal Guard about all that's happened.
>Your moment of mirth is cut short by a knocking at your hospital room door.
"Come in."
>The door swings open slowly as the Major steps in.
>"The Chief told me you were awake. How're you feeling?"
"Fine I guess. What about you? Is it safe for you to be up and about?"
>The Major laughs.
>"Im fine, none of his shots hit anything too important so I can make do with this body until my replacement is ready."
>You open your mouth to question what she meant, but she was 2 steps ahead of you.
>Shrugging off her jacket the Major exposes the bullet holes in her left shoulder and side.
>"I've been full prosthetic since I was young. Besides two handfuls of grey matter I don't have anything organic left."
>You avert your gaze and focus on your forehooves.
"I'm... I had no idea things could be that extensive."
>"Don't worry about it. Besides, if you hadn't have pushed me out of the way my brain would probably be mixed with the sea foam. So I'd like to thank you for that."
>You look back at the Major and smile.
"No problem."