Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

Translated by:

Laughing Man Fansubs

Soft-sub SSA's by THC

This is a FREE Fansub

Not For Sale, Rent or eBay!

What do you think of the current situation?

For Micromachining Use

Their response was quicker than I had expected.

They aren't stupid, they know how serious the situation is.

We usually have a long wait at this stage, while the police are carrying out anti-terrorism operations...

REACTIVATION

Everyone, prepare for cyberbrain infiltration.

Make sure to set up firewalls to avoid detection.

Twenty-three minutes ago, an armed group seized control of the Chinese Embassy on this building's forty-sixth floor.

While the actual number of hostages is unknown at this time, it has been confirmed that there were

at least ten employees in the Embassy when it was attacked.

The precise number of terrorists is also unknown.

Although I hesitate to rely heavily on their statement to provide an accurate count,

they claimed responsibility for the action as the "Particular Eleven."

So, they've barricaded themselves within the Embassy?

That means that Section 9 is released from the indefinite standby order.

Yes, although we can't be certain until we receive an official order to sortie.

In any case, what do the "Particular Eleven" demand?

Immediate revocation of immigration privileges for Asian refugees

and a complete shutdown of the five residential refugee relief sectors scattered across the country.

Those demands can't be met that quickly, is this some kind of joke?

Well, the Chinese government provides a regular flight to Dejima

in order to avoid accepting the recent flood of Asian refugees.

I guess the Embassy was chosen because of that.

That would be my conclusion if we take the evidence at face value.

However, we cannot do so, as long as we do not know their true intentions.

Ishikawa, are you ready?

I tapped into the facility's network as soon as I got here.

What does the police's plan look like?

In addition to censoring the media, they seem to have initiated communication jamming.

Radio transmissions are being blocked.

I'm also detecting interference in inter-cyberbrain transmissions.

All the security cameras inside the building have been disabled.

The terrorists are conducting negotiations with the police over a voice-only feed.

All right. Once you've tapped that line, get back to the van.

Roger.

Saitou.

I have arrived at the target area.

The building's windows are visually screened; I am unable to confirm the situation inside.

I will prioritize the neutralization of the curtain.

All right. The rest of you, prepare for assault.

We'll wait for the order from the Chief.

If the Chief is unable to persuade the leadership to let us go,

we'll halt our surveillance, retreat from the building and go get smashed at a strip club!

The problem is the timing of this terrorism.

Along with the upcoming repeal of the Refugee Special Treatment Act,

we had intended to announce, at the repeal address, the indefinite suspension of refugee immigration

along with a step-wise reduction of the residential refugee relief sectors.

Since it is arguably the first major post- war change in policy towards refugees,

you wish to avoid, at any cost, having the populace believe that the government succumbed to terrorist demands.

Thus, you must subdue the terrorists before the media learns their demands.

It would seem that such considerations could be the reason for summoning me as well.

The rumors about your intelligence appear to be true.

Let us not waste time with idle praise.

This situation demands fast action.

Very well.

I will get straight to the point.

I believe I can request that funds for rebuilding Section 9 be included in the budget at the next Dietary Council.

However, there must be zero casualties among the current hostages.

This is an absolute requirement.

I will make your condition a reality as soon as you allow me to order the assault.

Calm down, Aramaki-kun.

We are currently in the process of contacting the relevant agencies

and having them sign documents approving the revision of the Special Forces Control Bill.

You are doing the behind-the-scenes work right now?

Do you truly believe there is time for that?

Even if the mission succeeds, if Section 9 acts without proper approval, it will be crucified by the media.

Not much time has passed since the fiasco which included Section 9's dissolution, either.

Unless our request to provisionally revise the bill finds enough support, you don't stand a chance.

Unfortunately, the Minister of the Interior is correct.

You must wait until the necessary documents have been prepared.

How is it?

Nothing yet.

Damn, I feel like we should become the terrorists here and go after this pansy Cabinet.

Terrorists: unauthorized armed organizations that mobilize without knowledge of the police.

Just look at the facts, we're already there.

The Kayabuki Cabinet, which replaced the so-called Yakushima regime,

is said to be a conservative regime that is a reaction against the post-war democratic track, isn't it?

If I recall, the step-wise dismantling of the current refugee policy

was a promise the Prime Minister made in his inaugural address.

A policy similar to what the terrorists are currently demanding would've been implemented even if they didn't act.

While refugees were useful as a source of cheap labor in the post-war reconstruction era,

now the domestic unemployment rate continues to increase every year, while tax rates continue to escalate.

Consider also the wanton use of taxpayer money to fund the current policy towards

refugees, who continue to stream into the nation,

and it's not too difficult to see why restless elements have appeared.

When all is said and done, it is the taxpayer who has been saddled with the cost of accepting and aiding refugees,

which was a ploy by the government to maintain a good image in the international community.

Actually, some of the refugees are taxpayers.

Still, I suppose this means the point of view wherein we suffer heavy taxation in order to support these people,

who could very well take our employment opportunities, has come to prevail amongst the general populace.

Even so, it's pretty nearsighted of them to turn directly to terrorism.

For that matter, it's also nearsighted that after being forcibly disbanded,

we get called out the minute there's a case that the police can't handle.

The Chief must be having an audience with the new regime's power brokers by now. He's probably seething.

To think that the Minister of the Interior got away without any reprimand...

I can't stand it.

At present, the Ministry of the Interior itself only serves as a cushion for domestic government agencies.

That the Minister hasn't been replaced is basically proof that no one sees him as a threat, I'm sure.

Until now, that fact has been a shield for Section 9.

By the way, have you heard that we'll get a few new recruits, in the event that we succeed in this mission?

New recruits?

Major, while it may not be my place to say this, I find it hard to believe that there are many who could keep up with us.

Well, it's only going to be an issue if we can accomplish this mission as planned.

Major, I have neutralized the visual curtains,

but they are using blinds as an additional obstruction.

Seems like they know what they're doing.

Ishikawa.

Set up a bypass in the phone line you've tapped.

We'll use the eyes of those inside to see what's going on.

Roger that, leave it to me.

All right, we've got him.

What's wrong?

Hm, that was strange.

It wasn't from the police.

I see.

What's that?

Heh, sending in scouts...

Seems like they want to speed up the deadline.

We've lost contact.

There are nine other terrorists.

Who is the leader?

This guy... he's all flesh aside from his cyberbrain.

Prime Minister!

What is it?

We are in a meeting.