Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Sustainable War

AD 2042, THE GREAT 4 INITIATED "WAR AS AN INDUSTRY."

THE WORLD DUBBED IT "SUSTAINABLE WAR."

AD 2044 THE GLOBAL SIMULTANEOUS DEFAULT

THIS TRIGGERED A RAPID ESCALATION

AND CAUSED TURMOIL.

EVEN ADVANCED NATIONS SUFFERED FROM CIVIL WARS.

AD 2045

Ah, it's wonderful not to have any noise.

Too bad it can't stay this way forever.

ONE TACTICAL FORCE KNOWN AS "GHOST"

THRIVED IN THIS WAR-TORN WORLD.

Hmm.

Ishikawa. Is your squad leader that little honey in the turtle neck over there?

The names Standard, but they call me Stan. Nice to meet you, boss lady!

So, Major, what's the plan?

We're gonna have our mission briefing around the barbeque.

Looks like we're gonna have to take a rain check

on that cookout in Palm Springs.

All personnel stand by for brain dive.

Caught red-handed. You had a beer without us, Major.

Won't we get hacked if we're wireless? Just talk normally they're so far away.

We might get hacked if you were in charge. Luckily, I know what I'm doing.

Our mission today,

your run-of-the-mill clean up operation at the Sustainer hideout.

They're apparently planning a large-scale raid on Gated Town.

So, you're saying the kid gloves are off for this one then.

Not quite, our orders are to capture as many of them alive as possible.

-Seriously? -Yeah, buzz kill.

Hey, you can take it up with management.

My assumption is the police when we bring them in for questioning

Take that!

How much you wanna bet these guys are here to get in on the raid?

Sustainable war victims who decided to turn around and victimize everyone else.

That's what I'm talking about!

The way I see it, the more party people out here sustain-eering, the merrier.

What an eyesore.

CHINESE FAST FOOD

This is Togusa. I'm at the specified location.

Nice timing.

Okay, the target's currently in the middle of a virtual currency server attack.

Are you sure you're okay by yourself?

Wouldn't it be safer to send in police reinforcement to nab them?

Relax, this isn't my first rodeo.

Oh, right. I forget you used to be a detective back in the day.

Even Japan's dangerous now.

Luckily, I got you to watch my back, girl.

We all got a pack heat now, even us rent-a-cops.

Right, Major?

You're going to arrest me!

-Don't move! -

Aw! Seriously!

Stay away from me!

All right. Let's go back up everybody.

The Chief?

Hello?

Yeah, it's been a while, Togusa. How are you?

Good. Sorry I fell out of touch. How've you been, Chief? Doing well?

Yes, fortunately, I've been able

to keep working at the Interior Ministry even after Section 9 was disbanded.

I heard, year before last, you became Public Security Bureau adviser.

Mm-hm.

Togusa, I have a special favor to ask of you.

Yeah, tell me something eh, do you still hold a grudge

against the Major and the others for leaving you behind?

It's water under the bridge.

But honestly,

not a day went by when I didn't at least wonder what my life could have been.

You know.

I see.

A few days ago,

I got a request from the prime minister regarding a somewhat complicated matter.

Do you think you'd be able to come to my office tomorrow?

I mean, this is all a bit sudden, sir.

Uh…

But that's no problem. I'll swing by tomorrow afternoon.

Excellent. I'll see you then.

Got it, sir.

I don't think… I've taken a personal day all year. So, why not?

Don't delude yourselves.

So-called sustainable war is just a big game of political chicken.

Except pretty much everyone loses.

Namely, the politicians are not savvy enough to negotiate.

And amateurs like you, completely out of your element.

Go home and don't let us catch you here again!

And if you don't have a home to go back to,

be thankful you still have your lives.

I have a sneaking suspicion this might end up being my last job.

Enter.

Yes, sir. Coming in.

My… you've gotten more intense.

Is that something I should be happy to hear?

It would depend on your frame of mind how you choose to take it.

In that case, I'll take it as a compliment.

Huh, he's gonna bring back Section 9?

What do you think is his goal?

Hard to be sure. But I imagine, people who have just taken office

want to arm themselves to better flex their muscles.

Should the need arise.

So, uh… I'm assuming he learned of Section 9 existence

from documents still within the Interior Ministry?

My take away from using his proposal

is that if we would to rebuild Section 9,

he's not the only one who benefits.

He must be responding to pressure from the American government

that special resources be allotted.

So, then…

it's was the Liberals feared all along.

That an American-born prime minister would be their puppet. Is that right?

I've yet to meet him. So, I can't speak on where his allegiances lie.

In regards to Section 9, since it's being revived.

I'd like to send them on a bit of an undertaking.

What sort of undertaking?

Over these past few years,

I've asked myself how best to manage the uncertainty

that now plagues our society.

You and the rest of the team will lay the framework.

That will allow the next generation.

To find the answer to that question.

If I'm honest chief, I don't have a lot to contribute.

But whatever skills and resources I have are at your disposal.

I'm glad to hear it.

In that case.

Go get to the Major and the rest of the six original members of Section 9.

Yes, sir.

Togusa? I thought you were taking some time off.

Just here to tie up some loose ends.

Okay.

What would you like to search for today?

A mercenary group called GHOST. Operating out of South America.

Very well, now entering, dark web.

REVENGE/GHOST

That explosion pissed off the Raiders in Mexico.

They've had to move their operation in North America.

We may never get a better chance than this.

I'm not so sure.

- - What's so funny?

I thought you all wanted to get revenge.

Of course, we do.

GHOST is still as settled as ever, I see.

- …with a PMC. - What?

I take that means you're gonna pass on this.

Yep, that's pretty much the gist.

Fine then.

I'm out of here.

Hey, got a minute.

Hmm?

Oh, you're back. You forget your wallet?

No. Just a question.

Why would a private contract make you back off?

What are you scared of?

The contractor they're working for is Obsidian, genius.

Obsidian?

Hmm.

Remind me again what outfit you said you were with?

Everybody knows Obsidian! They've got a reputation for tight security.

If you so much just lay a hand on one of theirs.

They're gonna make you pay for it.

Oh, that Obsidian.

I think it's for you to go, Togusa.

Aah!

- -Huh?

-Whoa! What the hell? -

Tch… what?

What happened?

-Huh? Togusa? -

That's the place?

Yeah. Okay, I'm in.

There's one armored car mounting a 105mm tank gun.

And I clock, 17 members.

On the upside, our inside mention tells it's accurate so far.

What do we do?

I'm curious where guys like that got their hands on those weapons.

Obsidian, this is GHOST.

This is Obsidian.

We're commencing the operation shortly.