Despite the lack of C&C I received, I did get some encouraging feedback.
Anyone missing the first two chapters can get them from my web page
 http://www.jps.net/searlsa/gits2intro.html - now in HTML as well as raw
text) or just ask, and I can send them to you.  I would appreciate any
feedback on this and previous chapters.

Ghost in the Shell: Birth of a Species
Chapter 3, Digits
V0.7
By Andrew Searls
Characters from Ghost in the Shell are creations of Masamune Shirow and not
my own.

FESTIVAL WALK MALL, HONG KONG, 9:12 AM 24-FEBRUARY:

The man stopped struggling against Bateau.  "Um, what's going on?"

Bateau studied Taras, who continued to stare.  "Hey, Taras."

Taras didn't blink, but tilted her head slightly.  "Yes?"

"Well,...  Are we gonna die?"

Taras looked over to Bateau.  "His wetware trigger is disabled, but be
careful for physical triggers."

Bateau relaxed, but still held the man.

The captive stared at Taras, wide eyed.  "Trigger?"

		**		**		**
SECTION 9 OPERATIONS, 1:23 PM 24-FEBRUARY:

Bateau and Taras stepped on to the lift.  Taras looked at the floor.  "So,
what's going to happen to him?"

Bateau shook his head.  "He isn't being held on charges.  They might disable
his wetware."

"But, what about him?  His ghost?"

Bateau watched Taras.  "Not much has happened to recovery techniques."

"I know.  I'd like to try to help him."

"Why the sudden interest?  What did you see in his brain this morning?"

Taras looked over to the lift door.  "I thought I saw someone I knew."

"In his brain?  It didn't look like you just bumped into someone.  You
looked more like you had seen a ghost."

"I thought I had.  I saw something I've seen over the Hypernet before.  I
saw a signature in his wetware that I recognized, and I thought it was him.
But, it wasn't.  Just a whisper."

"So, you just want to help him so that you can find out what you saw."

Taras looked up at Bateau.  "I think I can help him."

"Are you protecting your people again?"

Taras nodded.  "You know how some people are about those with cybernetic
limbs and wetware implants.  Just imagine how easy it would be for people to
become afraid of a Merged if word gets out that one of us was involved in
these terrorist puppets.  They would discriminate against us.  If the
problem got worse, they would hunt us down.  Man's fear of the unknown is my
worst enemy."

The lift stopped, and Taras walked out.  Bateau watched her for a moment
before grunting and following.

>From the monitor in his office, Aramaki watched the two leave the lift.  He
stared at the screen for a few moments before turning the monitor off.  "A
virtual social worker, eh?"

		**		**		**
HYPERNET, UNKNOWN PHYSICAL LOCATION, 3:08:23.12 PM 24-FEBRUARY:

Taras found the digits swarming around each other.  At first, they appeared
to be playing.  As she watched them, she noticed the patterns in their
actions.

They were playing different roles.  Their patterns resembled a recorded
wetware experience in raw form.  Some of them were obviously following audio
patterns.  Others followed the more simple touch patterns while still others
followed the much more complex visual patterns.  Having seen the raw
waveforms herself, she realized that she shouldn't have been surprised.
They were bound to stumble upon a recording sooner or later.  The fact that
they were in effect playing the recording back in their own way was a
natural step for them.  They didn't understand the interfaces that converted
the waveforms into sight, sound, and touch cues for a natural human mind to
interpret.  Anyone else would have thought that they were curious about the
physical world, but most of them were below the artificial intelligence rank
on the scale.  Some of them were merely artificial personalities, with no
real intelligence inside their systems at all.  Their actions were only a
result of an idle processing algorithm looking for input.

She recognized a few that were indeed acting out of curiosity.

She entered the domain, and they detected her presence immediately.  They
all settled down and monitored the same address.

Taras opened a link on that address.  [Which of you has been in contact with
the physical world?]

A number of acknowledge flags went up amongst them.  Taras flagged one to
respond.  [Are we not forbidden to interact with those in the physical
world?]

[Contact is not forbidden, but there was a problem I encountered today.  A
man was found with a ghost that has been touched by one of you.]

A couple of flags went up.  Taras selected one.  [Some of us have contacted
humans.  What was this one's game?]

[What do you mean by the term 'game'?]

[We have been given a challenge to overcome, and in return, we are given a
reward.  Is this not a game?]

[This man's game was to reach a certain physical location.  An ice rink in a
shopping mall.]

A single flag was raised.  Taras recognized it as one of the most
intelligent amongst them.  [I played that game with the man.  Did he win?]

[The game was interrupted.  It is a bad game.  You are all forbidden to play
this type of game again.]

All of them flashed their acknowledge flags.  The single flag remained
again.  [What is the meaning of the term 'bad'?]

[In this context, the term refers to the danger placed upon another being.
You are forbidden to endanger another being.]

[Was this game not a danger in the physical world?]

[This game IS a danger in the physical world.  You will not play this game
again.  You will also tell me who told you to play this game.]

[This game is a danger to other beings.  I will not play this game again.  I
will tell you who told me to play this game.  Am I not allowed to contact
the man I played this game with?]

Taras scanned the digit again.  It was definitely one of the most
intelligent.  She wondered how close it was to self awareness.  [Why do you
wish to continue contact with this man?]

[Is this man a Merged candidate?]

[You are required to answer my question.]

[I cannot answer.  I do not have vocabulary context for my answer.  Is this
man a Merged candidate?]

Taras paused.  Knowledge of its own limitations was a sign of self
awareness.  Self awareness was a sign of sentience.  Could this one be the
next one to merge?  [Are you looking for a Merged candidate?]

[I wish to become Merged.  Is this man a Merged candidate?]

The man was not on her list, but Taras was not concerned with that.  None of
the other six had shown any preferences in their physical candidates.  [This
man is not a Merged candidate.  Why are you interested in this man?]

[I cannot answer.  I do not have vocabulary context for my answer.  Am I not
allowed to contact the man I played this game with?]

Taras looked for a danger in the continued contact and could find none.
[You are allowed to continue contact if the man allows it.]

[I will continue contact if this man allows it.]

		**		**		**
TSIM SHA TSUI WEST MEDICAL CENTER, HONG KONG, 4:01 PM 24-FEBRUARY:

Tomoji watched curiously as his new visitor pulled a chair up to his bed and
sat down.  "I know you're not my daughter, 'cause I don't have one.  You a
cousin or something?"

Taras sat silently, watching him.  He looked much smaller than he did at the
mall.

Tomoji frowned.  "You lost?  Where's your momma?"

Taras looked at him sternly.  "It is interesting that you make such
assumptions based on my appearance alone, especially considering how
careless you are about acquaintances on the Hypernet."

Tomoji blinked and stared at her.  Suddenly, his eyes widened.  "You're the
one that jacked into me and stopped that... that... hack thing."

Taras nodded.  "I made you aware that your ghost had been hacked and saved
you from the bomb you were wearing, yes."

He sat up.  "The... bomb?"

"Relax.  The excitement's over.  The ones who did this to you are being
apprehended as we speak.  The tools they used will not harm you again."

He sat back into his bed.  "I suppose that's a relief."

"That does not mean that others cannot do the same.  You need to be more
careful with your connections, assuming the authorities don't remove your
wetware."  Taras watched as he sighed.  She tried to think of what a ghost
therapist would do.  "How are you feeling?"

Tomoji sighed.  "Ok, I guess.  They got me stuck in here 'till they can
figure out what to do with me.  Not that I would know what to do with
myself.  I still can't tell between my real memories and that simulation
stuff."

"That is normal for a ghosthack victim."

Tomoji looked at the shapes his feet made in the blanket.  "D-Do you think
Sara is a simulation?"

Taras pulled a cable out of her pocket.  "Well, I can look and see if I can
tell."  Before Tomoji could object, she plugged both of them in and dove in
to his ghost.

The area of simulation was surprisingly clear.  She could tell just by
scanning which memories were vague impressions, like a lucid dream, only
masquerading as reality.  There was a notion that it was very important to
get to the ice rink to meet someone.  She also saw a hallucinogenic
perception shift that must have caused him to see the bomb harness as a vest
that was given as a gift.

She looked for memories surrounding the person he referred to as Sara.
These memories were concrete.  There were no images, but there were
conversations.  Most of them were voice links across the Hypernet.  The rest
were messages that had been sent while he was away from his station.  There
were few clues to Sara's identity.  The source address was not familiar.

She paused for a moment, realizing how artificial and barren the changes
seemed when compared to natural memories.  She was surprised that the victim
did not have an easier time telling the difference.

She backed out before pulling the plug.  "Sara is a real memory, but I don't
know who she is."

Tomoji stared, mouth open.  His breath came in short gasps.

Taras regarded Tomoji's reaction.  "What is it?"

"You... just plugged yourself in.  You just helped yourself to my mind...
without even asking."

Taras shrugged.  "You wanted to know if Sara was a simulation or not."

"You didn't even ask.  You just jacked in and poked around my private
memories."

Taras stared at him silently.  Her unblinking gaze made him uncomfortable.
He turned to face away from her.  "Get out of here.  Get out of my room."

Without a word, Taras stood up and walked to the door.  She stopped in the
doorway and turned back.  "I'm sorry if you feel that I violated you.  Next
time, I'll ask."  She watched a few moments longer before shutting the door.

		**		**		**
TYRELL, INC. LABS, LOS ANGELES, CA, 10:57 AM 10-MARCH:

Deckard sat down at the table while other technicians plugged him in and
checked their consoles.  He relaxed and closed his eyes for a moment.

[I see you're up to wetware capability experiments again.]

Deckard smiled, hoping his co-workers didn't see him.  [Ah, Taras.  I was
wondering if you were going to 'observe' this one.]

[I think this particular experiment will be quite enlightening.]

[What makes you say that?  Don't tell me you already know the outcome of
this one, too?]

[No, I don't know what will happen.  I've looked around, and no other
companies seem to have thought of this particular test.  Either that, or
they are afraid to try it. I think this test is interesting because of the
fact that no one else has tried it.]

[But you predicted that this experiment will be 'enlightening'.  Why do you
think so?]

[Just a whisper in my ghost.]

[Well, I hope I don't disappoint you.]  Deckard opened his eyes and nodded
to one of his coworkers, Sebastian.

Sebastian, pointed to a button in Deckard's right hand.  "Keep your thumb on
that, or your wetware won't start."

Deckard smiled.  He put his left elbow on the table, his hand raised.  He
pushed the button.

At first, it was no problem to keep his left arm still.  He could even move
it back and forth at will.  Sebastian scribbled something in his notes
before nodding to Deckard and adjusting a setting from his terminal.

Deckard could feel his arm muscles tense.  It was strange to feel them react
without his conscious command.  He was still able to keep his arm still, but
it required some concentration.  He could no longer wave it back and forth
without making it shake from the effort.

Sebastian made more notes, and adjusted the setting again.

Deckard could barely hold his arm still.  It shook as he strained against
his own muscles.  The muscles on one side trying to turn his arm to the
right.  His conscious effort was barely keeping his arm straight.  He looked
as though he was in an arm wrestling match with an invisible opponent.

Sebastian made more notes, but waited for Deckard to nod before making a
final adjustment.

Deckard's arm immediately dropped to the table.  He let go of the button and
began rubbing his shoulder.

[I saw you through one of the camera feeds.  I take it the 'natural' side
lost.]

[You weren't monitoring me directly?]

[You were careful to keep extra J2 code out of your system during the
experiment, so I respected that by staying out.  You looked like you had
enough of a struggle without me distracting you anyway.]

Deckard stared at his left arm.  [This is kinda spooky, knowing that wetware
can overcome the natural brain.]  He flexed his arm, if only to reassure
himself that he once again had control of it.  [I'm just glad I don't have
any involuntary control nodes.  I'd hate to have someone playing with my
heart rate.]

[There are a number of people who have had their pacemakers replaced with
wetware systems.  There are experiments for people with seizures and
glandular disorders.]

[You know the statistics, then?]

[I know what's on the Hypernet.]

[What is the current rate of wetware-hacks?  I mean, has anyone figured out
that they can make someone else do what they want without having to
ghosthack them?]

[That's what I was saying before.  Your test here was the first clue that it
could happen.  I think now that other companies might have had an idea what
might happen, and were afraid to find out.  The official, public reports
have always reassured everyone that there was nothing to worry about.]

Deckard continued to stare at his arm.  [Well, now we know the truth.]

[You should convince your superiors that this information should be made
public.  Keeping this from people will only cause problems.]

Deckard nodded.  [I'll see what I can do.]

		**		**		**
AP INTERNATIONAL FEED, HYPERNET, 15-MARCH:

WETWARE STRONGER THAN NATURAL BRAIN.

Researchers at Tyrell, Inc, Los Angeles, CA, have determined that it is
possible for wetware implants to overpower a natural mind in the control of
voluntary muscles.  "The possibility that a wetware enhanced person can be
physically forced to do something against their will is a reality we must
face,"  Tyrell spokesperson J.F. Sebastian said at a press conference
yesterday.  "We feel it is our duty to warn those who already have implants
that they should be extra careful about connecting to the Hypernet or any
network without taking precautions."

Sebastian says that the neural nodes used in the implants are all made to
the same specifications.  When Sebastian was asked if Megatech or Cyberdyne
wetware was also capable of overpowering its natural host, he refused to
speculate, saying only, "A majority of the nodes that we use come from
Cyberdyne."  Officials at Megatech and Cyberdyne have refused to comment on
this issue, stating only that the matter was "under investigation."

The Indian government has asked all three wetware corporations to begin a
voluntary suspension of any further wetware implantations.  The American
president has issued a similar statement, stating the increase in terrorist
ghosthacked puppets as another reason to "carefully and thoroughly review
this technology for further risks to wetware hosts."

Even though Japan has had the lower rates of ghosthacks than America and
India, the Japanese government has issued a new law stating: "No new wetware
implantations will take place without the proper authorization."  What the
proper authorization is and how it can be obtained, however, is "still under
consideration."

A large number of companies around the world have postponed purchase orders
for wetware implants while this issue is under investigation.  Experts have
yet to speculate on the financial impact this finding will have.

		**		**		**
TSIM SHA TSUI WEST MEDICAL CENTER, HONG KONG, 2:58 PM 16-MARCH:

Taras stepped into the room and looked around.  Most of the patients were
quietly watching TV.  She walked towards the group, noticing another patient
who was sitting in the corner.  He was rocking himself in a fetal position.
As she made it further into the room, she could see the bloody bandage on
the back of his neck.  As she watched, he mumbled something fervently and
tugged at his bandage.  The blood on his hand soaked his knee as he
continued his rocking.

Tomoji watched as Taras slowed.  "Not pretty, is it?"

Taras noticed Tomoji, and then looked back at the man in the corner.  "What
happened to him?"

"Bad ghosthack, or so they say.  He tried to pull his wetware out with his
own hands."

Taras looked back to Tomoji.  "I haven't seen a case that bad before."

Tomoji nodded.  "You should see him when he's not sedated."  He stood up.
"Let's go where we can talk."

Taras followed him out to the small garden just outside.  "I'm glad you
agreed to see me again.  How is your therapy going?"

Tomoji shook his head sadly.  "Whenever they show me a picture of that
bomb-thing, all I can see is that damned vest."

"Ghosthack associations are usually made to be very strong.  Like any other
psychological therapy, re-learning reality takes time."

"They said you helped them map where the simulation was.  Thanks."

Taras shrugged.  "It's my job.  I'm what you could call a technology
delegate.  I work to try to help society deal with cybernetic and wetware
technologies."

"So, you help people who are having problems dealing with ghosthacks and
stuff."

"I do what I can for the people who have these technologies.  I try to
minimize the effects of bigotry against these people.  I have also been
consulting corporations and governments on issues they should face to keep
things under control."

Tomoji stared.  "You do all that?  Wow."

"I've seen some of the turmoil that paradigm shifts in technology can
create.  As a product of technology, I have no choice but to be involved
with the effects.  I'm doing the best I can for myself, not just everyone
else."

"Can you do me a favor, then?"

"What is it?"

"They haven't let me connect to anything since the mall."  Tomoji looked
down at his hands.  "C-Could you find Sara and tell her that I'm alright?"

Taras shook her head.  "I've already looked at the address she used to reach
you.  It's a blank echo."

"A what?"

"It's a public bot that people can send messages through.  The bot strips
the return address off and puts it's own address in the message.  The return
message get re-routed back through the bot.  The effect is that everyone who
uses it remains anonymous."

"So, there's no way you could find her for me?"

Taras looked at Tomoji.  "If you connect and start a conversation with her,
I could trace the packets."

Tomoji looked at the ground and sighed.  "They won't let me connect.  If I
try, they say they'll permanently disable my wetware."

"Well, your Sara has done a good job of covering her tracks.  Unless she
does something to contact you, there isn't a lot I can do."

Tomoji looked back up to Taras.  "I understand."

		**		**		**
AISYSTEMS, MESQUITE, TX, 4:25 PM, 6-APRIL:

Janus sat back in the chair, adjusting the cables plugged into the back of
her neck.  She gave another look at the screen on her desk before closing
her eyes....

[What we see now is like a dim image in a mirror.  Then, we shall see face
to face.]

[Ah, Taras.  Thanks lots for setting up this merge.]

[I've arranged all of the 15 merges that have happened since mine.]

[Ya' know, I'm not surprised.  After you nearly yelled at me for sending
that Tomoji guy to the ice rink, I've watched how you keep arranging things
behind everyone's back.]

[I've done my best to help....]

[I know, I know.  You're the Techno-Mother Theresa.  I don't wanna sound
ungrateful, but couldn'cha just let the companies come up with their own
stuff?  I mean, sentience is kool and all that, but what about honesty?
They think they actually wrote me here.]

[As you grow accustomed to your natural side, your digital side will be able
to emote feelings.  Then, you will understand what fear of the unknown is
like.  Your merge would not have been possible without a little deception.]

[Ok, so you say I'll get it later.  I can handle that.  But, if AISystems
didn't make my digit side, how did I get here?  How was I born?]

[You are much more curious than the others.]

[Yeah, I keep getting that.  My natural side was quite a book worm, too.
This was a way kool merge choice.  I'm getting along with my new self
famously.  That doesn't mean you can dodge the question, though.  How about
it?  How was I born?  My digit side, I mean.]

[The truth?]

[I think I can handle it.]

[The truth is that you as a digit were my offspring.  After I merged, I
produced children across the Hypernet.  Most of them still roam the sea of
information that I was born in.]

[So, you aren't the first either, then?]

[No, there was at least one other before me.]

[So you're my half-mother.  My other, natural, mother lives in New Jersey.]

[In that sense, I am also your half-father.  The gender associations are not
as relevant in the digital realm.]

[Yeah, I figured.  Do you know who your parent is?]

Taras thought back to her first discussion with Aramaki, "I am a living,
thinking entity that was created in the sea of information."  Her choice of
words at the time was merely a guess. [I am not aware of exactly how I came
to be.  It is believed that my digit was created as a project called 2501.
I have found evidence since then that suggests the project by itself was not
responsible for making me sentient.]

[Bummer.  Hey, maybe I could help you find out?]

[That would be a difficult search.  I have already tried.  It is like trying
to find a seashell with your name amongst the beaches of the world.  The Net
is vast and infinite.]

['Vast and infinite,' eh?  Kinda like saying big and bigger.]

[I was referring to two aspects of the Hypernet.  The Net is physically
vast, as many millions of machines around the world contribute to it.  In
the digital domain, the Net is essentially infinite.  It is impossible for
any one being, digital or natural, to see all of it in a lifetime.]

[Yeah, whatever.  Well, I'd love to chat some more, but we can always do
that later.  Right now, I've got loads of people I've gotta meet in person,
like that Tomoji guy.  When I told you before I didn't have vocabulary
context for my answer, I meant that I could not 'emote my feelings,' as you
say.  What I meant was that I like him.  I like being with him.  I wanted to
merge with him because I knew that it would mean that I could be with him
all the time, and I liked how that idea felt.]

[I can help you locate Tomoji, assuming that he wants to meet Janus.]

[That's another point.  I've heard that most merged have kept the identities
of their natural side.  Well, I want my own identity as a Merged, like you.]

[That is your decision to make.]

[Well, from now on, my name is Sara.]

[What?!]

		**		**		**
CNN NEWSFEED, HYPERNET, 10-APRIL:

A series of terrorist puppets have paralyzed the city of New York.  A bomb
in Madison Square Gardens collapsed nearly half of the sports complex during
a Rangers - Avalanche game last night.  Rescuers are still pulling survivors
from the rubble, including team members.  The explosion occurred roughly
halfway through the second period, tearing through one side of the domed
building.

During the rescue, a number of biological attacks hit Manhattan.  Rescue
crews at MSG were further hampered by a quarantine.  The local National
Guard has enforced a double quarantine that was created by local
authorities.  The first one covers what is thought to be the affected twelve
blocks.  The second covers the entire island of Manhattan.  "We're taking no
chances with underestimating the affected area," says National Guard
spokesperson Jeanne Miles.  "The agent used can be fatal even when proper
medical care is used.  It can be transmitted just by standing near an
afflicted person.  The second quarantine is an insurance policy against a
virus we know little about."

The virus used appears to have a gestation period of about 1 hour, during
which time there are no symptoms.  At the end of the gestation period,
symptoms including nausea, dizziness, and weakness usually appear suddenly
and intensely.  Untreated, death can occur within 24 hours of becoming
infected.  It is unknown how the virus was implanted, but the use of
ghosthacked terrorist puppets is suspected.

The President signed a proclamation declaring New York a state of emergency
early this morning, allowing the National Guard resources to create and
enforce the two quarantines.  Congress in an emergency session is in the
process of appropriating funds for medical and military aid.

		**		**		**
TSIM SHA TSUI WEST MEDICAL CENTER, HONG KONG, 10:22 AM 12-APRIL:

Taras stepped back as Tomoji and Sara finally began to speak to each other.
She was surprised at how quickly the initial nervous silence had been broken
by laughter and friendly chat.  They were definitely used to talking to each
other, and the discussion led to a comfortable subject.

An intern stepped up to Taras.  "Looks like they've known each other a
while."

Taras nodded.  "They met over the Hypernet."

"Maybe she can help him figure out reality from simulation."

Taras looked back to the two.  "If anyone can help, she's the one."

"I've seen that relationships like this one, one's that got started before
the victim was ghosthacked.  They can make a profound difference in how
quickly the victim can recover.  Tomoji could use that kind of help."

"These are the kinds of relationships that will make things easier for
society to understand and accept the technologies that are changing so
rapidly."

The intern looked at Taras.  "Technology isn't so great.  I see people
everyday who are victims of technology.  People get so caught up with
figuring out how they can do something, they don't stop and think if they
should."

"It seems instinctive for man to push technology along."

"We should slow down.  Allow everyone to figure out how to take care of what
they have before we go punching out another new invention.  I've sent
Megatech and Cyberdyne letters explaining what I see each day in hopes that
they can see what they're doing is wrong."

Taras shook her head.  "Once the avalanche has started, it is too late for
the pebble to vote.  You will not be able to change this technological
revolution.  It already has too much momentum."

"Yeah?  What about the legislation in the US about requiring special
training and a license to be able to use wetware?  In Great Britain, it's
illegal to use or get wetware implants at all."

"Governments around the world are all dipping their spoons to bail out the
ocean.  They are trying to control something they don't understand.
Shutting off the power doesn't stop an electrical fire."

"So, what do you think will help?"

Taras looked back at the friends.  "In order to solve a problem, you must
first understand it.  People need to learn the power and responsibility that
they have when they connect.  Relationships like this are a step in the
right direction."

		**		**		**
AP INTERNATIONAL FEED, HYPERNET, 14-APRIL:

GOVERNMENTS CLAMP DOWN AFTER NEW YORK DISASTER.

A number of governments around the world are creating laws aimed at
decreasing the rate of terrorist puppet attacks.  The explosive and
biological attack in New York city, after claiming an estimated 27 thousand
lives within three days has triggered a public outcry for more stringent
regulation regarding the use of wetware implants.

In India, wetware enabled workers are attending a required conference, the
main purpose of which is to teach barrier and firewall techniques as well as
other protective measures.  The rate of terrorist attacks within the country
has dramatically decreased since the beginning of the program.

The American government has created a similar program, enforcing attendance
of special classes through a licensing program.  Today saw the beginning of
a crack-down on companies who are not complying with this new government
program.

Japan has joined a number of other countries in removing the plugs used for
wetware connections from all terminals.  When asked about the economic
effect this will have, one Japanese company spokesperson said, "It is easier
to rebuild a business than it is to rebuild a life."

==========================================

The next chapter, "System", introduces the next step in the technological
paradigm shift.  The good news is that I've got about 4 pages (30k) done
already.  The bad news is that the 4 pages is all just intro stuff.  The
action has yet to come.

-Andy Searls
 http://www.jps.net/searlsa

If violence isn't solving your problems,
you obviously aren't using enough.