"Power in the Shell" A Ghost in the Shell x DC Universe Romance Crossover story

Part 44

Shadows of the Past

The silence in the abandoned lab lingered long after Black Lotus disappeared. Motoko's mind raced, analyzing everything about the fight—the movement patterns, the near-perfect counterattacks, the intimate knowledge of Section 9's tactics.

Black Lotus wasn't just another skilled cyber-warrior. She was something else.

Someone built her to counter them.

Kara let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through her golden hair. "Well, that was annoying. I don't mind a challenge, but it's like she knew what we were gonna do before we did it."

Motoko nodded, her jaw tight. "Because she did."

Kara frowned. "You're thinking she's..."

"A construct based on our combat data. Section 9's, mine... yours."

Kara crossed her arms. "Great. So someone out there built a ghost of us. And she's running wild."

Motoko turned to Ishikawa, who had been monitoring from a secure uplink. "Run a deep trace on her digital footprint. I want to know where that tech came from."

Ishikawa's voice crackled through their comms. "Already on it. And you're not gonna like what I'm finding."

A new hologram appeared, displaying a corporate logo: LexCorp.

Kara's stomach dropped. "Oh, you have to be kidding me."

Motoko's eyes narrowed. "Luthor."

Kara let out a slow, deep breath. "I swear, if he's involved in this..."

"Then it's bigger than just a rogue cyber-terrorist," Motoko finished.

The LexCorp Connection

Back at Section 9 headquarters, the team gathered in the briefing room as Ishikawa projected the data he had uncovered.

"LexCorp has been secretly funding cybernetic experiments in Niihama," he explained. "Most of their research is supposedly 'defensive'—designed to counter threats like rogue AIs and high-level cybernetics." He tapped on the display. "But then there's this."

A series of classified schematics appeared, showing an advanced cybernetic warrior prototype. The resemblance to Black Lotus was undeniable.

Motoko's eyes darkened. "They built her."

Togusa frowned. "Why would LexCorp care about Niihama?"

Aramaki leaned forward. "Because they're expanding their influence. Niihama's one of the most technologically advanced cities in the world. If they can test cyber-warfare weapons here, they can sell them anywhere."

Kara clenched her fists. "And they tested one of those weapons on us."

Motoko exhaled. "We need to find out who's running this project. If we can get inside a LexCorp facility—"

Kara smirked. "Leave that part to me."

Aramaki nodded. "Agreed. If anyone can infiltrate a LexCorp stronghold, it's you."

Motoko arched an eyebrow. "Not exactly subtle, though."

Kara grinned. "Who needs subtle when you can punch through walls?"

Breaking In

That night, Kara and Motoko moved under the cover of darkness toward a LexCorp research facility on the outskirts of Niihama. While Section 9 provided remote support, the two infiltrated the high-security compound, dodging automated drones and guards armed with energy rifles.

Kara, hovering just above the facility, smirked down at Motoko. "You sure you don't want me to just smash our way in?"

Motoko shot her a look. "I'd prefer not to set off every alarm in the city."

Kara sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine. Stealth first, smashing later."

They moved swiftly, slipping past security checkpoints and into the main research wing. Inside, rows of cybernetic pods lined the walls, each one containing experimental android bodies—prototypes for something worse.

Motoko accessed the main terminal while Kara stood guard. Her fingers danced across the holographic keyboard, decrypting security barriers with practiced ease.

"Got it," she muttered. "Project name: Lotus Initiative."

Kara peered over her shoulder. "So she was built here."

Motoko's face darkened. "Not just her."

She pulled up additional files, revealing schematics for multiple cybernetic warriors—each one based on a different high-profile combatant. The names included members of Section 9... and even Kara herself.

"They weren't just studying us," Motoko murmured. "They were making countermeasures."

Kara's expression hardened. "Then let's shut them down."

Before they could act, an alert flashed across the screen.

WARNING: INTRUSION DETECTED.

A voice echoed through the facility's intercom.

"You just couldn't leave it alone, could you?"

The lights flickered, and from the darkness, Black Lotus emerged once again—only this time, she wasn't alone.

Two more figures flanked her, their glowing red eyes identical to hers.

Kara's heart pounded. "Oh, great. She brought friends."

Motoko readied her weapon. "Then let's end this."

The battle was about to begin.