Morrigan: Year 3101.

The city seemed different now, more dangerous, like every shadow could hide a vampire waiting to drain Kazuo dry.

"Holy shit," he muttered, pressing his face against the window. "Is that what I think it is?"

A large, metallic figure stood at an intersection, its cat-like form towering at least three meters tall. The mech's metal exterior shines brightly under the sun's rays while its sensors continuously scanning the surroundings. A high-powered laser rifle was mounted on its right arm, while its left sported what looked like a tear gas launcher.

"Yep, that's a US-300," Morrigan confirmed. "Latest model. Faster and tougher than the 200 series."

"I've never seen so many mechs on the streets before. Are there riots or something?"

"Nah, it's probably because of our little stunt on the highway. They're hunting for us."

"Fuck. So we're responsible for turning Paris into a police state?"

"Don't be so dramatic," Siobhàn said, smoothly changing lanes. "It'll blow over in a few days. Always does."

"How did you know?"

She chuckled. "You think this is our first rodeo? We've been through this shit before."

"Remember that time in Tokyo? 2988, I think," Morrigan said, a wry smile on her face. "We pissed off the Yakuza, and they sent those prototype Spider Tanks after us."

"Oh fuck, don't remind me. Those things were a nightmare. Climbing up buildings, shooting plasma bolts. Took us three days to shake 'em off."

"How'd you manage that?" Kazuo asked, his curiosity piqued.

Morrigan leaned back in her seat. "We hijacked a maglev train and rode it straight out of the city. Caused a hell of a mess, but it worked."

"Yeah, and then we had to lay low in that shitty safehouse in Osaka for a month," Siobhàn added. "No running water, remember? We had to bathe in the river like fucking cavemen."

"At least the sushi was good," Morrigan shrugged.

"Wait, those spider mechs are hard to penetrate," Kazuo pointed out. "How did you guys managed to defeat those things?"

"With Siobhàn's magic."

"Her magic?"

Siobhàn nodded. "That's right. Didn't I tell you my magic is enchantments? I placed enchantments onto the bullets that we're using. And let me tell you, it took me two days to even place all those enchantments."

Enchanted bullets? The concept seemed absurd, yet Kazuo couldn't deny the evidence of their past exploits. He struggled to reconcile his logical worldview with this new reality of magic and vampires. Part of him wanted to dismiss it all as elaborate lies, but deep down, he knew better. The world was far stranger and more dangerous than he'd ever imagined.

"So you're saying this will blow over?" Kazuo asked. "Even with all these mechs?"

"Trust me, kid," Morrigan said, patting his shoulder. "In a week, people will be bitching about something else. It's the same cycle, century after century. Humans have short attention spans."

"Except when it comes to holding grudges," Siobhàn muttered. "They're fucking champions at that."

As they drove, Kazuo counted at least a dozen more US-300s patrolling the streets. Their presence was intimidating, to say the least. He watched as one mech stopped a group of teenagers, its sensors no doubt scanning them for weapons or contraband.

"Jesus," Kazuo muttered. "What happens if they catch us?"

"They won't," Morrigan said. "We just need to stay low."

Siobhàn glanced at her side. "Boss, you better hide those guns. The mechs' sensors will pick them up in a heartbeat."

Morrigan let out an exaggerated sigh. "Fine. But this feels like overkill. It's not like I'm carrying a rocket launcher this time."

"This time?" Kazuo repeated.

Morrigan ignored him, stuffing her various firearms into a hidden compartment under her seat. She paused, holding up a wicked-looking military knife. "Can I at least keep this?"

"Yeah," Siobhàn nodded, "that should be fine. Just keep it sheathed."

Morrigan slid the knife into a sheath on her hip. "Perfect. I feel naked without at least one blade on me."

Kazuo shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Uh, guys? Is this really a good idea? We're basically going in unarmed. What if those vampire hunters find us?"

"Relax, pretty boy," Siobhàn snorted. "I've got my magic, remember? And Morrigan here is a walking weapon."

"It's true," she said. "Three hundred years is a long time to practice. I've mastered every form of martial arts and weapons known to man."

Kazuo rolled his eyes. "Right. And I'm a flying pig whose name is Cris P. Bacon."

"Well, you're definitely not flying anywhere anytime soon," Morrigan shot back with a smirk.

Their banter was cut short as Siobhàn pulled the car to a stop in front of a nondescript building. She killed the engine and turned to face her passengers.

"We're here," she announced. "Everyone ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be, I guess," Kazuo said.

"Let's do this," Morrigan followed up while glancing at the street. "And Kazuo?"

"Yeah?"

"Try not to get killed. I'd hate to have wasted all this time keeping you alive."

"Don't worry. I like to continue living."

The building was a six-story concrete structure, its weathered facade blending seamlessly with the surrounding architecture. Faded graffiti adorned the lower walls and a mix of political slogans and abstract designs. The windows were small and rectangular, their glass tinted to obscure the interior.

A rusted fire escape zigzagged up the side of the building, its metal steps creaking in the breeze. Near the top, a large satellite dish pointed skyward, its surface pockmarked with age and exposure.

At street level, a heavy steel door stood as the only visible entrance. To its right, a security pad contrasted sharply with the building's worn exterior. Above the door, a small camera swiveled with its lens reflecting the afternoon sun.

Kazuo approached the entrance, noting the lack of signage or any indication of the building's purpose. He glanced at Morrigan and Siobhàn, who flanked him on either side.

"So, how are we going to get this guy's attention? Is there like a doorbell or something?" he asked.

Siobhàn stepped forward, ignoring Kazuo's question. She pressed a button on the security pad, and a chime echoed from inside the building.

After a few seconds, a voice crackled through the intercom. "Yeah? Who... oh shit. Is that you, Morri?"

Kazuo turned to her, eyebrows raised. "He calls you Morri?"

Morrigan rolled her eyes and leaned towards the intercom. "Yes, it's me, Aris. Would you mind opening up? I need to talk to you."

"No fucking way!" Aris's voice came back immediately.

"Relax," Morrigan said. "I'm not going to shoot you."

There was a pause before Aris spoke again. "Oh yeah? Like that time in Rio back in '89? We were supposed to be working together on that job for the cartel, remember? Next thing I know, you're trying to put a bullet in my ass!"

"For fuck's sake, Aris. I only did that because you tried to look up my skirt."

"Bullshit! I was tying my damn shoelace!"

"Right. And I suppose your face just happened to be perfectly positioned under my dress?"

"It was an accident!"

Kazuo looked between Morrigan and the intercom, thoroughly confused. "Um, is this really the time for—"

"Shut up," Morrigan and Aris said in unison.

Siobhàn leaned against the wall. "This could take a while," she said to Kazuo. "They're always like this."

"Like this? What do you mean?"

"Aris is a fucking pervert. Always has been. He's got wandering eyes and hands to match. Morrigan's caught him trying to sneak a peek more times than I can count."

"And she responds by shooting him?"

"Not always. Sometimes she just breaks his nose. Or his fingers. Depends on her mood."

"That's insane. Why do they still work together if they hate each other so much?"

Siobhàn shrugged. "They don't hate each other. It's more like... a really fucked up friendship. Aris is brilliant, and Morrigan respects that. Plus, he's saved our asses more than once."

"Like when?"

"There was this time in Neo-Tokyo, about five years back. We were in deep shit with a very powerful druglord. Aris hacked their security systems and got us out. Morrigan was pissed because he copped a feel while helping her over a wall, but she didn't shoot him. Just broke his wrist."

Kazuo rubbed his temples. "Jesus. And this is the guy we're asking for help?"

"Yep. Welcome to our world, pretty boy."

Their conversation was interrupted by more bickering from the intercom.

"Look, Aris," Morrigan was saying, "I swear on my undead ass that I won't hurt you. We need your help. It's important."

There was a long pause before Aris replied. "Fine. But if you so much as twitch funny, I'm activating the defense systems. And trust me, you won't like that."

The door buzzed open, and Morrigan gestured for them to enter. "After you," she said with a smirk.

Kazuo hesitated. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"Nope. But it's the only one we've got. Now move your ass before I move it for you."

As they entered the building, Kazuo was struck by the high-tech interior. The first floor was packed with endless lines of servers, and androids were constantly moving around them carrying out maintenance duties.

"Holy shit," he muttered. "This place is packed with computers."

"Yep," Siobhàn said. "Every floor's like this. Aris installed all of it himself."

"Seriously? That's... impressive."

"Aris isn't just brilliant," she explained as they climbed the stairs. "He's a fucking workaholic. Makes him invaluable as an ally."

Each floor they passed was a carbon copy of the first - endless rows of servers tended by tireless androids.

Finally, they reached the sixth floor. The layout here was different. A large, open space dominated the center of the room, surrounded by banks of monitors displaying an incomprehensible array of data streams and code.

In the middle of it all sat Aris. He looked like the living embodiment of the mad scientist trope - wild Einstein hair, thick glasses perched on his nose, and a pristine white lab coat that contrasted sharply with his shorts and ratty sneakers.

"Well, hello there!" he called out. "How can I help my beloved Morri today?"

Morrigan's face twisted in annoyance. "Don't call me that. You know I hate it."

Before Aris could reply, Siobhàn's eyes caught movement near the floor. A small droid, no bigger than a shoebox, was inching towards Morrigan, its camera tilted upwards at a suspicious angle.

"Boss," she tilted her head.

Without breaking eye contact with Aris, Morrigan unsheathed her knife and flung it at the droid. The blade embedded itself in the machine's core, sending sparks flying.

"What the fuck was that thing doing, Aris?" Morrigan demanded.

"I told you to wear pants," Siobhàn said.

Aris held up his hands. "It's just my cleaning droid! Advanced features and all that."

"A cleaning droid with a camera?"

"It's for... navigation purposes," Aris shrugged. "You know, so I'd know where to clean."

"Right."

Kazuo, sensing the tension in the room, decided to intervene. "Look, can we focus here? We came for a reason, right?"

"He's right," Morrigan said. "We need to talk business."

Aris leaned back in his chair. "Alright then. What can I do for you?"

"We want to hire you. As our intelligence agent."

"Interesting. And who exactly are you up against this time?"

"The Marquis."

The room fell silent for a moment as Aris contemplated while his fingers drummed against the arm of his chair.

"That's... quite the opponent," he said. "I'll do it, but it'll cost you. Big time."

Morrigan crossed her arms. "What's your price?"

Aris leaned forward. "There's this terrorist I've been tracking for years. Goes by the name of 'The Ghost'. Bastard's killed dozens of French and US soldiers."

"And?"

"And I've finally tracked him to Paris," Aris continued. "Here's the deal - you help me take out The Ghost, and I'll be your intel guy. No questions asked."

Siobhàn frowned. "Why are you so keen on offing this guy? What's in it for you?"

"Simple.," Aris grinned. "The bounty on his head is fucking massive. I take him out, I collect the reward. It's a win-win."

Kazuo glanced between Morrigan and Aris, trying to gauge their reactions. "So, let me get this straight. We help you assassinate a high-profile terrorist, and in exchange, you'll help us against the Marquis?"

"That's the long and short of it, yeah," Aris nodded.

Morrigan was quiet for a moment before she spoke up. "How dangerous is this Ghost character?"

Aris's face grew serious. "Very. He's ex-military, highly trained in urban warfare and guerrilla tactics. Plus, he's got a network of supporters all over the city. Taking him down won't be easy."

"Sounds like a real piece of work," Siobhàn added.

"You have no idea," Aris replied. "That's why I needed you, Morri. Because you're the only one who can take him. With your skills and my intel, we'd be a perfect team. So, what do you say? Do we have a deal?"

Morrigan glanced at her team, then back to Aris. "We'll need to discuss it. Give us a minute."

She gestured for Siobhàn and Kazuo to follow her to a corner of the room, out of Aris's earshot.

"What do you think?" she whispered.

Siobhàn shrugged. "It's risky, but we need Aris. He's the best in the business when it comes to intel."

"Are we seriously considering this?" Kazuo asked. "We're talking about assassinating someone."

"A terrorist," Morrigan pointed out. "It's not like we'd be taking out an innocent."

"Still, it feels wrong. We don't even know if this Ghost guy is really as bad as Aris says."

Siobhàn snorted. "Trust me, kid. If Aris says he's bad news, he's bad news. The guy's a perv, but he doesn't lie about shit like this."

Morrigan nodded. "She's right. And we need Aris if we're going to have any chance against the Marquis."

He sighed. "I guess we don't have much choice, do we?"

"No, we don't."

"Ok. Let's do it."

They turned back to Aris, who was watching them come back to the room.

"Alright," Morrigan said. "We're in. But we do this our way, got it? No unnecessary risks, no civilian casualties."

He grinned, clapping his hands together. "Excellent! I knew you'd see it my way. Now, let's get down to business, shall we? I've got a ton of intel on The Ghost that you'll need to review..."