Think about it. That hidden room...
Dr. Pavlichenko was trying to conceal the existence of his son.
And with that networked tunnel we found, he was obviously planning ahead for an emergency escape should that need ever arise.

His family registry has also been tampered with. Not just once, mind you, but twice.
But why would he do that? For what reason would he go so far as to hide his son?

I don't know, sir. Perhaps it has something to do with his secret research.
At least that's my assumption.

You're referring to the ME network we found evidence of? I don't know...
The only thing I do know is that our heads will be on the chopping block if we don't get to the bottom of this soon.
Plus, there's also the matter of his corpse.
I take it you've seen the report from the coroner.

Yes I have, but I don't understand.
The DNA test proved that the corpse was indeed Dr. Pavlichenko's.

It would appear so, but after his corpse was scanned by the memory recovery unit, why is it that his mind only contained a single day's memories?
How do you explain such a thing?
He was a genius with a lifetime of experience, so something doesn't add up.
What is it?

We just received a priority communique, sir.
It was sent in by one of our operatives in Japan.

Huh?! What the hell?

That was taken 26 hours ago, in Tokyo.


OPENING


Is your friend not picking up?

Genma?
What are you doing here?

Come on now, I should be asking you that.
I thought someone as by-the-book as you would spend their time off in the archive browsing through documents, but instead I found you here.
This place used to be buzzing with activity, but now it's empty.
Did you come here for the peace and quiet?
Or maybe you're here to call your old friend or whoever you've been talking to recently.
It's good you didn't reach him because your phone is tapped and you could've gotten your friend in some big trouble.
Oh, and just so you know, you were being watched the entire time up until you got here.

By what? A Specter?

Yeah, but luckily for you there aren't any power lines here.
And that makes this the perfect place for us to have a private conversation away from prying eyes and ears.
So tell me, aren't you at least curious what the higher-ups are planning to do with Izanami?

I don't get it. Why are you asking me about this?

'Cause we're in the same spot.
We're both just lowly grunts who put our lives on the line, but we're not privy to the big picture.
I dunno about you, but I'm tired of being left in the dark about what the brass is planning.
So then, wanna find out what's going on with me?


In addition to the Japanese group that's after you, now you've also got the CIA and the Russians to contend with.
With all the heat you've brought down on us, getting out of Hokkaido won't be easy.

A transporter?

One used by the underworld.
They'll get us where we need to go for a price.

How do we know they won't sell us out?

We don't. That's the risky part.
But we don't have any other options right now, so it's a risk that we'll have to take.

Did that feel cold?

What's the big idea, kid? You do that again, and you're talking.

Two hundred meters ahead. There's one there.

He's talking about a checkpoint. Take another route before we reach it.

He's a Doll, isn't he?

Yeah.
If they've got a checkpoint set up out here, I'd say it's a good bet you're not getting out of Hokkaido this way.

Then find another way out. That's what I'm paying you for.

'Kay, but this is gonna require more work than was originally agreed upon, so the amount you're paying me is just doubled, pal.


We have Izanami secured, but so far we have yet to catch BK201 and the other suspects.

And if I understand correctly they are the ones who tried to kill Izanami.

All the evidence we have points to that.
Also, we're still investigating how the details of her location got out and what organization was behind the leak.
Sir, this is a real honor.

My pleasure.
If you appreciated the tea then tell me if it's true that Izanagi's father is already here.

News travels fast, doesn't it?

It's proper etiquette to finish.

It was truly divine, sir. Thank you.
To answer your question, we've only received reports of a subject who resembles him.
We're still trying to confirm his identity.

Even so, the appointed time prophesied in the Mitaka Documents isn't that far away.
Advents are now coming to pass, so we must hurry, while the moon is still gone.

Hm... Ikuta's girl. Tell me, child, how is your family? Well, I hope.

I couldn't say, nor do I care.

Oh, I see.


Right. I'll call you once I'm on my way.
How about we just meet at the usual place? Sound good?

Sure.


A tattoo might help with the disguise. I could give you a badass tat like this one.

No thanks.

Look at you! That burn mark is a nice touch.
Now all we need is your picture on this.

You've used some weird cars, but this one takes the cake.

Dolls are easy to notice, so I had to get creative.
We'll hit the road as soon as the storm lets up, 'kay?


I don't believe this... Stuck in Sapporo because of a snowstorm.
We need to get to Tokyo immediately.
If air traffic is grounded, we'll just take a train.

Trains aren't running here, either.
We'll have to drive to a station closer to Tokyo.
Just sit back and enjoy the ride.

That's easy for you to say.
Well, it seems that we're going to be delayed, Tanya.

That young lady is a Contractor, isn't she, Major?

Huh?

I can tell.
My associate and I have trained and worked with enough Contractors over the years to know.

Wait, you mean you two aren't with the consulate?

No, we're actually with Foreign Affairs, Major.
So tell us, have you been briefed about the little incident that occurred back in Sapporo?

Yes, but I haven't received any detailed intel on who was involved, nor what organization they might work for.

From the evidence we've been able to gather, we believe a Japanese agency was definitely involved.
And not only that, they were trying to apprehend the subjects in this security cam image.

BK201...

Note the two children as well.
We believe they're the girl and the Doll reported to be with him.

Suo.

It's imperative we find this group so we can find our primary target.

Don't worry, we have a Contractor who's on the lookout for them.
In fact, I believe you know him -- Ilya Sokolov.

Ilya?
He's a capable Contractor.
But truth be told if permission were granted, I'd gladly kill that sick son of a bitch.

Speak of the devil.
A Doll smuggling route.


You're really having ice cream after that huge lunch?

Oh yeah, I'm not the one who almost scarfed down a whole pizza.

Huh?

Whoa, is he drawing us?

Cool. So you're an artist, huh?

This might sound weird, but were you sketching us?

Wow, how exciting!

We're incredibly flattered. Can we see?



What's in the back?

A little boy's body, I'm sad to say.
He died while visiting relatives here, and I'm taking him back home.

Where's his family?

His father and older sister are both in the car behind me.
They came to escort his remains.

I'm sorry for your loss, sir, but I'm afraid I'm going to need to take a look inside the coffin.


Eight, nine, and ten... It's all there.
Now all that's left is for you to get to the station in Sendai.
Once there, use these to board the red-eye that leaves at 4:30.
Since it's departing at the crack of dawn, you shouldn't have to deal with much security.
And even if you do, you saw how well your disguises worked.

Would it all right if I let July out for a bit?

We'll have another inspection once we get off the train in Aomori, so you'll have to put him back.

Just leave him alone.

He's a Doll; he doesn't mind.

July, open your eyes.
Isn't it lonely in there, being cooped up all by yourself?
It's okay if you feel that way. I know I would. You can tell me if you do.

Uh... could you... not?

C'mon, doesn't this hurt?

It does.

Then why don't you say so?
I'm sorry.


What the...? A flat?

I see. It was wired to intentionally blow at a certain point.

Yeah.

I've gotta admit I'm surprised.
I thought selling us out would be far more lucrative than selling the Doll.

We have to save him.

July? Why should we?

Well, because!

You got attached to him, didn't you?

I need him whenever I use my ability. He helps me with my targeting.

Well, not anymore.
You'll have to learn to get by without him. He's not worth the risk.

What?
How can you be so cold-hearted about July like that?

He's just a Doll.

Yeah, well, so was Yin!
You were willing to risk everything for her!
Why is that?

Shut up!

July has been pretty useful. With your powers gone, we need all the help we can get.

Nobody asked you. Besides, we have no idea where they're headed.

July!
Look, that's his Observation Specter! July's trying to lead us to him!

He's what?!

Hold on! Wait!
For a Contractor, you sure do a lot of irrational things!


I feel bad that I got frustrated with July earlier.
I just wanted him to tell me what he was feeling.

Dolls don't exactly do things like that.

Even so, I believe July must still feel something.

What makes you think so?

Why else would he send out his Observation Specter?
He's gotta be real scared right now, and that's why he wants us to find him.
We were human once -- all of us. I'm sure we have some feelings left.
Even if they're just fragments, something must remain.

July!
Listen, we have to get off at the next stop. We'll hitch a ride with another car there.


I'm sure your new owners will treat you well, kiddo.
Boy Dolls like you are highly treasured items.


There's the hearse.

He's not here...
July must be inside.
Go scout it out, would ya?

What? Why me?

Go on, get moving.

You're a slave driver, you know that? Or to be more exact, a flying squirrel driver!

Study your surroundings -- anything can be a weapon.

Hurry up!

Damn it... He's late. Where could he be?

We need to get her away from July.
You distract her, and I'll handle the rest.

Yeah, sure. But that's the weapon you're using?

If I use my rifle, the sound might attract the police here.

So I guess you can be rational sometimes.
Well, let's get this thing done, shall we?

What the? Is someone there?

What?!
What?! You! Wait...

That's enough! Stop!

Stop it! Now! Get July!

Are you okay?

Haven't you heard, my dear lady?
Smuggling Dolls is a very dangerous business.
Every country in the world is in the market for them, so they keep close tabs on Doll smuggling rings just like the one operated by your tardy and now very dead associate.

What...?

Feels good, doesn't it? I like to think of it as a brain narcotic.
All the pain in your body ebbs away, and you start to fall asleep.
Then before you know it, you stopped breathing.
Come along, you two.

Stop it! What're you doing! Let me go!

No. Because if I did that, you'd just use your ability.
Calm down.
That's better. Now come.

Like hell!

Well well, so this rat is a Contractor, too?

What?! Rat?! I'm a flying squirrel, you idiot!
Don't you know the difference?!

You're coming too, Doll.

No way... July... don't listen to him.

Don't fret.
See, look, I do something wonderful for the people like you.
They don't die in pain but in a blissful dream.

Tell me, how long has it been since you had a dream?

What?

The reason I ask is to find out how long you've been a Contractor.
Becoming one isn't a bad thing, you know.
In fact, I was quite thankful when I became one, because it stopped the dreams I was having.
You see, people I knew kept showing up in them -- namely, all the women I'd killed.

I used to end their lives in horrible ways -- the total opposite how I do it now.
I found so much joy watching them suffer back then.

You're nothing but an animal!

That's kind of like the pot calling the kettle black.
Anyway, all that changed when I became a Contractor.
As a result, I can't kill for irrational reasons anymore.
Nowadays I'm hired to kill for rational reasons instead.
Strange how things worked out, huh?

Doesn't it feel good? Surrender yourself to it.

Don't let go!

What the?!

I don't know how you managed to find us.
But I, for one, am glad you did.
Though I'm surprised. I guess it was worth the risk after all, huh?

Yeah, thanks.

If you want to thank someone, thank July.

Huh?
July. Are you okay? Are you hurt?
Oh. You have a bump.

Ow.

Thanks, July.


ENDING


You're already up?

It's like with hunting.

Hm?

A successful hunter arrives early and lays in wait to ambush his prey.


PREVIEW

I'll never forget the way the sun glimmered on those summer days at the pool.
How it spilt through the windows as we played.
And how your blond hair shimmered when the light caught it a certain way.
The distant echo of your laugh off of the cold walls.
Taking those memories aboard, the golden train begins to run, headed for an end in an unfamiliar, foreign land.
But we can never have a day like that again, can we?