– a gang hired by Micromachines corporation, Nakamura’s relentless enemy, backed by a few ‘specialists’.

At the beginning the Übermensch was a social concept, mostly popular among celebrities and athletes. Wide availability of cybernetic implants and cyber-bodies has led some people to seek appearance alteration and efficiency improvements through exchange of body parts and organs for cybernetic counterparts.

Peer pressure and strict regulations in sports or public service meant the technology was closely controlled. The Übermensch went underground, turning more and more radical in the fight for free access to cybertech. It was not long before they became a loose net of criminal groups, something between Yakuza and Al Kaida. In search for means to their goals they often turned to terror tactics, extortion and robbery.

The Übermensch are famous for striving to alter their bodies with cybertech as much as possible, seeing it as a way to ‘better’ the human race. People without any implants are despised within their ranks and a full cyber-body is kept in highest regard. They are ruthless, and their presence is a sure sign of impending trouble (read: absolute riot). They are also a very dangerous foe because of the latest equipment and psychotic behaviour, often observed among them. Cyber-shock is commonplace within the group which is understandable given they are more machine than man.

SUCCESSION IN NAKAMURA CORPORATION

Nakamura Corporation general shareholders meeting, after an unexpectedly short session, designated a new Chairman of the Board to be Mrs. Yukio Nakamura. Acting Chairman Mr. Akira Staufenberg will continue to work for another two months, until a full transfer of responsibilities. Mrs. Yukio Nakamura, former vice-president of research department, knows the organization very well, which should help her with her new role.

During a press conference Mrs. Nakamura has already announced some key changes to the way the company operates, especially in the military manufacturing field, new markets development and acquisition of talented personnel. Commentators point out that it means going back to the company’s original strategy, preferred by majority shareholders, Nakamura family included.

It is worth noting that the future Chairman lifestyle and communication skills are far from classic standards. Distinctive dressing style and visible cybertech modifications break the traditional image. One of her assets is intransigence which could be a breath of fresh air for the company’s ongoing operations. There seems to be a glimmer of hope for the Nakamura Corporation to start growing again after a few miserable years.

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‘Inside the Real Business’ – investor’s almanac.

MARKUS HOFFMAN

Due to the recognized nature of threats I recommend to equip all Board member security teams with at least 1 weapon enabling it to take on enemies equipped with combat cyberbodies or heavy armours.

AI simulations predict the following probability of possible risk scenarios for the next 6 months:

• kidnapping attempt: 98%
• assassination attempt: 67%
• attacks against a means of transport: 62%
• attacks against field warehouses or research facilities: 58%
• attacks against offices or branches in urban areas: 42%

…….
Additional training for security teams is recommended, both in the field and in VR simulators. Mr Marcus Hoffman is responsible for project coordination, team certification and choice of equipment. All team leaders should report all simulation and tactical scenario results to him.

Lupu Reck, Security Manager.

WERNER KUBE

Mrs. Yukio Nakamura, Nakamura Corp. CEO

Dear Madam,
I beg your pardon for taking up your time but I would like to discuss the behavior of Mr Werner Kube during his last visit to the NA-5 research facility. I understand that as the board members’ personal security manager he only wanted to perform his duties but as a result of his actions numerous working regulations of our facility were violated. His actions were not arranged or consulted and his attitude was very arrogant. Ordering full personnel evacuation in face of a meaningless risk concerning some anonymous threats was a serious exaggeration. Isolation of our facility from the network and electromagnetic emissions was also unnecessary and resulted in the loss of 486 working-hours. In the light our research schedule is impossible to make up for.

Moreover Mr Werner Kube violated the personal inviolability of my two assistants and myself when we tried to convince him to alter his decisions. I trust that as the guardian of the values being at the foundations of the organizational culture of our company you will take appropriate actions.

Kenneth Yourani, PhD – director of NA-5 research facility, military research dept.

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Mr Yourani was relived from his position with immediate effect with the decision of Mrs Nakamura.

CASE CLOSED
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TETSUO KENJI

The classic men-uchi ended the final fight in favor of Mr. Tetsuo Kenji. Despite of his young age, the new champion showed perfect technic and self-control. Working on a daily basis as an assistant to manager, Mr. Kenji became a real revelation of this championship. Beautiful fight and beautiful, full of respect fighting style of this young man, gained him applause of the public gathered in large number. For a long time Kendo haven’t seen such a promising rising star.

Classic martial arts sport channel

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UPDATE
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We regret to inform, that Mr. Tetsuo Kenji lost his recently won champion title due to disqualification. His opponent submitted claim regarding the specification of cyborgizations reported by Mr. Kenji. Mr. Kenji, surprisingly refused the precise scan of his body. In such circumstances the jury didn’t have a choice, and according to the regulations, ruled disqualification.

LUPU RECK

After the new pharmacological treatment the patient shows much decrease of hyperactivity and psychotic behaviors. The therapy is starting to bring positive results. The patient stopped complaining about the implant rejection syndrome and phantom pains. The assimilation of new interfaces is also going well.

Psychiatric opinions confirm significant improvement of environment, new appearance and cyborgization’s possibilities acceptance. Reconstruction of tissue is almost completed. The permission to release the patient from the clinic is granted due to the guarantee of the Nakamura Corp. executive board. Further treatment and psychological supervision are required. Due to presence of the patient in direct contact with the executive board members his close monitoring is recommended. Report copies will be sent directly to Mrs Nakamura.

The patient categorically denies having anything to do with the incident that took place near the clinic a week ago when 2 dead and 1 wounded person were found in one of the back alleys. The victims were recognized as members of the criminal underworld, the police suggests gang war however the nature of wounds suggests that they were inflicted by a single highly skilled professional. The patient’s explanations have some logical gaps, he cannot say what exactly was he doing after leaving the clinic. I recommend use of polygraph software during the next session as well as improvement of monitoring and clinic security. Incident description should be immediately relayed to the security manager – Mr Kube.

Josef Scalzi, PhD – medical research dept.

RAID 44 (Rapid Action and Investigation Detachment 44) – in the early phase of corporate wars Nakamura did not posses its own rapid response force. On top of that the attack on Nakamura Tower looked like a ‘typical’ terrorist/hostage situation. The reaction was to call the police. RAID 44 was formed as a response to cyborg related crime the ordinary police could not handle. Heavily armed and armored, backed by combat hackers, they are very effective in battling the cyborg crime menace. The team was formed with haste after a few spectacular failures by the police force that resulted in a high victim count. At first taking cue from military shock troops the officers were handed heavy weapons and armor. Gradually the modus operandi changed into something more sophisticated. The utilization of high mobility, combat hackers backup and specialized investigators has shorten reaction time extensively and increased operational flexibility. It was necessary to counter the exponential rise in cyborg related crime. Although covering wide range of tasks RAID 44 remains an elite formation. It is a result of a strict selection process and high equipment cost. Only the best, highly motivated and very intelligent can measure themselves with a foe that has a reaction time of machine and no compunction.

Wild, thickly wooded hills, out in the middle of nowhere….

How you’re doing, number 62? Are you holding up? I thought you would’t make it by now…. 4 days, who would have thought… Maybe you want to give up… Not yet? Well, well…

Haven’t you had enough? you’d better get ready with your backpack only 4 minutes left till the departure … Did you get some sleep? probably not, especially through that rainstorm, hahahaha

2 hours of sleep after marching whole day in this wilderness… you keep surprising me, I have to admit… or perhaps those flash-bang grenades as a wake-up call have put you in this combative mood??

Don’t you worry, you’ll have a chance to prove yourself, we’re setting off for a marathon, hahaha . Yep, you heard me well, a marathon indeed, another 42 kilometres… I doubt you’ll manage to do it with those blisters… You can still back down… hot tee is waiting for you… you could stop this suffering… no?? whatever…

2 minutes until the departure!

Your hands are shaking, number 62? you’re cold and your blood sugar level is going down, isn’t it? You must have eaten up your field ration? what a pity…

I’ve told you that the next one you’d get only at the finish line.

Damn, it’s cold tonight! Are you sure you don’t want to pull back?

Maj. “Zack” during the hell week, final part of the selection process for Black Stone Commando unit.

Inspired by true events