There have been many strange happenings diplomatically which have drawn my attention. Without revealing too much detail, I'll just say that I created a situation outside of Ainu and then rectified it in Tau-23 a few days later... Hopefully.
As far as patrols lately, I have seen many victories and a few defeats. I'll begin with an odd one; a Corsair gunboat travelling along the lanes in Kyushu. Upon me stopping him with a cruise disruptor, he turned around and opened fire! Imagine the audacity!
The pilot of the "Veneno" soon regretted his decision.
Immediately after, sister Ri.Xui and an outcast named Eduardo.Quin; both of whom had helped in the Corsair's destruction, joined in an attack versus a KNF Destroyer, who's callsign was IKN-Ikazuchi. Though it fought valiantly, the might of the three bombers was simply too much and it was damaged beyond recognition.
Once I had refueled at Ainu after that incident, I took off again and heard chatter over the comms from the Blood Dragons. I proceeded to the Chugoku jump hole, where I found many dragons engaged in battle with a KNF gunboat, a KNF Destroyer, and a mercenary fighter. I offered assistance, to which they agreed and we destroyed the lot.
First the gunboat titled "013"
Then we moved to the Destroyer titled the "Moottorikana", a vessel whose namesake we have taken down before.
Last but not least...
I've begun progress on procuring a gunboat! I've spoken with the head technician at Mito Shipyards about a particular boat, a Hachiman which is simply sitting in disrepair. He has said that if I can find the right parts to fix it, and a few credits for the work, he can get it up and running again. I have already attained several Optical Chips and other electronic components, now I simply need the extra Hull Panels to fix the remaining holes, dents, and bends in the Hachiman, perhaps I will ask the Bretonians for these in exchange for some prisoners of war? I have decided I will rename it to the Serendipity, in honor of my first GC vessel.
I took the Inari, to get us some supplies. When i arrived in Kyushu I met a Naval Forces Soldier, I talked to her for some time and it seems like there is still some hope left. I think this little record of the conversation should show what happened.
Junko.Okanaya: Whoa...
Junko.Okanaya: *Cleans her eyes.*
Junko.Okanaya: Was that just...
Junko.Okanaya: Hmm... [GC]-Inari: *giggles* Whoa?
Junko.Okanaya: Hai! [GC]-Inari: Konnichiwa
Junko.Okanaya: It seems it was not just my thoughts playing.
Junko.Okanaya: Konnichiwa, fallen women of Kusari! [GC]-Inari: Fallen?
Junko.Okanaya: Hai! [GC]-Inari: Why should I be fallen?
Junko.Okanaya: Everyone who opposes the Emperor is a fallen Kusarian!
Junko.Okanaya: On the other hand, you seem to have a transport full of... your kin!
Junko.Okanaya: Why are you present in this land of the Emperor? [GC]-Inari: *laughs* Maybe you should know about our reasons, before calling us fallen?
Junko.Okanaya: Your reasons? [GC]-Inari: And well why am I here... we need supplies
Junko.Okanaya: Being addicted to the demonic substance of cardamine? [GC]-Inari: Ever tried it Soldier?
Junko.Okanaya: *Shrugs.*
Junko.Okanaya: Why would I ever kiss a demon?
Junko.Okanaya: Just to enhance, bring forth my own doom? [GC]-Inari: Because this could be an experience you wont forget?
Junko.Okanaya: No, I shall not allow the evil spirits to overcome my soul! [GC]-Inari: *laughs* Evil Spirits?
Junko.Okanaya: It is a vain attempt to convince me!
Junko.Okanaya: Hai! Evil spirits!
Junko.Okanaya: Ones that dwell within this demonic substance. [GC]-Inari: You shouldnt judge about a thing you cant know my dear...
Junko.Okanaya: I have seen what it does, "sister!"
Junko.Okanaya: That is more than enough to impose a judgement! [GC]-Inari: Oh and what have you seen?
Junko.Okanaya: I have seen lives being destroyed.
Junko.Okanaya: I have seen people who act against their own will.
Junko.Okanaya: I have seen cardamine bringing nothing but suffering to the loyal citizens of Kusari, fallen one! [GC]-Inari: And what is your great Emperor doing? Isnt he the bigger evil?
Junko.Okanaya: No! The Emperor leads Kusari to victory! [GC]-Inari: The Emperor, Samura, all of them...
[GC]-Inari: Lead Kusari to a victrory, the Bretonian one...
Junko.Okanaya: They operate together to achieve a better future!
Junko.Okanaya: The wisdom of the Emperor shall not be judged! [GC]-Inari: Wisdom?
Junko.Okanaya: Hai! [GC]-Inari: You have no idea...
Junko.Okanaya: His infinite wisdom guides Kusari to victory!
Junko.Okanaya: Have you not seen how the Bretonians perish under our might? [GC]-Inari: Their propaganda seems to be good...
Junko.Okanaya: It is not mere propaganda! [GC]-Inari: No? What else is it?
Junko.Okanaya: Have you never seen Leeds, sister?
Junko.Okanaya: They have visual success achieved!
Junko.Okanaya: We do!
Junko.Okanaya: The katana of the Emperor! [GC]-Inari: I have seen Leeds, I have seen the Civilians suffering...
[GC]-Inari: Things your great Emperor doesnt care about, hai?
Junko.Okanaya: Because they don't suffer under the influence of cardamine?
Junko.Okanaya: Or the ones you pirate and kill, do not suffer?
Junko.Okanaya: You fight for nothing but mere personal gain, fallen one.
Junko.Okanaya: Cardamine forces you to do so!
Junko.Okanaya: An evil, devilish substance!
Junko.Okanaya: Surrender yourselves and the Emperor may show mercy! [GC]-Inari: YOur words are worthless...
Junko.Okanaya: You do not want me to use my blade to achieve an impact! [GC]-Inari: And why should I surrender? To have the great live so many other live?
Junko.Okanaya: You do not understand me.
Junko.Okanaya: I know that you are acting agaisnt your will.
Junko.Okanaya: That is why I wish not to end your life. [GC]-Inari: *laughs*
Junko.Okanaya: Surrendering and letting the Emperor show his mercy. [GC]-Inari: You have no idea...
Junko.Okanaya: Would be the best choice!
Junko.Okanaya: We have rehabilitation centres! [GC]-Inari: Oh and then? I would work for Samura, to support this useless war?
[GC]-Inari: I would move back into the supression?
Junko.Okanaya: Hai! The Bretonians are inferior! [GC]-Inari: Giving up my freedom?
Junko.Okanaya: Prospect for the real Kusari!
Junko.Okanaya: That is the only way! [GC]-Inari: No...
Junko.Okanaya: *Sighs.*
Junko.Okanaya: *Taps her sidearm.* [GC]-Inari: You should take some time to see how women have to live in the most families...
Junko.Okanaya: That is why I wish not to ground a family myself! [GC]-Inari: Oh so you accept it, as it is?
Junko.Okanaya: I eeer... [GC]-Inari: You dont want to change it?
Junko.Okanaya: *Scratches her head.*
Junko.Okanaya: I... do... well...
Junko.Okanaya: That is another thing! [GC]-Inari: You are supporting this whole system of supression...
Junko.Okanaya: If you do not want a man to oppress you, then don't live with one!
Junko.Okanaya: Works for me! [GC]-Inari: I know that my Children will live in freedom...
[GC]-Inari: And as you may know a man is necessary to have Children...
Junko.Okanaya: *Coughs.*
Junko.Okanaya: Hai, but... [GC]-Inari: But yes... how should you understand it...
Junko.Okanaya: How... can you...
Junko.Okanaya: Have...eeer....
Junko.Okanaya: Descendants without a man?
Junko.Okanaya: *Coughs in shame.* [GC]-Inari: *laughs*
Junko.Okanaya: *To herself:* Good Emperor, I hope my superiors won't see me talking about this... [GC]-Inari: Well I for my part am married, so I dont have to worry about this...
[GC]-Inari: But not to a Kusarian...
Junko.Okanaya: Aren't the Golden Chrysantemums just... women?
Junko.Okanaya: To a Gaijin!
Junko.Okanaya: Why is that better?
Junko.Okanaya: I would rather marry a local man than to a Gaijin!
Junko.Okanaya: Rather be enslaved than to betray my home! [GC]-Inari: *giggles* Oh would you?
Junko.Okanaya: Hai! [GC]-Inari: I think you dont know what you are talking about...
Junko.Okanaya: Why... why is that...?
Junko.Okanaya: *Takes a deep breath, obviously in confusion.* [GC]-Inari: Maybe you were lucky with your father, mine supressed me where he could... wanted to force me to marry someone
[GC]-Inari: i didnt even know...
Junko.Okanaya: *Sighs.*
Junko.Okanaya: Fine...
Junko.Okanaya: You know what?
Junko.Okanaya: I know... I KNOW the men of Kusari oppress us! [GC]-Inari: And still... you assist them?
Junko.Okanaya: But destroying everyone is NOT the solution!
Junko.Okanaya: I do... I do not assist them... I assist Kusari... for a better future... [GC]-Inari: Oh a better future... I see, a future that will still contain the supression
Junko.Okanaya: That.. that is not right! [GC]-Inari: Or do you think men will give their supperior position up?
Junko.Okanaya: If we fight together.. I mean, legally!
Junko.Okanaya: But the Emperor... [GC]-Inari: Nothing will change, believe me
Junko.Okanaya: He guides us to prosperity! [GC]-Inari: He is a liar...
[GC]-Inari: Cant you realize how he fools you?
Junko.Okanaya: No! I have seen Leeds! I fought against the Bretonians!
Junko.Okanaya: We are winning a war! [GC]-Inari: And then?
Junko.Okanaya: And then Kusari will be great and glorious! [GC]-Inari: Others, unguilty people will be forced to live under the same conditions as we do...
Junko.Okanaya: So what? Bretonians! [GC]-Inari: Bretonians didnt start this war...
Junko.Okanaya: We are superior to them!
Junko.Okanaya: They exist to be our slaves!
Junko.Okanaya: Nothing else! [GC]-Inari: Oh and why? Because we supress our women?
[GC]-Inari: Because Kusari is a state without equality?
Junko.Okanaya: I... what... what do women have to do with this?
Junko.Okanaya: I fight for Kusari too! [GC]-Inari: Oh and you are even proud?
Junko.Okanaya: Hai! I am! [GC]-Inari: Now look at yourself, how long did you serve in the forces?
Junko.Okanaya: A few years...
Junko.Okanaya: Two, three...
Junko.Okanaya: How is that relevant? [GC]-Inari: And how many promotions did they give you?
Junko.Okanaya: Two...
Junko.Okanaya: I received three, but moved back to reserve...
Junko.Okanaya: I am a Daii now. [GC]-Inari: And let me guess you always did your duty in the best way possible?
Junko.Okanaya: Ha... hai... [GC]-Inari: Well look what the men did in the same time?
Junko.Okanaya: But...
Junko.Okanaya: That is something else... [GC]-Inari: Did they do their duties in the same way as you did?
Junko.Okanaya: Well... Hiroito is now a Battleship captain...
Junko.Okanaya: *Gulps.*
Junko.Okanaya: But... [GC]-Inari: You see...
Junko.Okanaya: I don't fight for promotions or money!
Junko.Okanaya: I fight for Kusari! [GC]-Inari: You are nothing than cannonfoder in their eyes...
[GC]-Inari: Dont fool yourself...
Junko.Okanaya: No! I'm a samurai! [GC]-Inari: *laughs* Thats what you think..
Junko.Okanaya: No! They said it too! [GC]-Inari: But did they mean it?
Junko.Okanaya: Even Hiroito did!
Junko.Okanaya: Hai!
Junko.Okanaya: Why would they be lying! [GC]-Inari: He is a Battleship captain now, do you really thing he would talk in a honest way to you, when he knows that you would have
[GC]-Inari: deserved his place?
Junko.Okanaya: We are samurais!
Junko.Okanaya: We talk with honesty!
Junko.Okanaya: We fight with honor! [GC]-Inari: Oh thats why you kill unguilty citizens?
[GC]-Inari: Make thousands homeless?
Junko.Okanaya: I... it's... it's a... war...
Junko.Okanaya: I'm just... follwing orders!
Junko.Okanaya: *Wipes off a tear.* [GC]-Inari: A war you started... a war started because of greed...
[GC]-Inari: Isnt there enough space out there?
Junko.Okanaya: Ha... hai...
Junko.Okanaya: Why... why can't you live somewhere else then?
Junko.Okanaya: Why must you come here and harass the citizens and civilians of Kusari? [GC]-Inari: Because I know where my place is...
Junko.Okanaya: B... but...
Junko.Okanaya: You are no better! [GC]-Inari: I know, but I fight for a higher goal...
[GC]-Inari: Which makes me better...
Junko.Okanaya: Which is?
Junko.Okanaya: The prosperity of Kusari! That is what I fight for! [GC]-Inari: Freedom, Equality and all this in Kusari...
Junko.Okanaya: But the Emperor... he guarantees that!
Junko.Okanaya: *Shrugs.* [GC]-Inari: Oh so... you would consider a Samura worker, working 14 hours a day to have something to eat as free?
Junko.Okanaya: Someone has to do it... [GC]-Inari: Oh and what does the Emperor?
[GC]-Inari: Nothing!
Junko.Okanaya: He... leads us...
Junko.Okanaya: He guides us! [GC]-Inari: *laughs* He destroys this state, his mind is poluted by Samura...
Junko.Okanaya: Sister...
Junko.Okanaya: What is your name? [GC]-Inari: Rika
Junko.Okanaya: Rika... mine is Junko... [GC]-Inari: And Im not sure if I can consider you as a Sister Junko...
Junko.Okanaya: I will... go back to my headquarters... [GC]-Inari: And then?
Junko.Okanaya: I have to report back else they will think I'm missing...
Junko.Okanaya: I will...
Junko.Okanaya: Not tell them I have seen you here... [GC]-Inari: You should think about my words...
Junko.Okanaya: I have to admit something...
Junko.Okanaya: Which I never told anyone.
Junko.Okanaya: But not here, not now... [GC]-Inari: Hai... as you wish
Junko.Okanaya: I have to believe... you are someone who would be willing to listen to me...
Junko.Okanaya: But for now...
Junko.Okanaya: I have to depart... [GC]-Inari: Hai... take care
Junko.Okanaya: *Shrugs in despair.*
Junko.Okanaya: Sayo....nara... [GC]-Inari: Oh and Junko... you just let a Chrysanthemum Elder escape
Junko.Okanaya: *To herself:* I went... mad...
Junko.Okanaya: *To herself:* I am a dishonor to Kusari...
Junko.Okanaya: *To herself:* May the Emperor have mercy on my soul...
We should try to find her, it appears like she would support us.
At first let me congratulate our Sister Sei to her good work, keep it up as it is Sei!
I met the KNF Soldier again, after she contacted me and was I able to show her the right way. Here are the records.
[GC]-Rika.Ito.: Konnichiwa Junko
Junko.Okanaya: *Shrugs, then sighs.*
Junko.Okanaya: So you came... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Hai, told you I would...
Junko.Okanaya: May I ask... that we go somewhere deeper into the nebula? I feel unconfortable because of all the civilians... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: *laughs* Hai
Junko.Okanaya: I will... follow you... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Come...
Junko.Okanaya: *To herself:* Good Emperor... what am I doing? [GC]-Rika.Ito.: This place should be fine...
Junko.Okanaya: H... hai... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: And Junko... you are doing the right thing...
Junko.Okanaya: I... thought about the things you said...
Junko.Okanaya: I realized...
Junko.Okanaya: I have been following the same goals all my life...
Junko.Okanaya: Just with a different... master.
Junko.Okanaya: I mean... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Hai?
Junko.Okanaya: You don't see many women in the Kusari Naval Forces, do you?
Junko.Okanaya: Well, I got in...
Junko.Okanaya: I realized, I did so to prove something...
Junko.Okanaya: *Sighs gently.* [GC]-Rika.Ito.: But were you able to prove it?
Junko.Okanaya: I... don't know... I don't think so...
Junko.Okanaya: Well, I thought I did.
Junko.Okanaya: But what you said yesterday made me realize.
Junko.Okanaya: I still am in a lower position than men.
Junko.Okanaya: As in, socially and all. [GC]-Rika.Ito.: *giggles* You ever will be...
Junko.Okanaya: I don't get half the respect I deserve...
Junko.Okanaya: Not even from Gaijins. [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Hai...
Junko.Okanaya: But what... what are your goals?
Junko.Okanaya: How can you alter such a society? [GC]-Rika.Ito.: We need to remove the harmful elements...
Junko.Okanaya: Harmful elements?
Junko.Okanaya: Isn't the cardamine that? [GC]-Rika.Ito.: The Emperor, Samura... all those that try to keep their power...
[GC]-Rika.Ito.: Cardamine is necessary...
Junko.Okanaya: W... why? [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Spies...
Junko.Okanaya: So you alter an entire genetic code just to... flush out spies?
Junko.Okanaya: That still is a rather... conservative approach...
Junko.Okanaya: If not ignorant, excuse me. [GC]-Rika.Ito.: It is the only one we can trust...
Junko.Okanaya: Your movement seems to be larger than it would appear...
Junko.Okanaya: But why would eradicating the Emperor prove to be good for women? [GC]-Rika.Ito.: *laughs* We get rid of him and this society wil be ready for a change...
Junko.Okanaya: What about the males?
Junko.Okanaya: Will they be eradicated too?
Junko.Okanaya: They will need complete reeducation... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: The ones that are willed to live on an equal level with us are welcome
Junko.Okanaya: Equality... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: The others... there wont be much hope for them...
Junko.Okanaya: But as I said... Ri.Xui: Konnichiwa sister, do you require aid?
Junko.Okanaya: The corporates and the Emperor have...
Junko.Okanaya: Wait, who is that? [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Konnichiwa and no everything fine
Junko.Okanaya: I thought this was a secret meeting.
Junko.Okanaya: *Shrugs.* Ri.Xui: Hai. I shall take my leave then [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Arigatou Sister
Ri.Xui: Do not Junko, I am blessed with terrible memory
Junko.Okanaya: Who was that person?
Junko.Okanaya: How did she find us? [GC]-Rika.Ito.: A Sister on a routine patrol, looks like we are still in range...
Junko.Okanaya: H... hai...
Junko.Okanaya: Uhm... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Now Junko, can you imagine a state where men and women are equal?
[GC]-Rika.Ito.: Free...
Junko.Okanaya: Uhm...
Junko.Okanaya: Rhein... land?
Junko.Okanaya: I don't really know, I've never been abroad...
Junko.Okanaya: What the hell? Another contact?
Junko.Okanaya: We are not safe here, Rika... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Hai... looks like he slipped through....
[GC]-Rika.Ito.: Lets move a bit more...
Junko.Okanaya: Hai.
Junko.Okanaya: Whoa! [GC]-Rika.Ito.: We should be alone now...
Junko.Okanaya: The nebula ends? [GC]-Rika.Ito.: *giggles* Hai it does
Junko.Okanaya: Hai....
Junko.Okanaya: I've never been this far out. [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Do you enjoy the view?
Junko.Okanaya: Perhaps it was wrong of me to take my patrol ship.
Junko.Okanaya: Hai... I do...
Junko.Okanaya: Actually... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Another thing none of them wanted you to see...
Junko.Okanaya: This is amazing...
Junko.Okanaya: I always thought Hokkaido was just one, big nebula.
Junko.Okanaya: Looks like...
Junko.Okanaya: You can't let yourself be fooled by appearances... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: *laughs* Hai
Junko.Okanaya: Well...
Junko.Okanaya: Remember when I said I have something to confess?
Junko.Okanaya: Which I never told... anyone? [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Hai, do you want to tell it to me?
Junko.Okanaya: Can I trust you?
Junko.Okanaya: To keep this secret? [GC]-Rika.Ito.: If you want to trust me, someone who should be your archenemy, hai you can...
Junko.Okanaya: I have... already made a decision...
Junko.Okanaya: Just by not attacking you...
Junko.Okanaya: I betrayed the Emperor... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: A good thing, believe me...
Junko.Okanaya: Is there anything more I could lose?
Junko.Okanaya: Do you see me, another confused woman of Kusari as your enemy, Rika? [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Why should I see you as an enemy?
Junko.Okanaya: Because.... I don't see you as my enemy anymore... realizing that I have been surrounded by enemies all my life...
-Encryption; requires an Elders ID to decrypt-
Note to those able to read this:
Keep it a secret, I do not want to break her trust in me.
Junko.Okanaya: Fine...
Junko.Okanaya: *Takes a deep breath.*
Junko.Okanaya: You know... I mentioned that I never had a relationship with any males before... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Hai Sister, you did
Junko.Okanaya: I think you figured out what would... continue already.
Junko.Okanaya: Or need I really tell? [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Its your secret Sister, you should say it
Junko.Okanaya: I loved only one person so far.
Junko.Okanaya: And that person was...
Junko.Okanaya: A woman herself...
Junko.Okanaya: *Sighs in despair.*
Junko.Okanaya: She never learned that I loved her... we were never that close.
Junko.Okanaya: But it is a sinful affliction I obtained.
Junko.Okanaya: And since then...
Junko.Okanaya: I cannot kill it out of myself... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Sinful? *laughs*
Junko.Okanaya: Hai... it... it is against the samurai code...
Junko.Okanaya: My honor... it's all gone... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Which is nothing... but lies...
[GC]-Rika.Ito.: Honor... can you feed children with it?
Junko.Okanaya: Well... no... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Can you help the poor?
Junko.Okanaya: No...
Junko.Okanaya: But with a great Kusari, I can... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Oh?
Junko.Okanaya: Hai... the expansion of Kusari would resolve such... issues... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: A Kusari that will never accept you, as you are...
Junko.Okanaya: *Stops breathing for a moment.* [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Do you really believe in these words?
Junko.Okanaya: T... true...
Junko.Okanaya: But I myself... can't accept who I am... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: *laughs* And... why not?
Junko.Okanaya: It is... against... the traditions... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: There is nothing bad in it...
Junko.Okanaya: It is against nature... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: No...
-Encryption ends-
Junko.Okanaya: I am weak for a Naval Forces pilot...
Junko.Okanaya: I am unworthy to fly with them... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Maybe... because your destiny lies elsewhere?
Junko.Okanaya: It takes me a lot of trouble just to conceal my real self.
Junko.Okanaya: It... does? [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Hai...
Junko.Okanaya: But I want... to make Kusari glorious...
Junko.Okanaya: I want to get rid of my impish emotions by helping a greater good... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: You can, if you help us...
Junko.Okanaya: How... can I help you? [GC]-Rika.Ito.: The Emperor is a malicious being and still you follow him...
[GC]-Rika.Ito.: Leave him, come with me...
Junko.Okanaya: *Shugs, then facepalms on her helmet.*
Junko.Okanaya: I am so scared... I should never feel something like this...
Junko.Okanaya: Truly, I am unworthy of being a Naval Forces warrior. [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Is it that bad to be "unworthy"? Unworthy to follow a liar?
Junko.Okanaya: It's not just... the Emperor! The honor! The traditions! The samurai code!
Junko.Okanaya: All these values I hold important!
Junko.Okanaya: Even though I need to bend my very character just to be able to follow them.
Junko.Okanaya: I still have values! [GC]-Rika.Ito.: You can gain honor by helping those that cant help themselfes...
[GC]-Rika.Ito.: And why do you try to follow things that dont accept you the way you are?
Junko.Okanaya: Why can't I achieve that by helping the Emperor?
Junko.Okanaya: But... do you... accept my diversity?
Junko.Okanaya: *Shrugs.*
Junko.Okanaya: It's not about me!
Junko.Okanaya: It's about Kusari!
Junko.Okanaya: I wish to serve my home as nobly as I can! [GC]-Rika.Ito.: *giggles* You are what you are Junko... And do you serve your home with assisting supression, injustice?
Junko.Okanaya: What do I need to do... to... to achieve a better Kusari then? [GC]-Rika.Ito.: You know the answer...
Junko.Okanaya: I will....
Junko.Okanaya: Need to think about this...
Junko.Okanaya: There is the cardamine.
Junko.Okanaya: I wish not to let the snake into my body...
Junko.Okanaya: Why should I let the impish serpent of cardamine take over my mind? [GC]-Rika.Ito.: The Cardamine... it isnt bad
Junko.Okanaya: Not bad?
Junko.Okanaya: It alters your very soul! [GC]-Rika.Ito.: And the Emperor, what is he doing?
Junko.Okanaya: Helping people live without cardamine.
Junko.Okanaya: Fight against its spreading. [GC]-Rika.Ito.: He is supressing his own people...
Junko.Okanaya: By providing them rehabilitation centres? [GC]-Rika.Ito.: *laughs*
Junko.Okanaya: W... what? [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Have you ever seen someone who came out of these 'centers'?
Junko.Okanaya: Well... no, but...
Junko.Okanaya: I myself never frequently visited any of these centres. [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Never asked yourself where those people were going after it?
Junko.Okanaya: To... work? [GC]-Rika.Ito.: You would have seen one...
Junko.Okanaya: I actually never really thought of this..
Junko.Okanaya: Where are they going then? [GC]-Rika.Ito.: They dont survive those centers...
Junko.Okanaya: Hai! Because the poison takes their mind over! [GC]-Rika.Ito.: *laughs* No because nobody helps them, those centers are lies, as everything else...
Junko.Okanaya: But why is it good if they are addicted to the cardamine in the first place? [GC]-Rika.Ito.: A long life, faster reactions... nothing you would like?
Junko.Okanaya: But it even makes you suffer brain damage, I heard. [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Oh? So my brain is damaged Sister?
Junko.Okanaya: I eeer... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: *laughs*
Junko.Okanaya: *Nervously sniffs.* [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Dont fool yourself Sister...
Junko.Okanaya: I am not... but... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: But?
Junko.Okanaya: Surely, it has to have some sort of negative side effect...
Junko.Okanaya: Otherwise, they wouldn't be banned from all the Houses.
Junko.Okanaya: It, I mean.
Junko.Okanaya: The... cardamine. [GC]-Rika.Ito.: It gives people the possibility to change something... why would those having might give the might away?
Junko.Okanaya: I don't know...
Junko.Okanaya: I will confess...
Junko.Okanaya: I have no idea what the cardamine actually does, other than what I read in the handbooks. [GC]-Rika.Ito.: If you had might... would you give it away to someone else?
Junko.Okanaya: Someone who needs it more, hai! [GC]-Rika.Ito.: You are like me then... not like the Emperor...
Junko.Okanaya: Why... why is that? [GC]-Rika.Ito.: He wont give his might away... he enjoys it too much
Junko.Okanaya: But once he's a sufficiently skilled leader?
Junko.Okanaya: Kusair benefits from him having his might! [GC]-Rika.Ito.: *laughs* The war is his fault... a war that makes innocents suffer...
Junko.Okanaya: Because piracy does not?
Junko.Okanaya: We discussed this point before... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: The rich can share... the ones thathave to leave their homes, cant...
Junko.Okanaya: *Sighs.*
Junko.Okanaya: Your words...
Junko.Okanaya: Are like silk to my ears.
Junko.Okanaya: I realize you may be speaking the right goals.
Junko.Okanaya: But how can they materialize? [GC]-Rika.Ito.: We need to fight for them...
Junko.Okanaya: *Slaps her legs.*
Junko.Okanaya: How?
Junko.Okanaya: Sparking a women's revolution?
Junko.Okanaya: In such a one-sided society? [GC]-Rika.Ito.: For example, we got many suporters...
Junko.Okanaya: Like?
Junko.Okanaya: The Blood Dragons and the Outcasts, I assume?
Junko.Okanaya: *Shrugs.* [GC]-Rika.Ito.: *giggles* Hai, but also within Kusari
Junko.Okanaya: Blood dragons. Not any better than the Emperor. [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Our cause is big....
Junko.Okanaya: I fought Blood Dragons not once.
Junko.Okanaya: They...
Junko.Okanaya: They found it disgusting too that a woman is flying a fighter. [GC]-Rika.Ito.: *giggles*
Junko.Okanaya: Why are we... I mean, you... siding with them?
Junko.Okanaya: They are the same bunch of people as the Emperor's men, just with another goal. [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Because we have to, we have similar goals Sister...
[GC]-Rika.Ito.: Right now we cant risk to fight alone...
Junko.Okanaya: Hai... I see...
Junko.Okanaya: Sister, I wish... I wish to aid you...
Junko.Okanaya: Is there... any chance I could do so...
Junko.Okanaya: With eeer...
Junko.Okanaya: Preserving my loyality to Kusari?
Junko.Okanaya: I mean, the Emperor...
Junko.Okanaya: Or... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: *laughs* You will have to decide...
Junko.Okanaya: I am so confused right now, sister.
Junko.Okanaya: I just don't know what to do... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: And assisting us, will help Kusari more...
Junko.Okanaya: I don't want to commit harakiri.
Junko.Okanaya: I lost all my honor as it is...
Junko.Okanaya: But I am too scared... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Honor... you cant eat it Sister...
[GC]-Rika.Ito.: Why would you need it?
Junko.Okanaya: But I have been living to... preserve my honor all my life.
Junko.Okanaya: It is something I held important. [GC]-Rika.Ito.: And... if someone finds out about... your little secret... do you think they will care about your honor?
Junko.Okanaya: *Gasps.*
Junko.Okanaya: I feel like crying...
Junko.Okanaya: I haven't felt like this since my childhood... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Cry if you need to...
Junko.Okanaya: But... it is... unfitting...
Junko.Okanaya: *Wipes off a tear.* [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Unfitting? Unfitting for a warrior maybe... you arent a warrior anymore...
Junko.Okanaya: I... I am... I am not...
Junko.Okanaya: Indeed...
Junko.Okanaya: *Takes a deep breath, wiping off another tear.* [GC]-Rika.Ito.: You saw the truth...
Junko.Okanaya: It seems...
Junko.Okanaya: I am just another "free woman of Kusari" now... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: 'Just another'? *giggles*
Junko.Okanaya: The nameless women I have killed under orders before... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: You are free...
Junko.Okanaya: I am free... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Nobody will judge about the things you did...
Junko.Okanaya: What... should I... do now? [GC]-Rika.Ito.: You should... feel it
Junko.Okanaya: Well, that is... what do I need to do with it? [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Can you smell it?
Junko.Okanaya: It's in some box... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Open the box...
Junko.Okanaya: *Opens the box, finding the orange substance inside.*
Junko.Okanaya: It is open... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Now can you smell it *giggles*
Junko.Okanaya: Emperor forgive me...
Junko.Okanaya: *Takes a deep breath of the substance.*
Junko.Okanaya: Good... Kusari... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: No... not the Emperor will forgive you... you will have to do that yourself Sister...
Junko.Okanaya: I feel... I feel...
Junko.Okanaya: It is coming... over me...
Junko.Okanaya: This truly is a wonderful place, sister. [GC]-Rika.Ito.: And is it that bad?
Junko.Okanaya: It is... marvelous.
Junko.Okanaya: I feel like being in a dream...
Junko.Okanaya: Everything is just so generous, so great and beautiful.
Junko.Okanaya: The orange dream... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: *giggles* You like it?
Junko.Okanaya: This is... the best thing I have... ever done...
Junko.Okanaya: I can't believe this is an evil I have been fighting...
Junko.Okanaya: It is... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: You know who you should blame...
Junko.Okanaya: Pleasent. Gentle. And forgiving.
Junko.Okanaya: Do I... need to blame anyone?
Junko.Okanaya: This truly is a wonder.
Junko.Okanaya: But right now. [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Who gave the orders to fight against it?
Junko.Okanaya: I could smite down on the Emperor with Kusari's might!
Junko.Okanaya: I feel no longer as one of them, sister. [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Good...
Junko.Okanaya: The Emperor shall fall under the wrath of Kusari's free women. [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Hai!
Junko.Okanaya: Hundreds of years of oppression...
Junko.Okanaya: We will not tolerate it!
Junko.Okanaya: This truly is marvelous... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Come, I will show you something...
Junko.Okanaya: Hai... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Take the power of your navigation systems
[GC]-Rika.Ito.: Just follow me...
[GC]-Rika.Ito.: You will see something not many have seen before...
Junko.Okanaya: Hai... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Which is the key to our survival...
Junko.Okanaya: I already am seeing such things...
Junko.Okanaya: The sun...
Junko.Okanaya: It is beautiful.
Junko.Okanaya: As it lights through this hostile, mysterious cloud. [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Welcome to Ainu Sister...
Junko.Okanaya: Ainu?
Junko.Okanaya: I have heard of this... place before.
Junko.Okanaya: Never knew it existed. [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Hai, you shouldnt...
[GC]-Rika.Ito.: Now you know that it does...
Junko.Okanaya: Hai...
Junko.Okanaya: Sister. [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Hai?
Junko.Okanaya: It seems your sisters are yet unconfortable to process my presence.
Junko.Okanaya: I cannot approach any further... [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Your ship... they do what they have to do...
Junko.Okanaya: I know...
Junko.Okanaya: I don't blame them...
Junko.Okanaya: They too see it as a representation of the Emperor's oppression.
Junko.Okanaya: I have to hide somwhere, though...
Junko.Okanaya: Can you perhaps show me a shelter, sister?
Junko.Okanaya: Or should I attempt returning to base? [GC]-Rika.Ito.: Go and dock Sister, they shouldnt harm you
Junko.Okanaya: Hai...
To abbreviate that for you:
Luxury trade goods (Perfumes, Fancy chocolate, fancy bath salts, that sorta thing):
30444
Diamonds:
50
Food Rations:
650
H-Fuel:
550
Consumer goods:
650
Basic Alloy:
200
Engine components:
200
Gold:
100
Light Arms (These are hard to get hold of and my employer technically doesn't want me supplying these to you but mum's the word eh?):
590
Holo-Taintment bands:
10
Neon:
15
Artifacts (some of the girls asked me to get these, no idea why):
6
Ten bottles of wine as well.
The above things I supply are quite dependent on what the lads on manhattan can get hold of.
Now, I have removed myself from your frequency and promptly deleted any evidence that it could ever have existed off my ships computer. I really want nothing to do with that channel thank you very much.
I've met my quota for the month and I will be wiring the share to the armoury once I manage to get hold of my employer again to find how we do this split.
Do me a favor and place this message into that message channel. I really want nothing to do with it.
I can take specific orders but I don't like to move weapons around. That just makes too much heat. Hull panels, that sorta thing I can get hold of. I can easily get the luxury stuff cause I can buy that legitimately in the mall.
Leesa out
Arigatou to Leesa, for aiding our cause, if one of you ever sees her in danger, you should help her in any way possible.
I am reporting of my first day back in space, under the supervision of Sister Rika Ito, I escorted the Inari as it transferred supplies of cardamine and food to Tau-65.
I began the day with fetching a shuttle to Takada Shipyard, where under the orders of Oneesan Rika, I was given the keys of a Blossom-class very heavy fighter. Following a brief training on deck and the knowledge I obtained from re-reading the flight manual multiple times over the past days, I launched to space with my new space craft.
We did a few battle simulations with Sister Rika, I concluded that my fighter handles well, although her armor levels are unusually low compared to the [color=#FFFF00]*clears her throat* Chimaera I used to fly. I will require further training to be able to adequately perform with this vessel in a live firefight against the Emperor's men.
The conclusion of the training event was taking my fighter out to a perform a live mission, through hostile space.
The task was simple. Rika's transport, the Inari was deployed from Ainu to collect supplies from a planet called Malta, apparently the Outcast home world, chiefly cardamine and food rations. I was to serve as the sole escort fighter, as we moved through Kyushu to access Tau space.
In Kyushu however, we helped one of our sisters, Ri Xui and an Outcast drone baring the name of Dennis Jameson, set up an ambush along the trade lane, which a pair of ore transport ships ran into. Since one of them, a Percheron-class Bretonian vessel was empty, while only the other one was loaded with ore, we agreed to let the Bretonian vessel leave. As it engaged its lane jump mechanisms however, the generated space warp sucked in the ore-filled transport as well.
I figured the unfortunate disappearance of the ore transport was due to the auto pilot mechanisms it possessed. We didn't manage to apprehend them as they made their escape, but it sure was an unusual method to abuse our good will. While Sister Ri attempted to corner them in Shikoku, me and the Inari continued towards our original waypoints.
We encountered no trouble as we made our way to Malta, a world I only heard of in scarce rumors. The Inari landed on the planet, alongside my Blossom, we exchanged some words about slavery with Sister Rika while the transport's bay was loaded with the requested goods.
I launched to scout around, found only another Pirate transport, whose captain started eying me and questioning of my presence with an uncommon, Rheinlandish tone. I told him of my objectives as briefly as possible and ignored any other irrelevant questions he presented.
As soon as the Inari was filled up, we went on our way back to Kusari. In Tau-37, we encountered a mercenary vessel made literally out of scrap, who instructed us to stop for a second. His ill-mannered commentaries raised suspicion at first, then it turned out he simply wanted to return one of our rookie pilots, who attacked his ship without a reason, as he claimed. Must have been due to the ugliness his vessel presented [color=#FFFF00]*chuckles*.
The Inari afterwards returned to Tau-65, with me on her wing. We flew to Takada and unloaded the supplies, then both of our vessels returned to Ainu.
The operation was met with a flawless success. The Blossom craft I received performs adequately in nebulas, radioactive areas and asteroid fields, although she's yet to see live combat, I'm inclined to state that her defensive mechanisms (without regarding the thin armor plating) are fully operational and effective. The offensive systems are yet to be tested (outside training simulation mode, that is), but Sister Rika recommended that I attempt to exchange my Suncannon-class weapon systems for Outcast-manufactured Krakens. We shall see how my current loadout performs.
To conclude my report, I have attached the cargo manifest of the Inari to the transmission:
Unusual happenings have taken place yesterday evening, parallel to the appearance of a Blood Dragon cruiser in Hokkaido. I have also challenged my former comrades in a firefight and fearlessly stood ground as long as I could.
After challenging Sempai Minmay to a duel in Tau-65 and listening to her wise words of guidance, we were about to fly back to Ainu depot as a huge ship got trapped in our sensor sweep. Following the instructions of the Sempai, we flew to check out the unidentified contact, but as soon as we got close, my vessel was hit by an ionized gas pocket, rendering my systems offline for the following minutes. I made out as much as it was a Kagutsuchi-class Blood Dragon cruiser and according to Osugi-sama, who later showed up to survey the situation, there were only two of these ships in existence.
As soon as my systems were back online, the cruiser, as well as Sempai Minmay vanished. I tried hailing them from the channel of Ainu and after a failure on a few counts, the Blood Dragon cruiser responded.
They informed me that they were in Kyushu, so I commenced my flight to their waypoints via a jump hole leading to the system, where I met the Orchid of Sister Sei Osugi.
Me and Osugi-sama arrived to witness the cruiser and Sempai Minmay cornering a Raba-class Hogosha transport, eventually opening fire on the vessel, tearing it to pieces. Osugi-sama didn't open fire, neither did I, but tried determining the reasons for the cruiser's presence, which seemed rather awkward given the circumstances.
Osugi-sama noted several things that I, in my lack of experience, couldn't point out, such being the unusual turret setup, the cruiser being off the designated patrol path and in general, the fact that the ship was not one of the two known Kagutsuchi-class Blood Dragon cruisers. She recalled Sempai Minmay to formation and we were about to depart, but for some reason she got... changed in a sense.
She was not responding to either Osugi-sama or me with literate, sane sentences, she kept giving out sobbing and screaming sounds though her communications channel. It was a... frightening experience, I have to admit.
As we were about to leave the area, a pair of Naval Forces patrol ships showed up, right above Planet Kyushu. I recognized the voice of my former commander, Hajime Hiroito as he gave orders to his underling to destroy our vessels. All three of us were attacked by the Emperor's servants, who forced Osugi-sama in her Blossom to retreat, leaving me alone with Sempai Minmay on my wing against the Naval Forces vessels pulling in.
At first it was just another fighter, then a gunboat arrived, eventually two Naval Forces destroyers showed up to assist Hiroito and his men. In the meantime, the Kagutsuchi disappeared, so we had no heavy support and were out-gunned and out-numbered.
Sister Ri Xui arrived to cover us while we retreated, all three of us (and Osugi-sama) made it to Ainu unharmed.
I mean, while we were flying back to base, I took several notices of Sempai Minmay suffering from some sort of memory loss. She didn't seem to remember anything but her name and how to fly a fighter. She couldn't identify me, Osugi-sama or Sister Ri. I have no idea what caused her mental status, but I trust she will be treated adequately by our sisters working in the medical bay and regain her memory, whatever made it disappear.
Allow me to begin with summarizing yesterday's happenings, as an... "initiation party" of yesterday evening held by Sister Hayley Winters prevented me from being able to file this message earlier.
We took a visit to the trade lane system in Kyushu, looking for some donations to our noble cause with Tojo-sama, Hayley-san and a freedom fighter called Alice Techler. Several ships passed by, notable ones being two of them.
The first one was a dark-black painted Zoner gunboat, slightly modified from the original chassis. I recall meeting a similar design back in my Naval Forces days, but I didn't get an identification on the ship class since then. Tojo-sama said it was a Hathor-class Order gunboat. I didn't question her wisdom. However, the gunboat didn't seem to be either responsive or cooperative, so we took it out as it started to flee.
The following encounter was an Interspece commerce transport, designated as Stargaze, a Tanker-class vessel. It was loaded with ore, so I halted the transport while my sisters were dealing with some KNF soldier assuring his support of our movement.
I was just letting the IC vessel go without paying up as he decided he would enhance his statement assuring me of his support by giving me five million credits of cash without asking. I told him I appreciated his donation then forwarded it to our bank account. Looks like those people are actually serious about supporting the Chrysanthemum cause!
I began the next day with a splitting headache, following the initiation festival I mentioned above... well, it was sure not something I could ever experience before. I met sister Hayley in space above Ainu next morning. We went to scout around the system, a Consortium soldier, Kudo Katsumi joined our ranks during our endeavors.
We spotted an Ageria convoy moving through Hokkaido, they immediately approached us via system comms, without showing a mere tone of fear. Hayley-san went to check them out, while Katsumi-san requested help to deal with a luxury liner in Kyushu, where I was ordered to respond.
Katsumi-san demanded credits, but the liner's turrets opened fire at her vessel, we both were forced to retaliate. The ship kept flying towards the planet as it tried shooting at us with its rear turrets. For some reason, the navigation crew of the vessel did not notice the planet coming up and straight-out dived into the planet's atmosphere, while still trying to hit us with their turrets. Needless to say, the vessel was shredded to pieces while attempting planetary landing without a docking ring. I caught some escape pods and loaded them off later on Ainu... it seems they were scientists of some sort, headed for the Nansei complex.
Afterwards, we were to regroup and set up a donation collection point in New Tokyo, but we ran across the Ageira convoy Hayley-san did not attack earlier, due to the escort it was equipped with. I was shocked by the insolence of the corporate scum, even as we shot off the lanes under them, they did not even take note of us, saying that we should stop disrupting their business, because they have the ways to make us regret our attempts, and so on.
We eventually demanded their engine components, but the captain of the transport did not want to cooperate. Me and the sisters were forced to open fire, the Ageira transport retreated to the Samura-controlled Shinjuku station, which was just a lane nearby, under the cover of his escort.
The escort vessel distracted our bombers, as the trader docked, I switched to engage his Eagle-class fighter. He didn't retreat even as his transport was safe and a dark matter storm was approaching, he stood ground like a real warrior, perishing in the firefight against me.
The dark matter wave knocked out our systems just as he went down. It took a few hours for me to get the fighter back online. Just as I was going back to Ainu to resupply after the fight, I stumbled into a Farmer's Alliance gunboat pirating a liner baring the same designation as the one that dived the planet before the storm.
Luckily, Osaga-sama and Alice-san were nearby, they quickly arrived to the field and we observed the Farmer dueling the liner, then giving up as the ship took up a holding pattern above planet Kyushu. The liner being left alone again, we took the opportunity to follow it as it made its way to Nansei. The liner's gunners opened fire as soon as it was taken out of the lane, making its escape towards the station, with Osaga-sama and Alice-san pursuing in their Orchids.
A Colonial patrol saw the encounter and one of their ships, Red-2 engaged the bomber of Osaga-sama. I went in to retaliate, but the local Colonial leader called off the attack. The pilot kept threatening he would have killed me if it was not against orders. His hostility will be remembered.
After resupplying on Cali, we caught another ore transport in the lanes, a Tanker. Following a lengthy taxation of the vessel and the brief supervision conducted by Rika-sama, we started off towards Tokyo, but got interrupted in the process.
The weather prevented us from conducting any further operations, so I flew back to Ainu.
[color=#FFCC00][color=#FF6600]Sender ID:Junko Okanaya.
[color=#FF6600]Source:New Tokyo System.
[font=Comic Sans Ms]Sisters,
I was about to fly with Sister Kikuko Kusano to check around Kusari when I noticed her ship is rather poorly equipped, even for a Shikomi. For some reason, her Eagle was not issued, neither did she have her Griffin fighter properly equipped, she didn't even have an armor upgrade.
I called to Takada shipyard to get information on the issue, they responded that the engineering bays are currently operating on full efficiency, so they lack the proper funding for Sister Kusano to equip her newly-issued vessel. They concluded that Sister Kusano will have to wait weeks for a proper equipment to be manufactured, unless I can find a way to replace the twenty million credits of cash they lack.
I admit, the issue frustrated me at first, since it would be quite suicidal to fly with a wingman piloting an unarmored light fighter. I left Kikuko-san at Morioka, then went off to find some Samura traders who would... finance our little ship-building operation.
I left to Tokyo, where I bumped into a Freelance trader flying under a Samura IFF, just above Yokohama Shipyard. I had to act quick to avoid the patrols alerted by the station's crew, yet I attempted to approach the vessel without scaring the captain to take any sort of unnecessary actions.
He eventually assured me he is in no way affiliated with the Samura filth, it's merely a transmitter malfunction. He emphasized his statement with transmitting a million credits to my account.
I managed to get away before any patrols arrived, eventually taking up a position near the Tokyo-Shinagawa lane. Traffic was rather low, it took me tens of minutes to find a vessel, again a Samura-affiliated super-transport.
This time, the captain didn't deny working for the serpent. I got to the point and demanded two million credits cash, which he immediately transferred without a second though. I realized I should have asked for more, but... my past still haunts me. I have to admit, I still feel uneasy when targeting civilian vessels.
Soon after the Samura leaving, enjoying my mercy, a GMG Kujira was caught in my lane disruption sequence. The vessel's cargo hold was empty, so after asking some questions and tolerating his arrogant and cheeky replies, I decided to spare his life as he assured me he was trading with Interspace, not the Emperor.
As my ship systems indicated an approaching dark matter storm again, I decided to leave the area and get back to Ainu. I transferred the cash I collected to Kikuko-san, so she can finance a part of her ship upgrades. Shamefully, the dark matter storm caught me unprepared, my systems were knocked offline, as they do so often lately by the storm spreading around Kusari relentlessly.
I will try to get back to Ainu once my ship systems are full green again.
Together with the Sisters Sei Osugi and Junko Okanaya and Salvatore Luciano the Kusari war effort was damaged heavily. We were able to take out a Battleship, but unfortunately Junkos ship was destroyed shortly before we finished it.