Alexei Miranov - Red Exile

[Nodoka Hanamura]

NEURAL NET LOG VIEWER
Copyright Ageira Technologies 404 AS. All Rights Reserved.
NN LOG FOR: MIRANOV, ALEXEI [A2451B28-3D91-45F9-F62BE9B16015]
Log Number 002
Date/Time: May 17th, 825 AS | 07:42 Universal Time
Location: CS Abdicant Seraphine, Inverness System, Auxesian Space
Subject: Working for a cause worth fighting for

It's been a long time since I wrote in this journal. So much has happened.

I guess it would be best to start from the beginning.

After Hanamura declared her intent to resign, She came to me asking about having me join her. Knowing her past with Kusari, I had a feeling she'd end up stirring **** over there, especially after I overheard her talking about modifying Dragostea, which is Abdicant Seraphine's old name, for the record. Many of the team I worked with was interested in leaving 11, after the latest string of events involving that madman, Nomak and everything else in between turning our home into a wreck.

I was hesitant, but I accepted. The day we left, She provisioned uniforms and handed them to us all. The patch.. a winged sword and shield, with a star above. I don't know what to say about it, but if it was Hanamura's idea.. she's got a knack for design. The upgraded version of the ship she's got planned was designated as a "Akibara-class Dreadnought." I guess she wanted to pay tribute to Kyu. I wouldn't be surprised if she had strong feelings for the man - I will admit, he was quite the man to be around. But enough lingering in the past. after the Harpies and and that Junker, Kyle Vaughn, escorted us to Inverness, I went about making preparations to upgrade Seraphine to the Dreadnought spec Hanamura was speaking of.

We weren't entirely protected with this badly squawked Zoner Ident, especially after we refused to agree to the terms of the contract that Hanamura originally signed when she bought this ship. Livadia is extremely picky about who they give ships to, especially when it comes to people like Nodoka, who haven't spent years in Zoner society. But I guess they felt like she needed the additional firepower the original Rathgrith and Dragostea provided. That decision must be biting them in the ass right about now.

Honya and I have been working on the software side, trying to get the fire control system to stop being a whiny child when it comes to being proactive about shooting people. I'd rather shoot people who want to shoot us *FIRST* and not have to worry about taking the brunt of the damage. Contrary to belief, you can't dodge in a Aquilon.

We also have started taking on these 'cultists'. According to Auxesian intelligence that Hanamura told me about from her visit to Ismara a while back - they're a xenophobic faction in the vein of Auxesia, pretty much. Not too fond of them, since they've been causing mayhem all over. First time we encountered them, we were in Omega-3. Almost got killed there after a Bustard's lasers cut open our starboard side, and ****ed up life support on our lower decks. After that encounter was one in New Tokyo, where we almost got killed.

Bride was brought into Auxesia by the Harpies. Something I was originally infuriated about when I heard about the full details from Honya. She tried to cheer Song up, but.. Blyat, she was a mess. And what I heard from Striker at Elena's birthday party didn't make things sound any sweeter. Apparently she had..

- Beaten a Initiate up over something as simple as hitting on her - Which I understand not wanting to be hit on when you're in a relationship - da, but Vot der'mo, I'm not surprised Auxesia didn't throw her out right then and there. I do hear she was put in the stockade for a day, however.
- Yelled at Mark to the point where he ended up being depressed. At least, the latter part is what Nodoka had deduced from his demeanor after meeting with him post-induction for the first time. Poor kid, caught up in all this like Bride. I know he's their XO, but chort, cut him some slack. At least he had some valid justification for what him and Magnus did.
- Yelled at Seline. I.. I will at least concede that Bride's anger is justified, but.. taking it out on your friends like this.. I don't know.
- She had threatened time and time again to either kill herself, leave the Harpies.. or, and I'm going on rumors that I heard from Nodoka pertaining to Bride's discussions with her - Kill her CO at the time, Firmitas, I think it was. Not to mention she was ****talking him and Auxesia the entire time.

... Bride is a good girl, even if she gets on my nerves. She just needed some help. I.. I won't put up a facade like my former countrymen would and say that I didn't miss her. I missed her dearly. I missed that crazy Babushka fighting with me.. I miss the old days, even though it was merely several months ago. I care a lot about her.

Eventually she came to terms with the Auxesia situation, which is good. It's best to learn to come to terms with your choices than desperately try to change them in a vain attempt to keep the glory days alive.

It's strange.. how you sometimes end up loving the ones you 'hate'. I was happy to hear she had come home for the party we were holding for Graham's 18th birthday. I remember almost tearing up when I gave Song a hug and welcoming her back. A man like me is supposed to be stalwart in emotion in public.. and yet, she nearly brought me to tears.

I guess that's what these kind of things do to you.

Hanamura's gearing up to prepare for her plans for Kusari. As.. hesitant as I am to do it and make more enemies.. I feel that she needs me. I've been her proverbial right hand man for a while now. It would be foolish to leave her high and dry, especially now.

So, I guess I'm in it for the long run.

Here's hoping the 'keisatsu' as Hanamura calls the police there, are prepared for a Aquilon-type - they're going to need it.

---