Closing the communication signal with Misaki, the Kali-Class fighter Halpert pilots does a quick 180 and proceeds out of the New Tokyo system. Not much happens through Shikoku and when he arrives in Kepler, the same never-changing storm greets him. One quick lane trip to Starflier Base reveals that Misaki is indeed on board, as her signature is registered on Halpert's dashboard. The docking sequence begins, and his vessel is received by the docking clamps within the main loading area of Starflier Base. The NX-01 and Gulling are held high in their reserved spots. With Halpert's Pulsar, the original three Starflier vessels are displayed to everyone within the loading docks. One ship stands out from the rest there. Misaki's ship, a Waran-Class bomber, in a docking clamp in the far corner of the bay. Beneath the vessel is a bunch of crates, reorganised and shuffled around to be a temporary seating area with a makeshift table. Halpert makes his way over.
"Misaki, is it?"
Starfliers...//...Information...//...Recruitment...//...Discord Server Independent Cartographers, Vector Analysts & Researchers.
Godspeed, Pilots.
Misaki was sitting on the wing with her feet dangling of the side of her bomber. Her short stature usually doesn't make her conspicuous, but the yellow of her flight suit against the black of the waran bomber, made her stand out like a paint stain on a black canvas. She looked to the side to see the man approaching.
"That is me, yes. "
She let herself fall of the wing and landed on two feet.
"Just so you know. Yuuko-san knows where I am. So don't try anything funny while I am here. With that out of the way. I am Yunoki Misaki, Pirate, Thief, Lover of alcohol and explosives."
Going in for a handshake, he takes one good look at the Waran-Class ship infront of him, thinks something over and turns back to Misaki.
"Given that this vessel is meant to fire torpedos, I'm sure there's more than explosives sitting inside the hold. You can trust I won't do anything funny as long as those things remain unarmed. Who is Yuuko-san?"
A loud tearing sound is heard from the other end of the main docking bay. An Albatross-Class transport is hoisted up and technicians are ripping off the weapon mounts, a loud noise to go along with each forceful removal.
"Ignore that, we're expanding and new ships are being retrofitted."
Starfliers...//...Information...//...Recruitment...//...Discord Server Independent Cartographers, Vector Analysts & Researchers.
Godspeed, Pilots.
She looked at his hand and then to his face, speaking hessitantly as she tried to remember if those torpedoes are deactivated before she disembarked
"Oh those are unarmed for now, don't worry. I blew up several of my ships by accident in the past. Well, Yuuko-san is Yuuko-san. She is pretty much the person who cleans up my messes."
Misaki looked at the ship being retrofitted.
"Oh, so you also run a chop shop here? Stripping stolen ships for parts seems to lucerative this days. You should make a deal with the Junkers for the leftover metals."
"I think you mistake what those technicians are doing. But I digress, let's move to one of our conference rooms."
Another loud clank is heard when a third weapon mount hits the floor. The two pilots go deeper into the station and is met by a set of double doors. A keycard swipe later sends them into a spartan room with a medium-sized circular table. Four chairs are evenly placed around, each accompanied by a holographic terminal on the table in front of them. Halpert sits down and opens up a window on the terminal.
"Since our chat in space, I did a little bit of research on Yuyu Matsuda myself. To my surprise, her legacy has continued for almost 300 years. Impressive."
Starfliers...//...Information...//...Recruitment...//...Discord Server Independent Cartographers, Vector Analysts & Researchers.
Godspeed, Pilots.
"That's the last time I go to Noshima for a few drinks and to chat to the locals."
A quick breath in and a sharp exhale later, Halpert tries to relax after showing his "research."
"At least what I heard about her being a poet is true. This is why I've invited you here. You can enlighten me about Matsuda's ways. Keeping an open mind out of respect for the Golden Girls."
Starfliers...//...Information...//...Recruitment...//...Discord Server Independent Cartographers, Vector Analysts & Researchers.
Godspeed, Pilots.
"Heh, people tend to exaggerate, so it is understandable. As for the inside perspective, I might be able to help you there.
For starters, Matsuda is the founding figure of the Golden Chrysanthemums. Her most notable work is Golden Chrysanthemum in Bloom, published in 642 AS. In this work, the fundamentals of the GC are described. A revolution lead by the women of Kusari against a corrupt patriarchal society that enforces how women are systematicly discriminated against."
"So even before her time, the Kusarian society has favoured men in all areas of society? I do see women around, though it makes sense not seeing them in any meaningful positions... anywhere."
Halpert recalls Misaki's professions.
"As a professional thief, one who flies a Waran-Class, my first thought is you fight against this system using acts of violence? Surely a subtle nudge here and there could make a big change over a few decades."
Starfliers...//...Information...//...Recruitment...//...Discord Server Independent Cartographers, Vector Analysts & Researchers.
Godspeed, Pilots.
"Thing is, Kusari is highly patriarchal. Fathers control their daughters, husbands control their wives. Women are tought in early age to behave 'properly'.
As for me. I never grew up in Kusari society. I grew up on planet Miura. I learned to survive by stealing."
![[Image: PVArGCT.png]](https://i.imgur.com/PVArGCT.png)
