A message, voice only and full of static, appeared on the filter of Aino Base
Konnichi Wa, Sisters of the Flower
I hope to find solitude between your rank, since my life got completely destroyed by those, who are unable to see beyond the sex and race of people. I had found the joy of working as a pilot for the oldest and slowest freighter deployed in the whole of Kusari. Of course I did not make much money, but I was able to earn my own food by transporting food to those bases too hostile to produce enough for everyone.
But that was the good old time. It was hard for me to keep a good crew, most of them started to quit, because working under a woman seemed to damage their honor. Even the food we transported got rejected, declared as second rate. Finally, the ship got stripped off from me. It got confiscated to support the fleet, protecting our lands from the terrible threat of Bretonia. I never believecd them, the ship was in no condition to fight even one fighter. All that is left for me is my life and the fight for freedom. I accepted, that we must bear arms, so that we will no longer be slaves, just because we were born female.
Once the sender was tracked, the reply had been sent.
Konnichiwa Chikako,
It is saddening to hear your story, but believe me you are not the only one with a past of suffering. You made the right decision, fighting is the only way to change things in this society. A new ship as well as your Sisters will wait for you at Ainu. -Okasan Ito
A young girl,not older than 23 years was sitting on one of the table between a number of Sisters of the GC.She didn't was afraid of the older women around her.And when she got asked,where she comes from and where she had met one or more sisters, the young girl replied:
"My name is Saya, Saya Hiroyuki. I was born on New Tokyo as a daughter of one of the big trading houses.My parents wanted me to study on the University of New Tokyo Business Edication so that I could continue the work of my parents.But I always didn't want to do this job and follow the rules of my parents and the might of the money.The only time I acceppted the money was,when I went to one of the most famous Dojo's of the Planet.There I studied the Way of an Samurai and learnt how to use the Katana.The traditional weapon of them.But unfortunatly my parents found out that I took training there and forbid me to do it any further *Saya sighted shortly* So I decided to join the sisterhood.To show my parents that Iam not one of them." Saya finished and the women nodded.After a couple of minutes one of them stood up and left.'Was they telling the Elders about me?' was Saya's thought but if it was correckt only time could show it.
The woman that stood up, returned to Saya a few minutes later. "The Elders would like to welcome you in the Sisterhood. A ship should be ready for you once you are ready."
-Transmission Incoming-
-Origin: Kusari Space, New Tokyo System-
"My dearest women, I would have you know of my plight. A year ago today, I was married into a family of men. Common men, everyday men. Drinking men. My husband beat me, his brother beat me, his cousins beat me, but I prevailed. Bruises fade in time, as many of you must know. Cuts heal, and even scars are not visible to the unseeing eyes. Many times, I thought of escape, but many times, my dreams were foiled by the meddling of men. So they beat me more. Mine has not been a happy life, nor have I ever seen eye to eye with the men that led me around. I implore you, with this message, to see my truth. My escape has been the Cardamine that you ship in. My release has been hearing of your exploits. My freedom was brought by a newscast one day, explaining of your heroic deeds against the sexist reign of male society. Certain of what I had to do, I killed the men responsible for my pain, my suffering, for the ruination of my once great dream. Their blood set me free, and now I come to you, for I have nowhere else to go. If you would be my sister, and allow me to be yours, you have but to respond, else I fear my ship will surely be heading for the sun that blinds me even now. For the glory of the beautiful Chrysanthemums... Ayumi Toyama, signing off."
Yoko was walking in the Hall of Newcomers. She was wearing an orange kimono and a belt was warping her body which connotes the torture that she willingly did to herself. Her steps were strong and stable and her breathing was steady, signs which showed her confidence and complete control over her young body.
When she reached the Elders she made a full bow, showing her outmost respect and humbleness.
[color=#FFCCFF][font=Monotype Corsiva]'I am here to you humbly ask you to accept my dearest request. I wish to join the Sisterhood'
One of the Elders nodded. Then Yoko swiftly sat in the floor. Her eyes searched the Hall and for a moment concentrated in an unknown Sister in the corner of the room which was patiently holding a disc filled with an orange substance, cardamine. She knew that if she was accepted within the GC ranks, she would be obliged to consume daily doses of this drug. Yoko wasn't sure if that was right but she was willing to follow the GC cause with her life.
[color=#FFCCFF][font=Monotype Corsiva]'My name is Yoko Murakami'¦'
She cleared her throat and continued. 'I was born and living in Planet Honsu. I was the only child of a traditional family. My father was working in a secret kiretsu which was exclusively commencing spying and sabotage in GMG installations. An unhonored job'¦' Yoko remarked.
She paused for a moment trying to remember all the horrible things she has experienced. 'Three years ago my family demanded me to stop my studies and devote all my time in mastering the skills of managing a household 'the appropriate skill in order to successfully serve and honor your husband' as my father said. However, I didn't let that happen. I resumed my studies in pharmaceutical and I also secretly started courses on martial arts'
'By that time my father started systematically abusing my mother. It was something terrible, horrifying, something which had to stop by any means necessary!' Yoko felt that she started speaking loudly and was losing her calm temper. She immediately assumed control of herself and continued. 'I had to do something'¦ and Yuyu Matsuda opened my eyes. The Chrysanthemum helped me to assemble all my separated thoughts and feelings and revealed the appropriate course of action which is successfully embodied by the Golden Chrysanthemums all these years'¦' Yoko was always feeling wonderful and inspiring thoughts while bringing Yuyu Matsuda and her book in her mind. 'Excellence in every way' as she used to say. 'Despite what the media propagandize about the GC especially in the young girls'¦' She felt that her last statement was highly appreciated by the surrounding Sisters. And that increased her confidence.
'However I was still not ready. I didn't feel that the people I knew as GC contacts were enough trustworthy. Don't forget afterall that there are many undercover police officers who act like the link between potential recruits and the GC... and the fate of those recruits is... tragic. Half a month ago my father somehow found out about my secret courses ' and I still don't know how. He used every method to make me drop them but I kept refusing. In the end he tried to beat me like he did with my mother. It was the worst moment of my life'¦ I took a knife and cut his throat in a blink of the eye' Yoko paused for a moment showing how much pleasure she had from killing her father. 'and I never regretted for what I did' she added.
'Then I threw his lifeless body in a quiet street while hiding all the evidence which would link that crime with me. Luckily, the Samura-controlled police assumed that he was assassinated by GMG. It was a logical assumption since he killed hundreds of innocent GMG employees in the past years'¦' Yoko paused for a moment and assembled her thoughts. She didn't want to show how passionate she was. 'I didn't go to his funeral'¦ My mother was furious about that and after an intense fight I accidentally revealed her that I killed father. She was speechless. When I realized what I did I had no choice but to reveal the rest of my plan. I firstly reminded her how many times father abused her and then asked her to join GC, along with me' Yoko finally lost control over her body. She couldn't stop crying while she continued talking. 'She told me that GC are evil drug addicts. She said she hated me'¦ In end she denounced that I am her daughter and threw me out of the house... That's the work of the demonic media! My propagandized mother was still supporting my father after all he did. They create misguided, weak women in order to take advantage of them' Yoko raised her fist in order to show how strongly believed every word that was saying. 'After I killed my father, denounced by my mother and thrown in the streets, my life had only one reason to exist and that was to serve the Golden Chrysanthemum cause and bring the change to Kusari. The next hours I met with the GC contacts which I hardly knew, they wrapped my eyes and luckily brought me before you'
Yoko started regaining her confidence and she no longer cried. 'I wish to fight for a Kusari where Samura is only written in the history books as a dark page of the past. Men'¦ They wage wars, kill, abuse, take advantage of others. They are power-hungry. Look what happens in the men-controlled Kusari. Their greed made them launch a destructive war with Bretonia and some months ago they opened a second front with the GMG. The strong bonds of the family are the core of the Kusarian society and culture. I strongly support that women should lead the families and the society. They are not self-destructive' she said while emphasizing in her last comment. Then she lowered her head to say a few last words.
'I, Yoko Murakami, wish to have the great honor to be part of the Chrysanthemum Movement'