War claims many victims. Aster Kenji knew all about war.
At the outbreak of the Kusari Bretonian conflict Kenji lived in a beautiful district of Fukuoka, on planet New Tokyo. His father was Vice President - Northern Reaches within BowEx corporation assigned to the lucrative trade runs between Kusari and Bretonia. His mother came from a proud and traditional Kusari family.
His childhood had been bright and full of joy, laughter and love. He had graduated at New Tokyo's premier university and established himself within a small high tech company making leading edge optical chips.
However with the coming of war, Kenji's life fell apart.
BowEx was immediately closed down within Kusari space. Kenji and his parents decided to try to move to Liberty to escape the conflict. Knowing that neither side would accommodate them without prejudice. However before they could enact their plan the KSP came to their house and interned Kenji's father. No reason was given. Visitation was severely restricted. When Kenji and his mother did visit there were obvious signs of mistreatment.
Kenji's mother became an outspoken voice of dissent against the war. Her family promptly disowned her. Their honour prevented them from supporting a daughter who so openly spoke out against the established order. Kenji's opulent lifestyle ended. Kenji's obviously mixed-race appearance made him suspect to any with anti Bretonian sentiment. As the war progressed and Kusari casualties rose Kenji, and his mother's position became worse.
They were often threatened and occasionally set upon. The stress started to affect Kenji's mothers health and 6 months ago she was admitted into hospital. She was never to leave. She died after a short illness. The doctors were unsure of the precise cause. No one other than Kenji mourned.
Kenji knew one thing... He needed to leave New Tokyo... He needed to stop the war somehow...
His cousin Benjamin Aster, who he had never met, may be his best long term hope. Smuggling several messages with traders who Kenjio suspected had Bretonian connections he sat and waited.
Finally a response came, presumably from Benjamin... just a name and a secure comm channel's connection information.