Kimiko Kurutsuki
| Kimiko Kurutsuki | |
 | |
| Profile | |
| Origin |  Kusari |
| Occupation | Vice President of R&D, Kishiro Technologies |
| Gender | Female |
| Height | 158 cm |
| Weight | 50 kg |
| Hair color | Brown |
| Eye color | Green |
| Affiliation | Kishiro |
| Born | April 05, 806 A.S., Shinagawa Station |
| Died | Still alive. |
"There is no magic in the human heart. All the magic is in the human mind. Magic enough to see an eternity of possibilities that can't even exist except within the mind." -Kimiko Kurutsuki, the last answer of her interview.
Life Before Kishiro
Born under the shadow of Planet Izu, Kimiko always felt special because of it. Though there was nothing unique other than being born at such a time that Planet Fuji was not in the line between the star of the system, Izu or the Shinagawa Station. Her mother, Amie Kurutsuki, was a freighter pilot for Kishiro Technologies who had gone into labor on a supply run. She had just managed to get to the station early into labor. Her father, Hikaru Kurutsuki, did not live up to his name and was a low-level executive who did not get much attention beyond his place keeping inventory and bookkeeping. However, this did not keep Kimiko from her own aspirations.
Kimiko had worked as an engineer on other mother's ship from the time she was six years old. She worked on the engines, doing hull repair, keeping the coolant systems in check, even cleaning out life support a few dozen times. Sometimes, she'd get to ride escort in one of the light fighter escorts, but she was always told to simply stay with the freighter and let the other escorts run interference. For the most part, this was a good enough plan, but once she had to fend off the actual attack after the initial diversionary attack at an earlier point in the space lane.
The excitement from the few fights she found herself in was nothing compared to installing new engines, or even making adjustments to squeeze out a bit more power, or a bit more speed. She would find herself working on new ship designs. This was the incentive her father needed to secure her position as the working wife of a company man. Because mature men did not like unintelligent wives, Hikaru enrolled his daughter in the New Tokyo Science Academy.
The young mathematical/engineering genius that was Kimiko Kurutsuki was well on her way to a career in research and design of new spacefaring marvels when she applied for practical experience as an apprentice researcher and engineer at Kishiro Technologies.
Apprenticeship
Having started her apprenticeship with Kishiro Technologies, Kimiko began work on a proposal for an artificial intelligence she called H.I.K.A.R.U. (short for Heuristic Intelligence Knowledge Access Research Utility). It was to be a lab assistant that could continue with experiments that were time critical during researcher breaks and rest periods.
She also began work on a series of fighter craft utilizing advances in heuristics to form more versatile fighter craft to run as escorts along the space lanes. These would be light, short-range craft dedicated to system patrols. Highly maneuverable with strong shields. She foresees an entire line based on interdependent ships forming a strong defense while only enough offense to make attack not worthwhile.
Nomad Connection
During a simple joyride, Kimiko was contacted by a Nomad who claimed a desire to learn about and understand human adolescents. She was rather surprised, but unafraid of the encounter. Instead, she talked to the entity about life, growing up and what it meant to be a teenager, as well as what makes a person "bad."
Other Nomads have approached her, offering the "gift." She has refused at this time, but it is becoming more and more difficult.
The Order
It was shortly after her contact with the Nomad that one of the Order made contact with her. A single man aboard a battleship operated exclusively by an AI. At first, the discussion began as an interview. Later, however, there seemed to be veiled threats. Hiding behind her own reasoning skills and lack of any real information, she was eventually let go and returned home. Shaken by the ordeal, she wasn't sure whom to trust regarding the Order or the Nomads.
Golden Chrysanthemums
She has had no contact directly with the organization, but several members of associated groups have been in contact with her. Whether they are recruiting her or she has made overtures to them is a matter of some speculation. Her position in Kishiro may have something to do with these contacts, but that is just the realm of rumors.
Promotion
After only a few short months working on her H.I.K.A.R.U. project, even before a real assessment had been made, and shortly after her contact with the Nomads and the Order, Kimiko was promoted. Though she was given no formal title within Kishiro Technologies, she was given carte blanche access to all of the company's holdings. She has begun to speculate that it has to do with her father's negotiations in marrying her off to an affluent and influential man.
But there have been further events that lead her to believe that something else is guiding her destiny. Far too often, she is finding pathways opened to her. She has been called the second most powerful man in Kishiro. Her ideas have made subtle changes to the company and there has been talk as to who and what is the ideal Kishiro employee. As of late, she has been placed in a position higher than the other VP's, and is making changes in the labs by ruling them like her own little empire.
