Ling was silent as he was introduced, and his nod of acknowledgement turned more into a small semi-bow of respect. He had seen the calm, collected assassination of the Naval Forces pilot. If a killing could inspire a sense of awe and beauty, there she was. Moreover, Ling felt a feeling that he hadn't felt in a while. He was nervous. Before him wasn't the righteous fury of Raphael Drake, who dispatched his targets with prejudicial swiftness, nor the near-psychotic, violent, and murderous efficiency of Mildred Wolfe. At least Wolfe had the decency to cross the line from crazy lady into intelligent monster. She who stood before him had more control over the atmosphere than himself. It was almost as if reality bent around her to cradle her desires, whatever they may be. Just in her approach, she had beaten him at his own game. Well, He thought to himself being terrified won't get me far. He took his wooden muddler in his hand, a veiled display of his tool of choice.
Mariko made a graceful bow to both the Hackers. The white sleeves of her kimono briefly touched the floor.
"Mister Ling, Mister Drake, I am Lieutenant Yamada Mariko of the Sisterhood. I had the pleasure of meeting some of the Lane Hackers at last year's festival. Perhaps this year's festival will turn less... complicated. However, it seems like the first blood already have been spilled."
She closed the handfan to reveil the lower part of her face. Her lips were painted bright red, which contrasted to her white powdered skin. "sumimasen, I would love to try some of your mixing talents. It would be an interesting experience to try an exotic drink made by a Lane Hacker. Judging from what I saw, you know what you are doing."
Miyazaki Rin walked down the docks, looking tired. She just returned to Kusari after being weeks in the Omicrons, Sigmas and Rheinland. She wanted to arrive 4 days earlier, instead she was delayed when a jump hole had disapeared and they had to chart another way home. Only after 2 days did they discover the new location of the anomaly. The Fuyuzora was undergoing repairs in the docks now.
Rin arrived in the main hall, where the festival had already begun. not long after, she spotted Sasaki Hanako in the crowd. Knowing that her presense will drain the remainer of her already scarce energy, she turned around to return to the Fuyuzora, to take a shower and go to sleep.
Kane smiled and took a sip of his drink. "That Mariko seems like a formidable person to have on your side... and dangerous to oppose," he observed aloud. "Shame he's dead already. Eventually he could have been a good source of information, though frankly, I've never been good at those kinds of extractions. I would have needed to bring along someone from the Commission, maybe with some sharp and pointy objects."
He blinked and realized that lack of context was probably making him sound like a psychopath.
"A few of our people were in an engagement with the Naval Forces yesterday. Not intentionally -- one of their cruiser wings engaged a Crayterian warship in the Taus and one of our gunboats had to defend itself. Neither ship was in good shape when they made it back to their respective repair docks. We lost a few crew members. I... would have liked to have known if the Kusari government was planning to make moves against us more directly." Kane finished his drink and sighed. "I've got over a hundred thousand civilians to take care of, most of whom are in Tau-44. If the Crayter military starts to buckle against the KNF... we're doomed. And I don't think we can just strap cruise engines to Canberra Star City and jump our way down the Barrier to somewhere a little further away from the government's onslaught."
He stared at the bottom of the empty glass in his hands and smiled sadly. "If all that's left of the Natio is the Fleet, then, well... I might as well pin that Overlord's flash back on my jacket and pull the Vagrant Raiders flag back out of storage. And then I can't even pretend to be a reformed pirate and former terrorist."
Sun gets up from the bar upon immediately seeing Kiku, walking over and doing her customary Buddhist bow out of respect "Kiwako-san, Kon'nichiwa." she says before rummaging around her satchel offering out a small box to the Priestess "Green Tea from my garden at Pygar, I must thank-you for inviting me to this festival. It is a place of wonder and excitement in listening to conversation and seeing all new people." she says with her serene smile, keeping her hands together.
Hanako left the bottle at the counter of the bar and was once again standing guard duty, her spat with the other Hanako already out of her mind, when she spotted Rin trying to make her escape from the festival. She swiftly walked towards her, pointing a blaster at her back. "Nuh-uh" she exclaimed and then added "you are under arrest Miyazaki Rin for... trying to evade having any sort of fun." her voice however betraying her smile.
Yoshigahara noticed her little sister was loitering around now around the festival. Now she mumbled something silently because she had to take care of Kiku also and guard her if everything went to hell.
"I have to admit he's got an awesome talent right there. Yoshigahara said, leaving her eyes locked at Kiku and her guest."My sister is here... Ah well."
Kiku
Kiku ignored the weird looks coming from her sister at the counter, the last thing she wanted was the impression of young and not self sufficient person because her big sister had to look after her. Then Kiku was distracted by Sun and her offering, she hesitated for a second but then she accepted the gift. "Oh, Sun-san. I am glad you've accepted my invitation and I am also glad you are enjoying your time here. Please pardon my hesitation, it wasn't because I didn't like your present, but because I haven't got anything in return." Kiku had smiled and invited Sun to one of the free tables.
Sun moves over to the table with Kiku, she smiles at her politeness "All I require of you is our continued friendship, you need not worry about offending me." she replies back before sitting down at the table looking around "This festival is grand, many different faces of different factions. Some I have not had the pleasure of interacting with." she comments with her broad serene smile.
Drake observed what the Chrysanthemums did to that Naval Pilot as he turned back to Ling and his art of mixtures. Drake nodded. "Lieutenant Yamada, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Please, take a seat and share a moment with us and enjoy one of Mr. Ling's amazing drinks." [i]"What brings you to our table Lieutenant? I'm rather curious how the simple Lane Hackers can afford such kind of attention. Drake smiled and kept smoking his cigar. "Oh, and I hope the quality of the Liberty Ale was satisfying Lieutenant?" Drake looked at Ling as he noticed that all his attention was now at the Lieutenant of the Golden Chrysanthemums.
The Lane Hacker Assassins
"Killing the corporate weenies, so our kids can live in a free and just galaxy."
Kiku carefully sat down next to Sun, however her eyes from time to time looked at Yoshi. She could feel Yoshi's eyes observing them, but she didn't mind it as much as she has all the time. "There hasn't been and I hope there won't be any reason to cease our friendship. I enjoy it, we are both intelligent, yet we both follow different paths. That's something you don't see every day." Kiku had smiled, but rolled her eyes shortly after. "Do you want me to order some beverage? Anything special? And do not dare to tell me you aren't thirsty, it's the festival and I believe the sore throat will happen at some point during our talk if we don't cool it down with something."
![[Image: 4.png]](https://lh.discoverygc.com/media/4.png)