Diary: Ayane Hayashi

[Karita]

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Ayane Hayashi Personal Log: Dec. 21, 824 AS

Ainu Depot, Hokkaido System

I've returned to my apartment at Ainu for the time being. My time was well-spent gathering intelligence in the Omicrons, but Edge-World radiation takes a toll on frequently repaired active armor panels. Both my Blossom and Orchid are in the hanger getting a few software updates and having some proprietary armor panels replaced. As an intel officer, I get some leave between assignments, so it looks like I'll have some downtime and maybe some time for some personal business. I've got a nice stash of high-grade cardamine straight from Malta, and there are a few people I've been meaning to contact.

First, my old friend Kiko Nakano has been working with the Outcasts (I hear she's even dating one) in the Omicrons and Taus to open new sources of revenue for the Sisterhood (Something about terraforming organisms that the Bretonians need, but don't want to buy directly from the Outcasts). The Golden Chrysanthemums have grown exponentially as a group, and the diversity of our funding sources need to reflect that fact. It's been years since the Sisterhood has gained any significant percentage of our income from piracy and cardamine smuggling, and I'd like to do my part to keep it that way.

Second, there's also a Bretonian Special Intelligence Service agent who's been making intermittent contact with the Sisterhood. Our friendly relationship with the Bretonian government is important to us, and I'd like to follow that up as well.

Finally, the Shiragiku is also getting some upgrades here at the new shipyard facilities at Ainu. The Corvo-class explorer will eventually be home to an expeditionary group of Sisters and Brothers who want to start a Matsuda-inspired community beyond Kusari. I get annoyed when Kiko calls it a "Chrysanthemum Zoner" operation, but I can't deny the similarities in method even though the purpose is different. As our organization begins to eschew the Cardamine that was once our defining characteristic in support of our legitimate political efforts in Honshu, those of us openly living the Orange Dream must begin to look beyond Kusari, potentially to Outcast territory, for a more permanent home. The Shiragiku, once completed, will be a temporary home to a few hundred Sisters and Brothers attempting to live a life among the stars. Part of my personal mission during my stay on Ainu will be to chart and potentially explore possible locations for the Shiragiku's eventual deployment.

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