Musashi Innovations Research Log - Ahri Morikawa

[Ramke]

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Tomakomai Research Log - Entry 1

Well, things sure have taken a turn. With Tomakomai, our orientation switched completely. I guess it's about time - I've really had enough of sitting in the Omicrons. Though Hokkaido is not much better. We can't have windows facing the sun, arguably one of the most pretty views that Kusari offers, because of the extremely thick radiation.

It's actually impressive how quickly the installation expanded, and not just in the sheer amount of hull panels to stave the radiation away. We've went from a very small office and warehouse to effectively multiple, large, departments all focusing on their own research. We even have our own space to work, rather than shifting around in shared open plan labs like we did in Omicron Delta.

It was so quick, in fact, that we've already been sending expeditions to uncharted territories. Honestly, looking at the pictures, it makes me wish I could see the sights myself. Asaki sent me some data feeds from his Drone, and I'll be honest, the views are absolutely stunning. I've even taken to drawing my own stylised version of it. What's being innovative if not finding new ways to present work for a different angle?

I've had a chance to crack into the crystals they've found there - it's nothing like anything I have seen before. The conditions to cause this kind of crystallisation must have been a result of some utterly catastrophic, never-witnessed event. What's more is that the materials department discovered that some kinds of space-borne alien organisms were feeding on the crystal, refining its edges - to the point where they've managed to make them so reflective that we could use them for our own research. I've requested as much of these reflective crystals as we can get a hold of - it has untold value for experimentation on our side. We have quite a few ideas on implementing these reflective crystals into our work, and I've tasked my free team members with experimenting with them in our designs.

I met with one researcher yesterday who helped myself and a contact within the KNF gather materials for our experiments - not quite sure what department she belonged to, but I was more than happy to have a transport around for this. The poor girl didn't know what we wanted the Gaian wildlife for, but I could only give a vague answer. I think it's best if people don't know.

It turns out the Naval Forces found a large contingency of Blood Dragons, and luckily the salvage of the battle that followed was more than enough material salvage for us to recycle. Beats buying it off the market, for sure. I guess the Omicrons really do teach you to keep calm in danger, because I don't remember flying that confidently in a while. A bit too much, because my reactor nearly went into meltdown a few times...

With upper management pushing for innovation, I think things are progressing as best as they can. We've got the financial backing, the room, and the materials. I have an excellent team under me and my manager seems mostly pleased. Mostly. It's a lot of stress to perform right now.

Not all is doom and gloom, though. I've convinced my manager to let me keep one of the creatures we received. It's really cute, a small predator that looks somewhat like a cat, but with four, big ears, fluffy, and with big green eyes. We locked eyes when I saw it arrive, and I couldn't help but feel bad for the creature - especially when I've heard we've shipped too many for fear of some of them dying before arrival. I think I'm going to name her Ori.

Ahri Morikawa, Technical Research Team Lead
The spearhead of the never-seen-before

[Ramke]

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Tomakomai Research Log - Entry 2

Ori is a damn pest. But a cute one, so I'll manage. It's been quite some time since we've established the lab and gone to work - quite a lot of contracting for the Chochinbi Division in terms of both weapons and technical design. Research-wise the past few months were quite intensive, and somewhat of a success - we have won extension bids for our current projects and are well underway for some others. Most notable of which was a new project for the Chochinbi, which demanded the new materials for their own projects. Perhaps we may be able to contract for these as well, in time.

We have had a shortage of supplies lately for new designs, so we've had to send out a few expeditions to procure some more materials in the Earhart system. A few new recruits this time around, so we had to move slowly. It truly is an unforgettable, irreplaceable experience seeing the widespread devastation of the system, the solemn serenity of the uncharted systems connected. Mind-boggling in scale, with forces beyond our understanding.

The expeditions were a success, and we did not lose anyone - nor damage much, somehow. I suppose keeping a tighter grip on our expeditionary crew worked out. Not many notable discoveries this time around other than the rapidly-spinning planets, which I have seen a startling amount of - and I am now wondering if these are connected.

We did see a Kusari Naval Forces ship appear in Earhart behind us as we were gathering materials - [KNF]IKN-Ikazuchi. It appeared to be one of the new prototypes that projects bids were going out for. Unsure if our teams were involved in that one as we are all in a time crunch at the moment, but I could only assume test trials are now running for what seemed to be a completed model - what a place to test it. But I do hope that we see that ship more often, backup is not something I would shy away from.

We did meet a few 'independent' visitors to the system. An Ageira freighter, someone working for 'the bossman' called 'Sir William'. Odd individual. We appropriated the crystals taken from right in front of us. We also met.. a Hegemon, of all things, in Earhart itself. With no weapons, for that matter. What would such a ship be doing alone, defenseless, in one of the most hostile portions of discovered space is unknown to me - but I have taken the liberty of having the Fuji demonstrate a show of force for the half-destroyed ship and ask for its stolen salvage. The captain, whom after we questioned appeared to be doing this as part of a debt repayment to.. 'Base Owners in New London', offered us credits instead, which we took in exchange for turning a blind eye. I hope this debt gets resolved, because flying a Hegemon alone into this system is a suicide mission and the next time will not be so lucky.

We will now be working on full production of a new type of design, the autocannon. Our clients seem to be very interested in this one in particular, and I can see why.

Ahri Morikawa, Technical Research Team Lead
The spearhead of the never-seen-before

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[Ramke]

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Tomakomai Research Log - Entry 12

Project Onryo has gone well, and I believe we've scored some points with the Naval Forces with the results they're getting from the ship. I've seen it in flight a few times, though I hadn't a chance to ask for feedback in person. The fact that it remains in use is a testament after all, I suppose.

There are interesting rumours coming in from our benefactors, and I have a feeling they may provide some serious breakthroughs if they are true. They've witnessed a broken-down, practically destroyed freighter escape from some uncharted jump hole in the Omegas, and was followed to Gran Canaria. The captain of that ship seemed to be some sort of Freelancer, and worse for wear.

While I would just dismiss this as a random happening in that faraway place, the freighter's cargo was what sparked my interest. There were talks of him trying to see if there is any interest to sell it, and from the reports I had heard, it sounds very anomalous. Combine the fact that the captain came from some uncharted system, the prospect makes me overly intrigued.

I'm going to start sending feelers and messages to see if we can't track this person down and get the cargo for ourselves. I'm sure money won't be an issue with a simple freelancer. This might be nothing, or something groundbreaking.

Ahri Morikawa, Technical Research Team Lead
The spearhead of the never-seen-before