Gangbusters and Ghost Cats
15 Apr 2022Iridium Nova
The monastery has been quite active lately. SSL Interstellar PLC has moved into the system with significant forces and begun dismantling the cartel. As such, the city centers are being gradually occupied and brought under order. This is a welcome change of pace from the lawlessness and anarchy that held the system in it's grip. Though the monastery is located in the wilderness far from the cities and attracts little attention, the elimination of the cartel is having a positive effect on everyone here and we are hopeful that once the fighting dies down people will be able to start ranging farther from the monastery without worrying about getting harassed by thugs. Of course, this isn't such a problem for me since I'm no stranger to combat but most of the people here don't even own ships and Apex is a bit too expensive for most of them. Which leaves public system transport, something which hasn't really been able to take hold in Shinigami because of the cartels. The Hattoris are taking advantage of the situation by making some big political manouevers and negotiating with the corporation. There may be some common ground as certain individuals in both groups seem to share certain ideological viewpoints. It's been going well so far, and without the cartel's stranglehold, the Hattoris are able to get much needed support.But that's not all. Amidst the general positivity, there are also rumors flying about sightings of a Bakeneko, a ghost cat which shares it's cultural origin with the name of the system. According to the sightings, it appears skulking around the grounds at night and disappears when approached. Now, I don't know about ghosts and legends, but to me this sounds like a normal cat. But for whatever reason, people seem convinced this is some kind of paranormal encounter. And it gets even better because apparently it's connected to me somehow. Supposedly this cat first appeared when I came to the monastery and then wasn't seen again until now, when I've come back. So naturally this must mean that I'm a cat. Or something. I've tried to convince my fellow students that I am not moonlighting as a spectral feline but so far my attempts have not been successful. I expected Sensei to dispel this rumor but he refuses to get involved. In fact, he seems to be quite amused by the whole situation.