--Year 1 Month 1 Day 5 of Project: Early Bird--
It has only been two weeks since I offered to give a demonstration of the Takayama Corporation's fully autonomous security drones in Kaze no Kuni, and I'm already regretting stepping foot in this desolate wasteland. Of all the accounts I've heard about the mysteries and monstrosities hidden within the desert itself, none quite mention how torturous the actual desert can be itself. Between the blistering winds and desiccating heat, I'm convinced that all who live here--civilian, shinobi, or otherwise--must have the physical and mental fortitude of Saito himself.
But I'm not one to dwell on such trivial matters, especially not after I received word from my wife, Kirie that she was two to three weeks pregnant with our child. 'Our child,' . . . not since, 'I do,' have I even been so excited about two simple words.
I can't help but to feel apprehensive about bringing another Sentama into this world, at least not while the demon Zansatsu is still possessing my distant relative Akatora Shin, and certainly not while the Makaibatsu cult threatens to complete his apotheosis.
--Year 1 Month 1 Day 20 of Project: Early Bird--
Today's scheduled demonstration for our drones was a complete disaster, no thanks to a sudden sandstorm. Visibility was reduced to roughly 20 meters, mechanical efficiency peaked at 40% of our projected estimates, and, to add even further insult, several anomalies occurred during testing and the drones themselves treated us as hostile entities: I can only imagine how the events of this afternoon might have gone had we already installed the weapons systems.
Despite the overwhelming setback, our clients seemed even more intrigued by the possibility presented by intelligent chakra technology. They wish to see the end result of the Takayama Corporation's Early Bird, and I'd be remiss to turn my back on such a promising second chance.
Forgive me Kirie: with any luck I'll be out of this hellhole and by your side in a few months.
--Year 1 Month 4 Day 15 of Project: Early Bird--
Dammit! How could I not see this coming!
As I commenced the final stage of Early Bird--the decisive battle between an infamous sandworm of Kaze no Kuni and the Takayama Corporation's own giant avian drone--I noticed all too late that a band of mercenaries had invaded our isolated camp and had slaughtered all but myself. Instead, they take me hostage and send a note addressed to the late Raikage Hayata Shin, demanding a hefty ransom.
And while I wait for the slim hope of a fellow Kumogakure shinobi or even just a noble-hearted Sunagakure shinobi coming to my aid, I must play the game they want me to play if I ever want to see my wife or unborn child:
I must continue making these drones for them.
--Year 1 Month 10 Day 5 of Project: Early Bird--
Yesterday, I felt like giving in and just executing the override protocol, risking my life just so my legacy would no longer be abused. But today one of my captors showed me a picture of wife and my newborn son, threatening to kill both of them should I 'try anything'.
That was enough to keep me going just long enough to see this damn place blown to hell, courtesy of my latest project.
--Year 2 Month 1 Day 5 of Project: Early Bird--
I have been producing fewer and fewer drones each day since I first saw my son's picture, instead focusing my attention on a new exoskeleton that runs on the same intelligence technology. As a practitioner of the Hachimon kinjutsu, I'm well aware of the destructive power the Eight Chakra Gates inflicts upon both the user and his opponents: with any luck, I'll be able to use semi-autonomous properties of the exoskeleton in order to offset the crippling side effects just long enough to leave none of these bastards alive.
I know I won't make it out myself--with or without the exoskeleton--but I just want to say I love you, Kirie. Take good care of our son.
