*Incoming Transmission*
Patrol Report For: The Black Dragon Society
Comm ID: Mazakatu Nagumo
Patrol Report 03:00 20/12
Golden Chrysthanthemum activity in Honshu and New Tokyo . . . not too smart, but very aggressive. Primarily bothering traders.
On the positive side, I have not noticed the same level of Blood Dragon activity during my late night patrols this week. May this be a good sign for things to come.
*End Report*
A strong empire begins with a firm foundation.
[|]Mazakatu_Nagumo - So-Honbucho, The Black Dragon Society.
*Incoming Transmission*
Message To: The Black Dragon Society
Comm ID: Ruuku Ochi
Konnichiwa, Brothers. Today I come with a request for the Father and the Elders. I humbly beg that one, Mazakatu Nagumo, be promoted to the rank of Fuku-Honbucho. This man has valiantly showed his dedication to Kusari, Hogosha, The Society, and myself. His vigilant defense of our home and our trade routs, his dedication to the brotherhood, as well as dealings with Kusari and Gaijin alike have shown the worth of this man. His honour and loyalty are unshakable.
I am also here to announce that our ranks have been bolstered with the welcoming of Tomodachi into our brotherhood with the rank of Kobun. This man is of Gaijin heritage, but is from a proud and honourable Kusari family. The Father has spoken highly of his family, and we will treat him as a brother of ours.
Ruuku Ochi
*End Transmission*
Duty and honour
Elder Ruuku Ochi, So-Honbucho of The Black Dragon Society
*Incoming Transmission*
Message To: The Black Dragon Society
Comm ID: Hitomi Ryuu
I am pleased to hear of the dedication of Nagumo-san and effective immediately I approve his promotion to the rank of Fuku-Honbucho. For his sake I hope he continues to serve us well, I will not look kindly on failure. Feel free to organize a party for him on board the Golden Dragon. I will treat him to a Geisha or two.
I would also like to give my regards to Mr. Tomodachi. It is not often we accept gaijin into our ranks and when we do it is one of the greatest honors that can be bestowed upon them. However, know that due to his heritage I will keep a very close eye on him. Any hint of betrayal and he will pray for the cold embrace of death.
*Incoming Transmission*
Message To: The Black Dragon Society
Comm ID: Mazakatu Nagumo
Konnichiwa. I am deeply honoured by this appointment. I thank you, Ochi San for your recommendation - and Father for your trust. I will not fail in my duties.
Ruuku and I decided that the most fitting celebration would be one of the largest artifact runs in recent history - and journeyed to Planet Crete with the largest ship our Samura friends could spare. Of course even this cannot satiate the demand on New Tokyo!
On a darker note once again Blood Dragons have been pirating in New Tokyo - three or four of them, in bombers. They mentioned some rumour of KNF officers abondoning their posts. I have heard no such tale, but Navy presence does seem to be a lot lower than I remember it once was. Does anyone else know anything of this?
Mazakatu Nagumo
*End Transmission*
A strong empire begins with a firm foundation.
[|]Mazakatu_Nagumo - So-Honbucho, The Black Dragon Society.
*Incoming Transmission*
Message To: The Black Dragon Society
Comm ID: Kobun Tomodachi
Father, Elders and fellow brothers, firstly it is a great honur to be accepted into your noble ranks and I intend to demonstrate to you all that my only loyalties are to the Society, the Kusari empire and it's people.
Secondly and my main reason for this message is to show you all this image that appeared on my comm system during a trade run two days ago:
Clearly this is most disturbing and several times now I have had to take avoiding actions to avoid multiple BAF capitol ships and heavy fighters intercepting my position on the system map, 3 days ago I was challenged within the Tau 31 system asteroid field by a BAF heavy bomber BAF LTCDR James Hobart, as I was only trading using my Container ship, (transporting badly needed Deuterium from our Zoner friends and trying to negotiate the asteroid field at the same time), I had no choice but to dump my cargo and leave.
The BAF are cleary alert to the threat we now pose to them and I have noticed that they have now started a very active training program for new recruits and they are growing bolder by the day.
As the last message from Mazakatu Nagumo demonstrates the Kusari navy seem to be in need of a little help these days and It must clearly fall to the Society to step in and fill this void for the sake of the Empire.
Japanese proverb: Baka wa shinanakya naoranai. (Unless an idiot dies, he won't be cured)
*Incoming Transmission*
Message To: The Black Dragon Society
Comm ID: Takata Ran
Let this be known to the organisation of the Black Dragons...(and whispered to others)....
Due to the long term ill health of the Saiko Komon - Haruto Foo, it has been decided within the Society and with the approval of the Father (Kumicho, Hitomi Ryuu), that I will take over his responsibilities as Senior Advisor to the Father forthwith.
To ensure the long term endurance of the Black Dragons and in recognition of his work, Ruuku Ochi is immediately promoted to position of So-Honbucho, Headquarters Chief and responsible for all internal affairs in my place. This is now a position of extreme importance given the impending launch of the Golden Dragon Luxury Liner.
Furthermore, In recognition of his efforts, Mazakatu Nagumo is promoted to position of Wakagashira.
Congratulations to everyone...I embrace you all...We remain strong. If one should fall, others will follow....
And all others...your time will come without doubt..Tomadachi, your efforts are noted!....I applaud your consistent application in our cause, it will not be long before we are forced to forget your bloodline and embrace you into the Heart of our Society. ..
*Incoming Transmission*
Message To: The Black Dragon Society
Comm ID: Ruuku Ochi
You honour me father and brothers. My responsibilities of directing the safety of the Kumicho will now extend to the entirety of the organization, especially the Golden Dragon herself. I am saddened to hear the news of the noble Haruto Foo, and I will strive to honour him in my work, as we all should.
I am also happy to congratulate brother Mazakatu Nagumo in his promotion to Wakagashira. I will spend the course of the next week informing him of the duties and tasks he must preform, as well as the more... intricate parts of maintaining the Kumicho's safety. As his work as a Fuku-Honbucho proved to be exemplary, I expect only the same as Wakagashira.
Kobun Tomodachi, remain vigilant with the rest of us. No matter the threat on Kusari, it is her own strength and determination that has always allowed for her survival. These threats will be dealt with accordingly, and if we are the ones to deal with it, all the better.
As for business, I have come across one Kotou Suyari. A hogosha smuggler who's quick wit and silver tongue are a thing to be admired. He is one of honour and should you need it, fear not to ask for him assistance. For his help in the removal of a rather ignorant bounty hunter from Kusari he asked simply that his name be mentioned to the Kumicho. Keep an eye on this man, as a great future awaits a character of this caliber.
Ruuku Ochi
*End Transmission*
Duty and honour
Elder Ruuku Ochi, So-Honbucho of The Black Dragon Society
*Incoming Transmission*
Message To: The Black Dragon Society
Comm ID: Mazakatu Nagumo
I find myself again deeply honored by the trust placed in me. I can say only that I will continue to serve Father, the Elders, and the Society as I always have: to my fullest.
I welcome the guidance of Elder Ruuku Ochi in my new duties. Alas, I will thus be occupied with training and preparations for much of the coming week. All Kobun are instructed to increase their patrols accordingly.
Kobun Tomodachi, it is good to hear from you again. I would concur with the Elder, but I would add this. Do not let the games of the BAF distract you from our core business. If they haven't the wit and ability to catch us as we run smuggled goods right under their noses through Leeds, they are unlikely to bother us here in Kusari! While we must always defend our nation and our interests, we are not a military - and unless required to, I prefer not to engage unless swift victory is assured.
Mazakatu Nagumo
*End Transmission*
A strong empire begins with a firm foundation.
[|]Mazakatu_Nagumo - So-Honbucho, The Black Dragon Society.
*The screen flickers to a camera-eye view of the sender, standing in a dark backlit room so to appear as nothing more than a black silhouette. The figure speaks in a cold, confident tone, careful to avoid giving away any hint of his identity or location*
"Konichiwa, my brothers. Some of you have heard of me, though such rumors tend to be largely based in fiction. A few of you have even met me, whether you knew it at the time or not. Regardless, I send this message to you today as an ally."
"My name is Kotou Suyari. In the true language of Kusari, my name means Old-Way Shortspear; a relic weapon which I doubt many of you have ever set eyes on. Such implements were once wielded by the Imperial Guard of ancient Kusari, those tasked with the protection of government estates and military centers, not to be confused with the personal guard of Emperor Hideyoshi, who were traitors to their people."
"I am a rogue, a shadow, a wraith, a ghost, whichever of these terms you wish to use. I am of a family that descends from the ancient Imperial Guard, and every member of my family leading up to myself has trained in the old ways of combat and honorable deceit. To speak in more modern terms, I am a shadow agent; an assassin, a smuggler, a thief, a warrior, and a spy. I perform all of these roles, and I am very good at what I do."
"To the purpose of this transmission, I am offering my services to the Black Dragon Society and it's Kumicho in particular. I have worked for dozens of the Hogosha syndicates, ranging from others as large as your own operation to those which only employ a handful of men. Some of these hired me to test my abilities; I always finish my task. Some of them hired me to test my patience; it is eternal. Some hired me in the hope that they would withhold payment or attempt to kill me; I always get paid, and I cannot be killed. These are the terms I live by, and many of those past Hogosha who chose to employ my services and behave in a dishonorable manner now find themselves resenting their choices from the cold of the grave."
"Keep that in mind when choosing assignments you wish me to complete. If my payment is not received, I will extract it forcibly. If I am betrayed, I will destroy all who had a hand in that betrayal. If I am lied to, your tongues will be put on display in my ship. However, behave honorably and hold true to your words, and I can be a very powerful and very capable ally."
*Incoming Transmission*
Message To: The Black Dragon Society
Comm ID: Ruuku Ochi
Brothers, it seems this Kotou Suyari is much more resourceful than I thought, he could prove to be quite a powerful friend. I will contact this man, on behalf of the dragons, and see what work we can offer him. If he proves honourable and trustworthy, then we may find work for him again in the future.
Ruuku Ochi
*End Transmission*
*Incoming Transmission*
Message To: Kotou Suyari
Comm ID: Ruuku Ochi
Konnichiwa, Kotou-San. I am Elder Ruuku Ochi, So-Honbucho of The Black Dragon Society. You have impressed the Kumicho here with your resourcefulness. We do request your assistance, and we are happy to pay. We are currently gathering intelligence on BAF activity in Tau and Bretonian space. Specifically the Tau-31, Leeds, and Dundee systems. We request that you fly through these systems, and report any BAF and BPA activity directly to the depot here. The information you gather here will be used for the advantage of Kusari in the future. I have noticed that you are fling a Bumblebee transport ship, you can use this to your advantage in this mission. It is our experience that the BAF and BPA are rather slack on smugglers, even ones of Kusari decent, and if you are found they will most likely make you drop your cargo and escort you out.
We are willing to pay two million credits for four complete reports on Bretonian activity. There is no need to engage, but I will personally pay you $250,000 for every BAF pilot you bring to the Kabukicho Depot.
One last thing, any more implications questioning our sincerity in regards to your payment will be seen as an attack on our honour.
Ruuku Ochi
*End Transmission*
Duty and honour
Elder Ruuku Ochi, So-Honbucho of The Black Dragon Society
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