Ten Thousand Years of the Kusari Republic (redux)

[SupcommMonroee]

Official Kusari Naval Forces portrait of Nitto Kaisa Kyōko Honda

818 AS, Day of the Foreign Revolution, destroyer KDS Chokai

"Attention on deck!"

Fifteen bridge officers rose from their seats in unison and bowed their heads at the entrance of the Onna Bugeisha of Tau-31. An approving nod and purposeful expression saw the crew back to their duties. Commander Kyōko Honda took her usual place at the center of her command bridge, taking silent note of those on her bridge and the intimate details of their service under her.

Lieutenant Commander Nobuyuki Oda took his place at her side, offering a sharp bow and crisp salute to meet her acknowledging glance. “Nito Kaisa, the day’s briefing.” He slipped a datapad into her hand, and waited for her to digest the day’s shocking events.

In this glorious year, 818 AS, the oppression of Kusari and her people by the Emperors and Shoguns has closed, a chapter of our history that shall soon fade into distant memory! The honorable officers of the Kusari State Police and the Naval Forces have seized the government in conjunction with the Kusari Democratic Alliance, and have declared the Kusari Republic in New Tokyo. Emperor Kogen was killed as a coward, having attempted to flee with his corrupt advisors instead of honorably facing trial for his crimes against the Kusari people. Jiyū banzai! Long live the Kusari Republic!

Though her face betrayed no emotion, a subtle gulp was all the indication required as to Kyoko’s reaction. She returned the datapad to her second-in-command. When Kyoko turned to face him, a brief once-over revealed nothing as to his disposition towards this world-changing briefing. She allowed herself a few extra seconds to gauge his expression.

“Santo Kaisa, what do you think about this news?” Kyoko raised a brow in curiosity, hopeful that she would not get a diluted version of the truth. “Surely such a national tradition of loyalty is does not dissipate in a day.”

“We are at the behest of our command, Captain. Our service surely means more than reverence or lack thereof for tradition.” Nobuyuki paused, mulling over the next layer of his verbal cushion. “It is a tragedy that Kusari should experience a period of civil turmoil. We shall recover, of course, if and when any unrest manifests itself.”

Kyoko folded her hands behind her and straightened her back. Such a passive take on the situation was oddly calming. It served as a minor suppressant to the menagerie of concerns growing within her mind.

“Do you think that the report is correct, Commander?”

“How do you mean?”

“Do you think a revolution really has occurred? Do you think Emperor Kogen is truly dead?”

Nobuyuki furrowed his brows before replying. “I should think so, Captain. The news would take the longest amount of time to reach us here in Shikoku. If it were incorrect in some way, it would’ve been stopped, corrected, or redacted.” He shook his head. “This report has gone through three levels of command, Captain. Emperor Kogen is dead, and we are citizens of the Kusari Republic.”

Commander Kyoko Honda released a deep breath, one that felt as if she had been holding it in for a century. “I’m going to address the crew. Have Itto Kaii Yamada on the bridge when I’m done.”

“Right away, Captain.” Nobuyuki offered a hasty bow before departing.

Kyoko approached the communications officer, who promptly patched her through to the entire ship. If the bridge crew had overheard her and her second-in-command’s conversation, they were reserving themselves out of some form of solemn respect, disbelief, or shock.

“Crew of KDS Chokai, this is Captain Kyoko Honda speaking. As of this morning, Kotei Jien Kogen is dead. A new government, the Kusari Republic, has been formed. I expect each and every one of you to execute your duties without question in the coming days. Our ultimate loyalty lies with the Kusari people and whatever entity represents them. As things stand, we have not received orders from Naval Forces High Command, and as such, in accordance with the Navy Guidelines for Self-Direction under Extraordinary Circumstance, we will be departing from our mooring point within the hour. All crew are expected to be at duty stations by then. Glory to Kusari.”

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Royce.O'Hannigan / KDS-Hiei

"Real G's move in silence like lasagna."