Kusari Parliamentary Elections - Summer 824A.S.

[Yaoquizque]

Many were those among the old nobility who did not see favorably the democratic process recently imposed by this new government. This caste numerous privileges were maintained despite the recently founded republic best efforts to remove this remembrance of the old regime.

These families always were key players in power games occurring in House Kusari, thanks to their ancestral ties with Imperial family as well as their financial and political influence.

Therefore, seeing that pathetic attempt of the Republicans to challenge this rightful preeminence was widely seen as amusing, even if quite concerning. Among all, give a decision power to the uneducated, honor-less masses; individuals who simply did not have the intellect nor the moral rectitude to take enlightened decisions... That was ridiculous. There definitely was a rational explaining the fact they were part of the laborious lower classes, after all.

The general consensus was elections should be ignored entirely. The little people could keep their illusions if they so wished. The members of the Imperial district would keep maintaining their rightful supremacy with their own means.

In that regard, House Sanada was no exception. Sanada Chozaburo did not deign participate to this election, nor did most of the members of the clan. That very day, Sanada Fuyuko was attending to a charity meeting aimed at gathering funds for the refugees who succeeded leaving Kyushu system and the troubles occurring planet-side.

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Another difficult day for the brave Sub-Lieutenant Gamo Ujisato. Years of commitment, day after day of doing his very best, but no promotion. Not a single one. He was never raised or trained to assume these responsibilities. He was supposed to become a monk; live a contemplative life, study the maze of fate and the subtleties of philosophy. But his elder brother went missing and he had to endorse that role in his place.

He knew he was performing poorly at it and that his father was seeing him as a disgrace and a shame for the House. All he could do was doing his best and hope fate would release him from this uniform that he never seemed to fit in.
One day, maybe he would have time to contemplate the blossom of cherry trees and meditate on the impermanence of all that is; maybe even write a poem or even a guide for enlightenment.
But not today nor any time soon.

The noble family he was part of looked down on those elections the Republic was organizing, but Ujisato liked the idea everyone could have a say in House Kusari political orientation. And it was an occasion to leave military facilities, even for a short time, and have a stroll on New Tokyo. Enjoy the landscape, observe the people and be amazed by this unlimited diversity of human nature... Ujisato was considering to vote for Democratic Party of Kusari. Good thing father would never find out. Or would he?

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Kobayakawa Yuji was a firm supporter of Kusari Sunrise Party. After all, when he was looking back at that past of him, being a low thug working for an "association" providing "protection" services, among others things. His job was to observe, watch and sometimes trail someone until he was arrested. Nothing too bad, fortunately. Nothing that awful to have on one's conscience. Could have been worse. Crime syndicates were not numerous in Kusari, and were maintaining an always low profile, but their actions could be extremely barbaric when they deemed it necessary.
The Naval Forces saved him for this life in the streets, full of crime and easy money. The Naval Forces taught him discipline and made him the respected man he was today.

Yuji didn't trust Gauls one bit. Kusari needed to rebuild its military power quickly in order to maintain its supremacy, and Sunrise Party was lobbying for exactly that.

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Sakamoto Ryoma did not believe it was the role of the Warriors caste to dictate House Kusari politics. They were serving the people of Kusari, ensuring their safety no matter the cost. The military was to be subordinated to the civilian instances and to follow a strict code preventing them from interfering in civilian matters more than absolutely necessary. Consequently, Ryoma did not plan to vote.

Not that he would have had time to dedicate to this anyway. A little tour on New Tokyo was simply out of question while Battleship Nagumo was on the verge of destruction in Kyushu system. His men were counting on him to lead them across this tempest. His duty was to ensure as many as possible would survive this difficult situation they were in.

Communications with the Admirals circle was difficult because of the nebula hiding them from Imperial raiders. It was already difficult to find time to make a lightning visit on Battleship Sado to try resolving a concerning matter involving Admiral Ishikawa. The trip back was difficult and as soon as Ryoma returned to Nagumo, critical issues to solve took all his time.

He trusted the people of Kusari would take the right decision for the future of their House.

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