Loss in Honshu - The Ikazuchi

[Kusari Police Authority]

---

Kusari State Police of the Reformed Empire

News Conference

---

A young woman stands at a podium in front of a crowd of reporters. She is dressed in the uniform of the Kusari State Police, as are the older gentlemen sitting behind them. They are clearly near the KSP headquarters on New Tokyo.

She reads from a prepared statement.

"The Kusari State Police Authority confirms today that earlier this week, the KPS Ikazuchi was attacked in the Honshu system by Rheinland ships.

Realizing that the ship was outmatched by its opponents strength of arms, the captain, long time officer Shigeyoshi Inoue, decided to lead the Rheinland pilots into the nearby Hiryo cloud after broadcasting a system wide alert to all civilian vessels.

With no hope of fighting off the attackers, he instead lead them on a chase to take them away from civilian trading lanes, then ordered the crew to abandon ship.

While the Ikazuchi was lost, we can report happily that by providence and skill the actual crew of the ship was largely unhurt, with the tragic exception of five crew members whose escape pod was destroyed in the back blast. At this time we are not releasing their names, though there will be a memorial service held for them at a later date to be announced."

Her tone is professional, and even. She was clearly chosen for the job for a reason, and there is steel behind her words. The gentlemen behind her look equally grim.

"At this time the police would like to remind all citizens that the war, which may seem distant, can become very close at any moment. Please report any suspicious activity you see, and cooperate fully with the police authority when given orders, especially in the Honshu system.

We would also remind Kusari citizens that Rheinland citizens are not enemies of the State of Kusari, especially given the large amount of Rheinland refugees who have gladly and happily settled in our home from the planet of Nuremburg, and now contribute to the economic state. Any attacks on lawful ethnic Rheinlanders in the Kusari state is a crime, and will be treated as such.

I now have a brief period for questions from the crowd"

The reporters press in, shouting questions and waving their press cards in the air. The young woman finally selects one after listening.

"Officer, how dangerous is the Honshu system right now? Are the Kusari State Police capable of defending it while the main fleet is engaged in Sigma-21?"

"I can assure you that the police are fully dedicated to maintaining the safety and security of the civilian populace of Honshu, and all other Kusari systems. At this time I cannot disclose operational details for security reasons, but sufficed to say steps are being taken to prepare for any possible incursions by raiders."

"How can the police defend us from blooded Rheinland military ships?" another voice cries out.

"First, understand that while we may not have the sheer numbers nor firepower of the military, the Kusari Police flying squadrons are all well trained and tested regularly against the skilled pilots of the Blood Dragons and Golden Chrysanthemums; Further, it must be acknowledged that the Kusari Police capital ships are largely older variants that were retired from military service due to their age. At this time we are petitioning the government for a complete overhaul of our budget and a partnership with Kishiro technologies in order to try and make sure that while our fleet remains a civilian force, it will be the best equipped police force in the sector. This way the military remains aided by the full might of the Samura Industries capacity, while the state police remain well equipped.

No more questions at this time."

The camera zooms out as the woman goes to walk into the police headquarters, the older male officers following after her. The news logo fades into view as the screen turns a calming shade of blue.

---

Information and Communications

Recruitment Thread

Internal Communications