Ascension into the shadows

[Emperor Tekagi]

Bessō Miyasu, Honshu, late November 829.

Sanae Miyasu, Kusari's Prime Minister and the woman who made history. Widely perceived as signal of progress, the truth remains more sinister.
Her sometimes quirky appearance, the often lax interpretation of how to handle daily business, the sudden change to a strict and serious persona. It was all her, yet the achievement was not. She knew it. Everyday she carried the burden of knowledge, even though she was extremely happy and satisfied with her work and private life, the irk that she originally was installed as mere asset by her partner to extort the Kusari system to the fullest for profit and influence... it was one of these days.
She felt ripped apart between love and the question if her achievements are truly 100% hers? Maybe that did not matter at all. Should it ever matter? She was in power, managed to pursue other influential politicians and chances are high the vote system reformation she had heard of will only benefit her.

What mattered right here, right now was nothing but the drink in front of her: Port Tawney. After her meeting with Raven, she actually included it into her usual stock of booze. Imported through Rheinland to bypass current embargos.
Irelei was out, yet another business trip - like so many before. This means it was just her, the servants and the security personnel.
A mere minutes later, this should change. She received a notification on her pad stating that an unannounced visitor with "Kimitsu" clearance required her urgent attention.

A couple minutes later, her guest appears in her mansion's bar. A man in his early 40s and an acquittance of Sanae, albeit a most unpleasant one: Goryō.
Following his last visit, which resulted in the effective recruitment of Sanae as asset of the KNI, she urged Irelei to set an investigation in motion. Surprisingly, they achieved to uncover his true affiliation - which merely prompted him to congratulate them minutes after their achievement with the announcement that he will pay a visit again.
Here he was. She sighed.
"How may I be of service to the Tokkeitai today, hm?", her tone snippy.
"Esteemed Prime Minister, it is a great pleasure to be permitted to visit you here and today once more.", he was calm and overly respectful as usual. Though, he smirked overtly.
"I am most happy to see that you expected me and know what this meeting is about."
"I am already working for you. What's next?"
"As you are well aware, our sole loyalty stands with our Imperial Majesty. So does yours, your family's and your Zaibatsu. The Miyasu Zaibatsu is the purpose of todays visit."
"So.. you're dragging my employees into this too?" She sounded absent, almost disinterested.
"Your Highness, you are mistaken. We are well aware Miyasu-Kōkan and its current economic decline. All we wish to do is extend our helping hand to one of Kusari's most loyal assets." He sat down, reached for an empty glass and filled himself one.
"Hmph.. you leave me unimpressed. Tell me what exactly it is you want or you can go. I am not in the mood, nor do I have the time for such games."
"So be it. I will be blunt with you, your Highness. I am aiming to infiltrate the Miyasu-Kōkan with some of my men and utilize its civilian appearance and on a Sirian scale insignificant nature for our advantage. I was under the impression that leaving this motion unannounced would critically harm our business arrangements. Naturally, all my men will be following your companies general code of conduct and even engage into regular work."
"Uh-huh.. so.. we go beyond small assets? What's the big idea here, sir? This sounds rather large scale. I am risking a lot here, should your men get caught in the act, it will harm the companies reputation and potentially my own. Your own reputation is as always safe and sound, seeing as close to nobody knows your true identity. Give me a good reason why I should agree to this."
"Your Highness, you are well aware that we are not obligated to compensate you in any way. For all we care, you can protest all you want. You would simply lose everything, while we only lose a potential candidate company usable by our own. I am not a monster though. You are well aware that I hold high regards of you, Ma'am. I will offer you what you've always searched for, just name it."

Sanae was baffled. This offer made no sense? Everything? What she always searched for...? She took a sip from her glass and turned her face away. What could that be, out of all things?... A sinister thought crossed her mind. Was it the wine or was it the scent of sheer endless power driving her mind to think this way? She turned her head back to him.
"I am the second highest executive authority in Kusari on paper. In reality, this power fades away into nothingness but obedience towards the diet...", her voice started to shake but she continued..
"I seek to become the irreplaceable number two authority in Kusari, just below our Imperial Highness to eternally serve him and our great nation. Unhindered by burdens of the current constitution and establishments. Manage this and the entirety of the Miyasu Zaibatsu, plus my personal contacts and Irelei's expertise in.. data collection, shall be yours in a coequal partnership, Goryō.. or should I say, Kojirou Toshinori?"
The man merely smiled.
"The one disadvantage of personal meetings. It is a good thing that your mansion is entirely free of bugs. Your request is a most curious one, however I believe this can be arranged. You understand that there will be no going back though? Once you've entered the halls, the door is shut for a lifetime. Betrayal means death, failure is not an option. We will serve Kusari in its truest form, always pursuing the biggest advantage for our nation. The required reform shall be initiated, dear. Welcome among the Ascended. I knew that you would not disappoint me. You never did, so far."
"Toshinori-san. I am honored. I owe a lot to your expertise and guidance, even prior to the reveal of your side.. activity. I will continue to serve Kusari and her people to the best of my capabilities. The Zaibatsu will act for the Tokkeitai. We shall break the vicious circle holding Sirius in its grasp and turn Kusari into a paradise amongst a war-torn sector."
"By any means necessary. We share the sentiment that bloodshed can only be a last resort but we both know it.. blood will flow, inevitably. You should always remember this... but.. I shall go now. Staying too long will cause questions. I will let the Ascended know. We will hold a meeting with you soon."
"Toshinori-san..[....]... Take care." She fell into silence, a silence only broken minutes after the departure of her guest. A silence only broken by a sigh and the sound of poured in wine. She ascended into the circle of power, her ideals were true but enveloped by hunger for power.. Will she keep up the façade towards everyone past Irelei? Can she earn her place proper among Kusari's true rulers?... She was determined, yet felt a bit hollow. She entered Kusari's realm of shadows, a place with no escape, no turning back but the means to steer her home away from chaos, right? Right... Right!!!
"Some more wine should.. fix.. this."