The Rose Dragons Comms Centre

[Lithobraker]

TRANSMISSION RECEIVED: DECRYPTING...
薔薇龍 | こんにちは。

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From: Yoshida Seika

To: Shogun

Subject: KNF research vessel in Tau-53, encounter with freelancer over New Tokyo

Point of Origin: Kyoto Base

Encryption Level: 極み

Importance: 並み

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Konanbanwa, Shogun.

I'm contacting you to report on notable events I recorded on one of my first formal assignments- providing fighter escort for the Aino.
While running hull plating to Osihi, scouts in Tau-53 reported sightings of a liner with the [KNF] tag- the Kakunodate.
I was somewhat late to arrive, but I will provide what logs I can.

By my own account of events, the liner is a research vessel belonging to the KNF, which was investigating new installations in the region. I didn't catch whether those were Blood Dragon installations or not. You're best off asking Suzuki-san for more detail on her conversation with the Kakunodate.
Judging by the fact that Kusari is supposed to have largely abandoned Tau-53, this strikes me as highly suspicious. However, I'll defer to the judgment of my superiors on this matter.
This is also the reason I've used such high-level encryption for this message. It may be nothing, but it's best not to take any chances, in case this is part of a major plot by the KNF.

Our second notable encounter was longer, but relatively less important. We had a run-in with Clouded.Dawn, some poor, foolish freelancer- probably from another House, judging by the strange craft they were flying and her accent.
We were trying to track down the Kakunodate in New Tokyo, and we were hovering over Planet New Tokyo's north hemisphere. The crew of the Aino were questioning an Auxesian vessel about it, when this freelancer tried to challenge us to a fight.
I won't pretend to understand her reasoning- she was staring down a frigate, an HF and a VHF, and begged us to... duel her, I suppose.
Fortunately, we were able to de-escalate and talk them down. Hawthorne-san appeared quite eager for a fight, though.

It's a shame that Kusari's propaganda draws in even outsiders with its promises of 'unity and peace'... Still, I'm glad bloodshed is, indeed, not always the outcome.
As always, I am prepared to fight at any time. I'm quite eager to assist the Dragons, though I do regret that violence is so often necessary.

Ki wo tsukete, Dragons. Remain vigilant. If the KNF is plotting something, I am at your disposal.

吉田 星夏 | Yoshida Seika
錦鯉 | Nishikigoi

Kusari Naval Forces 'research vessel' encounter

Black box recording 1

[23.12.2022 00:16:48] [KNF]'Kakunodate': RO: We understand that the Blood Dragons are aware that Navies maintain research and surveillance vessels for border security.
[23.12.2022 00:18:06] (GROUP) >BD<RNK-Raijin: It's here searching for something. It's a navy research and surveillance vessel.
[23.12.2022 00:18:18] >BD<SST-Aino: So I will humor you, but make no mistake. Wrong move or leave without permission and I will be forced to open fire.
[23.12.2022 00:18:30] (GROUP) >BD<SST-Warusawa: What could they possibly need to look for there?
[23.12.2022 00:18:33] (GROUP) >BD<RNK-Raijin: They 'detected a higher number of installations set up in this region'.
[23.12.2022 00:18:36] [KNF]'Kakunodate': RO: We would be highly pleased if you would come aboard and investigate this yourself.
[23.12.2022 00:19:14] [KNF]'Kakunodate': RO: Affirmative. We will lower the shields for personnel to come aboard, in return for guarantees of our safety.
[23.12.2022 00:19:37] [KNF]'Kakunodate': [Not willing to lose more time, the crew hastily mans positions should the worst happen and lowers the shields.]
[23.12.2022 00:20:13] >BD<SST-Aino: We will appreciate any surveillance data you've got.
[23.12.2022 00:20:21] [KNF]'Kakunodate': RO: So would we.
[23.12.2022 00:20:27] (>BD<SST-Aino approaches [KNF]'Kakunodate'.)
[23.12.2022 00:20:35] ([KNF]'Kakunodate' cloaks at this point, and escapes.)
[23.12.2022 00:20:43] >BD<SST-Aino: Goddamn.

Encounter with freelancer over New Tokyo

Black box recording 2

[23.12.2022 00:34:22] >BD<SST-Aino: I suppose you didn't saw a Kusari Naval liner running as if hell itself was on its heels?
[23.12.2022 00:34:36] >BD<SST-Aino: Damnit.
[23.12.2022 00:34:59] A/)-Revenant: ...?
[23.12.2022 00:35:15] Clouded.Dawn: Oh, there are many.
[23.12.2022 00:35:17] >BD<SST-Aino: Likely wont catch it anymore.
[23.12.2022 00:35:34] >BD<SST-Aino: Ehh... time to loiter and pick up supplies later...
[23.12.2022 00:35:55] >BD<SST-Aino: Blood Dragons, regroup. We lost that chase.
[23.12.2022 00:36:05] Clouded.Dawn: You should not be here!
[23.12.2022 00:36:08] >BD<Hawthorne.Amy: Amy: Did we?
[23.12.2022 00:36:13] >BD<Yoshida.Seika: Kuso... I thought I'd finally see some real action.
[23.12.2022 00:36:24] >BD<Hawthorne.Amy: Amy: Aw, your not like the Rogues...
[23.12.2022 00:36:24] >BD<SST-Aino: That Nomad from yesterday wasn't enough, pilot?
[23.12.2022 00:36:38] >BD<Yoshida.Seika: Eh, well, I meant... like, a full-scale battle.
[23.12.2022 00:36:57] Clouded.Dawn: You might not find that, but you can find one, at least!
[23.12.2022 00:37:30] Clouded.Dawn: I challenge you! You are threatening the Empire.
[23.12.2022 00:37:36] A/)-Revenant: ...er...
[23.12.2022 00:37:37] >BD<SST-Aino: Eh?
[23.12.2022 00:37:50] >BD<SST-Aino: Pilot. Are you drunk?
[23.12.2022 00:37:52] A/)-Revenant: Dawn, no offense, but... that is really not a good idea.
[23.12.2022 00:37:54] Clouded.Dawn: The one that has been my host for so long!
[23.12.2022 00:37:54] >BD<Hawthorne.Amy: Amy: Excuse me?
[23.12.2022 00:38:03] >BD<Yoshida.Seika: Probably a bad idea.
[23.12.2022 00:38:21] A/)-Revenant: Dawn. I mean it. I know you are trying to be courteous to your hosts but -...
[23.12.2022 00:38:25] A/)-Revenant: The Dragons are trained warriors.
[23.12.2022 00:38:26] A/)-Revenant: Don't.
[23.12.2022 00:38:28] >BD<SST-Aino: You have the single most armored frigate in entire Kusari, and its complement of fighter escort. You stand no chance.
[23.12.2022 00:38:36] >BD<SST-Aino: Stand down and do not waste your life away for some dream of an empire.
[23.12.2022 00:38:49] Clouded.Dawn: Well- *she scoffs* I wasn't challenging the frigate specifically!
[23.12.2022 00:38:58] >BD<SST-Aino: You attack any of us, you attack us all.
[23.12.2022 00:39:01] >BD<SST-Aino: I take care of my subordinates.
[23.12.2022 00:39:04] >BD<Hawthorne.Amy: *She nods*
[23.12.2022 00:39:20] >BD<SST-Aino: Just so happens I am responsible for them.
[23.12.2022 00:39:24] Clouded.Dawn: Erm...
[23.12.2022 00:39:34] A/)-Revenant: It's not worth it Dawn.
[23.12.2022 00:39:38] A/)-Revenant: You're not going to prove anything.
[23.12.2022 00:39:42] Clouded.Dawn: I am new to all this, but I have sworn an allegiance to this state.
[23.12.2022 00:39:50] >BD<Hawthorne.Amy: Amy: I may be new hear, but I have no problem going Pirate on her, then taking her back to my wife and letting us have our way-
[23.12.2022 00:39:51] >BD<SST-Aino: What, you thought we would oblige you in 'honorable duel to death' on top of Tokyo?
[23.12.2022 00:39:58] >BD<Hawthorne.Amy: With her. *She giggles*
[23.12.2022 00:40:04] Clouded.Dawn: Should I not challenge you then, surely?
[23.12.2022 00:40:15] A/)-Revenant: Dawn, there will be a place and a time for you to honor your "host" - now wouldn't be it.
[23.12.2022 00:40:30] A/)-Revenant: You're not an officer, nor a military personnel.
[23.12.2022 00:40:34] Clouded.Dawn: HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN IT IS IT?
[23.12.2022 00:40:34] >BD<SST-Aino: You are in 9th century AS, not in some middle ages waving away blunt instruments of war.
[23.12.2022 00:40:48] >BD<Hawthorne.Amy: *She giggles*
[23.12.2022 00:40:52] >BD<Yoshida.Seika: Makeru ga kachi, Dawn. Pick your battles.
[23.12.2022 00:40:54] A/)-Revenant: You'll know when you are not faced with certain death.
[23.12.2022 00:41:08] >BD<SST-Aino: Freelancer, this is your last warning. We do not seek to shed blood of civilians.
[23.12.2022 00:41:10] A/)-Revenant: Sirius does not have a ... "battle code of honor. "
[23.12.2022 00:41:32] A/)-Revenant: Sirius is a vastly wild and varying place.
[23.12.2022 00:41:35] A/)-Revenant: Nothing is ever the same.
[23.12.2022 00:41:37] >BD<SST-Aino: Spare yourself this dubious 'honor' of fighting us, and pick some more meaningful task.
[23.12.2022 00:41:38] >BD<Hawthorne.Amy: Amy: Be glad we are not back in Liberty to where, slaves are a GREAT prize.
[23.12.2022 00:41:50] Clouded.Dawn: I- well, are these Dragons not often known for their honour? Even their enemies often acknowledge it.
[23.12.2022 00:42:02] >BD<SST-Aino: Honor for me is living with consequences of my own actions.
[23.12.2022 00:42:28] >BD<SST-Aino: Back off, now.
[23.12.2022 00:42:34] A/)-Revenant: Most "unlawfuls" would have attacked you for wasting their time, they've given you a chance to leave.
[23.12.2022 00:42:37] A/)-Revenant: I advise you take it.
[23.12.2022 00:42:45] Clouded.Dawn: I-...
[23.12.2022 00:42:46] A/)-Revenant: You wouldn't want to die without getting to meet ~her~ again - would you?
[23.12.2022 00:42:56] >BD<SST-Aino: There is no honor killing you, Dawn.
[23.12.2022 00:43:02] >BD<Hawthorne.Amy: *Waves her hand* I'm most unlawfuls.
[23.12.2022 00:43:03] >BD<SST-Aino: There is no honor trying to kill us either.
[23.12.2022 00:43:11] A/)-Revenant: And besides - to be respectful - you don't need to cause death.
[23.12.2022 00:43:16] A/)-Revenant: Charity is honorable too.
[23.12.2022 00:43:21] A/)-Revenant: Help the civilians that are hurting.
[23.12.2022 00:43:24] >BD<Hawthorne.Amy: Damn.
[23.12.2022 00:43:24] Clouded.Dawn: I do not know how I should feel, of this.
[23.12.2022 00:43:31] >BD<SST-Aino: We fight to restore justice in Kusari, not to kill random freelancers.
[23.12.2022 00:43:46] A/)-Revenant: To show respect to your host and help out - it does not mean you need to fight their fights.
[23.12.2022 00:44:07] >BD<SST-Aino: You read too many mangas. You only have one life here.
[23.12.2022 00:44:31] A/)-Revenant: Come back to the orbit, Dawn.
[23.12.2022 00:44:32] Clouded.Dawn: I have read onl- I need not justify myself to you!
[23.12.2022 00:44:33] >BD<Hawthorne.Amy: Or watch to many holobands..
[23.12.2022 00:44:34] >BD<SST-Aino: Are you responsible for this pilot, Technocrat?
[23.12.2022 00:44:38] A/)-Revenant: Not at all.
[23.12.2022 00:44:39] Clouded.Dawn: Culture is the universal language!
[23.12.2022 00:44:53] >BD<SST-Aino: You would do a favor by restraining Dawn.
[23.12.2022 00:45:07] A/)-Revenant: It's rather... I do not know - saddening - to see an amibitious pilot be swayed the wrong way?
[23.12.2022 00:45:13] >BD<SST-Aino: I will turn around, if any of my convoy comes under attack, I cannot vouch for Dawn's safety.
[23.12.2022 00:45:26] A/)-Revenant: Dawn, go back to the orbit.
[23.12.2022 00:45:36] Clouded.Dawn: Go on. The....energy has dissipated.
[23.12.2022 00:45:39] A/)-Revenant: There's plenty of other ways to dedicate your respect for the House.
[23.12.2022 00:45:46] A/)-Revenant: Don't hurt yourself.
[23.12.2022 00:46:06] >BD<SST-Aino: Show respect to House of Kusari by protesting the injustice and corruption in the rotted system.
[23.12.2022 00:46:27] Clouded.Dawn: This is a terrible feeling. Deflation, when everything builds up, and then it escapes.
[23.12.2022 00:46:31] >BD<Hawthorne.Amy: *She blows Dawn a kiss*
[23.12.2022 00:46:37] >BD<SST-Aino: Engage cruise engines.
[23.12.2022 00:46:59] >BD<SST-Aino: I may be ex-pirate, but I am no murderer
[23.12.2022 00:47:13] >BD<Hawthorne.Amy: I wanted to murder....
[23.12.2022 00:49:00] >BD<SST-Aino: Glad you listened to reason, Freelancer. You will do well remembering that people of Kusari are not our enemy.

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Transmission Cut... Connection Failure.

薔薇龍 | さようなら。