Kusari Parliamentary Elections - 830 A.S. (Voting)

[Tōko Hakkera]

- You casted your vote confidently this time.

Young woman broke the silence first. They were gathered around Kotatsu (low table with blanket and heater underneath) during the evening, eating their favourites: satsuma oranges. Ocean was ever-present, bringing a chill wind in this part of the world. She was Tōko Hakkera, governor of Honshu. Opposite her, a man of similar age. Sanjuro Hakkera, her cousin and best childhood friend. Given Tōko being the only child, she grew up together with Sanjuro, regarding him as if he were her brother. Topic shifted to the future of Kusari, naturally dominated by the elections. Sanjuro in his youth was a staunch imperialist until life made him more… independent in thought.

- We nearly lost everything all those years ago. I do not want it to happen again.
- You’re not fond of the Imperialist types.
- Neither are you…

Another moment of silence. Tōko had lost her own father due to the previous Emperor deciding the best course of action during a dispute over mining rights in Tau’s was to escalate war further. What worth did they see in this wretched planet Leeds? She had made peace with it, however the threat of war such as the two times they clashed against Rheinland was very much livid. The pandora box had been opened thirty years ago, and they are unable to close it. It was Sanjuro’s turn to break the silence, abruptly stating who got his vote this cycle. Tōko giggled, appreciating his thoughtful return to discussion at hand and abandonment of such unpleasantries as war.

- You know Ninkyo Dantai is nothing more than a front to Hogosha? A thinly veiled attempt at that.

Tōko was intrigued by his choice, and had to drill the subject further. This was unlike Sanjuro and this choice had clearly some strategic thought this time around. She would not let him escape the coming inquisition and had to be sure that his cousin was fully aware and conscious of the consequences of his actions. Perhaps he had matured towards it, unlike last time where he voted in-line with the rest of Hakkeras out of sheer sense of duty to the Clan, seeing it as a useless fad that would pass. Perhaps the last few years opened his eyes towards the implications of this new system.

- That I do. However strangely I do not disagree with what they are trying to accomplish…
- Most importantly, they aren’t Sunrise.
- …Yes.

Sanjuro valued traditions. However he was equally distrusting those who would do away with them, as much as those who would blindly discard what made the Empire that strong in the first place. Especially that many of those in charge of this particular party had led to much struggle for Kusari in the long run. There had to be a different way indeed… Tōko on other hand was more elastic in her thought, especially that she was the biggest benefactor in changes brought about by those democratic reforms allowed to exist under return of the Empire. She personally had voted for the Honshu Unity Party, which was not something she was particularly keeping hidden. They were a good compromise between rabid, stifled and isolationists militants of Sunrise, and equally detestable apologists of SDPK who would have themselves bend over to the other great powers.

- But go on. I think there’s more to it. You are not going to get off the leash so soon for such basic answers.
- …Well. Outside of what you already know. I think the stronger Hogosha is less reliant on Samura. They will be competitors from this point onwards, but it is preferable than them remaining their well financed lapdogs. It may yet change my opinion on the organisation if they carry out their promise to support the smaller Kaisha (Corporation).
- Or make Samura all the stronger?...
- Hogosha are where the money is. I do not think it will be what breaks this connection, but they will become more assertive. They had already proven to possess more nuance and subtlety than excessively heavy handed executives of Samura.
- You really thought it over. I am proud of you.

Tōko understood it all now. Sanjuro’s mind was more focused on the ways of war, himself being responsible for matters of security and securing their own interests elsewhere. He had finally grown to recognize that it is his duty to influence Kusari politics, even if his personal vote mattered little amongst the billions spread across all of Kusari’s colonies. As for herself? It was the Honshu Unity Party again. The elastic nature, balance act between progress and tradition. Not to mention strong focus on gender equality - the reason she was able to become Governor of Honshu in the first place. She initially had a critical eye on the intervention in Gallia, but it turned out to be a resounding victory in the end. She would give them one more chance with her own vote.


Tōko Hakkera had cast her vote for Honshu Unity Party
Sanjuro Hakkera had cast his vote for Ninkyo Dantai

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