Kasugai Hatusmi

[DeathsOverture]

Hatsumi Kasugai, born 791 AS, was raised on Planet Honshu by his father, Hatsumi Asagi, who worked for the Kusari Police Force as an inspector of special cases. Kasugai's mother died of an unknown illness when he was very young.

In 799 AS, Asagi began an unprecedented investigation against a major Hogosha artifact smuggling operation in the Honshu system. Soon after, he received an anonymous transmission demanding that he seize his investigation. The threat was followed by a failed attempt on his life.

When it was concluded that the assailant could not be identified, the Kusari Police Force offered to put him in protection, but Asagi knew better. The Hogosha would not rest until he was silenced. He decided they would not be safe in Kusari space, at least under protection of the KSP...

Asagi made contact with his brother, Hatsumi Osaku, who worked for the GMG on Aomori Station. Osaku arranged for him to be put into protection outside of the Hogosha's reach, but admitted that it would not be a place suitable for Kasugai. Osaka's wife, Tana, decided to flee to Liberty with Kasugai, to seek refugee the impending war with Rheinland.

Kasugai still remembers the last words his father spoke to him:

You must understand that simply being in Kusari space is a great risk. This is our only choice. Your Aunt and Uncle are making great sacrifices for you. It's time to become a man. Your mother would be proud.

Kasugai and Tana set out for Liberty space. Kasugai attended Birmingham Public School on Denver in the Colorado System. He attended the Denver Polytechnic Institiute for 4 years, and obtained a degree in Mechanical Engineering at age 21. Tana decided that Kasugai was old enough to be on his own, and returned to Honshu to be reunited with her husband.

Kasugai became an Assistant Systems Engineer on Battleship Rio Grande. As part of his employment, he received basic pilot training from the Liberty Navy. During one of the routine trade lane exercises, a group of Xenos attacked the lane and poured out all of the trainees in the company. Kasugai performed extremely well to the notice of his trainer. He enrolled in a combat training course and an advanced combat tactics course to further his knowledge of piloting. He began taking small-time contacts for the Liberty Navy against the Xeno threat as an independent Freelancer, but it didn't suit him. Kasugai never wanted to fly for something he didn't believe in, and felt no particular attachment to the Liberty Navy.

In 815 AS, he decided that it was time to contact his uncle once again. He resigned from his position on Rio Grande and boarded the next civilian transport from Planet Denver to Planet Honshu. Kasugai was reunited with Osaku, on Aomori Station. He told Kasugai that the GMG was always looking for pilots to protect facilities and escort trade convoys. The pay wasn't outstanding, but it was a lifestyle that he was looking for.

Kasugai enrolled in various training programs and took many flight evaluation exams in preparation for his application to the Guild. He even took a few escort contracts and search and destroy contracts, enough so that the Guild would notice... in the mean time, he worked part-time as an engineer in the grav-decks of Aomori Station to pay for his costs of living.

---