Once again - Kusari

[reavengitair]

Seems like theres alot going about Kusari and the alliance between the Hogosha, Corsairs, KNF, etc

I'll put in my part.

In my opinion, although the KNF and KSP are not directly allied to the Hogosha/FA, to an outsider, it certainly seems as such. But do not get "not attacking them" mixed up with an actual alliance. An AFA/Hogosha pirating right outside a KNF or KSP is completley and utterly OORP.

Reguarding their internal matters, the FA/Hogosha/gaians/Corsairs and to an extent, Samura, have an incredabily large grip on Kusari. To an extent, they can control most of Kusari's politics due to many of their agents in Kusari. Samura would nearly control Kusari if not for some organisations working against them. Its a miracle that organisations such as the GMG and Kishiro have managed to survive. However, Kusari's only extends to a certain level. Over-doing it is likely to lead to the empire being overthrown.

But an actual "alliance" is a little far. Not saying they are enemies, but still. FA, Hogosha, in fact, they shouldn't be pirating at all, but the FA have an excuse. BUT, it is NEVER try to put the Hogosha and the Famers Alliance into one group. They are two seperate organisations and should be kept thus. I've heard too many people refer to them almost as if they were exactly the same thing.

Firstly, the Hgoosha.

Primarily SMUGGLERS and TRADERS, the Hogosha have never been pirates. Indeed, they do so, in fact, they do so alot. However, it would be OORP for a member of the hogosha to do nothing but sit and fire at a tradelane.

On the other hand, the Hogosha do not have a free license to operate. Arrests of low-level Hogosha operators who flaunt their activities are frequent and help to keep up appearances with the public -- very important in Kusari. The Hogosha accept these low level losses in order to maintain their core business and ensure that key members of the organisation are never ensnared. "Hard" crime, such as drug smuggling, is not tolerated.

And so the Hogosha CARE about their relationship with the people of Kusari. In fact, their entire organisation is based around it. As said here:

Individual opinions vary, but most police consider the Hogosha a necessary evil required for the smooth functioning of Kusari society. The government simply treats the Hogosha like any other large keiretsu and the Kusari population as a whole has a similar attitude: It is pointless to like or dislike the Hogosha; they are simply a fact of life. The Hogosha handle Artifact and gun smuggling and the fencing of stolen goods. They also do occasional dirty work for Samura and will engage in limited covert activities with the Corsairs for the benefit of Kusari.

Smuggling is primarily the Hogosha's thing. In fact, the Hogosha could be seen as some kind of civilised "Liberty Rouge" Faction. Actually, scratch that. The Hogosha are very similar to a Kusari version of the Junkers.

I mean, no.1, look at their ships. The Hogosha NPCs use goddamn CSV things, or whatever they are. The Junkers are also more of a smuggling faction. Both are quasi-legal. But you don't see every single junker hammering tradelanes in the middle of no-where blowing up random transports?

The Hogosha should ideally be pirating, no-where near Kusari's core, where their every move could be watched. At least, AWAY from the tradelanes. Ideal places would be kind of... to the edge of Kyushu (where the gate is), edges of Honshu, Shikoku, etc. Not really much in New Tokyo anywhere near the lanes.

And now: The FA.

The Famers Alliance are completley different from the Hogosha, not a pirate or smuggling organisation. In fact, they are:

The Farmer's Alliance (FA) is a small organization which partakes in terrorist activities in Kusari against foreign companies, most notable of which is Synth Foods.

A Terrorist organisation, BUT, its an incredabily limited terrorist organisaion. I mean, you can't exactly be a terrorist with the KSP/KNF watching you everywhere.

The FA should really hang out around Kyushu, Shikoku and Honshu - however, when hammering down lanes, they should be hidden in clouds. One thing I heavily dislike (looks at certain members of the FA...) are people sitting in New Tokyo, right outside the jumpgate, killing and pirating foreign ships. Despite what some think, the Kusari Empire DOES CARE about these kind of things. The Kusari Empire is not samura, and they do care about their foreign imports-exports. They have signed various contracts and probably include protection of those shipments. They will come after you.

Rheinland is currently especially friendly with Kusari, due in part to their reliance on Kusarian H-Fuel, as well as their less than stellar view of Liberty.

and

ranging from friendly cooperation with Rheinland to the near total war over the Tau systems with Bretonia

Ok, so blowing up Liberty shipments (NOT to a great extent) is plausible, in New Tokyo. Blowing up Bretonia, erm, well, they are likely to attack you first anyway. But there are overly-hostile attacks against Rheinland, which Kusari and Rheinland have very close relationships. Yes, the FA hate their freaking guts, but try not to do that in the MIDDLE OF NEW TOKYO!?

Overall, I think players on the Quasi-lawful side of Kusari are taking too much for granted, with their piracy etc. The hogosha shouldn't even be hammering lanes in order to pirate. The FA should really, be taking part in SMALL TERRORIST PLOTS against foreign organisations. More of a hit and run thing, not a camp jumpgate thing.

Now what we need are some KNF/KSP to start attacking these people.