Transmission received
Code recognised as A-230-951-KUCOM
Decrypting.... Recipient:Naval Operations Headquarters Sender:Itto Kaisa Kiriyama Haruki Date:20.01.835 AS Subject:After Action Report - Jump Drive Expedition Priority:High
As part of a mission to test our capabilities with the experimental jump drive technology, the IKN Harukaze took part in an expedition using Tohoku as the main staging point. We were instructed to not divulge any information to personnel not of Gold Class clearance about our destination. The primary goal was to secure and retrieve the long-lost IKN Niyodo back into Kusari.
Unfortunately, intelligence reports have uncovered Liberty's motives for the Niyodo. Fortunately, our fleet arrived just in time, but not upon learning the existence of a heavy lifter called "Argonaut-3". After analysis was done, our priority soon changed to retrieving the lifter back to Kusari for analysis. We were prepared for a possible conflict with Liberty, however they brought a whole fleet determined to secure the ship in their hands.
While we suffered numerous losses attempting to retrieve the Argonaut, it jumped to Kepler, where we faced an unexpected threat in the form of Lane Hackers. With most of our fleet battered from Liberty's unprovoked attack, they forced us to retreat to Shikoku, where the IKN Harukaze is undergoing repairs for the time being. Reinforcements sent into the border were sufficient to deal with a surprise Liberty attack in Galileo. Eventually, the Argonaut was last seen headed to Liberty, but further intelligence shows that the Hackers were in control of it.
Though the end result was quite unfortunate for our side, we are fortunate Liberty has not seized the Argonaut for their own purposes. In the meantime, I recommend increasing border security in case a future war breaks out between Kusari and Liberty.
Transmission received
Code recognised as NT-X49a-NOH-DirexC-9310
Decrypting.... Recipient:Naval Operations Headquarters Sender:Santo Kaisa Mizui Naruhito Date:06.10.835 A.S. Subject:IKN-Numazu Priority:High
Sixty-Sixth's Itsumaden reporting in. I bring terrible news.
Following proximity alerts of a large warship near Heaven's Gate, a standard sweep was conducted. The wreckage of the IKN-Numazu was located slowly drifting towards the Izu Field, seemingly destroyed in battle with either Order or Dragon forces.
Ichigaya and the Arch report no communications or calls for aid by the vessel, albeit they were able to confirm it was scheduled to arrive at Ichigaya later today. A local KOI contingent and Ichigaya's salvage wing are already about tow the remnants to the drydocks. They have requested from me to inquiry about the possibility of utilizing the wreck for one of their next experiments. Personally, I would say that we let them. The near magical results of the past years make me believe that they will find better use for the wreckage than salvaging it at Yokohama.
Apologize me overstepping the ranking order, but I urge the NOH and command to facilitate new standard routines given the frequency of assaults surrounding the Arch and our current distraction due to Liberty's foolish games. The Sixty-Sixth will remain at the Arch to assist the KOI in repelling hostile incursions, but we are unable to muster the amount of warships that may be required for this task. We are spreading our forces thin but we cannot falter.
In service of Kusari, Santo Kaisa Mizui Naruhito
66th Tokubetsu ensei-ka
Transmission received
Code recognised as NT-X49a-NOH-DirexC-Alpha-129cO
Decrypting.... Recipient:NOH Sender:Shido Kijima, NOH Date:21.02.836 A.S. Subject:Hiratsuka's Last Will Priority:Low
For documentation purposes only as explicit wish of the deceased.
Name of the deceased: Issei Hiratsuka
Rank: Santo Kaisa
Assigned to: S-NGD, IKN-Myoko
Main assignment: Squadron leader of the 2nd Ryusei training wing
Last assignment: Unannounced check-up on modular installations in Galileo
Cause of death: Suffocation
Further, the circumstances which led to his untimely demise as documented by Hiratsuka-san during his final hours:
[23:50 Sirian Time] Roughly three hours. The pod suddenly started to signal falling pressure in two of the three oxygen tanks around an hour ago. Unless a patrol finds me out here soon, I think this is it. I had a good run, twelve years. Just three more to go. I ponder why a Dragon pack leader is in Galileo but it is too late to wonder now. We'll meet in hell, Neshoen Clan member, and then I'll have my answers.
To whoever retrieves this pod, I merely ask for you to get me home to Planet Junyo so that my wife can hold a proper burial.
To my commander, please inform my colleagues about my fate. I haven't seen many of them in recent years but I believe they deserve to know.
[1:37 Sirian Time] In ever lasting service to Kusari's people, Santo Kaisa Hiratsuka Issei.
Hiratsuka's escape pod was retrieved at 4:56 Sirian Standard Time by a KOI patrol in vicinity of the modular installation called "SpaceTech Station". By the time of retrieval, oxygen supplies were already depleted since at least three hours. The escape pod was in terrible shape, first investigations draw the conclusion that the pod was damaged as a consequence of the fire fight, yet the oxygen supplies were intact. This suggests a later, deliberate and cruel execution of Hiratsuka-san by an unknown third party. Such cruelty is inacceptable and the S-NGD is already drawing possible reactions should this mark the beginning of a new trend.
The burial will be held at the Sotome Shrine on Planet Junyo. For his outstanding, long time service with no faults and his courage to stand up against an enemy few would dare to face alone, Hiratsuka will be awarded the Order of the Rising Sun during the ceremony.
In service of Kusari, Shido Kijima
Naval Operations Headquarters