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+--- Thread: Sanada Junko (/showthread.php?tid=81625)
RE: Sanada Junko - Yaoquizque - 10-31-2016
![[Image: SpvMLZy.png]](http://i.imgur.com/SpvMLZy.png)
Private correspondence
Back to Bretonia once more. I can't tell anymore how many times did I venture in that House. Almost feels like another home, in a way. Perhaps a safer one, even, which is strange; I should feel safer where I was born, having been taught this complex code of conduct confusing so much foreigners. No matter, Father's shadow will always be cast upon me.
I Decided to go ahead and deal with it personally, since that comm never seemed to go through. Met that boy; Chapman. He sounded decent enough. He was suspicious at first, but he eventually reluctantly allowed me to assist him. We stopped a Borderworld Exports transport in Cambridge system. That was quite a weird situation, as I used to work for Bowex in ExSec, and be actually paid to shoot pirates and protect convoys.
Everything changes.
Spent the night on Freeport 1, Omega 3 system. The place is dirty, and full of sinister faces. Your typical Freeport. I decided to return to Kusari in the morning. Didn't leave a message to Ishikawa and didn't want him to worry. After having made a quick run to his flat on New Tokyo, I departed. The bed was still warm. I must have missed him by a matter of minutes.
Chapman was requiring my help in New London. We attempted to stop a BMM ship near Dublin Jump-gate. Chapman's ship exploded. I gracefully tractor-ed the pod and carried it to Freeport 1.
I forget to mention that stalker, John. Still following me like a little puppy. That's cute. He began to yell when we started to shoot in New London system. Looks like he feels his duty is to protect me. Even from myself.
Chapman minding his own business inside the Freeport, I followed the stalker to Aland Shipyard. Something big was happening nearby. Plenty of Aliens. I assisted IMG and some people known as Auxesia there.
It's only after I returned to the Freeport and some Auxesia proposed me an exchange I found out the Marauder's hold contained something peculiar. Some Jump-hole generator parts (?). The Auxesia A.I. offered me 250 millions of Sirian credits for it; an offer I declined. Gaians showed quite some interest for it as well, and were willing me to give it to them.
I flew away and waited for the activity near the Freeport to calm down before docking. I hope the place I hid it will not be discovered until I decide what to do with that material.
I'm torn. On one hand, Gaians mentioned handing it to them would be a huge step forward to achieving my objective. On the other hand... I perfectly know this is the kind of material I should be bringing right away to Yokosuka... I will take a few hours to try making up my mind about what should be done.
Oh. One last thing. I shot Bretonia Armed Forces to end this eventful day... A wing showed up near Freeport 1, and they began to bully Chapman. Mentioned I would charge them if they attacked him, which eventually happened.
Graves was the first to be downed. I offered him to stand down, but he declined, not willing to leave his commander alone. Had to destroy the ship. We stopped to shoot as I asked Fire if his wing-man was alright.
He refused to leave, however. I decided to propose him a deal to settle things. A duel. If he won, I'd pay him 6 millions of Sirian credits. We fought. Fire did his best but eventually had to eject..
Dropped the two pods on Freeport 1. I hope they will be fine. There was a time when I would have killed Bretonians with pleasure, just to satisfy my desire for vengeance... But that time is long gone. I can only hope they are not too injured and will listen to my advices next time.
I have to say those BAF pilots deserve respect. They never stop to fight. They keep going till the very end. That's perhaps foolish, but quite noble too, in a way.
That said, things will certainly start to become tense for me in Bretonia. No doubt they will report my actions to their superiors.
RE: Sanada Junko - Yaoquizque - 11-13-2016
It was your typical busy day in the colonies. Mr. M agreed to pick up the delivery on Bethlehem station. Mr. M was a loyal customer, always interested by strange and rares item; ready to pay good prices for them, even, which was even better. It was a godsend for someone in need of credits. And hell she did.
Difficulties started to crop up. There was only a few places she could use to rest. During her last time in Bretonia, she was on the other side of the mirror, and had little knowledge of this world she entered. People knew she had nowhere else to go, and were taking advantage of it by charging her well. Repairs, supplies, everything was expensive. Not to mention those bribes supposed to prevent Bretonia Police Authority or Bounty Hunters Guild to get "accurate Intel" about a criminal.
Yes... This is why this trip to Liberty was quite pleasant. She was just a random civilian here, and the promise of some profit thanks to Mr. M added a purpose to this otherwise dull stroll.
The trip was uneventful until she caught a signal on the Marauder worn scanning array. Los Angeles high orbit; a lonely Eagle class fighter making its way towards the Magellan jump-gate lane while being shot by a bunch of Navy ships.
Junko raised an eyebrow, under the flight helmet. Looked peculiar enough and following that ship would break the monotony of that trip.
Deep inside Tahoe Ice Cloud, the fighter turned around.
"Now... If you'd hand over all your money please." gently inquired the pirate.
"Are you serious...? Oh... You are serious." She could not believe this. Was he really that dense?
"Well. I didn't think my victims would come to me so easily. But I'll take it."
Amused by this turn of events, Junko almost giggled on the comms.
"Do I look like an easy target to you, boy?"
"Yes." right away replied the pirate.
Junko started to feel displeasure growing in her, for being taken so lightly. She however calmly asked :
"Shouldn't you be focusing on helpless transports instead?"
"You're here now... And a quick bit of cash before the next transport comes is nice. So, the money."
In a deadly serious tone, she said :
"I can give you one credit."
Mockingly, she then added :
"You earned it."
That's.. not enough." simply replied the pirate, sounding unimpressed.
"Really?"
"Really."
"Well...Since you looked that desperate for cash... I thought it would suffice."
"Stop trying to be funny."
He then said coldly :
"You're going to hand over your money or I'll blow you to bits."
Junko considered her options. Fighting this pirate sounded like fun, but on the other hand, she had a delivery to do... The delivery could wait. This fight? It was here and right now! She checked the marauder systems before emitting :
"Charming. Do you think you have what it takes?"
"Stupid stupid!" shouted Junko while punching the pod's internal hull, furious to have lost her ship to this lowlife.
"Calm down. You must calm down" she eventually forced herself to think, biting her lower lip till she felt the iron taste of her blood.
Things were not looking good, but she probably experienced worse. All that mattered now was to capitalize on her chances and get out of this... Tricky situation.
Why didn't she avoid this fight? She knew too well this marauder had seen too much and wasn't reliable anymore. And what about Mr. M...
Being immobilized in that pod for so long at least gave her enough time to come to terms with that capture and explore her options. She could feel the movement of the ship, but naturally, couldn't see a thing. Eventually, a change in the pace of the pod's vibrations was noticeable, indicating the ship may have stopped.
It took another fifteen minutes until she could hear someone approaching her pod. Slowly she got peeled out of it, finally being able to see her captor. He looked young, much younger than her. A handsome young man with brown hair going down to his ears and a smile on his face. As her gaze went down a bit lower, she noticed the pistol pointed right at her chest.
"Hello, Kusarian girl. I suggest you don't try anything stupid, alright?"
RE: Sanada Junko - Yaoquizque - 06-18-2017
Private correspondence
Looks like Gaians eventually agreed to let me join them. Took a while. Even got that Wallace very emotional person to issue a statement about their willingness to provide me with an assembly bay and some personnel to start building an Anaconda. With some leniency in pestering personnel to bend the project according to my needs, even! Isn't that wonderful...? Though... He talked about an engineer named Greenlee, who may be quite hard to get along with. We will see.
Meanwhile, I was given one of their aged Anaconda to do Gaians things... So far, I got damaged twice already. Pathetic. I blame that on the material's age, of course... Unless I'm losing my touch? I need to train more.
Starting to be worried about receiving no news from Kusari. Did that Archangel racing gang actually proceed with delivering my message to Hideaki? I should shake them a bit to find out. Unless... He died? That would still be better than finding out he forgot about me because then, I'd have to locate him and beat him down for a good while before giving him a sayonara kiss. And beating down Admirals is probably not a good idea... Damnit. What does it take so long for you to reply, Hideaki, and give me some news about you and your family...? This is stupid. I'm stupid. I should probably call him. Or should I wait tomorrow..?
RE: Sanada Junko - Yaoquizque - 07-02-2017
Private correspondence
Met two person by Sigma 13, Frankfurt system. I'm pretty sure one of them was that Commander who went missing in the Omicrons during that operation with 66th, which ended with a battleship being severely damaged... Yamada was the name. Missing in action, if I recall correctly. Same old straight face never cheerful mood guy, so that's probably him.
The other one was definitely that Lieutenant-Commander serving in 66th; Hayashimura. Some kind of self-righteous stuck-up girl thinking she's so much better than anyone else because she 'controls her emotions and is not blinded by them'... Right. That kind of time bomb.
Anyway, I don't know what those two were doing in House Rheinland, portraying as standard citizens using civilian ships. The girl mentioned being in some kind of leave... Holidays she took to roam around, and that she was already late, expecting some fun time with Tokkeitai...
No matter, at some point the discussion moved to Ishikawa. That stupid girl insulted him by saying he was useless and backed that claim by saying he was not performing his duty correctly due to some depression. What the hell?
To be frank, it's possible I might have lost my temper right-after, as she kept being insulting, claiming I was the cause of all his problems, and that I was a coward for having left Kusari like this... That the way I was running away from my problems was disgusting her?! Even went as far as saying he probably would have found someone else by now!
No! Hideaki would never do that!
Or would he...? No...
Why didn't he reply to my message...?
The more I think about it, the more I'm afraid it could be true. Was I right to leave Kusari to protect his family and himself from whatever Father could have done? Should I have faced him once and for all to make him understand I'm not a puppet he can use for the House's greater good?
I cannot sleep tonight.
RE: Sanada Junko - Yaoquizque - 07-10-2017
Two days after he landed on New Tokyo, Ishikawa started to do some research towards finding a way to eventually meet the members of this House Sanada so often mentioned by his acquaintance. The task quickly proved to be difficult. The head of the House, whom Ishikawa assumed to be Junko's father, was conveniently enough granting audiences, but Ishikawa was opposed with unreasonable requirements and demands about the reasons of his request. Someone told him, almost as if it was a confidence, that he could perhaps hope for one in two or three years.
Simply roaming in the Imperial district and hoping for a miracle to happen would not bear any fruit either, as it appeared Sanada House owned a domain of over twelve hectares, reserved to their followers, guests and, of course, the members of their clan. The chances to meet anyone capable of arranging a meeting in the public arteries of Imperial district were very low, at best. A waste of time.
As for the contacts he made within Naval Forces ranks, the political class or Keiretsus, nobody seemed to be willing or capable to help him. Each one of them was recommending him to meet with an acquaintance or business partner of them, who may be able to help him. All smoke and mirrors.
With the foundation of the Republic, those noble houses appeared to shut themselves away from the commoners population, counting of their considerable influence to maintain their privileges and probably keep on pulling the strings from the shadows.
As a last resort, Ishikawa turned towards the one other member of the Sanada family that he knew, even though their meeting in the past had been very short. Junko's sister would be somewhat more accessible than her father, he thought, but even getting to her was difficult. Finally, he managed to approach her husband himself, due to a Samura/KNF connection about large ship building and equipment contracts. In the end, he was invited for a cup of tea, thanks also to some favours he could call in with KNF personnel that was even closer to Samura.
It was a traditional house in Imperial district. Ishikawa was introduced in the property by the personnel, crossing a beautiful garden, full of moss and well tended pine trees. A pound could be seen as they made their way towards a small pavilion, built on top of the water. The major-domo gestured him respectfully to step in the pavilion, begging him to take place while his host would be arriving. The tatamis looked like new inside, a part of the ground being made of glass to see the carps swim in the water below.
Sighing quietly, Ishikawa looked around carefully, not quite sure what to expect now. Sitting down on the mats, he simply studied the fish for a while as he waited. It would be ideal if her sister remembered him, but he had his doubts... And this would make convincing her even harder.
"Ayya.... Please forgive me for the wait" said his host when he arrived. It was a mid forty man with quite some weight issue, who carefully stepped into the house before standing in front of Ishikawa as he was getting up to salute his host.
The two men bowed and the man added :
"Admiral Ishikawa, it's an honor. I wasn't expecting a visit from a member of the Admiralty..?" His greasy laugh could be heard for a short while before he added "You almost had me worried there.. I thought about some arrest warrant or something alike... You never know in these troubled times..."
Ishikawa gave him a warm smile after the bow. "Ah, nothing could be farther from the truth. As far as I am told, you are an upstanding and law-abiding man." He remained standing until his host would signal to sit down. "I must say, your estate is most impressive."
"Hai.... Hai..." Replied the man casually as if it was nothing that good "Some people are gifted by the gods."
He gestured his servants to prepare everything for the tea before asking :
"To what do I owe the rare pleasure to have such an honorable guest for tea, then? Are you mandated by the Naval Forces to talk business? That would be peculiar but... Not unprecedented" he smiled at his own remark, probably finding it amusing, to witch his guest politely reacted.
"Ah, no such thing, unfortunately. I'm here because of personal reasons.." He watched as the personnel started moving round to prepare the table. "I was told you have a beautiful wife, belonging to Sanada house, will she join us for the tea?"
"Fuyuko?" pondered the man "I don't think she is...." He turned around as to get in touch with a member of his personnel "Where is Madam right now?"
"Mistress is outside, Master. I believe she mentioned the desire to meet with the members of her chorale" replied the major-domo.
"Is that so?" replied the man in an uninterested way before returning to Ishikawa.
"You did want to meet my wife, Ishikawa-san?"
"Hm, yes. If possible. Through my job I have gotten to know her sister, Sanada Junko. A member of our Naval Forces. Unfortunately, she has disappeared from Kusari for some time now and I wonder if your wife might now something about that. Additionally, she may also be able to help me with another problem." Ishikawa sighed quietly and bowed slightly. "I am sorry about bothering you with this."
"Fuyuko's sister...?" asked the man, perplexed, as he was doing some effort to remember "Oh hai.. Indeed indeed.. That's the elder sister who ran from her husband. That affair made waves, I can tell you. It's funny because I think the husband was a Kishiro cadre. They can't keep their women..." then added the man, chuckling for quite a while, forcing Ishikawa to make the semblance of a smile for his host.
Said host did not appear to notice however, and only got back to looking at Ishikawa questioningly after his hilarity was over.
"You are looking for my wife's sister then? She disappeared? That sounds bad... I should ask Fuyuko about it..." he added thoughtfully, looking yet again perplexed.
"It's precisely that elder sister, yes." Ishikawa reaffirmed, trying hard to keep his patience back while dealing with this insufferable samura fool. "If you like, we could all have tea together so that your wife could then tell us what she knows about it."
"Hmm... Maybe..." He turned around to look at his Major-domo "Can you ask Madam to return home? I have to talk to her."
"Hai, Master." said the major-domo before leaving their presence.
"Eh.." then uttered the man "that could take some time... Meanwhile, perhaps you can tell me about how our brave military is doing lately? I like to hear battle stories and... You are a renowned veteran, aren't you?"
The two men talked casually for a while, Ishikawa's impatience growing further while his host was asking more and more trivial questions, even going as far as trying repeatedly to convince him to tell some battle-tales.
Eventually, they were interrupted by the major-domo, who told his master his wife had arrived.
"Oh very well, very well. Make her come."
Fuyuko stopped at the entry door of the pavilion before bowing respectfully at the two men. She then questioningly looked a their guest.
"Konbanwa, glad to meet you.... Eto... I can't seem to recall..." She said, embarrassed.
Ishikawa turned to Fuyuko, glad that this boring conversation was now finally over and gave her a bow. "It is an honour. My name is Ishikawa Hideaki. I'm an acquaintance of your sister, so perhaps she has told you of me in the past."
Fuyuko's eyes widened as she remembered, a candid smile lightening up her face.
"Oh..! Hai! I remember you now. We talked briefly in that hospital...." She suddenly looked worried "Did... Something happen to Junko..?"
"Ah.. I see, you don't know either then." He sighed quietly. "Well, the truth of the matter is that Sanada Junko has left Kusari and I do not know where she is right now. I was hoping that you could help me."
"Ehhh? She left?" asked Fuyuko, surprised, after relief could be read on her face. Her husband was now gazing at the pound to look busy while that conversation not involving him was going on.
"That's strange... She cared a lot and was very proud of this job in the military, I think? Why would she have abandoned that job..?" finally said Fuyuko thoughtfully.
"Well.." He looked away for a second before facing her again, not sure how to best say that. "From what she has told me.. she has some family problems that are unresolved.."
"Nani? Oh.. With Father..." emitted unconvincingly Fuyuko, looking down.
"That is what she says, yes. I would try talking to him, but that has proven to be difficult." He gave her a smile again. "Maybe you could help with that?"
"Hmm..." emitted Fuyuko thoughtfully as she was lowering her head "Why would you want to talk to Father...? What would you tell him?"
"Well. I would make some suggestions that should finally resolve the issue between him and Junko. He's unlikely too disagree when the offer has benefits for him, hai?"
"Perhaps not?" pondered Fuyuko, her voice filled with doubt "I don't know. Father can be hard to convince. I suppose it doesn't hurt trying, though?"
She eventually rose her head to look at him "You want me to arrange a meeting with him, then?"
"Indeed. That is what I would ask of you. Hopefully I'm not bothering you too much with this." He looked at Fuyuko with a determined expression. "I will try my best to bring Junko back."
Fuyuko laughed when she heard that affirmation.
"That would be nice indeed. She still did not meet Momotaro-chan... He's our second child. She can be difficult sometimes but I miss my sister..." She then gazed at Ishikawa maliciously "I remember you very clearly, in that hospital room. You were quite worried about her fate. It looks like my sister found a man ready to do anything for her... "
she then giggled and added "I wish I had a man that determined loving me."
His husband cleared his throat at that remark, looking to her unkindly.
"Oh but I have one already, am I stupid...." she then said, laughing.
"Well, I am quite determined, yes. When do you think I could meet your father?" eventually said Ishikawa, his impatience showing a bit now.
"Oh I don't know... Is it that urgent?" asked Fuyuko absentmindedly.
"Who knows what could happen to Junko if we wait too long? I will also be soon consumed with my duties as admiral again.."
"Oh... In that case..." started to say Fuyuko before looking at her husband "You won't mind if I go to Sanada House this afternoon, my beloved?"
The man grunted slightly before making a gesture indicating he would not be bothered either way..
RE: Sanada Junko - Yaoquizque - 11-05-2017
A few hours later, Fuyuko entered House Sanada's domain, followed by Hideaki. It was the first time he actually walked into one of those vast properties owned by the old nobility; places of peace and tradition, where etiquette meant more than anywhere else.
He stayed a few steps behind Junko's daughter as she lead him towards the private part of the domain, keeping a solemn expression and quietly listening to Fuyuko's gabbing. After stepping into countless rooms filled with exquisite furniture obviously coming from various parts of Sirius sector, they eventually reached wonderfully painted shōjis she slowly opened, revealing a traditional room she asked him to wait into until someone would come for him.
Ishikawa sat down on the single mat inside the room and waited quietly, thinking about what he was going to say to that man. He had a hard time behaving in a manner that the nobles expected, but still... He had to try and get on the good side of Junko's father.
After a while, a servant came, asking him to follow him after he informed him his audience was granted.
They crossed more of those rooms filled with furniture whose aesthetic code was mostly alien to him, before entering what seemed to be the audience room, a rather large one where several men where waiting.
A man in his last sixties was sat on a tatami upright in front of the door, while the others were sitting Seiza on the left of the room in a perfect line. Their grave attitude looked unwelcoming. the servant gestured Ishikawa to step in and then slowly closed the sliding door.
Ishikawa approached until a few meters away from the man and gave a respectful bow. Then he looked straight at the man. "I am honored that you have chosen to accept this meeting, Sanada-san. My name is Ishikawa Hideaki, rear admiral of the Kusari Naval Forces." He waited expectantly for the reply, not jumping straight to the point, leaving some time for formalities.
"I know who you are." Said the man after a grunt, gesturing Ishikawa unkindly to sit as the men on the left were looking at each other "You asked my daughter to help you getting this audience. Speak now."
Ishikawa nodded and moved forward, ignoring the rather rude way he was welcomed. Sitting down on the mat and facing the older man, he let a few seconds slip before he said gravely : "Very well. I've come here to talk to you about your elder daughter, Sanada Junko. I am not sure how much you know about her current location, but she has left Kusari for a while already."
"My only daughter is Fuyuko." said the man quietly.
"And that is the issue at hand." Ishikawa replied just as quietly. "My goal is to turn you into a man with two daughters once more."
Chozaburo stared at the men on Ishikawa's left side. They rose and left the room after bowing respectfully at him.
A few seconds passed after they all left, the man spent staring at Ishikawa unkindly.
"You are quite insolent, Ishikawa Hideaki. The descent of Honshu fishermen, nothing noble in their eyes. Your father runs a moderately properous company there, does he not. It would only take me a call, and he would have to liquidate his business in the coming month. That could be the price for you meddling in affairs that do not concern you."
Ishikawa clamly looked at Chozaburo as he was staring at him. He had expected something like this and was as such, not too shaken. "Sanada-san. You do not need to threaten me, as I think our interests in this case are aligned. I wish for her return to Kusari and reconciliation with her family. I am sure, as her father, you wish for the same."
The man sighed, looking down for a while before getting his eyes back to his guest.
"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. What is honor to people like you?". He shrugged, before adding :
"The person you mentioned brought great shame to the clan, and therefore is not longer welcome. Even merely talking about that person is an unacceptable waste of time and a shame for every member of Sanada's House."
Ishikawa released a quiet sigh at that statement. "She has made her mistakes and she has paid dearly for it. But do you really think it is better for the family to have your daughter exiled, than to find a resolution? She has the potential to bring back that lost honor, if only you let her."
"Oh? And how that would be?"
"I know it is not usual for noble women to serve in the military. But she has managed to gain respect there and will continue to do so." He looked carefully at the old man, wondering if he even had any chance to convince him. "It would also allow her to find a suitable husband."
The old man laughed in disdain.
"You, that is? How a peasant like you could be suitable? You don't look like much." said Chozaburo with contempt.
"I am not nobility, that much is true. But do deeds not count for anything? I am rear-admiral of the Naval Forces, commander of the Sado fleet. Do not think that your house will suffer a loss of prestige should I marry your daughter."
"An Admiral serving the traitors who deposed their lord and thought they could usurp the position of the veritable rulers of Kusari, designated by Amaterasu herself...." started Chozaburo, his voice filled with disappointment.
"If you knew what honor was, you would fall on your sword at this very moment, right in front of me, for having betrayed the Emperor."
Ishikawa narrowed his eyes as he stared at the old man. "My loyalty is with the people of Kusari. They have chosen against the emperor for now. They will decide who leads us, I am just their sword."
"Your new masters could not take back our legitimate privileges in spite of all their efforts. Petty bargainers and cheap whores. The fact the person you mentioned did not resign from the military right after the foundation of this... 'Republic'..." he made a pause, after having almost spat that word ".. is another outrage that shall not be forgotten."
Ishikawa just shook his head. "I see. I doubt you will understand my point of view then. Neither me nor her would give up our duty to the people just to appease you."
"I wish she died in Seto..." murmured the man, lowering his head and looking at the tatamis on the ground for a while before adding :
"... would have at least avenged a part, no matter how little, of the great shame she brought upon the house and.. Upon me."
"You brought shame onto yourself just by wishing for that." Ishikawa replied through gritted teeth. "I think everything has been said now."
"What did you say?" Asked angrily Chozubaro, raising his head to look daggers at Ishikawa.
"I did not think a father would be capable of hating his own daughter that much." Ishikawa simply replied, staring back at him.
The man started to scream at Ishikawa "You petty foul, what do you know! Get out of here before I order to beat you down until you can not walk anymore!"
As he was about to shout again at his guest, who, resigned, was waiting for the tempest to calm down, a feminine voice spoke from the other side of the shōjis right to the room.
"Sumimasen..."
RE: Sanada Junko - Yaoquizque - 03-02-2018
Tokai shipping platform - Tottori system
Two months and a half ago
The brand new Anaconda was slowly being lifted towards its parking slot, the rampant team in charge of this task being watched with severity by a woman wearing a worn down fly-suit.
She was about to lecture them about how little care they were putting into that task when a noise made her turn around. The lady took a few steps backwards to admire better this new design - the Wyvern he said? What a stupid name - as it was slowly sliding into the hangar. That was definitely a fine ship, though.
"I want one." she thought, a pout of envy showing up on her face.
Inside said Wyvern's cockpit, a man was staring at the anaconda and then at the woman next to it as he was gently putting the ship down onto the hangar floor. It had been a stupid idea to come here as he was well aware of the imperials presence in this system. She had always made him do stupid things.
The ship eventually came to an halt. With a heavy sigh he lifted himself from the pilot seat, trying to think of something he could say to her after such a long time, as he was leaving the cockpit and reaching the small cargo hold's exit hatch.
Taking a look around as to make sure there would be no troublemaker around, she left the rampant team to their work and headed towards the Wyvern with a mixed expression between jubilation and concern.. Or was it even shame?
The Wyvern's pilot was wearing a hard expression as he left the ship, slightly narrowing his eyes while watching her approach him. Some happy memories resurfaced when he saw that face once again, but were quickly drowned by a surge of bitterness as he didn't know what that person even meant to him anymore. He opened his mouth slightly, but found no words on his tongue and instead waited for her to speak.
"Admiral..." finally said the woman in a very formal way after a rather casual head bow, which was quite contrasting with her tone.
"It is good to see you alive and well, sir." she added while studying him acutely.
Her serious expression eventually faded as she allowed herself a swift smirk. "And still as silly. Look at that beard..."
He mustered her for a few seconds, not reacting to her words. "Sanada Junko. This is a strange reunion." He just said, not returning her smirk and instead looking over to her ship.
"You're going to leave it here? That is fine by me. " He nodded at the Wyvern next to him "I'd like to get going as soon as possible if that is alright with you."
It seemed as if he was trying hard to keep this professional and not show the emotions stirring inside him.
Junko took a look around once again to make sure nobody was observing them.
"Yes, that would be wise. I didn't see Imperials on that station so far but... Well. You certainly know better than I do what the current situation is, regarding that civil war..."
Her cheeks puff up shortly until she would release a breath, as a display of mild disappointment at his behavior. She would have loved to see him grab her and imprison her in his arms, but well...
This universe was far from perfect anyway.
"I have to make sure the people I trusted with performing that integration will take good care of that baby while I will be away though... And there is a few belongings I have to pick up in my quarters." she casually said after a short while, as she was turning away to take a look at the Anaconda being carried away.
"Let's have a short walk, Hideaki."
"Let's make sure it it short though." He replied quietly, looking over at the Anaconda as well "Lead the way." , he then told her and waited for her to start walking.
"It seems you have been very busy during the time you've been away. Doesn't look like you were missing home a lot. Not enough to bother writing a message at least." The bitterness from her abandoning him in Kusari was easily noticeable from his words.
As they were heading to some amenities appearing to be reserved to the Hogosha, the tone of their conversation heated up.
"I have been quite busy, yes. Things have been difficult right after I left. That is why I didn't contact you for a while." replied Junko calmly, at first.
She made a pause before adding unkindly :
"And it's not like you tried to contact me either. I even paid a lot to get someone to deliver a present to you for valentine day, but you didn't even bother picking it up, from what I was told... I guess you didn't care."
She then stopped to stare right into his eyes.
"Do you think I spent this year enjoying some cocktails on Curaçao? I can't believe you still did not understand why I left in the first place."
She turned around to resume walking, at a much faster pace, this time.
"Idiot!"
He stared at her back for a few seconds after her outburst, a heavy frown on his face. "Oh, I'm the idiot here?!" he replied angrily after a few seconds.
Clenching his fists slightly, he found it unbelievable how she couldn't see that she was at fault here. "You stole away in the middle of the night. You didn't tell me a single thing about where you were going!"
He continued to stare at her back while she got farther and farther way, finally following her with a quiet groan.
"Do you think it was great to worry about you while my homeland falls into civil war?! You're letting your paranoia tear us apart!"
He took a heavy breath, almost having caught up to her by now with his anger slowly subsiding.
"I would have needed you here, Junko."
Junko stopped to walk, looking down. She released a heavy sigh before pondering :
"I only heard rumors.. It was that troublesome..? That Imperial outbreak, that is..."
She then turned to look at him. "I still can't believe Nagasaki is in High orbit... That's what they told me here. How could this even happen?"
"Yes it was, but this is not the point, Junko!" He finally said angrily while walking up to her. "You being here or not wouldn't have changed the course of the war. The point is that you left me just when I was beginning to look hopeful towards the future. Now let's get going already." He shook his head and walked past her.
"I..." She said no more, uncertain of what to say nor about how she truly felt about Kusari, her leave... Him. She never was good with introspection. Though, even if she didn't want to admit it, she had the unpleasant sensation Ishikawa had legitimate reasons to be angry with her.
She eventually followed him, remaining silent for a while.
They stepped into some amenities that were oddly arranged and decorated very traditionally like; one could even think he made his way into a Buddhist temple.
Ishikawa stopped and looked around, frowning slightly. "Where are we anyway? And how much further is it to your place?" He decided to let the matters between them rest for now, instead hoping to get their business on this station done as quickly as possible. This was taking far too long already and if he wasn't careful he'd have to answer questions about where he had been.
"It is a... Sanctuary held by Hokkaido Wolves" explained Junko "They have helped me with that little project of mine we talked about earlier."
"Hogosha." She then added, as she was noticing Ishikawa looking around wearily.
They observed the monks going about their business shortly, an odd sight in a space station...
"Anyway.. I will go take some belogings and talk to some people so that they take good care of my ship while I will be away... Feel free to sit..? I won't be long!" she said, as she was already walking away.
"Really? You're going to leave me here?" replied Ishikawa, frowning once again "I should have just stayed at the ship then." By then she was already walking away and he sighed heavily "I swear if you take too long I'll just go and drag you to the ship whether you want it or not.."
RE: Sanada Junko - WesternPeregrine - 03-03-2018
Matsue Base, Hiroshima system.
Early 825A.S.
On one of the inner sectors of the station lies Section IV, under jurisdiction of the Tokkeitai. The section is used by the organization to hold and detain individuals for interrogation and incarceration for long periods of time, for the purpose of conducting investigations smoothly or to keep said individuals out of sight of common KNF circles.
On a locked room, one of these figures had been living for the past months as a prisoner of the Tokkeitai, having lost the protective wings that her position in the Naval Forces used to grant her.
It occurred right after that last patrol spent with Ryuzoji Mutsu. They arrested her shortly after she left sight of the modified Marauder, on Sasebo space port. As she is rotting in that stupid cell, she remembers how she was feeling back then. The girl... Mutsu. She had often reminded her of herself when she was younger... During Seto war. Such recklessness. A soul singing of firestorms, much like hers.
Junko agreed to invite her for a meal... Lunch, dinner? They were not sure yet. It was odd to find people willing to spend some time with her, after she cut all ties with the people she called her friends... Her thoughts were wandering now, a stupid grin on her face as she was taking off her helmet while the rampant personnel was performing a quick check on the Marauder, obviously puzzled to see that type of ship being used by an officer on duty.
Her thoughts were going to Amaya and that house they shared for a while - did she take care of the cat in the end? And Kyoko... And of course Fuyoko. Her sister. At that thought, her mood darkened.
It had only been two days since Ishikawa smuggled her back to New Tokyo, and she was already feeling oppressed. Father's shadow was on every wall. She positively refused to stay in his house, knowing all too well how fast those nightmares would return to her nights; that of members of House Sanada entering the house and... No. At least she was able to find some sleep in a guest house.
She was on her way to the officers lobby when the two men in those freaky uniforms showed up. It was clear from the start that welcome committee wasn't good news for her.
At first, she considered to fight her way out, but eventually realized it would turn for the worst. It was the Tokkeitai, after all. Those freaks were not joking.
It didn't take long until they would restrain her push her into a transport, which left the spaceport before she could even speak to anyone. Nobody said anything about the destination even though she could have a fair guess. Most likely Yokosuka?
The trip was uneventful. She soon found herself locked in that cell, yelling at the guards to let her go.
"Do you know who I am?!"
A pointless waste of energy.
The first days are always the most difficult. She was expecting someone to come and get her out of here. Ishikawa? Maybe even her father? Nobody came. Resignation eventually replaced hope.
The interrogations began, of course. Torture... Only a few times physical. The Tokkeitai had better tools to extract confessions. Drugs, Hypno-tainment bands and a constant psychological pressure turning most of their preys into an empty shell of their former self. She ended up telling them everything they wanted to know.
The days were passing by...
Her anger was starting to slowly corrode her mind like some sort of debased acid. She never thought things could have turned this way. She thought she would be protected; by the name of her House, by her blood rights, by the people who loved her...?
What if -he- sold her out? Could he have done so? She trusted him.
At that thought, she wanted to crush the wall with her fists until the pain would make all others matters trivial
Sanada was now recovering some of her colors, as the Tokkeitai had stopped their usual interrogations and harassment for almost a week already. As she was lost in her thoughts while passively watching the news on a wall screen, the room's door opened, indicating the presence of her warden.
Agent Kasha, as she knew him, was a quiet but creepy agent of the Tokkeitai, whose calm talk was often betrayed by his apparent joy in his job's various tasks, no matter how debased they were.
Junko moved her head slowly to stare at him without a word, as to ask him what he wanted. It was indeed that Tokkeitai freak. No display of emotion whatsoever. He was looking at her like someone would at a chair or a bed. Just an object that served a certain purpose.
This time however, he was closely followed by a short woman in a dark military uniform, different from the Tokkeitai vests. Her military cap and emblems indicated she was from Naval Forces proper, although from some special division of sorts that Sanada was not accustomed to.
"You have a visitor today, prisoner Sanada." said the slim Agent. That satetement could have been emited by a robot it wouldn't have made much difference.
Sanada registered the woman, rewarding her presence with a similar stare.
"What is it this time..." she pondered tiredly. Was that the prelude for another interrogation? Another of those mind games Tokkeitai was so found of?
The officer looked back at Sanada, judging her state and the stare she was giving them.
"I believe you had said she had been recovering for a while for this meeting, Agent. "
"Well, we lay off of her noggin for a while. That is the best she managed so far.""
"I need her with a clear head to hear me clearly." -she informed with some dissatisfaction.
The warden simply shrugged, and the officer finally addressed Sanada.
"Commander Sanada, I'm Majin of the Kusari Naval Intelligence division, Senior agent. At ease." -she presented herself, while motioning Sanada to accommodate herself as she was before they entered.
Sanada lied back against the wall, crossing her arms as to look uncompromising, when it was more a defense mechanism than anything.
"So? What do you want." she said unkindly. She then added with a half-broken smile "It's not like I have all day."
Majin took the reply with a smile. "Of course, Sanada. You seem very busy here, talking to the fine fellows of the Tokkeitai and planning your trips around your small room.
Makes me wonder how did you managed to leave some time for your duties as an officer and pilot."
"I ask myself the same thing, hmm.. Majin. Kusari Naval Intelligence, uh? I heard about you. You needed to hear something from me? Your Tokkeitai friends already extorted all I know about the Gaian movement, Hellfire Legion, Corsairs, Bretonia Corporations, Hogosha and whoever else...
What is it more you want from me?"
She remembered that short woman... A reminiscence from another time... That of another life, before that cell. It was odd... It's only been a months.. Two maybe? Might as well say an eternity.
But Kusari Naval Intelligence? They had no interests in Tokkeitai affairs. Why was she here?
"You're that girl from House... What was it..." Junko frowned, trying to remember "Ikeda...? No, no.. Not New Tokyo. Honshu maybe?"
The Intel Officer continued, apparently oblivious to Sanada efforts of putting her face in places - "Indeed, that is their job. My job is different, and perhaps you will be interested in that sometime later. But today the talk is about you.
It's time for the Naval Forces to make a decision about you. Want to play a guessing game, or would you like to hear some options?"
"I'm all ears." just said the woman, starting to believe there was something at play.
"Right Sanada... but before that, I need to confirm something.
That pride of yours, or rather that stubbornness. Would it still keep you on your duties to the Naval Forces, or have you finally given up on your... family disputes?"
"Do you think I have a choice? I didn't do as I was told and I paid the price."
She reflected for a while, before adding in a bittersweet way: "Truth be told, I suppose I keep my House name just to anger my father."
Junko eventually nodded sadly "But all this does not matter anymore as I will probably never see any member of House Sanada again, will I?"
Despite her intent to keep on displaying how tough and unbreakable she was, Junko couldn't help stating this in a pitiful way. One could even have perceived bargain. Oh how she hated herself at that very moment.
Majin mused a bit upon Sanada response, then decided to take a seat at a chair in the room. From within her hat she brought out a paper printed with an extensive text.
"So, this is the provisional decision put out by the Admiralty about the case at hand:
as a consequence of the multiple infractions, derelict of duties and breaches of military code, as well as the potential risks you put the Naval Forces and House Kusari into with your tirades outside, you are already stripped from any command posts, you will be knocked down a few notches in the hierarchy, followed by a dishonorable discharge, and revoking of any sort of flying licenses you might still have under your name, as well as your passport severely limited. You would be put under surveillance in New Tokyo, and left with little options other than some civilian job on the ground, or being a good girl and go back home."
Majin scratched her chin, the long explanation feeling like a bore for everyone present.
"Then I have this other option, that we have suggested to the Admiralty. It might prove more interesting."
Junko was biting her lower lip as the KNI agent was announcing that decision about her. As Majin was ending that speech with this opened statement, she didn't utter a word, waiting for her to continue.
"The short version of this alternative would be: You come work for me, in and outside of your active duty time.
You would keep your Naval Forces rank and pension, minus a small hit, and your flight allowances. You will be flying under a call-sign though, as you are to be doing covert work as well. You would be officially removed from Naval Forces, and Sanada Junko would be an ex-KNF officer with the tendency of procuring work on the Bretonian fringe systems.
We need your experience on the field to improve our efforts, and your shenanigans these past months and Tokkeitai capture will make the best cover story for an agent in the region that we can manage for now. Who knows, maybe I can even manage that your time while on duty badge might be performed under the supervision of our mutual acquaintance..." Majin gauged her talking partner reactions-
"Maybe he would be pleased to keep you close by and know you're O.K, that guy."
"Who?" Junko asked carefully, frowning.
"Oh you know, average height guy, works as an admiral but acts as a squadron leader. Has a tendency to do flight patrols a lot. Quite an odd officer, but then again... what's normal in the Naval Forces these days..."
"Hmm." She emitted at that remark, then quickly eluding by asking:
"So I would not longer be integrated in Kusari Naval Forces.... I missed the service though."
"Not in an official manner. Sanada Junko career is finished.
You can keep flying with your comrades, if you manage to follow my instructions."
"Right... And my tasks? You intend to make a spy out of me?"
"Naturally, that is the role I want you to take. You already have the connections and the know how to immerse yourself in, as well as knowing what it is of interest for Naval Forces.
To put it bluntly, your field work under cover would be a continuation of your endeavors. You just would be required to write home more often.
Meanwhile, while operating in Kusari, and if you felt like assisting your comrades in the patrols, you would be operating under an alias, as a KNI agent.
A KNI agent by day, an ex-knf officer mercenary by night... or is it the other way around? Hehehe." Majin muttered to herself.
Junko didn't reply, studying the short woman as she was wondering if she could be trusted at all. She eventually lowered her head, puffing in an annoyed way.
"Pah... Guess I do not have much choice, do I? Very well... When do I start?"
"Like I've said, you can choose. But I feel you wouldn't pass by the best choice, now would you?"
"I will do it. Get me out of that stupid cell already." - groaned the woman.
She wanted out. Not feel so helpless anymore. Being at the mercy of another; how low did she fall.
Majin threw a smirk to Kasha, who had spent the conversation staring at a holo-pad. The conclusion of the deal had left him a bitter taste in the mouth.
"Pheh, if I knew it was this easy to convince that woman to get to work, I'm sure the interrogator would be recruiting a new Tokkeitai agent pronto.
Well, I guess I'll set stuff for her release." - The warden eventually said, excusing himself from the room and locking the door behind him.
"Like I would work for these Tokkeitai degenerates..." muttered Sanada bitterly, under the gaze of the short lady.