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+--- Thread: The redemption of The Rose (/showthread.php?tid=180488)
The redemption of The Rose - Blackstarr - 06-05-2020
Keiko tossed and turned in her cot. Groaning she rolled over. She was having the same nightmare that she had at least once a week nowadays.
-----
"Approaching Kyushu wormhole"
The announcement and the beeping that accompanying it woke Keiko from her slight daze. She shook off the sleepiness and switched to manual control as she neared the jump point.
200 M.... 150m.... 100m... 50m.... She entered the wormhole, the familiar feeling of being pulled forward and unimaginable speed that she had felt a million times before happened. Then she was deposited into the Kyushu system. Right into a warzone.
Klaxons fired all around her.
"WARNING: HOSTILES DETECTED"
Keiko had wandered into what looked to be an engagement that involved the Kusari Police and another vessel. Keiko could not make out what the other vessel was before it exploded in a flash. She was left alone surrounded by 3 police fighters. With a hold brimming with Cardamine. "Great...." Keiko quickly flipped the switch that activated manual cruise control, cursing the few seconds it took for cruise to fully engage. She knew it wasnt going to be fast enough. Sure enough her cruise was immediately disrupted.
"Cargo vessel Black Rose. Stop so that you may be scanned for routine inspection."
'Yeah no... not going to happen' Flipping her communicator to secure lines, she rushed to request backup from nearby Battleship Matsuda. "Calling all active Chrysanthemum Patrols. This is Keiko Matsumado abord the Chrysanthemum freighter Black Rose. I am at coordinates B4 in the Kyushu system. I am surrounded by a police patrol. Please assist."
Somehow she knew they wouldnt be here in time. Keiko had the sinking feeling this might be the end for her. She kicked the afterburner thrusters forward and engaged cruise again, hoping she could get far enough away to engage it fully. Unfortunately she wasn't that lucky.
"Cargo vessel Black Rose. By refusing to stop you are resisting standard procedure documented in the shipping codes of Kusari and are breaking house laws. Stop your vessel for routine scans or we will be forced to put you under arrest."
Keiko switched to local communications. "Eat Dirt" She spat into comms as she engaged autopilot and switched her overlay display to combat mode. She swung her transport guns towards the nearest patrol officer and fired. She was outgunned, outnumbered, and the nearest help was at least 120k away. It wasnt enough. Her freighter shook from a barrage of blaster fire from the patrol.'I knew I should have replaced those rusty armor plates before I left Malta. Crap Crap Crap.' Soon enough the armored bulkheads gave way and she was able to hit eject right before her freighter exploded.
-----
Keiko sat bolt upright with a gasp. As had happened hundreds of times in the last 2 years, her eyes adjusted to the darkness. Around her was the padded walls of the facility that had become her home.
Fuchu Prison. Shikoku System. Kusari.
RE: The redemption of The Rose - Krasnaya - 06-08-2020
Sutinga landed on Fuchu prison facility and from the clouds of steam pouring from the vents of her fighter, a small woman stepped out. As she pulled off her helmet the landing pad crew eyed her up and down. On first glance, it was a nice look. She was almost perfect. Long black hair and a doll like face. But there was something strange about her. After a few moments most of them turned away without interest. She was last years pop culture, using plastic surgeries to look just perfect. Perfect eyes, perfect lips, perfect nose. Everything matching the most cutest look possible. But, as with everything, too much means no good. She looked unnatural. But there was something else strange about her. She looked mismatched. A beautiful shell that almost screamed at her surroundings "I’m the most fun person around“, Her eyes were … lethargic. Sad and mixed with an appearance of inner death. And this strange woman in uniform headed through the main corridor ignoring everyone staring at her.
She was lost in thought, her mind was running faster than she walked. She was thinking about this facility and her Kyushu department. Ever since she was promoted to position of Superintendant, Kantoku, things just kept coming. And now she got message. She has to take care of bureaucracy around all of the prisoners arrested in the Kyushu system. She hated forms, papers and especialy filling them. From her point of view, they were invented to slow down officers. But she wanted to see Isoroku. She hadnt seen him since the battle near the prison, where his Battlecruiser was critically damaged almost to the point of destruction.
She passed some officers and hung her head in a bow. Isoroku, an officer in his middle age, married and without ambitions. He was police officer longer then her, but whenever he was suggested for promotion he did something cheesy, and he was left out from list of promotions. She almost thought, he is doing it on purpose. But she was glad she had him. He looked older then he actually was, but he was her guardian. He covered her back on the dark streets of Kyushu and in the cold darkness of space. And to admit with shame, when the world started to stink and she passed out after bottle of Sake, he carried her to her office and never said word about it, to not shame her more.
Izumi turned around a corner and headed towards the section command center. There he was. Smiling and saluting when she entered, accompanied with another officer named James. James was a Kusari officer, but was born in Kusari and after he grown to an adult, he chose to follow his roots.
"Superintendant“ Stated James in distinctive libertonian accent.
"Kantoku“ Bowed Isoroku.
"Officer Isoroku, my friend. Are you alright?“ Smiled Izumi a little.
"I’m fine, but Kagero is bit, chunky right now“ Replied Isoroku standing in attention.
"Superintendant, we have to proceed to our duty, i have to attend to other things. Have you read your assignment?“
"Yes. I read the breifing on my desk. How many prisoners are in my sector?“
"358. Here is the full list. I will need your signature Superintendant“.
Izumi swiftly signed the datapad and started to browse the full list of prisoners. All numbers. When you reduce humans to numbers they lose their personality. And without personality, they will lose their will to create problems. She knew this system was as old as the first prisoner and the first member of an organised military.
"Is there something i should know?“ She turned her eyes up to both officers and noticed James was quite nervous. His fingers tightly tried to burrow through his datapad.
"Commander, can i speak with you?“ said Isoroku as he shifted his head to the side.
"Sure? What is it?“ Replied Izumi while they were walking away from James.
"Commander, i let my crew check the list, since they have no duties at this moment. I think you should check inmate number YZ-158.“ said silently Isoroku, checking if there was nobody nearby.
"What’s wrong with him?“ Automaticaly asked Izumi and started checking the list.
"You better look for your self, but remain calm“. Said Isoroku, and he prepared to grab his smaller superior. From point he found this, he knew she would be mad. And this is why he insisted she should see it personaly. Not that her presence would change anything, but he didn’t wanted her to lock herself in office.
"Keiko Matsumado, Ex Golden Chrysanthemum Squad leader, now smuggler, in prison since 2 years ago..." Izumi read her profile insignificantly moving her lips.
Isoroku prepared and stood in perfect attention posture.
"…wait? Isoroku? Why is there no data on her interrogation and trial? How long is her sentence?“ She turned her eyes up looking on Isoroku like two black depths.
"There was no trial Kantoku“ He stated strictly.
"You want to tell me that she has been there for two years without any interrogation or trial? FOR TWO YEARS?“. She repeated words that were running through her brain.
"Umm, yes, it is correct. I mean, these young officers here are responsible, i was here for a while. But i saw this several times. They capture a terrorist, and the prisoners wait for trials for years. Especialy, when they are for smaller crimes.“
„But … why?!“
"It’s to prevent them from going back to their friends too soon. She is GC, and when she would just pay a fine, or have a month in prison, she could return to her terrorist friends. It’s not military nor police thing. It’s politics“. Isoroku said silently and like a conspirator he tapped on his nose from side.
The world started to stink again. Isoroku was an officer for longer than she was, He had no police academy, but saw a portion of police job, that he was rusty from inside out. She didn’t have reason not to trust him. Yes, some nameless voices that say 'Put this person on the bottom of the list, she can wait, she is a terrorist right?'. Again, and again. Probably they were doing this to subdue criminals and scare them off. But she saw also some part of police work and she knew, that this would work only when there was a small fire, pouring water onto it. But this was a damn burning pot of oil and pouring water onto it just made it blaze more. Damn corruptors, fat, lazy, greedy bastards. She started to be angry.
Isoroku thrusted his hand just in time to catch her, when she suddenly moved and tried to charged into the command office.
"Promise me commander, that you will be calm“ Said Isoroku in soothing manner.
"I am always calm“. She said as sweetly as she could, but poison was dripping from her words. Not poison, burning lava.
When she stomped into a command office, James turned his head towards female officer. And gulped as angel of vegeance was closing in.
"Did you know of this?!“ She barked angrily
"Calm down“ Whispered Isoroku from behind
"What … we have nothing to do with this!“ Muttered James in defense.
"You WHAT?! YOU ARE POLICE OFFICERS YOU SWORN TO INVESTIGATE CRIMINALS, NOT HOARD THEM!“ She was burning in anger. Shaking and grasping the datapad like it was the only thing that stood between her and being trialed for attacking a fellow officer.
"Silence that woman, she is too loud!“ Yelled one officer in the command center.
"Mind your own bussiness or i will mind yours.“ Said Isoroku calmly but with subtle threat towards officer.
The atmosphere in the command center was tense, like a tea party where all the ladies accidentaly wore the same dress. Officers looked at each other, taking deep breaths, waiting to see what happens next.
James raised his hands in a soothing gesture. "We are all disciplined officers of Kusari, Superintendant. It’s your business now. Do what you think is best, but be careful.“ He said softly.
Izumi turned on her heel. "I hope that your tongues dont fall out when you say that!“. And she charged from the command center followed by Isoroku.
"Izumi, they are from New Tokyo sector, if they take it personally, we will be in deep trouble. We could be cut short even more on funding.“ Said a concerned Isoroku, easily following Izumi in her swift pace.
"I dont care!“ She shouted strictly. She was mad, and she started to feel sick as she went towards the prison cells. Her stomach was feeling like bag of slime. She needed a drink. But there was no bar. Those Idiots! Corrupting idiots from above! That inmate is very addicted to cardamine, as profile says. So much, she is allergic to substitutes. At the bery least, they gave her the drug. But how can we hope she will return to normal society with this way of things? They were citizens after all, and what is the duty of law, to bring back those who make mistakes back to flock.
They ventured through the corridors silently until they reached the door with big writing YZ-158. Izumi took a deep breath and looked at Isoroku. "What should i say to her? I’m police and i want to ask you what you did two years ago? She will look at me like I’m joking and tell me nothing“.
Isoroku shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe I would start with an introduction. Maybe she would be glad that someone actually asked who she is, kantako“ and nodded with his head.
Izumi took another deep breath and knocked on the door and entered the dark prison cell. She saw a dark shade lying on a bed. Izumi tried to create the most optimistic face she could imagine and entered the darkness.
"Konnichiwa. I’m the new kantoku of Kyushu, Izumi Nishi. And i think we should have little chat.“ said Izumi softly and closed the door.
Fuchu prison, Shikoku system. Kusari
RE: The redemption of The Rose - Blackstarr - 06-09-2020
"Yeah?"
Keiko rolled over to face the new officer in her cell. It was a woman this time. A very beautiful one at that.
"Another new officer here to treat me like crap?"
Keiko said weakly. It was clear from first glance that her time in prison has not been the best on her physically. She was clearly malnourished and her eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep. Occasionally she would twitch her hand, a symptom of serious Cardamine withdrawl.
RE: The redemption of The Rose - Krasnaya - 06-09-2020
As Izumis eyes got used to the darkness, she looked onto a figure lying on a bed. So this is what it was about, huh? Every student od police academy knows, that law enforcements is about returning people back to society, someone here tried to lock this woman and throw away the keys.
"Nothing like that miss, you are now under my investigation and i want to have a little chat about your situation." Izumi made a few steps forward and put her datapad on a table.
"Miss Keiko, i would like to know everything, it's the only way i can help you. What happened two years back in Kyushu, your involvement in Golden Chrysamtemus, anything i can build case on". Izumi calmly insisted and darkness was disturbed by bright stream of light as Izumi turned on her datapad.
RE: The redemption of The Rose - Blackstarr - 06-09-2020
Keiko laughed at the prospect of a court hearing
"Build what case? There is no case. Check your most wanted database. I am sure to be on there somewhere. I was carrying Cardamine to my sisters in Hokkaido. I wont deny who I am or what I was caught doing. My only regret is that I was not destroyed closer to the base so that the sisterhood could have responded and at least salvaged part of the cargo. That was a quarter of a season's harvest wasted."
When the light from the datapad turned on, Keiko attempted to shrink back into the darkness as if the light burned her.
RE: The redemption of The Rose - Krasnaya - 06-09-2020
"Did you got your daily dose? You look terrible" Izumi asked concerned. This was a hard case. GC were known for their fanatism and she was probably on withdrawal effect. "I can get you one, to ease up your situation" she nodded. "Destroyed? For smuggling are not live long sentences.". Izumi sat behind a table and watched her carefuly. "What about your career among sisters? What was your part?"
RE: The redemption of The Rose - Blackstarr - 06-11-2020
"My daily dose? You mean my weekly dose? I'm lucky to even get that much here." She spat with disdain.
"Smuggling? No that was the arrest charge. Im here this long because I was on your most wanted list. I was a squad leader. I cant remember how many of your colleagues' ships I have destroyed."
RE: The redemption of The Rose - Krasnaya - 06-11-2020
Izumi remained looking on Keiko, her face remained unchanged and wrote some data into her datapad. "What about family? Do you have someone you can return to?"
Atmosphere shifted, it wasn't good to speak right now who did more in cause. There must be something. She didn't wait for her reply and went to a door, opening them for a while and exchanged some words with officer waiting outside and then returned back to her sear, pulling herself closer to a table. "Do you want to sit to a table, it would be more ... apropriete Miss Keiko."
RE: The redemption of The Rose - Blackstarr - 06-12-2020
"A table? Are you guys going to do the old good cop bad cop on me now? Shackle me to the table and make me confess to every crime?" Keiko Chuckled."Sure why not."
Two guards came in and escorted Keiko and Izumi to an interrogation room, where they indeed shackled her arms beneath the table.
"Now what was your other question? Ah yes.. Family. No. Both my mother and father are dead and I have no siblings or children. My family are my Outcast brothers and my chrysanthemum sisters."
RE: The redemption of The Rose - Krasnaya - 06-13-2020
Izumi laughed. "I guess you would love those old police tricks, but no, i'm not gonna play good and bad cop. This is not an interrogation. Your informations are two years old and we also do not have someone we need testimony against. Take it more as, repatriation consultation. I need to know more about you, so we can chose proper program. Altough it's shame you dont have family, assistance of family helps a lot in this process, returning back to society." said Izumi with calm voice and slight smile. "But, there is that thing about attacking police, courts doesn't like that. Why are you Chrysamtemus so violent? Isn't that more against your goals to kill and attack individuals that has nothing to do with your politics?" she asked and leaned her head a bit to the left.