To: Blood Dragon Shogunate - Printable Version

⧫ COMM ID: N/A
⧫ SOURCE: Blood Dragon comm buoy, Hokkaido sector F5
⧫ TOPIC: Disillusioned Refugee

Excuse me for my current inability to identify myself. I am afraid I would put myself and several other people in unnecessary danger if I did so, without first obtaining necessary guarantees. I intend to come clear to you, willing to answer any inquiries you will undoubtedly have, as soon as Blood Dragons come to a consensus whether honor of Hideoyoshi’s Royal Guard demands either to hand me over back to Gen’an, or extend protection over your once fervent ally.

I am what now would be a radical among the Chrysanthemum, while at times of our glory I would consider myself a moderate. My reasons to join Chrysanthemums were twofold. First, I wanted to escape the life of petty crime that would await me in Colorado. My prospects would be extremely limited and chances of rehabilitation from the bottom of Liberty’s society practically null by design. Second, to find a place I belong to. I reconnected to my Kusari ancestry and could help many more women who found themselves in situations same as me, if not worse.

I hate what we have become. My particular cell had dwindled in influence, and our Elders refused to act in what proved to be a crucial defining moment while we still had something to say. I personally brought evidence of one of our transports carrying hundreds of men and children in poor and unsanitary conditions into the fold of the Outcasts. They were only ‘reprimanded’ and everything returned to status quo, for a time. Now these ‘Sisters’ are in the majority. Their religious fanaticism and blind belief in whatever sick interpretation of Matsuda’s teachings they preach has spread like wildfire, even taking some of our own. Sisters like me who remained secular are now at best a fringe movement, or dissidents at worst. I joined to fight for an equal society, not to change one tyrant for another.

I considered simply vanishing into the underhive of New Tokyo or Honshu. However, I would be found eventually due to me bearing many symbols carved into my body that could easily be interpreted as “gang markings” of Blood Dragons and GC’s alike. I earned those during my time spent on Kyoto, with several Blood Dragon initiates and a few sisters to strengthen the bond between our two groups, celebrate the camaraderie. I could get rid of them probably, it is a matter of Sirian Credits however it would spit on the few good memories I want to retain from these times. People get incarcerated for being perceived as a sympathiser by Kusari State Police. Hogosha sponsored thugs kill for even less. These are my options as I envision them:

Returning to Liberty from where I came. Join up with one of many criminal syndicates operating in the area hoping they would accept me should my accent not become too ‘tainted’ with Kusari influence. An average lifespan of a Liberty Rogue or a Xeno is not a particularly thrilling premise. It is pitiable experience I ran away from in the first place
Departing Malta, to lose myself and my ideals in exchange for an easy life. This would have been a no-brainer if it weren’t for the fact I want to leave primarily because my kind had taken into exclusively the worst habits of the Outcasts.
Mayhaps find shelter among the Blood Dragons and put my skills to use. Even as many of us lived opulent lifes fuelled by each consecutive Samura shipment of luxury goods struck down, we all learned some skills. I am willing to work for myself and stand up in defence of my new home if needed.

I am currently residing in one of the few hideouts that the Gen’an are not aware of, somewhere in Kusari space. Call me an oathbreaker if you will, I consider my contract binded though intrinsic rituals of our Sisterhood to be void ever since our group superseded revolution with Sirian Credits for the ringleaders, and blind fanaticism that makes young Kusari women commit to self-destructive tendencies.

"Bittercress"

RE: To: Blood Dragon Shogunate - ellipsis - 07-23-2022

TRANSMISSION RECEIVED: DECRYPTING...
薔薇龍 | こんにちは。

From: Shogun Ubukata Tsuya

To: Unspecified

Subject: Disillusioned Refugee

Point of Origin: REDACTED

Encryption Level: 極み

Importance: 並み

Hm... You've come to me with many words, it would seem. If you are what you claim to be, and if what you say is to be taken as fact, then I have several concerns over the inner workings of the Chrysanthemums as they are now. You speak with such contempt that it would lead the average person to blind anger against who you speak of. Slavery in any form is simply unacceptable. Recklessness and blind faith are irresponsible. The growing reliance on the Outcasts as well as cardamine is also troubling... But there is nothing we can do about such matters in our current state, as I'm sure you're aware. Nor our place to intervene in such matters while our fight continues.

Even though you and I are wanted criminals, terrorists, killers, whatever they wish to label us, no matter how true it may be... we are still humans, and people of the same nation. I can't let a stray like you wander off to get put in some Liberty prison to work until you die, or go to Malta and lose yourself to that orange curse. If you're being hunted by the Gen'an on top of such a dilemma, I feel almost obligated to allow you to shelter with us. I see no reason to deny the asylum you seek if you haven't done anything wrong to us or to your comrades or... ex-comrades.

As you speak to me, the rightful Shogun of our people and by extent the people of Kusari, my decision on this matter is final, to be followed and accepted by all of our kind. All I ask is that you flawlessly cover your tracks before you fall in with us, or even start to fight in our name. There must be no cut corners in concealing your true identity. Change your name, mask your appearance and mannerisms, even find a way to alter your legal records if at all possible. If you're hunted by those who were once your own, they may know everything about you, and your opinions of how they operate. You must ensure that they cannot sniff you out, and that you behave as though you were never a sister to begin with, should you interact with anyone besides the Dragons or your fellow sisters who share your tattoos, if they are still on your side.

Speaking of the tattoos... You need not remove those, simple covering by using clothing is good enough. With that all being said, I suspect you want a covert meeting of sorts, no? I'm on a rather flexible schedule lately.

生形艶 | Ubukata Tsuya
将軍 | Shōgun
Long Live the Blood Dragons.

TRANSMISSION IDLING: RESPONSE PENDING...

薔薇龍 | さようなら。

RE: To: Blood Dragon Shogunate - Omicron - 07-23-2022

⧫ COMM ID: N/A
⧫ SOURCE: Blood Dragon comm buoy, Hokkaido sector F5
⧫ TOPIC: Disillusioned Refugee

Word from a Shogun herself. Color me impressed, I did not expect my plea would reach the very top of the Dragon Hierarchy. In these times, no contract or obligation is sacred, but as far as our corner of space is considered: word of Shogun is law. This is more than I hoped for. I am well aware there is nothing you can *currently* achieve just as I am powerless myself. The fault lies entirely within me in failing to convince Advisors of the Elder Council, and the Council itself for complacency and ignorance. You are right that I hold my former Sisterhood in highest contempt.

We - I mean those who share my opinion at least partially - had been excluded, isolated, ridiculed, chided, held in disdain and laughed at behind our backs. I refused to possess even a single manslave to handle menial labour in my stead and thus was looked down upon by these religious fanatics as a joke. My word means nothing. Since then I work with old kit and blackmarket supplements as spare parts to original designs developed in joint consortium with you were phased out. I may be a pragmatist but I refused to work with something designed and paid though credits deeply stained in the blood of the innocents.

To comply with your request. I operated under a notorious nickname back in the day that should be retired. I agree it is for the best that Lady Cardamine steps down from the pedestal and remains but a bad memory for the Gen’an, soon enough to fade out even from the memories itself if it did not happen already. I intend to start fresh, work out a new reputation for myself and hide in plain sight. I am of no nobility or well known family and my surname is as bland and common as it can possibly get: Suzuki. If you were to do a census on the world of my father’s origin, you would find at least half a billion Suzuki's. I have taken care to not leave any traces and moved all of my operations to a well concealed supply depot that belonged exclusively to my particular sect in its days of glory. My status and rank permitted my access and further interference with records of Sisterhood of Light. Even before, I was highly keen on upholding my privacy and covering my tracks. I may be carousing terrorist with a crime record as long as it is colourful, but living on the wrong side of the law of two Great Houses taught me valuable life lessons.

I can serve in two ways. I can be your agent, independent freelancer at your services where your reach is limiting, or presence of Blood Dragons may be detrimental. However with this kind of welcome, I weigh currently towards the second option: joining ranks of your Shogunate proper and offer unfortunately only a proverbial blade to you, for I have none myself. GC simply preferred direct energy weapons and for the most part did not train in any capacity to utilise swords in any art of combat. As someone who was in a supply ship as often as a raider craft, I have made decent working relationships with Lane Hackers and The Order who were oh so pleased to provide us with as many those Kemwer guns as we could possibly carry. In case you ever find it useful.

That also leaves the matter of my cardamine addiction. Unless you factor out the debilitating withdrawal illness, I cannot go by without it. There had been rumors in Liberty, considered highly taboo among GC, of various bits and pieces of information about genetic treatment only affordable by House Elites. Supposedly lethal to those who bathed in this chemical for generations like the Outcasts, but a sliver of hope for me should it prove true. I shall investigate it in my own time. Until then, or should this procedure prove only partially successful and merely assist in managing this limitation of mine, I will need permission to import, carry and use cardamine on your premises. I will not burden you with responsibility: I have my own ways of acquiring the ‘Orange Dream’ on my own.

Name the place and time, and I will do my best to get there. Until I hear from you again, I need to do some housekeeping around this depot. I would like to leave this place - and come back to it - in the same state as I got it.

"Bittercress"

RE: To: Blood Dragon Shogunate - ellipsis - 07-25-2022

TRANSMISSION RECEIVED: DECRYPTING...
薔薇龍 | こんにちは。

From: Shogun Ubukata Tsuya

To: Unspecified

Subject: Disillusioned Refugee

Point of Origin: REDACTED

Encryption Level: 極み

Importance: 並み

Glad to see that you've been smart about your footprints, 'Suzuki'. That's one problem out of the way. The next problem, being of course, the orange curse. What an interesting rumor you've heard. Were it not for a certain conversation I've had with a certain acquaintance, I wouldn't have believed it. But it is true that the elite of Liberty are some of the biggest customers of the Outcasts. It's like a parasite. So there may very well be truth to such a treatment, although finding someone capable of performing it would be awfully difficult if they want to keep it a secret, and charge a pretty penny for it. If you do find anything out, let me know. Maybe there could be a way of fighting back this spread after all.

In any case, I have no problems with letting you become one of us. We offer the best close combat training in Sirius, and it is designed to compliment your typical energy weaponry. You would be supplied with your own blade, among many other items and equipment. If you are to live as one of us, I simply have two conditions. You must supply yourself with your own cardamine, as you said you can. Secondly, do not allow anyone else to possess the cardamine that you obtain from any source, either by accident or on purpose. With those conditions, I believe I may be able to 'sell' our people on an exception. I'd advise not consuming it in public if possible, as some may find it distasteful.

As for our meeting... Tuesday or Thursday this week should work fine. I'm available any time on those days. If it isn't too much to ask, let's meet in the orbit of Tomioka. I'd say that's a pretty romantic sight. But if that doesn't work, we'll have to hash something out on secure comms.

生形艶 | Ubukata Tsuya
将軍 | Shōgun
Long Live the Blood Dragons.

TRANSMISSION IDLING: RESPONSE PENDING...

薔薇龍 | さようなら。