Days. Weeks. Months. Home seemed but a distant memory with the war taking a turn for the worse. Shogun Matome Ugaki looked from the deck of his Geisha Luxury Yacht which was moored with the Battleship Yamaguchi somewhere in a cloud in the Newcastle system. Hope seemed to dim with each passing day as the casualty reports came in, but with them, the small successes and victories. On paper, they shouldn't exist. On paper they should be either dead or prisoners of war at this time, yet they were not. Long days wind down into the same routine. If there was no operation planned for that day, endless drills. Drills to keep the crews occupied on their job rather than their situation. Decks were cleaned, guns were checked and re-checked to ensure top fighting condition. Supply transports were enough to keep the ship going, but not enough to squander any precious resources.
Sitting now, he often wondered to himself if he would ever see his beloved home again. His father's farm that had been in the family for generations, his only remaining son who was left to maintain it. Had he survived? Had he been taken as an "Imperialistic Bastard" and executed for treason? Questions needed answering. Everyday brought more. When he had time to think, it was like a wave that washed over him. Unpleasant thoughts of what had transgressed back in the...Republic... as it was now called. A dynasty that was overthrown by the weak-willed and the even weaker minded. Taking advantage of a situation to further their own greed instead of standing by the traditions that had seen them through the centuries as a prosperous nation full of both warriors and artisans.
No, he was not angry. For someone who had endured so much strife in his lifetime, along with a war... anger did not suit him. He never hated the Bretonians, and likewise he will not hate the Gallics who took the Emperor from Kusari. Time will heal all wounds, even if it means that salt must be thrown in them. Blood must be spilled, as it is the way of man to wage war and to end wars. To trade and proliferate, and to tear down and bring destruction. A balance in all things, that is what the traditions taught us. One day a man will within him feel a fire burning to strike out against his enemies, the next, to reach a hand out in friendship to another. What is life if there is no death? What is worth living for if the same is not worth also dying for? The Emperor. He was worth living for. He was worth dying for. The one stability everyone in this fleet had was the fact that the Emperor's Sword would always guide them in the right direction.
A new morning arises as an empty meeting room is waiting to be filled. Word that the Emperor would be addressing the military commanders of the remaining Imperial Kusari Navy had left a cheerful atmosphere onboard the Battleship Yamaguchi. Drills ceased as crew and officer alike awaited His glorious arrival. There was a stir among some of the upper echelons of the admiralty that something had happened to Him, but they were all quickly put to rest. Shogun Motami Ugaki walked in his regal uniform. One that hadn't been worn since the last time he was sent to the front-lines when the war with Bretonia still raged. He let himself almost smile, a hint of the joy that was brought to him each time he stood in the presence of the Emperor. Whether it was in fierce planning sessions on the Satsuma, onboard his now-derelict flagship, or a meeting such as this, it brought him great honor to know the strength which resided in the Kogen line.
Ugaki was, for all intents and purposes, one of the strongest supporters of the imperial regime. He had seen many upstarts and promising candidates, including one Takeo Kurita. Kurita was just appointed the rank of Chūjō, Vice Admiral, after his contemporary was killed by a deck explosion on his Kusari Destroyer running a picket in the escape from the Tau-31 system and withdrawal into Newcastle. He would always be remembered as an honorable man, and each name of the now-exiled fleet would not be forgotten in the annals of history. His remains will be buried in his home on New Tokyo when they rightful ruler of Kusari makes His triumphant return. Until then, however, like many others who had fallen and had been either recovered... or were less fortunate... his remains as well as his information would be saved on an off-ship data beacon and supply container at an undisclosed location.
Ugaki snapped out of his current stream of thought as the klaxon alarms rang out for the last daily drill, he turned and looked at the screen, always ready for a fight. Him and several of the other chief of staff were safely tucked away in the bridge of the Yamaguchi, in anticipation of the final drill. This would be it before the Emperor's transport arrived on location.
Matome's mind began to wander once more, as the klaxon calls, crew scrambling about in an orderly fashion like a well-oiled machine. They were the heart of this ship, and he, the mind. A brilliance as he watched the show, like the dancers back home in Kusari, their routine and motivation all blended into one organic organism. Each man knowing his job, knowing how to perfectly execute each movement exactly when it needed to be finished. Gunner's eyes trained, and now having been tested for years, like an eagle. Engineers watching the various status reports, making minor adjustments, and sending the "All-clear" codes up the command chain to the bridge. The younger members of the crew ferrying various supplies to and fro, in mock of what they would be doing had actual combat been happening. Security teams waiting in various locations of the ship, tactically placed to repulse any attempts at boarding the ship.
Breathing in deeply he closed his eyes for a moment, a euphoric sense of satisfaction coming over him. They were ready, they always had been. Relentless drills had made them the perfect fighting machine. His, perfect fighting machine. Their loyalty would never be questioned, each of them true sons of Kusari, Imperialists to the end. His hand-selection for this and his flagship's crew had paid off. Then. Silence.
"Docking port one has been accessed. The ship is docked, the Emperor will be boarding the ship momentarily."
Matome nodded to the others in the bridge-room as they made their way to the now-cleared-out cargo bay where they would be awaiting Emperor Jien Kogen's fleet visitation and planning. He let himself a smile, as the airlock carefully opened and a ramp slowly extended out.
There is a brief pause between the airlock opening, the ramp descending and four Royal guards exiting the shuttle. The tension in the room is palpable as everyone awaits the emperor stepping from the shuttle. Absolute dead silence in the room, even the whirring of machines and the ships creaking seemed to have stopped.
Into the light stepped Daichi Kogen, Not unusual for this to happen, being the Emperors brother and Loyal Advisor. He descends the ramp and heads towards the podium, None of the waiting people in front of him give him a second glance. Daichi stands up at the podium and awaits, Royal guard in twos by his sides and his head slightly crestfallen and not a smile to be seen. The assembly continued to eye the ramp until it started detracting, the doors to the shuttle closing. A small wave of confusion sweeps over the crowd as they all turn to the podium expecting an explanation...
" My friends... My Brothers in Arms... I come bearing news of ill fortune... But before I announce it I must tell you that the Empire will fight on, for we must reclaim Kusari and we must by all means rescue our people from the clutches of Foreign Tyranny."
[color=#FFCC66]He pauses for a moment as further confusion and a few cheers come from the back rows.
" I bring the News of Our beloved Emperor, Jien Kogen... As I am sure speculation has been going around about his recent illnesses. Sadly these illnesses have taken His soul away from us and to a better place. Jien Kogen is no longer our Savior, Our guide in these dark times. Jien Kogen.... Has passed away. "
[color=#FFCC66]The crowd is overwhelmed with emotion, Outcry's coming from some, others dissolve into a hysteria of tears, the front line of Admirals and the Shogun stand still, unable to contemplate what is going on. Several in the back row stand tall and start screaming obscenities towards the front, only to be restrained by the MP's flanking the room.
" I Understand your pain... He was my only Brother... As well as My Emperor... But as a Kogen not all is lost.. For I remain. I assure you that the Kogen Line will continue... And we -WILL- get back the throne. We -Will- see you returned back to your loved ones and we -Will- see those responsible for this punished!"
[color=#FFCC66]Knowing he cannot say anymore to the crowd, he steps down and approaches the Admiralty and the Shogun, uneasy and unknowing of the words to come from their mouths. He faces it with as if he was Jien, with Courage....
" Admirals. Shogun.... "
[color=#FFCC66]He bows and awaits their questions as surely they will come.
Matome breathed in slowly as the announcement was made, unmoving he listened to the crowd's reactions. Cries. Profanity. Disbelief. All of them had a place, here. His stoic resolve, and those of the Admirals, is seen by Daichi. Veterans of wars, blood dragon incursions, several acts of terrorism. News of their beloved Emperor's death, and their emotional despair, would not be seen by the public. Ugaki looked at the men to his left and to his right, then nodded to the younger Kogen as he turned around to face the crowd. He raised his voice, one like a calm thunder amidst the torrent of rain that had just been poured upon those in the room.
"Go back to your duties. You will work harder than you have ever worked. We will not give up in the midst of tragedy."
Matome looked to the MP Captain to the right of the room, the military police started to usher people out of the room. One by one they left. The ones in the back that had to be restrained were sent out first, disbelief still in their eyes. A quiet revolt that they alone could maintain. As the final person left the room, the Shogun turned back to the younger Kogen. The Admirals still in line with him.
"We knew this was coming, one day or another. The Kogen line has our loyalty, as it always has."
The others nodded quietly, some had questions. Others, concerns. They would stand behind the Shogun, as well as the Heir-apparent to the Kogen legacy. With minds stalwart and bodies unmoved, these would be the tip of the spear to reclaim Kusari.
Daichi Bows his head to the Shogun in appreciation. When he rises his head he simply looks at them all one by one, taking in their faces and trying to ascertain their emotions. These people had fought so hard and for so long it'd be strange to see them actually have an emotion.
"I appreciate you all being calm during this turbulent time. Hopefully I will fulfill my destiny and you will all support me taking the Title of Emperor. But until then I am an open book, I have been at Jien's side ever since the war for the Tau's started and while it is true I have never been tested in a battle itself, I've done much in the way of Stateside actions. "
[color=#FFCC66]He pauses for a moment of reflection, contemplating what he will say next.
"I seek to win your favor and your council in these times. It would be wise for me to understand your needs and wants. If what you say is true, and your loyalty to the Kogen line is steadfast, we have not a moment to lose to control the emotional outbreak this is surely to bring, as evidenced from the reaction of the men in the room at the time."
"Perhaps we should move to another room to answer your questions and discuss the future?"
[color=#FFCC66]He gestures towards the exit in anticipation...
Matome wondered how long it would be until the rumors flooded the rest of the fleet, and the news leaked back into Kusari and Gallia. Having the genocidal maniacs and their lackeys hearing news of the Emperor's demise could possibly work for them. Rallying those who were on the edge of defection, if they thought it was motivated by Gallic deceit; however, it could also drive a rift further between those who wished to hang onto the traditional ways in the Kyushu system, as well as the Republicans in Honshu. Civil war erupting in Kusari would be an interesting prospect. Warring on ground both sides have known for generations was almost... terrifying.
Matome followed Daichi and the Admirals into a conference room where they each took a seat and waited for the younger Kogen to give them something more substantial on what he hoped to accomplish this moment.
Takeo Kurita sits slumped over in his chair in the conference room awaiting the others. A young man in his thirties, he wears the stress-induced wrinkles and rank badges of someone much older. The war had not been going well for him, and despite only being a captain when the fleet was defeated by Gallic invaders, survival had rewarded him time and time again with more command and more worries.
Despite all the death around him, he had been raised by his family to believe in the emperor as a god-like figure. When an aide brought him the news he could not handle it, or muster the strength to go out to the loading bay. Commanders die, sailors die, this was the nature of war, but if god could perish, then what hope did that leave him to survive these dark days?
When he head the door to the conference room open, thankfully his years of military training kicked in and the young man jumped up out of his seat and clicked his heels together at attention. For that one moment everything else went dark and all his hopes and prayers rested on the desire that the others not see his weakness.
Kenji Nagano slowly walked into the conference room, giving a slight nod to Takeo, Matome and the other admirals to acknowledge their presence. He was a middle aged man with quite a young look, he looked calm, collected and not at all stressed, his weight and height was normal and he had a posture befitting that of a politician. He didn't see much of the war, not unless the Yamaguchi, Nagasaki or the Satsuma were under attack, something that happened infrequently and always ended in GRN's destruction or retreat. No the Royal Advisor hadn't seen much action since he left his KPT agent days, something he was fine with since he was always a behind the scenes type of guy, preferring to pull the strings. Of course he does have the occasional bravado and he does attend all the drills and combat training just in case.
His KPT history is probably why he was picked as royal advisor, being one of the few of the intelligence branch in Bretonia when the forces were cut off from Kusari by the dishonorable Gallic forces. He offered his connections, ties and intelligence to the Emperor and was promptly accepted to provide assistance in the small diplomatic branch before being promoted to his current position of Royal advisor. A lot of the info that was going to be told and shared here tonight he already knew, and judging by the looks of some of the people in the room he noticed quite a few concerned faces, all he could do now was to wait and merely give a reassuring look and make some quiet small talk to assure those who worried.
He would move to take a seat near the Shogun and Takeo giving the man a slight tap on his shoulder and sliding a glass of water his way, he remained silent pouring himself a glass of water too as he awaited the Emperor or the shogun to say something to start this all off. In the meanwhile he would quietly hum the national anthem in his head.
Sitting patiently in the conference room, the calm and collected look on Chūjō Okada's face belied the internal unease he had. Having sworn his loyalty to the now dead Emperor, Okada is not entirely sure what the death of the passing of the Emperor will change, amongst the exiled Imperial Kusari navy. Okada's outward appearance is the picture of the consummate Kusari Admiral- quiet and restrained with an air of dignity and grace, yet enough of a presence to, even with his aging appearance, intimidate all around him.
As one of the more aged Admirals, Okada is also one of the juniors- having only been promoted to his position immediately prior to the Gallic invasion. Though his combat record is quite long- stretching from before, and during the Nomad war, through the entire Tau conflict, and all the skirmishes in between, Okada is not a well known name. Minor roles, and general combat in a Kusari Destroyer proved his worth enough to allow him to be promoted to Admiral- but no exceptional performances mean that he's more in the position due to his long standing service, rather than any exceptional merit.
Sitting near the far end of the room from the Shogun and the Emperor-to-be, Okada was positioned amongst the other rather minor Rear Admirals. Some of the others were promoted based on combat merit, and Okada could recognize a face or two amongst them. A quick glance around the room as the rest of the Admirals settled in, and he was waiting for the meeting to begin.
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