I am marquess Shimamori of Nakashibetsu, Honshu. This letter is to offer to you a job that, I believe, you specialise in. I have heard that you operate as independent private investigators and I think that the case I am offering to you falls under your expertise.
About half a year ago, a retainer in my employ, Sinon Yuki (personal profile as self-desribed), has been hospitalised with a severe case of PTSD at one of the specialised wards on Fort Wakkanai, Hokkaido system. She remained in the care of the local medical staff for over 5 months and I had the opportunity to visit her a few times. These visits were less frequent than I would like them to be due to my tight schedule of a statesman. About a month ago, however, I stopped receiving reports from the medical staff, particularly from Dr. Kitagawa, who was in charge of Sinon, and I received a vague report that the latter started to show signs of mental deterioration and thus had to be isolated from the rest of the patients and visitors for the sake of their own security. I find this explanation not satisfactory and suspect there might be foul play to undermine the position of my clan. Typical internal Kusarian politics. However, it might be something else entirely, or indeed, Sinon-san has experienced a complete mental breakdown and my suspicion was misguided. Her trace vanishes after that and I do not know if she is still on Fort Wakkanai or somewhere else.
Regardless, I want you to investigate the matter and find out what happened to the retainer. Clan Shimamori does not abandon its members easily and I would like to know what my options are regarding Sinon-san and any help that can (if) be rendered to her. My position in the government of Kusari allows me to use KOI for this matter but I do not want to exploit my position to squander governmental resources, nor do I want for my colleagues to know much about the internal clan issues. Therefore, I hope that you can keep it professional and discreet. I would also prefer you not get into any legal trouble with the authorities of Kusari: not only it can jeopardise your own reputation and position within the Empire but also cast shadow on your employer, i.e. me. If you take the job, you can expect handsome remuneration for your services and gratitude of someone within the Kusari nobility.
Please, let me know of your decision. No formal contract is needed and gentlemen agreement is preferred for the sake of being discreet. Additional information regarding the case can be provided upon your inquiry should you take on the job. I am looking forward to hearing from you.
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SENDER: Johnny, from Johnny's Office RECIPIENT: Marquess Shimamori Masahito, of the Shimamori Clan SUBJECT: Contractualization COMM. SOFTWARE SEC.:MAX.
Esteemed Marquess Shimamori of Nakashibetsu,
We, naturally, would like to know a bit more about the circumstances, but I am guessing there is a reason behind it lacking. I will not question it further.
After reviewing this case, this case is well within our reach, and we are more than happy to accept this "contract" and begin our investigation - as asked; discreetly, and without getting into trouble with law enforcement. It is part of our code as an Office. During the investigation, we will keep you updated of any findings, and upon completion of the "contract", we will provide you with a detailed report of our investigation, and in hopes of continuing to cooperate in the future.
If you have doubts about the legitimacy of our Office: we would like to assure you that our agency has extensive experience in similar cases, though we cannot disclose the details of our past contracts and "contracts", due to our strict confidentiality policies.
Rest assured that we will spare no effort in recovering the target as quickly and efficiently as possible. As you said, the target suffers from ailments. It would not be long.
As for the remuneration, we are naturally flattered by a generous compensation. After the completion of this "contract", we will be happy to discuss our rates and any other business with you in a less urgent and more appropriate setting.
It is my pleasure to finally hear from you and more so agree to take the job. Do not fret about the remuneration or the lack of a formal contract. My Clan pays well for a job well done, you can ask my retainers about this if in doubt. For additional motivation please also consider that a successful investigation will yield a greater reward.
Now, to the business. I provided you with most of the information I know. However, let me say that the nature of her PTSD might not be ordinary. Her symptoms resulted from a fight with a gunboat-class vessel with equipment bearing signatures of non-human origins. Additionally, the vessel in question used non-standard communication methods, which some would dub "unnatural" or simply "telepathy". Our adversary during that skirmish in the northern regions of the Empire used these "communication methods" to actively sway us to its cause. In the case of Sinon Yuki, it was partially successful. Sinon lost control over herself, had a panic attack, and even aided for a few seconds the adversary who tried to lure her into the deeper Omicrons for whatever reasons. Luckily for us, she managed to suppress the detrimental influence and regroup with my ship. After that, I was not sure if she could handle that kind of job anymore and whether her true allegiance lay, so she was admitted to a specialised ward on Fort Wakkanai for this kind of situation.
That is the whole story with additional details. Needless to say, you understand the complications your company might face when investigating the case. Normally, I would not involve a private party in this and address the KOI but the latter has so far fed me with replies like "Her treatment is going well, but patient Sinon remains unstable. She cannot be attended at the time and for your own security, Lord Speaker, we cannot allow you to endanger yourself". I usually do not suspect the KOI of lies, but this time is different because, during my last visit, I actually witnessed her state improving. So the explanation of the KOI of her suddenly getting worse is a bit suspicious, although not impossible. It is plausible she is still on Fort Wakkanai, or she might have been moved somewhere else. I hope the expertise you claim to possess will cast some light on this case.
By reaching out to you and sharing this information I put trust in you and expect full confidentiality from your organisation, hence the lack of a formal written contract. Please understand, that if anything of this gets leaked, I will be able to walk away unscathed and, probably, will have to have a few rather tedious and unimpactful talks with the KOI. You, however, might end up on their "wrong" list, and I assure you this is not what you want. Bear this in mind when talking to people around Kusari and do not draw too much attention to yourself. If you succeed, however, and find that my suspicions were justified all along, you can expect my patronage and legal assistance should the developments take a wrong turn.
I hope this clears some air for you. My Clan can assist you with temporal housing on any major Kusari world should you require it. However, I would not like any contacts to be traceable back to me due to the nature of the work so my assistance can only go that far. I will be waiting for any updates on the matter.
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SENDER: Johnny, from Johnny's Office RECIPIENT: Marquess Shimamori Masahito, of the Shimamori Clan SUBJECT: RE:Complex Issue COMM. SOFTWARE SEC.:MAX.++
Esteemed Marquess Shimamori of Nakashibetsu,
We are committed to achieving success. This operation will be a success.
Regardless, my hunch tells me KOI is keeping her away from you either from non-human - Nomad, contact, either out of humanity's protection, or to keep this issue as quiet as possible without... finalizing her contract abruptly. The reason for the second one not happening, remains unknown, as this is what I, personally would do if it poses any threat. Again, one last thing that is most certain, as they keep her out of your sight, even without giving you audio or photographical records is that: the KOI is studying or interacting with the subject deeply.
Despite Kusari bordering the Omicrons, after the events of the Nomad War, any and all that remains has great value in scientific research - and in the military-industrial complex of Kusari. The large companies like Samura may not even be aware of such, neither would be the scientific "stars" of Kusari.
In short: Sinon Yuki is alive, probably conscious, and the KOI or KOI-affiliated scientists are treating her like a guinea pig.
A small sight from Johnny emanates from the audio recorder, showing his mental block on the affair, as well as still thinking about Bretonia, and the plethora of problems, yet, he coughs to re-focus.
Ahem. This is the most plausible case. Unfortunately, if it was a small installation, I would have gathered my Marines team, and boarded it, but, according to the NeuralNet; 510 of crew (officially), without counting all the defenses, makes it impossible. - well, "Fort".
Now for Sinon Yuki - first of all, I find it honorable to look out for your members, even foreign. This is something I haven't seen much in Kusari unfortunately. Anyway; in short, ex-46th Fleet, "mostly" specialized in fighters, has real estate in New Tokyo, and born in Denver. A rather exotic story, if I may say. I suppose you have checked out her house in New Tokyo, maybe Denver?
Also, another risk... it just came to my mind. Maybe the aliens tried out that new technology on humans for remote control, as she herself attempted to do herself harm while in combat. This situation is rather dire. If they did; infected agents, which are still not history, may have shipped off to a Nomad base for research on this technology. I pray to God no.
For this, I would like to ask permission for the Order's assistance and advice, not about Sinon Yuki or your Clan unless you wish so, but for more information on alien capabilities, and maybe finally completing a goal of us that was not for way to long.
Hm. As much as I am studying the case, as much as I am taking it seriously. Bretonia seems like a joke. I reiterate the first sentence I said at the beginning: We are committed to achieving success. This operation will be a success. Even if two ships of our fleet are unable to fly because of Bretonia, we still have more than enough. Etc.
I wish you well, Marquess, until next time. Please forgive me for saying this, but I feel this situation needs to be dealt with as fast as possible, so I await your reply with anticipation.
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