Miyamoto glanced his eyes once again at the Chrysanthemum in his chambers, a rather unusual sight for one to behold amongst the rugged Dragons. Her kimono made out of the finest silk gliding on her body like a summer breeze through a valley covered with bright red flowers like the ones drawn on it. He turned around facing towards the viewpoint looking out in the Chugoku Cloud, admiring the everlasting darkness of the Dragons home, and hand gestured the escort he summoned a moment earlier to stand back as if he had yet something to ask the Chrysanthemum sister.
"Magnificent isn't it?" - He began talking barely heard by the sister Chrysanthemum, or better yet a sister Dragon by the looks of it. He rose his hand and touched the glass, as if trying to reach the distant asteroids that were not gray, but tainted with blood, "The Chugoku Cloud I mean. How many blood has been spilled here, how many mothers have lost their sons here, and yet, it is still breathtaking. Even I hate it, but cannot force myself to stop loving it. Strange." - Miyamoto spoke to the sister, clearly confusing her with his words. He lowered his head and took of the decorations and medals on his robes with his hand, slowly reaching for the table in his chambers and lowering the medals onto it. He shook his hand and dropped all but one cheap and miserable looking medal and turned around looking the sister in the eyes. The escorts left the chambers closing the doors behind them, leaving the two alone with their words.
"The battle for the Arch, for that is what I got this for. I was there all those years ago where we lost so many and when I was nearly lost with them. The victory was ours, and those that died that day died with honor. Never did I regret my decision to fly with Ozu-sama that day, unlike the decisions made lately." - Miyamoto wandered in his thoughts for a short time, clearly struggling with something deep inside of him.
"But, I should not trouble you with thoughts that should be mine and mine alone. I have asked for you to remain for but one reason. You see, our sisters...." - Miyamoto sighed trying to find the correct words to explain it, "Have taken the wrong path. We fight for the same cause hai, but they seem to be blinded by the drug of the Outcasts. And this Zetsumai, it sadness me a sister lost such as she is. Lies, disrespect, dishonor is what I despise, and she does not lack any of it. We have fought along their side from their beginning, and they repay us by betrayal? By choosing them over the Dragons? Iie, I cannot see it happen. And what I want to know sister, is why? Why do they not see their wrongdoings? Why have they lost honor and continue to be drawn into the abyss? I cannot see it."
"I know nothing of you yet sister, but I see you have courage to reach for your goals. And honor you do not lack. That is what I respect and admire, and because of it you have found a friend in me. But careful, you betray me once, I behead you faster then you can drink sake. You have found home on Kyoto if that is what you seek."
She listens to the Shogun attenitively, then smiles a bit sadly before looking out the window as he is speaking. She takes a deep breath and considers her thoughts, opinions and answers to some of what he's asked and has said so far...
OOC: Pardon the time its taking to respond, Husker. I am not able to devote much time or effort to this after surgery a week ago. When I am feeling better and can give this the proper time and attention the RP should have, I will be in touch with you.
Kaiten breathed a sigh of relief as Valetta came into view. For the most part, the flight had been without any troubles, but they had caught some fighter from the Miners Guild shadowing them. Now that they were safely in Malta's defensive network, they no longer had to worry over the Hoshinokatana's protection. The Brindisi's pilot slowly navigated through one of Valetta's shipyard arrays, stopping when the rear destroyer was positioned within its center.
As the crew went through the process of unhooking the tow cables, Kaiten turned to Misoraki. "We'll be meeting several of the leading Outcasts. A few of them are pretty arrogant, but we need to maintain their goodwill while we're doing this reconstruction, so make sure you watch your words. Don't offend them."
She nodded at him. "Of course."
The two of them took a shuttle over to Valetta's administrative section. Once there they met with Doc Jameson, who Zetsumai had set up a deal with to have the Hoshinokatana repaired.
Kaiten strodes through the door to the shipyard's administrator's office, where inside they found the construction manager along with a small floating camera hovering on air fans. Kaiten walked towards the manager and shook his hand.
"Well... Mr Kaiten is it? Welcome to our little... wonderland of technology as some might call it." The voice seemed to come directly from the floating contraption next to the manager and it appeared to be scanning Kaiten. "I take it that your journey went well?"
Kaiten turned to address the camera. "Yes, as well as can be expected. Not exactly pleasant, but we got what we went for." He indicated Misoraki with a sweep of his arm. "Allow me to introduce you to Misoraki Kureshiwa, the second in command of Kiretsu. Zetsumai has sent her to oversee the reconstruction of the destroyer."
Misoraki stepped forward and inclined her head towards the camera. "Konnichiwa."
The camera bobbed up and down to get a proper look at the lady in front of it... "Hmm... yes. Good day, my dear. My name is Jameson but I'm quite content with being called Doctor, Wizard, Administrator, whatever you wish really." The floating contraption turned around swiftly and focused its sensors directly at the foreman which nodded his head in response and left the area. "Yes... the reconstruction of the destroyer. Now that's a rather interesting project if I may say so myself."
The contraption landed on the desk briefly before setting off again, leaving behind a small holo-disc. "Take a look at these specifications and tell me if they're anything of what you had in mind..."
Misoraki was the one to retrieve the disc and plug it into a viewer. After a few minutes of inspecting the blueprints and statistics, she turned back to the camera. "Most of this seems acceptable. There is a small conflict about the computer systems however. Zetsumai will be sending up a specialist to handle that. We will not be needing your engineers to work on it..."
"Very well, I'll instruct the... meat... doing the repairs that they are to leave the computer software alone. But you must understand that the hardware must be installed by my people yes? You are of course free to inspect it after the task has been completed."
"Any hardware except that used in the ship's main computer. It is highly sensitive material that we do not want damaged, and crucial to the future operation of the ship."
"A reasonable request... I won't have my men intrude in that area then, but... I have a humble suggestion: Station some guards outside of it just to be certain."
Misoraki nodded. "We will. We have several of our own people on the Brindisi for just that purpose. Once the technician arrives from Kusari, she will work exclusively on that system."
"Well, then here's an efficient production cycle." As the contraption spoke those words a hidden compartment in the wall opened, revealing several bottles of fine spirits laced with Cardamine. "I believe there's some sake in there as well, but then again maybe you're not too keen on sharing a drink when the ship is being brough into the... "dry dock", as some would call it?"
Kaiten shook his head. "I think we'll reserve the drinks for the completion of the project."
"Fair enough." The compartment closed. "Is there anything else you require or wished to request for your restored vessel?"
Misoraki nodded again. "Actually, there is. We need the crew quarters converted into a large research lab."
"What field of science do you wish to pursue? Or... should we add universal laboratory suites?"
"Universal would be fine. We will likely be adjusting it ourselves in the future to fit our needs."
"Well then... Would you like to stay on this station for the duration of this project? Or shall I sort something out on Malta for you, hmm?"
Kaiten spoke up. "We'll be here most of the time, but we'll also be going down to Malta while we wait for the technician to arrive. We'll be using my shuttle and staying at a Syndicate property, so you needn't worry about hospitality."
"Well, I suppose that about covers it. It's been a pleasure to meet you and I'll make sure to have my dear foreman..." The foreman walked into the office again. "... send you all the information you could ever wish to obtain."
Misoraki nodded her head. "Thank you." Then she and Kaiten left the room.
Cheng landed his ship, with many thoughts swirling around his mind. Very unusual for him, but yet, considering the current turning point in his life, understandable. He isolated himself from his brothers, spent some time in solitude to clear his mind...with little success.
He walked to the courtyard, a sight for sore eyes that was for him. Full of history, full of good and sometimes even bad memories, but most of all, it felt like home to him. It was a place where Cheng's brothers gathered, his family, that was enough to call it home. He walked past a few guards, they looked at him cautiously, with interest. He was gone for some time, perhaps they even thought he was a betrayer. But that was not the case.
He was walking slowly, observing every little detail, for this was, perhaps his last chance before embarking on his journey. A journey that will change the course of his life. But before that, this needed to be done. He approached the doors to the great hall. The guards addressed him swiftly, probably thinking that he is a threat...
"You have been gone for a long time...what is your business here? Speak!"
Cheng stood still, calm as ever he was observing the guards, he was still in his robes, his kimono and sword were always at his side. He then replied...
[color=#000000]"Konnichiwa my brother, if I may still call you that" he nodded his head and continued, "I am here with a request for the Taishogun, his greatness is the only one that can help me."
The guards were skeptical, but they knew Cheng, they knew he would never betray his brothers. They accompanied him inside nevertheless. He walked slowly across the hall, some familiar faces were there, and they were unclear about this situation as well. The Taishogun was at his throne, surrounded by his guards, clouded by shadows. He saw the commotion.
Cheng suddenly stopped at a fair distance, he could barely even see the throne. He then kneeled down, took out his sword and placed it in front of him. He bowed his head so deep that he was almost kissing the floor.
"Your greatness" he said with the most respectful tone... "I am here to make a request towards you, if you would allow."
Cheng paused for a second, and then continued to talk...
"I do not imagine your greatness knows much about me. I am Cheng Lo, a former hatamoto with the Dragons and your most humblest servant. I have been away for a while, to clear my mind. Some say I have betrayed you, but I would never do such a thing. I would rather take my own life."
"As of late, I have found myself tired, confused, my mind is not at ease. That is why I feel I need to find my place in this world....alone. The Dragons have given me shelter, they have given my life a meaning, helped me when I most needed it. This I shall never forget. But now, I feel it is time for me to gain knowledge in other places. I have given myself a goal, to travel across the world and seek out knowledge, both in battle and peace. But I shall not trouble your already troubled mind with such stories."
He paused again so that he could be understood better....
"This is my request for you. I wish to take my blade, my "Katana" with me. The ship has served me many times, as did I serve you with it. It is a part of me, and I feel that I cannot continue without it. It shall always remind me of my brothers, and it shall always lead me down the path of honor. It shall strike my enemies swiftly, if I am to face any. No matter where I am, my blade will always be available to help my brothers, without any question."
"This is my request for you, before I go, honorable one."
He remained still, facing the ground, and eagerly awaited the Taishoguns response....
"Cheng-san, never forget who you are, where you came from. If it is your destiny to seek enlightenment beyond the reach of the Dragon, then so be it."
Cheng looked up at the Taishogun, and bowed deeply. The Taishogun continued.
"The Taishogun grants your request, and trusts that Cheng-san shall return to us with wisdom from his travels, and information that shall be useful to the Court."
The Taishogun made a gesture, and a holo-projection came forth. An aide used the display to bring up the ship manifest for Cheng.
"Make no mistake Cheng-san, by taking your Katana with you - you shall always be marked as a Dragon. You shall remain despised and hunted by our enemies, and those who would entreat with them."
The aide then took a parchment, and placed it into a receptacle just under the holo-projection. Micro-lasers burned the parchment with the apporpriate records, and a nano-wire was woven into the parchment - encoding it. The Taishogun then took the parchment, and gave it His seal. This was the official release of service for Cheng.
"Never abandon your Honour, do not seek to find yourself, only to lose yourself along the journey!"
With that, the aides motioned for Cheng to leave, as the petition was granted, and his business concluded.
Hirosho Horatami paced the main halls for hours thinking of what he should do. Back and forth he went, pondering on the idea that he had been clinging too for his whole life. After twelve hours, Hirosho had gotten exhausted and decided that he should probably meditate on the predicament he was in.
When morning came, Hirosho Horatami opened the doors to the main hall and was greeted by his brothers. But he had no time for them, he must act with haste. The Daimyo approached the Taishogun's doors and was confronted by the guards.
"Konnichiwa Hirosho Horatami! I am assuming you wish to speak to the Taishogun?"
Hirosho bowed, then nodded in answer.
"Ah, alright then. I will see if the Taishogun is taking visitors."
The guard entered the Taishogun's quarters and asked if Daimyo Hirosho Horatami may be allowed inside.
A storta came into view on the communication's center of Kyoto. At first it was far away, but gradually it came closer and closer. When it reached 10k away from Kyoto Base, it stopped.
Kyoto: Outcast Guard Storta vessel you are in restricted space. What is your business here?
There was no reply. It was 10k away, so Kyoto was unable to properly make an assumption of the matter.
Kyoto's response was as immediate as it was standard in these situations. An intercept squadron consisting of two bombers and two fighters was launched.
After informing the Shoguns, local command was running scans of the Storta through its database of known Outcast vessels. A match might shed light on this intruder before the interceptors reached their target...
Death Runner turned his wheelchair around to face the communications officer.
"Well? What is it?"
"Kyoto base just sent two fighters and two bombers at us. Orders?"
"I suppose we'll have to tell them we come in peace."
The officer nodded, and hurried to the command center. He accessed the main communications terminal and began the transmission to Kyoto Base.
"Greetings Kyoto Base, this is Storta, The Verminator, requesting communications."
The base allowed communications, and halted the interceptors 2k away from the Storta.
"Vessel, The Verminator, come's in peace to the Blood Dragons of Kusari. We will move 10k further away if you allow us to send a small freighter containing captain Death Runner and two of his personal guard. He wishes to speak to.. uh.. eh.. Hir.. osh..o? Hor.. hor.. atami. Hirosho Horatami. Awaiting response."
The Chrysanthemum sister listened to Miyamoto's words carefully, observing, learning, remembering. A great spokesman he was, and the sister's attention was drawn to his words. As Miyamoto was preparing to continue his speaking, a personal Guard enter the chambers, and apologized for interfering, "Sensei, forgive me, but there is an urgent need for your wisdom. There is an Outcast Capital vessel nearing Kyoto!" - As soon as the Oban spoke his words Miyamoto's face grimed. There is no love for the Outcast in his mind nor hearth, "Forgive me sister, but I have urgent things to attend to as you see." - Miyamoto took up his sword and placed it on his back, nodding to the Chrysanthemum that was sitting in the chambers sipping tea, "Stay with her, keep her company until I return." - He ordered the young Oban and left in a hurry.
His ship was already prepared, but something was different, and despite his daily meditation, Miyamoto's mind was not at ease. A dark cloud was hovering over his thoughts, and a strange doubt and suspicion arose in him. It troubled him clearly, as he was a great warrior, never having any doubts, certainly not those that he knew nothing of their origin. While walking down the hallways of Kyoto, and the Dragons running up and down, stirred like a hive, he felt a strong pain in his chest. He stopped, leaning to the nearest wall and holding his chest with his hand, hoping that the pain will seize. A Dragon that was nearby approached him and helped him continue, and Miyamoto did so, proceeding to the hangar and into his Katana.
The crisis was that of an Outcast Destroyer near Kyoto, and as Miyamoto was flying towards the location, the pain returned. But not just the pain, but the dark thoughts, this time overwhelmed with images. Images of a young boy, in Samurai clothing, lost in a field of nothingness. In all directions, there is nothing but emptiness, the abyss smiling to him, the void calling for him. The sun is clouded by the dark and treacherous sky, and the only way to light is through battle. To fight the abyss is to emerge victorious. But there is help also, and the boy is not alone, as a strong tall figure of a man approaches him from the light. A Samurai, in shiny armor, with a sword decorated with gold and jewels, a sword of Kings. But the Samurai, is wearing the Empire's armor, and the boy, a follower of Hideyoshi. Is death smiling to the boy, or will he be saved by those he despises. The Emperor's Samurai wishes no harm to the boy, as he reaches for him, and pulls him towards the light.
Miyamoto was feeling a sharp and constant pain, unable to fly, better yet, unaware of the things around him. No longer was he near Kyoto, but in Tohoku, nothing is clear anymore, the mind goes dark, and all light seems to fade...
[font=Century Gothic]Ryuu looked around, slightly confused by the state of alarm that was evident throughout the Kyoto base. He just met the 101st administrator Jameson in space and many questions were echoing in his mind regarding exactly how to treat an Outcast administrator's drone when he meets him in space...
[color=#FFFFFF]"Was I wrong in letting him get away? Roju Saburo was probably testing me... My abilities to... Lead? Could we really have done a thing against the spread of Cardamine in Kusari by destroying a mere drone?" Ryuu thought to himself.
And now an Outcast Capital ship, a monster capable of unleashing vast amounts of firepower, was treading its way through Chugoku... Ryuu shook his head.
[color=#FFFFFF]"Jameson said he didn't want to fight us since that wouldn't be good for their relationship with our Sisters, the Chrysantemums... Or something to that effect..."
It didn't make much sense. Why would the Outcast nation do that anyway? Ryuu was pondering these events in his head as he spotted Roju Saburo in the hall...
"Konbanwa, Roju. We meet again" Ryuu bowed deeply while addressing his superior.
"I hope you don't think I like Outcasts too much after that event just before... But I honestly think that violence wouldn't solve many things in that event..."
"Anyway, about that thing we were talking about... About contacting Hackers, do you remember? Well, I might know a way. But first we would have to contact our Golden sisters for that... That shouldn't be too much of a problem. But I might need some help later on, as things progress. What do you think about this plan, could it work?"
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