I was awakened in the middle of the night with most disturbing and perplexing news. So troubling is it that I am unable to return to sleep.
It seems Benjo, Ito and Kiku have all vanished from our Hogosha base and Kusari space--along with their credits and ships--a Corsair Praefect purchased from the OPG, a Kusari Explorer bought from Samura and the advanced train Benjo brought into the company. These are crushing losses and have caused me to lose face with my Daimyo. I pray only that he will grant me time to redeem myself rather than informing the Shogunate. I do not posses enough fingers to pay for such a loss of trust.
I am unable to grasp what has happened or even begin to imagine how or why this has happened. It is simply and literally inconceivable.
I wish to believe there is some explanation--some catastrophe that claimed their lives--as the dishonor of the alternatives is to great to even contemplate.
I had read Benjo's given account of joining the conglomerate but there is something that always troubled me that he omitted.
I knew Benjo when he was an idealist and a Blood Dragon. We have common relatives and I have many contacts. He was recruited by the Junkers--but it was only after a chance private meeting in Chugoku with a Vladimir Tinkerbell--who had come to know Lady Kushiro--that he began to change.
Gone was the zeal and unquestioning enthusiasm for the Dragon's misguided cause. Instead, he became sullen and withdrawn--even from his own comrades. It was after this that he suddenly left--with no warning--and only later was seen in the employ of the Junkers...in fact, working directly for Vladimir Tinkerbell with his blessedly failed attempt to organize the Junkers with a "congress". The fools.
The disappearance now of these three is eerily similar to his departure then but it is not fathomable how three of them could be so changed so quickly. They are such different people.
Kiku was the most submissive and respectful member of our family in regards to myself. I would never question her loyalty. Ito loved being our "star' fighter pilot and explorer and was a constantly happy and excited personality in our midst. Even Benjo was deeply humble--perhaps still burdened with guilt--but never would I have questioned the sincerity of his loyalty to me.
I have reviewed mission logs and have found only one troubling entry. Ito apparently took the Unbreakable Mercenary into Puerto Rico--Junker space--several days ago without mentioning it specifically to anyone. His personal journal states that he wished to investigate something there that Benjo had told him of--but it does not reveal what he was looking to see. His visit was incredibly brief with great opposition from enemy forces. In fact, I recall the extensive repairs needed to his fighter on his return. It is a miracle he survived.
Even more disturbing, Benjo, Ito and Kiku were seen together in the docking bay doing what appeared to be routine walk around inspection of their vessels--though at the latest of hours and with no prior notification to our hangar crews.
I must know what has happened. Fortunately, the revenue from the Mercenary Consort generated enough capital for us to have already purchased a small trade fleet--which I wisely (in hindsight) kept covert. our recent recruiting efforts were fortunate in their timing. I shudder to think what would have happened if these four ships had been lost as well. I particularly regret the loss of the Ninjutsu-zukai, our Corsair cruiser.
We will rebuild our fortunes and spread our net to see if we can hear the wind and where it has blown our three children. Perhaps there is yet hope for us all.
The Guardian Black Hole Sun Conglomerate will continue to serve with honor--I will personally see to it!
Shigeo Kitamura, Oyabun
<span style="font-family:System">Hogosha Exile</span> The Journal of Benjo Dokosai
I have received a single piece of information in the last few moments. The Unbreakable Mercenary was seen by Liberty Navy authorities near Fort Bush and fled through Colorado.
The pursuing police ship followed the vessel into a sun's corona and exploded but before its destruction its pilot reported nomad weaponry, advanced experimental weapons and a nomad power cell were scanned onboard.
Ito had just returned from a salvage mission in a Wilde system but we are all Order trained and take extensive precautions to prevent infestation.
As the items were stored in a quarantined hold exposed to vacuum I cannot see how there was any possibility of Nomad infestation and it would also not explain what happened to Kiku and Benjo.
I have never liked puzzle boxes or sudoku.
Shigeo Kitamura
<span style="font-family:System">Hogosha Exile</span> The Journal of Benjo Dokosai
Our training pilots took the Gen'yosha Rinjin out yesterday and had a complete weapons and systems control failure. Only maneuvering thrusters were functional.
Unfortunately this occurred just as a BLS (Blue Lotus Syndicate) ship came through the Hokkaido jump hole. They were unable to get the coms or weapons working and were disabled in space. The crew perished but the ship was salvaged.
They will be avenged.
Shigeo Kitamura
<span style="font-family:System">Hogosha Exile</span> The Journal of Benjo Dokosai
I am most troubled. Still no signs of Ito, Kiku or Benjo or their vessels.
All I have heard is that Vladimir Tinkerbell has suddenly "reappeared" in Liberty space and was seen asking for "nomad licensure" from the gaijin authorities.
I must move cautiously in liberty space so as not to provoke attention. It will take some time but I will begin to direct our trade fleet there again and see if we might not discover more information.
<span style="font-family:System">Hogosha Exile</span> The Journal of Benjo Dokosai
The other day one of our marus helped a young pilot at New Tokyo, Ai Keiko. Yesterday, he approached me as I was driving off gaijin and asked to join the Hogosha.
He is an apt pupil and good at combat. I am considering equipping him and dispatching him to New York to search for Ito and the Unbreakable Mercenary--though I must be concerned for his welfare first.
We will see as his training progresses.
<span style="font-family:System">Hogosha Exile</span> The Journal of Benjo Dokosai
Today was quite eventful! Enroute to assist the KNF against a Bretonian invasion into Kyushu, I stumbled over two Kieretsu GC's battling by Aso.
I was immediately attacked so joined the fight. It swelled to four enemy ships--all of witch were eventually destroyed but in the end a KNF fighter came by when I was fighting three alone. Quite a close call--and a good haul!
Nuclear mines, heavy countermeasures and a load of class nine weapons--plus a nomad blaster and sundry other goods!
Gaijin have been everywhere lately and a train of cardamine--a "Jonathan Archer" came by. The KNF came along and made him drop cargo after I stopped him. I received no compensation but he returned after I insulted him and I destroyed his ship. So some compensation was gained after all.
Leaving from the Kyushu gate to New Tokyo, I cam across a Junker loving trader with niobium. He refused to drop the cargo for inspection and hid in Shinjiku base.
His partner eventually went on without him but he stayed so long I was able to contact a maru and have him stand by. Finally the Junker--Hal9000--undocked and refused to accept inspection--attempting to flee.
He was destroyed and the "a passing hoodlum" took his spilled cargo. I am certain I have forgotten his identity. Otherwise any legitimate goods would have been returned.
I am noticing a tendency amongst Junker traders to be bitter and resentful of these events. They do not seem to grasp Kusari ways. This definitely explains their inability to succeed here.
The KNF fought bravely today and these new Keiretsu GC's are not like their weaker sisters. We will have to be on guard for them.
My thanks to the bounty hunter who was engaged with the Golden Chrysanthemums. He undoubtedly had been set on by them but stayed even after I arrived and coordinated the attack with me. It was quite effective.
Long Live the KNF samurais and our Shogun!
Shigeo Kitamura, Oyabun, Guardian Black Hole Sun Conglomerate
<span style="font-family:System">Hogosha Exile</span> The Journal of Benjo Dokosai
Last night, tragedy struck. When the base was quiet and most of our pilots were turned in, three ships fast docked the base--with the Ninjutsu Zukai--our Corsair cruiser--crushing in the bay doors as it blasted in firing.
Troops spilled out and many of them were former associates or acquaintances. There was a cold look in their eyes and they neither shouted nor spoke and they show absolutely no emotion as they advanced and fired. Even as some of them fell, they made no sound.
Many of our security crew were spaced by the bay door breach and others by weapons fire--some from a forward turret on the cruiser. Our three remaining Kusari transports were boarded and disabled with destruct charges and large amounts of equipment and cargo were removed. It was only the quick thinking of one of our Lifter pilots that saved the day.
He applied full thrust and smashed his way into the hull of the cruiser then accelerated them both free of the station. The cruiser then fired through its own hull and they both exploded. I have never witnessed such valor. This pilots family will be cared for and honored.
Today we held the cremations and funeral ceremonies for those lost and I believe I aged ten years in a moment. As the bodies were recovered, Ito and Kiku's remains were found among them. We surmise they were part of the attacking force.
None of this makes sense!
One vessel slipped away in the night--an armored transport. It had no markings but one of our service crews swears it was Ito's old ship, the Unbreakable Mercenary.
There are also rumors of dark fighters outside the base--CSVs. My guess is they were Hogosha but some say there were unidentified ones flying about as well. There was so much confusion there is no way to be certain.
The only clues I have point towards Liberty--though I do not know at whom or why. The Unbreakable Mercenary has been seen there several times now. I am hoping Ai will investigate--if I see him again. We are nearly ruined after this attack and it will take time to rebuild.
I have sent three of my fingertips--one for Ito and Kiku and the last for the brave lifter pilot. I know the respect my Daimyo has for me will make this sufficient but still I am personally shamed.
There must be blood.
Shigeo Kitamura
<span style="font-family:System">Hogosha Exile</span> The Journal of Benjo Dokosai
As I am cannot rest, I have decided to distract myself with writing and thought it would be beneficial to some of the younger children to know why there is enmity between Hogosha and the Junkers and what is at stake. Tomorrow, I will have one of the sensei's in the training division write this into a lesson.
It would be simple to say, "Hogosha hate Junkers because the Hogosha are Kusari and Junkers are foreigners." This would be a simplistic--even propagandistic--explanation. While the defense of the homeland and concern for its strength and purity--untainted by foreign dominance and corruption--are at the heart of all Hogosha actions, there are practical and logical reasons for our attitudes and behaviors also.
Junkers have infiltrated Sirius by stooping to do whatever they are told for anyone who pays--no matter how little honor or pay is involved. If their masters say, "Jump!" they shout, "How high?!". They clean garbage left by others and they slink behind the scenes and play one of their masters against the other. They care only for profit and advantage--even though their products cause harm and injury to others. Their deeds are done in secret and shame and with no remorse or concern for anyone but themselves. They are the true embodiment of the negative use of the term "gaijin".
The Hogosha, "guardians", protect and serve Kusari and its leaders and people. We take what is our due for this service as that is the honored culture and tradition we have inherited from our fathers and their ancestors. We serve at our own expense and take our compensation only when it has been earned by the success of our service. As they say in Liberty, "We reap where we sow"--yet we share our harvest with all--taking only the smallest portion for ourselves.
The Hogosha serve openly--not by giving the appearance of being trustworthy to the authorities but by being trustworthy. We would never disobey an authority or disrespect a public servant or hurt one of our own loyal citizens--even if there seemed to be an "advantage" in it for us and we felt we could get away with it. We do not need to be "policed and caught"--we simply would not do it. When admonished by our proper authorities we respond with obedience and respectful submission as they represent our Shogun and daimyos.
Our "illicit" actions are not done against our own citizens but against foreigners who compete against our own nation. We have never impoverished a Kusari citizen by taxation or piracy and in fact help those of Kusari without even being asked. So a foreign trader is stopped and cargo taken by the Hogosha? This is no crime! Do they not pay tarrifs and taxes in their own land to pay the authorities and government servants? It is the same here! And does not a servant of the Shogun in Kusari have a right to collect payment from foreigners whom he also protects from worse deeds? Those who honor our traditions need have no fear of us. So no harm is done here.
It is said by outsiders, "You traffic in synthetic marijuana! You hypocrites!". The Hogosha say, "Bahwah!" to such foolish idiocy! The synthetic marijuana we produce is cultured in the most modern of facilities and is safer for consumption than any "food" product sold by their "Synthfoods". They sell colored paste from vats while putting natural and healthy farmers out of business and are applauded for their "success". They are criminals!
The synthetic marijuana we make is made for those outside Kusari--it is an economic weapon against our oppressors. The Outcasts--who strive to enslave Liberty by shipping cardamine to its citizens through the Junkers--would do the same in Kusari. But our police and samurai...and the Hogosha...resist them with all our might! We have kept their corruption from us! Our citizens--despite the sorcerous intent of the Golden Chrysanthemums and silent approval of the disloyal Blood Dragons--have remained free from the shackles of cardamine because we have stopped it from being brought here by the Outcast lap dogs, the Junkers.
The Hogosha and Farmers, working together, have fully developed a product--synthetic marijuana--that appeals to the enemies of our enemies--the Corsairs. With it, we have shown that we are shrewd businessmen and are capable of representing their interests successfully and with honor. The Corsairs enjoy the use of synthetic marijuana and welcome it as a legitimate product in their own worlds. And we add even more value by selling their goods--artifacts--in return. Foolish laws in Liberty, Bretonia and Rheinland stop legitimate and free research into technologies that may one day better all of Sirius--perhaps even research that will one day find the weakness of the Nomads or Keepers.
Is anyone "hurt" by an artifact? No! So we provide a product that is pleasant and causes no harm and help preserve and spread knowledge that one day will help all of Sirius.
No Corsairs enter Kusari space because of the Hogosha--in fact, they stay out because we eliminate the need for them to be here. We do business that benefits all and relieves conflict. It also provides an ally against our powerful enemy, the Outcasts, who--remember--wish to enslave us all.
As to the Liberty, the synthetic marijuana we bring offers a safe and harmless alternative to the destructive and addictive cardamine. It comes without the need for slavery or long term health problems or childlessness. We do them a service providing such fine goods!
The Junker dogs? Drug running gaijin who squirm and prowl trying to reach our nation with their vile influence but are economically crippled by our sales of goods. The profits every artifact we sell is taken from a Junker pocket. It is one less they can sell. Every buyer of synthetic marijuana--a product only we can truly sell profitable and easily--means one less sell of cardamine. The Hogosha are the front line in this battle!
The Kusari government cannot go to Liberty--so we go on it's behalf. We allow Kusari to keep its honor and peace and strike its enemies at the same time. We earn our keep!
If the Junkers could have their way, they would eliminate the Hogosha and open Kusari to Outcast drugs and corruption through their dishonorable business practices. They would corrupt police with bribery, enslave our citizens with addiction and bring foreigner influences into our government. So the Hogosha stop Junker vessels passing Kusari. We search their cargoes and tell them to leave quickly--destroying and seizing any harmful things they would bring.
One day, when the Shogun allows, the Hogosha will strike the Junkers until they are no more. Then we will bring Kusari honor and influence to all of Sirius. Let us not forget we also serve now as homeland security and privateers in the Bretonian conflict. We help the poor and stricken at home and free the government and military to carry the battle to the enemy.
It is a privilege to serve the Shogun and Kusari as Hogosha. Hai!
Banzai Hogosha children!
Shigeo Kitamura, Oyabun
<span style="font-family:System">Hogosha Exile</span> The Journal of Benjo Dokosai
The Black Hole Sun's credibility and honor is in question as long as the loss of our ships and actions of our pilots remains unexplained.
I am hereby opening the company account and offering a 100 million credit bounty for the return--alive--of Benjo Dokasai, former captain and now hijacker of the ship Unbreakable Mercenary.
His ship must be stopped by the destruction of its thruster and then boarded so the Hogosha may removed.
He must then be delivered unharmed and alive to New Tokyo for transfer to me aboard the Gen'yosha_Rinjin.
Time is of the essence.
I do not care about the fate of the vessel itself--so long as it is searched before it is destroyed, but I want its pilot and all of its logs returned.
Only one million will be paid, each, for Benjo Dokosai's body and/or ship log recovered from wreckage if he is not taken alive. This is not preferable.
So says Shigeo Kitamura
Gen'yosha Rinjin Oyabun of the Guardian Black Hole Sun Conglomerate
Hogosha.
<span style="font-family:System">Hogosha Exile</span> The Journal of Benjo Dokosai
Today I worked at repaying my Daiymo and Shogun's trust by raiding Leeds. A lone police officer attacked me and regrettably persisted so much I had to slay him. My respects to the family of BPA officer Shaun Roxberry. I believe his life pod did eject--though in the battle I cannot be certain.
Three cruiser commanders, six gunboat captains and about a dozen pilots were taken as prisoners and a large amount of ordinance was recovered.
I had withdrawn to Tau-31 when the Bretonians finally dispatched two of their irregulars in bombers. I wisely chose to fall back to the battleship Naruto but some of its gunners mistook me for a hostile and I had to emergency dock on Holman Station. Out efforts to maintain the best of relations with IMG were most helpful and they were fully accommodating.
I am repeating the bounty terms below regarding the Unbreakable Mercenary and its pilot, Benjo Dokosai. The bounty still stand and is repeated below.
**PLEASE BE ADVISED THIS BOUNTY STILL STANDS**
The Unbreakable Mercenary was seen last night by a freighter in Honshu headed for Sigma 13.
I am hereby opening the company account and offering a 100 million credit bounty for the return--alive--of Benjo Dokasai, former captain and now hijacker of the ship Unbreakable Mercenary.
His ship must be stopped by the destruction of its thruster and then boarded so the Hogosha may removed.
He must then be delivered unharmed and alive to New Tokyo for transfer to me aboard the Gen'yosha_Rinjin.
Time is of the essence.
I do not care about the fate of the vessel itself--so long as it is searched before it is destroyed, but I want its pilot and all of its logs returned.
Only one million will be paid, each, for Benjo Dokosai's body and/or ship log recovered from wreckage if he is not taken alive. This is not preferable.
So says Shigeo Kitamura
Gen'yosha Rinjin Oyabun of the Guardian Black Hole Sun Conglomerate
Hogosha.
<span style="font-family:System">Hogosha Exile</span> The Journal of Benjo Dokosai