' Wrote:Raz walked into the meeting place. Remaining where he stood, he waited to be addressed by the Black Dragon representative. As he stood, he looked around, taking note of his surroundings. It was more force of habit than anything else. In his job, you had to be careful.
Tomodachi was resting in his cabin aboard his personal Raba transport when his communicator vibrated into action on his wrist and startled him awake, jolting he dropped the open folder that was over his chest onto the floor.
Placing the wrist communicator to his ear the crew member began to speak, "Sir, we have just entered orbit around Crete and are waiting for clearance from the docking ring control centre to descend to the spaceport".
Tomodachi quickly answered the voice at the other end, "Good, did you get a message to our contact?"
"Hai, we contacted him a few hours ago and he has agreed to be waiting at the spaceport lounge area when we arrive", answered the communicator.
...
Moments later the menacing shape of a Corsair designed Raba transport started crashing through the atmosphere towards the spaceport far below the dusty world, then a few hundred metres from its surface descent thrusters fired and the ship gently touched down in a cloud of dust upon the sun-baked surface of the planets the landing pad.
Tomodachi refreshed his appearance, adjusted his weapons and made his way through the ship to the briefing room. Walking past a view port he could see a tall, spikey haired man walking wearily towards the ship, "That must be our smuggler", he thought to himself, "Let's see what he has to say for himself".
As the smuggler appeared by the ship, one of the crew opened a hatch on the side of the ship and a cargo ramp automatically extended to the ground. Once his identity was confirmed, the crewman walked him through the compacted, but as with most Kusari ships elegantly decorated corridor to the ships briefing room.
The Black Dragon was already seated when the two entered the room, "Take a seat Razkai-El.San, and don't look so nervous", Tomodachi gestures for the man to sit, "If I had wanted you dead I wouldn't have come all the way here to do so, a simple call to our Corsair allies would have been enough".
When the nervous smuggler finally sat down, Tomodachi continued, "Now, I have been asked by the Societies elders to come down here and find out why you want to join us and what skills you can offer"
Raz laughed. "First, there is no need to be so formal with me. If we are going to be working toghether, call me Raz. I have been running this route for a while now, and I am starting to get tired of running it alone. I am in need of friends and partners to work with, as I have not before."
He grinned slightly. "Secondly, if you had wanted me dead, I don't think you would have spent the time to come all the way out here. Also, if I had thought that you wanted me dead, I wouldn't have been here." His grin faltered slightly, recognizing the power he was speaking to, but soon steadied again.
"Thirdly, I am at heart a smuggler. I move objects from location to location undetected by the lawful forces that may wish to stop me. My name is not well known, but in my line of work, that can be a bonus."
He shook out his coat slightly, making himself more at ease.
"And thank you, Tomodachi-sama"
Tomodachi held his emotions back, "If this man was going to be a Black Dragon he needed to learn a little more respect for his superiors or he may find himself on the wrong end of an air-lock", he thought to himself.
"I have contacted various Corsair sources and they can certainly vouch for your experience and skill in the smuggling trade", the Black Dragon looked Raz in the eyes, "You may have thought you were keeping a low profile, but I can assure you than no smuggler gets past the Corsairs and the Hogosha without getting noticed sooner or later!"
Tomodachi sat back in his chair, "Theres only one concern we have about you Raz, as you mentioned you are a 'loner' and used to working on your own. Can you learn to take orders and work as part of a team?"
The Black Dragon sat patiently waiting for an answer...
The Hand, Chief of the Black Dragons feared security agency, known as The Bureau, gently closed the folder relating to intelligence gathered about Hitoyoshi. He was uncertain, this man was a conundrum, his history seeming to be too much of an easy story to tell. Would he make a trustworthy recruit into the BDS?
Standing, The Hand turned to the wall sized portal looking out over the splendour of Kusari Space from The Golden Dragon Luxury Liner, as often before, searching for some inspiration. After several minutes of silent regard he reached a decision and leaning on the Intercom button placed a brief order..
"Hai! Bring him in!" He instructed softly.
Hitoyoshi entered the room, ushered by an unseen assistant, the door closing silently behind him.
"Hah! Welcome, Hitoyoshi...A drink? Whisky, yes?" A tipple of The Hand's own favourite drink was one of his small rewards for conducting these interviews. "Sit down please" indicated The Hand, passing Hitoyoshi his slug.
"Now then" He continued, re-taking his own chair and focusing sharply on the young man. "We have an issue with your application. Some say that you may well have posed as a helper when the Black Dragons intervened in that ship hijack. You certainly took no part in the actual action....It all seemed to happen before you got there. There is a hint of uncertaintity. We cannot be sure. Some even say that you may be an imposter." The Hand shrugged and smiled pleasantly, his demeanour doing nothing to conceal the underlying threat.
Hitoyoshi sat still, holding on to his glass tightly and his nerve more tightly still, aware of the tension and possible consequences of getting this interview wrong.
"But there is a test." Followed The Hand, "Do you still have the card that the Black Dragon gave you following the Hijack attempt on that day?"
"Yea, Yes, Sir"
"Then pass it to me!"
The Hand took up the proferred card, searching for the secret genuine markings of a True Hogosha. No one could counterfeit such intricate works and each card was individual to one Black Dragon....Just as a fingerprint.
"Very well." The Hand finished his scrutiny. "And did this Black Dragon reveal his Society name to you? If so what was the name he gave?" He continued.... "You should be aware that there is only one correct answer, given the nature of the Hogosha and in particular the secrecy of the Black Dragons."
"Think carefully before you make an answer, the wrong one could adversely affect your health...."
Taking a sip of whisky, The Hand sat back, watching closely through drooped eyelids, ready to evaluate the reply.....
' Wrote:=Begin=
Umm, Hi, My name is Hitoyoshi, I'm from the Kyushu system. I ran away from home when I turned 16, and made my living off the streets doing all sorts of jobs from chicken farming to a gunsmith. It wasn't the easiest life, but I survived, and it made me stronger. I'v seen things that you wouldn't believe, and things that you know in the back of your mind are true.
Five years later, I managed to get a job on board a transport ship as a gunner. One day while ferrying passengers to planet Honshu , we were attacked by Dragon terrorists on board the ship. They held the passengers hostage and tried to take control of helm so they could barter the lives of the passengers for their comrades imprisoned at Fuchu Prison.
The Captain and the crew locked down the helm preventing them from taking over the ship, however one of the Dragons had a bomb and began to wire the door to gain access to the cockpit.
At that time I was getting out of my turret chair, and pulling out my gun. It took some skill to smuggle a gun pass security measures, but I always carried one in case of days like this.
However, by the time I saw one of the Dragons, several men stood up simultaneously, and took down the Dragon with their fists and jump-kicking. When we got to the bow of the ship, all of the dragons were already down, knocked out by more the the men. I was amazed upon how swiftly they took them out, using only their hands...then I noted a tattoo of black dragon on one of the wrists of the men.
When we landed, one of them approached me, and lectured me on the subtlety of combat...however he did commend me for being able to smuggle a gun personally on the ship, and gave me a card...with a Black Dragon on it.
I guessed this is what he meant, and the next thing I know, I'm here. I'm one of the best weapon smiths on this side of Kusari, and I am willing to serve the Black Dragons as a Kobun, and I will proudly serve...
He took a small sip of the strong liquor, Hitoyoshi wasn't much of a drinker and he hoped that he didn't offend the mysterious figure. His fingers tightened as the man discussed about the incident that occurred on the transport.
"I am no friend of the Blood Dragons. I've been fighting them ever since I was a kid. Didn't matter if it was want-to-be gangs when I was young or the real deal, we always fought. I remember times when our transport services was shut down for days while reports of Blood Dragon in the area grounded our ships, leaving most of us without pay. I'm not one of those fanatical guys who's dads were killed by the Blood Dragons and now have a personal Vendetta against them. I do believe they are a threat to every one's way of life and do need to be put in check.
As for the incident with the transport, I was more then ready to kill them. But before I could pull the trigger, the guy who gave me the card was already throwing kicks and punches at them. I would have been there sooner, however, I am not a trained anti-terrorist soldier. I've been in fire fights before, but never in a confined space with civilians present."
He took another sip of the drink and tried to keep a straight face.
"As for the card, I have no idea. He never gave me his name, just lectured me upon how the younger generation always rushes into situations, never thinking about consequences of our actions and such and gave me this card."
He said as he sighed, setting his drink down.
"...I respect the Hogosha. There doing what other Kusarians are only preaching. The Hogosha may be painted in black, but they are the true light of Kusari..."
He let out a small chuckle, "Great...I sound like my dad." he said as he finished his drink. He set the glass down and hoped his answer was satisfactory for the man.
The Hand watched the young man intently, listening for any false nuance in his words. It amused him to notice the attempt to conceal a dislike of the whisky.
After a considered pause, The Hand spoke......
"Very well Hitoyoshi. A good answer, no Black Dragon would ever give his name under such circumstances. You told me the truth and did not attempt to create a lie to get my belief, my instinct is to trust you."
"I have discussed your case with Elder Ruuku. We agreed that should you provide a satisfactory answer to my question, we would give you a chance with the Black Dragon Society."
"Welcome Kobun. You don't need to finish the drink...."
Raz looked down. "I'm sorry if I come across as arrogant" he said softly. "I haven't had a conversation in years. If I have offended you in any way, I give you my utmost apologies."
Still looking at his hands, he continued. "My life has been a varied, twisted path of employments that never meant much to me. I never knew my parents, and never had any friends growing up."
His eyes closed briefly. "Orders? I can take orders. I've taken them before, and I can take them again. That part of my life, however, will remain only in my memories. For the sake of the Black Dragons, I am willing to give up my individuality and take orders without complaint."
Looking up, he ran his hand through his hair, his other hand resting on his leg.
' Wrote:Raz looked down. "I'm sorry if I come across as arrogant" he said softly. "I haven't had a conversation in years. If I have offended you in any way, I give you my utmost apologies."
Still looking at his hands, he continued. "My life has been a varied, twisted path of employments that never meant much to me. I never knew my parents, and never had any friends growing up."
His eyes closed briefly. "Orders? I can take orders. I've taken them before, and I can take them again. That part of my life, however, will remain only in my memories. For the sake of the Black Dragons, I am willing to give up my individuality and take orders without complaint."
Looking up, he ran his hand through his hair, his other hand resting on his leg.
Tomodachi gazed at the nervous looking recruit a few more moments, just to make him suffer a little longer and while he considered his words, "Very well Razkai-El, I have been given authorisation by our elders to allow you to join the ranks of kobun and prove your 'worth' to us". Tomodachi got up out of his chair and continued, "Make your way to the New Tokyo system, this datapad has the coordinates of our base"
The Black Dragon reached down into his coat pocket and pulled out a datapad and slid it across the table to Raz, "The pad will serve as your proof of identity when you arrive so don't lose it. When you arrive one of our elders will meet with you and discuss your immediate duties with you."
"Yokai" Raz replied, bowing deeply. Standing up, he glanced around, then walked quickly out of the ship. Once he was out, he breathed a sigh of relief. Tugging his jacket closer around him, he moved quickly into the bustling spaceport and was lost among the crowd.
//OOC - Well... turns out I'm an idiot... Please disregard this post... I applied because I thought a friend was a member... Turns out he's an AFA member... So... Yeah... I'll just be running along now... A thousand apologies. A Mod can delete this...