Following is a transcript from the first interrogation of suspect “Basan”. For your eyes only.
- “So, tell me, who are those Nouka?“
- “Scum. Human garbage. Bunch of madmen ready to kill for a buck.”
- “I could easily apply those traits to any other terrorist organization operating within our borders. Be more specific, citizen.”
- “You don’t understand… Listen. Take the Dragons, for example. You can say what you want about them, but when they kill, they follow some rules. They kill with purpose. They do this to bring back the good old times, when Shogun Hideyoshi was in power, keeping our lovely Kerietsu in check. When a Chrysanthemum straps a bomb to a twelve year old girl’s back, at least they have some excuse to silence their conscience. They believe that this atrocity will bring them one step closer to the utopia these madwomen so desire to impose on us, and to please whatever bulls*it Kami they seem to worship. These guys… they have no conscience. They may give their extorted credits to one impoverished farmer, or fund stabiline transport to Kyushu from time to time, but that’s just a publicity stunt... Shortly, they just care for themselves.”
- “Our sources indicate that Nouka is a part of Farmer’s Alliance movement. Farmer’s Alliance are a relevant political faction, with solid goals behind their actions… Stopping foreign influences, lobbying for traditionalist policies…”
- “No, not them. Make no mistake. “Nouka” is not a political movement. It’s … economic at best, and even that sounds like a bad joke.”
- “Pardon me, but I find it hard to believe that the Elder would hug a bunch of cutthroats under his wing.”
- “Look. You know that AFA operates legally, also looking for public support trough generally acceptable means. However what happens when an elder feels like it would be beneficial for them to make someone “disappear”? What do they do when they want to make a statement? They call for those guys.”
- “So they found themselves a bunch of zealots, ready to get their hands dirty?”
- “Not Zealots, partners. Nouka follows their own leaders, and operates independently. They are beefing, actually. Recently, Elder got a little too friendly with Imperials for them to choke it up, so they went their separate ways. You see, they … The Nouka that is, they remember that you started it…”
- “Are you trying to say something you may regret, citizen?”
- “… Whatever, same applies to Ninkyo Dantai. Whenever they need a dumb muscle to do the job, that job usually gets ceded to them. From bouncers to political assassins. The syndicates… well, they need to protect their rep. You know it. Nouka? Nouka could care less, whatever keeps the credits rolling. That’s why they are a perfect choice. Something similar goes with The Samura….“
- “Samura? Samura Industries? What would Samura have anything to do with this?”
-”I see you still refuse to pull your head out of sand. Drop the act. You know the truth. Samura founded the alliance. Not out of love for farm-grown, natural rice, of course not! It’s a scheme to keep their competition in check. Man in suit walks in and says: “Jump!”, Elder asks: “How high?” Then, things get quiet, and then, miraculously, hundreds of Kyushians land a farming job on Tomioka. Nouka, however, are not part of that game. Suits are not that stupid. Should Nouka somehow scare away foreign trade successfully, they know who their next target is… For them, the kerietsu are just a patron. A client, if you will. One of many. Although the biggest one, so far…”
- “Which brings us to the next question.” “What do they want from us?”
- “What, credits, of course! What did you expect?!”
-”Samura is not paying well?”
-”Oh, they do, but that’s not the point. These bastards don’t want a free land to cultivate in peace, no! They want MILLIONS! Everyone knows how much dough was made since you let Gaijin corporate fiends roam freely our house. You see, you blew it. Nouka believes that it’s their money, and they want their cut… and, unfortunately for you, the money you forced them to sell their land and properties was not enough to satisfy that ambition, but just enough to arm a brand new bomber to it’s teeth. “
-”We did not force you to do anything.”
-”Well, you didn’t give them any more options, either.” “Anyway, that’s one.”
-”So there’s more?”
-”There’s more. Two more, and it’s just starting to get interesting, trust me.”
-”Just … talk.”
-”Some people took a very close look upon the way you handled diplomacy and business with the Gaijin for the past few years, and reached an obvious conclusion that you either are incompetent or incapable of doing so…”
-”Just because we refuse to isolate ourselves from the rest of Sirius?”
-”If you want me to speak, stop interrupting me… would you kindly, officer? Nouka does not seek isolation, but regulation. Control. Got it? Remember what I have said about them and Elder having … a few disagreements? Nouka does not hate the Gaijin, oh they love them! As long as they have change to spare, that is…. except Synth Foods, things get personal here, and their assets get unconditional and free spa treatment on behalf of population of Kyushu. They are no more xenophobic than the general population of our pride-house. Look, Soshi-sha are dumb, but not that dumb. They know that if they want to survive, they will need allies. They see the trainwreck coming out of Elder's leadership, and they refuse to board it…. Can I continue, now?”
-”Go ahead.”
-”The Founders are history freaks. I mean not all of them, most of them. Ever heard of Noshima Murakami? … Forget I’ve asked. In short, back in the good old days, before we even dreamed about space travel, this not exactly rich and powerful family found themselves a lucrative way to bring home the bacon. They raided. Raided ships, raided villages, raided whatever was sensible to raid. Then they developed more neurons from all this raiding, and figured out that they could earn more by NOT raiding people…. for a fee. A protection money, if you will. With one twist. They actually protected quote end quote clients from other raiders. Years passed, and their s*ithole of an island turned into impressive trade hub, and, as many other influential families used their services, they could care less about putting up with Shogun’s bulls*it, trading whatever goods they please, with whomever they please, effectively controlling their nation’s trade, reshaping it’s future forever... If it worked in the past, why not try that again? And so… that’s their plan. You think that that captain of a lone ship idling at the jumpgate is an idiot, wasting his time and fuel, as you can be sure no one will fly willingly into that bloody system. In reality, he is directing the flow of traffic...“
-”… Indirectly controlling the economy, I get it. So that’s two… and three?”
-”Three? Number three, my friend, is to crawl a hole in your perfect little world. These people begged you to listen for years, and what you and your golden-throned friends did? You shat on them happily. They want to make you pay. For negligence, for ignorance, for shoving the gray poison down their children’s throats. They happily arm and train every looser believing that you own them something, just to watch you squirm. Take a wrong turn in a wrong neighborhood, and I assure you you will find there a freak proudly wearing his blue armband. “
-”Is that how they recruited you?”
-”… Yes… and I wish I had known back then that in return… they will want a few, ugly favors...”
Summary
Nouka is a criminal organization operating within the ranks of The Farmer’s Alliance. Composed mainly of ex-convicts, second-storey men and underclass individuals, they believe the unregulated trade with foreign corporate giants to be the true cause of their downfall. Convinced that a world of commerce owns them a share of their wealth, the group resorts to blackmail, extortion, piracy, smuggling and terrorism to achieve it’s goals.
IFF – Farmer’s Alliance ID – Farmer’s Alliance
I. Structure
Contrary to popular belief, disgruntled farmers of Kyushu make up only a portion of Nouka’s ranks, residing as it’s founders. The organization conveys it’s message to the darkest depths of Kusari underworld. Many join, tempted by the promise of great wealth, and secure identity. Because of this, members of The Nouka are loosely affiliated, with many informal groups forming up based on different characteristics of their members, such as origin, age, family ties or their past professions. Little competition between those groups is encouraged, believing it to be beneficial for their performance within the organization. However, a certain hierarchical structure can be distinguished, spanning 5 different positions.
1. Sōshi-sha (創始者)- or "The Founder". As name clearly suggests, person bearing the title of founder is believed to be one of few creators of current iteration of The Nouka. Founders ensure smooth operation of their organization, seeking new patrons and representing The Nouka and their interests across the known world. Founders rarely join their comrades in their exploits.
2. Biso (鼻祖) - or "The Patron". Officially outside of The Nouka’s ranks, clients who made significant contribution to the organization are awarded the title of patron. Patrons have a say in Nouka’s decision making process just like regular members. However, as they don’t directly participate in the faction’s many atrocious deeds, they need a special permission of it’s founders to use their equipment.
3. Umi-Omo (海主) - or "The Sea-Lord". An unofficial rank recognized by The Founders only recently, sea lords are members of The Nouka, whose exploits reached legendary status. Wealthy and powerful, they command numerous Inu squadrons, and an entire fleet of private warships. Busy founders rely on those trusted individuals to manage the organization’s operations in the field.
4. Wakō (倭寇) - Fully fledged members of The Nouka, well versed in their methods and agenda, proudly adopt the title of Wakō, a pejorative therm given to pre-kusarian raiders, menacing coasts of what was known as China many centuries ago. Wakō are trusted to act independently within the organization, guiding many Inu in their exploits. They also gain a say in Nouka’s matters, and a right to cut.
5. Inu (犬) - or "The Dog". Closer to a nickname than a rank, a title of dog is given to any person willing to raid alongside The Nouka, from paid mercenaries trough unlawful freelancers to bandits hoping to join it’s ranks. Dogs can use weapons and equipment provided by the organization. They have no right for cut however, and can only operate under supervision of higher ranked Nouka members.
II. Naming Convention
Shame, or Haji, runs deep in the Kusarian ethos. To protect their identity, every individual accepted into the ranks of Nouka is baptized with a nickname, given after legendary creatures or deities common in Kusarian culture. Referring officially to fellow bandit by his or her true name is strictly forbidden. This way, members of The Nouka can speak their mind freely, and do their shamefull deeds without any fear of being ostricized by the society they live in. Same applies to the patrons. Members of The Nouka register their ships in the following manner:
NK|Nickname[###] - is used for small crafts. Last symbol is a free space left for it's pilot to fill up with any symbol or label he wishes. Usually it's used to indicate things like group membership, rank, ship's utility, or something of a more private nature.
NK|Name - reserved for capital ships of The Nouka. Most of the vessels flying the organization’s banner are privately owned by their members, and thus it’s their unquestionable right to name them. Kusarian language is used, and moderate obscenity is encouraged.
III. Zone of Influence.
Unlike their partners, raiders of The Nouka have no qualms to operate openly within main systems of House Kusari and it’s borders. Refer to the map below.
IV. Diplomacy
Hogosha, Corsairs
Trusted patrons of The Nouka. Our goals are similar, and our relationship is truly symbiotic. There is no distance between us.
Unioners, LWB, Gaians
This folk suffered our fate. Gaijin or not, one has to sympathize with them. Moreover, they are willing to fight The Gray Poison and its creators as much as we do.
Independent Criminals, Unlawful Freelancers
Independent and determined individuals. They have our respect. Potential patrons and recruits.
Samura Industries
Samura were our biggest patron for a long time. Unfortunately, they also expect us to act as we are it's pet. If suits want to continue seeing their ships intact, they better change their attitude.
Gaijin Criminal Organizations
We’re fine with them, as long as they don’t cross our turf. Enemy of my enemy is my friend. Also, their actions weaken the gaijin states and its corporations, and this is exactly what we need.
The Order
They have saved our nation from alien infestation, but we cannot trust those they consider their closest allies. We are conflicted. Use your better judgement in dealing with them.
Gallic Factions
The only reason we will tolerate them is because our allies worked hard to establish business relationship with those groups. We are not willing to meddle in their affairs, as we have enough problems of our own.
Blood Dragons, Golden Chrysantemums
They acknowledge our nation is in a state of rot, we respect that. What we cannot respect is fishing on our turf, putting us out of our business.
Kishiro Technologies, GMG
There's nothing personal here. We will not bother them, as long as they are ready to pay to ... protect their assets.
Maltese Factions
Enemy of our enemy is our enemy. Allies of our enemies are our enemies, too. Trying to infect our population with another type of poison doesn’t help, either...
Kusari police, Kusari Naval Forces
Those so-called authorities are more corrupt than we are!
Kempeitai
The Nouka has no desire to support the Empire, and it's agents.
Gaijin police, Gaijin military
Every million credits of bounty put on The Nouka member's head by those institutions is a tribute to us and our great deeds.
Gaijin corporations
Their greed is a direct cause of our misery. Let's see how they'll deal with our greed.
Aliens, Alien controled humans, Synth Foods
These entities are repulsed by the very idea of humanity. As they are actively engaged in agenda to either enslave or exterminate us, we have no choice to fight them to the last drop of blood.
Factions not mentioned
Either we feel indifferent towards their fate, or we failed to establish any diplomatic relations with them.
V. Utilised Technology.
The Nouka, having limited resources and lacking proper manufacture plants, prefer utilizing and repurposing existing technology, rather than investing in it's own development. Acquired ships, either from black market or civilian ship dealers, are then equipped with custom-made power-plant, armament and other devices, to ease on their maintenance costs and requirements.
- Type-XV "Jackdaw" Civilian Heavy Fighter
- CTE-HF "Kingfisher" Civilian Heavy Fighter
- IDC K-VI-18 "Sunrider" Civilian Heavy Fighter
- E78-12 "Spatial" Civilian Deep Space Explorer