Ohashi Border Station

CLASS: Mifune

GRAVITY: Complete

DOCKING: Yes

AMENITIES: Yes

CREW: 190

Ohashi Station was originally constructed to process all requests for entry into the New Tokyo system by foreigners. As entry requirements were relaxed, however, Ohashi transitioned into a base of operations for the Kusari State Police, who patrol the area in an effort to suppress the activities of the Blood Dragons, Golden Crysantemums and Hogosha.

## Bribes & Missions Offered

* Kishiro Technologies
* Orbital Spa and Cruise
* Samura Industries
* Universal Shipping
* Farmers Alliance
* Hogosha

## News

Partially as a result of the geological activity, the equatorial monsoon season produced some of the strongest tropical storms ever recorded on Kyushu since its colonisation. These storms devastated the world's agricultural sector as they blew through the most fertile tropical lowlands, destroying as much as 20%% of the planet's annual crop yield, on top of damage to infrastructure and tragic loss of human life.
Many rural communities are reported to be struggling, with some farming communities still remaining flooded ghost towns even a month after the worst of the storms abated, though smaller-scale tempests still rage around the equator. A Samura spokesperson outlined the company's intent to restore the planet and its communities to full productivity by the middle of next year, despite the ongoing circumstance.

Immediately upon learning of this, Battleship Matsumoto and its battlegroup were redeployed from Hokkaido, and within two days were poised and ready to face this new threat. Only a short few hours later, a patrol of fighters reported a warship with the transponder reading Battleship Matsuda operating in the relative open, heading for but not yet reaching the relative safety of the Seiran Dust Cloud.
Matsumoto itself departed with its escort to confront the Chrysanthemum battleship, close to the edge of the nebula. Within minutes of it coming into sensor range, bomber and fighter squadrons from both sides closed in and opening salvos were exchanged between the battleships. It didn't take long before the KNF's preparation was shown to be well worthwhile; their superior numbers whittled down or otherwise preoccupied the Chrysanthemum's fighter force leaving a variety of openings in the Matsuda's defensive cover for KNF bombers to exploit.
While the Matsumoto was withstanding a heavy beating from the guns of its older sister, it was plain that the Matsuda was slowly being whittled away as its shields began to fail and the very same engine design flaws that had rendered it immobile in KNF service were now exploited by bomber wings to once again cripple the warship.
After several more minutes, the Matsuda's escape pods began to eject from the ailing battleship, picked up by Chrysanthemum fighters as they fled deeper into the Seiran dust cloud. It didn't take long thereafter for the ship's powercore to falter and fail completely, culminating in a vast explosion that reportedly almost turned night to day on the dark side of Planet Kyushu, if only for a split second.
Matsumoto itself sustained moderate damage in the engagement, relatively untouched by Chrysanthemum bombers however still suffering the ill effects of Matsuda's anti-capital weaponry. Despite its damage, it remains deployed in the Kyushu system to continue the blockade of the cardamine trade and to serve as a show of force to any who would challenge the might of the Emperor.

While this troubling trend is observed throughout the Sirius colonies, Liberty is bearing the brunt of the crisis among the four major Houses. Remarkably, even Rheinland, where historical data indicated low Cardamine consumption, has witnessed a notable rise in medical cases linked to the illicit narcotic. Experts postulate that the extensive black market responsible for Cardamine distribution might be facing a shortage, or worse, that Outcast factions deliberately curtail the supply to bolster demand. Regrettably, no law enforcement agency has been available for comment on these concerns.
The long-standing debate over Cardamine's controversial nature, juxtaposing its euphoric and purported medicinal qualities with the genetic alterations it inflicts upon long-term users, continues to echo. A key point of contention revolves around the plight of innocent consumers caught in this crisis. Yet, according to independent polls, a substantial majority of our viewers maintains that the substance must remain banned.
In response to this escalating crisis, Cryer Pharmaceuticals has announced a forthcoming press conference. During the event, the company intends to unveil plans for an expanded production of Stabiline, their touted "wonder drug". This announcement promises affordable access to Stabiline for all patients grappling with Cardamine withdrawal, sparking a remarkable 15%% surge in Cryer Pharmaceuticals' stock following the revelation.

Ageira disputed this finding in their own press release, calling EFL 'fantasists' and countering that their own scientists had narrowed the cause to a rare 'hypernova' stellar event that originated outside the Sirius sector. Both corporations claim that network-wide hardware safeguards have been implemented that would prevent a similar occurrence in the future. Independent researchers have sharply criticized the corporate announcements, accusing both of self-interested misdirection.
Professor Sophia Nagel from Heisenberg Research Station called EFL's accusation 'incoherent' and the hypernova explanation 'nonsense' that did not explain the characteristics of the 'Blackout Pulse'. Despite multiple different Pulse recordings being widely disseminated across the neural net, public efforts have so far failed to triangulate its source.

Upon further investigation, the Navy has successfully identified the ordnance being transported as being sourced from Rheinland. Going as far as to state that they contained serial codes which correspond with weaponry used by Rheinland's own Military. Naturally given the circumstances around the discovery of these weapons and Liberty's history of hot and cold relations with the neighboring House, it is expected that this development will lead to further scrutiny when it comes to potentially suspicious activity.

## Rumors

* For many of our ranks it is better to work here. Our job means the most in Shikoku. This would be the entry point for many of the criminals that could plague our space if we let them.

* There was a time when the only foreigners in Kusari were in this system. That was a wonderful time for our people, I'm sure. We wouldn't have any criminals to speak of except the Blood Dragons if things had remained that way.

* My daughter has joined the Golden Chrysanthemums. It is a terrible dishonor for my family, and I try to keep the fact secret. She was always a precocious child. I only pray she is killed without being identified.

* The Blood Dragons are a formidable opponent for us. Our patrols are not enough to curb their piracy within this part of space. We try to keep the Jump Gate clear of riffraff and protect the prison convoys.

* This station was built to protect the Gates to Kusari space. You may see many Gaijin here in Shikoku, but the number of foreigners drops greatly in the rest of our systems.

* It is a pity that this system is so rife with criminals, since it is a very beautiful place. Sometimes I will sit and meditate upon this paradox. It is as if mud has been kicked upon a flower.

* I am glad that I do not work at the Fuchu prison. It would make me sick to be surrounded by so many bloodthirsty Rogues. Even stepping foot on Deshima makes my eyes water; it smells so foul there.

* The Blood Dragons are the greatest threat in this part of the system. We also encounter Golden C. and Farmers Alliance attack patrols on the Trade Lanes running from the Jump Gates.

* Even though we are shipping to a police base, our convoys are attacked quite often. I do not wish to speak ill of our police force, but they cannot always defend us from the mongrels in this system. It is all the foreigners that turn their attention away from the real criminals, the Blood Dragons.

* Kusari's corporate interests in Shikoku are faithfully represented by Samura. Planet Junyo dominates the region with its quality food production. The Kishiro concern over on Deshima is just a sideshow.

* Basic supplies are brought to this base by Samura. It is either brought in from New Tokyo, or we ship it here from within the system.

* Only Kusari companies are allowed to land at this base. We are honored with the task of keeping Kusari safe. It is true that we do not do the work ourselves, but how would the police operate without our assistance?

* The Light Arms you see strapped to all of our honorable law bringers come from Deshima station. It's ironic that we must use Ageira weapons to protect ourselves from Liberty criminals.

*NOTE: Page generated on the 28/10/2023 at 17:59:46 UTC*