Akita Border Station

CLASS: Mifune

GRAVITY: Complete

DOCKING: Yes

AMENITIES: Yes

CREW: 200

Akita Border Station is the primary outpost of the Kusari State Police in the Honshu system. It is tasked with interdicting pirates and smugglers entering Kusari space from the Sigma Border Worlds through the Hiryo Cloud. Patrols along the trade lanes are also resupplied by the station.

## Bribes & Missions Offered

* Border World Exports
* Kishiro Technologies
* Orbital Spa and Cruise
* Samura Industries
* Farmers Alliance
* Hogosha
* Gas Miners Guild
* Synth Foods, Inc.

## 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.

However, with the recent Farmers Alliance bombing on Roppongi seemingly linked to the sudden increase in Cardamine use among Kusari's businessmen, New Tokyo's residents have expressed sympathy towards the perpetrators, speculating that the Alliance's blatant admission to such a vicious act is not to be taken as a boast or a threat, but as a sign that they will not allow their friends and families to be preyed upon by the greed of corporations that, "do not belong anywhere near our home", said Katsuyori Ichihara, Samura Industries financial consultant, and survivor of the Roppongi attack. "I don't blame them", Mr. Ichihara continued, "that vile drug destroys families."
Due to recent events, Samura Industries has taken it upon itself to act as a substitute for Interspace Commerce within the insurance market and many citizens have already expressed gratitude to Samura and their willingness to provide more financially preferable contracts than what the old management offered.

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.

## Rumors

* There have been cutbacks at this post recently. Last week they transferred two regular patrols to Tokyo, citing lack of identifiable threats. Believe me, there is no lack of enemies here. The Outcasts and Corsairs have found that Kusari presents an easy target, especially with the military distracted by Hokkaido.

* This one of the most difficult postings for a Kusari State Police officer in our colony. Maybe Sapporo is worse. The most dreaded patrol does a circuit into the Hiryo Cloud, where the Corsairs lurk. We had 50% casualties on it last month. That's enough to make one superstitious.

* The Kusari State Police prides itself in being a highly ethical organization. Hogosha often attempt bribes when they are caught, but we will never accept them. The bureaucrats of Tokyo are another matter, however. There are many stories of the criminal bribes and gifts that are accepted by the rulers of our nation.

* I have one more year in the field, then I can get a desk job in Tokyo. No more stress like this, wondering if you will live another day. My wife and her parents are back there always asking about my return date. Maybe it's not so bad here ...

* The GMG has assured us that they can handle the criminal problem in Sigma-13, but this does not seem to be the case. They should bring in the military -- that would seal the border.

* The GMG and Kishiro haul H-Fuel past our lonely station. Rheinland companies like ALG and Republican are the other shippers using this area. Tokyo has said we must hold this line against the Edge World threat, yet reduces our strength on a regular basis.

* Sometimes I wish that we could bring the Bounty Hunters Guild into Honshu. They do very well in the nebulas and know how to deal with difficult Edge World criminals like the Corsairs, but Tokyo will not allow it. They say we must show our bushi-do spirit and accept the challenge. Maybe will will have better luck convincing the new government.

* We have heard that there is a Hole into Sigma-13, but the GMG will not tell us. They keep their secrets close; they are not truly Kusari anymore.

* I'm just switching some crew with a transport bound for Mainz. They lost a couple in a Blood Dragon attack near Osaka and needed a full complement for the Sigma-13 crossing. I wish them the best of luck.

* Just having a quick beer with an old friend who's posted here with the Police. We graduated from the same school in Kyushu years ago. I miss the green isles of home. Honshu is always grim and gray -- and full of Kishiro people.

* Upper management is trying to put pressure on the GMG and Kishiro by having police patrols removed from this base. Even with Samura losing its dominance in government, our expansion into Tottori gives management a strong basis for their claims. I'm not sure it really helps us though, as Samura ships must still travel to Rheinland with other supplies.

* We supply this base with its essential needs. We've had to ship a lot of new issue Light Arms in from Tokyo. Guess there's been a little attrition around here lately.

* One day soon they will shut down Osaka, and many people like me will be forced to find work elsewhere. Hokkaido does not sound attractive to me. They say there are great new jobs going in Tau-53 and Tottori, if this place goes under I hope they will offer me a new placement out there.

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