Kansai Research Institute

CLASS: Mifune

GRAVITY: Complete

DOCKING: Yes

AMENITIES: Yes

CREW: 450

Built by Kishiro Technologies in 748 AS, Kansei Research Station was formed as a joint project between Kishiro and the Kusari Naval Forces, much to the ire of Samura. The facility is tasked with developing new shielding and scanning technology that are specifically designed to operate within the treacherous gas nebulas common throughout Kusari, although there are many whispered claims of alien artifacts research and jump gate technology filtering out of the station from time to time.

Kansei is a highly prestigious posting for Kishiro scientists fresh out of New Tokyo University, though the security measures can be rather daunting, and the Kusari Naval Forces have constant patrols coupled with heavy weapons platforms and a defensive minefield. The Blood Dragons pose the biggest threat to the facility, frequently launching raids and disrupting operations.

## Bribes & Missions Offered

* Kusari Office of Intelligence
* ALG Waste Disposal
* Border World Exports
* Kishiro Technologies
* Samura Industries
* Bounty Hunters Guild
* Kusari State Police
* Gas Miners Guild

## 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.

In a flash of genius, chief researcher Kuroda Yori cross-referenced this model against the numerous public recordings of the 'Blackout Pulse' from 831 AS. Striking similarities were revealed between the Pulse and anomalous data captured during the Niyodo's rift transition. Further research traced the Pulse's source to a seemingly impossible stable pocket of subspace outside the Sirius sector. It appears that whatever resides within this pocket is producing a distortion field that is capable of 'hooking' artificial jump tunnels and pulling transiting passengers in.
The exact physical mechanics underpinning this process are still unknown, and seem well beyond the capabilities of known Sirian technology. With new awareness of the phenomena, our engineers will be able to weight navigation calculations to offset the effect.
Despite this, it should be stressed that an reckless, 'blind' jump without such processing could result in catastrophic consequences. These new safeguards should allow for resumed Kishiro Drive field testing in the near future. Proposals have also been tabled for a rescue expedition to the pocket-space, in the hope of locating survivors of the Niyodo and Yamafaku Maru.

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.

Decades of focused research has given Kusari the Kishiro Jump Drive, unlocking the possibility of unfettered commercial and strategic mobility. The Battlecruiser Niyodo was fitted with a Kishiro Drive and dispatched to the proving grounds in Honshu's Hiyo Cloud. The live test of the prototype drive initially yielded positive results, with the successful generation of a stable artificial subspace rift. The Niyodo and the auxiliary fuel tanker Yamafaku Maru successfully passed into the rift, but failed to emerge at the specified target destination in Hokkaido. The Yamafaku Maru was provisioned to allow for the Niyodo to refuel and generate a return rift in the event of a miscalculation.
As time passed, it has become increasingly likely that both ships have been lost. Kishiro specialists are currently analyzing the test data to determine whether a rescue operation is feasible, and correct procedural flaws before the next field trial. Overall, the exercise successfully demonstrated the Kishiro Drive. Sacrifice is a necessary component of innovation.

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

* The Blood Dragons think that we are creating some super weapon here that Tokyo will use to destroy them. Nothing could be further from the truth. We are interested in creating the ultimate battleship that can traverse space without the aid of Jump Gates or Lanes. We have reliable information that Liberty has achieved exactly this goal, and we shall not be far behind.

* Kishiro is building specialized new Hull Panels under the guise of gas miner production in the Yukawa shipyard. They are also constructing special field generators that are able to fit within a stripped down cruiser. Our goal is to make an instant leap into Sigma-17 from Kansai, without the aid of Jump Gates, less than 10 years from now.

* We have several large laboratories here dedicated to reverse engineering the Liberty Jump Gates and Trade Lanes. Parts have been gathered in random criminal raids throughout the years to avoid arousing the suspicion of IC and the LSF.

* This is an ideal location for research away from prying eyes, unlike Nansei. The Kishiro scientists are also more creative and willing to take risks than their Samura counterparts.

* We buy our supplies from the Yukawa shipyard or Shinagawa. Since we produce our own life support Gases, our needs are few. It is a lonely life, surrounded by our protective mine field. Once you enter this complex, you rarely leave.

* We have conclusively determined that the Trade Lane and Jump Gate technologies are clearly of alien origin, which confirms our long standing suspicions. Unfortunately, practical manufacturing limitations have prevented us from replicating the Superconductor field-generating materials.

* Once our prototype cruiser is working, the Kusari Naval Forces will test it on the Blood Dragon base in Chugoku. If all goes well, we will be able to muster a secret attack force here in Kansai, step aboard, and be at the doorstep of the Blood Dragons minutes later. It would be over in a matter of hours.

* This base is dedicated to Nanocapacitor research. This is a key technical problem faced by both gas miners and military ships in navigating the interior of the Crow Nebula. The challenge is creating nanobot components that are shielded, and can repel trillions of gas molecules every second during spaceflight.

* If we unlock the secrets of Trade Lanes and Jump Gates, Kusari will finally be free of the Liberty yoke. We have been exploited far too long by Ageira and IC. All of Sirius will be on a level playing field.

* There is a faction of scientists at Kishiro that doubt we can ever catch up with Liberty. After all, they have had centuries to decipher the alien technology. Kishiro only began the effort 50 years ago.

* One day soon, the new Kusari Naval Forces shipyard will be here, within the clouds of this nebula. Yokohama and Samura will merely be a front for the world, building the occasional gunboat to avoid raising suspicion within Liberty.

* Kusari is tolerant of the Artifact trade for different reasons than Liberty and the LSF realize. The Hogosha are required to turn over any that appear to be technology related to the government, in exchange for minimal police interference with their other affairs. They end up here, where we have been patiently unlocking their secrets.

* I'm a direct descendant of Kishiro, the founder of this company. People murmur that I got this post because of my family, but I have worked hard to get where I am. I was first in my class at New Tokyo University. This was a natural choice to honor my family tradition.

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