ON: YSS Eucharis - Captain's Suite
"I see," Hanako said, a pensive expression on her face. "As the person that adopted her in the Ketsurui Clan, I feel involved. There is a question of her loyalty and she is a potential threat to the government. From the records of the Miharu, she indirectly killed an older version of Taisho Yui and thinks she absorbed that Yui's memories somehow. So she could be considered a traitor based on that. At the same time, she helped turn the war around. There is also the factor of the returning nekos being brainwashed to be loyal to Kotori. Kotori has a lot of power and is a dangerous unknown factor. So I can understand the extreme caution on the part of the government."
Sune listened to Hanko's explanation, "Caution? I do not call this caution. But from your comments I can see that Celeste was obviously telling the truth that Ketsurui Yui sanctioned this.
Well, I challenged Celeste on the legitimacy of the order. Because you do not convict or in this case kill someone for a perception. However, I still had thoughts that I could fulfill the orders you gave me to assist her. I also realized that the mission was rendered almost impossible, because Celeste's comments biased the majority of the crew from the onset.
If you want a fair investigation, you do not bias the team. My concerns about the quality of the crew were proven a few minutes later. When Konoka and I left the conference room. A member of the crew came out with us, though she was wearing a colored panel, I suspect that she was SAINT. But she had the temerity to accuss me of treason for saying that of all the people that had been in the conference room. The only two I trusted fully were Konoka and Reika, because I knew who and what they were."
"She claimed she has the ability to kill the Empress or Yui and she is disgruntled because she disagreed with Taisho Yui's Battle of Yamatai tactics. Yui is concerend she might be a rebel. I sent you because while the others are scrutinizing her, I needed a positive figure to guide her in the right direction and bring her back into the fold," the Shosho explained.
"Well, there was another complication. Even after Celeste's veiled threat, and the obvious bias of the crew I was willing to continue, Because you asked me to help her. My analysis of the situation gave me a very slim chance, but by being the XO, I would have the contact necessary to allow me to try and foster a working relationship and to get insight into her. But then Celeste saw fit to bring another officer who outranked me. At that point the mission from my perspective became untenable.
Technically that other officer would have been her XO. That would cut me off from the level of contact and access I would need. If I was made the XO, I would be back in a situation like there was here on the Eucharis. When you made me XO and Klein-Chusa was on board. Having a higher ranking officer under me introduced too many negative variables. The only option at that point I could take was to decline the mission. "
Hanako placed her hands on her hips and looked up at Sune. "That was your opinion. We should be dealing in facts here. Here are some facts: You did not know if you would be XO or not. You did not contact Kotori as I ordered. You chose to abort the mission without permission. It was only after the fact that you asked me for a command of your own."
"My decision was based on the facts as I knew them. Kotori's location was unknown even to SAINT. That was one of their concerns. I left my position here as an XO, since you said she was going to build a ship, it was logical to assume that my position would be laterial. I am a soldier Shosho, I am not a SAINT operative, I do not deal in intrigue and deception. That nature, since you never voiced your concerns, to me was contrary to the very orders you gave me."
"I did not send you there to decieve anyone, I sent you there to help Kotori! You gave up before thinigs even began, and now she is surrounded by those who are waiting for her to slip up. What am I to do now, with my adopted sister thrown to the wolves?"
"No, Tachihara-Heisho is still there, and in charge of the SAINT contingent. She will ensure that she does what her training will allow her to do properly. As you said you did not send me to deceive anyone, but SAINT is calling the shots on the mission, and that is what they wanted. I can not say that I will obey Celeste and agree to kill a fellow soldier based on supposition or innuendo. Perhaps if I had more information that was with held from me, my analysis would have been different. But I made the best choice I could. I am sorry that it disappointed you, but given the same circumstances, my decision would be the same. The best chance I saw for Kotori was to take myself out of the equation.
As for your comment your first message about my being worried about my career that was the farthest thing from my mind. I had no inkling that you and Yui-Taisho would actually condone this kind of thing. My rationale for asking for the Firebird, was to try and protect you. Because wrongly now, but at the time, I was certain that the Taisho would not sanction an assassination of a member of the Clan, and that if you found out, that you would try to take actions to protect Kotori, and I believe that Celeste would have taken steps to prevent that.
The Firebird was not a promotion in anything but name, I asked for command of a lowly Scout ship so I could do that one thing I have been trained to do, and do well. Which is to be Soldier. I am not a spy, I am not an assassin. Bottom line, I was the wrong person for the job."
"Yui will eliminate any threat to her or the Empire. My comment on your career was based on the fact that you said that being something other than first officer would be beneath you and a negative career move. That said to me you were thinking of yourself over the mission. Combined with bringing a ship into service, that reinforced the appearance that you were gunning for a command position. Protocol is that you contact me for a transfer out of here, instead of deserting your post on your own accord," Hanako told Sune.
"I considered sending you a message, ruled it out, because I am certain that if I tried to contact you saying I had concerns about this mission, That no such message would get through. So yes, I sent a message the only way I could figure that could not be blocked. And yes, I said those words, which were never in my message to you. But said to Celeste's people. I had thought that my former Commander would know me well enough to better.
As for deserting my post. Technically that is incorrect. Because there is no Byakuren at this time it still in construction, and at the time I put in my request, there was no official roster. So I had no post."
"It is not about the roster, it is about your orders," Hanako pointed out. Suddenly Hanako rose from the bed and shoved Sune's chest with both hands. "You hurt my feelings," she said in a quiet voice with her glossy gold eyes locked on his. "Now what do we do?!"
"It was never my intention to hurt you in any manner. I only accepted the mission, because it was important to you. I left my home and all the people I cared about. I never expected to come back to the Eucharis... I do not know. My plans have gone awry since the very situation I wanted to avoid, turned out to be unnecessary.
To be honest, these past days have been disturbing to me. I have learned things that go contrary to my core beliefs. I believe in the Empire, our laws and the Star Army. I have to believe that the principles I have learned and sworn to follow have to be true. So unless you chose to send me to prison or discharge me, the Firebird and myself stand ready to serve the Empire to defend it against all enemies."
"Alright," Hanako nodded, stepping backwards out of his personal space. "You are dismissed."
Sune bowed to Hanako, "Shôshô." he then turned and walked out of Hanako's cabin. Once clear of the door his paced slowed for a few steps as he wanted to ensure that his emotions were under control before entering the bridge. The discussion with Hanako was almost as painful as when he learned of Raia's death. He was fairly certain that his friendship with Hanako was in ruins. He entered the bridge and looked at Ramiro. "You look good at your station Valencia-Juni. Take care of the Eucharis." He walked to the door, "Cherry-Heisho, kindly escort me back to the Firebird."