To: Tai-sa Shiro Takeda, CO Kuroi Kaze, military governor of Horatius
CC: Chu-sa Mai Takeda, XO Kuroi Kaze
Imperator David Gladding, MHAF
Prefect Michael Alexander, MHAF
Honored Tai-sa,
At 0300h PST on the 13th, the city of Kai was raided by forces positively identified as members of the Khaos Chevaliers, a mercenary group in the employ of the Magistracy of Canopus. Entering the system of Horatius via non-standard pirate point, the mercenaries grounded a Leopard class DropShip in the desert plains south of Kai. Heading due north, they reached the oasis on the city's outskirt at approximately 0230h. A lance of defenders led by Tai-i Tadakatsu Honda (Marauder) moved through the Ichigo district to intercept the raiders. Accompanying the Tai-i were Chu-i Mitsuhide Akechi (Gurkha), Gunsho Yukimura Sanada (Wraith) and Gunsho Hanzo Hattori (Okami Otoko). Taking up station at the southern end of Ichigo, the lance waited for the mercenaries to come into range before opening up with long-range fire. However, it was ineffectual as the attackers fielded an upgraded Archer and a Hollander II. Also reported were a Hatchetman and a Wolverine, all variants constructed by the Lyran Alliance or Federated Suns.
Closing in, our defenders exchanged weapons fire, trading armor for time as reinforcements were quickly dispatched from the city's garrison. In a show of reckless abandon, Chu-i Akechi charged his Gurkha toward the enemy Wolverine, despite being outweighed by twenty tons. This distracted the mercenaries but also forced Tai-i Honda to bring his Marauder from a long-range firing position into the crosshairs of the enemy Hollander. Too late, he exited the city limits to aid Akechi, only to watch the light pilot's 'Mech explode from engine destruction. The Chu-i had ejected, however, and was later recovered. Though the 'Mech is salvageable, it is strongly recommended that Akechi be reprimanded, and demoted for his actions.
Outnumbered, the three remaining members of the lance fell back within the city, pulling the Chevaliers into harm's way as our relief force arrived on scene. Choosing to flee rather than face overwhelming firepower, the raiders were unable to inflect any damage on the city itself, nor did they come within ten miles of the Kaze MechWorks Factory Alpha.
Tai-i Honda's leadership prevented the loss of any civilian life and held material damages to armor and only a single 'Mech. While his lance was unable to down any of the enemy, battleROM footage has been sent both to you and to the War College for study.
To be frank, Shiro... This attack cannot stand. The Magistracy knows of the Hegemony's stalled offensive into the Circinus Federation and they clearly seek to take advantage of that. The Kuroi Kaze is much more than just a garrison force. Let's return to Thraxa and show them why it's best to let sleeping dragons lie.
Tai-i Isamu Dyson
Werewolf Lance 2nd
18 June 3067
