Fortress Usagi Rises (usagipost)
*Since the Bismuth had given control of the former Drakeem barrier islands to the Yabounousagi Empire, life for the islands had changed dramatically. What started as a series of uninhabited mountainous islands had become the centre of the empire's fledgling fishing industry. Due to the strict herbivorous diet of the imperial usagimimi, meat is not normally consumed, fishing as a whole was never a necessity and such skills were never developed. This, however, did not stop these ever-ambitious people from exploring the fishery business once an avenue presented itself, though. Prospective businesswomen travelled to the islands to establish docks and canneries, buying the fish caught by local fishers in their waters, employing skilled and experienced workers from nearby regions to staff the processing facilities, and selling the processed product, or just the high-quality fish themselves. Homes were also built for the workers and their families, and stores were quickly opened to accommodate for the small population. Recently, more businesses and more people settled on these islands, expanding the micro settlements into small coastal towns and fishing villages. Despite the recent developments, the untamed jungles still dominated the islands, and the small outposts of civilisation remained close to the coastline, slowly creeping inwards. Indeed, the civilian population was spread between the coastal towns and villages of Aonada, Shimonohama, Nishikami-wan, Kakougan and Mikazukikaigan-machi, with only Shinmatsuokamura and Hisuidani being more inland settlements. Despite this, life was still idyllic, peaceful and a bit sleepy.*
*Of course, the island was not completely undefended, though it was lightly fortified and defended by a small army garrison and naval force comprised of a gunboat fleet and a few frigates. A singular joint civilian-military airport hosted only two hikou sentai. This was sufficient as the barrier islands were flanked by an allied bismuth buffer zone in Drakeem and usually neutral Black Iron were nearby, providing immediate deterrence and, if needed, military assistance.*
*This changed when Thrakmoor issued their ultimatum to the realm. Naturally, the empire was not going to surrender their sovereignty, nor surrender the autonomy of their empress, nor that of any of their other authority figures or institutions. It went against their imperial constitution. Thus, the long-abandoned plan to heavily fortify the barrier islands was revisited and implemented.*
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*Imperial army engineers and geomancers arrived on the barrier islands, building pillboxes, gun pits, communication centres, ammunition caches, garrison points and even submarine pens. Underground tunnels were being dug that connect to the natural cave systems throughout the islands. New airstrips and new airbases were being established. Even a radar network, more observation facilities and outposts were being set up.*
*Transport planes and ships brought armoured vehicles, light and medium tanks, amphibious vehicles, artillery pieces, fighter planes, tactical bombers, food, medicine and personnel to the islands. More powerful naval vessels, like general-purpose missile destroyers, escort destroyers and battlecruisers, could be seen near the island chain, as well as coastal point-defence and attack submarines.*
*General Momonoi Ayumu of the newly reorganised Combined Barrier Islands Army sat within her office in her command centre. There, she and her subordinates were busy arranging the defences for the islands' coastal fortresses and organising the new combat units under her command. She had thought to contact the bismuth in hopes of acquiring some of their technology to further bolster their defences.*
