Mies Kurita

Mies Kurita
Mies Kurita
Character Profile
Born 2975
Affiliation House Kurita
Rank Duke of Rasalhague
Position District Governor of Rasalhague[1]
Profession Noble
Parents Malcolm Kurita (father)
Children Knute Kurita[2]

Mies Kurita was the last Kuritan Duke of Rasalhague and last civilian governor of the Rasalhague Military District, before the formation of the Free Rasalhague Republic in 3034. He served as a rare example of a House Kurita civil servant in contrast to that House's usually militaristic leaders.

History[edit]

Early Life and Military Career[edit]

Mies Kurita was born on Rasalhague as scion of a distant branch of the Kurita family which had been given control of the area around 2925 to strengthen the district's loyalty to the Coordinator and thus to the Combine itself. While attending Rasalhague Military Academy he showed little fighting ability, instead relying on his amiable nature, studiousness and flattery to get along with fellow students and teachers alike. Later as a junior officer he continued relying on his social aptitude instead of military skills, becoming famous for getting anything he wanted from the procurement division.[3]

Following Yorinaga Kurita's defeat and disgrace in 3016, Mies carried out Coordinator Takashi Kurita's orders to sell Yorinaga's wife Sula Brahe and their son Akira into slavery.[4]

When his old and sickly father Malcolm Kurita was elevated to the position of District Governor in 3019 it was observed on the sidelines that Mies was "no warrior". Because of this, combined with his branch of the House being relatively far removed from the ruling line, in turn saw them considered unsuitable candidates to uphold House Kurita's claim to rule over the Draconis Combine.[5]

Serving as Governor[edit]

After the death of his father at some point prior to 3025,[3] Mies Kurita took over as district governor, working closely with District Warlord Ivan Sorenson who was the polar opposite of him in virtually every regard but their shared loyalty to the Coordinator. Mies's ability to work effectively with the most difficult people, and his knack for subtly making them go along with his plans, helped him smooth over any problems the blustering Warlord would create. In return for keeping this critical district orderly and by playing up to Takashi Kurita's fears of rebellion he received significant extra funds for his region.[3]

However, these additional funds did not come with a matching surge in troop reinforcements. Mies requested as much following an upsurge in Tyr resistance attacks in early 3026, but his known penchant for "crying wolf" led to both Luthien and local military commanders ignoring him. In the lead-up to the Fourth Succession War this lack of aid was one factor in convincing Archon Katrina Steiner and the LCAF to focus their upcoming offensive on the Rasalhague District. Even after the Lyran invasion began some Combine officers in the District still felt Mies was exaggerating the extent of their assault.[6] [7]

The Free Rasalhague Republic[edit]

Having privately considered retirement since as early as 3025, Mies quietly faded out of the spotlight during the formation of the Free Rasalhague Republic in 3034. The mixed Nordic/Japanese heritage his family had acquired in a century of intermarrying with locals saw him vaguely sympathetic to a peaceful secession, and as an avid student of history he believed no rule could last forever.[3] Though no official records exist it can be assumed that he used his diplomatic skills to aid Theodore Kurita's plans for Rasalhague independence. Mies's eldest son Knute, who was originally groomed to succeed him but as of 3025 still displayed too militaristic an attitude for Mies's tastes,[3] instead joined the KungsArmé and would eventually command the First Freemen during the Clan Invasion.[8]

Appearance and Character[edit]

Mies Kurita was tall, thin and aristocratic looking, with blue eyes and black hair tinged with grey. His mixed ancestry was explicitly noted,[3] suggesting his (unnamed) mother was of Scandinavian Rasalhague descent.

Direct but soft-spoken, he was a persuasive diplomat and consummate administrator. Politically he had no ambitions beyond serving the Coordinator well and dying peacefully of old age. He took pride in the well-being of his district and was a devoted family man.[3]

References[edit]

  1. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, p. 16
  2. 20 Year Update, p. 93
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 177
  4. Warrior: Riposte, ch. 8
  5. Heir to the Dragon, ch. 13 (FASA edition pp. 63–64)
  6. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, p. 43
  7. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, p. 59
  8. 20 Year Update, p. 51

Bibliography[edit]