Editing Ninyu Kerai Indrahar

{{Update Needed|[[Path of Glory]]}}
{{InfoBoxCharacter
| image               = Ninyu Kerai Indrahar.jpg
| name                = Ninyu Kerai Indrahar
| birthdate           = [[2996]]<ref>''Era Report: 3062'', p. 77: "Ninyu Kerai Indrahar Profile"</ref>
| died                = December [[3068]]
| othernames          = 
| affiliation         = [[House Indrahar]]
| profession          = [[Director of the Internal Security Force]]
| parents             = [[Subhash Indrahar]] (Adoptive father)
| siblings            = 
| spouse              = 
| children            = 
}}
'''Ninyu Kerai Indrahar''' was a close ally of [[Theodore Kurita]] and succeeded his adoptive father, [[Subhash Indrahar]], as the head of the [[Draconis Combine|Draconis Combine's]] feared [[Internal Security Force]].

==History==
===Early Life and Career===
[[File:Subhash Indrahar (1).jpg|right|thumb|[[Subhash Indrahar]], Ninyu's adoptive father]]
Very little is known of the early life of '''Ninyu Kerai'''. It may be speculated that Subhash Indrahar had his early history carefully erased to help make him a more effective intelligence operative. Even by the early 3060s when he was already ISF Director, foreign intelligence agencies still knew next to nothing about his past.<ref>''Shattered Sphere'', p. 62</ref>

What is known is that he joined the ISF at a relatively young age, and by [[3018]] he had already been chosen by Indrahar for his ''[[Musukosan No Ryu]]'' ("Sons of the Dragon"), a group within the ISF completely loyal to the Director that performed missions unknown even to the rest of the agency. It was during that year and in that capacity that he first met Theodore Kurita, heir to the [[Coordinator|throne]] of the [[Draconis Combine]]. He participated in an exercise on [[Kagoshima]] whereby Subhash had his agents test the mettle of the young Kurita before formally inducting Theodore into the group.<ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', pp. 25–28</ref>

At some point during this time, Kerai apparently assisted Theodore Kurita again during a "commando scare" on [[Al Na'ir]].<ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', p. 105</ref>

===Fourth Succession War===
By [[3025]], Ninyu officially held the rank of ''[[Tai-i]]'' in the [[DCMS]] and assigned to the [[11th Legion of Vega]] on [[Marfik]]. Unofficially, he was tasked with keeping tabs on the various "malcontents and undesirables" typical to the Legion at that time. So it was that he would again serve with Theodore Kurita when the newly minted ''[[Tai-Sa]]'' was appointed commander of the unit.<ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', pp. 104–105</ref> During this period, he assisted Kurita in concealing Theodore's marriage to [[Tomoe Sakade]], and helped him safely withdraw his children from the border-world.<ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', pp. 114–117</ref>

In [[3028]], [[Hanse Davion]] launched the [[Fourth Succession War]] with an invasion of the [[Capellan Confederation]]. To support this move, the [[Lyran Commonwealth]] launched [[Operation GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG]], a full-scale invasion of the Combine. As part of this operation, the [[4th Skye Rangers]] attacked Marfik. Though committed to taking the planet, the Rangers had the equally important goal of capturing the Heir-Designate. Despite the Legion being hopelessly outclassed, under Theodore's leadership the unit waged an effective guerrilla campaign. As the Legion was slowly pushed towards the inevitable, Kerai's skills would be critical in evacuating Kurita and his command staff from the planet, stealing a Lyran [[JumpShip]] in the process.<ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', pp. 160–163</ref> They then traveled to [[Vega]], which also faced invasion. With a campaign of sabotage and misinformation, Kerai was critical in helping Kurita drive the [[3rd Lyran Guards]] from the planet.<ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', p. 193</ref>

Kerai remained on Kurita's command staff for the remainder of the war, serving as an unofficial liaison from the ISF and continuing to use his exceptional abilities as needed.

[[File:ISF.png|left|thumb|The seal of the Internal Security Force - the agency Ninyu committed his life towards]]

===Choosing Sides===
By [[3033]], Kerai had been adopted by Subhash Indrahar as his foster son, and was often seen accompanying the Director on [[Luthien]].<ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', p. 267</ref> Upon the public revelation of Theodore's marriage and children, the elder Indrahar sent his foster-son to eliminate former ISF agent [[Kathleen Palmer]], who years earlier had seduced Theodore Kurita and unbeknownst to the heir, had borne him a [[Franklin Sakamoto|son]] out of wedlock. Tracking his quarry to [[Wolcott]], Kerai killed Palmer and the boy with her. He would not discover until years later that the boy was a decoy, and the real Franklin Sakamoto had been sent off under the protection of [[Marcus Kurita]].<ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', pp. 274–277</ref>

In May of [[3034]], at the height of the [[Ronin War]], Kerai acted on Theodore Kurita's orders as he assassinated Marcus Kurita on [[Predlitz]], thereby helping to clear the path for the birth of the [[Free Rasalhague Republic]]. In typical fashion, Kerai framed the [[Lyran Intelligence Corps]] for the attack.<ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', pp. 290–292</ref>

===War of 3039===
As they prepared for the inevitable [[War of 3039|invasion]] by the Lyran and [[Federated Suns]] [[Federated Commonwealth|allies]], the ''Kanrei'' assigned Ninyu to coordinate ISF operations in the [[Dieron Military District]], forcing him to work alongside Warlord [[Michi Noketsuna]], the former [[Bounty Hunter]], much to his chagrin. By this time, he held the rank of ''[[Sho-sa]]''.<ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', pp. 316–321</ref><ref>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 64</ref>

Most notably, he coordinated the [[DEST]] attack on the Lyran High Command Staff meeting on Vega on July 12, [[3039]]. This attack incapacitated General [[Nondi Steiner]] for the remainder of the war and killed many of the best and brightest young officers on the command staff. Even more relevantly, it left [[Kathleen Heany]] and many of the other "traditional" Lyran commanders in charge of the Lyran thrust. This effectively neutralized the LCAF for the remainder of the war.<ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', pp. 331–335</ref><ref>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 65</ref>

===Later Career===
After the war's end, Ninyu continued to serve Subhash Indrahar and the ISF, eventually legally changing his name to '''Ninyu Kerai-Indrahar'''. Sometime prior to [[3054]], he was named Indrahar's heir and successor, an appointment approved by both Takashi and Theodore Kurita.<ref>''Intelligence Operations Handbook'', pp. 54, 64</ref><ref>''Wolf Pack'', pp. 72–73</ref>

When Takashi Kurita's obsession with [[Wolf's Dragoons]] again threatened the Combine, father and adopted son resigned themselves to action. On the morning of the day the Coordinator was scheduled to face [[Jaime Wolf]] in single combat on Luthien, they made their move. Originally, they planned to use Michi Noketsuna as a cat's paw to assassinate the Coordinator. When Takashi's reasoning turned Noketsuna from his vendetta, Ninyu ordered his operatives to strike down Takashi. The Coordinator's skill and the impending arrival of the ''[[Otomo]]'' foiled this plan. Nevertheless, Ninyu escaped, and Noketsuna's sacrifice convinced Takashi to secretly commit ''seppuku'' to preserve the Combine's honor.<ref>''Wolf Pack'', pp. 194–207</ref> Despite Theodore learning of Ninyu's actions, out of his dedication for acting in the best interests of the Dragon, he did not move against his former friend.

[[File:Musukosan No Ryu.png|right|thumb|The seal of the Sons of the Dragon, which Ninyu served for most of his life and later led]]

===Director===
Around [[3056]], Ninyu became involved in a conflict between the [[9th Ghost|Ninth Ghost Regiment]] and the mercenary unit [[Camacho's Caballeros]] employed by [[Chandrasekhar Kurita]]'s [[Tanadi Computers]] based on [[Hachiman (planet)|Hachiman]]. He was apparently manipulating the situation to his own ends.<ref>''Close Quarters''</ref>

By [[3058]], he had finally replaced Subhash Indrahar as director of the ISF.<ref>''Field Manual: Draconis Combine''</ref> He also ostensibly took over as the nominal leader of the ''Sons of the Dragon''.<ref>''A Guide to Covert Ops'', pp. 50, 52</ref> Kerai was a known opponent of Theodore's plan to unite any sort of multi-House effort to find and attack the [[Clan Homeworlds]], a plan that eventually resulted in the [[Second Star League]].<ref>''Explorer Corps'', p. 24</ref>

It was during this year that the ''[[Kokuryu-kai]]'' organization plotted to assassinate Theodore Kurita on his 61st birthday. Again manipulating matters behind the scenes, Kerai would see the plot defeated using the Caballeros and the 9th Ghost. Tomoe Sakade herself would kill the assassin. Naturally, this entire incident was concealed from the public.<ref>''Black Dragon''</ref>

In early [[3062]], he prepared a report to [[Star League]] intelligence on the current state of affairs of the Combine, including biographical information on key members of the Kurita family. When it was received by [[Star League Defense Force]] Intelligence Head [[Jerrard Cranston]], he forwarded it to [[Precentor Martial of ComStar|Precentor Martial]] [[Victor Steiner-Davion]], noting the omission of Victor's lover, [[Omiko Kurita|Omi Kurita]], from the report. Cranston speculated that Ninyu was attempting to send them a message with that omission.<ref>''Shattered Sphere'', pp. 57–63</ref>

===Jihad and Death===
When the [[Word of Blake]] launched its [[Jihad]] against the Inner Sphere at the same time the ''Kokuryu-kai'' made its move to seize Luthien, the ISF was as unprepared as any. During the fighting on [[Dieron]], the Director was seriously wounded when [[Light of Mankind]] units attempted to cut off his escape.<ref>''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade'', p. 146</ref>

In December of 3068, reports confirmed that Ninyu had escaped Dieron, and was being treated at a medical facility on [[Benjamin]]. The report indicates that the facility in question was destroyed during an AFFS raid, and that the Director could be considered killed.<ref>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3070'', p. 28</ref><ref>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3072'', p. 11</ref><ref name="J:FRp46">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 46: "The Jihad in Review"</ref> Conflicting reports indicate that he was killed during an attack by the Blakists' [[28th Division (Word of Blake)|28th Division]] and [[45th Shadow Division]].{{cn}} Benjamin was defended by the [[6th Ghost]] at the time, which was effectively dissolved as a fighting force due to their losses.<ref>''Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers'', p. 30</ref> He was succeeded as the head of the ISF by [[Shakir Jerrar]].<ref>''Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers'', p. 18</ref>

==Personality and Traits==
Like his adoptive father and mentor, Ninyu placed his loyalty with the welfare of the Combine itself, rather than its leaders. This extended even to the Coordinator and to [[House Kurita]]. He was a brilliant intelligence operative who performed many acts of espionage and assassination for the Combine. Indeed, unlike Subhash, Ninyu seemed to relish the power over life and death of others with an almost sociopathic zeal, and with a confidence that surpassed the point of arrogance. In his younger years, he often projected a false image of disinterest and even sloth, which did not fool those who knew him. Despite all these other qualities, he showed genuine respect and admiration for Subhash Indrahar, treating him as a son would a father. As a spymaster, he would prove to be just as effective as he had as an operative. High-level [[Black Dragon Society]] communications named him their "most hated foe".

==Notes==
* Kerai's distinctive red hair strongly suggests that his ancestry was not primarily Japanese, unlike most other high-ranking Kuritan officials.
* During the early years of the Jihad, Kerai piloted a ''[[No-Dachi]]''.<ref>''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade'', p. 146</ref>
* After his adoption by Subhash Indrahar, his name appears both as ''"Ninyu Kerai Indrahar"'' and ''"Ninyu Kerai-Indrahar"'' depending on the publication.
* In his final confrontation with Kathleen Palmer, it is made clear that she knew Ninyu well, and implied they may have even been close.
* While on [[Hachiman (planet)|Hachiman]], Kerai developed a secret attraction to [[Camacho's Caballeros|Camacho's Caballeros']] deadly scout, [[Cassie Suthorn]] after her getting the upper hand while proving her unit's innocence.<ref>''Close Quarters'', pp. 374–375: Ninyu's encounter with Cassie Suthorn</ref><ref>''Heart of Chaos'', pp. 33–34: Chairman's Day Ball, Ninyu "observes" Cassie Suthorn dancing, but also ignoring his own feelings towards her</ref>

==References==
<references/>

==Bibliography==
* ''[[Black Dragon (novel)|Black Dragon]]''
* ''[[Close Quarters]]'' (novel)
* ''[[Explorer Corps (sourcebook)|Explorer Corps]]''
* ''[[Era Report: 3062]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Draconis Combine]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Updates]]''
* ''[[A Guide to Covert Ops]]''
* ''[[Hearts of Chaos]]'' (novel)
* ''[[Heir to the Dragon]]'' (novel)
* ''[[Historical: War of 3039]]''
* ''[[Intelligence Operations Handbook]]''
* ''[[Jihad: Final Reckoning]]''
* ''[[Jihad Hot Spots: 3070]]''
* ''[[Jihad Hot Spots: 3072]]''
* ''[[Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers]]''
* ''[[Shattered Sphere]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade]]''
* ''[[Wolf Pack]]'' (novel)


[[Category:Draconis Combine Characters|Indrahar, Ninyu Kerai]]