Editing Nekakami

{{Cleanup|reason=review needed|date=September 2023}}
The '''''nekakami''''' (meaning "Spirit Cats") are a secret group of assassins for hire. They are the premier spies and assassins of the [[Draconis Combine]], masters of deceit and subterfuge. They are sometimes called '''''nekogami''''', '''''nekekami''''', or '''''kekogami'''''.

==Overview==
This mysterious group is widely known to the enemies of the Dragon. The roots of the society are lost in history but some rumors suggest that have existed continuously since the ''ninja'' of Terra's feudal Japanese empire. The first hard facts are from the early stages of the Draconis Combine. They normally operate groups of four to six, where every member is handpicked for a specific skill set, rounding out the overall talents of the group . These groups are known as [[Miharu No Seishin]] and the members consider themselves as Seishin ban.{{cn}} The nekakami are trained from intensively early childhood, more than the members of [[DEST]]. The [[ISF]] considers nekakami to be enemies of the state.<ref>''A Guide to Covert Ops'', p. 101, "Nekakami Profile"</ref>

The nekakami never surrendered. They hid their faces under hoods, and if one was wounded, activated some kind of flare who destroys his face. The nekakami were master of stealth and assassination. They have been known to gain access to even the most highly protected areas of the Combine, including Unity Palace. Their devotion to their cause is so great that if they are unable to fulfill the contract, they commit suicide.<ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', p. 362</ref> When making contact with potential clients, they leave origami cats behind. These cats can be used to indicate acceptance of a contract, but sometimes are embossed with Japanese characters if more detailed information is required.<ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', pp. 305-306, 356</ref>

Despite the suggestions about connections between the nekakami and the [[Black Dragons]], the first are very loyal to the Combine and House Kurita, and are ready to defend both against any enemy.<ref>''A Guide to Covert Ops'', p. 101</ref>

==History==
During the [[Amaris Civil War]], Coordinator [[Minoru Kurita (28th c.)|Minoru Kurita]] secretly provided [[Aleksandr Kerensky]] with covert assistance including nekakami. One notable example took place was on the [[Rim Worlds Republic]] world of [[Engadine]], when the nekakami prevented a devastating chemical weapon attack against the [[Star League Defense Force]]. After the terrorists were slain in a single "night of death", the SLDF commander found a box with the head of the terrorist leader on her bedside table, along with a black origami cat.<ref name=HLoTV1-107>''Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1'', p. 107 "The Rim Worlds Campaign - Black Cats Bring Good Luck?"</ref>

[[Theodore Kurita]] supposedly met with the nekakami during the [[Fourth Succession War]], before reaching a pact with the organization during the 3030s. The nekakami and the [[yakuza]] reportedly played a significant role in gathering information for the Kurita heir during the [[War of 3039]]. In this conflict, nekakami operatives allegedly operated on both [[New Avalon]] and [[Tharkad]] gathering intelligence. The nekakami were also reportedly responsible for leaving an origami cat on the throne of [[Melissa Steiner-Davion]] on 12 July [[3039]], an act considered to be an open warning to former [[Archon]] [[Katrina Steiner]], as it demonstrated their ability to penetrate the most secure building in the [[Lyran Commonwealth]] undetected.<ref name=Wo3039-64>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 64 "Shadow Wars  Black Cats"</ref>

On 9 January [[3040]], a nekakami assassin tried to murder Coordinator [[Takashi Kurita]]. The assassination was ordered by a yakuza ''oyabun'' who incorrectly believed it to be the will of [[Theodore Kurita]]. Theodore rushed to his father's palace and killed the assassin. Some time later, when the [[Black Dragons]] attempted a coup on [[Luthien]] to depose and murder Theodore, some nekakami, disguised as [[ISF]], helped Theodore's son, [[Franklin Sakamoto]], protecting him and defeating the Dragons.<ref>''A Guide to Covert Ops'', p. 101</ref>

After the rebirth of the [[Second Star League]], Theodore Kurita secretly sent a group of four nekakami to join [[Task Force Serpent]], answerable only to the commander of the task force. They were [[Kasugai Hatsumi]], [[Honda Tan]], [[Rumiko Fox]], and [[Kieji Sendai]].<ref>''The Hunters'', ch. 7</ref> During the [[Battle of Huntress (3060)|Battle of Huntress]] they destroyed a Jaguar command center, and Hatsumi died in a sword duel against Smoke Jaguar Khan [[Lincoln Osis]], after severely wounding him.<ref>''Shadows of War'', ch. 19</ref>

The ''Nekakami'' were still active in the [[ilClan Era]]. The 12 June [[3152]], one sent by [[Yori Kurita]] killed [[New Samarkand]] Warlord [[Ryota Murakami]], a loyalist to ''Kanrei'' [[Matsuhari Toranaga]], to make sure Ryota didn't sent troops to the [[Dragon's Tongue]], opposing Yori's orders. After fatally wounding Ryota, the assassin told him it was his duty to the Dragon.<ref>''The Damocles Sanction'' pp. 55-56</ref>

==Career==
* Nekakami Childhood 
* Nekakami Aspirant (from age of ten to twenty) it takes normally five year of practice
* Way of the Spirit Cats - during this time the specialization takes place and takes three years
* Nekakami Special Training - that the final stages to reach the highest level within the Nekakami and last another three years <ref>''A Guide to Covert Ops'', pp. 19-21, "Nekakami Aspirant"</ref>

==History==
After [[Theodore Kurita]] arrival to power, in 3039, the nekekami send a paper cat to him to offer him his services. 
It is unknown if Theodore contract them until the forming of [[Second Star League]]. When the launching of [[Task Force Serpent]] was decided, Theodore decided to send a Nekekami team of four men (in reality, three men and one women). Posing as Comstar techs, they infiltrated in [[Defiance]] and joined the expedition.
Only the commanding officer of Task Force was informed of his presence. Probably Theodore wanted to compensate the absence of Combine troops in the expedition except for a [[DEST]] team. His idea was to send them to sabotage Jaguar bases and kill his leaders. 
The nekekami only acted after his commanding officer, [[Morgan Hasek-Davion]] was killed. After his assassin, a misterious [[Lucas Penrose]] was discovered, he threatened the live of [[Ariana Winston]], the new commanding officer of the Task Force. The nekekami leader saved her after throw a poisoned shuriken to Penrose. 
In Huntress, the nekekami only realized two combat missions, both under Winston's orders: the first was to sabotage the secondary Jaguar command center in Lootera, destroying key parts. After the arrival of Jaguar reinforcements, this same command center was reactivated, and Winston send them again. This time, the nekekami did his job at his style: killing anyone they find in their way. 
The leader of the nekekami wounded critically the Ilkhan [[Lincoln Osis]] in a honor duel with swords, but was killed by him. 

==References==
<references/>

==Bibliography==
*''[[The Damocles Sanction]]''
*''[[A Guide to Covert Ops]]''
*''[[Heir to the Dragon]]''
*''[[Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1]]''
*''[[Historical: War of 3039]]''


[[Category:Intelligence Agencies|Nekakami]]