MEC Reference: OW-0029
Historical Origins (If applicable):
> Japan, Feudal
> Japan, circa 1850 (1856 - Matthew Perry and the Opening of Japan's Ports)
> Japanese Folklore (Kitsune)
> Indian Folklore (Kitsune)
World Theme:
> Japanese empire emulated by displaced kitsune.
Data origin:
> Interrogation of subjects 23-156, 23-190, 23-227
> Historical Archives

Summary:
This world apparently is a total emulation of Japanese feudal society, it's members replacing humans with kitsune. It is the belief of the RnD department that this world is a class X threat. They are an unknown threat.

Narrative:
What our interrogations have revealed about this world is very disturbing. Never before has an otherworlder been able to recite our world's history so accurately, and yet mix their recounts with enough facts that would all be edited out of publically available historical archives by the Public Affairs Office. Although we can not verify the absolute acuracy of these additional facts without open disclosure from the PAO on previous activites, all other data presented in this report has been verified to be true and unbiased.

Subject 23-156 'arrived' by means of a gate that is located in a downtown shinto shrine, long abandoned since it's current owners abandoned the property in 1977. The gate would consist of their 'pathfinders' opening the passage on their side of the worldgate to allow one of their own through, a pathfinder himself since he would be expected to open the gate on our side of the 'barrier'. The gate itself by all recounts would classify as a grade C threat, since it's short lifespan would preclude any effects on the local enviroment save providing a bridge to their world. The link to an undiscloed world though elevates the class as per instructions to a class X (Unknown, high casualties expected if investigated). Subject 23-156 recounted a desire to return home, and required several Dungeon Hearts that once laid in our vaults. He despaired and commited suicide soon after learning all the required Hearts were destroyed in the discovery process.

Subject 23-190 was remanded to the MEC by the New York Courts to await trial of 1 count murder, 1 count attempted. In his defense he cited that a 'commoner's place is to serve his superiors.' Only by convincing this kitsune that our interrogation officers were of equal rank were we able to get anything from him. Their society is very strongly caste based, with their nine tail (there is only one) serving as the emporer(-es), the 8 tails serving as clan leaders, 7 tails as daimyo's tending to fiefs beneath them that are in turn constructed and maintained by the 6 tails and less. On learning of our deception, he summoned a sword and proceeded to fight his guards, killing two, wounding four. He was summarily put down with extreme prejudice.

(Noted: Our investigators objected to conducting the interrogations wearing 5 fox tails attached to their belts. To quote: 'This is ridiculous.')

Subject 23-227. Most of what we know of him is what he's been reported to do and our observations from scout teams in the Bronx, New York, where he maintains an apartment above a pawn shop. Evidence exists this kitsune is a master of illusions. This subject has eluded capture time and again, and yet he holds various jobs under the table. This one has an uncanny knack for knowing how our teams operate, and it is disturbing to report that he may have worked here in the MEC for a short time, right under our noses. (If true, this will be a devastating blow to the integrity of operations against him). Of the three subjects seen to date, this one is considered the most dangerous. Any sightings /must/ be reported to the magis branch without fail.

It is also suspected that he is responsible for the disappearance of an entire neighborhood in the Bronx, along with one of our officers, Daniels Kwalski. His partner reports that Daniels accepted an invitation to one of the subjects parties. He himself, was given tickets to the icecapades for his family and wished a merry Christmas, a treat he was unable to afford. Although the disappearances are alarming, there is no evidence at this time to suggest foul play, pending further investigation.

It is this analyst's theory that this world might legitimately have some connection with Japan's past, as all data provided thus far has not been disproved, and in fact bolstered several inconsistencies with Japanese history. Of the subjects listed above, statistically it seems 23-190 is the exception, not the rule, but further studies must be done to confirm this.

A query has been sent to the Japan Branch for more information, with a cross correspondence to the Japanese Ministry of Education.

Addendum:
>The Shinto Shrine referenced by subject 23-156 has been seized by MEC puppet companies on March 2007 and will be processed.
>Subject 23-277 spotted again in the northern districts, with six tails. He assisted MEC patrols with putting a highly dangerous otherworld beast down, an ettin, then disappeared before he could be apprehended in turn. Motivation was unknown.
>Japan Ministry had no further information to provide.
>Japan MEC provided information on kitsune legends.