Editing Michi Noketsuna

{{Update Needed|[[Historical Turning Points: Misery]]|[[Shadows of Faith]]|[[BattleTech Dossiers: The Bounty Hunter]]|[[Starterbook: Wolf and Blake]]|[[A Guy Walks Into a Bar on Solaris VII...]]}}
{{InfoBoxCharacter
| image               = Michi Noketsuna HWo3039.jpg
| caption             = During the [[War of 3039]]
| name                = Michi Noketsuna
| birthdate           = [[2998]]{{cn}}
| died                = 
| othernames          = 
| affiliation         = [[Draconis Combine]]<br/>[[Wolf's Dragoons]]
| rank                = [[Major]]
| title               = [[Warlord of Dieron]]
| position            = [[Director of Wolfnet]]
| profession          = 
| parents             = 
| siblings            = 
| spouse              = 
| children            = 
}}
'''Michi Noketsuna''' was the protégé of [[Minobu Tetsuhara]], a close ally of [[Theodore Kurita]], a [[Tai-shu|Warlord]] of the [[Dieron Military District]], and eventually the Director of [[Wolfnet]], the Intelligence Service of [[Wolf's Dragoons]].

==History==
[[File:Minobu Tetsuhara WotB.jpg|right|thumb|Minobu Tetsuhara, Michi's ''sensei'']]
===Early Life and Career===
Noketsuna was born on [[Luthien]], the capital of the [[Draconis Combine]]. He graduated as a [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarrior]] from the [[Sun Zhang Academy]] in [[3021]] with the officer rank of ''[[Tai-i]]''. However, being of common birth, he did not have a patron, and so would not receive a prestigious assignment; instead, he was assigned to the poorly regarded [[Professional Soldiery Liaison]] service.<ref name=HW39>''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 25</ref> By [[3024]], he had been assigned as an aide to Minobu Tetsuhara, the liaison officer to the [[Wolf's Dragoons]] mercenary unit.<ref>''Wolves on the Border'', p. 83</ref>

Having been trained under the code of ''[[bushido]]'', Noketsuna formed a close bond with his superior officer, regarding Tetsuhara as his ''sensei''. Both Noketsuna and Tetsuhara were impressed with the Dragoons' skill, courage and loyalty. Likewise, they were both mutually disgusted with the actions of Warlord [[Grieg Samsonov]] of the [[Galedon Military District]], who engaged in numerous nefarious actions in an attempt to subjugate the mercenaries into his own personal army.<ref name=HW39/>

===The Ryuken and Misery===
In [[3026]], [[Coordinator]] [[Takashi Kurita]] ordered the creation of the ''[[Ryuken]]'', a unit that would base itself on the same tactics of Wolf's Dragoons, applying a flexible tactical doctrine that was foreign to the tradition-minded [[Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery]]. Tetsuhara was to command this new unit, and Noketsuna would join him. As a result, he became one of the unit's original members.<ref name=HW39/> He saw combat action during the new unit's trial-by-fire on [[Barlow's End]].<ref name=WaB>''Wolves on the Border'', p. 146</ref> He killed ''[[Tai-sa]]'' [[Elijah Satoh]], who had taken command of the ''Ryuken'' and insisted that the original plan be adhered to even when situation changed and Kuritan position was falling into pieces.<ref name=WaB/>

In [[3028]], Tetsuhara was promoted to ''[[Tai-sho (rank)|Tai-sho]]'' and put in command of the entire ''Ryuken'' [[brigade]], along with the [[17th Galedon Regulars]], the [[21st Galedon Regulars]] and the [[8th Sword of Light]]. His assignment, courtesy of Warlord Samsonov, was to engage and destroy Wolf's Dragoons on the planet [[Misery]]. Noketsuna, naturally, accompanied his friend and ''sensei''.<ref>''Wolves on the Border'', pp. 288–292</ref> Early in the battle, Noketsuna proved his skill as a warrior by defeating a Dragoon ''[[Catapult]]'' in single [['Mech]] combat in his ''[[Ostroc]]'', the first such victory for the ''Ryuken''.<ref name=WB306>''Wolves on the Border'', p. 306</ref>

For nearly a month, the two sides fought viciously. When Dragoon forces overran Tetsuhara's command post, Noketsuna led a relief force that bought Tetsuhara time to mount his own ''[[Dragon]]''. They formed an ad hoc command lance with two other MechWarriors and attempted to reach friendly lines, but were intercepted and defeated by [[Dechan Fraser]]'s lance. The Dragoons took them both prisoner. Noketsuna ejected from his destroyed 'Mech at a low angle and the parachute barely slowed the ejection seat as it plowed into the snow.<ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', pp. 385–391</ref> He was wounded from this event and from the subsequent exposure to the harsh climate on Misery, including a broken arm and the loss of an eye.<ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', p. 393</ref><ref name=WB306 />

The Kuritans were defeated, though at tremendous cost to the Dragoons. Tetsuhara committed ''[[seppuku]]'' with [[Jaime Wolf]] standing as his second. Noketsuna, however, swore a vendetta against those who had manipulated events that led to the deaths of so many honorable warriors.

===Vendetta===
Accompanied by ex-Dragoon officers [[Dechan Fraser]] and [[Jenette Rand]], Noketsuna sought retribution against those whose treachery led to the events on Misery, beginning with Warlord Grieg Samsonov, but also including one of Samsonov's surviving aides, an [[Internal Security Force]] agent named Panati. Finally, the trio would hold Coordinator Takashi Kurita himself accountable.<ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', pp. 225–226</ref>

[[File:Bounty Hunter.jpg|right|thumb|The Bounty Hunter identity Noketsuna employed]]
They began with Samsonov. At the start of the [[Fourth Succession War]], Takashi Kurita ordered his former Warlord executed for his many failures.<ref>''Wolves on the Border'', p. 335</ref> Samsonov fled his pursuers, however, and the trio would follow on his trail. An exact accounting of their adventures is unknown. However, what is known is that at some point, possibly right from the onset,<ref>Notably, the previous Bounty Hunter, who had been Natasha Kerensky's personal nemesis, had joined forces with her to escape from [[Benet III]]; this was the last time that this particular Bounty Hunter persona appeared in fiction. The next holder of the Bounty Hunter identity would be Michi Noketsuna on his quest for vengeance, on which he embarked right after the Misery campaign which in turn took place a year after the Bounty Hunter had embarked on the Black Widow's DropShip.</ref> Noketsuna assumed the identity of the [[Bounty Hunter]], an infamous warrior who hunted other warriors for bounties. A report by General [[Caradoc Trevena]] claims Noketsuna had "encountered" the previous Bounty Hunter during the [[Fourth Succession War]],<ref name=HW39/> but the exact circumstances under which Noketsuna assumed the Bounty Hunter identity are unknown.

It is also known the trio spent time in the [[Periphery]] before finally hunting down Samsonov, with Noketsuna decapitating the villain himself.<ref name=HW39/> Still in the guise of the Bounty Hunter, Noketsuna attempted to present Samsonov's severed head to Tetsuhara's widow, Tomiko, who had retreated to a nunnery on [[Awano]].<ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', pp. 214–216</ref> When she refused, Noketsuna and his companions attempted to present the head to his ''sensei''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s father, [[Minoru Tetsuhara]], who also refused it.<ref>''Wolf Pack'', p. 216</ref>

When the trio finally cornered Panati in [[3030]] on [[Benjamin]], they found him in the company of Theodore Kurita and [[Ninyu Kerai Indrahar|Ninyu Kerai]]. After explaining his reasoning to the Kuritan Prince, the ''[[Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery#Gunji-no-Kanrei|Gunji-no-Kanrei]]'' granted Noketsuna right of vengeance over Panati, but urged him to set aside his vendetta against Takashi Kurita. Finally accepting that he had a greater duty to the Combine than he had to vengeance, Noketsuna agreed to help rebuild [[House Kurita]]'s military. He turned the Bounty Hunter legacy over to [[Vic Travers]], who offered him contact information with the ''[[Yakuza]]'' crime families before they parted ways. Fraser and Rand chose to accompany their friend into the Dragon's service.<ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', pp. 223–232</ref>

===In service to the Dragon's Heir===
At Noketsuna's suggestion, Theodore Kurita conceived a bold plan to recruit new MechWarriors and 'Mechs into the DCMS, warriors recruited from the ''Yakuza''. The two put themselves at great personal risk entering the Kuritan underworld, but ultimately their actions bore fruit. These actions eventually resulted in the founding of the [[Ghost Regiments]].<ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', pp. 233–241, 252–262</ref>

During the [[Ronin War]] in [[3034]], [[Vasily Cherenkoff]], Warlord of the Dieron Military district, was killed leading an attack against loyalist forces on [[Orestes]]. He was, in fact, assassinated when a bomb planted by his second-in-command, [[Dexter Kingsley]], exploded in the cockpit of the Warlord's BattleMech, in an effort to curry favor with Theodore Kurita.<ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', pp. 291–294</ref> Disapproving of Kingsley's motives, Theodore ordered him killed, but told Noketsuna it could not be he who carried out the order. He then appointed Noketsuna the new Warlord of the Dieron Military district, much to the warrior's surprise.<ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', p. 295</ref>

Despite his own reservations and considerable opposition from the various Generals and commanders serving under him,<ref name=HW39/><ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', p. 319</ref> Noketsuna was said to have ordered his district well, earning the respect of the troops and his fellow Warlords.<ref name=HW39/><ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', p. 307</ref>

When the [[War of 3039]] finally did come, Noketsuna had his District prepared. Despite facing invasions on two fronts from both the [[Lyran Commonwealth]] and [[Federated Suns]], the District's defenders fought well, and counterattacks by the ''[[Ryuken-ni]]'' and other units were effective in pushing back the invaders' timetable. His troops even took the important world of [[Quentin]] and its [[Independence Weaponry]] factory away from [[House Davion]]. Combined with the DCMS actions on other fronts, the war ended in a victory for the Draconis Combine, and for the policies of Theodore Kurita.

At the ''Kanrei''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s insistence, Noketsuna would remain as Warlord of the Dieron district until [[3054]]<ref name=HW39/><ref name=20YU>''20 Year Update'', p. 40; ''Objective Raids'', p. 25</ref> when he resigned in the aftermath of the [[Clan Invasion]]. It was time to finish his ''vendetta''.

===Feud's End===
After leaving his position, Noketsuna returned to his homeworld of Luthien and adopted a new identity, that of ''Fukushu Homitsu'', a ''kendo'' specialist, who soon obtained a position as a sparring partner for the aging Takashi Kurita. Takashi was unaware of the deception, although [[Subhash Indrahar]] and the ISF probably were aware.<ref>''Wolf Pack'', p. 74</ref> On the morning Takashi was to have faced Jaime Wolf in a duel to the death, Noketsuna made his move, disarming the Coordinator and demanding Takashi's own ''seppuku''. Takashi, never one to blink in the face of death, calmly spoke of the situation in the Combine at the time, claiming ultimately that Samsonov acted alone. His words created doubt in Noketsuna's mind.<ref>''Wolf Pack'', pp. 189–190</ref>

At this point, Subhash Indrahar, Ninyu Kerai Indrahar and a team of ISF ninja arrived on the scene. Subhash explained that they were there not to prevent Takashi's death, but to ensure it. He found it critical to avoid the duel with Jaime Wolf, knowing the Combine could not afford to renew the feud with the Dragoons. He then instructed Noketsuna to proceed with his execution of the Coordinator. Noketsuna, not wanting to taint his honor quest with political expediency, instead charged Subhash in a suicide attack. Ninyu Kerai shot him twice, supposedly killing him.<ref>''Wolf Pack'', pp. 194–199</ref>

However, it was not Noketsuna's fate to die then. He would recover, and was told that Takashi had ultimately committed ''seppuku'' of his own volition. Declining an offer from Theodore to take command of the ''Ryuken'', he instead left for Misery, contemplating committing ''seppuku'' himself. He was stopped by Minobu's son [[Kiyomasa Tetsuhara]], who, along with Jaime Wolf, convinced him to find his destiny with the Dragoons on [[Outreach]].<ref>''Wolf Pack'', pp. 235–241</ref>

He arrived just in time for the [[Dragoon Civil War]], an uprising by various elements in the Dragoons against Jaime Wolf's leadership, led by [[Elson Novacat]]. Enlisting his old friend Dechan Fraser, Noketsuna covertly helped Wolf escape an assassination attempt, even while seeming to side with Elson's loyalists. He later managed to transmit Elson's entire attack plan to Wolf by covertly attacking a [[ComStar]] [[HPG]] station, though he was seriously injured and [[Stanford Blake]] was killed during the incident.<ref>''Wolf Pack''</ref>

[[File:wolfnet.jpg|right|thumb|Insignia of Wolfnet]]

===Aftermath===
In the aftermath of the Dragoon Civil War and Jaime Wolf's victory, the Dragoons underwent a major overhaul. Noketsuna finally joined the Dragoons, taking over for the slain Stanford Blake as the head of Wolfnet, and holding the rank of [[major]].<ref name=MH>''Mercenary's Handbook 3055'', p. 47</ref> He would later also take and continue in that position for the [[Allied Mercenary Command]].<ref name=HW39/>

He was credited with writing the introduction to the original ''[[Field Manual: Mercenaries]]'' report compiled by Wolfnet.<ref>''Field Manual: Mercenaries'', p. 5</ref>

Noketsuna's fate during the destruction on Outreach at the dawn of the [[Word of Blake]] [[Jihad]] is unknown.

==Personality and Traits==
In his youth, Noketsuna was idealistic and eager. He had, however, been raised in the tradition of ''bushido'', which led to his rapport with Minobu Tetsuhara. Tetsuhara had a profound influence on the young officer, and his ''seppuku'' after the Battle of Misery changed him radically. Noketsuna's personality after this event was usually dark and moody, and although he continued to strive to follow the road of honor, he continually found that path dark and clouded. This seemed to get progressively worse over time, as Noketsuna found little comfort in the companionship of those who had been his friends and allies in the past. More than once, he seemed to desire a simple warrior's death, and found himself denied. Noketsuna was an excellent warrior, both in a BattleMech and in physical combat. He developed a wide variety of skills that served him well during his ''vendetta'' and the pursuit of the ''yakuza''. These skills would eventually lead him to his position with Wolfnet.

==BattleMechs==
During his brief but memorable career with the original ''Ryuken'', Noketsuna piloted a customized ''[[Ostroc]]''.<ref name=WB306/>

As the Bounty Hunter, he piloted the distinctive green ''[[Marauder]]'' of that identity.<ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', p. 231</ref>

==Behind the Scenes==
In [[MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries#The Dragon.27s Gambit|''MechWarrior 5: The Dragon's Gambit'']], Michi Noketsuna was voiced by [[Brent Mukai]].<ref name=MW5Mc>''MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries'', closing credits</ref>

==Notes==
===Speculation===
* It was speculated that Noketsuna had become involved in a relationship with a Dragoon officer, a Lieutenant [[Alice Sumner]] whom he met in 3024. Lieutenant Sumner was killed during the fighting on Misery.<ref name=HW39/><ref>''Wolves on the Border'', pp. 89–90</ref>
* Noketsuna's injuries on Misery were very serious. Although he would eventually make a full recovery, his left eye was lost. His later activities indicated that this did not limit him, however.<ref name=HW39/>
* It is implied, though never explicitly stated, that Noketsuna disguised himself significantly when he masqueraded as Homitsu. He certainly would have been recognizable to Takashi Kurita and others on Luthien.
* There is actually no tangible proof that Takashi Kurita deliberately engineered the escalation between Wolf's Dragoons and House Kurita. Takashi Kurita denied this when confronted in person by Jaime Wolf at Hanse Davion's wedding. According to the novel ''Wolves on the Border'' he merely wanted Warlord Samsonov to tie the Dragoons to the Combine permanently. The decision to destroy the Dragoons when they resisted the attempt was apparently made by Samsonov (and his aide Jerry Akuma). The impression is given that Takashi Kurita was unhappy with Samsonov's initiative and the escalation it brought but felt it was too late to stop him, which may or may not be the actual truth of the matter.

===Discrepancies===
* There is a discrepancy as to when Noketsuna actually stepped down as Warlord of Dieron. According to multiple reference sources, he still held the position as late as 3054.<ref name=HW39/><ref name=20YU /> In the novel ''Wolf Pack'', however, it is strongly implied he stepped down within a few years of the War of 3039. It is also stated that he had not even been seen in the Combine since [[3052]].<ref>''Wolf Pack'', p. 63</ref>
* There is a further discrepancy as to how long Noketsuna was in command of Wolfnet. According to a report on the War of 3039 prepared by General [[Caradoc Trevena]] of the [[Star League Defense Force]], Noketsuna was still in charge of the intelligence agency as of 3067.<ref name=HW39/> However, in an Intelligence Briefing on Covert Agencies dated that same year, Colonel [[Pietr Shadd]], who had years earlier been listed as head of the Special Recon Group,<ref name=MH /> is listed as being in command of the agency, with no mention of Noketsuna.<ref>''A Guide to Covert Ops'', p. 101</ref>
* It is indicated that Takashi Kurita was well aware of Noketsuna's vendetta for some time. Why he would allow such an individual to remain as Warlord is unknown.<ref>''Wolf Pack'', pp. 60–63</ref>

==References==
<references/>

==Bibliography==
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
* ''[[20 Year Update]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Mercenaries]]''
* ''[[A Guide to Covert Ops]]''
* ''[[Heir to the Dragon]]'' (novel)
* ''[[Historical Turning Points: Misery]]''
* ''[[Historical: War of 3039]]''
* ''[[MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries]]'' (video game)
* ''[[Mercenary's Handbook 3055]]''
* ''[[Objective Raids]]''
* ''[[Wolf Pack]]'' (novel)
* ''[[Wolves on the Border]]'' (novel)
{{div col end}}

[[Category:Draconis Combine Characters|Noketsuna, Michi]]
[[Category:Wolf's Dragoons Characters|Noketsuna, Michi]]