ID: Bruce Montague, Marechal, Master of the Border Guard, Margrave d'Burgundy ENREGISTREMENT: GRN-1231-48-B ORIGINE: Battleship Temeraire DESTINATION: Sieges Sociaux, Royaux de Marine CHIFFRAGE: Securite-S
[COMMENCEZ LE PLAYBACK] This is Bruce Montague, Marechal, Master of the Border Guard, Margrave d'Burgundy, reporting on an engagement with Sirian forces. It is the 31st of August, 734 A.G.S.
Our scouts in Languedoc reported the presence of a large, heavy capital craft not consistent with Council vessels. Assuming it to be a Sirian warship, I took the Temeraire in for a look. It is best to know who can put warships in our sovereign space before they attempt to attack us, that we might squash them like gnats more efficiently. Upon arriving in Languedoc, I stated my name and rank, and ordered all Sirian vessels to leave. Council responded by raising the alarm... I believe I have made an impression on them before. The Sirian vessel broadcasted an offer to the Council forces, calling himself a member of the Bounty Hunters Guild. I informed them this was a mistake, and warned their commander once again to leave peacefully. He responded with a series of insults, besmirching our beloved King and my own family. This cannot be tolerated.
Several other ships were off patrol, and I summoned them to scout for the Sirian craft. They found him near Montpelier Guard Station, and I took my vessel there to teach him a lesson in respect. However, before I could fire more than a few shots, he took refuge under the armored docking ports of the station, claiming that Council had given docking rights to his Guild.
Below follows the comm logs:
GRN|RNS-Temeraire: This is Marshal Bruce Montague, Master of the Border Guard and Margrave Burgundy.
GRN|RNS-Temeraire: All Sirian vessels, you have this one and only warning- leave now, or be destroyed.
[C]-Alexander.Du-Lac:: Quillan Control, this is Colonel Du Lac, ready all bomber and fighter wings, raise general alert status.
BHG|Core-Millers_Stout: Council ships, do you wish to hire the Guild for added support ?
BHG|Core-Millers_Stout: Council, your transmission has been noted, and will be forwarded to GCHQ. Good luck.
GRN|RNS-Temeraire: Sirian, working with Council is a mistake you do not want to make. You cannot hope to oppose us and live.
GRN|RNS-Temeraire: Leave now, and you shall be spared.
[C]-Alexander.Du-Lac:: Margrave, perhaps you should not make threats you cannot keep.
BHG|Core-Millers_Stout: Gallic Navy, Contact your HQ, and let them continue talks with The Guild HQ. Do not fire upon any Hunter vessels, or you
BHG|Core-Millers_Stout: you will regret it.
GRN|RNS-Temeraire: You dare to threaten me, Sirian?
GRN|RNS-Temeraire: You know you cannot hope to survive, Council wretch. Why do you drag them into this?
BHG|Core-Millers_Stout: This was not a threat, Gallic Navy. This was stating the fact. Something a Naval Academy educated person ought to realize
GRN|RNS-Temeraire: When the day comes that the Dauphine armada sweeps through this system, our victory is foretold.
[C]-Alexander.Du-Lac:: We drag no one into anything, yet we have resisted you and the Crown long enough.
BHG|Core-Millers_Stout: Or did you receive your commison because your mother was letting your king utilize her marmaries for his coffee ?
[C]-Alexander.Du-Lac:: Okay.....that was a little more Vulgar than I'd care to hear....
GRN|RNS-Temeraire: My family is only noble now because I took it there by my hand, and mine alone.
GRN|RNS-Temeraire: I am not the same kind of brown-nosed nobody that plagues New Paris. I am a warrior.
BHG|Core-Millers_Stout: So what you are saying, Gallic Navy... You used your hands on various body parts of your king ? That was too much info
GRN|RNS-Temeraire: Watch your tongue, mongrel.
BHG|Core-Millers_Stout: *laughs* Don't worry. My tongue won't be coming anywhere near your body.. Or your kings. I like it isnt brown.
GRN|RNS-Temeraire: You there! Giroux! Find that Sirian, that we no longer suffer this pathetic drivel.
GRN|Aubert.Giroux: Oui!
GRN|RNS-Temeraire: Actually, all of you, fan out and search for this... "bounty hunter"...
GRN|Aubert.Giroux: But, what should I do if that Sirian is flying a wreck bigger than mine?
GRN|RNS-Temeraire: Do not engage, then. Tell me where he is, and I shall bring my ship to him.
GRN|Aubert.Giroux: Oui, sir!
Pierre.Siponak: How much of them are about anyways?
GRN|RNS-Temeraire: I believe the Guild vessel is a battlecruiser or battleship. Council also has some small ship nearby.
GRN|Aubert.Giroux: Who... are... you?
GRN|RNS-Temeraire: Have you located them?
GRN|Aubert.Giroux: Unknown vessel spotted. Bearing 'Order' transponder
GRN|RNS-Temeraire: Just down the lane?
GRN|Aubert.Giroux: It moved to Nimes
GRN|RNS-Temeraire: It is a secondary priority. Find the Guild vessel first.
GRN|RNS-Temeraire: I do not intend to allow it to escape after making such insults.
GRN|Aubert.Giroux: Council vessel spotted in Nimes.
GRN|Aubert.Giroux: I have him!
GRN|RNS-Temeraire: Location?
GRN|Aubert.Giroux: Montpellier station!
GRN|RNS-Temeraire: Keep him from running. I am on my way.
GRN|Aubert.Giroux: Prepare the disruptors
GRN|Aubert.Giroux: We're under fire!
GRN|RNS-Temeraire: You should have listened the first time, Sirian. Now your life is mine.
[C]-Alexander.Du-Lac:: Quillan Control, high alert, repeat, high alert!
BHG|Core-Millers_Stout: Thats what you think...
GRN|RNS-Temeraire: Prepare to die, mongrel. For Gallia! Vive le roi!
At this point, the vessel fled to the cover of Montpelier.
GRN|RNS-Temeraire: Hiding beneath Council's skirts? So brave.
GRN|RNS-Temeraire: Come now. We have better things to do than deal with this trash.
BHG|Core-Millers_Stout: Fortunately the Council has let us utilize their facilities, while we conduct our mapping of these border systems.
GRN|RNS-Temeraire: Go home, Council wretch.
BHG|Core-Millers_Stout: And there is nothing you or your king can do, to prevent the Guild from continuing our mapping of these border regions.
[C]-Alexander.Du-Lac:: All civilian shipping is to remain grounded - high alert status maintained.
These "bounty hunters" appear more like a professional (however uncivilized) military force than a security company. I have since reviewed my ship's flight data, and from her majesty Princess Aurelia's reports, I believe the vessel I encountered to be a "Mako" class battleship. This is somewhat surprising, since the reports of our spies in the Sirian houses report no such warships being possessed by the Bounty Hunters Guild, much less any record of an organized military. The Princess' reports indicate they have some presence in the outer colonies, though- perhaps it would be in our best interests to send spies farther afield to gather intel on this force. Though their vessels are light and flimsy, I would prefer to count them amongst the enemies we understand than those of whom we have only rumors.
In the mean time, I suggest that as collaborators to Council, we destroy their vessels on sight and interrogate any survivors. Sirius must know that working with Council is not to be tolerated.
For King and Country!
Bruce Montague, Marechal, Master of the Border Guard, Margrave d'Burgundy
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