Aquitaine - Planet Leeds, Glassing of the Planet
"So this is it? Is it seriously going to work like that? You know, it seems easy, way too easy et easy things tend to go to crap... But ey, having an easy life is boring, some action is needed to make us happy. Though the odds are not in our favour, we will get back what's rightfully ours, oui?" It was a typical soldier speech, something Lauren adored despite her upper class family status. She was one of the soldiers like all of her family members and she knew well there is no difference between soldiers, no matter if you are from poor or Royal family, no matter if you are old or young, woman or man. These guys were serving under her, yet you couldn't clearly say who is the leader of this group. Marines in heavy black armor and helmet, typical for old La'Row's guard before the uprising on Marne, equipped with long rifles, SMGs, pistols and knives. Lauren however held shotgun in her arms, a kind of weapon she admired above all and most importantly most efficient in close quarter battles, like the one they were going into. "Oui, I believe this plan is going to work perfectly. Or do you know a better way how to infiltrate Normandy? You don't have to answer though, I know you don't." Said La'Row, one of three women in this small squad, consisting of 50 loyal Marines. They all were scattered around the Taureau which was supposed to evacuate people from Leeds. Pilot however was one of La'Row's guards and plan was more than simple, find La France, get access to dock and initiate the operation. Lauren carefully pushed the button on her ear. "Alright gentlemen, let's recapitulate our plan. Alpha, speak." "Our plan is simple, Alpha squad will capture armory, in case the resistance of the crew resulted in violations. Beta will attack the bridge from deck 6, Beta will meet with Gamma near the bridge, Gamma will have to secure the elevators and exits. Theta will hold the docking bay. They believe we are on their side, so they won't attack us, use this advantage and get to your objectives in stealth. Have your breathing suit ready, in case we would have to take down life support systems for a while." Simple as it seemed, all of them were prepared and ready. They wanted old Normandy back, the one which belonged to House of La'Row.
"Let's go! I don't want to get hit by one of these beasts, go go go!!" And with her words, Taureau with marines left the space port of planet Leeds.
Edinburgh, near Perth station
"Damn, this thing is supposed to be yours? It's one of the Normandy vessels, isn't it Lauren?" Lauren just silently nodded and looked at the screen where the flight was recorded. They were moving closer and closer. Lauren just kept staring at the screen, rubbing her shotgun carefully, she was concentrated and ready for the task they were about to begin in few minutes. "Get yourself ready guys, we are being dropped off in three minutes. Helmets on." Said La'Row, as their Taureau was approaching Charente. It was the incredible sight, the jewel of House of La'Row, so close and yet so far. Lauren was in one of the squads which were supposed to take control of the bridge and she made sure her squad was special. It consisted of Aoi Voilé infectees, a personal guard as she called them. They were product of patience and long time planning and infecting people aboard Perth, then on her Triumph class destroyer. Specialists. Few seconds later everyone could hear the conversation between captain of Taureau and communication officer of Charente. He was on their side, one of the many people Lauren convinced to join her squad and help her seize the ship without violence. Few seconds later Taureau was already making last maneuvers to the docking bay, everyone was ready, they were motivated and hyped about everything. Adrenaline was rushing in their bodies, heart was beating fast. "Alright gentlemen, this is our only chance. Do not **** it up, we need this ship for greater plans and brighter future. This will be our home, so make sure it stays intact. Let's roll guys." Lauren got up from her seat and put on her helmet, so did everybody present. Few seconds later the cracking of the door happened and the light from the bay was filling up the room they were in."Let's go, let's go!" And with these words, one by one began leaving the ship and walking to their objectives.
Normandy Class, La France, Edinburgh.
"Commander, Alpha squad is located close to armory. Beta is close to their objective as well. Nothing is happening on cameras, it's quiet, way too quiet. I will keep my eyes open in case something bad would about to happen." It was one of her men on board, right hand if security and one who served with Lauren on La France before it disappeared for months. Everything was going according to plan, squads were ready to capture strategic points of Charente. 10 soldiers approached the entrance to the bridge, helmets on, weapons ready. Five on the left, five on the right. Lauren took a deep breath and nodded. "It's time, seize the bridge, seize the armory, seize the elevators. Stay on this frequency so I can brief you as soon as possible. Shoot only when necessary. Go!!!." Lauren took a deep breath and walked in with the rest of her squad, immediately aiming at the officers on the bridge. Two of her soldiers quickly grabbed two guardsmen by their necks and pushed them to the wall. "Hands up guys!! If I were you, I would stay calm! Just keep your hands up and DON'T do anything stupid." . One captured communication officer, another one head of medical service, ten seconds later hostages were brought to the wall, their weapons were taken away. "This is it, the bridge is ours. Stay silent and listen to Commander!" Said one of Lauren's guards.
All of them lowered down their weapons and Lauren herself walked to the security corner where she took a seat and attempted to check cameras. Armory was secured, however there was a fight between her soldiers and ship's crew, two corridors away from the bridge. "Jules, connect me to ship's INTERCOM, get it done fast, our lives are at stakes..." With a simple nod one of the unarmoured people rushed to the communication panel and began typing furiously, three seconds later he raised his thumb up. Then Lauren's head appeared on screens across the ship, she took off her helmet and took a deep breath. "To all personnel, this is Lauren Charlotte La'Row of La Marine Royale Gauloise and righteous owner and commander of this ship speaking. We've managed to secure important locations on this ship, but before we proceed with necessary procedures, I would like to express my gratitude to people loyal to my family. Also I'd like to share my reasons why we've decided to take my ship back. As you know, Maréchal Landreau commanded this ship for several years, it was a great service, this ship was in the first wave of Leeds, now Aquitaine, offensive and it was successful. It managed to defeat countless enemy ships, be it Bretonian and rebel capital ships or their fighters and bombers. However it has come to our attention that Maréchal got into mentally unstable situation and attempted to collaborate with rebels in fear of lose. She was scared for her own life and didn't care what happens with you. As a proof I will relay her message to Pierre LaFlamme, you all know him." Then a communication between her and LaFlamme appeared on display. "We haven't come here to harm you, we've come here to save you, take care of you. This ship belonged to my family for generations, before almost everyone was murdered during the uprising on Marne. Then selfish Maréchal Landreau managed to steal this ship, changed the name and used it as her own property, it's something I couldn't leave unanswered and I had to get this ship back. Now with your help, my family may rest in peace after many years of disturbance. You've got two options now. You can either join me and remain on this ship or we can prepare two Taureau transports and you will be dropped off with refuges on Issoudon. The call is yours. Please stay calm and stop the ongoing violence among us. The era of Landreau has ended, the era of house La'Row has been restored. Proceed with your daily duties, we will get back to you shortly." With her last words she was disconnected from the INTERCOM and screens were turned off again. "Call Gamma and Tau, the stage is in balance. Bring back my battlecruiser crew, they will be needed in case of violations or if Landreau's lapdogs leave this ship. We need it operational." Soldiers nodded and got back to guarding and managing stuff on the bridge.