The following is an excerpt from an audio recording of the bridge of the Gallic Royal Navy Cruiser La Rochelle, during the final hours of the Battle of Montpellier.
1st Officer: Sir, were taking heavy hostile fire, hull integrity is currently at 38%.
Captain Jean-Pierre de Malet: Shields?
1st Off: Inoperative, all sectors are offline and emergency power reserves are fully depleted, sir.
Cpt: What about the engines? And get me a casualty report!
A large explosion can be heard, the sound of another torpedo striking the ship.
1st Off: The engines are still 75% operational, sir. They seem to be focusing their fire on our weapon systems, weve already lost several gun ports. Id estimate around 35% casualties, so far. Hull integrity has fallen to 29%, sir.
Cpt: Enough of this! Helmsman, bring us about! Steer a course for Planet Sete, at full speed.
1st Off: But, sir!
Cpt: Theres no more we can do here and I wont waste the lives of my remaining crew!
The sound of the ships cruise engines powering up, as well as several more explosions rocking the ship can be heard.
This is the Royal News Service, broadcasting throughout Gallia and the Border Worlds.
Yesterday saw the conclusion of the high profile hearing of Jean-Pierre de Malet, former captain of the Gallic Royal Navy Cruiser La Rochelle. He faced charges of cowardice, fleeing in the face of the enemy and dishonourable conduct.
The Royal Navy Tribunal based on Avallon Station sat for two days, hearing evidence from crew members who were aboard the La Rochelle during the disastrous climax of the Battle of Montpellier. The tribunal also reviewed ship logs and audio recordings in addition to testimony from several high ranking Royal Navy officers.
The trial was further complicated by the sudden death of the La Rochelles First Officer, Philippe Drossard. Assumed to be suicide, Mr Drossard apparently ejected himself from an airlock upon hearing the news that the Languedoc Minefield had been breeched.
Jean-Pierre de Malet, aged 45, was pronounced guilty of all charges, and has been stripped of all rank, titles and honour. His estate on New Paris has since been confiscated by Officers of the Royal Police, evicting his wife Anne de Malet, aged 43, and his daughter, Florence de Malet, aged 20.
In addition, the Royal News Service has learned that Everard du Teil, aged 24, has cancelled his engagement to Florence de Malet. When questioned this morning Everard du Teil, son of the influential aristocrat Gustave du Teil, stated that he "could never marry into a family with such a reputation". Both Florence and Anne de Malet declined to comment and are currently staying with friends, but an inside source has said that Florence de Malet was "very upset".
Jean-Pierre de Malet was unavailable for comment, though his role in the catastrophic defeat at Montpellier is unlikely to be soon forgotten. The La Rochelle is currently undergoing repairs and is likely to be assigned a new captain in the next few days. We can only hope that her new commander is a wise, courageous and honourable officer, unlike Jean-Pierre de Malet.
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Family Name: de Malet
Given Name: Jean-Pierre
Age: 45
Date of Birth: 31st of March, 688 AGS
Place of Birth: New Paris
Class: Aristocrat
Wife: Anne de Malet, 43, married 22 years.
Sons: None
Daughters: One, Florence de Malet, 20, single.
Physical Characteristics: Brown eyes. Dark brown/greying hair, receding hairline. 174cm tall. Fairly pale complexion. Slightly overweight.
Medical history: Previous history of deteriorating eyesight. Underwent successful corrective surgery in 718 AGS.
Psychological Analysis: Sane and stable. No indication of any mental illnesses or underlying psychological issues. Stays calm under pressure. May display excessive levels of compassion. Strong willed and resolute.
Royal Navy Career: Enlisted in 710 AGS at the age of 22. Upon completion of Basic Officer Training at the Royal Naval Academy, 711 AGS, assigned to the Battleship Embrun as a senior officer. 16 years of service aboard the Battleship Embrun. In 727 AGS given command of the Gallic Royal Navy Cruiser La Rochelle. Fought in numerous skirmishes during this time. In 733 AGS, fought in the Battle of Montpellier and disregarded orders, fleeing the battle. Was stripped of command and all rank, and publically disgraced.