11-09-2012, 04:10 AM
// This is a cleaned, polished log of tonight's event. The Participants are:
- Fleet Admiral Piett of the BAF
- Fleet Admiral Hale of the LN
- Alice DeFrance, Princess of Gallia
- Admiral Baker of the LN
- Colonel Lavalle, Commander of the Normandie
- Leon Chevalier, defector of the Gallic Royal Navy
- Kate Miller that was taking care of security.
*Aboard the Normandie*
Hale: Alice... where exactly are we meeting the bretonians?
Hale: The incredible number of places deemed "grand enough" on this ship still confuses me.
Alice: Conference room will do.
Allegiance Command: Normandie, the admiral's shuttle is arriving and requesting to dock on Normandie.
Normandie Command: Permission granted, Bretonia.
Normandie Command: Admiral Baker, you're welcome aboard if you need to.
Rachel: I probably should. I'll move the Hill into a mooring position.
*A small military shuttle is closing to Normandie and after receiving permission to dock - begun to proceedure to land.*
*Special armed forces personel in company of 5 plus the fleet admiral come out of the shuttle and await to be given direction*
Piett: Where is the conference room, point us the way.
*The bretonian delegation is escorted to the conference room*
*Meanwhile david Hale takes a seat in the conference room and waits for the various others to arrive*
*Rachel proceeded aboard the Normandie accompanied by a single Marine clad in heavy armor*
Hale: *speaks into his comms unit* I trust you'll be turning up, Rachel?
Rachel: Aye, I'm here..
*By entering the conference room, few minutes later, Piett noticed admiral Hale and salutes*
*Hale stands and returns the salute*
Hale: Good evening Fleet Admiral. *He gives a half smile*
*Piett ordered to his escort major to wait while he finish the important discussion*
*Rachel makes her way to the conference room, her escort waiting outside the door as she steps inside*
Hale: Chevalier is a defectee, to answer the question, Rachel. One of Alice's men.
*Alice arrives in the conference room, followed by Chevalier*
Piett: Admiral Hale, its an honour to finally meet with you and...our new guest.
Piett: And there she is *he bows slowly*
*Hale shakes Peitt's hand*
Hale: Pleasure to meet you too.
*Chevalier follows Alice into the room, looking exhausted and thin*
Piett: I would like to have the first word before we start...
Alice: Bonjour everyone.
Leon: *grins* Took your time, Alice. Good to see you though. Really.
*Rachel looks to the Gallic officer, tilting her head curiously for a moment before sitting down*
Leon: Bonjour *he looks at the various rank insignia and salutes* ... admirals.
*Piett seems nervous and unhappy to see more gallics coming in the room*
Leon: I will have to say sorry for my english. It is basic. But I will try to make myself understood.
Rachel: Uh huh.. *She nods to Leon, resting her hands on the table*
Hale: Pleasure to meet you at last mr Chevalier.
Alice: Have a seat Leon, you must be exhausted.
Piett: *hm* I am rather confused to find it as please. Dont get me wrong but these people *points leon* were fighting our men.
Leon: Exhausted? as in, tired. oui? *he sits down*
Alice: *in french* Just relax, it's over now.
Piett: Nice hospitality aside, the Bretonia goverment and the admiralty board have many questions...and no answers yet.
Leon: Admiral Piett... I must apologise on behalf of my nation, mon amis. If it allows some comfort, I did not ask for this war. I do not support it.
Piett: I can say one of the major reasons why we are here talking with you is because admiral Hale trusts you.
Leon: But you present a challenging opponent. *He offers his hand to Piett*
*Piett handshake with Leon but his gaze was serious instead of warmth*
Piett: Still I would like to hear the reasons for your actions as well as why Alice DeFrance defected from her own House.
*Rachel shifts around in her seat, sitting more upright now, casting her gaze toward Admiral Hale, though saying nothing*
Hale: Admiral Piett... That is one hell of a long story... And one I believe best told by Alice, who I believe may well be able to shed a little more light on the importnce of recovering Mr Chevalier as well.
*A few minutes later, the Colonel Lavalle arrives* Apologies for being late gentlemen, and mesdames of course.
*Leon stands up and greets lavalle warmly.*
Leon: Good to see you, Henri.
Lavalle: Good to see you too Leon. Welcome aboard.
*alice sits down, inviting others to do so*
Alice: Leon's been working with me for a long time now. He kept me informed of what was going on in the inner cicle of my father, the king.
*Leon sits back down and listens*
Alice: Thank to him we've been able to keep some connections inside Gallia, and recruit some valuable people as well.
Hale: *Nods* I can compile some of the data, if needs be. I'm sure it will be of use to the Bretonians.
Piett: *rising hand, requesting alice to stop* Before you explain us the future, I would like to hear something about the past.
Leon: I was not able to send everything. I was being watched.
Piett: Why you arrived here in first place and why you went directly to Liberty?
Alice: That's not quite how it happened.
Piett: Please explain then, what exactly happened?
Alice: We were boarded by an unknown force in the Tau-23 system. It later revealed to be a future... friend of Admiral Hale.
Hale: I think a full explanation would be a highly confusing matter. We recovered the Normandie after being contacted by someone who operates as an agent of ours... By the time that agent gifted the ship to us, it had been in sigma 17 for some time.
Piett: So you found something wrong in Gallia? Something far more evil than the king and all this...war he sent on our people?
Alice: It wasn't supposed to happen like this. All of this was not of our own will. The irony is, initially we were prisoners.
Piett: You speak of the entire war? All this was a simple mistake not done by the people of Gallia?
Alice: Non. We were planning an internal takeover. This boarding of our ship ruined this plan.
Leon: *nods* There were many plans in place before... Oui. Perhaps though, we have found some friends... and perhaps this is a better way.
*Alice nods*
Lavalle: And quite good at what they do.
Piett: Excuse my hostility but on our side it was different. While you were updating your relations - our people were ...
Alice: But you'll figure out quickly enough that the people never asked for this war, Admiral Piett.
Leon: The people of Gallia are not your enemy, mon ami... The majority live in fear of the king.
Piett: Are you telling me the people of Gallia does not support the war of the King?
Alice: They don't. But if they stand up, you get mechs. And lots of dead people.
Piett: Then why they dont fight the Royalists as the council does?
Leon: it is the rule of an iron fist... People are simply told what to believe, and those who do not...
*Rachel sits up, looking to Piett.*
Rachel: Do the people of Bretonia support every action of your Queen, Admiral?
Leon: Well... gallic history is full of martyrs who tried to make a difference.
Alice: Most of the civilians live in fear, Admiral. There are not many who are willing to put their whole family in danger to stand up.
Piett: *gazing at Rachel* Ma'am, Her Royal Majesty, Queen Carina, God protect us, never declared war upon a House for..no reason.
Hale: *Gives a glance to Rachel* And the queen is not an absolute monarch. But everywhere, there will be people who do not agree with the actions of their government... I mean, you only have to look at rheinland to see... the actions of the Hessians... Bundschuh, LWB and so on.
Piett: Alice, what was the original reason of the King to start this war? His reason?
Leon: By having an enemy, you can unite a people.
Alice: It's not just my father. It was bound to happen. What you're seeing is a music playing... This music was written in Sol. The music of revenge.
Piett: Indeed I hear a music...the horror music of screaming pilots bound by the destruction of their ships...melody aye?
Hale: *sits and listens* That's what it sounds like, unfortunately, Admiral.
Rachel: Hrm..
Alice: No matter what I did, I realised later that I couldn't stop it.
Hale: but let me remind you that Alice and the crew of this vessel are not a party to that.
Piett: Excuse my precations but dont you belive she may be sent here to spy you admiral Hale? To prepare you for the worst?
Alice: Admiral Hale already know what's coming.
Hale: It would be a highly inefficient method of spying, Admiral. To send the single most powerful warship of the Gallic fleet, aside from the Chant du Cygne, into the hands of you enemy along with a well renowned military commander, and someone who is of royal blood... It'd be like me sending the durango and the president's son to Gallia. I'd be sacked for suggesting it.
Rachel: Considering the...other things, going on..if David were in any danger from miss DeFrance...I think that would have already been made apparent..
Piett: Then I would like to know whats coming as well, to prepare my men, and secure our lands. Can you help us or not?
Alice: You want the truth, Admiral Piett?
Piett: *nods* The truth and truth only.
Alice: Most of the bretonians are going to die. That's the truth.
*Rachel tenses a bit, looking to Alice, and then to Piett*
*Hale closes his eyes and rubs his forehead*
Piett: You are telling me nothing new, princess...*staring at her* and how exactly can that knowledge help us turn the tides?
Alice: When I left Gallia, half of the fleet was still under preparation for deployment.
*remain silent*
Alice: What you're seeing here, in Leeds, the so called Armada. It's nothing. And unless we can unite... your people will die.
Hale: The tide will be turned when Liberty has the ability to turn its full force to the front. But our predictions for a conclusion with the war in rheinland are... Not great.
Alice: And now that these... nomads are involved. The game changed even more... to one even I cannot predict.
Rachel: My team on Leeds is getting as many people out as possible but...it's not good enough.
Piett: How can...Gallia...have such power? All this wealth...materials to build so many ships...
Hale: Vast tracts of space, Piett. The resources are there because Gallia in itself occupies an area roughly akin to that of two sirian houses.
Alice: 800 years of engineering dedicated to war. 800 years of people coming to life with an assignment printed on their name already, all of this dedicated to a single objective.
Piett: Tell me, Alice, what is the weak spot of Gallia then? The Economy?
Alice: There's no weak spot, Admiral. The way to stop all of this, is to take down the pyramid.
Piett: If Gallia is so powerful then all the wars we had and still have were for in vain. We need to unite all against this..
Rachel: We can hope, David...but if those -things- have infiltrated it...I don't know..
Leon: By all accounts the country itself is becoming increasingly unstable as the war wears on.
Alice: I've noticed an increase in riots indeed.
Leon: Admirals, Alice... please. Listen. There is hope.
Alice: Leon's message started something. For the moment, the people still believe I'm a prisoner in Liberty. It's up to us to take advantage of this.
Leon: The population prefers a kind monarch. One who is forgiving and creates a more open society.
Piett: What hope do we have? Admiral Hale- do you have the force to stop such ...menace? Is the Navy ready to sent so many ship? *pauses* I heard rumors and I wanted to make sure they were wrong - Alice - Is rheinland involved with Gallia in any matters?
Leon: Gallia, at present, is a nightmare. People disappear on a daily basis. And the people are angry. they believe something is wrong...
Alice: We don't know for sure, Admiral. We heard they had several meetings but that's it.
Leon: On top of that, I would describe the Royal Navy's command structure as weak. The leaders, due to heriditory positions... Are often incompetant.
Piett: We already witnessed that. Gallia may have many pilots but they were never trained in the heat of War.
Alice: Indeed.
Leon: Self important fools, who dress in an Marechal's uniform...
Rachel: I imagine that they also lack the experience of leading troops in battle, no?
Piett: Most of our pilots served during the Kusari war and are already veterans, strong and loyal.
Leon: Some do, oui... Some do not. Although those with experience... Myself and Henri for example... Appear to be resigning... or defecting at a remarkable rate. many have joined the council, some, such as myself and Lavalle, are here.
Alice: My current objective is to recompose a complete Gallic battlegroup here, under Henri's command.
Piett: Alice, what may happen if most GRN ships switch sides and join the Council?
Alice: I doubt you'd like the sight of it.
Leon: Then you would have a nation run by terrorists who would eventually repeat the same behaviour we see now.
But you already stated that most of them fight from fear of their King?
*Leon looks vaguely disgusted at the mention of the council*
Rachel: So then...it would be your intent to take Gallia, without the Council?
Alice: The heads of the Council are generally sane individual, but anything lower than that is unreliable.
Leon: Oui, oui... The wolf fights the lion... but the wolf is still dangerous.
Piett: Leon, what is the difference between you and a council member?
Leon: That I tried to make a difference to my nation without the wholesale slaughter of my own countrymen.
Piett: *sighs* Lets return on the topic about the Hope...what would you recommend us to do Alice?
Alice: For now, there's not much we can do here.
Leon: I sought to ensure the succession to the throne was to be... to a good monarch. Not to a tyrant.
Piett: Most of our fleets are holding, for now, but I must admit they suffered tremendous damage.
Alice: We need to put an end to the Rheinland war. It would allow us to dispatch our forces here.
Rachel: I've been saying this for months..
Hale: easier said that done... Rheinland defences are tough... Our best hope is that the populist uprising gains in strength within rheinland's borders, but I'm not going to throw men away, when they'll be needed for the fight against the gallics. If the rheinland revolutionaries can make ground in southern rheinland, that'll pull rheinland forces from the front... Allowing us to secure the border and render the rheinland military ineffective as a fighting force.
Piett: If only Gallia did not arrived this early....we could have helped the Liberty ...
Alice: This is why I'm planning to visit the Hessians, Admiral Hale. With our help, the Hessians might be able to make a push.
Piett: I belive I can trust you that is why I will say some things about Rheinland...
Piett: Rheinland had a conflict with us once, the last year ...when you captured the Westfalen, admiral Hale.
Hale: I know... I sent a number of forces, on the request of Baroness Snowdown.
Piett: Since then we are mostly...neutral to each other. I can say the goverment are not happy to deal with them.
Alice: We cannot afford to have you engaged in a conflict with Rheinland.
Hale: admiral... I'm not asking you to attempt to intervene in the rheinland war... That would be suicide for you.
Piett: *nods*
Alice: In the event they really are involved with my father now, they'd have a secondary way to you.
Piett: So we are on a crossroad...and waiting to be slaughtered by Gallia or...maybe rheinland?
Leon: Current Royal Navy orders are to not engage any rheinland vessels, but rather to ensure their safety. Even from my position within the command structure, I was not allowed to know why.
Alice: Last I heard, the Liberty Navy handed several ships to the Bretonians, so it might help a bit.
Hale: That we did, yes.
Piett: Sadly, we dont have the military power to do anything...we are with hands tied.
Alice: All you have to do is survive, Admiral. It's the sad truth.
Piett: If we had the power we would reinforce you, admiral Hale, and put an end to your war. Then we can turn our gaze upon GRN.
Hale: I suggest, admiral, that you hold the line as best you can. I will be sending more forces as soon as they become available.
Alice: If we can secure the Omicrons, we might be able to get a bunch of the Order forces to assist you.
Piett: *sighs* To survive is easy said than done...we have some critical preparations ready but they are desperate moves.
Rachel: In the meantime, Piett, my team on Leeds is available to aid you as best it can.
Hale: And the order, correct.
Alice: The Liberty Navy forces securing Alaska might be able to be dispatched here as well provide our agreement with the Order is signed and put in effect.
Hale: Rachel... You can expect the Ignition and her escort to arrive in Leeds to be attached to your group within the week. Greenson will be in command of that.
Rachel: *Nods intently* Good, Good...
Piett: Are these forces "that" many to stop the GRN fleets which were prepared and waiting in Inner Gallia?
Alice: Not really.
Leon: Only half of the royal Navy is currently on the border, Admiral. The rest is still trying to keep the supply line secure from the core worlds.
Alice: Nobody will step out of this war without major scars, Admiral Piett.
Piett: If Liberty sacrefices their reinforcements for us, they may lose the front in Texas...Admiral Hale, whats your statement?
Alice: If we can get the Liberty Navy and Hessians to coordinate their attacks on Rheinland, we might be able to end it.
Hale: I've got a few forces to spare at present, while still maintaining an adequare force on the rheinland front. However... We still need to keep some men and machines operating within New York, California... To combat interal issues given the police seem to be incapable of doing it themselves.
Piett: Very well then. We still have something that Gallics dont...
Hale: Correct... Friends.
Piett: Its the Bretonian spirit that never fades. We will fight still the last man. If they want to slaughter us we wont run... They will not scare us with numbers, we will stand still and fight. That I assure you.
Leon: The aliens in Gallia... *Leon sighs* i believe sirius had experience of this menace before, oui?
Alice: Indeed. It will be useful.
Rachel: There was a war with them in the past...yes. Nearly twenty years ago now, I believe it was..
Leon: Non... Not that... Gallia does not have the experience. The high command is... Possibly compromised.
Alice: We'll need The Order in Gallia for a while once this war is over to track all of them down... I have recorded footage from Marechal Ansel Xavier, showing some very odd behaviour of his.
Rachel: You managed to...record possible proof?...That's...why didn't you say so??
Piett: If the nomads are spreading their influence in Gallia, that means they want to use their manpower to annihilate us.
Alice: That's what I gathered as well from The Order, Admiral.
Leon: Mademoiselle... I have been awake for three days, and not eaten for the same time. Forgive me.
Rachel: *laughs softly* Leon, right?...you should get some Libertonian food in you..
Leon: Merci, mademoiselle Baker... I would appreciate it.
Piett: Rheinland was under their influence and possibly may be again...
Alice: That could explain the sudden cease fire orders.
Piett: So we have Gallia, Rheinland, Nomads and possibly Kusari soon on their side?
Leon: Kusari will not act. They have no fleet... Unfortunately, I saw to that happening.
Piett: And what will happen once they rebuild it?
Piett: Kusari core fleets were obliterated yes. First by us, then by the GRN in Tau and the Ronins defected...
Leon: Gallia has placed a limit upon the Kusarian government. their military capacity cannot exceed a certain threshold. It was one of the terms of capitulation.
Piett: Kusari and Rheinland were both invaded by nomads. Gallia is under infestation, it seems... Bretonia was never infested like them, nor Liberty, I guess.
Hale: *coughs* Liberty needed quite the cleanup, Admiral Piett.
Alice: Looks like everything keeps getting harder and harder.
Piett: We are again in the same basket, admiral Hale. Together against the aliens and their neverending decire to kill us all.
Hale: That war was the first one I fought, and at the time, I hoped it'd be the last.
Rachel: *Looks to Hale, sighing softly.* We won't allow Liberty to wind up that way again..
Hale: Look... here's how it stands. I believe we've got plenty against the nomads. Admiral davis was made aware of the nomad civil war some time ago, I believe. At least I hope he was... because if not, my words went in one ear and out the other.
Piett: I would like to bring an important issue to this discussion. Since we are in Southampton, I found it will be wise to pen this subject. Our current resources are diminishing. Once they are zero we wont be able to produce ships. Our Southampton and the shipyard in Newcastle are overloading their drones to work daily... The point is - we need more supplies, more resources.
Hale: Give me a list of required resources. I'll try and aquire what I can...
Piett: Liberty is like always a shoulder to rely on but we cant leech their resources forever.
Hale: We have a fairly significant logistics wing, who're more than capable of delivering war materials on mass.
Piett: If that is so, admiral, then perhaps I can give you something for sure...Time. If we have resources and southampton - we can build ships in mass - bombers and fighters to fight off the invaders. We also are planning to build some new models, cheaper and more effective for our future plans.
Leon: Friends... In terms of raw tactics... My suggestion would be that you target specific fleet commanders. If you have special operations teams or assassins to eliminate certain key figures... I can give you a list.
Rachel: You mean, utilize special teams to...neutralize..specific individuals?
Leon: Oui... There is not much depth to the gallic command... Like a said... there are a few vertan experienced commanders, but very little beneath that.
Piett: That may be...possible. Sending small teams to neutralize a certain person can be done.
Lavalle: Take down the Commander, and the ships stop working, purely and simply.
Rachel: I have an asset operating within Gallia currently...such a list could be...useful..
Piett: Leon, send that list to me and I will forward it to our Intelligence wings.
Leon: with the exception of the Legion tricolore, my previous unit... There are very few experienced men. The thing about gallic politics, is that it extends into the military. Positions are held often on a family's name, and the family's loyalty to the crown.
Piett: Well then, if the subject about the resources is been dealt with - we have hope. Hope for more Time to stop this madness. I think we may have to change our tactics then, if your information is true, Alice, then we need to safe more pilots.
Rachel: Mnh...David, since I know you'll likely have this list, once it's drawn up...please make sure to forward me a copy.
Leon: *Looks up at Henri Lavalle and grins* Henri... They made me a duc! *he laughs* Me!
Lavalle: You kidding.
// for whatever reason apparently we saw fit to discuss the economy of gallia twice O_o
Piett: Alice, I have a question about the Economy of Gallia. Isnt that their weak spot?
Alice: The economy is no weak spot. It's essentially slavery.
Piett: And what will happen if there is no credits to pay to all these people?
Alice: That doesn't matter. They're owned by the companies, so to say.
Piett: My point was about the credits being paid to all these ships. If Gallia dont pay to its men, wont they turn rogue?
Hale: Seriously? *he looks shocked* Jesus... You never told me that, Alice.
Alice: The families are usually living in buildings belonging to the very same company. If you have a family, which most people do... It won't be hard to track them down and use them as leverage against the potential rebel. Everything is pretty much based on fear. This is why very few do rebel.
Leon: Many do... The brigands for example.
Piett: I belive the economy is the only weak spot of Gallia. No credits/money - no people to fly the ships. Am I right?
Leon: I believe they have the resources to maintain their current level of activity for the next twenty eight years.
Piett: But what if the chains of fear are broken? If the people really riot all together wont they lead to changes? *sighs*
Rachel: That won't be some easy task though, Piett..
Leon: The crown is strong... And people have a respect for tradition. As much as I dislike them, tasking the council with convoy raiding rather than direct military action would be effective. Although it pains me to suggest that... it will result in more incidents such as Gap station.
Piett: Very well then. Alice - you've regained my trust. Is there anything else to discuss with us?
Alice: I believe all the main points were discussed today. We can arrange another meeting at a later point.
*Piett nods*
Leon: Admiral Piett... If I may. *he waits for a nod from Piett*
*Piett stands and prepares to leave, then nods to Leon.*
Leon: I would like to congratulate you on your defense. I am a soldier and nothing much more... and I respect those who fight bravely... and well. Your men, my friend, have fought well, and I hope they continue to do so. During my time operating on the Bretonian front, I attempted to shoot down the machine, and not kill the man. I apologise if my actions resulted in the deaths of those who fought in bretonia's defense... However I often needed to fight in order not to compromise my position, despite my loyalty to Alice. I have never held any bad feeling against Bretonia, Admiral Piett. In order to keep feeding information, I needed to not be suspected.
Piett: Thank you Chevalier, that means a lot. I assure you we will do our best to survive as long as possible. We are soldiers and we follow orders. If we find this orders were given by a ...freak we would not follow them any more. You seems to be loyal to the real cause not blindly following orders by your King...or whatever is now.
Leon: Again... My apologies for any loss that may have caused.
*Piett nods again, laying a hand to Leon for handshake*
*Leon shakes the Admiral's hand*
Piett: Until next time *places his hat* ...And dont forget to send me the list *smiles*
Leon: Oui... It will be sent.
*a few minutes later the admiral's shuttle undocked from Normandie and headed for the Allegience*
Leon: It pains me though... Many of the people on the list were friends of mine before the war.
*Leon sits back in his chair and closes his eyes for the first time in three days*
Alice: *looks at Hale* That wasn't so bad.
Rachel: *looks to Leon, smiling slightly.* Hey..don't fall asleep right here...I'm sure there's a free bed somewhere..
Alice: Definitely.
Leon: I am not sleeping mademoiselle Baker, merely resting my eyes.
Rachel: *She laughs again* That's what they all say...anyways, I'm glad that you were brought over to us successfully..
Hale: Alice... I'm going to guess you'll want to catch up with Mr Chevalier... *He smiles*
Lavalle: Well I'll uh... be on the bridge. Where else anyway.
Leon: Henri... You look fatter than before.
Lavalle: What?
*Leon laughs, keeping his eyes closed*
Lavalle: I'm not... fat? *he wanders off*
Rachel: *stands, looking to David.* Well, I guess that's that then, yeah?
Hale: Well done, Alice. That wasn't easy, and it could have gone horribly wrong.
*a small buzzing sound is heard in the room, as Kate Miller uncloaks*
Kate: Well wasn't this beautiful.
*Rachel looks toward Kate, blinking a bit.*
Rachel: O-Oh...-you're- here..?
*Hale turns around to see Kate*
Hale: Kate... Next time, just whisper something in my ear, y'know. Or whatever.
*Leon opens his eyes and looks around*
Kate: I'm always here, Admiral. Keeping an eye on your ass and making sure nothing attempts to get inside.
Leon: where did she come from?
Hale: I would really hope that nothing gets inside my ass, Kate. That would be awful.
Alice: Fascinating... topic.
Rachel: *Stopping in the doorway, she laughs softly, shaking her head* Right well...think I'll make my way back to the Hill...
Hale: Thank you for turning up, Rachel. Appreciated.
Leon: A pleasure to meet you, mademoiselle Baker.
Rachel: Uh huh...don't get anything stuck in your ass while I'm gone now, okay David? *She glances to Kate*
Leon: Perhaps we could have drinks in a few days time, oui? I'll have to get to know all the people I intend on working with. *He winks*
Rachel: Ah...hah...a drink might not hurt. *She shrugs slightly*
Leon: Alice... Because I didn't get a chance earlier... *He stands up and gives Alice a warm hug* God I missed you.
Alice: *hugs Leon back* It's okay... It's okay you're safe now.
Rachel: Anyways... *She steps out into the hall, heading for the hangar bay*
- Fleet Admiral Piett of the BAF
- Fleet Admiral Hale of the LN
- Alice DeFrance, Princess of Gallia
- Admiral Baker of the LN
- Colonel Lavalle, Commander of the Normandie
- Leon Chevalier, defector of the Gallic Royal Navy
- Kate Miller that was taking care of security.
*Aboard the Normandie*
Hale: Alice... where exactly are we meeting the bretonians?
Hale: The incredible number of places deemed "grand enough" on this ship still confuses me.
Alice: Conference room will do.
Allegiance Command: Normandie, the admiral's shuttle is arriving and requesting to dock on Normandie.
Normandie Command: Permission granted, Bretonia.
Normandie Command: Admiral Baker, you're welcome aboard if you need to.
Rachel: I probably should. I'll move the Hill into a mooring position.
*A small military shuttle is closing to Normandie and after receiving permission to dock - begun to proceedure to land.*
*Special armed forces personel in company of 5 plus the fleet admiral come out of the shuttle and await to be given direction*
Piett: Where is the conference room, point us the way.
*The bretonian delegation is escorted to the conference room*
*Meanwhile david Hale takes a seat in the conference room and waits for the various others to arrive*
*Rachel proceeded aboard the Normandie accompanied by a single Marine clad in heavy armor*
Hale: *speaks into his comms unit* I trust you'll be turning up, Rachel?
Rachel: Aye, I'm here..
*By entering the conference room, few minutes later, Piett noticed admiral Hale and salutes*
*Hale stands and returns the salute*
Hale: Good evening Fleet Admiral. *He gives a half smile*
*Piett ordered to his escort major to wait while he finish the important discussion*
*Rachel makes her way to the conference room, her escort waiting outside the door as she steps inside*
Hale: Chevalier is a defectee, to answer the question, Rachel. One of Alice's men.
*Alice arrives in the conference room, followed by Chevalier*
Piett: Admiral Hale, its an honour to finally meet with you and...our new guest.
Piett: And there she is *he bows slowly*
*Hale shakes Peitt's hand*
Hale: Pleasure to meet you too.
*Chevalier follows Alice into the room, looking exhausted and thin*
Piett: I would like to have the first word before we start...
Alice: Bonjour everyone.
Leon: *grins* Took your time, Alice. Good to see you though. Really.
*Rachel looks to the Gallic officer, tilting her head curiously for a moment before sitting down*
Leon: Bonjour *he looks at the various rank insignia and salutes* ... admirals.
*Piett seems nervous and unhappy to see more gallics coming in the room*
Leon: I will have to say sorry for my english. It is basic. But I will try to make myself understood.
Rachel: Uh huh.. *She nods to Leon, resting her hands on the table*
Hale: Pleasure to meet you at last mr Chevalier.
Alice: Have a seat Leon, you must be exhausted.
Piett: *hm* I am rather confused to find it as please. Dont get me wrong but these people *points leon* were fighting our men.
Leon: Exhausted? as in, tired. oui? *he sits down*
Alice: *in french* Just relax, it's over now.
Piett: Nice hospitality aside, the Bretonia goverment and the admiralty board have many questions...and no answers yet.
Leon: Admiral Piett... I must apologise on behalf of my nation, mon amis. If it allows some comfort, I did not ask for this war. I do not support it.
Piett: I can say one of the major reasons why we are here talking with you is because admiral Hale trusts you.
Leon: But you present a challenging opponent. *He offers his hand to Piett*
*Piett handshake with Leon but his gaze was serious instead of warmth*
Piett: Still I would like to hear the reasons for your actions as well as why Alice DeFrance defected from her own House.
*Rachel shifts around in her seat, sitting more upright now, casting her gaze toward Admiral Hale, though saying nothing*
Hale: Admiral Piett... That is one hell of a long story... And one I believe best told by Alice, who I believe may well be able to shed a little more light on the importnce of recovering Mr Chevalier as well.
*A few minutes later, the Colonel Lavalle arrives* Apologies for being late gentlemen, and mesdames of course.
*Leon stands up and greets lavalle warmly.*
Leon: Good to see you, Henri.
Lavalle: Good to see you too Leon. Welcome aboard.
*alice sits down, inviting others to do so*
Alice: Leon's been working with me for a long time now. He kept me informed of what was going on in the inner cicle of my father, the king.
*Leon sits back down and listens*
Alice: Thank to him we've been able to keep some connections inside Gallia, and recruit some valuable people as well.
Hale: *Nods* I can compile some of the data, if needs be. I'm sure it will be of use to the Bretonians.
Piett: *rising hand, requesting alice to stop* Before you explain us the future, I would like to hear something about the past.
Leon: I was not able to send everything. I was being watched.
Piett: Why you arrived here in first place and why you went directly to Liberty?
Alice: That's not quite how it happened.
Piett: Please explain then, what exactly happened?
Alice: We were boarded by an unknown force in the Tau-23 system. It later revealed to be a future... friend of Admiral Hale.
Hale: I think a full explanation would be a highly confusing matter. We recovered the Normandie after being contacted by someone who operates as an agent of ours... By the time that agent gifted the ship to us, it had been in sigma 17 for some time.
Piett: So you found something wrong in Gallia? Something far more evil than the king and all this...war he sent on our people?
Alice: It wasn't supposed to happen like this. All of this was not of our own will. The irony is, initially we were prisoners.
Piett: You speak of the entire war? All this was a simple mistake not done by the people of Gallia?
Alice: Non. We were planning an internal takeover. This boarding of our ship ruined this plan.
Leon: *nods* There were many plans in place before... Oui. Perhaps though, we have found some friends... and perhaps this is a better way.
*Alice nods*
Lavalle: And quite good at what they do.
Piett: Excuse my hostility but on our side it was different. While you were updating your relations - our people were ...
Alice: But you'll figure out quickly enough that the people never asked for this war, Admiral Piett.
Leon: The people of Gallia are not your enemy, mon ami... The majority live in fear of the king.
Piett: Are you telling me the people of Gallia does not support the war of the King?
Alice: They don't. But if they stand up, you get mechs. And lots of dead people.
Piett: Then why they dont fight the Royalists as the council does?
Leon: it is the rule of an iron fist... People are simply told what to believe, and those who do not...
*Rachel sits up, looking to Piett.*
Rachel: Do the people of Bretonia support every action of your Queen, Admiral?
Leon: Well... gallic history is full of martyrs who tried to make a difference.
Alice: Most of the civilians live in fear, Admiral. There are not many who are willing to put their whole family in danger to stand up.
Piett: *gazing at Rachel* Ma'am, Her Royal Majesty, Queen Carina, God protect us, never declared war upon a House for..no reason.
Hale: *Gives a glance to Rachel* And the queen is not an absolute monarch. But everywhere, there will be people who do not agree with the actions of their government... I mean, you only have to look at rheinland to see... the actions of the Hessians... Bundschuh, LWB and so on.
Piett: Alice, what was the original reason of the King to start this war? His reason?
Leon: By having an enemy, you can unite a people.
Alice: It's not just my father. It was bound to happen. What you're seeing is a music playing... This music was written in Sol. The music of revenge.
Piett: Indeed I hear a music...the horror music of screaming pilots bound by the destruction of their ships...melody aye?
Hale: *sits and listens* That's what it sounds like, unfortunately, Admiral.
Rachel: Hrm..
Alice: No matter what I did, I realised later that I couldn't stop it.
Hale: but let me remind you that Alice and the crew of this vessel are not a party to that.
Piett: Excuse my precations but dont you belive she may be sent here to spy you admiral Hale? To prepare you for the worst?
Alice: Admiral Hale already know what's coming.
Hale: It would be a highly inefficient method of spying, Admiral. To send the single most powerful warship of the Gallic fleet, aside from the Chant du Cygne, into the hands of you enemy along with a well renowned military commander, and someone who is of royal blood... It'd be like me sending the durango and the president's son to Gallia. I'd be sacked for suggesting it.
Rachel: Considering the...other things, going on..if David were in any danger from miss DeFrance...I think that would have already been made apparent..
Piett: Then I would like to know whats coming as well, to prepare my men, and secure our lands. Can you help us or not?
Alice: You want the truth, Admiral Piett?
Piett: *nods* The truth and truth only.
Alice: Most of the bretonians are going to die. That's the truth.
*Rachel tenses a bit, looking to Alice, and then to Piett*
*Hale closes his eyes and rubs his forehead*
Piett: You are telling me nothing new, princess...*staring at her* and how exactly can that knowledge help us turn the tides?
Alice: When I left Gallia, half of the fleet was still under preparation for deployment.
*remain silent*
Alice: What you're seeing here, in Leeds, the so called Armada. It's nothing. And unless we can unite... your people will die.
Hale: The tide will be turned when Liberty has the ability to turn its full force to the front. But our predictions for a conclusion with the war in rheinland are... Not great.
Alice: And now that these... nomads are involved. The game changed even more... to one even I cannot predict.
Rachel: My team on Leeds is getting as many people out as possible but...it's not good enough.
Piett: How can...Gallia...have such power? All this wealth...materials to build so many ships...
Hale: Vast tracts of space, Piett. The resources are there because Gallia in itself occupies an area roughly akin to that of two sirian houses.
Alice: 800 years of engineering dedicated to war. 800 years of people coming to life with an assignment printed on their name already, all of this dedicated to a single objective.
Piett: Tell me, Alice, what is the weak spot of Gallia then? The Economy?
Alice: There's no weak spot, Admiral. The way to stop all of this, is to take down the pyramid.
Piett: If Gallia is so powerful then all the wars we had and still have were for in vain. We need to unite all against this..
Rachel: We can hope, David...but if those -things- have infiltrated it...I don't know..
Leon: By all accounts the country itself is becoming increasingly unstable as the war wears on.
Alice: I've noticed an increase in riots indeed.
Leon: Admirals, Alice... please. Listen. There is hope.
Alice: Leon's message started something. For the moment, the people still believe I'm a prisoner in Liberty. It's up to us to take advantage of this.
Leon: The population prefers a kind monarch. One who is forgiving and creates a more open society.
Piett: What hope do we have? Admiral Hale- do you have the force to stop such ...menace? Is the Navy ready to sent so many ship? *pauses* I heard rumors and I wanted to make sure they were wrong - Alice - Is rheinland involved with Gallia in any matters?
Leon: Gallia, at present, is a nightmare. People disappear on a daily basis. And the people are angry. they believe something is wrong...
Alice: We don't know for sure, Admiral. We heard they had several meetings but that's it.
Leon: On top of that, I would describe the Royal Navy's command structure as weak. The leaders, due to heriditory positions... Are often incompetant.
Piett: We already witnessed that. Gallia may have many pilots but they were never trained in the heat of War.
Alice: Indeed.
Leon: Self important fools, who dress in an Marechal's uniform...
Rachel: I imagine that they also lack the experience of leading troops in battle, no?
Piett: Most of our pilots served during the Kusari war and are already veterans, strong and loyal.
Leon: Some do, oui... Some do not. Although those with experience... Myself and Henri for example... Appear to be resigning... or defecting at a remarkable rate. many have joined the council, some, such as myself and Lavalle, are here.
Alice: My current objective is to recompose a complete Gallic battlegroup here, under Henri's command.
Piett: Alice, what may happen if most GRN ships switch sides and join the Council?
Alice: I doubt you'd like the sight of it.
Leon: Then you would have a nation run by terrorists who would eventually repeat the same behaviour we see now.
But you already stated that most of them fight from fear of their King?
*Leon looks vaguely disgusted at the mention of the council*
Rachel: So then...it would be your intent to take Gallia, without the Council?
Alice: The heads of the Council are generally sane individual, but anything lower than that is unreliable.
Leon: Oui, oui... The wolf fights the lion... but the wolf is still dangerous.
Piett: Leon, what is the difference between you and a council member?
Leon: That I tried to make a difference to my nation without the wholesale slaughter of my own countrymen.
Piett: *sighs* Lets return on the topic about the Hope...what would you recommend us to do Alice?
Alice: For now, there's not much we can do here.
Leon: I sought to ensure the succession to the throne was to be... to a good monarch. Not to a tyrant.
Piett: Most of our fleets are holding, for now, but I must admit they suffered tremendous damage.
Alice: We need to put an end to the Rheinland war. It would allow us to dispatch our forces here.
Rachel: I've been saying this for months..
Hale: easier said that done... Rheinland defences are tough... Our best hope is that the populist uprising gains in strength within rheinland's borders, but I'm not going to throw men away, when they'll be needed for the fight against the gallics. If the rheinland revolutionaries can make ground in southern rheinland, that'll pull rheinland forces from the front... Allowing us to secure the border and render the rheinland military ineffective as a fighting force.
Piett: If only Gallia did not arrived this early....we could have helped the Liberty ...
Alice: This is why I'm planning to visit the Hessians, Admiral Hale. With our help, the Hessians might be able to make a push.
Piett: I belive I can trust you that is why I will say some things about Rheinland...
Piett: Rheinland had a conflict with us once, the last year ...when you captured the Westfalen, admiral Hale.
Hale: I know... I sent a number of forces, on the request of Baroness Snowdown.
Piett: Since then we are mostly...neutral to each other. I can say the goverment are not happy to deal with them.
Alice: We cannot afford to have you engaged in a conflict with Rheinland.
Hale: admiral... I'm not asking you to attempt to intervene in the rheinland war... That would be suicide for you.
Piett: *nods*
Alice: In the event they really are involved with my father now, they'd have a secondary way to you.
Piett: So we are on a crossroad...and waiting to be slaughtered by Gallia or...maybe rheinland?
Leon: Current Royal Navy orders are to not engage any rheinland vessels, but rather to ensure their safety. Even from my position within the command structure, I was not allowed to know why.
Alice: Last I heard, the Liberty Navy handed several ships to the Bretonians, so it might help a bit.
Hale: That we did, yes.
Piett: Sadly, we dont have the military power to do anything...we are with hands tied.
Alice: All you have to do is survive, Admiral. It's the sad truth.
Piett: If we had the power we would reinforce you, admiral Hale, and put an end to your war. Then we can turn our gaze upon GRN.
Hale: I suggest, admiral, that you hold the line as best you can. I will be sending more forces as soon as they become available.
Alice: If we can secure the Omicrons, we might be able to get a bunch of the Order forces to assist you.
Piett: *sighs* To survive is easy said than done...we have some critical preparations ready but they are desperate moves.
Rachel: In the meantime, Piett, my team on Leeds is available to aid you as best it can.
Hale: And the order, correct.
Alice: The Liberty Navy forces securing Alaska might be able to be dispatched here as well provide our agreement with the Order is signed and put in effect.
Hale: Rachel... You can expect the Ignition and her escort to arrive in Leeds to be attached to your group within the week. Greenson will be in command of that.
Rachel: *Nods intently* Good, Good...
Piett: Are these forces "that" many to stop the GRN fleets which were prepared and waiting in Inner Gallia?
Alice: Not really.
Leon: Only half of the royal Navy is currently on the border, Admiral. The rest is still trying to keep the supply line secure from the core worlds.
Alice: Nobody will step out of this war without major scars, Admiral Piett.
Piett: If Liberty sacrefices their reinforcements for us, they may lose the front in Texas...Admiral Hale, whats your statement?
Alice: If we can get the Liberty Navy and Hessians to coordinate their attacks on Rheinland, we might be able to end it.
Hale: I've got a few forces to spare at present, while still maintaining an adequare force on the rheinland front. However... We still need to keep some men and machines operating within New York, California... To combat interal issues given the police seem to be incapable of doing it themselves.
Piett: Very well then. We still have something that Gallics dont...
Hale: Correct... Friends.
Piett: Its the Bretonian spirit that never fades. We will fight still the last man. If they want to slaughter us we wont run... They will not scare us with numbers, we will stand still and fight. That I assure you.
Leon: The aliens in Gallia... *Leon sighs* i believe sirius had experience of this menace before, oui?
Alice: Indeed. It will be useful.
Rachel: There was a war with them in the past...yes. Nearly twenty years ago now, I believe it was..
Leon: Non... Not that... Gallia does not have the experience. The high command is... Possibly compromised.
Alice: We'll need The Order in Gallia for a while once this war is over to track all of them down... I have recorded footage from Marechal Ansel Xavier, showing some very odd behaviour of his.
Rachel: You managed to...record possible proof?...That's...why didn't you say so??
Piett: If the nomads are spreading their influence in Gallia, that means they want to use their manpower to annihilate us.
Alice: That's what I gathered as well from The Order, Admiral.
Leon: Mademoiselle... I have been awake for three days, and not eaten for the same time. Forgive me.
Rachel: *laughs softly* Leon, right?...you should get some Libertonian food in you..
Leon: Merci, mademoiselle Baker... I would appreciate it.
Piett: Rheinland was under their influence and possibly may be again...
Alice: That could explain the sudden cease fire orders.
Piett: So we have Gallia, Rheinland, Nomads and possibly Kusari soon on their side?
Leon: Kusari will not act. They have no fleet... Unfortunately, I saw to that happening.
Piett: And what will happen once they rebuild it?
Piett: Kusari core fleets were obliterated yes. First by us, then by the GRN in Tau and the Ronins defected...
Leon: Gallia has placed a limit upon the Kusarian government. their military capacity cannot exceed a certain threshold. It was one of the terms of capitulation.
Piett: Kusari and Rheinland were both invaded by nomads. Gallia is under infestation, it seems... Bretonia was never infested like them, nor Liberty, I guess.
Hale: *coughs* Liberty needed quite the cleanup, Admiral Piett.
Alice: Looks like everything keeps getting harder and harder.
Piett: We are again in the same basket, admiral Hale. Together against the aliens and their neverending decire to kill us all.
Hale: That war was the first one I fought, and at the time, I hoped it'd be the last.
Rachel: *Looks to Hale, sighing softly.* We won't allow Liberty to wind up that way again..
Hale: Look... here's how it stands. I believe we've got plenty against the nomads. Admiral davis was made aware of the nomad civil war some time ago, I believe. At least I hope he was... because if not, my words went in one ear and out the other.
Piett: I would like to bring an important issue to this discussion. Since we are in Southampton, I found it will be wise to pen this subject. Our current resources are diminishing. Once they are zero we wont be able to produce ships. Our Southampton and the shipyard in Newcastle are overloading their drones to work daily... The point is - we need more supplies, more resources.
Hale: Give me a list of required resources. I'll try and aquire what I can...
Piett: Liberty is like always a shoulder to rely on but we cant leech their resources forever.
Hale: We have a fairly significant logistics wing, who're more than capable of delivering war materials on mass.
Piett: If that is so, admiral, then perhaps I can give you something for sure...Time. If we have resources and southampton - we can build ships in mass - bombers and fighters to fight off the invaders. We also are planning to build some new models, cheaper and more effective for our future plans.
Leon: Friends... In terms of raw tactics... My suggestion would be that you target specific fleet commanders. If you have special operations teams or assassins to eliminate certain key figures... I can give you a list.
Rachel: You mean, utilize special teams to...neutralize..specific individuals?
Leon: Oui... There is not much depth to the gallic command... Like a said... there are a few vertan experienced commanders, but very little beneath that.
Piett: That may be...possible. Sending small teams to neutralize a certain person can be done.
Lavalle: Take down the Commander, and the ships stop working, purely and simply.
Rachel: I have an asset operating within Gallia currently...such a list could be...useful..
Piett: Leon, send that list to me and I will forward it to our Intelligence wings.
Leon: with the exception of the Legion tricolore, my previous unit... There are very few experienced men. The thing about gallic politics, is that it extends into the military. Positions are held often on a family's name, and the family's loyalty to the crown.
Piett: Well then, if the subject about the resources is been dealt with - we have hope. Hope for more Time to stop this madness. I think we may have to change our tactics then, if your information is true, Alice, then we need to safe more pilots.
Rachel: Mnh...David, since I know you'll likely have this list, once it's drawn up...please make sure to forward me a copy.
Leon: *Looks up at Henri Lavalle and grins* Henri... They made me a duc! *he laughs* Me!
Lavalle: You kidding.
// for whatever reason apparently we saw fit to discuss the economy of gallia twice O_o
Piett: Alice, I have a question about the Economy of Gallia. Isnt that their weak spot?
Alice: The economy is no weak spot. It's essentially slavery.
Piett: And what will happen if there is no credits to pay to all these people?
Alice: That doesn't matter. They're owned by the companies, so to say.
Piett: My point was about the credits being paid to all these ships. If Gallia dont pay to its men, wont they turn rogue?
Hale: Seriously? *he looks shocked* Jesus... You never told me that, Alice.
Alice: The families are usually living in buildings belonging to the very same company. If you have a family, which most people do... It won't be hard to track them down and use them as leverage against the potential rebel. Everything is pretty much based on fear. This is why very few do rebel.
Leon: Many do... The brigands for example.
Piett: I belive the economy is the only weak spot of Gallia. No credits/money - no people to fly the ships. Am I right?
Leon: I believe they have the resources to maintain their current level of activity for the next twenty eight years.
Piett: But what if the chains of fear are broken? If the people really riot all together wont they lead to changes? *sighs*
Rachel: That won't be some easy task though, Piett..
Leon: The crown is strong... And people have a respect for tradition. As much as I dislike them, tasking the council with convoy raiding rather than direct military action would be effective. Although it pains me to suggest that... it will result in more incidents such as Gap station.
Piett: Very well then. Alice - you've regained my trust. Is there anything else to discuss with us?
Alice: I believe all the main points were discussed today. We can arrange another meeting at a later point.
*Piett nods*
Leon: Admiral Piett... If I may. *he waits for a nod from Piett*
*Piett stands and prepares to leave, then nods to Leon.*
Leon: I would like to congratulate you on your defense. I am a soldier and nothing much more... and I respect those who fight bravely... and well. Your men, my friend, have fought well, and I hope they continue to do so. During my time operating on the Bretonian front, I attempted to shoot down the machine, and not kill the man. I apologise if my actions resulted in the deaths of those who fought in bretonia's defense... However I often needed to fight in order not to compromise my position, despite my loyalty to Alice. I have never held any bad feeling against Bretonia, Admiral Piett. In order to keep feeding information, I needed to not be suspected.
Piett: Thank you Chevalier, that means a lot. I assure you we will do our best to survive as long as possible. We are soldiers and we follow orders. If we find this orders were given by a ...freak we would not follow them any more. You seems to be loyal to the real cause not blindly following orders by your King...or whatever is now.
Leon: Again... My apologies for any loss that may have caused.
*Piett nods again, laying a hand to Leon for handshake*
*Leon shakes the Admiral's hand*
Piett: Until next time *places his hat* ...And dont forget to send me the list *smiles*
Leon: Oui... It will be sent.
*a few minutes later the admiral's shuttle undocked from Normandie and headed for the Allegience*
Leon: It pains me though... Many of the people on the list were friends of mine before the war.
*Leon sits back in his chair and closes his eyes for the first time in three days*
Alice: *looks at Hale* That wasn't so bad.
Rachel: *looks to Leon, smiling slightly.* Hey..don't fall asleep right here...I'm sure there's a free bed somewhere..
Alice: Definitely.
Leon: I am not sleeping mademoiselle Baker, merely resting my eyes.
Rachel: *She laughs again* That's what they all say...anyways, I'm glad that you were brought over to us successfully..
Hale: Alice... I'm going to guess you'll want to catch up with Mr Chevalier... *He smiles*
Lavalle: Well I'll uh... be on the bridge. Where else anyway.
Leon: Henri... You look fatter than before.
Lavalle: What?
*Leon laughs, keeping his eyes closed*
Lavalle: I'm not... fat? *he wanders off*
Rachel: *stands, looking to David.* Well, I guess that's that then, yeah?
Hale: Well done, Alice. That wasn't easy, and it could have gone horribly wrong.
*a small buzzing sound is heard in the room, as Kate Miller uncloaks*
Kate: Well wasn't this beautiful.
*Rachel looks toward Kate, blinking a bit.*
Rachel: O-Oh...-you're- here..?
*Hale turns around to see Kate*
Hale: Kate... Next time, just whisper something in my ear, y'know. Or whatever.
*Leon opens his eyes and looks around*
Kate: I'm always here, Admiral. Keeping an eye on your ass and making sure nothing attempts to get inside.
Leon: where did she come from?
Hale: I would really hope that nothing gets inside my ass, Kate. That would be awful.
Alice: Fascinating... topic.
Rachel: *Stopping in the doorway, she laughs softly, shaking her head* Right well...think I'll make my way back to the Hill...
Hale: Thank you for turning up, Rachel. Appreciated.
Leon: A pleasure to meet you, mademoiselle Baker.
Rachel: Uh huh...don't get anything stuck in your ass while I'm gone now, okay David? *She glances to Kate*
Leon: Perhaps we could have drinks in a few days time, oui? I'll have to get to know all the people I intend on working with. *He winks*
Rachel: Ah...hah...a drink might not hurt. *She shrugs slightly*
Leon: Alice... Because I didn't get a chance earlier... *He stands up and gives Alice a warm hug* God I missed you.
Alice: *hugs Leon back* It's okay... It's okay you're safe now.
Rachel: Anyways... *She steps out into the hall, heading for the hangar bay*