To: Le Conseil

[Zephyranthes]

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Nouveau message Entrant
Des Syndicats
Pour La Famille Bonaparte
Patron Maximilien Bonaparte

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To the stalwart defenders of liberty, equality, and fraternity,

I hope La Révolution has been marching unabated. My name is Maximilien Bonaparte, humble patriarch of the Bonaparte family of l'Unione Corse and a representative of the Seabreeze Syndicates, a sizable group of businessmen and entrepreneurs based out of Planet Marseille. The recent Battle of Provence has rent our humble corner of space asunder, and we have tried in vain to prevent much of the debris from destroying our treasured homes. The Azure Crown Jewel of Gallic tourism and luxury is besieged by the aftermath of war, and, as you may know, a provisional government known as the Minarchy has seen fit to declare itself sovereign over the system. Their anti-Royalist sentiment is unfortunately balanced out by an anti-Council sentiment. I am sure many of the now-homeless citizens living in Castellane have no love for the Council after the Oblique flattened their homes and families.

With your Battleship De Grasse licking her wounds while moored to Cannes, I imagine that you are in quite a particular pickle. The Marine Royale may be occupied on multiple fronts, but that may not be true for too long, non? Even now, they wait in orbit over Planet New London, ready to win their conquest and savor their spoils of war. Despite winning battle after battle against them on the home front, I doubt the Council can afford many distractions. So, let us cut a deal that will be beneficial for both parties.

As you know, l'Unione Corse has a... shall we say, talent for discretion and making problems go away. We can ensure this Minarchy of Provence does not cause any problems for the Council or its allies, despite their overtures declaring you military dictators or some other such nonsense. All we need to this end is for your forces to leave Provence and stay out if at all possible. We would ideally need a bit of breathing room to recover from the battle and certainly would appreciate some peace. Allowing us to conduct relief efforts unabated and unhindered will certainly serve to bolster the public image of the Council after that massacre in orbit. It, after all, is not your fault the Royalists did battle there. Unfortunately, it takes time for people to truly appreciate their liberators. With the De Grasse and any other military vessels out of the way, we can more fully begin restoration and relief efforts. Removing their presence will likely keep the Marine Royale from revisiting the system anytime soon, as well. In many ways, the illusion of our loyalty can fool them into not testing it.

L'Unione remains a stalwart supporter of the Revolution. But, at this time, progress requires silence.

Au revoir.