Mirror of Tomorrow's

[Groshyr]

Prologue

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Planet Laon, Aisne System
Janvier 1, 830 - 11:52 AM

The sun's bright rays had managed to break through the clouds for the first time in a long time and were now watering the surface of Planet Laon, replacing a long period of torrential rain. In honour for the sunny weather the men assembled had even opened the balconies leading to a spacious hall located in one of the oceanfront palaces. A stately, grey-haired man dressed in a sumptuous black robe entered the room where the aristocrats were gathered; on his belt was the outline of a sword, more an attribute of power than a weapon.

Taking his place at the head of a long table made of natural wood, and with a gesture of his hand allowing those already standing to take their seats, Duc Valentin de Bonneau, governor of the Aisne system, began the meeting.

"I am pleased to welcome you, distinguished members of the council. Before we begin, I would like to thank the esteemed Gabriel Rene for the communication systems provided by your corporation. Thanks to them we are able to communicate with any point within the state."

Gabriel Rene, head of the local EFL Oil & Machinery branch, nodded solemnly.

Duc de Bonneau glanced around the gathering: there was an arrogance in his gaze, he considered himself the standard of elegance, even his manner of speech resembled that of a man of high birth, and being in the same room with all kinds of heads of local corporate departments, military and nobility of a rank high enough to influence something was disgusting to him.

"How are we getting on?" He asked the admiral, dressed in a white tunic with insignia.

"Quite successful," replied Admiral Daniel Beauchemin."We're ready to launch an attack and all the fleet, except those involved in patrols and order maintenance, are already on the borders with Liberty."

"Our combat robot factories are running at full capacity," replied an elderly man dressed in a green tunic, General Emile Bertrand. His only external feature was a prosthetic left eye, and a bouffant gray moustache - otherwise there was nothing to distinguish him, for he was a commoner who, despite his origins, had achieved considerable success in his army career.

As soon as the general had finished, dressed in a white and gilded dress, her hair high, making her visually taller, took the floor. Her speech had a kusarian accent, and her appearance flashed details that hinted at her origins.

"We are concerned about the situation in Gourette. Kusari Naval Forces are dangerously close to our space factories."

"We have already taken the necessary steps," the Duc assured her, "A battlegroup led by the Battlecruiser Pyrenees has been advanced to the Gourette System."

The Aisne System Council, led by Bonneau, discussed plans for a local military campaign...

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