The capitaine de vaisseau Isabelle Montlaville de Chanteloup's standard-issue heels were resonating across the hall. Clack clack clack clack clack clack. A brisk pace, to match her thinking patterns and usual delivery. Once more, she was flanked by Enma Loyola. And once more, that woman was the cause of quite a bit of trouble to her.
After being rescued from a kidnapping staged by her own spouse, Loyola was taken in by the Marine Royale forces and thoroughly interrogated by her saviours, including Montlaville herself. Given the level of cooperation and good will she had shown during the proceedings, and even before then during joint operations with the Core paramilitary, it had been decided to grant her Gallic citizenship as per her request. It would come with a few... extras, of course : she had a troubled (and troubling past), known acquaintances with Malta, and very powerful people were looking for her. She'd be under surveillance at least for the foreseeable future and was barred from political life : her movements outside of Gallia would be closely monitored, and she'd need to make herself available to the Gallic authorities whenever requested. It wasn't a bad deal for one with her past (or at least what Gallia knew of it), Montlaville thought. She could just have ended up in a cell somewhere and be forgotten.
But there were plans with Loyola : she could certainly have her uses for the Crown. Much like her captor, Eliza Valdez... But in a very different capacity. Montlaville had been suggested by her staff that Loyola should make a public declaration, revealing her whereabouts and new allegieance to the world. In fact, they were, just now, on their way to a press conference to do precisely that. And Montlaville was nervous. She'd never really manage to figure out who Enma Loyola was, and what secrets she was hiding in the depths of her soul. And Montlaville could never abide secrets. Cigarette never far from her lips, she decided she'd make sure. Again.
"We'll be there in a moment. You DO remember what you have to say, yes ? Libertonian intelligence had caught wind of your wish to join our Kingdom, wanted to make you disappear because an alliance between the Core and us would be devastating to them... and to do that, they secretly paid Crayterian agents to deliver you to your former Maltese brethren. Is that still clear in your mind ?" Valdez had to be kept out of this : Montlaville had other plans for her, and Liberty could take the hit. More support for the righteous war of retribution, too. In one fell swoop, Montlaville would gain a sleeper agent in Malta, and another reason for the Gallic public to despise Liberty.
If Loyola stuck to her script.
(06-14-2019, 12:25 PM)Sombra Hookier Wrote: If everyone was a bit more like Lanakov, the entire world would be more positive. Including pregnancy tests.
It was happening. Exactly those things that Enma was afraid of. She was seeking for a partner relationships with the Gallic Crown, but after that she will fall under dependency. Even more she will look like a collaborator at home. That's in fact a bit more than capturing power within the Core and gather some loyalists. Even more, it's not clear how Core Guildkeepers and the others will react. She feels like she's stepping on the minefield, but this Gallic lady is not leaving a lot of choices for her in the end.
"Oui, Commandant, I remember."
She says in a really nice manner, while feeling full deperation. It's not like she have a lot of good reputation to keep, so might as well nail it. When it was about time to go, Enma turns to Isabelle.
"I would like to thank you again for my liberation, Commandant. I will be always in debt."
Something that this Gaul would want to hear before Enma steps into the hall. She needs a high loan of trust before going into this.
Montlaville took a prolonged drag on her cigarette. Loyola might have been evasive, mischievous and potentially very dangerous, but she knew her way about courtesy. Any Gallic officer was conditioned to appreciate the effort. She realised she was starting to enjoy the girl's company, after a fashion. A shocking revelation.
"Of course. It wouldn't have been fitting to just let you off to the Maltese dogs. Don't worry : there will be many occasions to repay your debt. When Gallia gives, she expects to be paid back. Now go : fulfill your purpose. This is the beginning of your new life. Good luck." With that, she just stood next to the door leading to the conference room, and extended her hand towards it, tilting her head. She wouldn't be coming. Montlaville disliked public attention and felt more comfortable working from the backstage, setting her own plans in motion and guiding them to fruition. Loyola would be the unwitting face of this new operation, a role she would excel at by all accounts.
And the beginning of the press conference confirmed her thoughts. She is really good. Navigating her way through difficulties as if it were nothing, selling the lie the way she was meant to. As Montlaville finished the last cigarette from her pack, she mentally updated the Loyola-Valdez dossier. She always left as little written traces as possible, and had taken to keeping a mental track of her files. It took some exercise to get there. As the rush of tobacco filled her body and soul, she practically glowed at the satisfaction of a job well done, and of imagining the absolute shitstorm this conference was most certainly triggering in various parts of Sirius, central and remote, and found much amusement in trying to establish just how many organisations this reveal was about to upset. Dammit, she's good, but I'm even better.
(06-14-2019, 12:25 PM)Sombra Hookier Wrote: If everyone was a bit more like Lanakov, the entire world would be more positive. Including pregnancy tests.
![[Image: Sici.gif]](http://sig.grumpybumpers.com/host/Sici.gif)