Cannes Beach, Planet New Paris, Ill-De-France
05/1/741 A.G.S, 19:27
Music could be heard playing at standard volume near one of the folded umbrellas out on Cannes Beach in New Paris. The beach was peaceful, almost always calm; allowing for many wealthy residents to purchase estates closer to the shoreline. That's all there ever was lurking about actually - rich supporters of the Nobility or the nobility themselves. The only other wealthy people were corporate heads and respected Military veterans, though more of those were found in Orleanais.
With the war effort approaching what many began to believe was a climax, the Monarchy had begun brutally suppressing the war effort's opposition and movements to cease the war effort altogether. Maquis bombings on public transports both on-planet and in space grew dramatically, making their notions irrelevant as their terrorist-like nature left them with an even more hateful civilian populous. The Council however, was winning, the long speeches promoting freedom and equality among all without religious entitlement was sound to billions of residents within Gallia. Leaving fear and loss of wealth as the only de-motivating factor to speak out themselves.
Music - especially Libretonian Music - was no exception to something along the lines of "treasonous". People walking by hearing music reacted with a bit of shock, that was until one of them called the police. Next to the folded umbrella sitting in a swimsuit was a woman, bobbing her head to the tune of the music. She sat down with her palms pressing against the warm towel over the sand, with her legs together pointing forward. She wore her red hair back in fancy braid, had sunglasses over her eyes, and a water container next to her on the towel.
Turn off that merde, traitor!One of the locals spat at the woman, she ignored, until a group followed that individual towards her. They must've been rich spoiled Royalist supporters, likely living off the nobility.
Traitor?The woman sitting down replied, speaking with a soft tone as the song came to it's end. You really don't appreciate anything the community has given to you? Not while you're protesting in such a manner!Yea they were crazy supporters, to be fair they'd likely have dealt with actual protesters before. Some music would make you think that, hmm?She retained a confident tone, not a single word was the slightest pitch higher than another.
Before the local could speak up again, the police arrived on the scene. Identification maddd-?Mademoiselle. She reached over for a small wallet, in it had quite a bit of money and the woman's ID. She reached in, pulled it out with two fingers and waved her hand over in the direction of the officer - all while starring forward. Upon looking at the ID, his eyes widened and he quickly held out his hand to give back the woman her ID.Pardon, Mademoiselle. Everyone else - carry on, this woman is certainly no protester.The woman left her arm extended and plucked the ID from his hand with her two fingers, putting it back into her wallet before looking to adjust her music. This is obnoxious! Who the hell is this salpoe!
Madame, please move along, this woman has a considerable service record and is pardoned by Adalene de Linville of the Nobility.The local walked past the woman, keeping her eyes wired to her until seeing something quite distinct on her right shoulder.
It was a tattoo, a trident tattoo, along with a large scar being revealed from the change in lighting. The local starred for a second, than turned and continued - the woman took a sip from her water bottle and turned up her music a bit - making a slight smirk in light of the event.
Cannes Beach, Planet New Paris, Ill-De-France
05/1/741 A.G.S, 19:48
The woman's music kept playing, approaching nightfall most of the older residents had left the beach. Leaving only young adults, likely looking to enjoy the night with some liquor. The woman was zoned out however, ignoring all else but the music and the sunset, something about it made time pass just perfectly - it was relaxing. The relaxing settled in, the woman pictured herself in her younger body, alongside a group like the ones at the beach; the thrill of liquor and company made her more comfortable. Just as the daydream settled in however, and she began to venture out into her own subconsciousness - she was interrupted by yet another resident walking about. Excuse me mademoiselle... The woman reacted instantly, cutting him off in the assumption he was there to criticize her.Putain d'enfer! It's just music, I'm not some...In that instant she realized the person wasn't an adult, just some boy wearing an applicant t-shirt and trousers.Oh merde. She rolled her eyes upon realizing she had mistaken the boy - exhaling in disbelief.Look, I've had a long day, do you need something?The boy froze for a moment, his eyes traveled up and down a bit before he brought himself to speak.P-Pardon, mademoiselle, one of my friends told me the police waved you off - he said you were in service?Retired.You look young for someone retired, and for someone of the status given to you - at least by those officers.The woman turned to look at him for a second, giving him a very blank and somewhat unimpressed look.Pardon. The boy spat out upon seeing her face him.
The woman chuckled a bit, "what a tease" she thought to herself.Don't let your eyes fool you, but It's nice to know I still look that good.Well, um, I'm looking to join up with the Navy, and I was wondering if you could make any recommendations.You don't have parents with service records? She spoke casually as she began to take a sip from her water bottle, turning her head back towards the sunset. I don't have parents actually..."Merde" the woman thought.Some of the officers back near the entrance said you have a considerable reputation-Oh really? They actually give a shit now? Nothing against you, it's just funny to hear that given some other other comments I've recieved.Oui... they said-What division are you looking to be a part of? The woman spoke up impatiently, cutting the boy off as she finally lowered the volume of her music. I wan't to be an officer, hopefully a commandant one day.Ambition, it certainly was with everyone despite whether or not they had the brains for it. I assume you have some money inhereted?Oui.Date a noblemen's daughter, make friends with the Nobility. If you don't you'll need to fail the fightercraft simulation exams, anyone who passes them with remote decency is tossed out in front of the advance. The woman turned to face the boy before finishing the statement, implying the seriousness of her next few words. In front of the advance is the last place you want to be.
The woman paused for a moment, looking at the boy's facial expression.What's your name?Contois, Mathis Contois.Well Mathis, if you follow my instructions and get in, I'll consider recommending you to some people. Ask one of the officers for my address to mail me.The boy's expression turned to a slight smirk. Merci! What's your name? Pardon, mademoiselle.The woman paused for a moment, starring out at the sun as she thought back in time, nothing but half-second flashbacks ran through her head before she stopped to respond.
Marie Estate, Planet New Paris, Ill-De-France
05/4/741 A.G.S, 09:45
Days had passed since Alice talked with that boy, and yet nothing came back. Maybe he changed his mind, maybe he didn't and he got sucked into the infantry. It didn't matter, no more getting worked up over other people's desicions. Alice didn't want to live appeasing anyone for the rest of her life, serving as a Marchale under the Roi was more than enough to buy her a way out with the nobility. Or was it?
Alice stood outside, dressed with a loose long sleeve white shirt and uniform trousers. Her fancy gun in hand, shooting metal targets just a few meters. Her own private shooting range, she was an excellent shot, it would've been enough for a position as a marine sniper or something along those lines if only she could be bothered to follow that getup. That meant taking orders, Alice was more comfortable giving them than taking them, especially when her life was on the line.
The gunfire sound really just sounded like a slight pop, the weapon didn't use hard projectiles. One of few sidearms made with reliable small tachyon rounds, just enough to puncture someone's body. Alice continued to send fire down range, just before faintly hearing footsteps approach her.
Alice.That voice...
Alexis!Alice spoke out suddenly, Alexis Francouis was the communications officer on the Royal Vauquelin; the two were close friends along with most other bridge officers. Alexis ran up and hugged Marie, who slowly hugged back in response.
We all thought you were dead, why didn't you say anything? Look I understand if you wanted out, but you still could've told the rest of us. The guilt settled in, thankfully Alexis was much more forgiving, Bernard's reaction would certainly draw in much more emotion than Alice could handle.
I wanted out, I-It's not that I didn't want to see you all, I just.... I just couldn't bring myself to go back after what happened. Where's Bernard? Is he back too?Alexis paused for a moment, looking down and to her side as she exhaled. The change in her facial expression spelled something bad. Alice reacted with a much more serious tone.Alexis where IS HE?!Alexis took a second to breathe in, Alice prepared to hear the worst; her eyes watering up slightly.Royal intelligence detained him, a lot of us began to have a change in heart after you... went away. Alice this war, it's not going to end with us winning. Not really, you have to know that.The reoccuring theme started to hit everyone it seemed, maybe it was her fault. Alice was no fan of the King, the amount of times Charles had held her head under a guillotine - along with LeBlanc - for the sake of petty success in petty areas interested by the "crown" rivaled the amount of times she blinked in a day.
Still, she couldn't consider leaving. It was her family's name, her name. Everything she ever owned, if something went wrong, her name would rest in the wrong side of history forever. Alice turned away, walking a bit while looking out towards the city. Everything was so calm, so quiet, a perfect retirement place; but Alice knew if she kept as she was. She'd never live without anxiety, she'd never get over her guilt. Alice kept looking away, the whole situation suddenly emerged to her understanding. Maybe the whole crew?
Fuck it... I didn't want to do this! I knew it would happen, everything I've worked for... Fuck you Bernard.Alice turned back, Bernard's life, the lives of her crewmates that stuck with her mattered more. Eventually, her resolve kicked in, and she looked back up at Alexis. Alexis instantly knew she had made up her mind, things were about to change.
He, and the crew are being moved to holding cells here; they'll be executed if we don't get them.Alice walked past Alexis into her house, speaking faintly as she passed.