Provence is still a developing system at the edge of the Kingdom. The lack of lanes emphasizes distances between the few stellar objects filling the vastness of space around the central star. Systems such as this tend to be the boundary of lawful control and unlawful influence, the inability of the short hand of the Gallic Royal Police to reach out and extend it's grip everywhere makes this the perfect place for platforms where the sides of law can meet in relative, albeit locally enforced peace. And Monte Carlo Station happens to be one of these hubs.
Monte Carlo is a great example of a "wretched hive of scum and villainy", while the GRP tries to maintain, if not even full control, then at least moderate influence in certain sections, a gradient of lawlessness can still be experienced throughout the entirety of the station: there are areas of fully legal business and public life where lawful order is easily maintained; there are the dark corners of the station where police is usually welcomed with blaster fire and from where very few of law enforcement officers return alive; and then there is the neutral ground, bars, casinos, restaurants, pubs, privately owned businesses which either bought or earned their autonomy from both the authorities and outlaws, and which display the most colorful, and yet the most calm crowd. La Gemme d'Istres is one of these places.
La Gemme d'Istres Restaurant and Pub is more like a pub than a restaurant, although tables, chairs and other furniture are more set up for moderate or larger groups of dining people, the broad array of available drinks and not so broad array of common food still makes the place lean more toward being a pub. Code of conduct is relatively stricter, resulting in less frequent and severe bar fights than in other pubs of the station. The pleasant sight of Istres only adds to the peacefulness of the place.
La Gemme d'Istres Restaurant and Pub
Monte Carlo Station, Provence
07:45 SMT
24 Juin, 825 AS / 741 AGS
Preparez-vous, Monsieur ! - a man walked up to the bartender with haste. - [She can arrive in any moment now.] La rousse ? - Gerard asked back. Oui, la rousse. - he chuckled. - Alors, [you know what to do.]
The well known morning crowd filled La Gemme, the same one or two dozen folks who don't mind the quality of the breakfast in this place. Ever since his first job of such kind in September, last year, Bernard has gotten used to favors from The Council by now. As usual, his job was to identify then redirect the relevant people. There wasn't much to do at this point, but to wait for the woman to arrive.
Police or navy patrols visiting the station from time to time was not unusual, after all the Crown preferred to keep an eye on this station as well, even if the authorities couldn't enforce complete control over it. A naval logistics transport of the Vache-class, however, hasn't been seen moored at Monte Carlo in a while, if at all. The presence of one made it clear the anticipated special guest has been arrived.
La Gemme d'Istres Restaurant and Pub, Monte Carlo Station, Provence
06/24/741 A.G.S, 08:00
A hint of fear ran through Alice's blood as her lynx touched down in the docking bay of Monte Carlo, lawless stations at the ass end of Gallia weren't the most welcoming presence. Not for people like Alice anyways, especially considering she was slightly in uniform to mask her appearance as a Royal Navy officer. The security officers aboard the station approached as she exited and took off her flight suit over her uniform, it became obvious immediately she was a ranking official; still, it wasn't enough to buy her a free ticket on the station. Alice responded to the approaching guards by flashing her ID in their faces, in response they both simply turned around. The last bit of enjoyment she would get from her inheritance was waving off a few guards? Sad, but enjoyment wasn't something Alice really deserved at this point.
Following the vessel was the unmarked Vache, which had registered it's mooring position just a few days prior to their arrival. The ship remained near the freeport as it's passengers unloaded onto the station via bridge. Everything was already set in place for them, Bernard and Steiner had nagged Alice to take part in the meeting in hopes of making the deal more beneficial, but Alice insisted on going alone in the event it was a trap. Steiner broke quickly, but Bernard had persisted on until they reached the station.
Weapons.The guard at the hangar's elevator exit spoke up as she approached. She simply put up her ID again, and in that instant the issue was solved. Alice walked past and entered the elevator alone, keeping her very close to her gun as she made a slightly dramatic turn to face the exit.Location?Ah fuck...She muttered in response, she had no idea where to actually meet up."Ah fuck", no locations matched.The elevator VI responded.Lounge, Bar... Pub?"La Gemme d'Istres Restaurant and Pub", departing.The sudden dive caught Alice off guard, shaking her posture for a second. Just as she began to examine the walls surrounding her, the elevator had already begun to slow it's pace, and eventually the doors opened. In response, a few heads turned to see the woman in uniform exit the elevator. Some turned back, others kept their eyes fixed on her. Alice, unfastened her gun holsters restraint in response. If it was a shootout, she would be dead regardless, but she could probably sneak in a few lucky hits.
As she began to walk forward and look for some empty table she kept her eyes scanning the room for anyone - or anything - that matched a Council General. Maybe some distinction would've been present, but nothing really struck her too much as out of the ordinary.
La Gemme d'Istres Restaurant and Pub
Monte Carlo Station, Provence
08:15 SMT
24 Juin, 825 AS / 741 AGS
The morning crowd wasn't too loud to begin with, that it subtly got quieter once the woman entered was barely noticable. Regardless, she did still draw minimal attention, especially with her sidearm still in her possession. As she was looking around for someone important, she approached and eventually reached the bar in the middle of the pub.
Oui, Madame ? - Gerard turned to her with a concerned frown, yet still with the usual politeness, with which he treats all guests equally. - [What can I get for you?] Puis-je vous inviter pour une tasse de café, Mademoiselle ? - A man in his late twenties approached Alice before she could responde to the bartender's question. His leather jacket barely hid the relatively sophisticated flight suit beneath it. Just like how his relatively polite manners barely hid a hint of phlegm and maybe some background thoughts regarding a certain fine redhead. - [I haven't seen you here before, you seem to be new. You haven't had your morning coffee yet, have you?] - by this point two men were waiting for her response.
La Gemme d'Istres Restaurant and Pub, Monte Carlo Station, Provence
06/24/741 A.G.S, 08:20
As a matter of fact I haven't, merci.
Slowly, she re-secured the weapon holster and sat down, being a little bit more than "cautious" of the two oddly kind people in front of her.
I'll have one then, S'il vous plaît.
The bartender gave the man a glance, than turned around to go prepare the coffee. The rest of the Pub's environment seemed relatively "as it was" now. As Marie waited for the man to serve her, she turned her head slightly to face the man in the leather jacket.
My name's Alice, what's yours?She spoke out immediately, a hint of sarcasm was put in place - she was well aware of who she was talking to.
La Gemme d'Istres Restaurant and Pub
Monte Carlo Station, Provence
08:25 SMT
24 Juin, 825 AS / 741 AGS
Enchantée, Mademoiselle ! Je suis Arnaud. - The man responded. He noticed the expectation in her question, and perhaps felt a slight disappointment from her, but he wasn't sure about the latter. He went on with the discussion nevertheless. - [So what does bring such a pretty lady, like yourself, to such a remote and not too friendly place, like this?] - he asked, then turned to Gerard for a moment once the bartender arrived with the two cups of coffee. - Ah, merci.
La Gemme d'Istres Restaurant and Pub, Monte Carlo Station, Provence
06/24/741 A.G.S, 08:27
She poured a bit of cream in the coffee, stirred it, than took a nice long sip from the cup. Seemed that even while it was hot it didn't seem to be noticeable to Alice. After finishing the sip of coffee she took a short, sharp exhale and turned over towards the man again.
Family. Duty, and now apparently freedom. What brings you here?
He was leading her along, she didn't know why, maybe he actually liked her - maybe it was just to ensure it was the real "Alice Marie". Either way, she was willing to play the little game of twenty questions so long as the end result was the same. At least, for now.
La Gemme d'Istres Restaurant and Pub
Monte Carlo Station, Provence
08:30 SMT
24 Juin, 825 AS / 741 AGS
Grande sandwich mixte á la Claire. Avec du jambon, du fromage et des tomates. C'est délicieux. - A grin was followed by a slight nod towards the bartender. - [He pretends it not being true, but around this corner it is more like an open secret than a rumor that his daughter makes it. It's not every day, just occasionally, when she helps in running the business here.] - He took a sip, then looked back at Alice and continued. - [It's really good, you should try it out at least once. I've finished mine about a hour ago.]
La Gemme d'Istres Restaurant and Pub, Monte Carlo Station, Provence
06/24/741 A.G.S, 08:31
Well when you put it like that I guess freedom can wait. Tasty food is always worthwhile.
Alice waved the bartender over, leaning over the table slightly to get his attention as well as a quick glance behind the table. She couldn't make out anything out of the ordinary, then again, she didn't really know what /was/ out of the ordinary in this case. Guess it was time to just sit back and play along.
Grande Sandwitch mixte?She asked the bartender, as if on que he turned back around to go notify his "daughter" so it would seem.
La Gemme d'Istres Restaurant and Pub
Monte Carlo Station, Provence
08:32 SMT
24 Juin, 825 AS / 741 AGS
Il sera prêt dans dix minutes, Mademoiselle. - the bartender came back in a moment. - [In the meanwhile you can look for a table more comfortable than this counter. Once done, I'll serve your sandwich there.]
Arnaud had a quick idea and turned to Gerard: - [Is the VIP section vacant?] Oui, maintenant c'est libre. Vous voulez occuper-la, Monsieur ?
He looked away, pondering. - Peut-être. - then turned to Alice. - [I cannot help but notice that some around us still follow you with their gaze. Wouldn't you want to escape the sight of these prying eyes,] Mademoiselle ?
La Gemme d'Istres Restaurant and Pub, Monte Carlo Station, Provence
06/24/741 A.G.S, 08:33
It might do me some good at this point, I think it might also do a lot of people some good at this point. Oui?
This was it, this was what she came for. Everyone in the room that still gave Alice's uniform a nasty look suspected something was about to arise. It had Alice nearly sweating, going out in a bar shootout wasn't a good way to go out - at all. Still, she kept her humorous attitude at large, smirking as she asked the next question.
Where too then?Time to find out if she was speaking to what she had really come for.