| Planet Marne | |
| Owner | |
| Gallic Metal Service | |
| Location | |
| E-5/6, Champagne |
DIAMETER: 11,548 km.
MASS: 6.27 x 10e25 kg.
TERRAIN: Terrestrial
TEMPERATURE: -43°C to 49°C
ESCAPE VELOCITY: 9.90 km/sec
Marne is a densely populated industrial world that holds more than three quarters of the Gallic Border Worlds population. Discovered in 422 AGS by a Gallic expedition sent from Burgundy, this planet immediately attracted attention of many mining corporations. Its atmosphere was suitable for colonization, and the planet's crust appeared to be rich in oil and metal ores. EFL Oil and Machinery, Gallic Metal Service, and a number of other companies from the Core Systems all participated in building up the industrial infrastructure.
Large advertisement projects were launched during the 6th century AGS to attract a seizable workforce, promising workers beautiful green cities and seemingly perfect living conditions. Millions followed the call of the corporations but were met with a disturbing disappointment: Instead of cities with vast green, they encountered cities of grey, similar blocks of flats lined up at seemingly endless streets, huge factories and plants surrounding them. In addition to the poor working and living conditions, local law enforcement proved to be thoroughly corrupt and crime soon ran rampant in the suburbs. The few wealthy citizens were living at some distance from the large industrial complexes, locking themselves behind tight security measures and turning a blind eye to the suffering of millions.
For more than a century, tensions between local population and the Marne administration kept brewing. Following the ban of the Gallic Liberation Movement in 636 AGS, a large worker union movement, tensions on Marne exploded in violence. The desperate workers turned from mostly peaceful protests to a bloody struggle over the Planet. Out of the Gallic Liberation Movement, two organisations were born: The Council, pursuers of liberal political ideas, and the Maquis, a terrorist organisation formed within the Council.
For almost eight decades Marne was slowly sinking into total chaos. In 710 AGS, it become apparent that the monarchy's officials of Marne were about to lose control of the Planet fully and the Gallic King ordered the Gallic Royal Navy to step in. Though, the "Marne Pacification Fleet" fell into an ambush conducted by the Council in high orbit of the Planet, dealing a severe tactical blow to the Monarchy. This ambush marks the beginning of the Second Gallic Civil War and the official date the Council seized control of Planet Marne and Champagne.
For many years, Marne was the industrial and political centre of the Council, its disgruntled population bolstering the rebellions ranks significantly. However, Marne was far from troubled, the high Brigands concentration - a criminal organisation barely tolerated by the Council over their aid against the Gallic Crown - caused crime to stay an issue.
The decades of war have taken their toll on the planet and wider system, and its population are fiercly independent and resentful of their resources being spent to fuel both the invasion of Sirius under the crown, and the rebellion under the Council which ultimately led to an unpopular compromise. The planet is more loyal to local rulers than those in IDF and the Gallic Navy presence, consisting of the Cassard is likewise more locally minded.
Bribes & Missions Offered
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Commodities
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Ships sold
| Ship | Class | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Aurochs | Freighter | 24,876$ |
| Gallic Frigate | Frigate | 1,042,506$ |
| Gallic Repair Ship | Repair Ship | 35,175$ |
News
| [751 AGS] Bretonian assassins target convoy |
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FREIBURG -- 751 -- Despicable Bretonian assassins have once more targeted Gallic citizens on Freiburg Station in Stuttgart. In the latest provocation, a moored IDF Shipping convoy was attacked and destroyed by Bretonian transports loaded with bombs. “Now more than ever, we must set aside our differences and come together as one House to oppose foreign tyranny,” Grand Marshall de Varax boomed during a speech to the Parisian Assembly. De Varax further vowed to obtain justice for the slain crew, and root out Gallia’s enemies wherever they may hide. Bretonia was recently ordered to return the stolen Jump Gate of Tau-23 -- it appears they have provided their perfidious answer. |
| [751 AGS] Bretonia must return stolen Jump Gate |
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BATTLESHIP DE GRASSE -- 751 -- During Kusari’s invasion, the Gallic Jump Gate between Tau-23 and Tau-31 was occupied, and then unlawfully transferred to Bretonian custody. Kusari claimed this excluded the Gate’s status from peace negotiations, as it was no longer within their legal control. Grand Marshall de Varax has now issued a blistering decree to Bretonia, ordering the Gate’s immediate return to Gallic ownership. It is intolerable that Gallic state industrial secrets remain in the hands of a foreign House that has time and again demonstrated its hostility to the Gallic people. The Grand Marshall has warned of “dire consequences” should his demand be refused. |
| [835 AS] Bretonia and Rheinland call for de-escalation |
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CURACAO -- The governments of Bretonia and Rheinland have called on Kusari and Liberty to attempt formal talks, amid fears that continued escalation and military friction could spark war. Queen Carina and Emperor Frederick have offered to mediate an emergency summit on Planet Curacao after Kusari and Liberty imposed mutual sanctions that are already having rippling effects across Sirius. Gallia’s Grand Marshall de Varax meanwhile has condemned Kusari as a “belligerent and destabilizing actor”, and called for Liberty’s demands to be met. Neither Kusari or Liberty has agreed to attend, with each demanding pre-conditions be met by the other. Gallia has not received an invite. |
| [751 AGS] Gallic citizens murdered in Rheinland |
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FREIBURG -- 751 -- Scenes of savagery have unfolded on Freiburg Station, Stuttgart. Bretonian thugs murdered a Gallic transport officer after spotting him in the station bar. Rheinland authorities have already detained six of the assailants for the brutal crime. Gallic Union officials have issued revised guidance for transport crews in Rheinland, recommending Gallic citizens travelling abroad acquire Union personal permits for Enfer Blasters. “This will enable you to defend yourself against the foreign assassins of Bretonia and Kusari,” noted Wildau Cultural Attache Nicolas Jetté. |
| [750 AGS] EFL resets industrial relations on Quillan |
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QUILLAN -- 750 -- Activating emergency powers in Quillan’s management contract, EFL have announced that several local Workers’ Unions are to be dissolved with immediate effect. The fuel giant argues that these organizations have fomented dissent as activists, rather than representing their members' interests. After clashes with protesters, Languedoc Seigneur Ansel Bousquet has offered the assistance of Marines from Nimes Station. GMS has issued a formal protest to New Paris over the move, insisting that the Worker Unions form an integral part of a productive industrial environment. |
| [750 AGS] Gallic Union celebrates settlement anniversary |
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NEW PARIS -- 750 -- Celebrations have been conducted across Gallia, marking 750 years since the arrival of our great Sleeper Ship on New Paris. This culminated with the spectacle of a vast military parade on New Paris, attended by dignitaries from across the Union. As our soldiers marched along the concourses of Ile du Palais, they were saluted by Grand Marshal Louis de Varax and his cabinet of Seigneurs. In a rousing speech, the Marshal praised Gallia’s glorious history, while railing against treacherous internal enemies, and the perfidious plots of Bretonia, Kusari and Liberty. “While we are united, Gallia is unstoppable!”, he declared in a closing message. |
| [750 AGS] Decisive victory against the Maquis |
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NEW PARIS -- 750 -- The Gallic Navy has announced the withdrawal of border control checkpoints across Ile-de-France, citing an improving security situation. Parisian Seigneur Ansel Lussier sharply rebuffed reports of losses inflicted by Maquis attacks, calling them seditionist lies. “They want to distract from the devastating defeat inflicted on the radicals by Naval and Gendarmerie counter-terrorism crackdowns,” he declared. “The Maquis are a spent force,” he continued. “We no longer need the checkpoints because the colonies have been pacified.” New Paris businesses have reacted positively to the news that trade restrictions will ease. |
| [750 AGS] Labor leader assassinated on Marne |
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TINQUEUX -- 750 -- An outspoken leader of the Marne Industrial Union, Melodie Petit, has been assassinated in a brazen daylight shooting. Petit had been instrumental in organizing recent demonstrations against the Treaty of Oerlikon. Conspiracy theories about Petit’s death circulated rapidly on local data nets, with many blaming Unione Corse contract killers. Violent protests have radiated from Tinqueux Province, with rioters occupying the planetary spaceport and disrupting exports. Gallic Union security officials have labeled protesters as “Maquis seditionists” and threatened to authorize lethal force by Marines unless order is immediately restored. |
| [749 AGS] GMS shutters costly operations |
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SAINT-DIZIER -- 750 -- GMS has announced the closure of its Saint-Dizier Molybdenum refineries on Planet Marne and the Toulon Mining Station in Provence, placing thousands of jobs at risk. This comes after the company previously warned that pressure from Rheinland minerals would soon force redundancies across several of its operations. Some of these roles are expected to be transferred to the newly acquired and renovated Oerlikon Refinery. GMS says the station will be able to operate more efficiently and at lower cost, thanks to reduced shipping overheads and the implementation of imported Kruger industrial Robotics. The Marne Industrial Union has promised a “day of action”, with rioting already spreading through the Saint-Dizier province. |
| [749 AGS] GMS shutters costly operations |
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SAINT-DIZIER -- 750 -- GMS has announced the closure of its Saint-Dizier Molybdenum refineries on Planet Marne and the Toulon Mining Station in Provence, placing thousands of jobs at risk. This comes after the company previously warned that pressure from Rheinland minerals would soon force redundancies across several of its operations. Some of these roles are expected to be transferred to the newly acquired and renovated Oerlikon Refinery. GMS says the station will be able to operate more efficiently and at lower cost, thanks to reduced shipping overheads and the implementation of imported Kruger industrial Robotics. The Marne Industrial Union has promised a “day of action”, with rioting already spreading through the Saint-Dizier province. |
| [749 AGS] Unions threaten strike on Marne |
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PLANET MARNE -- 749 AGS -- Unrest on Marne has simmered since the recent state visit of the Rheinish Emperor. Concerns about what a trade deal with Rheinland would mean for the people of Marne has dominated discussions, before turning to outrage with the publication of the ratified treaty text. Champagne labor unions have decried the agreement as a sham, accusing military leaders of cutting economic deals they were unqualified to negotiate and did not understand. The Gallic Metals Service has expressed deep concerns about the removal of tariffs on Rheinland imports, arguing that its expensive Marne operations will not be able to compete without harsh cuts. Worker representatives have called for a general strike. |
| [831 AS] Gate corps clash over 'Blackout'! |
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ABBEVILLE -- 831 AS -- EFL's 'Resilience Taskforce' today reported its findings on The Blackout, claiming to have gathered forensic evidence that proved the cause as Ageira negligence. A spokesperson claimed that the destruction of the Dublin Jump Gate by Molly separatists had created a hyperspace feedback loop that was propagated and amplified through the Ageira gate network. Ageira disputed this finding in their own press release, calling EFL 'fantasists' and countering that their own scientists had narrowed the cause to a rare 'hypernova' stellar event that originated outside the Sirius sector. Both corporations claim that network-wide hardware safeguards have been implemented that would prevent a similar occurrence in the future. Independent researchers have sharply criticized the corporate announcements, accusing both of self-interested misdirection. Professor Sophia Nagel from Heisenberg Research Station called EFL's accusation 'incoherent' and the hypernova explanation 'nonsense' that did not explain the characteristics of the 'Blackout Pulse'. Despite multiple different Pulse recordings being widely disseminated across the neural net, public efforts have so far failed to triangulate its source. |
| [831 AS] Pulse phenomenon linked to Blackout |
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AMES RESEARCH STATION -- 831 -- Independent researchers have announced that a hyperspace pulse of unprecedented strength was detected moments before The Blackout, destroying many of the sector’s most sensitive and finely tuned observatories. Surviving data about 'The Pulse' has been widely shared across the neural net in recent days, prompting mass speculation. Professor Katsuma Oster of Ames Research Station described the signal as “astounding”. “These readings are unprecedented, as if reality itself were struck like a gong.” House authorities have remained tight lipped, refusing to share their own observatories' data. |
| [831 AS] 'Blackout' causes jump network failure |
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MANHATTAN -- 831 AS -- Two days ago Jump Gates failed simultaneously across Sirius, freezing commerce and neural net access across the sector. When communications resumed 31 hours later, the news broke of Bretonia's loss of the Dublin system. This twin shock has plunged markets into chaos, prompting fears of sector-wide economic recessions. Interspace estimates that the stoppage alone caused billions of credits in losses. Gallia immediately accused Liberty of causing the outage, claiming the destruction of Dublin's Jump Gate instigated a cascading failure in faulty Ageira infrastructure. Ageira has sharply refuted the allegation, claiming such a systemic effect would be physically impossible. |
| [746 AGS] Leaks reveal secret Rheinland negotiations |
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OERLIKON -- 746 -- The Sirian neural net is abuzz with news of a potential trade deal between Gallia and Rheinland. An inept Rheinish functionary leaked sensitive details on the talks after losing an unencrypted datapad. The notes include unfounded criticism of our peerless military negotiators, no doubt provoked by feelings of inadequacy after humiliating defeats at the conference table. Our great government has rebuked Rheinland’s attempts to disparage EFL’s work on the Sigma-15 Jump Gate projects, recognising that this is a mere distraction from their own failure to secure the space. Marne’s Governor Courcelle has praised the Grand Marshal's excellent strategy, asking only that he consult with industrial representatives as proceedings progress. |
| [743 AGS] Upheavals within the Gallic Assembly |
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MARSEILLE -- 743 AGS -- For several weeks, tensions have been rising between the Duchy and Minarchist deputies. Both states are being confronted with the Kusari invaders; and every state has been asking for more resources to be allocated to their own front lines. The Duchy has been particularly expressive in their requests as the Kusari Forces have captured Lorraine, and are currently executing a bloody siege on Nevers. Meanwhile the République has been trying to monitor the two rivaling states, and the military has been tasked with coordinating their strategic plan with the assistance of the Parisian Assembly. The situation was not resolved with the Minarchy supporting a vote of no confidence in the current leadership; later causing the resignation of Jean Besson, the President of the Parisian Assembly, on the 15th of October. Elections to renew the Assembly were held on the same day of Jean Besson's resignation, and the results were revealed on the 18th of October. To the surprise of many, the Militarists were victorious; with considerable support of the Defense Forces, and thanks to their alliance with moderates and independents within the other parties. The new President of the Assembly, Dorian Lasalle made a short but resolute announcement after his nomination to President, the most important role in the Assembly: "My new government and I will immediately start to solve the internal affairs and a solution with the conflict against Kusari will soon be found. Then, a new era for Gallia will rise." Overall elections have opened many doors for the Militarists and closed some for divisionist representatives at the Parisian Assembly. The recent conflicts have shown an increase in unity among the states, confronted to their most difficult challenge since their creation in 742 A.G.S. The final seat count sets the Gallic Defense Guard Party (GDG) as the single largest party with 52 percent of the seats, followed by the Union for Tradition Party (UT) with 25 percent, the Democratic Federation of the Liberals Party (DFL) with 11 percent, the Gallic Commerce Guild (GCG) with 9 percent, and the Pacifists of Paris Party (PP) with only 3 percent of the seats. The GDG, an authoritarian right leaning party of ex-officers from the Defense Forces, is arguably the biggest victor in these elections with their impressive 52 percent of the total seats available in the Assembly. The surprise and confusion is shared among all parties, but is overall explainable with the rapidly increasing popularity of militant views since the start of the invasion by the Kusari Empire. Nevertheless, the rest of the deputies have accepted to collaborate with the GDG for the greater good of Gallia, solving the internal conflicts and finding a favorable outcome to the war with the Empire. Many citizens within every state have shown their hopes and concerns regarding the unexpected push of the GDG in the Assembly but President Lasalle reassured them saying "Every state will be listened to and we will work with all the parties for the greater good of Gallia". |
| [743 AGS] Epinal Heroism |
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NEVERS -- 743 AGS -- The war against aggressive Kusari invaders reached a new level of intensity with their forces now back into Languedoc, but with large reinforcements this time. The information has shocked the Gallic citizens, especially those in the Minarchy, who were hoping not to see further bloody battles in their system. Nevertheless, the saddest news comes with the sacrifice of the battleship Epinal in Burgundy. In one last heroic move, the battleship, already damaged during the earliest battles of the very first days of the conflict, saved Avallon from destruction after Kusari battleship Ueda suddenly charged the station under a creeping barrage from the Kusari lines. To engage and halt the Ueda required the Epinal to press its reactors into overwhelming overload and while she was able to disable the Ueda and redirect her from ramming the station, she fell to the Matsumoto's long range guns. The Capitaine of the Epinal, Martin Charbonneau managed to send a last message to its forces in the very last minutes of the intense confrontation: "My crew and I have retreated enough. We have the chance to stop them and we'll seize it. Epinal, your hour has come, it is time to show everyone how a true Gallic soldier fights for his house. May our sacrifice not be vain. Longue vie à Gallia!" Epinal was an honorable veteran of the Second Gallic Civil War, having participated in many battles against the former Council in Champagne and Lorraine, where she remained since, before the Kusari invasion. The crew was highly disciplined and experienced and its loss will be greatly felt in the weeks to come. However, the Duchy forces, far from being demoralized by this event, clearly express their intentions to avenge their fallen brothers. The Defense Forces leadership in Burgundy say the morale among the crews is very high not just thanks to the heroic action of Epinal, but also due to the express arrival of the newly constructed battleship Hossegor, along with her escort ship Vaxoncourt, which have absorbed former Epinal escort Les Vosges into their cohort. The good fortune didn't stop as the legendary Cassard and her battlegroup arrived from Languedoc to reinforce the front. Outnumbered almost two to one in this theater, it is expected that Kusari will suffer a crushing defeat in the days to come. In response to the heroic actions of Epinal throughout the Second Kusari-Gallic War, the Grand Duke Valentin Trintignant asked the Chancellery of the Gallic Rewards and Values for the honor of being the person to posthumously award La Légion des Valeurs Gauloises to the Capitaine of the Epinal and her crew, one of the highest decoration in Gallia. Nevertheless, despite the optimism of the Defense Forces in Burgundy, the situation is worsening in Languedoc and the Parisian Assembly has refused to comment on the new offensive of Kusari in this sector for the moment. According to some deputies, the Assembly has been facing internal legitimacy issues since the recent redeployment of forces, with major factions losing confidence that the Assembly is willing to defend them. |
| [743 AGS] Confederate Defense Forces Make Gains in Languedoc |
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FOURCHAMBAULT SHIPYARD -- 743 AGS -- With the arrival of the Cassard fleet, redeployed from Gallia's Rheinland border in Zurich, CDF Admiral Armelle De Verley proudly reports driving the invaders in Languedoc beyond reach of Gap Station. The Admiral suggests that through the honor and bravery of her forces and the resolute support of the Gallic people that the defenders of Languedoc were able to inflict two to one losses on the Kusari fleet. The admiral's staff expects that breaking the advance at Gap station, though expensive, ought be instrumental in driving the Kusari Navy back to Tau, and are sure that relieving Zurich of Cassard is a weakness that Gallia can weather for the time being. Fourchambalt's hospital and morgue have both been expanded, as the long job of rescue, cleanup, and last rites for the dead will be administered from the station. Despite the losses, seeing Tokogawas retreat before them has raised the morale of the men and women of the Confederal Defense Force. So many gifts of flowers, chocolates, and other sweet and savory favors have arrived for the wounded fleet personnel being treated in the expanded sickbay with gifts of that station administration has been forced to open cargo-freight bays to contain the gifts of well wishers. |
| [743 AGS] Confederal leaders speak out |
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NEW PARIS -- 743 AGS -- Following the surprise attack launched by the Kusari State against Gallia, the leaders of the Confederation have each released a public statement about the state of war. President Orianne Castaignède of the Republic condemned the attack on the Duchy and the Minarchy, expressing that such a move in search of justice is a disgrace to the idea of justice. Going as far as stating that 'concerns over those responsible for the war should have been brought to them directly'; not 'Lashing out with past grievances'. The Grand Duke of Burgundy, Valentin Trintignant, has declared his commitment to the total repulsion of the Kusari fleet, saying; "This attack is completely unprovoked, and misguided. The Kusari state should be ashamed of themselves - The forces of the Duchy will crush these invaders and the Kusari vandals will be brought to justice!" The leaders of the Minarchy also came out to condemn the actions of Kusari. Stating that the attack on their territory is unwarranted and besides the stated goal. One prominent member, Patron Mathéo Dufresne commented with "[swearing] - What did we do?" when asked for his thoughts on the war. The reaction among the general population of New Paris has been of shock and bewilderment. Many of those interviewed had believed we were past conflicts with Sirius, and many curse the aggression. The most common responses followed themes of colourful patriotic pan-gallic support, while other sizable portions of the population are still worried that La Vieille Garde are being deployed too far from home. Lionel Balzac, a prominent politician on New Paris, has came out to assure the confederacy that there 'are no plans to withdraw the La Vieille Garde from the front-lines' as they continue to mount a united defence against the Kusari invaders. Going as far to express 'total commitment for the good of Gallia' in his public address. Since the institution of the Confederacy, Lionel Balzac has been seen as one of the guiding voices of Ile-De-France, and his support had reassured many across the sector. |
| [743 AGS] Alarm raised in Zurich |
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OERLIKON OBSERVATORY -- 743 AGS -- The Gallic Confederation has reacted with alarm at the unfolding events in Rheinland. The First Rheinland Republic has fallen to a violent coup, resulting in the creation of a new Empire. The 'Zurich Corridor' linking Gallia and Rheinland had been intended to open a new avenue for trade and investment across southern Gallia, transforming the Zurich system into a highly profitable trade artery. Rheinland's collapse into civil war has come at an extremely inopportune time, mere days after the successful completion of the Zurich gate and lane projects. The Confederal Government has so far remained divided on the "Rheinland Question", with the exception of authorising the deployment of the La Fierte battlegroup to the border. This decision appears to have been prudent, with reports circulating on Oerlikon that a large Rheinland engine plume was detected on a heading towards the Valais Cloud. So far Confederal Defence Force representatives have remained tight lipped about the possibility of a Rheinland battlegroup seeking refuge in the system. Despite the political gridlock between Republican, Duchy and Minarchy representatives, the Defence Force has received authorisation to deploy into the Cologne system in order to secure Gallic assets. Intelligence reports have confirmed that the group known as the Red Hessians has attempted to assert control over the system, and infiltrate Zurich. A public warning has been posted advising that 'Hessians' approaching the Zurich Jump Gate will be fired upon. |
| [742 AGS] Second Gallic Civil War has Ended! |
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NEW PARIS -- 742 AGS -- The Second Gallic Civil War ended in a ceasefire last Saturday, as Royalist forces under command of Rear Admiral Bastien Savatier de Fontenoy received the order to surrender from the Grand Duchy of Burgundy, a royalist secessionist polity formed in a state of emergency by the Duke of Burgundy. In the absence of the King or any heirs, Valentin Trintignant, Duke of Burgundy, gathered the support of the nobility of Burgundy, the Marquise de Vandoevres and Marquis de Roanne in Lorraine, while offering the Vicomptesse Allos de Metz, Grande Maitresse de l'Office Royal des Eaux et Forets the financial support needed to continue their terraforming operation in Lorraine. The Duke initiated talks last week to discuss the glassing of Leeds and the Crown's imminent defeat at the hands of Allied forces in Bretonia. Only minutes after the Council's Fleet moved on Planet New Paris, Trintignant declared himself Grand Duke of The Grand Duchy of Burgundy and authorized the surrender of the Royal Navy. His haste in calling for a ceasefire likely saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of Gallic citizens threatened by collateral damage from battle over Planet New Paris. While most Royalist ships in Gallia's core systems recognized and surrendered to the authority of the Duchy, Admiral Savatier did not, and slipped the Rocroi away from the site of the battle in the confusion. Battleship Rocroi and her cohort remain at large, but have not been seen or heard from since the battle. The Council reciprocated not only the ceasefire but also with the formation of a new governing body. The systems of Champagne, Picardy, and Orleanais declared their independence as the Republique of Gallia, a decision which appears to have been in the works for some time. Unlike the ad hoc vassalage of the Duchy, the Republique presented itself with a fully fledged constitution and complete governing body, led by President Orianne Castaignède, the former Governor of Marne. The systems of Languedoc and Languedoc both formed provisional governments following the fall of the Monarchy, however both declined invitations to join the Republique. This decision could be linked to the significant losses both systems incurred on account of the Council's direct and indirect interference during the Second Gallic Civil War. Officials from Gap and Quillan are rumored be engaged in preliminary talks with the Minarchy of Provence, who have extended offers of free trade and protection to the two war torn systems, which seem reluctant to view both the Duchy and Republique as having the best interests of the historically poor region in mind. Ile de France, possessing no noteworthy standing military of its own following the mass exodus of nobles to the Gallic Hebrides, has declared itself a neutral, autonomous territory. This decision was grudgingly accepted by the Republique, aware of its low reputation among Parisians owing to decades of royal propaganda. Such a move was seen as the best way to demonstrate the fall of the Monarchy and secure the former seat of royal power without bloodshed. In response political instability after the Exodus of the King, the Acting Viceroy of Ile de France, a former low ranking regional official who now speaks for the political associations on New Paris, has called for the Republique, Duchy, and Minarchy to send diplomatic representatives to the negotiating table, where it seems the future of Gallia will be decided in the weeks to come. |
| [742 AGS] Grim Times for the Gallic Crown |
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NEW PARIS -- 742 AGS -- The situation in the Core Worlds has grown increasingly dire, as a large fleet of Council warships has been spotted amassing near the Orleanais Jump Gate in Ile de France this morning. The insurgents have been quick to capitalize on the Crayterian victory in the Barrier last week, seizing Planet Amiens and rallying with forces from Provence at the edge of the Chevreuse field. News from the Bretonian front is not much better. The fighting over New London remains fierce, and though the Bretonian blockade of the planet has been breached and preparations are underway to deploy Triumphs into New London's atmosphere, reports indicate the battle damaged or destroyed over 60%% of the material of those fleets and that the death toll is in the tens of thousands. Front line forces are unable to retreat without risking total defeat at the hands of the Sirians. The Epinal, Rocroi, and Venissieux have been recalled to New Paris, but odds appear grim, and military analysts have thus far declined to comment on whether or not the ad hoc defense will be able to defend the capital. En masse evacuation from the Core Worlds has begun, with standing orders from the Crown for all loyal citizens to proceed to Bordeaux and Toulouse post-haste, where they will be provided for. A GRI asset who asked that we did not disclose their identity has claimed that the King's transport, flying under civilian flag, came under fire from Maquis terrorists while en route to the Brittany jump corridor. Though the transport survived the attack, King Charles is allegedly comatose. Our source could not provide any further comment on the state of the King or who was heading the state in the absence of a monarch. |
| [742 AGS] New Weapon Against Bretonian Resistance |
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CALAIS -- 742 AGS -- The Agincourt System has been under full control of our navy for nearly six years. Nevertheless, small pockets of Bretonian resistance still remain dug into deep mining tunnels and bunkers, eager to use any opportunity to disturb the order which the royal army is tasked to maintain. The military research and development team of Calais has agreed to provide us with some insight in the, very literally said, groundbreaking weapon which should finally put an end to Bretonian resistance, no matter how deeply dug in. It is the "Triumph"-class, the newest addition to the Royal Navy. The state-of-the-art design carries a minified version of the "Warwolf" cannon amidships on the bottom of the hull and is the only capital ship known to man that is capable of atmospheric flight below 5000 meters, thanks to its eight horizontal thrusters. Although unmatched, our Valors would be defeated by Admiral Nature in such a task, as the magnetosphere greatly disperses the effect of their mighty forward cannons. The Triumph is able to fly past the magnetosphere, and thus exert its full firepower on the ground. Royal military analysts predict that the Bretonian resistance will surrender as soon as they witness this weapon in use, but even if they do not, their neutralization will be ensured promptly. |
| [733 AGS] The Way into Gallia is Open! |
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REUNION -- 733 AGS, 817 AS -- The Council is proud to announce that the mine fields that have concealed the existence of Gallia from the rest of the Sirius population have been breached in Orkney and Omicron Tau. This achievement has cost us decades of bloody war with Gallic government forces who rejected the rights of the Gallic nation to re-unite with the rest of humanity that escaped Sol more than eight hundred years ago. We will welcome any ships willing to explore Gallic space and establish relations with local factions. In exchange for the passage, we ask for guarantees of neutrality towards the Council, its military and civilian personnel. We also warn that any capital ship fleets or other large military detachments will be denied passage, by force if necessary. Our goal is to prevent the war, not to encourage attacks of other Houses who might consider Gallia its enemy. Gallia is no one's enemy, and our task is to prove it. We hope that after our actions in the Gallic Border Worlds the King of Gallia will demonstrate responsibility and discretion by establishing diplomatic relations with all four Houses and by canceling plans of Sirius-wide aggression. However, even if the relations will be established, we, the Council, will still remain sworn enemies of the Crown, and the Second Gallic Civil War will continue. Our current goal is to hold the passage in Languedoc open for everyone for as long as possible. However, the Royal Navy has assembled an overwhelming fleet in Languedoc that will soon head towards Languedoc. Our casualties has been very high during the recent years of fighting in this system, and odds to win the battles that will follow are very low. Languedoc detachments of the Council, and all civilians willing to escape the prosecution by Gallic government, will have to seek refuge in the Sirius Border Worlds. We are already looking for possible locations where we can build our bases and defensive installations. We are also aware that Sirius space has its own unlawful factions, much like Gallic Brigands and Unione Corse in Gallia. Since our situation is complicated right now, we might seek help of those factions in order to survive and prevent unnecessary casualties. But we also realize that our equipment, ships and weaponry contain Gallic technologies that many Sirius parties are willing to appropriate. We are not trading or exchanging any of our military technologies. If any attempts to capture or attack Council personnel and ships occur, we reserve the right to retaliate with deadly force. |