BREAKING : Gallic forces ambushed by Hebridean separatists

[Lanakov]

Gallia Télévision 2

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WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR

Yesterday evening, surviving elements of the Marine Royale Gauloise, still entrenched in the Hébrides following the devastating end of the Sirian campaign, regrouped and prepared to return to the Core worlds. The order came from the Ducal palace following the signature by all parties of the Leviathan peace accords, which effectively returns Aquitaine to Bretonian control.

The fleet was under the orders of contre-amiral Daniel d'Argenlieu from Nevers' military headquarters. D'Argenlieu was recently appointed as chief of staff of the Marine Royale in replacement of Isabelle Montlaville de Chanteloup, still missing and believed to be dead. The admiral issued a system-wide transmission calling for all to rally him and join the return fleet, presumably hoping to persuade the last pockets of Royalist resistance to lay down their arms.

His call was answered by a full fleet complete with escorts under the so-called "Enclave" pavillion, who escorted the battered MRG fleet to the outskirts of Aquitaine. It is unclear what transpired next, but from a seemingly peaceful outlook, the tension rose as MRG elements began to cross into Gallia. The situation escalated into a full-scale engagement as the Hebridean rebels launched a vicious strike in the back of the retreating forces. From our initial reports, the shock was complete and rippled through the MRG ranks, who suffered tremendous losses at the hands of their former comrades. Several vessels were lost and many more were badly damaged, causing hundreds of casualties in the process. A diminished, broken fleet limped into Burgundy later that day.

Contre-amiral d'Argenlieu has just held a press conference on the matter.

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RECORDED CONFERENCE FROM NEVERS, BURGUNDY

D'Argenlieu speaks with great weariness, though he does his best to hide it under his theatrical tone and upright, dignified chest. His face looks like he's carrying the burden of several lifetimes.

"... Many have asked me, is this true ? Has this really happened ? Is the war not over ?
I've been wondering the same thing myself. Yet, we now must face it, collectively : those who once were our comrades, our brothers and sisters, those who only had Gallia's best interests at heart, even at her darkest hour... Those men and women have just proven that their intention to secede from this new Gallia was not just posturing. They have written this with the blood of our exhausted sailors, who were following an order many of them had been waiting so eagerly : go home. Return to this place for which you gave so much, return to help it once more, but not as aggressors this time. As fathers, as mothers, as the watchmen of a new, fairer nation.

Instead, these sailors have perished at the hands of their friends, people they trusted, people they thought they shared so much with. They suffered an act of extreme vanity, of utter gratuity. "Why did this happen ?" is another question I've been asked. And I wish I had an easy answer. Alas, there is none. Those whom we must now refer to as the Hebridean terrorists seem only to care for more violence, more war, against anyone. Even their own comrades. Such is their lust, driven as they are to accomplish the Mad King's interminable, insatiable appetite for blood.

There can be no reprieve for such a beastly enemy. No negociation, no compromise, no talks. And there WILL-BE-NONE (he strikes his console thrice, emphasising each word) !
Gallia will not forget this unforgivable, this unbearable fratricide. In time, justice will need to be dispensed against those who let themselves be corrupted by the Mad King, even unto death. So many souls lost to his folly already, and now, you, amiral Clément ! And you, commandant Gauthier ! Must you persist ? Have you not had your fill ? Would you not use your tremendous potential for the good of your nation, rather than this intolerable desperation to kill even more ?

He pauses. We no longer live under the tyrannical yoke of Charles, so I am no longer forced to lie to you, people of Gallia. The time, now, is to look inwards. Our fleet is in tatters, our people have no more appetite for war, let alone if it should be waged on their comrades. It will take our nation some time to recover from this traumatising betrayal, physically and emotionally. But as our military recovers and undergoes the necessary reforms, as our governments find their footing and our economy heals, so too will our spirits improve, and it will be time to look South again. The Fratricide will be avenged, and the Hebridean terrorists will receive their due. Though we exist in a fascinating era of transformation, one thing shall not be permitted to change : Gallia will always give each person precisely what they deserve."

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WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT

Following contre-amiral d'Argenlieu's statement, several military analysts have confirmed that, while most of the surviving MRG fleet managed to reach port, most of its assets are not combat-capable, nor will they be for weeks to come. These elements had, for the most part, received basic repairs and refits, as Aquitaine could not possibly absorb the needs of a battered first-rate fleet by itself, and were already in poor condition by the time the Fratricide occured. With the Ducal shipyards at maximum capacity, a petition has been made by MRG staff to ask the other Gallic states for logistics support.

Our sources have also revealed that inquiries have been requested to shed light on the precise circumstances of the Fratricide and the reasons for such a devastating loss. Though unpreparedness, shock and disrepair are the main culprits, several officers present aboard the return fleet are under suspicion. Chief among them, a former commandant whose identity was undisclosed at the time of this news report. The suspect allegedly showed surprising eagerness to take command of the return fleet, deliberate obstruction of the chain of command in critical situations and even a brief stint among the Hebridean terrorists. We'll update you as the investigation develops.

Ducal administration has decreed a national mourning period for the next three days. This will have repercussions on state services. Plan accordingly.

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