The Fall of Boulogne

[Laz]

"The Haven" - Picardy

Rousseau nodded in agreement. It was time.

"Zero? You know what to do." There was no need for elaboration.

Zero didn't give an answer, but simply nodded back, before turning around and rushing towards the door. Listening, it was possible to hear him radio in with the other Brigands, as he left the bridge.

"Everyone, prepare to fight." Simple, and sweet.

Within mere moments the Forlorn craft scrambled, flying in V-formations out of the hanger taking point around the Haven. Zero shortly followed, rendezvousing outside with the other Brigand attack wings that were dragged along with the Haven. As they all flew out, the few Brigand freighters docked with the Haven, keeping themselves safe until the opportune moment.

Before them was the base, only a few clicks out, and now most certainly alerted to their presence. The time to strike was nigh and there was one last step. Everyone checked in with their various squads, make sure all were accounted for and the siege could commence.

"All squads checked in and ready. Operation is a go."

The scanners lit up on both Boulogne and the Haven as the Brigand and Forlorn ships charged forwards. Boulogne had begun unloading fighters at an alarming rate, but the station seemed almost devoid of any heavy bombers, which made the Haven nice and secure.

Within seconds the skies over Le Crotoy were set ablaze. Ships exploded left, right, and centre as the two sides clashed. The Boulogne fighters were large in number but were countered by the Forlorn skill and the Marne masses. With the main bulk of the fighters focused on the hostile swarm, the Marne Jaguars lined up their run.

The station control has warning lights appearing across the board as 14 separate torpedoes locked on in a single run. As each one pounded the hull between the Ecommoy - Boulogne connection the entire superstructure rattled and shook. With the amount of pressure being applied, there was no way the defenders would be able to stop the investible; though many would die trying.

After several minutes, the defence force became worn down and withered. They were fighting a losing battle right from the start. With the situation looking even more favourable, the Haven closed the distance, locking on to it's target.

"Alright men, let her rip. All hands, fire at will! I repeat, all hands, fire at will!" Commander Stenn ordered the Haven with a true sense of authority.

After a brief moment of silence and stillness, the ship shuddered at its own power. The guns roared to life as they began pounding the station's structural weakness. Combined with the bombers and the Haven the connector's hull slowly ripped apart, revealing a gaping hole at the top of the station.

Within seconds the air flooded from the interior before the emergency cut off sealed the gap. It didn't make a difference. There was an entry point, which meant the docking ports could be overridden from the inside. With the Haven's job done, and the fighter dead or scattered, the path forward had been carved and cleared.

The freighters of Brigands and droids unloaded from the bays of the Haven heading for the station. The Brigands went to the docking bay waiting for entry, while the droids headed for the opening in the station. After a few moments, the reinforced doors were spliced open by a monstrous army of robots. The robots systematically purged those near opening with nightmarish precision.

Once the area was clear the bots vented the upper regions of the air, they didn't need it, and forcibly opened the docking bays, granted the Marne Brigands access. With the gateway open, the forces flooded in. The main landing pad was where most of the Brigands were congregating. One side behind them opened up and with it, the Robots poured in, all the while pods were shot in from the docking bays above, unloading Brigands en masse.

The lack of cover made things difficult, the Boulogne Smugglers were nested in deep, preparing for the worst. They still outnumbered the invading forces, which meant slow progression. Coupled with the automated turrets that lined the walls behind the defenders, the entire room became divided. Robots and Marne on one side, Boulogne defenders on the other.

It wasn't until there was an 'unexpected communication' that the situation took a drastic turn. Zero's communicator started beeping mid-firefight. Keeping his head down while hurling bolts of plasma flew past, he opened it to hear it's message.

"Les Récolteurs Sanguins stand ready to fight. Let us take over Boulogne."

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