Apocalypse

[Ramke]

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"Capitaine!" a junior officer called out as the unnerving silence in the bridge finally dispersed.

"I've just done the calculations. It would be better for us to take the route through the relatively unknown Tau-37. The route would be slightly shorter, and we could request IDF Shipping personnel from La Charite Spaceport deliver the fuel to us en-route in the next system, Tau-53." the woman continued after a pause. "The only concern is that our maps of Tau-37 are quite old and likely outdated. However, the Council or Maquis would never expect us to come from the Kusari route, and this would solve our fuel crisis. We may encounter some pirate elements on the way, but they wouldn't be able to get through our shielding or get in our way."

Renaud raised his eyebrows as the solution finally came to him. Half of the officers in the room expected the capitaine to have another explosive episode, but this suggestion genuinely pleased him. This is what he was looking for.

"Magnifique, officière! I'll make sure your quick thinking is known to the Marechal. Redirect the ship to the suggested route as soon as possible. We're not giving up yet!" the capitaine ordered, hoping his renewed optimism would have inspired the rest of the bridge.

It didn't seem to work.

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Léon noticed the stars rotating through the window, partially blocked by the sad sight of Claire slumping down on the sill.

"Your highness, I don't mean to interrupt, but it appears we're changing course. Has the capitaine came back to his senses?" he asked rhetorically.

The woman lifted her head, staring into the changing view as the ship rotated to correct its route.

"I don't know, Léon, but it doesn't seem like we'll get to know, either. I can't believe I'm feeling like a prisoner in my own Kingdom's ship... I would do anything to be back on Orleans." she remarked dejectedly.

"Well, the capitaine isn't the only person I've been speaking with. Let me see if I can do some information gathering." the man said, turning his attention back to the console in front of him. He had built quite a few contacts during his time on the ship, primarily officers that would be high enough on the need-to-know list to ease their concerns.

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