En route to Research Outpost A179
Planet Bordeaux, Aquitaine system
11:32 am, 12 January, 743 A.G.S. (827 A.S.)
The refitted luxury shuttle soared through the skies of planet Bordeaux, over the green sea of lush jungle below. Yet the pristine beauty of the recently-conquered world couldn't draw the attention of the pilot. Despite all the amenities and conveniences, the mood and atmosphere aboard the shuttle remained tense, almost palpable. And although Adelaide didn't know what the passengers were doing or thinking, she could guess that their thought was the same as hers.
Joseph DeFrance. The man who had been presumed dead or missing for years. The man who could've saved the Kingdom of Gallia from collapsing upon itself into what was now known as the Confederacy. The man who had made a dramatic reappearance just a few days back. A potential heir to the Gallic throne. And now Adelaide was coming to meet him, a member of the family she had been serving for a whole decade.
Of course, there was more to that meeting. The resurgent prince made it clear that he intended to take what he deemed rightfully his. And the Enclave command needed to verify that the man wasn't an opportunist pretending to be the late or missing Joseph DeFrance. Nobody dared to express that doubt to the man's face, but he had apparently addressed that concern in the message to the Enclave.
At any rate, Ade's job was mostly to pilot the ship and be present at the meeting. Normally an unfitting job for a naval Commandant. But then again, the people that she was piloting to the destination were far more important than her...
![[Image: cxXiBKX.png]](https://i.imgur.com/cxXiBKX.png)