A royal find

[Groshyr]

28th December 742 A.G.S.

---

It was almost evening at planet Quilian when two tugboats and one Gallic armored transport flew up from the surface. They stoke right to brown skies filled with the orange light of the sunset. A convoy shows no identification signs except very simple Freelancer codes. However, these ships belonged to MAE and everyone on boards was loyal to Baron. No need to mention that most of them were doing it for future benefits as the minor noble ranks or more close connections with the nobles of Gallia.

However, they all were united in pique toward the Minarchy which took control over their privileges, their good name and their influence in society. They have realized who is real control of the so-called Minarchy and that these mafioso won't allow anything out of their control.

First trade lane: a tube full of light and shine met a convoy and they passed it without issues. Right to them, Interspace transport was trying to dock with Nimes station. A large "Mastodon" was clumsy and have not entered to docking corridor the right way. Pilots quietly chuckled while passing next to the station. One of them, a middle-aged woman with a short ginger hair, tied up in a tail, has spoken a short vulgar joke about the size of man's honor and liberty transport size.

Communication channel, established between the ships, has filled with another wave of a laugh. Even stupid should be understood - the peace has not changed a lot. Gallic aristocracy and their supporters still disliked outlanders and this xenophobia towards their former enemies will be wiped in centuries, but not in decades of years.

Followed with the laughs they have entered the next trade lane, which was leading to the jump gate to the Tau-23 system. However, ships have not reached the gates and left the lane somewhere in the middle. The convoy turned right and charged cruise engines. Scanner showed clear area but they knew what is waiting for them ahead - a large minefield, through which they have to pass. The field had been laid not so long ago: right when a connection with the Sirius has been established and first gallic ships entered the former Orkney system.

Many of the crew members felt concern when their ships reached it and were not surprising, - an incredible amount of mines were floating around and every single one can blow up almost any small craft without issues. This minefield was a passage to the Gauls, their compatriots, loyal to the King and royal family for the end and a death trap to the filth of Sirius like Outcasts or similar to them.

"This is 'Paon Un', we reached the jump hole. Entering sequence initiated." - a pilot of one tugboat reported about the successful reach of the heart of minefield. A few moments later it disappeared from the radars - the first one is gone to Brittany. In a minute the second tugboat reported about reach and jumped out too. Finally, the third ship - a transport, has reached the jump hole. The pilot has been set an entering vector and in a few everyone on board could observe blue light of jump tunnel.

On the other side, they have been met by another minefield: the number of mines was even higher than the similar field in Languedoc. The tiny corridor was an only exit out of it and was heavily secured by Enclave weapon platforms. Slowly, ships began to move through the field, following the orders received from outside it. The pilots and the captains have no doubts in it, every new order -, because every of it contains an electronic signature of the Royal forces.

The ships reached out of the minefield. A white planet, Lannion, was on the right side. Two large enclave installations orbited it. The pride of Gallia, a Valor, was protecting the minefield as well as the nearby facilities, fearing or eliminating any who dare to come here without an invitation.

"Logistic Vessel 'Giffard' is speaking on behalf of MAE. We hail the Enclave and request the clearance to proceed further in the vicinity of the Lannion area." - transmission was directed to the patrol cruiser which has expected them next to the exit of the minefield. A moment later, the head of the convoy received a conformation and 'green light' to them all. Ships began to move forward the other side of the planet, where their destination was.

In a few, they reached the designation and everyone on board could observe a big ship, secured by Enclave forces. It was an Overlord - Liberty dreadnought. The ship was looking lifeless: hangar bay was closed, the main engine disabled, even a shield was turned off.

Tugboats came closer and dropped connectors with the ship. It took a while but the hull has been connected with two platforms. Their pilots were waiting for orders to start a move but before proceed both sides should be sure in the safety of passage. The convoy's head - the 'Giffard' requested an escort. Shortly, they have been responded and a convoy of Enclave navy ships surrounded the hull, tugboats, and transport itself.

Navigation between tugboats has been synchronized and now they were as one. The pilots reported success and launched the engines after an order from headship. The whole convoy: MAE tugboats, armored transport operating as a headship, the Overlord itself and Enclave escort started to move toward Fort Albi and Aquitaine jump hole.

Soon, the convoy has reached it and after a short identification, they jumped to the head of the Enclave. The most worry moment was only ahead and everybody understood it. Far away people could see planet Bordeaux and silhouette of Issoudun shipyard. A large ship has been moored with it - it was even bigger than a Valor battleship, guarding a safety of it next to the shipyard.

They passed the planet and reached the shipyard in silence: nothing important happened during the route. Finally, the moment they were waiting has come - convoy came to Issoudun and after communication with the shipyard command, tugboats received orders and docking vectors to place an Overlord in free drydock.