"Entrée vers l'inconnu" (An Enclave Story)

[Decktare]

"Entrée vers l'inconnu"
A Gallic Royal Enclave Story
Sister story: "Un trône pour le roi"

Battlecruiser Alsace
Aquitaine system

Emeline Coste was staying up late again: sitting in her quarters behind the desk, typing a report on one of her numerous research projects. She had gotten used to extreme schedule: an overachiever even by the standards of the Gallic Royal Intelligence, she now strived to achieve the same and more, but with the limited resources. That usually meant working long hours, a trusted cup of coffee by the side of Emeline's keyboard. Coffee was almost a luxury by the Enclave standards, but being the Enclave's Director of Science had its perks.

The loud hiss of the opening door interrupted the redhead's train of thoughts. A tall blonde woman stood by the entrance, wearing a black marine uniform with Lieutenant Principal insignia. She addressed her superior quietly, with a professional tone: "Permission to come in, Director?" Only a shade of a smile on her regular and otherwise emotionless face showed that she was glad to be here. Distracted momentarily, Emeline briefly turned to the sudden visitor, with a nod and a faint smile of her own. However, she started typing again, while replying: "Come in, Leila. No need for formalities. We've known each other for many years. You should know by now that I'm more of a civilian than an military officer."

The lieutenant stepped into the room and walked towards a seat in front of the Director's desk. However, she didn't sit down just yet. "Sorry, Emeline. It's more than just a formality for me; that's the way they trained me. I was told you have an assignment for me." A friend standing by her table like that made Emeline put her work aside for a moment. She stood up and headed towards a large screen at the side wall, showing an object in space, akin to a station. Definitely not of Gallic design. The lieutenant followed, now standing next to Emeline and examining the video-feed of the construct.

"We found this base in our system," Emeline started her briefing, sounding even more professional than her guest at this point. "The Alsace is approaching it as we speak. Preliminary scanning revealed no biological activity." Turning away from the screen, Emeline took off her glasses glasses and put them in her lab coat's chest pocket. "Your job is to infiltrate this base and check it, before we can secure it. The mission is secret, even for the majority of the officers. That's why you are here."

Leila nodded, now facing Emeline. After a few moments of hesitation, she reached out and hugged the Director, her tone now a bit warmer: "It's been a long time since New Paris University." A few moments later, after some hesitation, Emeline returned the hug briefly, before letting go: "Once the mission is over, we should probably meet up at some bar on Bordeaux and catch up. I'm buying." After that, Emeline made way for Director Coste yet again: "That would be all. Go to the armory; you will receive the necessary equipment." With a nod, Leila took a sharp turn and headed outside, the door closing behind her.

Emeline watched the closed door absent-mindedly, as if she had forgotten something. Realizing what it was, she sat behind her desk again. After a quick sip of coffee — which was getting colder by the minute, but it didn't matter — Emeline put on her glasses and carried on with the typing. Research wouldn't carry out by itself, after all.