Bretonia on the assault!

[Colony News Service]

Battle for Edinburgh

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Bretonia on the assault!

Edinburgh, Bretonia - The Bretonian Fleets MacDuff, Grimsby and Ark Royal were recently deployed in what has become the largest military operation in Bretonia since the conclusion of the war with Gallia a full year ago. E-Day, as it is being referred to, is the simultaneous entry into Edinburgh via Dublin, Tau 31 and Leeds. It is understood that plans for the invasion have been long in the works, with reports from Gallia of Enclave fleet movements northward being the trigger for the operation being put into motion. The initial confrontation would occur in the vicinity of the old Planetform base, Perth Station, renamed to Orthez by Gallia in the closing stages of the war. Gallic defenses were concentrated on the Leeds entry point, thought the most likely entry point for any invasion, and the Grimsby fleet would face the heaviest opposition. Enclave defense platforms, similar in design to the platforms that caused such havoc on the Liberty Navy Battleship Ottawa, caused devastating damage to the Battleship Bradford of the Grimsby formation while the rest of the fleet moved to render the defenses inoperable. The MacDuff, arriving from Tau-31, rushed immediately to the aid of the Grimsby fleet, flanking the Enclave defenders, with the La Riche fleet taking the worst of the fighting for the Enclave. The third fleet, Ark Royal, would be the last to arrive in Edinburgh, being forced to take a conservative approach traversing Dublin, while also being delayed by action from the Sisterion Battlecruiser force. The eventual arrival of the Ark Royal signalled the end of the struggle for the Edinburgh breach point around Perth, as faced with overwhelming odds, the remaining defenders retreated to the second line of defenses around Gaia. La Riche was forced to conduct a rear-guard action that cost the fleet its remaining strength, while the Dax set up in defensive formation around Gaia. The Grimsby, facing the majority of the firepower of the Enclave fleet, coupled with the horrific effects of the defensive emplacements, did not see out the engagement, and surviving members of the fleet were merged into the MacDuff and Ark Royal fleets. Reports from a BIS Agent speaking under promise of anonymity suggest Issoudun Shipyard and the Sealed Gate that once connected Leeds to Edinburgh, were both being evacuated from Edinburgh. Whether these actions are to protect proprietary technology or something more sinister is yet to be determined. Both were seen as relatively low profile targets, and left Edinburgh as the battle raged. The Enclave continued to evacuate huge numbers of its population from Planet Gaia, an operation that had been ongoing since the capture of Quillan in Languedoc. Knowing the end was now near as Bretonia had managed to take a foothold in Edinburgh thanks to the sacrifice of the Grimsby, all efforts were being focused on the evacuation. The BAF began to set up siege lines to the east and west of the planet and began to pick at its defences, though further weapon platform emplacements made it implausible to rush in for a full attack. Initial reports suggest the Dax is readying to make its final retreat with the final convoy of Enclave citizens. Further reports suggest Enclave was not likely able to evacuate all of its citizens, leaving many people behind on the planet; the majority of people being left behind were Bretonians spirited away from Leeds prior to its destruction. The loyalty of these citizens is debatable, with many holding feelings of resentment toward the crown in response to Gallia's rule over the Planet. This has raised concerns as to their loyalty and ability to be repatriated. According to inside sources close to the Admiralty Board, there has been discussion about pulling both the Ark Royal and MacDuff out of Edinburgh following the operations completion owing to security concerns and the inability to maintain proper supply to Edinburgh without a jump-gate connection being re-established. This leaves the Edinburgh system in a state of lawlessness, and it is feared that the Mollys and other dissident groups will use the population of Gaia as a recruitment center for those who hold ill will towards Bretonia. News of the relatively good progress made in the invasion has resulted in a sharp rise in the stock markets, as it is hoped that quelling the Enclave threat in Edinburgh will result in safer transit through Leeds, and even reclamation of LD-14 Uranium reserves, once thought hopeless due to the proximity to Edinburgh.