New Year, New Opportunities

[Ramke]

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The entourage approached the man waving the group down in greeting, his gentle smile already raising suspicions that they were trying to disarm their guard to the paranoid lot. The captain Berengar was first to come up, offering a curt nod before the rest caught up. Their contact, dressed in less-than-obvious uniform hidden under a leather jacket, spoke:

"May I be the first to welcome you to this lovely dumpster of a station, we will hopefully not be here too long. My name is Gerard Leclerc, a pleasure to make your acquaintance." he paused, gazing at the pair with an analytical look. "But a public hangar will not do for our meeting. I have booked a more secluded location for our gathering, can't be too sure what ears may be listening here. Right this way."

Berengar looked over to their armoured guard, giving a subtle gesture to stay alert, not quite budging from their position just yet. "Mr. Leclerc, would you show us your identification first?" he asked, his stern and tenured voice making it clear that he was still suspicious of the man.

"Ah, of course..." Gerard responded, digging into his jacket before withdrawing a few cards. His voice becoming hushed. "'Officially', intelligence analyst Gerard Leclerc." he said, showing an ID badge with the GNI's logo before sliding another ID card out - a much more worn one. "Realistically, a servant of the late Roi. 57th Royal Support Squadron. I was present in Leeds, as I imagine you would have."

Claire squinted slightly, investigating the ID card in great detail, before nodding. Berengar seemed partially convinced. "Very well. I am Captain Berengar of the RNS Belisama, and these are my subordinates. Let's head to this meeting place of yours." the aged captain responded after some time, eliciting a glare from Claire.

And so the group moved deeper into the station, navigating through the hallways. The bunch elicited stares from most of the typical denizens of the station, clearly disturbed by the armed guard with royalist armour. Not long after, they reached their destination, as Gerard reached an airlock and entered a fairly long code into the nearby keypad. A heavy mechanical whirr resounded in the hallway as the airlock opened, exposing a typical bar-like lounge. "Make yourselves comfortable." their masquerading contact offered as he reached into the minibar to take out a few pre-mixed drinks, placing them on the table before sitting down himself.

The guards placed themselves close by along the wall, before whispering to each other as one left to guard the entrance from the outside. Berengar and Claire sat down, eager to start the conversation in earnest.

"I assume you understand the concern and security when it comes to dealing with a double-agent. But I am now interested in hearing what your proposal is, and what will be expected in exchange." the captain prompted.

"Of course. I am not sure how much your lieutenant has briefed you when he came across our convoy. Allow me to lay out the situation in full: We have managed to infiltrate the GNI echelon as a 'special division' during the chaos and restructure the years following the end of the war, and the Council's government. It turns out not many people are willing to ask what a secret division is doing when everything is shrouded and data is lost, many thanks to our friends in the old GRI." Gerard explained, pausing to take a sip, before his expression turned more serious. "We took over and established a base of operations in Zurich, on the border to Rheinland. We have a research station, or more accurately, a fortress with shipyard capabilities. Based on what I've heard, the Belisama is a Triumph-class destroyer and has a small squadron of ships in tow."

"Now, don't take me the wrong way, but I suspect that ship hasn't flown properly in years - or else we would have seen or heard about it. The fact that it's still present and active is a miracle by itself, given how few royalist forces are left - let alone the logistics needed to supply and keep it in shape. This is exactly what we have to offer with our shipyard." the shifty contact continued, pausing to give their guests time to process and respond.

"I don't believe this would be out of the kindness of your heart." Claire responded, speaking for the first time. "What is it that you expect for this labour?"

"No, not quite." Leclerc answered. "We need as many people that are still loyal to our cause to all be on the same side. What we expect is co-operation in the effort against the Council and its lackeys. That, and getting the Belisama into our shipyard will be a difficult journey, if you're operating near the Taus. We can smuggle Prometheum to your ship, as well as supplies, but we'll need to coordinate this carefully. Repairing may take months, depending on how well you've upkept it. Once all is said and done, we expect you to be part of our operations to hit the new government where it hurts the most. And apologies, madame, would you be the assistant to the captain?"

The noble frowned, glancing at Berengar. "Duchesse Claire Sophie DeFrance d'Orléans. I am no assistant."

Gerard seemed to pause, processing for a moment before his expression shifted dramatically. "Ah, the DeFrance! A pleasure to meet." he exclaimed, a short bow of his head following. "I had thought most of you were either imprisoned and beheaded, or slain. My, my, what a surprise. That name does ring a bell - Oriflamme, was it? That burnt out as quick as it came, we simply assumed you had died."

Claire clenched her fists as her failed attempt at instigating a revival effort was mentioned. Berengar noticed the rising temper, and interjected: "Let us focus on the task at hand. Let us say you arrange for a Prometheum shipment to Orkney. I assume you have paths that are less frequented that we can take. I will need specific star charts and coordinates, and scouts to get us to the other end of Gallia safely. The Belisama needs work, but she has remained undamaged barring the original damage at the retreat of the final push. We will be able to coordinate our efforts after she is restored."

"Good. We are in agreement. Understand that we have our structure and we expect you to join it - but I'm sure that won't be an issue, particularly with a DeFrance on your side that will improve our legitimacy. But let us talk details...."

And so the meeting on the less-than-legitimate station continued, ironing out the specifics of their new grand plan...