Of Sacred Suffering

[kotyafffsky]

The last moments of RNS-Souffrance

Provence System, Mer Méditerranée, 01/30/752 AGS (836 AS)

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The surge into Languedoc was catastrophic. The noble and stoic crews were lost one by one, with each echoing in valiant hearts of those still loyal. Douleur, Ivoire - they fell knowing their purpose, they fell with their duty complete, to the very end. Bridge officers of Souffrance witnessed firsthand the hardest blow - Vitrolles blazing from inside, just as vengeance is burning in every soul still believing in the old order. A moment of linger spent to fire away at the assault was in vain, not to mention how costly. And the pain in their hearts was carried over to Provence - the next waypoint of their fearless march.

The bridge was expected to drown in chaos and panic, as sound alarms pierced not only ears, it was devastating the spirit, breaching in the mind itself. Control screens flashing with red notifications were blinding, as new and new system failures appeared, drawing the end closer and closer. No one believed in a happy end for themselves. Yet faith in a much more grand idea persisted over hardships - even if the hardship is death itself.

...

"Capitaine! Coquette has made it before us, they are following the planned route. And lower decks report - burning Promethene leaks are flooding the engine bay! The crew is.. They are determined to fulfill their duty, but we won't be able to.."

First mate, Lucille Gervais, started to give out her report, trying to outvoice the alarms yet a moment after - she fell silent. Right after Souffrance reached Mer Méditerranée - her pursuers appeared right beside the bridge viewports. Each and every officer locked their eyes on the Union's ships already taking their positions. Including the captain of Souffrance herself - Marc Gaudreau. Not a shade of fear crossed his face. And his mind was already making up the fateful decision. He already knew what Lucille was about to say. There was no running away. But there was duty. Even if it would cost their lives - at least one must make it to the end.

Captain walked up to control panels, leaning in, flipping switches...

"Capitaine... What should we do?"

Lucille was the first to break this tormenting silence. Marc turned his head to her, witnessing her hesitation, her fear and her uncertainty. And she saw his face - face of a deadman, face of someone who held his dignity to this point and someone who will die holding this dignity in his teeth if needed.

"Make our King proud."

The bridge fell silent once again. Their captain leaned in to the microphone, silencing the alarms flooding flooding his ship, instead - giving his speech to the crew. And everyone knew that this speech was the last one.

"Today we've stepped out from the shadows which covered us for so long. We've made our decision knowing that the best years of Souffrance have passed. Yet we stepped into the Light with pride and dignity worthy of our country, of our titles and of a right to be called a Gaul. This cowards brought their whole fleet to stop us, in fear of our success. In fear that the Kingdon will return. Today we've lost a lot of good people, but our duty is not yet done. Our brothers and sisters will carry on. And we will ensure it."

"Today we will show this wretched Union why our Kingdom was feared! Today we will show this traitors what it means to be loyal! Today we will show this bastards what it means to be noble! Vive la Couronne!"

The alarms went into their screams once more, but nothing could silence the survivors of Souffrance's crew. Each and every living man and woman aboard chanted their salute over and over again. No incoming shot could shake the ship harder than the voice and steps of those determined to follow their duty to their death. Cruiser started turning to face the inevitable, to face the enemies head on.

"You want us dead this bad?! Come on then, you worthless worms, pathetic excuses to Gauls! Face us then, you worms!"

Captain shouted into the microphone again, adressing his last adversaries. Souffrance's guns started singing for the last time. It wasn't too long before their ship succumed to the fate similar to Vitrolles', going out in a blaze of glory, on their own terms.

The Union has won this battle, but the Royal Navy remained unbent, unbowed, proud. Noble.

Duty and faith persist over the hardships. Even if this hardship is death itself.