Data expunged

[sovereign]

Incoming Transmission:
Comm ID: Bruce Montague, Duke of Burgundy
Source: Battleship Temeraire
Destination: To All Citizens of Gallia

Attention lawful citizens of Gallia. There has been an incident involving one of our Valor-class battleships today, and there are many rumors spreading- some being the work of Council and intended to deceive you, to poison your mind and turn you against each other. I am here to dispel these rumors.

As you are aware, the Princess Arielle deFrance is missing. Contrary to one most vile rumor, she was not slain by his royal highness Prince Joseph deFrance- even the thought is nightmarish and wrong- but rather by an operative of the Maquis. We assure you that the assassin has suffered most gravely for this terrible crime. Even now, a retaliatory strike is being planned to make sure the Maquis just how much all of Gallia grieves for their lost Princess. She will be avenged, good people of Gallia. You have my word as Duke and as servant of the Crown.

Furthermore, the mad Knight "Remi Ayleward", responsible for propagating many of these rumors, is not a servant of her late highness nor a Knight of the Crown. With the aid of Council, he has taken control of the battleship he was stationed on by force and used it against the Gallic Royal Navy. This battleship had previously been under the command of her highness the Princess before her brutal murder, and that it serves Council now is an affront to all who truly serve Gallia. His crimes include threats upon his highness Prince Joseph, disrespecting the chain of command, murder of fellow officers, treason against King and Country, and openly siding with Council forces. He is an enemy of Gallia, and we will hunt him down. Do not listen to his rantings; he was to be sent to an insane asylum before this week's events and is quite mad. Any information regarding the renegade Knight and the battleship whose crew he murdered should be sent directly to the Gallic Royal Navy.

To deal with this grievance, we have dispatched a special vessel from the Core Worlds. It is the Temeraire, one of the newest warships in the fleet. With this battleship leading the charge, I will personally lead the hunt to reclaim the Princess's battleship for the Crown. No one may insult the memory of a member of the Royal Family and live.

Know that the Crown will not stand for such injustice and brazen disrespect to the security and prosperity of its subjects.

For King and Country!

Montague out.

End transmission.

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