"This day will be remembered in infamy..."

[Deneth Aleski]

Sir, the holo-camera is ready. We will record your address and broadcast it using a single-burst Very High Frequency signal, amplified by all of our relays in a loop layout. The message should be received throughout Gallia.

The savvy technical advisor spoke to the Admiral in a calm, almost confident manner. Dassault, adjusting his uniform and cap, seemed deeply lost in his thoughts.

Thank you for your work, soldat. I wish to make this speech alone. You are dismissed.

The young technician was puzzled by the officer's low and frail tone which betrayed his usually deliberate and assured inclination. He promptly left the office, leaving Dassault in the moderately large room by himself. He picked up the papers on which his speech was laid and made one final visual sweep of the text. He nodded slightly once the quality was deemed high enough.

The Admiral stepped in front of the holo-camera, leaving several meters of distance in between. As background, Dassault's bulky mahogany-colored office was clearly visible. The hefty, plain olive curtains cast off any light from the outside. Only the desktop lamp and a taller apparatus unseen in the footage served as illumination. The man, Admiral Jean-Francois Dassault, was dressed in his most formal military attire. His expression was neutral, almost disinterested.

The camera, which was timed to start recording after a set amount of time, let off a loud beep, indicating the machine would start recording in 10 seconds. The officer took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He began to speak.

Good evening, mes amis.

My name is Jean-Francois Dassault. I am... no. I was... a high ranking officer of the Republique de Gaule movement, leader of the Republican Military's Northern Fleet. I am addressing all of Gallia today... to inform you all that effective immediately, I am taking over as leader of the Republique's combined military and civilian operations. I will issue my first... and last orders here, and now.

This seemingly perpetual struggle our organization and others have been leading against the Crown is, unfortunately, nowhere near drawing to a conclusion. Every day, the lives of countless Gallics, Royalists and Republicans alike, are ended... wasted... etched out of existance... destroyed. Over what? This blood, in quantities now immeasurable, shed for "what"?

The decades I have spent helping the Republican movement gain momentum were, quite frankly, the apex of my life. I admit this with absolute pride and no remorse whatsoever. We have accomplished... so much. Marne is a place so radically different than what I remember it once being... words cannot aptly describe the contrast. But alas, I must confess and take responsibility to... what I'm realizing... was a mistake.

I am a man. Before politics, strategy and logistics, I am a man, damn it. My morals cannot allow for the pointless sacrifice of Gallia's most precious commodity. But above all, I am now incapable of seeing my home... being torn apart by this senseless cruelty... this most mediocre charade of ill-founded bravado, this never-ending contest of phallic superiority. I say... no more!

Today... the crown and jewel of the Republique's military... the Charles de Gaule... has gone missing. Along with it's detail of 1,130 men and women, most of whom I know personally. Along with it, it's commanding officer, Admiral Arthur Levesque. I have very firm reason to believe... that the so-called "leader" of this movement... has committed the highest form of treason conceivable and is currently rogue. This is an assault... an affront!! Not only to me, or to our movement... but to Gallia as a whole.

Our goal was to unite Gallia. After this, however, our approach is no longer acceptable. Logistically, or morally.

As such, effective August 30th, 734 A.G.S. at 1217 hours, I, Jean-Francois Dassault, Supreme Commander of the Republique de Gaule, order all soldiers and operatives currently operating under our banner to stand down and cease all aggressive acts against Royalist assets at once. Also, effective immediately, I am declaring the immediate disbandment and dissolution of the Republique de Gaule, it's Military High Command as well as it's Officer Corps. Finally, I declare the official dissolution and disbandment of the 'Direction Generale de la Securite Interieure, also known as the DGSI. All intelligence and high-value assets held by the DGSI are to be destroyed at once. All prisoners, suspects and other individuals of interest held by the DGSI are to be released immediately and without fail. This order is binding and permanent.

I also encourage any other entity currently fighting the Royalist government to cease hostilities at once.

As for me, I will be at my residence on Planet Marne. I will accept and face all consequences of my actions. My conscience is now in peace. I do not seek the pardon of anyone. I simply aimed to do what a real man would do in this situation. It is my firm, inalienable belief, that this will turn out for the best.

Adieu, mes amis. La voie de la paix est toujours la meilleure. Farewell, my friends. The path of peace is always the better one. Vive notre glorieuse Gaule, Long live our glorious Gallia!

The recording was then transmitted to be received by arrays throughout Gallia.

Tomorrow... I will be damned by millions.

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Wilhelm D. Aleski || Paul Speer