To: Alexander Du Lac, Council; СС: Druce Faolan, NLH

[Veyron]

Chalons Station: Command Deck. Marne Orbit. Champagne

Signal ID: A.L.01. . . . Confirmed
Comm ID: Alexander du Lac, General, Council Liberation Navy.



Salut. Before anything is else is said or done, I would like to take the opportunity to apologise personally to you and your people, this....incursion.... into Bretonia was both un-sanctioned and unsupported by the Council High Command, we have only met briefly I know, but I would like to think that from that meeting you would have realised that the Council is not looking to expand it's influence out-side of Gallia - and certainly not into foreign sovereign systems.

My analysts are still going over the data you have sent and would like to point out that the 'GAUL' vessels appear to be fighting in proximity of a civilian liner, new information sent by one of your members, Druce Faolan, claims they even used this civilian ship as cover to escape further damage. These cowardly tactics are NOT endorsed nor encouraged in actual [C]ouncil Capital ships, it is further proof - in my opinion - that GAUL are in no way under the command of the Council High Command.

While I would like to remove myself as far as possible from this issue, I believe it would be remiss of me not to take some responsibility. I cannot dictate who has access to the Councils fleet of capital vessels outside of the actual [C]ouncil - all I can do is put my trust in their responsible usage and my faith that said Captains understand the realities of the situation in Gallia.

As for the threats made against your people, all I can honestly say on the matter, is that perhaps GAUL captains should not make threats beyond their abilities. It would appear, judging by several data recordings I have seen, the GAUL are ill prepared to fulfill such a threat.
If there ships attack again I hope you will contact me so more stringent measures can be applied to re-educate them, as I told you on Marne, I have more than enough enemies to begin with, I seek no more.

In summary, the Council did not approve nor endorse these ships actions, GAUL are not under my, nor the High Commands direct control, steps will be taken to see that such actions do not occur again.


Again, mademoiselle Hart, and M'sieur Faolan, you and your people have my personal apology and trust that the actions of an un-aligned Council group are not taken as a sign of hostility from the actual Council.

Faithfully, Alexander du Lac, General.

*** Transmission Terminated ***

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Alexander sat back in chair and looked out over Marnes main docking ring as several transports left Marnes orbit and prepared to move to Reims station. On his desk was a scribe pad, containing his reply to the Gaians.

"Bad business Victor....bad business indeed. The civilian leaders are not happy, I've had to draft several hundred civilian engineers into the Engineering corps to help repair our vessels to make up for our recent losses"

"I'm sure the civilian government will cope Sir, a few hundred is not such a great problem is it?" Replied Victor

"Victor, it is not the number, but rather the principle. We do not dictate the lives of others - that is our cause, that is our liberation, this sets a bad precedent, this whole sorry affair weakens me and the [C]ouncil - to the GAUL, I am a hostile presence, to the Bretonians, I may now be perceived as either treacherous or just simply weak - and to our own people - I have just done that which we always railed against."

"Sir, provided the NLH pilots do not enter Gallia and provoke any Council pilots it should 'blow over' oui?"

"Perhaps Victor..." Answered Alexander "Truthfully it would appear the balls in the GAUL fleets court - I am thankful they did not decide to try and enter any further into Bretonia in their ships - but I'll promise you this, they'll not dictate or influence the Councils diplomatic status - and should they continue to bite off more than they can chew, I'll see them burn alone - I'll not risk my pilots lives on a fools errand in Sirius."

Alexander watched as the last of the transports disappeared down the trade lanes.

"Here, Victor, see to it that this message reaches the Gaians and then arrange a meeting with the civilian leaders, I'll need to promise them that the draftees will be returned once their immediate work is done - I'm treading on thin ice here, any more pressure and it's an early cold bath for me hmm."

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