Fallen Grace

[Dane Summers]

She let out a breath.

"It's simple. Operation Fallen Grace. Sometime ago, the President was contacted by the current head of the Royal Navy's ONI - Lelouch D'aramis. While I don't know why, he's decided to turn against King Charles. Apparently convincing both President Connors, and Director Belka. The operation involves a deep strike into the gallic core systems, an attack on a valor, and the attack on King Charles himself. To ensure the Republic wouldn't be double crossed, the President secured a hostage from D'aramis, as well as the Royal Navy's operation codes for the strike window."

Maria looked down, and took a deep breath. It was a bit hard to believe. She wasn't trying to be convincing. There was no spin on the information. Thats just what it was.

---

[Soul Reaper]

Revolution was tracking her every movement, barely even hearing what she really had to say, it didn't take much concentration to hear anyway. Once she was done talking, he had everything he needed, although the way she had slumped her shoulders slightly in the end wasn't expected. She wasn't only telling the truth, but was doubtful it was possible.

"Marek Belka is now the director? Hah, funny how everyone knows a Director's name now."

Revolution was thoroughly amused, the man had been way too strict and a by-the-book type of guy to be elevated to such a position. Revolution turned around and spoke aloud to no one in particular.

"She's clear."

A few moments later the hatch unlocked and opened up, revealing a small squad of marines that filed in, two staying outside, the other four inside, rifles armed but pointed to the floor. Revolution turned back to Raven.

"The Admiral will see you now."

He made a hand movement, gesturing to the hatch that she should go ahead..

"After you."

---

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[Jeremy Hunter]

Battleship Eglantine, Dauphine. 3 Days before Fallen Grace
Lelouch stuck his cap back on. His messages over; Leon Chevalier...Le Chevalier Noir...had made his move.
"The Knight has leaped to defend the Queen. It is time for the Black King to begin his advance."
He stepped out of the bunker, men and women moving to the sides to let him pass. They all saluted him silently; he had asked them not to.
It was their way of respecting him. Of wishing him luck.
As he reached the end of the hallway, he turned, and gave the soldiers a two-fingered salute. They lowered their hands, and watched as he left.
Lelouch did that for every hallway, every elevator, every step he took. The Eglantine's crew was honoring him and his sacrifice.
Everything.
Everything in his life was being lost.
As he stepped into the hanger, the techs, the engineers, everyone stood and saluted as he walked towards the gunboat. The Gawain was ready to leave; he would have Captain Clerment of the Marines in command of the Eggy.
"Friends." He said, turning around. "Three days, and rectification will either happen, or begin. Stand fast; Acadia will return. I will return." He glanced over at Faerie. "If anything happens to Clerment, ensure this ship comes to pin the Chant."
He turns back and mounts the ramp, jogging up. He had a job to do. Upon arriving at the small bridge, he turned on a video link with the two Valors that had sworn loyalty to him - Eglantine and Oblique.
"The Day of Fallen Grace fast approaches. Chevalier has brought the limelight to him; we must finish preparations. This Fall from Grace...it will shake Gallia to it's core. Never has such an undertaking been done; I strike to Charles himself, with elements of his own fleet, of some of the most hated enemies of Gallia and their allies, these Nomads. Our time is at hand!" He flicked the Black King from his sleeve. "Le Chevalier Noir shall reach Alice DeFrance; the Black Queen and her Bishops shall bring a wave of fire upon the corrupt forces. But they cannot win alone; not only must Charles fall, but we must ignite the hearts of the people to embrace change! To embrace the return of Alice DeFrance and return to glory! This war with Sirus shall end, and we shall be the vanguard of the rectification!"
Lelouch, set the chess piece down. "The King is weak. He stays in Ile Due Palais, hiding. he thinks his forces will prevail. But if a king does not lead, how can he expect his subordinates to follow? That is how we shall win. I lead this rebellion. I am at the forefront. What danger you are in, I shall face myself!"
He looks at the chess piece, one last time.
"One piece. It is the most important piece in chess; for if it is lost, you lose the game. I might stylize myself as the Black King of Fallen Grace, but in the end, compared to Alice DeFrance, I am merely a bishop. Remember; I am replaceable. But what is irreplaceable is the righteous fire the burns in you all, the fire that yearns for a free Gallia. Do not let that fire die; for as it is fire's nature, it spreads. Be the embers that rain on this decaying forest. Burn away the old, and make way for the new!"
Lelouch ended his speech with no flourish, with no theatrics.
No.
This speech ended with a metaphor.
And that was all it needed.
The Gawain pushed off from the floor; it moved to the side door, and soon was rocketing towards Orleanais.
For the Day of Fallen Grace approached fast, and the end was near.

---

May you ever walk in the Light, Shizune.

[Mercarryn]

Thionville Base
Lorraine
Three Days before Fallen Grace

Gallia...

She had not thought to ever see this realm from the inside. At least not that soon.

On the other hand she had not seen much. A mine field surrounding a jumphole, a few distant planets, a base guarding the mine field. Then Sefegiru and the other agents from One Four One had been guided to Thionville by their Corse contacts. For safety reasons until they could set up a new and better spot for the ships.

The sneaking into Gallia with the help of the Union Corse together with the first parts of the Colonial forces had happened better then anyone expected.
Sefegiru remembered that one of the Corse had said something about a little distraction that they had prepared a few minutes before the arrival.

She looked around on Thionville. The base carved into a larger asteroid was so strange and then familiar at the same time. Somehow it resembled the relation between Gallia and the rest of Sirius.
Concentrate yourself on the mission, girl! she told herself. It was better to have a task then just standing around. She reconsidered the current situation of the vanguard Order forces. The fighters were already maintained by her owns agents and a bit of help from the Corse.

Although she had given out a strict order to them to not give out more information about Order technology then absolutely necessary. It made things a bit more difficult, but it was better to deny allies information then let it get into the hands of enemies. Either by accident or intention.

"Pardon, mademoiselle" A mid-age man came closer to her. She looked at him in a skeptical way. While the Union Corse had proven to be a good source of information, Sefegiru always made herself clear, that they were dealing people who had their operation in the shadows more or less.
She slowly put her left had away from the gun she had hidden under her jacket on the back.
"Ah,yes..ah, oui?"
The Corse waved with his hands in front of her, while he tried to explain something to her in his native tongue.
"Une nouvelle...message." The man pointed at Sefegiru.
"Ah...merci", she smiled gently at him. So there was a message for her. Sefegiru followed the older man to a terminal, where he entered a code before he left her alone to read the transmission.

It was from Commander Davids. She read it as fast as possible

"We got your news. Proceed as planed. I suggest some sightseeing tour before we pay a visit to our special friend
Speaking of...Guess who is coming for dinner?
D."

She allowed herself a smile. So more elements of the taskforce would arrive soon. Good. It would make things more easier for her. And she now had a new task.
After she had deleted the message Sefegiru walked to the next Corse member and asked for Logarus.
After some difficulties she finally had a secure channel to Logarus. At least he was able to talk to her in a language that was not French.

"General, is it possible to set up some sort of flights within Gallia? Our agents have to become familiar with this part of space."

[Soul Reaper]

"First Recon status?"
"Commander Orbit confirmed arrival at point Alpha, the Olympia has jumped in and will be relaying secure jump coordinates momentarily. Rubicon has her FTL drive spinning and awaiting coordinates."

The Admiral leaned on the brass railing circling the upper steps of the bridge where his command seat was placed in, letting out a sigh. He hadn't been sure of Randy's mental state, no matter how hardcore military he might've been and how well he hid it, the man was still shaken from the incident before with the Nomads in 117. But Randy was his best man for any situation, his training and experience gave a wide berth of operation selections but more important the Admiral trusted him above all others. He was the only man he had that would be able to pull it off. The Admiral's brief talk with Raven was enough to convince him to mobilize a great deal of Vanguard resources under his command. The operative would be a near-impossible one yet the rewards would have no substitute. He couldn't risk not putting his best people and assets on the job.

"Sir, Rubicon actual has confirmed coordinate transfer from the Olympia, they're awaiting your orders."
"Commence operation Fallen Grace, Rubicon is cleared to jump."

***

Randy smiled, still in his cockpit as the Olympia confirmed that the Admiral had given the green on the operation codenamed Fallen Grace and the Rubicon had jumped in system. He was connected to Dawn's mainframe aboard the Rubicon through the Olympia. Randy simply transmitted general coordinates to the Olympia while passing through a system, which then jumped in and found secure coordinates for the Rubicon to jump in silently for electronic recon and to utilize logistic support for any Vanguard units. Randy clicked his comm system off, and climbed out of his cockpit, he saw two technicians headed his way with the relative equipment required for ship maintenance. His Gallic was good(due to no small part his months of time spent in coordinated operations with the Council), good enough that the technicians almost mistook him for a Gallic citizen when he told them that their aid wasn't required. He always took care of his ships himself.

The small asteroid base was almost identical to others of its kind, a simple chunk of asteroid holed in to have a dock built in it. He disregarded any thoughts of the base expect the fact that they were well stocked for snub maintenance. The equipment was of course not really made for Sirian inship systems but he had already modified such Gallic equipment before countless times.

"Some operation..."

Randy wasted a few seconds pondering if they could actually pull it off, then thought better of it and went to work on his Nyx.

---

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[Teerin]

Operation Fallen Grace; four days prior.

Somewhere in the Taus...

=VG=Reaper: Hmph...
=VG=Reaper: You the one coming along to Gallia I assume.
CR|-Phoenix[K212]: Agent Sage here, yes. You've been informed by Raven (indirectly or otherwise)?
=VG=Reaper: Yes, I'm here on behalf of Admiral Westridge.
=VG=Reaper: Bringing any escorts?
CR|-Phoenix[K212]: I believe we are splitting our forces to further reduce the chances of detection.
=VG=Reaper: Can't really give any information on Vanguard unit locations.
=VG=Reaper: But I'm assuming no one else is coming with you on our trip for the moment being.
=VG=Reaper: Lets move.
CR|-Phoenix[K212]: We are awaiting the Order agents.
CR|-Phoenix[K212]: So, the fleet has yet to fall apart?
=VG=Reaper: What's that?
CR|-Phoenix[K212]: I imagine the ships have been without a shipyard for quite some time.
=VG=Reaper: We make due.
CR|-Phoenix[K212]: Indeed. We did know how to build them back in the day.
=VG=Reaper: Not really worried about our snubs.
=VG=Reaper: Capital vessels have more than enough means to keep them in perfect shape.
CR|-Phoenix[K212]: Never gave the Outcasts much chance to do any significant damage...
CR|-Phoenix[K212]: Nothing nanobots can't handle anyway.
=VG=Reaper: Nanobots lack the resources to repair a capital vessel, agent.
=VG=Reaper: moderate damage yes, significant vital damage, no.
=VG=Reaper: There we are.
CR|-Phoenix[K212]: Sage: Hail 141.
141|Marley: Hello there.
141|Slicer: Greetings.
141|Sefegiru: Well, that would be another one.
141|Sefegiru: *nods*
141|Sefegiru: Who else is coming along?
CR|-Phoenix[K212]: We are splitting our forces for now to reduce chances of detection.
CR|-Phoenix[K212]: I believe you are doing the same?
CR|-Phoenix[K212]: Shall we depart?
141|Sefegiru: On your call.
=VG=Reaper: Unless anyone else is coming, yes.
141|Sefegiru: Negative.
CR|-Phoenix[K212]: Patching into your frequencies...
Order|Anthony.Wilson: Good evening...
Order|Dylan.Walker: Greetings.
CR|-Phoenix[K212]: Primary fleet too?
141|Sefegiru: Ladies and gentlemen, we have Colonial guests here.
141|Sefegiru: We are just sharing the frequencies for now.
Order|Taweret.: I noticed.
CR|-Phoenix[K212]: Let us head for Alpha while this raid is happening.
141|Sefegiru: Indeed.
Order|Taweret.: And primary fleet won't be involved in this operation, Reaper.
141|Sefegiru: Tawaret, the next phase has begun. We are moving in.
=VG=Reaper: How unfortunate.
=VG=Reaper: I've come to trust and rely on the primary fleet before.
Order|Nicholas.Rogers: Hello.
141|Sefegiru: Hello Nicholas.
=VG=Reaper: Two contacts, ignoring and jumping7
Order|Taweret.: We've chosen to put our trust in the 141.
Order|Dylan.Walker: Hello
Order|Nicholas.Rogers: How are things?
Order|Taweret.: I'm sure they will deliver.
141|Sefegiru: Jumping to Alpha now.
=VG=Reaper: Lets hope they do.
141|Sefegiru: Hurry.
=VG=Reaper: Alpha side is clear, minimal patrols.
=VG=Reaper: Jumping to 80.
141|Sefegiru: Confirmed.
CR|-Phoenix[K212]: They are distracted by the trouble at FP10.
Order|Taweret.: Rogers, Walker. RV with me at Taba, please.
=VG=Reaper: 80 side is clear.
Order|Dylan.Walker: Understood
=VG=Reaper: Negative;
=VG=Reaper: contacts!

Meanwhile, in Omicron-80.

/time
2012-10-14 18:19:49 SMT
[UC]UCN-Libra: Logarus: And here we wait.
[UC]-Zechs.Marquise: hopefully not for long. I dont like the idea of being found.
[UC]UCN-Libra: Logarus: Agreed.
[UC]UCN-Libra: Durand: Sensors are showing an Outcast base in the sector to the north.
[UC]UCN-Libra: Logarus: It's probably near the planet. Marquise, you should find its exact location.
[UC]-Zechs.Marquise: Roger.
[UC]-Zechs.Marquise: Just a small outcast range.
[UC]UCN-Libra: Logarus: Right.
[UC]-Zechs.Marquise: Permisssion to dock to conserve fuel?
[UC]-Zechs.Marquise is requesting to dock, authorise with /allowdock
[UC]UCN-Libra: Durand: Granted. Please proceed to the docking bay.
Ship docked
/allowdock
/time
2012-10-14 18:40:06 SMT
[UC]UCN-Libra: Logarus: When our guests arrive, you should bring up the rear of the group.

"Over the Outcasts and through Lorraine."

[UC]UCN-Libra: Logarus: Bonjour.
=VG=Reaper: Right, looks like we got contacts.
/time
2012-10-14 18:48:46 SMT
[UC]-Zechs.Marquise: Launching.
CR|-Phoenix[K212]: Not as easy as we thought eh?
=VG=Reaper: Looks like the hunters have them preoccuptied.
141|Sefegiru: Greetings.
[UC]UCN-Libra: Durand: I suggest that we ignore them and get moving.
CR|-Phoenix[K212]: Actually, yes. Let's head past.
=VG=Reaper: On you, Corse vessels.
141|Sefegiru: Indeed. The sooner we move on, the better for us.
[UC]UCN-Libra: Logarus: The jump hole is a short distance from here.
141|Sefegiru: Lead the way.
[UC]-Zechs.Marquise: I have the rear. Let's get moving
[UC]UCN-Libra: Logarus: Formation is not suggested once we reach the field.
141|Sefegiru: Understood.
=VG=Reaper: The field is really narrow.
CR|-Phoenix[K212]: I'm sure we can all be trusted to avoid the explosive surroundings?
141|Sefegiru: Agents, keep a close eye on the flight path, I don't want to loose anybody, clear?
141|Slicer: Yes ma'am.
=VG=Reaper: Its not -that- narrow.
[UC]-Zechs.Marquise: Hope so. Anybone who cannot manage the field, dock with Libra.
=VG=Reaper: Any decent pilot can maneuver trough it.
=VG=Reaper: Entering.
/time
2012-10-14 18:51:12 SMT
141|Sefegiru: Now that's what I call a mine field.
CR|-Phoenix[K212]: Field penetrated.
[UC]-Zechs.Marquise: Caution, it's even worse on the other side.
[UC]UCN-Libra: Durand: Please wait for the others.
=VG=Reaper: What is our exact destination?
[UC]UCN-Libra: Logarus: Thionville Base.
=VG=Reaper: Roger... never heard of it. Guessing it's a hidden Corse base.
[UC]UCN-Libra: Logarus: Is everyone here?
[UC]-Zechs.Marquise: Yes.
[UC]UCN-Libra: Logarus: Continue following me then..
141|Sefegiru: Ah, over here.
141|Sefegiru: Hmm, not bad for the start.
CR|-Phoenix[K212]: Oh my.
141|Marley: Oh...
141|Sefegiru: Okay... what was that?
=VG=Reaper: Think your... friends... don't like me...
[UC]-Zechs.Marquise: Dock with Libra, if you have to.
=VG=Reaper: Roger that.
CR|-Phoenix[K212]: Indeed, or a problem with the transponders.
[UC]-Zechs.Marquise: Defense system 'malfunction'.
141|Marley: Some defences here!
=VG=Reaper is requesting to dock, authorise with /allowdock
Ship docked
/allowdock
/time
2012-10-14 18:57:23 SMT
141|Sefegiru: Reminds me of good old Isis. *chuckles*
=VG=Reaper: Right...
[UC]UCN-Libra: Logarus: Everyone dock at Thionville.
Traffic control alert: 141|Slicer has requested to dock
Traffic control alert: 141|Sefegiru has requested to dock
Traffic control alert: 141|Marley has requested to dock
Traffic control alert: CR|-Phoenix[K212] has requested to dock
Traffic control alert: [UC]-Zechs.Marquise has requested to dock
Traffic control alert: [UC]UCN-Libra has requested to dock

---

Operation Fallen Grace; three days prior.

Casimir was sitting at the desk in his quarters, reading an Earth book imported from Liberty. Suddenly, his computer beeped at him. Staring at the terminal, he saw that it was an internal comms message from one of the guest quarters. He mumbled quietly, to no one, "Can't they just walk over here?"
He sighed, then opened up the message. Once it had finished, Logarus made his reply.

_____________________
Beginning Transmission
Internal Target : Segefiru_

"Madame Segefiru,

I agree that your agents will need to know the territory. However, Order vessels won't be the most welcome sight around Gallia.

I'll arrange for them to use some of our ships over the next few days. If you and the others are okay this, contact me on what ships you'll need. And yes, the controls will be translated."

Casimir picked up his book, forgetting to turn off the transmission for a second. Grinning at his mistake, he reached for his console.

_______________________________________________________
"A bad peace is even worse than war" -Tacitus

Sincerely,
General Casimir Logarus

_________________
End of Transmission
_________________

---

---

"You see what your knowledge tells you you're seeing. ... how, what you think the universe is, and how you react to that in everything you do, depends on what you know. And when that knowledge changes, for you, the universe changes. And that is as true for the whole of society as that is for the individual. We all are what we know, today. What we knew yesterday, was different; and so were we."
- James Burke, The Day the Universe Changed (1985)

[Exdeathevn]

Epernon Base, Orleanais. 3 Days before Fallen Grace

Arek Maxim stepped into one of the command rooms and began punching numbers in.
Having left most of his piloting days behind to follow and aid the economic aspects,
he trusted the hackers on this station would enjoy a change of pace from the day-to-day
monotony of cracking the same safety mechanisms and security protocols on Solar's
holotainment devices.
The screen before him switched from graphs and charts of product stocks and projected
earnings, to a list of those currently working on the hypnotainment projects and their skill
levels. He scrolled through the list a few times, weighing each individual against the others
and making his selection, before logging off of the terminal.

Each hacker had their own workshop on the station, with their dormitory interlinked at the back
of the room. Desks strewn with various tools and computers, and crates of holotainment bands
left little room to move in most workshops. In the corner of 6 of these rooms, an intercom
buzzed, distracting the occupied hackers in them, as a digital voice spoke.
"Please report to meeting room 9 on deck 3 immediately. Repeat, please report to meeting room 9
on deck 3 immediately, merci."

A few minutes later, the hackers had assembled and were seated at the briefing room table.
They had brought their toolbelts and satchels with them, either out of habbit or because, in
one of their cases, they'd brought their work with them.

"Very prudent of you, monsieur Cole." Maxim said, stepping into the room.
Each hacker stood, a simple sign of respect, as Maxim seated himself at the head of the table.
He motioned them to sit back down while he poured himself a glass of wine.

"So what can we do for you, Commandant?" A black-haired woman asked, adjusting her glasses.

"Don't mind the formalities, Freya. I have an important job offer for you all, so long as you don't
mind the secrecy of it?" No-one objected. "Excellent. For starters, I should inform you that
this job takes prioriy over your current work, but you'll get to have some fun while you're at it.
So. Can I count on your support?"

"What is this job then, monsieur?" Cole asked, having not looked up from the holotainment band.
A couple of beeps emitted from the device as he put it down, finished with it.

"You're going to aid us in an operation I'll simply call 'FG'. Your job will be titled 'Falling Dove',
a distraction job against the Royal Navy in order to assist the Royal Navy." Maxim chuckled.
"You'll be hacking into the Navy's communication channels and... mis-directing some of their forces
to a non-existent threat in Dauphine. I'll station the Epee as a relay-post at the jumphole in this
system, as a relay point for as long as I can while you work on the communications disruption.
How does that sound?"

A few grins appeared on some of the hackers, either from the chance to do something against the
Royalists or for the chance to cause some chaos. Cole remained expressionless, being the first
to speak up.

"I'd say you can count us in, monsieur. How much is the bonus?"
Maxim held up one hand.
"5 times standard payment. And other questions?" A brief pause. "Non? Very well. I'll have one of
the old command rooms re-purposed for your work, the operation takes place in 3 days. We'll get you
all the necessary information and equipment you may need. Dismissed."

---

Casual Flier: Returning Player. Forum-PM me if you require my attention

[Jeremy Hunter]

Planet Orleans, Orleanais; Two days before Fallen Grace

[color=#FFFFF]There was flecks of blood on the wall. Nothing major.
Lelouch let the rain wash it away as he replaced his handgun. The ONI Operative he knew as Phobos lay in a pool of his own blood. Lelouch sighed indifferently, like it was merely a small nuisance, and exited the alleyway. Phobos was just one of four agents that Lelouch knew were after him; Cerberus. Erebus. Thanatos. Phobos. Guardian of the Gates of the Underworld. Personification of Darkness. Death. Fear. Such petty names. Names of no consequences, used merely to fear the lesser minded. Montiel was a fool to use them; Lelouch did not fear the Four. Each was merely a pawn, not even a Bishop. No, pawns did not worry the Black King. All they did was slow him down.
He tapped his collar. "Yes?"
"Thanatos has found the safe house, Black King." The voice was a mere whisper. one of the Black Bishops, Bernard Clement. "I shall deal with Thanatos. Have the Black Rooks head downriver and deal with Erebus. While Le Chevalier Noir is away, have the Chevalier Celeste take out Cerberus. That will end the Four, and their pathetic roles as pawns."
The line clicked dead. He sighed. Relena, his second Black Bishop, was unable to assist. But no matter.
All he needed was le Chevalier Noir to ensure the Pawn brought the Black Queen back.
"Chess...such an elegant game. A game of wits and strategy...I have never lost a game, and I do not plan this one to be my last." He spoke to himself softly, walking through the rain. His collar beeped again.
"Yes?"
"Thanatos has met the real Death."
"Excellent. News on Cerberus and Erebus?"
"They have followed their predecessors."
"Mere pawns. Get to the safe house, and have Chevalier Celeste head out. The day of Fallen Grace approaches...Let us be swift."

Lelouch finally stepped into the safe house, an unassuming two-story home tucked away by the river. He opened the door to the raised weapons of fiteen men and women. They all lowered soon enough, returning to their duties. Lelouch shucked the coat off, hanging it up before heading upstairs.
The entire top floor was open, and served as the command center. It was not as grand as the Eglantine, but it would do.
"Status."
"The Four have been eliminated."
"Montiel's pawns of fear and sorrow are gone...But we know Montiel does not work up front. No, he prefers the shadows, where he can play the shadow puppetmaster...Who shall gain and lead the Office in my absence?"
"We cannot find a name, only...a moniker. 'The Zero's Twin.' References to her being the backup in transmission from Montiel to Colonel Chasseur..."
Lelouch went rigid. Impossible. How could he know.
"I know who the next Directeur of the Office of Naval Intelligence will be."
"Sir?"
Lelouch took out an antique pocketwatch that he always carried with him. He pressed the button on the side, and it flipped open, revealing a picture of him and a girl with his eyes, his hair, and his smile.
"Emeline D'Aramis. Baron of the Chateau, next in line to become Comte of Orleans and a Commandant in the Royal Navy. Otherwise known as, my sister."
He sighed, watching shocked looks play across people's faces. "We will need to keep an eye on her. In the meanwhile, let us prepare for the final push."[/color]

---

May you ever walk in the Light, Shizune.

[Jeremy Hunter]

Planet Orleans, Orleanais; One day before Fallen Grace

"What?"
Lelouch swept his arm across the table. This was not good. "Ciel? Why is she interfering?"
"Because, some of our loyalists come from Anjou."
"Tell her Adelaide has ordered them for cross training on Orleans. I'll send the request to Adelaide with the usual Please Do This Quickly heading."
The man nodded and ran off, leaving Lelouch to rub his temples.
"Get me Captain Renard. He should be at the Main Relay Station on New Paris. Tell him to cut all Loyalist Transmissions and ensure only the transmission of Fallen Grace reach it. Ciel Enflamme cannot reach Ile De France; Eglantine cannot stand against it. And Oblique cannot move from Tau 44 without any suspicion..." Lelouch frowned. "There...might be a way..."
The men looked towards him.
"Make the preparations. Ensure that Elria Ciel is visited by the Shadow of the King." Lelouch stood.
"Ensure Emeline D'Aramis is entangled with the Duchess."
With that, Lelouch, turned to leave.
"Today is our final day of preparations. Good luck."


Acadia, from the shadows, Acadia Celeste sighed.
"Lelouch..." she shook her head. "Using your own sister...is that heartless...or do the ends justify your means?"
Acadia Celeste melted back into the shadows...
"Or...do you wish for Emi to have the connections needed to grow a heart, and become someone that will help you bring honor back to this broken Kingdom?"

---

May you ever walk in the Light, Shizune.

[SummerMcLovin]

Thionville Base - Lorraine System
Two Days before Fallen Grace

Extract from intelligence report by Agent Sage

It has been two days since we arrived in Gallia under the hospitality of Logarus' Unione Corse. Thionville, their easternmost base is cramped yet discreet, and provides a suitable basing point for my sorties further into Gallia.
So far I have concentrated on Lorraine, several routes to the core Gallic worlds, and the planned areas of the operation's strikes.

Lorraine, despite being rather cut off from the rest of the Navy, is quite the fortress. The lanes (already quite formidable themselves) in the north of the system also have a battleship and its complement stationed to protect the system.

The safest route to the Core would be through Council space.
The Champagne system is well-defended, with a Corse base to fall back to if needs be. Heading through another Council system, Artois - defended by an Alsace class battleship - would bring us to Picardy.

From there, we can easily head to the capital or the contested Burgundy system. Bourbon Base is a fallback point here, away from the heavy entrenchment of the Navy and Council near Macon.
Interestingly, I found a useful spot for interdicting cargo for any future raiding parties.

A direct return from Burgundy to Lorraine may be difficult due to what appears to be a launching point for the Maltese. We encountered them in Omicron-80 as expected, but I did not realise they'd set up quite so well.

To the south of Burgundy is Dauphine, where the Royalists have holed up following the Council's flight south. Some lanes are unguarded, but the gates are watched. There is a dust cloud to the north-east that we can use to escape to Franche-Compte, and then back to Burgundy.

For our exit from Gallia, the same way we came in will suffice, without the need to be truly discrete. However, even with Raven, myself, the other Republic agents, the Vanguards own spies and the 141 Task Force... I don't know how we can pull this off and get out alive.

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Kingdom of Bretonia
Colonial Republic
Independent Miners Guild
Ex-Admin