Luxury Liner Argenton

CLASS: Lucullus

GRAVITY: Complete

DOCKING: Yes

AMENITIES: Yes

CREW: 170

The Luxury Liner Argenton is a "Lucullus" class vessel recently bought and refitted by the Unione Corse in order to compete with IDF Shipping's luxury business operations. It is one of the more legal business ventures owned by the Unione Corse, and the vessel contains all of the modern amenities one would expect to find on the highest class of luxury liner operated within Gallia. In addition, with its ever expanding reach into the markets of Kusari, Rheinland, and by some rumors even Liberty, the Unione Corse provide goods not commonly found in Gallia to those with discerning tastes - for the right price, of course.

Operating on the outskirts of the Tau-44 system following the discovery of a recently formed jump hole from Languedoc, the Argenton caters to a more diverse consumer base with a spectacular view of the system's unique scenery. Orbiting Malacca along the L1 Lagrange Point with Palawan, the Argenton provides an environment more relaxed and less under watch by the Royals than any IDF luxury liner could provide within Gallic space. Apparently, Nox and other illicit goods are sold at late night rave parties that occur in certain secluded clubs aboard the vessel, but no substantial proof has ever been brought to light that this is the case.

## News

Ageira disputed this finding in their own press release, calling EFL 'fantasists' and countering that their own scientists had narrowed the cause to a rare 'hypernova' stellar event that originated outside the Sirius sector. Both corporations claim that network-wide hardware safeguards have been implemented that would prevent a similar occurrence in the future. Independent researchers have sharply criticized the corporate announcements, accusing both of self-interested misdirection.
Professor Sophia Nagel from Heisenberg Research Station called EFL's accusation 'incoherent' and the hypernova explanation 'nonsense' that did not explain the characteristics of the 'Blackout Pulse'. Despite multiple different Pulse recordings being widely disseminated across the neural net, public efforts have so far failed to triangulate its source.

Professor Nagel and her team are certain the Pulse originated from outside Sirius, but are otherwise no closer to identifying its source or mitigating a future Blackout event. "Following the Blackout, we began to see immediate signs of jump hole destabilization in multiple different regions, with many ultimately falling out of phase alignment altogether", she commented. The dramatic upending of Sirius' jump hole network has already prompted many groups to abandon stations and withdraw from systems that appear to risk being cut off.
While months-long trips between the stars are possible thanks to the Liberty Engine and many centuries of innovation, few ships are designed or provisioned to make such arduous journeys. Those who were displaced by Sirius' redrawn map hope that system connections will return, while adventurers and explorers rush to discover new routes.

President Orianne Castaignède of the Republic condemned the attack on the Duchy and the Minarchy, expressing that such a move in search of justice is a disgrace to the idea of justice. Going as far as stating that 'concerns over those responsible for the war should have been brought to them directly'; not 'Lashing out with past grievances'.
The Grand Duke of Burgundy, Valentin Trintignant, has declared his commitment to the total repulsion of the Kusari fleet, saying; "This attack is completely unprovoked, and misguided. The Kusari state should be ashamed of themselves - The forces of the Duchy will crush these invaders and the Kusari vandals will be brought to justice!"
The leaders of the Minarchy also came out to condemn the actions of Kusari. Stating that the attack on their territory is unwarranted and besides the stated goal. One prominent member, Patron Mathéo Dufresne commented with "[swearing] - What did we do?" when asked for his thoughts on the war.
The reaction among the general population of New Paris has been of shock and bewilderment. Many of those interviewed had believed we were past conflicts with Sirius, and many curse the aggression. The most common responses followed themes of colourful patriotic pan-gallic support, while other sizable portions of the population are still worried that La Vieille Garde are being deployed too far from home.
Lionel Balzac, a prominent politician on New Paris, has came out to assure the confederacy that there 'are no plans to withdraw the La Vieille Garde from the front-lines' as they continue to mount a united defence against the Kusari invaders. Going as far to express 'total commitment for the good of Gallia' in his public address. Since the institution of the Confederacy, Lionel Balzac has been seen as one of the guiding voices of Ile-De-France, and his support had reassured many across the sector.

The most notable of these figures is the former Marquise of Marseille, Renée Hennequin d'Avignon, who retreated from the Provence system during the Minarchy's uprising. d'Avignon, who records now show to have been the head of the Crown's spy network on Planet Marseille, possessed close ties to both the upper echelons of Royal Intelligence and high ranking Gallic nobility. The displaced Marquise claims to be acting under authority of King Charles XI himself, citing a letter of regency allegedly left in her care during the final days of the war.
While such a decree, if legitimate, would make the former Marquise Queen Regent of the Kingdom of Gallia, d'Avignon has rejected this title, instead fashioning herself Director-Regent. This is likely a calling to her position of Director within the GRI, which she rose to near the end of the war, as well as an attempt to garner favor with the unusually robust military demographic of the new state.
d'Avigon's first edict as Director-Regent of the Royal Enclave was to declare the authority of Grand Duke Trintignant null and void. She has also issued the immediate expediation of construction efforts on Planet Bordeaux, the Enclave's capital. Flooded with hundreds of millions people, primarily displaced nobility, servicemen, and Bretonian serfs, the incipient nation-state currently faces a great food and housing crisis. The Director-Regent has authorized the use of whatever means necessary to clear arable farmland and extract resources needed for the erection of more permanent housing in lieu of Bordeaux's tent cities.
Despite these challenges, the Royal Enclave refuses to surrender to Bretonia, and the three system state maintains a military disproportionately large to its small size. Analysts have surmised that the Enclave's position within the Hebrides is a tenable one, should they be able to resolve their present issues and avoid succumbing to civil unrest. The Enclave's fleet has shifted to a more defensive posture, and it appears that the only system outside their borders which they presently have a vested interest in is Dublin, where Enclave patrols have been seen engaging Bretonian forces on roughly equal footing. Elsewhere, the Enclave's military activies appear to be limited to smaller scale anti-shipping raids and hit and fade strikes on soft targets.
While it remains to be seen whether or not the Enclave will stand the test of time, it appears that if so, they could remain a thorn in Bretonia's side for years to come.

News from the Bretonian front is not much better. The fighting over New London remains fierce, and though the Bretonian blockade of the planet has been breached and preparations are underway to deploy Triumphs into New London's atmosphere, reports indicate the battle damaged or destroyed over 60%% of the material of those fleets and that the death toll is in the tens of thousands.
Front line forces are unable to retreat without risking total defeat at the hands of the Sirians. The Epinal, Rocroi, and Venissieux have been recalled to New Paris, but odds appear grim, and military analysts have thus far declined to comment on whether or not the ad hoc defense will be able to defend the capital. En masse evacuation from the Core Worlds has begun, with standing orders from the Crown for all loyal citizens to proceed to Bordeaux and Toulouse post-haste, where they will be provided for.
A GRI asset who asked that we did not disclose their identity has claimed that the King's transport, flying under civilian flag, came under fire from Maquis terrorists while en route to the Brittany jump corridor. Though the transport survived the attack, King Charles is allegedly comatose. Our source could not provide any further comment on the state of the King or who was heading the state in the absence of a monarch.

Sirius has its own powerful pirate groups, and rumors of some of the most powerful of those groups, known as "Outcasts" and "Corsairs", are already spreading in Gallia. The House of Bretonia, which is closest to Languedoc, has a group of terrorists known as "Mollys", and a mysterious group of unlawfuls with no particular goals: "Gaians". Outcasts and Gaians, who are closest to Gallia borders, represent the imminent threat. Other groups will also be interested in gaining access to whatever Gallia has to offer. Corse consider the decision of the Council to open passage for all ships from Sirius into Gallia a premature and ill-thought one, a decision that will harm all parties in Gallia itself.
Unione Corse will treat intruders in the way they deserve, attacking them only if they will attack first or will venture into areas they are not supposed to visit. In addition to that, Unione Corse plans to avoid any dealings with the newcomers, and will secure its own interests in Gallia space with any means necessary. Venturing outside Gallic space is not in the best interests of Corse, but our group will continue gathering of information on Sirius and seeking new business opportunities related to the new discoveries.

## Rumors

* We don't bother working with the Brigands much due to their general sloppiness and lack of discipline. They need to shape up if they ever want to do business with the Corse.

* The Croix-Rousse region of Planet Metz has a large number of Nox customers. The diamond miners seem to especially like it after a hard day's work. Or maybe they like it during a hard day's work. Or maybe before they go to work. Frankly, I couldn't care less when they like it, so long as they keep buying it.

* One of our recent recruits just left the Unione and tried to rat us out to the Royal Police. Lucky for us, he snitched to a Corse-friendly policeman. Luckily for him, we ended his life quickly without torturing him and his family first.

* This King hasn't made a serious effort to try and crack down on our black market dealings. He knows better. He has only to look back to some of his assassinated ancestors to see what happens when you take on the Unione Corse.

* One of my bosses lent some money to a Brigand Nox-addict a few months back who seems to have forgotten to repay the cash. So me and the fellas are heading out today to give him a nice pair of cement shoes and shove him out the airlock. Hmmm, on second thought, the shoes are probably not necessary.

* If you're ever caught with contraband by the Royal Navy, don't even bother trying to bribe your way out of it. Just drop the cargo and pay the tax. It's better to lose out on some profits than end up in La Fere for a couple years. Of course if you were in the Unione Corse, you wouldn't have gotten caught in the first place.

* The EFL hotshots who have the privilege of earning a stay on Luxury Liner Belleville have come to expect the finest luxuries, Wine, Cigars, drugs. Did I mention drugs? The current favorite is Nox. You'd think it would be tough getting it on board to our customers, but since the dockmaster is a customer, it's no problem at all.

* The discovery of Sirius has brought major changes to our operations. Suddenly there are dozens of new types of products that we can pick up and sell on the black market to our fellow Gallians. The only problem is the Royal Navy guarding the minefields. That's where our skills and expertise come in.

* When you're out there hauling some contraband, watch out for the Royal Navy. While you might be able to take them on one-on-one, their sheer numbers will overwhelm you quickly. And if a gunboat shows up, it's over.

* Nox is its own kind of delight, but Wine is a Corse's main staple when it comes to having a good time. And, of course, all true Gallians know that the Wine from New Paris is unparalleled.

* Supplying Corse bases with Nox is a high priority right now. Apparently there is a new product coming onto the market that is sourced from some big criminal faction in Gallia, and we need to make sure that we have the market saturated with our own brand of chemical entertainment before we lose out. Gleize Depot in the Lorraine system is a major distribution hub, so we make regular trips there with Nox.

*NOTE: Page generated on the 28/10/2023 at 17:59:45 UTC*