Maquis

The Maquis are a terrorist group consisting largely former members of The Council who use terrorist acts and assassinations to attempt to help remove the Gallic Monarchy from power. Their actions range from the bombing of government targets to cargo piracy and general disruption of Royalist activity.

Synopsis
Since their break from The Council, the Maquis have openly committed acts of terrorism that go beyond what is normally considered to be justified during wartime. They have no remorse for their victims, and while they will not go out of their way to harm civilians not actively supporting the Crown, they have no pity for any caught in the crossfire. They are brutally efficient in their operations and do not bother collecting evidence against their targets unless they need help from more idealistic friends. If someone is suspected of actively working for the Crown- even so much as organizing aid packages for soldiers- they could be targeted by the Maquis. They give no mercy to those they view as threats, and do not hesitate to kill anyone in their way.

Their actions have earned them the respect of the Gallic Brigands and Unione Corse- both of whom consider them to be what The Council should be, and a model of how to fight the Royalists. The well-nurtured friendship between the Maquis and the other Gallic unlawfuls puts them in the unique position to coordinate attacks on the Gallic Royal Navy between all four groups- a resource they have employed to deadly effect.

Despite their popularity with certain factions in Gallia, the Maquis' actions have also driven away almost all popular support from the civilians of Gallia: While The Council enjoys support and favorable eyes from many in the Gallic Metal Service and other corporations, as well as a few figures in the government, the Maquis are viewed as terrorists and murderers, guilty of war crimes and atrocities beyond number. The Maquis view this as an entirely accurate portrayal, if incomplete- outwardly they claim to act in order to free the people from the greater threat of the Monarchy, but inwardly more than a few of their actions serve as vengeance for personal grievances they blame the Crown's forces for.

History
The Maquis are the distant successors of the radical groups that existed within the Gallic Liberation Movement since about 624 AGS. They considered peaceful parliamentary debates to be fruitless and disgraceful, considering terrorist acts and assassinations to be acceptable means of political struggle. After the Movement was disbanded in 636 AGS, the radicals gained many more followers. In 645, they joined the newly formed Council, but kept their distance from the rest of the faction. By that time, they were already referring to themselves as "Maquis", had organized several successful political assassinations, and came into contact with large criminal unions like Unione Corse. In 656-658 AGS, the Maquis orchestrated a series of massive explosions that killed over two thousand civilians in the cities of New Paris, Orleanais and Bourges. This harmed the Council's reputation so much that all Maquis were expelled from their home faction and had to seek new bases of operation, although the two groups did not become enemies as many expected at that time. The Maquis were prepared to start on their own, gradually evolving into a sophisticated group of politically-inclined pragmatics and fortune seekers.

For a period of time between 660 AGS and 710 AGS, the Maquis focused on piracy, contraband, and dealing drugs much more than on political terrorism. They established strong ties with the Corse and, to a lesser extent, other pirate factions. They accumulated large capital that they used for building ships and bases in various regions of Gallia. Generally, even the low-ranking Maquis are quite wealthy compared to members of other pirate groups. Towards the Second Gallic War, the Maquis were an organized and highly motivated force that was able to assist the Council in many notable events of the war. Unlike Brigands, the Maquis pilots fought the Navy fearlessly alongside the Council ships, and usually operated under the same command as the Council ships. The Maquis also returned to their terrorist activities on Gallic stations and planets, but all their attacks were targeting military and corporate targets. They no longer attempt to attack civilian targets and avoid civilian casualties, concentrating the attacks on off-world facilities and ships.

Like the Council, Maquis do not have a base that can be considered their headquarters. Locations of the Maquis leaders are mostly unknown, but most of them are rumored to be residing on Planet Marne and at Chambery.

Known Bases

 * Mazagran Depot, Champagne
 * Verdun Base, Lorraine
 * Grenoble Depot, Dauphine
 * Limoux Base, Languedoc