Disclaimer: I do not Legend of the Galactic Heroes. It is owned by Yoshiki Tanaka.

Our Universe

Prologue

…please conquer…the universe…Lord…Reinhard…

Margrave Reinhard von Lohengramm slowly opened his eyes, and raised his head to glance sideways beside him. There, lying on the bed beside which he sat slumped on a simple chair, was a young man with hair the color of fire, eyes closed in sleep. Leads snaked out from beneath the sheets, connected to beeping and humming machines standing on the other side of the bed, glowing screens showing the young man's life functions.

Siegfried Kircheis, High Admiral and Deputy Space Fleet Commander of the Galactic Empire…

…Reinhard's first and closest friend…no…more than that. His other half…family in all but name…the one man in the universe he knew without any doubt whatsoever who would always side with him even if the whole universe turned against them.

So it had always been, and so it would always be. Or so it should be…

"Margrave Lohengramm, I will avenge my lord!"

The rocket burst from its launcher with a plume of fire, and searing through the air exploded against the wall just a few feet to the right of Reinhard's throne. Dust, smoke, and debris showered the margrave and his chief of staff, Oberstein unexpectedly rushing before the throne to protect his master with his life and body if need be.

He needn't have bothered.

Where the other admirals and soldiers present had been stunned into inactivity at Commodore Ansbach smuggling a small rocket launcher into Geiersberg's throne room by actually hiding it inside his late lord's body, Kircheis had leapt into action in but an instant. It was Kircheis who had changed the rocket's course, grabbing the launcher and forcing its direction away from Reinhard just moments before the rocket could be fired, and with some further exertion forced Ansbach to drop the weapon.

The commodore glared in frustration before lashing out with a fist. Kircheis caught the commodore's arm, only for a laser beam to shoot out from a ring on Ansbach's finger. The beam shot through Kircheis' chest, but even as he spat out blood from a ruptured lung, he still managed to lunge forward, driving Ansbach back on the ground.

Another beam lanced out, aimed at Kircheis' head, but the high admiral reacted just in the nick of time, rolling to one side and against the ground, the beam striking the ceiling overhead harmlessly. And even then, despite his own serious injury, Kircheis' grip on Ansbach's arm was so strong, that he literally ripped the man's elbow apart as he rolled against the ground.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Admiral Wolfgang Mittermeier finally roared, shaking himself free of stunned inactivity, and rushing forward with the rest of the fleet commanders present. Grabbing both Kircheis and Ansbach, they forcefully separated them apart, Kempff and others pinning Ansbach against the ground as Mittermeier and Mecklinger attempted to help Kircheis.

"Hang in there, Admiral Kircheis." Mittermeier urged before looking at the nearby soldiers. "Hurry! A doctor…get a medical team in here!"

As the soldiers rushed into activity, mocking laughter began to be heard. Shocked eyes turned to its source, and quickly turned into outrage. "Forgive me, Duke Braunschweig." Ansbach said, looking in the direction of his master's body. "How many long years must you wait before the brat falls into hell?"

"That's enough of that, you shameless bastard!" Vice Admiral Karl Gustav Kempff growled before striking Ansbach on the head.

Ansbach ignored him, however. "At the very least," he continued. "I may have taken the brat's other half away. Await my coming in Valhalla!"

Admiral Oskar von Reuenthal's eyes flared in realization. "Stop him!" he shouted, but it was too late. Ansbach audibly bit down on something in his mouth, and despite Reuenthal's best efforts to keep him from swallowing, it was all for naught. In but a few more moments, Ansbach's eyes rolled back, and with blood leaking from his mouth went still.

"Pointless mockery…" Vice Admiral Adalbert von Fahrenheit whispered as the rest of the present gathering stirred into further activity.

"You help out as well!" Vice Admiral Ulrich Kessler shouted to other soldiers as well. "There may be another device! Get the body and the stretcher out of here! Hurry!"

As the throne room bustled away, Reinhard who had simply sat silent and unmoving on his throne for the past few minutes finally rose to his feet. Staggering down the dais, eyes fixed on Kircheis, he approached his friend before collapsing to his knees.

"Lord…Reinhard…" Kircheis whispered, looking at his friend and master. "Are you safe? Are you unhurt?"

"Yes…YES!" Reinhard answered, grabbing Kircheis' hand. "Thanks to you, Kircheis. Only thanks to you…"

Kircheis smiled before weakly and wetly taking a deep breath. "Lord…Reinhard…" he whispered. "If…if I do not…survive this…please tell Lady Annerose, that Sieg kept his promise…from long ago…and please…"

"NO!" Reinhard shouted desperately, squeezing Kircheis' hand. "NO! I WON'T DO IT! You do it, Kircheis. Save your strength…the doctor will be here soon…this injury will heal quickly…and then we can go see my sister together! Won't we, Kircheis? Kircheis!"

"…please conquer…the universe…Lord…Reinhard…" Kircheis whispered at last before closing his eyes.

"No…" Reinhard whispered in despair, and shaking his head in denial. "No…Kircheis…open your eyes, Kircheis. Kircheis!"

"It's alright, he's just fallen unconscious." Mittermeier said, placing a hand on Reinhard's shoulder. "And the doctor is here. Your Excellency…"

Mittermeier trailed off and recoiled as Reinhard glared at him, only for the margrave to look back at his friend and then to the doctor and his team as they arrived and quickly got to work on Kircheis. Mittermeier and the other admirals just looked on, silent and unmoving, knowing not to step out of line at this point from Reinhard's earlier glare, allowing their master to silently keep his friend company as the doctors did what they could, and accompanied them as they took Kircheis away to the infirmary.

"Kircheis," Reinhard told himself, as he looked at the unconscious body of his friend. "Always so brave…so loyal…"

Reinhard closed his eyes, and grit his teeth and clenched his fists. It wasn't supposed to be like this. Kircheis would not have hesitated to spill blood for his sake, or even to risk his own life to protect him, as recent events had proven. And neither would Reinhard hesitate either way, if the situation had been reversed.

But…this could all have been stopped without Kircheis ever stepping so close to the gates of Valhalla. Was he not previously the only man allowed to step in Reinhard's presence with a weapon?

And yet that privilege had been taken away, by Reinhard himself, on Oberstein's advice.

Oberstein…to be sure the reasoning of an unfair privilege causing resentment, jealousy, and suspicions of favoritism was sound…but it was also uncalled for. It had always worked before, and it should have worked on indefinitely…and because it had been taken away, it had resulted in nearly the worst possible outcome.

But…all blame could not be put solely in Oberstein. Or indeed, it could not be placed on him. He was, after all, Reinhard's Chief of Staff. As Reinhard himself had put it once before, to point out potential mistakes and vulnerabilities were part of his duties in such a role, and to neglect to do so would be to neglect his duty.

And finally, and most damningly, Reinhard had made the decision himself. Oberstein might give and press for advice to be accepted, but ultimately, it was Reinhard who would, and had, made the final decision.

That thought in mind, Reinhard bowed his head in self-recrimination.

Reinhard didn't know how long he sat there, brooding on his own guilt and regret, but eventually his solitude was broken. "Your Excellency," Vice Admiral Paul von Oberstein said as he arrived before Reinhard.

"I thought I gave orders that we would not be disturbed." Reinhard growled. This…belligerence, was not simply for the previously given uncalled-for advice that had contributed to the current situation, but simply because Reinhard had given such orders.

In short, it was simply insubordination.

Oberstein however, was unfazed. "Your Excellency," he repeated. "There is an active hyperspace communication channel for you from Imperial Capital Odin. It is the Countess Grunewald."

Reinhard's eyes widened in shock and surprise, and then narrowed with growing rage. "You bastard," he whispered, slowly rising to his feet and shaking with anger. "You told my sister, didn't you?"

"I did." Oberstein admitted.

Reinhard turned away, eyes shut and fists clenched in a struggle to control his anger. "How dare you?" he growled.

"Your Excellency…"

"SILENCE!"

Oberstein was silent for a moment, and then continued regardless of Reinhard's rage. "Are you afraid of facing your sister?" he asked, and prompting Reinhard to look at him.

"What?"

"If you aren't, then speak with her." Oberstein continued before pausing for another moment. "And I am afraid that is beyond even your power to keep the truth from her forever."

Reinhard stood silent, shaking with rage, even as Oberstein continued to speak. "Your Excellency," he said. "I have not abandoned you, but you mustn't neglect your responsibilities as you have so far. If Admiral Kircheis wakes and finds the universe to have fallen into the hands of another, then he would only look away in shame."

Reinhard looked away for a couple of moments, and then turned back to Oberstein. "Very well," he said. "But transfer the channel to this room's terminal. I will take it here."

"Your Excellency…"

"That was not a request!"

Oberstein bowed in assent, and smartly turning away, left without a word. Alone once more with his friend, Reinhard sank into his seat, head bowed, until the room's terminal began to flash. Slowly rising and walking over to the terminal, he hesitantly pressed the accept button.

The screen flashed to show the pale-faced image of his sister, Countess Annerose von Grunewald. "Reinhard," she said softly.

"Sister…" Reinhard whispered, his resolve crumbling as he leaned on the terminal to stay on his feet. "Sister…it's all my fault. If…if I hadn't…if only I hadn't gotten into an argument with Kircheis beforehand…then I…"

"Reinhard," Annerose repeated before closing her eyes briefly. "What has happened?"

Reinhard didn't speak for a long moment. And then slowly, he told Annerose of Westerland, of how Oberstein had advised him not to intercept the planned nuclear bombardment ordered by Duke Braunschweig. He told Annerose how he'd refused the advice in the end, but had delayed for as long as possible to consider it…and in so doing had allowed Oberstein to manipulate the situation such that the bombardment had taken place anyway.

Reinhard told of how he'd accepted responsibility for the deaths of two million people when Kircheis had confronted him over the matter, and how harsh words had been spoken as Reinhard had lashed out in the aftermath. Reinhard then confessed of how he'd lamented at learning that she valued Kircheis' judgment over his own, and how it may likely have influenced him into accepting Oberstein's advice to remove Kircheis' privilege of being the only one allowed to be armed in his presence.

Advice that in the end, had led to the current situation, with Kircheis fighting for his life after saving Reinhard's own.

"It's all my fault…my fault…" Reinhard whispered in the aftermath, head bowed, unable to meet his sister's eyes, almost as though he was a child again, caught and forced to admit to a wrongdoing he had committed before his elder sister. And it wouldn't be wrong.

"Reinhard," Annerose began after a long moment. "Certainly, you hold a certain degree of responsibility for what has transpired on Westerland. However, you admit as such, and indeed clearly regret the consequences of your decisions. Reinhard…I do not believe you need to hold yourself accountable any further than you already do for what has transpired on that matter."

"Sister…" Reinhard whispered, raising his head. Annerose smiled reassuringly.

"On the matter of Sieg and his judgment…" she began before trailing off with a sigh. "I suppose it is only to be expected that you would feel that way over what I said. However, it is not so much that I trust Sieg's judgment over your own. Reinhard…it's just that that your eyes are always looking so far away, to a future only you can see and achieve, and not just for yourself but for those around you. That is not something that you can be held responsible for, as you are a leader of men, and must chart the path for them to follow. But…Reinhard, if your eyes are always fixed on the distant horizon, then it is likely that you will miss things much closer to yourself. In that regard, Sieg's eyes are as much your own as they are his. You understand what I am saying, do you not?"

Reinhard lowered his head in mixed shame and relief. "Yes, I understand." He said with a slow nod, and finally raising his head. "It was stupid of me to be…envious, and dismayed, especially when it is clear that I was acting on a misunderstanding."

Annerose nodded in agreement. "As for your argument with Sieg," she said before smiling sympathetically. "Reinhard…did you ever stop considering Sieg to be your friend even once afterwards?"

"Of course not!" Reinhard burst out. "How could I possibly…?"

"Then that is enough." Annerose reassured him. "Even the closest of friends and family will fight and argue with each other from time to time. It is only natural, and part of being Human. Indeed, it could even be said that friendships and relationships that endure, no, grow all the stronger in the aftermath of such arguments are the ones to be most cherished."

"…yes…yes, I understand, sister."

Annerose nodded. "You may have said harsh words," she said. "And a rift may have grown between you and Sieg…but you have never once stopped seeing him as a friend, and neither did he. That much is clear beyond all doubt."

"That it is."

"Then you know what you must do, Reinhard." Annerose said with a hopeful smile. "I will see you and Sieg again, when you return to Odin. Until then, my prayers are with you both. Auf Wiedersehen."

Kircheis stirred fitfully, his chest feeling sore and somewhat burning. Opening his eyes, he blinked repeatedly as his eyes adjusted to the bright light of the room he was in. Turning his head, he took in his surroundings as those of a room in a medical bay typical of those used by the Imperial Fleet, and that indeed, he was hooked up to several machines meant to ensure his life functions were operating as they should.

"What…happened…" Kircheis thought, his mind struggling to clear away the fog that seemed to shroud it.

…please conquer…the universe…Lord…Reinhard…

Kircheis' eyes widened as he remembered what had happened before he had fallen into a coma. "Lord Reinhard…!" he thought in alarm. "Is he…?"

As though in response, Kircheis heard Reinhard's voice nearby, and turning his head, saw one of the two blonde angels to whom he had devoted his whole life, even almost to the point of death itself. And for all the bad blood that had been spilled between them shortly beforehand…

…he did not regret it.

Had I to put myself once more between Lord Reinhard and harm's way, I would do so readily, and without regret.

"…it cannot be helped." Reinhard said with a tone of regret in his voice. "The women and males aged below ten are to be exiled to the frontier. Those males aged ten and above are to be put to death. And painlessly, Reuenthal."

"It will be done." Reuenthal said on the screen. "The boys aged below ten are to be allowed to live?"

"Kircheis and I were ten when we entered the military academy." Reinhard answered. "Therefore, I cannot hold them responsible until they reach the same age as we did, and swore to achieve the goals we set for ourselves. And if they in the future come seeking revenge against me…then I will take responsibility."

Reuenthal bowed. "It will be done." He said.

Kircheis felt torn. On one hand…the punitive measures that Reinhard was taking against his enemies were…excessive, in ways typical of the Goldenbaum Dynasty. But…on the other hand, it was clear he was doing so only because he had no other choice, and that he himself was already regretting ordering such measures, as not doing so would leave himself vulnerable, and thus potentially leave everything done and sacrificed until today all for nothing.

Much like over Westerland…I do not regret what I said…they had to be said…but…I should have known better not to push Lord Reinhard so far…I should have known that he'd only lash out if pressed to such an extent…I should have spoken more softly and calmly…if I had…then…

"Lord…Reinhard…" Kircheis struggled to speak through a dry and parched throat.

Reinhard whirled in surprise, and rushed over to Kircheis at once. "Kircheis!" he shouted, grabbing Kircheis' hand as he did so. "How could you do it, Kircheis? How could you almost die and leave me all alone? Didn't we swear that we'd always stand together, fight together, and conquer the universe together? Didn't we?"

Kircheis only smiled weakly in response. "Lord…Reinhard…" he whispered again. "Are you…safe? Are you unharmed?"

"Yes," Reinhard frantically nodded, smiling down at his friend. "Yes, I am. Thanks to you, Kircheis. Thanks to you."

Kircheis smiled wider, and squeezed Reinhard's hand. "Then," he said. "I have no regrets, Lord Reinhard."

A/N

"I am now the most powerful man in the known universe. But I could have been more powerful still, had not half of my wings been torn away for my own sins."

- Emperor Reinhard I, The Imperial Decree at the Garden of Winter Roses

So, Kircheis survives, and Reinhard doesn't lose half of himself. Now, the galaxy will change.