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

Our Universe

Chapter 1

Kircheis patiently sat silent on his bed, as the doctor inspected his injuries, and then replaced the dressing with the help of a nearby nurse. "Your injuries are healing well, admiral." The doctor said as they finished. "Now, personally I'd like to keep you in the hospital until it heals completely, but given your rank and circumstances sir, I understand that may not be possible. I'll sign your release papers, but in exchange I'd like your word sir that you won't strain yourself too much. Internal injuries are tricky business, after all."

Kircheis had to smile a little at the gentle nerve of the doctor trying to bargain with a high admiral such as himself. Not that the doctor didn't have a point, either way. Kircheis did rupture his lung after all, and it was probably best for him not to push himself until it fully healed. But…he was also a high admiral, and Reinhard's most trusted friend and subordinate. And these were difficult and trying times. Reinhard would need his help and support.

One had to credit the doctor for being both perceptive to the greater situation, and yet dutiful to his responsibilities as a medical professional.

"I understand, doctor." Kircheis said, and letting the nurse help him put his shirt back on. "Thankfully, I have quite competent officers on my staff. While there are some responsibilities I absolutely must handle in person, I believe I can trust them to handle the rest on their own."

The doctor nodded in assent. "Very well, admiral." He said, already getting to his feet. "I'll have the proper documentation ready within the hour so you may return to your duties."

Kircheis nodded. "Thank you for your good work, doctor." He said, and the doctor nodded back before leaving with the nurse. Alone now, Kircheis sighed and sat back against his pillows. For a few moments, he just stared at the pale ceiling overhead, and then rubbing at the fresh dressing on his chest was struck once more by his own sense of mortality.

To think he had nearly died, not even nearly thirty. In this war, that happened with all too great regularity, and as a soldier he had always known it was all but an inevitability, but still…

…if he had died…where would that have left all the precious people in his life? The people he would have left to face the future, the universe, alone on their own?

My parents…Lady Annerose…Lord Reinhard…

Kircheis closed his eyes, hearing that small, selfish part of him whisper to him in his head. He had done more than enough, hadn't he? He'd supported Reinhard this far, just a few steps from the throne itself, and nearly given his life for him.

Surely that was enough. And after all, Reinhard had plenty of other, skilled and loyal subordinates to count on by now. No one would blame Kircheis if he left the fleet now, returned home to his parents, or struck out on his own, seeking his own fortune in life. Leave it all behind…

But just as quickly, the memories floated to the surface, memories that caused that small, selfish part of Kircheis to fall silent.

Sieg, be a good friend to my little brother, alright?

Come with me, Kircheis. Together, we'll conquer the universe!

Kircheis, do you think that what was possible for Rudolf is impossible for me?

"Yes, Lady Annerose." Kircheis whispered. "Please conquer the universe, Lord Reinhard."

Almost as if invoked by the speaking of his name, the doors to Kircheis' room opened, allowing the caped visage of Reinhard von Lohengramm to enter. "Kircheis!" Reinhard said as he strode in, Kircheis sitting up as he entered. "What did the doctor say? How are your injuries doing?"

"My injuries are doing well, Your Excellency." Kircheis answered, as Reinhard walked over and sat down beside the bed. "While I will have to refrain from pushing myself too far until they heal completely, I will be able to return to my duties within the day."

Reinhard nodded. "That sounds good then." He said. "This way, we should be able to return to the Imperial Capital together."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

"Kircheis," Reinhard began chidingly, a hand reaching out to pull gently at Kircheis' crimson curls. "What did I say about addressing me when we're alone together?"

Kircheis sighed good-naturedly. "Yes, Lord Reinhard." He said, and that was answer enough. Reinhard nodded in approval before drawing back and falling silent for a few moments. Kircheis likewise stayed silent, waiting for Reinhard to speak what was on his mind.

"Once we return to the Imperial Capital," Reinhard finally said. "You'll be promoted to fleet admiral."

"Lord Reinhard, I…"

"No objections, Kircheis." Reinhard interrupted. "There's no denying the fact you've earned the rank. Not just with your victories on the battlefield against the rebel fleet, but also from your recent actions."

"Lord Reinhard…"

Reinhard clenched his fists, his face twisting into a self-loathing grimace. "I…" he whispered before turning to Kircheis with an anguished expression. "Kircheis…I…!"

"There is no need for you to apologize, Lord Reinhard." Kircheis said with an understanding smile. "I am, and always will be, your friend and servant. I do not regret what I have done, nor will I ever, and if need be, I would do so for your sake once more."

"NO!" Reinhard shouted, rising from his seat. "I won't let you do it! I won't let you die for my sake! I won't have it! I don't care what that Oberstein says, I don't care if it's seen as favoritism or some other kind of nonsense, but I won't let that same situation from before leave you on death's door or worse!"

"Lord Reinhard," Kircheis began. "I would not wish to put you in a difficult situation. And sad as it is to say, Oberstein was right about my being able to bear arms in your presence being an unfair privilege, and which could cause undue tensions and…"

Kircheis trailed off as Reinhard held out a holstered weapon. "This is…" Kircheis said in surprise before glaring at Reinhard.

"It's your weapon, Kircheis." Reinhard said. "I'm giving it back to you, and with it, the right to carry it in my presence. From now, if an enemy ever stands before us in person, you will not have to shield me with your body. The muzzle of your pistol will do."

Kircheis was silent, silently and sternly gazing at Reinhard for several moments, but Reinhard just stared back stonily, until at last Kircheis sighed and relented. "Lord Reinhard, you shouldn't bring weapons into a hospital." He said half-heartedly.

Reinhard blinked and then laughed, before placing the holster on his belt again. Kircheis smiled at the sound of Reinhard's laughter. "If you're already starting to tell me what to do," Reinhard said. "Then you've clearly recovered from your injuries. But I understand. Very well, I'll wait until you return to your duties before returning your weapon to you. But I will expect to find you bearing it at all times afterwards. Understand?"

"Yes, Lord Reinhard."

Again, silence fell between the two friends, Reinhard's face falling in regret. "Kircheis," he began after a few moments. "There is one other thing…about Westerland…"

"It's alright, I understand, Lord Reinhard." Kircheis interrupted. "There is no need to apologize, not when it is clear – and should have been clear to me at the time – that you recognize and accept the responsibility for what transpired there. Indeed, it is I who should apologize, for failing to see such a fact, and instead only unnecessarily inflamed the matter."

"No," Reinhard disagreed with a shake of his head before smiling sadly at Kircheis. "You were right to say it, Kircheis."

Kircheis smiled back, and after a moment, Reinhard patted him on a shoulder. "Then, I will be going." He said. "I can expect you to return to your duties within the day, yes?"

"Yes, Lord Reinhard."

"Good," Reinhard said with a nod. "Mittermeier is already on the way to escort us back to the Imperial Capital. This way, we can welcome him, and return to the Imperial Capital together."

"Yes, Lord Reinhard."

Reinhard nodded again, and with a final pat on Kircheis shoulder, left the room. Alone once more, Kircheis sat back on his pillows, and smiled.

Lord Reinhard…Lady Annerose…

November of Universal Calendar 797, Imperial Calendar 488, Reinhard von Lohengramm and Siegfried Kircheis returned to Imperial Capital Odin and were welcomed in triumph. In recognition of his victories on the battlefield and in protecting Reinhard from an assassin, Kircheis was promoted to Imperial Fleet Admiral.

As for Reinhard, he was elevated from margrave to prince, and was simultaneously appointed Imperial Chancellor. With the Emperor a six-year-old boy with little to no influence outside of Court or even therein, and between Reinhard's positions as Imperial Chancellor and Supreme Commander of the Imperial Fleet, Reinhard now had gained absolute power within the Empire…essentially, a dictator governing in the Emperor's name.

And govern he would, writing a new chapter in the saga of Human history.


January, Universal Calendar 798, Imperial Calendar 489

Prince Reinhard von Lohengramm, Imperial Fleet Admiral and Supreme Commander of the Imperial Fleet, sat behind his desk at the Imperial Chancellery, in his other capacity as Chancellor of the Galactic Empire. A short distance to his right stood Siegfried Kircheis, Deputy Space Fleet Commander and an Imperial Fleet Admiral in his own right, his crimson cape matching his hair.

Approximately two months had passed since the end of the Lippstadt War, and in those two months, Reinhard had done much to change the Empire for the better. The first was the abolition of noble privileges. While the remaining nobles had lost neither land nor money with the abolition of their privileges, they now found themselves subject to taxation, lost the right to maintain private military forces of their own, subject to court jurisdiction for crimes they would previously not have been accountable for, and many others.

Normally, one would expect the nobility to rise up in outraged revolt at the loss of their privileges. But with their whole social class gutted by the Lippstadt War, and with the memory fresh of the punishments laid against those who had joined the Lippstadt League and had supported it to the bitter end, to say nothing of the House of Lichtenlade for (supposedly) attempting to assassinate then-Margrave Lohengramm, none of the remaining nobles, whether it was those who refused to join the Lippstadt League, those who had defected, surrendered, or become fifth columnists prior the final battle, were willing to lose everything by rising against Prince Lohengramm's new regime.

And in any case, they didn't have much ability to do so. The Imperial Fleet following the Lippstadt War was thoroughly under Reinhard's control, and while there remained plenty of nobles within the officer corps even after removals and reassignments of officers who'd bought or used connection to gain their rank, most of those were minor nobles who had truly earned their rank, who had nothing to lose with the abolition of noble privileges and everything to gain by supporting the new regime.

There was no question who the commoners would support, of course.

Following the abolition of noble privileges, Reinhard proceeded to disband the infamous and much-feared Department of Social Discipline, the centuries-old secret police of the Goldenbaum Dynasty. As technically their actions had been legal, its members could not be prosecuted, but by and large Reinhard could and did put most of its former members in watchful early retirement.

Along with the abolition of the Department of Social Discipline, civil liberties long suppressed or used by the Goldenbaum Dynasty for its own purposes were restored, such as freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, and freedom of speech. Paired together, these reforms further cemented Reinhard's reputation before the Imperial citizens as a reforming leader they could wholeheartedly trust and look up to both in war and peace.

And now Reinhard was beginning work on the next series of reforms to be introduced by his government. Already, the reformer Eugen Richter and the former Grand Court Judge Bruckdorf were at work, having been commissioned just a few days before to jointly form and lead a committee that would have the task of studying nearly five hundred years' worth of legal and fiscal codes and precedents, before pruning and streamlining them into new legal and fiscal codes for a new age where all citizens from the poorest man on the street to the richest merchant and most elegant noble in their palaces would be equal in the eyes of the law, subject to its protection and punishment alike, and where all would fairly and justly pay taxes to support the nation appropriate not on their social class, but on their individual ability to do so.

However, laws needed to be enforced, and fair and objective judges to pass judgment on those who needed to be judged. As such, this new series of reforms would include – or indeed, necessitate – shakeups within the Imperial Military Police and the Judiciary to ensure they would be effective.

It was for this reason that Reinhard was meeting with candidates for the post of Chief Superintendent of the Imperial Military Police. One such candidate stood before him and Kircheis, one Count Oppenheimer and a retired Vice Admiral at that. No, more than that even: prior to his retirement – early retirement, due to having joined the Lippstadt League though given he'd surrendered prior to the final defeat of the league he'd been spared the worst reprisals after the war – he had been the Chief Superintendent. And while his record was not particularly spectacular, neither was it particularly poor either.

Reinhard and Kircheis listened neutrally as Count Oppenheimer attempted to excuse his involvement with the Lippstadt League, in response to a question from Reinhard on whether or not it would send the wrong message to appoint a former league member to such an important post. As the man came to an end, Reinhard nodded slowly. "Very well," he said, acknowledging Oppenheimer's excuse that his only reason for joining the league was due to his blood relation with Margrave Littenheim. "I won't hold that against you. I'll consider your candidacy for MP Chief Superintendent further."

"Thank you very much." The count said with a bow, before picking up a small, brown, rectangular package by his feet. Both Reinhard and Kircheis had noticed it before, and while both had suspicions both hoped for the count's sake it wasn't what it seemed to be. "However, as a token of my appreciation I'd like to present a gift to you."

"A gift?" Reinhard echoed, while Kircheis sighed internally.

The count removed the packaging with a flourish, revealing an abstract painting of some sort. "It's a famous painting by Erlemeier."

"I have no interest in art." Reinhard remarked with veiled warning in his voice. "Take it to Mecklinger, he should know which museum it should go to."

"But, Your Excellency…"

Reinhard narrowed his eyes at the count who briefly faltered before rallying. "I…that is…" he fumbled. "This painting is for you, Your Excellency."

"Count Oppenheimer," Reinhard said sternly. "Even though you were and seek to become once more MP Chief Superintendent, it seems you don't understand what this means in the eyes of the law. Kisling!"

The doors into the Chancellor's Office opened, allowing Captain Gunther Kisling, head of the Imperial Court Guard detail for the Imperial Chancellor to enter. "Sir!" the man said with a salute. Reinhard pointed at the stunned Oppenheimer.

"Arrest Count Oppenheimer immediately!" Reinhard ordered. "The charge is attempted bribery!"

The count dropped the painting which clattered against the floor. "No…this can't be…" the man babbled in disbelief. "Don't they say you pardoned even Streit?"

By that, he referred to Commodore Arthur von Streit, a former subordinate of Duke Otto von Braunschweig and who had been captured at the very start of the Lippstadt War. Streit had impressed Reinhard early on with his quiet dedication to duty and in particular his unwillingness to harm Imperial citizens, so much so that he would advocate underhanded measures if it meant reducing collateral damage overall. Streit had been offered a post as Reinhard's subordinate, but he'd refused, on the basis of being unwilling to turn a man he'd served for years into an enemy in one night in exchange for a post. Reinhard, impressed further, had ordered him released, albeit still subject to certain punishments such as early retirement and a significant percentage of his family's wealth being confiscated.

The confiscation had been recently rescinded however, and Streit reinstated and even promoted to rear admiral just a few days ago…in exchange for his accepting a renewed offer from Reinhard to become his subordinate. Specifically, that of Reinhard's adjutant.

"Streit is perceptive, resourceful, and competent. I'd have regretted it if I hadn't taken him in." Reinhard responded as the Court Guards placed handcuffs on the count. "You have nothing that interests me! Take him away!"

Kircheis stayed silent as the Court Guards took Oppenheimer away, and as the doors closed and Reinhard sank back into his seat, Kircheis turned to address him. "You are mean, Lord Reinhard." He accused. Reinhard glanced curiously at him.

"What makes you say that?" he asked.

"You suspected Count Oppenheimer would try and bribe you, did you not?" Kircheis pointed out. "And yet you strung him along only to arrest him in the end. Didn't Lady Annerose teach us not to play with our food?"

Reinhard laughed. "I wasn't playing with my food." He said. "But yes, I suspected Oppenheimer would try and bribe me. However, old habits die hard and thus I was willing to let it go if he was perceptive enough to notice my subtle warnings and take a lesson from them. But as he was not…"

Kircheis nodded in understanding as Reinhard trailed off. "I see your point, sir." He should. "Should I make arrangements for this matter to be disclosed as an example to the public?"

"Yes, make it so."

"Very good sir…though, it still leaves us with the post of MP Chief Superintendent unfilled."

"Hmm…" Reinhard hummed in thought as he sank back into his seat for several moments. Finally, he snapped his fingers. "We'll have Kessler do the job for us."

"Kessler?"

"Yes, is there a problem?"

"Not as such," Kircheis said. "It's just that Admiral Kessler is already the Capital Defense Force Commander."

"The Capital Defense Force doesn't have much to do anyway." Reinhard said with a smile. "And Kessler was originally from the Military Police. He should be able to handle both posts well enough, and do what we need him to do."

"I understand sir. I'll make the arrangements at once."

Reinhard nodded, but before further words could be said, there was a knock on the doors. "Enter." Reinhard said.

The doors opened, allowing a sub-lieutenant to enter. "Please pardon the interruption." The young man said while saluting. "I am Sub-Lieutenant Theodor von Lucke. I thought it discourteous, but as the rear admiral is absent…"

"It's fine." Reinhard interrupted with a raised hand. "Report the situation."

"Yes sir." Lucke said. "On January 16, the Eiherdorf Fleet from the larger Kempff Fleet, was engaged in combat while on patrol on the Imperial end of the Iserlohn Corridor."

"How did the battle progress?" Reinhard asked.

"While the situation was initially in our favor," Lucke continued. "Enemy reinforcements arrived and our forces were forced to retreat."

Kircheis glanced at Reinhard who was silent and still for a few moments. And then briefly closing his eyes, Reinhard smiled.

"Damn that Yang Wenli."


The fleet commanders assembled in a large meeting room, standing before a dais with a throne at one end of the room, a blue flag bearing the Goldenbaum crest hanging on the wall behind the throne. Reinhard sat on the throne, flanked by his deputy and chief of staff, Kircheis and High Admiral Paul von Oberstein respectively.

The fleet commanders who had served under Reinhard and Kircheis during the Lippstadt War had since been promoted to full admiral, with Mittermeier and Reuenthal who had been full admirals during that war both promoted to high admiral. In addition, new fleet commanders had joined their ranks, such as Admiral Adalbert von Fahrenheit. A skilled and aggressive commander, he had fought under the Lippstadt League as a vice admiral but at the end of the war had been pardoned and allowed to rejoin the Admiralty for his talents.

There was also Admiral Helmut Rennenkampff, who had once been Reinhard and Kircheis' superior officer in the past, and Admiral Ernst von Eisanach. A quiet and taciturn man, which led to his nickname of 'the Silent Admiral', his battlefield accolades are rather slim but in rear echelon and support duties not once had he ever failed in what was expected of him.

Apart from the fleet commanders, standing along the wall on either side of the dais were Reinhard's other staff officers, as well as Hildegard von Mariendorf, in her capacity as Executive Secretary to the Imperial Chancellor.

After Reinhard called the meeting to order, Admiral Karl Gustav Kempff stepped forward. "It was a fleet from my command which was defeated and forced to retreat from the battlefield." He admitted. "Though it was but a mere skirmish, it nevertheless tarnished out fleet's reputation of continued victory. I accept full responsibility."

Reinhard gestured for Kempff to stand at ease. "One hundred battles don't necessarily equate one hundred victories." Reinhard said. "Instead of passing blame, we should make up for a defeat today with victory tomorrow."

"Yes sir." Kempff said with a bow, and with a gesture from Reinhard he stepped back into the line.


High Admirals Reuenthal and Mittermeier left the meeting together, and were walking down the corridor when a bald, pudgy man turned a corner: Admiral Anton Hilmer von Shaft, Inspector-General of Research and Development. "Well, isn't this an unexpected pleasure?" the man said cheerfully. "The Twin Stars of the Empire…leaving the meeting, I assume? If so, might I ask if His Excellency the Chancellor has returned to the Chancellery?"

"The meeting's just finished," Mittermeier replied. "As far as I know His Excellency has no further business here at the Admiralty, but while he's headed back to the Chancellery, if you hurry you might still catch him."

"I see." Schaft said with a nod. "I'll humbly accept your advice. I take my leave then."

At a nod from Mittermeier and Reuenthal, Schaft went on his way, the so-called Twin Stars looking back at him as he left down the corridor. "For a vulgar man who spends most of the time locked up at the Research and Development Office," Reuenthal remarked. "He's unusually excited, isn't he?"

"Perhaps he made a big development of some sort?" Mittermeier opined. "That said, though he's been Research and Development Inspector-General for six years already, he hasn't really produced anything new except for directional Seffle particles."

Reuenthal smirked. "Perhaps the time has come for him to be hung up and out to dry then?" he asked, eliciting a smile from his friend. Driving the matter of Schaft from their minds, the Twin Stars went on their way.


"Well, what do you think of Schaft's proposal?"

As the senior staff officer in the room, Kircheis spoke first. "At first glance, Admiral Schaft's proposal has little real novelty in it." He said. "When all is said and done, it's simply the old 'All Big Guns' doctrine scaled up. That said, that might just be what's needed against Iserlohn Fortress."

Reinhard nodded, and after a moment, Kircheis continued. "However," he said. "There is no strategic reason to attack Iserlohn Fortress at this time. While I know and understood we will inevitably have to invade and conquer the Alliance in the future, at present I think it would be best to husband the Empire's strength against reactionary elements within the Empire who may potentially seek to take advantage of our currently uncertain internal stability."

"Uncertain, you say?" Reinhard echoed.

Kircheis nodded. "Yes sir." He said. "While the reforms currently underway are undoubtedly long needed by the Empire and its citizens both, we likewise cannot deny we are essentially overhauling the framework and structure of the nation. Change brings uncertainty, and uncertainty brings fear and instability."

Reinhard nodded several times. "A prudent call," he said. "What do you recommend then?"

"I would recommend that we mobilize Geiersberg Fortress as proposed," Kircheis said. "In preparation for the day when we resume the war against the Alliance. However, the attack on Iserlohn itself should be postponed until such time, as part of a greater offensive against the Alliance."

Reinhard nodded before turning to Oberstein. "And what do you think?" he asked.

"I am largely in agreement with Fleet Admiral Kircheis." Oberstein said. "However, I would also point out there are advantages in capturing Iserlohn Fortress at this time. First, it would allow us to secure a beachhead in advance for a future invasion of the Alliance. Second, by recapturing Iserlohn at this time, it would be logical to assume that the Alliance will attempt to recapture it in their turn. We may be able to use that against them, that is by using Iserlohn Fortress itself as a lure to draw Alliance forces into a trap to further whittle down their already-depleted forces."

"The same strategy could be used against us, could it not?" Reinhard asked.

"Yes," Oberstein admitted. "But our forces would be better capable of absorbing such losses, compared to the Alliance's forces."

Something flickered through Reinhard's eyes at that, and through Kircheis' own. For a long moment there was silence, save for the tapping of Reinhard's finger against his desk. Finally, he nodded.

"Very well," he said. "The decision on whether or not to attack Iserlohn Fortress will be deferred for now. However, the mobilization of Geiersberg Fortress is to begin immediately. I also consider Admiral Kempff as the man to oversee such a task, and depending on his performance thereof, as the man to command the fortress and its station fleet afterwards."

"I have nothing against Admiral Kempff being placed in command." Kircheis said. "A solid, reliable, and experienced commander, and one who is respected by the men under his command. I would think he'd perform well in such a role."

"I think so as well." Oberstein said. "However, should he become Geiersberg's commander afterwards, I would also propose a promotion to high admiral, in reflection of his role as commander of both the fortress and its station fleet. There is no need to unnecessarily divide such roles, as shown in Admirals Stockhausen and Seeckt's debacle at Iserlohn."

Reinhard nodded. "True," he said. "I will consider the matter. Summon Schaft and Kempff immediately."

"Yes sir!"


A/N

Some might wonder if perhaps, as Yang mused in the series, Kircheis' survival could lead to coexistence between the Empire and the Alliance. I won't say Yang was completely wrong, as Kircheis' influence could get Reinhard to accept such an outcome…but for one factor Yang did not and could not have known.

That fact is that Kircheis and Reinhard swore they'd conquer the known universe together. And as men of their word, they'd do just that. And there's also the question of whether or not the ultranationalist-dominated Alliance government would even consider the idea of peaceful coexistence with the Empire.