For all those still following, I'm so sorry, its been way too long since an update, but they'll be more regular now, My writer's block has worn off and I've got a proper plot in mind. Criticism is always welcome.
Obviously I don't own LOGH, except the OC's
Battle of Amristar Part 2:
Yang was deep in thought, the intricacies of the situation befuddling him completely. Already too many men had died, for a downright negligent operation. It was vulgar, to say the least, watching the many millions of men give up their lives for the benefit of the few hoarding all the rewards.
His thoughts were interrupted, by the sudden call of admiral Bewcock. "Greetings, admiral Yang, of course I would assume there is no need to discuss the present scenario, or the preceding events that led to this, but how do you want us to tackle this," seethed Bewcock. Yang chuckled at the comments, "you want me to decide what we do?" "admiral Yang, at this point of the invasion, the only possibility we have left of salvaging whatever it is that we have left to salvage rests on that tactical treasure chest you possess," "Well, the forgone conclusion for me would be to contact the Auralians, even though we managed to come out of the initial engagement with all the fleets, the damage we suffered was massive." Yang continued with the analysis of the situation, "furthermore, we do not have nearly enough numbers to beat Reinhard in a full fleet encounter, and Amritsar gives us no geographical advantage that we could possibly employ against them, furthermore, the Auralians must have had a reason for intervening in a battle that did not concern them, we could be looking at a future ally staring us down in the face." He concluded.
Bewcock's smile lines flared up as he saluted and closed the communications without further discussion.
Yang sighed, his staff used to his behaviour, awaited their orders. "Lieutenant Greenhill, try to connect me with the Auralian expeditionary commander if you would." Before the others could say something else, Yang gave further orders, "we will however be preparing for worst case scenario, so I would advise all of you to get whatever rest you can, announce it to all ships, you have 3 hours of RnR time."
The staff members saluted with their weariness evident. Fredrica, however was left with the deceptively tricky task of contacting the Auralian commander.
Her problems, did however solve themselves momentarily…
Ashoka was captivated by the thought, that the Alliance politicians would send over 30 million men to their graves, for the sake of another four years in the office. It was offensive, and disgraceful. He held nothing but disdain for such vulgar animals.
Currently however, something else required his attention. It was of course, the next course of action to be taken, in the face of the upcoming battle.
Augustus walked in on Ashoka muttering gibberish under his breath. "Daydreaming, are we again?" Ashoka smiled without replying. "Right," Augustus declared, "Huang is getting us connected to the man who will take command of the alliance fleet for this battle."
At the correct moment, the image of a man flickered into existence. "I'm Vice Admiral Yang Wen Li, commander of the Free Planets alliance 13th fleet, and the man you left to die." Ashoka, quite frankly was surprised by the statement. "Well hello, I'm fleet admiral Ashoka Orionson of the Republic of Auralias. And I'm afraid I was forced to leave you and one other fleet, because we did not possess enough numbers to provide support to all the Alliance fleets." "Fair enough," "I would like to ask you though, are you the man behind the fall of Iserlohn?" "I see my repute preceeds me." "Then you must also be the one who's fleet made it out completely intact" "complete would not be the right word perhaps, but yes."
Ashoka had a sort of hungry gleam in his eyes, for once he wanted to truly test this man out, perhaps he was the adversary that Ashoka had been looking for all these lonely years. "How do you intend to fight against the Imperials, admiral Yang?" "well if I'm being fairly honest, we do not currently have the numbers to engage the Imperial Fleet in a full fleet combat, so if you choose not to support us, we will employ guerrilla tactics, and hope that we are allowed to retreat in due course of time."
Ashoka contemplated this statement for a moment, and he realised that the same way he was putting Yang to the test, so was Yang. Ashoka took another moment to try to discern his strategy. He gasped in sudden realisation "The mining asteroids, you're not using them as cover, you have no intention of winning this battle do you Yang Wen Li?" Yang maintained his usual stoic demeanour, despite being in absolute awe, "it would seem that I've been read and outplayed" Ashoka chuckled, "We don't intend to fight for winning either, we're only here to save as many lives as possible, we've got over 240,000 ships combined with our 105,000 and your nearly 138,000 that made out." "What's your plan?" "We continue with your plan, we reinforce your flanks and buff up your rear." "That's not all you're thinking are you?" Ashoka was once again at a loss for words. "I've been read and outplayed as well, but yes, I'll lead about eight thousand ships myself as a detached force and hit them from the left flank." "They'll detect you, it can't be done." "We'll shut of all systems and go dark, our ships have an independent gravity generation system, as well as an emergency supply of oxygen that can run for about 5 hours when a ship goes dark." Yang gasped, "you're going to take that risk?" "I am"
No further words needed to be exchanged between the two, they saluted and the transmission went dark. Ashoka turned to Augustus "You'll assume command obviously, merge the remainder of the Poseidon fleet with your Hades fleet and arrange yourself according to Yang, he is going to be your superior for this battle atleast." "You're going to let someone random just assume command and possible screw this up for us?" Ashoka chose not to respond, simply saying "That is an order."
Frederica watched Yang drinking his brandy intently. To say that she was worried about his excessive drinking habits was putting it lightly. She had at various times discussed it with Julian too. "Lieutenant, what do you think about humanity?" Yang broke the silence. Frederica hadn't expected such a question being thrown her way. "What do you mean admiral?" "I mean over the course of humanity and the nearly eight centuries since humanity took to space, do you think we've lost the humane side, the very word named after our species, do you think we've become so drunk in our own sensual pleasures, that we overlook the foundation of humanity?" Frederica didn't know how to answer this, she remained silent. "Hmm, you don't have an answer either. Even with the deaths we've caused, do you not believe that humanity should be given another chance at correcting its course, don't you believe we still collectively possess the capacity to feel compassion and to end the senseless fighting?"
Once again Frederica was left speechless, but it struck her at that moment. This man would make a better head of state, regardless of its nature as a democracy or dictatorship, that those bastards who throw away lives in an intricate game of fool's chess.
Yang must've realised that the environment had taken a dark turn and laughed "then again, I'm just a pessimistic historian at the wrong place." "Or maybe a realist who sees us for what we are…..sir"
Before Yang could have time to respond the alarms went off. "Sir the patrol ship reports multiple vessels headed our way, their number is more than eighty thousand."
"Lieutenant, let's continue this if we survive shall we? Order all hands to battle stations."
Reinhard could see the Auralian bastards with the rebel scum, he was still in shock with the audacity they'd shown contacting them and warning them of the 'consequences' of engaging with their fleet and the fact that they're prepared to defend the rebels. Reinhard blatantly overlooked their warning and promised them of a death that was fit for them.
"Sir, rebel force located, with what looks like Auralian reinforcements, they'll be within firing range in twenty minutes." The chief navigations officer announced. "Where are they holed up" an unusually ecstatic Reinhard asked with an impatient wave of his hand. "They seem to be using the old mining asteroids as shields."
Reinhard spent a long hard minute contemplating this "Yang Wen Li, you can't possibly have thought of something so simple, what's your actual plan?" Dismissing those thoughts for the time being he asked to be broadcast a fleet wide message. "All ships," he began, "the cowardly rebels have chosen to have their hideous hides saved by the Auralians," Reinhard let his genuine displeasure be felt, "we let them live once, but this time we annhiliate them completely, Yang Wen Li, and the rebels will be finished today, the so called magician has performed his last act, as for the Auralians, let them feel the wrath of the Reichflotte's most capable men."
Paul von Oberstein was a man who displayed no emotions. His only goal in life was the complete and absolute eradication of the Goldenbaum dynasty, what he lacked was the charisma and the ability to inspire people to action. Hence, he was left with no choice but to find someone to serve, someone who could fullfill this very desire of his, and put an end to those high minded noble bastards. For years on end he searched, until he found Reinhard von Lohengramm, a peculiar case he thought, but a man worthy of his loyalty. Even with the relatively less time he had spent under his command so far, he was left in awe of the man with every single speech he gave.
He was broken out of his trance by the announcement of the imminent arrival of the imperial fleet in the firing range of the alliance fleet. "sir visual contact established, weapon systems online, energy to shields and cannons at full, we are prepared to engage."
A silence followed for a second, silent enough to listen to the meekest of noise possible. Then. Then a single word rang out from his master's lips, "Feuer"
Ashoka had to be patient, not one of the virtues he'd been gifted with, but one he had to deal with nonetheless. He'd positioned his fleet on the left flank of the enemy as planned. He knew it was nothing more than a diversion to buy the Alliance fleet the time they needed to complete the actual breakout plan. They had the numbers to win a battle, but sacrificing any more ships for the Alliance was futile, the bulk of their national defence was out here, men dying, as sad as it was, in vain. It made Ashoka's blood boil.
'God damn politicians, trying to save their worthless hides, and sending thirty million men to their death. The very principles that the Free Planets Alliance was founded had eroded. I can't stop thinking about that poor soul Yang." Ashoka despite having communicated to him very briefly had already ascertained that the Alliance did not deserve a man like him. His train of thought was interrupted by communication from one Dusty Attenborough, commodore of the FPA navy, he was the one handling the escape plan, since he was in the vicinity of Ashoka's fleet, Attenborough was the one who would communicate the battle proceedings to Ashoka. "Now's your chance to hit those bastards, Admiral Ulanhu is holding the black fleet off, be quick, his lines are not going to hold too long." Attenborough saluted and the communications were cut off.
Ashoka's men turned to him waiting orders. He breathed in for a moment. "turn on the engines, maximum engagement speed, divert all energy to the weapon systems and shields, ram the black ships." The screens came alive as soon as Ahoka had finished speaking.
The Auralian Poseidon fleet charged at the Reichflotte, towards their first ever real fleet battle.
Bittenfeld was not happy to see that he'd been made to fight the same fleet who'd escaped his grasps just before Amritsar. Sticking to the Schwarz Lanzenreiter's overly aggressive battle doctrine, they were making quick work of the Rebel fleet. Then it all went wrong. Oh so wrong.
"Sir, enemy fleet numbering eight thousand ships approaching at high speed, at three o'clock. Analysing design, running through Imperial database," "a visibly distraught staff officer announced. "Confirmed match, the designs match those of standard Auralian ships."
Bittenfeld didn't hold back with the profanity, letting rebels escape twice was unacceptable, unthinkable, and so it was out of question. Herein lied the fundamental flaw with the fiery red haired admiral. He was a man too prideful for his own good. It could be argued that what propagated his unmitigated aggressive approach was his pride. And losing, losing was not something his pride would allow.
"Move seventy five percent of our fleet to meet the scum, reform the remainder of the fleet in a half encirclement, and hold of the enemy in front of us, they don't have the numbers to breakthrough the reduced numbers of our fleets." Bittenfeld seethed with anger, "destroy the bastards. Every. Single. Ship."
"Order sent out, fleet rearranging now." A few tense moments passed in silence following the change. Then, all hell broke loose.
"Sir, Admiral Bittenfeld is under attack by an Auralian fleet, it would seem they were lying in wait for this exact moment." Expectant eyes turned towards Reinhard Von Lohengramm. These men expected their stoic and icy leader to produce the same spectacular tactics which were no short of magic. However, for perhaps the first time in front of his men the young Fleet Admiral couldn't contain his rage. "That bastard, his ineptitude will screw us over again, does he think I'm some sort of wizard? able to conjure up new fleets with a flick of my wrist?" with near loathing in his voice he continued, "those Goddamn Auralians, and Yang Wen li, I tolerated Yang at Astarte, I spared the Auralians during the initial confrontation, and they….they just don't die do they." Reinhard spat.
Unused to this situation Reinhard's men turned towards the misfit. Paul Von Oberstein. He had meagre popularity if any. The deserter from Isherlohn left a bad taste in every Imperial solidier's mouths. What, however, couldn't be denied was the man's brutal but effective stratagems. In conclusion, the man was hated, yet feared, it was no small feat to make the other Admirals feel unease, but this one man managed it effortlessly.
"your excellency, the best course of action for us will be to pull back and disengage, atleast temporarily," this suggestion wasn't received well by Reinhard, "atleast? You want me to retreat Oberstein? You think me a coward?" Despite the outburst, Oberstein remained emotionless as ever. "No your excellency, we stand at an overwhelming disadvantage, even with Admiral Kirschies' fleet we are numerically weaker, and the competence of the Auralian admirals remains untested, this isn't the place to test it either." Reinhard contemplated the words for a moment, "you may consider this endeavour a failure, however sir, you fulfilled nearly all of your objectives, the only thing that went unfulfilled was the complete eradication of the Alliance, fleet, and even that was because of the untimely intervention of the Auralian fleets." Reinhard could produce no constructive retort to the logic of Oberstein. He resigned to accept the fact with a sigh. "Send out the order, all fleets to retreat to the edge of the starzone." The quiet bridge of the the Brunhilde roared to life once again."
'I accepted it does not mean I like it." These words cemented themselves within Reinhard's conscious, his heart thirsting for vengeance."
Aboard the bridge of the Hyperion, cheers rung out as the Imperial fleet, gingerly so, retreated from the engagement zone. Yang Wen-li sat down on his command chair. The adrenaline slowly wearing off. He placed his beret over his face as he propped his legs up. 'The amount of talent Lohengramm has got, it's almost unfair,' Yang thought. The Alliance Navy had made it out, relatively intact. But the entire operation was one hell of disaster and Yang detested the politicians for it. 'That bastard Trunicht is the worst of those lowlife, he's probably going to be made Chairman because of voting against the invasion, and then everything will most certainly go to shit.' Yang's pondering was interrupted by the call of one Ashoka Orionson. The man was hard to read. He was certainly competent, dangerously so perhaps, but his ideals, remained cloudy at best to Yang.
"That was a wonderful maneuver you pulled of their Admiral Ashoka," Yang tried flattery. "Hardly so, it was all because of Admiral Ulanhu, and his tenth fleet that we were even able to pull off something of this magnitude." 'You're not one to respond to flattery huh? I'll be straightforward then.' "Admiral Yang, I wished to voice an opinion, if I have your permission." 'That came outta nowhere.' "Absolutely, please feel free," Yang replied. "Auralias is of course no longer neutral, however we will be parting ways here." 'What's he getting at?' "This is mere speculation on my behalf, but I do believe that you will be given control of Iserlohn Fortress, perhaps even in a singular command capacity," Ashoka explained, "As for the reasons, well you'd be more than well aware of my line of reasoning." 'He's thought that far? Damn, he might just be better than Lohengramm.' "When that time comes, I ask you to house a guest Admiral from Auralias, with a small complement of fifteen hundred ships, all until the completion of our own fortress, Indraprashta, which will be in the vicinity of Iserlohn, in the Gungnir Starzone," Ashoka ended his explanation. Yang tried hard to hide his disbelief, unaware he'd succeeded in doing so or not. "That is quite the astute assumption you've made," Yang replied, "I'll admit, the proposition intrigues me, yet I'm a single Vice-Admiral, I'm afraid it isn't up to me to make such decisions, I'll keep in mind to raise it with the upper echelons." "It seems to me Admiral Yang," Ashoka began, "That you're either unaware of the power you hold, or choose to remain passive, I'm sorry to say, but perhaps if you hadn't remained as passive as you are now, operation 'Free Stars' might not have been such a debacle, Either way, I look forward to our next meeting." Ashoka saluted before the image went dark.
Yang was, for once in his life, out of words. He almost missed Frederica walking in. "Is everything okay Admiral?" She asked. "Lieutenant, do you believe I've been passive?" "Uh…I'm sorry, what Admiral?" "Nevermind, just a fleeting thought is all it was," Yang dismissed a visibly confused Frederica, choosing to be left alone with his thoughts.
'Passive huh? I couldn't have been right? That's not how a democracy functions' Yang thought hard, as he glanced at the boundless expanse of the star filled void of space. Unaware of the three, now, interconnected fates of Rehinard Von Lohengramm, Ashoka Orionson, and Yang Wen-li himself.
In the year 796 UC, also known as 487 IC, the climactic battle of Amritsar came to a close, forever intertwining the fates of three young men. Only time will tell how this game of chess plays out on the Galactic scale.