Sorry for the delay, been busy with work. Will be trying to put out new chapters on a monthly or bi-weekly basis.
I do not own Legends of the Galactic Heroes or any other material outside the United Realms of Earth. LoGH belongs to Yoshiki Tanaka
This is a story about a future. A future that probably wouldn't have happened. A future that is already disappeared from the actions of History. However, in this future, there are glimpses of Reality from 'Myth' and Legends of this time and the past. This is a story of that era.
Chapter One: Prelude to Astarte
Dec 7, 3595 AD. After completing the Hyperspace jump from Callisto IV in the Aristotle Starzone (A starzone outside URE boundaries that is a Hyperspace stop point to the Sagittarius Arm) to the planet Socrates in the Duchy of Cato (A collection of starzones/star systems controlled by the monarchs of Jupiter, bordering the eastern portion of the Free Planet Alliance). The HMMS Candidum (800 Meter Sloop armored Space Battleship) did one long warp and two short warps to reach the border of the FPA. After resupplying the pure water tanks at the border planet of Agartala in the Tripura Starzone, the HMMS Candidum makes 5 long warps and 7 short warps to the capital of the Alliance Heinessan, 4th planet in the Ba'lat starzone.
Heinessan is the political and cultural capital of the Alliance. Named after the founder of the Exodus Fleet, Arle Heinessan; it was the first planet terraformed and colonized by the Founders of the Alliance after a 10,000 light year long travel by the Exodus Fleet from the Galactic Empire in the Orion Galactic Arm to the newly discovered starzones of the Sagittarius Galactic Arm. As the founders discovered and documented new starzones along their route; they named many of these starszones after the gods of ancient Phoenicia, including the capitial starzone after Baal/ Ba'lat. This was seen by the former prince Daniel as a dark omen for the future of the Alliance.
Dec 16, 3595 AD. Planet Heinessan, Ba'lat Starzone. FPA
The HMMS Candidum descends from Heinessan's atmosphere to Edwards Spaceport, 60 kilometers outside Heinessanpolis. Waiting for the HMMS Candidum was crowd of people including News Reporters, Politicians, Military Officers, and regular bystanders that wanted to see the ship and people from the other side of Human Space. Standing among the crowd in preparations to meet the URE Military staff especially the Prince, was a man name Huang Rui.
Hunag Rui, of Chinese/European mix ancestry in his early 50s with receding brown hair and brown eyes. The man never liked coming to Edwards since he became secretary of Human Resources under the current Alliance Chairman, Royal Standford. Actually, he didn't like coming to Edwards when he was just a member of the Heinessanpolis city council. Nothing against the Spaceport itself, however, it was standard policy for members of the Heinessanpolis council, as well as the High Council, to come to Edwards to wish off soldiers on their way to the frontlines. Too many times many of these soldiers did not come back, and more and more talented men that were necessary to keep the Free Alliance's infrastructure maintained were killed by the endless war the Alliance faced with the Galactic Empire.
This time, however, was a little different. Instead of troop going off to war, foreign soldiers were coming to partake in the War against the Empire. Huang Hu remembered during the early years of his political career when the fabled United Systems of Sol (USS) or United Realms of Earth (URE) as it was now called, first made contact with the Alliance. The Labor Party Administration under Chairwoman Laura Marek-Lebane made contact with an expedition fleet under King Felix of Jupiter. It was King Felix that gave word to the Alliance of a government besides the Galactic Empire that was to the 'Interstellar South' of the Empire's borders.
The USS had just launched their first hyperspace voyage from the Orion Arm to the Sagittarius Arm. They had already made colonies in areas of the Sagittarius Arm outside of the Alliance. Hunag remembered the fear and concern in the Alliance that the USS would be a new enemy to deal with besides the Goldenbaum Dynasty, however, these fears were dashed when the Galactic War took place and the Alliance learned that the Goldenbaum Dynasty had launched an invasion of the USS after they completed Iserlohn Fortress. It was called the Galactic War, and for nine years the Galactic Empire invaded the starzones under the URE. This caused the Alliance to experience a seven year calm around the Iserlohn Corridor. Huang's remembered the time as one of the few times that the Alliance was able to partially recover from the huge material, economic, and manpower costs of the ongoing war. However, the peace could not last, and members of the military and politicians pushed for to take or destroy the Iserlohn Fortress. It did not help that the USS had been continuously asking the Alliance to start military action in the Iserlohn Corridor. After seven years of relative peace, the Alliance military sent a fleet to take Iserlohn Fortress and the devastating power of Iserlohn was revealed. 8,000 ships of the 26,000 ship taskforce were destroyed in a single instance and the fortress became the primary battle ground for the Alliance and the Empire. Five more times, the Alliance has tried to take Iserlohn. None have been successful, and the pool of resources for the Alliance in all categories has..., every time Huang thought about it, he could not help but shiver.
Things had not been completely terrible though. Even though Iserlohn fortress has been draining continuously the Alliance's critical resources, Huang former party, the Labor Party, was destroyed by the failure to take Iserlohn and many scandals with its members (which forced Huang to go to the New Democratic Union), the Alliance had new trading partners outside of Phezzan (The Grand Duchy of Granada and the Duchy of Cato, both members of the URE). Many Earthlings had come to the Alliance and have filled critical areas of the Alliance infrastructure (Private medical care, traffic jobs, and merchants). Though Huang knew many who disliked the idea of foreigners having jobs that they said should belong to Alliance born citizens (including many in the Democratic Union), and there were some legitimate concern. However, as far as Huang was concerned, they needed the manpower too much to be picky about who has the jobs. Which is why Huang had a small genuine smile when the Prince and other Earth citizens disembarked from the HMMS Candidum, unlike the fake smiles that many of his compatriots were wearing.
Wearing his military dress uniform of a dyed purple military garb with the insignia of a golden wing lion carrying Earth on his chest, bronze shoulder caps, and his rank of commodore weaved on his sleeves. Daniel looked around the crowd of people that wear line up to met him. There were many faces of people that he expected: News Reporters, Politicians, and even members of some of the Alliance's companies that weren't controlled by Phezzan. However, there were people who were waiting that he wasn't sure he would see but glad he did.
"Father Jorell, nice to see you again" Prince Daniel says to a Christian (Catholic) Priest. The man was middle age (mid 40s) hair was graying and thinning, but his eyes were full of what could be best describe as a light of Charity.
"Good to see you again as well your grace", stated Father Jorell in a dignified but cheerful manner.
"You didn't have to go through the trouble of meeting me by the landing grounds, I was planning on coming to St. Philip of Jesus [1] anyway this Sunday." Prince Daniel. Daniel was glad to see Father Jorell again, but didn't want to hinder Father Jorell in his parish duties.
"You don't need to worry, Bishop Samuel sent a new assistant pastor, Fr. Mark, he should be able to take care of the parish for a few hours." Fr. Jorell.
"That's good, also Fr. Felix would be happy to see you as well." states Prince Daniel. Ever since Prince Daniel had achieved the rank of Captain, Fr. Felix had been assigned to him as his Chaplain. Fr. Felix was a small and unimposing man, but what he lacked in physical status he made up for in Wisdom and other graces.
"Can't wait to see the old Latin as well.' Hope you all be available for poker night as well". Fr. Jorell. (St. Phillip of Jesus has poker night every 3rd Thursday).
"That depends of the Admiralty and if the call the Sixth and Second Fleets into action" states Daniel.
"Kern is not assigned to the Sixth fleet with you?" Fr. Jorell states with some shock in his voice. Daniel and Kern had always been assigned together in the same group since the Prince had taken part in the Military Advisory Program.
"Yes, though I think Kern may actually enjoy the Second fleet, though he'll miss Lt. Commander Lapp." states Daniel.
"I see, well better not keep the eager public waiting" states Fr. Jorell. Gesturing to the anxious media reporters and politicians that wished to capitalize on the Prince's appearance.
Sigh, "Throwing me to the lions' den Father?" Daniel jokes.
Fr. Jorell laughs, "Hope to see you Sunday, if you survive".
Daniel smiles, then his expression changes to some concern.
"Have the Cultists been a problem still Father?" Daniel states in a whisper.
"They haven't been violent this year, which is a good thing" Father Jorell whispers.
"Thanks for the chat Father, your in my prayer." States Prince Daniel.
"As you, Kern, your crew, and family are in mine your grace" Father Jorell smiles.
As the Prince is greeting the crowd, the officers of the HMMS Candidum come out in single file, structured by rank and position.
First is Captain Enoch, 64 years in age, veteran of the Great Galactic War, and captain of the HMMS Candidum. Second is Commander Titus, 33 years in age, resident of Orion, and second in command of the Candidum. Third is Lt. Commander Kern, 23 years of age, member of the Kwan Aliens, and a member of the URE advisors for the Alliance along with the Prince. Fourth is Lieutenant Ignatius, age 27, in charge of the Gamma Class Fury Fighter squadron that is stationed on board the Candidum.
Next came Lt. Tacitus who was the Chief Engineer, then came Lt. Justus who was the Electro-technical officer, then came the Boatswain, the Surgeon, and the other Warrant Officers. Last is Sergeant Remus and his Space Marines came out and formed a line in junction with the officer line.
The officers and soldiers came out in military fashion towards the Prince. The Prince stopped his conversation with a member of Sanford administration than saluted the officers and soldiers that had marched to him. The two lines of officers and soldiers changed from vertical to horizontal, and the officers and soldiers saluted back at the Prince. The Prince then turned to the crowd in a military fashion, and addressed the crowd, specifically to the group consisting of the Secretary of Defense and the Space Commander in Chief
"On behalf of the United Realms of Earth, we thank you for allowing us to come to your nation in the hopes that we can together achieve a brighter future for our nations and peoples."
There was a round of applause from the crowd, most were just clapping out to of politeness but some where genuine.
Dec 17, 3595 AD. Heinessanpolis, St. Philip of Jesus Parish.
Prince Daniel and Lt. Commander Kern come out of the St. Philip of Jesus's Narthex. Daniel is thinking about the homily that Father Jorell spoke for the 3rd Week of Advent, and the importance of preparing enough resources (treasures of Heaven like Virtues) to prepare for the coming of the Lord. If one did not have enough resources, then the project is doom to failure before it even had begun.
"Isn't that Rear Admiral Cazerne[2] and his family", states Kern. His eyes in the direction of the stairs of St. Philip of Jesus, where a family consisting of a man, woman, and two little girls were coming out of the church.
"I believe it is", states Prince Daniel. Prince Daniel had only seen Cazerne a few time, specifically during an inquiry into the capture of Vice Admiral Sinclair Cerebrese during the Battle of Van-Fleet. However, Prince Daniel did recognize the light brown hair man, and seeing him gave Prince Daniel the desire to want to talk to Carzerne and see if the concerns he had for the battle the Alliance was preparing for in the Astarte Starzone were justified.
"Kern, you can go back to the embassy without me.' 'I like to get caught up with Rear Admiral Cazerne." states Daniel.
Kern nods, understanding the hidden message. "What information can be shared, we'll speak about back at the embassy."
Kern starts walking back towards the Embassy of the United Realms of Earth which was 3 kilometers east of St. Philip of Jesus Parish. (Along the East Bank of the Hua river)
"Kern" says Daniel.
Kern stops and tilts his head back towards his commander.
"Have the officers come to my quarters at 3:00 PM today". states Daniel with a seriousness he reserved for important actions. Clearly, whatever he assumed about the next battle in the Alliance conflict with the Empire must be serious to him.
"Understood Daniel" states Kern. Using his first name to evoke not just familiarity but also that this was something he understood not just as a subordinate but as his friend.
Prince Daniel walks towards Alex Carzerne and his family as they are conversing with each other over plans for the remainder of Sunday. Prince Daniel greets them in the dignified manner of his upbringing but with a genuine to it that made it much more appealing than the fake manner of many politicians the Carzernes and the Prince have met.
"Good morning Mr. and Mrs. Carzerne". Prince Daniel sees the Carzerne's two daughters, "and a good morning to you two as well." Prince Daniel greets the two with a genuine warmth the Prince had for kids. "My name is Daniel Candidum, may I ask what your names are?"
The younger one, with light brown hair in a double ponytail wearing a salmon pink dress, responded immediately. "I'm Patricia!' 'And this is my big sister Charlotte!". Pointing to the girl with two red ribbons in her blonde hair wearing a magenta pink dress; the girl looked almost exactly like her mother in Daniel's observation.
Charlotte was a little stunned at her younger sister putting her on the spot (though it shouldn't have come as a surprise given Patricia was only four), after looking at her mother for a second, Charlotte collected herself and curtsied to the Prince.
"It's an honor to meet your royal highness." states Charlotte.
"It is likewise." states Daniel.
The Prince turns his gaze back to Alex and Hortense Cazerne. "You have two charming young lasses here, you both must be very proud."
"We are quiet proud of them." states Alex Cazerne. Alex Cazerne looked at his daughters with admiration. They were gifts sent from Heaven to him, as well as his wife. However, Cazerne's eyes grew solemn. "But that not why you want to talk to me, is it Commodore Candidum."
Daniel gave a small smile, "I do wish to catch up since Van-Fleet, and get to know your family.' Sigh, 'however, I do have something to ask you about the battle I've been assigned to."
Alex Cazerne nods. He turns his gaze towards his wife. She understands what he's asking without any words being mentioned.
"Come on you two." gesturing Charlotte and Patricia to come with her. "Lets get to Helen's (A diner a block away from St. Philips) for lunch, Daddy will be join us in a little while."
Charlotte obediently comes with Patricia pouting at the tow. Patricia wished to stay with her daddy but knew somewhat that Daddy had something important to talk about that was private. This wasn't the first time she had to leave with her mom and big sis when Daddy was conversing with someone from the military.
Cazerne and Daniel walk to a park a bloc away from St. Philips. (Kim Hua Park, after Nguyen Kim Hoa, the second leader of the Exodus Fleet after Arles Heinessen passed away). When they make it to a secluded area in the park, Cazerne restarts the conversation.
"So how much do you know about the next battle?" asks Alex Cazerne. "Given that normal soldiers aren't briefed about the battle till they're in orbit with the fleet means that you were given additional information if you're already concerned."
Daniel chuckles and rubs the back of his head (traits he does when he's embarrassed) "Well, I guess there're some perks to being a Prince in the High Royal Family." "Not sure how much you know, but what I've been informed is that the 6th, 4th, and 2nd Fleets are heading to the Astante Starzone to counter a fleet under Reinhard von Mus...Lohengramm.' 'I has been stated to be an easy victory due to the Alliance's suppose numerical superiority in this fight and Reinhard's young age.' 'I looked into Reinhard's battle record that is known to the Alliance; given his record, I think you guys are going into this battle very overconfident."
"You think the Alliance High Command is underestimating Lohengramm?" states Cazerne.
"Given his battlefield success in the Sixth Battle of Iserlohn[3, Third Battle of Tiamat [4, the Battle of Legnica [5, and his near complete destruction of most of the Alliance Fleet in the Fourth Battle of Tiamat if not for the efforts of Yang Wenli which I'm sure you know about already, I think the Alliance needs to be more cautious in a battle against him, especially with the lack of hospital and repair ships the task force seems to have."
Cazerne sighed, "I see. It's not that I don't disagree with you, however, most of the Alliance high command would not like to hear that. They're getting so desperate for a victory that anything that would go against their unfounded expectations would..." Cazerne paused. His face showing the fatigue of a man who sees the problem but who's efforts to fix the problem has been dashed by efforts outside his power.
"I understand.' 'It be difficult in the first place to move material and resources from other areas that desperately need it as well on short notice as well.' 'However, I don't think you're superiors would be unwilling to turn down an extra 4,000 hospital ships and transports" says Daniel.
"You mean to say that Earth has 4,000 extra ships they're just willing to give the Alliance?" Alex Cazerne questions.
"Well, not exactly, the 2nd Royal fleet is right now stationed in the duchy of Cato [6] for routine operations.' 'They have a few thousand support ships in surplus.' 'I contacted the United high command and my Father through hyperlink audio channels [7]. It is possible to 'loan' these support ships with their crews, that are willing, to the Alliance if you're government is interested." states Daniel.
Cazerne pauses for a second then laughs. "You had this planned from the start."
"It be unwise to not be prepared given the circumstances." says Daniel.
"I agree, and I'm sure that Sitolet and the Ministry of Defense would be interested in your offer as well.' 'I'll let them know after brunch with my family.' 'Though some of them will dislike this very short notice" states Cazerne.
"Maybe, but the lives of hundreds of thousands are at stake, so a few grumbling politicians are worth it." says Daniel.
Cazerne smiles, "That's a fact."
Located on the Outskirts of the southeast end of East District of Heinessenpolis, about a kilometer pasted where the Hua and Pao rivers connect, the Embassy of the United Realms of Earth stood in all its grandeur. Modeled after the Palace of Parliament back in Budapest on Earth, the embassy was 84 m high and 2,550,000 m3 in volume (minus the underground and chapel connected to the southwest of the palace).
It was constructed to house all the ambassadors and their families, as well as staff and servants, from not just the Royal Government but also the various realms under the dominion of the High King, including the realms of Grandee, Japan, Great Britain, Mercury, Venus, Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and the others. As well as communication hubs, conference rooms, dining, pool, ballroom, an art gallery, opera theater, and an emergency exit. Outside the embassy was a square kilometer of gardens till one reached the gate.
In one of the conference rooms, the crew of the HMMS Candidum and the members of the URE Military Advisors stationed with the Alliance Star Fleet were gathered. Most notably, Lt. Commander Kern, Captain Enoch, Lieutenant Ignatius (first class) of the Gamma Fury Squadron, 2nd Lt. Richard (one of the new officers for the Alliance Volunteer Star-fighter Squadron NO. 33 (Earth Squadron).
Lt. Ignatius De Soto Antioch (Black hair, blue eyes, originally from the planet Vega) was talking to 2d Lt. Richard Jerome Mayfield, who was an old friend of Ignatius. Both had known each other since the fighter academy days. While they were sent to different units, both still keep in contact. Richards was even best man to Ignatius wedding 18 months ago.
"Anyway, thanks again for helping Maria and I move all the furniture in the apartment building they set up for us Richard." "Don't think we would have gotten done by three without you." says Ignatius.
"I'm glad I could help Maria and you out." "How's Maria been doing with the baby?" states Richard (Brown hair, green eyes, 24 in age, born in the Independent States of America).
"She's been handling it pretty well, besides being worried about hypertension from hyperspace on Benedict, thinks have been going smoothly with the pregnancy." answers Ignatius.
"You already named the baby?" states Richard.
"Maria and I thought it best to know what sex our baby is and name it given the uncertainty of..." Ignatius didn't need to finish what he said. Both Richard and Ignatius knew the uncertainty of coming back in fighting. However...
"Don't think about dying, you got a wife and baby to care for, your life is not going to end anytime soon.' 'So don't think otherwise." states Richard.
"Thanks buddy.' 'Anyway, why you think the Prince called us all here?" states Ignatius.
"Probably has to do with the operation in the Astarte Starzone; my unit is being stationed on board the 6th Fleet with the Prince.' 'Though its pretty late for any changes; we're being shipped out in two days." says Richard.
Anything else that may have been said was cutoff by the arrival of Prince Daniel Candidum. The prince walked gently but firmly in a stride that was second nature to him to the head seat at the conference table. Silence and anticipation filled the room as the prince sat down.
"Gentleman..." says the Prince.
"As you all know, the Alliance of Free Planets is sending three fleets with of total of 40,000 ships to combat a fleet of 20,000 ships under the newly titled Count von Lohengramm." states Prince Daniel.
"While much of the details for the operation are still confidential, it is safe to assume that the Alliance is overconfident in believing that greater number of ships will win the fight, especially given the previous engagement of Legnica showed Reinhard obliterating a superior force thanks to his tactical genius." states Prince Daniel.
"Your highness, do you believe that the Alliance will lose this fight?" says Captain Enoch.
Prince Daniel pauses for a moment, as he contemplates Enoch's question. "Difficult to say, the future isn't set in stone.' 'However, it is certain that the Alliance command is going into this battle overconfident which will lead to costly mistakes."
"My liege, is there something we can do to prevent these mistakes from happening?" states Lt Commander Kern. Kern states this not so much as a question but as a way for Daniel to speak the plan he most likely had to try to alleviate the disaster they both feared would happen.
"I wish that the Vice Admiral Moore was more open to advice but he's much more stubborn than a mule.' 'I don't think that any of the commanders will change their minds while they are certain of victory.' 'However, there is a way to at least decrease the number of casualties." states Prince Daniel. This gets the internets of everyone in the room.
Prince Daniel presses a button on the table and a hologram with the space territories of the Alliance, Empire, Iserlohn Corridor, the Grand Duchy of Grandee (Territory of the ruling family of Portugal aligned with the High Family, to the Galactic West of the Free Planets Alliance), and the Duchy of Cato.
"Given the recent losses of the Alliance and their overconfidence in this battle, the Alliance command as given this task-force a severe lack of medical and repair ships.' 'I've been taking with the Alliance Department of the Defense, my Father, and Admiral Timaeus Lucas De Vinci of the 2nd Fleet; they all approved of the loaning of 4,000 medical and repair ships to the Alliance that the 2nd Fleet has stationed by the planet Socrates."
"We need a fast ship to head to Socrates and guide these ships through Alliance territory towards Astarte, hopefully before the battle commences." say Prince Daniel, as he uses a light pointer to highlight the route from Heinessen to Socrates, then to Astarte.
Prince Daniel looks at Captain Enoch. "Captain Enoch, I wish for the HMMS Candidum to guide the support ships to Astarte.' 'I know that the crew has only a short rest while in port, but the Candidum is the only ship that can bring the force to Astarte by the time of the battle." (The Candidum was the only ship they had at their immediate disposal that had access to the clearance codes needed to use the Alliance's military warp-lanes, which included the fastest routes through Alliance territory).
"It's no trouble my liege, if I could guide a fleet through the run from Axanar II to Valdez, then this will be doable." states Captain Enoch.
"Thank you Captain, the HMMS Candidum will head out towards Socrates tomorrow morning.' 'The task force will head towards Astarte in two days.' 'Everyone who is apart of these expeditions should make sure to be well rested by departure.' 'That is all."
Prince Daniel turns off the hologram. After talking about other concerns with the advisors and the crew of the HMMS Candidum, the Prince heads towards his quarters. Much on his mind, with hopes and prayers for the success of the expedition, but also a fear or premonition of something looming in the distant horizon of the sea of stars. Whatever will happen in this battle, Daniel believed that it could event the course of history for the nations of the Milky Way.
Sorry for the long delay, but chapter two should be less of a wait. Information will be included below the chapter in a later date. Please comment about what you think about the story so far and how to improve. This is my first major story so please be considerate.