Tanya
I waited for everyone to enter the meeting room. Which included a large oval table in the center of the room with chairs around it with a holographic projector built into the center of the table. I was standing at the head of the table while the projector showed Iserlohn Fortress. I waited for Yang and his Command Staff to enter the room. Ilia was already with me and going over the reports from the fleet and making final necessary checks before deployment. But first a final briefing before we deploy.
First came Yang and his adjutant Sub-Lieutenant Greenhill, then Commodore Edwin Fischer his Vice Commander, next was his Chief of Staff Commodore Murai, after him was Captain Patrichev his Deputy Chief Officer, lastly was Captain Walter von Schonkopf. Yang sat in the chair to my left while the rest of his command staff shared the same side of the table as him. While leaving the right side of the table empty aside from Ilia who was the only person I had with me from the 3rd Fleet. I was already painfully aware how much this fleet was not mine, moments like this only served to highlight it further. I just hoped that Gale and Bruno would keep 3rd Fleet in shape while I was indisposed.
Once everyone was seated, I began.
"Thank you everyone for coming on such short notice." I say once everyone is sat down." Earlier today I received a report from Alliance Navy Headquarters that last month the Galactic Empire was forced to put down a Rebellion instigated by one of its High Nobles. This Rebellion cost the Empire several thousand ships, one of its named Fleets and one of their Admirals, Admiral Schmude." I tell them and the hologram displayed the Galactic Empire Space and a block of ships that was soon destroyed. "The Rebellion was then put down in full by Rear Admiral Siegfried Kircheis, who was rewarded with a promotion to Vice Admiral."
"Siegfried Kircheis is the close friend and confidant of the newest Imperial Fleet Admiral Marquis Reinhard von Lohengramm. Who after the battle of Astarte was elevated in military rank and position within the Imperial Court by the Kaiser himself. He was further given command of a third of the Empires total space forces and leave to create his own Admiralty. Of which he has invited several up-and-coming figures from within the Empire's ranks to fill out his Admiralty."
As I say this names and faces began to appear.
Vice Admiral Fritz Joseph Bittenfeld
Vice Admiral Karl Gustav Kempff
Vice Admiral Cornelius Lutz
Vice Admiral Ernest Mecklinger
Vice Admiral August Samuel Wahlen
Vice Admiral Wolfgang Mittermeyer
Vice Admiral Oskar von Reuenthal
It then updated to add:
Vice Admiral Siegfried Kircheis
Above them all was displayed.
Fleet Admiral Reinhard von Lohengramm.
"It cost the Alliance a great deal of leverage and personnel to acquire this information on our enemies' movements. But with the knowledge that the Empire had to put down a Rebellion and that Reinhard von Lohengramm formed his own Admiralty filled with other up and coming Admirals from within the Empire. It is the belief of headquarters that the Empire will send another invasion force down the Iserlohn Corridor as a display of force and power. To put the other High Nobles in their place to discourage any further rebellious intentions."
As I say this the images of the Admirals go away and is replaced with a map of the galaxy and both the Empire and Alliance with the two connecting corridors of Iserlohn and Fezzan being the only two connectors. With a large red arrow going from the Empire down the Iserlohn Corridor and into Alliance Space.
"With eight Vice Admirals and the standard for Empire to assign Vice Admirals Fleets of size suitable to their rank. Along with the Fleet that Reinhard von Lohengramm had access to during his invasion of Astarte when he was a High Admiral. It is possible that Reinhard von Lohengramm can call upon at least 100,000 ships, when the Kaiser sends him forth to show the might of the Galactic Empire."
I pause to let everyone take that number in. It was difficult to imagine so many ships being deployed by the Empire for anything. Not since the Second Battle of Tiamat has the Empire ever deployed so many ships before and even then, they only sent 56,000 ships while the Alliance sent 48,000 and that battle raged for several days. Back then we had Bruce Ashby, who won the battle that day. Today, we only had myself and Yang Wen-li to figure things out and I did not have nearly as inflated an ego to think I could match Bruce Ashby. I had a good example of what happened to people who believe themselves to be the second coming of Bruce Ashby when I had to rescue the 11th Fleet and now Commodore Holland.
While having 100,000 ships charging down the Iserlohn Corridor while terrifying to imagine. From a perspective of sheer numbers were at a point where larger numbers just stopped making sense and a person became desensitized to them. Which I believe is why nobody within the civilian population truly bats an eye anymore when told that thousands of ships and millions of men and women fight and die for their future off in some distant corner of the galaxy.
But I did the math for our own forces. So did Yang by the look on his face, we only have a little over 300,000 ships left to face the Empire with spread across our Numbered Fleets and the numerous Defense Fleets spread across Alliance Space.
If Reinhard deploys his entire Admiralty, it will be 3:1 odds. If we can force the Empire to meet us in a single battleground where we can face them. But history, both old and recent has shown that superior numbers is not enough. Reinhard himself has personally shown that even outnumbered two to one he can pull a victory. What can he pull with eight highly competent Admirals and a third of the Empires forces to command?
"When Fleet Admiral Reinhard von Lohengramm is deployed with his entire Admiralty. It is believed that he will strike out from the Iserlohn Corridor into El Facil and then straight into Heinessen itself." I tell everyone in the room and the hologram updated to show the red arrow moving from Iserlohn to Heinessen. "That is if he decides to take the direct route and not conquer the rest of the Alliance first. Which he likely will do if we make a stand at Heinessen and not at El Facil or some place within the Iserlohn Corridor."
"Does that mean we will be moving to prepare for the upcoming invasion and not this secret mission we've been preparing for the last several months?" Asked Patrichev as he looks nervously at the hologram and then to myself and Yang.
I shake my head slowly, no. "No, the reason I called this emergency meeting is to move up our scheduled date for our mission. And to impress upon everyone the seriousness of the situation and how important it is that we do not fail."
"Has the Free Planets Alliance High Council already been briefed on the situation?" Murai asked looking at me studiously.
"As far as I am aware. The Secretary of Defense should be giving them a less classified version soon. Detailing the approaching threat that is building up within the Empire right now. Once they have been briefed you can be assured that they will immediately call an emergency meeting and debate where and how to deploy the Alliance Navy in preparation for this invasion. Which when they do it will supersede our own mission in priority. As it will be coming from them and not from Fleet Admiral Sidney." I answered him.
"Are we even ready for this mission? I understand wanting to complete it before the Council makes a decision that prevents us from doing it. But going in in a rush will only spell danger and increase the risk of something going wrong. Is it wise to deploy now?" asks Commodore Fischer as he seems to be taking a cautious angle.
"There will always be risks. But I know what you mean. At this point we have spent the last several months preparing ourselves for it. All the other preparations have been completed. As with the addition of Captain Walter von Schonkopf and the Rosen Ritter we have the final piece that we need and these last few days of intense training have been to familiarize and integrate the Rosen Ritter into our regular formation." I say and nod towards the captain who gives a smug smirk and nods to the rest of his fellow officers.
"The 13th Fleet isn't exactly the elite I would call of the Alliance forces. But you guys do put up a fight and are worthy of being considered a threat. The Rosen Ritter will get the job done." Schonkopf says with a tone of clear certainty.
With all the relevant parties within Yangs Command Staff having spoken. I figured now was the time to bring up what the mission was and how we would accomplish it.
"As has been brought up. We have been preparing for a secret mission. This mission is the capture of the Iserlohn Fortress." I say and let what I say sink in before I continued. "The only catch is, we will be doing it alone. No other Numbered Fleets will be provided to assist us." As I say that I get a reaction as the room breaks out into discussion between all the gathered officers except Yang and myself.
"Rear Admiral if you could please go over the mission for them." I say and turn things over to Yang.
As he stands up the talk begins to die down as all eyes are now firmly on him. I watched as he talked, and his command staff listened to him. Clinging to every word that he said as if taking it to be a gospel truth. All while Yang himself spoke in his usual half interested tone he used when he wanted to explain something without getting to involved.
I do not know if he has thought about it or considered it what success in our mission would mean for him and his career. Like it or not, he will skyrocket up the ranks to Vice Admiral and not long after Admiral and Fleet Admiral if Sidney has his way. While I would get mere recognition for training up the third Vice Admiral of this new generation. Not that I really had much to train him on or about. As he was already a capable strategist and tactician. He was also far more personable and approachable than I was, and his people already showed that they were willing to follow him to hell and back. Much like my own subordinates and former subordinates would.
But that was for future consideration. For now, I need to focus on the briefing.
Yang went on to explain the important parts of the mission. Such as getting the Defense Fleet to come out from Iserlohn Fortress. Getting Captain Schonkopf and the Rosen Ritter into the Fortress without the Defense Fleet spotting them. Having Captain Schonkopf take Admiral Stockhause prisoner and take over the fortress main command center to signal that the station was captured. Lure the Defense Fleet back to the station and use the Thor Hammer to convince them to surrender. With the 13th Fleet appearing behind them to entrap the Defense Fleet and force them to surrender.
When he finished, his staff had no questions. They believed his very word and took it without question. Believing that because he said that it was guaranteed to come true. It was good that his subordinates trusted his words so much. But they also needed to question him and push back a little.
But they were his command staff, I would not tell him how to run his staff. Now that he was finished, I stood up again and stood next to him.
"As you have all been briefed. It is prudent that we now make our way to Iserlohn Fortress. As we already have Fleet Admiral Sidney's permission to depart. The sooner we complete our mission the sooner we can prevent the build up of Empire forces that will likely be gathering there soon enough." I tell them all.
"Please make sure your respective staff and commands are ready to depart within the day. Once the fleet is ready, we will make our way to Iserlohn to capture the impenetrable fortress once and for all." I say and dismiss everyone.
…..
April 796 UC
Iserlohn Fortress
Admiral Stockhausen
"I've heard that communications, datalink, and emissions detection in the vicinity of the fortress have been disrupted for the past two days. What is going on?" Admiral Thomas von Stockhausen asked as he looked out over the room full of consoles, soldiers and holograms of the station and the local space it is in. Nothing within the Iserlohn Corridor moved or made a sound without Iserlohn's numerous detection systems noticing. Yet somehow his communications were down. He and Seeckt had received notice several months ago that the rebels were planning on another attack on the fortress eventually. He took the notice seriously.
"It's clear the enemy is present, but we are unable to locate them at the moment." Replied one of the numerous soldiers manning one of the monitoring stations nearby.
"If the enemy is present, we must deploy." Seeckt said impulsively not caring that this was very much likely a trap.
"I just told you that we don't know where they are." He argued with the ever-impulsive bull-headed idiot whom he shared command of Iserlohn with.
"Precisely why we must deploy. To find where the enemy is hiding, as well."
"You Excellency, we have a transmission on one of the lines. It is unstable and intermittent, however." Interrupted one of the regular soldiers stopping yet another argument between the two of them. He would have to thank the young man later. Maybe give him some extended leave?
"What is it saying?" Seeckt asked.
"Yes, sir: 'We are a force under secret orders to conduct espionage within Alliance territory. During a mission, the rebels detected us, so we left the area, but the Alliance fleet opened pursuit and engaged us in the corridor. Requesting immediate backup from Iserlohn.' It ends there."
An espionage mission? He had not heard of any such mission being conducted currently or ever being planned. This sounded like a trap.
"We may not know where in the corridor they are, but we must deploy now!" Seeckt said with surprise and concern written on his face for what was clearly a trap. If he could name one good thing for his fellow Admiral and constant pain in his otherwise perfect command. It was that Seeckt would always be the first to leap to rescue his fellow soldiers without thinking of the consequences.
"Please wait, Your Excellency." Spoke the man's aide, Captain Oberstein.
"Oberstein? Do you have something to say?" Seeckt responded.
"Yes, sir."
"Very well. Speak up." He added curious to see what Seeckt's aide had to say. Maybe the strange man could confirm his own suspicions.
"Then, I will do so. I believe this is a trap." The odd man said and confirmed his own belief that this was a trap.
"A trap?" Seeckt asked confused.
"Yes, one intended to draw our fleet away from Iserlohn. We must not deploy. We should wait and see what happens."
"The enemy is waiting out there. Are you saying we'll lose if we attack? As soldiers, to fight is our duty. Rather than seek a moment's tranquility, we should be thinking about attacking and defeating our enemy. Besides, how can we abandon our own men when they're in trouble?" Seeckt argued against staying and waiting out the trap. While he would like for the Admiral to blunder and make a mistake. He had to consider the safety of the Fortress and more importantly, himself and if Seeckt fell into whatever trap this was. It would weaken the defenses of Iserlohn and make him more open to any rebel attack. So, he decided to speak up.
"I don't know about that, Admiral Seeckt. Your officer does have a point. Since we don't know where they are, the risk is too great. Why don't we wait a bit?" He offered his troublesome rival.
"No! The entire fleet will sortie as soon as preparations are complete!" Seeckt argued and walked away settled into his position.
A few hours later and reluctantly giving the clearance for the Defense Fleet to leave. He watched as Seeckt left with all the Defense Fleet with disappointment.
"I hope he comes back bloodied up a bit." He said aloud. It was no secret the two of them did not get along. So, no one would be surprised to hear him say it. For now, he would command his Fortress and see to its defenses and try to clear up the jamming that was affecting his station and keeping him blind.
A few hours later he was called up again.
"Another message from the same force: 'We will soon arrive in optical range of Iserlohn, but the rebel force is still in pursuit. Requesting backup.'" Announced the communications technicians.
Soon he would be proven right that this was a trap and Seeckt would be caught outside in the middle of an attack. Hopefully he came back alive. If only so that he could have the Defense Fleet to help protect him. Still, it would not do to keep his own defenses inactive if Seeckt had walked into the trap and set it off. He would need to defend the Fortress.
"Very well. Prepare to attack."
"Sir."
"What is Seeckt doing?" He wondered, surely, he should be running back to Iserlohn for protection once he ran into the trap. Did he get destroyed along with the Defense Fleet?
"Ships detected on screen!" Announced another soldier.
"Show me." Time to see what kind of trap Seeckt had sprung and what he was facing.
As the stations many sensors picked up further on the source. He saw an image of a single Imperial Cruiser being chased by no fewer than 800 rebel ships. So, it wasn't just a trick. There was an actual espionage mission that had been underway and now they were being chased.
"Prepare to return fire!" He ordered and the many anti-ship neutron cannons that floated just below the surface of Iserlohn's liquid metal armor took their position. There wasn't any need for the Thor Hammer here. A force this small was no match for his defenses.
Yet as the defenses got into place, the rebel ships stopped pursuing the Imperial cruiser and decided to turn tail and run away.
"Very smart. Looks like they know they're no match for us." He said surprised that the rebels showed any amount of intelligence instead of charging to their death.
"Another transmission from the same force."
While he still believed that the rebels had drawn Seeckt into a trap. That the small cruiser and its crew escaped meant that it had to be a serious force he should be expecting. Perhaps the captain of the ship had information for him.
"Fine. Put it on the monitor." He said and watched the visage of a man who had clearly seen battle as blood covered cause covered a good portion of his head and eye appeared on a fizzled screen.
"This is Captain von Laeken. I request an urgent audience with the commander. I have vital intelligence for him about the rebel's movements and their secret plans to neutralize the station." The man announced giving him the absolute worst news he could ever hear.
The rebels had drawn Seeckt out into their trap. But if he knew what exactly the rebels were planning. He could protect the station and himself. Getting his fear and worry under control he spoke.
"Let them in. I want to hear exactly what it is the rebels have planned. Put our garrison on alert just in case." Seeckt may have been a fool to fly out into the rebel's waiting arms. But he wasn't going to fall for their trap!
…..
A few hours earlier.
Tanya
"Admiral, our sensor buoys have detected the Defense Fleet has left the station and are heading outside of the Thor Hammer range." Announced one of the sensor technicians.
"Understood. Inform Rear Admiral Yang that he and the 7th Sub-Fleet and Captain Walter von Schonkopf and the Rosen Ritter are up." I say after letting out a breath of relief. We have been out here in low power emissions mode for the last several days. Watching and observing Iserlohn from a distance. Waiting to see if the Empire was amassing any troops here as I thought they might be in preparation for an invasion. Instead, things were calm and quiet. Had Headquarters misjudged that the Empire would begin preparations for invasion? Or did we truly catch the Empire off guard?
Still now we had to wait for Yang and the Rosen Ritter to do their part. For now, there was not much we could do except watch and wait.
"It is still absurd to me to think that we should rely on a single man to achieve victory." Commodore Murai spoke up from his command over the 4th Sub-Fleet. I had temporarily poached him and Commodore Fischer to lead sections of the 13th Fleet for me. If we were all getting promotions for capturing Iserlohn. Then giving two of Yang's Commodore's experience leading sections of the fleet would only help him and the 13th out later.
Murai was not wrong. This plan had a glaring weakness and a single point of failure. If at any point Captain Walter von Schonkopf had his cover blown, we would be out of luck. As we needed him to capture the station and remove the Thor Hammer from play. But it would not be good for morale to let doubt begin to enter the command staff or the fleet.
"That one man is worth at least ten normal soldiers. Plus, he and those with him are the best of the Rosen Ritter. An already extraordinary group of soldiers who are all worth ten soldiers. So, with them being the best of the best, it would be better to say they are worth a hundred soldiers. Maybe even more when they capture Iserlohn." I answer him by providing encouragement for our fellow soldiers of the Alliance.
For now, we all sat and watched. Hoping that Captain Walter von Schonkopf would deliver us the station as promised.
A few hours later Yang reported back in. "Schonkopf signaled that they were being let in." He told me from his position outside of Iserlohns engagement range of the Thor Hammer. "We're waiting just outside where they can see us so we can wait for our signal."
"Thank you, Yang." I replied with a nod and turned my focus to the fleet and the read out we got of the Defense Fleet that left 20,000 ships. That was what I had been expecting to face, but still seeing that many ships leaving that we would be facing shortly left me admittedly nervous. Not that I showed my nervousness at all. It would be bad for the commanding officer to show fear right now.
"Are you still going to fight them?" Yang asked.
When I had fought at Arelsheim it had been 12,000 against 14,000 with the Empires forces being under the influence of some hallucinogenic drug. Which I only learned months later after a proper investigation into what was wrong with the Empires forces.
I would be lying to myself if said that I did not want to prove to myself that my Fleets victory at Arelsheim was not a fluke.
"If they refuse to surrender after we show them that we have control over the Thor Hammer. Then I will do so." I answered him.
As much as I wanted to prove to myself that my victory was not a fluke. I had to reign in my own battle desire. It would not do for an Admiral to be caught up in the same battle lust that their subordinates partook in. Someone needed to keep a clear head after all. Lucky for Yang his fleet was filled with levelheaded people who while eager to fight. Knew better than to pick fights that they did not need to start. It very much suited Yangs style of command.
We waited for another hour and a half before Yang got the signal that the station was captured.
"Captain Schonkopf has captured the station and has lit the way. Proceeding to the next phase." Yang announced as his part of the 13th Fleet went to dock with the station and take control of it.
"Understood, we will move into position once the Empire has entered the range of the Thor Hammer." I reply.
"I really hope they heed the warning." Yang sighs as his small sub fleet enters Iserlohn.
"We will all get a chance to find out soon enough." I say and wait for the Empire to fall into our trap while I issue orders to loosen jamming communications so Iserlohn could convince the Defense Fleet to return.
…..
Seeckt
"Yes, sir. A revolt has broken out among some soldiers. Immediate aid has been requested."
Seeckt reeled in shock. How could this happen?!
"Can't he even keep his subordinates under control? Stockhausen, you incompetent fool!" He cursed his rival and traitor who stabbed him in the back years ago out of fear.
"We must first stamp out the fire at our feet. We will return to Iserlohn at once!" He ordered seeing as Stockhausen could not keep his men in line it was up to him to pick up the slack!
"Please wait." Oberstein said getting his attention.
"I don't recall asking for your opinion, Captain Oberstein!" He pointed out glaring at the man who was constantly cool even under pressure.
"I am aware of that, but I will give it anyway. This is a trap."
"It seems everything is a trap in your eyes!" He replied, narrowing his eyes at the infuriating Captain.
"Your Excellency, please listen to me."
"Enough! All fleets turn around! Head for Iserlohn at combat speed two! This is a good opportunity to make those space moles indebted to us!" He shouted dismissing whatever else that foolish coward was going to say.
He paid no mind to the coward Oberstein who saw a trap in every single shadow. As the man left the bridge and out of his care. He would see the man receive punishment for his cowardice.
An hour later he noticed that the Thor Hammer was exposed.
"Sir, the Thor Hammer has surfaced and is charging!" shouted one soldier.
"Incoming!" shouted another as the Thor Hammer fired and destroyed their left flank!
"Why are they firing on their allies?!"
"No… It must be the rebels! What do we do?! We can't fire back! How do we escape the main cannon?!"
"Have you gone mad?" He asked in disbelief that Stockhausen had once more gone and opened fire on him. Again. He knew the man hated him. But to hate him this much to destroy his fleet and then him?
Fine!
"What are you fools doing?! Return fire! All fleets, salvo fire from the main cannons!" He ordered.
Fine! If this was how Stockhausen was going to kill him, he would go down fighting! He was no coward! He was no traitor! He would kill Stockhausen or die gloriously for the Kaiser!
As he gave the order, all surviving 16,000 ships began to open fire. The main cannons built into the prow of their ships firing in sync. It took three minutes for the cannons to cycle. They were in four rows. By the time fourth row had fired the first would be ready to fire and it would continue. He would blast a hole into Iserlohns armor and right into that traitor Stockhausens command center!
"Sir, the cannon is charging again!"
"Incoming!"
Came the shouts of his loyal subordinates as Thor Hammer fired once more. This time obliterating his right flank. If Stockhause thought that he would get him to beg for mercy or surrender by destroying his fleet. He was dead wrong as another 4,000 ships were destroyed.
…..
Tanya
"This cannot be called a battle Admiral. It's a one-sided massacre." Illia said with horror as we all watched the Imperials being subjected to their own weapon. It gave me hope that even my blood thirsty officers could tell when something was bad.
I nodded my head in agreement with her. "There have only been a few times in human history where such weapons were used against a foe. Each time they have been used. A great loss of life was placed upon humanity. Would that we could prohibit the use or creation of such weapons." I say shaking my head in disappointment.
Weapons of Mass Destruction have always been a thing in Human history. Whether it be nuclear weapons or the Thor Hammer. In my first life, the United States developed and dropped two of such weapons on my home country. Ending the second World War and starting a nuclear arms race and the subsequent Cold War. While in my second life, nuclear weapons were also developed though never used outside of testing purposes. Though many times it came close to resulting in an instance of mutually assured destruction, however cooler heads always prevailed. Here, however, nuclear weapons had once again been produced and proliferated throughout the galaxy.
Well, it was time to do my part now that the enemies numbers had been driven down so far as to be the same size of our own.
"Put us into position behind the enemy fleet. Keep them trapped between us and Iserlohn." I instruct.
As the order is given the 13th Fleet mobilizes and takes position behind the Empire. Just within effective firing range of our main cannons. We took the formation of a single triangle shaped wedge. With our battleships at the center, with the cruisers next going out. With our Carriers forming the next layer and finally the destroyers forming the final layer.
…..
Seeckt
"Message from Iserlohn: 'The Alliance has occupied Iserloh."
"The Alliance…" he muttered in surprise and then that surprise was replaced with anger. So Stockhausen had not betrayed and fired on him. Instead, he had let the fortress fall in his absence!
"Further bloodshed will benefit no one. Surrender."
"Surrender?!" He almost yelled in disgust. "If you refuse to surrender, then you will be destroyed by our allies behind you. Alliance Navy Rear Admiral Yang Wen-li."
Behind us? There was no one behind them.
"Your Excellency! The jamming has been lifted! We've confirmed an Alliance fleet behind us! We'll be caught in a pincer attack!"
"A pincer attack?!" He exclaimed, not believing his eyes even as the information came rushing in with their sensors being restored.
"Your Excellency, what shall we do?!"
"We cannot surrender to the rebels!" He shouted with anger and barely contained rage.
"Facing the kaiser after losing the fortress would be a crime worse than ten thousand deaths!" He shouted as loud as he could.
…..
Tanya
"You fail to understand the heart of a warrior. We know the path of dying to preserve our honor, and we know not the path of living in disgrace. All our ships will henceforth charge into an honorable death. This is the only way to repay our kaiser's favor toward us."
I shook my head as the communications officer read off the message from the enemy commander. Well, I had said I wanted to prove a point. But instead of being sensible and saving his life and that of his subordinates he would rather throw it all away.
"All commands focus fire on the enemies flagship and the center of their formation." I instructed as a smile came to my face.
I picked up a few things in my fights against the Empire and one thing I picked up came from Reinhard von Lohengramm. Our Neutron Cannons may not be as hard hitting as the Empire's. But we could fire more often. So, while he could fire two overwhelming shots in three minutes and reduce 11th Fleet by a good measure. I was certain I could fit three overwhelming shots in three minutes and destroy the Defense Fleet. Or at the very least destroy the enemy flagship and its surrounding allies.
I watched as the Empire began to turn around to fire on us. But it was already too late. Their backs were to us, and our first salvo wiped out half of their center. The second salvo destroyed the rest of their center with their sides to us and the final third salvo destroyed any survivors from the center who might have been missed.
"Admiral, the enemy flagship has been destroyed. All other ships are signaling their surrender!" Illia informed me as cheering began to erupt across the bridge and the entire fleet.
I sat down in my chair and watched as everyone celebrated. We had succeeded. I guess the number seven really was lucky and that the number thirteen was not as unlucky as it should have been. Of course, when you plan things out and work closely. It was hard to fail. Though there is always a degree of luck involved in everything. Our luck just worked out better for us.
"Admiral, message from Iserlohn. It's Rear Admiral Yang." The communications officer informed me.
"Put him on."
"Vice-Admiral, we have secured the station." He stated clinically and then in a tired voice added.
"Also, please tell the Alliance, 'If you ask me to do it again, I can't." He added tiredly there was a tone of regret in his voice.
"Thank you, Rear Admiral. I know I asked a lot of you, and that you did not want to use the Thor Hammer unless necessary. But we have hopefully saved a lot of lives here today." I said and then gave him an appreciative smile. He may have been lazy before. But he was really coming into his own and this mission saw him putting more of himself forth.
"Rear Admiral," I start "when we return to Heinessen. Allow me to introduce you and your command staff to my own command staff and former subordinates." If I could reinforce and encourage his growth and prevent him sliding back into his previous lackadaisical nature. He would make a great leader. The Fleet Admiral saw something in Yang, and he stuck his neck out for me twice now. I was going to ensure that his investment in Yang saw returns.
It also helped that as his protégée, Yang would wind up being the Fleet Admiral and I could just retire at that point. I did not want to be a Fleet Admiral and there was no way anyone in the Navy would want me to be a Fleet Admiral either. So, getting Yang to be the best he could be would make sure he was best positioned to be a Fleet Admiral.
Though at my offer he made a face of initial distress before shaping to reluctant acceptance.
"Understood, thank you Tanya." He nodded and saluted, which I returned and then ended our conversation.
I looked over to Illia to see her smiling at me.
"What?"
"Nothing Admiral." She smiled and went back to work.
I shook my head and sighed. There was a lot of work ahead of me. But introducing the next Fleet Admiral to my subordinates and former subordinates would be one step in the right direction of ensuring he had a good grasp of the various Numbered Fleets of the Alliance.