January 796 UC Heinessen
Free Planets Alliance Navy Integrated Tactical Operations Center
I stood at attention in the office of Fleet Admiral Sidney Sithole as he read and reread my after-action report of the Battle of Astarte. Out of a total of 70,000 ships and 9,800,000 soldiers, only 30,000 ships, and 6,860,000 soldiers returned. To say that the Battle of Astarte was an unmitigated disaster was an understatement. Even after we performed search and rescue operations. There were so many dead and wounded that the economy of the Free Planets Alliance would be in shambles if not outright ruined trying to recompensate families for the deaths of their loved ones or to support the critically injured. The cost to repair and replace damaged ships while steep. Palled in comparison to the price paid in human lives and the knock-on effect this disaster would have on the Free Planet Alliance as a whole.
As the highest-ranking officer of the Battle of Astarte, who was not confined to the infirmary. I was certain that this whole thing would be blamed on me. I was fully expecting the Fleet Admiral to tell me that I would be standing before a Military Tribunal and that shortly afterwards I would be expelled from the Military.
All my years of service wasted because I was told I needed to follow Naval Procedure and not stick out. Because having an Admiral who is seen as 'blood thirsty' is bad for public image.
All my years of service wasted because I was told I needed to stay in line and follow Naval Procedure. My mistakes before the Battle of Tiamt finally catching up to me. Even after I had been given what may as well have been considered a slap on the wrist.
After a full thirty minutes of reading my report, Fleet Admiral Sithole looked up from his computer to meet my eyes.
"Vice Admiral," he started with an even tone. "It's been almost two years since you stood in my office. I had hoped that would be the last time I needed to talk to you about your actions. Do you know why you are here?" he asked sounding disappointed.
"To review my actions and decisions at the Battle of Astarte." I reply simply, after our last 'talk' I had the distinct impression that the Fleet Admiral did not want to have to stick his neck out for me again.
"Correct," he said and pulled out a folder and sat it on top of his desk. Even from where I stood, I could see my name on the folder itself. "But that is only part of the reason you are here, Vice Admiral. You see, you are something of a conundrum within High Command, when it comes to ways to properly dispense punishments. Being the daughter of the current Secretary of Defense, who is a member of the High Council, makes others nervous on just how much they can punish you. Before their own careers are in jeopardy."
While I did not take any pleasure from the fact, I could use my father's position to protect me from blow back, it also stunk highly of nepotism. Something that many large organizations had problems with. As it could hold back an organization from pursuing greater profits and improved outcomes. Ever since I had joined the military, rumors spread that all my accolades and promotions were due to my father's ties to the High Council. That nothing I had done was earned.
But I have not once used my father's position to my benefit. Not once, I knew it was there and I knew it could get me far. But I was not some insecure and unskilled employee who needed their higher-ranking father who was head of another department within the company to get me what I wanted. I was more than capable of achieving whatever I needed on my own. But I would admit privately within my own thoughts that having that option open to me was a choice I did not fully dismiss. Never dismiss a tool or option available to you, you never know when you might need it.
"Last I spoke with you it was to censor you on behalf of Fleet Admiral Lobos. And to give you a warning from Alliance Navy High Command to not step out of line again. Yet here we are again. Last time I spoke with Fleet Admiral Lobos on your behalf because I thought you were a promising officer and your actions at Tiamat proved my belief in you correct. But the Battle of Astarte has reopened old questions and made enough people within High Command rethink letting you go with a slap on the wrist. Even now they are attempting to form a Military Tribunal to review your entire career and your actions leading up to Astarte. So that they can conduct a Court Martial and find you guilty." He said leaning forwards slightly.
I knew my records were mostly clean, but I also knew that if someone had an axe to grind against you. They could turn any little thing into ammunition as proof against your character. Two lifetimes of prior experience proved just how petty some people could be. And it seemed like my detractors were already getting the gears moving to expel me from the military.
He then pulled out a piece of paper. "While in the Officers Academy, you wrote several comprehensive strategies designed to either capture, neutralize or destroy the Iserlohn Fortress. All while as a Cadet." As he made mention of my old term papers from my time at the academy, I had to wonder what he was getting at.
"Suggesting the use of an infiltration team to neutralize the Thor Hammer to allow an invasion fleet to close the distance and engage the defense fleet while another deploys soldiers en mass to capture the station." He said pulling out another folder from his desk and setting it next to my own.
I remember that old plan. That had been my fourth suggested plan that I had submitted before my graduation. While I would change some things within it, that one had the best chance of success when I had graduated from the academy. Unlike the rest of my provided suggestions.
"Developing technology to deploy Seffle Particles to inundate the space around Iserlohn Fortress using this technology. Then tricking the Empire to fire their Thor Hammer or any of their weapons and destroy themselves." He said as he pulled out a second folder and set it next to the others. He looked at me with concern. "There are millions of men and women on that station. Both civilians and soldiers. Even if we had the technology to deploy Seffle Particles. No one in High Command would green light this plan without outside pressure. Would you really destroy the station?" He asked.
"If it was our last and only option, sir? However, we do have other options. So, we do not need to stoop to the levels of the Empire." I responded to him.
"You also suggested using large Asteroids. By making them capable of warping and traveling on their own power. To ram into the station and either destroy the station or render it inoperable. Again, putting millions of lives in danger. Can you see the pattern that anyone else can see?" he asked as he placed another folder on his desk.
"Lastly, using the Fezzan Corridor to invade the Empire from the south bypassing the Iserlohn Fortress. Now you are suggesting we invade our neighbors to fight the Empire. Placing yet millions more in danger." He said placing a final folder on his desk.
I remember each one of them. They were all different term papers I had turned in at the end of each term while in the Academy. I knew using Seffle Particles as a weapon was infeasible. We do not have the technology to do so right now. Though man sized weapons were useable. It would take time to upscale it properly and make something capable of deploying the particles.
Using asteroids to damage the station was also another ludicrous idea. But throwing rocks at your problems when you lacked other weapons had been a tried-and-true method since man learned how to create fire. Just trying to find enough asteroids of sufficient size and density as well as making them capable of traveling to Iserlohn would be nearly impossible. Trying to stop the Empire from destroying those Asteroids the moment they warped in close to Iserlohn? That was a fool's errand.
Asking the Fezzan to use their system to gain access to the Empire was a sound enough idea. If we did not mind the public appearance of forcing the Fezzan to choose a side. Or be invaded as we attack the Empire.
And of course, infiltrating the station to disable its main weapon. That one I figured had the best chance of success. But it relied a lot on luck and the Empire being sloppy and unaware of the infiltration team's goal. I can imagine just how heavily fortified the mechanisms are that make the Thor Hammer function. Add on top of the difficulty of the infiltration, that you also need an invasion fleet nearby to attack the fortress when they receive the signal that the weapon is disabled. And you have a recipe for disaster.
"I was a Cadet, Admiral." I say trying to excuse my youthful ambitions that were clearly being used to prove my unfitness to wear the uniform. "Who hasn't thought of toppling Iserlohn?" I asked, attempting to reason with him.
"Fair enough, but you should know at the time they stirred up some debate amongst High Command though nothing ever came of it." He said and moved the four folders with my strategies for how to deal with Iserlohn to the side.
"There is also the matter of being the daughter of a notable Politician and rising through the ranks so quickly, some would postulate that your promotions are not earned by skill or experience. But by nepotism and cronyism." He said and then placed a hand on the folder with my name on it. "However, I have read over your entire career Vice Admiral. You made quite the splash on your first deployment after the academy after all."
"Assigned to a Spartanian Starfighter Squadron attached to the Battleship Ulysses in 469 UC. Your squadron took out an Empire Battleship and its escort of destroyers." He recalled my first combat mission where I and my squadron and our Battleship were on patrol with several others when we stumbled upon an Imperial Patrol as well. That was a frantic battle and a half. It was not one of my better moments, but I managed to keep myself, my squadron, and our ship alive. How I ended up being a starfighter pilot after the academy still confuses me even to this day. But I guess if you want to command a Carrier you must suffer the life of a pilot as well.
"That does not seem to out of the normal to me, Admiral."
He gave me a look of surprise as he raised an eyebrow. "Maybe not to you, but most squadrons do not take on an Empire Battleship and its escort of Destroyers and come out without any casualties." He said and set the paper back in the folder before picking out another.
"Now here are some really interesting reports about you as an Admiral." He said and began to read it off.
"Submitting your crews to non-stop drills and exercise with very little rest. Forcing your pilots to rest in their fighters so they become familiar with them. Conducting battle exercises with allied forces and going against established tactics to fire on the enemy while your fighters were deployed. Risking unnecessary casualties. Wearing down your ships and their crews over and over, having the highest maintenance cost of any fleet." He reads off with a disapproving tone.
"Highest morale and crew confidence. Exceptional performance of a Numbered Fleet. Quickest turnaround from an undersized, undisciplined, and dilapidated Numbered Fleet that was due to be dissolved into another. Into a Numbered Fleet able to not only hold its own against a foe that outnumbered it after being blindsided by an Imperial Fleet that had been waiting for it in Arleshim. Reducing the Empire fleet to barely a squadron of functioning ships."
"Earning the title of 'Reaper of Arlesheim' for so thoroughly destroying your enemy. As well as killing the enemy Admiral even after they tried to surrender after you destroyed 60% of their fleet." He then stopped to look at me as he set the paper down.
"Which makes me wonder, Admiral." He continued when I said nothing. "During the Battle of Astarte, after joining with 2nd Fleet and Vice Admiral Paeta. You suggested retreating, instead of fighting the Empire when you learned that Vice Admiral Piett and 5th Fleet were destroyed. By your own record you frequently exact a heavy toll upon the Empire before you even consider pulling back from the battle." He said looking at me intently waiting for an answer.
Steeling myself, I knew I would have to justify my actions. This one I knew would draw the most scrutiny. "When we came upon the destroyed 5th Fleet it became clear to me that the Empires commander Reinhard von Lohengramm was making a different play from what I had expected. I had expected him to take 10 minutes to render 4th Fleet combat ineffective which was the time it took to link with Vice Admiral Paeta and move on to what would have been his next target 6th Fleet which would take him another 10 minutes to render combat ineffective. Which would have given us time to link with 5th and with Vice Admiral Piett's Fleet to force the Empire to fight on our terms."
"However, Lohengramm decided to do something different. The average Admiral from the Empire would have turned tail and run at the sight of two to one odds. The average Admiral from the Empire will stand and fight to the death if the odds are even. And if the odds are in their favor, the average Admiral from the Empire will jump at the opportunity to crush us. Admiral Reinhard von Lohengramm is nothing like the average Admiral from the Empire. When he is outnumbered, he sees it as a challenge, when he has an even match, he sees an opportunity, when he has the advantage, he is all but assured victory."
"The last time I encountered Lohengramm was during the Third Battle of Tiamat. When he was personally responsible for the trap that former Vice Admiral Holland rushed the 11th Fleet into. A trap I helped pull the 11th Fleet and Commodore Holland out of after they lost almost half their number from just two volleys from the young High Admiral of the Empire. And with the aide of then Vice Admiral Bewcock and Vice Admiral Ulanhu along with my 3rd and the survivors of the 11th Fleet we broke the Empires main battle line and caused them to retreat. While the 11th and I managed to return behind allied lines."
"When I learned that the 5th Fleet was destroyed. I considered the time it took me to reach Paeta and then for us to reach the destroyed 5th Fleet. I concluded that he was currently engaging Vice Admiral Moore and the 6th Fleet. Meaning we had only ten minutes before he came for us next."
"I like to believe myself a capable Officer and in a fight against an average Admiral from the Empire. Given the odds we faced we could have worn down the Empire and either forced them to retreat, surrender or destroy themselves. Against Reinhard von Lohengramm, I did not appreciate our odds of survival."
"When I was a fighter pilot, my squadron engaged that Battleship and its escort because we caught them with their pants down while they were on patrol. I was able to destroy the Fleet at Arlesheim because I took advantage of the battlefield, they engaged us on. My 3rd Fleet helped during the Battle of Tiamat and was able to rescue the 11th and Commodore Holland thanks to the efforts of my allies and my overly eager subordinates."
"I am aggressive and maybe a little mad. But I am not mad enough to throw my entire command away against a foe that I know has a history of bucking trends. Planning traps that lead to the near destruction of one of our numbered fleets. And has only been held back by his superiors."
"My suggestion to Vice Admiral Paeta that we retreat. Was the best option I could give him. The Alliance could recover from the losses at Astarte eventually and make a stand further back down the Iserlohn Corridor if we retreated. The Alliance would not be able to recover if all five of our fleets were lost in one single battle that gave the Empire a free pass into the heart of the Alliance." I explained to him. "But as I pointed out to Vice Admiral Paeta, it was a suggestion at the time. There are always other options available to us. I simply provided him with an option. An option which he decided not to pursue and when he chose a different course of action I followed through on his orders without hesitation."
"I see." He replied as he lowered his arms and looked back over his terminal before returning his attention to me. I wonder who was messaging him that was important enough to interrupt the Fleet Admiral in the middle of a meeting?
"When Vice Admiral Paeta was incapacitated, and Commodore Yang Wen-Li assumed over all command. Why did you not attempt to take command from him? You would have been well within your rights to do so as the senior most officer present at the time." He asked.
At the mention of Commodore Yang Wen-Li I had to resist the urge to be upset, not with him though his passiveness did grate on me. His plan worked. We survived and both our fleets were able to leave. Yet we suffered so much damage that it would take months to get my fleet back into fighting shape again. We also managed to rescue millions of soldiers and ensure that the loss in life was not nearly as bad as it could have been.
Of course, with him being the one in command who brought the battle to a draw and forced the Empire to retreat while also rescuing so many lives. He was being hailed as the Hero of Astarte in addition to his title as Hero of El Facil. Rumors were spreading he was due for a promotion to Rear Admiral soon.
Yang Wen-Li was the rising star of the Free Planets Navy and while his reputation rose. My star was setting, and my reputation tumbled downwards. It was easy and convenient for everyone to blame me for the losses we suffered at Astarte, so that they could get rid of me. If I were a lesser person, I would be extremely depressive, enter a rage and like a certain buffoon attempt to take Yang Wen-li's life by shoving him in front of a train. However, I am not that kind of person. I am better then that man who threw away everything when consumed by his emotions. This was a setback, but it was not an insurmountable setback.
"I did not take command from Commodore Yang Wen-Li due to several factors, Admiral. Such as the present and overbearing presence of jamming that made reliable communications and Datalink impossible. Which would make transferring Command and Control from the Patroklos to the Serebryakov difficult to say the least. Add in that we were currently being engaged by the Empire. Doing so in the middle of battle even if we had effective comms and Datalink would be in advisable as it would cause a disruption in the battle line that would make combating the Empire which was a near one side proposition into a near certain clear case of a wipe out. Additionally, it has been my belief that it is prudent that a person be allowed a chance to succeed or fail based on their own merits and where better to test that person than in the middle of a battle?"
"And how do you think Commodore Yang Wen-li performed, Admiral?"
When asked to give a peer review, I forced aside my biases and gave him my review of the young Commodore.
"Commodore Yang Wen-Li is a good commander. He took up the position that was thrust upon him by his injured superior officer and ran with it. There are two things that normally happen when a person finds themselves thrust into similar situations such as he did. One, they break and fail under pressure, becoming worse than useless, they become a liability. Second, they do what Commodore Yang Wen-Li did and accept the new responsibility and take charge and become a valuable or in his case. An invaluable asset that cannot be replaced." I state and pause to take a breath before continuing.
"Commodore Yang Wen-Li is considered a Hero by the People of the Free Planets Alliance as well as the brave men and women of the military for what he did at El Facil. Rescuing three million people with the Empire breathing down his neck was no small feat that his plan succeeded with no civilian casualties is a miracle in and of itself. This has earned him no small degree of hero worship among the populous and the military. Where the man goes, he is near instantly recognized for his heroics at El Facil. With his success at the Battle of Astarte, his recognition as a Hero will only grow further. If he continues his career in the military it would be safe to assume that he will quickly and easily be promoted to the rank of Fleet Admiral, eventually." I said with a pause to see if the Admiral took offense to what I said, but so far Admiral Sithole did not seem to take offense, if anything he seemed amused, so I continued.
"Likewise, if he left the military, he could easily find himself a place anywhere in the Alliance. If he were to enter Politics, he would be a formidable political power block. And even if he doesn't enter Politics. He only needs to say a few words supporting one position or another and he could very well swing the vote of any planet."
"Commodore Yang Wen-Li is in short, a good commander and a major boost to morale as he is considered a Hero by the people we are meant to protect and by the people we serve alongside. He is also a major morale risk. If we lose him in any way, be it in battle or from him retiring early. It will negatively affect the morale of the Navy and the populace of the Free Planets Alliance." I finish.
Admiral Sithole sat there silently looking at me. Clearly taking in and reflecting the review I just gave him of Yang Wen-Li. There was also something else about Yang Wen-li that I knew about after doing my research into him that I did not make mention of. Yang Wen-Li was also secretly the Fleet Admirals Protégé and while my peer review of the Commodore was honest. I left out other bits, such as the fact the man is lazy and unreliable except for when he is placed into situations where he is forced perform when his life and that of others is on the line. But no one wants to hear how their protégé is failing, especially when they pulled off a 'win' as the media is calling the Battle of Astarte. So, I left out my negative reviews and told him what he wanted to hear.
Why? Because I wanted to give myself a chance to keep my career and if playing towards the Fleet Admirals own biases and giving some praise to his protégé while retaining my own disdain for him gave me a chance to keep my job? Then I was going to take it.
I might be able to earn a quiet life away from the war if I was asked to retire from the military if that was the intention of this meeting. But there would always be that specter over my head of my failure. While gaining that quiet and easy life by continuing my military career until the end of the war, would be far easier. If I was shoved into some desk position far out of the way from anyone who cared or mattered. Being an Admiral at a desk job and forgotten about by the war sounded like the easier way to end my career to me.
"Thank you." He finally said after several minutes of consideration.
"Now back to the original reason why I wanted to speak with you alone, Admiral." He said with a nod, and I felt the air in the room grow tense once more. While I quickly tamped down on my excitement and became more serious.
"Yes, sir. You wanted to go over my actions at the Battle of Astarte."
"Correct, Vice Admiral." He said and put away the folders that were already on his desk and pulled out two more.
"Vice Admiral, at this moment in time. After reviewing your report as well as others present at Astarte. There is the matter of rewards and punishments to be given out. As it stands Vice Admiral Paeta will be asked to retire once he recovers. As for yourself."
He slid forward the folder on his left. "This is a folder stating that you are to be submitted to a Military Tribunal to investigate your failings at Astarte. Paeta has already been reviewed and thus his retirement was decided. Your Military Tribunal will be much the same. Though the Tribunal will be filled with Admirals who are opposed to your presence in the Navy. In short, you will be found guilty for insubordination, insulting a superior officer, going rouge prior to the Third Battle of Tiamat and taking half of a Numbered Fleet to do whatever you wanted. You will then bear the responsibility for the losses suffered at Astarte."
"To put it bluntly Vice Admiral. You will be charged with everything and the kitchen sink that they feel that they can charge you with." He added crossing his fingers as he addressed me. "The Admirals who will be carrying out the tribunal want you gone and incapable of doing anything. When they find you guilty. You will be not only be dishonorably discharged and have all your benefits removed. You will also be facing a lifetime sentence of hard work on the world of Econia, without a chance for parole. Where you will be required to work day in and day out."
I could not help but choke at that. Just what had I done to these Admirals to deserve that kind of punishment? Nothing that I have done within my career would ever necessitate such a sever punishment. Not even within my second life was I punished this badly and I had been blamed for the Arene Massacre.
"This folder is a secret mission that I have in mind. A favor to me if you will, for going to bat for you again. If you take it your name will be cleared and you will be given a promotion to Admiral. Whereas if you fail you will either die a hero's death or return and face the same Military Tribunal with the same results."
And this one was just as bad. Succeed and be a Hero or fail and be thrown in prison for life at best or die at worst.
When given the choice between a life sentence in prison or death or Heroism. I had to make a choice. I suppose it was a good thing I had a history of doing the impossible in my last life.
"What is the second option, Admiral?" I ask.
"The groundwork for the capture of Iserlohn Fortress. Penned by yourself." He said with a smile.
"You will be reassigned from the 3rd Fleet and placed in temporary command of a new Numbered Fleet. The 13th Fleet which is to be made from the remains of the 4th and 6th Fleets that are to be dissolved and used to form the 13th. Commodore Yang Wen-li is due to be promoted shortly to Rear Admiral. If you complete this mission, you and everyone within the 13th Fleet will be given a promotion. Putting him up to Vice Admiral and allowing him to inherit the 13th Fleet from you when you are returned to the 3rd Fleet upon the completion of this mission."
"As for the mission itself. Your goal is to capture the Iserlohn Fortress. You showed promise early in your career and I reviewed your proposals. I do not agree with all your suggested methods. But your suggestion of infiltrating the Fortress to capture it and bring the Empire to the negotiating table is the soundest one I have heard."
"If you bring us Iserlohn. You and everyone in your command of the 13th Fleet will receive honorary promotions. You will be promoted to Admiral and be returned to command of the 3rd Fleet. While Yang Wen-li will be promoted to Vice Admiral and given command of the 13th Fleet."
"So what will it be Vice Admiral? Tribunal or a Mission that is Impossible?"
I spent several minutes thinking over both options. I hated only having one choice. And he knew just as well as I what option I would take. The other was not even worth considering.