The War
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The War, also known as the War that Divides the Galaxy, Frybac/Four Nations Alliance War, the Last War Human Fight or the Great War is a intergalactic military conflict between the Humankind Empire of Abh and the Four Nations Alliance which has been taking place since Imperial Calendar year 952. The direct triggers of the war are the surprise attack on Goslauth and the occupation of Sufagnoff Marquessdom by the United Mankind. Until Imperial Calendar year 959, the military casualties are estimated to excede the tens of millions, excluding civilian deaths.
There are two camps in the war, the Humankind Empire of Abh and the Four Nations Alliance. The Four Nations Alliance declares war on the Empire with a false casus belli that Goslauth attacks their scout ship. The statement is proved incorrect by the logbook of Goslauth and therefore the Federation of Hania remains neutral initially while they claim to stay in the Nova Sicily Treaty Structure. Then the alliance is called Three Nations Alliance. In Imperial Calendar year 959, a coup is staged in the Federation of Hania and they soon ambush Kryb Kingdom and head for Abriel Earldom currently.
The story of Crest of the Stars, Banner of the Stars series are mainly based on the War. It is about two main character Jinto and Lafiel how to survive the war since they meet on patrol ship Goslauth. It is also considered the setting of the War share similarity to the Peloponnesian War between Sparta and Athens.
Causes
Planer space
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Most Completion of Milky Way Gates Map and New Gates Systems
Since the discovery of the planar space, countries use it to explore news systems and colonize them. It provides resources and rooms for the blooming population. Around the Imperial Year 940, the Empire controls most of the 12th ring.
A theory hypothesizes that there are new gates systems, besides the Milky Way Gates, on the planar space. The systems consist of many new sords, which lead to other galaxies on the normal space. That is, one gate system on the planar space represents one galaxy on the normal space. If the theory is proven correct, it will lead to the immigration of human to other galaxies, which means there are more resources and rooms.
Astrography of the Ilysr Kingdom
The Ilysr Kingdom occupies the entire 12th ring. Due to its ringed shape, the Empire encircles the inner rings and thus earns the title of Arms of the Abh. If a country organizes an exploration to the outer part of the Milky Way Gates, the explorer ship must start from the 12th ring, the Ilysr Kingdom. This is due to the theoretical space-time bubble range limitation. Therefore, the only nation that is able to launch such an exploration, is the Empire. However, the Empire is not currently keen on it, while, the United Mankind and the other nation are eager about the galaxies exploration and they urge the Empire the give access to the Ilysr Kingdom. But imperial law states that all ships traveling in empire territory must be owned by the Emperor. The Empire refuses their demand. It is obvious that the four nations have to open the border by force.
Ideological differences
Genetic engineering
Due to religious and moral reasons, the United Mankind bans gene manipulation, from head to toes. After annexing a country or occupying a system, where people are genetically modified, they will force them not to reproduce or replicate anymore. For example, Sylesians in the Sylesia Republic, who never grow older after 20 years old, are not allowed to manipulate their genes anymore. Moreover, genetically modified people are heavily discriminated in the United Mankind. For instance, Kyte cannot get promoted because of his affiliation as Shirejian.
During the wandering period, Abhs sold their logbook to others. It records Abh history of being bioroids and the destruction of the Mother City Toyoashihara. The logbook is later destroyed in an incident since the King of the Ship at that time considered their history as an obstacle to trade. People who know that Abhs are biobots will not deal with them. Those logbooks which are sold before fell into the hand of the United Mankind. The United Mankind exploits it as a propaganda against the Empire.
| “ | Who are the Abh? They are parts to a machine. To them, children are nothing more than replacement parts. Their children are mere objects to which they are able to pass on their abilities before they perish. Then what is this machine? The machine is the monstrous, evil Humankind Empire of Abh. Healthy human societies were constantly under threat of this evil machine. Should humanity continue to allow this machine to exist, human society would surely be swallowed up. This machine must be destroyed. |
” |
— Speech to the United Mankind Central Council by Councilor Fitzdavid, Cots-Ep05
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On the other hand, for the biological Abhs in the Abh Empire, their next generation must be genetically manipulated. This is because their genes are very delicate and unstable. If their children are naturally fertilized, their genes will break down or damage. Obviously, should Abhs be not allowed to process genetic modification, they will be extinct within no more than 500 hundreds years.
The children of the de jure Abhs, the physical landers who are made Abhs by becoming a peerage or a knight, must be changed into biological Abhs. While the normal landers are free to choose to modify the genes of their next generation for the cause of youth or immortality. However, they are not allowed to own a spatial sensory organ, as it is a symbol of an Abh.
Free Trade
In the Abh Empire, only the lords are allowed to trade and commercial activities are confined into the border. In other words, systems in the empire trades with each other through their peerages. On top of that, the franchise of trade in the Empire is binded with the imperial law.
On the other hand, the United Mankind gain income from her economy and trade with other three countries. As the territory of the Humankind Empire of Abh is vast, they foresees a huge market in the Empire. Furthermore, The United Mankind intends to use soft power to influence the Empire. Having 8 sords and being the heart of transportation, Lakfakalle is also the desire of the United Mankind because it may become a shortcut to the other three countries. However, the Empire fails to the wish of the United Mankind and the other three nations, only has seven open ports and close her border as well as Abriel County. As the Empire is keeping sole sovereign and isolation policy, other nations have to trade via the seven ports which do not give much returns.
Democratism
Since the unification of mankind on their home planet Earth, democracy has become to be the political system of choice for most human societies. Nations have become to be ruled by the people in the form of republics. Among the remaining great nations, the United Mankind is the most ideal driven nation. The people of the United Mankind are proud of their system for freedom, and the well being of the people. The laws passed in the United Mankind are testament of their commitment to these ideals. For example, smoking has been outlawed for over two hundred years at the time of Imperial Calendar year 952.
For sometime, the United Mankind had been acting as a police force within the human sphere of influence. The United Mankind provided aid and education inside and outside their borders. Their last great success was their participation in the Sylesian war. The very fact of the Abh being created for slavery and their conquest of nations without interstellar capability had always been seen unkindly by the citizen of the United Mankind.
| “ | I believe in the existence of the General Moral of the Humanity. I am willing to endeavor for the improvement of the General Moral of the Humanity. I am willing to endeavor for the promotion of the General Moral of the Humanity. I trust and rely on the United Mankind, because it is the best organization for the improvement and the promotion of the General Moral of the Humanity. For the General Moral of the Humanity, I am willing to abide by the laws of the United Mankind. For the General Moral of the Humanity, I am willing to comply to the orders of the United Mankind. I wholeheartedly hope the United Mankind to continue and exist forever; and even if I, due to it, will fall in battlefield, I am not afraid. |
” |
— Oath taken by union citizens of the United Mankind, Novel BOTS III
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As a result of these, the remaining nations have come together to unit in their common goal of eliminating the Humankind Empire of Abh threat and liberating the landers in the Empire.
Establishment of the Four Nations Alliance
- Main article: Four Nations Alliance
Due to the above reasons, the tension between the Empire and the four nation gradually rises. A war is unavoidable. In Imperial Calendar year 940, the representatives of the United Mankind, the Federation of Hania, the Republic of Great Alkont and the People's Sovereign Union of Planets gather in Nova Sicily located at the United Mankind, enter an agreement leaving all the grudges behind and sign a treaty. It is the Nova Sicily Treaty. The purpose of the treaty is not stated, however, obviously it is a pact of military alliance against the Empire, the only country not included in the treaty. The members usually call themselves Nova Sicily Treaty Structure Countries or Democratict Countries which labels them nations with liberty and democracy. On the other hand, the Empire just simply calls them Four Nations Alliance.
Power
| Comparsion between Humankind Empire of Abh and Four Nations Alliance (ICY 952) | |||||
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| Humankind Empire of Abh |
Four Nations Alliance | ||||
| United Mankind | Hania | PSUP | Greater Alkont | ||
| Population (in billion) | 900 | 600 | 250 | 150 | 100 |
| Inhabited system | 1,500 | 1,000 | 400 | 250 | 150 |
| Half-inhabited system | 20,000 | 13,000 | 5,500 | 3,500 | 2,000 |
Operation Hercules and Operation Amphitryon
Sord Keish 193 and Sord Suivu 882
During exploration of the planar space, some of the sords remained closed and were intended not to open them since the Empire did not know what is next to the respective yuanon in the normal space. Some sords were possibly connected to a yuanon of an interstellar colony ship, and opening such a sord might cost lives. While sometimes, they open the sords and then leave it alone. Those sords were opened before and remain in low energy level would close again.
Among thousands of closed sords in the Ilysr Kingdom, two of the sords, Sord Keish 193 and Sord Suivu 882, were connected to yuanons near the planetary systems of the United Mankind in the normal space. This fact was discovered and exploited by the United Mankind in Operation Iolaos. The United Mankind opened the two sords to know they are in the Ilysr Kingdom and their precise locations. Then they closed the sords to transport them. The United Mankind Peacekeeping Army outlined a plan to invade the Empire through the sords.
On the other hand, the sords, through briefly explored and known close to the United Mankind, are omitted by the Empire and defenseless, as the imperial intelligence fail to foresee their potential or detect the plan of the United Mankind. The Empire did not realize the sords were opened before by others.
Plan
The plan consists of two stages, and it aims to invade the imperial capital - Lakfakalle. Lakfakalle is strategically important as it has the largest anti-matter factory in the Galaxy and it is a transportation hub to the Eight Kingdoms. Once it is occupied, the Star Forces are fixed in the Kingdoms and all disconnected from each other and the Four Nations Alliance Army are able to attack everywhere in Empire through the Abriel Earldom.
First Stage : Operation Hercules
The Peace-keeping army begin the operation by invading the left part of the Ilysr Kingdom through Sord Keish 193, as known as Sord VRGE1447 in the United Mankind. It is supposed to be a faint attack to distract the attention of the Star Forces as to cover the next stage and keep Abh busy dealing with them. The operation is named after an hero Hercules in Greek mythology who killed the nine-headed snake Lernaean Hydra. The yuanon connected to Sord Keish 193 is located at 4.1 light-year from the Vascotton system, the United Mankind.
Second Stage : Operation Amphitryon
After the Operation Hercules, the United Mankind will launch an all out attack throught Sord Suivu 882, or known as Sord FLIST0223, located at the right hand side of the Ilysr Kingdom. The force will directly head for Sord Ilysr, which leads to the imperial capital - Lakfakalle. The precise location of Sord Suivu 882 on the normal space is not mentioned in the novels, but it is acknowledged that its connection to the United Mankind is cut in the Operation Hunter. Presumably, it is like the closed yuanon Sord Keish 193, locating near an unknown system in the United Mankind and later being transported. The operation was named after Amphitryon who is the cousin of Hercules and who helped to kill Lernaean Hydra.
Preparation
There are several dispute over the naming of the operations in the Four Nation Alliance Military Appraisal Council, which some councilors consider that the nine-headed snake is not equal to the eight-headed dragon, therefore, they think the naming is not appropriate. In spite of the naming dispute, the plan soon passes and is being executed in the coming 12 years.
The United Mankind spends at least ten years to transport yuanons to their near systems for the convenience of the invasion. According to Lexshue, it is impossible for the United Mankind to transport within ten years, which implies the plan is well designed and plotted long ago. The Four Nations Alliance is determined to destroy the Empire.
The United Mankind launches propaganda against the Empire. For example, they distort their history book and blame all disasters on Abhs. It spreads hatred for the Empire among the public.
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| Seikai Military |
| Battlespace |
| Planar Space – Planar Space#Normal Space – Ground |
| Ships |
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Before discovery of the planar Space |
| Tactics |
| Trampling Warfare – Mine Warfare Jousting Warfare – Assault Ships vs Patrol Ships Patrol Ships vs Patrol Ships – Space Assault |
| Weapons |
| Electromagnetic gun – Mobile Mine Anti-proton gun – Laser gun |
| Organization in terms of Star Force |
| Navy: Fleet – Partial Fleet - Squadron – Flight
Ship: Captain – Vice Captain |
| Lists and Others |
| Star Forces – Ranks – The War |
Chronology
Imperial Calendar Year 952
Battle of Goslauth
- Main article: Battle of Goslauth
In the Imperial Year 952, the United Mankind commenced Operation Hercules. In a mission to carry Prince Jinto to the capital via Sufagnoff March, patrol ship Goslauth encountered a fleet composed of four squadrons (or three squadrons, according to Trife Fleet's version) after they left Boraash County. The fleet, which is not imperial, shared the same destination with Goslauth - Sufagnoff March. As the patrol ship would arrive the March faster, the fleet sent out ten assault ships to attack them in order to prevent it alarming the March. The battle ended with Goslauth and nine of the assault ships destroyed, while Lafiel and Jinto both escaped beforehand.
| First Causalities of The War | |||||
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| Humankind Empire of Abh Star Forces Patrol Ship Goslauth Hecto-Commander Plakia Lexshue and crews |
United Mankind Peacekeeping Army Space Destroyer KE03799 Lieutenant Kartsen and crews | ||||
Battle of Sufagnoff
- Main article: Battle of Sufagnoff
Due to the obstruction from the Baron Klowal, Lafiel failed to contact with the communications base of Sufagnoff. Therefore, they remained not alarmed. The United Mankind fleet struck Sufagnoff in surprise, destroying the orbiting tower followed by a surface attack. The communication base was short of soldiers and soon fell. On the ground world, the Peacekeeping Army induced martial law, which gradually provoked opposition from people. It included banning smoking and cutting hair of those whose hair was dyed blue.
Besides, the ships patrolling around Sufagnoff gateway and in the normal space failed to intercept an imperial transfer shuttle. Lafiel and Jinto were on it. They landed on the ground world.
Declaration of War
- "Your Majesty! Please think it over. Please realize that you will be at war with half of humankind."
"Have you forgotten, Ambassador? The other half belongs to this Empire." - ―The conversation between Ambassador Guen Tauron and Empress Ramaj[src]
After the Empire received the report of the fall of Sufagonff, Empress Ramaj summoned the envoys of the Four Nations to explain why they attack the Empire. However, their answer turned out to be not what the Empress anticipated. They alleged the imperial ship had attacked the so-called exploration team and the team, decided by the field commander, had successfully counterattacked the ship followed by attack on Sufagonff as a retaliatory action. However, what did actually happen was the task force of the UM fleet completely surrounded the ship and sent out a signal of challenge to provoke the inevitable battle.
They questioned the Empress what the intention of the imperial ship was and required to establish an international committee to investigate and judge the event. Their fictitious claim was denied by Empress Ramaj. Needless to say, the absurd demand of establishing a fair committee was also refused. Ultimately, Janet Macary, the Ambassador of the People's Sovereign Union of Planets, threatened to declare war upon the Empire, if the Empire declare war on the UM, based on the false claim that the imperial ship to barbarically attack the United Mankind first. Guen Tauron of Hania and Marimba Sune of Greater Alkont expressed the same view as well in order to force Ramaj to accept their request.
Out of the expectation of the envoys, the Empress casually replied: "Let's go to war," to end the meaningless debate on who started the war. As Sample Sangarini had thought they gained a chance to negotiate, her reply deeply shocked the most experienced diplomat in the United Mankind. Since the war was steely declared, Sample commented the Empire would never win the war, since it is impossible and unimaginable that biobots rule the galaxy. Their argument continued with history and the evolution of mankind as topics and ended when Ramaj answered to Macary the reason why there has been no eternal peace:
| “ | This is because in the world of Humanity before, there was no Abhs. | ” |
Battle of Sufagnoff Gateway
- Main article: Sufagnoff Gateway Battle
The campaign at Sufagnoff took up significant amounts of Abh military resources since at the time the Laburec did not know the position of the main enemy fleet, primarily composed of the Peacekeeping Army of the United Mankind. The early brunt of the fighting would be born by Mankind forces against the Abh. Admiral Trife engaged with his main fleet after some hesitation and investigation of their movements. That delay bought the United Mankind the time needed to accomplish one of their strategic objectives; surprising the Empire with an advance near Lakfakalle.
Trife's eventual victory did accomplish two things from the outset, a test of both sides abilities and the new tactics needed in this large scale stellar war. In addition, Trife's forces rescued two nobles Count Linn and Princess Lafiel before turning around and rushing to engage enemy forces massing near the capital.
Perhaps the bloodiest engagement of the war, the United Mankind had amassed a fleet that had slipped well into Abh space undetected and was engaged just before they could attempt a breakthrough to Lakfakalle. The Laburec only slightly outnumbered the United Mankind's fleet. Despite some initial gains and relative success strategically in surprising the Abh, neither force could achieve any tactical objectives. Eventually, with the doctrine of assault ships engaged inextricably in a brawl, both forces broke off and ended the battle.
The United Mankind proved in one engagement that this conflict would be a protracted and long engagement unless new tactics were practiced. Development of new weapons and tactics would begin to deal with the fast assault ships the Abh had. The Abh would develop tactics based on deeper reserves of forces early in the war.
Imperial Calendar Year 953 and 954
During this time, The Federation of Hania still remained a member of the Alliance; however, had not joined their treaty members in war. This nation maintained neutrality, which strained relations with the other three members who believed this would be an easy united human victory. Following Skaresh, every nation of humanity did take time to deepen their naval reserves.
Both forces of the Abh Empire and the now Three Nations Alliance took the time to mass forces in a approximate two to three year cease-fire. The lessons learned from Skaresh for the United Mankind were to mass heavy capital and patrol ship classes to defeat the faster, but more lightly armed assault vessels. In a brawl, heavy classes would deliver the blows needed to win a decisive victory. The Laburec continued to rely on general military standard of mobile stellar warfare, assault fleets composed primarily of smaller assault class ships and smaller partial fleets of patrol and capital ships built do secure defenses and perform recons in force.
The Abh Empire at this time heavily invested in boosting production from facilities in systems Sotoryuru, Voubeirunei, and the capital system Abriel. At the time, these facilities were said to be producing approximately 3 partial fleets worth of vessels a month prior to the next operation.
Imperial Calendar Year 955
With both sides of the conflict relatively silent, soon a new strategic offensive was staged. The Humankind Empire of Abh had some disadvantages that had to be addressed in piecemeal, the first being that some of their kingdoms did not mutually support each other and were cut off by enemy or neutral nations. Perhaps hoping for a longer ceasefire, or believing deeply in doctrines of defense, the Alliance awaited Abh moves seemingly prior to developing a counter-attack.
Operation Phantom Flame
Eventually, a strategy to deal with the most powerful Alliance nation, The United Mankind, was developed. Operation Phantom Flame was prepared to first, divide the United Mankind in two and separate their force. Second, to bridge the gap between the Siullzede Kingdom and the Larch Kingdom to allow for larger concentrations of military force to transfer between Kingdoms and focus on offense rather than defense.
The doctrine of defense for humanity was put to rest in a single blitz launched by 1st Fleet Phantom Flame, commanded by Admiral Spoor. Her aggressive tactics would hallmark much of the operation organized currently under Imperial Admiral Dusanyu; Commander-in-Chief of Operation Phantom Flame, and principal commander of 3rd Fleet.
Several skirmishes broke out following the first decisive engagement around systems Aptic, Miofrantia, and Wimple. Following these fights, the empire discovered that the United Mankind was attempting to trap the breakthrough force in United Mankind Space and planned to launch a massive counter attack with new weapons and fleet tactics.
The Aptic Campaign began following these skirmishes with a massive United Mankind force attempting to punch through Abh's defense around Aptic and seize the system, cutting off 1st to 5th Fleet Phantom Flame from supply. Admiral Neres Bebaus was given command of the reserve Aptic Defense Fleet and held out; sustaining over 50 hours of continuous combat against the enemy. The defense fleet had suffered tremendous casualties prior to being relieved by the counter attack of all fleets in Operation Phantom Flame. Spoor's 1st Fleet arrived first, her trailing squadrons and those of 3rd fleet taking serious damage prior to the arrival or Rulef's 2nd Fleet and Kotoponi's 4th Fleet. Abh victory here resulted in final surrender of system Aptic
Imperial Calendar Year 956
The Alliance had seized some Abh territory that had not yet been reclaimed since ICY 952. Following Operation Phantom Flame, the bought the Empire the breathing room needed to make decisions on pressuring the Alliance on key fronts or re-securing lost territory. The United Mankind had lost a major attacking fleet, but still had significant reserves that it sought to use in a single decisive engagement.
Dusanyu was given command of the newly approved Operation Hunter, which sought to acquire some of the lost Abh territory, but primarily to secure the systems neighboring those seized in Operation Phantom Flame. His objectives were first to widen the corridor linking Siullzede and the Larych. Second, he was to retake some of the sords seized during the opening weeks of the war.
Dusanyu gave commands of the 4th Fleet Hunter to Admiral Neres Bebaus who proved himself at Aptic, and the 21st Fleet Hunter to Admiral Trife. 1st Fleet Hunter was given to Admiral Spoor, which was composed of a handful of her heaviest ships. Given her scouting role, most of her previous command from 1st Fleet Phantom Flame was simply folded over to the 4th and 21st Fleets.
Admiral Neres Beabaus exercised an aggressive strategy from the outset, which raised some concern to Dusanyu. With 4th Fleet's flank stretching further out, it made it more difficult for Trife's 21st fleet to cover and advance simultaneously. The United Mankind discovered this gap and would attempt a breakthrough at the Lobnas system, where currently negotiations were already underway for Abh governance, carried out by territorial ambassadors Count Linn, and Abriel Lafiel.
Spoor's fleet originally moved in to inform what she thought were stray elements of imperial forces to retreat. By her own initiative, she chose to take a stand to defend a planetary evacuation for as long as possible. Despite the chaos of Lobnas II's rebellion, ambassador Lafiel organized a speedy evacuation; compelled to leave Count Linn behind as he had been captured by rebels and his well-being otherwise was unknown.
Spoor's stand at the Battle of Lobnas II, her 1st fleet was virtually destroy, but revealed the intentions of the United Mankind; attempt a breakthrough at Salks Gate. Trife moved his 21st fleet upon receiving firsthand intelligence from his old subordinate to halt their advance. He was poised to engage, but the commander of the Mankind fleet chose to honorably surrender at Salks Gate.
Imperial Calendar Year 957 and 958
Operation Light Snow and Laburec Developments
Operation Light Snow was commanded by Admiral Dubeusec whom had seen little action during Operation Hunter. Light Snow proved to be more of the same, a minor successful operation of the empire during the lull between ICY 956 and ICY 959. The operation's purpose was to reclaim the remaining territory the Empire had lost in the early stages of the war, effectively tying up loose ends. Among these territories included system Martine and the Earldom Hyde, which continued to diplomatically resist integration into the Empire.
During this time, the Laburec completed developments of a new assault ship class; the Caubh-Class. These ships would form new Devastation Squadrons which were intended to either supplement or replace traditional Assault Squadrons. With separation mines and the patrol class weighted combat, the new types of attack craft were intended to bear more armor, better powerplant, and most importantly, more firepower to deal with larger opponents. While Hunter had been successful, the Empire hoped to prevent a tremendous blood-letting akin to Aptic from happening again.
These new craft needed to be tested thoroughly, and in the time between ICY 956 and 959, there appeared to be another lull in the action. This time was key to mass and test these forces. Kilo-Commander Baroness Atosuryua, who had seen action for both Operation Phantom Flame and Hunter, was given command of the 1st Devestation Squadron and tasked to test the capability of the new class of units at Martine Gate.
Martine Gate War Games
The War Games to test out the new Devestation Squadrons were scheduled to take place over the Martine System in regular space. This would serve two purposes:
First, the system coincidentally almost perfectly formed a half-way point along Kingdom Ilysr and would be the finish line of a race between two units of the new ship.
Second, it would serve as a demonstration of Abh might that may compel Martine to accept annexation without the use of violence. For a system surrounded and effectively under Abh control, it was somewhat a diplomatic embarrassment that the system had not capitulated.
This event was not without controversy. At the time Count Linn was attempting to broker a deal to permit his system to rejoin the empire and allow him to govern his domain in peace. He was being assisted by Princess Lafiel when negotiations soured. A Martine superweapon known as Big Charlie fired upon the orbiting Abh squadrons. Ryumcaubh took a direct hit, yet took little damage. To protect the ship and crew, Kilo-Commander Atosuryua returned fire and destroyed the facility.
With the pride of Martine destroyed, and their only significant means of defense; Till Clint of the Martine government would only allow the system to be annexed provided the count was permanently banned from the territory. Count Linn and Princess Lafiel accepted these demands in exchange, Hyde would be annexed once more. Now with the squadrons and new ships tested, they would see action and further production as regular units in the coming operations.
This article contains major Spoilers!
Please see the relevant discussion on the talk page. (October 2010)
Imperial Calendar Year 959
Operation Twin Thorns
The Battle of Kemal Gate
The Battles of Mairal and Elkon Gates
Operation Snow Crystal
With the war going poorly for the Three Nations Alliance, Hania having abstained from the war had entered a civil crisis. Either by coordinated action or military strife, a proposal was set in motion to open negotiations with the Humankind Empire of Abh for the Federation of Hania to join the Empire as a autonomous member state. No true estimate for the amount of support for such a motion was known, which posed some serious risks.
Empress Ramaj proposed to enforce the membership sought by Hania in force, implementing Invasion Plan No. 3, which would proceed with or without the express permission of either Hania's government or military. Admiral Kotoponi was given command Operation Snow Crystal to annex Hania and ensure a peaceful transition to Empire membership for the nation following any engagements. In addition, Imperial Representative Viscount Duhir was to be escorted and broker the transition himself.
Once entering the territory, there seemed to be little resistance to their presence, some flare-ups against minor defense forces, which were driven back before the Abh advance. Soon Kotoponi took positions in accordance with her Imperial Decree; however soon found her operational force being surrounded and cut-off by enormous elements of Alliance and Hania forces. Part of Operation Snow Crystal overlapped with the start of the Lakfakalle Campaign.
The Lakfakalle Campaign
Battle of Kryb
A strategic risk of undertaking Invasion Plan No. 3 was that in order to achieve speed and a large enough force, the Kingdom of Kryb would need to hurriedly deploy most of its forces in the assault and keep a minuscule force in defense and rear-guard. Imperial Intelligence had failed to assess potential enemy strength or include the risk that the aims of Hania's government were contrary to that of their military. Be it a coordinated trap and betrayal or a rebellion in force, Hania devastated Kotoponi's rear elements and seized key strategic positions in the Kingdom, allowing an Alliance spearhead toward system Abriel.
Operation Phoenix
This operation had begun as soon as reports of the rout of Kryb reached Kotoponi and the capital. Empress Abriel Ramaj activated the emergency operation in an effort to preserve as much of the cultural history, imperial political personnel, and military strength reserved at Lakfakalle. The ensuing Battle of Lakfakalle was a major turning point in the war for the now Four Nations Alliance, which had succeeded in maintaining surprise and advancing into the enemy's capital.
Abriel Dusanyu successfully broke out with his armed convoys of the 1st to 6th Fleets Phoenix and made way toward Sotoryuru. With Ramaj killed during the Stand of the Imperial Guard, he would be made emperor once the formal power structure had been re-established. In the meantime Spoor's 7th Fleet Phoenix moved in, following orders to reinforce the defense of Lakfakalle. Upon new intelligence reaching her, her task was to halt the enemy pursuit of the evacuation convoy.
