Bernhard von Schneider

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Revision as of 00:03, 27 May 2016

Commander Schneider (799 UC (1 NIC / 490 IC / 3599 CE))
Gender:	Male
Affiliation:	Iserlohn Republic El Facil Revolutionary Government Free Planets Alliance Galactic Empire (Lippstadt League, 'Legitimate' government)
Rank:	Commander
Status:	Alive (801 UC (3 NIC / 492 IC / 3601 CE))
Played by:	Meguro Kōsuke

Bernhard von Schneider (Japanese: ベルンハルト・フォン・シュナイダー) was an Imperial commander who was most notable for his role as the leading adjutant, subordinate, and a close confidant of High Admiral Willibald Joachim von Merkatz, serving him faithfully from at least the Imperial Civil War (797 UC (488 IC / 3597 CE)) to the Battle of Shiva (801 UC (3 NIC / 492 IC / 3601 CE)). During the late Alliance–Imperial War, the Imperial Civil War, and the following standoff between the New Galactic Empire and the Iserlohn Republic, Schneider was essentially apolitical and was mainly loyal to High Admiral Merkatz, providing him with assistance and counseling.

History

Imperial Civil War

When the high nobles prepared for a military conflict against Fleet Admiral Reinhard von Lohengramm in 797 UC (488 IC / 3597 CE), Schneider was with Merkatz shortly after he was coerced into joining the Lippstadt League by Duke Otho von Braunschweig. When the civil war began, Lt Commander Schneider mainly remained at Geiersburg Fortress with his commander. He also accompanied Merkatz during the Battle of Schann-tau, which was a victory but ultimately did not change the outcome of the war. Schneider later informed Merkatz of Baron Flegel's sortie outside of Geiersburg to fight against the Mittermeyer Fleet. When Braunschweig decided to send the entire fleet out for a decisive battle against Lohengramm, Schneider initially remained in the fortress with Merkatz, but later left with him and the Merkatz Fleet to save the Braunschweig Fleet from total annihilation. (LOGH: 'The Lippstadt Conspiracy', 'Courage and Loyalty')

At the conclusion of the Imperial Civil War, in which Merkatz and Schneider were on the losing side, Schneider foresaw his superior's plans to honorably commit suicide instead of breaking his oath of loyalty to the faltering Goldenbaum Dynasty. Schneider stopped Admiral Merkatz, convincing him that his sidearm had been unloaded (when in reality it had not been). He also succeeded in convincing Merkatz to seek asylum in the Free Planets Alliance, specifically at Iserlohn Fortress under the command of famed Alliance hero Yang Wen-li. Schneider passionately defended Merkatz's honour and merit, while also convincing Yang and the other Alliance officers to treat him as an honored guest, worthy of status befitting his rank of High Admiral. (LOGH: 'The Fall of Goldenbaum', 'The Fall of Goldenbaum')

Alliance and government-in-exile

Schneider and Merkatz were initially based at Iserlohn as part of the Iserlohn Garrison Fleet, where they often advised Admiral Yang and sometimes would take command of the fleet during operations. Schneider was present for the attack of the mobilized Geiersburg Fortress under Admiral Karl Gustav Kempff. During the battle, he was with Merkatz when the high admiral took command of the Alliance fleet and engaged the Müller Fleet outside of Iserlohn. The engagement resulted in an Alliance victory, with the destruction of Geiersburg. (LOGH: 'First Battle', 'Fortress vs Fortress')

After the abduction of Kaiser Erwin Josef II and the formation of the Galactic Empire Legitimate Government in 798 UC (489 IC / 3598 CE), Schneider became part of the government-in-exile's military, along with Merkatz, who was its minister of military affairs. He personally did not have a good opinion of the government-in-exile, noting that there were no troops under their command and that "Minister of Military Affairs of the Legitimate Government" was merely an empty title. Although both he and the admiral had their misgivings, they had no choice in the matter and departed from Iserlohn along with Julian Minci (who was appointed military attache on Fezzan) to Heinessen, where they met with the government-in-exile cabinet. (LOGH: 'The Arrow Is Released', 'A Departure')

Schneider was seen with Merkatz at the Legitimate Government headquarters building on the Alliance capital. He was promoted to commander under the government-in-exile, but later told Minci before his departure to Fezzan that they had no way of effectively countering Lohengramm with just an exiled government. Schneider also tried to get Minci to join them, but the Alliance ensign did not take up the offer. Shortly before Operation Ragnarok, he spoke with Leopold Schumacher, who wanted to see Merkatz. (LOGH: 'Operation: Ragnarök', 'The Cold Spell Arrives')

Iserlohn Republic

Schneider continued to serve Merkatz until the flagship Hyperion was crippled during the Battle of Shiva, the last recorded conflict in the galaxy. Unfortunately for the Iserlohn Republic, the Hyperion, which had never been damaged despite service in three separate conflicts and numerous battles, was hit multiple times by High Admiral Bittenfeld's Black Lancers, which were ferociously charging due to confusion in the Imperial force because of the Kaiser's condition. The shields of the Hyperion were overwhelmed and the resulting internal explosions mortally wounded Merkatz who said his last words to Schnieder on the ship's burning bridge. (LOGH: 'The Beautiful Maiden Wants Blood')

After the ceasefire, Schneider was presumably given a full Imperial pardon as he discussed with Julian Mintz his plans to return to the Empire in order to return Merkatz's remains to his family, thus completing his final duties to his deceased superior officer.

Appendices

Appearances

Name variations

• Bernhard von Schneider (????)
• ベルンハルト・フォン・シュナイダー (????)

Background information

Schneider is a common German surname meaning tailor. Bernhard is an old Germanic given name and means as strong as a bear.