Battle of Shiva
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| Battle of Shiva | |||||
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| Date: | Late May to June 801 UC (3 NIC / 492 IC / 3601 CE) | ||||
| Location: | Shiva starzone | ||||
| Result: | Major Iserlohn Republic victory | ||||
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The Battle of Shiva (Japanese: シヴァ星域会戦) was the final battle between the Iserlohn Republic and the New Galactic Empire. The battle saw the first meeting of Julian Mintz and Reinhard von Lohengramm along with the revelation that the Kaiser may be terminally ill as well as the deaths of many key figures for the Iserlohn Republic including Lieutenant General Walter von Schönkopf of the Rosen Ritter and High Admiral Willibald Joachim von Merkatz. It resulted in a truce between the two nations in which Iserlohn Fortress itself was ceded back to the Empire in return for the Barlat star system, including the planet Heinessen within it, being an autonomous democratic republic in a galaxy dominated by the Empire.
History
In late May 801 UC (3 NIC / 492 IC / 3601 CE), outside of the Iserlohn Corridor, minor skirmish escalated into a final battle between the Iserlohn Republic and the New Galactic Empire. The civilian ship, New Century, was heading towards Iserlohn Fortress carrying 900 civilians seeking refuge with the Republic when it developed engine problems. Their distress call drew 2,000 ships from the Iserlohn Republic and a smaller number of Imperial ships in pursuit of the New Century. The Republic forces reached the adrift New Century first and provided cover while field repairs were carried out. Though outnumbered by the Iserlohn Republic forces, the Imperial fleet opened fire in order to prevent Republic forces from a quick retreat back to Iserlohn and in the knowledge that the Droisen Fleet was en route to reinforce. The battle escalated as both sides brought in reinforcements. Julian Mintz did so in the knowledge that a good performance in battle would be necessary to win Reinhard's respect and gain the right for the Republic to negotiate with the New Galactic Empire on equal footing.
In a mad dash to the Kaiser, one of the Republic's strike ships, the Istoria, was able to ram the side of the Brünhild and deploy Mintz, along with Commander Olivier Poplin and the Rosen Ritter inside the Kaiser's flagship. A bloody melee ensued as the boarders tried to buy time for Mintz to find the Kaiser, who was himself preparing to meet Yang Wen-li's successor.
Meanwhile, being both confused and distraught over not knowing his Kaiser's condition nor being able to intervene and aid in the Brünhild's defence, High Admiral Fritz Joseph Bittenfeld decided to direct his anger and that of the offensive styled Black Lancers towards the rest of the Republic's fleet under the command of Merkatz, who was killed in the process. The Iserlohn Republic forces were caught between the hammer of the Black Lancers on one side and the anvil of the Eisenach Fleet on the other and took heavy losses.
A bloodied and battered Mintz eventually made his way to Kaiser's room, where Fleet Admiral Mittermeyer had been doing his best to juggle both the ongoing fleet battle and explaining why the Kaiser was being kept out of view. Struggling to stand before Kaiser Reinhard, Mintz asked for negotiations on equal standing which was granted. This was immediately announced to all Imperial forces who ceased their offensive against the buckling remnants of the Republic's fleet thus ending the battle and even greater, the war. (LOGH: 'The Crimson Star Road', 'The Beautiful Maiden Wants Blood')
