The Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These (銀河英雄伝説 Die Neue These)

Attention, please: an Atmospheric Navigation Bureau

alert is now officially in effect.

Be mindful of carrier-based

craft preparations.

If the events depecited here bear

a resemblance to any that have come before,

or the people appearing here bear a likeness to others

who have lived and fought, it is but a fluke of history.

The inevitable repetition of human conflict.

The terrible familiarity of war.

In the year SE 796,

three opposing powers vied for control of the Milky Way.

The Goldenbaum Dynasty

of the Galactic Empire...

...the Free Planets Alliance...

...and the Dominion of Fezzan.

The Empire and the Alliance were embroiled in

a seemingly endless war, and The Dominion of Fezzan

upheld its neutral stance as a mere formality.

The three powers were deadlocked in

an ongoing struggle for glactic supremacy.

Are you stargazing, Your Excellency?

Yes. I love the stars.

You've gotten taller again, haven't you?

I'm the same height as I was two months ago.

One-ninety. I doubt I'll grow any taller.

Seven centimeters taller than me, then,

which is certainly plenty.

So... what brings you here? Was there something you needed?

It's about the rebel forces' formation.

We have received reports from three

of our patrol craft. It's as we expected.

They're approaching from three directions.

As you can see, the enemy's fourth fleet

is directly in front of us.

We've logged their numbers at around 12,000 ships.

Distance is approximately 2,200 light-seconds.

Maintaining our current speed, we'll make contact in six hours.

Their navy has 40,000 ships. That's twice what we have.

Indeed, sir.

Not to mention they're trying to surround us.

What color are the old generals' faces now?

Bright red or sickly pale?

Your Excellency, on behalf of us all,

allow me to thank you for this chance to voice our concerns.

You can save yourself the trouble, Admirals.

I believe I know what you're going to say.

"Our navy's at a disadvantage."

I'm afraid that's correct.

You've seen how they're deployed.

The enemy is surrounding us on three sides, sir.

They have a strategic edge we lack,

not to mention a force twice our size.

So we're going to lose. That's what you think.

That's not what I intended to imply,

but the fact remains that we are at a distinct disadvantage.

If you would please just take a look at this.

We've been in a similar predicament before,

Your Excellency.

Many years ago, our mighty Imperial Fleet suffered

a bitter defeat at the hands of the Rebels' so-called

"Free Planets Alliance."

The slaughter at Dagon.

Yes, that defeat was truly regrettable.

We must be smart this time.

We cannot make the same mistakes we made before.

His Imperial Majesty, the Kaiser,

would scorn us for such a failure.

And so, let us act with reason.

Instead of rushing into a fight with a questionable outcome,

let us honorably retreat.

An eloquent speech, Vice Admiral.

That said, I cannot agree with your assessment.

To withdraw at this point would be unthinkable.

And why is that?

Sir, I'm afraid I don't undersand.

Why would we want to retreat when we have

a significant advantage over the enemy?

An advantage?

--How's that? --But we don't.

It's a matter of numbers and placement.

Consider the battlefield.

Their fleet is split into three forces.

In total, they have more ships.

But our fleet is bigger than each of the three units,

which means we can overpower them and take them out

one group at a time.

If this is not a path to victory,

then I don't know what is.

We're not in danger of being surrounded,

as we'll defeat the enemy's forces one by one.

You spoke of an honorable retreat.

But if we withdraw without fulfilling the kaiser's orders,

where is the honor in that?

With all due respect, Your Excellency, this plan

is based upon your instinct and not rooted in

sound tactical practices.

Can you point to even one example where

this strategy worked?

By tomorrow, you will have your example.

I've no doubt that the plan will succeed.

You will see it with your own eyes.

That isn't possible!

Yes. It is.

Victory will be ours, but only if you all act

in accordance with my plan.

What an impertinent little brat.

His sister's relationship with the Kaiser

has inflated the man's ego beyond belief.

A reckless strategy like that stands

no chance of working.

Are you so sure?

Hmm.

He is certainly a clever man,

and I believe that plan of his is equally clever

Don't tell me you've been charmed by the little prig!

You're still young yourself.

Give it time. You'll see things differently.

I beg your pardon.

Was that wise, sir?

Probably not.

But what harm can they really do me?

Don't worry.

They may be complaining now,

but their attitudes will change soon.

Staden wants his example, and that's exactly what he'll get.

Though I don't know how pleased he'll be.

Let's pour ourselves a well-deserved drink.

I have a bottle of fine wine.

It's rare, aged 410 years.

I would like that, sir.

Let's go, then.

Oh, and Kircheis?

Yes, Excellency?

Dispense with the titles.

There's nobody around except us. We can speak as we always have.

I've told you that before.

Yes, more than once, in fact.

Well, then don't make me tell you again.

Besides, once this battle is over and we return to Odin

with victory, you'll receive a title of your own.

I imagine you'll be promoted.

How does "Commodore" sound?

I'd be truly honored.

How credible is the patrol craft's report?

Level A. We have high confidence, sir!

This makes no sense.

What are those fools thinking? They know our position by now.

We have them surrounded on three sides,

but instead of attempting a retreat, they're making

a move and advancing in our direction!

Their commander has no grasp of tactics.

This goes beyond mere recklessness.

By attempting to encircle us,

they've left themselves vulnerable to attack.

We'll exploit their divided forces,

turning this into our victory.

On the topic of division,

have we jammed the enemy's data link?

Yes. They weren't expecting us

to make the first move and stage an advance.

It should prove quite effective, sir.

Heh. I bet they're in a full blown panic

right about now.

Kircheis. We'll win this war.

I see our victory already. It's that simple.

Commander? What are your orders?

Send a message to the 2nd and 6th fleet commanders!

Tell them the enemy has engaged us

and we need reinforcements ASAP!

There's no response.

They've jammed our comm system, sir.

I can't make a connection!

Dispatch liaison crafts

to the 2nd and 6th fleets immediately!

We're within targeting range, sir.

Fire now!

Optical signals are confirming enemy fire, sir!

All ships, shields at full!

Brace for impact!

The enemy jam has completely

severed our data link! Shields incomplete!

Slow to react.

I suppose that incompetents are everywhere.

We're taking severe damage

to the center of our front line, Commander!

Data link off! Switch to manual override!

Fifth and seventh fleets, leave flanked positions

and defend our center!

All ships! Full speed ahead!

Our carrier-based fighters

have reached cruising range.

All right, everyone, here we go!

Launch the Walküre squadron, now!

Incoming!

Ready all anti-aircraft weapons!