Legend of the Galactic Heroes (1988)

As if to escape the feelings of his rival's death, Reinhard works industriously in administrative tasks. In the rain, Reinhard ponders the pact he made with Kircheis and Reuenthal during a storm. At that time, Reuenthal had asked Reinhard's help in freeing Mittermeyer from nobles using their influence to kill him. Mittermeyer had executed a noble born soldier for killing and looting. On Heinessen, Reuenthal does swift moves to clean out corrupt ex-alliance politicians and military industry owners. Reuenthal feels that cleaning out corruption helps justify his rule in Heinessen. Mittermeyer meets his wife Evangelin at the space port.

Julian ponders his next step. Julian speaks with Katerose around the Iserlohn park. The fleet in Iserlohn work hard and keep training for any future military conflicts. Julian considers a plan of pushing the Empire towards constitutional government. Boris Konev arrives with supplies from Heinessen. He points out that Trünicht is conspiring with Terraists. Frederica remembers the history of her relationship with Yang and lets go of regrets.

While commemorating a cemetery to the Imperial war fleet, an assassination attempt is made on Reinhard. It is revealed that the assassin's family was killed in the nuclear strike on Westerland during the Lippstadt conflict. Reinhard is shaken to the core by his own guilt and inaction during that time. Reinhard asks Hildegard to spend the night with him. The next morning Hildegard goes home to her estate flustered. Reinhard visits the Mariendorf estate, asking for Hilde's hand in marriage. Hildegard is unsure of his feelings towards her, thinking his actions may be due to Reinhard's own sense of obligation.

A large memorial service by the former Alliance government turns into a bloody riot with around 5000 killed and the number of injured exceeding 50,000. Reuenthal looks for the instigators of the riot. A anonymous tip warns that Trüniht is responsible for the violence now spreading from the memorial service to all parts of Neue land territory. Reuenthal orders a blockade outside of Iserlohn. On Iserlohn, Julian and Katerose become closer. Meanwhile, Terraists plan to turn Reinhard into a tyrant by provoking Reuenthal to betray Reinhard. If Reinhard became a tyrant, it would increase public unrest and give Terraism as a religion a chance to gain mass appeal.

Reinhard is bored of his administrative duties and branches out to the arts in his free time. Lang and Rubinsky meet and discuss plans to provoke Reuenthal's betrayal of Reinhard. On Phezzan, rumors about an assassination attempt by Reuenthal on Reinhard spread like wildfire. The rumors suggest that Reuenthal will invite Reinhard to Heinessen for an assassination attempt. Oberstein discovers Lang has been meeting with Rubinsky, but takes no actions. Reuenthal decides to test Reinhard's belief in the rumors, effectively inviting Reinhard as the rumors suggest. Reinhard accepts the invitation to Heinessen. Mittermeyer, Lutz, and many other admirals discuss the possible outcomes of the invitation and preemptively plan their positions.

Julian answers complaints on Iserlohn. Reinhard visits many locations on Uruvasi. That evening the guards around the guest house act erratically. Lutz, Müller, and Reinhard's personal guards escape via car with a battalion of soldiers in pursuit. In the woods, the Reinhard entourage is attacked by soldiers and snipers. Eventually they meet up with the flagship Brunhilde. High Admiral Lutz stays behind to hold off the soldiers and is killed. Konev brings news of Reinhard escaping Uruvasi with only a single ship. Merkatz advises Julian on Reuenthal possible plans.

Word of civil unrest and the assassination attempt reaches Reuenthal and he orders his subordinates to restore order and find Reinhard. Grillpalzer hides evidence of Terraists on Uruvasi. Reuenthal considers visiting Phezzan and asking for Reinhard's understanding, but he realizes he risks assassination himself from Lang. When news of Lutz's death reaches Reuenthal, Reuenthal realizes the circumstances have forced him to take on the role of traitor. Even if Reuenthal had not planned the attempt, he still failed to ensure Reinhard's safety. Reinhard decides to act with all his abilities against Reinhard. Reuenthal considers offering the remaining republicans in Iserlohn the old Alliance territory if they can blockade Imperial reinforcements from that corridor, thus preventing a two front battle for Reuenthal.

Mittermeyer tries to convince Reinhard to exercise restraint. That same day, a letter from Reuenthal explains the danger of Lang, but ignores Reinhard. The letter's presumption of Reinhard being controlled by Lang and Oberstein infuriates Reinhard. Mittermeyer comes to the understanding that if he had refused the Emperor's order, Reinhard would have led the force. Thus, it would have increased unrest with all Reinhard's vassals. Mittermeyer considers killing Lang, but Kesler stops Mittermeyer. A report initiated by Lutz and investigated by Kesler implicates Lang of unjustly imprisoning and killing Nikolas Boltik. Hildegard realizes she is pregnant. On November 14th, Space Calendar 800, New Imperial Year 2, A space fleet of 42,770 ships commanded by Mittermeyer, Wahlen, and Bittenfeld launch toward Reunthal's territory.

Admiral Grillpalzer convinces Admiral Knapfstein to join Reuenthal's side while betraying him later. Mittermeyer discusses battle plans with his subordinates. Wahlen tries to convince Reinhard to exercise restraint. Murai arrives at Iserlohn as Reuenthal's messenger of negotiations. Julian decides to refuse Reuenthal's offer. To accept it would be a short term gain with consequences later from the Empire. Reuenthal and Mittermeyer talk about resolving the situation, but are unable to persuade each other. Reuenthal had realized that Reinhard needed a strong opponent more than anything else. In Reuenthal's fleet, unrest is brewing. Reuenthal explains to his soldiers they are fighting against villainous vassals within the Empire. Moreover, Reuenthal had to secure a victory to raise morale.

Reuenthal plans to divide up his fleet into a formation which would surround incoming fleets. Mittermeyer arrives first, quickly attacking before Reuenthal tactical plans are set up. Mittermeyer uses quick fleet movement to prolong the battle and limit casualties. Over time, Bittenfeld and Wahlen's fleets arrive as well. Wahlen is nearly killed and loses his artificial arm. Bittenfeld's fleet formation is unstable due to it being 1/2 survivors from his fleet and the remainders Fahrenheit's fleet. Admiral Knapfstein is killed in battle. Eventually the battle becomes a war of attrition. As it is reported that Mecklinger is approaching the battlefield in the Rantemario system, Reuenthal orders a hasty retreat.

Mittermeyer's fleet catches up with Reuenthal's fleet as they head to Heinessen. Grillpalzer betrays Reuenthal's fleet and fires on his former allies. Reuenthal's flagship is hit by long distance artillery. Reuenthal is impaled in in the chest by a piece of metal. Reuenthal continues to order tactics as he becomes pale. Grillpalzer surrenders to Wahlen's fleet. Mecklinger discovers Terraism evidence on Uruvasi hidden by Grillpalzer. Mecklinger orders Grillpalzer arrested. Reuenthal returns to Heinessen with only 10% of his fleet remaining.

Reuenthal returns to his office and assigns all domestic political matters to Elsheimer. Trüniht is killed by Reuenthal after they both discuss their ambitions and Reinhard. Reuenthal is visited by Elfriede von Kohlrausch and her baby. Reuenthal requests that she give the his son to Mittermeyer. On November 14th, Space Calendar 800, New Imperial Year 2, Reuenthal dies at the age of 33. Mittermeyer arrives on Heinessen, but is too late to meet with his old friend. Admiral Bergengrün, who also served under Kircheis commits suicide, after hearing of Reuenthal's death. Bergengrün had lost both his commanders to underhanded political schemes. Lang confesses to all his actions and implicates Rubinsky. Rubinsky is nowhere to be found.

Mittermeyer and the other admirals return to Phezzan. All the admirals are debriefed by Reinhard. Mittermeyer meets with Hilde and discusses the adoption policy for Reuenthal's child. Mittermeyer adopts Reuenthal's child and servant and brings them home to meet his wife. Hilde reveals to Reinhard she is pregnant with his child, she accepts his marriage proposal. The Terraists feud leadership now that Reinhard has a successor. A deranged Landsberg leads Imperial police to the mummified corpse of Erwin Josef II. In Iserlohn, the staff celebrates the new year with a large party.

Kaiser Reinhard publicly announces his marriage to Hildegard von Mariendorf at the Imperial new years party. Hilda's father, Count Mariendorf resigns from his position recommending Mittermeyer as the new Chief Minister of Internal Affairs. Many of the ministers discuss joint rulership and succession rights for the upcoming Empress. Princess Grünewald visits Reinhard and Hilde on Phezzan. On January 29th, Reinhard and Hilda's are wed. Oberstein interrupts the wedding midway through to report riots on Heinessen.

In January of Space Calendar 801, New Imperial Calendar 3, the chronic shortage of basic consumer goods caused riots throughout Heinessen. The distribution system is attacked by terrorism, complicating the problem further. Wahlan suppresses the riots and hands out a portion of the military food supplies to cool the riots. The Imperial admirals consider a campaign against Iserlohn, but decide not to due to the Imperial Treasury running low from continuous military expeditions. On Iserlohn, Julian thinks if the riots around alliance territory would be a good time to re liberate old Alliance territories. Many republicans are distrustful of the Iserlohn government for letting Mecklinger through the corridor. Julian decides to go to battle, citing the opportune moment and the fact that Reinhard's personality would look down upon a risk adverse successor in Iserlohn.

Wahlan orders his fleet to investigate after learning of fleet movements inside the Iserlohn corridor. On the Imperial side of the corridor, Julian approaches Imperial admiral Wagenseil's fleet. Using strike craft and a slow withdrawal strategy, Julian infuriates Wagenseil. The Wagenseil fleet is lured into range of the Iserlohn Thor hammer cannon and loses a large portion its ships. Wahlan's fleet tries to attack Iserlohn from the back before the Thor hammer recharges. Merkatz ambushes Wahlan's fleet from a blind spot while Julean approaches from around the fortress, executing a pincer formation. The Thor hammer fires two more times, causing massive damage to the pincered Wahlan fleet. Reinhard prepares for a counterattack from Phezzan, but is bedridden with a high fever.

Princess Grünewald visits Hilda and the sickly Reinhard. Although Reinhard's expedition was canceled, the problems of the insurgency and Iserlohn fleet remained. Oberstein is chosen to handle the new problems for the Empire. Oberstein takes Müller and Bittenfeld with him on the campaign. News of the Iserlohn victory bypasses Imperial news censors, causing many protests. Oberstein orders the arrest of all former public officials in the Alliance. Oberstein infuriates Müller, Bittenfeld, and Wahlen with his plan of using hostages to draw out the forces of Iserlohn. On Iserlohn, the Julian fleet wonders what to do if the Empire were to abandon Heinessen and use it as a lure.

Reinhard learns of the rift between Oberstein and his admirals. Word of the rift leaks to all the soldiers and civilians on Heinessen. Bittenfeld is put under house arrest by Oberstein for assaulting him. Street fights between Bittenfeld's forces and the military police under Oberstein erupt. Müller tries to convince Bittenfeld to apologize to Oberstein in hopes decreasing further violence between Imperial troops. The Iserlohn group gets the news of the trouble on Heinessen. They decide to divide up their leadership and accept negotiations on Heinessen for the release of the hostages.

A riot breaks out at Rugpool prison, where the 5000 political prisoners were being held. The rioters are somehow well armed and the situation deteriorates. Bittenfeld's lancers fight with the military police. At the end of the night, over 4000 of the prisoners are dead or injured. Julian's envoy fleet heads back to Iserlohn on news of the riots and martial law on Heinessen. Rubinsky is captured by Obersteins agents. Reinhard releases all political prisoners and sends Müller to ask the Julian envoy to come once again to Heinessen.

Terraists attack multiple critical infrastructure locations on Phezzan. Communications with High Admiral Kesler are not re established till later when Terraists storm Stehibalm Schloss, the provisional home for Hilde and Grünewald. Marika von Feuerbach, a servant to Hilde leads Kesler and his military police to Hilde and Grünewald before they are assassinated. Hilde is rushed to a hospital where she gives birth to the new prince of the Lohengramm dynasty. Kesler uses torture and truth serum on the Terraists, cleaning out all Terraist influence on Phezzan. Reinhard names his new son Alexander Siegfried von Lohengramm.

In late May of Space Calendar 801, New Imperial Calendar 3 a refugee ship chased by Imperial ships runs into the Julian fleet. The Julian fleet decides to engage the Imperial ships. Eventually both sides send reinforcements and the full number of ships for each fleet is present. The Imperial fleet includes 51,700 ships while the Julian fleet has 9,800 ships. Both fleets act cautiously rotate their front line forces. Reinhard collapses midway through the battle. A communications blackout results in frustration from the Imperial admirals. Poplan intercepts some communications betweet Mittermeyer's ship and Reinhard's flagship. The Julian fleet decides to board the Brunhilde with melee infantry.

The Rosenritter soldiers latch on to Flagship Brunhilde. The Imperial doctors reveal to the admirals that Reinhard has an unknown and incurable disease. General Schenkopp holds off the Royal guard with his soldiers. Reinhard prepares to meet with Julian, should Julian make it to his room. Bittenfeld frustrated with inactivity, rushes into the Merkatz fleet. Admiral Merkatz is killed in battle. Mashengo dies protecting Julian from gunfire. Schenkopp is fatally wounded in battle while Poplan fights off Reinhard's Imperial guard. Julian reaches Reinhard's room for negotiations. A truce is announced.

Julian, Poplan, and the remaining Rosen Ritter soldiers return to Iserlohn. The setting is mixed, a truce was given but the Julian fleet lost many important members. Julian and Kate decide to officially have a dating relationship. Both the Reinhard and Julian fleets arrive on Heinessen. Rubinsky kills himself in the hospital, setting off multiple bombs under Heinessenpolis tied to his brain waves. Reinhard and Julian discuss the next steps politically. It is agreed that Heinessen and its surrounding systems are to be given autonomy for the ownership of Iserlohn. They consider setting up a constitution for the Empire. Both Julian and Reinhard's staff prepare to leave to Phezzan.

Schumacher is caught by the Imperial police. Schumacher confesses that he thinks the last of the Earth cultists have landed on Phezzan. Julian and Reinhard exchange stories and political points on their trip to Phezzan. Reinhard's sister and wife tend to him as he lays bedridden. Oberstein releases a rumor that the Kaiser is getting well to drive out the remaining Terraists. Julian and friends notice the Earth cultists at the hotel and kill the last of the Terraists. Oberstein used himself as bait and died in place of the Kaiser. Reinhard is surrounded by all his admirals, family, and ministers as he prepares to die. Reinhard wants to leave his son with a friend equal to Kircheis and chooses Mittermeyer's adopted son. The Julian fleet members go their separate ways. On July 26th of Space Calendar 801, New Imperial Calendar 3, Reinhard dies. At the Mittermeyer estate young Felix reaches for the stars, echoing Reinhard's ambition.