Reviews

Episode 41, "The Die is Cast"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Reinhard announces the abduction of the Emperor to his subordinates. They speculate about the possible interference of the Free Planets Alliance. Alone with Mittermeyer, Reuenthal wonders aloud who had the most to gain from the Emperor's kidnapping. Hildegard confronts Reinhard with her suspicion that he let Vice Admiral Molt take the blame for the Phezzani plot, just as it is announced that Molt has committed suicide. On Phezzan, Rupert Kesserling reports to Rubinsky about Boltik's weakness in the negotiation with Reinhard, but Rubinsky shows little concern. Later on, Kesserling plots with Dominique Saint-Pierré about supplanting his father.

Episode 40, "Maze"

*****SPOILERS*****

Episode 39, "Thunderclaps"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Reinhard receives a report of the arrival of Alfred von Landsberg and Leopold Schumacher on Odin. Hilda surmises its for a kidnapping plot, mostly likely involving the young Kaiser, Erwin Josef II. Upon his request to secure her property, Hilda visits his sister Annerose to get her permission. Annerose is reluctant, but is eventually persuaded to take on security. Reinhard has the Phezzani commissioner to the Empire come to his office, where he cuts through the bureaucrat's doublespeak and makes him admit to the plot at hand, which will give Reinhard cassus belli regarding the FPA. Reinhard demands Imperial passage through the Phezzan Corridor to achieve his goal.

Episode 38, "Determination and Ambition"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: On Phezzan, Rubinsky reveals that he knows Rupert Kesserling is his biological son. Meanwhile, on Odin, Reinhard is incensed by the failure of the Geiersburg operation, only to reflect on it later and decide not to punish Mueller. Schaft, however, is arrested by Kesler for several infractions. Kempf's family mourns his death, while Reuenthal wonders if Reinhard is loyal enough to his subordinates. On Iserlohn, Yang reluctantly allows Julian to formally join the military. He reiterates his desire to be a historian.

Episode 37, "Fortress vs. Fortress Akt IV: Conclusion"

*****SPOILERS*****

Episode 36, "Fortress vs. Fortress Akt III: The Return of the Magician"

*****SPOILERS*****

Episode 35, "Fortress vs. Fortress Akt II: Fierce Fighting"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Interim Commander Caselnes is forced to trust Guest Admiral Merkatz with the defense of Iserlohn Fortress. After the retreating Imperial landing parties are targeted, Meuller is provoked into attacking with his main force. This lures him into an encirclement attack by Merkatz, who devastates his forces. He's forced to wriggle his way out of the trap. It's at this point that Mueller retrieves word that Yang Wenli is not at Iserlohn. He relays this news to Admiral Kempf, but the leader of the operation is skeptical.

Episode 34, "Fortress vs. Fortress Akt I: Cannon Fire"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Iserlohn and Geiersburg exchange main weapon fire, damaging both fortresses. In charge until Yang returns, Caselnes wants to concentrate on purely defensive measures. The fighter craft are sent out and engage in space dogfights, but it appears to be a feint so that Mueller can circle around Iserlohn and deploy explosive charges that damage Iserlohn's gun batteries. Empire troops penetrate Iserlohn in landing crafts, only to meet the Rosen Ritter.

Episode 33, "War Without Weapons"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: The Iserlohn garrison braces for a battle against Geiersburg Fortress, hoping they can summon Yang Wenli back in time. On Heinessen, Frederica Greenhill attempts to get Yang help from Admiral Bewcock and Joan Lebello. At the inquiry, Yang continues to deflect the questions and demands of those gathered to persecute him. However, before he can tender his resignation, word is handed down about the Empire's invasion of the Iserlohn Corridor and Yang reluctantly agrees to repel the enemy.

Episode 32, "Inquiry"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Yang Wenli is summoned to Heinessen to appear before a court of inquiry, which Frederica Greenhill notes isn't supported by any Free Planets Alliance laws. Nonetheless, Yang takes the trip and appears before the court. He is questioned about his actions during the civil war and other matters. Greenhill attempts to get Yang released, with no luck. Meanwhile, Geiersburg Fortress appears in the Iserlohn Corridor.

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