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. read more

Episode 40, “Maze”

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Boltik frets over Reinhard’s request, but insists on continuing the plan to kidnap the Emperor. Oberstein advises Reinhard to make human sacrifices if necessary. Later, the two discuss who to put on the throne in Erwin Josef’s stead. Alfred von Landsberg and Leopold Schumacher lay out their plan to penetrate Neue Sanssouci to kidnap the Emperor. They decide to use the underground passages to sneak in. Schumacher has his doubts about the mission, but ultimately decides to commit as a military man. While the Phezzani office provides a distraction for the MPs in a different part of the city, the two former members of the Lipstadt Alliance make their way through the underground labyrinth, sneak into the Emperor’s room, and steal him away in the night. read more

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. read more

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. read more

Episode 37, “Fortress vs. Fortress Akt IV: Conclusion”

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: With all other ideas exhausted, Kempf has decided to crash Geiersburg into Iserlohn. While the Imperial fleet retreats from the battlefield, control of Geiersburg is routed through a single control chair which Kempf takes up for himself, alone. The Alliance forces concentrate their fire towards one of the navigation engines to knock the oncoming fortress off course. The engine is destroyed, diverting Geiersburg, but Kempft re-adjusts the course, hoping to take out Iserlohn with direct hits from its main cannon. However, Iserlohn fires its Thor’s Hammer twice, destroying Geiersburg and killing Kempf. Mueller is injured when a shockwave hits his ship. Two of Yang’s officers take ships out to follow and destroy the escaping Imperials, but are met with the Mittermeyer and Reuenthal fleets, who easily destroy them. read more

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. read more