Ep. 18: Imperial forces breach Alliance base, capturing Commander Sinclair Cerebrese before fleet withdrawal concludes the Van-Fleet 4-2 battle.

18

Imperial troops successfully infiltrate and severely damage the Alliance rear support base headquarters. Reinhard von Müsel, assisted by Siegfried Kircheis, captures Alliance base commander Sinclair Cerebrese alive. Upon receiving retreat orders, they return to their fleet station. The inconclusive battle between the Alliance and Imperial fleets above Van-Fleet 4-2 continues until late April 794 UC, when both sides withdraw from the Van-Fleet Starzone. Following these events, Reinhard is promoted to Rear Admiral. His superiors, Richard von Grimmelshausen and Hermann von Lüneburg, also receive one-rank promotions. However, Siegfried Kircheis is not promoted, a decision that deeply infuriates Reinhard. This sequence of events marks a significant tactical shift in the conflict, highlighting the disparity in recognition between the two officers despite their shared successes in the campaign.