Movie
Description
Yang Wen-li, born 4 April 767 UC (3567 CE) to civilian merchants, was raised by his father aboard an interstellar trade ship after his mother's early death. His father's accidental demise plunged him into poverty when the family art collection proved fraudulent, shattering his plans to attend Heinessen Memorial University. This forced him into the Free Planets Alliance Officer Academy on a tuition waiver requiring military service.
Initially aiming for history in the War History Studies Department, Yang switched to Strategic Studies after his program dissolved. He graduated mid-class in 787 UC (3587 CE), describing himself as perpetually near academic failure due to disinterest rather than inability. Simulator training exposed poor piloting skills, with significantly more simulated "deaths" than victories.
His career began in 788 UC (3588 CE) as a staff officer on El Facil under Rear Admiral Arthur Lynch. When Imperial forces invaded and the Alliance fleet abandoned civilians, Yang stayed. He orchestrated the evacuation of over three million people, earning the title "Hero of El Facil" and a six-hour promotion from lieutenant to lieutenant commander. During the chaos, Frederica Greenhill offered him coffee while he choked; his preference for tea became a memorable moment referenced later when she joined his staff.
Subsequent duty involved managing a prisoner-of-war camp on Econia, where he quelled a rebellion within two weeks, forging key connections with Fyodor Patrichev and Murai. By 794 UC (3594 CE), as a captain in the 8th Fleet, his tactical contributions during the Fifth and Sixth Battles of Iserlohn earned him promotion to commodore despite Alliance losses.
The Battle of Legnica in 795 UC (3595 CE) proved pivotal. Serving under Vice Admiral Paetta, Yang foresaw the danger of Imperial forces igniting the gas giant's atmosphere but doubted enemy commanders would conceive the strategy. Reinhard von Lohengramm executed it precisely. Yang and Dusty Attemborough forced their ship upward, surviving the firestorm that destroyed the fleet. Haunted by this failure, Yang volunteered for a diversionary attack during the Fourth Battle of Tiamat. Using the battleship *Ulysses* and decoy drones to simulate a larger force, he maneuvered beneath Reinhard's flagship *Brunhild*, effectively taking the Imperial commander hostage to enable the Alliance retreat.
The Battle of Astarte in January 796 UC (3596 CE) marked a turning point. As strategic advisor to Admiral Paetta, Yang advocated regrouping divided Alliance fleets against Reinhard's concentrated forces. Overruled, he assumed command after Paetta's injury. By allowing Imperial forces to break through his lines and then encircling them, he forced a tactical stalemate enabling withdrawal. Alliance leadership portrayed this as victory despite disproportionate casualties, bestowing the title "Hero of Astarte" on Yang.
Alliance politicians then assigned Yang command of the newly formed 13th Fleet—composed of Astarte survivors and raw recruits—ordering him to capture Iserlohn Fortress, widely seen as a suicide mission to remove him politically. Utilizing Walter von Schenkopp's Rosen Ritter infiltrating via a damaged Imperial cruiser, Yang seized control during the Fifth Battle of Tiamat, shifting the galactic balance though he hoped it would prompt peace negotiations.
Philosophically, Yang remained a reluctant soldier, preferring historical study and tea. He upheld democratic ideals despite recognizing the Alliance government's corruption and inefficiency. Famously stating "The greatest freedom is the freedom not to get involved," he nevertheless defended the Alliance against Imperial threats and internal authoritarian movements like the Patriotic Knights Corps. He viewed the military as a necessary tool to protect democratic values while personally desiring retirement and opposing militarism.
Personally disorganized outside command, Yang adopted Julian Mintz after the boy's father died under his command. His relationship with Frederica Greenhill evolved from professional to marital, contrasting sharply with military duties. His leadership emphasized leveraging subordinates' talents, notably relying on the Rosen Ritter for unconventional operations.
Initially aiming for history in the War History Studies Department, Yang switched to Strategic Studies after his program dissolved. He graduated mid-class in 787 UC (3587 CE), describing himself as perpetually near academic failure due to disinterest rather than inability. Simulator training exposed poor piloting skills, with significantly more simulated "deaths" than victories.
His career began in 788 UC (3588 CE) as a staff officer on El Facil under Rear Admiral Arthur Lynch. When Imperial forces invaded and the Alliance fleet abandoned civilians, Yang stayed. He orchestrated the evacuation of over three million people, earning the title "Hero of El Facil" and a six-hour promotion from lieutenant to lieutenant commander. During the chaos, Frederica Greenhill offered him coffee while he choked; his preference for tea became a memorable moment referenced later when she joined his staff.
Subsequent duty involved managing a prisoner-of-war camp on Econia, where he quelled a rebellion within two weeks, forging key connections with Fyodor Patrichev and Murai. By 794 UC (3594 CE), as a captain in the 8th Fleet, his tactical contributions during the Fifth and Sixth Battles of Iserlohn earned him promotion to commodore despite Alliance losses.
The Battle of Legnica in 795 UC (3595 CE) proved pivotal. Serving under Vice Admiral Paetta, Yang foresaw the danger of Imperial forces igniting the gas giant's atmosphere but doubted enemy commanders would conceive the strategy. Reinhard von Lohengramm executed it precisely. Yang and Dusty Attemborough forced their ship upward, surviving the firestorm that destroyed the fleet. Haunted by this failure, Yang volunteered for a diversionary attack during the Fourth Battle of Tiamat. Using the battleship *Ulysses* and decoy drones to simulate a larger force, he maneuvered beneath Reinhard's flagship *Brunhild*, effectively taking the Imperial commander hostage to enable the Alliance retreat.
The Battle of Astarte in January 796 UC (3596 CE) marked a turning point. As strategic advisor to Admiral Paetta, Yang advocated regrouping divided Alliance fleets against Reinhard's concentrated forces. Overruled, he assumed command after Paetta's injury. By allowing Imperial forces to break through his lines and then encircling them, he forced a tactical stalemate enabling withdrawal. Alliance leadership portrayed this as victory despite disproportionate casualties, bestowing the title "Hero of Astarte" on Yang.
Alliance politicians then assigned Yang command of the newly formed 13th Fleet—composed of Astarte survivors and raw recruits—ordering him to capture Iserlohn Fortress, widely seen as a suicide mission to remove him politically. Utilizing Walter von Schenkopp's Rosen Ritter infiltrating via a damaged Imperial cruiser, Yang seized control during the Fifth Battle of Tiamat, shifting the galactic balance though he hoped it would prompt peace negotiations.
Philosophically, Yang remained a reluctant soldier, preferring historical study and tea. He upheld democratic ideals despite recognizing the Alliance government's corruption and inefficiency. Famously stating "The greatest freedom is the freedom not to get involved," he nevertheless defended the Alliance against Imperial threats and internal authoritarian movements like the Patriotic Knights Corps. He viewed the military as a necessary tool to protect democratic values while personally desiring retirement and opposing militarism.
Personally disorganized outside command, Yang adopted Julian Mintz after the boy's father died under his command. His relationship with Frederica Greenhill evolved from professional to marital, contrasting sharply with military duties. His leadership emphasized leveraging subordinates' talents, notably relying on the Rosen Ritter for unconventional operations.