OVA
Description
Alexander Bucock was born in 726 UC and enlisted in the Free Planets Alliance military as a simple soldier, bypassing the officer academy. He ascended through the ranks by merit alone, a path that drew disdain from some academy-educated officers but also won him respect from commanders across the conflict. At age 19, he participated in the Second Battle of Tiamat in 745 UC as a petty officer second class and gunner aboard the battleship Shah Abbas in the 5th Fleet under Wallace Warwick. He remained composed even when his turret ran out of ammunition and urged a fellow crew member to focus on their duties.
Bucock later received a battlefield commission, though his career advanced slowly due to his lack of formal training and refusal to court political favor. By 788 UC, he had attained the rank of commodore and commanded the Marovia Starzone, having also written his memoirs. Over the next six years, he rose to rear admiral and then vice admiral, eventually commanding one of the Alliance's twelve combat fleets by 794 UC.
In 795 UC, he led a combined force of the 5th, 10th, and 11th Fleets at the Third Battle of Tiamat. As senior admiral, he contended with the insubordination of Vice Admiral Willem Holland, whose aggressive tactics provoked an Imperial counterattack. Bucock coordinated with Admiral Ulanhu to cover the 11th Fleet’s retreat and block further Imperial advance, leading to an enemy withdrawal.
During the Alliance's invasion of Imperial territory, severed supply lines caused shortages and revolts. Yang Wen-li warned Bucock to prepare for withdrawal. While in the Bilrost starzone, the 5th Fleet engaged the Reuenthal Fleet and sustained nearly 30% losses during a retreat toward Iserlohn Fortress.
When Reinhard von Lohengramm invaded through the Phezzan Corridor, Bucock was appointed Fleet Admiral of the hastily assembled Alliance fleet. At the Battle of Rantemario, he used the star’s strong gravity well to inflict heavy damage on Imperial forces, particularly the Black Lancers, but the Alliance fleet suffered enormous casualties and was routed. Defeated, Bucock attempted suicide to repent for his men’s deaths, but his aide, Chung Wu-Cheng, had disarmed his weapon. Chung persuaded him that if the Alliance fell, the Empire would try high-ranking officers for war crimes, and Bucock’s death would leave his subordinates to be executed in his place.
Yang Wen-li’s fleet assisted Bucock’s withdrawal from Rantemario. Bucock returned to the capital, Heinessen, while Yang remained at the front. When Imperial fleets under Mittermeyer and Reuenthal arrived overhead, Bucock attended a meeting with Chairman Job Trunicht and Vice Chairman Walter Islands to debate surrender terms. He argued for refusing surrender and provoking an Imperial attack to buy time for Yang to defeat Reinhard, believing the Empire would fracture if Reinhard died. When Trunicht dismissed this, Bucock declared he would ensure the Alliance never surrendered, even if it meant killing Trunicht. Armed Terraist Church soldiers loyal to Trunicht arrested him and removed him from the meeting. The Free Planets Alliance surrendered unconditionally on 5 May 799 UC.
After surrender, Yang negotiated with Reinhard to spare senior figures. Bucock was permitted to retire and lived with his wife on Heinessen under constant Imperial surveillance due to his former status.
During later chaos under Imperial occupation and a second invasion, Bucock was forced out of retirement to lead a defensive action against Reinhard’s fleets. Despite suicidal odds, he inflicted approximately 25,000 losses on the Imperial fleet before dying in battle. Prior to his death, he shared a toast with Reinhard to democracy. Afterward, Reinhard ordered every soldier to salute Bucock and performed a libation in his honor upon arriving on Heinessen.
Bucock held firm beliefs in democracy and leadership, arguing that the Alliance should die a democracy rather than survive as a dictatorship. He believed the collapse of a democracy was the sin of every citizen, criticizing politicians for abusing power, soldiers for adventurism, and citizens for neglecting their duties. He prioritized human life and the nation’s well-being, often ensuring his subordinates’ safety.
He maintained a respectful, mentoring relationship with Yang Wen-li. When other admirals mocked Yang’s prospects, Bucock defended him, comparing him to a redwood sapling with potential to become giant. Yang frequently sought Bucock’s support and trusted him as a reliable ally within the leadership.
Bucock respected Reinhard’s intelligence but could not serve the Galactic Empire due to its political structure, which fostered a master-servant dynamic between Kaiser and soldiers. He preferred the Alliance system, where he could befriend superiors and maintain strong interpersonal bonds.
Bucock later received a battlefield commission, though his career advanced slowly due to his lack of formal training and refusal to court political favor. By 788 UC, he had attained the rank of commodore and commanded the Marovia Starzone, having also written his memoirs. Over the next six years, he rose to rear admiral and then vice admiral, eventually commanding one of the Alliance's twelve combat fleets by 794 UC.
In 795 UC, he led a combined force of the 5th, 10th, and 11th Fleets at the Third Battle of Tiamat. As senior admiral, he contended with the insubordination of Vice Admiral Willem Holland, whose aggressive tactics provoked an Imperial counterattack. Bucock coordinated with Admiral Ulanhu to cover the 11th Fleet’s retreat and block further Imperial advance, leading to an enemy withdrawal.
During the Alliance's invasion of Imperial territory, severed supply lines caused shortages and revolts. Yang Wen-li warned Bucock to prepare for withdrawal. While in the Bilrost starzone, the 5th Fleet engaged the Reuenthal Fleet and sustained nearly 30% losses during a retreat toward Iserlohn Fortress.
When Reinhard von Lohengramm invaded through the Phezzan Corridor, Bucock was appointed Fleet Admiral of the hastily assembled Alliance fleet. At the Battle of Rantemario, he used the star’s strong gravity well to inflict heavy damage on Imperial forces, particularly the Black Lancers, but the Alliance fleet suffered enormous casualties and was routed. Defeated, Bucock attempted suicide to repent for his men’s deaths, but his aide, Chung Wu-Cheng, had disarmed his weapon. Chung persuaded him that if the Alliance fell, the Empire would try high-ranking officers for war crimes, and Bucock’s death would leave his subordinates to be executed in his place.
Yang Wen-li’s fleet assisted Bucock’s withdrawal from Rantemario. Bucock returned to the capital, Heinessen, while Yang remained at the front. When Imperial fleets under Mittermeyer and Reuenthal arrived overhead, Bucock attended a meeting with Chairman Job Trunicht and Vice Chairman Walter Islands to debate surrender terms. He argued for refusing surrender and provoking an Imperial attack to buy time for Yang to defeat Reinhard, believing the Empire would fracture if Reinhard died. When Trunicht dismissed this, Bucock declared he would ensure the Alliance never surrendered, even if it meant killing Trunicht. Armed Terraist Church soldiers loyal to Trunicht arrested him and removed him from the meeting. The Free Planets Alliance surrendered unconditionally on 5 May 799 UC.
After surrender, Yang negotiated with Reinhard to spare senior figures. Bucock was permitted to retire and lived with his wife on Heinessen under constant Imperial surveillance due to his former status.
During later chaos under Imperial occupation and a second invasion, Bucock was forced out of retirement to lead a defensive action against Reinhard’s fleets. Despite suicidal odds, he inflicted approximately 25,000 losses on the Imperial fleet before dying in battle. Prior to his death, he shared a toast with Reinhard to democracy. Afterward, Reinhard ordered every soldier to salute Bucock and performed a libation in his honor upon arriving on Heinessen.
Bucock held firm beliefs in democracy and leadership, arguing that the Alliance should die a democracy rather than survive as a dictatorship. He believed the collapse of a democracy was the sin of every citizen, criticizing politicians for abusing power, soldiers for adventurism, and citizens for neglecting their duties. He prioritized human life and the nation’s well-being, often ensuring his subordinates’ safety.
He maintained a respectful, mentoring relationship with Yang Wen-li. When other admirals mocked Yang’s prospects, Bucock defended him, comparing him to a redwood sapling with potential to become giant. Yang frequently sought Bucock’s support and trusted him as a reliable ally within the leadership.
Bucock respected Reinhard’s intelligence but could not serve the Galactic Empire due to its political structure, which fostered a master-servant dynamic between Kaiser and soldiers. He preferred the Alliance system, where he could befriend superiors and maintain strong interpersonal bonds.