Movie
Description
Bernhard von Schneider serves as the primary adjutant and close confidant to High Admiral Willibald Joachim von Merkatz within the Imperial military. His unwavering loyalty to Merkatz shapes his entire career, beginning under the Goldenbaum Dynasty. Schneider first appears as a lieutenant during the Battle of Astarte in 796 UC, accompanying Merkatz. During the Imperial Civil War in 797 UC, he remains by Merkatz’s side after the admiral’s coerced alignment with the Lippstadt League against Reinhard von Lohengramm. As a lieutenant commander, Schneider assists in engagements like the Battle of Schann-tau and informs Merkatz of critical developments, including Baron Flegel’s sortie from Geiersburg Fortress. Following the League’s defeat, he anticipates Merkatz’s planned suicide and intervenes by deceiving him with an unloaded sidearm. Schneider persuades the admiral to defect to the Free Planets Alliance at Iserlohn Fortress, passionately advocating for his honorable treatment by Yang Wen-li and Alliance officers.
After defecting, Schneider continues as Merkatz’s adjutant in the Iserlohn Garrison Fleet, participating in key operations such as the defense against Admiral Kempff’s mobilized Geiersburg Fortress, where Merkatz temporarily commands the Alliance fleet. In 798 UC, Schneider joins the Galactic Empire Legitimate Government—a government-in-exile on Heinessen formed after Kaiser Erwin Josef II’s abduction. Promoted to commander, he privately expresses skepticism about the regime’s viability, noting its lack of military forces and describing Merkatz’s title as "Minister of Military Affairs" as hollow. Early in 799 UC, Schneider departs Heinessen with Merkatz and five enlisted personnel to engage Lohengramm’s forces.
During Operation Ragnarök, Schneider fights alongside the Yang Fleet, raiding Imperial supply lines and participating in the Battle of Vermillion. After the Alliance’s surrender, he and Merkatz lead a resistance cell from the Dayan Khan asteroid base, capturing decommissioned Alliance warships and recruiting defectors. Schneider later returns to Iserlohn upon its reclamation by Yang’s forces. His service ends at the Battle of Shiva in 801 UC when the flagship Hyperion is crippled by Admiral Bittenfeld’s fleet. Mortally wounded, Merkatz delivers his final words to Schneider on the burning bridge. Following the ceasefire, Schneider receives an Imperial pardon and fulfills his last duty: returning Merkatz’s remains to the admiral’s family. Schneider’s rank progresses from lieutenant at Astarte to lieutenant commander during the Civil War, and finally to commander under the Legitimate Government.
After defecting, Schneider continues as Merkatz’s adjutant in the Iserlohn Garrison Fleet, participating in key operations such as the defense against Admiral Kempff’s mobilized Geiersburg Fortress, where Merkatz temporarily commands the Alliance fleet. In 798 UC, Schneider joins the Galactic Empire Legitimate Government—a government-in-exile on Heinessen formed after Kaiser Erwin Josef II’s abduction. Promoted to commander, he privately expresses skepticism about the regime’s viability, noting its lack of military forces and describing Merkatz’s title as "Minister of Military Affairs" as hollow. Early in 799 UC, Schneider departs Heinessen with Merkatz and five enlisted personnel to engage Lohengramm’s forces.
During Operation Ragnarök, Schneider fights alongside the Yang Fleet, raiding Imperial supply lines and participating in the Battle of Vermillion. After the Alliance’s surrender, he and Merkatz lead a resistance cell from the Dayan Khan asteroid base, capturing decommissioned Alliance warships and recruiting defectors. Schneider later returns to Iserlohn upon its reclamation by Yang’s forces. His service ends at the Battle of Shiva in 801 UC when the flagship Hyperion is crippled by Admiral Bittenfeld’s fleet. Mortally wounded, Merkatz delivers his final words to Schneider on the burning bridge. Following the ceasefire, Schneider receives an Imperial pardon and fulfills his last duty: returning Merkatz’s remains to the admiral’s family. Schneider’s rank progresses from lieutenant at Astarte to lieutenant commander during the Civil War, and finally to commander under the Legitimate Government.