Battle of Bellar's Crossing

The Conflict

Battlefield

Bellar's Crossing is a black hole near the edge of Imperial space bordering with the Federation.

Conditions

Emperor Grallax XIII was conducting a survey of border colonies and worlds potentially under threat by Federation force.

The Engagement

A small fleet of Federation forces jumped into the system and began harrying the outlying ships. Several Corvettes and Destroyers were destroyed, along with two Juggernauts, before anyone knew what was going on. The force was small, but they were armed with Quantum Implosion weapons which could destabilize the drive cores of the Imperial ships.
While fighters were being launched, the bulk of the Federation fleet jumped into the system, and took the Imperial forces by surprise. Grallax XIII is reported to have entered into a blood frenzy at this point out of anger and frustration, and ordered an all out attack on the incoming ships, targeting the largest capital ships in an effort to drive them off and force a retreat.
This did not work. It appears to be exactly the Federation forces were expecting, and they dove through the middle of the incoming ships to strike directly at Grallax's command this, the Anvil of Dawn. Damage was heavy, but Grallax ordered a regrouping and point defense forces on the Imperial capital ships began destroying enemy fighters en masse.
Losses on both sides were heavy, but the Federation forces eventually signaled a retreat. Grallax XIII let his guard down in a moment of premature celebration and didn't survive to realize the Anvil's bridge was hulled by a suicide fighter. His body was scooped up by another Federation fighter, and while it was recovered quickly, the Sergal managed to flay a strip of scaled flesh from his neck a handspan wide down to the muscle.
Imperial marines, mostly Zanth and Rubies, took his body back to the remains of the Dawn, were an angel of the Mother suddenly appeared in their moment of grief and told them to rejoice. The angel disintegrated Grallax XIII's body and in its place was a younger Obsidian dragon of Grallax XIII's build. The angel referred to this this new dragon as the Reincarnation of the Emperor and said his name was Grallax XIV. He declared that the new Emperor would bring with him an age of peace, rebuilding, and prosperity. Then the angel vanished, along with the bodies of all the dead on the Imperial side.

Outcome

Empire leadership passed from Emperor Grallax XIII to his reincarnation, Grallax XIV.

Aftermath

The Battle of Bellar's Crossing was a turning point in Imperial-Federation relations. Prior to the battle the Federation had the upper hand in most engagements. After the Emperor's reincarnation miracle, his temperament appeared to become more calculating and shrewd, redeploying his forces in self-reinforcing patterns that gave the Federation no place to gain victory. Once the borders were secured, Grallax XIV opened dialogue with the Monarch and started building new diplomatic solutions to the conflict.
This was welcomed by the Monarch, but his sergal forces were displeased that they would not be able to slaughter border colonies anymore. While it set up a period of relative peace between the Empire and Federation, it also set up the Federation for the Sergal Rebellion.

Historical Significance

Recordings of the miracle event are shown in Imperial schools and academies. The Battle is taught for it's lessons in how not to let one's ego rule and to show when the cost of winning is greater than the rewards won. That lesson is debated, given how beloved Grallax XIV is and the relative peace that the Empire enjoys, with all the prosperity that goes with it, is seen as a net gain.
Also, the Rubies who died defending the Emperor that day, despite failing and the Emperor being slain, were all posthumously declared Heroes of the Empire by Grallax XIV, who personally sang a song for every one of them over the course of ten years. He knew all their names and sang of their glory in tribute to their bravery and ultimate sacrifice for him. It's said he also shed a Tear for each one and planted in next to the markers for their official resting place on Lair.

Legacy

The battle would have been a footnote in history had the miracle of the Emperor's reincarnation not been witnessed and documented in its entirety. While it still cannot be explained, no one questions the legitimacy of Grallax XIV's reign. He has gone on to become one of the Empire's most beloved rulers. Unlike his previous incarnation, Grallax XIV has been more diplomatic and brokers peace when he can. He does not wantonly waste lives.
The battle marks the last major engagement between the Empire and Federation, and handed the Federation a lasting defeat that caused the Sergal to adjust their strategies when considering attacking large Imperial forces.

Conflict Type

Battle

Battlefield Type

Space

Conflict Result

Imperial forces victorious. Miracle witnessed by surviving forces after aggressor force driven off at great cost.

Belligerents

Imperial Escort Task Force Prime

• The Eternal Empire

Strength

• 1 Dreadnaught - Anvil of Dawn
• 4 Carriers
• 6 Battleships
• 18 Battlecruisers
• 24 Destroyers
• 30 Corvettes
• 6280 Fighters
• 16 Juggernauts

Casualties

• 73% destruction to Dreadnaught
• 2 Carriers destroyed, lost with all hands, 3600 souls
• 2 Battleships destroyed, lost with all hands, 2400 souls
• 12 Battlecruisers destroyed, lost with all hands, 12000 souls
• 4 Destroyers destroyed, lost with all hands, 4000 souls
• 24 Corvettes destroyed, lost with all hands, 4800 souls
• 1296 fighters destroyed
• 9 Juggernaughts killed, lost with all hands, 90 souls
• Emperor Grallax XIII slain. Body recovered from enemy forces. Neck desecrated, flesh flayed to muscle beneath. Angel of the Mother appeared and reincarnated Emperor. Miracle withnessed by surviving flet officers and the Dawn's Core.

Objectives

Task Force mission: Diplomatic.