Galactic Empire in New World

Part 8 Chapter 18

Gra Valkas, Ragna
Ruins of the Imperial Palace.
8:00 AM

Emperor Gralux climbed to the top of the tower on the defensive wall of the palace, which was still intact even though the surroundings had been destroyed. From the tower's height, he could see the city of Ragna, which had been burning fiercely since last night. There were almost no buildings left standing in Ragna due to Gra Valkas' bombardment.

Emperor Gralux remained silent throughout his journey from the bunker door to the tower, where he could view the now-ruined palace. When he was on top of the tower and looking around, he was also silent for almost a quarter of an hour. Occasionally, he sighed heavily.
No one dared to speak around Emperor Gralux. But in the end, Emperor Gralux let out a word.

"It seems that nothing can be saved from Ragna?" said Emperor Gralux.

No one dared to answer that obvious question.

"How many casualties on our side so far?" asked Emperor Gralux again.

"Not yet known, sire. However, estimates suggest that at least 30% of Ragna's population has died. The military is reporting significantly higher casualties, sir. The casualties have surpassed our initial estimate due to an attack on a military base located far from Ragna last night. They were completely unprepared when they were attacked." said General Kurn.

For some time, no one spoke, the words really sank into their hearts.

"Then have they really left?" asked Emperor Gralux.

"Unknown, Your Majesty. We lack the necessary resources to effectively monitor their actions. They also currently make the radio silent. We cannot monitor them." said Xand Pascal.

"Then a surprise attack is still likely?" asked Emperor Gralux.

"Correct, sire. In the meantime, we can't do anything but rescue and extinguish the fire," said Xand Pascal. "I have even ordered our ships to stop approaching Ragna because we do not know where the enemy fleet is."

"Are there any of our submarines that can conduct reconnaissance?" asked Emperor Gralux.

"Unfortunately, no, my lord. All of our submarines on the east side have either been destroyed by Mu Empire anti-submarine patrols or destroyed in the harbor by the current Mu Empire attack. To move them from elsewhere would take time," Xand Pascal said.

"We have no other choice, do we? Our air force is unable to patrol due to the distance from their bases on the western and central sides of Ragna, until we can repair one of the airports around Ragna. Move those submarines here," ordered Emperor Gralux.

"Yes, Your Majesty." said Xand Pascal.

Suddenly, an aide was seen running up the tower with a paper that was immediately given to General Kurn.

"What is it?" asked Emperor Gralux.

"Bad news, there was an attack on a train station and bridge south of Ragna. It seems to be true, they have not left the sea around Ragna." General Kurn spoke.

"We should be able to do something to deal with that monster. Have any AA guns been completed in Ragna?" asked Emperor Gralux.

"Unfortunately, most of them were destroyed by the Mu Empire's attack last night, sire. But at least some are operational. A number of convoys carrying AA guns also escaped the Mu Empire's attack, and they are currently approaching Ragna and several cities around Ragna. I hope there is no temporary attack on Ragna so that the AA guns can remain operational," said Xand Pscal.

"Don't count your chickens before the eggs hatch! Just now there was an attack from the Mu Empire." said Emperor Gralux.

"True, but it's far to the south. I expect them to be busy in the south at least until this afternoon so that the AA guns are fully installed and operational. We are trying to activate the AA system as soon as possible so that Ragna has AA defenses again." said Xand Pascal.