March 4th, 1939 - The Tides Turn
The air inside the Volkshalle command center was suffocatingly tense, each officer anxiously awaiting the next report from the front lines. Alexander stood before the vast map of the Valorian coastline, his fingers drumming rhythmically against the polished wood of the table. The distant rumble of artillery echoed faintly through the telegraph line, signaling that the standoff between the Valorian and Ruthenian fleets had reached a critical juncture.
Julieanne's fingers flew over the telegraph keys, transmitting Alexander's orders to the fleet. She looked up, her usually calm demeanor cracking ever so slightly. "Admiral Reinhardt reports that the RNS Imperator has fired another shot, sir. It landed dangerously close to the Valeria. The Ruthenians are pushing us to the brink."
Alexander's gaze hardened, his eyes narrowing as he absorbed the news. "They've crossed the line," he said quietly, more to himself than to anyone else in the room. "Orlov is daring us to act. Very well, we'll give him what he wants."
Turning to Julieanne, he gave his orders with cold precision. "Inform Reinhardt that he has my authorization to engage the Ruthenians. Tell him to use whatever means necessary to drive them back. This standoff ends now."
Julieanne nodded, her face pale but resolute as she relayed the Supreme Leader's command. The message was sent, each click of the telegraph key a countdown to the inevitable clash.
Aboard the VNS Titan, Admiral Reinhardt received Alexander's message with a grim nod. His eyes burned with renewed determination. The Supreme Leader's directive was clear: they would no longer stand idly by while the Ruthenians toyed with them.
"Captain Brandt," Reinhardt barked, "prepare to engage the RNS Imperator. Target their main battery and engines. I want that ship crippled before they can fire again."
"Aye, Admiral," Brandt responded, his voice tight with anticipation. The gunnery crews sprang into action, adjusting the elevation and bearing of the Titan's massive guns. The heavy cruisers Valeria and Resolute followed suit, their turrets swiveling to lock onto their targets.
"Admiral," the communications officer called out, "we're receiving new orders from Volkshalle. Supreme Leader Alexander has authorized full engagement."
Reinhardt's lips tightened into a thin line. "Then let's make sure our first strike counts."
The order to fire was given, and the Titan's 16-inch guns roared to life. The deck trembled as a salvo of high-explosive shells shot toward the RNS Imperator, streaking through the air like fiery comets. The heavy cruisers followed suit, launching their own barrage at the Ruthenian fleet's center formation.
Onboard the RNS Imperator, Admiral Orlov watched through his binoculars as the Valorian fleet erupted in a hailstorm of fire. The water around his battleship exploded in towering columns as shells impacted dangerously close.
"Direct hit on the Catherine!" came the jubilant report over the radio. "She's taking on water!"
Admiral Reinhardt allowed himself a rare, tight-lipped smile. "Press the attack. We have them on the ropes."
Meanwhile, on the RNS Imperator, the situation was growing dire. The combined assault from the Valorian fleet and the torpedo bombers had left several of Orlov's ships in disarray.
"Admiral, we've lost two destroyers and the Catherine is heavily damaged!" Captain Sokolov shouted, his face pale. "We need to regroup!"
Orlov's eyes blazed with defiance. "No! We will not retreat. Signal the Tsar Alexander and Peter the Great to push forward. I want their flagship sunk!"
The Ruthenian heavy cruisers surged ahead, their guns spitting fire as they bore down on the VNS Titan. Reinhardt, however, was ready.
"All ships, focus fire on their heavy cruisers," he ordered. "We break their spearhead, and they'll have no choice but to retreat."
The Valorian fleet responded with deadly precision, their guns finding their marks. The RNS Tsar Alexander was hit by multiple shells, its superstructure crumbling under the relentless barrage.
As the battle raged on, it became clear that the scales were tipping in Valoria's favor. The relentless coordination between Reinhardt's fleet and the aerial strikes had left the Ruthenians reeling.
Back in Volkshalle, Alexander listened as the reports came in. "The Ruthenians are faltering," Julieanne reported, her eyes shining with the thrill of impending victory. "Our forces are pushing them back."
Alexander's expression remained coldly triumphant. "Good," he said softly. "Let this be a lesson to Tsar Ivan. Valoria will not be intimidated."
But as the last rays of sunlight faded, the outcome of the battle remained uncertain. The Ruthenians, though bloodied, were not broken. Both sides had taken heavy losses, and the specter of war loomed larger than ever.
"Prepare for the next move," Alexander said.