This article describes the character Abelt Desler from Space Battleship Yamato 2199. For his counterpart in the original Space Battleship Yamato and its sequels, see Dessler (OS). For the similarly named hive mind consciousness in the live action film, see Dessla.
- "Why did we fight? Why didn't we try to love each other?"
- —Abelt Desler[11]
Eternal Leader Abelt Desler (ABELT DESLER, Abelt Desler)[12] is the head of the Desler faction and the former dictator of the Great Garmillas Empire. During his time as ruler, he oversaw an expansion of the empire across a vast area of space. Despite the brutality of his regime, Desler was inspired by the desire to save his species from the approaching collapse of their homeworld and his desire for closer ties with Garmillas' pacifist neighbor, Iscandar, and his affection for Queen Starsha Iscandar.
Following his dethronement at the hands of the Terran battleship Yamato, he came to briefly serve the Gatlantis Empire in hopes of reclaiming his empire. He eventually came to terms with the new Garmillas government and allied with it to search for a new home planet suitable to long-term Garmillas emigration. To these ends, he led the negotiations to acquire planet Garmann from the Bolar Federation, and eventually liberated the planet by force. When Garmillas and Iscandar were attacked by Dezarium, he fought side-by-side with Yamato to protect Starsha, her sister, and the surviving Garmillas refugees.
History[]
Early Life[]
Abelt Desler was born into the aristocratic Desler family on Garmillas on March 19, 2166.[1] At that time, his uncle Erich Vam Desler was engaged in the Unification War, the Desler family's decades-long struggle to bring about the planetary unification of Garmillas. Erich succeeded in his goal and was crowned Grand Duke of the Garmillas Grand Duchy in 2170.[3] Since his youth, Desler lived in the shadow of his older brother, Mathius Desler, heir apparent to Erich who was highly thought of by Garmillas' aristocracy and had played a significant role in the war.[5]
In 2174,[3] the eight-year-old Desler sneaked into a meeting between Grand Duke Erich and his entourage, where Erich revealed his discovery of planet Garmillas' imminent destruction. The world was approaching the end of its planetary life cycle. It would collapse in a matter of a century, leaving the Garmillas species, which could not survive for extended periods on other planets, without a homeworld.[5] Mathius soon found Desler hiding behind a curtain. Per the old traditions, someone who had not undergone a Blood Oath could not listen to such a meeting, thus Erich moved in to execute his nephew. Frozen in fear, Desler fell on the floor, but Mathius stepped between him and their uncle. He made him promise to maintain the secret and live his life looking for a new home to save the Garmillans. He made the young Desler undergo the ritual then and there, cutting his thumb with his dagger.[5]
Starsha tells Desler to grow up quickly
Not long afterward, the Grand Duchy sent a diplomatic mission to planet Iscandar, Garmillas' twin world and the spiritual pillar of Garmillan culture.[13] There, Desler was approached by Iscandar's Queen, Starsha Iscandar, and she murmured in his hear to grow up fast.[14][15]
Desler and Erich at Mathius' funeral
Mathius died in battle in 2183.[3] At his funeral, Desler could only watch as their mother Adelsia, mad with grief, cried over his coffin. Desler reflected that he could now live without being regarded just as the younger sibling of the great Mathius. However, he also reprimanded his dead brother for shoving all burdens and responsibilities on him, while also taking their mother's heart with him in the afterlife.[5] Desler would live the rest of his life trying to fulfill his promise to Mathius. Despite now being the last heir to Grand Duke Erich, the aristocracy considered him the ontological opposite of his deceased brother and unfit to rule the country. When Erich finally died the following year, a civil war over the rights of succession erupted. With the support of Erich's private protection service,[16] Desler stepped up to reunify the country under his faction's rule at the age of 18.[3][5][17]
Eternal Leader of Garmillas[]
Desler visits Iscandar seeking a political alliance with Queen Starsha.
Either during or soon after the end of his campaign, Desler visited Starsha on planet Iscandar once again.[5][18] Members of the aristocracy intended to turn Baleras Tower, which had started construction under Erich's reign, into a wave-motion energy-powered superweapon[19] to threaten Iscandar into giving them a Cosmo Reverse System a device that they believed could save Garmillas from destruction. Desler opposed this plan, partly because there was no guarantee of the CRS working on a naturally decaying planet like Garmillas.[5][17] Instead, during his visit to Starsha, he proposed to her the unification of his people with hers. The Queen hesitated, stating their cultures were too different, but Desler promised he would have made Iscandar's mission of bringing salvation to all beings throughout the cosmos his own. Desler fell in love with Starsha, and his feelings for her would accompany him all his life.[18]
Desler declares the Desler doctrine
Desler finally reunified Garmillas in 2188[3] and declared the Great Garmillas Empire, elevating himself to Eternal Leader. To fulfill his promises to Starsha and Mathius, he theorized and declared the Desler doctrine, the new guiding philosophy for his empire. He leveraged the already existing feelings of Garmillas exceptionalism to push for rapid expansion under the guise of spreading the principles of Iscandarism. Secretly, he hoped that the expansion of Garmillas' borders would eventually lead them to find a world suitable to be turned into their new home planet.[17]
Desler rescues the two Jirellans
Desler's rule began with a series of reforms, which included the abolition of the aristocracy[20] and the transformation of his uncle's bodyguards into the Imperial Guard;[16] a paramilitary organization that served as his secret police,[16] intelligence,[21] and private security service.[2] Despite the violent expansionary campaigns, once an alien race was conquered Desler was willing to grant individuals opportunities within Garmillas society, including the chance to earn full citizenship.[22][2][23] He personally rescued two Jirel girls from captivity, gave them protection and status on Garmillas, and eventually appointed one of them, Miezela Celestella, as his Minister of Propaganda.[13] Celestella became one of Desler's main supporters, and he allowed her much more authority and freedom to operate than his de iure second-in-command, Vice Leader Redof Hiss, whom he generally disregarded.[24][25][26] However, Desler soon grew into a capricious and authoritarian ruler,[27] and a doctrine of absolute control matched his relative generosity. His Imperial Guard grew enormously into a force that watched over all the empire's citizens,[16][28][29] and despite his administration generally pushing for greater integration with second-class citizens from conquered races, the Leader didn't actively try to stop the guard's rampant xenophobia.[16]
Desler faces Elsa after her assassination attempt
While thanks to the rapid growth of its territory Garmillas gained unprecedented wealth and power, movements against Desler's rule started to grow and the Leader was the victim of many assassination attempts. One of them was orchestrated by Elsa Desler, Mathius' widow. The attack failed, and the woman was captured and pinned to the ground. While Desler was given the chance to execute her, he decided to secretly send her and her and her son Ranhardt into exile instead.[17]
By 2199, Desler had united the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds even as opposition from "barbarian" adversaries such as the Gatlantis Empire continued, and he had begun an invasion of the Milky Way Galaxy.[2] He ordered the construction of Baleras II, a space station positioned between Garmillas and Iscandar meant to serve as their joint capital city.[13][18][30] In 2191, planet Earth in the Milky Way was detected as a possible candidate for Garmillasforming, but it was already inhabited by the Terran human species.[3] The Great Garmillas Empire started a campaign against the Terrans in April of the same year.[23]
Last year of Desler's rule[]
New threats emerge[]
Shulz makes his report to Desler
In February of 2199, Desler received unexpected news from Earth. Colonel Walke Shultz, whom Celestella reminded him was in charge of the Zaltz brigade assigned to attack Earth, wanted to report directly. Vice Leader Hiss, however, complained about Shultz's disregard for military protocol. Despite this, Desler allowed Shultz to report as he wished. During the report, Shultz informed him that a new Terran battleship called Yamato, the first Earth vessel capable of faster-than-light navigation, had been sunk in a battle near his base. Desler was confused as to why Shultz had requested a hearing for such an obvious victory, and Shultz embarrassingly replied that he wished to provide a small additional glory to the upcoming celebration of the Empire’s foundation. He was satisfied with the answer, and he promised Shultz that he would remember his loyalty. After the meeting, Desler asked Hiss and Celestella if they had ever heard of such a Terran ship before, but neither of them had. Hours later, Hiss reported that Yamato had resurfaced and destroyed Shultz's base. Desler joked about the Colonel's previous jubilant report and decided to send him and his surviving forces into exile for their humiliating defeat.[26]
Desler thanks Celestella for writing his speech
Having had his interest piqued by the battleship, Desler devised a plan to destroy Yamato using a newly developed bio-weapon, the Desler Torpedo, which contained a recently discovered unique gaseous creature. He intended to turn the operation into entertainment to celebrate Garmillas' 1000th anniversary. On March 5,[9] the day of the festivities, Desler gave a speech to the public gathered in front of Baleras Tower. He then headed back into his palace, thanking Celestella for writing the oration and scoffing at how easily humans could be manipulated by words, stating they were boring to him. He joined the rest of his staff and senior commanders in his throneroom, where they cerimoneuosly reported the greatness of Garmillan infrastructure and the deeds the empire had been able to accomplish under his reign. He was pleased to learn that Admiral Dietz of the Astro Fleet had dispatched famed war hero Erich Domel to take care of the Gatlantean invaders in the Small Magellanic Cloud. Desler informed his subordinates that he had prepared entertainment for them all to relax from their stressful jobs. He allowed Celestella to introduce the operation, and Major General Goer also appeared via hologram.[2]
Desler proposes a toast for the Terrans
A plasma corridor had been layed down onto Yamato's path, trapping the battleship into a one way trip toward the furnace of the red dwarf Gliese 581. Behind them, Shulz's flagship would fire the bioweapon, liberating the gaseous creature and forcing the Terrans to choose between dying consumed by it or the star. Goer was sincerely impressed by Desler's ability to calculate Yamato's route, but he waved him off, stating he just thought calculating their course could be amusing. He then proposed a toast to the Terrans to wish them good luck, prompting the visibly drunk Food Production Minister Dotem Goehin to start laughing. Disgusted by his reaction, Desler activated a hidden key in his throne, which made the floor under Goehin open, making him to fall to his death. He stated that Garmillas had no place for men like him, causing his audience to start cheering him. As Yamato began being chased by the gaseous life form, he jokingly stated that he had introduced a cat inside of a mouse trap. Despite Hiss remarking his plan was flawless, Desler playfully wondered outloud if perhaps the battleship could find a way out, and asked his men to cheer on the Terrans for whatever corageous decision they were about to make. He then applauded them as Yamato directed its bow towards Gliese 581, seemingly intending to destroy itself in the star.[2]
Unexpectedly, the warship fired a powerful weapon at one of the star's solar flares, opening a passageway through which it could escape. Shulz and his men weren't as lucky, and their ship was swallowed by Gliese 581's heat. Satisfied with his game, Desler asked Hiss to posthumously award the fallen soldier with a two-ranks promotion and to grant honorary first-class citizenship to their families for their heroism. He then asked Celestella to remind him the name of the Terran warship, before retiring to his rooms.[2]
Unleashing the wolf[]
Desler shows a hologram of Yamato to Celestella and Gimleh
In the weeks that followed, Desler appeared unconcerned about the situation, despite the growing opposition among the subject peoples of the empire being encouraged by the news of Yamato's victories. However, he began to suspect that Queen Starsha was aiding the Terrans. To deal with the ship, he recalled Domel from the frontier under the guise of granting him a medal and put him in charge of the Galactic Theater in Goer's place. On the day of a parade in Domel's honor, Desler expressed his concerns to Starsha over their hotline, but she denied any involvement. He reassured her of her importance to his empire and expressed his desire to meet her in person soon before hanging up. Celestella then entered the room, accompanied by the Imperial Guard's Director General Hydom Gimleh. She informed the Leader that the preparations for the parade had been completed, and Gimleh updated him on his Secret Police’s latest findings concerning dissident factions within the empire. Desler instructed him to handle the situation in whatever way he deemed necessary. He then turned on a holographic representation of the Yamato and informed the two of them that he knew the battleship's destination.[31]
He later met Domel at the parade in his honor, and personally explained him his new mission as he awarded him with the Desler Cross. The general accepted his new mission and departed to planet Balun to take command of the Galactic Area Army. He later stood in his private room, playing a board game with Starsha and saying to himself that soon they would be one. Making another move in the game, he smiled up at planet Iscandar in the sky above him, decreeing that soon the wolf he had released would catch its prey.[31]
Zoellik's coup[]
Celestella informs Delser of the Iscandarian aboard Yamato as he takes an Iscandarian bird from its cage
Imperial Marshall Herm Zoellik, a member of Desler's inner circle and Inspector General of the Garmillas Central Army, took the Leader's preoccupation as an opportunity to make his own bid for the throne. However, thanks to Gimleh and Celestella's intelligence work, Desler soon became aware of Zoellik's plot to assassinate him during an inspection tour by sabotaging his personal flagship, and planned to avoid the Marshall schemes by going into hiding aboard the UX-01, a dimensional submarine directly under his command. On April 19,[32] just before he departed, Celestella informed Desler that there was an Iscandarian on board Yamato, and that Mirenel Linke, the other Jirel girl Desler had saved, had given her life to recover the information. Desler mentioned that Celestella was now the last of the Jirels, and she reiterated her loyalty to the Leader.[28]
Desler reveals Zoellik treachery
Zoellik's assassination attempt destroyed Desler's flagship, but the explosion only killed a body double planted in the Leader's place before the flight. Desler let the Imperial Marshall act undisturbed for a time, allowing him to falsely convict General Domel and Admiral Dietz of the crime he had committed.[29] As Zoellik appealed for support from a massive military fleet summoned to planet Balun, Desler revealed himself and the plot against him, sarcastically praising the eulogy the Marshall had given him. Zoellik's treachery was dealt with swiftly by Goer, but a surprise raid by Yamato obliterated many of the ships assembled at Balun and cut the empire off from its farthest territories.[33]
The rebirth of Garmillas[]
Desler presents the "third princess of Iscandar" at the public memorial for General Domel.
As he returned to his palace, Desler gazed over planet Garmillas, wondering what was the point of clinging to the dying planet. He immediately joined his cabinet and Domel, newly released from prison, to plan their next step in dealing with Yamato.[21] He apologised to the General for the trouble he had caused him, and pondered over the great loss that stopping Zoellik had caused them. Domel requested the Leader gave him the task of sinking the Yamato, and Desler agreed. He also gave Domel a second task: kidnapping the Iscandarian travelling with the Terrans, who he believed to be Iscandar's third princess, Yurisha Iscandar. The General succeeded at having his men take Yurisha, but was killed attempting to destroy the Earth vessel.[34] Despite this loss, Yurisha was now in Desler's hands and he intended to make her give consent for Garmillas's union with Iscandar. Desler welcomed Yurisha with his staff at Baleras Tower, but she refused to talk. He asked her if she had forgotten about him but received no response.[13][N 1]
Desler and his men meet to plan their defenses
During a strategy meeting, Goer informed him that the surviving ships from Balun would not reach Garmillas for another two months. Desler stopped the Major General's rambling and only asked for him to do his best. After the call was interrupted, Gimleh promised to protect Garmillas from Yamato's invasion with his fleet. Celestella informed the Leader that she had sensed that the woman claiming to be Yurisha was a Terran, not Iscandarian. Despite Hiss's concern, Desler remained unfazed and claimed that they only needed the populace to believe Yurisha had approved the unification, whether it was real or not. The group attended a memorial for Domel in Baleras, Garmillas' capital city, where Desler gave a speech in his honor. He referred to Domel as a hero, his personal friend whose loss tore his heart and that of his people. He stated that only hope could heal that wound, and he would give his citizens hope. He publicly introduced the fake princess of Iscandar, claiming she had come to endorse the Great Unification of her world with Garmillas, despite the queen's reluctance.[13]
Desler and the fake princess watch the firing of the Desler cannon
With the fake Yurisha by his side, Desler ordered the Director of the Ministry of Armaments, Welte Talan, to prepare Garmillas's own wave-motion weapon, the Desler cannon, in anticipation for Yamato's uninevitable arrival. Talan was hesitant, as the location where the weapon was to be fired, Baleras II, was still incomplete. Despite this, Desler did not care and ordered the preparations to continue. Desler noted the relief of his prisoner upon hearing that Yamato was coming, and stated that he would properly welcome the battleship and that she was free to watch what was to come. When she asked him what she would be watching, Desler coldly replied that she would witness a war. The Desler cannon was fired and obliterated the gas-giant Epidora. Desler believed this to be a beautiful end for the Yamato, and wondered about the commander who led them so far, stating he would have loved to meet him. Seeing the Terran woman distressed, he caressed her hair and ordered her guard to take her away to rest. However, much to his surprise, Yamato had survived the attack and was heading towards Garmillas at full speed. Desler ordered Talan to carry out the necessary repairs to fire the weapon again. At that moment, Starsha hailed his command post and expressed her sadness and horror that he had used her world's technology to create a weapon of mass destruction. Annoyed, Desler retorted that the Terrans aboard Yamato were equally guilty of using wave-motion energy as a weapon. He informed her that her sister would be kept safe from the events to come. When Starsha asked him what he intended to do, he simply replied that all he was doing was for her. She begged him to stop, but he realized the conversation was futile and ended the call.[35]
Desler declares the new capital while at the apex of his folly
The battle continued, and Yamato charged towards Baleras and Baleras Tower itself. Desler fled aboard an escape vessel kept hidden within the tower, which was also the unit powering the superweapon built by the aristocrats.[17] He took command of Baleras II and ordered a massive component of the station to detach and plummet towards the capital, in an attempt to destroy all his enemies, including the former aristocrats hiding within the military.[17] Talan rushed in and asked Desler to explain his actions. The Leader called it a rite of passage, stating that the annihilation of Yamato and the capital would bring forth the rebirth of Garmillas. At the peak of his madness, he triumphantly broadcasted to the citizens of Garmillas, declaring Baleras II the new imperial capital and stating it would land on Iscandar to become the center of the newly unified empire. Rather than fleeing, Yamato fired its wave-motion gun as the component entered the planet's atmosphere, preventing a catastrophe. Desler refused to accept defeat and targeted the palace and the battleship with the Desler cannon. However, the wave-motion core of Baleras II was sent out of control by the fake Yurisha, who escaped before the orbital city exploded. Deusura II, Desler's new flagship, warped away just as the station was consumed by the blast, carrying Desler, Talan, and the Desler cannon with it.[35]
Believing that Leader Desler died along with his new capital, a provisional government headed by Hiss stepped into the power vacuum, making peace with the Terrans and beginning a process of democratization.[18][30]
Leader in exile[]
Defeat at the Galactic Theater Gate[]
For this topic in more detail, see Battle of the Galactic Theater Gate
Desler takes Mori hostage after boarding Yamato
Effectively banished, Desler spent the next two months aboard his flagship, gathering the support of scattered military units that refused to recognize the new leadership. He knew it would not be enough to reclaim the empire and planned to seize Yamato as his own. As they rendezvoused Goer and his fleet, Director Talan asked him why he was obsessing so much over the Terran warship, and he responded that he found the idea of returning to power using those who had destroyed him beautiful. He went on to state that the glory of Great Garmillas would bring salvation and order to the universe and that he alone could make it possible. Goer ambushed Yamato as it returned to Balun, driving it through a surviving subspace gate and toward Deusura II, lying in wait inside a subspace corridor. Yamato was quickly immobilized and hundreds of Gamiloid soldiers took control, deck by deck. Desler informed Talan he would board the ship himself, and the minister ordered two of his guards to escort him. Aboard Yamato, he found and subdued the "false princess," Lieutenant Yuki Mori. He ordered her to bring him to her commander, but Mori refused, stating he wasn't worthy of seeing him, prompting Desler to comment on her strong will.[30]
Taken by surprise, Desler turns around and shoots Celestella
Without warning, Desler felt a telepathic presence invade his mind, and he spun around to fire at its source. He was aghast to see that he had shot Miezela Celestella, who had fled Baleras to try to find him. Distraught by what she had just witnessed, Mori asked the Leader why he'd kill someone who had loved him so much, stating that war should have never erupted between the Earth and Garmillas. Saddened, Desler stared at his gun, and responded that war was necessary, to force obedience and bring salvation as an offer to the only woman he had truly ever loved. A Terran man arrived at the scene calling out for Mori. Suddenly, the mortally wounded Celestella got up and shot Desler in the shoulder, before putting the gun to her head. Mori tried to stop the Jirel from killing herself, but Desler's guards shot down both of them. The guards began escorting him back to Deusura II, and he ordered them to stand down. He turned around to get a look at the Terran man, who was now holding the unconcious Mori, before departing.[30]
The wounded Desler gives his last thought to Starsha before firing the Desler cannon
He returned to the bridge of his flagship and ordered the Desler cannon to be charged. Talan pleaded with him to stop, stating that using the weapon inside the subspace corridor would be an act of suicide. Still, Desler refused to listen and pointed his gun at the Director, ordering him not to interfere and stating he was at war. To the Leader's surprise, as he targeted Yamato, it came about and opened fire with physical shells, disabling Deusura II and incapacitating or killing everyone on the bridge. Desler remained standing but was injured, and with a final thought of his beloved Starsha, he fired. The Desler cannon activated, tearing Deusura II apart and hurling the core ship off into the subspace corridor, but sparing Yamato.[30]
The rebirth of Abelt Desler[]
For this topic in more detail, see Battle in Subspace
Desler walks between two lines of Gatlantean warriors inside Zworder's throne room
Desler and his coreship were found by the Gatlantis Empire, and the Leader was nursed back to health. More than three years later, in early 2203, Desler presented himself in the throne room of the Gatlantean Great Emperor, Zworder to be entrusted with a fleet. Hiding his anger, he bowed his head as Prime Minister Shifual Saberah remarked that the Gatlanteans never gave second chances to defeated commanders, and that he was an exception and had to be greatful to the Great Emperor. Zworder stopped Saberah, asking her to show more respect to what he called the "former ruler of a nation", irritating Desler further. He continued, stating he had called him because he wanted to show them vindictiveness, something the Gatlantis Empire did not possess. Zworder then showed him a hologram of Yamato, informing him that he had arranged its destruction as a gift for him, which Desler gratefully accepted.[6] The Leader was given command of a fleet of warships painted in Garmillas's blue color and headed by a new flagship, the Neu Deusura, built around his damaged coreship. However, the young Gatlantean officer Mil was placed on the bridge of his flagship with the task of telepathically reporting Zworder on the Leader's every move.[10]
Before he could fight the Terran battleship, Desler was asked to deal with a Gatlantean unit that had defied imperial orders to return to Gatlantis' homeland. Mil explained that the vindictiveness Zworder wanted him to show was poison for the Gatlantis Empire, and that it had contaminated the fleet Desler was supposed to destroy. The Leader reminded him that he had only agreed to help them so that he could face the Yamato. Mil responded that the Emperor also wished to have him deal with the Yamato, which was the source of that poison. As Desler prepared to fire the Desler cannon at the rebellious fleet, Mil remarked that the Gatlanteans prospered because they were not bound by human emotions such as love. The Leader conceded that things could get out of hand when such emotions were involved. He then fired the weapon, wiping out the contaminated fleet, and headed off to the battleship he had prepared to face the Yamato.[10]
Desler comments Mil's powers
Thanks to Mil's psychic abilities, Desler easily located Yamato, and Neu Deusura used its teleportation systems to surround it with numerous warheads. Seeing the battleship's tenacity, the Leader was amused to note it had not changed one bit over the past years. He turned to Mil, informing him he'd show him something interesting. He asked him to continue to track the battleship's coordinates, before inputting them into the system and ordering to teleport another wave of missile toward it. To Mil's surprise, Yamato found an escape route in the missiles' pattern and warped away. Desler calmly assessed that finding a way out of deadly situations was the battleship's characteristic, and ordered his fleet to follow the enemy's warp. The battle continued inside a dimensional fault, whose unique characteristics began causing problems within the Gatlantean warships. Despite this, Desler ordered the fleet to continue firing at the Yamato. The Leader commented on Mil's powers, noting that they provided him with instantaneous communication and had allowed him to track his enemy perfectly. He also remarked that the prayer of the goddess Teresa of Terezart had the same origin and effects as Mil's telepathy.[10]
Desler talks about Zworder's true intention to Mil
Two of Desler's ships soon exploded due to their continued firing in the dimensional fault, but the Leader remained unfazed and continued to address the Gatlantean. He noted that their powers made Mil and the spy aboard Yamato unique members of the empire, just like Emperor Zworder himself. As they neared the core of the artificial pocket dimension, Desler stated that Mil's powers had waned, and decided to send ahead his remaining ships to locate Yamato visually. Seeing the Gatlantean was struggling to contact Zworder telepathically, the Leader informed him that his efforts were useless. He sipped his drink and got up from his chair, complimenting Gatlantean technology but stating that nobody, not even Mil, truly understood Zworder's intentions. He claimed that, for the sovereign, Yamato wasn't just the origin of contamination but a mesmerizing poison and a source of amusement and assumed that he didn't truly want the battleship destroyed.[10]
Desler blocks Mil's gun and points it against him
Mil tried to raise his handgun but Desler stopped him, diverting the weapon and pointing it at the Gatlantean's head. Looking him straight in the eyes, Desler calmly asserted that Yamato meant nothing to him and that the Great Emperor knew it, before taking away his pistol. Shocked, Mil realized that Desler had planned to lure him there all along to cut him from Zworder, and the Leader simply replied that he was a man who never forgot humiliation. He then fired the Desler cannon at Yamato, fully aware that it would destroy both the fleet entrusted to him by the emperor and the entirety of the pocket dimension. Despite Mil's complaints, he continued, asking him to do his job and observe his actions. Yamato once again managed to escape, leaving Desler to comment on its usual luck.[10]
Desler takes Mil hostage
As the dimensional fault dissipated, Desler asked Mil if he was not happy to have his power returned to him by the dimension's collapse. At that moment, a large fleet of Garmillas warships, led by Lieutenant General Ghader Talan, the deceased Director's brother, warped out near Neu Deusura. Desler thanked Talan for his unwavering loyalty and informed Mil that that was his actual fleet. When Mil tried to contact Zworder, Desler held him at gunpoint, stating that the Emperor would eventually find out himself, so there was no reason to rush things.[10] Mil was then taken hostage by Desler's forces and imprisoned, and his telepathy was kept at bay using crystals taken from the collapsed dimension.[36]
Terezat: Teresa and Ranhardt[]
Desler directed his fleet towards Terezart, the home planet of the legendary goddess Teresa, which Yamato was planning to liberate from the control of the Gatlantis Empire. Desler's plan was to capture Terezart once Yamato had destroyed the Gatlantean forces present on the planet and use it as a bargaining chip with Zworder.[5]
Desler confronts Teresa after reliving his past
On March 26, 2203,[9] shortly after Yamato had successfully liberated the planet, Desler's fleet surrounded the goddess' sanctuary, the Terezarium. Desler met a group of Yamato's officers inside the temple. Teresa herself confronted him, and he was showed a vision of his past, from the fateful day he took the Blood Oath to the beginning of his campaign during the civil war. Gravely, Desler asked the goddess if she had forced that vision onto him, or if coming into contact with her had made him recall his past. As a group of Needle Slaves at his command flooded the room, Teresa asked him for his wish and Desler sarcastically remarked that if the legends about her were true, she would already know it without him needing to spell it out. Teresa rebutted that Yamato's crew would not know his intentions that way, and asked him if that was all right to him.[5]
Desler holds Teresa at gunpoint
Desler frustratingly admitted that speaking to an omniscient being was annoying, and pointed his pistol at the goddess. One of the Terrans addressed him, informing him that Teresa wasn't the kind of entity who could conveniently grant his wishes. Desler stated that those called by Teresa were supposed to act according to her foretelling to reach the most optimal future. He compared the goddess' actions to manipulation, stating that due to her calls, he had not been able to live his life as he had wished. He firmly believed that Erich and Mathius had both lived following Teresa's wishes. Desler asked the goddess to show her grace to those chosen by fate, but she replied that human beings were only bound by a fate that was the result of their own choices and that she only showed them the path to the future. She remarked that his choices could change everything, even the future, before disappearing from view. Desler bitterly called her a powerless being who could only watch as the events of mortals unfolded.[5]
Kodai takes Desler hostage
Another one of the Yamato crewmembers asked Desler what he intended to do with Teresa, and the Leader explained his intentions. Gatlantis had received immense scientific and military power from ravaging the remnants of the Archelias civilization, and with Teresa, as leverage, he could obtain that power to his ends. The first officer interrupted him again, remarking that whatever negotiation he obtained with Gatlantis it would only be a temporary agreement, given the empire's mission to annihilate all human life throughout the universe. Before he could respond, Talan contacted him and informed him that Yamato had passed onto the offensive and that a battle had erupted outside of the Terezarium. Suddenly, a cosmo marine entered the room they were standing in, starting a gunfight against Desler's automatons. Tactical officer Susumu Kodai took the chance to sneak up behind him and hold him at gunpoint. He asked the Leader to end the fighting, but Desler sarcastically stated that it had only just begun.[5]
Desler asks Ranhardt to join him
A plane from Yamato entered the Terezarium, piloted by a Garmillas. The young man faced Desler directly and asked him what had brought him here. Confused but maintaining his composure, Desler asked him who he was, and the pilot revealed himself as Ranhardt Desler, Mathius's lost son. He made him recall his mother's assassination attempt and informed him that she had died in poverty after he had exiled her. Ranhardt proceeded to ask him if it was true that planet Garmillas was about to die and if his brutal actions had truly been for the sake of the Garmillan race. Kodai also asked if that was the truth, and Desler sarcastically remarked that it didn't matter, asking if knowing his initial objective would change anything. He continued to state that he had no power and that nothing would change whether he prayed to Teresa or negotiated with Gatlantis. Even so, he felt like he needed to act. Desler addressed Ranhardt, stating that the path moving forward would be dreadful, and asked him to let go of his emotions if he intended to follow him, otherwise, he'd repeat the same mistakes he had committed in the name of love. Ranhardt chose to follow his uncle and shot Kodai in his helmet, making him fall unconcious.[5] The officers were taken prisoner and brought aboard Neu Deusura.[17]
Desler and Ranhardt on Neu Deusura open-air deck
Ranhardt told his uncle that he had joined the Yamato on its mission to disable its engines before they could obtain Teresa's power. He wanted that power to be used by the Desler Regime Revivalists, a group that opposed the democratization process and aimed to reinstate Desler's dictatorship. Desler took Ranhardt to Mil's cell, where he freed the Gatlantean. The prisoner asked about the commotion, and Desler explained that he had killed the "faithless rat" who had tried to steal Terezart from Zworder. He wanted Mil to assess the situation himself and then contact the Great Emperor to establish formal negotiations. Later, on Neu Deusura's open-air deck, Ranhardt asked Desler if he thought Zworder would accept his conditions. However, Desler stated that the Emperor wasn't concerned with saving face and would do whatever was necessary to keep Terezart in his control. He mused that finding or creating a planet where the Garmillans could live was something that only Gatlantis could do. Desler wanted to know about Ranhardt's experience aboard the Yamato, and he explained that it was a strange ship with an eccentric crew, which he thought was more like a group of pilgrims than soldiers.[17]
Desler and Ranhardt meet Gimleh
Back on the ship's main bridge, Ranhardt explained that he didn't know who was behind the Revivalist Faction. Desler concluded that whoever it was, they would now have to come face-to-face with him given the circumstances. At that moment, Neu Deusura received a video call from planet Garmillas, and Desler was faced with none other than Hydom Gimleh, who had surprisingly managed to survive the Battle of the Imperial Capital. Gimleh explained that he knew of Desler's true intentions during the battle and that his actions had been carried out to protect both Garmillas and Iscandar. He then informed him that he previously thought Ranhardt to be a candidate to serve as the next Eternal Leader, but that he intended to give the title back to him now that he had reemerged. With consent from his nephew, Desler accepted this, and Gimleh informed him that his forces were ready to launch an uprising at any given moment to reestablish his rule.[17]
Desler asks Ranhardt to take his place after musing over his past
Desler later descended to the Terezarium and met Ranhardt there. He joked that if Teresa could be taken away by anyone, he would have to suspect him of treachery. Ranhardt asked him what he was doing there, and Desler replied that they were there for the same reason. He stated that everyone had a mental pillar of support, especially those who could only depend on themselves, but he had lost his, Starsha, due to his previous actions. He continued explaining his reasoning for the invasion of Earth and his attempt at Garmillasforming it but bitterly remarked that the Queen had extended her hand to save the planet, and said that Ranhardt already knew what that led to. He turned serious and questioned out loud what he had truly tried to destroy during that fateful battle almost four years prior. He concluded that whatever the reason, he had sacrificed many people, and that was a sin that he could not atone for. He believed that if the Garmillans wanted a Desler to lead them, it had to be Ranhardt and not him. Ranhardt excused himself and took his leave, leaving Desler alone in the Terezarium. Teresa talked to the Leader, telling him that there was someone in his heart for whom he cared more than even himself. As long as that sentiment existed, he would be fit to rule his people. Desler chuckled, telling the goddess she spoke a lot without being asked and left the sanctuary.[17]
Desler gives one last look at Yamato
At the exit of the Terezarium, Talan informed Desler that Ranhardt had freed the Terrans from jail and was escaping with them. Desler ordered him to allow his nephew and the Yamato to act undisturbed. As they were returning to the flagship aboard a modified landing boat, Talan and Desler witnessed the group escape after an explosion lit up one of Neu Deusura's hangars. The Lieutenant General asked if it was fine to let them get away, but Desler simply smiled in agreement. After returning to his bridge, Desler listened to Teresa as she turned planet Terezart invisible and intangible and smiled to himself, stating that, in the end, she was never something they could control. As he left to join up with the rest of his forces, he looked over at the departing Yamato and commented that he was fine with how things turned out in the end.[17]
Showdown against Yamato[]
For this topic in more detail, see Battle against Neu Deusura
Mil makes his offer to Desler
On the bridge of his flagship, Desler watched a Garmillan broadcast announcing the arrest of Gimleh and his men after Ranhardt had ratted them out to the Garmillas Security Intelligence Agency. Mil commented that his return path to Garmillas had been blocked and offered the Gatlantis Empire's support in reinstating his authority. However, Desler stated that he would not become Gatlantis' puppet again, but Mil suggested they could find a way to save Garmillas, garnering his cautious interest. He called Desler pragmatic, different from his more emotional nephew. The exchange prompted Desler to question Mil's real identity, causing a smile to briefly appear on the Gatlantean's face. Mil stated that Gatlantis would offer Desler their help on the condition that he destroyed the Yamato.[37]
Desler prepares to fire the Desler cannon at Yamato
On June 1,[9] Desler laid a trap for the Terran battleship in the inner solar system. He stood alone with Mil on the Neu Deusura, pointing the battleship's Desler cannon at the unknowing Yamato. As he fired the weapon, he thought back to Teresa's words and called Yamato's idealism beautiful but ultimately incapable of saving anything. Mentally addressing his nephew, he asked him to show him the power of his ideals and if he believed they could change the world. Intending to confront him face-to-face, he made sure Ranhardt would notice the Desler cannon's charging from Yamato's bridge and ordered Talan and the rest of his forces not to intervene in their uninevitable reunion. Thanks to his signal, Yamato avoided the Desler cannon by short-warping ahead in front of Neu Deusura. Desler ordered the coreship to be detached, and the Terran warship rammed his flagship. Mil was impressed by his split-second decision, but Desler stated that, although the Gatlantean wouldn't understand, members of the same family often thought alike. Suddenly, all Gamiloids crewing the ship were deactivated, surprising Mil, who ran out of the bridge. Desler scoffed at his machines, calling them dolls, and interrupted a video call from Talan, who suggested sending him a rescue team despite the Leader's previous orders.[38]
Mil shoots Desler and makes his proposal to Ranhardt
Ranhardt walked in on the bridge sooner than Desler had anticipated. He asked him to surrender immediately, questioning what he was trying to do by working with Gatlantis despite knowing their ultimate objective and why he had sent him that signal. Ranhardt stated that, deep down, Desler knew that he should ally with Yamato, but the Leader replied that his experiences aboard Yamato were only applicable to the battleship's small environment. Without warning, Desler was shot and wounded by Mil and fell to the ground in pain. The young Gatlantean proposed an offer to Ranhardt, stating he'd spare the Earth and Garmillas for another 10,000 years if he killed Desler on the spot.[38] Knowing Mil had no reason to lie to them, Desler ordered his nephew to shoot him, affirming that a member of their family could not show hesitation. But before Ranhardt could decide, Kodai appeared on the bridge and told him to stop, claiming that he had been presented with a similar alternative by Gatlantis and that both choices would make Ranhardt lose something he loved. According to him, the only right decision was not to choose. Desler mused over Kodai's words and said that deciding was equivalent to losing the game, prompting Ranhardt to drop his gun. Angered, Mil tried to shoot Kodai, but the Terran fired at the console behind him, making him lose balance. Kodai sneaked up behind Mil, holding a gun against his head. Backed in a corner, the Gatlantean taunted him, saying that despite all of his efforts against violence, like all humans, he was still going to pull the trigger and kill someone. In response, Kodai lowered his weapon. Amused but undeterred, Mil pointed his pistol at Kodai, prompting Ranhardt to try to intervene. However, Desler stopped his nephew, telling him to stand down and respect Kodai's choice if he was considered him a friend.[11]
Desler sadly looks at Mil's body, commenting the foolishness of the events that unfolded
Mil took his shot, but suddenly, Lieutenant Mori rushed into the room and took the bullet instead of Kodai. Mil was shocked to see such genuine love moving someone to sacrifice their life, especially since Mori had supposedly lost all memories of Kodai and the past four years. With his worldview shaken, the Gatlantean approached Kodai to make a peace offering. At that moment, however, the rescue team sent by Talan arrived at the scene and shot the Gatlantean down. Dismayed, Desler held back his tears and commented that the situation was too foolish.[11]
With the battle over, Desler met his nephew in the thin atmosphere created around Neu Deusura. He asked him if he intended to go with the Terrans, which he confirmed, stating that the future of all humans depended on the next battle. Ranhardt entrusted Garmillas's future to him, believing he had finally understood the futility of war, and asked him to lead their people to a new world. The Leader offered him and Kodai his Neu Deusura to help them protect Yamato in the coming fight against Gatlantis. Back in his departing coreship, Desler took one last look at Yamato and was filled with sadness, wondering why they had ever fought in the first place instead of trying to love each other.[11]
Finding a new home[]
Collaborating with the democratic government[]
In the following confrontation with the Gatlantis Empire, Ranhardt lost his life. However, thanks to his and Yamato's efforts, the empire was defeated and the Gatlantean race was wiped out.[39] Upon receiving news of his nephew's demise, Desler decided to disclose the information regarding planet Garmillas's shortening lifespan to the Provisional Government. Desler contacted Hiss, who was serving as the Secretary of the Department of Internal Affairs[40] and explained that he had no interest in returning to his throne and only intended to help save their people. Initially, the government did not believe Desler's words, but under pressure from a faction of the armed forces that had been in contact with the Leader, a survey of the planet's core was carried out under Hiss's direction. This survey ultimately confirmed the veracity of Desler's warning. Desler's faction and the Provisional Government made peace, ending the ongoing civil war within the Great Garmillas Empire. They began working together to find a new planet to emigrate the Garmillan people to.[41]
Desler joins his supporters in late 2203
Desler, joined by support forces from the provisional government, began searching for viable worlds throughout space. However, as of late December 2203,[42] his search did not bring any fruitful results. He continued to look undeterred for two years, eventually continuing his collaboration with the Garmillas Empire's first democratically elected government. In early 2205, information regarding planet Garmann's existence was leaked to the Desler fleet. The world was located inside of the Sagittarius Dwarf Galaxy and was an exact copy of planet Garmillas. However, Garmann had fallen under the brutal occupation of an interstellar alliance known as the Bolar Federation. Desler approached the Garmillan government to begin planning a massive migratory effort toward Garmann. At the same time, he established contact with the Garmann natives, planning an uprising against Bolar in case negotiations to obtain the planet peacefully failed. Desler personally came up with a strategy to use his new flagship, Deusura III, provided by the government, in a joint operation between the regular forces and the Desler fleet to liberate Garmann.[41]
Negotiation and Liberation[]
For this topic in more detail, see Planet Garmann Liberation Operation
Desler negotiates with the Bolar Federation
In August,[43] Desler met with the governor of Garmann for the Bolar Federation, Vilke Burroughs, with the intention of buying the planet in exchange for an alliance between Garmillas and the federation. The meeting was held in a cathedral surrounded by a vast Bolar fleet, while Desler's transport ship remained stationed in orbit of the planet. However, his forces were ready to strike at any given moment, and his supporters had infiltrated among the Garmanns present in the cathedral. Desler explained that throughout the known universe, Garmann was the only world that shared the same ecosystem of Garmillas, so much so that some believed it to be the original home planet of the Garmillas race. He promised Garmillas would help the Bolar Federation grow in exchange for what, to them, was a resource planet like many others. Shocking everyone in the room, Desler kneeled and bowed his head, begging the men in front of him to save the Garmillans from extinction. Burroughs threw a killer collar at Desler's feet, identical to the ones worn by all Garmanns under Bolar's rule. He refused every form of alliance or agreement, informing him that Bolar's Permanent Administration would extend its saving grace only if the Garmillans agreed to work as their hands and feet.[44]
Desler gives a rousing speech to the liberated Garmanns
Desler defiantly stood up and started a countdown, at the end of which his transport in orbit was scuttled, creating a wave-motion resonance wave and deactivating all Bolar vessels with its interference. The Desler fleet warped in and mercilessly attacked the immobile ships and all Bolar military installations on the planet. The Garmillas soldiers hidden among the crowd also stood up, taking control of the cathedral. Before the governor could press the switch that would activate the collars, Desler shot him in the shoulder and took the device from him. He turned off all the collars and gave a speech to the Garmanns present, stating that their servitude to Bolar was over and that Garmillans and Garmanns would build a new future together. He then addressed the Bolar officials, telling them they deserved nothing but fear.[44]
Desler watches Ranhardt's last message
Back on Deusura III, Desler entrusted planet Garmann to a fleet headed by Admiral Gul Dietz and began making his way back to Garmillas to help move the remaining immigrants. Talan, now the captain of Desler's flagship, wondered how they had been able to find such a perfect world in only two years, noticing that Garmann's moon even had an uncanny resemblance with Iscandar, making Desler go somber. Later, alone on the bridge, Desler watched a hologram of Ranhardt's last message to him, asking him to plant a vase of maleidel flowers on the planet he had found. Desler softly addressed the hologram, saying he could now fulfill his promise. Suddenly, the video switched to Kodai, now Yamato's captain, who informed Desler of the message's origins and stated that the Earth still glowed blue only because Ranhardt had protected it. Desler recognized Kodai and fondly smiled.[44]
Iscandar Incident[]
The fall of Garmillas[]
For this topic in more detail, see Battle against the Dezarium Hammers and Rescue of Iscandar
On October 16,[43] planet Garmillas fell under attack by an unknown enemy. Hundreds of spear-like objects fell to the planet, piercing the surface and sending shockwaves throughout the entire world. The Desler fleet received a muffled emergency transmission from the home planet, and Desler ordered all ships to speed up. The fleet arrived in time, and a battle broke out against the invading devices at the Leader's orders. Despite their best efforts, however, the enemy's superior shields protected the device from receiving any damage. Hiss contacted Deusura III, informing the Leader that the planet would soon collapse. Defeated, Desler asked to launch all remaining evacuation ships and suggested Hiss leave with them. His former subordinate smiled, recognizing that Desler had changed and that his new persona was the real him. He saluted the Leader and Garmillas before ending the communication. Desler ordered his forces to save as many people as possible. Remembering his promise to Mathius and Ranhardt, he drove Deusura III toward Baleras as magma began overflowing the city, determined to rescue even a single person. He was shocked to be stopped by Talan. The Lieutenant General yelled at him for his suicidal mission, telling him that if he intended to save anyone he had to stay alive.[45]
Desler is brought to his knees by the sight of Garmillas's destruction
As the Desler fleet began pulling out, planet Garmillas gave in and exploded. Desler fell to his knees at the sight of his homeworld's destruction. In a state of shock, he mused over the blood he had spilled due to the planet's impending doom and began crying. Suddenly, Iscandar accelerated out of its orbit at an unnatural velocity as if it was being pulled away. Regaining some composure, Desler ordered his fleet to begin pursuing the planet. They were faced with a massive fleet of unidentified affiliations. Realizing they were the same enemy that had attacked Garmillas, Desler fired his flagship's Desler cannon at them and angrily ordered his forces to annihilate their opposers. However, at that moment, Iscandar was enveloped by a mysterious light, and the planet forcibly warped away, shocking Desler and all his men.[45]
Desler sees Starsha for the first time in 6 years
The Garmillas fleet followed the planet as it warped out in the Vorzon system, and a battle erupted near and on Iscandar to protect the planet's royal family and the migratory vessels that had landed there. Melda Dietz, Admiral Dietz's daughter and Garmillas' attachée to the Iscandarian royals, personally contacted Desler. She informed him that Queen Starsha had refused to take shelter and begged him and his forces to come to their rescue. The Leader led his fleet into battle, but the stress of the fight made the wound he had received years earlier from Mil act up, making him curl on the floor in pain. Talan ran to his side, but Desler dismissed his condition, stating he was only feeling dizzy. At that moment, Starsha contacted Deusura III. He tried to convince the Queen to leave her palace, but she explained that as Iscandar's protector, she could not live away from the planet.[46]
Unexpectedly, the enemy commander contacted the Garmillas fleet, informing them they only wanted planet Iscandar for themselves and asking why they'd try resisting their superior might. Desler asked them who they were, and the commander introduced his faction as Dezarium before ordering them to disappear. As beam weapon fire targeted Deusura III, a wave-motion shield was deployed to protect the Garmillan forces. Yamato and its new fleet entered Iscandar's atmosphere, making Desler smile in relief. He was picked up by Talan and watched in awe as Ranhardt's ship protected the migratory convoy before passing out due to his wounds.[46][47]
Desler contacts Yamato's crew
He remained convalescent for most of the next operation, but he eventually regained his strength and fired the Desler cannon to protect Yamato. While his attack destroyed part of the enemy fleet, he was shocked to see a massive Dezarian mobile fortress shed its optical camouflage.[47] Kodai tried to negotiate a meeting with the Dezarian commander, but filled with anger at the sight of the enemy'd flagship, Desler fired the Desler cannon. However, the mobile fortress was unscathed, and it unleashed a powerful gravitational storm before flying away carrying Iscandar with it. Realizing his foolishness, Desler contacted Yamato's bridge, stating that he had underestimated the enemy and asking them to follow him to plan a counterattack.[48]
Immigrant Fleet Rescue Operation[]
For this topic in more detail, see Immigrant Fleet Rescue Operation
Desler asks Kodai what are his true intentions
Desler, Talan, and Dietz met with Kodai and the other commanders of the Terran fleet. The enemy had taken Iscandar to the nearby star Vorzon, and Mori stated that their efforts had to focus on rescuing the remaining civilians still stuck on the planet's surface. Saying he was aware of the situation, Desler agreed and asked for the Terrans' plan. They explained that they intended to use the dimensional submarines to carry the civilian convoy through subspace with their special equipment. Desler brought up the issue of Iscandar's royal family, and Dietz affirmed that Queen Starsha had no intention of leaving the planet, and asked Captain Kodai to persuade her. However, Kodai refused, believing that Starsha would not listen to him after he used a wave-motion weapon in front of her. He suggested that Desler would be a better fit to talk to her, but the Leader interrupted him and asked if he had come to Iscandar just to run away. He expressed his appreciation for the Earth's help and humbly asked Kodai to help him save the people of Iscandar. Desler then took his leave, stating that it was obvious his nephew had entrusted the future to an unworthy person.[48]
Initially, the operation was successful, but one of the dimensional submarines was attacked and destroyed by Dezarium, forcing the joint fleet to call off the rescue. The enemy fortress began charging a massive beam weapon and pointed it towards the Iscandarian capital. Yamato and a Terran battle carrier rushed in front of the royal palace to protect it with their wave-motion shields, and Desler followed them, deploying Deusura III's Geshtam Wall. Their combined efforts stopped the Dezarian fire, but the enemy commander soon began recharging it. Suddenly, Starsha interrupted the battle, offering planet Iscandar to Dezarium in exchange for a truce. Much to Desler's shock, she called him and Kodai to her palace, intending to reveal the secret of the Garmillas's blue skin to them.[48]
The secrets of Sanctel[]
Starsha leads Kodai and Desler toward Sanctel's entrance
Starsha took the two men to the basement of her palace where she explained that the Iscandarians were the first human species to evolve. This unique status had led them to become greedy, egotistical and arrogant. Suddenly, Starsha disappeared behind a column, and Kodai tried to run after her. To his and Desler's shock, the Queen had taken on the appearance of the deceased Ranhardt. She explained that a human face that they both knew was necessary to reveal the truth. They would enter the underground vault known as Sanctel, but to do so, they would first need to undergo a ritual. The Iscandarians had undergone a process similar to the ascension of the Terezartians into Teresa. However, while they had lost their individuality and the ability to interact with the physical realm, the Iscandarians had managed to preserve their memories. This process was usually irreversible, but to Desler and Kodai, it would only appear as if they had dreamed.[15]
Desler and Erich witness the Genocide by Iscandar
Desler found himself surrounded by light and transformed into his eight-year-old self. He was in the Desler family's mansion, facing his uncle Erich who explained that humans were incomplete and that was why they constantly fought each other in meaningless conflicts. He stated that, before humans annihilated the universe with their constant fighting, Iscandar could turn all civilizations into memories and store them in Sanctel, a place where they could live on statically for all eternity in perpetual bliss. Looking out of the mansion's windows, the pair saw a planet being destroyed by countless Wave-motion Cannon. Erich told Desler not to divert his eyes, explaining that to transform a life into a memory, it first needed to be destroyed. He called it "Genocide by Iscandar", the ritual that the Iscandarians had carried out multiple times. The Iscandarians themselves had undergone that process first, but leaving their mortal bodies meant they had to find someone who could continue to annihilate civilizations to store them inside Sanctel. Their choice fell on a group of humans from planet Garmann, who were bound to their home planet's unique ecosystem and couldn't survive anywhere else. To make them their slaves, they recreated a copy of planet Garmann on Iscandar's twin planet, and they named the new people "Garmillas", which in their ancient language meant "Garmann apes".[15]
Desler points his gun at Starsha
Desler remembered Starsha asking him to grow up fast when he was just a child and returned to reality. Horrified by the revelation, he pointed his gun at the Queen. He stated that Garmillas's life span had been shortened by the Iscandarians' tinkering with it in the past. Starsha could only respond that Iscandar had abandoned those ways, but admitted that they had only done it because they had grown complacent. She explained that she had tried to establish new, more equal relations with the Garmillas, but they had embarked on bloody campaigns reminiscent of those carried out by her people. With a sad smile, Desler remarked that they had driven Earth to the edge of extinction to try and save themselves. He then adressed Starsha again, stating that she had been the one to leak Garmann's existance to them. Full of rage, the Leader asked her why she had told those words to him in the past, asking if she had planned to reveal this truth to him or if she just wanted someone to be her killer. He lowered his weapon, calling her arrogant and stating that her sacrifice would not be enough to atone for her people's sins. As he turned to leave, Starsha explained that she was not trying to repay her people's debt, but merely save her soul. Those who were stored in Sanctel were carrying on static lives for all eternity, and she was just trying to alleviate her eternal pain brought on by that staticity. Starsha asked if Desler wasn't trying to do the same by rescuing her to alleviate the pain of Garmillas's loss. She said that he would not atone for anything that way and that she and him could only console each other. Without turning around or saying a word, Desler left the palace and returned to his ship.[15]
Starsha's death[]
Desler makes his last request to Kodai
Dezarium wanted to obtain the vast information deposit inside Sanctel, but Starsha refused to give it to them as she feared it would be used as a weapon. Her plan was to let the Earth-Garmillas fleet leave Iscandar and then self-destruct the planet. However, Desler turned his flagship around and rammed into the Dezarian flagship. He asked Talan for forgiveness, but the Lieutenant General stated that there was nothing to forgive and that Desler was allowed to live and die of his own volition after living his entire life for others. Desler then asked Kodai to fire the wave-motion gun at Deusura III, hoping that destroying the ship would also destroy the enemy fortress as it was lodged inside. Desler stated that he was in love with Starsha and didn't care if she was an illusion or the demon that had manipulated the Garmillas race.[15]
Kodai seemed to honor Desler's request but suddenly stopped the firing procedure. As Deusura III was being swarmed by Dezarian tanks, Desler asked Talan to prepare the ship's self-destructing procedure, even though he doubted it could take down the enemy fortress alone. As his subordinate left the bridge, he muttered under his breath, asking Kodai if he intended to make his sacrifice be for naught. Suddenly, Kodai hailed Deusura III's bridge and informed Desler that they had rescued the Queen from Iscandar. Hearing her voice, Desler resigned himself, and asked Talan to dislodge the flagship.[49]
Desler tries to hug the disappearing Queen Starsha
Iscandar was destroyed as planned, and its explosion wiped out all remaining Dezarian forces. Desler met Starsha in the hangar and she caressed his visage and hugged him. She said that his eyes had always been fixated on her, and that she would never forget that. Starsha thanked him for everything, but before he could reciprocate the hug, she disappeared as being tied to Sanctel meant she could not survive outside after the vault's destruction. Desler exited the room and silently cried in a hallway. He later met Kodai and thanked him for making him see Starsha one last time, stating that even though their encounter had been short, he had gained enough to continue living the rest of his life. He asked him to take care of Starsha's newborn daughter and to never let go of those he loved. Desler returned below deck and took command of his fleet. They separated from the Terran fleet and headed back towards planet Garmann.[49]
Personality[]
Desler gives a rousing speech to the people of Baleras
Desler is a complex individual, with a multifaceted personality shaped by his personal history. He rose to power with a genuine desire to save the Garmillas race from extinction,[5][17] but he quickly became a capricious[28] and arrogant dictator, who sometime took over the normal functions of the state and the military for his personal enojoyment.[27][50] He can be generous, charming, and charismatic, characteristics he often showed in public during his reign.[13][18][2] However, as Leader, he did not hesitate to use violence to achieve his goals. and was willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill the promises he made to his brother and Queen Starsha Iscandar, including wiping out the entire Terran race.[17][30][35] He also turned a blind eye to the violent repression carried out by the Imperial Guard in his name.[28]
The promise Desler made to Mathius echoes through his mind
Throughout his life, Desler has been motivated by two promises: one, made to his brother Mathius, to save the Garmillas race[5][17][44] and the other made to Queen Starsha Iscandar to bring salvation to the entire universe.[18][30] These promises led him to become the Eternal Leader and start his bloody campaigns of expansion.[5][17] In his arrogance and delirium of omnipotence, he even tried to sacrifice the people of his capital during the Battle of the Imperial Capital.[30] However, after his fall from power and defeat at the Battle of the Galactic Theater Gate, he deeply regretted his actions and became more humble. He was even opposed to the idea of returning to power despite still having many supporters, feeling that his sins were too great to be forgiven. Despite this uncertainty, he continued to carry the responsibility of his promise to Mathius, trying to act in Garmillas' best interest even as all odds were against him.[5][17][38] After his exile and his later confrontations with Yamato, his nephew Ranhardt and the Gatlantean Mil, Desler has realized the foolishness of war[11] and now tends to use violence only when extremely necessary.[44]
Desler makes his promise to Starsha
Even after being toppled from power, Desler enjoys the luxuries of his position,[26][30][10] but he has had few intimate connections in his life, despite having a keen eye for people.[27] Though some members of his inner circle were sincerely loyal,[17][33] and in the case of Minister Celestella, affectionate,[13] he never opened up completely to any of them.[30] He often disregarded or mistreated many of his subordinates, especially Vice Leader Hiss.[26][35] To his people, he claimed to have been a personal friend of General Erich Domel, but this was mostly a propaganda move.[13] His most important relationships were with Queen Starsha and his brother Mathius. He loved Queen Starsha and identified with her desire to help all intelligent life in the universe, but his affection for her led him to commit many atrocities.[30][35] His genuine feelings for her did not wane after his exile and not even after he learned the truth about the Iscandarians' manipulation of the Garmillas race.[15][17]
Desler parts ways with Ranhardt after he entrusted him with the future of their species
Desler's relationship with his family has always been troubled, but he holds his familial bonds in consideration. As a young child, Desler was constantly overshadowed by his older brother Mathius, but he held him in high esteem. The two were quite different from one another, and those differences led the aristocracy of Garmillas to be distrustful of him. As a young man, Desler resented Mathius to some degree for entrusting the future of Garmillas on his shoulders and then dying. He also blamed him for making their mother Adelsia mad with grief after his death. The loss of his mother also affected the yound Desler deeply. Despite this he continued to care deeply for the bonds he had with his brother, and even spared Mathius's widow Elsa when she tried to assassinate him.[5] His relationship with Mathius's son, Ranhardt, was also tormented. Ranhardt initially sided with Desler on Terezart, but he eventually betrayed him to side with Yamato.[5][17] However, Desler did not hold Ranhardt in contempt and wished to confront him in battle to see if his idealism could triumph over the harsh reality.[38] The two eventually parted on good terms, and Ranhardt entrusted the future of their species to Desler.[11] This would greatly influence Desler in the following years, and eventually convince him to swallow his pride and work together with Garmillas's new government for the sake of their people.[41]
Desler and Kodai part ways after the Iscandar Incident
Desler has two significant friendships that he values: one with his subordinate and confidant Ghader Talan, and the other with Susumu Kodai of the Yamato. Talan sided with Desler after learning the truth behind his motivations during his rule,[51] and Desler greatly appreciates his loyalty.[10] Talan is also the only person whom Desler is close enough to accept chastising from.[45][51] Kodai and Desler were initially enemies during the Great Garmillas War and the Gatlantis War, but eventually grew to respect each other and fought together during the Iscandar Incident.[5][30][44][46][48][49] Kodai risked his life to help rescue Queen Starsha, allowing her and Desler to share a final moment.[49] Desler's feelings towards the Yamato in general have fluctuated over time. Initially, he considered it a formidable opponent and had a desire to meet its commander.[2][35] However, following his fall from power, he wished to seize the Yamato for himself and use it to reconquer his throne.[30] After years in exile in the Gatlantis Empire, his vengeful feelings toward the battleship and its crew waned.[10] He eventually came to consider the Yamato and its crew his allies and was greatly relieved when they came to his aid during the Rescue of Iscandar.[46]
Battles[]
Great Garmillas War[]
- Garmillas Encirclement of the Gliese 581 System (spectator only)
- Battle of the Imperial Capital (also part of the Garmillas Civil War)
- Battle of the Galactic Theater Gate (also part of the Garmillas Civil War)
Gatlantis War[]
- Blockade of Terezart (also part of the Garmillas Civil War)
- Battle in Subspace
- Battle against Neu Deusura (also part of the Garmillas Civil War)
Iscandar Incident[]
- Battle against the Dezarium Hammers
- Rescue of Iscandar
- Battle in the Vorzon System
- Immigrant Fleet Rescue Operation
- Rescue Operation for Leader Desler
Others[]
- Civil War over the Rights of Succession
- Elsa Desler's assassination attempt
- Planet Garmann Liberation Operation
Behind the scenes[]
For his appearance in Space Battleship Yamato 2199, Desler's appearance was considerably aged down. This was done because Nobutero Yuki, who was responsible for his character design, suggested to bring him closer to Kodai's age.[52] At one point it was even considered to make them the same age but it was eventually scrapped.[53]
The name of his original series counterpart has been stated to have various origins, with Leiji Matsumoto initially claiming it was inspired by Adolf Hitler,[54] and later stating that it was a combination of the Japanese pronounciation of the word "death" and the name of the Egyptian god Ra.[55] While his original counterpart's name was spelled in a variety of ways, the official spelling of Desler's surname and his new canonical first name seem to mimic Hitler's name. It's worth noting that Desler's surname is spelt "Dessler" in the english release for Space Battleship Yamato 2199 and Space Battleship Yamato 2202: Warriors of Love.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Starblazers-Yamato.net Yamato 2205 CHARACTERS entry for Abelt Desler
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 "Wish Upon a Star"
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 The Hidden Fate of Garmillas from the Yamato 2202 Chapter 5 theatrical program book
- ↑ Star Blazers/Yamato Premium Fan Club Magazine Vol. 11
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 5.16 5.17 5.18 5.19 5.20 5.21 5.22 5.23 5.24 "O Teresa, Cry for Dessler!"
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 "Bewitching - The Space Fireflies Beckon a Crisis"
- ↑ Space Battleship Yamato 2199 Model Sheet Design Collection GARMILLAS p.196
- ↑ "Dessler's Challenge!"
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 "The Era of Space Battleship Yamato: Choice of 2202"
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 10.8 10.9 "Dessler's Challenge!"
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 "Warriors of Love"
- ↑ Official spelling confirmed in Space Battleship Yamato Travelogue Character File: 19 Abelt Desler on V-storage
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 13.7 "The Planet That We Head For"
- ↑ "Yamato! A New Departure!!"
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 "Iscandar, the Dying Planet of Sorrow"
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 Dengeki Hobby, June 2013
- ↑ 17.00 17.01 17.02 17.03 17.04 17.05 17.06 17.07 17.08 17.09 17.10 17.11 17.12 17.13 17.14 17.15 17.16 17.17 17.18 "Farewell, Teresa! Flowers for Two Desslers"
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 "The Distant Promised Land"
- ↑ Yamato 2202 Chapter 5 video booklet
- ↑ Yamato 2199 official website Character introduction for Herm Zoellik
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 "They're Coming!"
- ↑ "The Trap on All Sides"
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 "A World I Once Saw"
- ↑ Yamato 2199 official website Character introduction for Miezela Celestella
- ↑ Space Battleship Yamato 2199 Complete Works Vol.2 pp.142-143
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 "The Sun Sets on Pluto"
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 Yamato 2199 official website Character introduction for Abelt Desler
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 "Point of No Return"
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 "Out of the Forest of Memory"
- ↑ 30.00 30.01 30.02 30.03 30.04 30.05 30.06 30.07 30.08 30.09 30.10 30.11 30.12 "The Forever War"
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 "What Lies Beyond"
- ↑ Day count at the end of "The Whisper of the Witch"
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 "Over the Black Light"
- ↑ "Under a Rainbow Sun"
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 35.3 35.4 35.5 "One Man's War"
- ↑ "The Shocking White Comet Empire - The Yamato Rams Through!"
- ↑ "Battle off the Coast of Saturn - Gather the Wave Motion Gun Fleet!"
- ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 38.3 "The Fated Showdown!"
- ↑ "Farewell, Space Battleship Yamato"
- ↑ Space Battleship Yamato 2202 official website CHARACTER & MECHANIC entry for Redof Hiss
- ↑ 41.0 41.1 41.2 Space Battleship Yamato 2205 Complete Works Literary Materials pp.138-139
- ↑ "Earth, Yamato is..."
- ↑ 43.0 43.1 Trajectory of YAMATO official 2024 calendar
- ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2 44.3 44.4 44.5 "A Galactic War is About to Break Out! Assemble the Yamato Fleet!!"
- ↑ 45.0 45.1 45.2 "The Last Day of Garmillas"
- ↑ 46.0 46.1 46.2 46.3 "Save Iscandar! Rebellion of the Young Heroes!!"
- ↑ 47.0 47.1 "Emergency Order! Yamato, Shoot Iscandar!!"
- ↑ 48.0 48.1 48.2 48.3 "Immigrant Fleet Rescue Operation. Go Beyond the Dimensional Wall!"
- ↑ 49.0 49.1 49.2 49.3 "Hello Sasha"
- ↑ Space Battleship Yamato 2199 Model Sheet Design Collection GARMILLAS p. 158
- ↑ 51.0 51.1 starblazers-yamato.net CHARACTERS Yamato 2205 entry for Ghader Talan
- ↑ Space Battleship Yamato 2199 Model Sheet Design Collection EARTH p. 256
- ↑ Space Battleship Yamato 2199 Model Sheet Design Collection EARTH p. 261
- ↑ Leiji Matsumoto Dream ANIMATION WORLD July 1980 issue p.48
- ↑ Comic Gon No. 2 Interview with Leiji Matsumoto.
- ↑ It's unclear if Desler had actually ever met the real Yurisha, as she was taken out of Sanctel specifically to interact with the Terrans as revealed in "Iscandar, the Dying Planet of Sorrow", meaning she was presumably taken out of the vault around 2198. It's equally possible Desler met her before she departed toward the Earth or that he already suspected Mori of not being Yurisha and was bluffing to test her
Japanese language information[]
アベルト・デスラー Aberuto Desurā