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As the battle in the void above unfolded, Imperial crews realized another folly of theirs. While their buildup was significant, at the rate that almost matched that of their opponents, they were still lagging far behind in several fields. Though the 'Tornikian attack lacked the surprise effect like in the previous war, their capability for space warfare was still orders of magnitude above.

In atmosphere, poor weather and air itself had the potential to greatly reduce effectiveness of laser weapons. In space however, they reigned supreme, being able to carve targets apart with pinpoint accuracy across astronomical distances; as such, they were present on every 'Tornikian military space installation, gradually replacing missiles due to the overwhelming increase in effectiveness, as well as to avoid further unnecessary development of the Kessler's syndrome.
Ever since the destruction of manned civilian stations engineered by a certain rogue officer, 'Tornikian private security contractors began a proverbial space race to provide services for the many corporations that operated in orbit; telecoms, research firms, orbital tourism agencies, all needed to make sure another war wouldn't endanger their shareholders' profits. And with that, 'Tornikian space presence inflated even further.

Though imperial missiles were many, guided by software which performed slightly above the 'Tornikian expectations, most would never reach their targets due to the extremely dense defense net, and the fact that their opponents possessed a hard counter against the most prevalent imperial weapon.
Atomic ordnance, itself thinned heavily by the uncountable missile defense systems, combined with surprisingly advanced electronic warfare devices brought some relief to the remaining Imperial space forces by knocking out or temporarily disabling a number of 'Tornikian satellites, allowing some of the ASATs to go through and inflict damage to a number of targets. A dozen autonomous satellites were shattered, two dozens disabled by the nuclear explosions that sent waves of artificial borealis lights across Otorisian skies; a manned station was forced to evacuate and de-orbit, and hundreds of 'Tornikian and foreign civilian orbiters which often lacked EMP protection were fried and disabled.
Aircraft that flew high enough to fire their satellite-hunting ordnance were within range themselves, and some would meet a fiery end as they drew too much attention of the 'Tornikian automated systems as they released their ordnance.

With assorted targets across the Empire taken out, and the largest ships engaging the allied forces sunk, the second round of orbital strikes commenced; this time focusing solely on known and detectable Imperial missile bases. After the unexpected use of nuclear ordnance, there was no knowing whether or when would they be used again.

Rototornik

But while an armada from the Eastern district - including the legendary flagship - set sail eastwards to take the fight to the Empire, groups of transports across the southern districts took off, heading for the closest unclaimed islands; one belonging to the dissolved nation of Platerdam, the other directly to the east of the 'Tornikian subcontinent, which they would claim for the Empire for reasons yet unstated.

To the south, Accitanian airforce together with their 'Tornikian counterparts had taken off in force; some to intercept the incoming aircraft coming in from the north, some to join the ongoing naval battle.

Speaking of...

The first railgun and missile volleys tore into tens of smaller vessels deployed closer to the Imperial ships; though quite a few missiles failed to reach their targets due to decent point defense, many ships were simply overwhelmed or had no capability to defend themselves against such a massed attack.

The capital ships that hid in the rear consisted mostly of German battleships and carriers, as well as accitanian heavy cruisers and the rare 'Tornikian carrier-destroyer task force. Protecting them were the destroyer contingents of strike force Delta, together with several flees of 'Tornikian destroyers and support vessels which handled the missiles threatening the larger ships. With Imperial capital ships taken out by the swift orbital barrage, their railgun fire solely seemed to come from cruisers and destroyers; now the earlier 'Tornikian hypothesis would be put to the test- would fuel powered ships be able to keep up with their nuclear powered counterparts in maneuvering speed and railgun firing rate?

Below the water, the main torpedo barrage from the modern 'Tornikian submarines was still half an hour away, their extreme engagement range being their chief advantage. The occasional Accitanian/Tornikian Guard submarine squadron that managed to close in to conventional torpedo range would likewise open fire; but with a considerable amount of sufficiently advanced destroyers and ASW equipment, Betas, Astutes, and the older Accitanian subs were more of a thorn in the side, and less of a deadly threat. A really sharp thorn, but the one that could be pulled out nevertheless.

As AAA missiles crisscrossed from one fleet to the other, the air battle began as well; German carriers deploying their globally marketed G6s, and and a mixed formation of combined 'Tornikian-Accitanian was coming in fast from the east, taking the advantage of the multi-purpose UAS missile systems and opening fire from a moderate distance of 150km, give or take.