Counterfeit Hero

Chapter 11 - 11: Commendation or Exile?

”What has been found?” Nia and Meiduo were a bit puzzled.

”The guy who wiped out seven senior enemy commanders above colonel level, including a vice admiral division commander and a lieutenant general chief of staff, is actually this person who was with you.” A young combat staff explained excitedly.

An older colonel laughed and said, ”A few months ago, we received news from the front line that an enemy division-level command unit was annihilated. It was said that during the night, an energy machine gun was used to sneak attack from the southwest part of the base, killing and wounding more than thirty enemies who were sleeping in the barracks, including seven senior officers.”

The colonel flipped through a stack of documents on the table and handed one to Meiduo, saying, ”Here, this is the one.” Meiduo and Nia looked at the document together as the colonel continued, ”When this news came, everyone was very excited. The President’s office even sent someone to verify it, preparing to commend the hero. But no matter how much we investigated, we couldn’t figure out who did it. No one from the New Rome troops was in that area that night, and the Air Force didn’t launch any such attack. The Federation’s propaganda department has repeatedly urged the front line command to find the Federation hero to boost morale. But after thorough investigations, no one came forward to claim the credit. We can’t just find someone to take the credit. Such a thing, if exposed, would be a huge scandal.”

The young combat staff nodded, saying, ”When I saw the coordinates of that area, I felt they’d be familiar. I thought, could it be... And wouldn’t you know it, I hit the mark! The time, place, and weapon all matched, with battlefield recording equipment as evidence. Now the guys in the propaganda department are overjoyed. Who would have thought this guy would take out an Imperial Army command post just like that? Those poor souls didn’t know what hit them.”

Nia and Meiduo looked at each other, both thinking, ”That Fatty was just trying to run away. And such a guy could become a Federation hero?” At the thought of the sleazy Fatty soon becoming humanity’s most wretched hero, the two women felt a chill.

When the war simulation network in the lab was completed, the front line command decided to talk to Fatty. But, who knew, this coward thought he was going to be executed...

Upon hearing that he was a hero, Fatty immediately became happy. Actually, he didn’t care much about being a hero; saving his life was the best news. Besides, he was rather confused about how he became a hero.

The entire front line command was equally bewildered after hearing the report from the Constitutional Soldier Captain. Everyone looked at each other, thinking they should have just picked someone at random to take the credit. This kind of hero, once publicized, might become a bigger scandal than a false claim.

The front line command’s top officer, Bernadotte, the overall commander of the Leray Federation Army’s Miloke Army Group, who had already set up his office and put on his general’s uniform to welcome the hero, was very angry. Such a huge achievement, and it turned out to be this Fatty? Heaven must be blind! And this idiot, stupid and unruly, cried loudly in front of many people, clinging to a woman’s leg and throwing a tantrum.

Such a headache!

Forcing himself to calm down, Bernadotte calculated in his mind: ”Even though it’s like this, we can finally confirm that the event is true. The enemy’s front line command post being wiped out completely disrupted the Imperial Army’s attack plan on New Rome. Otherwise, New Rome would have fallen. Such a big victory must be publicized, but the main focus can only be on the Army and front line command. Just mention Fatty briefly. But absolutely no interviews with this idiot, or the entire Army’s reputation will be shattered!”

After discussing with several high-ranking officers, the Vice Admiral waved his hand for the guard to bring Tian Xingjian into the office.

After a while, a steadfast Fatty, dressed in mechanical repair soldier corporal’s uniform, walked in. Surprisingly, his performance was not as bad as the Constitutional Soldier’s report. His standard and powerful salute even had a bit of an iron-blooded warrior’s demeanor. The generals exchanged glances, realizing that the Constitutional Soldier wouldn’t and couldn’t lie. If the leg-clinging, tantrum-throwing guy and this seemingly meticulous soldier were the same person, the answer could only be: This despicable Fatty truly is a talent!!

Bernadotte hesitated to speak, thinking: ”It’s just propaganda. Maybe this guy can pull it off.”

Seeing no movement for a while, Fatty started to get anxious. The resolute expression he was trying hard to maintain began to crack, and a confused, sycophantic fake smile appeared on his face.

Bernadotte mentally slapped himself twice: ”Damn, I’m really an idiot. If a guy like this becomes a Federation hero, it will be the biggest joke in the universe.”

”Former Leray Federation Air Marine Corps 5th Armored Division 3rd Armored Battalion logistics squad Corporal Tian Xingjian, due to your bravery, intelligence, and flexibility in combat, you have repeatedly distinguished yourself. On February 20, 2060, at 5 a.m., you courageously attacked the enemy advance base invading New Rome City, killing and wounding over thirty enemies. Among them were seven senior officers, including a vice admiral division commander and a lieutenant general chief of staff. You successfully completed the mission of hitting the enemy and protecting yourself, easing the enemy’s attack on New Rome and causing their forces to retreat under the counterattack of the Federation Space Fleet. Your achievements are significant and deserve a commendation. Specially promoted, Corporal Tian Xingjian is appointed as Deputy Company Commander of the reconnaissance team of the 16th Armored Division of the Aviation Marine Corps, with the rank of Lieutenant. Awarded first-class merit, Gold Heart Medal.”

Bernadotte, with a smile, handed Tian Xingjian the still-wet Medal of Honor document, saying, ”Lieutenant, congratulations! You are a hero of the Leray Federation. We are all proud of you!”

Tian Xingjian carefully took the Medal of Honor and cautiously asked, ”Where is the 16th Armored Division now?”

Bernadotte, still smiling, pointed to an electronic map on the wall behind him and said, ”Here, responsible for the defense south of Kato City and north of the central High Ridge Jungle.”

”Front line?!” Fatty was a bit anxious, ”But I’m a mechanical repair soldier!”

Bernadotte’s smile stiffened a bit, he said, ”Haha, we checked your records. You are the only soldier in the new soldier special training team who completed two training programs, and your performance in the reconnaissance training team was excellent. This was evident from your successful breakthroughs over twenty times. These breakthrough experiences are very valuable, and you have the duty to pass on these experiences to more warriors. We believe in you completely and hope you will continue to excel in your new post, upholding the spirit of bravery and fearlessness, and making new achievements.”

These were things that several of them had discussed and decided. Since they couldn’t let journalists contact this so-called hero, they couldn’t let him stay in a place where journalists could easily find him. The 16th Armored Division responsible for the defense of the mountainous jungle outside the city was most suitable. Moreover, during journalists’ interviews, the Deputy Company Commander of the reconnaissance battalion was usually out on missions, which was also a good way to hide the Fatty.

Seeing the idiot about to speak again, Bernadotte quickly said, ”Alright, we need to study the battle situation now. That’s it, congratulations again,” as he waved his hand. The guard almost dragged Fatty out the door.

”Goodbye!”

The door closed.

Fatty muttered to himself in despair, ”Just a few days of peace...”

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