Counterfeit Hero

Chapter 112: Volume 3, Chapter 22: The Command Room of Three People

As soon as these words were spoken, not only were the people in the repair center enraged, but even the surrounding onlookers were filled with righteous indignation, scolding angrily. The redhead, face full of arrogance, coldly swept his gaze over the crowd, and his companions struck menacing poses. The customers, after all, felt it was not their business and turned away, not daring to meet their eyes. Gradually, the reproaches diminished, fearing they might become the target if they were not careful.

Seeing that everyone had fallen silent, the redhead turned proudly and shouted at Hescoe, ”Didn’t you hear me? Quickly get the original circuit board. I don’t want these fakes!”

Hescoe, extremely exasperated, laughed coldly, ”Our repair mechas have always used this. Nelson’s circuit boards are superior in both workmanship and cost compared to Alpha Company’s. Take it if you want, if not, we’ll remove the circuit board. Do as you please.”

The redhead grinned viciously, ”Then I won’t be polite, old man. Don’t say I didn’t warn you if I wreck your reputation.”

Unable to contain her anger, Milan shouted, ”Do you people even listen to reason? Are you here to repair mechas or to cause trouble?”

A brawny man among the group glared and stepped forward, ”If you can’t fix it, then we’ll wreck your shop! Who the hell are you to interfere, you little bitch!”

Before he could finish, Fatty’s hand moved like lightning, landing a fierce slap on the man’s face. The nearly two-meter-tall brawny man spun like a top before collapsing to the ground. Before anyone could react, he cried out in pain, spitting out a few bloodied teeth, and lay on the ground groaning. Within moments, the left side of his face swelled hugely.

The redhead and his cronies looked up to see Fatty trembling all over, his expression unclear whether it was anger or fear. What the hell, this guy looked more wronged than the ones he hit. What’s his deal?

Fatty’s voice trembled, ”Are you intentionally causing trouble?”

Exchanging glances, the redhead and his remaining five companions charged at Fatty. After all, it was only one person! If he dared to make a move, they would use him as an example!

Unexpectedly, as they moved, Fatty had already rushed forward, grabbing the wrist of the leading strongman with his left hand and striking his armpit with his right fist. The strongman felt as if struck by lightning, tears and snot streaming down his face. Fatty released his hand and kicked the redhead’s incoming stomach, sending him flying several meters, curling up and rolling on the ground. One quick-witted guy tried to sneak behind Fatty, but Fatty caught his forearm with a backhand, and with a twist, a crack was heard as his arm dislocated. The remaining three, filled with fear, couldn’t stop their momentum and swung wildly. Fatty’s figure weaved through the crowd, punching and kicking. In just a few seconds, the entire group was on the ground, rolling and screaming in pain.

The onlookers had already instinctively backed far away, afraid of getting hurt. To their surprise, in the blink of an eye, only the trembling Fatty remained in the center. Everyone looked at each other in astonishment, ”This Fatty is amazing! Special Soldier levels, no less! He beat them all, why is he still trembling, hasn’t he had enough?” They didn’t know his condition was due to an excess of adrenaline.

Fatty’s voice shook, ”Too much bullying! Too much bullying!”

The people on the ground almost collectively bit their tongues in frustration. Damn it, who the hell was bullying whom here!

Grabbing Milan’s hand, Fatty declared, ”If I hear anyone dare to insult her again, I’ll fight them to the death!”

Milan pressed her face against Fatty’s arm, feeling sweeter than honey, like she was floating on cloud nine.

The staff, long frustrated and ready to hit back, rushed forward, throwing these guys out of the repair center like they were garbage. Everyone clapped and cheered, feeling like they had finally vented their anger!

The onlookers were all speechless. So powerful! Not only could he see through the tricks of top mecha company researchers, but he was also a master fighter. Those brutes looked so fierce and wild, yet Fatty took them down in a few moves, their screams haunting! No wonder this stunningly beautiful woman stayed close to this unimpressive-looking Fatty, wanting to fuse with him into one being! He was so talented! When did the Invincible Repair Center recruit such an impressive figure!

Hescoe, an old fox, immediately announced, ”The master will often come to the center in the future to share his experience with everyone. He is a true mecha master. You all saw his skill! Customers, please feel reassured to leave your mechas with us. We will provide better service with our enhanced technology!...”

Hescoe was trying his best to bind Tian Xingjian to his ship when Fatty’s military communicator at his waist suddenly buzzed. It was a small gadget that soldiers on leave had to carry, signaling that they must immediately return to the military upon receiving it. Fatty hastily interrupted Hescoe, apologized, and ran off with Milan.

Hescoe hurried to catch up, handing Fatty a remote control, ”This is your Hurricane, parked at the entrance. Take it with you.”

[Hurricane] is a new private Mecha launched by Aike Company. It is currently one of the mainstream Mechas on the market, and its performance is very superior. Especially in terms of speed, it surpasses many of its peers. The moment Fatty saw this Mecha, he immediately fell in love with it. Its streamlined body, slender limbs, a long sword on its back, and a small shield on its left wrist, the entire Mecha looked like a warrior full of explosive power. Its maneuverability was also very good, with extremely fast running speed and a smooth feel. The pressure relief device on the feet of the Mecha was very sensitive, making it barely feel the vibrations while running.

[Hurricane] sped along the Mecha-exclusive path, attracting the sideways glances of many Mechas. Some unwilling to be outdone Mechas also picked up speed, but this [Hurricane] was too fast, disappearing in just a moment.

Returning to the academy, Fatty parked the [Hurricane] in the hangar, parted ways with Milan, and turned to run towards the Staff Department. His official post was now a military staff officer in the Combat Department, and he needed to report back to the 6th Research Room. He quickly arrived at the 6th Room, where most of the staff officers were present. Big Head Karl was excitedly pacing circles around the room. When he saw Tian Xingjian, Karl hurriedly pulled him over and asked, ”What’s going on? Is a fight about to break out?!”

Fatty was taken aback and replied, ”You stay here all day and don’t know anything. I’m training cadets at the academy every day, how would I know!” Karl, disappointed, said, ”Aren’t you close with the Generals? You haven’t been here for more than a month, I’ve been dead tired. Calculating batch after batch of combat plans made me dizzy. A few days ago, we finished calculating the first batch of landing operation plans. I guess we might be preparing to attack the Galileo Star System. Why else would we be urgently preparing for war now? Today, we also had an emergency assembly, even calling you back!”

Fatty thought for a moment and felt that Karl’s words made some sense. When Russell was assassinated, he was in a meeting, wasn’t he? Holding a meeting with these Generals almost certainly implied a preparation meeting for the attack on Galileo. The Federation’s war preparations were very swift. After securing the Newton Star System, military supplies from the rear, already produced earlier, were continuously being transported to Miloke. So many airports around the globe hadn’t stopped for a moment, constantly sending out giant transport ships. Such a massive amount of supplies and deployment of transport power clearly indicated an intent to press the advantage and suppress the Gazalin Empire before it could recover economically!

While guessing, Colonel Pat walked in from the outside and said to everyone, ”The forward command has issued an order, take your positions, all leaves canceled, Level 1 combat readiness.” The staff officers dispersed with a clatter. Level 1 combat readiness meant that combat could occur within 48 hours, requiring the Combat Department to provide strategic guidance and overall coordination to subordinate combat units at the frontline. There was a lot to prepare.

Colonel Pat turned to Tian Xingjian and said, ”Hurry to the forward command, General Russell is waiting for you.”

Fatty responded and started running. Before this, he had been on leave for a month. Upon returning, he took over new recruit training and received guidance from Russell. He hadn’t had normal contact with the battle situation and knew nothing about the current war preparations. Why did Russell want to see him now? Could it be he was going to toss him to the front line again?

With his heart in his mouth, he arrived at the forward command where Yuna led him to the war command room. The huge command room was already packed with people. Below the command platform were the communications, electronics, combat, logistics support, intelligence, army, land-based air force, space fleet, and air-based air force departments derived from the space fleet. Each department had a mini command platform behind their respective generals to issue specific orders. And on the second floor in the center of the hall was the highest command center with only two people: Admiral Bernadotte and Chief Military Advisor Admiral Russell. The overall deployment and movement hinged on these two’s orders as the primary standard.

Fatty stood at the door for a long time until Russell waved at him. Only then did he muster the courage to walk up the central command platform via the staircase along the wall. Entering the command room, he felt a bit uneasy. Looking down from here, the vast command room was fully visible, with a massive virtual screen at the front of the platform. Standing here, anyone would naturally feel a sense of overarching authority, an achievement that comes from commanding from afar. This was a feeling of making strategic decisions that could determine battles hundreds of miles away.

Russell looked at this hesitant figure and smiled, ”What should I call you, Russell or Karl?”

Fatty then remembered the incident from this morning and smiled awkwardly without saying a word, thinking to himself, ”I didn’t expect this old guy to still remember. Petty! Damn it, I’m a magnanimous person, won’t argue with him!” But his face unconsciously showed a fawning expression.

Russell, looking at this sycophantic fatty, felt a bit of a headache, ”How could such a rare military genius have this kind of demeanor? I wonder what it would be like when he finally forms his own tactical thinking.” Thinking of Fatty’s sleazy behavior and whimsical thinking applied to tactics, Russell didn’t know if he should feel desperate or hopeful. He said to Fatty, ”The strategic deployment is ready. Now comes the first phase operation plan. During this period, I will give you intensive training. Besides daily necessary battle case analysis and theoretical study, you will stay here and observe! Until you understand our strategic plan, you are not allowed to leave this door.”

Fatty finally felt relieved; as long as he wasn’t thrown on the front line, watching would be okay. After all, it wouldn’t kill him.

Admiral Bernadotte smiled and said, ”This is a rare opportunity, with two Admirals busy, and you get to stand behind and watch. Quite a privilege. If our strategic plan is complete and you still don’t understand, you’d better be ready to head to the front line. Maybe that’s where you belong.”

Fatty was startled and thought, ”Didn’t he just say I won’t leave the room if I don’t understand? Now with one sentence, he’s talking about the front line. This is murderous. No matter what, I’ve earned my stripes. How can he turn his back like this? Russell is more humane after all!”

Turning his head, he saw Russell nodding repeatedly and saying to him, ”Admiral Bernadotte is right. If you can’t understand by the end of the operation, you really have to go to the front line. That’s where you can showcase your specialties!” Fatty sighed inwardly, ”Damn it! None of them are human. Better buckle down and focus. These two Admirals, crushing a Lieutenant would be easy for them.”

In the command room, each department was currently making war preparations. Various data and intelligence were displayed on the central command platform’s computer screen, with military maps marked densely. It was Fatty’s first time watching Bernadotte and Russell’s deployments. Admiral Bernadotte discussed with Russell while frequently calling up detailed data and map locations. The speed and accuracy of his actions were not something an ordinary person could achieve. The overall operation plan involved many aspects, and the entire operation was very complex. These two chief commanders had to not only determine the implementation of strategic deployment but also timely identify and correct problems. Most importantly, during the operation, they had to discern the enemy’s intentions quickly and issue the most appropriate and accurate orders.

Fatty hunched his neck. These two old fellows were playing a game of chess with an invisible opponent, a game with countless variables. Asking him to understand their strategic thinking wasn’t that too much?

With a sudden inspiration, Fatty approached Russell and asked, ”Teacher, you see... it’s the war preparedness phase now. I shouldn’t waste my time here, right?”

Russell waved his hand, ”Your task starts when the army begins to act. When the army starts, you start simulating the battle plan. You’re free until then, but if I find out you went to the Combat Department for information, hmph...”

Damn it! He saw right through me! Fatty was feeling down when a war report came from the command room below. Vice Admiral Fei Ouwen of the Space Fleet reported, ”The 4th Mixed Fleet has secretly entered the Galileo Star System through a public star system jump point and encountered the enemy fleet while maneuvering towards the Newton Jump Point!”

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