Counterfeit Hero

Chapter 390: Volume 5, Chapter 18, First Cooperation

”Piece of junk Magic Beast!”

The driver of this infiltrating mecha was now obvious. ”What is he trying to do?” Niklay asked in astonishment.

”He requests to connect the communication channel and talk directly to the division commander. He said...” The Combat Staff’s face turned red, stammering as he stared straight at Kruze.

”Speak!” Kruze frowned, ”Why mumble?”

”Yes!” Military orders were as firm as mountains, the Combat Staff straightened his chest and spoke loudly, ”He said, ’You call this a robbery? Your division commander grew up chasing stars?’”

This statement plunged the entire temporary command center into a deathly silence, the officers present twitched their facial muscles in bizarre ways, speechless and stunned. Chasing stars? What an insult to one’s intelligence.

”Hey.” Kruze’s face turned red then white, furious beyond words. Who could have expected such a retort just from a demand to speak? From his time in the Military Academy, serving for twenty-two years, accumulating military merits to rise to Division Commander, how could he not be enraged being reduced to a star-chaser?

Still, anger aside, Kruze understood that this Magic Beast knowing the movements of the 91th Division and daring to infiltrate alone to seek him out indicated that this wasn’t just some idle troublemaker looking for a beating.

Moreover, just the thought of the Fei Alliance behind this Magic Beast was enough for Kruze to consider Gordon’s strategy. Though the Leray Federation was currently blocked, in this star domain, there were still three smaller Fei Alliance member states. These states’ interstellar jump points stretched out in a C-shape, along with the giant-like Ryan Republic and Feiyang Republic!

This was a rare opportunity with someone from the Leray Federation, and such an individual at that. If the Fei Alliance could be linked up, it would be far better than their current isolated state.

”Where is he?” Kruze asked grimly, feeling thoroughly humiliated. The fact that someone managed to reach three hundred meters from the division headquarters undetected until the voluntary exposure was a colossal embarrassment.

The Combat Staff accessed the central control computer monitor, pointing at a screen, ”He’s at the temporary testing platform in the maintenance squadron; our men have surrounded him.”

On the monitor, a tattered Magic Beast stood amidst thirty sharply armored, pristine Gazalin Holy Sword 15-B mechas. The stark contrast between old and new made the scene somewhat ironic.

”Connect the communication channel,” Kruze checked the time; there were ten minutes until the attack began. During the wait for the base guard transition, it wouldn’t hurt to see what this guy had to say. If he had malicious intent, one mecha infiltrating could easily take down a whole division headquarters.

The visual communication channel quickly connected, revealing a chubby person with a guileless face and an apologetically smiling demeanor, making one doubt if the Combat Staff had actually wanted to insult the division commander rather than this innocent Fatty.

”Mr. Kruze?” The chubby person immediately spotted the Major General at the forefront, nodding and bowing as he asked.

”I am. What guidance do you have?” Kruze raised his eyebrows.

The chubby face showed genuine fear, waving his hands repeatedly, ”Oh, no, no, no. How could I have the qualifications to guide the renowned General Kruze, who single-handedly broke through two divisions’ defenses and annihilated them in the Doha regional conflict three years ago.”

What the Fatty said was precisely Kruze’s and the 91th Division’s proudest achievement, immediately pleasant but confusing, wondering why Fatty’s prior arrogance and insulting report changed to such deference.

Several curious glances turned to the Combat Staff who reported earlier, making the poor staff break into a cold sweat, feeling wronged, ”Why did this damn Fatty suddenly become so humble when he was arrogant as hell just moments ago?”

”Hehe.” Kruze smiled slightly, ”You’re flattering me.”

”The thing is, I’m here because I know your army plans to launch an attack at midnight.” Fatty transmitted an electronic document, continuing, ”Regarding this operation, I have a few minor differing opinions and some ideas. Not sure if the General is interested in hearing them.”

Upon opening the document on the information platform, all the officers of the 91th Division were stunned.

This document, based on the base’s electronic map, was too familiar to them. Though the format, size, and symbols differed slightly, just a glance revealed that it was essentially the 91th Division’s raid plan.

Though some specific attack routes and time markers differed slightly, overall, it was almost identical.

Seeing such a thing so clearly, Kruze was unable to maintain his composure.

Imagine, in the dead of night, leading the troops for a surprise attack, but every move and even planned routes were clear to these eyes from behind. That was terrifying.

”How did you get this plan?” With the situation clear, Kruze decided to candidly admit the plan’s authenticity.

”Simple.” Fatty’s honest face showed a look of surprise, ”Just slightly analyzed your army’s deployment.”

”Simple? Slightly analyzed?” Fatty’s nonchalant tone was extremely irritating, driving the officers in the Combat Department crazy. If analyzing others’ deployment gave a complete plan, winning battles would be too easy.

”This plan is originally your army’s concern, nothing to do with me, but...” Fatty squinted his eyes, smiling kindly, ”We have some interest in the base. If your army takes the base, you can’t carry away all the materials. How about we split it fifty-fifty and help solve some issues in the plan along the way.”

”We?” Kruze sharply caught the deliberately exposed word. It was evident that behind Fatty lay another force aiming at the base!

In mere seconds, Kruze confirmed Fatty’s cooperation sincerity, decisively agreeing, ”Fine, the base materials indeed exceed our need. With friends assisting us, all the better.” He extended his hand invitingly, ”If you don’t mind the simplicity, come in and have a seat?”

As they exchanged words, both sides had reached an initial understanding. Kruze’s invitation was naturally irrefutable, serving as both a probe and the 91th Division’s bottom line. Fatty, without hesitation, opened the mecha cockpit, bringing Bonnie along with a smile.

When everyone saw the woman beside Fatty and her docility, they couldn’t help but gasp. Bonnie, Gazalin’s most beautiful rose, how was she with this dung heap? Where is the justice?

The most surprised was Kruze, who, although not familiar with Bonnie, had interacted with her several times, knowing her personality and ability. Never would he have imagined she would be alongside Fatty, making the Mythical Army rumors seem true?

Watching Fatty and Bonnie walk empty-handed through dozens of mechas, Kruze finally relaxed. After shaking hands with Fatty, he checked the time, frowning, ”My division has entered the scheduled attack area; the shift time is only two minutes away, not sure...”

Fatty laughed heartily, ”General, time is tight, I’ll cut to the chase.” He pointed at six locations on the central information control’s operation plan, ”Here...here...and here...based on your division’s current deployment and planned attack, there might be losses...also...” He pointed to a tower on the base’s left, ”This place, one company probably cannot capture it!”

Kruze saw his confident demeanor, unable to distinguish truth or falsehood, but with Fatty and Bonnie at hand, had no fear of tricks. He nodded, ”So, should we proceed with the attack or not?”

”Attack!” Fatty firmly said, ”I’ll send people to assist you. Throughout the process, the General will witness everything. Consider it a small gift for you and Admiral Gordon. In the future, we might have many cooperation opportunities.”

”Division Commander....” A Combat Staff approached Kruze, whispering, ”Time’s up!”

Everyone was waiting, the transition period of base guards was mere minutes, its most chaotic moment, many guard mechas would shut down engines, while electronic monitoring slowed for two minutes due to personnel changing codes. Missing this window significantly increased attack costs.

Kruze didn’t look back, his eyes narrowing, scanning Bonnie and Fatty repeatedly. Taking a deep breath, he smiled, commanding, ”Attack!”

**********

Yesterday was the annual review, didn’t write much last night, posting today. Continue updating tonight.

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