Counterfeit Hero

In the deep universe, a giant orange-red constant star tirelessly emits its light and heat. Next to it, a gray-white nebula stretches in a winding manner, like white paint splashed on a black canvas.

Fang Xiang quietly stands in front of the massive bridge porthole. The fleet is passing through a star system formed by this constant star and the six planets orbiting it. Although this star is just a fiery red sphere in the field of vision, Fang Xiang still finds it endlessly fascinating. For a space traveler, any trace of light in the dark universe is precious.

This mysterious, tranquil space is something every human attempts to understand and explore. The yearning for space blossomed in the earliest periods of humanity, a longing rooted in our genes, and becoming a ship captain of an interstellar fleet, leading one’s steel battleship to navigate and fight among the starlight, is a dream for every child of the space age.

Interstellar Navy, such a proud name. Fang Xiang still remembers when entering the academy, becoming a member of the Saleria Federation Interstellar Navy, he saw the proud and confident faces around him. The naval badges adorning their chests, the vows to protect the starry skies of Saleria, have long since fused with their blood, beating alongside their hearts.

However, when those foolish politicians on the ground signed treaties cowardly while sitting on comfortable sofas, the pride of the Saleria Interstellar Navy vanished without a trace.

When the hideous Suss Battleships pierced the void, invading Saleria’s starry skies. Fleet after fleet of Saleria either left in disgrace without firing a shot or, under the orders of traitors, left the airspace they once vowed to protect, going to other star systems’ ports, where they lay lifelessly at rest.

Only the Longbow Local Fleet fought. That brutal, predetermined battle. In that battle, Federation Admiral Tolstoy realized a vow made decades ago. In the violent explosion of his flagship, he became a monument in the hearts of all the defiant Saleria people.

”Gravity Class C, counter-reaction jump starting, engine number three power ten percent, gradual thrust control, maintain ship distance, jump coordinates 21026.1744.1985.2, repeating 21026.........”

The voice of the navigator reached Fang Xiang’s ears, indicating that the fleet was entering the stellar gravity jump trajectory.

With the turn of the steering wheel in the chief pilot’s hand, the battleship slightly turned, and Fang Xiang saw through the porthole the leading cruiser [Magic Cube] and the other battleships arranged in a diamond formation behind it. Like a big beggar leading a group of beggars, this team’s image was indeed miserable beyond words...

Fang Xiang’s elegant lips uncontrollably arched into a line... Every time she saw this ragtag fleet, she couldn’t help but laugh — that Leray fatty was truly a sly and cunning guy. Only someone like him could craft such a fleet and lead such a team.

A group of Leray people and a bunch of pirates — it was truly an odd ensemble.

They seemed to never know frustration or fatigue, filling their days with training and work. Whether during the days of the Leray Coup or upon hearing the news of the Leray Central Star Domain being breached, they kept doing their tasks. The fleet plundered everywhere, and the mechanics at the base discussed ship modifications. Even when the Mars battle situation became most critical, they did not stop.

This group was like a brakeless train accelerating continually, speeding along a predestined track.

The Saleria soldiers, once proud to be the only resisting fleet of Saleria, transitioned from observers to restless participants, then to active joiners, eventually fully integrating...that was a form of recognition!

Compared to the Saleria Fleet with carriers and battleships, the Leray people, who had arrived in the Free World with just a destroyer, were more worthy of respect. They neither wallow in self-pity nor give in to despair. They find ways to survive, figure out ways to grow stronger.

In that silent atmosphere, the Longbow Fleet officers could distinctly feel the Leray people’s longing and determination to return to their piece of starry sky!

In the battle of the Leray Central Star Domain, the main fleet of this nation and the tens of thousands of elite warriors trained over many years disappeared forever into the stars. But when those souls dissipated, the seeds of this nation clearly took root and sprouted in this distant and lonely Free World!

Fang Xiang knew that the officers of her fleet were already completely integrated into this group. Because everything they saw made them believe that no one could stop a group like this from returning to Leray. Similarly, they also believe that one day, this army will lead them back to Saleria.

Even if it means death, it would be a glorious death under their country’s starry sky!

This natural, seamless integration allowed the Bandit Army to complete upgrades on five cruisers a week early. Meanwhile, the modifications on the other two battleships were nearing completion.

However, this doesn’t mean the Bandit Army could take a breath, as when the carrier modification plans were finally decided and initiated two weeks ago, the workload at the Bandit Army’s two bases practically doubled!

Everyone knows what a carrier means to a fleet — if you compare a fleet without a carrier to a wolf, then a carrier can turn that wolf into a lion! Without a carrier, the Bandit Army Fleet could at most rule the Freedom Channel, launching surprise attacks on small-scale logistic fleets of the Suss Empire on the main channel. But with a carrier, the Bandit Army could confront a Suss Regular Fleet without a carrier head-on!