Counterfeit Hero

The noisy restaurant gradually quieted down. Only the sound of the huge ventilation fan on the roof could be heard, rotating incessantly.

Fatty slowly sat down on the bench beside him, his mind already blank.

He knew war was cruel, and he also knew Hamilton had been imprisoned, with an unpleasant fate awaiting him. However, when the news arrived, he still could not accept it.

Brown and Schneider were gone, and now Hamilton too. Who would be next?

Fatty’s body began trembling uncontrollably. He was terrified; he couldn’t understand what this world, albeit bitter yet familiar, would become! That feeling of unfamiliarity, that helplessness, terrified him as much as death itself!

Some people are like a lamp, silently glowing beside you.

This person could be your parents, your children, your partner, friends, teachers; their existence constitutes your entire world.

Fatty understood this principle early on; he did not want to die, and he even more so did not want those familiar people to die! He couldn’t imagine, as these people died one by one in this damned war, what would remain in his world!

And Hamilton, to Fatty, was not just a lamp. He was the one at the helm of Leray’s already shattered ship. In this storm, his disappearance suddenly made Fatty lose his sense of direction. Faced with towering waves, he was at a loss.

Fatty understood better than anyone; Leray could do without him but could absolutely not do without elites like Hamilton, Mihailovich, Flavio, and Bernadotte.

These elites were Leray’s pillars, whereas he was ultimately just a Fatty with no great ambitions. Without pushing, urging, or leading, he would probably never reach this step.

He could fight, could use the most despicable means to eliminate any opponent, but he certainly was not a graceful, refined person capable of planning Leray’s future, handling affairs meticulously, mediating party conflicts, balancing power, and leading the populace with broad views and knowledge.

”I’ll go sleep!” In the silence, Fatty stood up pale-faced and said to Markovich, ”Let the Combat Department continue improving the operation plan against those Suss Transport Fleets tracked in recent days. Give it to me when I wake up. Also, prepare the fleet for departure.”

”Yes, General...” Markovich looked at Fatty, somewhat worried, and said, ”Are you okay?”

With the same concern were Helen, Meiduo, and Audrey behind Fatty, as well as other warriors and Leray people in the restaurant. Everyone knew that since arriving at the base, this Fatty had basically not rested. He was always busy, training and rectifying combat troops, guiding Mecha and battleship modifications in workshops, working overnight with scientists in laboratories, repeatedly performing simulation exercises with newly founded Combat Staff Department consultants, and formulating future combat plans… The bandit army was in its early stage, needing him in many areas.

”I’m not that fragile!” Fatty’s honest smile sent a chill down Markovich’s spine: ”When we do our things, they do theirs, we do ours! It’s just...”

Fatty turned and walked out of the restaurant, almost spitting the last words through clenched teeth: ”It’s just about who’s more ruthless!”

”Fatty!” As he just stepped out of the restaurant, Big Head Karl rushed up: ”Carolina orders you to report within twenty-four hours, or you’ll be charged with disobeying military orders.”

”Tell her!” Fatty headed straight for his room, not looking back: ”Go to hell!”

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”Is the information accurate?”

In the Combat Command Room of the Aircraft Carrier ”Admiral Yangkevich,” Gershkov stared at the black interstellar map full of shining silver names, markers, and data.

For ordinary people, these things would make them dizzy at a glance, but for Gershkov, who came from the Suss Air Force, they were as familiar as the palm of his hand.

With just a glance at the interstellar map, he could shrink the entire Star Domain without omission into his mind based on these markers and data within a few minutes. For any commander in the Suss Air Force, this skill was merely a basic subject they needed to master.

”Absolutely confirmed, General Gershkov.” A Suss Combat Staff Officer stood at attention, seriously saying, ”We have repeatedly confirmed, currently entering the main channel are indeed four fleets. Among them, two Chuckna Fleets have reached Mars Free Port. Another Chuckna Fleet appeared in the fifth leg of the main channel seventy-two hours ago and is currently out of sight. According to intelligence from the Military Department, the 3rd Detachment of our Resk Front Army 5th Fleet has detected a B-level Feiyang Fleet passing through the Resk Jump Point into the main channel.”

”What’s the Military Department’s operational guidance?” Gershkov’s expression was grim.

”Here......” The staff quickly handed Gershkov a document: ”The reinforcements plan drawn up by the Chief Staff Department has been approved by Marshal Bellif. Now, the support fleet of our Army Group located in the Resk Star System has merged with the newly added two B-level mixed fleets, waiting for the Resk Jump Passage to be marked as safe.”

”Finally, Bellif has made up his mind!” Gershkov snorted coldly: ”That guy only knows how to follow the prime minister around, talking about resource scarcity, treasury emptiness… If he dares to veto our reinforcement proposal again, I’ll directly go to Emperor Su to impeach him!”

”During this period, reinforce vigilance. First clean up the channel, and let those cargo ships, smuggling ships, and pirates stay away from the main channel, ensuring logistics accessibility. Also, make sure to determine Chuckna Fleet and Feiyang Fleet’s movements, best to press them all to Mars Free Port front.” While flipping through the document, Gershkov instructed: ”Also, ascertain conditions on the Freedom Channel, especially the few A-level channels connecting Mars to the main channel, which are crucial. Channels below C-level not suitable for battleship navigation don’t matter much.”

”Yes!” The staff officer stood at attention and received the order.

”The Jiepeng Fleet is about to arrive at the Longbow Star System, we can’t give them any excuse to stay here.” Gershkov casually exchanged the document folder with the staff officer, coldly snorting: ”The Fei Alliance and Jiepeng, they’re too underestimating us. Three A-level fleets and one B-level fleet are merely the size of our mixed Group Fleet. I will let them understand who’s the master of the Freedom Channel!”

The staff officer stood solemnly, looking at Gershkov with reverence. With this air combat expert ranking fifty-ninth on the list of great generals, yet twelfth among interstellar navy generals, unbeaten to date in a battle. Along with the reinforcement of two B-level fleets, the power of Suss in the main channel was double that of the enemy, with Gershkov commanding this battle, losing was simply impossible.

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”The plan was well made.”

In the office renamed Mars Front Army First Base, Carolina handed the document to Margaret beside her and smiled at Cheng Zhixuan sitting in front of her: ”I’m glad the Chuckna Military Department could send a meticulous and reliable officer like you to be the Front Army Chief of Staff. General Fiscella speaks highly of you, Colonel. Once Mars stabilizes, I will certainly report to the Alliance Command Center for commendation!”

”You’re too kind, General.” Cheng Zhixuan replied steadily, ”Having been transferred to the Mars Front Army under your leadership, as Chief of Staff, I’m obliged to be your assistant. This is all part of my duties. This war is still cruel, what we need is full cooperation!”

Carolina nodded satisfied, stood and looked out at the newly renovated base, praising: ”I never hesitate to commend those who work earnestly and listen to commands. Clearly, Colonel Cheng has done many preliminary works. This is vastly different from another person I know. Leading this team, what I need is clear reward and punishment!”

As she spoke, Carolina turned her head, glanced at Margaret, and said lightly to Cheng Zhixuan: ”Here, these so-called civilian armed forces are not considered reliable power for the battles we are about to face, but I’m somewhat interested in their Mecha close combat skills. Besides, some people have gone too far, they should be made to understand a bit. You handle the Mecha Fighting Championship matter. Also, help me contact your Admiral Zhang Pengcheng, Mars’ defense and strategic deployment needs close cooperation between our two armies, yet up till now, I haven’t met him!”

Understanding Carolina’s implied meaning deeply, Cheng Zhixuan suppressed the joy in his heart, stood up solemnly, and took orders: ”Yes!”

When Cheng Zhixuan walked out of the office and closed the door, Carolina retracted her approving gaze and said to Margaret: ”What do you think about this Colonel Chuckna?”

”Hypocritical.” Margaret fiddled with her hair nonchalantly: ”I don’t like him.”

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. I report, upon reaching Guilin, they all indulged in revelry, drinking, and gambling, while I remained unsullied, pure and elegant, hiding in a hotel and ingratiating myself to you all. Although this chapter’s word count is somewhat short, it’s rushed out in the hotel. Since everyone pushed me up to sixth, I should be a bit conscious, right? Begging for monthly tickets, overtaking at bends, make them cry!

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. (To be continued, for more on this story, please log onto www.qidian.com, more chapters available, support the author, support legitimate reading!)