Counterfeit Hero

The tranquil starry sky, spanning nearly thirty light years across two domains of the main air route, the ”Smoke Lake” nebula, like an irregular freshwater lake, quietly spreads amidst the distant, cool glow of countless constant stars. Varying in density.

For many years, she, like a gentle veil, has silently existed along the main air route. Diverse ships and their passengers, traveling through this channel, have only to look up after their ships leap from the AR-1871 star system or AR-1841 jump point to see this eternally graceful figure against the horizon.

As one proceeds from Chuckna towards Saleria and enters the AR-1871 star system, only a remote and incomplete half-side of this nebula is visible. But passing the jump point into the AR-1861 star system brings you to her edge. The air route must navigate an obstacle zone that stretches eighty thousand kilometers—merely a small corner, akin to the tip of a fairy’s smoky garment.

Crossing the AR-1861 star system’s obstacle zone, the Southeast Main Channel shifts away from the nebula, growing increasingly distant, and eventually bids farewell to the Smoke Lake nebula in the AR-1831 star system.

If one has the inclination, they can turn while traversing the AR-1861 star system, spend a few hours navigating numerous obstacle zones, and find a jump point leading into the AR-1862 star system near a dark-brown planet.

Entering the AR-1862 star system, you are now within the nebula.

Nearby, different gases and dust of the nebula reflect and transform into colors, dreamlike and illusory. In the distance, a cluster of six constant stars, like the soft glow of fishing lights on the foggy surface of a lake, enigmatic and captivating.

During peacetime, this was a haven for many photography enthusiasts. They would tirelessly cross dangerous obstacle zones to enter the cul-de-sac like AR-1862 star system, drawn by the nebula’s breathtaking beauty. Few knew that within the AR-1862 star system, there’s a small jump point leading to Mars Free Channel.

Inside the communications room aboard the Holy Sword battleship, the electronic lights illuminated every corner.

Fatty paced back and forth in the room, in front of the X-shaped conference table where Fang Xiang, Carl, and Markovich watched him intently. On the 360-degree communication screens around them, Chekov, who commands the Holy Light battleship, and captains of other ships, also followed Fatty’s movements with their gaze.

It was the bandit army fleet’s pre-battle preparatory meeting. Having surveyed the environment, opinions diverged significantly on the choice of ambush location.

After all, the eighty thousand kilometers long obstacle zone offered many alternatives.

Some areas provided concealment, others natural barriers, and certain places formed a funnel-shaped space that could maximize the first wave of attack power. Each choice had its advantages. Now, all awaited Fatty’s final decision.

After circling the room once, Fatty stopped, shook his head, and said, ”We can’t ambush in the obstacle zone!”

”Why?” asked a Salerian Lieutenant Colonel ship captain instinctively.

The other captains were also bewildered. They had traveled so far to use the unique environment of the obstacle zone for an ambush. Why had Fatty changed his mind upon arrival?!

It was common knowledge that in space raid battles, especially in fighting against a superior force, ambushing within the obstacle zone was almost imperative! The sudden attack utilizing the jump channel must occur when the enemy is surrounded, with sufficient troop advantage.

Moreover, in space, it’s only when the enemy fleet moves slowly through obstacle zones that an attack could be launched; otherwise, with ships leaping through the jump channel at thousands or even tens of thousands of kilometers per second, locking on or even detecting would be impossible! Not even the most advanced battleship could achieve that!

What did Fatty mean?

Everyone present was puzzled. Only Fang Xiang, having been subjected to simulation exercises and countermeasures by Fatty en route, had an inkling.

Indeed, Fatty looked at him with a sigh, saying: ”The places are good... just not good for escape!”

That... cowardly, cunning, despicable Fatty!

Looking at the officers’ dazed expressions, Fang Xiang bit his lip, infuriated!

The others wouldn’t understand how this statement provoked him! From base to here, through dozens of simulation exercises, this Fatty kept changing tactics to escape! No matter the scenario given by the system, Fatty always found ways to avoid direct confrontations, honing his tactics to preserve strength. If there was danger, he ran; if not, he created it as an excuse to escape!

Fighting against him, felt like dealing with a slippery eel in an oil barrel!

At least ten simulated battles ended in stalemates because Fatty maneuvered so skillfully without any strategic target to restrict him.

The most infuriating part was, at times, when he already had an absolute advantage and victory was within grasp, just to spare a loss of a few percentage points, he never concedes—always calculating, never letting go, sometimes running away when things turned unfavorable.

No sane commander fights wars like this!

Had it not been for remembering his mentor’s simulation theories or considering the bandit army and Saleria, Fang Xiang would have loved to wring that slippery eel dead! This was not war, it was teasing!