Counterfeit Hero

The battle on Blue Stone Star has ended, and the cleanup operation is nearing its conclusion.

The Western Alliance army that had deployed in full force didn’t leave much of a garrison on Blue Stone Star. Other than a Jiepeng A-level fleet, there were only some local guard troops. These forces were nearly wiped out in the first wave of the Feiyang 19th Group Fleet’s attack. Once the Feiyang Fleet occupied the Space Port and its armored units launched assaults from all directions with overwhelming momentum, the remaining Western Alliance land and air units had no option but to surrender or face annihilation.

No one expected this planet, already marked as the hinterland on the Western Alliance’s Southeast Battle Zone map, to suffer a surprise assault by the Feiyang Fleet. The Fei Alliance’s strike was both precise and ruthless.

It’s important to know that at this moment, Blue Stone Star’s defenses were not only empty, but it was also becoming operationally significant. The mineral resources here were being continuously extracted, and many Western Alliance enterprises and commerce groups were just getting on track. With this attack by the Fei Alliance Fleet, all previous efforts and investments will come to nothing. Even if counterattacked and reclaimed within a year or two, it wouldn’t regain its vitality.

More seriously, the Western Alliance’s strategic deployment in the entire southeast region will be affected by the unexpected fall of this important forward base.

Without Blue Stone Star, many plans will be impossible to execute. The original interconnected battle situation between Resk Star System, Southeast Main Channel, and Leray Newton Star System has already fractured into three disjointed segments. In Resk, the Suss Army will face the Fei Alliance Joint Army alone. In the Southeast Main Channel, Suss and Jiepeng’s fleets will lack reinforcements and supplies. In Leray, before making any decisions, they must be wary of the Fei Alliance Fleet in the Longbow Star System stabbing from behind.

From one surprise assault, the Western Alliance loses not only resources, bases, and fleets but also the hard-earned strategic advantage, morale, confidence, and initiative.

Blue Stone Star Florock Military Base’s No.1 Airport is built on a mountain 500 meters above sea level in the base’s southeast.

Following the wide and straight flight highway, it takes only a few minutes from the base’s central area to the airport. Upon reaching the mountaintop, passing through the slopes with towering trees on both sides of the flight highway’s end, the view suddenly opens up. It is an expanse of flat land. To the left of the highway is the airport’s runways and warehouses, barracks, navigation tower, and Sky Tower for rapid shuttle takeoff and landing. To the right is a row of suspended berths, constructed at the cliff edge, stretching out of sight.

The camouflage-painted off-road vehicle, at the end of the flight highway, lowered its four wheels, roaring as it turned onto the road leading to the dock. After swiftly passing more than ten huge battleships and circumventing a crater in the middle of the road, it stopped in front of the majestic bow of a battleship.

Douglas leapt from the off-road vehicle and gazed around. Behind the battleship suspended in mid-air was Florock City. The sky was clear for miles, and the city on the plains below was distinctly visible. Buildings of varying heights, intersecting roads, densely packed industrial areas, and an army base further away... This was a military town. Everything in the city existed for the present military base.

Though standing on the mountain now, the city appeared so tranquil and peaceful. Douglas knew that a storm was brewing there. All three Aviation Marine Corps Armored Divisions belonging to the 19th Group Fleet had already been deployed. Countless ”Unhindered Stride” and ”Divine” operations were clearing everything the Western Alliance left on this planet in each city. This included their soldiers, their enterprises, and their immigrants.

There would be cries and some scenes too unbearable to witness, but these were not reasons to stop. This is war. When these Western Alliance immigrants wholeheartedly supported their government, left their homeland to accompany their troops to this conquered land to start enjoying the fruits of victory, they should have known that everything comes at a price. They’ve sat at the gambling table, now they must be prepared to lose.

Douglas strode onto the Scorpion Battleship. The crew who had noticed the arrival of the highest commander didn’t frantically gather or line up to greet him; they simply saluted Douglas with a smile and continued their tasks.

The daily inspection had become a routine since this fleet accepted Douglas’s leadership.

Everyone knows, no matter how busy, Douglas will always go down to the frontline to listen to the views of frontline combat soldiers. This is not a pretentious concern nor a show, but an actual task. This young commander is no paper tiger who only speaks empty words and loves vanity. He’s stamping his mark on the entire fleet with this method.

Ordinary soldiers now have a direct channel to express their opinions and suggestions. Every proposal regarding the fleet is derived from training, work, and combat experience. Whether it’s minor faults with new Energy Cannons, calibrating fire control systems, mistakes by superior officers, or unaccustomed living and dietary conditions, Douglas is a great listener. He seriously considers every practical and effective suggestion and resolves issues before combat.

To follow such a pragmatic, meticulous leader who can consistently make correct judgments and decisions is the greatest relief for soldiers walking the tightrope of life and death. Most of them have never imagined becoming General or Marshal. They only hope to survive until the war ends and not lose their lives due to a commander’s stupidity at the wrong time and place.