Counterfeit Hero

”Boswell!” Bernardo turned his head in shock to look at McKinley. He knew that when Canglang Star fell, part of the alliance’s mecha test team was trapped, but no one told him that among those trapped was Boswell!

Under Bernardo’s gaze, McKinley nodded awkwardly.

After Canglang Star fell, he was too overwhelmed to pay attention to a group of tech personnel. That was merely a small group within the alliance’s mecha research project, a tiny part among thousands of researchers. He also hadn’t informed Bernardo about it. He didn’t think making an admiral clamor for rescuing a group of tech personnel was more important than considering how to save the entire war situation himself.

Moreover, Canglang Star fell suddenly, and the command center was currently short on forces, making it impossible to allocate troops for a rescue.

Originally, it was a normal decision that wouldn’t create any psychological burden. However, when Major General Tian Xingjian of Leray and his troops salvaged the Southeast war situation and the entire Nineteen Group Fleet in the Longbow Star System, the decision became rather embarrassing.

Looking at McKinley’s awkward expression, Bernardo’s heart kept sinking.

”Currently, the Chuckna Army’s 13th Armored Division and the Aviation Marine Corps’ 51st Mechanized Infantry Division are still trapped in the narrow strip less than 40 kilometers deep along the Karachi River Valley.”

Leefer’s fingers gently tapped the electronic simulation table, saying in a deep voice, ”Professor Boswell and the dozens of trapped tech personnel are precious assets of our alliance, and absolutely must not suffer any loss. Marshal Li Cunxin is even more distinguished and of high prestige. I believe the person most capable of executing the rescue mission right now is none other than Major General Tian Xingjian. Based on the battle in Longbow, Major General Tian’s unit is enough to be promoted to Level 1 Forces. If this rescue succeeds, the title of special operations unit will be well-deserved!”

The operations room was quiet except for Leefer’s voice.

The generals had long heard of Leefer’s reputation, and upon hearing his words now, they felt a solemn chill within.

Everyone knew that Leefer was rigorous in training the army and had extremely high standards for military discipline. Clearly, he did not favor the bandit army that always hovered outside the alliance system, veiled and not very obedient to orders. This statement seemed to give the bandit army a great opportunity, but upon closer examination, the generals broke out in a cold sweat.

Canglang Star was already completely under Western Alliance control, not to mention its ground forces. Even the space defenses around the planet weren’t easily penetrable.

From the command center’s perspective, nobody held much hope for the trapped Chuckna 13th Armored Division and 51st Mechanized Infantry Division. The last time a distress signal was received from these two divisions was 40 hours ago. Without supplies, defenses, or air superiority, they could be annihilated by the Western Alliance Army at any moment. No egg remains intact under a toppled nest; Marshal Li Cunxin and the research team retreating together with these divisions to the eastern bank of Karachi were naturally not spared.

Under such circumstances, storming into Canglang Star for a rescue was nothing short of carving a sword on a boat, equating to pulling teeth from a tiger’s mouth. Not only did the others present have no hope, but even Chuckna’s Rabinowski and Machira had long given up hope. Yet who would have thought that Leefer would propose having the bandit army execute this mission?

Just for a scientist named Boswell?

Everyone looked at Bernardo, with varying expressions, silently.

In everyone’s minds, rejection was Bernardo’s only choice. Who would sacrifice Leray’s only Level 1 Forces for an impractical so-called opportunity?!

Of course, rejection comes at a cost. If the news of Bernardo giving up on rescuing his country’s scientists spreads, Leray, appearing as a resilient resister in the eyes of the Fei Alliance populace, will face media criticism. Moreover, even if the bandit army manages to advance to Level 1 Forces, within the Fei Alliance, they’ll be ridiculed by other units.

More importantly, this undermines the alliance’s system. It’s important to know that the only force theoretically qualified and available for this task is the bandit army newly promoted to Level 1 Forces. If Bernardo refuses without punishment, it essentially opens a loophole in the alliance’s system, allowing anyone to refuse military actions like this in the future.

Perhaps the next refusal would concern Leray Federation’s remaining systems in the Newton Star System or the Galileo Star System!

Everyone could only remain silent. The decision was entirely Bernardo’s to make. No one else could replace him, nor was anyone willing to risk offending Feiyang’s second great general to speak for a country unrelated to theirs. Leefer, whether by reputation or presence, exerted enough pressure on the generals present.

This person is definitely not someone to be trifled with!

”Can I see the list of the research team and the battle reports of Canglang Star?” Bernardo asked.

In the silence, a staff officer quickly brought over the documents.

”General Bernardo, this is Chuckna’s slip-up. I have already requested the homeland to expedite troop assembly, you don’t have to...” Rabinowski glanced at Leefer, gritted his teeth, and said to Bernardo.

Before he could finish, Bernardo motioned him to stop.

Boswell, Milan... Having just these names is enough!