Counterfeit Hero

”But will he really be reconciled? If he hands over all the battleships, the Hanfley family will be finished!” The always silent Chief of Staff Pang Mingjian said thoughtfully.

”Indeed!” Claudia echoed quickly, ”The Binart Empire, cannot accept such a defeat. With their stubborn sense of honor, an all-out annihilation after a valiant stand might be the outcome they’d choose without hesitation!”

”If Hanfley shows any sign of wavering, Fatty will make him submit.” Douglas chuckled softly, recalling how stunned he was watching post-battle SkyNet footage on Gazalin Mezrich Planet, of Fatty alone breaking through the Stephen Group’s defense, clutching a bloodied enemy soldier seeking help from a mecha.

Beautiful memories flashed through his mind as Douglas mused, ”Major General Tian is a born deceiver.”

*******************************************************************************

Exiting the Oracle carrier’s sixth floor hover elevator, it was a long corridor.

Sensor lights slowly brightened along the corridor as people moved. Blue wallpaper, white wooden wainscoting, and retro copper wall lamps lent a distinct tranquility and comfort to this floor.

At the end of the corridor, a heavy carved door stood open. Light spilled through the door frame, like the exit at the end of a tunnel, bright and serene.

Entering the room felt like stepping into another world.

The 200 square-meter room was square. Soft light from a luxurious crystal chandelier cast a thin yellow glow over the wide leather sofa and a black bookshelf crammed with books. A thick velvet carpet covered the reddish wooden floor. Electronic interstellar maps lining the walls adorned with blue floral wallpaper, pinpoint silver stars and lines amidst the black, deep and dazzling.

Through an elliptical porthole encased in coffee-colored fireproof wood, a distant Constant Star could be seen. Hanging in a blue-black celestial curtain was a magnificent fiery red orb. Rays of light shot in all directions from this fiery sphere, as the floating stones near the porthole seemed to burn in this scorching golden glow.

In the center of the room, a clear tea pot wafting warm steam sat atop a coffee table covered by a blue and white checkered tablecloth, emanating a refreshing, enticing tea fragrance.

Fatty sat on the sofa, glanced at Hanfrey entering the door, picked up the teapot, pouring the steaming jade green tea into a white bottom blue floral teacup, ”Come, have some tea.”

Hanfrey sat next to the sofa, stared at Fatty. After a long silence, he sighed inaudibly, ”If I drink this tea, will I pay the price of two Elephant-level Fleets?!”

”From your words, I hear two meanings. First, you’re prepared to lose everything...” Fatty smiled, appearing affable with his chubby face, ”...Second, you still want to struggle a bit.”

”I underestimated you. In psychology and negotiation skills, you far exceed me.” Hanfrey looked away from Fatty towards the nearby tactical computer.

On the computer, radar’s green light swept in circles, different colored dots flashed on the screen.

”I should have ordered them to leave.” Hanfrey lifted the teacup, watched a small tea leaf spin on the green surface, slowly said, ”That way, at least I could preserve my fleet and my family. Unfortunately, I was deceived by your superb acting. The greed for freedom made me miss the last opportunity.”

”Freedom and fleet, you can only choose one.” Fatty shrugged, ”This time you erred, consider it a lesson. Next time make amends, we can still be good kids.”

”Ridiculing a defeated general lacks grace,” Hanfrey glanced at Fatty, said calmly, ”You’re truly a bastard.”

”Who says otherwise?!” Fatty sighed woefully.

A flash of light appeared in the distance, it was the explosion glow of a Binart Battleship trying to flee alone, being destroyed. Like a spark thrown into a powder keg, the whole asteroid belt fell into chaos.

Oracle was turning. Beside her, dozens of bandit army and Feiyang battleships slid silently, changing formations. The flickering steering propulsion and energy cannon made these battleships appear aggressive. As if they would launch an attack like a wolf pack that has lost patience in the next second.

Meanwhile, the already scattered Binart Fleet was in turmoil under the Fei Alliance Fleet’s pincer attack.

Some battleships gathered into a defensive formation, swaying left and right, uncertain of which side to guard against. Others turned, trying to leave.

”Who’s the commander of the newly arrived fleet?” Hanfrey lowered his eyelids, took a sip of tea.

”Russell.” Fatty responded candidly.

”This battle...” Hanfrey placed the teacup down, looked at the coffee table, for a long time, then bitterly said, ”How long have you been planning?!”

”Six months!” Fatty said earnestly, ”But didn’t expect the target to be you. Originally thought it was Mikami Yuto.”

Hanfrey fell silent. Everything was gradually becoming clear in his mind.

”As expected.” Hanfrey nodded, ”A surprise attack on Blue Stone Star, feign weakness, encircle and conquer reinforcements. You had your eyes on the Longbow Star System long ago. I think such a grand and meticulous plan must’ve come from Hastings?”

Fatty looked at Hanfrey, showing a look of admiration.