Counterfeit Hero

”Report to Admiral Russell, the Leray Federation...” After the salute, Chekov stepped forward from the front of the line: ”All 1,221 officers and soldiers of the Federation Space Navy Second Army Group, 3rd Fleet Destroyer

and Chuckna visit crew have assembled and are reporting to you, requesting to return to the ranks!”

In the vast space, there was only this voice. Monotonous, hoarse, yet incredibly solemn.

In the silence, Russell solemnly said, ”Permission granted.

returns to the ranks!” Saying this, he saluted: ”Well done! Long live Leray!”

Russell’s voice echoed quietly in the silence of the flight cabin.

”Long live Leray!” Following Russell’s words, an immense, overwhelming sound like countless bolts of thunder simultaneously erupted in the cabin.

This terrifying sound wave echoed, flooding over everyone, sending an electrifying shiver across every inch of their skin. The Leray soldiers, biting their lips with reddened eyes and forcing their trembling bodies to remain still, could no longer control their emotions and all jumped up jubilantly. The entire flight cabin was instantly filled with joy.

Since being sent to visit Chuckna and wandering the Free World, enduring eight months of hardship,

finally returned to the ranks of the Federation Space Navy after three million Leray warriors stained the battlefield with blood, after Leray was torn apart, after the annihilation of its Second Group Fleet.

More than eight months, over two hundred days, looking back, everything has changed. What was once a single destroyer has grown into a formidable fleet that no one can underestimate! While the comrades of the Leray Second Army Group 3rd Fleet have long become spirits at the Jump Point of the Leray Central Star System alongside Brown and Schneider.

Amidst the deafening cheers, unrestrained wails rose to the sky. Many Leray warriors turned into weeping figures on the spot.

”Gone...” An old soldier squatted on the ground, clutching his chest tightly. His new, crisp uniform was crumpled. Large, restrained tears, held back for three months, fell like beads: ”It hurts so much. Our Federation Navy... it’s all gone, only us left, only us left!”

”Admiral Brown, Admiral Schneider. Farewell. We didn’t shame you.” A burly gunner cried his heart out, wailing like a child, his voice choked: ”The 3rd Fleet is still here! The Federation Navy is still here!”

”General Brown! We’ve returned!” A Major officer knelt on the cold deck, took off his cap, and covered his face with his hand, letting tears stream through his fingers. A few years ago, just out of Military Academy, he was personally selected into the 3rd Fleet by Brown. Now, Brown’s image was vivid before his eyes, but they were worlds apart.

”We’ve returned,” a Captain wiped tears that wouldn’t stop, and cried out loud: ”Long live Leray!”

”Long live the Leray Federation!”

Amidst the deafening shouts, one officer after another in Leray uniforms followed Russell out of the cabin. These elites of Leray stood silently in place, eyes quietly reddening... In front of them were over a thousand compatriots and comrades who had wandered the Free World, cheering wildly and sobbing uncontrollably, losing themselves completely.

Russell’s simple ”Blue Rose returns to the ranks,” and ”Well done.” easily broke down the psychological defenses of the officers and soldiers of . And the scene before them shattered the defenses of the officers following him. The emotions suppressed in their hearts, like a floodgate opening, surged forth uncontrollably. Thinking of their deceased fleet comrades, thinking of the eight months of painful struggle, a storm of mixed emotions surged in every officer’s heart.

A Colonel and a Major General rushed out of the line. They strode toward Chekov.

Chekov recognized these two officers. They were his best friends in the 3rd Fleet. They had fought side by side countless times, covered for each other countless times.

In Chekov’s eyes, two sparks of disbelief flared up, his mind blank. He stood dumbfounded, lips trembling, letting the two officers rush over and tightly embrace him!

”I thought you had died in battle...” Chekov’s tears burst forth, and the three strong men held each other tightly, unable to stop their tears.

Russell walked over to Fatty. The master and the apprentice silently gazed at each other.

The warriors’ cheers and cries seemed to traverse the four years of the National Defense War. They seemed to be a symphony of battlefield gunfire and explosions, the sonic booms and crashes of aircraft, the shouts and orders in the barracks, the footsteps of Mechas, the machines in the factories, and on the Congress podium, Hamilton’s forceful and resonant speeches.

”Teacher!” Fatty saluted respectfully. His nose felt a bit sour.

He could see that Russell’s hair was already graying. This great general of Gazalin was dedicating his life to the Leray Federation. He had preserved the last seeds for Leray.

Russell looked at Fatty quietly, his eyes filled with undisguised comfort and joy. He gently patted Fatty’s shoulder and nodded: ”You’ve done very well!”

Although there was no imagined embrace or tears, although the scene of their meeting was as plain as water. However, the mere five words of this review allowed everyone present to hear the endless trust, affection, pride, and glory contained within.