Counterfeit Hero

Chapter 114: Volume 3 Chapter 24 Liebgoet

When the near-victory battle report of the 4th Fleet was transmitted back to headquarters, Admiral Robert, responsible for the Army, knew that it would soon be the Army’s turn to perform. Now, the battle preparations on Miloke and Miloke II Star have nearly been completed, at least enough for the first phase of the landing offensive.

The first phase of the landing will involve a total of over sixty fully mechanized infantry divisions and more than twenty armored divisions, including the Federation First Army Armored Division and the Aviation Marine Corps 3rd Armored Division, two of the Federation’s ace units, which will form the main force of the landing. As for the vanguard, the options chosen were the Aviation Marine Corps 16th Armored Division and the rebuilt 9th Armored Division, both of which shone brilliantly in the Miloke Planet campaign.

The 9th Armored Division, in the battle to defend New Rome, Miloke’s largest industrial city, held its ground with half its forces cooperating with brother units until the Federation’s counteroffensive began, fighting countless fierce battles and creating many meritorious companies and battalions. The 16th Division’s remarkable achievement was during the Jialuo Mountain battle; when the division was deployed, Admiral Blatt, the overall commander, had virtually no more troops to dispatch. If the 16th Division could not hold the line, the Federation would retreat at the dawn of victory, with no defensive terrain for thousands of kilometers at the rear, the Imperial Army would wreak havoc like beasts unleashed, tearing the Federation’s defenses to shreds in a sweeping advance across vast regions. Fortunately, it was the 16th Armored Division that went in; not only did they hold the position, but led the charge in the subsequent counteroffensive, routing and capturing Imperial forces several times their own number under the onslaught of this armored division.

In the honor room of the Aviation Marine Corps 9th Division, various banners and collective medals are displayed. On the front wall, there is a blank space. A new soldier once asked why this blank space was left in the center, and the veteran answer was: ”That space is reserved for a mechanic soldier who won a first-class merit! At the most critical moment in the battle of New Rome, it was this mechanic soldier who destroyed the opponent’s forward base command post, delaying the Imperial Army’s offensive for two days, saving New Rome and the 9th Division. The division commander said, ’In troubled times, heroes emerge. A mechanic soldier can also create miracles; this space is reserved for him, and for future heroes!’”

With just one sentence from the division commander, every new recruit stepping into the 9th Division felt their hearts surge with excitement and passion, realizing that they too had the chance to create miracles! This blank space instantly became a goal in the hearts of every soldier in the Aviation Marine Corps 9th Armored Division, infusing the division with a new spirit, significantly boosting both cohesion and combat power!

In the tense preparations of the 16th Armored Division, now reorganized into a regiment-level unit, the original Special Reconnaissance Battalion seemed devoid of pre-war tension. Within hours, the warriors would board a giant transport ship, becoming the first to set foot on the main star Galileo’s Lucerne Planet. Yet, those reading books, playing ball, and shooting the breeze seemed at ease, as if the upcoming battle was of no concern to anyone.

The newly reinforced soldiers in this regiment were all elite warriors, veterans selected from various units of the division, but their curiosity persisted about the mysterious deputy company commander who once dared to create chaos behind enemy lines with just a squad. Especially in Torick’s company, a few newly added special soldiers persistently followed Torick, who led them into the grassroots officers’ rest room, relentlessly asking: ”Company commander, tell us about it. If someone asks about our company’s glorious deeds, we’d have something to say, wouldn’t we?” Torick glared: ”This is military secrecy. Do you think it’s for you to boast about?”

As soon as the deputy company commander was mentioned, the old-timers in the rest room perked up. This group, who followed Fatty back from behind enemy lines, had either become platoon leaders or squad leaders, adorned with numerous medals, enjoying considerable prestige in the entire 16th Division.

Deputy company commander Stiller asked: ”Big guy, what do you think the deputy company commander is doing now?”

The big guy Duncan, not raising his head from his book, replied: ”Probably bullying someone.”

The big guy Duncan, from Lapla Planet of the Bermuda Star Domain, served as the firepower handler in Torick’s squad. His mecha’s energy cannon on his warrior pioneer carried an additional barrel compared to others, making his firepower suppression precise and fierce, a reliable fire support point. His personality mirrored this - usually silent with straightforward and direct speech.

The group didn’t expect his answer, first stunned, then burst into laughter, nodding one after another. This former deputy company commander was infamous for not taking a loss, causing plenty of trouble when he first arrived at the Special Reconnaissance Battalion. To this day, Alice still had an odd view towards the Special Reconnaissance Group because of him.

As for his methods, they were extraordinarily formidable. Upon his arrival, his actions astounded everyone! Underneath his cunning and mischievous exterior lay endless cunning. If provoked, anyone would end up crying. To say nothing of those, the former special camp commander Grant, reassigned to the Bermuda Military District, left with a grudge against his mechanical leg dismantled through Fatty’s trickery.

Torick sighed with a smile: ”If the deputy company commander comes back, I’d rather return to being a squad leader!” The crowd nodded in agreement, finding the deputy company commander’s dealings more satisfying and enjoyable than holding an official position.

The nearby new recruits, exchanging glances, had been in the Special Reconnaissance Group for nearly twenty days. These officers were indeed impressive, not only in combat skills with high techniques and complementary teamwork but also their utter ruthlessness. In training, facing them was pure torment, being toyed with. Almost no one dared to challenge the Special Reconnaissance Group, but hearing them speak this way, it seemed they too had someone they admired. Regarding that unseen legendary figure, recruits couldn’t help but wonder: ”Damn, what kind of awesome figure is this?”

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The awesome Tian Xingjian was studying battle cases. Russell reckoned that this Fatty had still more potential to be mined, increasing the forceful tutoring’s intensity. The battle cases provided were enough for an ordinary person to decompose and study for a year, yet Fatty had a week to remember the key points of these battle cases.

Ann Lei took time to visit Russell’s office hurriedly, during the Intelligence Bureau’s busiest period. She brought several sets of clothes and a can of Mother Ann’s brewed soup for Fatty, then playfully kicked him lightly: ”Hentai! Your professional knowledge is quite rich, huh!” Fatty was stunned for a while before realizing, after all, the Big White Rabbit matters weren’t managed by the Intelligence Bureau.

There was no time to worry about other matters; Fatty’s mind was now filled with battle cases, various data, analyses, combat plans, battle situation simulations, troop allocations, time differences, disguises, and strategies. Like a freshly built reservoir, he voraciously absorbed everything. Throughout the processes of memorization and analysis, he instinctively began to contemplate some of the plans in the battle cases, wondering what he would do in those situations. This was the first step for Tian Xingjian in forming his own tactical thinking.

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First Admiral Gordon of the Gazalin Empire still stood in front of that window, lightly tapping the cigarette in his hand on the ashtray on the windowsill. He sighed; this window and the scenery outside hadn’t bestowed upon him the wisdom of his predecessor Russell. Just as his secretaries didn’t understand why he liked to stand there and think, he too couldn’t fathom why Russell was so fond of this window.

A voice sounded behind him, interrupting Gordon’s contemplation.

”Respected General Gordon, I think you’ve run into a bit of trouble.”

Gordon, his thoughts interrupted, turned around angrily. But when he saw who it was, his words caught in his throat.

Standing next to his Chief Confidential Secretary were two people. The one who spoke to him was a young man. Gordon was very familiar with this person. He was Stephen, the third in line of succession in the Morton family of the Imperial Family of Gazalin.

Beside this most militarily talented prince of the Gazalin Imperial Family stood a small, thin old man. Although Gordon had never met him, he wasn’t unfamiliar with this man. He was Liebgoet, the director of the Naga Federation Military Command Academy, ranked even above Russell. The Naga Federation was the largest among the democratic countries participating in the Western Alliance. Due to their border disputes with the Ryan Republic, this federated state eventually joined the Western Alliance, which was primarily composed of imperial countries. Politics is only about interests, not justice. Only the victors get to claim justice and conveniently cover up their evils.

Three years ago, Stephen, with an overwhelming advantage, fairly defeated over a hundred of the best competitors to become the student of Liebgoet, the second greatest general of the Naga Federation, a military power. This fact raised considerable public and some noble power demands to make Stephen the first in line of succession.

However, the Military Department still supported the first successor, Prince George Morton.

The relationship between the Military Department and the Royal Family was very delicate. They absolutely obeyed the Royal Family’s orders but would also play their own little games on certain issues. Stephen’s desire for power was too strong, which wasn’t good for the generals. On the other hand, Prince George was much better in this regard. Though he liked to indulge in debauchery and occasionally had a bad temper, he posed no threat to the entire Empire. In a nation where imperial and military power were supreme, a slightly mediocre ruler was easier for the Military Department to accept.

As soon as Gordon saw these two, he knew that trouble had come to the Military Department. Stephen forcefully intervened at the most awkward time for the Military Department. And the small old man beside him was both the savior of the Empire and the disaster for the Military Department.

With Russell gone, no one in the current Military Department could compete with such a renowned military strategist.

Not even me!

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The main storyline begins now. The future opponents of Fatty will be gradually introduced in the next few Chapters. What kind of despicable methods will this scoundrel use to face each challenge? Heh heh. Keep reading.

The third place in monthly votes is rising very quickly, trying to widen the gap. We can’t let it succeed! Vote stealthily. Use the mecha to counter the snipers!

(To be continued. For more details, please log in to WWW.CMFU.COM. More Chapters await to support the author and support legitimate reading!)