Counterfeit Hero

Chapter 119: Volume 3, Chapter 28: The Most Dangerous Enemy

Although Admiral Fei Ouwen and several generals can’t be said to be veterans of countless battles, they nevertheless have formal military training. During the Miloke resistance war, they coordinated with Admiral Bernadotte to ultimately secure a victory that thrilled the entire Federation. When Russell and Tian Xingjian mentioned this, they immediately understood, knowing that the rhythm of war is indeed crucial. Especially at the start of a war, the side that controls the pace can steadily manage their forces according to plan, even if retreating, they can stage a counterattack at a specified time and achieve greater results.

Though Russell’s order was to delay action, the war had already begun between the leaders of both sides.

As they were speaking, Yuna, Admiral Bernadotte’s chief confidential secretary, knocked and entered, saying, ”General, Major Ann Lei from the Intelligence Bureau requests a meeting.” Bernadotte nodded and said, ”Let her in.”

After a brief moment, the door was pushed open again, and the beautiful figure of Ann Lei appeared at the entrance. Seeing Fatty also present, she inadvertently felt shy and smiled, blushing. She first saluted all the generals, then handed over a document to Bernadotte, saying, ”General, this is the latest information from the Intelligence Bureau.”

Bernadotte signed and opened the document, smiling as he spoke to Russell, ”General Russell, your guesses are very accurate. Currently, it’s no longer Admiral Gordon, your old colleague, responsible for commanding the Imperial Army, but the third heir of the Morton family, Stephen, and his mentor, Liebgoet General from the Naga Federation.”

The generals gasped in realization, finally understanding why Russell emphasized the importance of maintaining the rhythm before the battle. With opponents like Liebgoet, once caught in his rhythm, escaping could be costly. He could continually lead you astray, dragging you along involuntarily, tying you up with ropes until he thought it sufficient, then knock you down!

Russell chuckled lightly and said, ”I’m too familiar with the Gazalin Military Department. Those who would reveal flaws like this do exist! But none are in a position of authority! Gordon is too conservative. With his mindset, he would definitely guard the exit of the passage and try to find the spatial jump point of the Public Star System, defending against enemies at the gates. When the Intelligence Bureau reported that Emperor James recalled Stephen last time, I knew this war was about to get interesting.”

He turned to the interstellar map on the wall and frowned, saying, ”However, I’m most worried not about Liebgoet, even though he’s a powerful opponent, he’s purely a military strategist, not a madman.” He sighed, ”The real madman, one who poses a threat to all human society, is only one—the Emperor of the Empire, James.”

Admiral Fei Ouwen exclaimed, ”You mean...”

Russell nodded and said, ”He’s an uncontrollable person. The Western Alliance cannot control him, nor can he control himself. If necessary, I think he would issue the most brutal orders.”

Everyone fell silent. While technological progress hasn’t yet advanced to the point where humans can destroy an entire planet, there are multiple ways to exterminate all life on one.

The manufacture of mass destructive superweapons is strictly prohibited by the Human Supreme Joint Council and is the focus of each annual nuclear inspection. On every planet of every nation, there are stationed inspectors dispatched by various countries for mutual checks. Above these planets, there are satellites specifically scanning for such weapons. The control over superweapons has reached a point where it cannot be stricter. At present, the resources consumed and the manpower and financial expenditures required to develop such weapons are quite enormous, and maintaining secrecy would inevitably leave some traces. Any country manufacturing and hiding these weapons would be sanctioned by all human society, with sanctions being harsh and unquestionable. Such a nation would face devastating blows.

However, the generals knew that in the future, with the onset of total war among human societies, how much effect would the Supreme Joint Council have? Even if there are constraints among each other, no country would dare to produce, or have the opportunity to produce superweapons. But to order a space fleet to attack a planet’s surface once shouldn’t be difficult, right? Fleet attacks, though unable to destroy planets, could easily destroy one or two cities within a few days.

With a grave expression, Russell said, ”If, in the end, James finds no hope of victory, he might choose to let Gazalin Main Star, Mezrich, be his own burial place!”

Bernadotte uneasily moved and asked, ”But the cosmic treaty has a provision that allows soldiers to refuse such orders, who would do something like that for a hopeless nation?”

Russell sighed, ”You wouldn’t understand the Gazalin Empire. Just look at Hopkins; you can imagine that such a country never lacks extreme racial ideology. When they believe the glory of Vibo people has vanished, when they’re in despair, they would raise their sword against anyone, including their families! To them, this is punishing enemies while also providing themselves and their people with relief!”

The generals gave each other uneasy looks, and Fei Ouwen couldn’t help but speak, ”If there were more countries like this, humanity might truly face a catastrophe.”

Russell smiled, ”A single madman cannot destroy humanity unless a group of them, each controlling an empire, conspire together. After all, the manufacture of superweapons has formed a complete control system over thousands of years. Even if ordered by imperial country’s emperor, success is unlikely. Creating such weapons is akin to pushing their nation to the brink! As long as someone executing the plan discovers anything suspicious with one of the links and reports it, the result is only one of two—either the nation’s annihilation or the emperor’s demise.”

”As for James...” Russell’s eyes gleamed, ”Gazalin Empire doesn’t have the capability to hide superweapons, and his fleet, huh, when he’s in despair, will he even have his fleet!”

The generals shared a gaze, knowing that having a madman with immense power and yet unable to control it poses the greatest threat to human society, and such threats must be eliminated at the early stages. They all thought, fortunately, Russell is with the Federation; had they realized this situation only during the final assault on Mezrich Planet, the Federation’s losses would have been unimaginable.

The generals were lost in thought when suddenly they heard Russell angrily say: ”Tian! Go study the battle cases!”

Fatty, who was flirting with Ann Lei, was startled and, jumping up, ran off. The old man seemed crazy, damn it, I’m not the one trying to destroy Mezrich!

Fatty slipped out the door, stealthily hiding by it. When Ann Lei said goodbye and came out, he wrapped her in his arms and smiled, ”Missed me?” Ann Lei was startled, but seeing it was him, she blushed and was about to speak when suddenly, Bernadotte’s voice came from the office, ”General Russell, do you think it’s appropriate to entrust such an important task to Lieutenant Tian?”

Russell remained silent, Fatty focused intently on eavesdropping when suddenly, the half-open door was pulled open. Russell glared at Fatty, asking, ”What are you still doing here! Get going!”

Ann Lei blushingly pushed Fatty away, gave him a flirtatious glare, and ran off. Fatty sheepishly smiled at Russell and slowly walked towards Russell’s office, thinking, ”Those old geezers, what scheme are they planning now?”

Seeing Fatty walking away, Russell signaled Yuna to guard the door and close it, laughing, ”Dealing with this guy requires cunning; he’s quite the sly one.”

Bernadotte nodded, ”I’ve never seen a soldier like him. Federation soldiers are consistently taught to obey from the moment they join the army. Obedience is the duty of a soldier and is necessary for a disciplined army. Lieutenant Tian counts as a maverick among them!”

Russell said, ”Among the soldiers I’ve seen, he’s indeed the most gifted. In just a few weeks of training, he can deduce from a simple 1:200,000 map and general troop deployment outline the tactical scenarios of at least three phases for both attack and defense, firepower allocation, troop distribution, marching routes, breach routes, and coordinate variations for key points.” He sighed and continued, ”It’s a pity he will never be potential material to become a general; he only releases his abilities when forced into impossible situations.”

Bernadotte laughed, ”If he really became a general, we probably would never be able to tame him. This kid would undoubtedly be eating and sleeping all day, or going after pretty female soldiers! Just look, the so-called most beautiful major in the Intelligence Bureau, Ann Lei, unknowingly got involved with him.”

Russell laughed, ”That’s why such a guy should never be allowed to have comfortable days. We must uncover all his potential and place him in the most critical positions, where he can accomplish missions better than anyone else! It’s best to use quality steel for the cutting edge. Honestly speaking, I only feel assured when entrusting the Freedom Front to him. Behind enemy lines, he’ll definitely figure out ways to protect himself, as well as the warriors of the Freedom Front.”

Fei Ouwen, dumbfounded, said, ”General Russell, didn’t I hear last time you say if Lieutenant Tian comprehended your strategic plan, he wouldn’t need to go to the front lines? He’s currently studying hard; if you go back on your word...”

Russell smiled lightly, saying, ”I said he wouldn’t go to the front lines, but I didn’t say he wouldn’t go behind enemy lines!”