Counterfeit Hero

Chapter 279: Volume 4 Chapter 44 The Boiling Federation_2

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”Now broadcasting special news...” On January 2, 2062, all television channels in the Leray Federation simultaneously changed to the Leray Central News Studio screen. Viewing the serious-faced newscaster, all the audience understood that something major had happened.

In every city, on every busy street, flying cars and pedestrians came to a halt, gazing at the ubiquitous public television light screens by the roadside. In schools, teachers paused their lessons. In the military, officers halted their training. In companies, bosses ceased their work. All students, soldiers, and employees were attentively listening to the broadcast.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the planet, in the bustling bars of the night, a sudden silence fell. Patrons stared at the bar televisions quietly awaiting the news. The young people dancing on the street turned off their music, watching the large roadside light screens. Crowds began to gather. On warships in space, every soldier focused intently on the broadcaster’s voice, while at home, parents who had just kissed their children goodnight embraced each other, stopping their stroll through the living room to watch the television without blinking.

”......With the cooperation of the Freedom Front, Federation agents penetrated the capital of Gazalin, Tanville, and successfully captured enemy leader James! The culprit who brazenly launched a war against our Federation, causing countless civilian deaths, is firmly in our grasp!”

The broadcaster’s gentle voice, like an exploding bomb, stunned everyone: ”Gazalin Emperor, we’ve caught him?”

After a deathly silence, the entire Leray Federation erupted in deafening cheers.

Everyone let out wild screams, their bodies trembling with adrenaline. The sense of pride and joy overwhelmed all their senses. Students, soldiers, civilians, every single person reveled in the happiness that came so suddenly and intensely; it was hard for them to believe that it was real.

”The President will deliver a televised speech in ten minutes.”

Ten minutes were enough for the ecstatic people to transform the entire Leray Federation into a sea of joy. Everyone took to the streets. No one wanted to stay at home or in their offices watching television anymore. People cheered and marched, giving hearty embraces to every smiling face they encountered.

At this moment, no one doubted that the Leray Federation would achieve final victory. No one criticized the military and government policies. People of different skin colors, races, and political views embraced sincerely. A tremendous sense of honor filled their hearts. Every individual was proud to be a Federation citizen, proud of the Federation warriors who bravely infiltrated enemy lines and successfully captured James.

”...Gazalin Emperor James has officially become a prisoner of the Leray Federation. Perhaps touched by our policy of humane treatment, he has formally agreed to surrender unconditionally to the Leray Federation and requested Federation Forces enter the Little Pyrenees Star Domain to quell the rebellion, establishing a peaceful and democratic environment for Gazalin.”

Ten minutes later, President Hamilton appeared on the scene of the press conference promptly, speaking humorously and eloquently. No one knew that just half an hour earlier, the President had confirmed James was under Tian Xingjian’s control. The surrender and request attributed to James were entirely fabricated: ”After discussion, the Federation has formally agreed to James’s request and will stop at nothing to end this war!”

Immediately following the President’s speech, Congress convened a special meeting. The assembly practically passed twenty-eight consecutive proposals encompassing war budgets, armament procurement, troop expansion, and wartime decrees at the speed of light, resolutely supporting President Hamilton’s further action plans.

The news of James’s capture and Leray Federation President Hamilton’s speech quickly spread throughout human society. In this exceedingly information-rich era, as long as the Leray Federation pleased, all public information could be transmitted to regions millions of light years away within seconds.

The Fei Alliance countries made the fastest response, congratulating the Leray Federation on its victory ahead of the Western Alliance and recognizing the Federation’s further actions.

The Fei Alliance’s envoy to the Human Supreme Joint Council issued a statement and proposal almost at light speed, solidifying the so-called agreement between the Leray Federation and James into an irrefutable fact, demanding the Gazalin rebel forces and Lucerne garrison immediately surrender their weapons, to be supervised by the Leray Federation, executing the Supreme Joint Council’s policies conducive to peace and democracy.

”James, you idiot!”

In the Imperial Palace of the Desic Empire, the Desic Emperor, Frank Bedlu, James’s former classmate, cursed with a gloomy face. He could hardly believe that an emperor was captured by Leray Federation agents in his own territory!

Frank knew James well and was certain James would never utter the words attributed to him by Hamilton. Yet, what good is knowledge? James was now in the hands of the Leray Federation, and they could spin his words however they wished. These democratic politicians, when they are shameless, outdo anyone; they twist facts without hesitation since birth, evidently well versed in such practices!

The announcement of the news put the Desic Empire and the entire Western Alliance in an awkward position. Despite Gazalin being a member state of the Western Alliance, during the initial invasion of the Leray Federation, the Western Alliance had righteously condemned Gazalin’s barbaric actions in the Human Supreme Joint Council.