Counterfeit Hero

”Preparation for propulsion complete!” The main control pilot suddenly punched the air, a trembling roar bursting from his chest.

As soon as his voice fell, the second pilot shouted in an equally excited voice, ”Main propulsion, all six jets fully open! Four auxiliary jets fully open!”

Gazing at the unimaginably beautiful green light on the main console, an overwhelming excitement was making everyone in the control room tremble with joy. They all knew that if they could just get past this seemingly insurmountable gate of hell, the path ahead would lead them straight to safety!

”Right rudder to 1620 marks, advance power to six thrust. Number three and five steering thrusters, ignite.” Chekov, who had just taken the navigation steps from the hands of Fatty, issued the command without hesitation, following the steps faithfully word by word.

The main control pilot was even more decisive: ”Right rudder to 1620 marks, advance power to six thrust! ... Number three steering thruster, ignite; number five steering thruster, ignite!”

As the control stick in the main pilot’s hand gently swayed, the bow of the battle-worn Blue Rose traced a graceful arc in space, sliding behind the powerless, old Phoenix-class destroyer.

Dozens of white beams of light streaked past, skimming the hull of the Blue Rose and shooting into the distant universe.

On the virtual screen of the main console, the Desic cruiser that had just moved into firing position and hurriedly opened fire vanished behind the tumbling hull of the Phoenix destroyer.

”Maintain course, full speed ahead.”

At Fatty’s command, the main control pilot pushed the thrust lever to the maximum without hesitation. After a few seconds’ pause, the fully open jets suddenly burst forth with a dazzling ion stream, catapulting the warship forward with tremendous thrust.

In an instant, the Blue Rose had distanced itself from the battlefield. As the warship’s speed increased, the enemy fleet frantically changing direction became a small dot, and the red markers on the radar, desperately trying to pursue, grew more distant. The officers and crew, unable to contain themselves any longer, jumped up with a roar.

The entire warship erupted in cheers!

Everyone was shouting and yelling, throwing their hats, stripping off their jackets, hugging, crying tears of joy, and high-fiving in celebration!

This was a miracle!

Three minutes, the preparation for propulsion really only took three minutes!

The Blue Rose had escaped to safety!

The Desic cruiser and those Oklahoma armed merchant ships had no chance of matching the Blue Rose in speed! And those two old pirate destroyers with damaged rear thrusters were lucky if they could even make it back to their docks.

We really escaped!

Incredulous yet ecstatic, all the grateful, admiring, and awestruck crew members focused their gaze on the command platform...

...at the deranged-looking Fatty tightly hugging the struggling Helen, his face pressed into her chest, crying tears of joy. Was this the same Federation Hero who had just valiantly led everyone through a hail of cannon fire, crashed into enemy ships, and brought them out of hell?

The cheers abruptly halted as if choked off.

Everyone stared at each other with twisted faces, watching as Helen shoved Fatty away with a forceful kick and stormed off in a rage. Fatty, showing no sign of embarrassment, wore a deeply puzzled and innocent expression, wiping away tears of joy.

Suddenly, they realized that this Federation Hero they had known so many times through TV and posters was so unfamiliar, yet so familiar and endearing.

He wasn’t the consistently smiling Leray Hero from the posters, nor the annoying figure causing havoc on board whom everyone wanted to throttle. He was just Fatty! A Leray Fatty who was submissive and easily pleased, hated being tricked, had all the lecherous flaws of men, and only wanted to be pampered!

”Ahem.” Chekov’s aide cleared his throat and loudly said, ”Everyone, sit down and return to your posts!”

With a loud clatter, the crowd dispersed like scattered birds and beasts.

”Damage Control Team, report status.”

”Reallocate energy supply, initiate life support system, open level three cabins.”

”Joseph, you black-hearted cook, if you don’t make something delicious today, you’re in for a beating. Remember to bring out that stash of liquor you snuck on board!”

”Yuliy, restart the electronic camouflage and jamming systems, initiate anti-tracking procedures... sweetheart, I love you.”

”Damn, it’s like being reborn! Zhang San, you owe me two hundred in gambling debt; with what’s just happened, you better pay up this lifetime!”

The extensively damaged bow of the Blue Rose, riddled with scars, aimlessly drifted into the depths of space amid the clamor. Ahead of the warship lay the vast Tuna Constellation’s nebula, stretching endlessly, eternally constant.

..............

Baolsen was nearly going mad.

When he received the news from the Desic cruiser that the Fatty was on another destroyer, he felt like slapping himself.

Space ambushes are exceedingly difficult, and capturing someone alive during one is even harder. So for this mission, Baolsen had invested countless efforts, repeatedly conducting simulations and planning, and continuously requesting necessary support from his superiors.

Nine Raging Stream destroyers directly dispatched from the Bi-Na Joint Fleet stationed in the Desic Empire, three Desic cruisers, six old Phoenix-class destroyers, and dozens of armed merchant ships and torpedo boats gathered from pirates!