Counterfeit Hero

”In every nation, there are always some people worthy of respect.” Ulianov stared out the warship’s porthole at the brilliant explosion, speaking as if to himself.

In the spring of 2063, under dual pressures of politics and military force, the first and second fleets of the Suss Southeastern Front Army finally knocked on the gates of the Saleria Federation, riding on.

The weak Saleria Congress surrendered the rights of passage through the Longbow Star Domain and the garrison rights of Blue Stone Star. To avoid conflict and to maintain the fragile peace at the Gem Star System where Saleria’s capital is located, they even ordered most of the main fleet to withdraw from the Longbow Star Domain. All ground forces were forbidden to engage in any form of conflict with the Suss Empire.

Under a massive propaganda campaign, the majority of Saleria’s citizens, who had suffered significant losses in the Leray Bermuda Star Domain battle, accepted the Congress’s stance of ”neutrality.”

This long-standing war should not befall the people of the Saleria Federation.

No one cares about global affairs. No one likes war.

The voices of the few resistance factions were drowned out at this moment. The Civil Self-Determination Party, which had gained power by criticizing the government’s stance in the Leray War, under the leadership of Speaker Sefer, was thoroughly suppressing the former ruling National Progress Party that advocated resistance. At the same time, they were frantically centralizing power, dominating the Congress, using propaganda tools to spread so-called pacifism, and thereby launching a new presidential candidate.

Amid these dream-like political compromises, there was a figure and a fleet standing before the Suss Empire.

General Tolstoy, and his Longbow Local Fleet.

The radiant flower in Ulianov’s sight was the flagship of the Longbow Local Fleet.

The battle lasted a full ten hours. The Longbow Local Fleet was almost entirely decimated. Tolstoy, after issuing the retreat order, led the flagship as rear-guard, sacrificing himself for the nation. With his last breath, he shouted ”Long live Saleria.”

This was an utterly mismatched struggle, filled with tragic notes from the beginning. Against the fierce attacks of the two Suss Mixed Fleets, the Longbow Local Fleet, with only one aircraft carrier, nine battleships, and seventeen cruisers, launched wave after wave of counter-charges.

Their outdated warships clashed suicidally within the Suss Fleet, their desperate tactics sending chills down the spine.

Ulianov believed that if the entire nation of Saleria fought like Tolstoy and his fleet, the Suss Empire wouldn’t set foot in the Saleria Federation!

Unfortunately, the foolish politicians of this nation surrendered. Only this old man, on this humiliated day, earned Saleria a shred of dignity.

In the distance, the Saleria Federation’s Longbow Local Fleet, only left with two heavily damaged battleships, an aircraft carrier, and three cruisers, was retreating. The rear was covered by the few remaining high-speed destroyers and torpedo boats.

”Cease pursuit.” Ulianov stared into the void, reminiscing about the moment Tolstoy’s flagship exploded.

”But...” Second Fleet Deputy Commander Gershkov whispered, ”If they retreat to the Free Star Domain, it will greatly disrupt our supply lines. And to the Northern Commerce Alliance in Mars Free Port, this force will be beyond their capability to handle.”

Ulianov spoke calmly, ”We are guests. It’s inappropriate to overly provoke the Saleria people. Pursuing to a thorough end is something we can’t do now. Moreover, the opposing fleet has already detached from our control; the longer the pursuit, the greater the risk. If chasing them causes any mishap upon entering Blue Stone Star, it would be highly irresponsible to the Empire. As for the Free World, some chaos would be beneficial. This way, we can make the Northern Alliance understand how much they need us.”

Looking into the broader cosmos, Ulianov murmured, ”And this is the only way I can show respect to a national hero bearing the stigma of treachery. Even if they are our enemies.”

”Yes, Commander-in-Chief.”

”Fleet, turn your course, target Blue Stone Star.”

****************************************************

”Have they arrived?” Tian Xingjian held the communicator, speaking while gently parting the room’s curtains to survey the street below the Puluo Branch.

On the deserted street, a few reporters were still squatting relentlessly at the Tai Sect Branch’s entrance.

Television station camera reporters had long set up portable live broadcast equipment, carrying their cameras and ready at any moment. Even the top news anchor had lost their usual grandeur, preferring to wait tirelessly on the street instead of resting in the nearby broadcast van.

Fatty frowned, feeling discontent, akin to discovering that while the officials set fires, the common folks light their lamps. Naturally, he spotted some unusual figures in the crowd.

These people were definitely not reporters, nor were they any clueless civilians. Their positions were all discreetly chosen, positioned cleverly. However, the sharp aura emanating from them was unmistakable.

Alert, cold, like wound-up spring dogs that would leap out with a slight release.

Apart from soldiers, in this Free World, only elite fighters raised by the Black Society or mercenaries could exhibit such a fierce presence. They wouldn’t be assassins; training as assassins involves dulling sharp edges, a mandatory course. Top assassins would blend in as erudite scholars or clumsy workers. Only elite fighters from the Black Society and mercenaries are groomed in ways that cultivate such a cutting aura.