Counterfeit Hero

The innkeeper’s words coincided perfectly with Meiduo’s plans. She looked up, smiling gently, ”Thank you.”

”You’re welcome.” The innkeeper squeezed her bulky body into the rattan chair, which creaked under her weight. ”However, you’ll have to have the money ready. It’s not just about booking passage; even asking around on Bar Street costs some money. It’s not a lot, but I’m running a small business just to keep the family fed. My young son at the port doesn’t earn much; he helps out with manual labor, but he can’t cover the cost of drinks.”

Meiduo nodded in agreement, her long lashes lowered.

”How much money do you have? I’ll let my son know so he has an idea when he takes you.”

”I...” Meiduo bit her lip and said, ”only have more than nine thousand Fei Yuan, and I still need to book passage.”

”That should be enough,” the innkeeper patted Meiduo’s hand to reassure her.

After a bit more conversation, Meiduo stood up and left the dim lobby of the small inn, returning to her room.

As Meiduo departed, the innkeeper smiled and, wearing reading glasses, continued to check her accounts, occasionally verifying the data on the computer above her glasses. She muttered, ”This little girl really is a beauty.”

Back in her room, Meiduo learned some bad news for those traveling with her. Mars was still at war, with no news for days, and the entire Freedom Channel was unstable. Although Chuckna had claimed back half of Resk, fierce battles continued between the sides. With their warships everywhere, leaving Space Station 106 wasn’t likely anytime soon.

The room was filled with women and children, with the children making noise and the women frowning at each other. Everyone had fled from the Leray Capital Star, where the Leray people were being bullied, and the more they thought about it, the darker their future seemed.

A few hours later, the innkeeper’s son returned. He was a sturdy man in his mid-twenties, with a face identical to his mother’s. Being a man and expressionless, he appeared quite dull.

With the innkeeper’s incessant instructions ringing in their ears, they nodded in acknowledgment to each other without exchanging words before heading out of the inn, one following the other.

Trailing behind the innkeeper’s son, Meiduo curiously observed this space city that she hadn’t properly explored until now. If not for the large windows and simulated lights on the high steel dome, it truly felt like a city. Though the streets were narrow and not pleasantly scented, the bustling crowds, combined with the roadside signs and neon lights, made it quite lively.

The news of the ongoing war on Mars worried Meiduo, and the innkeeper’s depiction of its grim scenario left her feeling anxious. She had come here driven by an irrepressible longing. In these chaotic times, even a single glance at him again would be enough.

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

”Colonel Tian.” Su Kezhou stood from the sofa as the Fatty strode into the office, smiling, ”Seeing you is indeed different from hearing about you. The reputation of the Federation Hero is well-deserved.”

Cheng Zhixuan, standing nearby, also nodded with a smile, agreeing, ”The young and talented, with roots in Puluo Town, annihilated a Northern Alliance armored group of 120 Mecha; made a long-distance raid on Silicon Valley, overcoming eleven defenses. Most remarkably, amidst a comprehensive plan by the Northern Alliance for mass attack, you held your ground with just an armored group, let alone personally led a Mecha Team and turned Central City upside down, eventually wiping out the Northern Alliance leadership. Such feats could definitely be material for a legendary novel!”

Fatty beamed with pride from their compliments, ”These unsolicited flattery must mean you’re up to some trickery or deceit. Go on, what do you want? I’m not agreeing to any of it!”

Seeing the stunned expressions of Su Kezhou and Cheng Zhixuan, the adjutant beside them blushed, barely able to contain his urge to dash out and laugh heartily. The Fatty officer, truly unmatched in ruffling feathers.

”Just kidding,” Fatty laughed heartily, yet inwardly thought, ”These old fellows bring some directive from the Fei Alliance, likely not promising. Teasing them a bit first!”

Su Kezhou and Cheng Zhixuan chuckled heartily, suddenly feeling their laughter seemed weak before the unpredictable Fatty.

”We came today with a few matters to discuss with Colonel Tian,” Cheng Zhixuan said, ”Colonel Tian is a Leray native, you must be aware of the current situation in Leray. I wonder...”

”One day I’ll crush that Brody bastard!” Fatty stated firmly.

”Then we’re assured,” Cheng Zhixuan and Su Kezhou exchanged knowing smiles, as this answer was exactly what they’d anticipated.

”I heard you were already under the leadership of the Fei Alliance Command Center back in Gazalin, leading the newly formed 19th Division, and fought all over,” Cheng Zhixuan smiled, pulling a file from his briefcase to hand to Fatty, ”After the battle on Mars, we reported the war news to the Fei Alliance Command Center. Here, we congratulate Colonel Tian on your promotion. Perhaps, we should now call you General Tian.”

The document comprised promotion and Medal of Honor orders signed by the Fei Alliance Joint Command, stamped with Hastings’ seal and the Joint Command’s mark. Additionally, it bore the signatures of the current President of the Leray Federation exiled government, Flavio, and Admiral Bernadotte of the Supreme Command Department.