Counterfeit Hero

”Beep!” The communication channel chimed as the interrupted communication screen lit up again.

On the screen this time appeared a Fatty.

”Major General Tian Xingjian...” Zhang Pengcheng watched the screen, his square face flickering in the screen’s light: ”Pleased to meet you! I am Zhang Pengcheng, Commander of the Chuckna 12th Group Fleet.”

”The devil is pleased to meet you! Ruining my plans. Shit-stirrer!” Fatty cursed inwardly, but his face was full of enthusiasm as he saluted: ”Hello, Admiral Zhang Pengcheng!”

”I just received a message from a reconnaissance ship of the bandit army.” Zhang Pengcheng returned the salute and got straight to the point: ”A Suss A-level Fleet is approaching the Smoke Lake Barrier Zone. Is this information accurate?”

”How could anyone joke about such a thing?” Fatty chuckled heartily, tapping the console keyboard twice: ”This is the record of the Suss Fleet monitored by another reconnaissance ship of the bandit army. I am sending it over, sir, you can take a look yourself.”

Opening the intelligence records sent by Fatty, Zhang Pengcheng reviewed the images of the Suss Fleet’s advance and the coordinates, numbers, types, and other data captured by the reconnaissance ship, his brow furrowed as he looked up to ask: ”What are your thoughts, Major General Tian?”

”Withdraw immediately.” On the screen, Fatty stood tall, his expression serious, his demeanor composed, all showcasing the maturity of a Major General of Leray: ”Obviously, this is a trap set by the Suss Empire for us!”

”But they only have one fleet...” Zhang Pengcheng looked into Fatty’s determined eyes: ”Isn’t this trap a bit too small? Besides, since we already know their movements and are well-prepared, isn’t this rather an opportunity for us?”

”Admiral, I think it’s necessary to remind you...” Fatty lifted his chin slightly, his gaze sharp, his voice low: ”This is not a skirmish battle, if the enemy’s target is the 1201 Fleet, then, beyond the star system... remember, this is the third navigational segment!”

”Beyond the star system, the third navigational segment!” Zhang Pengcheng fell into silence. With his hands behind his back, he paced back and forth, his brow furrowing deeper and deeper.

”Moreover...” Fatty said lightly: ”The 1201 Fleet under the General’s leadership naturally isn’t in danger, but if the Suss Fleet goes all out to entangle the Feiyang Fleet, is the General prepared to abandon them or prepared to perish together?”

Fatty’s words immediately caused an uproar among the officers beside Zhang Pengcheng, some of whom, being impatient, were ready to rebuke him.

Zhang Pengcheng waved a hand to silence his subordinates, coldly looking at Fatty before suddenly smiling.

This Major General Tian of Leray was right!

The 1201 Fleet is not afraid of the Suss Fleet, but that does not mean the Feiyang B15 Fleet is unafraid. If Suss concentrates its attack power entirely on the B15 Fleet, it would be a situation of strangulation and entanglement. The B15 Fleet suffering a fatal blow would naturally affect the cooperation between Feiyang and Chuckna. If the delay is prolonged and the enemy truly has heavily fortified positions in this nearby third navigational segment of Freedom Channel, it might also ensnare the 1201 Fleet!

Fatty’s words, though somewhat harsh, were direct and to the point. This is the demeanor of a soldier, without too much intrigue! Except for being a bit fat, this guy’s overall qualities and temperament are very much to my liking!

I wonder, how such an elegantly poised soldier could be rumored to be so absurd.

”Thank you!” Zhang Pengcheng’s tone was sincere.

”You’re welcome!” Fatty smiled slightly, looking nonchalant. Beside him, Fang Xiang, outside the communication screen’s view, was already staring straight ahead, dumbfounded—was this the true nature of Fatty?

A young Major General, elegant and rigorous, with outstanding temperament?!

”Abandon the original plan.” Zhang Pengcheng made his decision: ”Immediately contact the Feiyang Fleet and have them retreat!”

”Yes!” The aide beside him responded loudly.

The massive fleet of the Chuckna 1201 Fleet, stretching for over a hundred kilometers, began to slowly turn.

Ten minutes later.

”General!” The aide responsible for contacting the Feiyang Fleet suddenly lifted his head: ”Major General Byron Salmon replied that half of the B15 Fleet’s ships have already entered the K84-AIF7201 Jump Channel and can’t stop. In half an hour, they will reach the Smoke Lake Barrier Zone!”

”What?” Zhang Pengcheng felt his head swell instantly. The jump channel the aide mentioned was the last channel on the route of the Feiyang B15 Fleet leading to the Smoke Lake Barrier Zone. The Feiyang Fleet shouldn’t be there at this time! He urgently exclaimed: ”How did they get there so fast?! Hadn’t I ordered them to slow down?!”

”Major General Samon didn’t provide an explanation. He said he hopes we can execute the original plan!” the aide said urgently.

”Execute the original plan?” Zhang Pengcheng was extraordinarily angry: ”Get the communication connected to the command platform immediately! Let him speak to me directly!”

Earlier, when discussing this operation with Carolina, Zhang Pengcheng, to avoid inconsistent instructions, specifically requested command authority over the Feiyang Fleet from Carolina.

And during the prior pre-battle coordination meeting, he, in conversation with Major General Samon, the commander of the B15 Fleet, had emphasized the timing issue about different routes for the two fleets reaching the target attack location. On this journey, the 1201 Fleet had repeatedly checked the travel timings against the Feiyang Fleet on the command coordination system to avoid tactical desynchronization.

In the previous checks, the Feiyang Fleet had maintained strict speed control. How had they already entered the final jump channel to the Smoke Lake Barrier Zone in such a short time? From the travel map, they were a full half hour ahead of the 1201 Fleet! If this is true, then it proves that during previous command coordination, they were lying!