Counterfeit Hero

Zhang Pengcheng laughed heartily and punched Fatty. This Commander, who cared little for appearances and took more for his troops, suited him far better than those so-called upright and selfless Commanders he knew.

As long as Fatty considered the Twelfth Group Fleet as his own, even his nominal superior, Carolina, couldn’t interfere with his decisions, let alone force him to betray the Twelfth Group Fleet.

Such an ally is the most reliable ally!

Fatty also laughed, with a very guileless expression. He tried hard to show Zhang Pengcheng his straightforward nature.

The actions of the Feiyang B15 Fleet allowed Fatty to fully imagine the delicate relationship between the three parties in the Mars Free Channel in the future.

The nations of Chuckna and Feiyang would not fall out over Sammon’s personal actions, nor would it affect the strategic overall situation. Upon returning to Mars, whether Zhang Pengcheng questions or accuses, Carolina and Sammon likely already have their excuses ready.

What Zhang Pengcheng can do is submit the incident to the Chuckna Military Department and pressure the United Command. However, the explanation the Twelfth Group Fleet can obtain is just the handling of Sammon by the Feiyang Republic. How to handle it, no one can say for sure. According to the persistent strength and Logic of the Feiyang Republic, their people are naturally judged by their own. Even if brought before a military court, faced with their own judges of the Feiyang Republic, Sammon might more likely be seen as a Hero.

The gap cannot be erased, yet the battle must continue. Suss suffered such a big loss; if they don’t fight to regain face, then they are not the Suss people. For the overall situation, the Chuckna Military Department certainly wouldn’t rashly release video materials publicly, causing internal conflict within the Fei Alliance, and Hastings would surely make private compensation to Chuckna.

As long as the voice of Chuckna people on Mars rises, his life under Carolina’s command would naturally become more comfortable.

”By the way.” Zhang Pengcheng released Fatty and, without regard for the two military officers beside him, asked, ”Since you’re returning to Mars with our fleet, will you help me teach Sammon a lesson when we get there?”

”Help!” Fatty declared righteously and firmly, ”Monkey Stealing Peach or Child Bowing to Guanyin, you name it!”

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The Suss Saleria Army stationed at the Saleria Blue Stone Star Base was bustling with activity.

The battleships were taking off and landing continuously. On the long bridge of the port, a number of transport Mechas were loading various supplies into the holds of the battleships. Groups of soldiers were training on the distant field. In the repair dock, several battleships with their exteriors stripped off, revealing their beige inner layers, were crowded with swarms of maintenance workers. Dozens of giant mechanical arms rotated back and forth on either side of the platform, conducting repairs on the battleships.

The atmosphere felt somewhat oppressive.

The soldiers, during the intervals of their respective duties, would unintentionally or intentionally glance at the starry sky outside the port’s transparent retractable dome.

The news had already been relayed back and quickly spread within the base. The senior officers were tight-lipped with faces ashen, leaving the lower officers and ordinary soldiers to deduce the truth based on bits and pieces of information from various channels.

No one could say for certain what exactly happened, but it was certain that the A1 Fleet and A2 Fleet suffered a massive defeat this time. Reportedly, this happened even after the Chuckna 1201 Fleet initially lost nearly thirty percent of its forces and managed to turn the tables. The A1 Fleet was relatively fine, but the A2 Fleet was nearly wiped out. Even Fleet Commander Admiral Duke, along with his carrier, perished in space.

This was already incredibly humiliating. But the warriors vaguely heard of an even more unspeakable disgrace. So much so that when Admiral Ulianov received the news during a meeting, he overturned the conference table, while Admiral Gershkov smashed up the entire office. Whether the information was true or not, no one could say, but the unusual atmosphere within the base was palpable to everyone.

The combat readiness level had been raised to Orange Level 1, and all ships remaining at the base were ordered to cancel all leaves and assemble on standby. The transport fleet that should have arrived long ago did not appear. The supply depots, which had been under strict consumption control, suddenly all opened, with weapons and supplies flowing onto the ships like water. Fifty large components warehouses, twenty armories, and twelve energy warehouses were almost entirely moved out.

Moreover, the usually composed senior officers now had expressions dark as water, as if their bodies were filled with explosives, ready to erupt at the slightest spark. Several unfortunates, somehow offending them, had already been subjected to flogging.

All these indirectly confirmed the authenticity of the rumors from the sidelines.

In this battle, the Saleria Front Army, possessing six A-Class fleets, lost one and a half fleets. Even more, they lost the transport fleet carrying countless weapons, equipment, ship components, compressed energy blocks, Mecha, and new equipment!

Gershkov’s operational plan met with a tragic failure. As one soldier with a considerable interest in ancient Chinese literature privately described, this time, Gershkov not only lost the battle but also the support.

Of course, this soldier, who flaunted his scholarly knowledge, didn’t end up well either. A Lieutenant Colonel found an excuse to give him twenty lashes, likely leaving him lying in the hospital reading his classical novels for the next month.