Counterfeit Hero

Who knows, on the route he chose, Douglas was commanding an armored camp and set up a defense line on a high ground.

This defense line blocked Hanfrey for ten whole hours. Several dozen attacks launched repeatedly by an entire armored group were all repelled. That high ground became an insurmountable barrier. When Hanfrey’s fifth attack was thwarted, he had already reached the front line, personally commanding the battle. The entire electronic sand table was almost scraped to pieces by the electronic rod in his hand.

Encirclement, assault, even the positioning of squads at specific times, the choice of firepower breakthrough points, the timing of reserve forces, Hanfrey meticulously detailed all this without being annoyed. Yet, the defense line was still unbreached. When he realized that three Red Army armored groups were approaching, he dejectedly abandoned the attack, turning the previously formulated dazzling strategic goals into safely leading his troops out of the encirclement.

This almost felt like the difference between heaven and hell.

For so many years, Hanfrey always remembered that exercise. After it ended, he learned that Douglas’s camp had only a few men left when he chose to retreat. Perhaps one more attack... but alas, there is no regret medicine in this world. The overall strategic defeat severely frustrated Hanfrey. Douglas was the first and only person he couldn’t break through all these years.

And now, this person, after that high ground, once again blocks his path in the Longbow Star System.

Hanfrey’s gaze lingered on the irregular shape of the Longbow Star System, unable to tear away. He stared at this airspace, just as he had years ago with a telescope, gazing at that smoke-filled high ground.

That year, he was 26; Douglas, 22!

”Duke, reconnaissance ship number one has arrived at the Jump Point of the Longbow Star Domain, requesting to launch a detector,” the staff’s voice sounded beside Hanfrey.

The cigarette had only burned halfway.

”Hmm.” Hanfrey nodded lightly. Douglas would not disappoint him. If he stationed a fleet at the Space Jump Point attempting to defend, then his years of obsession over losing that exercise would be laughable.

Time passed, second by second, in the silence, suddenly a piece of information flashed on the command computer.

”Report, Duke, no signs of the Feiyang Fleet on the other side of the jump point!” The staff’s voice was somewhat surprisingly undisguised. He couldn’t understand why the Feiyang people would abandon defending the jump point. Although Feiyang Fleet could easily be dragged into a decisive battle in that open area, during those few minutes when Binart Fleet finished jumping, Feiyang held an absolute advantage!

Hanfrey chuckled. He knew he was encountering a worthy opponent to give his all against.

This time, it’s a fateful showdown, not an exercise.

”Order the fleet, accelerate immediately and complete the jump within six hours. Our opponent is ready and waiting for us.”

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”Damn it!” Fatty looked at the dizzying interstellar map, wishing he could crash into it head-on.

He never dreamed that the Binart Empire fleet would appear at this time. If it were the Jiepeng Empire fleet, then Hidden Blade Fleet would have a 99% chance of rendezvousing with the Bandit Army Fleet at Longbow, and even seizing the moment when Jiepeng and Feiyang are locked in fierce battle, sneak in for a hit. Then the spoils could be swept up with everyone happily running away.

But now, Feiyang had just ambushed Blue Stone Star less than sixty hours ago, and the Binart Empire Fleet was already approaching the Longbow Star System. This brings two problems, first, the Feiyang Fleet might either leave or be defeated before Hidden Blade Fleet reaches Longbow Star System. Second, given the Binart Empire Fleet’s involvement in Western Alliance, their forces in the Southeast Star Domain will occupy absolute superiority. Mikami Yuto could use the Binart Empire Fleet as the vanguard, while using the originally Feiyang-opposing Jiepeng Fleet as the rear army, to pressure the Longbow Star System.

In that case, the entire route would be filled with Western Alliance Fleet. Hidden Blade Fleet basically has no chance to quietly slip out of Bermuda Star System! Once they appear at the jump point leading from Bermuda Star System to Public Star System, they’ll be chased by a swarm of Jiepeng Fleet. There’s no chance for seizing the moment; it’s all wishful thinking. Even with Russell’s and Little Pi’s skills, winning against Jiepeng Fleet would come at a huge cost.

And Fatty simply refuses to pay any cost!

Hidden Blade Fleet is already Leray’s final and most precious force. It’s named Hidden Blade because it should be hidden. After lurking so long, if they show up and smash things up raucously, then what’s the point of hiding? Might as well rename it to Bright Sword!

While Fatty was anxious, Margaret was also deep in thought.

No one knows Feiyang’s layout in the Southeast better than her. The Nineteen Group Fleet led by Douglas is the Feiyang Republic’s Level 1 elite fleet. With numerous victories. Against the Jiepeng Fleet, as long as the numbers aren’t overwhelmingly different, Douglas’s command prowess always ensures effortless success.

But now, it’s the Binart Empire’s Royal Elephant-class Fleet, and their numbers are unknown. This means, even if Douglas defeats the Binart Empire Royal Fleet in battle, facing the inexhaustible Western Alliance Battleships swarming in, achieving the strategic goal of holding the Longbow Star System for two months and preventing Western Alliance from advancing north can’t be fulfilled.