Counterfeit Hero

Binart soldiers could only watch helplessly as Hanfrey’s escape pod was pushed by the Green Mecha into the carrier’s passage. Watching the thick armor door close tightly in front of them.

Everyone’s hearts turned cold.

The ship captain stared blankly at the wine as red as blood under his feet.

Foolish... he recalled his recent judgment.

His face suddenly burned hot.

The scene of two Judgers being dragged away like dead dogs roiled endlessly in his mind.

That was a resounding slap!

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In the starry sky, warships, in neat formation, silently passed by the tumbling asteroids.

The majestic bow cut through the thin gases and dust of the asteroid belt, knocking aside football-sized stones. The brightly lit bridges formed a moving sea of lights. The barrels of the rotating turrets maintained their aim at enemy ships. The blue energy shield still shrouded the outer layer of the battleship. Radar and communication devices silently rotated. But the battle was already over.

The Feiyang battleship fleet crossed straight through the halted combat zone. The crew of the Battleship Oscar gathered by the portholes, looking at the distraught Binart battleships nearby, unable to believe what they were seeing.

”Hanfrey was captured?” Many warriors without virtual screens wove through the crowd.

No one answered them. Everyone just stared blankly out the window.

Anxious warriors searched all around for someone who could give them an answer. Finally, they grabbed a corporal who had witnessed everything.

In the silence, the corporal enthusiastically recounted.

When they heard how the two nearly mythical Judgers were chopped down like vegetables by the charging Bandit Army Mecha. When they heard how the Judgers’ signaling lights before engagement only earned them a disdainful ”idiot!” from the bandits, the warriors who missed this brilliant battle were completely stunned.

They, like their companions, craned their necks to look out the window.

The silent Binart battleships confirmed it all.

”Who wants a drink?” In the aisle next to the porthole, a Fatty soldier foolishly carried two cases of whiskey, shouting loudly.

In the silence, all the warriors turned their heads, staring at him oddly.

”Well...” The soldier blinked strangely: ”Isn’t anyone going to celebrate......”

Before he finished speaking, he was swallowed up by the surging crowd!

It was only at this moment, after countless times from hell to heaven and back, exhausted and numb, the warriors realized the gates of heaven had truly opened!

Thunderous cheers resounded. Warriors clapped and embraced each other. Tears flowed down smiling faces. It wasn’t just the emotionally rich female soldiers crying with joy, but countless men full of feeling as well!

Many warriors who didn’t get a drink rushed into the battleship’s living quarters.

A variety of fine wines covered the tables. Music shook the glasses on the tables. Warriors put their strong arms around each others’ shoulders, leaping and singing loudly.

Among them, several female soldiers, faces flushed, danced and shouted with the male soldiers, tears flowing freely in the song.

Is there any result more perfect than this?

Minutes ago, they were preparing to retreat in despair. Minutes later, they became the victors of this battle.

No need to consider leveraging formation advantages, no need for a fight to the death with the enemy, not even a need to fire a single shot. The victory was directly handed over by that Ragged Fleet.

Amid the cheers, this scarred Unicorn-class battleship first approached the Bandit Army Fleet.

Outside the window, the worn-out warships slid past.

”All hands assemble!”

The battleship assembly lights spun quickly. In the bar, rest pods, corridors... joyful crowds surged towards the assembly hall. They knew it wasn’t for combat.

”Send a signal to the Bandit Army Fleet, requesting entry into the array!”

Standing on the command platform, Ship Captain Hoffman clipped on his service buckle, adjusted his hat. For the first time in so many years, this usually casual Colonel appeared so neat and upright.

”Request granted, bandits agree to inclusion,” the communications officer eagerly responded.

”Port rudder 300 ticks, one percent thrust, three... two... one, reverse thrusters activate. Half-body misalignment.” Hoffman’s voice carried barely restrained excitement: ”Send light signal. Content... Long live the Bandit Army!”

The Battleship Oscar, under the gaze of the Bandit Army officers and soldiers, slowly entered the array.

The battleship’s large electronic signal lights flashed rhythmically. Under her lead, one Feiyang warship after another lit up their signal lamps. Moments later, the entire starry sky glowed with synchronized lights.

”Long live the Bandit Army!”

Bandit Army officers and soldiers felt a tingling current sweep through their bodies. They could clearly see, from the portholes sliding by, the giant floor-to-ceiling windows of the ship’s bridge, where rows of Feiyang Soldiers stood at attention, saluting.