Counterfeit Hero

Hanfrey sighed, ”Capturing me was originally just an accident, and your original plan was to annihilate the entire fleet by launching a pincer attack after the decapitation operation. Of course, your initial imaginary enemy was Mikami Yuto; I just happened to be in the mix.”

”The strength of both you and your fleet exceeded our expectations....” Fatty took a deep breath and earnestly exclaimed, ”Our plan almost fell apart.”

”However, in the end, you still won.” Hanfrey picked up the teapot, ”I don’t feel wronged in my loss. With your fleet’s stealth capabilities, your ability to counter our Twelfth Generation Mecha, and such a meticulous setup, you had a ninety percent chance of success.”

”Indeed, there’s no injustice.” Fatty sighed, ”Marshal Hastings hasn’t personally acted in nearly a decade. Being able to force us executors to this point is already enough for you to be proud!”

”It seems I don’t have much time left.” Hanfrey looked at the radar display and the long-range viewer screen, then tiredly leaned back on the sofa, ”Alright, tell me your terms.”

”Have some tea....” Fatty cluttered the teapot with a hint of a reserved smile on his face and appeared calm and nonchalant.

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

”Sister Xiang...” Cecilia asked Fang Xiang, ”I don’t understand why General Tian would credit everything to the Fei Alliance Command Center.”

”If you tell Hanfrey that all this was accomplished by the bandit army, do you think he would reward you?” Fang Xiang asked lightly while looking at the tactical computer to confirm the warship’s handover numbers and personnel allocation.

”Of course not.” Cecilia replied.

”Then what does it matter whose head the credit goes to?” Fang Xiang smiled, ”He says this to Hanfrey, not to the Alliance Command Center.”

”But....” Cecilia said, puzzled, ”What’s the point of General Tian lying to Hanfrey?”

”If you were Hanfrey and you were captured, what would you be thinking?” Fang Xiang asked, having completed her tasks and leaning back on the command seat, appearing lazy yet charming to Cecilia.

”I would find a way to gain freedom or die together.” Cecilia responded without hesitation.

”Alright. That’s where we begin.” Fang Xiang smiled, ”Now, you’ve been captured, and while confined in the holding area, alone, recalling the previous battle, what kind of emotions would you have?”

”A bit dejected,” Cecilia tried to imagine herself as Hanfrey, ”also somewhat confused and desperate.”

”Why?” Fang Xiang’s slender, fair fingers interlocked as she tilted her head, ”Is it because the situation was originally under your control, but with the appearance of the bandit army, it became irretrievable? From the time the carrier group was attacked by fighter jets to the bandit army warship’s full salvo and the final Mecha battle, you felt firmly suppressed by the opponent?”

”Yes!” Cecilia nodded.

”Also, you would inevitably start considering your predicament and calculating what you might be able to preserve in this quandary....” Fang Xiang’s eyes appeared to drift, and her tone stopped being inquisitive as she continued, ”.....Therefore, through psychological observation, when you realize your opponent doesn’t seem adept at negotiations, you’ll find a way to use the remaining advantages of your fleet to conduct this negotiation.”

The central control room was bustling, yet the command platform remained vacant. Only Fang Xiang’s voice persisted.

”Unfortunately, in the end, you find out all this is in vain. What you thought was the last straw becomes a tool for others to bind your fleet’s hands and feet. In three communications, you ordered your fleet to stay in place, waiting. Consequently, surrounded by enemies, you lost the chance to escape. At this point, you already know failure is inevitable. However, considering the consequences of handing over all your warships, would you be willing to simply admit defeat?”

”Unwilling.” Cecilia shook her head, ”I would struggle greatly.”

”Therefore, at this moment, all your enemy has to do is give you an excuse for failure without providing any hope, nor any paths outside their designed conditions.” Fang Xiang stated solemnly, ”Because of your frustration, they’ll tell you that you almost ruined them. Because of your confusion, they’ll tell you it was a meticulously crafted trap......”

”When you finally feel like you have an excuse for failure, not feeling wronged in defeat...” Fang Xiang stood up, watching the space outside the ship’s window as squadrons of space mecha ejected, and whispered, ”They’ll also make you realize that their original plan was to annihilate the entire fleet. The new Fleet Commander is the great general Russell. Your chances of breaking through are minimal. Thus, whether you surrender or not, your warships will stay in this sector. The only difference is, do you want to leave empty warships behind, preserving your rigorously trained, battle-hardened soldiers, or let them and the warships perish together!”

Cecilia’s mouth opened wide, listening dumbfounded to Fang Xiang’s analysis.

”Understanding this meticulous trap, knowing the bandit army’s stealth technology and mecha capable of contending with yours, and considering the lives of hundreds of thousands of subordinates, if you also take into account your own freedom.....” Fang Xiang’s finger gently tapped Cecilia’s heart, earnestly asking, ”At this time, what choice would you make?!”

”I... I...” Cecilia looked at Fang Xiang in terror, suddenly realizing that her will seemed to have been unconsciously swayed.