Counterfeit Hero

Upon learning the news, an enraged President Hill of Chuckna issued successive orders. The Chuckna National Security Bureau, Military Intelligence Bureau, Military Investigation Bureau, Military Political Department, and Military Supervision Department were almost mobilized in full force, frantically searching for the fighter jet that launched the attack.

Hundreds were suspended and investigated. Thousands were summoned for questioning. From each continental airforce base to the civilian space flight management departments, every suspicious detail was thoroughly scrutinized.

The Chuckna Military Department, even more infuriated, launched an investigation storm. Every aircraft that took flight that day had to undergo investigation, covering not only the pilots, but also the ground repair departments, airport management, air force staff department, and even radar guidance departments.

The results of the investigation soon emerged. Both the attacking aircraft and the pilot were found.

But the results were even more shocking.

The aircraft was a Chuckna [Thunder] land-based high-speed interceptor jet that was preparing for a joint exercise at an empty base in Feiyang. Both the pilot and base personnel responsible for scheduling, radar operators, aircraft logistics team, and even senior officers, as well as the two Feiyang 31st Army coordinators, died on the same day.

Moreover, all data regarding the aircraft’s takeoff, radar records, and supply records had been wiped. Investigators didn’t even know where the jet’s missiles came from, nor the energy supply number or launch sequence of the aircraft.

The only progress made was a leaked clue about the positioning information of the military vehicle Margaret was riding within Feiyang’s system.

According to the SkyNet staff at the time, he received orders from a superior for an urgent contact with Margaret, prompting him to dial the in-car phone, though the call apparently failed. Subsequently, his superior ordered him to use his permissions to activate and retrieve the positional data of Margaret’s vehicle, and then hurriedly left.

Since then, the staff member never saw his superior again. The person seemed to vanish into thin air.

Everyone who knew the inside story of the attack had almost formed an answer to who planned it. Yet, as the opponent did their job too neatly, everyone could only watch helplessly as the investigation hit a stalemate.

Five hours after the attack, faraway in Ryan, Leefer was the first to issue a statement condemning the Western Alliance’s terrorist attack. Subsequently, Faset, the commander of the 31st Army, made a high-profile visit to the hospital to see the still-unconscious Leray Lieutenant General Tian Xingjian, and issued a statement on site, saying they would stand united with their Leray allies, condemning any attempt to blame the 31st Army and incite infighting.

That same day, Vice President of Chuckna, Madhuwan, during a security meeting at the Ministry of Defense, declared that this attack was certainly orchestrated by Western Alliance spies. He supported Admiral Faset of the 31st Army’s statement, reaffirming that Admiral Leefer of Feiyang was a loyal friend to Chuckna, and both sides would continue to strengthen cooperation, indirectly expressing concerns over the current situation under President Hill’s leadership in Chuckna.

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The Chuckna Presidential Mansion, situated at the top of Hanjing Dragon City Avenue, on the west side of Victory Square, was a grand and magnificent group of buildings, featuring a palace-style main building with twelve gigantic pillars, which defined the Chuckna Presidential Mansion. Every tourist visiting Hanjing would take photos in the designated area in front of the main building.

Although it was wartime and the weather wasn’t very favorable, the area in front of the Chuckna Presidential Mansion was still bustling with tourists.

Amid the flashlights, no one noticed several black flying cars speeding into the tree-lined road on the west side of the mansion. Following the heavy gray stone walls and the plane trees on both sides, they turned into a small courtyard behind the main building of the presidential mansion, stopping in front of a white small building.

Under tight security guards, the car doors opened, and three generals with serious expressions quickly entered the small building.

In the president’s office, President Hill of Chuckna stood behind his desk with a face like iron, his hands pressing hard on the desk, his blue eyes seemingly sparking, fiercely staring at the four national security advisors in front of him.

As the president’s secretary announced, the three generals quickly stepped into the office, just in time to hear Hill’s roar: "Without authorization for takeoff, no one knew for a full thirty minutes! Joint exercises start in six days, who ordered the 17112 fighter squadron to be transferred to the base this early? Why was the transfer order only notified to the Military Department eight hours later?!"

The four national security advisors stood impassively on the side, hearing the footsteps at the office door, their eyes collided with the generals entering in single file, quickly retracting.

One of the tall security advisors said calmly: "Mr. President, please mind your language. Until there is evidence to prove we ordered the mobilization of the fighter squadron, we are not criminals. Your interrogative tone is very rude."

As he spoke, he checked his watch, murmured a few words to another advisor beside him, and said to Hill: "Everything we know is written in the investigation report. We are also very shocked by this incident. However, this is your responsibility, Mr. President. As national security advisors, our job is to do everything we can to protect this country and provide you with advice. Of course, our advice seems to no longer have much use to you now, so we are applying for collective resignation. We will submit our resignation letters following the procedure. That’s it. If there is evidence proving that we participated in this incident, feel free to arrest us. We’re ready at any time."

With that, the four nodded to the already livid Hill, turned, and walked towards the office door.

The room was quiet, President Hill and the three stunned military generals watched the four with gentle smiles leave the room. Before the last advisor left, he suddenly turned back to Hill and said: "Oh right, Mr. President, I forgot to remind you, there will soon be a motion of no confidence against you within the party, maybe you should prepare in advance."

He glanced at the few generals from the Military Department, said calmly: "Perhaps, I have provided you a good topic."

The office door slowly closed.

"Clearly, at this critical juncture, they have laid their cards on the table." Hill looked at the three generals headed by Admiral Feng Zhi, his anger suddenly erupting, slamming the table and shouting: "Brazen!"

Saying so, Hill turned to the floor-to-ceiling window, silently pondering for a long time, and asked: "How is the investigation?"

"At a stalemate." Admiral Feng Zhi responded.

Hill gazed out the window, his straight back appearing as if it aged ten years in an instant.

"Your Excellency," behind him, came the voice of Admiral Feng Zhi: "Those whom Heaven wishes to destroy it first drives mad. However, no matter how mad they get, they wouldn’t imagine who they have provoked. Perhaps we need to do no more investigation....."

Hill abruptly turned, looking at Feng Zhi in astonishment.

Feng Zhi smiled lightly and said: "Feiyang Army suddenly broke out in a spy case, a total of 312 mid-level officers have been isolated and reviewed, and another 23 were shot due to arrest."

"He acted?" Hill asked in shock.

"No," Feng Zhi shook his head: "It was Admiral McKinley who acted. Additionally, today’s visit, there’s a problem we need to solve immediately....."

"What problem?" Hill asked.

"I just got notified, Bandit Army’s First and Second Armored Divisions, have collectively gone on leave," Feng Zhi smiled bitterly: "The soldiers on leave are allowed to operate near the Feiyang 31st Army base. Additionally, two armored groups have blocked all roads near the 31st Army base on the pretext of... exercises."

Hill was dumbfounded.......

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. Two updates today, with another one coming this evening. Thank you all for your strong support. In less than 24 hours, there has been a surge of over 1,600 votes, you are truly powerful and incredible. I can only return your support by diligently updating. Even if I don’t secure third place this March, there will be no regrets. My life will not be affected by full-time writing. To be honest, it’s the running between two ends and writing until two or three o’clock every day that harms my health, which led me to make this decision. I love to write, you love to read. You have given me the confidence. I bow in gratitude.

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.(To be continued, to find out what happens next, please log in to www.qidian.com, more Chapters available, support the author, support legitimate reading!)