Counterfeit Hero

The experiment meeting concluded, and the attendees dispersed.

The convoy, like a long dragon, drove out of the training center, along the tree-lined mountain road, passing the Hanjing First Military Academy, and dispersed into the traffic of Hanjing Highway.

The shape test for the Thunderbolt Mecha finished, marking the disbandment of the research team. Scientists from various countries would follow their generals back to their bases or embassies. After being in closed research for so long, everyone wanted to take a breath and stroll around Hanjing. Additionally, time was needed to properly digest the results obtained from this joint research.

Upon farewell, nearly two hundred scholars expressed the willingness to proceed with joint research at Mars, awaiting the final confirmation from the governments. The projects requiring technological cooperation were recorded in Helen’s electronic folder, filling seven to eight pages.

Regarding Fatty’s conception of the alliance forces, due to its significant importance, generals from various countries needed to return and communicate with the Military Department and the Presidential Palace. Ultimately, joining the bandit army alliance was almost like announcing entry into the bandit army camp. Given the bandit army’s current status on par with the Fei Alliance, it almost challenged the Fei Alliance.

By this time, everyone finally understood Hastings’ purpose in securing this status for the bandit army. Aside from preventing the bandit army from falling under the control of certain individuals within the Fei Alliance, more importantly, it was to establish a brand-new military alliance platform centering on the bandit army, to balance or even replace the heavily constrained Fei Alliance Joint Army!

The chaos, internal conflicts, and slow reaction caused by the current system of the Fei Alliance had made every country suffer greatly. Once this platform was established, those independent parliamentarians in the upper house of the Fei Alliance Joint Congress would no longer have the authority to meddle with the army. They can control everything but cannot touch the bandit army’s head, which is not part of the Fei Alliance system!

This idea quickly caught the attention of generals from various countries.

If they could seize entry into the bandit army’s platform, perhaps in the future, they could gain the upper hand within a new alliance system. Moreover, everyone understood that with the bandit army’s currently demonstrated combat strength and technological power, coupled with the absolute control over the Twelfth Generation Mecha, the formation of this alliance was already a done deal. If they do not partake, many countries would eagerly join.

Boswell and Milan were warmly invited by Haifer to visit the First Military Academy. Their former accommodations at the academy remained unchanged, and additionally, a laboratory equipped with various advanced equipment was specially provided for Leray researchers.

Boswell didn’t decline. Leray was no longer accessible; the only place where he could continue working was here. Moreover, although the mecha design work was completed, the task of Space Jump Technology was already at a critical juncture. Boswell required extensive calculations and experiments to prepare for the space jump test.

This test was also what Fatty was most concerned about.

Because of the war, and the death of his parents.

Fatty often wondered what his parents saw first when they traversed the Space Jump Point when he was six years old. The answer to this puzzle might be revealed soon. He will use his own eyes to cross through time and space to witness the magnificence that should have become a milestone in human civilization over twenty years ago.

"You’re planning to auction the stealth technology?" The flying car navigated between the shade and fragmented sunlight, flying along the mountain road, the golden magnetic lines like golden threads wrapped around the green mountain waist. As the flying car moved, it continuously extended and spiraled ahead. Boswell slightly frowned as he spoke to Fatty sitting beside him.

"It’s the stealth coating technology." Fatty didn’t have a chance to explain the technologies mastered by the bandit army to Boswell one by one, but knowing the old man misunderstood and worried, he laughed and said, "This is not the same as our warship stealth technology."

"Oh?" Boswell exchanged a glance with Milan, "What’s the difference?"

Fatty took out a laser pen, turned it on, projecting a red laser onto the mountain wall speeding by outside the window: "Simply put, the stealth coating blocks light exposure when detected by light. However, our warship stealth technology does not do that. Light projected from any angle will continue to extend unobstructed afar."

"Hmm," Boswell nodded, "So you’re auctioning off the stealth coating technology for the money?"

"Exactly." When talking about money, Fatty’s eyes turned red, "There are too many people to feed and no money to maintain so many bandits. Besides, the army needs to purchase weapons and mecha, and the fleet needs to buy warships. I’m poor."

Those last three words were completely trembling tones.

"I suppose, ever since Canglang Star, you decided to make a fortune from Thunderbolt?" Boswell looked askance at Fatty, expression not friendly.

Upon being uncovered, Fatty’s expression changed instantly, showing a fawning silly smile to Boswell, his expression sweet enough to make Milan’s skin crawl, wishing to grab anything nearby to bash this spineless creature to death.

"You little rascal." Boswell chuckled and cursed, waved his hand, letting Fatty go. Although this brat calculated his efforts, compared to the rich returns he’s secured for Leray, it was simply insignificant. Thinking of Thunderbolt being completely controlled by the bandit army, and Fatty’s ultimate sweeping-out move, even someone as calm as Boswell felt his heart racing.

Fatty accompanied with a smile, keeping certain words unspoken. In fact, making money with stealth technology was just incidental. What he truly cared about was seeing the Leefer Group suffering from this technology!

It might not be noticeable now, but eventually, when they become in direct conflict with the bandit army, they would realize that their stealth technology is not akin to the bandit army’s stealth technology.

Trying to use light to capture the bandit army’s invisible warship, go to hell with you, you son of a dog!

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

The winter sun always brings a unique sense of delight.

Sitting on a cobblestone ancient street within the academy, amidst white wooden fences, brown anti-corrosion wooden floors, clear shop windows, blue parasols, and ceramic coffee cups sprawling with flower branches, listening to a few girls chatting softly, Fatty found it truly a rare pleasure as he drifted off to sleep.

Thus, Fatty fell asleep. His head bobbed gently, and sparkling drool ran unabashedly with the watchful eyes of the passing students, flowing profusely, so much so that Meiduo needed to wipe it away with tissues from time to time. However, no one woke him; in this peaceful time, one should do as they please. This idle time wasted in life was truly precious for everyone here.

Boswell and Haifer were chatting over coffee. Several newly appointed generals formed a group with the bandit army soldiers.

On the small street, the cobblestone path was lined with tables and chairs. The leaves on the trees swayed in the wind, and a few yellow leaves drifted down, joining the red and yellow fallen leaves on the cobblestone surface. Scholarly figures sipping coffee, senior officers with shiny uniforms and prominent shoulder epaulets, caused passing students’ hearts to unconsciously race. In this era of war, such a leisurely and serene scene had somehow etched itself deeper into memory than the roar of gunfire, impossible to erase.

The students passing through the small street couldn’t help but turn their heads with each step.

This street, they often visited. Yet the feeling had always been restless. Only at this moment did they realize the peaceful elegance of this street.

In the future, they too would wear uniforms, immerse themselves in this great era, undergo the baptism of gunfire. Then, after surviving hundreds of battles, they would sit at a roadside café on a leisurely afternoon, enjoy the winter sunshine and rich coffee.

The fear and uncertainty about war, in the scene of this small street, seemed to vanish without a trace, symbolizing life in this era.

Ann Lei smiled while sitting beside Fatty, listening to Helen recount her experiences since boarding the Blue Rose.

This experience had become a profound part of Helen’s life and was also the part Ann Lei, Milan, and Meiduo most wanted to hear. Because Helen’s experiences were roughly Fatty’s experiences.

As the most renowned host in the Leray Federation, Helen possessed an unparalleled gift for storytelling.

This past year’s experiences, from the bandit army’s inception to its strength, unfolded like a series of vivid paintings, both thrilling and stirring. Helen would sit there calmly and narrate it all in a gentle voice.

Colliding with enemy ships, fleeing, seizing pirate bases, blending into the Mars sect, the Mars War... Every time the narrative reached a thrilling peak, the girls would involuntarily glance at the sleeping Fatty, then exchange smiles.

No one felt sorrow due to each other’s presence. Being able to accompany this man, share experiences, and sit here with a cup of coffee was the most beautiful thing in this chaotic world. Compared to many Leray people with broken families, this happiness seemed like paradise.

The leisurely two hours of the afternoon passed by swiftly.

When Fatty awoke from his dream, he received three pieces of news.

The first piece of news was that substantial reinforcements from Jiepeng and Suss had arrived at Resk and were deployed to fight in the Canglang Star. The well-equipped Mikami Yuto Fleet had already launched comprehensive operations, and the war situation had suddenly become tense.

The second piece of news was that the Suss Jiepeng Fleet stationed in the Central Leray Star Domain had set off for the Resk Star System, while Admiral Binart’s Sheldon Fleet was to be replaced, launching an attack on the Newton Star System Jump Point. Among them, the Storm and Blizzard Elephant-class fleets were included, with military forces increased by three hundred percent. The breakthrough of the Newton Star System Jump Point was inevitable.

The third piece of news confirmed that within the Su Jie United Fleet heading to Resk, there was a Binart Wolf-class fleet assigned to escort a Judger Armored Force to Resk, to cooperate with the Su Jie Alliance Army in combat.

This force was not a mere squad like seen on the Ryan Battlefield. It was an entire battalion, comprising four hundred Judgement Mechas.

Despite the bright sun, surrounded by the suddenly tomb-like silence of the small street, Fatty still felt a bone-chilling cold.

Sobel’s eyes had finally focused on the Southwest War Zone.

He no longer wanted to wait; he intended to achieve victory in one decisive battle!

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