Counterfeit Hero

Rashid lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, the glow of the tip flared briefly in the dark, then dimmed, burning on its own, turning into thin wisps of smoke. After a long silence, he asked, "So what do you plan to do?"

Tian Xingjian took out an electronic map, entered a coordinate, and pointed at the screen emitting a faint green glow in the dark. "We head southeast for twenty kilometers, and we'll reach the mountains. The path is dense with forests. If we're lucky, we can get into the mountains before the enemy finds us. The Mechas have a hard time searching in the mountains, there should be a way to hide. If not, these hundreds of armed men can still put up a desperate fight. It's better than waiting to die here."

Rashid studied the map carefully and said, "How do you plan to return? Even if you evade the search, you can't stay in the mountains until the war ends, right? And it's easy to handle food for one or two people, but where will you find enough food for hundreds?"

Tian Xingjian smiled and said, "We'll take it one step at a time. For now, our mission is to get them out. The food and weapons in this base should last us for a while. My plan is to wait for them to regain some combat strength, then find a way to take down an enemy logistics base, steal a transport ship, or contact the Air Force and see if they can extract us. If it doesn't work out, I'll lead them to Rocky City to the south, though it's surrounded by the enemy, it will still be somewhat safer."

Rashid looked at Tian Xingjian steadily, then suddenly reached out and patted his shoulder. "Brother, no matter what, I really admire you for making this decision, it's not easy. I'll leave you a squad, one Antenna and one Anger, we'll head back to join the third platoon and head northeast. If there are pursuers, I'll hold them off for a few hours. The rest is up to you."

"No way!" Tian Xingjian firmly refused. "The First Company has its own mission. I've already dragged the whole company down; I can't let the brothers take risks with me."

Rashid angrily retorted, "Are you looking down on us? You can lead hundreds to escape, and I, with a fully armed special reconnaissance team, can't do better? Our mission is to conduct unlimited harassment on enemy rear lines. Taking these guys along counts too. You weren't planning to take down a logistics base without Mechas, were you? Just using these guys' teeth? Nonsense! This is settled, I'll give you Torick, he idolizes you. He said he's never seen anyone handle a gun as well as you."

Recalling Torick's eyes shining with excitement, Rashid smiled and continued, "Do your best, we both need to survive and meet again. I'll make up your welcome party, we won't leave until we're drunk."

Tian Xingjian didn't argue further; any more words were unnecessary at this point. Time was pressing. He solemnly gave Rashid a military salute and said, "It's a deal, we'll meet alive and won't leave until we're drunk."