Counterfeit Hero

Zhou Zhisen shook his head and said, "No! That’s not important right now. Just now we received news that the enemy’s regrouped space fleet has launched an attack on our fleet. The carrier battle group providing ground support had to leave to rendezvous with our fleet. The enemy took advantage of the carrier’s departure and the vacuum created when the land-based fighters moved out to strike their assembly forces, seizing Bafoli Pass and directly threatening our logistics route. The forward command has already ordered the forward forces to retreat. If nothing unexpected happens, the situation will revert to the previous stalemate because the current front lines are entangled with both sides interwoven. I’m afraid a major battle will break out soon. By the way, it was the Mythical Army that seized Bafoli Pass. Our forces, consisting of a flying squadron and two divisions, failed to stop their successful assault. From this point and from the enemy’s overall reaction, your analysis was correct."

Seeing Tian Xingjian’s furrowed brows, Zhou Zhisen smiled and said, "However, we managed to detonate this bomb, preventing it from exploding at the most critical position. Now, with only minor injuries, we’ve already won because the forward forces won’t face the danger of being surrounded and cut off."

Tian Xingjian frowned and thought for a while, then said, "I always felt the analysis wasn’t comprehensive. Vaguely, I sensed that the enemy had designed a backdoor or an acceleration channel somewhere. I didn’t expect it; the enemy had already opened the backdoor here. Even if the plan failed, they ensured the Federation wouldn’t gain any advantage."

Zhou Zhisen habitually waved his hand and smiled, "You’re just the Deputy Company Commander of the Special Reconnaissance Battalion, being able to achieve this is already commendable. If we hadn’t seen your analysis in time, the Federation might have suffered unpredictable losses. Moreover, your opponent had thousands of times more experience than you, and soon, you will have dealings with him. In any case, you are the undisputed hero of the Federation and should be rewarded and protected. The front line is no longer suitable for you. The forward command has decided to transfer you to the Combat Plans Department as a Military Staff Officer. These two staff officers are here to take you to Gallipalan."

The Colonel Staff Officer sitting next to Tian Xingjian smiled and took out a letter of appointment from his briefcase, extending his hand, "Let me introduce myself formally. I am Compton, the Director of the Second Research Room of the Combat Department. Lieutenant Tian, from now on, we are colleagues in the Combat Department. Welcome."

Fatty blankly shook hands with him and took the appointment letter. When he opened it, it read very simply: Appoint Lieutenant Tian Xingjian, Deputy Company Commander of the Special Reconnaissance Battalion, First Company of the 16th Armored Division of the Aviation Marine Corps, as the Combat Staff Officer under the Combat Plans Department of the Federation’s Miloke Ground Resistance Army Forward Command, revoking Lieutenant Tian Xingjian’s original position. The appointment is effective immediately from the date of issuance. Below were the date, and the stamp of the forward command.

Fatty turned the appointment letter over and over several times. It had been less than a month since he was sent to the Reconnaissance Team, and he had only gone on one mission, only to be immediately transferred to the Combat Department as a staff officer. It was really strange.

He thought to himself, "Last time I became a hero, I ended up being dispatched to the front line under the pretext of imparting experience, nearly getting killed. This time, I’ve become a hero again and am being transferred back and forth. Do they think I’m omnipotent? They say I should be protected, probably fearing that if the new hero accidentally kicks the bucket, it wouldn’t look good in the propaganda. So next time I become a hero, where will they transfer me? Tell me that a hero should carry out duties in critical moments, and all the people of the Federation are watching you—go wherever it’s dangerous!"