Counterfeit Hero

Since the Space Jump Point has been captured, with the Federation Fleet’s clearing operations, the landing channels of several immigrant planets have been completely opened. The Federation’s giant transport ships, fully loaded with Army Armored Divisions, continuously lifted off from Miloke and entered the Galileo Star System. The 3rd Mixed Fleet and the Newton Star System local fleet took on the heavy responsibility of protecting the navigation routes.

Meanwhile, the aircraft carrier battle groups of the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Mixed Fleets began the first round of air strikes, targeting the main star of the Galileo Star System, Lucerne Planet, as the primary attack target of the Leray Federation. Several carriers from the three massive fleets hovered in near-space like hives suspended overhead, continuously deploying attack aircraft responsible for ground strikes.

These aircraft attacks quickly caused panic among the Imperial Army stationed there, and they began to shrink their lines. Land-based fighter jets were unable to compete with air-based fighter jets; although their altitude limits were not far apart, taking off from the ground and diving from the air are completely different combat methods. In aerial combat, land-based fighters always suffer disadvantages, especially when carriers as movable airports can change positions based on the needs of the battle.

Air superiority is always a necessity in war. The side without air superiority will face limitless attacks from their opponent. However, the Leray Federation’s air superiority cannot be maintained for long, as both fleets are in the Galileo Star System, and the Gazalin Empire’s fleet is continuously reinforcing through the Space Jump Point.

Now, it’s up to the army to perform.

The 16th Armored Division of the Aviation Marine Corps and the 9th Armored Division were the first Army Armored Divisions to land following the forced strikes by the carrier fighter groups. Under the protection of the fighter groups, the giant transport ships of the 16th Division landed on the eastern hemisphere of Lucerne Planet, less than one thousand kilometers away from Lucerne’s largest industrial city, Wali City.

The 9th Armored Division landed in a mountainous basin one hundred kilometers away from the 16th Division. They would establish the largest forward base for the Federation’s landing on Lucerne Planet there. Forming a horn with the 16th Division, they would draw out a defense line to provide security for the subsequent landing forces.

Resistance in Wali City was intense. The giant transport ships were forced to retreat several times from entering the atmosphere. Vice Admiral Snyder commanded the aircraft carrier battle groups of the 1st Mixed Fleet, practically deploying all forces. After nearly a day’s battle, they managed to destroy several missile bases in Wali City.