Counterfeit Hero

In the control room, Deputy Captain Anthony, originally Eric’s rival, stroked his bearded chin grimly, his eyes darting back and forth. Before him stood two crew members who didn’t dare breathe loudly. The control room was filled with an eerie silence. Anthony had no sympathy for Eric’s plight; it was just the feeling of mutual fate in front of Audrey’s sudden and aggressive attack that tipped him off to an extraordinary danger.

Eric, who was always evenly matched with him, was defeated so quickly and suddenly.

The usually domineering Eric didn’t even have the power to resist. Since he could be taken down so cleanly, it put Anthony in the same dangerous position. After all, Audrey was the Captain of this ship, and if both he and Eric were kicked off the ship, they’d be nothing. On this ship, without power, you have nothing.

Anthony glared viciously at the control panel before him as if it were his enemy. This was the critical moment; if he didn’t act now, and Audrey turned against him, his supporters would likely switch allegiance. If he didn’t want to bow down, he would have to make a bold move now. Eric had lost his authority, being publicly humiliated; no one would follow him anymore. His downfall presented Anthony with an opportunity to challenge Audrey.

Though Audrey typically had little authority, she hadn’t made any significant mistakes either, making it hard for him to find an excuse. Now, she had dealt with Eric harshly over a stowaway fool, offering a chance for Anthony to rally the crew’s anger unanimously against her. If he called for action, the crew’s collective outrage would undoubtedly force Audrey to step down. Once Anthony secured the Captain’s position, the entire ship, including Audrey, would be his!

Thinking about Audrey’s mature yet innocent allure, her devilish curves, envisioning her moaning under him, Anthony could barely contain his exhilaration. Fight! Why not fight? This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Just as Anthony made up his mind and lifted his head, he discovered a grinning Fatty standing before him, and his two confidants already knocked out and lying on the floor.

Anthony reacted swiftly, reaching for his gun, but his opponent was too fast. Before he could draw, a massive fist struck his face. The tall and burly Anthony fell to the ground without even a grunt.

In the moments before he lost consciousness, Anthony’s mind was filled with resentment. Why didn’t this guy play by the rules? He wanted to ask loudly in front of everyone, "Why are you hitting me, what gives you the right to hit me?"

Minutes later, Captain Audrey announced that Eric was punished with exile for openly defying orders. Deputy Captain Anthony was also exiled for carrying weapons without permission. Several crew members guilty of conspiracy were exiled as well. They were placed in a lifeboat and ejected. In the vast Public Star System, if no ship happened to pass by, these individuals were practically sentenced to death. With Anthony and Eric gone, Audrey swiftly promoted her confidants to fill the vacant positions in various departments.