From cannon fodder to sweeping across thousands of stars.

Chapter 793 Dreams Come True
You are a young pilot of the former Federation Navy. When the Renaissance Alliance started an uprising in the Rubion system where you are stationed, you responded to the call of leader Franklin and joined this "revolution" with your squadron.

With excellent driving skills and a little bit of luck, you followed the Renaissance Alliance army all the way through the battles and participated in almost all the battles on the road to the rise of the Renaissance Alliance.

Your military exploits also allowed you to rapidly rise in rank and reputation in the HCP force of the Renaissance Alliance, but a genius pilot named Johnny Riding was always above you.

This talented pilot, whose call sign was "True Red Lightning", also participated in most of the important battles of the Resurrection Alliance. He even participated in the large-scale fleet battle known as the "Purgatory War" when he went to the Atlas Group for training. He fought head-on against the main fleet of the former Federation Navy with a small number of people.
Originally, you thought that you would always be outshined by the genius pilot Johnny Riding in the HCP force of the Renaissance Alliance.

But the sudden change in the relationship between the Renaissance Alliance and the Atlas Group gives you a glimmer of hope.

Soon, as you would expect, the officers who were "close" to the Atlas Group, including Johnny Riding, were hidden by the top brass.

And you, as an ace pilot second only to Johnny Ridden, especially as an ace pilot personally trained by the Renaissance Alliance, immediately received special attention and were quickly shaped into the "new generation leader" among HCP pilots.

In order to live up to the high-level leaders of the alliance and to make yourself worthy of this title, you train hard to continuously improve your abilities and dare not relax for a moment.

Your performance also made the alliance leaders feel very happy. They poured more resources into you, committed to making you the second 'Johnny Riding', and tried to use this to suppress the prestige of 'True Red Lightning' in the army.

But only you know that there is still an insurmountable chasm between you and genius.

A large number of media outlets under the Renaissance Alliance reported on and promoted you, allowing the people under the rule of the Renaissance Alliance to know you as the "rising star in the army". You also gained a large number of fans and received countless emails and gifts from all over the universe every day.

Soon after, the new main force HCP 'Flag Bearer' developed by the Renaissance Alliance began to be equipped in the army. You naturally became the pilot of Unit 001 and were once again hyped when receiving the equipment.

You know, this is the alliance's top leaders conveying some information to the outside world.
Time came to a few days before the establishment of the 'New Federation'. When you followed the main fleet to rest in the alliance's largest starport, an accident suddenly happened.

For some unknown reason, a friendly fleet suddenly formed an offensive formation outside the starport and released all of its HCPs and heavy armored combat craft.

You received an order to lead several squadrons to assist in the defense of the starport.

When you drove your machine to the front of the attack formation as usual, you saw the leading machine on the opposite side through the enlarged image on the full-circle screen.

The red machine called "True Red Lightning"
The fighting spirit is ignited in your heart. The time has come to prove that you are not inferior to the so-called "genius pilot". You suddenly realize that your hard training day after day seems to be for this moment.

The battle begins, and the moment the two sides first cross paths, you are kicked to death like a stray dog ​​on the roadside.

In this last moment, you smiled.

A few minutes ago, above the star port.

The scarlet-painted 'True Red Lightning' streaked across the dark universe like a real red lightning, with dozens of the same type of machines following behind him, sweeping across the front of the defense force like a meteor shower.

Johnny Riding sat in the cockpit that was shaking from time to time due to high-speed maneuvers, steadily controlling the machine that was hailed by other friendly forces as "the strongest killer of the Renaissance Alliance". The panicked and disordered formation of the starport defense force was clearly visible on the HUD frame of the full-circle screen.

"That's it?"

He sneered contemptuously and pushed the throttle on his left hand side to the bottom. The plasma propulsion array of the "True Red Lightning" instantly burst into a burst of blue light, and then brought an astonishing acceleration, allowing the body to rush straight towards the HCP formation that had just been ejected from the starport.

"Sir, the enemy's fire control radar has locked onto us!" The voice of the HCP attack team adjutant came over the communication channel.

"It doesn't matter," Johnny Riding responded calmly, "They probably haven't figured out the situation yet. Now is our best chance!"

Johnny Riding's judgment was not wrong. The HCP formation navigator of the Starport Defense Force was indeed still hesitating.

Facing that iconic scarlet figure, they couldn't believe that they were really going to fight against the most famous ace pilot of the Renaissance Alliance, and they didn't understand why Johnny Riding would suddenly lead the team to attack them.

But for the elite team led by Johnny Riding, the opponent's brief hesitation became their fatal weakness. By the time the defenders finally made up their minds to open fire, it was already too late.

The 'True Red Lightning' directly 'killed' the opponent's 'Captain's Machine' at the forward position at the moment of intersection, and when the blue-white plasma fireball produced by the explosion of the opponent's machine lit up, it also kicked off the prelude to this one-sided battle.

Johnny Ridden's reaction was perfect, every movement was smooth and accurate. Under the control of this talented pilot, the machine drew an incredible trajectory in the starry sky, avoiding all incoming attacks, while accurately making each round of heavy particle cannon attacks hit the target's vital points.

Less than ten minutes after the battle started, more than half of the HCP echelons released by the starport and the on-duty fleet had been lost.

At the same time, on the other side of the starport defense circle, Manfred the Red Baron drove his heavy armored combat boat and led an elite team to attack the fleet on duty leaving the port.

"All aircraft accelerate and begin barrel rolls. The third and fourth squadrons will outflank them from behind and cut off their retreat!"

Manfred gave the order in the communication channel, his voice very calm: "Remember, we are not here to massacre, just make them surrender."

"Yes, sir!"

The engine of the heavy armored fighter boat roared, pushing the red fighter boat to shuttle between enemy ships at an astonishing speed. Manfred controlled the body, leading the formation to launch salvos again and again, or launching plasma torpedoes at a distance that the enemy could not avoid.

Soon, one after another, the warships that were approached lost their combat effectiveness. When the "rebel" fleet also began to launch fleet fire attacks, the fleet on duty was completely defeated.

In the Star Port Combat Intelligence Center, Captain Sherin looked at the battle situation on the screen in despair. Their defense forces were being harvested like wheat by the teams led by True Red Lightning and Red Baron.

What was even more difficult for Captain Schelling to understand was that these two ace pilots and pilots of the Renaissance Alliance actually stood on the side of the "rebels" on the eve of the establishment of the "New Federation".

"We are finished," Lieutenant Patrick muttered to himself, "Those are Johnny Riding and Manfred, two killers."

Captain Schelling did not respond, but watched in silence as more and more friendly signals disappeared on the screen. When the fleet on duty outside the starport was completely disintegrated, the defending HCP formation was completely lost, and the distress signal could not be sent out, he knew that resistance was meaningless.

"Surrender"
-
Three days ago, when Johnny Riding received the encrypted communication from Atlas Group, he was wiping his beloved HCP body model in the officers' dormitory.

The special prompt tone that suddenly sounded from the communicator made him stunned for a moment. This was a channel he had not used for a long time.

The decrypted information made his eyes widen: "The Renaissance Alliance is about to purge the 'worms'. The Atlas Group will implement the 'Purge Agreement'. Are you willing to participate?"

The message was signed with a name he was very familiar with - Deren Ryan, who had served as their instructor at the Atlas Group training camp and was a legendary figure with his own exclusive song "Sassy Ryan"
Johnny immediately contacted Manfred and several other close comrades who had also received the message. Before long, everyone gathered in Johnny's dormitory, staring at each other, and no one dared to speak first.

"Do you believe it?" Manfred finally broke the silence. "Is the Atlas Group really going to attack the Renaissance Alliance?"

"I'm not sure," Johnny Riding frowned, "but Instructor Delenn never jokes."

They decided to reply and request more information, and soon, an encrypted video call was connected. Deren's angular face appeared on the screen. The years left a few wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, but his eyes were still as sharp as an eagle.

"Long time no see, my students~" Deren said with a smile, "I know you have a lot of questions."

In the next half hour, Deren explained the Atlas Group's plan in detail - it was not to destroy the Renaissance Alliance, but to eliminate the corrupt and selfish senior officials within the alliance, those "worms" who deviated from the original intention of the Renaissance Alliance.

"Don't you find it strange that you are assigned to these insignificant secondary fleets and are deliberately suppressed by those high-ranking officials?" Delenn's words hit the nail on the head. "They are afraid of your abilities, your integrity, and even more afraid of your connection with the Atlas Group."

Deren looked at Johnny Riding and Manfred. "Remember Mr. De Bruyne from last time? He was persecuted by those 'worms' in the alliance just because he was on good terms with the Atlas Group."

Johnny and Manfred looked at each other, with complex lights flashing in their eyes. They were naturally well aware of the problems within the Renaissance Alliance, and they also knew that if these problems were not improved, the Alliance would eventually follow the "old path" of the Federation.

"Mr. Amber's goal is not to destroy the Renaissance Alliance, but to get it back on track," Delenn continued, "He needs those of you who truly care about the future of the Alliance to stand up."

Less than an hour after the starport battle ended, a fast strike formation from the Atlas Group combat fleet arrived and took over control of the entire starport.

Johnny Riding stood on the observation deck of a deployment bay in the starport, looking at the busy scene outside with mixed feelings.

"How do you feel?" Manfred walked up to him and handed him a box of coffee.

Johnny took the coffee, opened the straw and took a big sip, then sighed: "To be honest, it was much easier than I thought, but fighting with my former ally still makes me feel uncomfortable."

"Who isn't like this?" Manfred also sighed.

Johnny looked outside at the wreckage being cleared: "Do you think we did the right thing?"

"I don't know," Manfred answered honestly, "but I know that if we continue to let those people in power, the future of the Renaissance Alliance will only be worse."

"Yes, I hope everything will be as the instructor and Mr. Amber said. I hope that such tragedies of fratricide will not happen again in the future."
-
The efficiency of the implementation of the "Corrections Protocol" far exceeded Amber's expectations. Within 48 hours after the operation began, all the designated targets in the Renaissance Alliance-controlled area had been successfully controlled.

This large-scale, cross-galaxy special military operation changed the entire power structure of the Renaissance Alliance almost overnight, but miraculously did not cause much impact on the lives of ordinary people.

Most people learn what happened last night through the Internet after waking up.

Although they were surprised to find that the Resurrection Alliance's military bases, starports, and administrative centers had changed hands, daily life was barely disrupted.

A group of "pro-Atlas" young officers quickly issued a joint statement through the Atlas Group's network, saying that the action was aimed at eradicating corrupt elements within the alliance and maintaining the purity of the Renaissance Alliance team.

This statement was widely circulated and to some extent temporarily stabilized public sentiment.

What was even more surprising was that Franklin himself made a public appearance not long afterward. Although he looked a little haggard, he firmly expressed his support for this "internal cleansing operation" and announced that the founding ceremony of the "New Federation" would be held as scheduled.

His statement completely dispelled people's doubts.

After all, the Renaissance Alliance still exists. The Atlas Group has not replaced it, but is helping the alliance to eliminate the "pests" within it. The people even expressed their support for this, believing that this is a necessary move for the Renaissance Alliance to purify itself on the eve of the founding of the country.
However, no one knows what happened to Franklin and why he suddenly changed his position and supported the actions of the Atlas Group.

All that is known is that Amber had a private meeting with Franklin that lasted several hours the day before.

No third person knew the content of the meeting, but according to people familiar with the matter, after the meeting, Franklin was in a state of shock and trance for a long time, and his attitude changed drastically afterwards.

The founding ceremony of the 'New Federation' was held as scheduled in the Space City. The East Portico of the New Federation Capitol Building built in the Space City was also carefully decorated. This place that pays tribute to the inauguration tradition of the old federation president seemed particularly solemn at the moment.

Franklin stood on a high podium, wearing a black suit with silver trim, his expression serious and determined.

The audience was filled with media reporters from all over the place, including those from the Thousand Star Empire and the Star Dragon Empire who were brought in through Amber. The latter's presence in a sense also represented Her Majesty Agnes' attitude of "seeking peace."

Also attending the ceremony were senior representatives of the Atlas Group and a group of new officials who were promoted on the spot. Their common characteristics were that they had no relationship with the purged senior officials, were down-to-earth, never engaged in favoritism or corruption during their tenure, and always supported cooperation with the Atlas Group.
"I swear in the name of the President of the Human Federation."

Franklin's voice was transmitted throughout the square through the loudspeaker system, "I will faithfully perform the duties of the President of the Union and respect and protect the rights and freedoms of all human beings and citizens of the Union."

Every word he spoke was sonorous and powerful, and there was a firm light in his eyes.

However, only Amber and a few others knew that Franklin had stood in front of Amber the night before, solemnly sworn to join the Atlas Group, and promised to devote the rest of his life to building a better "New Federation" and working with the Atlas Group to ensure the survival of human civilization.

The moment Franklin recited the oath on the stage, he suddenly remembered a dream he had long ago.

In that dream, he was also sworn in as the president of the New Federation and sworn in to join the Atlas Group, just like he is now.

At that time he regarded it as an absurd illusion, but he did not expect that it would become a reality now. The gears of fate turned in a wonderful way, leading him to the future that he had foreseen in his dreams.

On the viewing stand, as the most special audience member at the scene, Norton II watched all this quietly with a complicated expression.

As the former regent of the Star Dragon Empire, he witnessed with his own eyes the empire's former mortal enemy's rebirth today, and his heart was filled with mixed emotions.

"It's amazing, isn't it?" Amber whispered, now standing beside him.

Norton II nodded slightly: "Indeed, if I hadn't joined the Atlas Group and stayed by your side, I'm afraid I would never have the opportunity to witness this moment."

“History is full of surprises,” Amber said with a smile, “and we are making new history.”

"Yes, creating new history is an addictive feeling."

Norton II looked at Franklin on the stage and thought: "I always feel that this young man has changed a lot."

Amber: "Everyone changes. The key is whether it changes for the better or for the worse~"

After the ceremony, the cooperation between the New Federation and the Atlas Group was resumed and entered a deeper level.

All previously suspended projects were restarted at an astonishing speed, and at Franklin's suggestion, the new federal government departments also began to formally connect to the Atlas Group's "intelligent management system."

There were large-scale personnel adjustments within the Renaissance Alliance. The positions of those "pests" that had been cleared out were quickly filled with newcomers, and the entire alliance was once again filled with an atmosphere of "everything competing and full of vitality."

(End of this chapter)