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!"
Concluding this very logical inference, the Fatty, who prided himself on his superior logical thinking, immediately decided to play dead from now on and never be a hero again. Whoever wants to be a hero can go ahead; he would retire in the Combat Department.
When leaving, Fatty sincerely requested to division commander Zhou Zhisen that he not participate in any propaganda activities and that his name be kept confidential, not caring about any meritorious awards. His reason was simply that he did not want to become a hero or the object of journalists’ pursuits. He stated that everything he did was just fulfilling his responsibility as a Federation soldier. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ ɴovᴇl(F)ɪre.ɴet
Zhou Zhisen looked at Fatty with a strange expression, feeling puzzled yet satisfied with his request. He said, "If necessary, cooperating with propaganda is also your task. However, since you made this request, I’ll see what I can do about it with the forward command." Smiling, he patted Fatty on the shoulder and said, "Very good! It seems you understand Eastern culture well: ’Success without claiming it; for only those who do not claim it may continue to achieve.’
Uncultured as he was, the rogue left still in a fog, pondering the meaning of success and achievement.
Due to fierce battles in the outer space of Miloke, the medium-sized transport ship did not leave the atmosphere. Instead, under the protection of fighter jets, it flew through the temporary air corridor to the military airport in Kato City.
Of course, the Supreme Command Department and the President’s Office wouldn’t miss this great propaganda opportunity. They held a warm and moving welcome ceremony, with almost all journalists on Miloke Star turning out. The military even provided a dedicated network to transmit signals for this Federation-wide live broadcast welcome ceremony.
Fatty, who slipped away from the maintenance door of the transport ship, naturally did not witness the welcome scene. He was reading the Federation’s Freedom Newspaper the next day, which wrote:
The airport was already crowded with soldiers and civilians who had heard the news. Under the escort of countless fighter jets, the transport ship slowly landed. Some of the local Miloke soldiers’ families, who had already been brought to the airport, couldn’t help but break down in tears. Their emotion was contagious, and many people started crying. These Federation soldiers had gone through so much suffering, and now, they were back!
When Colonel Pete, the highest-ranking officer among the rescued POWs, appeared at the hatch first, the crowd erupted in cheers that echoed across the universe. They called out the names of every captured Federation soldier, the scene so passionate and moving.
The makeshift information board displayed the details of all the rescued soldiers. Every soldier stepping out of the hatch was welcomed like a triumphant hero.
Yes, they are the heroes of the Federation! These Federation soldiers fought for Miloke Star, for the Federation’s freedom, and for its honor.
They are the undisputed heroes!
The soldiers, waiting in formation for their comrades’ return, stood silently, their strong eyes reddening.
They told reporters that they were proud to be born in such an honorable country and proud of the Federation Army’s relentless efforts to rescue POWs. They believed that in future battles, the Federation would not abandon any of its beloved children, and all its soldiers would fight to the end to resist the invaders.
Tian Xingjian sighed, putting down the newspaper. Gazing blankly out the transport ship window bound for Gallipalan.
In the Federation, rescuing soldiers captured for experiments alive was more important than winning a major battle. This nation valued life and freedom as a tradition. Most of its people cherished peace, loved life, and respected everyone around them.
Tian Xingjian seemed to see Ali’s honest and ingratiating face again. In a trance, following a gunshot, that face became pale and numb.
In his ears, Torick’s voice echoed: "Thus, I will never let this damned country become our ruler!"
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