In early October, the expedition team's isolation and recovery period concluded, and they transitioned to a recuperation phase.
Shan Qiuyu couldn't wait any longer and immediately arranged a celebration.
Whether it was a celebration or not was secondary; the key was to give the expedition team a public appearance after their return to Earth. Look, this is the combat team that went to Jupiter, faced alien species head-on, and returned safely. Envious? Jealous?
That afternoon, the base auditorium was packed. All the officers and soldiers of the expedition team, wearing crisp new uniforms and red flowers pinned to their chests, entered the venue to thunderous applause.
Indeed, unfashionable but with formidable combat power.
The red flower was an old military tradition, an unwritten convention. For anything auspicious, be it new recruits enlisting, veterans retiring, or equipment being commissioned, a red flower had to be affixed. Even the Expedition No. 2 had one tied to its bow when it departed.
Expedition No. 1 didn't have one, not out of choice, but because time was too tight to arrange it.
However, no one had expected Shan Qiuyu to do something like this at the celebration.
What era is this, Sir?
Director Shan, without yielding his place, was the first to step onto the stage and deliver an impassioned speech. He highly praised the achievements of the expedition team, encouraged them to strive for new accomplishments, and proposed the expedition spirit centered on resilience, calling on all base personnel to learn from the expedition team.
As Shan Qiuyu spoke volubly on the stage, Ling Xiao, looking at the red flower on his chest below, had a look of utter despair: "I knew it, I damn well knew it!"
First the decorations, then the effusive praise, this wasn't a public appearance, it was practically a public execution!
Ou Zhanpeng felt nothing. So what if they appeared? It was an opportunity other branches of the military wouldn't get!
Soon, Shan Qiuyu finished his speech and cleared his throat: "Now, the promotion orders will be read. First, the crew of Expedition No. 1. Everyone is collectively promoted one rank. Please, Team One, come to the stage!"
No one was surprised. Their trip to Jupiter was essentially a life-or-death mission. What was wrong with a promotion? They had earned it with their lives!
Exciting military music played in the hall as the 46-member team, led by Luo Tu, marched onto the stage.
Luo Tu wanted to let Ou Zhanpeng take the first position, as in his eyes, his contribution as captain was far less than Ou Zhanpeng's. But Ou Zhanpeng absolutely refused, so he reluctantly took the lead.
The host continued in a clear and resonant voice: "They piloted a hastily manufactured warship and resolutely embarked on their journey, pioneering a flight to Mars. Overcoming immense difficulties, with the belief that they would eliminate the enemy even if it meant never returning, they diverted to Jupiter and pursued with a spirit of facing death as if returning home. It is no exaggeration to say that every step of Expedition No. 1 was a dance on the tip of a knife. A single misstep would have resulted in the destruction of the ship and the death of all aboard. Their safe return is nothing short of a miracle!"
As he spoke, the base command staff, led by Shan Qiuyu, personally pinned the new rank insignia onto the first group of 12 members.
Captain Ou was suddenly Major Ou, proudly entering the officer ranks.
The first group turned, saluted, and left the stage.
Next came the second group, the third group, and the fourth group, which consisted of only 10 people.
The two missing members: one sacrificed in the Jupiter campaign, and the other died of illness, caused by malnutrition and complications, on the eve of Expedition No. 1's arrival at Jupiter.
No one knew which would come first, an accident or tomorrow. The most important thing was to cherish the present, not to aim too high.
Next were the crew members of Expedition No. 2. They were also all promoted one rank. However, the fact that their promotions were listed after Team One already highlighted many issues.
Liu Wenwen was very unwilling, believing she should have been in the first group to be promoted. But no matter how unwilling she was, there was nothing she could do. Fate was indeed capricious; it gave her the opportunity to fly into the vast unknown, but not the luck to board the No. 1 ship.
Expedition No. 2 was more advanced, with more time for equipment preparation and ample supplies. Therefore, no one died of illness. However, three members were sacrificed in combat, and only 33 people ascended the stage.
A moment later, Shan Qiuyu personally announced: "In view of Expedition No. 1 achieving numerous breakthroughs in its first expedition to Mars, first expedition to Jupiter, and other aspects, with more than ten 'firsts,' overcoming a series of difficulties, and demonstrating unparalleled courage during the expedition, the superior authority has decided to award the Expedition No. 1 team a collective first-class merit!"
Before he finished speaking, a stir erupted throughout the venue.
This was a collective first-class merit, the pinnacle that everyone dared not even dream of!
Shan Qiuyu continued to announce: "In view of Expedition No. 2's outstanding performance during the expedition, the superior authority has decided to award the Expedition No. 2 team a collective second-class merit!"
Liu Wenwen felt she should be happy; after all, a collective second-class merit was an honor that was difficult to attain in the past. However, with the brilliance of Expedition No. 1 before them, she couldn't bring herself to be happy.
So, better warships meant a lower standing?
She knew, of course, that it wasn't about the quality of the warships, but more about the unimaginable difficulties overcome by the No. 1 ship. Yet, she couldn't help but feel uneasy.
Why?
Shan Qiuyu switched to another order: "Now, the personal awards will be read. Ou Zhanpeng, awarded a first-class merit three times!"
Hoo!
Everyone on and off stage was stunned. A first-class merit, three times for one trip to Jupiter? That was too exaggerated! Was a first-class merit like common cabbage?
The members of the expedition team remained calm. They had voluntarily stayed behind to provide firepower, crushing the further development of alien species, which was enough for one merit; piloting the ship alone to Jupiter and saving the lives of all the crew members of the No. 1 ship was also enough for another merit.
Everyone had risked their lives, but there was a difference between ordinary risks and fighting to the death.
But where did the third merit come from?
Ou Zhanpeng was also bewildered. It wasn't until Shan Qiuyu handed him a combat medal, a support and logistics medal, and a national defense science and technology medal that he realized the origin of the last medal.
Shan Qiuyu gave him an encouraging smile: "Well done!"
Ou Zhanpeng turned and saluted.
He understood, but the others were even more bewildered. Combat and support and logistics were understandable, but how did a science and technology medal come into play?
Ling Xiao suddenly remembered the solid-state smoke hull and thought, could it be because of this invention that he received a first-class merit? But upon reflection, without this invention, it was uncertain when the expedition warships could have been built. Even the No. 3 ship used this design. Receiving a first-class merit didn't seem too strange, did it?
Shan Qiuyu continued to read: "Luo Tu, awarded a first-class merit once!"
"Liu Wenwen, awarded a first-class merit once!"
Both received command medals with double sabers on their ribbons.
"Xu Qing, awarded a first-class merit once!" Shan Qiuyu handed her a support and logistics medal.
Although the entire process was normal, those who were privy to the situation felt that such a medal carried a hidden meaning towards Xu Qing – whom had she supported and whom had she provided logistics for?
"Ling Xiao, awarded a second-class merit once!"
Without comparison, there was no harm. Looking at Ou Zhanpeng and then thinking of himself, Young Master Ling immediately felt a pang of bitterness: both had two shoulders and a head, why was there such a sudden difference?