Chapter 18

"What was found?" Nia and Meiduo were somewhat puzzled.

"The one who single-handedly eliminated seven enemy senior commanders at the rank of colonel or above, including a major general division commander and a brigadier general chief of staff, turned out to be this person who was with you." A young operations staff officer explained excitedly.

Another slightly older colonel officer smiled and said, "A few months ago, news came from the front line that the headquarters of an enemy divisional unit had been completely wiped out. It was said that an energy cannon was used to launch a surprise attack from the southwest of the base at night, killing and wounding more than thirty enemies who were sleeping in the barracks, including seven senior officers."

The colonel officer rummaged through a stack of documents on the table and took out one from the bottom, then handed it to Meiduo, saying, "Here, this is it."

Meiduo and Nia huddled together to look at the document, and the colonel continued, "When this news came, everyone was very excited. The President's Office even sent people to verify it personally, preparing to issue a commendation. However, no matter how much we investigated, we couldn't figure out who had done it. None of the New Roman troops were present in that area that night, and the air force didn't carry out any similar attacks. The Federal Propaganda Department had repeatedly urged the front-line headquarters, saying that in order to boost the morale of the federal military and civilians, this federal hero must be found. But we had searched everywhere we could. Since no one claimed the credit, there was nothing we could do. We couldn't just find someone to falsely claim it, could we? If such a thing were exposed, it would definitely be a scandal."

The young operations staff officer nodded and said, "As soon as I saw the coordinates of that area, I felt it was familiar. I kept thinking in my mind whether it could be... Hey, unexpectedly, I guessed it right. The time, location, and weapons all matched exactly, and there was evidence from the battlefield recorder. Now those guys in the propaganda department are really happy. I really didn't expect that this guy could wipe out an imperial army headquarters like this. Those unlucky fellows really died unjustly."

Nia and Meiduo looked at each other in dismay. Both thought in their hearts, "That fatty was just trying to run away. Could such a guy really become a federal hero?" Just thinking that the lecherous fatty was about to become the most despicable hero of all mankind, the two felt a sense of disgust.

After the war simulation network in the laboratory was completed, the front-line command decided to talk to the fatty. Who would have thought that this cowardly wretch actually thought he would be dragged away and shot...

Upon hearing that he had become a hero, the fatty immediately became delighted. In fact, whether he was a hero or not didn't matter much to the fatty. The fact that his life was saved was a truly great joy. Moreover, he was rather confused about how he had become a hero.

Now, the entire front-line headquarters was also filled with a sense of disgust. After hearing the report from the military police captain, everyone was stunned. They looked at each other, thinking that they really should have just found someone to replace this guy at the beginning. Publicizing such a hero might well turn into an even bigger scandal than false claiming.

The No. 1 officer of the front-line headquarters, who had already arranged the office and put on his general's uniform to welcome the hero, General Bernadotte, the commander-in-chief of the Milok Army Group of the Leray Federation Army, was extremely annoyed. Such a great achievement was actually made by such a fatty. It really seemed that the heavens were not showing favor! And this idiot was so disappointing. He didn't understand the situation and actually burst into tears in front of so many people, even clinging to a woman's leg and acting shamelessly.

It was really a headache!

Trying hard to calm himself down, Bernadotte thought to himself, "Although this is the case, at least we've confirmed the authenticity of this matter. The complete destruction of the enemy's front-line headquarters has thoroughly disrupted the imperial army's offensive plan against New Rome. Otherwise, New Rome would surely have fallen by now. Such a great victory must be publicized, but the main body of the publicity should be the army as a whole and the front-line command. Just mention the fatty briefly. But under no circumstances should the reporters be allowed to conduct an exclusive interview with this idiot, or the entire army will lose all its face!!"

After discussing with several high-ranking officers of the front-line headquarters beside him, the determined lieutenant general waved his hand and told the guards to bring Tian Kaiwen into the office.

After a while, the fatty, dressed in the corporal's uniform of a mechanical maintenance soldier, walked in with firm steps. His performance was not as bad as what the military police had reported. His standard and forceful military salute even had a bit of the demeanor of a resolute soldier. The generals exchanged glances. They knew that the military police wouldn't and couldn't lie. So, if the guy who clung to a woman's leg and acted shamelessly was the same person as the seemingly meticulous soldier in front of them, there was only one answer: This despicable fatty was really something!!

Bernadotte remained silent for a long time, hesitating, "It's just for publicity. Maybe this guy can manage it."

Seeing that nothing happened for a long time, the fatty became nervous. The resolute expression he had been trying to maintain began to waver, gradually showing a fake smile with a hint of confusion and obsequiousness.

Bernadotte slapped himself hard twice in his mind. "Bah, I'm such an idiot. This guy becoming a federal hero would be the biggest joke in the universe."

"Corporal Tian Kaiwen, from the 1st Squad of the Logistics Squadron of the 3rd Armored Brigade of the 5th Armored Division of the former Federal Marine Corps. Due to his brave combat, quick-wittedness, and numerous remarkable achievements, at 5 a.m. on February 20, 2060, in the New Era, he launched a heroic and fearless attack on the enemy's forward base that was advancing on New Rome City. He killed and wounded more than thirty enemies. Among them, seven officers at the rank of colonel or above in the headquarters, including the major-general division commander and the brigadier-general chief of staff of the enemy's 3rd Armored Division, were killed. He successfully completed the task of attacking the enemy and protecting himself, alleviating the enemy's offensive momentum against New Rome. As a result, the enemy's attacking forces finally returned without success under the counterattack of the Federal Space Fleet. His outstanding contributions are worthy of commendation. Therefore, Corporal Tian Kaiwen is hereby promoted to the vice-company commander of the 1st Company of the Direct Reconnaissance Battalion of the 16th Armored Division of the Marine Corps and is awarded the rank of lieutenant. He is also awarded the First-Class Merit and the Golden Heart Medal."

Bernadotte, with a smile on his face, presented the freshly written commendation order to Tian Kaiwen and said, "Lieutenant, congratulations. You are a hero of the Leray Federation, and we are all proud of you!!"

Tian Kaiwen took the commendation order and asked cautiously, "Where is the 16th Armored Division now?"

Bernadotte pointed to the electronic map on the wall behind him with a beaming smile and said, "It's here, responsible for the defense south of Kato City and north of the central part of the Gaoling Jungle."

"The front line?!" The fatty became anxious, "But I'm a mechanical maintenance soldier!"

Bernadotte's smile froze slightly. He said, "Haha, we've checked your information. You were the only soldier in the new recruit training team who completed two training programs. Moreover, your training results in the reconnaissance training team were excellent, as can be seen from your more than twenty successful break-throughs. These break-through experiences are extremely valuable, and you have the obligation to pass them on to more soldiers. We have full confidence in you and hope that you will continue to work hard in your new position, carry forward the spirit of not fearing death at all, make new achievements, and render new meritorious services."

These were all things that several people had discussed and decided. Since the reporters couldn't be allowed to contact this so-called hero, he couldn't be allowed to stay in a position where the reporters could easily find him. The 16th Armored Division, which was responsible for the defense of the mountainous jungle outside the city, was most suitable. And the vice-company commander of the reconnaissance company could be on a mission when the reporters came for an interview, which was also a good way to hide the fatty completely.

Seeing that this idiot was about to say something, Bernadotte quickly said, "All right, we need to study the battle situation. That's it. Congratulations again." He waved his hand, and the guards beside him almost half-dragged and half-escorted the fatty out of the door.

"Goodbye!"

The door closed.

The fatty muttered to himself in a daze, "How short the peaceful days were!!"