First-Class Merit

The Liaoning docked, and the Shandong took over for combat readiness patrols, while the Fujian Carrier began frequent departures to test its systems.

After docking for maintenance and resupply, the Liaoning would soon set sail again to replace the Shandong. This was one of the advantages of conventional aircraft carriers: they were easier to maintain, unlike nuclear-powered carriers which required complex upkeep.

With the warships docked, the personnel naturally rotated for leave. By the time the Liaoning set sail again, they likely wouldn't have much time to rest.

"Here, your phone."

"Thanks."

At the storage office, after finishing the report on contact with aliens, Liu Jun retrieved his deposited phone. Under the familiar HarmonyOS logo, the phone powered on. He opened WeChat, and his contact list had fewer than 15 people in total.

He opened his Mom's profile and checked her messages: [Son, are you coming home for Chinese New Year this year? I'll make your favorite dishes!]

Liu Jun's lips curved slightly. He calculated the time; the Liaoning would have already set sail for Chinese New Year.

He then opened his Dad's WeChat. There was only one sentence: [Take care of yourself.]

Men weren't good at expressing emotions, and father and son were no different.

He wanted to text them to say he was coming home, but then he reconsidered and put his phone away. What if there was an emergency mission? It would only lead to his parents having a surprise that was then canceled. It was better not to inform them for now.

Several other contacts sent messages, all related to his final exam scores. Liu Jun smiled with satisfaction.

Just then, he heard footsteps behind him. He saw his mentor, Zhang Peng, give him a knowing glance and pull him into a corner, saying mysteriously, "Xiao Jun, come here for a moment."

"Okay, mentor."

He followed Zhang Peng towards the island, entering the briefing room. Inside, he saw the Captain, the carrier air wing commander, Senior Colonel Zhang Jun, and Political Commissar Yang Wei, also a Senior Colonel. Standing before them were the two pilots from aircraft [140].

Upon seeing Liu Jun, both pilots immediately nodded at him. Although they didn't say it aloud, they knew very well how he had risked being shot down by alien spacecraft, taking on the tailing threat to buy them time to escape.

No need for extra words. If necessary, they would unhesitatingly shield their comrade from missiles!

"You're here."

Yang Wei saw Liu Jun and gave him a kind smile. Zhang Jun motioned for him to stand opposite them. Liu Jun seemed to sense something.

Meanwhile, in a small third-tier city in the central region of East University, in an ordinary residential complex.

In a 70-square-meter apartment, a man with graying temples was writing on Xuan paper. After putting down his brush, the man looked with satisfaction at the poem he had written.

In the kitchen, a woman was carefully washing vegetable leaves, occasionally glancing at a live stream on her phone. As people got older, their entertainment options were limited, and she enjoyed watching live streams.

Seeing the streamer in the video extolling products with exaggerated claims, a strong desire to buy surged from the depths of her heart. Live streaming was like this; buying things was purely impulsive, regardless of whether they were needed.

"Pah, pah, pah, it's all lies! Not buying!"

The woman swiped away the streamer on the screen and started watching videos of cats and dogs.

"Hmm? What's that sound?"

Suddenly, the woman frowned, as if she had heard something. She paused the stream and tilted her head to listen. Soon, she realized there actually was the sound of gongs and drums, and it wasn't her imagination.

"Lao Liu, what's that sound?"

Hearing his wife's call, Lao Liu put down his brush and walked to the balcony to look outside. He could vaguely see a crowd gathering at the entrance of the complex, seemingly watching something.

"Looks like some event is happening at the entrance. Maybe a new shop is opening."

After saying that, Lao Liu returned to the room to practice calligraphy. However, as he practiced, the sound of gongs and drums outside grew louder, seeming to approach the building where they lived.

"Huh?"

"Lao Liu! Lao Liu! Come here quickly!" The woman suddenly called out urgently to the old man, her voice trembling slightly.

"What's wrong?"

Lao Liu walked to the window and saw his wife clutching her clothes, looking at the approaching crowd outside. In the center of the crowd, a banner with something written on it was being held up. The people walking at the front seemed familiar from the local television station.

"You... you don't think... you don't think Xiao Jun is... is in trouble, do you?!" As she spoke, her voice began to crack with tears.

"Don't talk nonsense. Have you ever seen anyone being celebrated with gongs and drums after they died? If something really happened to Xiao Jun, it would be the military knocking on our door!"

"Ah! Right! Look at me... Pah! Pah! Pah!"

Lao Liu comforted his wife while carefully looking outside. As the crowd drew closer, he finally saw what was written on the banner: [Home of a First-Class Merit Recipient].

According to regulations, those with significant contributions could be awarded a Third-Class Merit. Those with important contributions could receive a Second-Class Merit. Those with major contributions and impact could be awarded a First-Class Merit.

Of course, how this was determined was a matter of considerable debate. However, aircraft [140] and [139]—one was the first aircraft in East University's history to be damaged by alien civilization, and the other was the first pilot in human history to shoot down an alien creation. The impact was, in a word, historic!

If humanity's battle against alien civilization was victorious, human history would record that an East University pilot was the first to shoot down an alien! The Liaoning's flight squadron had made history! And humanity would only remember the first, just like Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin, the first man in space—who remembered the second person?

In this context, awarding a [First-Class Merit] was not excessive. The reasons for not awarding Liu Jun a Special Merit were twofold: firstly, East University was not yet in a state of war, and First-Class Merit was the highest commendation; secondly, Liu Jun was still young, and excessive honors would not be beneficial for him. It was better to temper him a bit.

Liu Jun's path ahead was still long. When the commendation was announced throughout the entire army, everyone would know of him. The Group Army had already registered him, and even higher authorities were aware of such a promising pilot. Promotion was only a matter of time.

The three of them looked at the pilots before them and puffed out their chests. The Liaoning had also received a collective First-Class Merit, and afterward, there would be a commendation as a [Model of the Era]. It could be said to be the highest honor for East University!

"Today, we are here to solemnly hold the ceremony for awarding the First-Class Merit, and to extend our warmest congratulations to our pilot comrades who have made outstanding contributions in their posts!

This honor is not only an affirmation of your bloody battles and fearless spirit but also the highest praise for your loyalty to the Party and the people!

In the previous battles, with your firm conviction, solid work style, and exceptional talent, you successfully shot down alien spacecraft, proving that aliens are not invincible.

Whether it was proving the honor of Naval Aviation or demonstrating the People's Army's ability to win battles, you displayed extraordinary capability and responsibility. Your contributions not only earned honor for the collective but also set an example for East University.

Here, I sincerely hope that you will cherish this honor, continue to maintain a humble and cautious attitude, and carry forward the spirit of courage and pursuit of excellence.

At the same time, I also hope that you will become role models for more people, inspiring more individuals to set you as a benchmark and contribute their strength to the collective and the people!

Finally, I once again congratulate you, comrades!"