Celebration

"The heavy transport helicopter's towing team has completed the towing operation for 'Taishan' and is now commencing takeoff."

After the helicopter pilot finished his report, the aircraft slowly ascended, lifting "Taishan."

"This is Ruan Fangfang, reporter from Hong Kong Station, reporting live. After 'Taishan' eliminated 'Bladehead,' it was towed to the shore, and the Guangzhou Military Region is now in charge of the Kaiju's remains."

"Now, 'Taishan' is about to return to base. Although the military has not released any information about the pilots of 'Taishan,' please allow me to represent the 7.62 million residents of Hong Kong in extending our sincere gratitude to the pilots of 'Taishan.'"

"Thank you to them, and to the fighter jets and warships from the military that came to our aid, for saving the lives and safety of us, Hong Kong's 7.62 million residents."

"Thank you for preserving the prosperous city of Hong Kong, for protecting our homeland, thank you!"

The journey back took much longer than the journey there.

On the way there, they had to intercept "Bladehead" in time, so they took shortcuts, flying directly over the city.

This caused considerable panic.

There was no need to rush on the way back, so they flew along the coastal defense line.

After all, the Shatterdome base was a classified facility.

Even the towing of "Taishan" had avoided the sight of the people of Dalian.

As for the pilots, Xiao Shou and Xie Yushan, there was even less to say.

Their security clearance was no less than that of the Commanders of the seven major military regions.

And only a select few individuals were qualified to view their specific information.

Given that only a handful of people nationwide had access, one could imagine their status.

Top Secret Personnel File

Name: Xiao Shou

Age: 19

Gender: Male

Personality: Slightly introverted, kind, and honest.

Rank: Private

Currently serving at the Z Nation Jaeger Combat Department's Dalian Shatterdome base.

One of the pilots of the Jaeger "Taishan."

Combat Record: First battle against a Category 3 Kaiju, "Bladehead," a success.

Place of Birth: Unknown (Orphan)

Grew up at the Dalian City Third Social Welfare Institute.

Family: Xiao Kaiyuan (Former director of the social welfare institute, deceased)

Chen Yuhe (Owner of Grandma He's Noodle House, considered Xiao Shou's second guardian, mother of Vice Captain Jin Rong)

Jin Rong (Vice Captain and leader of the Dalian Shatterdome Base Information Analysis Team)

Li Xintong (Nickname Bao'er during her time at the welfare institute, childhood friend of Xiao Shou)

Evaluation: Outstanding personality, exceptionally gifted, with a neural connection value to "Taishan" exceeding 95%.

Recommendation: However, his willpower needs further tempering. Additionally, due to his mild autism, he should receive regular psychological treatment.

Top Secret Personnel File

Name: Xie Yushan

Age: 22

Gender: Female

Personality: Resilient, combative, unwilling to yield, outwardly cold but inwardly warm.

Rank: Second Lieutenant

Currently serving at the Z Nation Jaeger Combat Department's Dalian Shatterdome base.

One of the pilots of "Taishan."

Combat Record: First battle against "Bladehead" a success.

Place of Birth: Heishan, Liaoning.

Family: Father, Lin Huixin (Commander of the Dalian Shatterdome Base escort fighter wing)

Mother, Xie Bo (Deceased)

Maternal Grandmother, Shi Fengmei (Deceased)

Younger Sister, Lin Yuxuan (Half-sister, currently a member of the Dalian Shatterdome Base Command Center Information Analysis Team)

Evaluation: Strong will, but somewhat paranoid.

Recommendation: Suspected family factors contributing to personality, should undergo regular psychological therapy.

Dalian Shatterdome Base.

"Hatch six opening!"

"Tractor team, receive orders: tow 'Taishan' to hatch six."

"Understood!"

"Taishan" landed heavily on the deck.

Without Xiao Shou and Xie Yushan piloting, the automatic treads beneath the deck would drag "Taishan" into the Shatterdome Base hall.

The escort fighter wing of twelve aircraft led by Captain Lin Huixin had already returned by the time the war ended.

As soon as Xiao Shou stepped out of the cockpit onto the deck, his legs felt unsteady.

Walking felt floaty; it was more draining than a ten-kilometer armed run.

His head also felt groggy, a lingering after-effect of neural connection.

This battle was relatively quick; sometimes, battles could drag on for hours or even half a day.

After such prolonged engagements, pilots would often collapse in their cockpits.

So, the condition of Xiao Shou and Xie Yushan was considered good.

As soon as they landed, the staff and soldiers on the deck saluted them in unison.

This made Xiao Shou feel overwhelmed; he had never received such treatment before.

He was stunned on the spot and quickly returned a less-than-perfect salute.

Before they could react further, a group of people ran towards them from hatch six, cheering.

They lifted Xiao Shou and Xie Yushan high into the air.

"Our heroes are back!"

"You did brilliantly!"

Everyone was incredibly excited.

This war meant that Z Nation's Pan-Pacific Defense Line was no longer a playground for Kaiju.

They could no longer run rampant in Z Nation with impunity!

Lin Huixin, standing nearby, watched Xiao Shou and Xie Yushan with a smile.

He didn't dare approach his daughter, fearing he might upset Xie Yushan.

Lin Yuxuan, however, didn't hesitate and rushed forward to hug her sister.

Xie Yushan didn't push her away; it wouldn't be fair to transfer her hatred for their father's abandonment onto her sister.

Mao Shucheng and Zhu Qian also approached.

The crowd quickly parted to make way for them.

"Hahaha, you two, I have to tell you, I've never seen such a spectacular battle. Well done!"

Mao Shucheng grabbed Xiao Shou and Xie Yushan's hands, speaking excitedly.

He was always a straightforward person.

At this moment, he wouldn't suppress or treat them harshly.

Zhu Qian was also beaming, and for the first time, he told Xiao Shou to "keep up the good work."

Normally, due to Mao Shucheng's personality, Zhu Qian always played the role of the stern one.

Now, he didn't hold back his praise for Xiao Shou and Xie Yushan.

Lin Huixin, standing at the back of the crowd, thought for a long time before finally walking forward.

When Xie Yushan saw him approaching, she turned her head away.

Lin Huixin sighed inwardly.

Nevertheless, he walked up to Xiao Shou.

"I retract my previous inappropriate remarks and apologize to you. Thank you for your efforts and hers in repelling the invaders, which saved us many casualties."

Lin Huixin's expression darkened.

He was indeed very grateful to Xiao Shou and his daughter. Without "Taishan" holding the line, the military casualties would likely have been significant.

When "Shanlan" attacked Dalian previously, the fighter jets dispatched by the military were his Falcon Squadron, twenty-two aircraft in total, but only two survived, including himself.

Although the Jaeger Combat Department later kept him in Dalian to rebuild the Falcon Squadron, they were ultimately not the same comrades as before.

Without Jaegers, lives had to be sacrificed to fill the gap.

This was reality, a cruel reality.

"Captain, what are you saying? If it weren't for you and your escort fighter wing, 'Taishan,' we wouldn't have won so easily."

Lin Huixin wanted to laugh but couldn't. Who could possibly know his suffering?

"Alright, let's not dwell on unpleasant matters. Today, I'm making an exception. Except for the sentries, everyone can drink their fill! Let's all celebrate properly!"

"Hooray! Long live!"

They were soldiers and not allowed to drink alcohol. Ever since the Dalian Shatterdome base was established, many hadn't even returned home.

Most of them worked tirelessly at this base, day and night.

Fortunately, they had delivered a result that satisfied Z Nation and the world.

At this point, what was wrong with making an exception for once?