After sending Colonel Chaimon and the other psychics, who had been itching to land and cut loose, on their way, Yu Lian turned to Kong Qingyu. "You've read the report from Tulong Command, right? I think every officer and soldier in those units that held the mountain passes deserves a Silver Star Medal for Valor! How about we submit a joint recommendation to the Defense Committee and both sign it?"
The aging first mate paused for a moment, then hurriedly nodded.
Those units that had held the mountain passes had now withdrawn to the second line of defense, where they continued fighting. They had been among the first to encounter the enemy and the first to engage them. Yet when faced with a furious assault by a numerically superior force, they had remained calm and put up an exceptionally effective resistance. After inflicting losses far greater than their own, they had withdrawn safely to the second line of defense.
According to the reports so far, these units included marines, local security forces, militias, and domestic volunteers. It had been a fine display of unity. They certainly deserved the credit for the battle's greatest achievement.
Kong had no objections to that. What truly surprised him was Yu Lian's suggestion that he sign the commendation request.
First Mate Kong Qingyu had served in the military for nearly forty years. He had seen far too many insatiably greedy officers: when it came time to take responsibility, they vanished like rust-proofing mist; but when there was power to grab and attention to attract, they ran faster than baboons in mating season.
A report like this, submitted to the military's top brass, was a way of commending the troops below, but at the end of the day it was also a chance to claim credit