"Real peace? Then what about the Bald Eagle and the others...?"
Commander Tian chuckled, his laughter carrying the unrestrained relief of a burden finally lifted:
"Comrade Tianyi, as we are now, there is nothing left for us to fear."
He paused, and a complicated glimmer flashed in his eyes—the light only possessed by someone who had endured countless sleepless nights before finally seeing dawn.
"When the higher-ups decided to step out, those people who once seemed so untouchable turned out to be nothing but paper tigers."
"Comrade Tianyi, it turns out we're the great powers now! Hahahaha!"
He laughed loudly and freely, nothing like the rigorous, steady Commander Tian he usually was.
His laughter seemed infectious. At that moment, all the comrades who had fought day and night were laughing.
Tianyi laughed as well.
"Great powers..." he softly repeated the words, weighing their meaning.
"We've finally reached this point."
"Yes, we've finally reached this point."
Commander Tian then nodded, but his tone shifted. "By the way, Comrade Tianyi, there's one more matter."
Tianyi looked at Commander Tian in confusion. Commander Tian's smile slowly faded, his expression turning solemn.
He rose to his feet, straightened his uniform, smoothed his collar, and adjusted the brim of his cap.
"Attention, everyone!"
The relaxed atmosphere instantly became serious. Neat footsteps rang out as everyone stood at once.
Tianyi instinctively straightened his back. Commander Tian cleared his throat, his voice solemn:
"Comrade Tianyi."
"Present."
"In recognition of your outstanding contributions to the Firmament Project, providing the nation with the core principles of spatial technology.
Personally training the core members of the Flying Thunder God Squad and offering crucial guidance in numerous major operations.
Especially in the recent operations, the Flying Thunder God Squad's military achievements were inseparable from your instruction."
He paused.
"After deliberation by