Chapter 43 (1/2)

At this moment, broadcasted on the virtual display screen of the restaurant was the grand ceremony held for the rescued soldiers in Cato City. At the moment the broadcast showed the descent of the transport s.h.i.+ps, a journalist on the scene looked at the camera and said excitingly, ”Look! The transport s.h.i.+ps filled with the heroes of the Federation have safely descended. This is truly a moment that makes one excited! The Leray Federation is here to welcome the heroic men and women.”

The camera panned over towards the faces of those rescued soldiers, showing their feeling of anxiety, their expectations, and their gratification. Uncontrollable tears began rolling down their faces.

In the scene, Colonel Peter had even walked out of the transport s.h.i.+p with a slight stagger. The audio system within the restaurant suddenly erupted with loud sounds of cheering, frightening Fatty for a moment. When he looked up and saw what was happening on the virtual display screen, he could not help but laugh. That time when he was seated in the transport s.h.i.+p, he had even rejected Peter's invitation and had pushed him out.

At this moment when he saw the recorded scene, he had some unfathomable feeling as if time had rewound in front of his eyes.

The camera turned over to a huge display screen beside the entrance of the s.h.i.+p, and on it were huge words written for the introduction of Colonel Peter.

The welcoming party shouted out, ”Peter! You are our hero!”

The camera zoomed in onto Peter as his lips trembled so much that he could not speak; it was a truly moving scene. Another colonel who wore the same uniform as Peter walked up to him and gave him a big hug as he tried to hold back his tears.

Choking sounds of emotions could be heard by the side of the journalist as he said, ”Welcoming Colonel Peter is his best friend. They have been serving in the same unit for more than ten years. He is a true comrade of Colonel Peter.”

The hug between the two soldiers were truly resolute and fiery. When they separated, that colonel took two steps back before giving a firm salute. His voice was extraordinary clear when he said, ”I have almost lost my best friend! The Federation had almost lost one of her most outstanding soldiers. Colonel Peter, we welcome you back!”

As the camera showed Peter returning the salute, tears finally started flowing down from his eyes. He wiped it off as soon as possible, yet tears continued flowing as he wiped them resolutely. He was trying to control his emotions as he continued to rub his eyes to the point of a slight red soreness.

The camera continued recording the scenes faithfully, showing how the audience was crying in pain. This was a true soldier, one who was willing to bleed but not cry. A true and resolute soldier!

The camera pulled in onto the welcoming Federation soldiers who were in a phalanx formation as long trails of tears flowed down from their eyes. Despite the tears, they stood solemnly and respectfully; akin to hundreds of strong pine trees, they were neat and dignified.

In front of the square-shaped formation was a row of strict generals, the youngest among which already had white hair. The stars on their epaulets that signified their ranks of general were sparkling, yet they stood there just like ordinary soldiers, in a proper military attention posture without any movement at all.

Standing right at the forefront of the square formation was none other than the commanding officer, General Bernadotte. Raising his chest upwards and tipping his head, he shouted, ”Soldiers… Salute!”

With a ”Shua!”, the formation saluted in such an orderly manner that it brought forth the might and heroic feeling that represented the nation's power and emotions, causing others to tremble in their hearts.

General Bernadotte's voice suddenly reverberated in the airport once the audience started quieting down, ”Colonel Peter! The Federation's soldiers are proud of you!”

Tian Xing Jian watched Peter returning the gesture with solemn and respect as this soldier, who had made great contributions for the group of escapees, shouted out two words in a trembling voice:

”Thank you!”

Tian Xing Jian lowered his head. His eyes were kind of red, and he was truly happy that he could bring them back.