Rewards

Central Tower, Quadria plane, Timestone tower.

Millions of soldiers lined up in neat uniforms at the Timestone Tower. This magnificent structure stood as one of the most beautiful buildings in the Central Tower. Its slim white metallic structure was adorned with a stunning blue stone engraving at the top, which glowed radiantly with different colors when touched by direct sunlight. It was truly one of the most breathtaking creations of humanity.

Everyone stood below the podium, eagerly awaiting the commencement of the ceremony. It was broadcast live, allowing soldiers stationed at the Oort Cloud and citizens in various locations to watch with keen interest. The giant hologram displayed the ceremony for all to see, uniting people across different regions in shared anticipation.

Timestone tower.

High-ranking officials and members of the High Council began to emerge one by one, taking their positions beside the podium in accordance with their rank and seniority. General Rick stood proudly alongside Henry and his team of elite members, while other distinguished soldiers who had performed admirably in the War of Zeoter filled the ranks of the assembled crowd.

"Hello everyone. My name is Bryson, and it is my honor to host this important event today," Bryson introduced himself with a respectful nod to Lord Adril and the assembled audience.

"Today's ceremony is a tribute to the brave soldiers who stood on the front lines, fighting for what they believe in: protecting everyone. They sacrificed their lives so that we could live peacefully in our homes," Bryson continued with a solemn tone, acknowledging the sacrifices made by the soldiers.

"Without these soldiers, our solar system would have been overrun by the Entomons by now, and we are holding this ceremony to express our sincere gratitude to them. Today's ceremony is especially for these brave soldiers who fought in the Perseus and Island clusters," Bryson emphasized, highlighting the specific areas of conflict.

"And also, I would like to announce that, yesterday, in our major battle against the enemy, we emerged victorious. I want to address those who are listening from home. I urge you to pay close attention. Despite facing an unprecedented crisis, do not despair. As long as there is a will to live, there is hope for humanity," the announcer continued, praising the soldiers for another 10 minutes.

"I now invite Lord Adril to share a few words and officially commence the ceremony," the announcer concluded, stepping aside.

Lord Adril ascended the podium with a solemn expression, his gaze sweeping over the assembled soldiers before him. A profound sense of responsibility weighed heavily on his shoulders as he contemplated the sacrifices made by these brave men and women. He felt a pang of guilt knowing that he had sent them into the fray, potentially to their deaths, all in the name of protecting humanity. Their unwavering dedication and willingness to lay down their lives for the greater good filled him with both admiration and sorrow.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Lord Adril began to address the crowd. His voice, though firm, carried a tinge of solemnity as he spoke.

As Lord Adril spoke, a single tear escaped his eye, a silent tribute to the fallen soldiers whose memory weighed heavily on his heart. The camera captured this moment of vulnerability, broadcasting it to all who watched, a poignant reminder of the human cost of war.

Regaining his composure, Lord Adril bowed deeply before the assembled crowd, his expression now one of gratitude and respect. "Thank you, everyone, for protecting humanity," he said, his voice steady despite the lingering emotion in his eyes.

In that simple expression of gratitude, the soldiers found solace and validation for their sacrifices. They understood the depth of Lord Adril's appreciation, and it strengthened their resolve to continue fighting for the cause they believed in.

As Lord Adril's words echoed through the crowd, a wave of emotion swept over the soldiers gathered below. The weight of their sacrifices and the magnitude of their collective efforts washed over them, overwhelming their stoic facades.

Tears welled in the eyes of many, their emotions breaking through the barriers they had erected to endure the hardships of war. Some soldiers openly wept, their tears mingling with the cheers and cries of their comrades. Others, overcome by the depth of their emotions, found themselves unable to contain their feelings any longer, their voices rising in raw, unfiltered expressions of grief and relief.

In that moment, beneath the radiant glow of the Timestone tower, the soldiers found solace in each other's shared struggles and triumphs. Their tears and cries were not signs of weakness, but rather testaments to the strength of their spirit and the depth of their commitment to protecting humanity.

"Long live Lord Adril!!"

"Long live Lord Adril!!"

The resounding chant of Lord Adril's name echoed through the crowd, a chorus of gratitude and determination. Each voice raised in unison, a testament to the unity and resolve of humanity's defenders. They understood the weight of their responsibility, the gravity of their duty to safeguard not just themselves, but all of humanity.

Their hearts swelled with pride as they embraced their role as protectors, as guardians of a future they held dear. No longer mere soldiers, they were warriors with a noble cause, fighting not for glory or reward, but for the survival of their species.

With renewed determination, they pledged to give their all in the face of adversity, to stand firm against the encroaching darkness and defend humanity with every ounce of their strength. For they knew that in this struggle, failure was not an option. It was their duty, their calling, to fight for the survival of humanity, no matter the cost. And with Lord Adril's words ringing in their ears, they marched forward, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, united in purpose and unwavering in their resolve.

The scenes broadcasted into homes stirred emotions across the populace. Tears flowed freely as families watched the solemn ceremony unfold, feeling a deep sense of pride and gratitude for the soldiers who stood at the forefront of humanity's defense.

"Mom! I want to join the army. I want to get enlisted in the military." A child looked at his mother and said with a firm voice.

The child's eyes gleamed with determination as he declared his ambition to his mother, his voice filled with resolve.

"Silly child," the mother responded gently, her hand tousling his hair affectionately, "you are still too young to enlist in the military. You must be 17 years of age, even with parental consent."

She sighed deeply, a mixture of pride and concern evident in her expression as she regarded her determined son.

She too wanted to contribute something to the military.

The news of their impending doom was made public last week. Initially, there was widespread concern and worry among the population. However, due to the government's calm and measured handling of the situation, people gradually accepted the reality of being at war with another powerful race.

Upon hearing about the public reaction, Adril was pleasantly surprised. He realized that his decision to release the news early had been the right one.

In the 29th century, people were significantly more mature and informed compared to their predecessors. They were well aware of global events and had access to vast amounts of information with the assistance of AI pets. As long as information was released to the public with good intentions, they were generally accepting, even in dire situations such as the impending end of the world. Ultimately, people prioritized safety and access to resources, desiring a life free from worries.

After the information was released, the general populace calmly accepted government supervision. There was a consensus that causing panic would only exacerbate existing issues and lead to societal chaos. Instead, efforts focused on controlling troublemakers and seeking solutions to the impending crisis. The majority understood the importance of maintaining order to prevent desperate actions such as violence over scarce resources like food and water.

"Mom! Look, it's daddy!" A little girl screamed when she saw her father on the hologram screen.

The mother nodded, her eyes welling up with tears as she hugged her daughter tightly. Seeing her husband on the hologram screen filled her with pride, knowing he was bravely fighting for humanity.

These days, upon learning that her husband was a soldier fighting in the war, people showed her a great deal of respect. She even received gifts from her neighbors as a gesture of appreciation.

"Indeed, he's quite the hero," the mother replied with a warm smile, her eyes sparkling with pride as she looked at her daughter.

"Captain Eloise is indeed impressive, dear. If you work hard and set your mind to it, you can achieve anything you want," the mother encouraged her daughter with a gentle smile, her heart swelling with maternal pride.

It's wonderful to dream big, sweetheart. Just remember, with determination and hard work, you can turn those dreams into reality," the mother said, her voice filled with warmth and encouragement.

"Of Course, my little chubby. You will be more beautiful than Captain Eloise when you grow up." The mother replied as she pulled her chubby cheeks.

The little girl giggled happily, her imagination running wild with the possibilities of the future.

Similar things were happening around the world.

Lord Adril raised his palm and calmed everyone down. "I have always believed in the survivability of our humans. We have come this far as a civilization with our imagination, and creativity. We have survived in some of the harshest environments, conquered powerful species, survived pandemics which could wipe out a civilization, and we have survived many wars that could drive us into extinction.

Lord Adril's words echoed throughout the chamber, resonating with the hearts of every individual present.

"At the end of the day, we humans were the ones who came out of the top. Every time, we survived, we came out much stronger as a species and progressed further.

Until now, we have faced so many unfavorable situations in the past, and are we to give up now, and surrender? What will our ancestors think of us when they know that we, at the peak of our civilization, just surrendered to the enemies, because they were too strong? What will you tell your future generation, when they become livestock for the Entomons? Will they still be human?" Adril shouted with anger.

Lord Adril's passionate speech stirred a fire within the hearts of those listening, reminding them of their resilience and the legacy they must uphold for future generations.

"NO!!!" The soldiers shouted.

"Are we to let them trample on our dignity and treat us as food?"

"NO!!!"

"Good! Together, we stand as one!" Adril's resounding voice echoed, igniting a sense of unity and determination among the listeners.

"TOGETHER, WE STAND AS ONE!!!" The soldiers shouted as loud as they could. Everyone on the stage smiled when they saw this scene. Even the people watching at home shouted the slogan.

"Now, let the ceremony begin. Nolan, you can take it from here," Adril concluded his speech and returned to his seat.

"Hello everyone. My name is Nolan, and today, I will be presiding over the award ceremony.

"The war on Zeoter has showcased the exceptional abilities of numerous soldiers. We have witnessed exemplary combat prowess and remarkable leadership among our ranks. We are deeply grateful for these soldiers who have defended humanity, and thus, we have chosen to honor them with rewards that will further our collective efforts in the future.

"Please step forward onto the stage when your name is announced," Nolan declared, commencing the roll call of honored soldiers.

"Emica, Fred, Yu Yan, Shane, Kana, Chae Heon, Guy, Ray, Hiroto, Dae-Jung, Gaël, Lin Fengmian, Lucien, Étienne, Haruto, Joao, Minato, Francisco, Aiko, Feng Mian, Paulo, Pedro, Fei Hong, Nazomi, Eun-Jeon, Afolabi, Amare, Hanna, Ayo, Aasim, Qing Shan, Hyeon-Ju, Kokoro, Abaan, and Basel. Please, come out." Nolan shouted their names.

The soldiers whose name got called out came and stood in line.

"The exemplary service and sacrifices you have rendered shall forever be remembered. Henceforth, each of you shall be elevated to the rank of captain, and you shall receive as rewards 4th generation Colossus Combat ATOM suits and 4th generation Advanced Molecular Bio Suits," Nolan proclaimed, bestowing their accolades.

Upon hearing their rewards, the soldiers erupted in excitement. Typically, only those at the rank of captain would receive 2nd generation ATOM suits. However, now they were skipping several ranks to receive the coveted 4th Generation ATOM suits and Bio Suits, normally reserved for Colonels and Brigadier Generals.

They were dreaming of customized ATOM suits and Bio Suits, now they are finally getting one.

As the soldiers eagerly approached Lord Adril to receive their insignia, the atmosphere was filled with a mixture of excitement and admiration. Each recipient had proven themselves to be exceptional in their respective roles, earning the envy of their peers. Yet, amidst the envy, there was also a sense of respect for the dedication and skill displayed by their comrades.

The soldiers felt a surge of pride as they received words of praise from Lord Adril and the esteemed elders. It was a moment they would cherish forever, knowing that their sacrifices and efforts had been recognized by those in positions of authority. With renewed determination, they pledged to continue serving humanity to the best of their abilities, inspired by the recognition they had received.

"Next... Mathew, Joon-Ho, Alatan, Asuga and Long Wei. Please come up to the stage." Nolan called out.

The 5 officers went up to the stage and stood in a row.

"You 5 will be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and rewarded with 5th Generation ATOM and Bio suits. From now on, you guys will have to carry heavier responsibilities. Are you guys willing?" Nolan asked.

The 5 officers stood tall and resolute as they faced Nolan's question. With unwavering determination, they replied in unison, "Yes, sir! We are ready to accept the responsibilities and continue serving humanity with all our strength and dedication."

The 5 of them received their insignia from Lord Adril.

"Li Wei!" Nolan called out Li Wei's name.

Li Wei walked out from a group of high ranking military officers sitting on the stage and presented himself in front of Nolan and Lord Adril.

"Your performance in the war is known to all, nothing can be said about your achievement and the sacrifices you made for humanity. We now want to give you a bigger responsibility and promote you to Lieutenant General and reward you with a 6th Generation ATOM and Bio suits. Are you willing to accept this heavy responsibility?" Nolan asked with a stern voice.

"I'm willing." Li Wei replied without any hesitation.

He went forward to receive his insignia from Lord Adril. It was a platinum badge with a cross sword with a shield in the middle and 3 stars on the top. Lord Adril patted his shoulders and gave some compliments.

As Li Wei received the platinum badge and felt the weight of the responsibility that came with it, he couldn't help but feel a surge of determination coursing through him. With a firm nod and a grateful expression, he thanked Lord Adril for the honor bestowed upon him.

"Thank you, Lord Adril. I will do my utmost to fulfill this responsibility and serve humanity to the best of my abilities," Li Wei vowed solemnly.

With a renewed sense of purpose, Li Wei stepped back, feeling the weight of the insignia on his chest, a symbol of the trust placed in him by his superiors and the expectations of those he swore to protect.

"Henry! Please come up to the stage." Nolan shouted Henry's name.

Henry walked up to the stage and stood in front of Nolan and Adril.

"I don't have anything to say as everyone already knows who you are and what you have done for humanity. Henry, from now on you will be leading your own army, you've been promoted to a General. Are you willing to take this heavy task?" Nolan asked with a smile.

"Yes, I'm willing," Henry replied with a salute.

Henry went and gave his respect to Lord Adril with a deep bow. Adril patted his shoulder and gave him the insignia, both of them exchanged a few words with each other.

All of the Lords and Elders came and congratulated him. The general rank is one of the highest ranks in the military. They hold absolute powers politically and militarily with billions of soldiers at their disposal. Not even Lords and Elders have the power to order them. Once you reach the rank of Generals, you can't be shackled by politics anymore. But reaching the rank of General is the hardest. You have to be in military service for centuries with outstanding performance. There are thousands of Lieutenant Generals lining up to be a general. Some are even older than Brayden, Colton, and Jayden, but none of them got the promotion. There are many factors applied to become a general, unlike the freakish Rick who became a general in just a century, and now he is gonna be promoted to General of the Army.

"And now, for our final soldier, a figure whose name requires no introduction—the strongest and youngest General in human history. Please join me in welcoming General Rick. Soon, he will bear the title of General of the Army," Nolan announced, introducing Rick to the audience.

Rick walked out with a confident smile, his presence exuding a commanding aura that seemed to envelop the entire crowd. The audience stood in silent reverence, awestruck by his imposing demeanor. While most individuals would be overwhelmed by the sea of battle-hardened soldiers, Rick was different—he alone managed to captivate the entire assembly.

As he approached Nolan, he couldn't resist a playful jab. "I didn't know you had such talent for announcing. Were you secretly an announcer in a past life?" he joked, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes.

Everyone laughed and lightened everyone's mood.

Nolan sighs deeply. He didn't know what to do with this ruffian person.

"Enough with the jokes," Nolan scolded Rick firmly. "Are you prepared to accept the title of Field Marshal/General of the Army?" he asked, his tone conveying the gravity of the question.

"Yes, I'm willing," Rick replied with a solemn expression, understanding the gravity of the responsibility placed upon him.

He approached Adril and bowed deeply upon receiving the insignia of Field Marshal. Applause erupted from the crowd, filled with excitement. Rick's popularity among the soldiers was akin to that of a deity. They desired a General who not only led them but fought alongside them, ensuring victory no matter the odds. Rick had become a symbol of hope and inspiration, having achieved numerous victories during his time in the army. He was regarded as a spiritual leader by many soldiers.

After the exchange of pleasantries between Rick and Adril, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation for what lay ahead.