First Interstellar Guide Chapter 98: Medal of Honor

Chapter 98: Medal of Honor

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

As Tang Ce and Zhu Tianyi helped Lu Zexuan towards the treatment cabin, cold sweat streamed down Lu Zexuan’s forehead. The pain of his leg being torn off almost made him faint, but he managed to keep a trace of consciousness, forcing himself to stay alert. He suddenly thought of Yu Ran, who lost his arm on Red Spider years ago. Ranran, back then, must have experienced such pain as well, right? Moreover, Ranran had just lost his parents and was alone in the galactic creatures’ world. The psychological pain and despair were far greater than the physical pain.

Lu Zexuan felt extremely sorry for the boy who got injured alone on Red Spider. Comparatively, although he was injured now, his parents were alive, the medical team was nearby waiting, and he would soon receive the most advanced treatment… Compared to Ranran’s experiences over the years, this injury really wasn’t much.

Tang Ce and Zhu Tianyi quickly brought Lu Zexuan to the rescue team. Seeing him covered in blood, the medical personnel hurriedly took him into the treatment cabin, applying hemostatic bandages and activating the limb regeneration system. Several medical staff busily worked, administering local anesthesia to Lu Zexuan.

However, sentinels had extremely keen senses, and the local anesthesia had limited effect, unable to completely block out the pain. A treatment guide approached and asked softly, “General Lu, do you need me to block your pain perception?”

Lu Zexuan shook his head. “No need.”

He wouldn’t let any other guide enter his mental world.

At that moment, a familiar voice sounded at the door, tinged with anxiety. “How’s General Lu doing?”

The doctor replied, “He was promptly brought into the treatment cabin. His leg will regenerate soon. However, it will take some time for him to fully recover.”

Yu Ran pushed open the door and walked in, meeting Lu Zexuan’s eyes. He hurried forward, tightly holding Lu Zexuan’s hand, his eyes full of worry. “Does it hurt a lot?”

Their minds connected, and Yu Ran could clearly sense how much pain Lu Zexuan was in. He had experienced the pain of flesh and blood separation himself. The pain of injury for sentinels with sensitive senses was ten times that of ordinary people. Seeing the man lying in the treatment cabin, Yu Ran felt extremely sorry. “You could have avoided it earlier…”

Lu Zexuan squeezed Yu Ran’s hand and whispered, “But if I had avoided it, you would have been the one injured.”

The monster was very cunning, knowing that Yu Ran was going to attack its brain. So, its surrounding tentacles crazily attacked Yu Ran. Lu Zexuan protected Yu Ran tightly with his body, resulting in serious injuries. Fortunately, under his protection, Yu Ran didn’t suffer any injuries at all.

Yu Ran looked at the other person with complex emotions. As their eyes met, Lu Zexuan saw how upset Yu Ran was and joked in his mind, “You lost your arm, and I lost my leg. Are we even more compatible now?”

“…” Yu Ran was speechless. General Lu’s jokes were really cold. He extended his mental tendrils, quickly spreading in their minds, and soon, all the pain from the depths of the snow-capped mountains was completely blocked.

Lu Zexuan felt no pain at all and helplessly said, “I can endure it. You’ve already spent so much mental energy just now, why waste more to block the pain for me?”

Yu Ran glanced at him and said, “Whether you can endure it is your business. Helping you block it is my responsibility—because I’m your guide.”

Guides felt sorry for their sentinels, so helping them block pain was only natural, right? Feeling Yu Ran’s simple and straightforward thoughts, Lu Zexuan’s heart softened slightly and he tightened his grip on Yu Ran’s hand.

Outside the door, Lu Tingyu hurriedly came to see his son. Seeing the heartwarming scene of the two holding hands tightly, a smile appeared on his lips involuntarily. It seemed he needed to prepare himself well and go to propose to Marshal and General Xie!

***

On the evening of August 15th in the 500th year of the star calendar, the fire in the banquet hall of the presidential palace continued to burn until three in the morning. Many citizens of the capital star, upon seeing the presidential palace on fire, were puzzled and anxious. Discussions about the fire were rampant online. 

To calm the public’s emotions, the television news quickly broadcasted the message: “A sudden fire broke out in the presidential palace banquet hall. Currently, the fire has been extinguished, and the personnel on the scene have been safely evacuated. Twelve people perished in this incident, and the cause of the accident is under investigation.”

These “deceased” officials were all people devoured by the octopus parasite. After discussing with Qin Xiao, Harrison decided to keep the fact that the monster had impersonated the president secret, fearing it would cause panic among the public. They would reveal the truth of the monster’s invasion once everything was sorted out.

The body of that monster was completely incinerated. Morvi’s mental energy had been destroyed by Yu Ran, leaving him looking like he had aged ten years in an instant, staring blankly at the banquet hall turned to ashes in front of him, saying nothing.

Qin Xiao walked towards him and said coldly, “Morvi, you were never a great scientist. You were just a traitor, deceived and used by galactic monsters, almost leading humanity into irreparable destruction.”

Morvi’s eyelashes trembled lightly, and the beliefs he had always held collapsed in that moment. When he saw Harrison, the president, peel off his human skin and transform into a tentacled monster, he couldn’t believe it. He had thought Ludwig only had a special spirit body capable of disguises, but he never expected he wasn’t human at all. The partner he had been cooperating with turned out to be such a disgusting monster!

Morvi looked dazed, repeating over and over again, “How could this happen… How could this happen?”

He seemed to have gone mad. Zhu Tianyi brought him and members of the Dark Night Organization back to the Investigation Division for interrogation. Andrei, the “older brother” who feigned death, attempted to escape through the tunnel but was successfully apprehended by Zhu Tianyi’s colleagues who were ambushed in advance. The upper echelons of the Dark Night Organization were almost completely taken down.

Some remaining undercover agents, researchers, and others who didn’t come to the presidential palace tonight were still on the loose. However, Zhu Tianyi obtained a detailed list from Yu Ran and carried out a secret arrest operation with his colleagues from the Investigation Division throughout the night. By dawn, everyone was captured.

Inside the presidential palace, Harrison and Qin Xiao came to visit Lu Zexuan together. With Yu Ran by his side, Lu Zexuan’s complexion had improved significantly. The two held hands tightly, though they didn’t speak, everyone knew they were communicating in the mental realm.

Qin Xiao walked over and looked at Lu Zexuan, saying, “General Lu, thank you for protecting Ranran.”

Lu Zexuan replied earnestly, “Marshal, it’s what I should do.”

Lu Tingyu smiled and said, “Indeed, being able to protect Yu Ran is this kid’s blessing.”

President Harrison cleared his throat and said, “As long as General Lu is fine, let’s go out. Let’s not disturb the lovebirds.”

The seniors tacitly withdrew.

Yu Ran met Lu Zexuan’s gentle eyes, feeling a slight warmth in his ears. At first, they were only pretending to be lovers for an undercover mission. Yu Ran never expected that as they acted, it would actually turn into reality. Now, everyone knew they were a couple, and trying to explain would only make things more complicated…

So they decided not to explain. They smiled at each other and held each other’s hands tighter.

***

Three days later, the Federal Investigation Division suddenly released a shocking piece of news—

Professor Morvi, a scientist at the Federal Academy of Sciences, had secretly researched drugs to control sentinels abusing his position, and conducted illegal sentinel experiments. This resulted in over twenty thousand sentinels going berserk, and more than five thousand innocent lives were lost. He also collaborated with galactic monsters, aiding them in their plan to eradicate human sentinels and colonize the capital star, making it their home.

Morvi’s research team, along with associates Adeline, Andrei, and Kroger, an interrogator from the Investigation Division, as well as several leaders of financial conglomerates, were charged with crimes against social security, intentional homicide, anti-federal peace, etc., and awaited urgent trial. The image of that monster was also circulated widely, its countless disgusting tentacles and eyes shocking numerous federal citizens.

“I’m the relative of one of the victims. That beast Morvi deserves to die!”

“This monster is too terrifying! Thank goodness it’s been dealt with, or would we have been eaten?”

“My sentinel classmate inexplicably went berserk not long ago. He was only 20 years old. Morvi is truly devoid of humanity!”

“Conducting experiments on sentinels and collaborating with galactic monsters? How could there be such a madman?”

“Adeline was also a member of the organization. I was deceived by her hypocritical appearance and even donated money to her charity foundation!”

The federal citizens, upon seeing the news, were incensed, cursing the members of the Dark Night Organization. The appearance of that monster also left a deep shadow in people’s hearts. They had always believed that humans were at the top of the food chain, but now, there were galactic creatures eyeing human territory?!

Unease hung over the capital star until the newly elected President Harrison publicly addressed the nation, announcing that the government would reconsider its interstellar expansion plans. Currently, all monsters had been eliminated, and the people’s emotions finally began to calm down. The next day, the Federal Supreme Court sentenced several key leaders of the Dark Night Organization to death.

Yu Ran personally came to the Federal Penitentiary for Serious Offenders to take a final look at Morvi. Morvi was babbling, seemingly insane. Seeing him in this state, Yu Ran couldn’t be bothered to say another word to him. Unexpectedly, as he was leaving, he saw Mrs. Joseph and her cat.

Mrs. Joseph and Adeline were best friends, and since General Osto had also been arrested, she had come to send them off for the last time.

Seeing her desolate expression, Yu Ran thought of this gentle Minister of Personnel who had taken care of him. He couldn’t help but step forward to comfort her, “Madam, were you also kept in the dark? Don’t be too sad.”

Mrs. Joseph looked at Yu Ran and smiled bitterly, “Actually, I had suspected that something was off with Otis for a long time. Ever since he returned from Horologium years ago, he rarely met with me and was always busy with work. Our marriage had long been in name only, and the affection we showed in front of others was all his doing. It was originally a marriage of convenience, and now he has brought it upon himself. I’m not very sad.” She lowered her head and said softly, “Adeline, too, deceived me for so many years. When her brother died, I was always there for her, comforting her. I helped her organize the charity gala every year. It’s disgusting to think about it now…”

Mrs. Joseph was a very kind-hearted person, always worrying about the marriage matters of single sentinel guides. Such people were indeed the easiest to deceive.

Yu Ran asked softly, “Madam, what are your plans now?”

Mrs. Joseph replied, “I’ve resigned from my position as Minister of Personnel. I want to go to the Shepherd’s Constellation to start an orchard and grow some peaches. That’s the life I’ve always wanted.” She smiled faintly and said, “If you have time in the future, you and General Lu are welcome to come and visit me. By the way, I am also a witness to your 98% compatibility. Don’t forget about me when you get married.”

Yu Ran took a step forward and gently hugged Mrs. Joseph. “I won’t forget. Thank you for your care for me, Madam. Take care.”

“Take care of yourself too.” Mrs. Joseph’s eyes reddened, patting Yu Ran’s shoulder, then turned and walked towards the hovercar.

***

On August 20th, several core members of the Dark Night Organization were collectively executed. After a few days of recuperation, Lu Zexuan was also discharged from the hospital successfully. His leg had healed, but he still needed some time for rehabilitation to regain full functionality.

Not long after Lu Zexuan’s discharge, Marshal Qin Xiao organized a meeting of the entire Federal Military Department. During the meeting, the Marshal harshly criticized the inhumane experimentation methods of the Dark Night Organization and formally recognized the contributions of the federal soldiers in this mission.

Today, Yu Ran was different from usual. He finally put on the deep blue uniform of the Starlight Legion again and sat beside General Xie Chen, the Legion Commander. He was no longer a junior guide with the Eagle Special Forces; he was now a Major General in the Starlight Legion and the only son of General Xie Xi.

On the stage, Marshal Qin picked up the microphone, and his booming voice echoed throughout the venue, “In this operation to eliminate the Dark Night Organization, many federal soldiers have shown bravery and selflessness, risking their lives. We have decided to give proper recognition to those who have made outstanding contributions! Eagle Legion’s Lin Fengyao, Zhao Feng, Zhao Quan, who assisted the Marshal in investigating Horologium, rescued the Marshal at the risk of their lives, and are awarded the Second-Class Merit Medal. Starlight Legion’s Major Tang Ce, who repeatedly conveyed messages between interstellar regions and assisted in obtaining the important list of the Dark Night Organization, is awarded the First-Class Merit Medal. In addition, Major Tang Ce’s outstanding contributions also earned him the rank of Major General and reinstatement as the commander of the Starlight Legion’s reconnaissance battalion.”

Several individuals went up on stage to receive their awards. Tang Ce was also wearing the uniform of the Starlight Legion today, looking refreshed. When he received the medal of honor from the Marshal, his eyes were filled with tears, and he bowed deeply to the Marshal.

The Marshal patted him on the shoulder and placed the golden medal on his chest. “Tang Ce, from now on, follow General Xie Chen and do well.”

Tang Ce nodded with a smile. “I will. I’m very familiar with the reconnaissance battalion. I’m finally returning to my old job. Thank you, Marshal.”

After a few people stepped down from the stage, Marshal Qin turned his gaze towards Yu Ran and continued, “Former Commander of the Starlight Legion, General Xie Xi’s son, Xie Ran, spent many years undercover in the Dark Night Organization. He went through hardships, infiltrated the enemy’s ranks, and gained their trust. Xie Ran showed fearlessness and wisdom during his undercover mission, successfully thwarting the mad plans of the Dark Night Organization and eliminating the leader of the galactic creatures, thus saving the Federation and making an outstanding contribution! Eagle Legion’s Major General Lu Zexuan, cooperated with Xie Ran, masquerading as a puppet to deceive the enemy. He protected Xie Ran several times to complete the mission smoothly. During the final battle, he and Xie Ran together destroyed Morvi’s mental energy and killed the leader of the galactic creatures, also making an outstanding contribution! After discussion within the Federal Military Department, it has been decided to award both individuals the Special Class Merit Medal and promote them to the rank of Lieutenant General!”

The Special Class Merit Medal was a rare honor that was seen only once in a century. In the past, ancestors of both the Xie and Lu families had received such honors when quelling a rebellion 200 years ago. Now, the younger generation of the two families, Xie Ran and Lu Zexuan, had jointly killed the monster with tentacles, a scene deeply engraved in everyone’s hearts. They were not only the pride of the Federal military but also heroes of humanity.

Deafening applause erupted from the audience, especially the young sentinel guides, whose hands were almost clapped raw.

Xie Ran and Lu Zexuan stood up at the same time, walking towards the stage amidst the enthusiastic applause. Their uniform colors were different, and there was a 20-centimeter height difference between them. At this moment, they stood shoulder to shoulder on the podium, looking extremely compatible in appearance and temperament.

Marshal Qin, with tears in his eyes, awarded the two golden medals to Xie Ran and Lu Zexuan. Marshal Qin hugged Xie Ran tightly, who was standing in front of him in a military uniform, and whispered softly in his ear, “Ranran, welcome back. Grandfather is proud of you.”