When Yu Lian pushed open the door and entered, applause and cheers erupted simultaneously. He scanned the room; everyone from the 12th Garrison Station was there, occupying seven or eight tables, essentially booking out the small restaurant.
He vaguely remembered seeing this scene somewhere before. The people were still the same, but the place was no longer the same.
"Welcome our shortest-serving officer at 12th Garrison Station, welcome our best officer!" Youyou stood on the small stage in a corner of the restaurant, which could barely fit four or five people, and cheered loudly.
The cheers and applause grew even louder, and Yu Lian even saw some people mockingly wiping away tears.
He also felt like shedding tears, not for himself, but for Lieutenant Mondson and the others who had died.
Amidst everyone's welcome, Yu Lian squeezed over to the table of the Sergeants and master Sergeants, which naturally signaled the start of the feast. Anyway, everyone Present was a rough-and-tumble soldier, only clamoring for good wine and meat to be served, and the restaurant once again became boisterous. Youyou, who was already a bit tipsy, held the microphone and showed no intention of coming down, standing on the stage and singing loudly, prompting everyone to applaud. To be fair, she sang quite well.
"I originally planned to sell the mithril on the black market, but I didn't expect the Alliance's young lady to intervene. This is 50 million, quite a bit more than I expected. Take it and distribute it according to… tsk, the rules," Yu Lian handed a card to Doctor Banks.
It was quite primitive without WeChat Pay or Alipay, but Yu Lian also knew that this was not just a technical issue, but more of a political one.
Moreover, this was, after all, a grand cosmic era where the technology tree had gone awry, and many places still used precious metal currency.
"Don't worry, Officer, I'll go to the bank first thing tomorrow morning!" Doctor Banks showed an eager expression.
Yu Lian knew this guy was a bit greedy for money, but with so many people watching, he couldn't possibly embezzle any of it.
"Also… from my share, take two million and send it to Lieutenant Mondson's family."
The atmosphere at the table immediately became much heavier. After a long while, Doctor Banks said, "Understood. I, I have the Lieutenant's wife's account number; I'll send it tomorrow as well."
Yu Lian nodded, then said to the Bearmen Sergeant, "The colonial government's bounty for Hessen was 5 million, plus the 5 million they paid for the Zero Element, which I've already received. Although you delivered the final blow, I and Stein will each take four million, and you two hundred. Is that acceptable?"
"Yes, yes, no, that's too much. I just, vaguely swung my axe, but, in the end… I didn't do anything at all. Officer, you…"
Off the battlefield, Baka, the Bearmen with natural divine strength, was still that honest, inarticulate, and even somewhat dull person.
"Rules are rules. Even when mercenaries are hunting monsters, the one who lands the final blow gets the largest share. It's decided then." Yu Lian laughed, picked up his wine glass, "So, to our victory! To the Saintess of Tulon!"
"To our victory! To the Saintess of Tulon!" Everyone raised their glasses and stood up.
"To our Officer!" Ina loudly added.
This last sentence perhaps contained many layers of meaning, leaving everyone filled with emotion. However, once the strong liquor in their cups was drained, the brief sadness seemed to be drowned out by the alcohol.
The atmosphere became cheerful once again.
Youyou continued to dance and sing on the stage, with several people joining in the fun. Yu Lian also began to bury his head in the steak on his plate, finally feeling the comfort of a full stomach. He wiped his mouth and looked up, meeting Ina's gaze directly.
"...What's wrong?"
"I suddenly feel a bit sad thinking this is probably the last time I'll be sitting at the same table eating with you," the Sergeant Major said.
Yu Lian felt a bit uneasy. Such a direct, frank, and unpretentious girl was really a bit difficult to handle!
"How about, when I become the captain of an assault ship, you can be my assault team leader?" Yu Lian said.
"Wow, are you actually asking me, an archer, to be cannon fodder? Is that even a human thing to say?"
"Star Hunter! Star Hunter! I told you it's not an archer, it's more like a hunter… Uh, never mind, spiritual energy users are rare talents everywhere; no one will treat you as cannon fodder. During this time, I'm sure someone from above has talked to you privately, right?"
Ina nodded, a troubled expression of bewilderment on her face: "Yes! Major Sangjia has already approached me. She said she hopes to transfer me to Tulon to serve as the Deputy Commander of the City Defense Strategic Support Company. Oh, right, they'll also provide me with a free, clean apartment in Tulon, and my officer status will be finalized in at most two months."
For this "ordinary" girl who grew up in the Tulon Veterans' Orphanage, only had a high school education, and usually just watched dramas and complained, the Tulon City Defense Commander was already a figure to look up to.
She looked at Yu Lian expectantly, hoping for his advice. The latter then said, "If you want to maximize your benefits, don't rush. Soon, the Defense Committee will send people over. You can pick any position in the Marine Corps, the fleet, or even Earth's experimental special forces. Of course, if possible, I'd suggest you take the opportunity to further your education at a school…"
As soon as he said this, the academically challenged Sergeant Major immediately showed visible disgust, directly covering her ears: "I finally managed to get out of school, and you want me to go back? Why are you not making any sense today!"
"When else will you study if not when you're young? You'll regret it when you're old!"
"Why are you talking like Mrs. Moser from the Veterans' Home today! I will absolutely not regret it!"
"...No, you will." And you (in the future) admitted it yourself.
Ina still had an "I don't listen, I don't listen, I don't listen" attitude, stiffly changing the subject: "Hmm, I finally made a fortune this time, so I can buy some things and go back to the Veterans' Home to see Mrs. Moser. She always says I'm the naughtiest student she's ever taught, hehehe, but I must be the first one to make a big fortune."
Yu Lian wasn't too sure if the girl was truly drunk or just pretending, so he decided to talk to the others.
"Me? I actually don't have anywhere to go either. However, yesterday, Major Dorset did come to see me and asked if I wanted to be transferred back to the city to be in charge of a maintenance squad. Officer, you recommended me to Officer Bonaparte, didn't you? Thank you so much." Uncle Karl was also very happy. He was already at this age and truly didn't want to live in fear at an outpost in the wilderness. Now that he could be transferred back to the city and do his old job, it was naturally excellent. He could work for a few more years, save up for retirement, and then retire peacefully.
"Lieutenant Colonel Bonaparte won't be in Tulon for long," Yu Lian said.
Uncle Karl was stunned on the spot.
"But don't worry, his successor will either be Major Dorset or Major Sangjia; they are both now Senior Sisters… or rather, direct descendants of the Bonaparte faction. It's good to be transferred back to the city; you won't have to live in fear."
"Yes, yes, I heard the Major say that because of this incident, the Governor's Office and the Defense Committee seem to be considering assigning an armored company. Haha, that's great; I've never handled such big equipment in my life."
Yu Lian, however, felt that with the old man's skills, let alone tanks, even handling mobile fortresses would be an underutilization of his talent. He had some other ideas, but after pondering them, he felt they weren't mature enough yet, so he temporarily kept them to himself.
"Um, Officer, can I ask you for a favor?" Sergeant Baka stammered.
Yu Lian gestured for him to speak freely, and the Bearmen said, "I hope, I hope to retire after fulfilling this year's contract with the Security Force."
Yu Lian was slightly taken aback, then realized that the Security Force was theoretically an employee of the colonial government, not a true military unit, so contracts were involved.
"It's just that if I retire like this, the officers will be very unhappy, won't they?"
Indeed, simple-minded Bearmen with natural divine strength like him were the best soldiers, and with a little training, they would also make excellent non-commissioned officers. No matter how incompetent the top brass of the Security Force were, they wouldn't easily let him leave.
What, act according to the contract? If things in this world were that simple, there would have been peace and great harmony long ago!
"You want me to intercede with Senior Sister, right? That's not a problem, but may I ask what your plans are?"
The Bearmen Sergeant showed a happy smile: "...Hehe, I finally saved up some money. I, I can take little Kelly to the Alliance for treatment now."
Yu Lian knew Baka's background. He was a Bearmen, part of the demi-human race, and his genes were said to be 99% similar to humans, but he was not human after all. He had an Earthling wife who had passed away a few years ago due to an accident. He also had a daughter, who was said to have been saved by the couple spending all their family's wealth. The little girl named Kelly was indeed delicate and pretty, not at all like her father. But she was still a descendant of Bearmen and Earthlings, and her own genes were incomplete, even imperfect, causing her to get sick every few days.
The reason Bearmen Baka was willing to serve in New Yumen was also because the colonial government was willing to provide free genetic treatment for his daughter.
But honestly, the medical standards of the Blue Star Commonwealth were only so-so; no matter how much they tried, it was just barely extending her life.
And currently, throughout the All-Galaxy, the Alliance naturally held the most advanced medical technology.
"I can ask my friends in the Alliance to recommend a good hospital for you." This was an easy favor, and Yu Lian was naturally happy to help. He didn't even need to bother the young lady; he could just ask Ash.
"Heh, if possible, it would be good to find a job there and settle down. You are a Bearmen, a talent wherever you go; you should have confidence in yourself. Don't worry, I will also ask my friends for help so you won't be scammed."
Well, for finding a job, he didn't need to bother the young lady either; he could just ask Ash.
Baka wiped away tears. After his wife passed away, he only lived for his daughter. Now, he finally saw hope in life.
Hello everyone, today is a happy single update beast