Chapter Fifteen: The Battle for Honor

Inside the shuttle, Xu Yan issued various commands without the slightest hesitation. His precise instructions amazed everyone in the observation room. Even Jing Zhi Min found it incredible.

The three months of training had mainly focused on physical endurance and adaptability. Given such conditions, it was already impressive that Xu Yan and Duan Peng could withstand the constantly changing air pressure with steady composure.

But the reality was that after just two hours of training, Xu Yan not only controlled the shuttle with pinpoint accuracy, but every command he gave was flawless.

Though the shuttle was highly intelligent, it still required commands to operate, unless it was switched to full automation. Fully automatic piloting was itself a test for newcomers like them, since they couldn’t predict how the shuttle’s intelligent system would respond, putting their bodies, breathing, stamina, and heart rate on high alert.

At this stage, unless one was an experienced space pilot, their physiological indicators would fluctuate wildly. Yet, from the moment the elder began monitoring Shuttle 16, Xu Yan’s vital signs remained remarkably stable, with only slight variations. Duan Peng’s responses were similarly steady but lagged behind Xu Yan’s significantly. Judging by Duan Peng’s data alone, he was performing at a relatively high level.

This also related to how Xu Yan issued his commands. Except for the first one, Xu Yan always used a countdown format when instructing the shuttle’s intelligent system. For example, as the shuttle entered the stratosphere, Xu Yan commanded: “Fold the wings in ten seconds, nose angle 75 degrees. Starting countdown: ten, nine, eight…”

This approach allowed those in the rear cabin, connected via the shuttle’s communication system, to precisely anticipate the timing and effects of each command.

Nearby, the elder took a tablet from an assistant and was already reviewing the resume of Shuttle 16’s captain.

After reading, he asked, “Who is the leader of the Jinjiang Special Forces team?”

Jing Zhi Min quickly stood up and reported, “Sir, the captain of the Jinjiang Special Forces is Captain Jing Zhi Min.”

The elder glanced at him. “Hmm. Not bad—you haven’t forgotten your time in the Interstellar Battle Corps. How did you discover these two youngsters?”

Only then did Jing Zhi Min relax his expression. “Old Commander, since you remember me, it means I still have some value!”

“Cut the nonsense. I’m asking how you found those two kids.” The elder’s tone was stern, yet his eyes were full of kindness.

Jing Zhi Min then answered, “Sir, Xu Yan, the captain of Shuttle 16, and team member Duan Peng, both passed the tests and joined the Jinjiang Special Forces as new recruits. On their first day, these two displayed extraordinary potential. I took notice and requested a set of training equipment from the Interstellar Command Center.”

“Oh!” The elder’s smile grew wider. “So you went through the back door, huh?”

“Sir, no back door. We entered and exited through the front door—open and aboveboard!” Jing Zhi Min defended himself.

The elder looked to those beside him and asked, “Is what he says true?”

“Commander, the Jinjiang Special Forces have long hoped to extend training times. Considering some outdated equipment would be wasted if destroyed, we thought it better to repurpose it.”

“Hm, that’s a good idea. But equipment management must be tightened. Even outdated gear is state secret.”

“Rest assured, sir. Currently, the Jinjiang Special Forces are just running a pilot program. If it proves effective, management will be reinforced before expanding.”

After listening, the elder nodded and looked at the still-standing Jing Zhi Min. “Captain Jing, are you planning to train them so well that the Interstellar Command Center’s training division becomes obsolete? Or do you want to turn the Jinjiang Special Forces into a second training center?”

Jing Zhi Min was startled, feeling all eyes on him as if a heavy crown were pressing down. Hastily, he said, “Old Commander, please don’t misunderstand me. I lack such ability. Xu Yan and Duan Peng’s talents are simply exceptional.” With that, he took a tablet from his interstellar suit and prepared to hand it to a guard for the commander.

But the elder waved his hand. “Come over and report in person.”

“Yes, sir!” Jing Zhi Min grinned and hurried over.

He laid out all the performance metrics of Xu Yan and Duan Peng during their assessments and training before the commander, then quietly reported. The elder nodded repeatedly.

After the report, the elder appeared to contemplate, then said, “Conduct another background check on the two. If all is clear, keep them in the Jinjiang Special Forces for a year. But I warn you: if their performance declines after a year, forget about any future plans. If they succeed, we can establish a Jinjiang Interstellar Training Base to help ease the pressure on the Interstellar Training Center.”

The elder’s words nearly made Shen Shanli, the logistics director of the Interstellar Command Center’s battle team who was serving as the assessment chief, slip off his seat.

This simulation exam wasn’t supposed to be supervised by a logistics director, but several leaders were suddenly called away on urgent business by the Command Center.

It now seemed that the elder before them, General Mu Chengzhu, the highest commander of the Interstellar Command Center, had deliberately arranged for the other leaders to be absent.

“Old Commander, should we inform the directors of the Operations Center and Training Center about this?” Shen Shanli asked hesitantly.

Mu Chengzhu smiled triumphantly. “Those kids better not oppose it, or I’ll use today’s results to slap them in the face!”

Sweat beaded on Shen Shanli’s forehead. It was clear the highest command was dissatisfied with the entire Interstellar Command Center’s work.

He glanced at the delighted Jing Zhi Min and whispered, “Captain Jing, get ready to treat everyone!”

Jing Zhi Min chuckled, “If anyone should pay, it’s those guys. Look at how much money they’ve spent—what kind of trainees have they been producing?”

He shook his head, leaving Shen Shanli speechless.

The facts spoke for themselves: the overall assessment score of Shuttle 16 ranked solidly first.

Xu Yan’s individual score was far ahead of the second-place top trainee from the Interstellar Training Center, with Duan Peng in third, not far behind second place.

This was only in the operation of increasing shuttle altitude. If things didn’t improve before actual combat, the Interstellar Training Center would lose a lot of face this time.

Meanwhile, the leaders of the other two special forces teams in the observation room—the Eagles and the Arctic Foxes—finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Among the ten special forces teams participating, they had been the first to be eliminated. The remaining eight, except for the Jinjiang Special Forces, were all ranked near the bottom.

But as long as even one team achieved a good ranking, their special forces center could claim some glory—that was shared fate.

The mood among the other eight teams’ leaders, who had been somewhat downcast, began to brighten as it seemed their teams might be the ones to shine.

Though this was only the beginning and the final results had yet to come, they already envisioned the ensuing moment of glory, alongside the anger and frustration on the faces of the directors of the Interstellar Operations and Training Centers.

Though Jing Zhi Min appeared relaxed, he too felt the pressure. Regardless of the final assessment, Xu Yan and Duan Peng had already achieved the initial goal—but it seemed to have exceeded expectations, and that excess brought its own weight upon him.