Path to Becoming the Greatest Space Mercenary-Chapter 70 Award Ceremony (3)
"Now, today we have two individuals with us who fought more fiercely and bravely than any others. First, Four Star Mercenary, Captain Ezra. After only just having arrived in our humble system, he answered the call to defeat the energy lifeforms before they could grow into a menace that could threaten our home. During the battle, he dove into danger to protect his fellow mercenaries and the Alliance Police pilots helming the mission. Without his presence, many members of the first and fourth squads would have perished, and perhaps the battle as a whole would have been lost."
Deputy Chief Ikla continued to praise Ezra for nearly a minute.
The visiting four star mercenary certainly deserved the acknowledgement, and those present that he had rescued gazed at him in pride in their eyes. They were more than happy that the person that saved them was receiving the commendation he deserved.
Once he had finished his speech, Deputy Chief Ikla called Ezra up to the stage and pulled out an ornate case that had been prepared ahead of time.
"For your exceptional achievements in battle, as a Deputy Chief of the Alliance Police, I present you with the Ruby Star of Valor."
Taking a gleaming badge that shone a resplendent red when catching the light out of the box, Deputy Chief Ikla pinned the award onto Ezra’s coat with steady hands.
There was a quick round of applause as for the first time in four years, the sixth highest recognition any mercenary or Alliance Police officer could obtain was awarded.
It was very rare to receive one of the Star awards, as battlefield intense enough to acquire such accolades were few and far between. Then it was necessary to possess the skills necessary to be recognized.
’I wouldn’t be surprised if he soon got advanced to five star. His rank up might even already be in the works and was only delayed so that it did not seem unusual that I got a higher award while being a lower rank.’ Avery thought, knowing just how impressive the Ruby Star truly was.
There were only a few dozen living individuals that had received the same award. Most that attained it ended up dying in the process.
It also came with an astounding three million Krenin reward, and a yearly eighty thousand Krenin stipend for life. That might not have been all that much for a high ranking mercenary, but it was more than enough to live on comfortably without ever needing to work again.
Seeing that Ezra had gotten a Ruby Star, Avery figured that he was likely to receive the next tier of award, which was the Diamond Star.
The four awards above that were truly in a league of their own, and Avery figured that it would be impossible to receive them. They were only given out to individuals recognized as true champions of the Alliance.
He had certainly achieved some notable feats, but his tenure as a mercenary was only around a month at this point. The top awards presented in the Dramid Alliance were for true veterans of many battles that achieved excellency again and again.
Yet, Avery was certainly downplaying his own accomplishments. As he was soon to find out.
"Finally, we have the one that turned the tide of battle in not only the pirate extermination, but the fight against the energy lifeforms." Deputy Chief Ikla said, turning his and everyone else’s attention towards Avery.
"Not only did he eliminate the most pirates of any mercenary, but he also prevented a large portion of the outside force that assisted the pirates in their escape from getting away. Thanks to this courageous feat, several large and medium vessels were destroyed, and we were able to recovery valuable data pertaining to the whereabouts and affiliation of those interlopers.
Despite having already shown it earlier, Deputy Chief Ikla brought up the holomap again and had it display the moment Avery rushed in and halted a large part of the pirate forces from retreating.
Seeing it again like this made Avery realize that he had probably been a bit too reckless. One wrong move and even the Dauntless could have been blown away.
Still, he had taken a risk, and it had succeeded. Allowing him to take the most prominent position in this ceremony.
Of course, the pirate raid was only the first of the battles he had fought in.
The energy lifeform extermination was in many ways the more harrowing of the two.
There had been no backup for the under two hundred small craft that had embarked on the mission. Leaving little room for error. To some it might have originally seemed like a suicide mission.
"Like Captain Ezra, Captain Avery also fought valiantly to protect his comrades and eliminate the threat of the enemy lifeforms. He protected his squad and the survivors from the fourth squad that had incurred heavy losses and held the rear for them as they escaped encirclement of energy lifeforms. However, in doing so, he ended up swallowed by the queen. Something that normally would have spelled the end for any pilot. Except, Captain Avery not only survived but vanquished the monster and single handedly turned the tide of the battle. As such, it is my honor to present him with this award."
Taking out another case from the podium, the Deputy Chief beckoned Avery to come up to the stage and receive it.
The moment he opened the box, Avery was able to see what was inside before Ikla had announced it.
’That can’t be right.’
Unable to believe what he saw, Avery went stiff and stared at Deputy Chief Ikla with wide eyes.
"In acknowledgement of your achievements in both the raid on the pirates that had been infesting the Yuson System, and the battle against the energy lifeforms, as a Deputy Chief of the Alliance Police, I hereby present you the Alliance Silver Cross of Heroism. Your actions helped to save hundreds of thousands if not millions of lives, and this is the least we can do to honor you."
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