The martyrs' cemetery on Planet Shuomo was built right on the edge of the desert.
When choosing the site, the commander of the Ninth Military District did not select the scenic Mount Juji, which had mountains and water.
Because that group of soldiers unanimously agreed that the most beautiful places should be left for the living.
However, since all the engineers of the Ninth Military District participated in the cemetery's design back then,
they extracted abundant groundwater from the area to irrigate vegetation suitable for growing in the desert.
They also designed a fountain right in front of the cemetery, symbolizing the endlessly surging spirit of the soldiers.
When the four arrived at the entrance of the cemetery, they suddenly felt a bit nervous for some reason. Wang Tianwei adjusted her collar and cuffs for the third time...
Yama Chao always said she had a crooked posture, so it should be fine now, right!?
Huang Yan looked at the large words "Martyrs' Cemetery" at the entrance and took several deep breaths on the spot.
Jian Jingyu clenched and unclenched his fists, asking Feng Yi beside him with a lack of confidence,
"Is it... okay for me to look like this?"
Feng Yi couldn't help but smile.
"Is there an inexplicable sense of pressure? I felt the same way the last time I came... It's fine, they probably wouldn't mind this."
Jian Jingyu stepped over to Little Bear and checked his reflection on the aircraft's glass alongside her.
"That won't do! Inside are our senior heroes and martyrs! We have to leave a good impression on them..."
After another two minutes, once all four were ready, Feng Yi led them toward the tombstones of Bei Liu and Yi Shao.
The cemetery was very clean, with neatly trimmed green vegetation on every level.
Although it was in the desert, the outer layer of the entire cemetery was covered by an advanced protective shield, isolating it from both sandstorms and star beasts.
Two robots patrolled among the tombstones, doing some basic cleaning work.
By this time, the sun had already risen. The morning sun shone on the standing stone pillars, and the children's hearts inexplicably calmed down.
These stone pillars were their tombstones...
They were briefly engraved with the martyrs' names and life stories, and an electronic photo was displayed below. The vast majority of them looked very young...
Some also had epitaphs or QR codes engraved on them. Scanning them with an optical computer would show a video or play their voices.
Arriving in front of Bei Liu's tombstone, the person in the photo smiled brightly, looking exactly like a little girl!
The five of them gave a military salute.
Wang Tianwei's nose tingled with sorrow as she offered the bouquet in her hands.
"This photo is very beautiful."
Feng Yi gazed at the tombstone for a long time before finally speaking,
"This was her favorite photo."
"..."
Bei Liu's tombstone also had a QR code. Wang Tianwei scanned it with her optical computer, and it only played a short yet firm sentence,
"We will fight until the very last moment."
It was the same sentence they had heard on the Federal News.
When watching that news, Wang Tianwei had recognized Bei Liu's voice...
Hearing it again now in the cemetery brought an entirely different feeling.
Jian Jingyu buried his head low, large drops of tears rolling down. Zhang Lyra also kept reaching up to wipe away her tears, biting her lip, unwilling to make a sound.
Wang Tianwei forced back her tears and played a video she had prepared long ago,
"Sister Bei... Master.
This is the Super A-class mecha I made using the materials you gave me! ...This one belongs to Little Bear. The structure you suggested really suits her better..."
Only after talking about three mechas in one breath did Wang Tianwei let her tears burst forth.
"So... don't worry, we are all growing very fast... It won't be long before we can... take over the burden from our seniors!
Wu... um... and us... we can fight now too..."
Huang Yan gently patted the shoulder of Wang Tianwei, who was sobbing uncontrollably.
Feng Yi was already hugged in the middle by Jian Jingyu and Zhang Lyra, whimpering softly.
Next to it was Yi Shao's tombstone. The photo on it was exactly like him in person.
His posture was dignified and composed, and even his hair was combed meticulously.
There was no QR code on the tombstone, only an epitaph:
"I have done all I can."
Huang Yan set down his bouquet and said after a long while,
"...From now on, leave it to us."
Sunlight spilled over the five young people. They took turns speaking, making the atmosphere of the whole cemetery seem a bit more lively.
"Those kids actually know them too?"
"Yi Shao and Bei Liu... you know how it is, they were both very active..."
Raymond couldn't take his eyes off the backs of the few students in school uniforms from a distance.
He seemed to have grown old... Why did he always feel like he had seen such a scene somewhere before?
When those kids first came to the Ninth Military District, weren't they around this age too? So full of spirit?
No, Bei Liu was a bit more arrogant!
As a "super rookie" who could build cross-grade mechas at the age of twenty, confidence and arrogance were justified.
He still remembered she got into several fights right after arriving at the military district... though later she got along well with everyone.
Yi Shao was different. That kid was a commander... he loved playing mind games with him the most.
And Nie Jun, Jia Yang...
Another little old man leaning on a cane watched this scene for a long time without speaking again.
In his life, he had welcomed countless new students, witnessed their growth, and then sent them off to graduate and leave...
Some students became warriors, some went into logistics, and some chose to change professions.
And among the students who went to the battlefield, they were divided into those who were still alive, and those who had passed away...
Just like Yi Shao and Bei Liu, the more outstanding they were...
"Behind us are the people... there has never been a way to retreat."
Commander Raymond looked up at the sun.
"But the will of the Federation's soldiers will be passed down forever."
Principal Gui Sizhe of Qilin also looked up with him.
"With our faint light, we illuminate the path ahead."
The few children lingered and talked a lot, not leaving until nearly noon.
As they left, they saluted every stone tablet they passed, constantly saying,
"Senior Chen, we'll come back next time!"
"Oh wow, this senior is handsome! I'll bring you a bouquet next time too!"
The two old men waited until the children had left before showing themselves from behind. They walked step by step to the newly erected stone tablets. A few fresh bouquets of white chrysanthemums were placed in front of the two adjacent tablets.
"Is that little girl the Wang Tianwei you mentioned before? She does somewhat resemble your personality... Hmm, but her hair doesn't look like yours."
Bei Liu in the photo still smiled cheerfully.
Raymond looked up and surveyed the densely packed stone tablets around them.
"...The Ninth Military District will protect them well, at least until they grow up... Old Gui, that child Feng Yi... please take good care of him."
Gui Sizhe offered two bouquets of white chrysanthemums respectively and reached out to touch Yi Shao's stone tablet. The hard texture was completely different from a real person... it was too cold.
"Don't underestimate the children."
He withdrew his hand and rested it on the back of his other hand that was holding the cane.
"They are stronger than we imagine... By choosing a military academy, the children have always known what they must face..."
