In addition, the Pluto Fleet was awarded the collective Nebula Medal.
All officers and crew were promoted two ranks in their original positions, and each received corresponding bonuses and rewards according to their official rank.
Even the most ordinary privates could receive a reward of 80,000 Star Credits.
This commendation was the Federation's recognition of the Pluto Fleet's bloody struggle.
In the evening, Qin Bei Wang did not return to his Stellar Dome Mansion.
Instead, he boarded his exclusive Cloud Shuttle and headed to the home he had not visited for a long time.
The Astral Courtyard, located in the central district of the Capital Star.
This was no ordinary residence, but a series of islands suspended high in the sky, surrounded by pale blue energy barriers.
Those who lived here were all genuine high-ranking officials of the Federation.
They were the top echelon, wielding both power and wealth.
Even Luo Hao and his group, who called themselves the Capital Twelve Young Masters, could not break into this circle.
They could only reside in second-tier areas, a testament to the prestige of the Astral Courtyard.
Qin Bei Wang's silver-gray Cloud Shuttle flew steadily, soon heading toward one of the largest islands, eventually landing smoothly on the landing pad at the island's edge.
As soon as he stepped off the shuttle, the roar of an engine sounded behind him. Qin Qianfan's golden Cloud Shuttle followed closely, slowly landing beside his.
The hatch opened, and Qin Qianfan, having shed his Marshal's ceremonial attire, was now dressed in simple casual clothes.
He quickly strode toward Qin Bei Wang, his face no longer bearing the solemnity of the medal conferment but instead showing the warmth of an ordinary father.
"Welcome home!"
Qin Qianfan walked up to Qin Bei Wang and, without any preamble, suddenly stretched out his arms and embraced him.
This sudden hug left Qin Bei Wang momentarily at a loss.
His body stiffened slightly.
Ever since he was sent to the Federation Starsea Academy, he had hardly returned home.
Even during holidays or festivals, he spent his time at his Stellar Dome Mansion.
Occasionally, he would go out with Luo Hao and the others for fun.
He had spent very little time with his father.
This was the first time in so many years that he had set foot back in this courtyard.
The first time he had felt such direct warmth from his father.
Qin Bei Wang steadied himself, slowly raised his arms, and gently returned his father's embrace.
His voice was soft yet clear.
"I'm back, Father!"
Hearing this, Qin Qianfan was momentarily stunned, a flicker of surprise flashing in his eyes.
This was the first time in so many years that he had heard Qin Bei Wang call him "Father."
In the past, the boy would either call him "old man" or "old geezer."
He had never been this formal before.
But Qin Qianfan did not suspect anything, attributing it to the trials of war that had truly matured his child and shed his former mischievousness.
He patted Qin Bei Wang's back firmly, his tone full of relief, saying repeatedly,
"Good, good!
It's good to have you back!
It's good to have you back!"
As father and son were immersed in this rare warmth,
a clear female voice suddenly called out from the distance, followed by another gentle call.
The two looked up and saw two beautiful women waving at them from the front of the villa.
A breeze blew past, causing their white skirts to flutter in the wind. Their temperaments were distinctly different, yet both were equally striking.
"Dad!"
"Little brother!"
The arrivals were Qin Bei Wang's eldest sister, Qin Bei Wei, and his second sister, Qin Bei Pan.
After years apart, the moment they saw Qin Bei Wang, they hurried forward without hesitation.
They paid no mind to his current rank as Vice Admiral.
Qin Bei Wei, with her straightforward nature, was the first to reach out and ruffle Qin Bei Wang's hair.
Her touch was firm, tilting his neatly worn ceremonial cap slightly askew.
Her tone carried a mix of gentle reproach and deep affection.
"You rascal, finally decided to come home?
Look at you, you've lost so much weight! You haven't been eating properly on the front line, have you?"
Qin Bei Pan, gentler in demeanor, reached out to straighten the collar of Qin Bei Wang's uniform, which had been mussed by her sister.
Her eyes were filled with tenderness and concern.
Surrounded by his sisters on either side, Qin Bei Wang showed not a hint of impatience.
He simply smiled helplessly.
Even after all these years, their closeness had never faded.
Qin Qian Fan stood to the side, watching the reunion of the three siblings, a long-absent smile appearing on his face.
After a moment of playful banter,
Qin Bei Wei took the lead, linking her arm with Qin Bei Wang's.
Qin Bei Pan then gently took their father's arm.
With a smile, she said,
"Dad, little brother, let's head inside. Dinner is ready and waiting for you."
With that, the group made their way toward the villa.
Once inside, Qin Bei Wang did not linger.
Instead, he walked straight through the spacious hall, down a long corridor lined with soft carpet, and finally stopped before a quiet, small room tucked away in a corner.
Pushing the door open, he entered a room sparsely furnished, containing only a small altar table. On it rested the memorial tablet of his mother, Ye Nan Xu.
In the portrait placed before the tablet, the woman appeared both spirited and gentle, her eyes carrying a blend of strength and warmth.
Qin Bei Wang approached the altar and reached out to open an embedded storage compartment in the wall.
He retrieved three incense sticks and a lighter, carefully lighting them.
Holding the incense with both hands, he bowed deeply three times, his movements solemn and reverent, without uttering a word.
After paying his respects, he firmly placed the incense in the burner. Gazing at Ye Nan Xu's smiling face in the portrait, he spoke softly.
"Mom, I'm home."
As soon as the words left his lips, a faint, pale-white silhouette slowly materialized behind him, gradually taking shape.
It was the likeness of Ye Nan Xu, still embodying both her spirited elegance and gentle grace, as ethereal as a celestial being.
She gently extended her arms, wrapping them around Qin Bei Wang's neck, resting her cheek against his shoulder. Her voice was as soft as a spring breeze.
"So Beiwang has returned."
Qin Bei Wang's body stiffened slightly, clearly feeling the faint coolness against his shoulder, yet he did not turn around.
He knew all too well that this was not Ye Nan Xu truly returning.
It was merely a Holographic Projection created from data of her past appearances, paired with intelligent voice simulation, crafting an illusion of companionship.
Even so, he did not pull away, allowing the ethereal figure to hold him, embracing this false yet comforting solace.
After a while, Qin Bei Wang raised his hand and gently patted the illusory arm encircling his neck.
He then slowly stood up, took one last look at the portrait, and turned to leave the small room.
Shortly after, Qin Bei Wang made his way to the dining room.
The table was already laden with delicious dishes prepared by the robotic butler.
Steamed red grouper, American ginseng chicken soup, roasted suckling pig, salt and pepper mantis shrimp...
All were his favorite childhood dishes, steaming hot and filled with the familiar warmth of home.
The family gathered around the table, free from the barriers of rank, sharing only the joy and warmth of a long-awaited reunion.
Shedding the weariness of his military attire, Qin Bei Wang relaxed and savored this long-missed home-cooked meal.
After the meal, Qin Bei Wang did not immediately return to the Stellar Dome Mansion, but instead stayed overnight at his family home.
This was the first time in many years he had spent the night there, and he slept exceptionally soundly, without a single dream.
The next morning, after bidding farewell to his family, he boarded the Cloud Shuttle and left the Astral Courtyard to return to his own Stellar Dome Mansion.
Since the Command Headquarters had granted him a three-month leave, Qin Bei Wang completely set aside the heavy responsibilities of a Commander and lived quite leisurely.
Led by Luo Hao and the other Capital Twelve Young Masters, he once again embraced a relaxed and carefree life.