I live in the Martian wilderness!

"This is the Guanghan-II type laser sintering printing array that was just put into service in the third phase of our Guanghan Palace project."

"Its technological prototype is derived from the 'Moon Pot Zun' lunar base construction plan proposed by Academician Ding Lieyun's team at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in 2025."

"The feasibility of using microwave sintering technology to press simulated lunar soil into high-strength bricks was successfully verified as early as 20 years ago."

"After more than twenty years of development," Commander Ma's voice was filled with pride, "this technology has transformed into the mature industrial machine before us!"

"It integrates a high-pressure forming module and a high-power magnetron array. It doesn't require the meticulous, layer-by-layer craftsmanship of a master craftsman."

"Its process is simple and brutal: suck in soil -> mix in trace amounts of binder -> press under high pressure to form brick blanks -> send them into a microwave tunnel kiln for rapid sintering!"

"Its production efficiency is more than ten times that of the Shen Gong module when performing similar tasks! Moreover, it consumes less energy and has a more robust and durable structure!"

"What I mean is," Ma Guoliang looked at Zhang Jianguo and made his final promise, "when Colonel Qin and the others leave, load this big machine onto their ship and take it with them."

"Let's show our comrades on Mars what level our lunar infrastructure has reached now!"

Looking at his old friend on the screen, so full of bravado, Zhang Jianguo could no longer contain himself and burst into a hearty laugh.

"Good! Good for you, Ma Guoliang! On behalf of the Mars Base, I thank your lunar comrades for their generous assistance!"

Chief Engineer Zhang Zixuan immediately stepped forward and took over the conversation, his eyes gleaming with calculation:

"Commander Ma, we evaluated this 'Guanghan-II' during the initial feasibility study phase of Project Fire."

"But because of its enormous mass of 4.5 tons, in order to save weight for return fuel and the outpost's living quarters, we ultimately had to reluctantly abandon it."

He turned to Commander-in-Chief Zhang Jianguo, his tone becoming incredibly excited: "But now, the situation is completely different!"

"Thanks to the unlimited fuel supply on the moon, the carrying capacity of our Long March 9 rocket has been greatly unleashed! Let alone this 4.5 tons, even adding another 10 tons of payload wouldn't be too much!"

"Commander-in-Chief, this means we not only have the Outpost base, but also a super money-printing machine that can endlessly expand and upgrade it!"

As Zhang Jianguo listened to this grand blueprint, in which every problem was perfectly solved, he looked at the faces in the conference room that were flushed with excitement.

He slowly closed his eyes, then suddenly opened them, his eyes filled with unprecedented determination.

"Pass on my orders!"

"Mars Alliance Team, immediately reassess Project Fireseed! Upgrade the mission level from indefinite suspension to—continue execution!"

"yes!"

A thunderous response erupted in the conference room.

But Zhang Jianguo raised his hand, suppressing the crowd's excitement. His gaze swept across the room, finally settling on the head of the human resources department.

"There's one more thing," his voice deepened and became more forceful, "regarding Comrade Gu Yu's military rank. He's 24 years old and his rank is captain."

Zhang Jianguo paused for a moment, then said, "According to the original plan, after he joins up with Colonel Qin Manying's troops, Colonel Qin will personally preside over his promotion ceremony on Mars."

"But," Zhang Jianguo's tone became resolute, "I don't want to wait any longer."

"This young man, alone in dire straits, accomplished a miraculous self-rescue, awakening the nation's meritorious detector!"

"He has rekindled hope for all of us. His achievement deserves immediate recognition!"

"I have decided that we will hold an unprecedented online conferment ceremony for Comrade Gu Yu, spanning 60 million kilometers!"

His gaze swept over all the comrades in military uniform present: "You have one hour to change into your civilian clothes and put on your medals."

"Assemble in Auditorium No. 1 of the Command Center in one hour."

"We want our heroes to see that the entire nation stands behind them!"

……

One hour later, in Auditorium No. 1 of the Command Center.

There were no flowers or rehearsals here, only a solemn and deep blue expanse.

Commander-in-Chief Zhang Jianguo and all the experts with military backgrounds had changed into crisp military uniforms, their general stars and school badges shining brightly under the lights.

On the main screen in the auditorium was the photo that Gu Yu had sent back, a photo of someone saluting the Earth.

"Start recording."

Zhang Jianguo walked to the front of the stage, straightened his crisp military uniform, and faced the camera with an extremely solemn expression.

"Supreme Command of Project Spark, Level One Combat Readiness Order!"

His voice wasn't loud, but it was like a thunderclap, instantly piercing through the entire auditorium and also penetrating the quantum signal that was about to arrive on Mars.

"Captain Gu Yu, Deputy Commander of the advance team for Project Fireseed!"

Zhang Jianguo addressed him by his first name, his gaze seemingly piercing through the screen as he stared directly at the young figure 60 million kilometers away.

"During the nine Martian days you were out of contact with your motherland, you faced adversity alone, but never flinched!"

"With extraordinary wisdom and an iron will, you awakened the meritorious detector and restored communications!"

"With amazing creativity, you solved the fundamental problems of energy and water by using locally available materials!"

"You not only saved yourself, but also rescued the nation's strategic assets, which had been invested in for hundreds of billions, laying a new foundation for the subsequent implementation of Project Fire!"

"Your actions perfectly exemplify what it means to be a one-man army!"

Zhang Jianguo paused, his sharp gaze sweeping across the entire room, his voice becoming extremely serious and solemn.

"According to the Supreme Command, 'Operation Fireseed' has entered a state of 'unconventional warfare'!"

"Now, the war has begun! Our enemy is the harsh physical laws of Mars, the indifference of the vast cosmos!"

Zhang Jianguo's voice suddenly rose, like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath, resounding throughout the auditorium:

"According to Article 7 of Chapter 3 of the 'Regulations on the Promotion of Military Ranks in the Armed Forces of the Republic', those who make strategic contributions in independent operations will be promoted."

"Commanders who substantially change the battlefield situation may be promoted on the spot, even if it is an exceptional promotion! They should be rewarded with national treasures!"

"You are hereby awarded the honorary title of 'Heroic Astronaut' and awarded a Special Merit Citation!"

"And in accordance with wartime promotion principles, you are being promoted to the rank of—"

"—Republic, Space Force, Lieutenant Colonel!"

"Lieutenant Colonel?!"

Even in this solemn and dignified hall, a suppressed gasp of surprise rose from the crowd.

Two promotions in a row! A wartime promotion!

This means that Gu Yu is no longer just a hero who has made great contributions.

He was officially recognized as the senior commander who single-handedly defended the isolated city in this Martian war!

From captain to lieutenant colonel, in peacetime it is a long and arduous journey that takes ten or even fifteen years of blood and sweat to complete.

And now, this 25-year-old has risen to prominence in a single step through his few days of life-or-death struggle on Mars.

Commander-in-Chief Zhang Jianguo ignored the shock of the crowd. He looked at the young figure on the screen, a hint of relief and heaviness flashing in his eyes.

Then, solemnly and slowly, he raised his right hand and gave a standard military salute.

Behind him, dozens of officers, like a forest set ablaze, simultaneously raised their hands in salute!

Those silent actions converged into a torrent of steel, filled with the highest respect for comrades-in-arms far away.

The entire process was quiet, solemn, and filled with an iron-like sense of ritual.