Sky-cracking Rider

"Enemy aircraft direction 270, altitude 13,500 meters, speed 0.9 Mach, distance 350 kilometers, estimated time of arrival within 20 minutes,"

After some urgent repairs, aircrew base 911, which had finally restored its communication system, once again sent a report.

The ground-based radar that had been urgently repaired was now running at full power, securely locking onto the approaching group of jet fighters.

Fortunately, the attackers' primary target was the Target low-temperature nuclear fusion energy tower. They had launched an EMP in haste and had not yet managed to destroy the ground-based radar with high-energy bombs, otherwise the situation would have been even more troubling.

'Genuine Fragrance' Squadron's MiG-28 number 215, although not shot down, had an electronic reconnaissance pod with limited power. Its maximum scanning distance of 300 kilometers was already at its limit; any further, and it would be powerless.

It was not that there were no electronic pods with higher power available, but the turboprop engines of the 'Big Mouth Monster' could not support such a high power output.

If the ground radar at aircrew base 911 had not been repaired in time, they might not even have noticed the eight MiGs approaching right under their noses, and would have suffered a great loss.

Since the Meman Brothers United Defense Consortium declared corporate warfare with the Apocalypse Defense Group, their plan was quite thorough, one step leading to the next, leaving virtually no preparation time for aircrew base 911.

A ground team equipped with War Professionals, Mages, supernatural power users, and elite warriors collectively wore optical camouflage suits and covertly initiated special operations to sabotage the energy tower and even assassinate high-ranking officials.

The first tactical objective was to seize aircrew base 911 and the vast reserves intact, thus making the Apocalypse Defense Group suffer financially, as the materials transported by the 'Luo Jing Number' Magic Cube Warship, hired at great cost, were taken by the enemy for free.

The second tactical objective, if the first was not achieved, was to immediately lower expectations. Eighteen fully loaded 'Big Mouth Monster' aircraft were already prepared to unload over thirty tons of ammunition onto the entire aircrew base 911, completely leveling the site.

After indiscriminate bombing, both manpower and materials would be written off, and the Apocalypse Defense still forced to suffer losses.

The third tactical objective was that if the ground team failed and the 'Big Mouth Monster' squadron was intercepted, then it would be the turn of the eight MiG-28 jet fighters to enter the fray. If all schemes failed, it would come down to a brute force showdown.

Eight jets against two jet fighters and six turboprops—the outcome was almost certain. Once the air was controlled by 'Genuine Fragrance' Combat Flight Squadron, they could then take over aircrew base 911 without any obstacles, most likely achieving the first tactical objective again.

"At least the anti-air missiles will be on time."

The fresh combat plans had all elements well-coordinated, the tide was turning from a reactive to a proactive stance. Vice Squadron Leader of 'Genuine Fragrance' Combat Flight Squadron, the short-haired "Devil Pepper" Irinei Rusios felt greatly relieved.

At least they still had the capability to counterattack, keeping the situation from deteriorating beyond repair.

"Enemy aircraft direction 270, altitude 14,000 meters, speed 0.9 Mach, distance 260 kilometers, estimated time of arrival within 15 minutes,"

The ground-based radar of aircrew base 911 firmly locked onto the approaching MiG squadron, continuously reporting their position.

The battlefield data link was restored once again, switching from the downed number 215 back to the aircrew base, solidifying communications.

"Guys, I'm going first! Ura!~" howled Major Chekhov, the Squadron Leader of 'Genuine Fragrance' Combat Flight Squadron, over the communication channel.

Five 'Big Mouth Monster' turboprop aircraft near MiG-27 number 201 joined in acceleration, approaching the eight incoming MiG aircraft.

The tactic of drawing in the enemy depended on careful timing—too fast was unacceptable as it was tantamount to suicide, too slow would mean the bait was wasted.

Rushing to attract firepower and failing to successfully "kite" the enemy would mean getting knocked out at the very start and the entire combat plan would fall apart.

Thus, the pilot executing the initial step had to be bold and skilled, and no one was more suitable than the Big Bear Squadron Leader.

As the leader of 'Genuine Fragrance' Combat Flight Squadron, it was his prerogative.

A minute later, the pilot of number 213, Chef Abel's fellow villager "Fragrant Orchid" Carlos Silva Lane also dropped a line.

"Fellas, I'm heading out first, take care! Rookie, you hang in there!"

An A-39B 'Big Mouth Monster' light turboprop attack aircraft then broke away from the formation, starting to maneuver closer to the enemy MiG-28 squadron.

After another minute, number 214 also detached from the formation.

Left maintaining formation against the MiG squadron were only three aircraft. Numbers 212 and 216 surrounded Chen Fei's number 211 in the middle.

"Rookie, it's just you now, take care!"

Inside the cockpit of number 212, "Devil Pepper" Irinei Rusios took a deep look at the lonely figure in the cockpit of number 211 and with a push of the joystick, finally broke away from the formation herself.

The pilot of number 216, "Scallion Oil" Babarro Big Bear somberly said, "Rookie, take care!"

His Fire Control Operator waved at Chen Fei through the cockpit canopy.

"You must survive!"

Number 216 tilted its fuselage, deviating from its course, closely following Vice Squadron Leader's number 212.

Everyone had to fight hard, not just Chen Fei alone.

The night sky soon had only one A-39B 'Big Mouth Monster' light turboprop attack aircraft flying alone, with a solitary pilot in the cockpit.

Damn, in a blink of an eye, he was left alone.

Observing enemy and friendly positions relayed by the battlefield data link, Chen Fei's corners of his mouth twitched, as he tentatively asked, "So... what should I do?"

Was he just to foolishly head toward the enemy then turn and run, fleeing desperately?

The female executive manager, Hanna Gagel, coldly said, "You just need to act cute!"

After ending the call, she picked up a satellite phone from the base's supplies and dialed a number.

A few seconds later, the call connected.

"Hello, this is Hanna, prepare a magic potion for me, the Earth Order 'Life Resuscitation'..."

...

"Act, act cute???"

Chen Fei felt like a big old man putting on a cutesy act, for whom?

For the heavens?

-

"Zero Point" Squadron.

"'Lone Wolf' and 'White Bay' have already given chase, the identity of the target is confirmed, it's 'Genuine Fragrance' Squadron's boss, 'Peanut Butter'."

Listening to the voice of the wingman "Night Wandering God," the Squadron Leader "Titan" of "Zero Point" Squadron replied without any fluctuation in his tone, "Take him down as soon as possible!"

"Yes, Captain 'Titan'!"

"We'll be back soon, Captain!"

The departing lead and wingman MiG aircraft each responded.

"Wolf" squad is two against one, if all goes as expected, the battle should end quickly.

"Direction 133, distance 230 kilometers, altitude 9200, a 'Big Mouth Monster' detected!"

"Direction 29, distance 165 kilometers, altitude 8500, also a 'Big Mouth Monster'! What are they trying to do?"

"Titan's" wingman had new findings. The response of "Genuine Fragrance" Combat Flight Squadron puzzled him, fists clenched only have power, shouldn't they stick together, concentrating all forces for battle?

This tactic is truly incomprehensible.

"They are trying to split our forces."

"Titan," Squadron Leader of "Zero Point" Squadron, chuckled coldly, instantly seeing through the opponent's tactical intentions.

Truly naive and ridiculous, including the enemy flight's call sign.

He immediately said in a deep voice, "'Tiger' squad, direction 133, 'Eagle' squad, direction 29, go quickly and return quickly."

"'Tiger' squad, received!"

"'Eagle' squad, received!"

Four MiG-28 jet fighters, in pairs, broke away from the flying formation and darted toward the two targets.

In their eyes, the two isolated turboprop aircraft were like dishes being served up, easily resolved in minutes.

The wingman pilot under Squadron Leader "Titan" spoke doubtfully, "Uh, 'Titan', we are splitting our forces, right?"

Having already exposed the enemy's intentions, why still fall for it?

The Squadron Leader's orders were really baffling.

"Besides that previous MiG aircraft, the rest are all 'Big Mouth Monsters'. Can't two jet fighters overpower one turboprop? If they want us to split our forces, then let's split our forces."

"Titan" from "Zero Point" Squadron kept chuckling coldly.

"Genuine Fragrance" Squadron thought that with such clever tactics they could defeat them, which was far too naive.

How could a turboprop possibly match up to a jet fighter!

"Captain, there's another one ahead!"

The wingman was also somewhat bewildered, finding it incredibly unbelievable.

Our own superiority in aircraft type and number is clear here; the enemy doesn't seem to be feigning weakness, but actually is weak!

The situation of friend versus enemy is as follows:

"Wolf" squad (two MiG-28s) VS201 aircraft Squadron Leader Chekhov (one MiG-28)

"Tiger" squad (two MiG-28s) VS213 aircraft (one A-39B "Big Mouth Monster")

"Eagle" squad (two MiG-28s) VS214 aircraft (one A-39B "Big Mouth Monster")

For the far-traveling "Zero Point" Squadron, the advantage clearly lies with us, just push through and it's done.

Especially since "Titan," the Squadron Leader of "Zero Point" Squadron, and his wingman "Cyclops" have only one lonely "Big Mouth Monster" turboprop aircraft ahead.

On the radar display, that "Big Mouth Monster" flew straight towards them without dodging, and the Squadron Leader "Titan" of "Zero Point" Squadron scoffed disdainfully, "Hmm, that guy up front is pretending to be a rookie."

If the opponent's flight path had strayed even slightly, he might have respected the guy as a real man.

But now, pretending to be a rookie, can't he be a bit more subtle?

Basic Optical Observer Level 2: Low-light enhancement.

The dim night sky in others' eyes was surprisingly clear and bright in Chen Fei's eyes, it almost felt like daytime.

The enemy's two MiG-28 jet fighters, upon entering his visual range, also flew straightforward directly towards him without any deviation or initiation of attack, which left Chen Fei somewhat disconcerted.

"What to do, what should we do?"

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