Sky-cracking Rider

The aircrew bases located in the Xingdu Kush Mountain Area were not far from each other, with overlapping patrol radii intentionally planned that way by the Blue Star Global United Defense Committee.

In case of an emergency, if one aircrew base couldn't handle it, nearby bases could timely provide support.

In fact, such planning had proven to be correct, as Aircrew Base 911 had once faced such a critical situation.

"I'm 'Rookie' from Aircrew Base 911, over!"

Chen Fei glanced at the radar screen signal capture.

It was a MiG-28 double formation, military aircraft contractor's weapon for air control, considered high-end merchandise.

Of course, it still couldn't compare to Chen Fei's F-22 "Raptor" fighter jet.

"We are from Aircrew Base 909, 'Wufeng' and 'Tingyu', I'm the lead aircraft 'Wufeng'!"

"I'm the wingman 'Tingyu'!"

The self-introductions of two pilots from a military contractor's dedicated public communication channel came one after another, remembering the call signs of pilots from other nearby aircrew bases is a basic professional quality, and also a form of courtesy.

If someone reports a call sign you've never heard of, you'd better be extra watchful.

To fabricate on flight call signs is most likely ill-intentioned, and could even be malicious, possibly indicating an enemy.

Chen Fei compared the electronic map and the location of those two MiG-28s, then said, "Hey, buddy, you've crossed the line!"

No sooner had he spoken than he heard a transmission from the control tower at Aircrew Base 911.

"'Rookie', the two MiGs from Aircrew Base 909 have passed the buffer zone, please keep an eye on them."

The normal patrol radius of an aircrew base is 500 kilometers, with the outermost 50 kilometers usually serving as a buffer zone overlapping with other aircrew bases for joint defense.

After all, aircraft can cover a dozen kilometers in the blink of an eye with afterburners, so occasionally exceeding the patrol radius is a common occurrence.

But this time, the two MiG jets from Aircrew Base 909 had already penetrated into the 450-kilometer radius of Aircrew Base 911, with a direct distance of less than 420 kilometers from Aircrew Base 911, a range that was continuing to shrink.

Chen Fei's F-22 happened to be nearby, so he was conveniently assigned to go there and warn them not to stray too far in.

After the enterprise war between Aircrew Base 911 and Merman Brothers Consortium had ended, the severely damaged Aircrew Base 909 was quickly sold off, and with a sum of cash obtained from the deal, Merman Brothers Consortium made a comeback.

The military contractor that took over Aircrew Base 909 was ambitious, daring to cross the boundary with just two MiG aircraft, apparently showing no respect for the local 'snakes', Aircrew Base 911 and Jiu Defense Company—it was clearly up to no good.

"'Rookie' received, have warned the other party."

Chen Fei responded, it seemed his reminder was quite timely.

"Buddy, you must be mistaken?"

The speaker was "Wufeng", the wingman from the MiG squadron.

"You are less than 400 kilometers away from our base, please turn back and return to your base!"

Chen Fei patiently reminded the other party while gently pushing the joystick forward, approaching the MiG squadron.

An error between 450 and 500 kilometers is understandable, but a deviation to 400 kilometers, not even the farm team's donkey would dare to stray that far!

However, "Wufeng", the MiG squadron leader from Aircrew Base 909, insisted, "Impossible, we are still within our normal patrol radius!"

"Turn within ten seconds, otherwise it will be considered a declaration of war from your side!"

Patience exhausted and no heed to polite warnings, Chen Fei issued a stern warning, or rather, a threat, without hesitation.

The MiG squadron was now less than 370 kilometers away from Aircrew Base 911, and even if there was a malfunction in the positioning system, they still persisted in their course after being warned, which was clearly deliberate and not a mere navigation error.

Moreover, the ground-based radar of Aircrew Base 909 could completely cover the vicinity of Aircrew Base 911, yet at this moment they were turning a blind eye to its own MiG squadron's blatant intrusion into the patrol radius of Aircrew Base 911, which raised some intriguing questions about their attitude.

"What big words you have," scoffed "Wufeng" from the MiG squadron over the public communication channel. "You think you can declare war just like that? Who do you think you are?"

Wingman "Tingyu" followed with a challenge, "Us two against one of you, you think you can definitely win?"

"None of you is going to make it back alive!"

Menacing and not one for many words, Chen Fei activated the afterburner, a strong sense of acceleration hit him, and he sent the F-22 "Raptor" heading straight for the MiG squadron.

The other party had clearly come looking for trouble, thinking Chen Someone was meek and mild, with a fiery temper, he was not afraid of death—if you don't agree, let's fight.

"Wait, 'Rookie', don't..."

Seeing that both sides were about to start fighting, the control tower at Aircrew Base 911 just began to call out, but the communication channel was abruptly cut off.

"Hey, hey, keep your cool!"

On-duty manager Mahnam was calling out loud while holding down his headset.

Aircrew Base 909 probably wasn't prepared for an all-out fight either, since an enterprise war is the ultimate decision when conflicts can't be resolved without fists, and both sides would weigh this heavily.

This MiG squadron was obviously provoking Aircrew Base 911's bottom line. Despite being aggressively vocal, they were just engaging in a probing action and surely lacked the guts to really get close to Aircrew Base 911.

They would turn back as soon as they reached within 300 kilometers—if they truly approached Aircrew Base 911, even if neither side wanted to fight, they would probably end up having a serious battle.

"Hahaha, that idiot got fooled and actually came charging over alone, hahaha... Huh? What? Missiles! What kind of missiles are these? No, this is..."

The wingman pilot "Tingyu" was smiling when he suddenly noticed a strange point of light rapidly approaching on the radar screen at an unnaturally high speed, while the MiG's warning system remained silent as if malfunctioning.

"It's not a missile, but the opponent's fighter jet. Is he flying a missile?"

The lead pilot "Wufeng" also noticed that his warning system had not sounded any alarm, and he quickly thought of a certain possibility.

The MiG-28's maximum afterburner speed is around Mach 1.6, while the F-22 can reach up to Mach 2.2. From the radar, the oncoming threat certainly had the feel of a missile.

The MiG-28 was already a top-of-the-line fighter jet provided by military contractors. Who would have thought that hidden within Aircrew Base 911 was a former king, the F-22 "Raptor"?

"Bearing 210!"

The wingman pilot "Tingyu," with his sharp eyes, noticed an unusually dazzling streak of light flashing across the sky.

"Engage the enemy!"

Lead pilot "Wufeng" pushed the control stick and immediately went to meet the challenge.

At this critical juncture, what else could both sides say? Of course, it wasn't about backing down; it was time to fight!

"Wait! Is 'Rookie's' 203 armed?"

Inside the control tower of Aircrew Base 911, the duty manager Mahnam, who had called several times but received no response, suddenly thought of something and turned to look at the rest of the tower crew.

Everyone exchanged glances. The F-22 had an internal weapons bay, and from the outside, it truly wasn't necessarily possible to confirm whether it was armed.

Someone pulled up the takeoff video and confirmed: "All four wing pylons are empty!"

"Ammo crew, this is Duty Manager Mahnam. Is aircraft 203 armed?"

Mahnam connected with the leader of the ammunition crew.

"No!"

"No?"

"I guarantee it!"

The ammunition crew leader confirmed repeatedly without hesitation. The ammunition log was in his hands; he clearly knew whether the F-22 was loaded with ammo or not.

Forget missiles; there wasn't even a single round of cannon ammunition.

"Fuck!"

Mahnam punched the worktable.

The "Rookie" had some nerve, quite extraordinarily so. The F-22 "Raptor" jet fighter, on its maiden flight, wasn't carrying any weapons or ammunition, yet he brazenly charged ahead without regard, something most people would never dare to do.

Mahnam quickly came up with a strategy and, pressing down on his headset, swiftly issued instructions.

"'Genuine Fragrance' squadron, Major Chekhov, take off immediately in the MiG-28 to support 'Rookie.' Everyone else stay ready in your aircraft and prepare to take off at any moment."

With Boss Hana absent, the rotating duty managers held the most power. They were to be restrained in negotiation and merciless in combat, having been given the utmost trust and support by the Boss.

The piercing alarm rang throughout Aircrew Base 911; the war machine was fully activated, and everyone from various departments entered a state of readiness.

Squadron Leader Chekhov flew into the sky in a MiG-28 loaded with ammunition, under the wings a full complement of air-to-air missiles.

In no more than 20 minutes, he could reach the incident airspace.

"'Rookie,' leave one for me!"

Chekhov opened the public communication channel and shouted excitedly.

Watch as Chekhov slays enemy aircraft while enjoying his wine.

Recently bored out of his mind, with not a mutant or Magical Beast in sight, he was thrilled at the prospect of an opponent voluntarily seeking defeat, feeling a sense of inexplicable joy as if facing the sea with spring blossoms.

Perhaps this was the ultimate satisfaction in life, akin to a cat eating fish, a dog eating meat, or Ultraman fighting little monsters.

Chekhov wasn't worried about Chen Fei's fighting ability. For a pilot who had survived corporate warfare, a mere two MiG-28s were nothing. Even if Chen Fei had been flying a "Big Mouth Monster" turboprop, it was not guaranteed he would be at a disadvantage.

Moreover, this guy was now flying the fierce F-22 "Raptor." Just based on aircraft performance alone, it could easily blow the MiG-28 out of the water; the two fighter jets weren't even from the same generation, the difference was a full two generations.

When wingman pilot "Tingyu," who had exceptional eyesight, finally saw the "silvery glint" rapidly growing larger and clearer as it neared, he cried out in disbelief.

"That's not a MiG!"

"Nor is it a 'Big Mouth Monster'!" added lead pilot "Wufeng" in confusion; he shivered suddenly, came to his senses, and screamed, "Fire!"
Your next chapter is on empire

It wasn't a MiG nor "Big Mouth Monster," so what did it matter what it was?

For their own safety, it was better to strike first.

The fire control radar locked onto the target immediately, and four missiles trailing smoke detached from the MiG-28s' wing pylons, heading straight for the unidentified aircraft approaching head-on.

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