Sky-cracking Rider

Current temperature: 27 degrees Celsius, humidity 41%.

"Clear for takeoff!"

Inside the control tower, the atmosphere is relaxed; this isn't a combat mission.

It's just a normal takeoff and landing test, basically not difficult at all.

The already ignited F-22 Raptor jet's vectoring nozzles turn the flame from orange-yellow to azure blue, achieving the ideal combustion efficiency range. The engine power suddenly increases, and the jet starts sliding down the runway with a deafening roar, picking up speed.

150 meters, 300 meters, 400 meters, 600 meters.

The F-22 Raptor jet reaches takeoff speed, and Chen Fei gently pulls the control stick.

800 meters!

The nose lifts lightly, and the landing gear detaches from the ground.

Completely detached from the ground.

1200 meters!

The F-22's actual maximum takeoff distance is 140 meters (in a minimalistic unloaded state; according to Lockheed Martin's theoretical value, it's 240 meters), while the normal takeoff distance is 420 meters.

But in reality, no one would do that. Without carrying bombs? Without full fuel?

Taking off without any payload is just showing off!

The boss probably has a mouthful of blood ready to spew.

So, the normal takeoff distance needs to be doubled, or even more.

With 800 meters remaining, this stretch is reserved for emergency situations, barely enough for a forced return to flight.

However, in a real emergency, the Magnetic Catcher is activated to capture the aircraft, to prevent it from running off the end of the runway. This is the limit of what a Third-Level Standard small airport can accomplish. Without the Magnetic Catcher, a reasonable runway length ideally should exceed 3000 meters, but given the size of the mountaintop where Aircrew Base 911 is located, it clearly doesn't fit those dimensions.

After all, Aircrew Base 911 is a civilian airport, not a real active military or ready-to-fight airbase.

For any small or midsize turboprop aircraft and MiG-28, a 1500-meter runway equipped with a Magnetic Catcher is already sufficient.

But this runway upgrade project wasn't for Chen Fei's private F-22; Boss Hana had borne such a great cost considering much more the future needs of midsize, large, and even heavy transport aircraft for taking off and landing at Aircrew Base 911.

"Smooth takeoff, now starting the return."

After Chen Fei pulls up the nose, he continues climbing, then turns around, aiming for the runway's large white landing strip (Aiming-Point).

Called the "point," its size is not scientifically based; from the ground, parking two Type 59 tanks on it would still leave plenty of room.

Since Aircrew Base 911 is located on a leveled mountaintop, a Fresnel lens is also installed near the large white strip to assist with landings, guiding the correct landing angle so as not to be too low, causing a collision with the steep slope outside the runway, or too high, necessitating a go-around.

Through Chen Fei's eyes, the Fresnel lens shows a green light. The F-22 maintains its approach angle and swiftly heads to the runway.

Less than 1700 meters in front, with a reserve of 330 meters at the large white strip, the Magnetic Catcher's starting capacitor is fully charged, standing by.

"Perfect landing, next, let's test the Magnetic Catcher."

The relaxed conversation comes from the control tower; firstly, the F-22 won't crash; secondly, the F-22 can't be destroyed in a crash, and thirdly, the pilot definitely won't die in a crash. With a wave of Special Abilities, there's an intact F-22 again.

The main landing runway, upgraded without activating the Magnetic Catcher assist feature, can barely ensure the normal takeoff and landing of heavy jet fighters like the F-22.

The intangible magnetic field, like a thick liquid, gently envelops the Aircraft, providing resistance or thrust. Unlike a gravitational field, it doesn't overburden the Aircraft and the Pilot, also ensuring safety.

On large Sky Patrol Ships and Magic Cube Warships, having high-powered Magnetic Catcher landing pathways is almost standard.

This acceptance test requires the F-22 to take off and land multiple times, followed by the MiG-28, small transport planes, and the Big Mouth Monster, to collect enough setting parameters for the Magnetic Catcher.

Although there are no combat missions, the pilots of the Genuine Fragrance Combat Flight Squadron remain busy.

Aircrew Base 911 bustles the entire day as all Aircraft take off and land several times before the testing is deemed complete. Both the runway extension and the upgraded Magnetic Catcher pass the acceptance test.

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Early the next morning, Blue Star Global United Defense Committee's midsize Sky Patrol Ship arrives again, picking up two Earth Mages, numerous engineers, and Chen Fei.

Zuo Gengming of Spring Field Defense Limited Company, who'd already settled terms with Boss Hana, had taken a small transport Aircraft back to Aircrew Base 131, located in the American Federation, next to the fallen Aircrew Base 130.

Having already agreed to help the other party retake Aircrew Base 130, Boss Hana directly tossed the job to Chen Fei.

If one wants to take someone's stake, it is only natural to send the most capable elite soldiers, especially since the other party was eagerly awaiting Chen Fei and Xiao Jiu's arrival.

Although the Mutant disaster has yet to subside, Aircrew Base 911's defensive force remains more than sufficient, and Jiu Defense Company is considered one of the few small military contractors still capable of managing.

No sooner had he left the airport than distant gunshots and loud sirens could be heard, and crowds scrambled frantically in all directions.

Chen Fei is intoxicated by it all.

A gentle breeze carries a sweet fragrance to his face.

Ah!

He smells it.

That's freedom!

I must say, the American Federation is pretty awesome, fuckin' awesome!

"Mr. Chen, you've finally arrived!"

A voice interrupted Chen Fei's revelry.

He looked in the direction of the voice.

"Eh! Old Zuo? You came to pick me up, isn't that a bit too courteous?"

"Hey! I was in a hurry, with only one week left. Look, my lips are even blistered."

After finding out about Chen Fei's travel itinerary, Zuo Gengming couldn't hold back any longer and hurried to the airport two days in advance to pick him up.

He snatched Chen Fei's luggage like a thief and led the way to the parking lot.

"Don't rush, it will all be sorted out in at most two days!"

Chen Fei followed calmly, with Little Bird standing on his head, curiously looking around.

Suddenly, a faintly glowing magic shield appeared beside the two, and a burst of erratic gunfire came out of nowhere. Several hooded figures were being chased by the police, fleeing in disarray while firing their automatic weapons aimlessly. Bullets flew through the air, and several even struck the magic shield, causing ripples as it wobbled slightly.

"Two days? I can't even wait half a day. If we keep dragging our feet, not only will the Joint Defense Committee forcibly take back the Aircrew Base 130, but all of Spring Field Defense's operations might fall apart."

Zuo Gengming stopped in his tracks, turned around with a bitter expression, and spread his hands helplessly.

At this point, even with deep bonds, in the face of capital, everything was useless; human nature couldn't stand the test.

As soon as he disappeared, those old classmates immediately started clamoring about disbanding. To avoid losses and grab as much as possible, they turned on each other like enemies, causing daily chaos within the company.

It took a lot of effort for Zuo Gengming, the major shareholder, to barely suppress them.

Out of curiosity, Chen Fei asked, "What about your classmates? Are they still making trouble?"

Dragging their feet was unforgivable. Chen couldn't believe Old Zuo would still be soft-hearted about them—what classmates? To hell with that!

If it were Chen Fei, he'd have chopped them up, three parts fat and seven parts lean, and fed them to the dogs.

"How could I! I borrowed a sum of money from my old man, bought out all their shares, not missing one, and kicked them all out. Otherwise, do you think I could have so easily agreed to Ms. Hanna's terms right there and then? That was 11% of the shares, ahhh!!!"

Zuo Gengming sighed deeply, his face fierce. This was robbery, and a blatant one at that, exploiting a crisis. Your next chapter awaits on My Virtual Library Empire

This One-Eyed woman... he couldn't beat her!

Just for Chen Fei and a Pure Light Sparrow's involvement, to exchange for an 11% share in Spring Field Defense Limited Company—it was unbelievable!

If it wasn't for the need to turn the situation around, Zuo Gengming would never have agreed.

Without the contracting money from Aircrew Base 130, Spring Field Defense Limited Company would be on the verge of bankruptcy.

Damn capitalists, not one of them is good. Hang each of them under a streetlight without injustice.

"Haha! Don't worry, Old Zuo, with Boss Hana and me escorting you, you won't have to worry about those mutants anymore!"

Chen Fei, without a hint of sympathy, patted Zuo Gengming's shoulder. Those words sounded no different from the slogans in advertisements for tutoring services.

While armed bandits and police officers were engaged in a fierce firefight nearby, Chen Fei and Zuo Gengming chatted away as if they hadn't even seen it, completely out of step with the tense atmosphere around them.

"Jiu?"

At mid-low rank, Light-element Magical Beasts might not be good at offensive spells and their defensive spells might not be outstanding, but they were not that bad either.

With Third Level human-order casting ability, the magic shield they could maintain was enough to withstand close-range gunfire from light weapons.

Whizz... whizz... whizz...

A piercing, strange shriek filled the air.

The police had used magnetic rail personal weapons, and the bullets, fired at full power with incredible kinetic energy, easily penetrated the vehicles used by the thugs for cover, taking them down one by one as they screamed in agony, their cries quickly fading as they lost strength.

Bodies penetrated by magnetic rail bullets bled out quickly like broken sacks, probably not even making it until the ambulance arrived.

The victorious police officers heaved a sigh of relief, but none paid any attention to Chen Fei and Zuo Gengming, two bystanders caught up in the fray—as if they existed in two separate worlds, they continued on with their respective matters.

Whether it was Chen Fei or Zuo Gengming, if they were already in the business of military contracting, would they fear a storm of bullets?

They were probably already used to it.

"Good grief, did it have to be this grand?"

Looking at the Grade A motorhome in the parking lot, Chen Fei couldn't help but exclaim.

Zuo Gengming said nonchalantly, "There are also quite a few mutants around Aircrew Base 131. For safety's sake, we need to go by land. Once we're in the mountains, we'll have armed escort, and I've arranged for cruise missile support."

It wasn't just Aircrew Base 130 that was hit by a mutant onslaught; another aircrew base under Spring Field Defense was also affected.

In a critical moment, Spring Field Defense made a decision that now seems wise.

Abandon the vehicle to save the commander!

They consolidated their forces to protect the only remaining Aircrew Base 131—at the very place Zuo Gengming was taking Chen Fei.

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