Chapter 1114 Ordinary and Great
"Using tiger skin?"
Chief of Staff Li Zhenguo pointed at the telegram, his tone filled with the panic and excitement of someone whose cognition had been shattered:
"They were able to produce heavy fighters we'd never seen before, and to completely suppress us technologically in the air, making it difficult for even our experienced pilots to even think of resisting?"
"Can you find me a tiger skin like this?!"
At this point, his voice subconsciously rose, carrying a hint of powerlessness after being crushed by technology:
"Stargazer reports that the enemy has locked onto and identified us beyond visual range. Our G10A was completely blind the entire time!"
"This kind of disparity can't be achieved by just a few cobbled-together aircraft! This is a force with a complete aviation industry system and advanced combat systems!"
After he finished speaking, silence fell in the command center. Li Zhenguo's words hit everyone's heart like a heavy hammer.
"And Gucheng Lake..." Director Zhou Wei of the Joint Political Work Department pondered.
"Not only have they established a base there, they can also take off and land large fleets of aircraft. Now they've even invited our planes to land... This means they've already established a foothold outside of Jinling, and may even have... come into contact with those things in the city."
"What is their purpose?" Gao Jianguo raised his head, his eyes sweeping over the crowd like a hawk:
"Showing off muscle? Expressing goodwill? Or... a test, or even paving the way for subsequent action?"
"Commander, Captain Wang Lei requests instructions. Do you want to accept the other party's guidance for landing?" the communications officer asked.
Everyone's eyes were focused on Gao Jianguo. This was an extremely difficult decision.
Agreeing to the landing would mean sending valuable strategic reconnaissance assets and elite pilots into the hands of a completely unknown and unfathomable force, which would be a huge risk.
Refusing to land may result in missing the precious opportunity to establish contact with the powerful forces within the continent, and may even anger the other side, leading to unpredictable consequences.
Since the other party can invite you, it may not be impossible to forcibly "escort" you.
Gao Jianguo slowly walked to the huge map and looked at the current location of Jinling where the "Stargazer" formation was located.
He was silent for a moment, his mind flashing through all the hardships he had endured since the end of the world, the difficulties of living in a remote corner, and the slim hope of returning to the mainland.
Now, an unexpected door seems to be opening, although there is a fog of unknown behind it.
Crisis and hope coexist!
"Tell them..." Gao Jianguo finally spoke, his voice steady and firm, with the courage of a theater commander:
"Agree to the 'Stargazer' formation and proceed to Gucheng Lake Base for contact under their guidance."
"Commander!" Someone tried to dissuade him.
Gao Jianguo raised his hand to stop him and continued, "At the same time, in the name of the theater command, a formal communication request is being sent to the other party. I, Gao Jianguo, commander of the Eastern Theater Command, request a direct dialogue with the person in charge of the Central Plains Theater Command."
He turned around and faced his colleagues, his eyes sharp:
"If it's a blessing, it's not a disaster. If it is a disaster, it can't be avoided. Instead of passively waiting in speculation and fear, it's better to take the initiative to engage with it and understand this 'Central Plains War Zone'!"
"We need to know what exactly is happening within the continent. Is this powerful force a friend or foe? Can they... become the opportunity to break our impasse?"
Orders were issued quickly.
In the distant sky, Lieutenant Colonel Wang Lei, the captain of the Y-9JB, who received the order, felt mixed emotions, but was more determined to carry out the order.
He adjusted the channel and said to the J-16 leader who was always accompanying him:
"J-16 formation, this is Stargazer 719. We have been authorized and agree to receive guidance to proceed to Gucheng Lake Base. I repeat, I agree to receive guidance."
"Received, 'Stargazer' 719. Welcome to the Zhongzhou War Zone." Li Rui's voice carried a hint of relief after completing the mission, but more of it was the joy of getting a credit for nothing.
Jiejiejie~
If Wei Yu and the others knew about this, wouldn't they be envious of Jer? Who can stop him from getting the credit?
Hehe~so happy!
"Please follow me, heading 265, descend to 5000. We will escort you to a safe destination."
Afterwards, three aircraft from the Eastern Theater Command, "escorted" by two J-16s, adjusted their course and flew towards Gucheng Lake, which was originally inland of their territory.
...
The runway of the Gucheng Lake Field Airfield stretched out in the afternoon sun, rough but fully functional.
When two J-16s passed through the field in an elegant posture, followed by two G10A fighter jets touching down and taxiing with a hint of imperceptible caution, and finally, the larger Y-9JB electronic reconnaissance aircraft also landed smoothly on the runway, the attention of many people at the airport was attracted.
Especially the two G10As, for the survivors of Gucheng Lake and most soldiers, they are familiar yet unfamiliar symbols - what is familiar is the outline of the "Raptor" and the Zhou Bang Air Force logo, and what is unfamiliar is the mainstream order force it represents, which is believed to have long gone.
Under the guidance of the guide vehicle, the plane slowly taxied to the designated apron. The roar of the engine gradually weakened and the cabin door was about to open.
At this moment, Du Yuming, who received the news, was standing at the edge of the apron himself. He was not wearing the conspicuous "Dragon Spine" exoskeleton, but only a neat starry sky camouflage training uniform. The brim of his training cap was slightly pressed down, covering his eyebrows, making him look more mysterious and majestic.
The colonel rank on his shoulders was a little dim, as if it could not support the current status of the commander of the Jinling Military Sub-district, but the silent "humanoid mecha" following him closely was as heavy as a mountain.
"Ordinary and Great" moistened the whole audience in silence....
Zhao Jie, commander of the 1st Infantry Brigade of Yezhou, was also present. He was wearing the same combat uniform and stood half a step behind Du Yuming, scanning the plane that was shutting down with sharp eyes.
——
The Y-9JB's hatch opened first, and the captain, Lieutenant Colonel Wang Lei, was the first to appear at the hatch.
The afternoon sun was a bit dazzling, and he squinted subconsciously, his eyes quickly scanning the crowd waiting on the tarmac.
His gaze first fixed on the officer standing in the front, wearing a starry sky camouflage training uniform.
The brim of the training cap cast a slight shadow on the man's face, making it difficult to see his full appearance for a moment, but his straight posture and calm aura undoubtedly revealed his identity.
Wang Lei's eyes subconsciously swept towards the other party's epaulettes——
Colonel?
"They might be the cadres sent to greet me. Even though the Jinling Military Sub-district Commander didn't show up in person, that's enough." Wang Lei subconsciously consoled himself.
However, the next second, when his gaze fell on the figure behind Du Yuming, it was instantly replaced by a stronger, almost physiological shock!
What is that???!
A "humanoid mecha" nearly two meters tall, covered entirely in matte black heavy armor?!
It has an inhumanly burly body, with sharp-edged armor plates and shoulder armor that flares outward like dragon scales. Behind it is a slightly raised rectangular cabin with a faint blue glow, and energy conduits are embedded in the inside of the armor like blood vessels.
The most eye-catching thing is the cold weapon with an ancient shape but exaggerated size carried on the mecha's back - a Tang Dynasty horizontal long sword!
This... this wasn't any individual soldier's equipment he knew of at all! This was something straight out of a science fiction movie!
Wang Lei's heart began to beat uncontrollably and his breathing stopped.
The co-pilot, navigator and others behind him also appeared at the cabin door one after another. Seeing this scene almost at the same time, everyone subconsciously stopped their actions, with an expression of incredible shock on their faces. Some people even couldn't help but take a deep breath.
Their eyes were involuntarily attracted to the silent black mecha. The cold metallic texture and the inhuman sense of oppression impacted their cognitive bottom line more directly than the J-16 parked in the distance!
