Chapter 73: Tower: Such Grievance is Unacceptable
Translator: End less Fantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Request takeoff permission.”
“Takeoff… Who are you?”
The tower was left bewildered.
Tonight, the planes on combat duty had already taken off.
However, the control tower had not received any notice of the night patrol mission or a transfer request.
Where did the plane need to take off?
He accessed the system. The aircraft model remained unknown, all other information was classified, and the identification code was correct. But the location… Where on earth was this?
Jiangbei District?
Was there even an airport in Jiangbei District?
“Wait a moment.”
The tower relayed the information to the higher-ups for approval.
It seemed like a joke.
Why would such an unknown classified aircraft model request takeoff from them?
Logically, shouldn’t they be at a secret airport?
But the issue was… There was no problem with the other party’s identification code.
In his five years being an air traffic controller, he had never encountered such a situation.
The information was reported, and when the higher-ups realized it was a classified model, they too hesitated to make a decision hastily.
Could it be a mistake?
Or perhaps there was a communication problem.
Unable to grant approval, they continued reporting.
Finally, the news reached the Air Force’s command center, the highest authority of the force.
No matter what kind of secret model it was, even if it was not mass-produced or pre-developed, as long as it was in the sky, the information had to be funneled through here.
“Hmm? That kid got his drone fixed? He really can’t stay idle, can he?
“However, it’s good that they contacted the control tower this time instead of taking off on their own.”
The people in the command center recognized Tang Rui. They were left astounded when they saw the scalpel in the air that day.
Needless to say, later on, when they helped America repair the plane, they learned a lot.
The Black Swift was still parked in the military hangar.
Didn’t Tang Rui want America anymore?
Of course, he did. But the issue was that their temporary maintenance personnel had caused significant damage to the aircraft’s landing gear due to improper operation.
The temporary workers had been let go, and the aircraft industry had already manufactured a replacement landing gear. It would be ready to fly once installed.
“You have approval. Takeoff permission granted.”
The chief on duty in the command center promptly gave the green light.
Very soon, the news reached the tower.
Upon receiving the approval, the control tower was dumbfounded once again.
He thought it was a mistake.
Now it seemed… This situation was far more complex than he had anticipated.
“This is the tower… Call… What’s your code name?”
The tower pondered for a long time. When he realized that the other party hadn’t even provided a code name while requesting takeoff, he found it unprofessional.
On the other side, after Tang Rui received the tower’s message, he too was momentarily stunned.
Code name?
He genuinely didn’t have one.
“Codename Fish Pond.”
Tang Rui casually supplied a code name.
“Tower, copy that. Please state your flight plan, Fish Pond.”
“Tower, the flight path is from the current location to the Light Power Company’s airport. Fish Pond over,” Tang Rui thought for a moment and responded.
Light Power Company’s airport?
Where was that airport?
The control tower’s headache intensified.
“Understood, Fish Pond, you are cleared for takeoff.”
“Roger, tower. Takeoff.”
Tang Rui increased the throttle and configured the drone into its vertical takeoff and landing mode.
A nozzle opened on the belly of the plane, and the tail nozzle expelled exhaust flames vertically downward.
Whoosh!
The drone shot up rapidly.
Tang Rui, inexperienced with vertical takeoff and landing, had pushed the throttle too aggressively.
Fortunately, the flight control system automatically balanced the thrust. Otherwise…
In that instant, the drone could have somersaulted in mid-air.
Once it rose into the sky, Tang Rui quickly launched another drone into the air to join it.
As he ascended to an altitude of 15,000 meters, Tang Rui switched on his autopilot.
“Fish Pond, are you 15,000 meters above Jiangbei?”
The tower had been keeping an eye on Tang Rui.
When they saw the radar signal, they witnessed an aircraft shooting straight into the sky, rapidly reaching 15,000 meters.
They were on the verge of shouting in panic.
Fortunately, Tang Rui ceased his ascent and didn’t continue climbing.
Otherwise, they would have assumed he was launching a rocket.
“This is Fish Pond. It’s me. Is there a problem?”
“No problem.”
At this point, Tang Rui wasn’t interested in engaging with the tower.
Because at this moment, he was experiencing the imaging capabilities of the synthetic aperture radar.
His smart glasses were already displaying the drone’s perspective.
As he lowered his gaze, he saw the brightly illuminated Jin Ling City.
When he looked up, he spotted the stars in the sky and the satellites in Earth’s orbit.
Indeed, a satellite.
This wasn’t a joke.
The enhanced electro-optical system could directly scan and track satellites in Earth’s orbit.
He attempted to aim and lock onto one.
It seemed genuinely possible.
However, his immediate concern was not attacking a satellite but refueling quickly.
The remaining fuel in the drone would suffice for just two more hours of flight.
The problem was… The previous drones were much smaller.
The engine’s fuel consumption was measured in grams, but this one burned liters per second.
The remaining fuel wasn’t enough for even a single afterburner use.
As he had increased the throttle, it would run out completely soon.
So, he needed to fly as efficiently as possible, perhaps having to prepare for a glide and landing.
Tang Rui called Senior Brother Zhang Zhipeng and asked to refuel at his location.
Senior Brother agreed readily.
It was just refueling, nothing major.
Tang Rui offered to pay, but Senior Brother declined, saying that taking money would be a slap in the face.
He hung up the phone.
Glancing at the fuel tank parameters on the dashboard, Tang Rui couldn’t help but cringe.
He hoped Senior Brother Zhang wouldn’t regret it later.
He manipulated the controls and steered the drone, gradually descending from high altitude toward the small airport.
“Tower, this is Fish Pond.”
“Tower speaking, go ahead.”
“Requesting permission to land.”
“Understood, but shouldn’t you contact the control tower at the other airport? Why are you calling me?”
“That airport doesn’t have a control tower.”
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Upon hearing this, the control tower felt an urge to smash their monitor.
It was okay if they couldn’t see the takeoff, but they couldn’t even see the landing.
They didn’t even know where he was landing. Why call then?
Were they being taken advantage of?
As the control tower, this was an injustice they couldn’t stand.
“Control tower received, permission to land granted.”
Fine. They eventually caved in.
Who knew this would involve a secret unknown model aircraft, and to top it off, it was invisible.
They were just a small control tower with no control over the situation.
“Wilco, tower. Initiating landing.”
Tang Rui carefully guided the drone and gently touched down at the small airport.
This landing had to be taken seriously, unlike the previous one. Tang Rui was fully focused.
After all, the takeoff and landing of large drones were much more challenging than those of small ones.
Fortunately, the system had been strengthened and could execute automatic landings even without manual control.
However, he didn’t want to feel like a mere passenger.
Tang Rui had some confidence in his skills, not least of all when he was attentive.
He lowered the landing gear, reduced speed, and slightly raised the plane’s nose.
The rear wheels made contact with the ground.
Then, the front wheel touched down.
Deceleration, coasting, braking, and finally, it came to a complete halt.
The landing process went remarkably smoothly.
To say it wasn’t eye-catching would be a lie.
But, at the very least, there were no mistakes.
After the drone came to a stop, some people, arranged by Senior Brother Zhang, drove a small fuel truck onto the runway..