The American-made MiG-28 jet fighter is actually just a joke that became reality; the Mikoyan Design Bureau that originally developed it has long since rolled over in its grave.
The same factory also produced the American-made Jian-8. To make money, the American Federation's aviation arms manufacturers are completely shameless.
Protesting is useless, the patent has long expired, and anyone can freely use it; you can't win a lawsuit.
The main customers for these high-quality counterfeit Li ghosts are powerful private military contractors; whether it's the original factory's model or not isn't important, as long as it can fly, fight, and comes with reliable quality and an affordable price, then it's settled.
Dragging the real Li Kuis out of the military museum might not even beat these copies.
But sovereign nations look down on these minor plays with big toys; their national treasure artifacts can only be crystal jets.
If it weren't for the difficulty in training qualified Sky Knights, any sovereign force would wish for nothing more than full crystal jet fleets with Sky Knights, holding multiple Sky Cavalry Orders, keeping watch and dominating over all.
Demographics are what they are, take a good look at yourselves, thinking about a fully-staffed Sky Cavalry Order?
Wishful thinking! Wishful thinking!
Aircrew Base 911 suddenly tapped into the "Genuine Fragrance" squadron's communication channel, signaling that the ground communication system and ground-based radar system had finally been repaired and were resuming normal operations—a piece of good news.
"Eight MiG-28s? They're after our lives!"
The fire control operator "Nutmeg" Salaman Francis in the backseat of aircraft 212 cried out angrily.
Not even facing the enemy's eighteen "Big Mouth Monsters" turboprop aircraft and one MiG jet fighter with "Genuine Fragrance" squadron's six "Big Mouth Monster" turboprops had made him lose his composure as much.
Fighting against similar turboprop aircraft and fighting against jet fighters are completely different stories.
Moreover, the "Big Mouth Monsters" turboprop aircraft that took off from Aircrew Base 909 mainly came for bombing purposes and didn't carry much air-to-air weaponry, which is why they were caught by the "Genuine Fragrance" squadron fully equipped with air-superiority ammunition and got severely beaten up.
"Really... shameless!"
Pilot "Scallion Oil" Babarro Big Bear of aircraft 216 couldn't help but curse.
He's usually a silent type; now even the stoic pilot was getting agitated. If you're brave enough, don't use jet fighters—come fight a duel with turboprop aircraft!
The odds were against them in numbers and in aircraft performance; the upcoming battle was going to be difficult. Even with a straight trade of one for one, the result would still be a loss.
"This is corporate warfare, they are not going to give us any breaks, if we want to survive, we have to beat them!"
The voice of executive manager Hanna Gagel joined in, as she noticed the change in the pilots' morale, with everyone shocked and angry, inevitably suffering a hit to their confidence.
But in the private military contractor business, there are no innocents.
The Apocalypse Defense Group isn't run by saints or philanthropists; they too have launched corporate wars, mercilessly causing heavy casualties and losses to their adversaries, pressing them to the brink of collapse.
The losers in a corporate war usually end up in one state, bankruptcy.
Under an overturned nest, there's no intact egg; those killed or wounded on the losing side, apart from insurance, couldn't even get a penny of war reparations, let alone the current month's salary and bonuses, and they'd have to risk their lives.
There are few fortunate ones who can rise from defeat; they are far and few between.
"Manager Hanna's right, there's no escape now, we must fight!"
The short-haired deputy squadron leader of "Genuine Fragrance," "Devil Pepper" Irinei Rusios, involuntarily tightened her grip on the joystick.
Even if they thought of running, there wouldn't be a place to escape to at this critical moment. Their only option was to engage in battle.
Moreover, if "Genuine Fragrance" squadron ran away, what would happen to those at Aircrew Base 911?
They could only run on their legs, and there was no chance they could escape far.
The Merman Brothers United, who dared to launch consecutive attacks, would be relentless, determined to annihilate every last living force of the Apocalypse Defense Group to prevent any hope of resurgence; they would rest only after ensuring everyone was dead.
"I can draw away two of the MiGs for you, the rest, you'll have to figure out on your own."
The voice of squadron leader Chekhov sounded over the communication channel, taking on two by himself, quite literally gambling with his life.
Even if he wanted to draw away more, the enemy wouldn't agree.
If eight jet fighters had two drawn away, that left six. When it came to a one-on-one match, "Genuine Fragrance" squadron's "Big Mouth Monsters" were in surplus.
"The MiG aircraft aren't as good at low-altitude maneuvering as the 'Big Mouth Monsters.' We can draw them into low altitude—the terrain around the base is very complex and can be fully utilized. The faster they fly, the quicker they die."
"We need to divide tasks—some to restrain, some to bait, some to ambush; we can create local superiority, with numbers overpowering the few."
With a unified mindset, the "Genuine Fragrance" combat flight squadron began brainstorming strategies to face the unavoidable challenge of the eight MiG jet fighters.
The discussion in the communication channel was so complex that Chen Fei, who had finally caught a break, couldn't help but feel overwhelmed as he timidly asked, "What about the remaining 'Big Mouth Monsters'?"
"Don't worry about them; they're already retreating. You just need to hold out for another 20 minutes, and the base's anti-air missiles will be ready to launch."
Executive manager Hanna Gagel reported another rare piece of good news to the "Genuine Fragrance" squadron.
Even if the MiG-28 flew very quickly, once locked on by an anti-aircraft missile, there was basically no escape.
Although there were eight MiG jets, there certainly weren't as many as the anti-aircraft missiles stored at Aircrew Base 911.
As long as they could defeat the incoming jets, the ones that managed to escape would never pose a threat again.
"'Peanut Butter,' take two jets with you, 'Fragrant Orchid' (unit 213), you're in charge of containment, try to hold off two jets if possible, 'Dragon Artemisia' (unit 214), you do the same, contain at least one jet, Rookie, you're responsible for being the bait, I and 'Scallion Oil' (unit 216) will cover you.
As long as we can take down at least two jets right from the start, we'll be steady in this game."
After gathering everyone's opinions, the vice squadron leader "Devil Pepper" Irinei Rusios came up with an on-the-spot combat role assignment plan.
Chen Fei immediately panicked, with at least two MiG-28s chasing after him alone.
Even if he were impervious to swords and guns, could there be a way out in such a scenario?
"I didn't want to, but there's no choice, it's like Shiji's story of using inferior horses to win the race, you're the least skilled one, most suited to be bait. If possible, I'd rather take the risk myself than have you do it."
"Devil Pepper" Irinei Rusios also felt helpless, acutely aware of the risks associated with being bait, a near certain death.
But the "Genuine Fragrance" squadron was at a disadvantage, and to allow as many people as possible to survive, someone had to make a proactive sacrifice.
Chen Fei said with a downcast face, "But, but, I have already died at least eight times in this past month!"
The number eight was just a rough estimate and might not be accurate.
In fact, he had lost count, almost becoming numb to the whole experience.
Executive Manager: "..."
Chekhov Big Bear: "..."
"Devil Pepper" Irinei Rusios: "..."
Now everyone's numb, you sure have tough luck, to survive all that.
The word that came to everyone's mind was: Immortal Body.
Aside from Chen Fei, who else could take on the task of being the bait?
It was tailor-made for him, too fitting!
"Ahem! Little Chen, I can apply for a special bonus of 500,000 Star Yuan for you."
━━(￣ー￣*|||━━Hanna Gagel quickly touched on Chen Fei's G-spot.
If it's just about adding money, approved!
(＃￣～￣＃) Chen Fei geared up instantly, ready to be bait, for birds die in pursuit of food, but man dies pursuing wealth.
"Devil Pepper" Irinei Rusios had prepared a bunch of arguments in her stomach to convince Chen Fei.
Now it seemed, none of them were needed.
Basic Optical Observer Level 1, upgrade!
System: Ding! You can choose one of "Low Light Imaging," "Infrared Thermal Imaging," or "Full Spectrum Imaging."
Chen Fei was momentarily stunned, then without hesitation chose "Low Light Imaging."
Under the cover of night, Low Light Imaging was obviously the most appropriate choice.
Energy Points: 11/5000
Chen Fei, this wasteful guy, blew through all 300 energy points he had just gotten his hands on with no hesitation or second thoughts.
Basic Optical Observer Level 2 (300 energy points needed for Level 3)
The whole world immediately brightened, looking outside the cockpit, the night sky was almost indistinguishable from daytime.
Time to take a moment to stand with hands on hips, feeling quite capable.