My Opinion Is: Save!

The bow cut through the waves, the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle followed to the stern of the 815A, both maintaining a speed of 20 knots as they withdrew from the mission area.

The 815A's operational anti-air and anti-ship radars scanned the surrounding airspace and waters, confirming no threats from the sea or air. Even though the unidentified aircraft had stopped pursuing, vigilance was still necessary. The previous battle had proven that there was no longer any safe place.

It was highly likely that the situation in this world would change because of this battle, which was outside of humanity's plans.

"Professor, radar has detected a target. Quantity: 1. Distance: 60 nautical miles. Course: 050. Altitude: 5000. IFF identifies it as an F/A-18," said the officer in charge of operating the anti-air search radar.

"Hornet?"

Song Xizhu walked quickly to the digital sand table and glanced at the Hornet's position. Based on the current intelligence, the USS Carl Vinson had lost its carrier aircraft launch and recovery capabilities. The Hornets that had taken off were mostly shot down by the unidentified aircraft, while the remaining ones either ran out of fuel and fell into the sea or tried to fly back to Hawaii. However, this aircraft's course was clearly not towards Hawaii.

Its altitude was also very low. The closer to the sea surface, the denser the air, and the greater the air resistance. Fighters consume more fuel at low altitudes, so they generally fly high to conserve "energy (potential energy)" and to fly faster in the thinner air, increasing their range.

Based on its altitude, speed, and course, after a few seconds of thought, Song Xizhu judged that the F/A-18's avionics were damaged and it was lost, which was why it had lowered its altitude. The pilot was trying to visually locate the carrier or other friendly forces.

Unfortunately, being lost over the Pacific Ocean, with only blue sea below, and the only carrier strike group that could assist it, the USS Carl Vinson, being in another direction.

"Did Hawaii not deploy any refueling tankers?"

"No! Hawaii hasn't made a move so far," the officer said, retrieving intelligence from the past 4 hours.

"Report the airspace situation," Song Xizhu signaled for the intelligence to be uploaded.

"Understood!"

They had no authority to decide what to do in such matters, nor could they overstep their command to direct the carrier-based aircraft in the sky. This was a reconnaissance ship, not a command ship.

The 815A's current mission was to proceed at full speed, rendezvous with the Liaoning, and then return to East University. Having had close contact with the enemy in the center of the battlefield, the data collected by the damaged 815A was extremely valuable!

The airspace situation was sent to the East University command center via data link.

"Commanding Officer! The 815A has sent airspace situation data!"

The commanding officer quickly reviewed the details of the airspace situation. If this F/A-18 was left unattended, it would likely crash into the sea after running out of fuel, and the pilot would also be in grave danger.

However, rescuing it involved diplomatic matters, and it was not something he could decide. This matter had to be reported to higher authorities. The commanding officer picked up the red phone on his desk, made the report, and hung up.

The airspace situation was reported up the chain, and it quickly became more than just an airspace situation; it involved "politics." The higher-ups began to discuss how to resolve this issue, especially considering the pros and cons.

At this moment, perhaps no one cared about these lost pilots except their families, not even the Americans. From the moment the USS Carl Vinson began its retreat, the surviving carrier-based aircraft had become abandoned pawns.

Should they extend a helping hand? Especially in this sensitive situation, it was possible that East University's rescue efforts would be smeared by them.

Finally, a man smoking a cigarette paced back and forth in the room for a few minutes. He turned to look at the others and pointed to the air with his hand: "My opinion is, rescue!"

Upon hearing this, everyone else in the room looked up at him, wanting to hear if his reasons could convince them.

"Not rescuing would fail to demonstrate our magnanimity. Only by rescuing this pilot can we prove our concept of a community of shared future for mankind and unite several, dozens, or even over a hundred countries! Moreover, we should not just save one! We must save ten! Save a hundred!"

"However, our Liaoning is not compatible with NATO standards, and forcing a landing would pose unknown risks," a specialist said.

The carrier-based aircraft in service in each country were tailor-made for their own carriers. Takeoff distance, thrust, airframe strength, and other technical indicators had strict requirements. For example, the F-35's vertical landing would cause tail flame scorching on the deck, requiring specialized cooling devices on the deck to counteract this scorching.

However, now, the survivability of fighter jets like the "Fatty Electric," which could not go supersonic, was no match for plastic insects, and the number of surviving plastic insects would not be too large. As for the soldiers who fell into the water, sorry!

Saving people incidentally was a favor. East University had no obligation to risk being attacked by unidentified aircraft to save them.

They couldn't help; they could only fend for themselves.

"As for the landing problem, isn't there a NATO carrier conveniently nearby, closer to the battlefield?"

"Brilliant!"

Everyone in the room burst into laughter. There was also something unsaid: this last redundant resource of France only had 45 days of supplies. After operating in the Asia-Pacific for so long, its supplies must have been significantly depleted. Under the pincer movement of East University, it would have to make a stop in East University for food and fuel.

Aircraft carriers were nuclear-powered, but that didn't mean the fighter jets were. There were also consumables like lubricating oil and engine oil that needed replenishment. And the F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets that would land on it later, France, which had always wanted strategic autonomy, wouldn't mind giving American equipment to East University, especially in the current situation, making a goodwill gesture.

If they didn't save this pilot, how would the world know that East University possessed martial virtue!

Soon, the superior's instructions were sent to the combat command center.

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

"Understood!"

With a click, the red phone was hung up. The commanding officer then sent the order to the Liaoning.

In the island of the Liaoning, Zhang Jun stood on the bridge, staring through binoculars at the J-15s taking off one after another. This frequency of launch and recovery had far surpassed the training since the Liaoning entered service. This intensity of launch and recovery was equivalent to a high-intensity war, greatly testing training levels and skills. A slight mistake could lead to the destruction of the aircraft and the death of the pilot.

Two J-15s took off again via ski-jump, armed and heading towards the 815A. Then, another two J-15s prepared for takeoff. On the other side of the flight deck, a J-15 lowered its altitude to prepare for landing, while the previous J-15 had already landed, its tailhook accurately catching the third arresting gear cable.

High in the sky, new WZ7s were deploying from the direction of East University to the Western Pacific. These unmanned reconnaissance aircraft were like the eyes in a strategy game, dispelling the "fog of war" in the battlefield and enhancing situational awareness.

"Captain, superior has sent new orders!"

Upon hearing this, the captain withdrew his gaze, took the document handed over by the communications officer, and read it carefully. After reading it thoroughly, he handed the order to the political commissar beside him.

"Oh? Superior wants us to guide that lost F/A-18. Who is closest to it?"