The Charles de Gaulle cut through the waves, following off the stern quarter of the 815A. Both vessels maintained a speed of twenty knots as they withdrew from the mission area.
The 815A's still-functioning air- and surface-search radars scanned the surrounding skies and waters. They needed to ensure no threat would come from the sea or air. Even if the unidentified aircraft had not continued their pursuit, they still had to remain on alert. The earlier battle had proven that nowhere was safe anymore.
It was highly likely that the situation across the entire world would change because of this battle, one that had never been part of humanity's plans.
"Professor, radar has acquired one target. Range: sixty nautical miles. Heading: zero-five-zero. Altitude: five thousand. IFF Identification: F/A-18," said the officer operating the air-search radar.
"A Hornet?"
Song Xizhu strode over to the digital tactical display and glanced at the Hornet's position. Based on current intelligence, the Carl Vinson had lost its ability to launch and recover carrier-based aircraft. Most of the Hornets that had taken off had been shot down by the unidentified aircraft. The rest had either run out of fuel and fallen into the sea or tried to return to Hawaii. Yet this aircraft was clearly not heading toward Hawaii.
It was also flying very low. The closer it got to the sea surface, the denser the air became, and the greater the resistance. Fighter jets consumed more fuel at low altitude, so they generally climbed high, where they could both store "energy"—potential energy—and fly faster through thinner air, extending their range.
After considering its altitude, speed, and heading for several seconds, Song Xizhu concluded that the F/A-18's avionics had likely been damaged, leaving it lost. That was why it had descended. The pilot was probably trying to locate the carrier—or other friendly forces—visually.
Unfortunately, getting lost over the Pacific Ocean meant seeing nothing but blue water below. The only force that could receive it, the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group, was in the opposite direction.
"Hawaii didn't send out any tankers?"
"No! Hawaii hasn't made any moves so far." The officer pulled up intelligence from the past four hours as he spoke.
"Report the air situation." Song Xizhu gestured for the intelligence to be uploaded.
"Understood!"
They had no authority to decide what to do about this, nor could they bypass the chain of command and direct the carrier-based aircraft in the sky. The 815A was a reconnaissance ship, not a command ship.
The 815A's current mission was to press forward without pause, rendezvous with the Liaoning, and then return to Great East. The data gathered by the damaged 815A after making close contact with the enemy in the heart of the battlefield was immensely valuable.
The air situation report was sent through the data link to the Great East Command Center.
"Commander! The 815A has sent an air situation report!"
The commander quickly reviewed the details. If they did nothing about this F/A-18, it would probably plunge straight into the sea once it ran out of fuel, and the pilot's chances of survival would be slim.
But a rescue involved diplomatic considerations, something he was not authorized to decide. The matter had to be reported further up the chain. The commander picked up the red phone beside him, made the call, reported the situation, and hung up.
The report passed through layer after layer of command. Before long, it was no longer merely an air situation report—it had become a matter involving "politics." The higher-ups began discussing how to handle it, especially the potential gains and losses.
At that moment, perhaps no one but the families of those lost pilots cared about them anymore. Not even the USA. From the moment the Carl Vinson began its retreat, the surviving carrier-based aircraft had become expendable pawns.
Should they extend a helping hand? Especially under these unusual circumstances, Great East's rescue efforts might well be smeared by them.
Finally, a man with a cigarette paced around the room several times. He turned to look at the others, pointed at the air, and said, "My recommendation is: rescue them!"
At his words, everyone else in the room raised their heads to look at him, waiting to hear whether his reasoning could convince them.
"If we do not rescue them, we cannot demonstrate our magnanimity. Only by rescuing these pilots can we prove our belief in a community with a shared future for mankind, and unite several countries, dozens of countries, even more than a hundred countries! And we will not save just one! We will save ten! We will save hundreds!"
"But the Liaoning is not compatible with NATO standards. A forced landing could bring unforeseen risks," an expert said from the side.
Every country's carrier-based aircraft was tailor-made for its own aircraft carriers. Takeoff distance, thrust, airframe strength, and other technical specifications all had strict requirements. For instance, when an F35 landed vertically, its exhaust scorched the deck, so the deck needed dedicated cooling equipment to counter that erosion.
But now? The survival rate of fighters like Fatty Electric, which could not even go supersonic, was nowhere near that of the Plastic Bugs. And there would not be many surviving Plastic Bugs either. As for the soldiers who had fallen into the water—sorry!
Rescuing people along the way was a favor. Great East had no obligation to risk being surrounded and attacked by unidentified aircraft just to save them.
They could not help. Those people would have to pray for their own survival.
"As for the landing issue, isn't there a ready-made NATO aircraft carrier right here? It also happens to be closer to the battlefield."
"Brilliant!"
Everyone in the room laughed. There was also something left unsaid: this French carrier's remaining supplies could only last forty-five days. After spending so long in the Asia-Pacific, its supplies had certainly been heavily depleted. With Great East trapping it between two slices of bread and cheese, it would have to pay Great East a visit for food and fuel no matter what.
An aircraft carrier being nuclear-powered did not mean its aircraft were nuclear-powered as well. Lubricants, engine oil, and other consumables also needed replenishing. And when the time came, France, which had always sought strategic autonomy, would not mind handing the F/A-18 Hornet fighters that landed aboard to Great East—especially in the current situation, where it could do them a favor at no cost.
If they did not rescue those pilots, how would the world know that Great East possessed such formidable military virtue?
Before long, instructions from above arrived at the Combat Command Center.
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
"Understood!"
With a click, the commander hung up the red phone and sent the orders to the Liaoning.
Inside the Liaoning's Island, Zhang Jun stood on the bridge, watching the J-15s constantly taking off through his binoculars. This launch-and-recovery tempo had completely surpassed anything trained for since the Liaoning entered service. This level of operational intensity was comparable to a high-intensity war, placing enormous demands on training and skill. One small mistake could mean the loss of both aircraft and pilot.
Two more J-15s launched from the ski jump, carrying ordnance as they flew toward the 815A. Another two J-15s prepared for takeoff. On the other side of the flight deck, one J-15 descended to prepare for landing, while the previous J-15 had already landed, its tailhook precisely catching the third Arresting Gear Cable.
High above, new WZ7s were deploying from Great East toward the western Pacific. Like the eyes in a strategy game, these reconnaissance drones dispelled the "fog of war" across the battlefield and strengthened situational awareness.
"Captain, new orders from above!"
Hearing this, the captain withdrew his gaze and took the document handed over by the communications officer. After reading it carefully, he passed the order to the political commissar beside him.
"Oh? Higher command wants us to guide that lost F/A-18. Who's closest to it?"
Before you continue