"Professor, won't this be risky?"
Aboard the 815A electronic reconnaissance ship, an officer looked at Song Xizhu with some concern. As the warship closest to the battlefield and equipped with the most advanced onboard electronics, broadcasting on all channels carried considerable risk. It was like a hunter turning on a light in a dark forest. Those unidentified flying vehicles were still clustered around the Sky Pit; if 815A's actions drew their attention, it would be extremely dangerous.
"Our superiors' orders are to save people, and under the current circumstances, broadcasting on all channels is the most efficient option."
Song Xizhu set down the order from higher command. As a reconnaissance ship with extensive technical intelligence authority, many orders were sent to them directly by their superiors, and the resources they could mobilize were substantial.
"As for those flying vehicles, based on the intelligence and satellite imagery currently available, they cannot move beyond a certain distance from the Sky Pit. Their priority is protecting the Sky Pit. Otherwise, the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group could not possibly have escaped."
Aboard the Carl Vinson, once it had sailed a certain distance away from the Sky Pit, the flying vehicles stopped pursuing it and returned to the area around the Sky Pit. The specific reason remained unknown.
The officers in the technical reconnaissance team had discussed it, and there were only two possible situations for the surviving F/A-18 carrier-based aircraft.
One was insufficient fuel, making it impossible to reach Hawaii; the other was airframe damage, leaving them lost.
For those low on fuel and unable to find a landing platform, the Charles de Gaulle was an airport at sea. Those who were lost would be led back by J-15s or Sea Rafales.
"The fleet cannot turn back. Before we completely leave the mission area, broadcast on all channels several times. Light a beacon for those pilots still alive and bring them home. Prepare the broadcast."
"Understood."
The technicians adjusted 815A's communications antennas and routed all onboard power to the communications system. Once preparations were complete, they nodded to the officer responsible for the broadcast.
The broadcast would be conducted repeatedly, each message repeated three times, until the fleet left the mission area.
It would not be limited to 815A. Great East's entire system would be used for the broadcast, with space-based, air-based, and sea-based platforms participating. The Charles de Gaulle did not stand by either. Its E-2C AWACS was launched by steam catapult, while its helicopter squadron took off from the deck to prepare to rescue US Military pilots who had bailed out.
Click. The officer picked up the microphone and said solemnly:
"This is the Great East People's Navy vessel 815A and the French Navy Charles de Gaulle carrier formation. Our current position is east longitude, north latitude."
"Heading 030, speed 20 knots. The fleet will maintain its current heading and speed for one hour. Any US Military carrier-based aircraft receiving this broadcast should immediately proceed to nearby waters and rendezvous with our forces."
"Aircraft low on fuel, report your coordinates and bailout coordinates."
"Repeat. X3."
"Captain, the president hasn't approved us doing this."
Inside the Charles de Gaulle's bridge, the First Mate spoke softly. The captain lowered his binoculars and replied nonchalantly, "We are simply fulfilling our duties as allies."
It was impossible for the Charles de Gaulle to charge into battle, but handling some logistical work was no problem. Besides, this would improve their international image and give the USA a little irritation along the way.
"Have the boys clear the deck as quickly as possible."
"Yes!"
The Charles de Gaulle could only carry so many carrier-based aircraft. To accommodate more, the Sea Rafales on the deck had to be moved into the hangar, leaving room for the plastic bugs to park on deck.
Over the next hour, four Hornets arrived near the Charles de Gaulle one after another, guided by 815A's broadcast and escorting aircraft. One, running out of fuel, abandoned the aircraft and bailed out into the surrounding waters, where the pilot was rescued by a speedboat.
The helicopter squadron rescued two US Military pilots who had bailed out over more distant waters.
The instant those rescued pilots set foot on the flight deck, some clutched the ground crew and burst into tears, some dropped to their knees and wept with their heads in their hands, while others stared into the distance as if their souls had left them.
Compared with their comrades, they had been lucky to survive. But no one knew when the psychological trauma of the battle would heal.
Nearby, officers snapped away, capturing this historic moment. Tomorrow's AFP headline would be this. Compared with the USA rescuing small animals, they appeared far warmer. Thank goodness technology was in the hands of civilization!
The fleet sailed toward the Liaoning. Crew members stood at the stern and looked into the distance. Even from here, they could still see the Sky Pit, like a crystal-clear glass bead flashing with multicolored streams of light.
Time: 30 hours after the appearance of the Sky Pit (0800)
Location: Somewhere in the Western Pacific
Liu Jun stood on the flight deck, watching the sun rise in the east. After staring at the morning sun for a while, he finally shifted his gaze to a Z-8 approaching the carrier.
After the Z-8 approached the Liaoning, it circled to adjust its landing attitude before slowly touching down under the ground crew's guidance.
Once the Z-8 had stabilized and its cabin door opened, several officers hurried down carrying bags and packages of various sizes. Ground crew members stepped forward and secured the helicopter with Mooring Locks.
Liu Jun raised an eyebrow slightly when he noticed Jiaolong Commando members in black combat uniforms beside them, seemingly serving as bodyguards for those officers.
The officers carrying cases entered the Island, where the Liaoning's captain and the commander of its carrier air wing stood at the entrance to greet these special officers.
"Captain!" After saluting the two men, the lieutenant colonel said gravely, "We need to retrieve the data from aircraft 139 and 140 immediately. Then prepare a helicopter. We need to return home as soon as possible."
"Understood!"
The captain nodded, glancing at the custom case handcuffed to the other man's wrist before looking at the female major officer wearing gold-rimmed glasses behind him. Her chest insignia identified her as a technician, and not one of low rank. She was probably a key technical specialist from 815A.
He turned and signaled for the officer beside him to make the arrangements. As for how they would fly directly from the Liaoning back to the mainland, that was not his concern. Someone would naturally arrange the next leg of the journey.
While waiting, Song Xizhu looked out over the flight deck. Ground crew in vests of different colors bustled about, and amid the roaring noise, two more armed J-15s took off. It was her first time aboard an aircraft carrier. The enormous deck resembled a steel plaza, utterly different from anything aboard 815A.
Before long, Wei Jianhua, commander of Liaoning's air group, strode over. After meeting the two technicians from 815A, he shook hands with the lieutenant colonel, then saw the latter look toward Song Xizhu behind him.
"This is Major Song Xizhu, codename Professor."
Wei Jianhua immediately realized that this major was the key technical specialist. He extended his right hand to her. "Hello, Comrade Song Xizhu."
"Hello, Comrade Wei Jianhua."
After a polite handshake, the air group commander led them through the Island and into the carrier's hangar. Song Xizhu fixed her gaze on the J-15S before her.
To ordinary people, the J-15S might seem small. But only when standing in front of it did one realize how enormous it truly was. The Flying Shark was more than twenty-two meters long; stood upright, it would be even a little taller than a Gundam.
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