Red Fox

Liu Jun took the document and began reading through it.

Mission Codename: Red Fox

Operation Codename: Red Fox-2

Mission Objective: Test the destructive effects of three types of air-to-air missiles against the alien civilization "Sentinel" (1).

Mission Procedure: After taking off from TAB-3, fly to the mission airspace at coordinates . Upon arrival, refuel in the air. Red Fox-1 will contact you proactively. Launch PL17, PL15, PL11A, and PL8BA as instructed by Red Fox-1 to test weapon damage. Launch PL15A, PL11A, and PL8B as circumstances require.

Risk Assessment: At present, it is unknown what operational rules Type 1 will adopt when subjected to long-range attacks. Exercise caution and prioritize your own survival (2).

Note 1: Based on the behavior of the unidentified aircraft encountered so far, they have been assessed as primarily conducting reconnaissance. Codename: Type 1 (Sentinel).

Note 2: Before signing, you have the right to refuse this mission due to its risks and must sign a confidentiality agreement. After signing, you will be dealt with according to regulations!

Before signing, he could still refuse. Once he signed, however, changing his mind would make him a deserter.

After carefully reading the physical mission file three times and ensuring he understood every detail and requirement, Liu Jun signed his name and handed the document to the major.

The major accepted the file, checked the signature, closed it, and placed it into a manila envelope. Then he saluted Liu Jun.

His tone softened as he quietly asked, "How about a photo?"

"Sure."

Neither of them said why they were taking a photo, but both understood. Afterward, the major said nothing more. He merely wished his comrade success in the mission before turning to leave. He had other duties to attend to.

Liu Jun went to the changing room. He set down his lunchbox, relieved himself, and put on a "diaper" — a urine collection device. This mission would not be short. He could not hold it in for hours; that would affect his condition.

When he returned to his J-15, he saw a squad of ground crew in red vests pushing three ammunition carts toward the aircraft.

The ground crew pushed the carts beneath the pylons. Before loading the missiles, they conducted one final thorough inspection of the missiles' exteriors, circuitry, and solid propellant, then checked the pylons' mechanical structures, electrical interfaces, and hydraulic systems.

Once everything was confirmed to be in order, adapters were installed beneath the wings. Motors raised the ammunition racks, aligning them with the attachment points on the pylons.

Liu Jun's J-15 was a relatively late model and could carry PL15s and PL17s. However, its wingtip pylons could only carry PL8BAs and their upgraded variants; they could not carry PL10s.

Hook connection.

Electrical connection.

Hook lock status and interface seal integrity normal.

After loading the missiles, the ground crew looked toward Liu Jun. Carrying his helmet, he slowly walked over to aircraft 189.

"Second Lieutenant, please inspect the ordnance."

"Understood."

He climbed into the cockpit via the boarding ladder and powered up the avionics. The fire-control system ran a communications self-test, confirming that it was in launch-ready status. The fire-control system calibrated the missiles' seekers.

Liu Jun looked at the weapons configuration displayed on the panel. Though it was not as brutally loaded as a J-16 missile truck, it was still more than well-armed.

Ready (RDY) — PL11A

Ready (RDY) — PL15A

Ready (RDY) — PL17A

Ready (RDY) — PL8B

Ready (RDY) — Cannon (GUN)

PL11A — the PL12AE was the export version, with E denoting export — was a mature medium-range infrared missile.

The PL15A and PL17A had likely received replacement seekers as well, though their combat performance remained unknown. Only one of each had been loaded for testing.

The wingtip pylons carried two PL-8B short-range dogfighting missiles. The outer wing pylons carried two PL-11A medium-range air-to-air missiles. The inner wing pylons each carried a long, utility-pole-like PL17 and PL15. The belly pylon carried an external fuel tank to extend range — a typical air-combat loadout for facing an alien civilization.

The fire-control link was fully operational. Liu Jun looked at the ground crewman standing on the boarding ladder beside him, confirming the self-test data. "Everything is normal."

"Understood! May everything go smoothly!"

The ground crewman offered his blessing, climbed down the ladder, and pulled it away. Liu Jun closed the canopy. A tow vehicle clamped onto the nose gear and drove toward the runway. After reaching the end of the runway and positioning the aircraft, it pulled away.

The J-15's two engines ignited in sequence, entering the takeoff procedure.

"Changkong calling Control Tower, requesting takeoff."

"Takeoff approved. Proceed to the mission airspace immediately after takeoff."

"Changkong, roger."

The fully fueled and armed J-15 raced down the runway. Its takeoff run was considerably longer than when unloaded. Once its taxiing speed was sufficient and the lift generated by the wings exceeded the aircraft's weight, Liu Jun pulled back on the stick. The Flying Shark left the ground and soared into the sky.

The J-15 quickly climbed and vanished from the Control Tower's view. It entered radio silence and flew toward the coordinates provided by the tower.

Over the western Pacific, an aircraft resembling the Fat Girl Yun-20 but topped with a massive circular disc flew at an altitude of 12,000 meters, conducting long-range reconnaissance. Advanced gallium nitride and silicon carbide technology, combined with low costs, had put Great East's radar capabilities far ahead of the competition.

The presumed dual-sided array radar atop the KJ-3000 scanned somewhere in the distance.

"Targets acquired: 97. Type 1, codename Triangle Aircraft. Altitude: 1,000. Circling the Sky Pit. No response to radar waves."

"Lower eleven o'clock, range 400. Two airborne targets detected. No IFF Identification response. Electromagnetic spectrum signals identify them as E-2s."

"Ten o'clock, range 600. One airborne target. IFF Identification: civilian aircraft."

Inside the cabin, the combat operations officers studied the signals intercepted by radar scans. Targets could indeed be acquired at long range, but for unknown reasons, once they drew closer, electromagnetic clutter increased geometrically. Radar-guided missile seekers could not acquire targets under the interference and became blind. Based on assessments and think tank projections, infrared missiles remained the most viable option at this stage.

The combat operations commander checked the time. Two minutes remained before the mission began. They were only waiting for personnel to arrive.

During that time, the KJ-3000 detected airborne targets in other directions with either responsive or nonresponsive military IFF Identification. Other countries were monitoring the Sky Pit as well.

Time ticked by. Almost at the exact instant the mission was scheduled to begin, an airborne target appeared on the KJ-3000's radar scan. IFF Identification confirmed it was aircraft 189, codename Red Fox-2. The aircraft's status was transmitted through the data link to the KJ-3000 combat command system.

"Reporting to the commander: aircraft 189 has entered the area!"

Seeing that the mission personnel were in position, the commander said in a low voice, "Mission begins! Notify the captain to descend to tactical support altitude — 9,000 meters, for more precise target tracking and command control."

The two escorting J-15Ss immediately descended with the KJ-3000, serving as its loyal armed guards and backup communications relays.