Flight

After returning from the monster subjugation mission, Daigo tried to enter the training room every day for three days straight, but he was turned away each time. They wouldn't even open the door for him.

To avoid him, the Rookie Squad had also stayed out of the training room for three whole days.

They were both flying fighter jets, yet after the First Viper crashed, Shinjoh hadn't smelled nearly so bad. Daigo, on the other hand, had somehow picked up a terrible stench.

According to Hori, it would take at least seven days for the smell to fade.

But even after seven days had passed, everyone was still shaken. They only spent a little time in the training room doing basic fitness exercises, then went right back to flight training.

Well, it wasn't that they hated him. They just couldn't stand the smell.

At the controls of a reserve First Viper, Zhou Hong streaked across the azure sky.

Perhaps it was because he'd learned Nexus's flying techniques, or because The Next (Shunichi Maki) had passed on his dream. Or perhaps the skills he'd built up over a short time had finally burst forth. Whatever the reason, Zhou Hong's flying had become much smoother.

He performed all kinds of high-difficulty maneuvers, darting through the clouds and executing all manner of unbelievable stunts. He made sudden stops at full speed, then pushed the engine to its limit with a roaring burst of acceleration.

Such rough handling was enough to significantly shorten a fighter jet's service life.

The soaring orange-yellow jet danced like a bolt of lightning through a barrage of lasers, spinning to dodge every training shot. Every so often, it fired back, its training laser bolts striking the opposing aircraft.

As a fellow rookie with a gift for flying, Yumimura Ryo knew exactly how difficult those maneuvers were. They didn't just require skill.

They required a powerful body, nearly monstrous dynamic vision and reflexes, and perfect control over every movement.

Through the communicator, she could also hear how miserable Captain Hibiki Gousuke was in the First Viper.

His groans were growing weaker by the second.

But she wasn't bad herself. Though she was still a rookie, her natural talent for flying fighter jets was already showing.

"They're incredibly talented. I think these people are ready to join GUTS on missions," Munakata said quietly as he watched the training.

Since Daigo and Shinjoh often visited the Rookie Squad, among other reasons, GUTS had been paying close attention to the unit.

"Training is one thing. Combat is another."

Megumi Iruma watched the screen. The fighter jet flew wildly, darting wherever it pleased, like a free-roaming gale. Her eyes filled with nostalgia. "The way he flies reminds me of Hayate."

Shinjoh was known as an ace pilot, but if you counted the man who'd been sent to Moon Karou Base as a pilot—

He'd gone from being a pilot to an astronaut. Otherwise, Shinjoh would never have been able to hold on to his title.

Commander Munakata had also spent some time with Hayate. He knew how formidable the man was.

"He's still too green compared to that genius."

It was an unbiased assessment. Compared with Captain Hayate, who relied entirely on his flying skills, Zhou Hong's technique was still immature.

But if they were pitted against each other, it was hard to say who would win. Perhaps Hayate would be overwhelmed by Zhou Hong's frenzied attack, or perhaps his superb skills and experience would leave Zhou Hong unable to bring his strengths to bear.

Zhou Hong knew perfectly well that his current flying skills were only possible because he was forcing his powerful body to keep up.

At the speeds he flew, anyone with even slightly poor stamina would never last.

Even though he'd already gotten used to flying the First Viper, he was still a little rusty. He couldn't attack while maintaining smooth flight.

And if he had a partner in combat—

Hibiki Gousuke, who looked ready to throw up in front of him, was the perfect example.

"Too weak, Captain!" A faint smile tugged at Zhou Hong's lips.

"Damn it."

Hibiki Gousuke was actually in pretty good shape. He exercised regularly and was quite strong.

But compared with someone inhuman, he still fell short.

It was only natural that the rough flying made him feel a little sick.

Once Yumimura Ryo hit the last opposing aircraft, the special training session came to an end.

But in GUTS's Command Room, they received some bad news.

"Dr. Mizuno's plane has lost contact. It's been an hour since we received the report," Yazumi said. The Command Room fell silent.

Research aircraft didn't communicate directly with GUTS's Command Room. By the time word reached them after all this time, everything might already be over.

Megumi Iruma fell silent. Hori was close to his mentor, and he would probably have a hard time accepting the news.

"Let's tell Hori first."

She believed her teammate could find his way out of this nightmare.

"Whatever happens, we need to confirm the exact status of Dr. Mizuno's research plane."

"Shinjoh, Daigo, take off." Megumi Iruma paused abruptly. She considered it for a moment, then pressed the communications button.

"Deputy Captain Zhou, Dr. Mizuno's plane has lost contact. Could you head to the location on the map and check on him?"

"Shinjoh and Daigo will set out to support you immediately."

The Rookie Squad belonged to the Security Bureau, so strictly speaking, GUTS had no authority to dispatch them.

But regulations weren't always absolute.

They were already out on a training mission, so they could just tack on a reconnaissance mission.

Zhou Hong was on his way back to headquarters, but without the slightest hesitation, he yanked the control stick. The fighter jet made a graceful drift in the air. As it broke the sound barrier, the First Viper shot forward like a bolt of lightning.

Only then did Zhou Hong's reply ring through GUTS.

"Understood."

To be safe, Daigo and Shinjoh prioritized steady flying. Most pilots did. But this brawny guy loved to fly rough, and he was good at pushing his jet to the limit.

Gazort was probably responsible for Dr. Mizuno's disappearance.

Gazort had appeared nearly as often as the Kyrieloid, so Zhou Hong still remembered it clearly.

Gazort lived at high altitudes and could also disrupt aircraft communications.

So Zhou Hong kept the First Viper at a relatively low altitude.

Hibiki Gousuke had never been one to ask too many questions. He knew his deputy captain was a mystery, and adjusted to the flight as they went.

They soon reached the location where Dr. Mizuno had lost contact.

A black cloud floated in the distance.

"We've found nothing. There's no trace of Dr. Mizuno's ship."

Zhou Hong slowly reduced the First Viper's speed as they approached the cloud of Gazort.

"The sensors have detected scattered metal signatures in the black cloud ahead."

Zhou Hong's report extinguished the last shred of hope in Megumi Iruma's heart.

"Sorry for the trouble. We'll take it from here."