A somewhat bulky support aircraft flew over.
These aircraft were slow and cheap to build. They could carry combat squads or supplies, and some were fitted with weapons systems. Flexible in use and well suited to supporting ground forces, they served much the same purpose as helicopters had in his previous life.
A few minutes later, the group boarded.
The support aircraft lifted off again, retracted its landing gear, and accelerated away.
Almost at the same time—
The air rippled a dozen or so kilometers away. A fighter whose outline the rain had already traced came into view. It hovered silently, heavier than an air-superiority fighter but still sleek, its build looking sturdier beneath gray-black paint. It was one of Blue Nation's most advanced Hunter Aircraft.
"The last few have left too..."
"Their identities are confirmed!"
"Nightmare can pursue at any time!"
"Nightmare, return to base!"
"Huh? Why? Why aren't we pursuing them?"
"I don't know either. Don't ask me. Those are orders from general headquarters."
"They killed our entire squadron."
"Wrong! A mercenary squadron! Those murderers treated this place like a playground. They should've been ready to die. The higher-ups have noticed what those guys did in Duqin. Just wait—someone's going before a court-martial soon..."
"Nightmare preparing to return!"
"Good."
The Hunter Aircraft turned invisible again, slowly swung around, then abruptly accelerated through the curtain of rain.
Boom!
A deafening sonic boom.
Apart from the two pilots, Colonel Song was the only one aboard the support aircraft.
Seeing that Chen Shu had brought an extra person, Colonel Song asked about her but was not too strict. He knew of Chen Shu's connection to the Spirit Sect, and he knew the standing of Zhang Suannai, the Gate of Myriad Wonders, and the others traveling with him. Naturally, he assumed