Assignment

The academy's great hall.

"Cadet Li Zhi studied diligently and maintained good relations with his fellow cadets during his time at the academy... He also achieved outstanding results in the graduation assessment."

"Following deliberation, the academy has decided to award Li Zhi the rank of captain, with the salary and benefits of a full company commander!"

Clap, clap, clap!

After Director Wang finished reading Li Zhi's commendation from the stage, thunderous applause erupted from the audience.

Captain was the highest rank the academy could award. To rise any higher, Li Zhi would have to earn merit and promotions on his own.

Of the hundred or so cadets graduating this time, fewer than ten had received the rank of captain. All of them had performed exceptionally well both during their studies and in the graduation assessment.

The director personally fastened the shoulder boards onto every cadet. Their four years of study were over, and as he conferred their ranks, it was also time to say goodbye.

"Keep it up!"

After fastening each cadet's shoulder boards, Director Wang would tell him to keep it up. Li Zhi was no exception. Director Wang patted him on the shoulder and said nothing more.

After the ranks had been conferred, it was time for the assignments everyone had been waiting for.

"Lin Dong, Southwest 2nd Aircrew Division, 1st Group!"

"Liu Zhixin, Northern 1st Special Division, 2nd Group!"

"Li Zhi, Southwest 1st Aircrew Division, 1st Group!"

"Qin Buwei, east..."

Lei Hu was the commander of the Southwest 1st Aircrew Division. Li Zhi's assignment had been settled long ago; he was the only one who hadn't known.

"Li Zhi, Lin Dong, you two might still get to see each other now and then. The two of us will be a long way off, though. Who knows if we'll ever see each other again in this lifetime!"

In the dormitory, the men packing their belongings inevitably turned to the subject.

Li Zhi and Lin Dong had both been assigned to the Southwest Military Region, while Liu Zhixin was going much farther away, all the way to the Northern Military Region a thousand li away. Wang Chen was going even farther, "exiled" to the northern border.

"Why don't the two of us swap, then? You got the best deal and you're still complaining! Look at you."

Of the four, Liu Zhixin had gotten the best assignment. He would likely get to fly a Jiaolong 10 as soon as he arrived, while the others would probably have to fly the J-8 for another two years.

"That's the organization's arrangement. How could we just swap because we feel like it? Hehe!"

Everyone knew the Northern Military Region was the favored child. Whenever there was good or new equipment, the Northern Military Region was the first to receive it.

The dormitory fell silent. Only yesterday, they had still been cadets and hadn't given any thought to parting. Today, they were already going their separate ways.

"Everyone, take care!"

"Take care!"

"Take care!"

"Take care!"

Today, each of them would head toward his own future. Yet on this day, none of them could find words of well-wishing or farewell. All they could do was tell one another to take care.

Once they parted today, they wouldn't have another chance to see one another for at least ten years, perhaps even longer!

They didn't even have time for a farewell meal. Their assignments had been announced that morning, and by the afternoon they had to report to their respective units.

Perhaps a clean break was the best choice. They were all soldiers; crying and sniffling would clearly have been unbecoming.

After one last look at the academy where he had studied for four years, Li Zhi turned and climbed into the jeep that had come to pick them up.

Being assigned to the local military region came with a hidden benefit: he didn't have to take a car or a plane to report for duty on his own. A military vehicle had driven straight to the academy gates.

The jeep took Li Zhi straight to the headquarters of the Southwest Military Region's 1st Aircrew Division, located beyond Yuzhou City's fourth ring road.

This place used to be a godforsaken stretch of mountains. He hadn't expected it to begin turning into an urban area in less than twenty years.

Li Zhi had to complete the transfer of his records and receive his specific unit assignment here. Of course, most importantly, his officer's ID and firearms permit had to be made!

As a pilot, even though he was still a rookie who couldn't fly solo, he needed to be issued a gun for self-defense. Training a pilot was no easy task!

Li Zhi was brought outside the division commander's office, which was Lei Hu's office. Lei Hu had always wanted to meet Li Zhi, but for various reasons, the two had never managed to meet.

"Reporting!"

"Come in!"

"Division commander, this is the pilot assigned to our division this year!"

The orderly assumed his division commander didn't know Li Zhi and took care to introduce him. Little did he know that his commander had shamelessly asked for Li Zhi.

"I know. Go wait outside!"

"Yes, sir!"

The orderly turned and walked out, pulling the door shut behind him.

"Division commander, I'm a new recruit who just joined the unit this year. My name is Li Zhi!"

Li Zhi was clear about his position: he was a new recruit. He stood at attention, saluted Lei Hu, and introduced himself.

Lei Hu hardly needed an introduction. He was already very familiar with Li Zhi.

"Li Zhi, our units here are all frontline combat units. You'd better be prepared for hardship!"

Lei Hu gave Li Zhi a warning in advance. Conditions in frontline units really weren't very good, and he needed Li Zhi to be mentally prepared.

"Don't worry, division commander. I've been especially good at enduring hardship since I was little!"

"Good! I knew I was right about you, hahaha!"

Whether Li Zhi meant it or was just saying the right thing, his answer had at least pleased Division Commander Lei Hu greatly.

"You've been assigned to the Bird's Nest. There happens to be a helicopter taking supplies there tomorrow morning. Catch a ride on it, and I'll have someone send your documents to you afterward."

The Bird's Nest had only four pilots to begin with. Then, last month, amid some friction with Peacock Country, two fighter jets encountered each other on patrol.

Neither side would give way, and during the ensuing standoff in the air, the two planes "accidentally" scraped against each other. Fortunately, both pilots successfully ejected, preventing any greater, irreparable consequences.

As the two sides fought to retrieve the pilots, Dragon Country's pilot was unfortunately shot in the leg. Although his life wasn't in danger, returning to the skies was impossible!

Of course, Peacock Country's pilot had also been taken by Dragon Country. As for where that pilot was now, no one knew.

As a result, the Bird's Nest, which had only had four pilots to begin with, was now struggling even to maintain normal combat-readiness duty. Even the squadron leader, who hadn't flown in years, had been forced to fill in.

Lei Hu had rejected several requests for personnel. Where was he supposed to find pilots for them? All he could do was tell them to hold on.

When he had shamelessly asked for Li Zhi, it had been for the Bird's Nest!

If Lei Zhan's units were all on the front lines, then the Bird's Nest was undoubtedly the front line of the front lines. There might not be air incidents every single day, but there was certainly never any time for a proper rest.

As one of the bases closest to the border between Peacock Country and Dragon Country, the Bird's Nest was frequently subjected to provocations from the other side.

Of course, when the other side didn't provoke them, they were a little unaccustomed to it and would take the initiative to "greet" them too!