Chapter 826

Chapter 826: Beast Blood Boiling

It was as if a pair of graceful dolphins leaped out from the vast sea of clouds.

This pair of "dolphins" carried two faint orange tail flames, soaring higher and higher in the cool moonlight.

In the silent night, under the lightly shimmering silver moon, the ascending fighter jets created a thunderous roar as they streaked across the sky, painting a picture of human technology conquering nature.

"Calling ‘Lightning’ team, this is ‘Arnold.’ Please respond."

During night navigation, it was not about watching the scenery outside the cockpit; it was crucial to attentively monitor the instruments on the control panel. Colonel Eagle King David de Hitt piloted the F-35 "Lightning II," hearing the voice of radio communication in his ear.

"This is ‘Lightning’ team; wingman ‘Eagle King’ responding!"

The mission was urgent, and the only top pilots from Arnold Air Force Base were "Eagle King" and "Nightmare." Eagle King was merely temporarily filling in as the F-35 pilot, which was not difficult for the top pilots of America’s first flight team.

In fact, during his stay at Arnold Air Force Base, he had accumulated twenty hours of flight time on the F-35 through his friendship, making him qualified for operational missions.

"’Lightning’ team, leader ‘Nightmare’ responding!"

The voice of Colonel Todd Evans, the team leader, came through on the radio channel.

"Great! Now I will announce the official operational plan. The operational area is ×××××, location: Scarlet Manor. Upon spotting the target, launch an immediate attack to completely destroy it. I am sending the enemy identification signal now! Please be ready to receive!"

The electronic map of the two fighter jets immediately pinpointed the operational area, with red dots flashing continuously.

Although they did not know what the target was, the higher-ups had sent the enemy identification signal in advance — weren’t they just sitting ducks?

Could it be a drill? This seemed too easy.

Eagle King David de Hitt was filled with doubt, unable to comprehend the orders from above.

However, from the coordinates, it seemed to be located in the southeast region of Tennessee.

The entire United States was divided into numbered blocks, with each string of numbers representing an area. A pilot familiar with the map could roughly determine which position was represented by the area data based on some patterns.

"’Eagle King,’ begin counting munitions!"

Team leader "Nightmare," Todd Evans, urged his friend David de Hitt without hesitation over the radio.

"’Eagle King’ acknowledges!"

Eagle King David de Hitt opened the weapon and ammunition list.

One independently mounted cannon; it’s worth noting that they were piloting the STOVL version of the F-35 undergoing technical testing at Arnold Air Force Base, capable of short takeoff and vertical landing.

Arnold Air Force Base had the world’s largest comprehensive wind tunnel, jet and rocket engine testing rooms, space simulators, and high-speed ballistic test ranges. They focused on researching, developing, and evaluating new aviation body systems to provide references for the Ministry of Defense on new weapons procurement. Recently, they were also verifying the F-35’s STOVL version to see if it could replace the AV-8B and F/A-18C/D.

Two GBU-31 JDAMs (Joint Direct Attack Munitions) with a payload of 1000 pounds (500 kilograms) each, two 500-pound Mark-77 napalm bombs, and two 500-pound CBU-55B cluster cloud explosive bombs.

Six high-power bombs, most of which were equipped with GPS guidance technology, complemented the F-35 "Lightning II," which excelled at ground strikes. Strangely, however, there were no conventional Small Diameter Bombs (SDB) loaded.

As Eagle King David de Hitt reported the quantity of weapons, he internally questioned this weapon list.

How could conventional air-to-ground operations use such a weapon configuration? This seemed more suited for a thorough cleanup and cremation assault.

Did the enemy’s location lack any proper air defense facilities, only having simple houses or ordinary armed personnel? Why would they need an F-35, a fighter jet of such caliber? An ordinary F-16 would probably suffice.

"Calling ‘Arnold,’ what if there are innocent civilians near the target?"

Eagle King David de Hitt suddenly inquired to Arnold Air Force Base, sensing an increasing cloud of doubt. This operational mission felt unusual, shrouded in a strange shadow.

"’Eagle King,’ do not ask too many questions!"

Perhaps sensing the doubts in his old friend’s heart, Colonel Nightmare Todd Evans suddenly reminded his good friend, "If the higher-ups wanted you to know something, they would tell you. If they don’t want you to know, it’s best not to ask too many questions."

"…Repeat the previous order: launch an immediate attack upon discovering the target and completely destroy it! Any questions, ‘Eagle King’?"

The operations command center fell silent for four to five seconds, without directly addressing Eagle King’s doubts.

"No problems!" Colonel Eagle King David de Hitt felt a tightening in his chest, having to keep all his questions to himself.

"’Lightning’ team will arrive at the operational area in twenty minutes."

Colonel Nightmare Todd Evans tactfully shifted the topic, reminding that soldiers should unconditionally obey orders; he didn’t want his good friend to leave a bad impression on the military high-ups.

…

Scarlet Manor had turned into a battlefield. The sound of M16 rifles echoed continuously, with bullets flying in all directions.

"Don’t stop shooting! Maintain continuous fire! Change magazines alternately, throw grenades, don’t conserve ammunition, shoot continuously! Sniper! Sniper! Where the hell are you? Use armor-piercing rounds on them! We must protect Mr. DuPont’s vehicle and ensure he gets away safely!"

Major Swark roared orders, holding an M16 as he directed his soldiers to form a firepower network. He never imagined that a simple escort mission would lead to such a terrifying situation.

He and over one hundred fully armed soldiers seemed unable to successfully stop the two suddenly appeared fierce beasts. Amid the screams, soldiers and others kept getting knocked down and cruelly torn apart.

The air was thick with the smell of blood and gunpowder, as if the world had reached its end. Dark red bullets flew everywhere, and many vehicles were on fire, flames reaching high into the sky.

Where did these fierce beasts come from? They were like Warcraft straight from hell!

Major Swark’s orders were undoubtedly correct; there was no way conventional human tactics could effectively stop those two monsters.

With a loud bang, a light infantry armored vehicle was flipped over. Its tough armor, designed to withstand various light weapons, was torn open in several terrifying places, and the screams of the armored personnel inside echoed, with luck having allowed them to escape with their lives.

Next, the container truck loaded with important items was forcefully overturned by the two beasts. The rolling containers detached from the vehicle’s platform, like toys thrown by mischievous children, sending soldiers and bodyguards protecting important items inside screaming as they were flung out, nearly flying past Major Swark’s head.

Boom! The severely deformed container crashed into a Rolls-Royce that had just started to accelerate, its heavy body unable to reach enough speed quickly, despite its luxury.

Metal fragments flew everywhere as the massive container could not withstand the tremendous force of impact and began to deform severely, shattering irreparably.

Items and people inside were thrown out, scattering to the ground.

"Not good! Mr. DuPont!"

Major Swark had no time to recall the earlier harrowing scene; he instead rushed toward the Rolls-Royce without hesitation.

"Open fire, open fire! Don’t stop! If we don’t kill them, we won’t survive!"

Major Swark shouted as he sprinted, quickly reaching the half-crushed Rolls-Royce trapped under the broken container.

With unknown strength, he forcefully tugged at the slightly deformed rear door. An elderly man with gray hair slumped in the seat, groaning weakly.

"Cover me, bring two people!"

Major Swark called for two soldiers, disregarding the others inside the vehicle, and, together with the two soldiers, they clumsily lifted the injured Mr. DuPont out but were careful not to move him too much, fearing internal injuries.

"Mr. DuPont, Mr. DuPont!"

Mr. DuPont’s capable aide, Clark, regained consciousness in the co-pilot’s seat. He couldn’t help but spit out a mouthful of blood, coughing and struggling to push open the door, stumbling over to his boss’s side. He carefully checked Mr. DuPont’s condition, whispering his name softly.

The sturdy body of the Rolls-Royce had saved his life; however, the driver was not so lucky, having collapsed on the airbag, bleeding from every orifice, eyes wide open and lifeless.

"Uh! Cough cough! Ugh! Ugh!"

Mr. DuPont leaned against the Rolls-Royce, coughing and dry heaving as he dazedly opened his eyes. He seemed to have a slight concussion, his pupils failing to focus as he groaned, "Longinus! Time-space key! My Longinus!"

The Longinus spear obtained by the U.S. Military from the Aden Gulf star gate fell out from the shattered container, landing a dozen steps away. It effortlessly pierced through a fragment of the container, slanting into the ground and reflecting an unusual sheen in the nearby flames.

Major Swark intended to say more, but suddenly a long wail silenced him.

"Ah…"

The scream seemed to fly over and crashed down near the Rolls-Royce, landing right in front of Major Swark.

"Lieutenant Johnny!"