Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Takeoff
When Yan Shaohua led his warriors through the light gate.
Lin Li and others had already cleared a large area in the camp to prevent any accidental trampling due to space constraints after the troops crossed over.
As the troops gradually arrived, Lin Li stepped forward a few paces and extended his hand:
"Hello, Captain Yan, I’m Lin Li, the head of the Fire Camp. Beside me is the commander of the Special Operations Brigade, Colonel Lin Ziming."
Before Yan Shaohua arrived, he had done his homework and was naturally aware of Lin Li’s identity. He politely shook hands with Lin Li:
"Hello, Director Lin, I’m Yan Shaohua. As per the instructions from the General Staff, all actions of my regiment in the otherworld will be under your command."
Yan Shaohua then turned his head and saluted Lin Ziming: "Colonel Lin, we meet again."
As members of the guard system, Yan Shaohua and Lin Ziming often interacted with each other in daily life.
A few years ago, when they held certain meetings, they were neighbors at the guest house and shared a deep friendship.
Lin Ziming laughed heartily and returned the salute:
"Old Yan, you got a great assignment this time, tsk tsk, the first regiment unit to step into the otherworld, I can’t imagine how many people will envy you."
Yan Shaohua crossed his arms over his chest and hummed proudly:
"Let them envy if they want, it’s not like they have such good soldiers and are closer."
Lin Ziming smiled and patted his shoulder, saying nothing further.
In fact, both Lin Ziming and Yan Shaohua knew very well.
This was an otherworld with extraordinary powers.
Words like ’good assignment’ and ’envy’ were just carefree banter among soldiers.
Indeed, stepping into the otherworld represents glory, but it also could mean bloodshed and sacrifice.
Opportunity always accompanies risk.
But they still came, and without fear.
This is the realization of soldiers.
........
With the falling of large volumes of supplies and personnel, the Fire Camp became notably crowded.
Fortunately, the valley where the camp was located was very spacious longitudinally.
According to the command center’s arrangement.
The newly arrived warriors were arranged along the sides of the camp, while the main battle tanks and armored vehicles were stationed at the outer perimeters.
These vehicles, while serving a guarding function, were directly connected to the road leaving the valley.
Balancing both defense and mobility.
Lin Li, alongside some technicians, approached the two AC311A helicopters.
Lin Li stood outside the cabin door, looked inside, and then turned to a mechanic and asked:
"Master Chen, are the helicopters ready?"
The mechanic from Hu Fei Group, surnamed Chen, put down his wrench and, pointing at the flickering lights on the dashboard, said:
"The automatic rotor tilt meter, collective pitch lever, and altimeter have all been checked, the performance is normal in the otherworld."
Lin Li continued to ask: "There are no satellites launched yet in the otherworld, so Beidou positioning can’t be used. What about the plane’s navigation?"
The mechanic surnamed Chen pointed to Zeng Gu Cheng nearby and smiled:
"Thanks to Director Zeng’s team, thanks to the measurements from the Physics Institute, and the Mechanical Research Institute based on the initial gravitational constant information returned from the otherworld.
They optimized the accelerometers and gyroscopes using the ’Magic Cube III’ supercomputer, and also used the Kalman filter algorithm to enhance the existing magnetic compass navigation.
As a result, combined with Hu Fei’s reserved full navigation technology, the two helicopters can simultaneously use inertial navigation systems, magnetic compass navigation, and full navigation systems.
Although it’s not as accurate as GPS navigation and there’s certain risk in long-distance flight, medium and short-distance flights within 300 kilometers are quite manageable – this range is sufficient for the time being."
Lin Li nodded understandingly.
His expertise is in the biological field, and in terms of physics, he’s just averagely knowledgeable.
But since the mechanic surnamed Chen said so, and Zeng Gu Cheng didn’t object.
The navigation appears to be without major issues.
Additionally.
Because the AC311A is a light aircraft, it does not require a high-tech landing platform.
Lin Li immediately arranged for people to clear out a large section at the edge of the valley to serve as a helicopter landing pad.
After cleaning up the stone and sand, soil stabilizers were sprinkled, followed by a coating of special cement.
Within less than five minutes, a clean and stable temporary helipad was completed.
Yes, the solidification took less than five minutes.
Special cement for flood control solutions is just that straightforward.
Half an hour later, the temporary ground service tower built by Hu Fei Group sent a message:
The full navigation system’s high-frequency omnidirectional beacon was successfully sent and received, the crew was in place, and the two AC311A helicopters were ready to depart at any moment.
Lin Li immediately issued the order: "Both helicopters immediately take off, execute the exploration mission, explore within a radius of 150 kilometers, allow early return in case of emergency."
Buzz buzz buzz—
The helicopter blades rotated rapidly, whipping up a strong wind.
The height of the fuselage slowly increased, finally flying out over the valley, gradually disappearing into the sky.
.....
As a helicopter pilot, 44-year-old Yao Rong has a brilliant resume—Hu Fei Group’s chief test pilot, leader of the rescue team’s aerospace crew, with over ten thousand hours of flight experience, participated in numerous large-scale civilian and official rescue missions, and was honored at the Great Hall as an excellent representative of the industry.
In his lifetime of flying, Yao Rong has almost flown all over the country.
He has gazed upon the grandeur of the East Sea and witnessed the beauty of the highlands.
Had hot pot in Sichuan Province, had fried dough sticks in Shencheng, drank boiled lamb at Yanjing, and even had clay pot rice in Guangdong Province from the Min Province people... ah no, clay pot rice.
Yes, clay pot rice.
In summary, he has wandered in all directions several times over.
But honestly speaking, flying over the territory of the otherworld, this was the first time in Yao Rong’s decades-long career.
As per the command center’s plan, the helicopter piloted by Yao Rong and his partner Yu Guanghui would explore along the southern direction—where the city lies—all the way past.
"Tower, this is 8633, current flight altitude is 3700 meters, approximately 55 kilometers in a straight line from the camp.
The dashboard indicates normal, signal stable, does the command center have any new instructions?"
"8633, this is the tower, no new instructions from the command center, please continue flying in the current direction."
"Roger, roger."
After disconnecting the communication, Yu Guanghui turned his head and smiled at Yao Rong:
"You wouldn’t have thought, Old Yao, we’ve been partners for half a lifetime, and we actually get a chance to fly in the otherworld.
My kid loves reading otherworld novels, but I bet this brat can’t even imagine, while he’s hiding under the covers reading novels, his old man has really entered another world!"
Both Yao Rong and Yu Guanghui are of similar age, and their children are of the same generation, at the peak of their teenage years. Hearing this, Yao Rong said:
"Whose kid doesn’t love these things? My lad does too. Just two weeks ago, he stole the black strap of my watch, wearing it at school showing off, saying it’s a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring."
Saying that, Yao Rong shook his head and sighed:
"Such a pity, we signed a confidentiality agreement about matters in the otherworld, probably won’t ever be able to discuss it in this lifetime."
Yu Guanghui grinned, and seemed more optimistic compared to his slightly dejected partner:
"Not necessarily, the government clearly intends to develop the otherworld; once the timing is right, they might disclose it to the public... Hey, Old Yao, what’s that?"
Following Yu Guanghui’s direction, Yao Rong looked over.
The next second.
Yao Rong grabbed the communication equipment, nearly shouting:
"Tower! Tower! I am 8633, there’s an anomaly on the ground, anomaly on the ground! A large number of massive beasts are moving towards the city!"