184: Chapter 184 Stall Spin

Wang Wei accelerated, arriving right beside Su Wen's JJ-16 formation.

Su Wen was startled by Wang Wei's sudden movement and was about to start cursing, but when he saw Flying Dragon 1, his eyes widened, and it took a moment before he managed to blurt out,

"Wang Wei?"

"Flying Dragon, say hello to our teammate."

Wang Wei smiled and waved at Su Wen. Flying Dragon 1 was even more dramatic, performing a barrel roll that made Su Wen's neck twist halfway around as he followed the carrier-based aircraft's movement.

Just like that, Wang Wei moved from Su Wen's right side to his left.

Flying Dragon 1 used precise calculations to bring them extremely close together. It wasn't the first time Wang Wei had performed this maneuver, but this time, he felt he could see every detail of Su Wen's face clearly.

It was the same for Su Wen; he could see clearly too, though he wasn't looking at the person, but at Flying Dragon 1.

"Wang Wei, is this our new fighter jet? Damn, that's cool. Hey, do a few more turns, I haven't seen enough yet."

"Strictly speaking, it's the carrier-based aircraft for the kunpeng. Pretty cool, right? The carrier-based unit is about to start recruiting pilots. Interested, Su Wen?"

"Interested? Definitely! I'm signing up as soon as I get back. Goodness gracious…"

"Captain Wang Wei, there are four F-35s trailing us from the side rear. One of them has already activated its active radar."

Flying Dragon 1 chimed in while Wang Wei and Su Wen were talking.

"Who was that? Wang Wei, is this carrier-based aircraft a two-seater?" Su Wen had heard the voice, but he hadn't realized it was synthesized.

"The carrier-based aircraft can hold up to three people, but what you just heard wasn't a real person—it was the voice of Flying Dragon 1. Haha, it's an intelligent human-machine interface system!"

"Alright, I won't keep you. Continue your patrol as planned. Leave the island nation's aircraft to us, the Flying Dragon Squad."

"They just won't give up, sticking to us like a plaster. I'm going to go teach them a lesson. See you later, Su Wen…"

"Alright, stay safe. We'll provide cover from the sidelines."

As soon as Su Wen finished replying, he saw Flying Dragon 1 accelerate and surge forward, quickly vanishing from sight.

The two F-35s behind saw this and accelerated in pursuit, but they were significantly slower.

"Damn, that's some interesting speed. Haha."

Koizumi Ichiro followed closely behind Wang Wei, with his wingman beside him.

"Lead, how is this new Chinese aircraft flying so fast? We can't keep using afterburners; the engines won't be able to take it."

The wingman asked nervously.

Koizumi Ichiro didn't answer. He was focused on Wang Wei's position on the radar, his expression flickering between grim and confused.

After watching for a long time, he suddenly realized.

"Baka! This Chinese pilot is toying with us. He's playing the tortoise and the hare."

"Lead, what do you mean? What tortoise and hare?"

Koizumi Ichiro couldn't be bothered to respond to the rookie. He felt that the young people of the island nation these days acted without thinking, never taking the initiative to consider details, just waiting to be spoon-fed.

He sighed, and when he turned back to look at the radar screen, he was astonished to find that the fighter jet had vanished.

"Baka! Where is the fighter ahead?"

"Lead, I—I didn't notice."

While Koizumi Ichiro was frantically searching for him, Wang Wei had already executed a wide maneuver. Relying on Flying Dragon 1's superior maneuverability and speed, he had climbed, flipped behind them, and switched to stealth coating in the process.

Wang Wei was considering how to teach these islanders a lesson. Opening fire directly wasn't realistic; it was peacetime, after all, unless the other side fired first or used fire-control radar to lock on.

Besides, if a real fight broke out, the Flying Dragon Squad might be fine, but the JJ-16 formation was right there with them.

After leading Koizumi Ichiro on a chase, Wang Wei had an idea.

"Flying Dragon 1, calculate the angle. Cut into their flight path at high speed from a horizontal oblique angle. Level the plane, then push the engine power to 80 percent. Let's let them eat our exhaust."

"Acknowledged, Captain Wang Wei."

After a slight pause, Flying Dragon 1 accelerated and surged toward the two F-35s ahead. The entire maneuver was completed in mere seconds.

In the blink of an eye, Flying Dragon 1 had overtaken Koizumi Ichiro and his wingman, vanishing into the distance…

It departed with flair, leaving the two F-35s in a tough spot. Flying Dragon 1's terrifying speed instantly tore through the airflow in front of and alongside the two jets, creating a violent flow separation effect over the F-35s' wings.

Under these conditions, the two F-35s instantly entered a terrifying stall spin, spiraling as they plummeted downward.

"Damn it! Wingman, hurry, recover! We've been set up! We don't have much time! Hurry!"

The moment his aircraft went out of control, Koizumi Ichiro checked his altitude. Without realizing it, they had been led by Wang Wei into a low-altitude zone.

At their current speed, if they couldn't recover the aircraft quickly, their only option would be to eject to save themselves.

"Hai! Hai!"

The wingman replied anxiously.

"Wingman, don't give up! We were at maximum speed earlier. Do—do not use the standard recovery method! You must reduce the throttle to idle, then… then apply full rudder in the opposite direction of the spin. Once the spin stops, then—then use the standard recovery method!"

"Ah? Hai… but I—I followed the textbook method! Oh no… the plane is completely, completely out of control…"

"Eject immediately! Abandon the aircraft! Eject immediately!"

"…"

Koizumi Ichiro shouted anxiously to his wingman while fighting with all his might to control his own aircraft. Just as he was reaching his limit, he finally managed to recover.

He had no time to celebrate; he turned his head to search for his wingman.

But after searching for a while, there was no sign of the wingman anywhere.

"Wingman, how are you? Wingman?"

There was no response in his headset. Koizumi Ichiro checked his radar, but the signal had also vanished.

"Ah! Baka!!!"

Koizumi Ichiro began frantically slapping his thighs. After venting, he finally regained some composure. He took one last look at the sea and put his headset back on.

"Sasaki, this is Koizumi Squad calling Sasaki Squad."

"Sasaki Squad here. Major Koizumi, how is it on your end? I suggest we retreat immediately. We are no match for their new aircraft. I've already reported to Base Camp. If we stay any longer, I'm afraid we'll suffer. As the saying goes, 'Where there is green wood, there is always firewood'…"

"My wingman has crashed. The pilot's status is unknown. I have recorded the approximate coordinates of the crash. I need to report this to Base Camp and request that they immediately dispatch a search and rescue team."

Koizumi Ichiro said in a heavy tone. He no longer possessed the high spirits he had when he arrived; he sounded like a dying old man, his voice weak and listless.