Sky-cracking Rider

In the hangar of the Hanuman Airborne Group, four fully armed combat aircraft were ready for battle. Group Leader Laimen Hoffman even indulged in a 500 Star Yuan cigar, looking very relaxed. Just thinking about the famous "Genuine Fragrance" Combat Flight Squadron suffering a huge fall at his hands, even to the point of being wiped out, naturally made him exceedingly jubilant! Stepping on Jiu Defense Company for a high-profile victory was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Therefore, Laimen Hoffman couldn't help but let out a sly chuckle. Mere advanced trainers, not professional fighters, even if they were active service equipment, how could they possibly be a match for the F-40 and F-40X? Most importantly, the Hanuman Airborne Group had the backing of big shots, so it would be wise for Jiu Defense to surrender right away, now, immediately. Although not very dignified, at least it would save their lives, right? It was 9:45 in the morning, half an hour left before the duel began. He glanced at the time, rose from his beach chair, and walked towards the four roaring combat aircraft. It was time to encourage the lads, soon to slice up the "Genuine Fragrance" Squadron like chopping vegetables, with hefty red envelopes to go around. "All ready, no mistakes, check everything several times!" Laimen Hoffman was cautious; the logistics team comprised his own people, without needing the ground crew provided by the Abyss Coliseum hosts. They were never underpaid and always well-treated. Though not numerous, each member of his team was capable of holding their own. For a small team to survive, taking the elite route and banding together was a must. The chief mechanic was organizing tools and parts and looked up to greet Laimen Hoffman. Without needing a reminder, he had already checked everything over and over to ensure nothing was amiss. "Boss, at least ten times over!" "Damn it!" Clang!~ A mechanic sat on the ground without reason, unable to even cry out in pain before hurriedly standing back up. "Barno, what are you doing?" The Hanuman Air Service Group's chief mechanic frowned and looked over, concerned that such unexpected noise could disturb the others, especially at such a critical moment. "It's, it's not good!" The mechanic shouted back in a panicked tone. "What's not good?" This time, even Group Leader Laimen Hoffman noticed his subordinate's agitation. "The 'Genuine Fragrance' squadron, they switched fighters!" The fallen mechanic raised his phone and continued, "Look at the Abyssal Gladiatorial official page, on the special section for the duel schedule, our details against the 'Genuine Fragrance' squadron." He was browsing the Abyss Coliseum's official site out of boredom when he suddenly came across something incredible. "Switched fighters? How... how dare they!!!" The Hanuman Airborne Group's leader Laimen Hoffman immediately felt unease and quickly took out his phone to log into the web browser. Indeed!~ The Abyss Coliseum organizers had set the opening battle between the Hanuman Airborne Group and Jiu Defense's "Genuine Fragrance" Combat Flight Squadron as a surprise for everyone following the Abyssal duels, with a dedicated page with detailed introductions. "Genuine Fragrance" Combat Flight Squadron had an impressive military contracting record. They had fought against the Giant Dragon, faced large military contractors in corporate wars, shining like gold with such experience in the industry. Countless people lusted after them, and for such a team with both formidable fighting power and fortune, it would be far better to take over the whole team rather than poach individuals. If poaching were feasible, even Jiu Defense would have likely been bought out by some top dog in the industry for a hefty sum by now. "What the hell is this 'Canglong' advanced fighter jet?" Laimen Hoffman, pointing at the "Canglong" advanced fighter jet that had replaced the F-22 "Raptor" jet, ranted loudly with frustration. Every member of the Air Service Group could recite the details of every type of aircraft like the back of their hand, yet as a seasoned insider, he had never heard of the model code "Canglong". A group from Hanuman Airborne Group looked at each other in bewilderment. The "Canglong" advanced fighter was the Northern Weapons Industry Group's newly unveiled latest model of a support combat aircraft (still in development), with a design combat capability that, although not at par with the current main combat aircraft, has an absolutely golden ability to far surpass the earnings of the main combat aircraft by targeting a specific user (rich buyers who crave main combat aircraft but can't afford them). It's no wonder that small fries like the Hanuman Airborne Group, who didn't even have a chance to touch it, had never heard of it. If Laimen Hoffman and others hadn't been preoccupied with targeting Jiu Defense and the "Genuine Fragrance" Squadron and had taken the time to visit the aircraft and spacecraft display areas of various manufacturers, they should have had at least some impression of it. "I want to protest!" Laimen Hoffman took out his phone, ready to start cursing. If you can switch combat aircraft on the fly, it doesn't mean others can't. When people become selfish, there is no such thing as fairness. "Manager Jonas…" He connected with the manager of the Abyss Coliseum project management department; before he could say much, the leader of the Hanuman Airborne Group was put in his place. His protest had been anticipated, the script was prepared; an impromptu complaint could never surpass the other party's arguments, putting him at a disadvantage immediately. Still not convinced, Laimen Hoffman once again pulled up the official website of the Abyss Coliseum, found the Northern Weapons Industry Group's page, and sure enough, there was an introduction to the "Canglong" advanced fighter. "Huh? This is it?" Seeing the brief introduction of the "Canglong" project, Laimen Hoffman couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time. Putting a research stage experimental model into actual combat so hastily was surely gambling with lives, wasn't it? If he wasn't wrong, the ultimate fate of an experimental model at this stage often ended in a crash due to design flaws or malfunctions; rarely do they come to a good end, and they might even cost one or two lives. An aircraft like this probably doesn't even need enemies to take it down; who knows when it might fall out of the sky all on its own. Just looking at the design parameters, the comprehensive combat capability was indeed a good deal stronger than the F-40 series combat aircraft deployed by the Hanuman Airborne Group, but as an experimental model, the various immature weaknesses and potential hidden defects could greatly diminish its practical combat effectiveness. Thus, theoretical values are one thing, and reality is another. Once a roommate with "Sauerkraut" Tempun Schneider from the "Genuine Fragrance" Squadron, and later having a conflict with the mechanic, Xiao Ming, over an attempt to seize wooden crafts, a Hanuman Airborne Group reserve pilot, reeking of curry, "Goat Horn" Hamid suddenly saw the light: "So, it's an experimental model!" His tone involuntarily carried a tinge of disdain. After all, any professional could see that an experimental model equaled unreliability. An aircraft ready for mass production, whether it's a military or a civilian aircraft, has undergone countless refinements and corrections. "Hmph! Northern Weapons Industry Group really lacks the perception, daring to support Jiu Defense. Aren't they afraid of Louis Industrial Company!" One of the pilots set to fly in the upcoming battle, "Flying Disk" Rumteyn, resented the Northern Weapons Industry Group for repeatedly backing Jiu Defense, even without any previous clashes with Hanuman Airborne Group. "Lawnmower" Fischer Tand said with a giggle, "On the other hand, the 'Genuine Fragrance' Squadron is at the end of its rope, unable to find a suitable combat aircraft, and even resorting to using an experimental model, hahaha!" "Of course! This time it's not just us Hanuman, several big shots are making moves together, aiming to drive out Jiu Defense and rid our industry of this bad seed. It would have been strange if they could borrow a proper combat aircraft." "Jiu Defense is too arrogant, so self-centered it has no friends, it deserves to be outwitted! Whether it's a trainer aircraft or an experimental one, no matter what they switch to, it wouldn't make a difference. Barno, you're too timid; keep calm, 'Genuine Fragrance' Squadron stands no chance of winning!" The atmosphere within Hanuman Airborne Group was quite relaxed; they were not panicked by the opponent's last-minute change of aircraft. Group leader Laimen Hoffman nodded in agreement, his members made sense. Jiu Defense had run out of tricks; as long as it wasn't a real professional combat aircraft, no matter what they did, they wouldn't be able to make much of a splash and would be powerless to change the final outcome. "Ten-minute countdown, both parties' fighters prepare to enter the parking apron, 'Genuine Fragrance' Squadron to take off five minutes early." The same voice rang in everyone's ears.