Chapter 745: A Glimpse of Gold Coin

“No problem, activating high-altitude hover mode.”

The X-8 “Monstrous” quickly reduced engine output, controlling the vector nozzles and activating the small pulse detonation auxiliary engine, maintaining a hovering position at an altitude of 27,000 meters. The onboard computer system automatically adjusted to compensate for any deviation in the aircraft’s latitude and longitude coordinates.

It seemed a target was about to pass through this coordinate, and then Lin Mo would open fire to intercept?!

The execution method of the mission was becoming clear, but where was the target?

Were they idiots?

Didn’t they know how to evade?

This straightforward ambush seemed a bit foolish!

If the trap were for the SR-91 Aurora, it wouldn’t be impossible. The seven Mach strategic reconnaissance aircraft had an absurd speed, but its maneuverability was a significant issue. Making sharp turns to evade would be like seeking self-destruction; the unbalanced G-forces could tear the aircraft apart in an instant, and it wouldn’t even require Lin Mo’s action to cause it to break itself into pieces in mid-air.

Uh, but wouldn’t doing so drive the Americans crazy? High-altitude strategic reconnaissance aircraft aren’t cheap at all!

If this happened multiple times, the Aurora might end up like the Blackbird, likely to be shelved for good.

While pondering this, Lin Mo suddenly noticed several signals appearing on the radar.

The radar equipped on the X-8 “Monstrous” was far superior to the domestic ones on the X-1, making it one of the best in the country and even internationally advanced.

The modified American-made AN/APG-81 active electronically scanned array radar performed even better than the AN/APG-77 used by the F-22 “Raptor.” It could detect targets at a greater distance, lock onto more targets, and had impressive stealth-penetrating capability.

Five signals!

All were at an altitude above 10,000 meters but below 20,000 meters. The onboard computer system quickly identified the data: none of them were civilian aircraft, startling Lin Mo significantly.

An AWACS-2000 warning aircraft was approximately 80 kilometers away at Lin Mo’s three o’clock position, at an altitude of about 12,600 meters. It was likely the “South China Tiger” that had just maintained communication with him.

During the India-Pakistan war, the AWACS teams supported by the Chinese military were codenamed “Tiger Shark.” It seemed that large-scale reconnaissance warning aircraft from the air force often had names related to tigers; maybe the next one would be called “Northeast Tiger,” as it might also be a large warning aircraft.

Besides the AWACS-2000, the other four identified signals were impressive fighters.

Two Su-35 “Guardians,” one J-20 “Mighty Dragon,” and even one H-10 “Nemesis” supersonic stealth bomber were included. Not only were they high-end imports from the Old Russians, but even experimental machines were brought out.

These stealthy fighters were unmistakably revealed before the “Monstrous”; their stealth capabilities didn’t stand a chance.

The identity of these five light spot signals shocked Lin Mo.

This lineup was extremely luxurious, nearly representing the top-tier forces of the Chinese Air Force on display.

What was their intention?

Unless it was elevated to a national war level, Lin Mo had only ever executed dual aircraft teams for his missions, enough to handle all tasks, but he had never seen so many advanced fighter aircraft appear simultaneously. It was truly terrifying.

This team could likely sweep through the Death Team Battle of “Abyss Nirvana”; were they preparing to confront invading aliens?

Lin Mo pondered, speaking of aliens, wasn’t he also an alien? No, he should be considered a human from another dimension.

The X-8 “Monstrous” occupied the highest position, while the other fighter jets flew below 20,000 meters, not because they didn’t want to ascend, but because they simply could not; after all, the “Monstrous” was the youngest and most advanced aircraft.

Together with the AWACS-2000 “South China Tiger,” the positions of the five fighter jets, including the “Monstrous,” could almost easily outline a straight line.

What did this mean?

Could it be that the military had predicted the target’s flight trajectory with such precision?

The sky?!

Lin Mo quickly thought, could the threat come from above 27,000 meters? The possibility of the “Aurora” was quite high, with its flight altitude approaching 40,000 meters.

However, until the mission details were completely decrypted, anything was possible.

At that moment, voices rang out again on the communication channel.

“Center forward entering battle position!”

“Left defender taking position!”

“Right defender taking position!”

“Goalkeeper in place!”

The communication channel connected with the “South China Tiger” switched to a public channel. Shortly after the X-8 “Monstrous” scanned the other five fighter jets, Lin Mo heard voices from others, apparently the pilots of the four fighter jets.

Were they playing five-a-side football?

It was easy to guess that the ‘Goalkeeper’ was the powerful H-10 “Nemesis” stealth bomber.

“Dragon Knight? Shouldn’t that be the forward?”

“How would I know! Anyway, I’m not the forward.”

This was just a small episode.

If there really was a “forward,” then it wouldn’t be the X-8 “Monstrous” that occupied the highest position, right?

“All of you are present. We will now decrypt the mission. In 20 minutes, an asteroid fragment S7241, approximately 300 meters in diameter, will enter the atmosphere. After multiple precise calculations, there is over a 92% chance it will land inside one of our military bases. To protect the base, you must intercept the asteroid fragment once it enters the atmosphere.”

The “South China Tiger” began announcing the combat orders to everyone. Including Lin Mo, all the pilots stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

This was going to be an asteroid strike!

How thrilling! Almost everyone thought the same; no one expected such a dramatic moment in their lives.

After experiencing atmospheric friction and burning, the 300-meter-wide asteroid fragment might be reduced to a maximum volume of just three meters. The destruction it would cause upon impact would be comparable to that of a miniature nuclear warhead.

Compared to the military base that would be difficult to relocate in a short time, it was indeed more economical to mobilize multiple fighter jets for interception in the air.

Of course, the asteroid might effortlessly collide with themselves and the fighter jets, giving them no chance to evade.

But no one thought about backing down; the pilots chosen by the air force to execute this mission were certainly not cowards.

Perhaps at this moment, military satellites from various countries were gathering in space, watching the Chinese attempt to intercept a meteor shower.

More countries were laughing at this; they believed the Chinese had exposed their weaknesses. The most advanced jets in the sky were merely fifth-generation fighters, trying to intercept an asteroid traveling faster than intercontinental ballistic missiles was nearly an impossible task.

Has anyone ever heard of intercontinental ballistic missiles being intercepted? No!

Besides America, no other countries even had theoretical interception capabilities.

If it could be intercepted so easily, could it still be called a strategic weapon?

A few countries that knew the landing site was a Chinese military base all agreed that the base was doomed.

It was rare to watch the Chinese make a fool of themselves, and these countries even prepared news reports in advance.

“I say, can the PL-13 work?”

A pilot from the radio expressed doubt, his confidence notably lacking.

Firing air-to-air missiles at a solid asteroid would make anyone feel apprehensive; the asteroid was much tougher than a fighter jet.

“Rest assured, the PL-13 long-range air-to-air missiles you’ve been equipped with use specially designed high-explosive armor-piercing warheads, capable enough for this mission. Even if they can’t destroy it, as long as they can divert its flight path, it counts as a success.”

As long as it deviated from its original trajectory even slightly, it wouldn’t land on the military base, and the potential destruction from this asteroid fragment didn’t seem too concerning.

Modifying the PL-13 missile’s warhead was quite simple; any large machining factory could do it, and there was no need to change the guidance system, as infrared tracking could accurately lock onto the burning asteroid.

“Does anyone have any more questions?”

The AWACS-2000 “South China Tiger” asked again, “Now, please all take your positions. Before you launch your interception attacks, the ground will also use large high-energy laser cannons and ballistic missiles for interception.”

“No problem! Center forward received!”

“Left defender received!”

“Right defender confirmed!”

“Goalkeeper confirmed the order!”

“Dragon Knight has no issues!”

Lin Mo and the others all expressed no doubts, almost everyone breathed a sigh of relief, feeling the immense pressure lift.

From the information revealed by the “South China Tiger,” they originally thought their lineup of five fighter jets was a powerful interception force, only to realize they were merely the third tier, positioned for cleanup duty.

There were high-energy laser cannons and ballistic missiles in front, acting as double insurance; it seemed the military didn’t dare take too many risks.

“What? Asteroid fragment? Bastard! You’re asking to blow it up? By the Dragon God, Morin, leave it to me!”

Lin Mo heard a greedy voice erupting in his mind.

This guy finally came to his senses; he initially said it would only take a short time to analyze the unknown metal acquired from Iran, yet it still hadn’t been fully deciphered until now.

Well, now he was crashing into an opportunity.

Lin Mo already knew how tempting an asteroid was for the Gold Element Dragon Kin. After experiencing the sweetness of Gold Coins multiple times, this was a chance to leap into space! The Dragon God might bless him, and he could end up obtaining some strange metal.

“Gold Coin! Don’t create trouble; if you dare to show up, I guarantee you’re dead!”

Lin Mo thought to himself, his mind filled with irritation.

If the other four fighter jets were involved, just showing a glimpse would purely be asking for trouble.