Chapter 200
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Chapter 200: Nurse 2 and Nurse 3
After taking out several remaining Taliban members, Pakistan’s special forces had a fierce battle with the notorious scoundrels, and rumors circulated that two Chinese Special Operations Teams had secretly arrived. This news not only flustered various factions within Pakistan but even alarmed India.
Pakistan is a hotspot for the abduction of Chinese people, so the small organizations and groups that harbor ill intentions towards them faced intense crackdowns.
"Is the ammunition ready?"
"Yes! We have 500-kilogram aerial bombs, cloud explosive bombs, air-to-ground missiles, air-to-air missiles, and anti-radiation missiles all loaded. The auxiliary fuel tanks are also attached, and we’re taking off with a full load; fuel replenishment is ongoing!"
"How is the refueling aircraft preparation?"
"It will take off in 30 minutes and is expected to arrive at the refueling coordinates by 11 o’clock."
"Great! How are the boys in the ‘Azrael’ and ‘Tiger Shark’ squadrons ready?"
"They’re all set, eagerly rubbing their hands together, ready to give the Indians a profound lesson!"
At the southern tip of Pakistan, at Karachi’s Fisher Air Force Base, a flurry of activity unfolded. Four FC-20s, three A-5s, and nine F-16 fighters roared into the twilight sky as the sun sank below the horizon.
The liftoff from Peshawar Air Force Base was not for defense but marked the first proactive cross-border assault. Under the cover of several night navigations and transfers, the ‘Azrael’ and ‘Tiger Shark’ squadrons were secretly mobilized, using Fisher Air Force Base as a launch pad for a surprise long-range strike.
It was only just before boarding that the pilots received their operational target: Bengaluru. Until then, they had only been strengthening their aerial refueling and preparing for various contingencies. This was a highly confidential and daring long-range airstrike plan.
To prepare for this operation, not only Pakistan carefully planned, but China also activated the Southern Dipper military satellite system for navigation support, developing a route that would keep the operation under wraps.
As darkness enveloped the sky and land, the stars above and the scattered lights below blurred the pilots’ sense of up and down in the cockpit. The constant roar of engines filled their ears, leaving only the gyroscope to trust.
Night navigation had become second nature, but this was the first long-distance sprint. Without such painstaking transitions, they would likely have attracted the attention of hostile intelligence personnel near various airports. After all, no detection system can evade human eyes; no matter how advanced technology becomes, no one has equipped optical invisibility, especially in a small country like Pakistan.
Glimmering waves reflected up from the deep darkness below. Lin Mo knew they had left the coastline; below was not land but the Arabian Sea.
Voices from the “Persian Cat” command center and the crew of the “Tiger Shark” ZDK-03 early warning aircraft continuously filled the air, using on-board radar and China’s Southern Dipper satellite system to navigate the ‘Azrael’ and ‘Tiger Shark’ squadrons, carefully flying at low altitudes to evade radar systems. The nighttime sky also effectively hid them from satellites, with only China’s military satellites capable of remote sensing and locking them down under special communication codes.
Maintaining an altitude of about 100 meters above the sea, they constantly adjusted their course to avoid islands, fishing boats, and cargo ships, heading southeast in the most fuel-efficient cruising speed.
Pilots had to stay vigilant about their altitude; otherwise, they might accidentally plunge into the sea.
"In half an hour, we will enter the refueling zone. Check the aerial refueling system in fifteen minutes."
"Understood!" Lin Mo replied. Each pilot had a dedicated communicator from the “Persian Cat” command squad, while the “Tiger Shark” early warning aircraft team continuously requested adjustments to flight paths and formation parameters, reporting forward weather conditions every five minutes.
The entire operation was a tightly coordinated command, with senior officers from Peshawar Air Force Base and nearby bases crowded into the somewhat cramped “Persian Cat” command center. More Pakistani officers were spread across several rooms, each wall displaying six large flat-screen TVs categorized to reflect the formation information, closely monitoring this precious long-range bombing mission.
At that moment, nearly a hundred Pakistani Air Force officers of various ranks packed the “Persian Cat” command center, paying close attention to this rare deep operation targeting India. Such long-range relay strikes were seldom seen internationally.
If the Indians knew, a single air-to-ground missile could easily take out nearly one-tenth of Pakistan’s senior air force officials.
To deal with such surprises, a company of troops quietly stationed outside Peshawar Air Force Base, equipped with armored vehicles and an anti-air missile system. Chinese special forces set up independent vigilance lines under their command; not even a mouse could sneak in.
To maintain this level of confidentiality, they had begun preparations a week prior, navigating through a complex series of handovers that even the Pakistanis themselves couldn’t notice.
Beep!
A light spot appeared on the radar screen, which the IFF system quickly identified as a friendly refueling aircraft.
"Aerial refueling begins; refueling altitude is 2,000 meters, refueling speed is 560 kilometers per hour. The ‘Knight’ team will be the first to refuel, please report on fuel status synchronously!"
“’Dragon Knight’, we have one-third of the fuel left.”
“‘Meat Sauce’, same as before!”
“Start climbing, you have only 5 minutes! Your refueling aircraft is the one on the left!”
“Understood!”
Due to the curvature of the Earth, to avoid being detected by India’s coastal radar, they had to maintain a low altitude while refueling.
At sea level, two FC-20s from Team “Knights” were the first to break formation and begin their ascent. The communication personnel at the “Persian Cat” command center continuously relayed flight parameters to Lin Mo and Meat Sauce to reduce their workload.
Simultaneously, three F-16s from the Tiger Shark squadron began climbing, preparing to enter the refueling altitude.
Soon, Lin Mo’s vision filled with two dark gray Il-78 refueling aircraft flying steadily at an altitude of a thousand meters. Using a three-point aerial refueling system, they deployed three refueling hoses to simultaneously supply fuel to three fighter jets.
As a modified version of the Il-76 military transport aircraft, the 60-ton fuel supply had an operational radius of 1,000 kilometers, while the 30-ton fuel supply could reach 2,500 kilometers. Developed by Russia’s Ilyushin Design Bureau, it earned the nickname “Midas” among aerial refueling aircraft worldwide, and both India and Pakistan were equipped with this type.
“Here is Il-78, code name ‘Nurse 2’, refueling equipment ready!”
“This is Team ‘Knights’, adjusted to 2,000 meters altitude, 500 meters away and closing in.”
“Okay, stabilize your speed and height.”
At the end of the long fuel hose was a stabilizing funnel. Lin Mo’s communication channel connected with the pilot of “Nurse 2” as he steadily aligned the fuel probe of the FC-20 with the funnel.
Beep!
The aerial refueling system signaled accurate alignment, and Lin Mo immediately opened the fuel intake line. The fuel gauge quickly climbed.
It was faster than expected; within 5 minutes, the refueling was complete. With a soft sound, Lin Mo and Meat Sauce’s fighter jets detached almost simultaneously.
Following closely, the Ghoul Squadron’s three A-5 fighter jets, though not originally equipped with refueling systems from China, had undergone modifications. Pakistani Air Force mechanics installed detachable refueling hoses and auxiliary devices, allowing for long-range refueling.
Fifteen minutes later, the fuel replenishment was complete. The two Il-78 refueling aircraft, codenamed “Nurse 2” and “Nurse 3”, turned to return to Pakistan to refuel before coming back to wait for the fighter jets to refuel for their return flight.
“Boys, pay attention. In twenty minutes, you will see land; that’s the Indian Peninsula. Do not deviate from the flight path, and do not activate the radar. Maintain radio silence,” Colonel Ali’s voice came through the channel.
“Yes!”
The pilots responded.
“‘Dragon Knight’, you are in charge of navigation. Is there any problem?!”
Glancing at the Light Mirror Technique arrays filling the cockpit, Lin Mo replied, “No problem, let’s go straight for the target!”
Even without satellite and Tiger Shark navigation, Lin Mo was confident he could reach their destination flawlessly.
Near a small fishing village close to Mangalore, a figure staggered along the beach, reeking of alcohol, mumbling to himself.
“Damn Suharo, daring to steal my woman! I, Lakshman, am not to be trifled with. Nimora, you wretched woman, only recognizing money and not people! You vase of a woman, one day I will make you and that mutt of a man pay!”
The drunken man stumbled against a palm tree by the sea and suddenly fell to his knees, retching violently into the low bushes, releasing a foul stench.
While he raged, the man continued cursing, but only the endless sounds of waves answered him.
Boom!
A rumble of thunder quickly drew closer.
“What’s happening?” the man wondered, looking towards the sea.
The speed of the thunder was astonishing, almost arriving in the blink of an eye. Several dark shapes with lights zipped past over him, the deafening roar and swirling winds stirred his blood, drowning out his curses in a loud, piercing noise. He could only futilely cover his mouth, with even the deities unaware of what he was saying.
