Chapter 491

Chapter 491: I SEE YOU

No one could have predicted the sudden turn of events; one transfer could cost Sukhoi the orders that rightly belonged to them. The original Sukhoi Su-27 fighters were in short supply, while the Chinese National Defense Star, like a middleman, had orders so hot that even Shenyang Aircraft Corporation had to step in to help take them.

This scene had been destined since the "Gregory" flight team returned from their opening performance. Witnessing it all, the Sukhoi people felt immense anger and grief—these orders were ours! How could you Chinese not spare a few for us? After all, the Su-27 is what we provided to you!

The Russians had no way to deal with the situation where the grass looks greener on the other side. Even the "Russian Knights" flight display team couldn’t find top-tier pilots of this caliber.

Having never experienced being chased by seven or eight air defense missiles simultaneously, how could they understand the tactical significance of refined operations? Most of their experiences involved one-on-one duels or long-range missile strikes. Unless a chaotic battle ensued, opportunities for close-quarters dogfighting were scarce.

Only aerial knights from another world could possess such intricate long-range and close-combat air combat skills.

On June 12, 1999, at this very exhibition, a Su-30 crashed because it was too close to the ground, and the Russians would no longer allow their pilots to take such risks.

When reporters and media from various countries pressed for answers, the Russian military and Sukhoi provided a consistent statement, claiming that the pilot who had performed that miraculous maneuver was unwell and had been sent back home for recovery. As for their identity, it was a state secret, but one thing was sure: he was an ace pilot with real combat experience.

To make this lie more convincing, the Russians went through the trouble of having a staff member impersonate the sick pilot and flew him back to Russia on a special plane.

Lin Mo had no idea that his kind-hearted assistance had inadvertently caused such a big headache for Russian aerospace giant Sukhoi.

However, this didn’t affect his relationship with Sukhoi or his rapport with senior engineer Sergei Sulotov. After all, that was a matter of official high-level negotiations, separate from those who had to execute the decisions.

If the roles were reversed, perhaps the Russians would have made even more outrageous demands.

Although they couldn’t ask Lin Mo to help out again, Sukhoi lifted their previous restrictions on him, deliberately or not encouraging him to engage with Sukhoi’s fighter jets. Even negotiating for the Su-47 "Golden Eagle" wasn’t out of the question. It was unimaginable for a national defense asset to be openly visible in front of an ace pilot from another country. It seemed that Russia and Sukhoi didn’t overly concern themselves with potential technology leaks, even when they occurred.

At the aerospace exhibition, if Lin Mo could just take a few more flights in a Russian fighter jet, no matter what, a pilot of his caliber would surely astonish everyone once airborne. Who knows—some orders from Russian manufacturers might even roll back in.

But National Defense Star was not foolish; they immediately saw through the Old Russian’s schemes and dispatched people to closely follow Lin Mo, not giving the Russians any chance.

For as long as the Paris-Le Bourget International Aerospace Exhibition lasted, Lin Mo would have to tirelessly perform in the skies, just as Shenyang’s Engineer Qiu had once said, “The orders depend on you.”

It was evident that the five percent commission that Young Master Chen mentioned sounded relatively easy and came across as reasonable, but obtaining it was not a simple task, like robbing a bank.

Lin Mo directly became the best salesperson for both National Defense Star and Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. The more spectacular his performances, the more clients they could attract, all clamoring for business.

“This trip has finally paid off! The unit price is twenty million, including the US military standard MIL-STD-1533 data bus, wireless data link, a fully digital fire control system, GPS and laser inertial navigation, plus an electronic reconnaissance pod and electronic warfare pod. They’ll also assist us with training pilots and provide a range of modifications for equipment. And we’re getting spare parts, this deal is worth it, and the best part is, they’re providing stock!”

Stepping out from the exhibition area of Embraer’s defense division, Sally finally wore a rare smile on her face.

Sally of Dragoon Corporation achieved her goal of meeting the female leader of Sierra Nevada Corporation at this exhibition. Although Sierra Nevada had its booth at the event, their focus was more on space business, primarily featuring their "Dreamer" spacecraft.

“Yes, Sally! This time, we’ve truly struck gold,” said Abik, who was in charge of security. He was thrilled to see Dragoon Corporation’s air force about to be established, unsure whether he should be involved with the army or the air force.

Dragoon Corporation, as a behind-the-scenes supporter of the emerging political faction “Dragon Party,” had already put forth its political demands to the Afghan government, backed by impressive military force.

The principle that power grows from the barrel of a gun was learned from the Chinese, which was why Abik kept copies of Mao’s writings on his bedside. The thought of possibly having a seat within the Afghan government ignited a fire of excitement within him.

Perhaps they could even govern Afghanistan! Dragoon Corporation’s rise and development were far beyond organizations like the Taliban, enjoying favorable circumstances in every regard.

As a corporation born from the jewelry business, Sally generously presented the most expensive and exquisite jewelry as a meeting gift, instantly winning the favor of the female president of Sierra Nevada Corporation.

Women understand each other best; their resistance to fine jewelry is almost nonexistent. The dazzling gems quickly bridged the gap between the two women.

Being both strong women who independently ran large enterprises, the shared bond over the jewelry brought them closer together, leading to a lively conversation filled with common topics and even a sense of mutual admiration, as if they regretted not having met sooner.

The female president of Sierra Nevada Corporation was also very interested in the rise and development of Dragoon Corporation and, after an engaging conversation, expressed her willingness to support Dragoon’s need to establish an aerial armament force.

The jewelry worth several million dollars served as a test to gauge the waters, and with the president’s favorable impression of Sally and Dragoon, significant returns followed.

Sierra Nevada Corporation not only helped Dragoon Corporation secure the best price for the A-29 "Super Tucano" in negotiations with Embraer, but they were also willing to assist Dragoon in establishing the foundation for aviation production, offering related production technology and equipment.

These collaborations would be documented in a letter of intent, set to unfold with close cooperation in the future.

Providing foundational aviation products, starting with lightweight propeller fighters, posed no challenges for Sierra Nevada Corporation, which had already ventured into space.

With time and opportunity, Dragoon Corporation was sure to move toward the development and production of jet fighters.

In modern warfare, characterized by aerial dominance, the aerial armament of the "Super Tucano" would amplify Dragoon Corporation’s deterrent power tenfold, possibly ensuring that even the Afghan government would have to behave in accordance with Dragoon’s wishes—what an exhilarating and authoritative prospect!

Initially, Sally had planned to procure ten "Super Tucanos," but as luck would have it, she managed to acquire twelve at an incredibly favorable price. The first batch of four would arrive within a month, with an additional four delivered every six months.

Sally successfully established a friendship with the female president of Sierra Nevada Corporation, a relationship that would greatly aid their future efforts.

Abik had been wondering whether Sally’s generous gift of jewelry was too extravagant, but now it seemed that the total worth of twelve "Super Tucanos" at $144 million was quite the deal, considering it saved them $69 million compared to the US government’s purchase price calculations.

If it hadn’t been for the US Air Force canceling their order for twenty "Super Tucanos," Dragoon Corporation wouldn’t have secured such an effortless deal.

The products Sally received were still custom versions per the US Air Force’s most advanced standards, which would be a supreme weapon against the local bandits armed only with AK-47s—no match even for modified armed helicopters.

As long as they operated above 4,000 meters, they could take out anyone in their sights in no time.

Compared to the cost-effectiveness of the "Super Tucano," those several million dollars’ worth of jewels paled in comparison.

Just as Abik was happily calculating how to utilize this aerial armament, he suddenly noticed Sally had stopped in her tracks and quickly hit the brakes, preventing himself from awkwardly bumping into his CEO.

“Sally, what’s wrong? Those agents are so bold! They dare bring an assassin here; do they not fear the French government will come after them?”

Abik thought an assassin dispatched by the agents had appeared nearby, and he quickly reached for his pocket.

The bodyguards among their entourage swiftly reacted, forming a protective circle around Sally and Abik, shielding them with their bodies.

“No!”

Sally’s gaze was fixed intently on one direction, no one else in her line of sight.

“Step aside!”

She pushed against the bodyguard in front of her, breaking through the human wall. Her pace quickened, transforming from a brisk walk to a sprint, ultimately launching herself into a person’s embrace like a swallow diving into its nest.

“I see you…”