Chapter 39: Test Flight: Lift Off!
A few days have passed since Duke approved the scheduled test flight of the 1st Airborne Company. Since then, he has increased the number of personnel in the CAF and the aircraft in their inventory.
So, the 1st Airborne Company wasn't as barebones as it was first molded.
Currently, Duke was in the Air Dock, observing the surrounding personnel preparing for the upcoming test flight of the 1st Airborne Company.
It was his first time in the Air Dock. And the impression he had of this place was one word.
"Vast."
Aurora, who stood beside him, noticed his remarks and slightly chuckled. The Director's reactions were to be expected.
Even she was amazed when she saw the Air Dock for the first time. This was before she got summoned by the Director.
"I understand your amazement, Director."
"I'm sure you're thinking about how this place was supposed to be over hundreds of meters off the ground."
The Air Dock resided in the uppermost cap of the dome-shaped headquarters. It practically occupied the entirety of the dome's summit.
The dock has a diameter of 1 kilometer, giving off a vast picture within an interior scenery.
Duke turned to look at Aurora, smiling and observing the Air Dock with him. She held a couple of papers and wore the same secretary suit, which seemed to frame well with her gorgeous figure.
"That's right... An airport on top of a building was something I had never seen before. And this Air Dock isn't simply at the top. It's also inside."
Surrounding the Air Dock were jet-black metallic walls that protruded in a curvature, connecting to the central superstructure of the headquarters.
The Air Dock was a unique part of the headquarters, and Duke didn't regret building it. But to be fair, he had little to no regrets regarding his choices for the Cerberus.
Each of them was also supported by Aurora, and he trusted the Administrator for her honesty despite her deep loyalty towards him.
"This will not be the greatest architecture of Cerberus, Director. So I hope you'll be ready for what you see in the future."
Aurora smirked at her Director, who took her words as a challenge. He raised an eyebrow and stated his readiness for whatever the Cerberus threw at him.
"You misunderstand, Aurora. I'm already ready."
"Oh, sure..."
Aurora accepted her Director's words with a comment. Duke could only sigh, and silence shrouded the two once again.
They had been together for quite some time, and they got along with each other very well. When not on a job or while together with Duke. Aurora was somewhat easygoing.
Of course, his subordinates said otherwise. They considered Aurora as the mistress of Cerberus, the demon lord who would torment them with a soothing smile.
Nonetheless, he enjoyed the company of the Administrator, and the banter they always go through was pleasant.
His life since the establishment of the headquarters was peaceful. A rare word to utter after the Eclipse.
But Duke understood that he needed to let the Cerberus grow. He knew the most that the world was always fraught with danger. And to protect his subordinates, he and they must become a powerful force.
'I need to collect more Source Points for the growth of the CGF and CAF.'
Duke began quietly thinking of plans for the future until Aurora called out for him and broke the Director from his thoughts.
He gazed at Aurora while the other reported the status of the test flight.
"Director, the 1st Airborne Company has almost concluded in their preparation. Some platoons in the 1st Stormtrooper Company will also be joining us."
"Ten Sparrows, Five Condors, and Two Vultures will participate in the operation along with the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd platoons of the 1st Stormtrooper Company."
Hearing the report of Aurora, Duke noticed a group of soldiers marching towards them. These soldiers numbered over a hundred, making him realize they were the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd platoons.
The Officers leading the platoons kneeled after arriving before the Director and introduced themselves with fealty.
"Officer Alexandra, it is our honor to accompany the Director."
"Officer Achilles, awaiting orders."
"Officer Kennedy, awaiting for orders."
As he watched the Officers introduce themselves, he immediately remembered them as the ones that got his attention in the naming ceremony.
Alexandra was a bold Officer who proposed the plan to steamroll the abominations. Achilles was the adaptable and smart one that made the plan possible. Kennedy was one of the Officers who handled the final target location.
"I'll be expecting a lot from you during this operation."
Duke smiled at the three, making them want to bow even deeper. But for the sake of formality, they stood up and bowed before continuing towards the 1st Airborne Company.
Aurora and Duke observed them march on. But unexpectedly, Aurora gave a comment.
"They are good Officers. I hope you don't take offense at how they act."
Aurora was observant and typically wasn't blinded like the others when standing beside the Director.
She could read the atmosphere of her surroundings and knew how the Director felt with the extreme devotion of the Cerberus personnel.
"I don't mind their actions, Aurora. I'm not uncomfortable with how they act. Their loyalty is, as I said, my luxury and wealth."
"It's just that I haven't entirely adapted as the Director of Cerberus."
Duke honestly responded to Aurora's words, not wanting her to misunderstand his feelings regarding the Cerberus.
"I see... Then, I'll be with the Director until and after he adapts."
Aurora remarked with a sly smile while Duke smirked and looked directly at the eyes of the beautiful lady.
"I'll keep you by my side forever, My Lady."
"That's because you fear the work that would flood you if I ever disappear."
Aurora knew the Director didn't want to be wholly surged with work from Cerberus's logistics. Perhaps it was her Director's bane.
"Maybe, but I'll be sad if you leave me behind. So take care of yourself more. I don't mind some files occasionally flooding my desk."
Duke was aware that Aurora worked hard these past few days. Whether it'd be arranging their logistics or managing the new ones, there was a lot to do as the Administrator.
Aurora was about to reply but couldn't as Alexandra returned from the gathering of soldiers and reported the conclusion of the 1st Airborne Company's preparation.
"Director and Administrator, the preparation is complete. It's time for us to leave"
Duke nodded in understanding while Aurora quietly glanced at her Director. She thought of herself as an intuitive one in their partnership.
But, it appears that she underestimated her Director's capabilities.
She merely smiled and responded to the Officer in front of them.
"We will be heading there."
With the confirmation of the Administrator, Alexandra nodded and returned to her platoon, who were about to enter their respective aircraft.
"Director, I'll take your offer and rest for some time."
"I hope you won't regret giving me a short vacation."
Aurora grinned at the Director, which gave him chills in his spine. He didn't know what that grin meant, but he felt something unpleasant would occur once he returned to his office.
However, there was no way he would display a sign of regret.
"Good, your health is the most important to me."
Duke nodded while Aurora only snickered. The two headed towards the Vulture Gunship, which was armed and heavily protected.
As Duke stepped into the aircraft, he noticed the ground trembling and the latches on the central superstructure spread out.
Sirens and alarms resounded throughout the Air Dock as the personnel sprinted everywhere and returned to the towering structure, the Air Traffic Control Tower of the Air Dock.
The black metallic walls covering the entirety of the Air Dock soon unwrapped itself from the central superstructure. It separated into ten claws and was lowered downwards.
When the metallic claws of the uppermost cap of the headquarters sunk into its outer layers. The wind from the outside plunged inward.
The fleet of helicopters shook at first, but the circumstances shortly calmed down.
*This is the ATCT. The airspace is clear, so the birds are good to soar.*
*Vulture 1, ready at the end.*
Duke heard the pilot's words and noticed the two rotors of the Vulture beginning to rotate. It didn't take time for the Vulture to be lifted off the ground, and it swiftly flew upwards, followed by the others.
The formation of the fleet of helicopters was simple.
1 Vulture and Two Sparrows were in a VEE, or arrowhead formation for short. The remaining helicopters went on the Diamond formation, with the Director's Vulture as the central helicopter.
It was somewhat of a simple protective formation.
Duke watched the Vulture get higher and higher. He then saw the world for what it was. A never-ending land shrouded in eternal darkness.
Only the Cerberus Headquarters had radiant lights in the night. And it resembled the brilliance of a gleaming, twinkling star.
It made him dream for a short moment. He wanted to see a land filled with the lights of humanity that would shine through the darkness of the eternal night.
At this moment, a digital notification finally came up to the Director.
―<◉>―
| A Land Filled With Light(Liberation Mission) |
●| The surrounding land has been consumed by the forces and darkness of the Dark Cataclysmic Era. It needs to be liberated and conquered for it to be rebuilt by humanity. The Cerberus must conquer the entirety of the Goshen County. This will take a long time and a lot of effort. But the Cerberus will be given a glorious reward upon completing it. The mission reward is [1x Hero Unit Capsule, 1x Doomsday Base Upgrade Slip, 1x Special Technology Tree, 100,000 Source Points, Level-3 Super Human Vial, 1x Special Building: Elysium]. |
―<◉>―
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