Thrive in Catastrophe - Chap 7
Chapter 7 Simulated Driving
“If it’s only the ones who distort the truth can be soldiers, I find it truly regrettable.”
“It seems that I’ll be discredited by this Lieutenant Colonel and his adjutant in their report to the superior for being a ‘follower of Special Task Forces’. Well, since what’s done is done, why don’t I speak whatever I think? Worst comes to worst, I’ll be expelled by the Central Academy of Science, and back to an ordinary citizen. True that I won’t be getting any student subsidy anymore, but at least I can live without constraints.” Xiao Yan said to himself. @Copyright of Rin Translation Studio@
“Distort the truth?” Will clenched his fist tightly. Xiao Yan lowered eyes, thinking he was going to get punched.
“Will!” Lieutenant Colonel Raven placed a hand on the adjutant’s shoulder, “You’re overly swayed by your personal emotions and lost your rationality to make clear judgments. Don’t forget that this young man here had a fracture shoulder when he was brought back to the base. He too, had nearly lost his life.”
“So, White is dead?” Will still firmly believed that Captain White’s death was due to Heine Burton’s dereliction of duty.
Xiao Yan stared at his own feet. Despite Heine had grazed his face with his blade, or even his fractured shoulder was all thanks to him, he still believed that Heine is not as cold as he looks. If he was ruthless and completely unconcerned with human lives, he wouldn’t have gone through the trouble to carry him back when he had become a burden back then.
“Do you have anything more to say?” Lieutenant Colonel Raven looked at Xiao Yan. He could feel something in this young man that was different from the A ranked researchers, despite being just a B ranked student. He did not possess the eagerness to present himself in hope for promotion, nor is he compliant like the other B ranked students.
He was just standing there, unperturbed by fame and fortune.
“I just find it difficult to understand, Lieutenant Colonel.”
“What is it that you do not understand?”
“Captain White was killed in the gunfire struggle with the Tides Organisation. As for the situation at that time, I believe the report from Special Task Forces has explained in a much more detailed manner than my verbal report. However, never did Captain Will detest the Tides Organisation nor the zombies, rather, he had blamed Special Task Forces for everything. I wonder what decision would Captain Will make if he was on the same aircraft with Captain White? To stay in the aircraft, or to leave with the Special Task Forces while bringing along the raw uranium?” @Copyright of Rin Translation Studio@
Will was about to break into rage, but his raised fist stopped abruptly in mid air.
“Those who stayed behind in the aircraft would be killed by the Tides, this was a known outcome. But you said that your aircraft had escaped from the guided missile, this, is hard for us to believe it. Even with Heine Burton as the pilot, I doubt that he could escape from a guided missile. On the assumption that your reason of landing was fabricated, everything that happened after that would lost its credibility,” Lieutenant Colonel Raven said with a smile, but Xiao Yan could not discern his intention.
“Let’s have a test then. The flight simulation system can simulate the terrain at that time and you will drive the aircraft to avoid the guided missile. To make your ‘story’ more convincing.”
Xiao Yan stared at Lieutenant Colonel Raven in his eyes, dumbfounded. This guy is serious.
“The system will be ready in half an hour. I’ll be looking forward to your performance. Show us if miracle truly exist.”
Xiao Yan was then taken away from Lieutenant Colonel Raven’s office by his secretary.
Confused by Lieutenant Colonel Raven’s actions, Will looked at his smile in puzzlement, “Lieutenant Colonel, if you wish to test their possibility in escaping from the guided missile, shouldn’t the opponent be Heine Burton instead?”
“I’m merely a Lieutenant Colonel, do you think I have the authority to request Colonel Burton to conduct the test? Besides, that fellow called Xiao Yan is quite interesting. Indeed, one who speaks the truth is admirable, but one who speaks the truth regardless of the situation, needs to be taught a little lesson.”
Xiao Yan trailed behind the secretary. Aircraft driving was a compulsory course for all reserves, but he had never simulated a situation of being attacked by a guided missile.
On his way to the simulation room, Xiao Yan was a bundle of nerves.
What will happen if he fails? Does Lieutenant Colonel Raven really plan to denounce Heine Burton for dereliction of duty with this simulation test? @
As he was lost in thoughts, they came across the oncoming Special Task Forces.
Reeve was walking in front of the team. She winked at Xiao Yan, “We’ll be cheering you on!”
“Hey kid, we’re the ones who had gone through all the trouble to save you, don’t you dare disgrace us or I’ll wring your neck!”
Mark had a ferocious look on his face and Xiao Yan was taken aback by it. Looking at Xiao Yan’s reaction, the big fellow cracked up laughing in satisfaction.
The lean figure of Heine Burton brushed past him, without a single glance or pause, as though nothing could hold him back.
Xiao Yan sat within the simulator room, with numerous people standing on the second floor observatory. There were researchers, military officers, as well as several Special Force soldiers who were all Heine Burton’s subordinates.
Reeve stood on higher ground, leaning against the railing, waving at Xiao Yan. Whereas Mark clenched his fist, showing him a “I’ll hit you if you fail” pose.
Xiao Yan gave a wry smile. You might as well beat me unconscious.
He looked around the room and as expected, he did not see Heine Burton. He disdain such occasions.
Putting on the helmet, Xiao Yan connected himself to the driving system. In the next second, a vast terrain appeared before him. He even had an illusion of the wind gusting around the wings of the aircraft. Beneath him was a forest of trees that stretches to the horizon. @Copyright of Rin Translation Studio@
As the supply platform came into his sight, Xiao Yan felt his heart clenched, he could not move.
I have to descend carefully, otherwise, everything would be over before it even began.
He had revisited the the situation for countless time before he arrive at the platform. In which situation did Heine elevate the aircraft, how did he avoided the missile over and over again, and in which direction was the mountain located. With just one minor error, or even a slightest slackening in his reaction, all his efforts will go down the drain.
The aircraft approached the platform, preparing for landing. @
Everyone held their breath.
The aircraft was descending in a normal speed as Xiao Yan paying close attention on the missile launcher.
It was decoying him.
Just as the launcher showed a slight jolt, Xiao Yan elevated the aircraft speedily and soared skyward.
A guided missile was then launched, pursuing behind closely.
The aircraft zoomed towards the direction of the mountain.
He continually changing his direction with great speed, delaying the flight path of the guided missile. Everyone broke into cold sweat with every narrow escapes he had. The once relaxed atmosphere tensed up instantly.
Every flight angle that Xiao Yan took was dangerous and tricky, his control over the radian and speed made everyone’s jaw dropped.
“This kid’s pretty awesome!” Mark blinked in surprise.
Reeve glanced across the crowd and spotted Lieutenant Colonel Raven, “This guy’s just up to no good.”
Lieutenant Colonel Raven watched closely at the holographic projection screen, his eyes narrowed.
The mountain was already right before his eyes, but the distance between Xiao Yan and the missile was getting much closer.
“Haiz…… He probably won’t make it till the mountain….” Mark touched the back of his head, feeling sad for Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan’s back was soaked with sweat. Before his eyes was the numbered distance between him and the mountain. In responding to his thoughts, the terminal was calculating the time lag that exist between the maximum velocity of the aircraft to collide into the mountain and the speed of the guided missile.
The moment the data reached its critical point threshold, Xiao Yan zoomed skyward.
“What is he doing! Trying to kill himself!?”
Lieutenant Colonel Raven’s fingers gripped tightly to his armrest, the corner of his lips turned upward, “Everything he did was for this moment.” @
The warning tones of the aircraft system rang in Xiao Yan ears, alerting him the speed has exceeded what the aircraft engine could bear.
But Xiao Yan continued to accelerate.
“Oh— God—”
Some of the students covered up their eyes, as the holographic image was too realistic.@Copyright of Rin Translation Studio@
Xiao Yan clenched his teeth. He still remembered clearly how Heine Burton led them into a high-speed turn and then into a perpendicular flight across the mountain. The tree bowed before his aircraft and heat in the air caused a wild blaze upon the trees.
The aircraft raised steeply, soaring towards the mountain peak and into the distance sky.
Whereas the guided missile crashed into the mountain before it could alter its direction, giving out an earsplitting explosion.
Xiao Yan was panting heavily while the whole room fell into dead silence.@
After a while, Lieutenant Colonel Raven applauded from the observatory. Beside him, Captain Will clapped in acknowledgment in Xiao Yan’s driving skill, despite having a glum look on his face.
Mark was so excited. He whistled in amazement and shouted: “Hey rookie! Not bad!”
A system alert rang in his ears.
“The aircraft engine is overheated. It is impossible to continue your flight. Please land slowly.”
Everything was exactly the same as what happened before.
After Xiao Yan landed, he closed his eyes and breathed out a long sigh.
He had no idea how on earth did Heine Burton done all of these like a breeze, when his nerves were nearly crushed by the pressure from high-speed arithmetic as well as every moment of opportune during critical situations.
Xiao Yan removed the helmet that was connected to the terminal, body wavering and staggered out from the simulator room.
Everyone stared at him. And before Xiao Yan could make clear of their behaviour, Lieutenant Colonel Raven came forward and stood before him.
“Xiao Yan, you have proven the practicality of an aircraft escaping from a guided missile. Well done.”
“No, Lieutenant Colonel. What I have proven is, what was done by Special Force soldiers, can be done by technical soldiers as well.”
Xiao Yan’s face was as white as a sheet, and his body teetering.
Lieutenant Colonel Raven stunned for a second, and lifted a smile, “This is the most pleasant truth I’ve heard from you since the moment I have met you.”
“You damn kid! Don’t get too full of yourself! Or I’ll wring off your neck!”
Xiao Yan smiled.
“Tell me, Xiao Yan, do you think Captain White was a respectable senior?” Lieutenant Colonel Raven asked all of a sudden.
“Of course!”
“Although he wasn’t an A ranked researcher as well, I’m certain that he won’t be able to do what you did just now. People with remarkable talent are meant to bear more responsibilities than others. The pursuits of every field are never-ending persistence, not a doughty man would stay aloof in the affairs. Do you understand?”
Xiao Yan paused for a second before replying with a nod, “I understand.”
Understood. But that does not mean I will waste my energy in those so-called “never-ending persistence”.@Copyright of Rin Translation Studio@
In Xiao Yan’s point of view, all men will only live once, and he will live this one lifetime to the fullest for himself, and not for some high-sounding reasons. Hence, he was still going to live on with his identity as B ranked student, and continue muddling in life until he graduates. He would then be assigned to some scattered and meaningless, but uncomplicated technical research group, getting an average income, court a pretty but simple-minded woman, and live an idle life.
“Very well. ‘Outstanding’ was never determined by ranks, but this,” Lieutenant Colonel Raven thumped his chest with his fist, “Now, you’re an outstanding apprentice and reserve soldier. And I hope you’ll be a responsible man in future.”
Lieutenant Colonel Raven turned around, “Alright, the test is over. Everyone, back to your positions!”@Copyright of Rin Translation Studio@
With that said, all researchers and military officers left the observatory without a word. Mark and Reeve were the only ones left, and some Special Force soldiers.
Xiao Yan left the room and staggered along the passageway, head reeling. As he walked around the corner, he lost his balance and fell.
“I might as well take a nap here…” Xiao Yan thought as he closed his eyes.
However, he did not feel the contact with the ground as he had expected. A hand grasp onto his arm and regained his balance.
With a glance at the person, Xiao Yan felt himself plunged into a bottomless abyss of frost. Less than a second, he was wide awake.
“Colonel Burton!”
The hand supporting him loosened.
“You’re lucky, rookie.”
He had his eyes lowered, as though he was always looking from above, arrogant but respectable.
Xiao Yan opened his mouth to speak, but not a word came out.
“The aircraft did not only encountered a guided missile, but the infiltration of the ‘interrupter’ as well.”
“Interrupter?”
Without answering, Heine Burton turned around and left. Xiao Yan’s eyes followed his back until he was out of sight.@Copyright of Rin Translation Studio@
When Xiao Yan came to his senses, he finally understood what Heine meant in his words.
Rookie, don’t get too full of yourself, your skill is still far from being passable.
