I can upgrade the shelter-Chapter 700 - 598: Temporary Reconnaissance Mission

"Hey, Old Wang, wake up!" Wang Jiang was woken up by Lao Li's pat.

Opening his eyes, he saw Lao Li had already put on his flight suit again. Only then did Wang Jiang get up from the bed and say to him, "Lao Li, why don't you sleep a bit more? The bread and compressed biscuits on the table are for you, have some to fill your stomach first, I'll go wash my face."

Saying that, Wang Jiang grabbed the towel hanging on the side and went to the washstand at the corner of the cabin to wash his face.

The cabin of the mobile base did not have a restroom, only a simple washstand for freshening up.

After freshening up, Wang Jiang and Lao Li left the cabin together. Although there was still half an hour to the mission time, they clearly needed to arrive at the hangar early for the pre-flight inspection of the aircraft.

Even though the ground crew always adjusted the aircraft to its best condition, conducting a flight check before takeoff was something every pilot must do.

Arriving at the hangar, their aircraft was already ready, with several ground crew members hanging ammunition on it and refueling it.

Although the electric-powered nuclear battery helicopter had already been equipped by the troops, the military did not replace the original fuel engine version of the helicopter, merely installing the air filter developed by Chen Xin and continuing to use it.

After all, the number of aircraft equipped for the entire army was indeed too large, even modifying the engine would be a huge project, requiring immense resources and a long time.

So, to save costs, a large number of fuel engine version helicopters were still in service.

However, this wasn't a problem for Wang Jiang and Lao Li, as the difference between the two versions was just the mode of power, with no difference in piloting.

"Did you figure out the reason for the previous abnormal noise?" Wang Jiang greeted the ground crew and then inquired about the previous abnormal noise, while Lao Li began the pre-flight inspection.

"We've checked it out, too much dust in the intake, some areas have clumped together. We've changed the air filter for you, now there's no problem." The ground crew explained to Wang Jiang while patting the plane beside him, saying, "We've also checked the engine, its condition is good, but the bearing wear is quite severe. It can still be used, but needs replacement.

This time, due to time constraints, we couldn't change it for you, just added some oil for lubrication. Take it easy, you'll change it when you return."

"Alright, thanks for your hard work!" Wang Jiang noted this matter, nodded seriously, and then got onto the plane, starting various equipment in the cockpit, checking the aircraft's condition.

At this moment, Lao Li finished the external pre-flight inspection and also sat in the cockpit.

"External checks are all normal, ammunition and fuel are full, everything is in good condition," Lao Li reported to Wang Jiang, while asking him, "What about the mission brief?"

"Here," Wang Jiang handed the mission brief to Lao Li, explaining, "It's still a transport task, delivering wounded to the 7th, 9th, and 11th defense lines."

Lao Li raised an eyebrow upon hearing Wang Jiang's words, shook his head, and said, "Another transport task, when will we get an attack mission?"

"What's wrong with a transport mission? It's safe and helps people. Compared to frontline attack missions, I'd rather transport a few more wounded," Wang Jiang smiled. Although his words showed a lack of ambition, he genuinely felt that saving a few more people was worthier than killing a few more alien creatures.

Lao Li was just complaining. Hearing Wang Jiang say this, he shook his head and said no more.

After all, during peacetime, helicopter pilots like them rarely got combat missions. Shooting ground targets sometimes were already the limit. Now, even with war on the horizon, still not getting combat missions left Lao Li feeling stifled.

"Alright, let's get ready for takeoff," Wang Jiang finished checking all the aircraft instruments and gauges, confirmed everything displayed normally, and gestured to the ground crew, signaling them to push him out.

However, just as the ground crew prepared to push the aircraft and Wang Jiang prepared to start the engine, a staff member suddenly ran over with a document, handing it to Wang Jiang, and said, "Emergency task, reconnaissance needed in the 14th area, it's on your route, take a look."

"The 14th area? What's going on?" Upon hearing the staff member's words, Wang Jiang's gaze sharpened, his whole person tensed up.

The 14th area is one of the battle zones, around which are the 7th, 9th, and 11th defense lines previously mentioned by Wang Jiang.

"Just now, the 9th defense line sent a message that the frontal attack of alien creatures has intensified, they detected a new tunnel, suspect something is stirring in the 14th area, aerial reconnaissance is needed," the staff member explained to Wang Jiang, somewhat helplessly adding, "All crews are flying, it's on your route, so the job goes to you."

"Alright, I know, we'll find out what the situation is." Wang Jiang handed the document given by the staff member to Lao Li, then promised the staff member, and started the aircraft's engine.

The staff member quickly withdrew to the side, watching the ground crew push the aircraft to the takeoff platform outside.

As the rotors spun, Wang Jiang pulled the control stick and flew up.

"Wasn't the 14th area always stable? Why did a problem suddenly arise?" On the aircraft, Lao Li flipped through the document and asked Wang Jiang.

"Who knows? The 9th defense line said the alien creatures' attack intensified, and detected a new tunnel; we have to go check it out," Wang Jiang concluded with a smile, saying to Lao Li, "Suit yourself now, not a transport task."

"It's good to catch an opportunity for an attack!" Lao Li still wanted to engage in some combat, mere aerial reconnaissance still couldn't satisfy him.

"No, I don't want to ground-pound. Mark the new tunnel position clearly, figure out what's happening, let the base launch missiles to wipe out the tunnel, save trouble for us and everyone else." Wang Jiang didn't have as strong an attack desire as Lao Li; he hoped to complete the mission safely.

However, he wasn't one to fear or avoid warfare. After saying the previous words, he asked Lao Li, "Have the missiles used before been replenished?"

"Rest assured, the ground crew has replenished them all. If there's any surprise, it's enough to give those alien beasts a hard time," Lao Li showed a congenial and sunny smile, revealing a row of white and neat teeth.

Wang Jiang nodded; although he hoped not to encounter a situation requiring combat, he was still prepared to face it.