UAAG CH14

After quickly finishing applying the medicine to him, Fu Cheng immediately returned to the pilot’s seat.

“Fasten your seatbelt.” His voice was cool and crisp.

Zhuo Huan fastened the four-point safety harness completely. “I’ll handle the radio communications.”

Fu Cheng glanced at him. “Okay.”

The division of labor was clear.

Without a single wasted word, Zhuo Huan took over the aircraft’s communication system and spoke directly to air traffic control: “Finnair AY032, confirming entry into an area with frequent high-speed charged particle streams, requesting to increase altitude.”

Three seconds later, ATC replied, “Finnair AY032, climb to 31,000 feet approved.”

Fu Cheng held the control stick with one hand and pressed the throttle with the other.

Zhuo Huan: “Climb to 31,000 feet.”

Fu Cheng repeated: “Confirming altitude 31,000 feet, disengaging autopilot, initiating manual flight mode.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he manipulated the elevator and slowly pushed the throttle forward with his other hand. Everything was stable and calm. Their bodies tilted back slightly as the plane slowly climbed upward.

The sky full of auroras was like pale green gauze, quietly rippling in the water-like night. A McFly F435 gently broke through these layers of misty gauze, heading towards the end of the sky.

Soon, a harsh electric sound came from the aircraft’s radio communication equipment.

Sizzling noises filled the headset, but Zhuo Huan remained unmoved. Finally, the noisy sound accumulated to a certain level, and with a sharp electric shriek, the entire radio communication equipment broke down completely.

Zhuo Huan took off the headset. “Radio communication is interrupted.” Pausing, he asked, “How is the autopilot?”

Fu Cheng: “Autopilot is temporarily…”

His voice stopped abruptly, and Fu Cheng’s expression was calm: “Autopilot system disconnected.”

At this moment, this plane officially encountered the problems that many polar flights often face—

Radio signal interruption.

The polar magnetic storm phenomenon does affect aircraft flight, but the impact is usually not significant. In most cases, it disrupts radio communications, meaning pilots cannot contact ATC. If it’s more severe, with a stronger magnetic storm, the autopilot system fails.

Therefore, when encountering severe magnetic storm weather, pilots often choose to make an emergency landing at the nearest airport, but it rarely causes more serious consequences.

However, they had to continue flying.

Fu Cheng handed the electronic display screen to Zhuo Huan and said, “I don’t understand the specific principle of the electromagnetic measuring instrument Professor Teichi Tsunai gave us, nor do I understand the numbers displayed on it. But he said that as long as the number reaches the critical value of 6781, it can prove his theory to a certain extent.”

Zhuo Huan looked at the highest value on the display, which was 1134. “Still far from the critical value.”

Fu Cheng turned his eyes, looking at the green aurora rushing toward them—

“Then, continue flying north.”

No radio communication, no autopilot system.

The plane’s autopilot was turned off.

Everything was in the hands of the pilot.

Fu Cheng operated the plane methodically, climbing upward step by step, and then heading north step by step.

In the boundless night, the McFly F435 was like a lone warrior going against the current, striding forward toward the direction from which the aurora flew.

Boom—

The plane shook violently, as if encountering a turbulent undercurrent.

Zhuo Huan: “3153.”

The young captain’s eyes were dark, and without a word, he continued forward.

Five minutes later, an even stronger electromagnetic storm hit. With a bang, a beam of low-energy electron flow directly penetrated the aircraft’s outer shell and exploded at the tail of the plane, nearly destroying the plane’s fly-by-wire system.

Zhuo Huan’s heart tightened. He subconsciously wanted to get up and check the rear of the plane to see if it had penetrated into the cabin. But just as he moved his feet, a low and steady voice came from his left: “It’s fine.”

Zhuo Huan turned around and saw Fu Cheng’s calm and composed profile.

The intense turbulence made the world shake unevenly up and down.

Yet this person sat there steadily forever, gripping the throttle and the elevator control, never changing.

One minute later, Zhuo Huan: “5732.”

“5913.”

“6235.”

“6513…”

Finally.

“6813!”

Fu Cheng gripped the plane’s steering yoke with his left hand and controlled the throttle with his right. With a gentle movement of the yoke, the plane immediately tilted to the left, carving a beautiful large-angle turn arc in the air.

When the turn was fully completed by 180 degrees and the nose of the plane was aligned with the southwest, Fu Cheng calmly announced: “Finnair AY032, returning to base.”

Finland, Helsinki, Vantaa Airport.

When AY032’s radio communication signal disappeared, the UAAG members sitting in the VIP lounge waiting for the results stopped talking one by one.

Soon, ground control also sent news that due to the electromagnetic storm, AY032 had disappeared from the radar screen.

This plane had completely vanished.

No one knew where it was currently. Perhaps it had turned back, perhaps it was still flying towards the North Pole, or perhaps it had met with an accident.

After waiting for about two hours, Lina’s phone rang. She quickly pressed the answer button. Listening to the voice on the other end, her solemn expression gradually crumbled. The beautiful blonde smiled slightly and said softly, “Thank you, we have received the news.”

Hanging up the phone, Lina looked up and smiled at her companions. “The radar system has detected their trace, and the radio communication equipment has also reconnected. This test flight is successfully completed.”

An hour later, Fu Cheng piloted the plane and landed smoothly at Vantaa Airport.

As soon as the plane landed, dozens of ground crew members swarmed up, hurriedly disassembling the magnetic sensor installed in the engine.

Fu Cheng checked all the plane’s systems, confirming they were turned off in order one by one. When he turned around, he found that Zhuo Huan was surprisingly still standing in the cockpit and hadn’t left. He was somewhat surprised: “…Teacher Zhuo?”

Although he felt the other party shouldn’t be waiting for him, seeing that this person hadn’t left, Fu Cheng hesitated.

As if seeing through his thoughts, the corner of Zhuo Huan’s mouth hooked into an imperceptible arc. Then he signaled the cabin door button with his eyes and said, “Open the door.”

Fu Cheng: “…”

Indeed, one shouldn’t hold any friendliness or expectations for this man.

The two got off the plane via the jet bridge together.

As soon as they got off the plane, the UAAG members came up to greet them.

“A living person appears out of nowhere.” Su Fei looked Zhuo Huan up and down, left and right, then snorted and turned to Fu Cheng. “How was it? Did you measure any data?”

Fu Cheng: “Mn, we got the values Professor Teichi Tsunai requested.”

Lina noticed more carefully: “Reid, what happened to your arm?”

Hearing this, Fu Cheng’s steps paused for a moment.

Zhuo Huan glanced lightly in his direction, calmly withdrew his gaze, and said casually, “Bumped into a box while appearing out of nowhere.”

Back in the VIP lounge, Lina immediately contacted Teichi Tsunai’s laboratory requesting a video call.

A few seconds later, the video connected.

Teichi Tsunai was not seen. On the computer screen, everyone only saw a laboratory filled with various instruments and reagents. Dozens of advanced electronic instruments emitted rising and falling electronic beeps in the laboratory, and a tall, slender figure in a white lab coat constantly walked back and forth in front of the camera.

His face couldn’t be seen clearly, only that white figure.

Before anyone from UAAG could speak, a slightly husky male voice spoke directly: “When the plane landed, the data on the magnetic sensor had already been synchronized to my computer. I am currently conducting the final confirmation experiment.”

While saying this, Teichi Tsunai had his back to the camera, looking down to discuss an electronic instrument’s value with his assistant.

Zhuo Huan said, “Teichi Tsunai.”

In front of the camera, that white-coated back paused slightly. The next moment, he turned around and walked up to the camera.

The refined and elegant man pushed up the silver-rimmed glasses on the bridge of his nose, his gaze cold and distant: “Zhuo-kun.”

Zhuo Huan: “What’s the success rate?”

His answer was a brief silence.

Teichi Tsunai: “In the world of physics, there is no such thing as success rate. Before the experimental results come out, it is like Schrödinger’s cat in the box. It could be 0%, or it could be 100%. There is no 50%, only 0 and 1.” After finishing this cold scientific principle, there was another very short silence. Teichi Tsunai looked up at everyone on the other end of the camera.

“I heard many people are anxiously waiting for this answer.”

“It will take about another day for the experimental results to come out.”

“Physics has no probability, but the human brain possesses judgment on probability. So for this experiment, my personal judgment of the success probability is… 95%.”

Zhuo Huan was silent for a moment, then said, “Thank you.”

Teichi Tsunai: “You’re welcome.”

After speaking, his gaze swept across the faces of all UAAG members in front of the camera, then looked at Zhuo Huan again. “Before hanging up, may I venture to ask, Zhuo-kun, who created the macro virus sent to my computer?”

Before Zhuo Huan could speak, the punk teenager was extremely proud, leaning his whole body in front of the camera: “Me, me, me! It was me. Awesome, right? Simply a genius!”

The computer screen was instantly filled with the teenager’s large face.

Teichi Tsunai: “Heh.”

Su Fei: “…?”

The next moment, the video cut off.

Su Fei said to Fu Cheng inexplicably, “Does this guy have some problem? Even RIP’s friends are so neurotic.”

Fu Cheng: “…”

You planted a virus on him, forcing him to reply to all his emails—allegedly for two whole days…

Get a clue, friend!

With the test flight over, from Teichi Tsunai’s words, everyone vaguely felt that the culprit causing the JAL JL917 crash had now surfaced.

Everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Relaxed, Old Joseph chuckled, “Since the answer will be out by this time tomorrow, shouldn’t we relax a bit?”

Everyone looked at him.

Old Joseph: “Anyway, there’s nothing else to do now, just waiting for the results from Tsunai’s side. What’s wrong with having a drink!”

Lina smiled slightly and turned to look at Zhuo Huan.

Zhuo Huan said indifferently, “There aren’t many days left anyway, cherish it well… Mn, go drink.”

Old Joseph cheered.

The UAAG members left the VIP lounge one after another. Lina had already arranged for cars to take everyone directly to the bar after leaving the airport.

Fu Cheng stood in place, looking at the retreating backs of everyone, looking confused.

…There aren’t many days left anyway, cherish it well?

Wait, why did that sentence sound weird somewhere?

No one could answer his doubts.

The five members of UAAG arrived at that bar again. Old Joseph waved to summon the waiter: “A glass of Marskin ryyppy. How can one not drink Marskin when in Finland? It’s my favorite drink!”

Su Fei: “Then I want a Marskin too!”

Old Joseph praised: “Good taste.”

Fu Cheng smiled: “Then I’ll have a Marskin too.”

Old Joseph laughed heartily: “You have a saying in China, what was it again… Oh right, great minds think alike. That saying is really too vivid.”

Lina smiled as she watched everyone talk. Suddenly her phone rang: “I’m going out to take a call.”

Lina took the phone, walked to the bar’s small balcony, and answered the call.

It was unknown how long they chatted, ranging from recent family situations all the way to this JAL accident.

Hanging up the phone, Lina turned around and suddenly saw a tall, slender figure. She paused slightly, then smiled: “Reid, when did you get here?”

On the other side, inside the bar, the Marskin drinks for Fu Cheng and the other two had arrived.

Before Fu Cheng could take a sip, Old Joseph, sitting beside him, nudged him with his elbow. “Hey, look, Reid went over there.”

Fu Cheng looked up.

Moonlight gently enveloped the small balcony outside the bar. The handsome, tall man stood by the Baroque floor-to-ceiling window. The beautiful, dazzling French woman looked up, smiling softly at him, her red lips parting slightly, saying something unknown.

Old Joseph: “Sure enough, there’s something going on between those two. I heard long ago that McFly’s former genius chief designer and the eldest daughter of the Conte family had that kind of relationship.”

Su Fei got interested and leaned in: “What relationship? Tell us quickly?”

Old Joseph: “What relationship? Does it need to be said? Just look for yourself. Did you know, Stephanie Conte graduated from Yale University, is fluent in six languages, and used to work for the United Nations. As a result, after Reid resigned from McFly, she immediately quit her UN job and ran over to be an administrator for UAAG. If there wasn’t something, would Lina come do this?”

Fu Cheng glanced at the two on the balcony; indeed, a talented man and a beautiful woman.

His clear pupils showed no fluctuation. Fu Cheng took a sip of his drink and suddenly said in surprise, “This drink is really good.”

Old Joseph’s attention was immediately drawn from the gossip: “I told you, this drink is really good.”

What they didn’t know was that while they sat in the bar watching the scenery, the people watching the scenery on the balcony were also looking at them.

Lina had long noticed Old Joseph pointing and gesturing at her and Zhuo Huan. She smiled helplessly: “Guess what they are saying?” Without waiting for Zhuo Huan to answer, she imitated Old Joseph’s tone herself: “Hmm, I think Reid and Lina definitely have an unspeakable relationship, otherwise why would she resign from the UN and run to UAAG, which has nothing to do with her profession?”

After saying this, Lina laughed herself: “You always use me as a shield to deter those girls who admire you. If they knew that the famous Reid Irvin Patrick they admire actually likes men, I wonder how sad they would be.”

Zhuo Huan didn’t reply to her but walked forward, leaned against the balcony, and lit a cigarette.

Zhuo Huan: “Were you talking to Conte just now?”

Lina: “Mn. After all, it’s a McFly plane. If there really was a problem with the plane itself, McFly would have to bear a huge insurance payout. I told Father that currently, it seems highly likely to be a Rolls-Royce engine design issue.”

Zhuo Huan said casually: “Oh.”

Lina didn’t leave. She thought for a moment and said, “There’s a question I noticed a long time ago. Reid, on the day Fu and Su first arrived at UAAG, you said Fu had an issue with you. But I feel, Reid, do you have some issue with him? I mean, you seem to pay a lot of attention to him, at least much more than you pay to Su Fei.”

Zhuo Huan laughed upon hearing this.

He looked up at the vast sky.

In Nordic countries, stargazing is an aesthetic enjoyment.

On a cool and pleasant summer night, looking up at the sky, one sees the twinkling constellation Cygnus.

Altair is in the west of the sky, Vega is in the east, and at the tail of Cygnus, connecting Altair and Vega like a magpie bridge, is Deneb.

Even the coldest person, standing under such a brilliant starry sky, would be shaken by the splendid beauty of the universe.

In the night wind, Lina had almost forgotten the question she just asked, but Zhuo Huan’s cold voice rang out.

“The night the two of them first arrived in Finland, we were also drinking here. Halfway through, I went out for a smoke and ran into Fu Cheng.” Zhuo Huan took a drag of his cigarette nonchalantly, exhaling white smoke from his mouth.

Lina turned to look at him: “I remember, Fu seemed to have come out for some fresh air?”

Zhuo Huan: “Sort of.”

Lina: “Hmm?”

As if suddenly remembering something interesting, Zhuo Huan laughed, his tone light: “I saw him smoking.”

Author’s Note:

Lina does not like Zhuo Anxi! Important things said three times: does not like, does not like, does not like!
Speaking of which, it seems all the female supporting characters in this story aren’t in the mood to care about trivial things like dating [?]; they all have loftier ideals [?]

Fu Cheng: What you said makes sense. I also have loftier ideals and no time to waste on dating.
Zhuo Huan: …?

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