Novel Palace
Chapter 37
Chapter 37
But the veteran military pilot simply smiled, his eyes reflecting a sense of relief.
Simultaneously, at the Civil Aviation Authority, observers also noticed the aircraft flying at an unusually high speed.
“Who’s piloting that?” a senior official asked.
A staff member replied, “It’s tagged as number 10.”
The official was astonished: “She came down in free flight?”
“Believe it or not, just a regular co-pilot.”
Back at the training base.
Madison executed each maneuver flawlessly, steering the plane steadily as she chased the top three flight durations.
In her mind, she meticulously replayed the flying techniques her grandfather had mastered to avoid obstacles, applying them as if she copied and pasted his exact moves.
The seasoned airman tilted the plane no more than twenty-eight percent, while Madison, not even a captain, managed a mere thirty. percent tilt to successfully navigate the obstacles.
The moment the A340 piloted by number 10 touched down safely, the third-place pilot turned pale.
It was over.
The instructor, equally shocked, reported in fits and starts: “Pilot number 10, flight duration twenty- seven minutes and thirty-two seconds, successfully evaded obstacles, zero errors!”
Zero errors…
125 ORUS
Even now, among the top three, aside from the old military flyer, both second and third place had grazed a virtual obstacle.
When number 10 was entered into the system, Madison’s name. secured the third spot firmly.
Only the top three were highlighted in gold.
Madison brought the plane to a halt and glanced at the big screen as she disembarked.
Her smile radiated brighter than the blazing sun on the horizon.
That unshakeable confidence was dazzling.
Civil Aviation Authority.
This rookie pilot’s achievements had already caught the higher-ups’ attention.
In recent years, the scarcity of pilots with exceptional qualifications. meant that talents like hers were being closely watched.
“A female pilot?” The deputy director, known as Ye, himself a former distinguished pilot, inquired.
“Sho
r file.”
Madison’s resume, Ye clicked his tongue. “What a waste. without flying. Keep a close eye on this one, see if she can d all the training.”
derstood.”
At that moment, Deputy Director Ye personally reached out to Ethan.
After the first assessment, ten pilots stood side by side.
Even amongst women, Madison wasn’t short, but next to the men, she still appeared the most petite.
Despite this, her presence in her flight suit was no less commanding than the rest.
The instructor, looking at the top three separated on the big screen, was at a loss for words. “Congratulations to the top three pilots for such outstanding performances. Especially number 10, truly a woman to rival men.”
Madison responded: “Thank you for your trust, instructor. But everybody here has more experience than me; I was just lucky.”
Hearing her humility, those who hadn’t scored as well softened their expressions a bit.
The next assessment would be in three days, and until then, everyone had standard training tasks. The evening dormitories were private.
Unknown to Madison, the day’s assessment had already made
waves in the industry. Especially those who had been outflown today kept replaying Madison’s flight path, trying to pinpoint their shings.
adison herself paid no mind; once she returned to her quarters, showered and went early to bed
Due to the mental strain, she was exhausted and slept soundly through to the next day.
Mukino International.
Chairman’s Office..
“What are you looking at now?” Michael asked, noticing William
absorbed in his tablet.
William whispered, “Thinking of Miss Clark.”
“Thinking?!” Michael was shocked.
Such a peculiar description… Had he really fallen for her?
William gestured ‘no further comment’ with his eyes.
Michael sat down and lit a cigarette. “I heard your helicopter pilot’s making waves in the circuit?”
“Military
ary and national airlines have asked about her, and even the Civil Aviation Authority is keeping an eye on Madison,” William responded.
Ethan, having finished the video, looked up: “What brings you here?”
“To see if you’re neglecting your duties over a spring fancy,” Michael said bluntly.
Ethan shot him a cold glance.
But Michael wasn’t wrong; Ethan was indeed lost in…
Thoughts of spring.
son’s departure, his already quiet home felt even emptier
he found himself sitting at her bedroom door all evening.
uldn’t understand why he was so unsettled when they hadn’t together long.
Meanwhile, Madison, immersed in training, couldn’t shake the image
of a certain man from her mind.
Not only that, his voice of encouragement and protection caused her heart to beat irregularly
Four days into training, Madison hadn’t contacted Ethan even once.
The ten pilots gathered at the training field, expecting the next flight assessment announcement, when the instructor abruptly said: “We’re taking a break today.”
After dropping this bombshell, the instructor hurried off.
Curious, someone asked a nearby staffer: “What happened?”
The staffer’s expression was grave: “There’s been an earthquake in Jingzhou. Some of our people are trapped there; the flight rescue team is heading out to help.” Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.
Hearing this, everyone fell silent.
An earthquake???
“Doesn’t Mukino Air have several rescue teams? Are they all going?”
asked number 4.
The staffer hesitated, finally admitting: “Our chairman is also in
Jingzhou.”
chairman was in Jingzhou…
Suddenly, Madison remembered Ethan mentioning he’d be int Jingzhou in two days. With four to five days since then, he might already be there.
She abruptly asked, “How severe is the earthquake?”
Everyone glanced at the quiet woman who had just spoken.
The staffer said solemnly, “Magnitude 6.2. Many planes can’t take
off.”
Due to severe damages and signal failures, planes were grounded, unable to fly without navigation.
Besides military rescues, many organizations headed towards
Jingzhou. The entire nation was united in the effort to assist their fellow citizens.
Ethan…
Madison turned and ran towards her quarters, digging out her phone to dial Ethan’s number.
Two attempts went unanswered.
Her expression grew grim as she scrolled through her call history and discovered Ethan had called her twice that morning.
He had called her?
Clutching her phone, she rushed downstairs to find everyone fixated on the large TV in the lobby.
The broadcast displayed the devastation in Jingzhou. Skyscrapers leaned precariously, tsunamis triggered by the earthquake had submerged the beaches, and people were filmed fleeing in
desperation.
Rescue teams were en route, but their numbers were nowhere near
enough to save so many.