Xiao Fan looked up, a massive black shadow descended from the sky.
The raging wind forced him to retreat, making space for the black shadow to land.
Soon, the shadow landed.
Even before the system had a chance to introduce it, Xiao Fan had almost figured out what it was.
The Nighthawk Helicopter!
A classic transport aircraft from the Red Alert series.
Sure enough, the system prompt came.
[Congratulations to the Supreme Commander on acquiring the Nighthawk Helicopter. This unit is a traditional Red Alert unit, with two pilots, a maximum capacity of fifty passengers, a maximum payload of twenty-five tons, and a maximum flight speed of 300 kilometers per hour. It can be equipped with a tow cable. After being modified by the Red Alert system, this transport aircraft is equipped with lightweight composite armor that can withstand small arms and light machine gun fire. It is also armed with two 30mm autocannons and has 1,000 rounds of ammunition in its standard state.]
As the aircraft landed, it became apparent that it was designed with fore and aft propellers and had two engines.
In the game, this aircraft could carry six people, but of course, that was just a game; in reality, it could carry fifty passengers.
Two pilots jumped off the aircraft and saluted Xiao Fan.
"Nighthawk Helicopter pilot Zhang Yuanji, reporting to the Supreme Commander!"
"Nighthawk Helicopter pilot Pei Dong, reporting to the Supreme Commander!"
At that moment, Xiao Fan smiled with his eyes slightly squinted, feeling extremely satisfied.
Although he didn't receive any financial support, the acquisition of the helicopter resolved his urgent need.
Since this helicopter could tow vehicles, it meant that it could transport vehicles by air.
In Red Alert, helicopters were fragile, but this one had been improved, making it resistant to damage from regular firearms and small arms fire, which was excellent.
Moreover, it had two autocannons, which meant decent firepower.
At the moment, Xiao Fan was only a company commander, and based on the buildings he had unlocked, it was likely that the company commander rank did not have access to an air control center.
Without an air control center, he would be unable to construct aircraft, so having this helicopter compensated for his lack of air power.
Even if it didn't provide significant combat strength, it would at least make transportation much more convenient.
After Xiao Fan greeted the two pilots, he pointed to the suicide truck and asked, "Can this truck be brought back to the base?"
"Yes, Supreme Commander, the weight of the truck does not exceed twenty tons, so it can be towed by the aircraft."
"Excellent, take the truck back to the base immediately."
The two pilots quickly got to work, securing the tow cables to the truck. Once everything was ready, they invited Xiao Fan and the others to board the aircraft.
"Supreme Commander, there is still room for more passengers. Please, everyone aboard."
Xiao Fan and his security detail boarded the aircraft.
However, two soldiers remained behind to drive the All-Terrain Vehicle and the armored vehicle back to the base.
After completing all the preparations, the Nighthawk Helicopter took off.
The fore and aft propellers rotated simultaneously, generating a powerful wind that sent leaves flying and grass bending.
The aircraft ascended, lifting the suicide truck with it.
Gradually, the helicopter reached an altitude of several hundred meters and headed straight for the base.
Due to the added weight of the truck, the flight speed was not fast, but Xiao Fan was not in a hurry. He sat in the aircraft, gazing at the scenery outside the window.
Before the apocalypse, he had flown on commercial airlines but had never been on a helicopter. This was his first experience.
Although the experience itself was ordinary, the sense of psychological satisfaction was incomparable.
Because this was his own aircraft, and everyone on board was his own soldier.
One day, he would undoubtedly have a powerful air force soaring through the skies.
Moments of happiness are always fleeting, and no matter how slow the speed, it didn't take long for the aircraft to reach the skies above Shuguang City.
The laboring residents of Shuguang City, one by one, opened their eyes wide and gaped as they looked up at the sky.
Shuguang City actually had an aircraft!
Moreover, it was such a large helicopter, clearly not for civilian use. Otherwise, how could it have flown back while towing that massive truck?
A sense of pride welled up in everyone's heart as they marveled at the strength of their city.
From the ground, cheers and applause could be heard, even reaching Xiao Fan as the aircraft prepared to land.
The helicopter hovered over the inner city area and first lowered the suicide truck.
Soon, soldiers came and drove the truck away, and then the aircraft landed on the helipad atop Xiao Fan's commander's mansion.
The top floor of the villa was actually a large helipad, which Xiao Fan had initially thought was just for show, but it had now been put to use so quickly.
After disembarking from the aircraft, they could walk directly onto the villa's terrace via the stairs.
Back inside the villa, the security detail soldiers took up their positions and began fortifying the interior.
Company Commander Xu Qiang came to the villa and reported to Xiao Fan.
"Supreme Commander, after you left today, representatives from the Survivor Alliance arrived."
"Oh? Who came?"
"The tax official from last time, Xu Qingshan. He also brought the Alliance's demands."
"What did they say?"
Xu Qiang handed Xiao Fan a piece of paper detailing the Survivor Alliance's demands.
There were three main conditions.
The first was a demand to open trade with Shuguang City, with the Survivor Alliance willing to exchange gold and silver for Shuguang City's resources.
The second was that the Survivor Alliance would send troops to assist in defending Shuguang City.
The third was for Shuguang City to join the Survivor Alliance as a subordinate member, formally accepting the Alliance's leadership, and for Shuguang Army leader Xiao Fan to relocate and reside at the Film and Television City base.
Xu Qingshan also brought fifty kilograms of gold, which they owed Shuguang City from before, as a show of good faith.
He also told Xiao Fan that he hoped Xiao Fan would not refuse, and that he should respond and make a public announcement within two days.
Looking at the thin sheet of paper in his hand, Xiao Fan knew that these were the Alliance's conditions, and essentially their final ultimatum.
If he refused the Alliance's terms, it would be considered making an enemy of the Alliance.
But accepting them was also unacceptable. The first condition was fine; the Alliance thought they were getting the better deal, not realizing that Xiao Fan was the one benefiting.
However, the second and third conditions were unpalatable. Did he need their troops stationed here?
Their goal was likely to use the stationing as an excuse to occupy Shuguang City.
As for the third condition, if he agreed, once he reached Film and Television City, he would essentially be under house arrest.
Xiao Fan could refuse, but he didn't do so.
He wanted to consider a way that might yield a better solution, one that would maximize the benefits.
Before that, he wanted to hear the news from Shen Ruihui's side.
Fortunately, he didn't have to wait too long for Shen Ruihui's response. The next afternoon, Xiao Fan received a vision-sharing request from Shen Ruihui.