Chapter 34: Testing Wings over the Lake’s Reflection

The next morning, Lao Jia packed his bags early, checked out of the hotel, and took a taxi alone to the Jiangcheng Low-Altitude Economy Industrial Park. He arrived just past ten o’clock. Sunlight filtered through thin clouds, draping the tech-focused grounds in a golden glow. Lao Jia observed the personnel inside and outside the hangar working with tense, orderly efficiency. Dr. Yu Ying was in the flight control room directing her team—a group of engineers affectionately known as the "Flight Control Fairies"—as they finalized the preparations.

The hangar was situated by a lake in the industrial park. Directly in front of the hangar doors lay a tarmac the size of a football field—the Optics Valley landing site registered by the industrial park with the Civil Aviation Administration, designated exclusively for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft and drones. The water shimmered, and a light breeze carried the chill of late autumn and early winter. The surrounding lawns were immaculately manicured, and the lakeside scenery looked particularly beautiful under the morning sun.

"Director Jia, you’re here," Dr. Yu Ying said, walking over from the flight control room and waving. She added proudly, "The preparations are nearing completion. You’ll be able to witness our entire test flight today."

Lao Jia nodded. He could feel the tension and excitement permeating the air; anticipation and focus were etched onto every face. He took a deep breath, savoring the thrill of standing at the frontier of technology.

Around 10:30, Master Wang and Long Wuyang led the assembly team to move the aircraft from the hangar to the tarmac. Although the drone was a massive beast weighing three to four tons, it moved slowly toward the tarmac under the combined effort of three or four people—though it was quite strenuous. Normally, a tow tractor would be used, but since the tarmac was only a few dozen meters from the hangar, Dr. Yu’s team had opted out of buying one to save on costs, relying on manual labor for every test flight.

Master Wang and his team used wheel chocks to secure the aircraft’s landing gear on the tarmac and proceeded with the final pre-flight checks in an orderly fashion. Even though a few people could push the plane, beads of sweat still formed on their foreheads in the winter cold. Shortly after, a fuel truck arrived to begin refueling. Two full tons of fuel were pumped into the steel beast, filling it to the brim.

"This fellow sure drinks a lot," Long Wuyang said, wiping sweat from his brow. "But with this fuel, it can fly higher and further."

Lao Jia nodded, his gaze fixed on the drone. It was a powerful metallic giant, silently waiting to unleash its strength.

Fully fueled, the drone sat motionless on the tarmac like a steel bird with its wings folded. The winter sun rested gently on its metal skin, reflecting a cold, sharp light that made the morning feel even frostier. The lawn, a mix of yellow and green, provided a stark contrast to the drone’s pitch-black body, highlighting the harmonious coexistence of human technology and natural beauty.

The drone’s propellers were still, as if time had frozen, with only the occasional breeze sweeping across the lake and brushing the tips of the grass. The mountains across the lake emerged faintly through the morning mist, adding a touch of mystery to the quiet scene. The presence of the drone felt like a dialogue between reality and the future, silently speaking of the power of technology and the embrace of nature.

Beside the drone, Master Wang and his team conducted their final checks, their figures appearing small against the massive craft. Their every movement was focused and cautious, like a silent ritual preparing for the flight ahead. The temporary nationality certificate, "B-HUST0007," was stenciled on the fuselage in white letters against a black background. The surface of the hull shimmered in the sunlight, mirroring the ripples on the lake to create a captivating scene.

"Everything is ready. We can start the engine test," Master Wang said over the walkie-talkie. His voice echoed across the empty tarmac. His graying hair was ruffled by the morning wind, but his eyes were steady and firm, revealing his confidence in the upcoming flight.

At 11:00, following instructions from the flight control room, the engine test began. Driven by the engines, the two massive propellers started to turn. At first, there was only a slow hum, but as the RPM increased, the sound became sharp and powerful. The propellers churned the air, creating a strong downdraft that whipped up dust and small pebbles into a miniature whirlwind. In the sunlight, the metal blades blurred into two translucent discs, flashing with silver light.

Standing behind the safety line, Lao Jia felt the vibrations from the propellers—a deep, marrow-shaking tremor that made it seem as though the very earth were resonating.

"This feeling is just like being at a rocket launch site," Lao Jia remarked to Long Wuyang, his voice tinged with excitement.

Long Wuyang nodded, his eyes locked onto the drone as if they were engaged in a silent communion.

As the test continued, the propellers spun faster and faster, their sound shifting from a low roar to a high-pitched scream. The drone seemed to be gathering its strength, preparing to break free from the earth’s grip and charge into the blue sky. Lao Jia’s heart raced in rhythm with the spinning blades; he could sense the energy about to be unleashed, the yearning for free flight. The air around the drone seemed to tremble, stunned by the sheer power of the propellers. In that moment, the drone was no longer cold metal, but a living entity ready to display its grace in the heavens.

The various indicator lights on the aircraft flickered to life like stars in the night sky, signaling the imminent flight. The onboard equipment began to engage. Inside the flight control room, the large screens displayed the aircraft’s operational parameters. Everyone at their stations was working intently. The flight control engineers wore headsets and operated their computers with focus. Dr. Yu Ying sat in the commander's chair, eyes fixed on the screen, checking each parameter item by item. Despite the roar of the engines outside, the flight control room was deathly silent.

"All systems nominal. Engine test successful!" Dr. Yu Ying’s voice came through the radio, calm and resolute.

Everyone retreated into the hangar, watching through the doors as the aircraft went through its final deployment tests. The projector screen used for the meeting the previous night was set up in a corner, displaying feeds from the monitoring room.

Long Wuyang explained to Lao Jia, "Since outsiders aren't allowed in the flight control room during operations, Dr. Yu arranged for the monitoring feeds to be projected here. It’s like a mission control center for a rocket launch, showing audio and video from multiple angles so everyone can experience the flight control process firsthand."

Lao Jia looked at the massive screen. The images were clear and vivid, making it feel as though they were right there in the control room. He could see the engineers working with intense concentration, observe every detail of the drone, and even feel the turbulence generated by the propellers.

He was very pleased with Dr. Yu’s arrangement; it was an effective way to build team cohesion. He felt that she had a very structured approach to leadership.

Outside, the sound of the engine test finally died down. The lights remained on, and the drone sat like a giant bird ready to take flight, waiting for the final command.

Time ticked away, mirroring the countdown of a rocket launch. Everyone gathered before the big screen, waiting for the clock to strike 12:00.

However, the flight control room remained quiet. The hangar was quiet. The aircraft was quiet. Everyone held their breath, glancing at one another. Eyes filled with confusion, and a sense of unease began to spread.

"What's happening? Is there a problem?" Lao Jia couldn't help but ask, sensing the sudden tension.

"We are still waiting for the final launch command," Long Wuyang whispered, his gaze locked tightly on the big screen, as if searching for an answer.