Chapter 34: Treason, Unforgivable

The display screen of the TP-26-SH1 forward-looking infrared search/tracking system indicated that a clear target had appeared ahead. From the narrow front of the cockpit, Andre saw a spot of light on the sea. It was the sunlight reflected by the cockpit cover!

Finally caught up! Andrei slowed down the throttle and followed carefully from behind. At the same time, he reported on the radio: "Sokolovka, Sea Area No. 7, a target was found, suspected to be fighter No. 031."

"No. 032, chase immediately and identify the target!" Kozhidub's voice soon came through the headset.

Sea Area No. 7 is already 200 nautical miles west of Hokkaido! If the No. 031 fighter plane appeared there, Belenko's motives would be quite suspicious!

"032 calling 031, 032 calling 031." Andrei shouted on the radio. He hoped that Belenko could hear his voice and persuade him to return, which would be the best course of action.

However, there was no sound in the headphones. It seemed that just like what happened in history, Belenko was flying at a very low altitude and had turned off the radio. Given the narrow cockpit field of view of the MiG-25, he could definitely not see Andrei who was following behind him.

Pushing the accelerator, Andre approached slowly from behind, 20 kilometers, 15 kilometers, 10 kilometers, 5 kilometers...

A tall fighter plane with twin engines and twin vertical tails was flying over the sea. Belenko felt his palms begin to sweat. As time went on, he was getting closer and closer to Hokkaido, and the moment for his successful defection was also getting closer and closer.

Free Western world, here I come! Anne, I will be a hero of the Western world!

Belenko looked at the sea below. The azure blue sea seemed clearer than the Soviet coastline. Thinking of Annie, he became even more impatient.

At this moment, a flying object appeared from behind, slowly emerging from his left. Could it be that the Americans had discovered his approach and came to protect him?

With this thought in mind, Belenko turned his head to the left and saw the same Iron Eagle appear in his retina. The rectangular air intake was so eye-catching.

This was also a MiG-25 of the same model, and it definitely wasn't the one that came with him to join the Western world! When Belenko saw the number 032 painted on the nose of the plane, he knew it was his wingman, Andrei.

"Belenko, Belenko!" Andrei shouted on the radio, and at the same time, he stretched out his hand and waved from the cockpit, signaling Belenko to turn on the radio.

Belenko shook his head. What was Andrei going to do? To persuade him to return home? Once you have done this, you can't turn back!

He flipped the switch with his right hand, and the two R-15 engines at the tail spewed out purple tail flames. The MiG-25 turned on the afterburner, and the fuselage shook violently and then began to accelerate.

There was not much fuel left in the plane, and Belenko had no choice. He had to quickly enter the island country's airspace, and he also needed to climb high so that the islanders would notice him as a defector. Only with the help of the islanders' air power could he drive away Andrei behind him.

This takeoff was to test the engine. There were no R-40 missiles mounted on Belenko's wings, so now he had no way to counterattack except speed!

If it was any other aircraft, it might be possible to get rid of it, but for the MiG-25PD, which was also flying a MiG-25 and had an improved engine, it had no problem catching up with him.

Noticing that Belenko's fighter was accelerating, Andrei turned on the afterburner. With the surging power, fighter No. 032 quickly caught up with fighter No. 031 in front.

As a wingman, he had to be familiar with every move of the leader. Andrei followed behind Belenko and was able to predict the opponent's moves in advance. At the same time, the tail of the aircraft was exposed to Andrei's field of vision, and the R-60 missile mounted under the wing was ready for launch.

If Andre pressed the red button on the joystick at this time, after a burst of missile tail flames passed, the MiG-25 in front would be blown up in the ass. However, Andre did not do so. He was still waiting.

After arriving here, the first person Andrei met was Belenko. At that time, Belenko left a good impression on him. Moreover, his wife and children were gone, and this guy seemed a little miserable.

"Andrei, what are you doing?" At this moment, Belenko's voice came from the headset. This guy finally connected the radio!

"Belenko, return immediately, you have entered the island's air defense identification zone." Andrei said.

If Belenko returns now, he can explain to Kozhedub that he is lost. This is the only loyal thing Andrei can do.

"Andrei, I can't go back." Belenko said, "I hate the Soviet Union. I want to have a new life. Andrei, give me a chance."

"Belenko, treason is unforgivable!" After hearing Belenko's words, Andrei made up his mind and his eyes became more determined: "No matter what your reasons are, don't commit treason, come back with me!"

"No, Andre, you don't know. When you were young, you were instilled with the ideal of loving your country and your motherland. But when you grew up, you found that the reality was different from what you were taught. Our country is already rotten. The bureaucracy is corrupt and there are nepotism everywhere. Honest people cannot get development and will be slandered as mentally ill! By the way, your fighter plane broke down last time and almost killed you in a stall spin. Do you know the real reason? It was caused by the negligence of Akim, the nephew of the base commander Kozhedub and the chief engineer in charge of maintaining your fighter plane! This country is hopeless. Andre, why don't you follow me to the West? That's heaven. There is democracy and freedom there!"

Was the reason for the stall and spin due to the maintenance staff? Andre was stunned.

The two planes, still accelerating and climbing, could already be spotted by the long-range warning radar far behind on Sakhalin Island.

Just when Andrei was hesitant after hearing Belenko's words, an order came from the earphone: "032, Captain Belenko has been identified as a traitor, shoot him down immediately! Two targets are approaching quickly in the sky above Hokkaido, at an altitude of 12,000 and a speed of Mach 1.3!"

Belenko, classified as treason, shot down immediately! The rear obviously heard the conversation between the two sides on the radio.

Treason! No matter what the reason, treason cannot be forgiven! Moreover, the two targets flying ahead must be fighter planes from the island country. Once they are entangled, Andre may not be able to complete the mission!

Personal feelings aside, Andrei's defection would bring huge losses to the entire Soviet Union and must not happen!

Thinking of this, Andre calmly replied on the radio: "032 understand!" Then he pressed the missile launch button on the joystick.