Chapter 111: Arrived
Two hours later, they finally reached Philippine airspace. Compared to South Korea, there were no fighter jets welcoming and shooting them out of the sky.
Adrian stood inside the cockpit, one hand resting on the back of the pilot’s seat as he looked out ahead.
"Feels quiet," the co-pilot said.
"That’s a good thing," Ryan replied from behind.
The pilot adjusted the controls slightly, then reached for the radio.
"Basa Tower, Basa Tower, this is Cold Reach One, inbound from Korean airspace, requesting landing clearance. Over."
A burst of static.
Then.
"Cold Reach One, this is Basa Tower, we read you loud and clear. Identify aircraft and current altitude."
"Basa Tower, this is Cold Reach One, C-130 transport, currently at twelve thousand feet, descending. Carrying priority personnel."
A short pause.
Then the tone shifted.
"Cold Reach One, copy that. You are cleared for approach. Runway Zero-Niner is active. Wind is stable at five knots. No traffic in your lane."
The pilot nodded slightly.
"Copy, Basa Tower. Cleared for Runway Zero-Niner."
Adrian leaned forward just a bit.
"Any activity around the base?" he asked quietly.
The pilot keyed the mic again.
"Basa Tower, confirm ground status."
"Cold Reach One, base is secure. Perimeter locked. No hostile activity detected within ten-kilometer radius. You are clear to land."
Ryan let out a quiet breath.
"That’s what I like to hear."
The aircraft began its descent, nose dipping slightly as the pilot lined up with the runway.
"Lowering altitude," the pilot said. "Flaps set."
"Speed good," the co-pilot added.
Outside, Basa Air Base came into full view.
Adrian watched it closely.
"Bring us in," he said.
"Copy," the pilot replied.
The pilot’s hands moved smoothly over the controls.
"Alright, coming in on final," he said. "Set flaps thirty."
"Flaps thirty," the co-pilot repeated, adjusting the lever. "Flaps moving... passing twenty... now thirty. Locked."
"Check speed."
"Reducing. One-five-zero knots... one-four-zero... holding."
The aircraft dipped lower, the runway now clearly aligned ahead.
"Gear," the pilot said.
"Gear down," the co-pilot responded, pulling the lever.
A heavy mechanical thud echoed beneath them.
"Three green," the co-pilot confirmed. "Gear is down and locked."
"Good."
The pilot adjusted the throttle slightly.
"Bringing power back."
"Sink rate’s increasing," the co-pilot noted. "Correcting... you’re a bit low."
"I see it."
The pilot nudged the controls, lifting the nose just a fraction.
"Glideslope?"
"Back on profile," the co-pilot said. "You’re good. Centerline’s steady."
"Speed check," the pilot said again.
"One-three-five knots... stable."
"Alright."
The runway rushed closer.
"Five hundred," the co-pilot called out.
"Stable."
"Four hundred."
"Stable."
"Three hundred."
The pilot eased the throttle further.
"Two hundred."
"Still good. Slight drift left—correcting."
"I’ve got it."
The nose adjusted slightly.
"Back on center," the co-pilot confirmed.
"Hundred."
The pilot’s voice dropped a bit.
"Idle."
The engines softened as power reduced.
"Fifty."
"Forty."
"Thirty."
The pilot pulled back gently.
"Twenty."
"Ten."
The wheels hit.
A sharp screech echoed through the cockpit as the landing gear took the weight.
"Touchdown," the co-pilot confirmed.
"Reverse!" the pilot called.
The engines roared again as reverse thrust engaged.
"Speed dropping—one-two-zero... one hundred..."
"Keep her straight," Ryan said under his breath.
"I’ve got her," the pilot replied.
The aircraft slowed rapidly, the runway stretching ahead.
"Eighty knots."
"Sixty."
"Reverse idle."
The engines eased down.
"Forty knots... rolling out."
The pilot guided the aircraft steadily.
"Basa Tower, Cold Reach One, touchdown confirmed."
"Cold Reach One, copy. Welcome home. Taxi to holding point Alpha. Ground crew standing by."
The pilot exhaled quietly.
"Alright... we’re down."
Adrian patted the shoulders of the pilot and the co-pilot.
"Good work," Adrian said.
The pilot gave a small nod, still focused as he guided the aircraft off the runway.
"Taking exit taxiway," he said.
"Speed twenty knots," the co-pilot added. "Brakes holding steady."
The aircraft turned, wheels rolling over the taxiway as they aligned toward the holding area.
Outside, military vehicles were already moving.
A pair of armored Humvees paced them from a distance, while ground crew signaled from ahead.
"Basa Tower, Cold Reach One, taxiing to Alpha," the co-pilot said over the radio.
"Cold Reach One, copy," the tower replied. "Proceed straight. You have ground personnel waiting. Engines to idle once parked."
"Copy that."
Ryan stepped back slightly from the cockpit, glancing outside.
"Looks organized," he said.
"It is," Adrian replied. "That’s why we came back here."
The pilot eased the throttle down further.
"Approaching holding point," he said. "Standby for full stop."
"Brakes ready," the co-pilot confirmed.
Then came to a complete stop.
"Parking brake set."
"Engines to idle."
The roar inside the cockpit dropped to a low, steady hum.
Adrian looked out one more time.
Soldiers were already forming a perimeter around the aircraft. A medical team stood by near a transport truck, while another group prepared equipment near the side.
"Open the ramp," Adrian said.
"Copy," the co-pilot replied, reaching for the control.
Behind them, the hydraulic system engaged.
The ramp began to lower.
Ryan cracked his neck slightly.
"It’s good to be back."
Adrian walked out of the cabin and then pointed at one of the medical units.
"You," Adrian said, pointing at one of the medical personnel. "Make sure the lady here is escorted to quarantine and medical evaluation. Priority clearance."
The medic nodded immediately.
"Yes sir."
The ramp finished lowering with a heavy thud against the tarmac. Sunlight flooded into the cargo bay, followed by the distant sounds of engines, boots, and controlled movement.
Shadow Team moved first, stepping out in formation, scanning the area out of habit even though it was secured.
"Perimeter looks clean," one of them said.
Ryan followed, stepping onto the tarmac and taking a quick look around.
"Yeah," he muttered. "Feels different from Korea."
Behind him, Seo-yeon stepped down carefully, shielding her eyes slightly from the light. Two medics approached her right away.
"Ma’am, please come with us," one of them said.
She glanced back once at Adrian.
He gave a small nod.
"Go," he said. "They’ll take care of you."
She didn’t argue.
"Alright," she replied quietly, then followed the medical team toward the transport vehicle.
Ryan watched her leave, then looked back at Adrian.
"That’s our asset secured," he said.
Adrian nodded once.
"For now."
He stepped down onto the tarmac, boots hitting solid ground.
"Status of the base?" he asked.
A nearby officer approached and saluted.
"Sir, Basa Air Base remains fully operational. No breach attempts in the last forty-eight hours. Supply lines are stable."
Adrian listened, then gave a short nod.
"Good," he said.