Chapter 0038
At Jingzhou International Airport, Ethan faced his first earthquake. The aftershocks had yet to come, and experts warned they could be substantial.
Three planes from Mukino Airlines were stranded; one had its left wing damaged by the quake.
Ethan chose not to leave. Instead, he orchestrated a calm evacuation for Mukino’s crew aboard the rescue team’s aircraft.
Mukino Airlines had a professional rescue team ready for emergencies like this, dispatching six helicopters for the task.
“Get on board first,” Ethan urged William.
William was incredulous. “Are you joking?”
“Three planes can’t return. Someone needs to stay back and manage the situation. You go ahead, I’ll leave when the other rescue teams arrive,” Ethan said, his voice steady.
The airport was in chaos, teeming with stranded passengers desperate to leave at the sight of any departing aircraft.
There were three captains, four co-pilots, and dozens of crew
members stranded in Jingzhou.
The Mukino Airlines rescue team arrived in the nick of time. ” President Grant, we’ve got to go now! The aftershock warning has been issued; it’s due in thirty minutes. The fog is thick near Jingzhou, making flying conditions treacherous.”
Their implication was clear: this might be the last batch of rescue
teams to arrive before the next shake.
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“Evacuate all crew members first especially the capsans Holo that plane that can still take off, load as many passengers you ca before it’s too late, Ethan instructed,
William wanted to protest, but Ethan’s gaze silenced him.
The rescue team could only follow orders.
As Ethan watched people being escorted onto planes and
helicopters lifting off one by one, he finally sat down, the last Mukino airliner disappearing into the sky. And then the ground began to shake.
The aftershock was ferocious, buildings on the brink of collapse trembled, and waves surged onto land. The might of a natural disaster made human strength seem trivial
Inside the airport, thousands of stranded souls screamed and cried) praying for the shaking to stop.
Many lay flat on the ground, including Ethan, held tightly by William.
The aftershock lasted an agonizing five minutes.
When the ground stilled, people, come hysterical and others in tears, embraced each other in relief.
Ethan rose, unafraid as he gazed at the dark clouds above.
“Let’s head back, President Grant. Our rescue team will come later William suggested.
“Look over there,” Ethan suddenly pointed.
To the far left.
It was the sea connecting to Slandon Harbor. Far out, dark clouds pressed down, stirring massive waves-a towering, thick wall of water.
A tsunami.
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If it hit, the airport would be submerged in an instant. Not only that, a third of Jingzhou, already small, could be underwater.
They had nowhere to hide..
Judging by the waves’ pace, in less than half an hour, they would hit land-specifically, Jingzhou International Airport.
Panic set in. “We need to move-now…”
Others saw it too and ran in the opposite direction.
At that moment, Ethan unexpectedly felt the urge to call Madison.
He wasn’t sure what he wanted to say.
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But the call wouldn’t connect.
Images of Madison’s tear-streaked face and their first meeting on the plane flashed before him.
“Go, William,” he said, pocketing his phone, lighting a cigarette despite the wind and waves.
“You…” William clenched his teeth.
As the waves drew nearer, Ethan said, “There are still crew members left. How could I, as the boss, leave first?”
People fled past them, some bumping into Ethan’s shoulder.
The remaining eleven Mukino crew members gathered around.” President Grant, please go. We won’t complain if we’re stranded.
You’ve done enough organizing our evacuation.”
They all stood behind Ethan.
He exhaled smoke and turned to them. “When you joined Mukino International, we promised to protect every one of you in any work- related danger. We’ll do everything to keep you safe.”
At that moment, tears welled in everyone’s eyes.
This was why Mukino International dominated the skies, not just valuing passengers’ lives but also their crew members.
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Jingzhou International Airport was in utter disarray.
Smaller airlines hadn’t sent planes, and other companies’ staff had lost hope.
Thousands knew the approaching water meant certain death. They understood there was no escape; Jingzhou was surrounded by the
sea.
Within minutes, they’d be erased from this world.
Even William sat down, his face a mix of calm and bitterness.
Those no longer fleeing sat with staffers from various airlines, quietly watching the sea, some making final calls, shedding tears.
The closer the water, the more violent the wind, forcing eyes shut.
Countless eyes searched the surroundings, hoping for a miracle.
fi
Even local airport staff knew evacuation was impossible. The
nd fog made takeoff unfeasible.
oomed large.
n stared at the last, unanswered call on his phone, Madison’s ne on the display.
The signal was dead, and calls wouldn’t go through.
The sky churned with clouds and wind, day and night indistinguishable.
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“What’s that?!”
“Is that a helicopter?!”
Someone shouted suddenly.
Everyone looked up.
About a hundred meters away, a helicopter fought against the storm, struggling to make its way through the clouds and wind.
William squinted, trying to identify it.
Leaves and debris blurred the vision, but a Mukino captain shouted, ” President Grant! It’s your helicopter!”
Mukino Airlines was sending more help?
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