pter 359
Chapter 359
Charlene arrived at the base and immediately dove headfirst into her work.
Perfecting human versus machine combat required a solid foundation of data.
On her second day at the base, another round of human vs. machine trials was scheduled.
That evening, Charlene found herself heading to the mess hall later than usual.
By the time she arrived, most of the crowd had already cleared out.
After grabbing her dinner, she was about to sit down when she noticed York, who had also just finished getting his meal.
York paused, flashing a friendly smile as he approached her. “When’d you get in?”
“Yesterday,” Charlene replied, then asked, “Just finished training?”
“Yeah, it’s been pretty intense this year.”
The future of aerial combat wasn’t just about humans anymore; it was a sophisticated dance between humans and machines.
Their training had evolved significantly over the past few years to reflect this shift.
Charlene asked, “Does it feel overwhelming?”
With Al’s formidable computational and analytical prowess, it could quickly spot an opponent’s weaknesses and devise precise strategies, its speed and accuracy were beyond human reach.
Even for a seasoned and perceptive pilot like York, the pressure was undeniable.
York chuckled, saying, “It’s tough, but it pushes us pilots to keep improving.”
With Al capable of simulating complex battle environments and scenarios, pilots experienced more realistic and comprehensive training, fostering their growth.
Charlene nodded, “Sounds exhausting.”
“Well, you
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just as hard as we are,” York remarked, noticing her graceful yet brisk pace
as she ate. “Heading back to work after this?”
“Yeah,” Charlene replied. Kenton Wagner had given her a hefty workload, keeping her on her toes.
As soon as she finished speaking, her communicator buzzed. It was a message from Kenton, summoning her back to the research department immediately.
Charlene put down her fork and stood up quickly, “I’ve got to run. Enjoy your dinner.”
York nodded, “Take care.”
Charlene left the base that Sunday morning around ten.
Once home, she checked her phone to find missed calls from Jasmine and Kendal.
She decided to return Kendal’s call.
Kendal playfully chided her, calling her heartless for not visiting him unless he reached out first.
Feeling a bit guilty, Charlene changed clothes, grabbed her car keys, and headed out the door.
As she drove up to The Underwood Mansion, she noticed Thorne’s car parked in the driveway.
Ignoring it for now, she stepped out of her car and was immediately greeted by Jasmine, who came running out of the house, flinging herself into Charlene’s arms. “Mom!”
Charlene hadn’t seen her daughter in nearly a month. She gently tousled Jasmine’s hair, asking, “When did you
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get here?”
Jasmine, clearly thrilled to see her mom after such a long time, clung to her hand tightly. “Just now!”
Hand in hand, they entered the house where Thorne and Kendal were lounging on the couch, sipping their coffee.
Vesta was nowhere to be seen.
Seeing her arrive, Kendal grinned and waved her over, “Charlene! Come sit down.”
Thorne glanced up at her, but only briefly, before turning his attention back to his coffee.
Charlene sat down next to Kendal, greeting him, “Hey, Kendal.”
Kendal gave her a once–over, frowning slightly, “You’ve lost weight again.”
The erratic meals and hectic schedule at the base had Indeed led her to drop a couple of pounds.
Before she could respond, Thorne deftly rinsed a porcelain cup with hot water and poured her a fresh cup of coffee, placing it in front of her.
Charlene didn’t say a word, instead tapping the coffee table lightly as a gesture of thanks.
Kendal continued, “Got some fresh salmon in the other day. How do you want it cooked, Charlene? I’ll have the chef whip it up for you.”
Charlene took a sip of her coffee, savoring its warmth, just as Thorne chimed in, “What, no offer for me? Playing favorites, are we?”
