Raptor One continued north.
The Airfield disappeared behind the aircraft within seconds. Warehouses and secured roads gave way to older industrial blocks, then to wider stretches of damaged utility land.
The fixed Radar boundary approached on the pilot's display.
"Raptor One to Flight Operations. Reaching the edge of coverage."
"Flight Operations copies. Maintain the scheduled return window."
"I'll try not to keep you waiting."
The response came after a short pause.
"Report when coverage returns."
"Don't be surprised when I do."
The aircraft crossed the boundary.
The command link remained available for several more seconds before weakening into static. Friendly markers disappeared from the wider display afterward, leaving only Raptor One's local Radar and the systems inside the cockpit.
The pilot activated the mission recorder.
"Raptor One reconnaissance log. Fixed Radar coverage lost. Continuing toward Northern Ashington Nuclear Power Station."
