Military Implications

The success of Project Revenant had sent shockwaves through the upper echelons of military command. Within hours of Julian Cross's test flight, classified footage had been compiled, analyzed, and delivered to the highest-ranking officials across multiple departments.

Elias sat in a secure briefing room, flanked by Julian and Selene, as they faced a panel of top military strategists, intelligence officers, and high-ranking generals. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, the tension palpable.

A large screen displayed telemetry data, acceleration profiles, and most importantly, the combat footage from the Revenant's first full-speed engagement.

The AI-driven missile defense system had reacted faster than any existing countermeasure, detecting, tracking, and eliminating threats before they became an issue.

The Revenant's maneuverability had rendered traditional interception methods obsolete. Even at lower speeds, radar failed to lock onto the aircraft because of its structure and alloy. When it pushed beyond Mach 10, it simply ceased to exist in the eyes of conventional tracking systems.

"This," one of the generals muttered, leaning forward in his seat, "is a strategic game-changer."

Selene tapped a control, and the footage of the simulated engagement played again. The drones never stood a chance. Three AI-driven enemy fighters, all neutralized in seconds.

A murmur spread through the room. No one spoke, but the implications were clear.

A man in a sharply pressed uniform—a high-ranking intelligence official—cleared his throat. "Doctor Varis, Commander Cross, your work has exceeded expectations. However, the true test of any weapon isn't in simulation—it's in live deployment."

Elias's expression remained neutral, but Julian stiffened beside him.

The official continued. "We have a classified high-risk target in need of immediate reconnaissance and possible elimination. Standard stealth aircraft have failed. The Revenant, however, is… untraceable."

Julian scoffed. "You want us to deploy an experimental craft into live combat?"

The official's face remained impassive. "Your simulation results suggest it's more than ready."

Julian's fists clenched. "Simulations don't shoot back."

Elias, however, was silent. His mind was already calculating the potential advantages and risks.

The Revenant was meant to redefine aerial combat, but sending it on a mission this soon? There were too many unknown variables, enough quantity still beats quality, after all.

Still…

A live deployment would answer those questions faster than any lab test ever could.

Elias finally spoke. "Give me the mission details. We'll determine feasibility."

As the military debated the Revenant's future, the rest of the world was still reeling from what had just happened above China.

A talk show broadcast was trending globally, discussing the leaked footage of the unidentified high-speed aircraft engaging and destroying two AI drones over restricted Chinese airspace.

The footage was grainy, captured from a ground-based infrared tracking station. The drones had deployed because the aircraft was completely invisible to radar. Even at lower speeds, the object had no recognizable signature, only a blazing heat trail was visible at high speed.

The video showed the two drones engaging, then being ripped apart by an unseen force in mere moments.

The host, a well-dressed anchor, turned to his panel of guests.

"So let's break this down. We're looking at an object that is too fast for radar, impossible to track, and destroys two next-gen AI drones without being visibly detected. Gentlemen, what are we seeing here?"

A former military analyst spoke first. "This isn't any conventional aircraft. It's moving beyond anything our current technology can track. Even China's most advanced anti-air defences were useless. That's not normal."

A second guest, a defence industry expert, chimed in. "The only explanation is a black-budget prototype, but the level of speed and stealth we're seeing here? That's decades ahead of what we should have."

Then, of course, there was the conspiracy theorist.

"This is undeniably our first clear evidence of extraterrestrial activity," the man declared confidently. "Aliens have been testing their technology on Earth for years, but this? This is full exposure."

The broadcast cut to social media reactions, where speculation was running wild:

@TruthSeeker89: "They just confirmed it. That's not human tech. This is UFO disclosure happening in real-time." @MilitaryWatchdog: "Some secret project just got exposed over China. Either the US has a next-gen fighter they never told us about, or we're dealing with something else entirely." @AncientAliensReal: "I've been saying it for years. They're here. And they're flexing."

The military had been carefully monitoring public reaction, taking note of how rapidly the alien theory was spreading.

For Elias and his team, this was both a blessing and a curse.

The world had just witnessed Project Revenant in action.

And no one, not the Chinese, not the public, not even the analysts, had any idea what it actually was.

Back in the classified military facility, the conversation had taken a sharp turn.

Julian wasn't having it.

"You're seriously considering this? A combat mission? This thing isn't even out of testing, Elias."

Elias remained calm. "The opportunity is too valuable to ignore."

Julian shook his head. "You designed this to change air superiority, not to start an international incident."

Elias met his gaze evenly. "The moment the Revenant took flight, warfare changed. Whether we deploy it now or later doesn't matter, the world just got its first glimpse. We control how it unfolds, or we let someone else dictate it."

Julian gritted his teeth. "You sound like a politician."

"I sound like someone who understands how war works," Elias corrected.

Selene cut in, her voice measured. "If we don't take control of the narrative, someone else will. The footage is already out there. Whether we like it or not, we've crossed the threshold."

A heavy silence filled the room.

Julian finally sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. We play this smart. No direct engagements, no reckless moves."

Elias nodded. "Agreed."

The military officials exchanged glances. They had their answer.

Project Revenant was no longer just a prototype.

It was now a weapon of war.

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