Behind the lead bomber, more Rockwell B-1 Lancer strategic bombers powered up inside their shelters one after another. Their engines roared across the airfield, deep and violent enough to vibrate the concrete beneath nearby vehicles.
Ground crews cleared away quickly as the bombers began rolling forward.
The sight alone was intimidating.
The B-1 Lancers dwarfed almost everything around them.
Their long fuselages moved slowly beneath the floodlights while their variable-sweep wings adjusted outward into taxi configuration. Heat distortion shimmered heavily behind the four engines mounted beneath each aircraft.
Inside the cockpit of Lancer One, the pilot watched the runway lights ahead.
"Lancer flight, check in."
"Lancer Two ready."
"Lancer Three ready."
The co-pilot glanced toward the targeting displays updating from command feeds.
"Target density still high."
The pilot gave a short nod.
"Good."
