Many of the people downstairs were already in a daze. Meanwhile, on the third floor, Johnson, Downey, and Hemsworth stood dumbfounded, staring at the scene unfolding before them, finding it utterly unbelievable.
However, before they could remain in shock for too long, the two Mil Mi-24 Hind attack helicopters, having emptied their ammunition, elegantly turned around and flew back toward the air force base.
"I-Is it over?" The 16-year-old Johnson bit her lip and asked Mavi. Her lips were trembling slightly due to nervousness.
"Not yet. In a moment, two MiG-33 fighter jets will be arriving," Mavi responded casually.
The earlier round of aerial gunfire was a heavy-weapon firefight, but what was coming next would be even more intense—the Russian MiG-33 fighter jets launching a barrage of air-to-ground rockets.
"MiG-33 fighter jets?" Both Downey and Hemsworth were startled upon hearing this. They knew a thing or two about military hardware and understood that the fighter jet Mavi was referring to was a mainstay of the Russian Air Force.
Its combat capabilities far surpassed those of the Mil Mi-24 armed helicopters!
"Mavi, what kind of short film are you trying to make?" Downey, dressed in his Iron Man suit, was at a loss for words. A rich guy making a short film had actually summoned real Russian MiG-33 fighter jets—just hearing about it was shocking enough.
"You'll find out soon," Mavi answered simply. Rather than explaining, it was better to let the final result speak for itself. After all, facts speak louder than words.
About five minutes later, in the clear blue sky, two gray fighter jets were rapidly approaching the filming base at a speed of Mach 1.65. Their engines emitted two long white trails of vapor—this was water vapor created by the combustion of aviation fuel rich in hydrogen.
Mach 1.65 wasn't even their maximum speed—the MiG-33s could reach Mach 2.25, equivalent to 2,756.43 km/h (1,713 mph).
Inside the safe house, everyone craned their necks, gathering around the windows, watching as the MiG-33 fighter jets soared toward their location.
Many had no idea what was about to happen next.
However, just as the MiG-33s neared the bombing zone, the pilots suddenly executed a rapid dive, then performed a stunning low-altitude supersonic flyby.
The sonic boom generated by the MiG-33s was far louder than ten Bugatti supercars roaring at full throttle! The piercing noise was so intense that, if they flew any lower and faster, it would be unbearable—borderline torturous.
Before anyone could even cover their ears, several streaks of fire suddenly shot out from beneath the low-flying jets!
In the blink of an eye, dozens of air-to-ground rockets detached from the fighter jets, ignited, and, with terrifying speed, screamed toward the tarmac!
"Oh my God!"
"My Lord..."
Upon witnessing this scene, everyone forgot about the deafening noise. They were frozen in place as if paralyzed, their minds unable to process thoughts of running or taking cover.
On the third floor, Johnson and Downey were so terrified that they couldn't even stand up. The sight of the incoming rockets made them feel as though they were trapped in a nightmare.
The air strike was completed in an instant. As the MiG-33 fighter jets ascended once again, the dozens of rockets they had launched hit the landing platform with pinpoint accuracy.
"BOOM!"
"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!"
In an instant, a series of massive explosions erupted. The sheer destructive power of the air-to-ground rockets was far more terrifying than surface-to-air missiles!
Even a single rocket was enough to violently shake the concrete ground, sending flames, shrapnel, and thick smoke into the air.
The thunderous explosions rang in their ears, making it feel as though the world was ending—the earth trembled violently, and everything seemed to be shaking uncontrollably!
The MiG fighter jet fleet on the ground was completely obliterated, shattered into pieces. Metal fragments and wreckage were flung high into the air, causing some onlookers to instinctively cover their mouths in shock, repeatedly calling out to God.
The shockwaves from the explosions swept through the area at visible speed, toppling everything in their path. Trees bent under the force, dust filled the sky, and the local wildlife had long since fled in anticipation of the chaos.
Only the actors and crew members inside the safe house had the chance to witness this mind-blowing catastrophe firsthand…
For a full two minutes, not a single person inside the safe house spoke.
The 16-year-old Johnson was on the verge of tears—completely unlike her Black Widow persona.
Robert Downey Jr., on the other hand, was utterly speechless, staring at the devastation in shock.
Just an hour ago, they had been filming on the very same platform.
But in the blink of an eye, the entire film set had been reduced to ashes, consumed by explosions and fire.
Looking at the ruins of the landing pad, everyone now fully grasped the terrifying power of military-grade weaponry.
And when they recalled that their boss, Mavi, had orchestrated all of this, nearly everyone began looking at him with a newfound sense of awe and fear.
Especially Downey and Hemsworth, who now had no idea how to even start a conversation with Mavi…
"Did I just hallucinate that? That entire fleet of MiG fighter jets was actually blown to bits?" one bespectacled cameraman asked, his throat dry.
"That was insane! They actually used real missiles for this scene… How much did this cost?!"
"This Russian boss is completely insane. I've never seen a movie filmed like this… Seriously…"
---
In the year 2000, CGI technology was nowhere near as advanced as it is today. But Mavi's practical effects didn't require CGI at all—in fact, even in 2019, this level of realism would still surpass most blockbuster films.
Because everything was real—no amount of CGI could replicate these details.
After witnessing such devastating destruction, the cast and crew took their work far more seriously, filming every scene with full dedication—no slacking off, no carelessness.
Three weeks later, Mavi's butler, Ivan, walked into his room and informed him, "Young Master, the short film from the last shoot has been completed. The video has been sent to your email."
"Alright, got it," Mavi replied casually. He opened his inbox and found a digital version of the "Avengers" trailer sent by the production team.
Mavi played the video, watching it from start to finish. The action sequences were phenomenal, and the visual effects were leagues beyond cheap CGI—as expected of a Hollywood production.
As for the final air-to-ground rocket strike—it was beyond words.
Just watching the footage brought back memories of that day…
(End of Chapter)