Forty nautical miles east of Akao Island, on the destroyer May Rain.
The destroyer was at full power and was escaping towards Okinawa. Captain Hideo Fukuda, who made the decision to "reverse the advance", stood in the command room with firm eyes, constantly using his unique and magnetic voice to communicate with Communicating with headquarters as far away as Tokyo.
"Yes, yes, we have begun to evacuate the sea area where the incident occurred, but our speed is too slow and we may not be able to escape the opponent's pursuit range."
"No, we are not planning to rendezvous with the Reagan and other ships. It would be too risky."
"War is imminent and we must protect ourselves as much as possible."
"I understand, I understand. I have notified other ships to withdraw from the exercise, but the specific order needs to be issued by the headquarters."
".We don't know what it was, maybe a small tactical nuke."
"Its power. In short, Chiwei Island has completely disappeared."
"The good news is, we all don't have to fight for the island anymore."
Hideo Fukuda told an inappropriate joke - obviously, he also realized the inappropriateness of this sentence, but he really couldn't control his mouth.
Because, his emotions were too nervous.
Beneath the calm exterior is a violently beating heart and unparalleled, overwhelming fear.
At the moment when the missile exploded, the straight-line distance between the Maysame and Akao Island was actually only 20 nautical miles.
He witnessed the explosion with his own eyes, the island that was wiped out in smoke in front of him, and the rise of that weird mushroom cloud.
Yes, the mushroom cloud produced by the explosion was indeed different from anything he had ever seen - whether it was a nuclear weapon or a conventional high-yield bomb, when they exploded, the smoke produced by the violent combustion of the explosives would inevitably cover the sky and the sun. Whether it's pure white or gray-black, in short, its "transparency" is never too high.
But this time the mushroom cloud exploded very strangely.
Its smoke is very light, so light that at a distance of 20 nautical miles, if it is not for the help of a telescope, it may not even be visible.
And even if you see it, you will be shocked by its ghost-like form.
It was like the elusive, unobservable god of death wielding its deadly scythe.
Hideo Fukuda had never seen anything like it.
He was almost stunned. At that moment, he remembered the explosion that he had seen from his parents, from textbooks, and from TV programs more than sixty years ago.
The fear engraved in his blood was immediately awakened, and even though he was as determined as he was, he almost collapsed on the deck.
He really felt that "hallucination".
The stench of burning flesh and blood, the violent shock waves, the stinging eyes from the bright light, and the slight coolness felt on the skin under the ultra-high temperature
It took a full five minutes for him to recover from the frightening hallucination and realize that the coolness on his body was just due to the sudden waves that wet his clothes.
After that, even though he fulfilled his duties as a captain as much as possible, arranged all retreat plans, and reported all the intelligence detected, he was still unable to recover from the violent impact.
On the other end of the phone, the headquarters liaison officer was still chattering about arranging follow-up "combat" plans, but Hideo Fukuda couldn't listen anymore.
Because he captured the most critical sentence in that series of plans:
Return to the waters of Chiwei Island and establish a defense line to prevent the opponent's fleet from approaching.
"Are you kidding me?"
Hideo Fukuda asked in disbelief.
"Are you kidding? According to intelligence, the opponent's aircraft carrier formation has begun to move closer to the waters of Chiwei Island."
"If we don't stop it, we may lose the island completely."
"No, the most important thing is not Akao Island, but the one on the south side of it, do you understand?"
"Akawe Island can be given up, but that island is definitely not allowed."
"How do you want me to stop them?"
Having said this, Hideo Fukuda's mood calmed down.
He knew that he might be treated as a death squad.
This is a task that I cannot refuse - although everyone knows that the probability that such a task can achieve the desired results is very slim, but so what?
Compared to losing that key island, the superiors were obviously more willing to take a gamble with their old destroyer.
At that time, whether it is forcing the Liaoning ship away or expanding the conflict, it will be a sure-profit deal for the island country.
After hearing his question, the man on the other end of the phone replied:
"Fukuda-san, do whatever it takes - except open fire, you can do anything."
"We can't give you reliable advice. You are the one on the front line. You need to rely on your own judgment to make commands."
".I'm not asking for your advice. It's a rhetorical question."
"What I want to say is that we can't stop that fleet at all - maybe you should get in touch with the US first, instead of really thinking that everything is normal after getting a reply that 'everything is normal'."
The phone went silent for a while, and Hideo Fukuda didn't want to waste any more time, so he hung up the phone directly.
He knows that he can't count on anyone now.
The headquarters would not allow him to retreat and would not increase support.
The U.S. response was the same: "Everything is normal, maintain the fighting position."
All other ships have withdrawn from the exercise and are preparing to retreat.
Only he will move in the completely opposite direction to them to face the giant.
Thinking of this, Hideo Fukuda suddenly felt a tragic and heroic feeling in his heart.
Yes, maybe he is the samurai who killed the demon?
Maybe he is about to create unparalleled achievements?
Maybe the opponent is just bluffing, trying to be strong on the outside but weak on the inside?
Wonderful fantasies are like poison, gradually blinding Hideo Fukuda's mind. In his heart, he is an out-and-out island native.
And as long as you are an island nation, you will inherit the national character caused by the small living space and turbulent living environment - the fantasy of defeating the superior is almost the standard for such island people.
Hideo Fukuda took a deep breath and held the radio that commanded the entire ship.
A few seconds later, the Maysame began to turn at full speed and rushed towards the waters of Akao Island.
The Liaoning formation was still 100 nautical miles away. The May Rain did not intend to sit still and wait for death. Instead, it passed the Chiwei Island that no longer existed and continued to sail to the west.
3 hours later.
After judging that the risk of conflict has been basically eliminated, Luan Yijun has returned to the aircraft carrier. At this moment, he is observing the unobstructed sea ahead with satisfaction, marking the original location of Chiwei Island on the chart.
"From now on, the actual control of this island will officially change hands."
"I was thinking maybe we could do the same strategy with another island."
"Things that cannot be fought over or snatched away may be solved with one launch of the YJ-21H - in short, we must have a clear attitude."
"If you can't get something, even if it's destroyed, you won't give it to them."
"In this way, no one will rob us."
Hearing his words, Cao Gangchuan couldn't help laughing.
"Hahahahaha you. Lao Luan, I didn't expect you to tell jokes. You seem to be in a good mood?"
Luan Yijun also laughed and replied:
"Can you be in a bad mood? This time Plan No. 2 is even more effective than we expected."
"The Americans are indeed not stupid. Just a damage report allowed them to speculate on a series of subsequent developments."
"I guess they should have figured out that we removed the electronic jamming and allowed their reconnaissance planes to enter above Chiwei Island intentionally."
"After all, from that point on, the Reagan formation suspended all training activities and completely entered a state of huddled defense."
"How should I put it? From a certain perspective, this is not a good thing - they are too sharp, and it will not be easy for us to fight against them."
After hearing Luan Yijun's words, Cao Gangchuan nodded slightly.
"We are all old foxes for thousands of years. If we can't talk about this, it would be a bit outrageous."
"However, we are actually not as powerful as they think - the production of metallic hydrogen is too low. I estimate that after the follow-up technology is announced, they will quickly notice the anomaly."
"So, in the final analysis, we are just procrastinating for some time."
"That's enough - it gives us time to prepare. Whether Nandao really wants to move or is said to be 'scared off', we will be more calm in the future."
At this point, Luan Yijun couldn't help but sigh again.
These past few months, he had been too depressed.
Although as a professional soldier, he cannot accept the influence of external pressure and public opinion, but the internal anxiety and anger are unstoppable.
There were many moments when he really had the urge to attack the opponent desperately, but the discipline engraved deep in his soul was the strongest rein, allowing him to quickly suppress his emotions.
But fortunately, at this moment, his emotions were relieved.
——
Although this is obviously not enough, although he is still longing for more fierce and comprehensive revenge, at least, he can relax a little.
But at this moment, out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly noticed the radar screen beside him.
Then his expression turned confused.
"What does this May Rain mean? It's not leaving yet? Are you really planning to have a collision with us?"
In fact, from the time the Liaoning formation set sail for the waters of Chiwei Island, the May Rain was already under the surveillance of Rainbow-9.
Luan Yijun watched helplessly as it fled in a hurry after the explosion. Then, not knowing what happened, it turned around at a large angle and rushed back across the waters of Chiwei Island, blocking its own route as if it was going to be a goalkeeper.
Luan Yijun did not feel any threat, because he knew that when the United States did not dare to take action, the island country was even less likely to take action.
He just thought it was ridiculous - with such a small destroyer with a full load of only 6,000 tons, who was it trying to scare?
After hearing his words, Cao Gangchuan shook his head and replied:
"Most likely, they want to show off and show off to the United States."
"However, I'm afraid their calculations were wrong."
"I estimate that at this point in time, even if we really sink the May Rain, they probably won't have any reaction."
"How about giving it a try?"
Luan Yijun asked half-jokingly.
But he didn't expect that Cao Gangchuan would seriously consider it.
"The international risk is a bit high, but if done simply enough, it can still be explained away."
"The sea water here is deep enough, so it won't be easy to salvage it in the short term."
"But the problem is that it may not be easy to sink the May Rain before it detects it and sends a signal to the outside world."
"We currently only have two electromagnetic guns, and the rate of fire is too low. Even with electromagnetic shielding, they cannot be watertight."
Luan Yijun stared at Cao Gangchuan in stunned silence. Now he felt as if he casually said that he wanted to teach someone a lesson, but in the end, the boy began to consider killing and dismembering the body.
".I just said that. What are you thinking about?"
After thinking for a moment, he said:
"Move 055 back and push 052D up. If it really wants to hit the porcelain, just go over it!"
"clear."
A smile appeared on Cao Gangchuan's face.
Although he did feel a little distressed to let 052D charge into the battle, he also knew that the bow armor specially upgraded for this drill would eventually be put to use.
A few hours later, on the May Rain.
Hideo Fukuda stood firmly in the command room, without any hesitation in his eyes.
At this moment, the distance between this small destroyer with an actual tonnage of less than 4,000 tons and the behemoth was less than 1 nautical mile. With the relative speed of both sides of nearly 50 knots, the two ships would collide head-on in another two minutes.
He is like a samurai sitting on horseback, the May Rain is his war horse, and the Otto 127mm fully automatic naval gun is his sword.
But it is a pity that this sword cannot be used.
The only thing he can do is to let his body become a rock blocking the opponent's path.
Hideo Fukuda had no doubts about his ability, let alone the strength of the horse beneath him.
At this time, the two ships were less than 100 meters apart, and both sides had lost the opportunity to regret and hesitate.
Hideo Fukuda closed his eyes.
He was not going to watch this painful scene.
After all, this ship is like his comrade-in-arms and his brother.
In the last few seconds, he seemed to be in trance.
Then, a huge collision and roar sounded, and the violent vibrations threw him to the ground.
The sound of metal bending and breaking was so harsh that it made his teeth ache, but the screams of the crew on the ship penetrated deeper into his soul.
He couldn't bear this torture anymore.
But when he opened his eyes blankly and was about to check his results, he suddenly discovered...
There is no result at all.
The 052D just ran over his own war horse and the weak May Rain.
There are not even obvious signs of wear and tear on his hull.
In contrast, the bow of the May Rain had been completely destroyed and turned into a pile of twisted scrap metal.
If it weren't for the design of the watertight cabin, he even suspected that the ship would sink to the bottom of the sea soon——
But the person who started it just walked away in a arrogant manner.
Not even the sailors on the ship looked back the same way.
At this moment, he suddenly understood something:
It turns out that my so-called courage is just a joke in front of them.
(End of chapter)
