Chapter 853 Unidentified Fleet (1/2)

On the rough sea, majestic warships are sailing through the waves.

They are the fleet of the South China Sea Alliance, and they are also the only organized maritime combat force in this sea.

The leading flagship is the cruiser Harpoon, which made great achievements in the civil war.

Behind the cruiser, there were four destroyers following.

Excluding local defense forces, the South China Sea Alliance dispatched almost all available warships. Even apart from the sea power, there are still three submarines scattered and dormant under the sea.

In the beginning, the alliance contributed a lot to the unification of the South China Sea Alliance. Now that the alliance is in trouble, the South China Sea Alliance will naturally help the good brothers.

Although the survivors of the islands in the southern seas are not interested in the disputes on land, they know very well that the ambition of the Legion is not just an old-era province.

They will test the bottom line of the eastern survivors' power bit by bit, and use the weakness of colleges and enterprises to continue to advance, compressing the living space of the civilized world.

The South Sea Alliance will not let the Legion succeed, and the representatives know that by helping other suffering survivors, they are helping themselves.

but--

The start of this battle was not optimistic.

In the bridge of the Harpoon, President Lee Ming-hui, who had put on his military uniform again, stared at the signals on the radar screen and sonar screen, squinting his eyes slightly.

"...Haha, it seems we are in trouble."

Five hundred kilometers away, there were twenty signal sources that matched the characteristics of warships and were flashing brightly and dimly.

The hulls of these ships are coated with anti-radar coatings, and their technical content is obviously not low.

Not only that, at the same time that they captured each other, the other party had obviously discovered their existence and was cautiously keeping a distance from them and circling in the northeast direction.

Their intention is obvious, that is, to escort the transport ships traveling between West Sail Port and Evernight Port.

Originally, according to the plan, the fleet of the South China Sea Alliance would go to the waterway between Xifan Port and Yongye Port to blockade the port and its nearby waters.

But now it seems that this matter may not be so simple...

Li Minghui thought for a moment, picked up the communicator placed on the console, and gave the order neatly.

"Release the reconnaissance drones!"

A response quickly came from the communication channel.

"yes!"

As the order was given, the destroyer "Reef" moving aside raised the launch tube at the front end, and a plume of white smoke burst out and launched a sword-shaped missile into the airspace directly ahead.

After the missile flew for a certain distance in the air, it unfolded its folded wings to both sides, soared above the clouds like a petrel, and quickly approached the signal source on the radar.

Li Minghui in the bridge stared intently at the twenty flickering signals on the radar screen, with his hands on the center console.

As time passed by, the atmosphere on the bridge became extremely tense.

War at sea is much more boring than war on land. There are not so many fancy tactics. It may take a moment to discover the enemy, and it may also take a moment to be discovered by the enemy. And a small mistake can cost tens of thousands of people their efforts. Turned into scrap metal and sank to the bottom of the sea.

The weapons operator's palms were sweating, but his clenched fists did not leave the operating table.

This war is not as simple as they originally imagined. Just go fry a few fish in the Borneo Sea and go home with a medal.

Especially for them, this is not a battle to defend their homeland, but to defend other people's homes. If the final outcome is to be buried in the belly of a fish, it is difficult to say whether their contributions will be remembered by anyone.

It was at this moment that these young men finally understood the original mood of their "big brother" alliance.

It is not an easy thing to bet one's life for a common destiny...

The drone continued to fly forward for about tens of kilometers, keeping up with the fleet's sailing trajectory.

Li Minghui grabbed the communicator again and ordered in a calm voice.

"Turn on the active illumination radar!"

As the order was given, the belly of the drone opened the door downwards and released a pod the size of a fist.

The electromagnetic wave signal was released forward in a fan shape, completely covering the more than twenty flickering signal sources.

However, at this moment, a scene that surprised everyone happened.

The moment the echo came, more than twenty signal sources that flickered on and off suddenly disappeared from the radar screen!

"...Our drone did not detect the enemy ship! Requesting further instructions!"

Astonished expressions appeared on every face, and all the officers on the bridge were stunned for a moment.

Including Li Minghui.

His pupils dilated slightly for a moment, but quickly shrank.

"Eighty percent is electronic warfare..."

Standing next to Commander Li Minghui, the captain of the Harpoon said with a frown.

Li Minghui nodded, grabbed the communicator and continued to give orders.

"Turn off the active illumination radar, switch to the optical camera... fly near the target and take a look."

"yes!"

An echo came from the communication channel, and the destroyer "Reef" operating the drone quickly complied.

After continuing to fly for some distance in the sky, the reconnaissance drone quickly approached the target sea area, and the result was just as Li Minghui expected. The entire sea was empty, with nothing but rolling waves.

At this time, the other party seemed to have discovered their action of sending the drone, and the signal that originally appeared on their shipboard radar also disappeared.

Li Minghui frowned and thought for a moment before speaking.

"It should be a submarine..."

The adjutant standing aside swallowed and asked nervously.

"Would you like our submarine to come over and take a look?"

Sending a submarine to explore the path first is considered one of the routine operations. That thing can retreat faster than a destroyer. Especially in deep sea areas, it is still difficult to hunt down a submarine that is determined to escape.

However, as soon as he finished speaking, the captain of the Harpoon interrupted him without hesitation.

"It's best not to do this. This might be a trap. If I were their commander, I would definitely set an ambush nearby!"

At this moment, the staff officer standing aside suddenly spoke.

"Is there a possibility... that they don't actually know where we are."

Everyone was whispering for a while.

Li Minghui thought for a moment, nodded, and said in a deep voice.

"I was just thinking about this possibility. The signal we initially detected was passive sonar. It was most likely the noise they made deliberately using bait."

The reason why the other party chose to test in this way is very likely because they are in the same situation as them.

Both parties know each other's existence, but do not know each other's details.

But this way...

"This trial should be considered a tie."

It seems that there are people outside this person, and there is a sky outside the world.

He had to admit that the opponent he encountered this time was far more difficult than Charas. It was unrealistic to rely entirely on the art of command to trick others.

However, this may not be all bad.

Evenly matched opponents will ask each other to exercise restraint, and the other party may not want to miss the mark.

After all, even in name only, this is a war between the Xilan Empire and the countries of Borneo Province.

Before the Legion declared war on the alliance, the fleet of the South China Sea Alliance could only blockade the port, raid the strategic facilities belonging to the Xilan Empire, and sink a few supply ships. It was impossible to launch a blatant bombing of the port.

The war did not escalate into a full-scale war.

As a supporting party, they have no reason to take the initiative to escalate this war.

"It's difficult... we just have to see what our allies say."

Li Minghui took out a cigarette from his pocket, took out his lighter and lit it.

I probably won't be able to fight today.

The opponent is waiting for them to take the bait while trying to get them to fire the first shot.

The staff officer frowned, still thinking.

"The tricky thing now is... we still can't determine who these ships belong to."

Li Minghui's deputy looked at him.

"Is there a difference?"

The staff officer nodded.

"Of course...if it's the Western Legion, then we have to watch our butts."

Now there is only one destroyer and one submarine in the entire southern sea area. In addition, all that can be relied on is the air force on the ring island and those land-based missile launchers.

But those things alone are not enough.

There was a brief silence on the bridge, and then the whispers resumed.

Although the Eastern Legion has reached a private agreement with the Alliance, the other two legions have not expressed their stance so far.

"...I heard that the Western Legion is in the New World."

"Well...the other side of the planet."

"Has anyone been there?"

"I don't have the impression... whether it is starting from the east or the west, it is too far. There are no supply points along the way, and the location of the port is not sure yet."

"I don't know how they are developing..."

"It would be nice if we had a satellite to look at."

Looking at the people talking, Li Minghui did not participate in the discussion and just smoked silently.

The captain standing aside was silent for a long time, then sighed and said.

"It would be great if the 'Haiya' is still here."

It was once the only battleship of the South China Sea Alliance, and the only weapon designed to target the Legion's airships... However, the bellicose militarists within them used it on their own people.

But looking at it from another perspective, Vault 70 has indeed kept them behind closed doors for too long.

Those airships based on the core of starships are no longer the only reliance of the Legion.

And they have just left the island now...

…

On the other side, at the forefront of the battlefield, the 170,000th regiment under the command of Captain Olet Ten Thousand had already captured Surak County in the northwest of Lion State, opening up a breakthrough to continue their march north.

The defense line organized by Borneo's 1st and 20,000 troops was like paper. It was first bombarded by artillery and couldn't find the north, and then it was divided and surrounded by the armored troops acting as the vanguard.

The Southern Army is best at using artillery, and armor is only auxiliary.

But even so, for Borneo, which has few tanks, the hundreds of "Conqueror 10" that broke through can still be called a torrent of steel.

The first to enter Sulak County was the 171st Thousand Regiment commanded by Commander Ross.

In the local culture of Borneo, "Sulak" means lion's head, and this surname is also a prominent local family, occupying millions of acres of fertile land and tens of thousands of tenants.

Ross didn't know whether the surname "Sulak" or the strange slang term "lion's head" came first, and he didn't really care.

As a conqueror, he only cared about whether the local people cooperated with his conquests.

If he doesn't cooperate, he doesn't mind hanging this "lion's head" on the wall where the trophies are displayed.

However, what is interesting is that when his troops entered this area, instead of encountering any resistance, they were warmly welcomed by all "Sulak".

In the largest village in the entire county, a man of about sixty years old led a group of people and stood in the middle of the road.

He was wearing a luxurious robe and looked like an elder of his clan. His beard and hair were gray, and his old face was full of joy, and he seemed to welcome the Weirant people who came here from the bottom of his heart.

Seeing that these people did not carry guns, Ross waved his hand and signaled the armored personnel carrier to follow the tank into the town. He got out of the jeep and walked up to the old man with several officers.

Seeing the Wilante officer coming towards him, the old man took two trembling steps forward, wishing he could kneel on the ground.

"Sir...you are finally here! Those heavenly kings have caused us so much trouble!"

He didn't say anything false. Those people under the King of Heaven killed nobles when they saw them and robbed them of money and food. He was so frightened that he went to hide in the mountains and forests for half a month. He didn't dare to come back with his family until he heard that Janusz was dead and the army of the King of Heaven fell and scattered.

Not caring about what had happened here, Ross glanced at him.

"Are you a noble here?"

The old man nodded quickly with a smile on his face.

"Exactly...I am Chaim Sulak, a viscount conferred by His Majesty himself. I belong to my village within a hundred miles."

Ross didn't talk nonsense to him. He just gave the officer next to him a look and dropped a list in his hand.

Looking at the stunned old man, the officer said concisely.

"We are members of the Southern Legion. We were invited by your Majesty Akbar to go to the north to help you suppress bandits. Your Majesty requires you to do your best to cooperate with us, otherwise we will be dealt with according to the laws of the country."

"In addition, we need food for 100,000 people, mainly wheat flour, supplemented by meat, and supplements such as fruits and vegetables. Please prepare it here."

Hearing this number, Chamu was startled and almost collapsed to the ground.

"Ten, one hundred thousand people?!"

Not only was he startled, but the "Sulaks" following him were also stunned, whispering to each other in fear, looking like the end of the world.

Looking at the chattering rats, Ross pointed impatiently at the list in the old man's hand.

"There is a price on the list. You prepare it according to our requirements and we will pay you."

Although they are always imitated by predators, they are not predators after all.

In principle, they do not intend to destroy the original production relations for land that has utilization value, and will even use some small profits from other colonies to bribe the locals.

Of course, they will recoup this investment in the future after this war is over. The local survivors will use the blood and sweat of generations of descendants to repay this moment of confusion and short-term sweetness.

Hearing these big noses giving money, Chamu finally breathed a sigh of relief, and a joyful smile appeared on his face that regained color, and he nodded and said with a bow.

"Don't worry! Our county is rich in products, and the most indispensable thing is food! There are other counties nearby, and we can definitely get the supplies you want!"

Ross nodded and sent him aside without talking nonsense. He simply explained the patrol-related tasks to a few of his subordinates.

The Legion's logistics supply line was raided by the Alliance Air Force, and the supplies originally planned to be sent to the front line could not arrive on time.

They need to tinker a bit here and wait until logistics catches up before moving on.

Sulak County was a good location, ideal as a staging area for frontline supplies.

Perhaps they could build a temporary port on the western shoreline to spread the logistical pressure on Westsail Port.

Just when Ross was giving the task to his subordinates, he suddenly noticed a group of shirtless men and women kneeling on the roadside.

They were all relatively young, all in their early twenties, and all were tied with ropes.

Those fifty or so people were like animals tied in a pigsty. There was no trace of blood on their numb faces. If they were not still breathing, one could not help but wonder whether they were still alive.

Ross raised his eyebrows and looked at Chaim, who was following him step by step.

"Who are these people?"

Seeing the Weirant people asking about the identities of these people, Chamu immediately answered with a flattering smile.

"Sir, these bitches are bandits! They are not good people, and they want to encourage us to fight you!"

Heavenly bandit?

Ross was stunned for a moment, and it took him a while to realize that what he said should be the "Heavenly King's Army", and then he narrowed his eyes.

Speaking of which, these people still owe them a blood debt.

"Drag him outside and kill him."

"yes!"

The centurion standing next to him stood at attention and made a military salute, then led his men and walked towards the group of people kneeling on the ground with murderous intent.

The men followed them obediently, and soon fell to the ground amid a burst of gunfire.

The thick plasma soaked the soil red, and the walking corpses turned into real corpses.

Hidden in the distant fields were a group of onlookers, some of whom were serfs on the fields and tenants of the nearby village.

They had never seen such a bloody scene before. They all looked at it curiously, with half fear and half excitement on their faces.

After finishing the shooting, the Wilant soldiers grabbed a few onlookers, threw shovels to them, and asked them to find a place to bury the corpses.

Those people nodded hurriedly and worked hard to dig a hole on the execution ground without asking for payment.

Some people even reached out quietly and secretly hid some bloody soil in their pockets while they were digging.

Having a clear view of the living beings, the Valantian soldiers standing aside couldn't help curling their lips, with a hint of undisguised ridicule in their contemptuous voices.

"...Leaving them to take care of this fertile land is really humiliating."

Another Valantian soldier shouldered his rifle and let out a laugh.

"But no one gave them this land. I remembered correctly that this place used to be a zoo. They came here by themselves across the mountains and ridges."

"Hahaha!"

"If I were their ancestor, I would definitely regret it. It would be better to die in the desert looking like this."

In response to the wanton ridicule, the slaves digging the hole remained silent, but they did not feel any dissatisfaction.

They are talking about the remnants of the Era of Prosperity. What does it have to do with them?

Only when they need to boast, they will mention that their ancestors once came from the center of the prosperous world, including touting General Rowell's immortal achievements in the ice and snow, in order to make fun of the various ethnic groups outside the Dzobar Mountains. How miserable, how to be chased away by a three-headed and six-armed alien species.

But sometimes they spurn Lowell, spurn the War and Construction Committee for abandoning them, and hate that the Prosperity Era did not leave them any legacy.

Just like they sometimes remember that they are Borneos, and sometimes draw a clear line between them and other kinds of rats.

Some people make memories into boots and wear them on their feet in order to go further. Some people make memories into clothes and wear them to look beautiful. And they were ingenious and made their memories into pillows, tossing and turning just to sleep peacefully... And now they did sleep peacefully.

Pete stood aside smoking a cigarette and did not participate in the discussions of the soldiers. He only felt depressed.

He didn't care at all what these people's ancestors were like, let alone who this land belonged to. He just wanted to fight the real opponent as soon as possible.

Whether it's an alliance or a company, at least we have a decent opponent!

Fighting with these unarmed people, he couldn't feel any pride in his heart, but felt ashamed.

Especially the sparkling figure in the courtroom was always lingering in his mind.

Recently, he has been having nightmares, dreaming that he is back in that courtroom, but he is standing in the dock, and the jury box behind him is full of dead people.

Among them were the Willands, and others whose nose bridges were not so high.

Although it was just a dream, it still made him break into a cold sweat.

At this moment, the centurion's voice came from afar.

"Pete, are you done digging?"

Peter, who had come to his senses, hurriedly replied.

"It's almost over!"

The centurion continued to call.

"Don't worry about those slaves, let them dig for themselves, and return to the team quickly!"

"yes!"

After answering, Pete threw the cigarette butt on the ground, stamped it out, and quickly returned to the team with his soldiers.

The sharp-eyed slave on the side happened to see the cigarette butt he threw down. When the person walked away, he rushed up and grabbed it into his pocket, and even started fighting over "first come, first served" and "whoever sees it gets a share."

The sight of rolling in the blood-red quagmire made people dumbfounded, but they couldn't help but sigh.

At the same time, urgent telegrams were sent from Tiandu to the Port of Jingall and all parts of Borneo, informing every inch of the 4 million square kilometers of the war.

That day, the "Daily Survivor" in Golden Gallen Harbor issued another urgent notice, and it rarely used a line of large blood-red characters.

"Brazen Invasion!" The Confederate Army went to war undeclared! 》

The bloody red color was very much like the blood of those pilots and soldiers.

"It's so deceiving!"

Asin, who was sitting in his study room, cursed angrily and slammed the newspaper in his hand on the table.

He rarely lost his composure like this.

But at this moment, he couldn't suppress the anger in his heart.

He was not the only one who was angry, there were thousands of people standing there.

From the port area, Tulip Street, Knights all the way... to the reed swamps at the mouth of the ever-flowing river, anger is written on every face filled with indignation.

Some people choose to bury their heads, while others must hold their chins high unyieldingly.

They are also Borneos.

And he’s the one who woke up!

Suni stood on the street with his textbook under his arm and looked at the boy in the crowd with relief.

When I was sixteen or seventeen years old, I didn't have such a responsive scene. If I remember correctly, I should have been teasing seagulls on the pier and skipping classes to bask in the sun.

He was extremely grateful for the choice he had made. He boarded the ship to Golden Gallen Harbor and became a public school teacher. He also happened to read the article titled "Red Earth" and brought it with him. Enter the classroom and share.

It wasn't an earth-shattering feat, just a trivial thing that happened after lunch break.

However, he still can't forget the burning light in the eyes of those boys and girls at that time.

The hope that broke through the ground is sprouting at this moment!

That was a seedling that he cared for with his own hands——

"We sent our Emperor away, but the Legion wants us to kneel down! Tell me! Your answer!"

The young man standing at the top roared at the top of his lungs, and the response was the roar of the mountains and the tsunami.

"no way!!!"

The thin arm was raised high in the air, but he was not alone, because soon more powerful arms were raised.

There are people with long sleeves, people with short sleeves and people without sleeves.

The five fingers clenched into fists, holding up a piece of sky.

"what should we do--!"

"Fight them!!!"