Soon, Defense Minister, Chief Itra, who had previously eaten shit, stood in front of the camera beaming. He looked really good. The important thing was, the embarrassing incident was now a thing of the past. People also knew their place and did not mention it once.
Itra smiled at the camera and said, “This Gales-class aircraft carrier is Merika’s most advanced aircraft carrier and is nuclear-powered. Length: 332.29 meters, Width: 40.8 meters, Crew: 5,680, Full-load displacement: 101,600 tons, Range: Unlimited, Speed: 30 knots. This Steinberg aircraft carrier is the most advanced among the Gales-class aircraft carriers with substantial design improvements and several new technologies. For example, the new vacuum marine sanitation system, the new aviation fuel distribution system, and a large number of new control systems and piping materials. Of course, the latest technology in the military is kept confidential.”
“Chief Itra’s introduction is really comprehensive. A round of applause for him!”
Itra briefly introduced the most advanced Gales-class aircraft carrier in the world and immediately won the applause of the Merika military enthusiasts. The applause thundered.
At that moment, a reporter asked, “Itra has introduced the basic specifications of the Gales-class aircraft carrier. We all know that all aircraft carriers need to be composed of a destroyer squadron of at least two frigates before it can be considered a proper carrier strike group. Could Chief Itra please give us a proper introduction on the breakdown of each carrier’s composition and of course, if there are any weapons newly developed by Merika?”
Itra answered the reporter’s question very carefully.
As a superpower in the world, everyone in the world was very concerned about Merika’s every move. Heavenly State included. Hence…
“In ordinary circumstances, a carrier strike group is composed of an aircraft carrier, two to three cruisers, two to three destroyer squadron, one to three submarines, and one to two supply ships.” He smiled as he said, “This is a real carrier strike group. Unlike a certain prodigal outlaw that has only two empty aircraft carriers, that cannot be compared to us.”
He was naturally referring to Hong Dali. When the Bureau Chief saw this, he said in disdain, “Pui, you idiots aren’t even fit to carry shoes for Dali. Who are you saying that cannot be compared to you.” He talked to himself and suddenly rubbed his chin. “But to be honest, he is not entirely wrong. The gap between Merika and Hong Dali is still quite far apart…”
The Bureau Chief was well aware of Hong Dali’s strength now. But the problem was, Merika had no idea. Itra continued boasting—
“The military exercise we are conducting this time also serves as a solemn warning to the Heavenly State. Hong Dali sent an assassin to assassinate Toyoda Conglomerate’s company president, Tarō Gohon, causing a great impact to Jaban’s economy. In order to maintain peace in the world, we must prevent something like that from happening. It is out of desperation that we are conducting this military exercise.”
“Bunch of idiots!” Hearing that, the Bureau Chief pounded hard on the table and scolded. “Tarō Gohon wouldn’t have died if he didn’t send someone to assassinate Hong Dali in the first place! These people are actually twisting the facts now! Hateful! Too hateful!”
In the beginning, Tarō Gohon paid the assassins 500 million to take Hong Dali’s life. He did not succeed but got killed himself. The Bureau Chief, the mysterious man, and the people close to Hong Dali were all aware of this fact.
The problem was, although they knew, no one would believe since they did not make it public.
The reason why it was not made known, was because the Blood Demon was working for Hong Dali now. If news got out, what would happen to Blood Demon?
As for the reason why no one would believe, an assassin ranked number four in the world did not succeed in his assassination but instead got bought over by Hong Dali. He then killed his employer, Tarō Gohon… Who would believe that?!
“Damn it. This is not an easy matter.” The Bureau Chief clenched his teeth and banged on the table. When he calmed down, he continued to look at the news report.
Itra continued to explain to the audience about the military exercise. “In general, the dual aircraft carrier strike group usually performs low-intensity combat missions. Since we are seeking justice for Jaban State this time, as a large-scale crisis management, we will dispatch three Gales-class aircraft carriers, including 12 cruisers, 16 anti-submarine frigates, 6 attack submarines, 6 supply ships, and a fleet of more than 40 ships. It also carries 42 air defense fighters, 36 attack aircraft, 12 electronic-warfare aircraft, and 12 early warning aircraft! This lineup should be sufficient to show our respect. Hopefully, Heavenly State would surrender Hong Dali and go to the World Military Tribunal for the hearing!”
“Indeed!” The Bureau Chief narrowed his eyes. “They’re after Hong Dali! Hmph hmph, they have really gone all out this time! If we allow them to do as they wish, aren’t we walking into their trap? How would the Heavenly State maintain its reputation?”
Merika’s target was locked on Hong Dali. Their appetite was too big. With Hong Dali’s status in the Heavenly State, if he was really handed over, there was no way Heavenly State could bear the loss. Moreover, Heavenly State had already been in contact with the aliens. Hong Dali was the key person.
Therefore, they could not hand him over, definitely not.
However, if they did not hand him over, should they just do nothing and watch Merika strut their military around in front of their doorstep?
In this era, once superpowers like the Heavenly State and Merika start a war, it was bound to involve the world. If they were not careful, the world could even be destroyed.
Now, Merika had clearly stated their purpose and intentions. This was obviously a conspiracy. They had laid everything out for the world to see. No matter how you responded, it would be wrong.
If you did not accept it, they would wander around your doorstep and they might even land on Sea Turtle Island. That would humiliate the Heavenly State.
The Heavenly State was also holding a military exercise. In terms of military might, the Heavenly State did not have much advantage at the moment. The key was that it would inevitably expose the fact that the Heavenly State had not yet finished developing the distortion force field shield. This had even bigger implications—Hong Dali extorted four Jabanese warships because of the distortion force field…
There was no way they would surrender Hong Dali. There was no way they could just start a war either…
“F**k.” The Bureau Chief massaged his temple forcefully. “This move by Merika is killing three birds with one stone. One, they get to show off their might. Two, they get to check out our military technology level. And three, they’re targeting Hong Dali. If we do not manage to put up any defense, the Heavenly State’s international influence will decrease. This is really troubling.”
The Bureau Chief’s worries were not unfounded.
They had brought their military exercise right to your doorstep, and they might even do a landing exercise. Whether you responded or not, the outcome would not be good. The key was that there was a Hong Dali caught in the middle. If you did not respond, they would occupy Sea Turtle Island. Negotiate later? No matter how the negotiations went, the Heavenly State would be on the losing end.
“Forget it, let’s just observe first.” Two heads were better than one. The Bureau Chief thought for a long time and decided that he would just continue watching the news. When he finished watching the entire report, he would discuss the matter with the boss. Perhaps there was some other solution to the matter.
At this time, on the TV, all the Merikans at the scene were cheering, and Itra’s face was full of pride.
Obviously, his purpose today was to show the world their might. He continued with his introduction—
“… These carrier-based aircraft and escort cruisers, destroyers, and submarines form a battle group with the aircraft carrier as the core, and together, they are an in-depth, multi-level, firepower-concentrated offensive and defensive system.
“The aircraft formation on the Gales-class aircraft carrier is complete. There are two F-14 Tomcat fighter squadrons with twenty-four planes, two F/A-18 Hornet combat attack squadrons with twenty-four planes, one E-2C Hawkeye early warning squadron with four planes, one EA-6B tactical electronic warfare squadron with four planes, one S-3B Viking fixed-wing anti-submarine squadron with six planes, and one SH-3 Neptune or SH-60F Seahawk anti-submarine helicopter squadron. The total number of aircraft and helicopters is about eighty, and if necessary, it can take more than a hundred. It is possible to conduct twenty-four-hour nonstop combat patrols.
“This hybrid grouping gives the aircraft carrier the ability to remotely search, alert and strike, while also providing battle cover for the attack aircraft and the aircraft carrier battle group itself.”
When Itra got to this part, the reporter exclaimed, “Oh my God. Minister Itra, this must be the most powerful force in Merika’s military? This military exercise will definitely shock all the other countries in the world.”
“No, no, no.” Itra looked at the TV camera and smiled smugly. “If you think this is our most powerful force, then you are wrong!
“This time, in addition to these conventional weapons, we still have secret weapons! Of course, they are called secret weapons because they were previously regarded as high-level military secrets. Now that we are going to conduct the military exercise, these secret weapons are no longer secret. Next, I will introduce everyone Merika’s super weapons!”
Super weapon!
In addition to the three carrier strike groups, there were other super weapons!
“These people are really willing to go all out for Hong Dali.” The Bureau Chief stared at the screen. “Let’s see what else they have!”
Itra stopped talking here, then said loudly, “Ordinary explosive missiles? New bombers? New tanks? No, no, no, those are almost obsolete. We will be using three kinds of super weapons this time!”
