Chapter 405: 405:Naval Warfare[III]
The bombers soared high above the ocean, their sleek, jet-black forms slicing through the sky like silent predators.
Each was a VX-22 Phantom, the most advanced bomber ever created. Designed by a coalition of nations, these bombers were equipped with stealth technology that rendered them nearly invisible to radar, adaptive thermal shielding to evade heat-seeking detection, and an AI navigation system capable of outmaneuvering any known defense.
These bombers carried the deadliest payload mankind had ever devised.
Secured within their payload lay the Crimson Dawn Mk-III, a next-generation atomic bomb engineered with enhanced fusion capabilities, primed to unleash unprecedented destruction.
Inside the bombers, the payloads were meticulously secured, their matte-black casings etched with ominous warning symbols. Each bomb carried a dual-core detonator, which could initiate fusing hydrogen isotopes to create a chain reaction capable of leveling an area spanning hundreds of kilometers.
Inside the cockpits, the pilots remained calm and resolute, guiding their crafts into position as their targeting systems locked onto Evan's ship below.
As the bombers reached their drop coordinates, the payload bays opened with a low mechanical hum. One by one, the bombs were released, falling silently through the atmosphere like harbingers of doom. The crew aboard Evan's ship watched the sky darken as the massive bombs descended. Aurora's voice broke the tense silence.
[Impact in 30 seconds. Preparing defensive measures.]
On the deck, Evan stood motionless, his expression unreadable. Suddenly, the ship's plasma cores roared to life, bathing the entire vessel with a dazzling brilliance. A cocoon of pure energy erupted outward, encasing the ship in a radiant spherical shield of light.
The bombs slammed into the shield with a thunderous impact, triggering their detonation sequence.
A moment later, the ocean erupted into chaos. The explosion was a spectacle of apocalyptic proportions. The bombs unleashed a fiery shockwave that expanded into a colossal dome, engulfing the surrounding waters in a blinding flash.
Flames and smoke surged, forming a massive mushroom cloud that rose into the sky, its fiery tendrils reaching out like the wrathful hands of a vengeful god.
The air crackled with energy as the explosion's shock wave rippled outward, creating towering waves that surged in every direction. The ocean surface boiled, turning the once-pristine waters into a churning inferno.
Even from miles away, aboard the flagship, Admiral Richard and his crew could feel the aftershock. The windows rattled, and the ship's hull groaned under the pressure of the distant blast.
The crew stood in stunned silence, their faces pale with terror. One officer murmured, "This… this is beyond anything I've ever seen."
Another whispered, "It's like the end of the world."
Richard, his face set in a grim frown, picked up the communicator. "Report. What's the status of the target?"
There was a pause before a voice crackled through the line, trembling with disbelief. "Sir… it's rising up. Something is rising from the flames!"
"What?" Richard barked, his voice tinged with shock. He rushed to the viewing deck, his eyes widening as he saw the impossible.
_____
From within the fiery maelstrom, Evan's ship emerged. Though battered, the shield had held long enough to deflect the worst of the blast. Plasma turbines along the sides of the vessel roared to life, spinning with an intense, fiery glow.
The ship was an engineering marvel with its sleek, angular body crafted from reinforced titanium alloy coated with a plasma-resistant material. Massive wings extended from either side, housing advanced turbine systems that were capable of manipulating the surrounding air pressure for lift.
The vessel's bulk didn't hinder its mobility; instead, it seemed to defy physics. Hidden thrusters beneath the hull emitted concentrated plasma jets, allowing the ship to hover effortlessly despite its size. Atop the vessel, a secondary deck served as a fully operational aircraft carrier, complete with landing zones and retractable hangers for fighter drones.
As the ship ascended, it reflected the fiery devastation below. The ocean was a scene of utter chaos waves as tall as skyscrapers crashed in every direction, their surfaces glowing with residual heat. The air was thick with smoke, and the remnants of the mushroom cloud loomed ominously. Evan stood on the deck, his hands clasped behind his back, surveying the destruction with a cold, calculating gaze.
Aurora's voice interrupted his thoughts.
[Sir, shields have taken significant damage, but we are stable. All systems are operational. Awaiting orders.]
A faint smile crossed Evan's lips, his eyes glinting with determination. "We've been on the receiving end for long enough." He turned to the crew, his voice steady and firm. "Shall we return the favor?"
_____
The ship climbed higher, breaking through the dense clouds, its turbines roaring like thunder. Above the devastation, it soared through the sky, a harbinger of retaliation poised to strike back.
As the ship rose above the clouds, the crew aboard Evan's vessel watched the fiery devastation below slowly fade from view. The ocean, now an inferno of destruction, stretched for miles and bore the scars of destruction. Charred debris floated on its surface, and the heat from the explosions created swirling clouds of steam that mingled with the smoke. The sky was painted in hues of orange and black, a grim testament to the might of humanity's most devastating weapons.
Evan stood at the railing, his gaze locked downward. His face betrayed no emotion, but his clenched fists hinted at the storm brewing within. Aurora's voice cut through the tense atmosphere.
[Sir, incoming reports. The enemy fleet is repositioning. They're organizing for another strike.]
Evan's eyes narrowed. "What's their configuration?"
[Multiple fleets converging at coordinates 32°N, 64°W. They're attempting to create an encirclement. Daxia's fleet is leading the eastern front, USL is stationed to the north, and the USR reinforcements are approaching from the southwest. Smaller contingents from Akira and Vindhya are joining as support.]
Evan smirked, a hint of defiance in his expression. "They're getting desperate. Let them gather all they want—it won't make a difference." Continue your adventure with My Virtual Library Empire
Suri approached, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to the chaos outside. "We can't stay defensive forever, Evan. Their resources are vast, and running on limited energy."
Evan turned to her, his expression thoughtful. "Aurora, status on offensive systems?"
[Particle cannons are charged at 60%. Railguns operational. Plasma emitters on standby. EMP deployment is prepped but will require manual detonation at close range.]
Leaning against a console, Suri scoffed. "EMP? Do you plan to fry their systems up close? Sounds like suicide."
Evan chuckled. "Only if you lack the skill to execute it. Don't worry—I have no intention of throwing this ship away."
Aurora interrupted, her tone urgent.
[Enemy aircraft detected: two squadrons of F-94 interceptors and four stealth bombers inbound. ETA: 5 minutes.]
Evan's smile faded. "All crew to battle positions. Shields to maximum output. Prepare to engage."
Aurora's voice echoed through the comms. [Enemy aircraft now within range. Engaging auto-defense systems.]
Turrets along the ship's flanks rotated, locking onto the incoming aircraft. Streams of plasma bolts lit the sky, their bright arcs slicing through the clouds. Several interceptors exploded mid-air, their fiery remains raining down into the ocean below. The remaining bombers, however, released their payloads and targeted missile clusters designed to overwhelm defenses.
Evan's ship responded in kind. The shield flared, absorbing the brunt of the attack, but each impact caused visible strain, straining its reserves. The plasma field flickered, shimmering in places as energy reserves dwindled.
[Shields at 40% capacity,] Aurora reported. [We can't sustain this for long.]
Evan's expression hardened. "Initiate counteroffensive. Deploy the railguns."
With a deafening roar, the ship's railguns fired. High-velocity projectiles streaked through the air, tearing through the enemy formation with devastating accuracy. One by one, the bombers fell, their shattered forms spiraling into the ocean.
Aurora's voice carried a hint of triumph. [Enemy air strike neutralized. Remaining forces are retreating to regroup.]
Evan exhaled slowly, his tense posture relaxing. "Good. Now, let's return the favor."
He turned to the crew. "Prepare the ship for an aerial strike. Plasma emitters to full capacity. We're taking the fight to them."
The ship's turbines roared louder, and its thrusters emitted a burst of energy. The vessel accelerated, cutting through the clouds with a speed that defied its massive size. Below, the enemy fleets scrambled to adjust their formations, their movements fracturing as they realized their target was closing in.
Evan's voice was calm but resolute. "Aurora, pinpoint their flagship. Let's make an example."
[Target acquired.] Aurora replied. [USL's command vessel, the Invictus, is positioned at the center of their northern fleet.]
Evan's eyes glinted with determination. "Good. Let's show them the cost of pushing us too far."
The ship's plasma emitters powered up, their glow intensifying as they prepared to unleash a concentrated burst of energy. The air around the ship seemed to hum with anticipation, the crew bracing for the next phase of battle.
As the ship soared toward its target, Evan cast one last glance at the devastation they were leaving behind—a vast, churning sea scarred by humanity's most destructive weapons. For a fleeting moment, his expression softened, a flicker of sorrow crossing his face.
But it vanished in an instant, replaced by steely resolve. He turned to his crew, his voice steady and commanding.