Chapter 187: The Absolute Mistake

While feeling completely helpless in Lagoria, President Danfor was brimming with enthusiasm as he toured the seawater desalination plant.

He was utterly amazed by the high-tech seawater purification process.

Throughout the entire process, he didn’t catch sight of a single worker or even an engineer—it was completely unmanned and automated.

“It’s fantastic, I wasn’t wrong, the technological development of Tang Country is changing with each passing day. It was a wise decision to proactively request assistance from Mr. Li. Otherwise, I’d probably be a corpse by now,” Danfor exclaimed.

The captain of the president’s guard, Joemel, agreed, “Mr. President, it’s a blessing we came here. Otherwise, we really wouldn’t have seen tomorrow’s sun. I went to check the blocking battle at the gate earlier. It was terrifying. The firepower of those automatic weapons is simply a nightmare. I saw many rebels fall before those two automated firepower positions.”

Swearing through gritted teeth, Danfor said, “This is all the fault of Lagoria and those traitors! Making our compatriots shed blood in vain, I must sentence them to the most severe punishment!”

“Mr. President, we’ve just received a message that our country’s main battleships are almost here. We will surely crush the rebels when they arrive!”

A chubby black man approached; he was a representative from the Tanga Federation assigned here, specifically responsible for liaising with the government of Seychelles.

“Mr. Dika, thank you for the support your country has provided. Please convey my thanks to President Mu Weini of your country!” Danfor said gratefully.

“Mr. President, you’re too polite!”

At this moment, on the Indian Ocean, the second Gargant-class vessel from Asan country, the Kuchin, was speeding towards the capital of Seychelles, Victoria.

“Captain, we are now 180 kilometers away from Victoria,” reported a crew member.

“Captain, we’ve detected a warship on the radar. After comparing the radar characteristics, we believe it’s a Jiangwei II-class from Tang Country,” another crew member announced.

“Immediately search the nearby waters to see if there are other warships from Tang Country!” commanded Captain Sharman without delay.

“Captain, we have already searched, and there is only that one Jiangwei II in this area,” the crew informed.

“What? A warship class like Tang Country’s Jiangwei II dares to venture alone into our Indian Ocean? That’s quite bold,” Sharman remarked.

“Captain, the Jiangwei II shouldn’t be able to sail here from Tang Country by itself, right?”

“Didn’t you say there’s only one nearby?”

“Captain, it might also belong to the Tanga Federation. You forgot, they bought two second-hand ships from Tang Country people,” a crew member suggested.

Sharman relaxed and leaned back in his chair. If it was a Tang Country ship, he was somewhat worried that it might be called by Seychelles since Seychelles had already invited Tang Country twice to establish a military base.

It serves the president of Seychelles right to be overthrown. Wouldn’t it be better to be a good ally to our Asan country? Why bother with far-off Tang Country? What help can they offer Seychelles?

“Those Tanga kids are just wasting the Jiangwei II. I bet they’re excitedly holding a bonfire dance on board,” Sharman said with a hint of scorn.

“Captain, judging by the course of that warship, it seems to be heading for Victoria as well. It’s even closer, just 110 kilometers away,” another crew member reported.

Surprised, Sharman asked, “Are you saying that warship is going to help the president?”

“Possibly. Didn’t the orders say that the president is close to Tanga Federation and is currently hiding in the desalination plant they helped to build?”

“We can’t allow the small Tanga Federation to challenge us in Seychelles with Tang Country’s support. No, we must get to Victoria before them.”

“Captain, we are still 180 kilometers away from Victoria. No matter what, we will be behind that warship.”

Sharman stood up abruptly and walked over to the radar screen. As he looked at the location of the other ship on the display, his eyes sparkled with determination.

“Send a cleartext telegram to that warship, declaring that in the sea area ahead of its route to Victoria, our Asan country navy is conducting a live-fire exercise. Please cease approach to avoid an accidental firing incident!”

“Captain, this might seem overbearing, but it does make sense. You really are brilliant.”

“Stop with the flattery. Go send the message!”

“Yes, Captain.”

In the southern waters, the Tanga Federation’s 053H warship was speeding ahead.

Tajik had already received a radar report and spotted the Gargant-class warship from Asan country. Indeed, the new radar was impressive, able to accurately detect the enemy at a distance of 500 kilometers.

Given that the Gargant-class would not be able to detect them until it was within 300 kilometers, Tajik decided to ignore it.

By the time the opponent arrived, his mission would be complete. He believed Asan country’s warships could not blatantly attack the capital of Seychelles. Although Seychelles lacked a navy to resist, the international community wouldn’t allow Asan country to act recklessly.

As Tajik was contentedly racing forward, only 90 kilometers from Victoria, he suddenly received a cleartext telegram from the Asan country’s warship.

After reading it, Tajik was furious.

“How dare Asan country be so domineering, thinking we Tanga Federation are easy to bully?”

Nevertheless, after yelling, he deflated a bit. Asan country might not be a superpower like the United States, but in the surrounding Indian Ocean, it was a leading regional power.

Not to mention, their navy includes an aircraft carrier group. Nowadays, the number of countries with aircraft carrier groups can be counted on one hand.

The Tanga Federation, being an Indian Ocean coastal country, would face a blockade by Asan country’s aircraft carrier group at their doorstep. How could they respond to that?

Although the Tanga Federation’s defense forces are known as the strong military of East Africa, that’s the army. When it comes to the navy and air force, there’s much to be desired. After all, the country is poor. The 053H Tajik is sailing now was only acquired during the recent national development when the country could afford second-hand vessels.

Even now, with the help of Kibo Defense Company remodeling the ship, giving it the capability to strike against Gargant-class warships, Tajik didn’t have the guts to confront Asan country’s warships.

Just as he was about to order his ship to stop, he thought of reporting the matter higher up.

“Adjutant, immediately forward Asan country’s telegram to the defense ministry and request guidance.”

A few minutes later, the adjutant hastily returned.

“Captain, a message from the defense ministry!”

Tajik took it and read, a smile spreading across his face.

He immediately ordered, “Please reply to the Asan country warship at once. Our ship is undergoing sea trials after refitting and is experiencing power system failures. We urgently need to proceed to Victoria Harbor for repairs. Please direct your live-firing drills in another direction.”

“Captain, they’ve replied.”

Sharman took the response and his expression darkened, saying, “These black devils are stubborn. Let’s see how daring they get. Order the launch of an anti-ship missile 10 kilometers ahead of the Tanga Federation’s warship!”

“Captain, that’s risky. If the missile flies towards the Tanga warship, that could lead to serious problems.”

Sharman snorted coldly, “You lack confidence in our missiles? I believe it will hit the designated location accurately. I doubt those Tanga devils will continue moving forward after seeing such a big firework.”

“Yes, Captain.”

Minutes later, a BrahMos anti-ship missile launched from the Kuchin, soared into the air, and flew southward.

Sharman watched the missile streak across the night sky, secretly hoping for a mishap. Asan country’s economic growth has slowed down in the past two years, and there have been frequent standoffs and frictions with its neighbor.

In the past, Asan country would have gone to war with its neighbor without hesitation.

But now, backed by Tang Country’s growing strength, Asan country wasn’t confident it could win against Tang.

Although some military officials have repeatedly proclaimed the desire to avenge the humiliation of the 1962 conflict, the fear of Tang lurks in their hearts.

Recently, with Tang Country’s navy strength growing, more warships are patrolling the Indian Ocean, and the aircraft carrier group has entered these waters.

The navy personnel of Asan country are all harboring pent-up frustration.

Sharman didn’t dare to attack Tang Country’s warships, so why not the Tanga Federation’s? After all, they were Tang Country’s warships too, albeit second-hand ones.

He reasoned it was a live-fire exercise, so if the opponent’s warship came close and got hit by the missile, it was just bad luck. This could potentially score him a huge merit.

“Captain, we received a telegram from the Tanga warship. You better take a look!”

Sharman snatched the telegram, quickly scanned it, and his eyes ballooned with anger as he roared, “Those Tanga devils, what audacity!”

The message read, “To all officers and crew of Asan country’s Kuchin, the action of your warship firing an anti-ship missile at our warship is an act of undeclared warfare. Faced with your warship’s aggressive action, our warship was forced to engage in interceptive defense. However, in the chaos, due to an operational mishap, the newly installed missile system launched an additional missile, which is now heading towards your warship. Please take all necessary precautions to prevent this missile from erroneously striking your ship. We swear this is an absolute mistake! We had no intention of launching a missile at your ship. We are naval novices, and the coming missile attack from your ship made us panic, resulting in a mishap. We hereby offer our sincere apologies for the occurrence of this mistaken incident. Signed, Captain Tajik of the Tanga Federation Navy’s Dodoma.”

“Captain, we have an incoming missile!”