Chapter 248: Tentative Probing

Harris responded, “If the new weapons have an effective defense, then we can fully engage Dream Technology in battle.”

The attending generals all nodded in agreement.

Curtis said indifferently, “But before that, we need to understand if Dream Technology has any other weapons.

I want Admiral Myers to lead the USS Calvinson around the Cape of Good Hope back to the country and take the opportunity to get close to that 1,000-kilometer defense perimeter—let’s probe it a bit.”

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On the Indian Ocean, about 150 kilometers east of the northern tip of Madagascar, the USS Calvinson carrier strike group sailed in battle formation, with eight fighter jets circling overhead for escort.

Admiral Myers, holding binoculars, searched the empty seascape—inside, he was somewhat anxious.

The sun was not far from the ocean’s surface; it was the time of day when the sunsets were endlessly beautiful.

Although Myers couldn’t resonate with the poetic sentiment of Tang-era poems about the falling dusk, he could still taste the bitterness of defeat.

Just last week, the U.S. Military had suffered a significant loss. Although he luckily regained his frontline command position because of the misfortune, what followed was the task of probing the 1,000-kilometer absolute defense perimeter established by Dream Technology.

The morale of the entire USS Calvinson group had plummeted upon receiving this mission.

After all, on that day, each ship had witnessed through their radar the momentary annihilation of allied forces, and later, the aerial images of the aftermath returned by the fleet’s fighter jets.

The handful of survivors rescued by helicopters had already deeply ingrained the power of the Dream Technology’s meteoric fireball attacks in everyone’s hearts.

So, when Myers received the order, he meticulously planned a route and requested help from U.S. diplomats in Madagascar, asking the Madagascar government for an invitation to visit.

Otherwise, Myers might have again disobeyed orders.

Although the current situation had somewhat eased, the U.S. Congress had clearly identified Dream Technology as a terrorist organization with legislation, introducing comprehensive sanctions and market entry bans.

The carrier strike group’s movement close to the East African coast could provoke a retaliatory attack by Dream Technology.

After all, both the USS Rossford and the USS Regan had been over two thousand kilometers from the East African coast—not within the absolute defense perimeter—when they were struck by destructive meteoric fireballs.

General Vandiatte’s voice from headquarters still seemed to echo in Myers’ ears.

“The carrier strike group must not enter that range, but you can send fighter jets to attempt it! Afterwards, send a warship to probe the perimeter. We must figure out how they’re ensuring that this 1,000-kilometer defense line cannot be breached.”

Initially, Myers had wanted to refuse, but McCassey persuaded him, “General, if you refuse, you’ll likely be relieved of duty again.

Our formation will still be unable to change the execution of the order; better you command us to complete this mission.”

Myers did not agree with the plan provided by headquarters to return home by passing 1,000 kilometers offshore from the East African coast.

Myers insisted on getting diplomatic help and securing an invitation from Madagascar to avoid having the fleet sunk before getting near that defense perimeter.

“General Myers, four pilots have volunteered for the probing mission, and the ‘MacFurth’ has volunteered to execute the free navigation mission off the East African coast.”

General McCassey’s voice interrupted Myers’ thoughts.

“Oh, have you made everything clear to them?”

“Yes, they all understand they’ll be facing the unknown attacks from Dream Technology, but they’re still willing to volunteer for this mission. They believe that for the U.S. Navy, on the Earth, there shouldn’t be any no-fly zones!”

Myers nodded solemnly, “Well said. When has the U.S. Navy ever been frightened enough by a mere declaration to admit there are no-go zones?”

McCassey nodded, “Exactly. I’ve arranged for an E-2D to take off for early warning support, and we’ll keep the data link open so we can relay images of their attack methods in time.”

Suddenly, a chorus of shouts came from the deck.

The two exchanged glances and stepped out of the command center, immediately noticing that all the pilots had lined up to salute the two planes about to take off.

Ground crew also joined the salute, and someone initiated a cry of “Go for it!”

Together, everyone’s shouts made for a stirring scene.

Watching this, Myers mused, “The U.S. Navy I know is back.”

Amidst the cheers, two fighter jets took off one after another. The U.S. Navy’s carrier aircraft were the F18 Hornet twin-seat fighter jets.

Once in formation, they flew towards the sunset in the west.

In the sky, eight F18 jets, accompanied by an E-2D, flew in circles; they wouldn’t continue westward but instead idly traced circles in the air.

On the sea, a lone destroyer sped west, and the entire fleet suddenly sounded their ship horns.

At this moment, the carrier strike group was about 200 kilometers away from the 1,000-kilometer absolute defense perimeter claimed by Dream Technology.

Fifteen minutes later, the two fighter jets were the first to enter the unseen defense area.

Lead pilot Hawk yelled over the comms channel, “Sparrow, this is Albatross, follow me closely; we’re flying close to the ocean surface!”

“I’m on your right side. Fly confidently; I’m watching.”

The two jets quickly descended to a height of 50 meters above the ocean and started flying west.

“Albatross, we’ve been in for 10 kilometers, and there’s nothing to see. It seems Dream Technology is just bluffing.”

“Sparrow, don’t be complacent. Keep an eye on the radar.”

“The radar shows nothing…”

Before he could finish his sentence, the backseat observer exclaimed, “Fudge! What’s that at two o’clock, 30 kilometers away? There are two bright spots speeding towards us, they look like missiles, but why is there no radar lock-on warning?”

“I see them. Maybe they’re Dream Technology’s fighter jets. Let’s fire missiles and take them down.”

As they spoke, the two U.S. fighter jets simultaneously launched medium-range air-to-air missiles.

Two missiles flew towards the bright spots shown on the radar.

Suddenly, Hawk felt something was wrong; the two bright spots were still accelerating, reaching speeds of Mach 5, faster than their AIM120D’s maximum speed of Mach 4.

Their newly launched AIM120Ds missed the two bright spots, which were already turning—and obviously would not catch up.

At that speed, it couldn’t be a fighter jet.

Almost without giving him time to think, the two bright spots appeared in their field of vision.

If not for the bright exhaust ports, Hawk definitely wouldn’t have seen these two objects.

They were too small—were they air-to-air missiles?

Although he thought this, experienced Hawk and his wingman instantly separated and deployed flares.

Amidst the glow of the flares, two loud booms were heard.

The two fighter jets hadn’t distanced much before the two bright spots caught up, setting off a spectacular explosion in the sky.

Hawk and his team didn’t even have the time to eject.

However, their sacrifice wasn’t in vain; images of their plane being hit were transmitted back to the mothership via the data link.

Myers watched the video footage and after a long pause, said, “They launched missiles without warning.”

McCassey added, “Where did their missiles launch from? Our E-2D didn’t detect anything.”

“Tell Hawkeye to search the area where the radar spotted the two bright spots. There must be a missile carrier there!” Myers decisively said.

McCassey shook his head, “Already searched, nothing was found. The enemy’s stealth capability is strong!”

“McCassey, notify the ‘MacFurth’ to retreat immediately!”

“General, this is against headquarters’ orders.”

“I will take full responsibility!” Myers glared at McCassey with bloodshot eyes.

He coldly continued, “I can’t stand idly by after just losing two jets, watching more men go to their deaths!”

McCassey nodded, “I’ll share the responsibility.”

He turned to convey the order.

At this moment, the destroyer “MacFurth” had only advanced about 15 kilometers, with 185 kilometers still remaining from Dream Technology’s declared absolute defense perimeter.

“McCassey, send a message to headquarters explaining the situation and send back the video of the fighters being destroyed. Tell them our radar can’t detect the enemy’s aircraft and we’re unable to engage.”

“Understood. It’s impossible to fight an invisible opponent, especially when their air-to-air missiles can reach speeds of Mach 5, making it obvious our aircraft can’t evade with flares.”

In fact, the two were very clear. Not only had Hawkeye failed to detect the enemy aircraft, but the radar on all the ships in the formation had also missed them.

When you can’t see the enemy, you can’t strike at them, yet they can attack at will—such a battle would be unwinnable.

Before long, headquarters sent instructions.

“The fleet is to return to Diego Garcia base and wait on standby!”

Upon seeing the order, Myers sighed with relief inside.