The "Burke" class destroyer of the escort fleet spread out in formation, setting up an impenetrable anti-air net, ready at any moment to respond to sudden threats.
Watching the news broadcast, the two fleets were already on the verge of clashing, about to ignite a global conflict.
The ’military observers’ invited to the studio were discussing at length the dangers of this standoff. The seas near Guam suddenly became the focus of the world’s attention.
Even more, a CNN commentator roared, "The Eastern Great Power’s provocation has seriously damaged the global interests of the United States."
In contrast, the BBC analyzed both sides’ strategic intentions in a calm tone and simulated possible scenarios once war broke out.
On the streets of Tokyo, pedestrians stopped in front of large outdoor screens, pointing and gesturing; On Wall Street, traders were unusually sensitive, with phone calls ringing non-stop.
There were those who were worried that sparks of war could plunge humanity into an apocalyptic disaster; others cheered this showing of muscle in a great game of nations, engaging in online bickering and arguments.
Xiao Jinlang and others on the scene knew that the two fleets indeed launched carrier-based aircraft for exercises.
But both sides tacitly avoided each other’s airstrike zones, the fleets staying far apart at sea, at most the carrier-based aircraft had a chance to encounter each other.
The real action was happening behind the scenes...
The sun was setting, the last streak of orange light about to be swallowed by the deep blue sea.
Xiao Jinlang stood on the carrier deck as a "Zhi-18" transport helicopter prepared for takeoff, the wind from the rotors blowing his hair wildly.
A few intelligence agents boarded with Old Xiao.
The cabin door closed with a bang, the engine roared to life, the fuselage trembled slightly, and they lifted off, flying toward the vast ocean over a hundred nautical miles away.
An hour later, it was dark.
Specks of light appeared on the sea – a survey ship was cruising slowly on the surface. The ’Zhi-18’ hovered momentarily, then descended slowly, landing precisely on the ship’s helicopter deck.
The intelligence agency had never planned to use the carrier for direct shipment of ’procured goods’ – if something went wrong, the nation’s critical asset would be contaminated.
The carrier fleet was meant for escort.
This survey ship, ostensibly executing a marine geological exploration mission, had long been arranged to ’coincidentally’ pass by the "Reagan" carrier battle group.
Due to its large hull and sturdy, spacious helicopter deck, it became the transit point for this secret operation.
From the captain to the sailors, everyone on board was ’one of us.’
Beneath the deck, a team led by an academician had already arrived, setting up a temporary biochemical protective zone, figures in white protective suits moving back and forth, an air purifier humming constantly.
The protective area was enclosed by transparent partitions, filled with experimental equipment, the cabin lit by cold white light, looking like a floating laboratory.
The chemical defense unit from the carrier was still packing equipment. With so much to move, it would take several hours to transfer everything.
Old Xiao took out a satellite phone to call Bell: "I’m less than fifty nautical miles from you, I’d like to bring some people over by helicopter to check the cargo."
Bell was quite surprised, "How do you know my location?"
Old Xiao chuckled, "We have a satellite watching you."
Bell responded instantly, "You actually have a satellite?" There was a brief pause, then he asked: "You wouldn’t happen to have a military background too?"
"No, I don’t have a military background." Old Xiao said, feeling rather proud, "But I have enough influence to handle tonight’s task."