Accompanied by several gunshots, soon a group of Temasek crew members trembled as they were escorted down by the Genetic Warriors.
Wang Lin, who was nearby, witnessed this scene and could see the crimson bloodstains that had not yet dried on the Biological Armor of the Genetic Warriors. Clearly, someone had resisted to the end and then met a grisly death at the hands of the Genetic Warriors.
Seeing the cold gaze of the Genetic Warriors, Wang Lin subconsciously shrank his neck, gaining a deeper impression of the Jieke Group's iron-fisted style. Not only were the higher-ups of the Jieke Group hard-handed, but the middle and lower ranks were the same.
Most powers, when faced with situations that could easily lead to national disputes, would choose to pass the buck and use various channels to mediate.
Ba Peng kicked one of the Temasek crew members hard and ordered loudly, "Take these people back to the Chan Country jail. I want them to regret what they have done. Also, move this cargo ship away with a tugboat immediately and clear out the dock."
As the cargo ship was towed away, the incident quickly fermented.
The Jieke Group's construction of the Kra Isthmus Canal was already a global focal point; now, with the collision of the cargo ship and the death of crew members, the incident quickly climbed to the top of news headlines, especially in the Western media, which spared no effort in publicizing and hyping the domineering actions of the Jieke Group.
"Jieke Group illegally kills and detains Temasek crew members, looking to suppress maritime freight, a warning to every sailor."
"Temasek government issues a statement condemning the violent acts of the Jieke Group, calling on them to stop, and demanding compensation for the deceased crew members."
"Families of the deceased plead, asking the Jieke Group to pay life for life."
"Latest intelligence, Jieke Group is mobilizing naval forces from Chan Country, Siam, An Nan, Lancang, Zhenla, gathering them in Siam Bay."
As the news broke, the situation in Southeast Asia heated up instantly.
As the news was being reported, the Jieke Group had already begun deploying their troops.
In Songkla Province, located at the southern tip of Siam, the Jieke Group amassed a large military force. The first to be deployed were the Fifth Army Group.
The Fifth Army Group consisted of the 79th, 80th, and 81st Infantry Divisions, the 4th Mountain Division, the 5th Mountain Division, along with 3 incorporated armored brigades and 4 combat branch brigades, including the Air Assault Brigade, Artillery Brigade, Service Support Brigade, and Engineer Chemical Defense Brigade.
The total strength of the Fifth Army Group reached a hundred thousand troops, units that had participated in the civil war in Chan Country and the great battles in Southeast Asia.
Especially when the Spider Main Battle Mecha of the Jieke Group's First Mecha Combat Brigade was transported to Siam Songka Prefecture by train, a total of 134 Spider Main Battle Mechas being deployed made not only Temasek but also Johor extremely anxious.
Johor and Temasek are both on the Malay Peninsula, with Johor bordering Siam while Temasek is located behind Johor.
Therefore, if the Jieke Group were to attack Temasek, they would have to breach Johor first in order to invade Temasek territory.
Seeing the Spider Main Battle Mechas lining up along the border, Johor was drenched in sweat, under immense pressure, and hastily mobilized the nation's military forces.
Even so, they weren't very confident that they could withstand the tide of Jieke Group's Mechas. The threat posed by the Spider Main Battle Mechas was simply too great compared to their outdated tanks and armored vehicles.
Coupled with the Jieke Group's mobilization of naval forces from five Southeast Asian countries and Jieke's own powerful air force, they exerted overwhelming pressure on Johor.
Thus, the day after the First Mecha Combat Brigade was deployed to the frontlines and announced to be conducting military exercises.
Johor hastily capitulated to the Jieke Group, publicly declaring that it would not be involved in the conflict between Temasek and the Jieke Group. The Prime Minister also rushed to Chan Country to meet with Jieke Group executives to explain.
If the Jieke Group wished to go to Temasek, Johor would be willing to lend a passage, allowing Jieke Group's forces to proceed unimpeded on their way to Temasek, not obstructing them in the slightest, outright betraying their ally in the Thousand Island Strategic Alliance.