Chapter 451: Launch! The Eerie Trajectory

Western Long Country, underground command center of the 404 Military Base.

"All systems final check complete, everything is normal," the chief engineer reported, their voice trembling slightly with excitement.

Inside the command center, dozens of engineers and Military personnel stood at their respective posts, all eyes focused on the massive central display screen. It showed the various parameters and system status of the "Changfeng" Missile, with every indicator showing a green "Normal."

Li Mingyuan stood before the command console, his expression calm, as if this were merely a routine technical test rather than a historic moment about to change the world's landscape. He checked his watch—9:55, five minutes until the scheduled launch time.

"Meteorological confirmation?" he asked in a deep voice.

"Latest weather data has been updated; the launch point and the entire flight route are clear, wind speeds are stable, and all conditions for launch are fully met," the weather officer responded immediately.

"Enemy reconnaissance activity?"

"Three Star-Spangled Country U-2 Reconnaissance Planes are maintaining high-altitude orbits outside the border, and seven warships are deployed in the designated area. Beijixiong Guo is relatively low-key, but there are two Tu-95s and one electronic reconnaissance ship monitoring," the Intelligence Officer reported.

Li Mingyuan nodded, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the room. These scientists and engineers, who had been fighting day and night, now had eyes sparkling with excitement and anticipation.

"Comrades," his voice was not loud but exceptionally clear, "today, we will prove to the world that Long Country has mastered the ability to defend itself. Regardless of the outcome, you are already the creators of history."

Low and firm applause erupted within the room.

Li Mingyuan turned to the launch console: "Begin the countdown."

"Yes! Beginning countdown, T-minus 300 seconds," the launch control officer announced loudly, pressing the timer simultaneously.

Huge red numbers began to count down on the main screen: 5:00, 4:59, 4:58...

Deep in the western Gobi, launch site.

Unlike the massive and conspicuous nature of traditional ballistic missile launch pads, the launch device for the "Changfeng" Missile was surprisingly simple—a mobile launch platform, carefully disguised as an ordinary military truck. The missile itself was completely covered by a specially made heat-resistant and dust-proof cover, with no special features visible from the exterior.

Around the launch platform, several layers of Camouflage Net and camouflage devices made the entire area look like a desert from high altitude. In reality, dozens of technical personnel were busy and tense around the platform.

"T-minus 120 seconds, prepare to initiate the initial sequence," the ground controller reported via encrypted communicator.

"T-minus 90 seconds, missile internal power switching to autonomous mode."

"T-minus 60 seconds, Guidance System self-check complete, everything is normal."

As the countdown progressed, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. Ground personnel quickly evacuated to a safe distance, leaving only the Automated System to continue operations.

"T-minus 30 seconds, launch platform locking coordinates."

"T-minus 20 seconds, ignition system ready."

"T-minus 10 seconds, 9, 8, 7..."

Inside the command center, Li Mingyuan's gaze was fixed on the main screen, his heartbeat exceptionally steady. As a transmigrator, he knew the significance of this moment far exceeded what ordinary people could imagine. In the original history, this level of weaponry would not appear for decades, but now, it would change the landscape of this world ahead of time.

"3, 2, 1, ignition!"

At the launch site, a flash of light that was not particularly dazzling streaked by—unlike the sky-piercing flames people imagined when an intercontinental missile launched, the solid booster used by the "Changfeng" Missile was specially designed; the flame was effectively controlled and visible only for a brief moment.

The missile rose slowly, without a deafening roar or billowing thick smoke; the entire process was surprisingly "low-key," as if it were just an ordinary military exercise.

"Boost phase normal, acceleration curve meets expectations," inside the control center, the data analyst stared intently at the constantly changing parameters on the screen.

The missile rose rapidly to the predetermined altitude, and then—a scene that felt incredible to everyone witnessing it for the first time appeared—it did not continue to rise into the expected high-arc trajectory, but instead, after reaching an altitude of approximately 1000 meters, it suddenly began to descend!

"Booster separation successful, main Engine ignition!" the engineer reported loudly, their voice full of excitement, "Altitude is decreasing as planned, preparing to enter cruise mode!"

Star-Spangled Country remote Radar Station, Alaska.

"Sir! Target detected! Bearing 270 degrees, distance approximately 1800 kilometers, altitude approximately 1000 meters, moving rapidly!" the Radar Operator shouted suddenly.

The station chief rushed to the Radar screen immediately, "Confirm it is a missile launch?"

"Definitely, the movement characteristics perfectly match the initial phase of a ballistic trajectory..." the operator's voice suddenly became confused, "Wait, this isn't right... the target altitude is dropping! Not rising, but dropping!"

"What?" the station chief could not believe his ears, "A ballistic missile cannot fly like that!"

"But it is indeed dropping! Now the altitude is only 500 meters... 300 meters... my god, it's still lowering its altitude!" the operator's voice had changed pitch, "Now... now we've lost the signal! The target has disappeared!"

The station chief stared with wide eyes at the Radar screen; the light spot that had been clearly visible just a moment ago had completely vanished.

"This is impossible... rescan! Scan the entire area!"

"Already scanning, sir, but there's nothing! It's like... it's like it vanished into thin air!"

The station chief grabbed the red emergency phone, "This is the Alaska Radar Station! Emergency! We detected a Long Country missile launch, but the target disappeared after an abnormal descent! Suspect the target is flying at ultra-low altitude, unable to be continuously tracked by our Radar! Repeat, target may be flying at ultra-low altitude!"

The Pentagon, Strategic Command Center.

"What does this mean? Ultra-low altitude?" Secretary Maxwell's voice was hoarse with shock.

"According to the report from the Alaska Radar Station, the Long Country missile dropped to an extremely low altitude shortly after launch, possibly only around 100 meters, or even lower," the Intelligence Officer explained, their voice carrying unease, "At this altitude, our Radar detection range is severely shortened; we can only discover the target at extremely close range."

The room was deathly silent; everyone was digesting this terrifying information.

"Are you saying," the National Security Advisor Warren spoke slowly, "that the Long Country missile might be flying over the Taiyang right now, but we have no way to track it?"

"Yes, sir. Unless it happens to fly near our ships or aircraft, we truly cannot determine its location."

"My god," Maxwell muttered, "this isn't a ballistic missile, this is... this is something brand new."

"What about the U-2 Reconnaissance Plane?" the Strategic Commander asked urgently, "Can they see anything?"

"The U-2's flight altitude is above 20,000 meters; it is very difficult to observe such a small, low-flying target from that altitude, especially over the sea," the Air Force representative explained helplessly.

"What about the Explorer 2 satellite?"

"The satellite has been adjusted to the optimal observation position, but the imaging resolution is limited; it can only capture a very blurry image—basically a small dot moving at high speed along the sea surface."

Maxwell took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm, "Notify the Taiyang Fleet, enter the highest state of alert. Tell them there may be a Long Country missile flying toward Jiaoshi Island in an ultra-low altitude posture, with a speed that may exceed the speed of sound. Have them attempt to use ship-borne Radar for close-range detection."

"Yes, sir."

The atmosphere in the room was so heavy it was almost suffocating. The high-ranking Military officials, who had been full of confidence just moments ago, now had faces filled with undisguised shock and worry. An intercontinental missile flying at ultra-low altitude? This completely shattered their understanding of strategic weapons.

Over the Taiyang, the "Changfeng" Missile was flying toward its target at an astonishing speed.

After detaching from the solid booster, the missile quickly descended to an ultra-low altitude of around 100 meters, relying on the powerful thrust provided by the "Storm Heart" turbofan Engine to cruise at near-sonic speeds. The specially designed fuselage shape and surface materials gave it a minimal Radar cross-section, and combined with the ultra-low flight altitude, it became an almost "invisible" target.

Inside the missile, the "Eye of Changfeng" navigation system was performing high-speed calculations, comparing pre-stored terrain data with real-time altimeter readings to constantly fine-tune the flight path. Neither the rise and fall of sea waves nor the changes in ocean currents could affect its stable flight posture.

"Flight time T-plus 35 minutes, missile status normal, position error less than expected," inside the 404 Base command center, the flight control engineer reported, their voice full of pride, "Distance flown 2500 kilometers, continuing to maintain predetermined speed and altitude."

Li Mingyuan nodded slightly, his expression still calm, but he was already certain inside—success was right before his eyes. The various parameters of the "Changfeng" Missile fully met design expectations, and no abnormalities had occurred during the flight.

"Enemy reaction?" he asked.

The Intelligence Officer responded quickly: "The Star-Spangled Country side is in chaos. We have intercepted a large amount of emergency communications; their Radar Station has lost tracking of the Missile. The Taiyang Fleet is urgently adjusting its deployment, attempting to reacquire the target."

Li Mingyuan's mouth curled up slightly, "Just as we expected. Continue monitoring and record all enemy reaction data."

Star-Spangled Country "Wei" aircraft carrier, West Taiyang

"Repeat, this is 'Wei'! Our shipborne Radar just briefly captured an abnormal signal! The target altitude is extremely low, speed is about 0.9 Mach, distance from us is about 60 kilometers, and it is moving at high speed toward the direction of Jiaoshi Island!"

On the bridge, the captain and the staff officers looked at each other, staring at the Radar screen in disbelief. That small light spot flashed across the screen and then disappeared—the target had already flown out of their Radar detection range.

"My God, it really is flying at sea level!" the Radar Operator exclaimed, "I have never seen a Missile with this kind of flight pattern!"

"How far is it from the launch point?" the captain asked, his voice unusually serious.

The Communication Officer calculated quickly and replied: "Based on time and speed calculations, the target has already flown about 3000 kilometers, sir!"

"3000 kilometers?" the Chief of Staff gasped, "And it's still maintaining this speed and low-altitude posture? This is simply..."

"Impossible," the captain took over, "but it is indeed happening. Report to the Pentagon: The Long Country Missile demonstrates astonishing range and low-altitude flight capability; it is confirmed to possess intercontinental strike potential. This is not a conventional Missile, but a brand-new strategic weapon."

Inside the Pentagon, after Secretary Maxwell received this report, his face turned pale.

"3000 kilometers... and still continuing to fly... this means its total range may exceed 5000 kilometers!" the Strategic Analyst said with a trembling voice.

"And it is in an ultra-low-altitude state," the Air Force Chief of Staff added, his expression grave, "The requirements for the Engine and materials are subversive. With existing technology, this is almost impossible to achieve."