Chapter 477: Preparing for Interception

"The Computing Hub is even more unusual," another expert added, "that is not a simple electronic device, but some kind of mechanical-electronic hybrid system. Look at the arrangement of those Relays... that is some kind of parallel computing architecture!"

The expression of the Chief grew increasingly somber: "Are you saying that it is indeed possible for them...?"

The experts exchanged glances; no one dared to give a definitive answer.

At the Base command center, Li Mingyuan's voice remained calm, but the content made the heartbeats of viewers worldwide accelerate:

"The target Missile has entered the mid-course flight phase, current altitude 52 kilometers, speed approximately 15,000 kilometers per hour, and is about to begin its preset maneuvers."

On the large screen, the trajectory of "Changfeng-Yi" began to show obvious changes; it was no longer a simple parabola, but began a series of irregular turns and accelerations/decelerations, like a silver snake twisting in the sky.

"Do you see it?" Li Mingyuan pointed to the screen, "This is the typical maneuvering characteristic of a modern Missile, intended to evade Radar tracking and defense system interception. Traditional views hold that once a Missile begins such irregular maneuvers, it is almost impossible to intercept."

He paused, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly: "But the 'Sky Net' system has a different approach. The Computing Hub constantly updates the Probability Airspace, rather than attempting to precisely predict every turn."

The three-dimensional grid on the large screen adjusted continuously with the Missile's maneuvers, and the red high-probability areas also changed in real-time.

Li Mingyuan stared intently at the data stream, suddenly stood up straight, his gaze becoming sharp as a blade:

"Target parameters confirmed, Probability Airspace delineated." His voice was firm and powerful, brook no doubt, "Saturated Interception, first wave, launch!"

In an instant, the atmosphere inside the command center became as tense as a thunderstorm.

"Launch command issued!"

"All positions confirm receipt!"

"Interceptor missiles preheated, launch countdown 5 seconds!"

The live broadcast feed suddenly switched to the depths of the desert, where over a dozen hidden launch positions were distributed; the previously unremarkable sand dunes and rocks suddenly began to move, revealing the launch tubes beneath.

"3, 2, 1, launch!"

Under the gaze of viewers worldwide, columns of white smoke suddenly rose into the air from all over the desert. One, two, three... a full twelve interceptor missiles soared into the sky almost simultaneously, trailing long exhaust flames, rushing toward the heavens like a flock of Falcon, flying rapidly toward the delineated "Probability Airspace."

This scene shocked viewers across the globe.

"God above!" The Star-Spangled Country commentator completely forgot their professional decorum, their voice changing pitch due to extreme shock, "They really launched! So many! This... what kind of tactic is this?! This is not a single interception, this is... this is an entire barrage!"

The Beijixiong Guo commentator was equally out of control: "Look at that launch pattern! It is a total saturated attack! They aren't trying to hit precisely, they are trying to cover the entire possible airspace with a numerical advantage! This... this line of thinking..."

The White Elephant Country commentator's voice trembled: "If this is truly effective... my God, this will completely change the concept of strategic defense!"

Inside the Star-Spangled Country President's office, a coffee cup slipped from the President's hand and shattered on the floor; black liquid splashed onto the expensive carpet, but no one paid it any mind.

"They really did it," the President said in a hoarse voice, "not a bluff, not a stage trick... they really built a missile defense system, and... it actually looks like it might succeed."

Defense Secretary Maxwell's face turned pale: "If Long Country has truly mastered missile defense technology, the entire strategic balance..."

He did not finish, but everyone in the room understood the weight of those words—if the "Sky Net" system truly succeeded, the world order would be completely rewritten today.

Inside the Beijixiong Guo Kremlin, the Chief's fingers gripped the armrests tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.

"This is not a performance," he said in a low voice, a rare shock in his tone, "they are actually attempting to intercept their own intercontinental missile... and it looks like..."

Kolbov and Sokolov exchanged glances, both seeing the same fear in the other's eyes—if "Sky Net" succeeded, the deterrent advantage Beijixiong Guo had built over decades would vanish overnight.

At the Base command center, everyone held their breath, watching the heart-stopping scene on the large screen:

The twelve interceptor missiles were distributed in a fan shape, rushing toward the high-speed maneuvering "Changfeng-Yi" Missile, forming a suffocating "steel barrage."

Li Mingyuan stood before the main console, his gaze as firm as steel, yet his voice remained calm: "The first wave of interceptor missiles has approached the designated airspace; the target Missile is executing evasive maneuvers, but it remains within our predicted probability range."

On the large screen, the distance between the target missile and the interceptor swarm was shrinking at an astonishing speed.

The Computing Hub operated frantically, constantly updating the trajectory data and hit probability for every interceptor missile.

The command center was deathly silent, with only the humming of equipment and the rapid breathing of everyone intertwined.

"Interception countdown: 10 seconds..."

The whole world seemed to hold its breath, with hundreds of millions of people witnessing this moment that might change human history through radio waves.

"9... 8... 7..."

The interceptor swarm had entered the Probability Airspace, forming a dense "net" within the three-dimensional grid, while the target missile was like a slippery fish, trying to pass through the gaps in this net.

"6... 5... 4..."

Li Mingyuan's eyes stared at the screen without blinking, his fingers tapping lightly on the desk, as if keeping time for this dance of life and death.

"3... 2..."

The world seemed to stand still at this moment; all sounds vanished, leaving only those twelve interceptor missiles and one target missile in the heavens, performing a heart-stopping chase and escape.

This was the ultimate challenge of technology, the final showdown between human wisdom and the laws of Nature, a historic moment that might change the world's strategic landscape.

"1..."

At that very moment, the gears of history emitted a sound that shook the universe.

Through the close-up lens of the camera, viewers worldwide clearly saw the first successful intercontinental missile interception in human history—interceptor missile number 7 grazed the "Changfeng-Yi" target missile at an extremely close distance and detonated its warhead at the moment of approach!

A massive explosion bloomed in the high altitude; the blinding white light even caused the live broadcast feed to overexpose instantly.

When the camera adjusted automatically, people saw a massive Mushroom Cloud slowly unfolding in the azure sky, while the flight trajectory of the "Changfeng-Yi" target missile had already shown obvious instability—it wobbled violently in the air like an injured bird, black smoke poured from its tail, and obvious damage could be seen on the surface of the missile body.