Chapter 39: Ground‑skimming Attack

Inside the bridge of the Whidbey Island-class amphibious assault ship.

The view here is wide, allowing a distant gaze straight ahead at Lockford Island; the Umbrella sailors in black uniforms are operating this 16,000‑ton vessel in an orderly manner.

"Unidentified vessel, identify yourselves immediately! Otherwise we will take forcible measures!"

At this moment, an angry inquiry and warning came over the public channel radio; without guessing, one knows this warning comes from Lockford Island.

This Whidbey Island-class ship follows US Navy standards, so during normal navigation it has not been driven off by Lockford Island, after all the Asiforts would not provoke the US Military for no reason.

However, when the Whidbey Island-class suddenly changed course and pointed toward Lockford Island, the mentally ill, somewhat delusional Asifort could no longer stay still, preparing to warn them before launching an attack.

The crew member in charge of radio communications, after hearing the warning, turned his head toward the far end of the bridge and asked for orders: "Sir, should we reply to them?"

Following the crew member's gaze, one sees Sui Bian wearing a white golf cap, a white polo shirt, black casual pants, and light‑gray sneakers, sitting in the captain's usual seat.

Meanwhile, the captain, sporting a white beard and a somewhat portly build, reminiscent of an old Russian, stood in the center of the bridge, directing combat units to immediately board aircraft and boats, and commanding the ship's navigation.

Sui Bian's attire stands out among the uniformed crew and captain; rather than saying he came to witness the Asifort family's total downfall, it's more like he's here on vacation—but…

To be fair, the environment here is indeed fine—blue‑green sea, clear sky, fresh air—letting Sui Bian truly experience nature's beauty.

In fact, the leather shoes and suit are uncomfortable, so Sui Bian decided to change his clothing style.

"When will the attack formation arrive?" Sui Bian did not rush to give orders to the communications officer, but instead asked back.

"Please wait a moment, sir…" After the crew member turned his head back and forth a moment, he then reported again:

"Hog One is expected to reach the optimal position in thirty seconds, the Bald Eagle Team will arrive above our sea area in three minutes, and then 'mop up' the targets missed by Hog One."

"Good." Upon hearing the latest news, Sui Bian nodded slightly and ordered the communications officer: "Pay no heed to Lockford Island's warning."

"Yes, sir." Having received the order, the crew member sat back upright and directly blacklisted the Lockford Island side.

Not long after the conversation ended,

Outside the bridge, at an altitude of about one kilometer.

A gray‑white painted A‑10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft happened to swoop past the Whidbey Island‑class amphibious assault ship where Sui Bian was aboard.

This A‑10's paint scheme still follows US Air Force standards, with its wings loaded with air‑to‑ground missiles and bombs, plus two external tanks that look like missiles.

Inside the cockpit.

The pilot wearing a HUD helmet, the instant he saw Lockford Island, the helmet marked several red dots, indicating those were the primary targets to be dealt with next.

Immediately, the pilot, his voice somewhat muffled by the respirator mask, reported: "Poseidon (the name of the Whidbey Island‑class ship), this is Hog One, about to reach the best firing position, requesting permission to fire, over."

Bo Handong (the crew member who had been talking with Sui Bian): "Received, fire approved."

Pilot: "Received."

Having received fire clearance, the pilot slightly adjusted the A‑10's attitude and used the HUD helmet to lock onto four targets.

Then he fiddled with the left hand on the control panel, and with the right thumb released the cover on the control stick, revealing the red fire‑button underneath.

Next, the pilot's right thumb naturally pressed that red button.

"Click!" (×4)

"Whoosh!" (×4)

After pressing the button, the four missiles left the A‑10's wings in succession and quickly ignited, flying forward.

The four missiles trailed white condensate vapor from cold air meeting heat, and after distancing from the A‑10 they surged toward the four targets locked by the pilot at Mach 1.2.

Soon, violent explosions erupted on Lockford Island, and four small mushroom clouds rose slowly.

"Boom——! Boom!" The violent noise from the explosions followed shortly after.

At that very moment, the pilot's A‑10 swiftly passed over Lockford Island's airspace.

Seeing this, the pilot gripped the control stick with both hands, flew the A‑10 forward a distance, then circled Lockford Island, and reported again:

"All four Mavericks (AGM‑65) have hit their targets; we are about to launch a suppressive attack on minor ground threats."

Bo Handong: "Received."

End of communication.

The pilot adjusted the A‑10's flight angle, pointed the nose again at Lockford Island, and his right index finger pulled a trigger‑like button.

"Buzz———~!"

The distinctive report of the 30 mm GAU‑8 Gatling cannon accompanied the pilot's right‑hand motion.

Looking at Lockford Island's fortifications, barracks, guard posts, cages holding every kind of B. O. W., and the moving vehicles and soldiers, all were blown to pieces by the 30 mm cannon.

"Click‑click~" (×4)

While strafing the ground with the cannon, the pilot, drawing on experience, also tossed four MK82 bombs.

"Boom~! Boom!"

The smoke from the 227‑kg explosions blanketed the barracks not far from the airfield in all directions.

Within two minutes, the A‑10 had expended its four AGM‑65 Mavericks, four MK82 bombs, and all 450 rounds of 30 mm ammunition.

Afterward, the pilot had the A‑10 make one final circuit over the smoke‑shrouded Lockford Island, adjusted course, and headed home:

"Bo Handong, this is Hog One; all the cargo has been delivered to the drop‑off point, preparing to return to the Africa base, over."

Bo Handong: "Received, thank you for your service, over."

After an A‑10 'ground‑licking' attack, Lockford Island's defenses were nearly paralyzed, with countless casualties among personnel.

Air‑defense system?

Even if Alfred Asifort covertly controlled Lockford Island, it remains an Umbrella asset, so the Red Queen had already shut down the island's air‑defenses remotely minutes earlier.

Without air superiority, once the A‑10 appears in the sky, ground combat is essentially impossible.

Sui Bian also had no intention of distinguishing who on the island was loyal company staff, researchers, security, or USS Reservists, since bullets don't discriminate and one cannot tell who is loyal.

As for giving advance notice? He dislikes stirring up trouble, so he had no choice but to purge everyone on the island.

As the A‑10 faded from view, two AC‑130s took its place, ready to assist the ground forces aboard the Bo Handong in a comprehensive sweep of Lockford Island.

(End of chapter)