Chapter 159: Combat Verification—Dual-Line Deterrence

Two o'clock in the morning, a coastal position in the East Sea.

In the silent night, only a few red warning lights around the position emitted a faint light.

Wang Hao was squatting next to the launch control vehicle wrapped in a military coat, holding a cup of hot tea, his eyes fixed on the weather data on his tablet.

"Wind speed level 3, wind direction southeast, atmospheric transparency... excellent," he muttered.

Li Yang circled around from behind the launch vehicle, holding a flashlight, checking the docking interface at the tail of the missile:

"Fueling complete, guidance system self-check passed. Just waiting for the time."

The countdown on the tablet showed: 47 minutes until the scheduled launch window.

"Navy reports that Eagle Country's 'Ocean Sovereignty' and escort ships are currently located here," Wang Hao pulled up the radar map.

Three light spots were anchored somewhere in the high seas, about ninety nautical miles from the target platform.

"Their 'Global Hawk' drone returned two hours ago; they probably think we won't do anything in the middle of the night."

"They thought wrong," Li Yang turned off the flashlight. "The dark night is the best cover."

At the same time, Longyin Research Institute Command Center.

The big screen was divided into four areas: real-time monitoring of the launch position, infrared image of the target platform, dynamics of the Eagle Country fleet, and the comprehensive situation map of the 'Torch Dragon' AI.

Chen Guang sat in front of the main console, with six sub-screens in front of him displaying weather data, electromagnetic environment monitoring, missile status, communication link stability, energy supply curves, and operating parameters of the 'Xuanming' power trucks.

Zhao Kaiyuan sat next to him, staring at the energy monitoring screen.

All three power trucks were online, output power stable at 8 MW, with sufficient redundancy.

Feng Yan stood in front of the big screen, with Engineer Zhao, Li Kui, and several military observers sitting behind him.

"This test has two purposes," Feng Yan explained to the observers.

"First, to verify the precision strike capability of the 'Kuafu-1' EMP missile in a combat environment;"

"Second, to demonstrate the long-term combat readiness deterrence of the 'Bi'an-2' mech."

"Both lines proceed simultaneously, supporting each other."

An Air Force Major General asked: "Proceeding simultaneously, aren't you afraid the other side will interpret it as an escalation of provocation?"

"That's why we chose the middle of the night, and the target is our own abandoned facility," Feng Yan said.

"And before the missile launch, we will issue a 'routine weapon test' notification through diplomatic channels."

"Although by the time they receive it, the missile should already be on its way."

Another Navy Senior Colonel smiled: "Is this called acting first and reporting later?"

"This is called professional," Feng Yan corrected. "We notified according to international practice, just a 'little' late."

Countdown enters the final ten minutes.

Launch position, Wang Hao and Li Yang climbed into the control vehicle.

The cramped cabin was filled with various instruments and screens, and the air had a faint smell of oil and electronic equipment mixed together.

"Missile final self-check," Li Yang operated the console.

"Missile computer online, data link clear. 'Torch Dragon' has uploaded the latest threat environment data."

Wang Hao gripped the launch control lever.

The thing was designed with a good feel, and there were anti-slip textures on the grip.

He licked his somewhat dry lips: "Brother Hao has been waiting for this day for a long time."

Command center, Chen Guang's voice came through the communication channel:

"Electromagnetic environment monitoring shows that the radar activation rate of the Eagle Country fleet is rising. They may have sensed something."

"Normal reaction," Feng Yan said. "There's a missile launch ninety nautical miles away; if their radar didn't react, that would be something to worry about."

Countdown five minutes.

"Target confirmed," Chen Guang reported.

"'East Sea No. 7' platform, coordinates correct. Platform structure infrared characteristics stable, no signs of personnel activity."

"Surrounding sea area?"

"Two civilian fishing boats have avoided it as planned. All other ships are at a safe distance."

Countdown two minutes.

Wang Hao started humming in the control vehicle, and was glared at by Li Yang before he shut up.

Countdown one minute.

Zhao Kaiyuan stared at the energy curve: "Power truck output stable, all systems green lights."

Thirty seconds.

The command center was so quiet you could hear the air conditioning blowing.

Ten seconds.

Wang Hao's fingers rested lightly on the control lever.

"... Three, two, one."

"Launch."

The control lever was pushed down.

The launch vehicle shook slightly, and the tail flame gushed out, drawing a glaring orange-red trajectory in the dark night.

The missile rose slowly in the flames, slow at the beginning, then accelerated rapidly, rushing toward the sea-sky boundary in the southeast.

Almost at the same moment—

At a border training ground four hundred kilometers away from the launch position, three 'Bi'an-2' mechs drove out of the underground hangar.

The mech surface was covered with matte camouflage, almost blending into the mountain in the night.

Their energy cores were loaded with the newly researched miniaturized 'Xuanming' fusion reactor, the energy core emitted a low hum, and the output power was stable at 85% of the rated value.

"Mech troops in position," the training ground command post reported.

"According to the plan, start long-term combat readiness patrol demonstration."

The three mechs formed a triangular formation and began to maneuver along the preset route.

The steps were steady and powerful, each step making the ground tremble slightly.

The shoulder laser cannons rotated slowly, scanning the surrounding airspace.

They would march continuously for 12 hours this night, with shields kept on the whole time, and the laser weapon system performing a simulated shot every 30 minutes.

This was a demonstration of endurance.

80 seconds after missile launch.

Eagle Country fleet, 'Ocean Sovereignty' bridge.

The radar operator stared at the light spot on the screen, his tone urgent: "High-altitude high-speed target, azimuth northwest, distance 85 nautical miles, speed... Mach 15!"

Rear Admiral Colter walked quickly to the radar screen: "Trajectory?"

"Pointing toward the 'East Sea No. 7' abandoned platform," the operator pulled up the predicted trajectory line.

"According to this speed and direction, it will arrive in 4 minutes and 20 seconds."

"Did you receive the notification from Longguo?"

"Received three minutes ago, saying they want to conduct a 'routine weapon test' in the high seas area," the intelligence officer replied.

"But no specific time and coordinates were given."

Colter stared at the fast-moving light spot.

4 minutes and 20 seconds.

Is it enough for them to react?

Enough, but unnecessary.

That's just an abandoned platform, Longguo's own facility.

They are hitting their own things in the high seas, which is reasonable, although the timing chosen is very subtle.

"Keep monitoring," Colter ordered.

"All defense systems on standby, but do not react actively. Record all data."

He wanted to see what Longguo would show this time.

3 minutes after missile launch.

The missile body performed its first orbital change at an altitude of 30,000 meters, a standard avoidance maneuver, overload 12G.

Command center, Chen Guang stared at the orbital change data: "Maneuver accuracy error 0.03%, within expected range. Missile computer working normally."

"Does the Eagle Country fleet have a reaction?" Feng Yan asked.

"Their 'Burke'-class destroyer activated fire control radar scanning, but did not lock on," Chen Guang pulled up the electromagnetic spectrum chart. "Currently just monitoring."

4th minute.

The missile entered the dive phase, plunging toward the sea from an altitude of 30,000 meters at an almost vertical angle.

The target platform became clearer and clearer in the infrared image, a pile of rusted steel structures with old equipment from decades ago still remaining on it.

4 minutes and 15 seconds.

The warhead began to separate.

The EMP warhead continued to fly toward the target, while the main body of the missile turned to the side, preparing to self-destruct and fall into the sea.

4 minutes and 20 seconds.

The warhead exploded in the air 300 meters directly above the platform.

No fire, no loud noise.

But on the electromagnetic monitoring screen of the command center, a glaring bright spot instantly burst out.

Centered on the explosion point, within a spherical area with a radius of 800 meters, all electromagnetic signals returned to zero.

The lights on the target platform went out.

The monitoring buoys on the surrounding sea surface stopped sending data.

Even on the 'Ocean Sovereignty' ninety nautical miles away, several non-critical display screens on the bridge showed brief static.

"Energy release intensity meets design," Chen Guang reported.

"Spectrum analysis shows that the pulse waveform is the preset 'conical directional' mode, with energy mainly concentrated in the direction of the platform."

"Platform damage assessment?"

"Power system completely paralyzed. Electronic equipment such as radar and communication, damage rate estimated at over 98%," Chen Guang pulled up the infrared comparison map of the platform.

"Structural integrity is intact, temperature distribution has no abnormalities. It really was just 'confiscating a lighter'."

Feng Yan nodded and looked at another screen.

Border training ground, the three 'Bi'an-2' had been marching continuously for 2 hours.

Monitoring data showed: energy remaining 99.7%, shield strength maintained at 100% of design value, laser weapon system performed four simulated shots, heat dissipation system working normally.

The mech's steps were still steady, as if it could walk like this until dawn, and then walk until the next dawn.

'Ocean Sovereignty' bridge.

Rear Admiral Colter looked at the light spot that disappeared on the radar screen and was silent for a long time.

The technical officer handed over a preliminary analysis report: "Target platform electromagnetic signal completely disappeared, but infrared shows structure is intact, it is speculated that Longguo used a high-power electromagnetic pulse weapon."

"Distance?"

"Airburst altitude about 300 meters, EMP action radius estimated at about 800 meters," the technical officer paused.

"Directionality is very good, energy is concentrated in the direction of the platform. Impact on surrounding sea area is limited."

Colter picked up the encrypted communicator and connected to the country.

"Test results are out," his voice was calm.

"Longguo demonstrated two capabilities: first, high-altitude high-speed precision strike capability, missile terminal speed exceeds Mach 15, maneuver overload 12G;"

"Second, non-lethal EMP strike capability, capable of paralyzing electronic facilities without destroying the structure."

The other side of the communication was silent for a few seconds: "What about their mech troops?"

Colter pulled up satellite images.

On the border line, the three mechs were still marching, having walked for more than two hours continuously.

The halo of the shield was clearly visible in the infrared image.

"Demonstrating endurance combat capability," Colter said.

"Their energy technology... might really have had a breakthrough."

Hanging up the communication, he walked to the porthole and looked northwest.

The night sky was like ink, the stars sparse.

But some things had already changed shape in the dark.

Longyin Research Institute Command Center.

Wang Hao and Li Yang called from the launch position, their voices full of excitement.

"Brother Feng! How was the accuracy? Was my ballistic calculation accurate?"

"Very accurate," Feng Yan said. "The platform is completely paralyzed, structure intact. The effect is even better than expected."

"That's a must!" Wang Hao laughed.

"But seriously, this time we used conventional fuel, the speed is still not fast enough."

"Wait until my 'Kuafu-2' comes out, let them see what real speed is!"

Li Yang took over: "Mech side, marched for 4 hours, everything normal. Energy consumption is 2% lower than expected. The stability of the 'Xuanming' reactor exceeded expectations."

"Continue," Feng Yan said. "Walk until dawn."

"Understood!"

Communication ended.

In the command center, the technical team began to organize the data.

Chen Guang was writing a test report, Zhao Kaiyuan was analyzing power truck operating data, Engineer Zhao and Li Kui were discussing the damage mechanism of EMP on materials.

Although this time it was the enemy's platform, the data was equally valuable.

Feng Yan walked to the window.

On the eastern sea level, a hint of fish-belly white had already appeared.

Dawn was coming.

And this demonstration would also spread to the eyes of those who should see it as dawn broke.

He took out his phone and sent a short message to the Navy:

"Dual-line test complete. Data is packaged, ready to share at any time."

Sent.

Then he put away his phone and looked at the brightening sky outside the window.

Deterrence is not something you say.

It's something you do.

And today, they did it twice. ===== CHAPTER 160 =====