Chapter 3628: Not Having Any Good Intentions

Facing Watanabe Gorō's questioning, the US military base commander didn't blush at all.

He said solemnly: "Based on the situation just now, we indeed need to uphold the Antarctic Treaty and not dispatch a single soldier to Antarctica, but now, the situation has changed."

At this moment, Watanabe Gorō felt somewhat doubtful about life.

He rubbed his eyes, repeatedly confirming that the guy in front of him was the base commander who had just told him he would absolutely not send a single soldier to Antarctica.

How could it be that in the blink of an eye, this damn thing had organized over a hundred Navy SEALs, preparing to support Antarctica?

He couldn't help but ask: "What change has occurred? Did our president send a troop request to your president?"

The US military base commander looked at him disdainfully and said: "As far as I know, your president doesn't have that much face."

After saying that, he picked up the walkie-talkie and shouted sternly: "Why hasn't the M142 arrived yet? Hurry up, we're running late!"

Watanabe Gorō listened, sucking in his breath.

After all, he was also from the Ministry of Defense, and his own Self-Defense Forces used weapons, about half of which were American-made, with many being jointly developed by the US and Japan.

So, upon hearing "M142" for the first second, he knew the other party must be referring to the American M142 tracked self-propelled rocket artillery.

This thing has strong mobility, even stronger firepower, and the new model can fire guided rocket munitions with a range of three hundred kilometers.

Moreover, it uses 6x6 full-wheel drive, powerful power, and was originally designed for all-terrain use; even if dropped onto the Antarctic ice sheet, it would definitely be able to run vroom-vroom.

The M142 abandoned the tracked design, weighing just over five tons, and a single transport aircraft could easily carry three of them.

Watanabe Gorō muttered in his heart: "Damn, are these Americans brain-dead? Either they don't send a single soldier or bullet, not even allowing pilots to carry sidearms, or they directly haul self-propelled rocket artillery here, placing this thing in Antarctica to blast the snow vehicles of scientific teams from various countries—wouldn't that be as easy as beating a child? Compared to tanks smashing trucks, it's even easier, since this thing has a longer strike range than tanks, and as long as you switch to guided missile warheads, you can hit any target within three hundred kilometers."

The next second, Watanabe Gorō suddenly realized a very serious problem in his heart: these Navy SEALs and the M142 self-propelled rocket artillery—could they possibly be prepared to strike our scientific team members?

Originally, the Japanese side hoped the US would send troops, not to kill these traitorous scientific team members, but to quickly bring them under control, wanting to capture them alive.

Sending soldiers demanding live capture—this makes sense.

But dispatching self-propelled rocket artillery like this has nothing to do with live capture at all.

Watanabe Gorō broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly said: "Commander, our... our plan is primarily persuasion to surrender; even if persuasion fails, we should prioritize capture over strike. You're bringing such powerful firepower—if there's an accidental discharge, the impact would be very bad..."

The US military base commander said coldly: "You have no right to inquire about or interfere with the military operations of the American armed forces."

Watanabe Gorō choked up: "Our scientific team members are only suspected of treason; we can't just go all out and kill them!"

The US military base commander: "Previously, our operation was to transport you to Antarctica; now, our operation is to transport our soldiers and weapons equipment to Antarctica, and incidentally send you there too. So, if you still want to ride this plane, you'd better shut up; otherwise, just get the hell out of here directly!"

Watanabe Gorō immediately became much more obedient.

He also knew his identity and status in this operation—nothing more than a minor supporting role; if he truly tried to hard-head against that commander opposite, he would likely be kicked off the plane.

So, he could only sulk and sit back down in his seat.

At this moment, three M142 self-propelled rocket artillery rumbled onto the runway.

Another modified transport taxi also slid to the rear.

Watanabe Gorō couldn't believe it—these Americans actually wanted to bring three M142s; this damn thing is going to war, right?

But this is just an appetizer.

The US military base commander conveyed via walkie-talkie: "Second echelon personnel and equipment, all get ready; after the plane completes the first drop, it will come to pick you up for the second drop!"

The reason the US military is so tense is because they worry that the already-treasonous Japanese scientific team members might launch an attack on their Antarctic scientific station.

McMurdo Station is unlike all other scientific stations; here is the reliable US Antarctic stronghold, just like the Everest base camp, with major strategic significance.

The US has not only invested massive manpower and material resources at this station, but even stockpiled a lot of equipment that originally shouldn't have been brought to Antarctica.

They don't know if they've leaked information, and they also don't know what these defecting Japanese scientific team members actually want to do, but what they must do is ensure McMurdo Station bears no risk.

Therefore, they have formulated two strategies: one is to immediately dispatch a team to reach McMurdo Station to strengthen defenses, while simultaneously encircling and suppressing the Japanese scientific team members heading to McMurdo Station; as for the other strategy, it is to dispatch another team to drop in the middle of the retreat route of the Japanese scientific team members, cutting off their retreat.

After these two forces, in a pincer movement, eliminate the defectors heading to McMurdo Station, they can immediately link up and advance together to the Japanese scientific station to complete the suppression of the rebellion.

For safety's sake, they brought along large numbers of armed personnel and weapons; once the Japanese scientific team members dare to advance, they will open fire directly, without needing to request permission.

As the three M142s drove into the cargo hold of the second transport aircraft, the aircraft Watanabe Gorō was on had already begun taxiing.

After the aircraft roared for a moment and flew into the sky, another transport aircraft closely followed and also took off.

Watanabe Gorō sat on the narrow bench, feeling uneasy in his heart; even now, he still hadn't figured out what exactly had happened.

……

Wu Bolin's convoy was getting closer and closer to McMurdo Station.

But what made Juke Kōhei feel doubtful was that his distress signal had been sent out for over half an hour, yet the communications personnel at McMurdo Station had not replied.

"Really too much!"

Juke Kōhei couldn't help but complain: "Who does this? They said they needed rescue, yet they didn't reply! Not a shred of humanitarian spirit."

Wu Bolin frowned and asked: "What would happen if we just drove straight over?"

Juke Kōhei thought for a moment: "We have no insider inside; if we just drive straight over, it probably won't work, because their radar has already locked onto us. If we recklessly barge in, they will definitely report to the US military immediately, and their nearest military base would arrive in just over two hours. We have no weapons, so we definitely have no chance of winning."

Wu Bolin doubted: "It's just a bunch of scientific team members; I could handle them myself."

Just as he was speaking, the wireless communication system transmitted a warning from McMurdo Station personnel: "I represent the US government, demanding you immediately stop approaching McMurdo Station!"

Juke Kōhei angrily said: "Bah! We came to seek help; Japan and the US are allies, even close partners. We encountered some trouble—you guys help us, what's wrong with that?"

The other side was very nervous at this moment.

According to intelligence, this group of Japanese scientific team members had already collectively defected; those capable of such things either have a bit of a mental issue or definitely aren't doing proper human things.

They are now heading toward the US scientific station, and they definitely have no good intentions!