Chapter 3629: Encirclement and Capture

Wu Bolin's patience was being constantly worn down; he now only wanted to rush in himself, take control of everyone inside, and end the battle in the shortest time possible.

But the loyal Jikichi Kohei blocked him, advising: "Master, don't act rashly! Their radar coverage is already this extensive, proving they've entered a high-level alert state—perhaps all radar and surveillance data is being uploaded in real time to the U. S. government. If you act now, before you even enter, the surveillance footage will already have reached the Pentagon. If they discover your true identity, Master, you'll only make things more troublesome for yourself!"

Wu Bolin gritted his teeth and asked: "Didn't you say they were easy to communicate with? Why have they suddenly become so vigilant?"

Jikichi Kohei shook his head: "Master, I truly can't figure this out either. Relations among Antarctic research stations are better than those between nations, because besides national alliances, there's an added sense of mutual reliance and support on the Antarctic continent. Normally, if we went to an American research station, we'd drive up to the gate and be greeted by many people—never this wary."

Wu Bolin frowned: "Could it be that the situation at Wu Han Palace has been discovered by them?"

Jikichi Kohei wore the same puzzled expression: "I doubt it. We've all sworn deathly loyalty to the Master—it's impossible for any of us to leak even a hint."

Wu Bolin: "This is very strange—what exactly is making them so on guard?"

Just as Wu Bolin racked his brains, unsure how to proceed, two beams of light appeared in the sky, drawing ever closer to them.

The American transport plane finally arrived.

After over two hours at full throttle, their aircraft had flown from a South American military base to the skies above the Antarctic continent.

Seeing the plane, Jikichi Kohei exclaimed in alarm: "Oh no, Master—American planes have arrived!"

Wu Bolin asked: "Can American planes still come to Antarctica at this time?"

Jikichi Kohei replied: "Civilian airlines and ordinary passenger planes certainly lack this capability. Any aircraft capable of flying to Antarctic airspace this season must be military—no exceptions."

Wu Bolin exclaimed in shock: "You mean the American military has come? What are they here for?"

Jikichi Kohei shook his head: "I don't know why they've come to Antarctica, but I get the feeling they're here to support McMurdo Station."

Wu Bolin tightened his brows: "They're coming to support McMurdo Station—so you mean they're guarding against us?"

"Exactly," Jikichi Kohei nodded. "They definitely regard us as a defensive target."

Wu Bolin cursed: "This is ridiculous—what are they so nervous about?"

As they spoke, the plane opened its rear hatch, and parachutes burst from behind it. Jikichi Kohei's face turned deathly pale: "It's an airborne force! The Americans have gone mad! The Antarctic Treaty forbids any nation from sending troops or transporting weapons to Antarctica, yet they've actually dispatched an airborne unit!"

Hardly had he finished speaking when, with a crash, a parachute many times larger than ordinary ones suddenly opened.

Jikichi Kohei's legs went weak with fright: "Master, their arrival bodes ill—they've even dropped heavy weapons and equipment here!"

Wu Bolin felt his lungs about to burst from anger. After bouncing around in the snow vehicle for days, he had finally neared McMurdo Station—only to see the Americans dispatch troops.

Under these circumstances, even a forceful assault would be meaningless, for he needed to absorb the entire American research station's personnel without alerting them.

But once the other side began guarding against him, even if he charged over now and subdued everyone, they would still send endless reinforcements—something he could not possibly withstand alone.

Thus he asked Jikichi Kohei: "According to your opinion, what should we do now?"

Jikichi Kohei replied without hesitation: "Our best course now is to retreat immediately—avoid direct confrontation with the Americans."

Wu Bolin burned with inner fury, angrily demanding: "You mean our trip here was completely wasted?"

Jikichi Kohei nodded: "Master, making a wasted trip would actually be fortunate. What I fear most is that their goal isn't just protecting McMurdo Station—if they pursue us to demand answers, that would be trouble. Wu Han Palace's situation would certainly be exposed!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Bolin hesitated not at all, immediately urging: "Hurry, hurry, hurry—turn around and retreat now, no matter what, we can't lose the chicken and the rice too!"

Wu Han Palace was Wu Bolin's foothold in Antarctica; with those Japanese research team members, his Antarctic exploration had a basic safeguard.

He wanted to expand territory and increase his manpower, based on the premise that the Japanese team was already operating at full capacity.

Therefore, he could accept the failure of this territorial expansion, but he absolutely could not accept that this failure would endanger Wu Han Palace.

Thus, several snow vehicles immediately stopped and turned around, racing back without pause.

At that moment, the American officer in charge of the first transport plane immediately received a message from the research station.

On radar, the several vehicles approaching had already all turned and departed.

The American officer's expression was grave; he said coldly: "Running this fast only proves they're up to something! Second echelon, hurry to the necessary route of their return and prepare to intercept. I will lead the remaining SEAL team members and the Japanese persuasion squad. Immediately change course—head for Showa Station! Leave one M142 at McMurdo for defense; the other two, do not deploy—come with me to Showa Station!"

Watanabe Gorou heard this, his heart pounding with fear.

He had personally witnessed the deployment of about fifty SEALs and two armored personnel carriers—if the rest of the personnel and equipment were brought to Showa Station, this firepower could obliterate Showa Station several times over. If conflict truly erupted, wouldn't the Americans just go on a killing spree?

Thinking this, his heart filled with anxiety, fearing loss of control.

The current American strategy no longer concerns the Japanese; the Pentagon's demand is to first secure McMurdo Station's safety, then, on that basis, immediately detain all Japanese research team members to clarify two issues: first, why they betrayed their country; second, along how many routes they are scattered across Antarctica, and what exactly they are seeking! If any unknown secrets exist here, the Pentagon will absolutely not allow them to slip away.

Therefore, since Wu Bolin has fled, their mission naturally becomes to encircle and capture all Japanese research team members!