Eunuch, do you really know these martial arts?

Inside the command center, the air froze instantly at this report.

"Identify signal characteristics! Compare with the database!"

Bai Yongxu's voice was calm, but his clenched fists betrayed the turmoil in his heart.

The sonar analyst's hands flew across the control panel, and data streams scrolled wildly on the large screen, performing high-speed comparisons with various stored acoustic profiles of underwater vehicles.

"The one with the highest feature match is the Siren-class deep-sea attack craft!"

"A high-speed underwater combat unit based on an early Barracuda experimental boat! 87% compatibility!"

The analyst's voice carried a hint of disbelief.

"It shouldn't be in this area! And its speed is at least 15% faster than the last time we recorded it!"

"Siren..."

General Zhao's eyes were icy. "It seems the organization has poured all its resources into this 'Wind Chaser' operation. Only one ship?"

"Currently, only one clear signal has been detected! However, the underwater environment is complex, and we cannot rule out the possibility that other units may be using background noise or seabed topography to approach covertly!"

On the screen, a dazzling red dot is hurtling toward Hope Star at an astonishing speed.

The distance between the two sides is rapidly decreasing.

"Hope Star, change course immediately! Head towards the No. 2 ambush zone! Heading 075, increase speed to maximum combat speed!"

Bai Yongxu gave the order without hesitation.

The massive hospital ship drew a huge white arc across the sea, its engines emitting a deeper roar as they propelled the ship forward through the waves.

"Order the Sea Dragon team to advance and intercept! Make sure to entangle the enemy vessel before it enters the effective attack range of Hope Star!"

General Zhao roared into the communicator.

The Sea Dragon Team is a task force composed of three of the latest Jiaolong-class attack submarines.

They had long been like lurking hunters, silently scattered within the outer perimeter of the Hope Star route.

"Hailong-1 understands!"

"Hailong II received!"

"Hailong-3 has locked onto the target!"

The three Jiaolong submarines instantly switched from a silent state to an attack stance, with their engines running at full power.

They surrounded the Siren's ship from three different directions.

On the large screen in the command center, the underwater units representing both sides began to rapidly approach each other, and an unseen deep-sea hunt was about to unfold.

Jiang Nian had somehow already stood in front of the large screen, calmly watching the ever-changing situation map.

His divine sense could not perceive the battlefield across such a vast distance, but he could clearly construct in his mind the tense game beneath the deep sea through the data and movement of light spots on the screen.

"Hope Star reports: course adjusted, speed stabilized at 25 knots. No surface or aerial threats detected," the captain's voice came through the communications channel.

"Stay vigilant; the enemy can't possibly have only one submarine."

Bai Yongxu said in a deep voice.

Sure enough, before he could finish speaking, the intelligence officer gave another urgent report:

"Report! An unusual communication signal burst has been detected! The source is unknown, the intensity is extremely high, and it uses a frequency-hopping encryption mode that we have never recorded before!"

"The signal source is roughly located about 150 nautical miles northwest of Hope Star!"

"Are they calling for backup, or coordinating an attack?"

General Zhao frowned.

"The content cannot be deciphered, but the signal pattern has obvious command characteristics!"

The intelligence officer quickly analyzed, "It seems more like they're guiding something..."

Just then, the sonar department issued another exclamation:
"Two more underwater signals detected! Appearing from the northwest and due north! Also moving extremely fast! Feature identification confirms they are Siren-class! They are part of a formation!"

Three Sirens!

The organization's determination and scale exceeded expectations!

The three sea monsters launched a pincer attack, with a clear target: the Hope Star, which was turning around.

They had clearly received instructions from the unusual communication signal, and their actions were coordinated, like a group of sharks that had smelled blood.

"The Sea Dragon Squad is tied down by the first enemy vessel! They can't get back to defend in time!"

The operations staff officer looked grim.

Although the Hope Star has been modified, it is essentially still a hospital ship, and its defensive firepower is sufficient to contend with a Siren.

The consequences of being attacked by three high-performance attack submarines at the same time would be unimaginable!

"Activate the reef contingency plan!"

Bai Yongxu made a decisive decision, his voice firm and resolute.

The reef contingency plan is designed to conduct area denial and passive defense in the worst-case scenario by using smart minefields and stealthy unmanned attack submarines pre-deployed along key shipping routes.

"Reef unit activated! Minefield ready to fire! Unmanned attack vehicle deployed!"

On the seabed in front of and to the sides of Hope Star, several devices disguised as rocks quietly activated, revealing dark launch ports or sensor arrays.

Several small, torpedo-shaped unmanned underwater vehicles, like a school of startled fish, silently slid into the dark seawater, heading towards the Siren fleet.

The deadly danger lurking beneath the deep sea instantly escalated to its highest level!
"Hope Star, report your situation!"

Bai Yongxu shouted into the microphone, his tone carrying a barely perceptible hint of anxiety.

"Our sonar has detected multiple high-speed approaching underwater targets! They are within 30 nautical miles and are still rapidly approaching! The electronic countermeasures system has been activated to attempt to jam the enemy's fire control radar and sonar guidance!"

The captain of Hope Star remained calm, but the piercing alarm could already be heard in the background.

"Hold on! The Sea Dragon team is working hard to take down the target, reinforcements are on their way!"

Inside the command center, everyone was on tenterhooks.

Although the plan anticipated the attack, the strength and coordination of the enemy's underwater forces were still alarming.

Jiang Nian stared at the screen and suddenly spoke.

"Their objective is clear: they won't easily sink Hope Star before confirming the authenticity of their target. This will be our only chance."

His words awakened everyone.

The organization needs the key of zero.

Destroying Hope Star is the last resort.

They are more likely trying to disable the ship's power or defenses, and then engage in boarding maneuvers or force their way onto the ship to capture the vessel.

This gave the special operations team disguised on Hope Star, as well as the reinforcements on the periphery, time to react.

"Hailong-1 reporting! Engagement range has been established with enemy vessel number one! The enemy vessel is exceptionally maneuverable and has launched chaff and flares! Our first torpedo attack missed!"

"Hailong-2 reports: Encountering strong acoustic interference, attempting to relock!"

"Hailong 3 reports: Enemy vessel has released a small self-destructing unmanned underwater vehicle! We are evading it!"

The Sea Dragon team's battle also went poorly.

The performance and tactics of the Siren ships were clearly specifically optimized and countered by their Jiaolong.

Time ticked by, each second feeling like torture.

Hope Star has narrowed the distance to the three Sirens to twenty nautical miles.

"Enemy ships have launched their first wave of torpedoes! Four in total! Targeting our propellers and rudders!" Hope Star's sonar operator issued a sharp warning.

"Close-in weapon system activated! Deploy towed acoustic decoys!" the captain shouted the order.

At the stern of the Hope Star, several close-in weapon rapid-fire turrets instantly rose, unleashing a dense barrage of bullets at the pre-set underwater interception zone.

At the same time, several towed acoustic decoys were launched into the sea to simulate the acoustic signatures of ships in an attempt to divert incoming torpedoes.

On the sea, towering columns of water erupted.

Underwater, the sounds of torpedoes colliding and exploding with close-in weapon systems and decoys echoed through the water, muffled and terrifying.

"Port close-in weapon system successfully intercepted! Starboard decoy attracted two torpedoes! Another one has penetrated the defense net and is heading straight for our stern!"

"Emergency evasive action! Full left rudder!"

The massive hospital ship made a sharp turn on the sea, its hull groaning under the strain.

"boom!!!"

A loud bang came from the stern, the entire ship shook violently, and the lights flickered a few times.

"Report damage!"

"Right propeller compartment hit! Drive shaft damaged! Power reduced by 40%! Speed ​​is being lost!"

Hope Star's speed suddenly slowed down.

"It's over..."

Inside the command center, someone murmured softly.

Having lost most of its power, it is like a lamb to the slaughter on this vast ocean.

"They're surfacing! Prepare to launch the underwater assault vehicle!"

The sonar operator's voice was filled with despair.

The organization is indeed going to force their way onto the ship!

Bai Yongxu suddenly looked at Jiang Nian with a complicated expression.

The plan had reached a dead end at this stage.

Jiang Nian's expression remained calm, but a storm of ice seemed to be gathering deep within his eyes.

He spoke slowly: "Have the merfolk prepare. Notify the sword that it may be drawn."

The Sharp Sword is the real trump card in this operation, a rapid response team composed of the base's top ancient martial arts masters and special operations soldiers equipped with experimental individual underwater propulsion devices.

Instead of following Hope Star, they traveled in a specially modified stealth transport aircraft capable of ultra-low-altitude sea-skimming flight and short-range hovering.

They remained on standby outside the war zone.

"Order the Sharp Sword Squad to immediately airdrop and support Hope Star!" Bai Yongxu did not hesitate at all.

Almost simultaneously with the order being given, dozens of nautical miles southeast of Hope Star, a giant aircraft resembling a black phantom descended from the clouds, its hatch opened, and a dozen black dots plummeted towards the sea like meteorites.

As they approached the sea surface, what unfolded behind these black dots were not parachutes, but specially designed hang gliders and cushioning airbags, allowing them to land precisely in the surging waves.

Upon entry into the water, the airbag automatically detaches, revealing the streamlined underwater propulsion unit below.

The team members maneuvered the thrusters, breaking through the water like dolphins, and sped towards Hope Star at a speed far exceeding that of ordinary frogmen.

Meanwhile, on Hope Star.

"Attention all personnel! Prepare for boarding action! Repeat, prepare for boarding action!"

The ship's intercom broadcast the deep, powerful voice of the special operations team leader.

The crew and special forces members disguised as medical personnel acted swiftly, occupying key passages and entrances, and firing positions were quickly established.

Outside the safe house, it was reinforced in layers and multiple lines of defense were set up.

On the sea, three sea monster boats revealed their menacing backs. The hatches opened, and figures dressed in full-body black diving armor and wielding strange underwater weapons leaped into the sea.

Piloting single-person underwater assault boats, they swarmed toward Hope Star like a bee.

The battle instantly spread from underwater to the surface!

"Fire!"

At the command of the special forces captain, weapons throughout Hope Star spewed out flames.

Heavy machine gun bullets swept across the sea like a metallic storm, splashing water all around the assault boats.

The organization's commandos were clearly not to be underestimated.

They used the speed and agility of the assault boats to evade attacks while simultaneously retaliating with their weapons.

The vortex gun that fired spiral waves reappeared, its distorted energy striking the hull and instantly tearing and melting the thick steel plates!
Even more extreme, some used grappling hooks and suction devices to climb toward the gunwale of the Hope Star ship like geckos!
A fierce boarding action broke out instantly!

Commandos were constantly being hit by bullets and falling into the sea, while special forces members were constantly being hit by the vortex energy, their bodies and shelters destroyed.

Inside the safe house, the squad leader in charge of guarding the area watched the fierce battle outside through the monitor, veins bulging on his forehead.

But he kept his mission firmly in mind and stood guard at the door.

Just then, a heavy thud and a teeth-grinding metallic cutting sound came from outside the heavy alloy door of the safe house!

The enemy has found us!
"Prepare!"

The captain let out a low growl and raised his pulse rifle. The team members also took up advantageous positions, pointing their guns at the doorway.

"boom!!"

With a loud bang, the alloy door was blasted open by some enormous force, creating a gap!
Amidst the billowing smoke, an exceptionally tall figure clad in heavy silver-gray diving armor appeared at the entrance like a demon god.

What he held in his hand was not a vortex gun, but a giant cutting axe with a ferocious shape and flashing high-frequency vibrations.

"Found you... the key!"

Beneath the mask, a dull and cold electronic synthesized voice emanated.

He ignored the several gun barrels pointed at him, his gaze passing over the guards and landing on Zero, who was lying on the maintenance platform in the center of the room, seemingly asleep.

"Fire!"

The captain gave the order without hesitation.

A dense beam of pulsed light instantly enveloped the figure!

However, a shocking scene unfolded!

A ripple-like surface spread across the silver-gray armor, deflecting and scattering most of the pulse beams. Only a few beams left shallow burn marks on the armor, failing to cause any effective damage.

"what?!"

The team members' pupils contracted sharply.

The heavy assault soldier let out a low, sinister laugh, and with heavy steps, ignored the onslaught of firepower and charged straight in!

The vibrating cutting axe in his hand swept out with a shrill whistling sound that tore through the air!

"careful!"

Two special forces soldiers who couldn't dodge in time were cut in half at the waist, along with their guns, and their blood instantly stained the bulkhead!
"Stop him!"

The captain's eyes were bloodshot. He drew his tactical dagger from his waist, lunged forward, and attempted to engage in close combat.

But the heavy assault soldier's strength and defense were too terrifying, and he swung his axe down with a backhand.

The captain's parrying dagger, along with half his arm, was severed, and he was sent flying by the immense force, crashing heavily into the wall. (End of Chapter)