What the hell is a private enterprise?

Chapter 258 This is a secret
Dalton's view that it was not the USS Carl was unanimously agreed upon, and this news, along with the sudden encounter with the "suspected eighth destroyer," reached the mainland.

The think tank was shocked by the idea that secret bases were hidden on the small islands surrounding the Caribbean Sea, and immediately requested that more ships and aircraft be deployed for patrols.

The IAA has considerable influence in Lamei and immediately mobilized its forces to prepare for a joint search for possible secret bases.

If there really were dozens of warships hiding right under my nose, I'm afraid I wouldn't dare close my eyes even when I sleep.

In addition, the USS George also risked launching early warning aircraft at night, fearing that more 70-knot monsters might suddenly emerge from the coast of some small island for a suicide attack.

Meanwhile, a large number of aircraft gathered to the south, and a fleet including B1Bs was mobilized overnight to prepare for patrols in the Caribbean Sea.

Meanwhile, the numerous scattered areas around the Caribbean Sea were thrown into chaos by red-eyed agents who took their men on helicopters and small boats, desperately heading towards the usually deserted coastlines.

The Atlantic Fleet put all its effort into pursuing the USS Carl, but with the latter's super-high speed of 36 knots, which occasionally suddenly surged to 60 knots, the fleet could only barely keep up by relying on its radar advantage. At night, the windy and rainy conditions made it impossible for helicopters to take off or land.

Fortunately, they would leave the cyclone area after dawn, so Dalton only required that the pursuit last for 5 hours, by which time the helicopter could barely take off.

—3:30 a.m.

As the sky began to lighten, Tang Wen estimated that the carrier-based aircraft would take off and ordered the Carl to accelerate to 60 knots to break free from pursuit.

Half an hour later, realizing that the Carr was about to escape the radar lock-on range, two anti-submarine helicopters took off from the battleship and quickly caught up with the Carr due to their superior speed.

Amidst the cacophony of the turboshaft engines, the pilot finally made out the destroyer speeding across the sea, leaving a trail longer than itself.

Compared with previously obtained images, this at least proves that it is a ship of the same class as the USS Carl.

However, unlike the photo, the destroyer below has a "red, white and black" three-color block paint scheme, not the red paint scheme shown in the previous photo.

The discovery was immediately relayed back to the USS New Jersey, while two SH-60 helicopters descended to the left and right, attempting to approach and reconnoiter the USS Carl.

The pilot tried calling the Carl again, and surprisingly received a reply:
"This is the Carl von Schoenberger of the Second Fleet on the High Seas. Helicopters, you have endangered my safety. Further approach will be met with retaliation."

The anti-submarine helicopter pilot ignored this until he noticed the 37mm anti-aircraft gun mount on the destroyer starting to rotate, and then quickly pulled up to higher altitude.

The pilot was shocked to hear the destroyer below identify itself as the USS Carl and immediately said over the radio:
"You are not the Carl; your paint schemes are not the same."

Unknown destroyer, you are suspected of falsifying identities and endangering the navigational safety of the Atlantic Fleet. Stop immediately for inspection. All personnel will be under personal protection!

The response was in a Hans language that I couldn't understand.

Almost immediately, the seaplane catapult of the Carl turned to the right front, and two Ar 196 reconnaissance planes were launched in succession within half a minute, and in the blink of an eye they took to the sky and each approached a helicopter.

The two helicopters were busy swerving to avoid the situation, because at this distance they could already see the pilots' faces!
Thanks to the Ar.196's convertible design, their unmasked skin color and hair peeking out from the gaps in their hats are easily visible, making them the most authentic Hans!
On the USS New Jersey at the rear, Dalton took over communications:

"Destroyer ahead, you call yourselves the Second Fleet of the High Seas, so you should obey the orders of the Hans. The Hans have already announced to the outside world that your existence is illegal and have demanded that you immediately relinquish command to the members of the investigation organization and accept supervision."

If you don't believe me, I can let them speak for themselves. After being placed under supervision, I guarantee that all personnel and ships will be unharmed and will eventually obtain legal status.

"Buzz... The High Seas Fleet belongs to the Empire, and the Empire is the only entity in our hearts!"

Dalton paused for a moment, but the refusal was expected, and continued to ask:
"Where is the empire you are loyal to?"

"It's a secret, but the empire still exists and will never perish."

"Is it that former empire?"

There is only one empire in the world.

"..."

The vague yet subtly suggestive answer silenced Dalton, who looked at Edwin beside him.

“The High Seas Fleet’s former allegiance is long gone, and we have all sorts of witnesses and evidence to prove it.” Dalton: “Those influential guys are either dead or under strict surveillance; they can’t possibly be secretly rebuilding a new organization behind everyone’s back.”

"not……"

"This is impossible!"

The two were unable to deduce any further information, and the Carl stopped responding and began having Ar 196 intercept the two helicopters.

The SH60 had no chance against the seaplane and immediately retreated.

Two Ar 196s attempted to follow and approach, but were immediately warned by radar illumination from the Perry-class aircraft. After some hesitation, they reluctantly returned to base.

……

"The aircraft carrier is not here."

On the bridge of the Bismarck, Tang Wen was shocked to confirm this fact.

It had been three hours since dawn. If the George was in the formation, it would have sent planes over instead of just two helicopters.

But would the Atlantic Fleet go out without an aircraft carrier?
Is this reasonable?

"Could it be that the aircraft carrier is positioned somewhere in ambush?"

As soon as Tang Wengang finished speaking, Bismarck raised a different opinion:
"No, the George only has a speed of 30 knots, so it's impossible for it to go forward. They've split up their forces."

Tang Wen: "I understand the aircraft carrier hiding in the rear, but splitting up forces?"

With all three battleships present, where is the aircraft carrier deployed separately? Who is it planning to capture?

"I think the aircraft carrier should be here."

The ship girl's sudden voice made Tang Wencai realize that there was a secretary ship in charge of the fleet, but... can anime captains be trusted?

"During the previous call, because we had changed back to the paint scheme we had received, they assumed that the one that found them was not the real Carl, so they were definitely on guard against us splitting up our forces as well."

The USS George possesses strong strike and reconnaissance capabilities, and even if it encounters danger, it has ample time to escape.

Tang Wen followed her finger and looked toward the Caribbean Sea beside the canal, feeling it was quite possible.

To the right is the vast ocean; were we going to go whale fishing there?
But this way... is even better!
Given the capabilities of the USS George, if it could just launch several waves of carrier-based aircraft to fire their missiles from a distance, the Second Fleet would be thrown into the sea and fed to the fish if they couldn't even see the enemy.

The Atlantic Fleet currently has only four Perry-class battleships with limited combat capabilities, in addition to three battleships.

How far is the Tirpitz squadron from us?

"Four hundred kilometers, Commander. Should we wait for them to rendezvous?"

The ship girl's clothes have changed back to a pure white uniform, and she is wearing a white wide-brimmed hat. She stands tall to one side, and her eyebrows, which are slightly drawn together, indicate that she has entered battle mode.

"I can't wait any longer, and now the only option is to head north."

Although this was a battle for survival, Tang Wen knew very well that the longer it dragged on, the less mysterious the second item would become, and it would have to catch people off guard.

In the early hours of yesterday morning, the Bismarck Squadron even drove straight into the eye of the storm in an attempt to speed up their journey. Fortunately, thanks to the protection of the Force, the warships suffered no damage except for some rougher rocking.

Now, we are only 240 kilometers away from the Atlantic Fleet, and we will be able to detect each other's presence in an hour.

(End of this chapter)