MM Racing Chapter 448 After the Storm
Chapter 448 After the Storm
The raging storm of nature in the depths of the western Pacific Ocean subsided, and the sun shone on the sea surface again, leaving only a few oil stains and scattered fragments, like the scales of a dead beast rising to the surface, which were then swallowed up by the endless blue.
However, in the political, military, and intelligence landscape of the human world, a storm no less powerful than a Category 16 typhoon has only just begun to unleash its immense power.
United States, Pentagon, National Military Command Center.
On the huge global situation screen, dozens of dots representing the USS Kitty Hawk carrier strike group, its escort ships, and accompanying submarines changed from regular flashing to violently pulsating red warnings in just over ten minutes, and then... went out one by one.
The last, intermittent distress signals they received, filled with terror and bewilderment, became their swan song to the world.
"Confirmed... all contact has been lost?"
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff stared intently at the screen, as if he could use his willpower to make those lights shine again.
"Confirmed, Mr. Chairman."
A pale-faced naval vice admiral's Adam's apple bobbed. "The final signal source was concentrated in the sea area at XX degrees North latitude and XX degrees West longitude. Satellite imagery shows... unusually intense cloud activity in that area at the corresponding time, but... the size and cyclone structure do not conform to any known model, and the rates of formation and dissipation are also..."
He couldn't continue, because it completely contradicted all the knowledge of modern meteorology.
"An unusual cloud formation? Are you trying to tell me that our entire, world-leading aircraft carrier battle group was wiped off the face of the earth like words being erased from the beach by an 'abnormal' weather event?!"
Another general growled, slamming his fist on the control panel.
"This is impossible! There must be external factors! Is it the Soviet Union... no, the Russians' remaining advanced technology? Or is it the Chinese...?"
"At that time, the Chinese main warships and long-range strike forces were under our surveillance, and they did not have this capability."
The intelligence chief immediately refuted this.
"At the scene... there were no traces of electronic warfare, no spectral signatures of missile or torpedo attacks, no remnants of nuclear radiation... nothing at all. It was like... like the ocean suddenly became angry and swallowed them whole."
A deathly silence enveloped the command center.
A chill ran down everyone's spine. The unknown is the most terrifying enemy.
The White House, Situation Room.
As the president listened to the briefing, his fingers unconsciously tapped on the smooth tabletop.
His advisors and national security team were embroiled in a huge argument.
"A state of high alert must be declared immediately! This is an act of war! An unprecedented provocation against the United States!"
"Whom are we declaring war on? The Pacific? Evidence! We need evidence that can be put on the table at the UN Security Council!"
"Our allies are watching! If we cannot provide a strong explanation and response, our prestige in the Asia-Pacific region and globally will be completely destroyed!"
"Where are the fleet survivors? Not even a single life raft? The black box signal? Immediately dispatch the strongest search and rescue force! Retrieve everything you can find, even a single screw!"
"That area of water is still experiencing abnormal turbulence and magnetic field interference, making it difficult for search and rescue vessels to approach..."
The president finally raised his hand to stop the argument.
His gaze swept over the crowd, his weariness masking an undeniable resolve:
"First, immediately launch a top-secret investigation, codenamed 'Wrath of the Sea God.' Mobilize all technological, intelligence, and even... unconventional analytical resources. I need to know the truth, even the most unbelievable truth."
Second, announce publicly that the Kitty Hawk battle group was lost in a sudden, extremely rare, and unpredictable super marine weather disaster, and that we are conducting a full-scale search and rescue operation and investigating the cause of the accident. The tone should be somber, but "professional," shifting the focus to the unknown areas of marine meteorological research.
Third, the Seventh Fleet and other forward-deployed forces should enter a state of high alert but not provocation, avoiding any actions that could lead to miscalculation.
Fourth…” He paused, “strengthen monitoring of the relevant regions, especially the ‘technical activities’ of potential strategic competitors. I don’t believe in coincidences.”
A global frenzy of news and public opinion.
"US aircraft carrier strike group mysteriously disappears!"
"Is the Devil's Triangle in the Pacific Ocean reappearing?"
"Super Storm Devours Invincible Fleet!"
...The sensational headlines instantly dominated the front pages of major media outlets around the world and the scrolling text of television news.
After the initial shock, various speculations and conspiracy theories arose.
Military experts debated endlessly on television, from secret weapons tests going out of control to underwater volcanic eruptions triggering super tsunamis, to extraterrestrial intervention... The more bizarre the story, the more clicks it garnered.
While governments around the world outwardly expressed their condolences and concern to Washington and offered all possible search and rescue assistance, they secretly ramped up their intelligence efforts, trying to glean some truth from this inexplicable disaster or to find any potential "fatal weaknesses."
Navies and meteorological departments in many countries worked overnight to reassess their maritime safety regulations and weather monitoring capabilities.
A subtle unease has emerged within NATO.
The loss of such immense power in such an inexplicable way undermines a sense of security built on absolute technological superiority.
China, Beijing, top leadership and military.
The news caused a similarly huge shock, but in a completely different way.
After the initial disbelief, an extremely complex emotion began to spread.
There was a hint of indescribable relief at witnessing a formidable foe suffer a setback, but more than that, there was a deep sense of alarm and horror.
"Didn't our meteorological department and monitoring system issue any prior warnings?"
"No. The weather data for the area was normal until the very last moment. This storm... it's like it appeared out of nowhere."
"What will the Americans think? Will they suspect us?"
"From a technical standpoint, we don't have that capability. But they... especially certain factions, may not believe in the technical aspects."
The high-level meeting room was filled with smoke.
Ultimately, the decision-makers reached a consensus: to maintain maximum calm and restraint in external affairs.
The official statement expressed sympathy and condolences for the unfortunate "natural disaster" suffered by the US military and stated that it was willing to provide necessary assistance in accordance with international law and humanitarian principles.
Internally, the strictest orders were issued: no discussion, speculation, or even smugness was allowed in any form; all relevant departments entered a period of silence to fully analyze all information behind the matter, especially the possible reaction of the US military and potential changes in the global strategic landscape.
After the meeting, an elderly general with gray hair stood alone in front of a huge world map, gazing for a long time at the western Pacific Ocean, a sea area now marked with a huge question mark.
He recalled the standoff in the Yellow Sea not long ago, and the suffocating disparity in strength and the sense of humiliation reported by the pilots after they returned.
Now, that once invincible rival has fallen in such a bizarre way.
"The gap... remains enormous, perhaps even larger and more complex than we imagine," he muttered to himself, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the coastline of his homeland on the map.
He turned around, his eyes sharpening again:
"Pass the order: expedite the feasibility studies for the next generation of main warships and long-range aviation! The funding issue can be discussed again! We must have... a force truly capable of protecting this sea!"
Dongxinglong Street, a courtyard house.
Lin Yan sat in his study, not with documents spread out in front of him, but with a cup of tea. International news was playing on the television, and the anchor, in a professional and somber tone, repeated the official statement that the US aircraft carrier had "suffered an accident due to rare extreme weather." The footage showed the White House spokesperson and search and rescue vessels setting off.
Lin Gang walked in silently and whispered, "Young Master, things are in complete chaos outside."
"Hmm." Lin Yan took a sip of tea, his expression calm. "As expected."
"In the US, they've mobilized every available resource to investigate; they're acting like madmen," Lin Gang added.
Lin Yan's lips curled up slightly:
"Let them search. How can the power of heaven and earth be fathomed by the mere fragments left by mortals? The combination of the essence of water and the essence of wind stirs the source of the ocean and the circulation of the atmosphere; the traces have long since returned to nature. At most, they may suspect some unknown, powerful interference, but they will find no definite evidence. In the end, this will only remain an unsolved mystery."