Invasion of the United States

"This isn't easy, not at all. It means the other side is very strong."

Bell scratched his head, turned and walked to the window. The sea breeze seeped through the cracks, chilling his face.

He clenched his fists, a thought churning in his mind: "If the goods are lost, those generals can protect themselves, but what about me? Who would care for a runner like me?"

He spat out a breath forcefully, his gaze darkly sweeping over the bridge, "No, I need to find a way to talk to 'Xiao' again. I can't lose the goods for nothing, at least I need to get something back."

In the corner of the bridge, his deputy cautiously glanced at him and asked in a low voice, "Captain, should we adjust the speed and slow down a bit?"

Bell waved his hand, replying irritably, "What's the use of slowing down? We're in the middle of the ocean, where can we go?" After speaking, he scratched his beard again, "Bring me the cargo list of the ship to take a look."

-----------------

Xiao Jinlang had just slept for a little over an hour when an intelligence officer woke him up. It was a call from Bell on the 'Watson', "How big is your ship? Can you take more cargo?"

Old Xiao sat up from his bunk, countless thoughts racing through his mind. He didn't rush to answer but instead asked in a deep voice, "What other goods do you have?"

After a while, Bell sent over an encrypted cargo list.

Old Xiao opened it and his pupils constricted sharply; he almost couldn't stop himself from cursing out loud: "Damn, those US Military bastards are incredibly bold, smuggling so much stuff!"

The list of contraband was far more than the ten heavy trucks Zhou Qingfeng had, it was a full page. The most numerous items were cigarettes and high-end liquor — several full containers.

Brands ranging from Marlboro to Hennessy.

These items are easy to procure and high in market demand, especially in countries with extremely high tariffs, turning a quick profit at low risk.

Old Xiao felt amused, "This business is quite smooth."

But he didn't have time to marvel, as the next item on the list made his heart skip a beat — "Scrapped F135 aircraft engines."

Old Xiao's eyes widened, reading that line over and over, thinking to himself, "This stuff can be sold too?"

Social media criticized this engine's thrust-weight ratio of only 6.7, without even understanding the difference between the core and the whole engine.

One must have basic respect for a mortal enemy — a single unit that can push a 32-ton F35C to supersonic speed means the engine's performance cannot be weak.

The cargo list had a note, the buyer was "Mitsubishi Heavy Industries" — the little Japanese who developed the failed 'Heart Spirit', secretly stealing America's treasure.

Old Xiao couldn't help but laugh, "Still thievish, these little devils."

Looking further down, another heavyweight item caught his eye — a plasma dry etching machine from American 'Lam Research'.

This device is specially designed for high-speed multi-layer stack memory, a cutting-edge tool in chip manufacturing. The buyer wasn't listed, only a contact for delivery.

Old Xiao instantly judged it was 'Samsung' of South Korea making the purchase secretly. He murmured, "The US dad is even guarding against its own dog, holding tightly to its treasures."

This equipment is subject to export restrictions. For Samsung to obtain it legally, it requires multiple layers of approval from US Congress institutions.

'Lam Research' also wants to export, make money, and find buyers, hence such private transactions take place.

The list went on, with all sorts of goods making Old Xiao dizzy. Military optical lenses wanted by the Russians, chemical materials eyed by the North Koreans.

Even recoverable rocket technology that India was thinking of — the list prominently included two 'Merlin-1D' rocket engines that should have been destroyed.

These engines are SpaceX's treasures, supporting multiple ignitions, and essential for rocket recovery. This соntеnt оriginаtеs frоm М1VLЕМРYR, Мy Virtuаl Librаry Еmpirе.

Old Xiao touched his chin, secretly mocking, "With India's industrial level, they want to steal the technology? Even if they get the real thing, they can't replicate it."

For Bell, the cigarettes and liquor were his and his partners' goods; they couldn't be thrown into the sea. As long as 'Xiao' was willing to help transport or buy them, the other goods would be given for free.

Otherwise, they could only be discarded.

Old Xiao didn't dare make a decision on this, he could only report through the ship's encrypted communications and let the leaders decide.

Hours later, the decision was made — help Bell transfer or buy his goods. Building good relations with him, this line might be useful in the future.

When Old Xiao replied, indicating a willingness to be friends and accept the goods, Bell was overjoyed, "Great, wonderful, my cigarettes and liquor are saved."

-----------------

Early the next morning, Japanese media first dropped a bombshell — NHK's headline news featured bold, prominent writing: "Chinese and US carrier battle groups confront in Guam waters, situation suddenly tense!"

The news spread like wildfire, instantly igniting global public opinion.

The footage cut to shots from a P-3C reconnaissance plane, on the Pacific Ocean east of Guam, the morning mist had not yet cleared, the carrier fleet of 'Dongda' was advancing at high speed.

The gray silhouettes of the warships were faintly visible on the horizon.

Ground personnel in orange vests scurried busily. Several carrier-based aircraft were neatly lined up in the preparation area on the deck.

The engine nozzles spewed out orange flames off the ship's side, testing before takeoff, then transitioning to the runway, waiting for the blast deflector to rise.

In the distance, the escorting 052D destroyers conducted aerial defense, the bow cutting through the waves, the splashes glittering in the sunlight, resembling an unsheathed sword.

As for the 055, it was already hundreds of nautical miles away, directly facing the opponent.

The footage shifted again, the US 'Reagan' carrier strike group seemed unwilling to be outdone, the carrier-based F-35Cs soared into the sky like a pack of hunting eagles, their wings slicing through the thin fog, leaving behind white trails.