The deafening explosion echoed through the night sky as flames engulfed parts of the South China Sea. The B-21 bombers had successfully broken through the Chinese carrier strike group’s defenses, delivering precise strikes. While some missiles were intercepted by the fleet’s air defense systems, others found their marks, causing severe damage.
“Shandong has been hit! Damage control teams are responding!”
“Fires reported in Section Three! Firefighting teams are engaged!”
The communications channel was filled with frantic voices. The fleet continued its high-speed maneuvers, trying to reorganize its formation to mitigate further strikes, while the Thunderhawk squadron made its way back to the carrier, carrying the remnants of its force.
Song Xu clenched his fists tightly, his mind replaying every decision made in battle. Every maneuver, every missile launch, every tactical judgment… They could have detected the enemy’s deception earlier. They could have adjusted their strategy sooner. But now, it was too late.
“Thunderhawk Squadron, prepare for landing. The deck is ready.” The comms officer’s voice came through his headset, but the suffocating silence in the cockpit remained.
As the fighter jet touched down on the flight deck, Song Xu unbuckled his harness and slammed his helmet onto the console. Through the canopy, he saw the frantic movements of the deck crew, the smoldering wreckage of damaged aircraft, the grim expressions on the sailors’ faces. Every detail screamed one undeniable truth—they had lost, and they had lost badly.
Stepping off his aircraft, he found Admiral Zhang Wei waiting. The admiral’s expression was unreadable, but his sharp gaze burned with barely restrained fury.
“What are the results?” Zhang’s voice was low, carrying an unmistakable weight.
“Mission failed,” Song Xu replied, his voice steady but heavy. “The B-21 bombers broke through our blockade and carried out their strike on the carrier group. Thunderhawk Squadron lost three aircraft. Two pilots are still missing.”
Zhang’s brows furrowed, his fists clenching at his sides.
“The enemy’s tactics?”
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“They were prepared.” Shen Xue spoke up, her tone grim. “The F-35I fighters provided layered cover, the B-21 bombers masked their approach using electronic warfare, and the MQ-25 drones reinforced their jamming efforts. Our assault was detected too early, and our electronic warfare systems weren’t strong enough to break through their interference. The entire battle shifted against us almost immediately.”
“And…” Song Xu hesitated for a moment before continuing. “They used the B-21’s stealth advantage to lure us into a kill zone. By the time we realized it, it was too late to adjust.”
Zhang was silent for a moment before he exhaled slowly. “The U.S. military’s tactics are far more sophisticated than we expected. This battle is a wake-up call.”
Meanwhile, aboard the USS Washington, the U.S. Navy’s command center was already conducting a tactical debrief.
Night Owl One, the F-35I squadron leader, entered the briefing room with a slight smirk. Despite the intensity of the battle, their plan had worked. Not only had they completed their bombing mission, but they had also successfully weakened China’s fighter force.
Colonel John Graham, the mission commander, stood at the war table, reviewing the tactical data on the screen.
“The F-35I’s cover operations played a crucial role,” Night Owl One reported. “They put up a hell of a fight, but they underestimated our electronic warfare superiority. By the time they realized they were in a trap, they were already finished.”
Graham nodded, tapping his fingers against the table. “The B-21’s stealth capability has proven its worth again. Their forces struggled to locate our bombers in time. That means their counter-stealth technology still has gaps.”
“However…” One of the tactical analysts interjected. “The Chinese Air Force performed better than we initially expected. Their reaction time was fast, and the Thunderhawk Squadron nearly broke through our blockade. If their electronic warfare capabilities had been stronger, we might have suffered heavier losses.”
Graham’s expression hardened. “This mission was a success, but we can’t afford complacency. They are already adjusting their strategies. The next time we face them, they won’t make the same mistakes.”
Night Owl One leaned against the table, his tone thoughtful. “Their greatest strength is their pilots. Unlike us, who operate within a structured tactical framework, they rely on instinct and improvisation, which makes them unpredictable in close combat.”
“But they also have a clear weakness,” Graham said, a small smirk playing at his lips. “They rely too heavily on pre-planned strategies. Once we break their formation, it takes them longer to recover. That’s where we strike.”
The tactical meeting continued, with U.S. commanders formulating their next move.
Graham gestured toward the display. “We can’t give them time to regroup. Next, we execute the ‘Hunter-Killer Strategy’—F-35I squadrons will launch preemptive strikes, actively seeking out and eliminating their fighter formations before they can organize another counterattack.”
“We’ll also intensify our electronic warfare efforts.” An EW specialist added. “This time, EA-18G and MQ-25 drones proved our superiority. In the next battle, we will escalate our jamming operations, completely cutting them off from battlefield awareness.”
Night Owl One nodded. “We’ll give them no breathing room. Their next move will likely be an attempt to retaliate against our battle group, but by then, we’ll have already crippled their air power.”
Graham’s gaze swept across the room, his tone resolute. “Next time, we’re not just repelling them—we’re dismantling their ability to fight back.”
Back on the Washington, U.S. commanders finalized their new operational plan.
Meanwhile, aboard the Shandong, Song Xu and his team braced for the challenges ahead.
The waves of the South China Sea remained restless. The shadow of war had not lifted, and a greater storm was fast approaching.