The first light of dawn slowly spread across the South China Sea, casting a soft glow over the battle-scarred waters. The surface shimmered under the rising sun, but the sea was no longer tranquil. The acrid stench of burnt metal still lingered in the air. On the deck of the carrier, ground crews worked frantically to repair damaged aircraft, firefighters struggled to extinguish the remaining flames, and medical teams raced to treat the wounded.
The Thunderhawk squadron had successfully intercepted most of the B-21 stealth bombers, but one had managed to complete its bombing run.
Despite the air defense system’s full efforts to intercept, some of the U.S. cruise missiles had still broken through. The Shandong had suffered a direct hit. The right side of its deck was severely damaged, and the hull near the ammunition storage area had cracked from the impact. There were multiple casualties among the crew. For the first time, China’s carrier battle group had suffered a devastating blow.
Song Xu descended from his fighter, his body heavy with exhaustion. He removed his helmet and took a deep breath. His muscles ached, his nerves were stretched to the limit, and the echoes of battle still replayed in his mind. They had fought with everything they had, yet still, they had failed.
Shen Xue had also landed. Her aircraft was riddled with bullet holes, its scorched fuselage bearing the scars of battle. She pulled off her oxygen mask and exhaled sharply, frustration and fatigue evident in her eyes.
“Why… did they still manage to drop their bombs?”
“Their tactics were too well-developed. From the very beginning, we were playing by their tempo.” Song Xu’s voice was low, his hands trembling slightly. Whether it was from the strain of high-G maneuvers or the anger of defeat, he could not tell.
On the command bridge, Admiral Zhang Wei stood behind the reinforced glass, surveying the battlefield’s aftermath. His brows were furrowed. This was the first major combat loss China’s carrier battle group had suffered since its inception.
“They’ve figured out our operational style.”
In the war room, holographic screens projected the battle replay. Tactical analysts dissected every aspect of the engagement—electronic warfare suppression, the F-35I ambush, the B-21’s precise strike. Each layer of their strategy had been executed with seamless coordination, making it nearly impossible for the Thunderhawk squadron to secure a complete victory.
“If we don’t adjust our tactics soon, the next U.S. attack will completely dismantle our air force.”
Zhang Wei’s voice was calm, but the weight behind each word was suffocating.
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Meanwhile, on the USS Washington, the atmosphere in the U.S. command center was entirely different.
Colonel Graham stood before the tactical display, slowly removing his cap. After reviewing the battle results, he let out a faint chuckle.
“We won.”
“Two B-21s and several F-35Is were lost, but the bombing mission was successful.”
“The Shandong was effectively hit, meaning their combat capability has been severely weakened.”
The tactical analysts adjusted the screen. “Satellite reconnaissance confirms the Chinese carrier battle group is in defensive mode. They’ll need time to repair their carrier, which means we now have full strategic control of the battlefield.”
Night Owl One stood before the screen, his eyes narrowing as he reviewed the Thunderhawk squadron’s combat footage. He let out a small scoff.
“They’re tougher than we thought. But they made a mistake.”
“They’re still relying on traditional air combat doctrine, while our tactics have already evolved beyond their response capabilities.”
Graham nodded. “They’re skilled pilots, but their tactical framework is too dependent on single-unit engagements. In the next battle, if we intensify our multi-domain coordinated assault, they won’t have a single chance to turn the tide.”
Lieutenant Colonel Thomson, the electronic warfare expert, tapped on the holographic display. “And let’s not forget, our electronic warfare systems still dominate the battlespace. Even if they find weak points, they cannot overturn the battlefield advantage.”
“Our next step is to **execute ‘Operation Thor’s Wrath’.”
Graham’s voice was measured. “This time, the objective isn’t to wear them down—it’s to annihilatetheir carrier battle group so they can never again pose a threat.”
The officers in the U.S. command center all turned toward the screen. They were no longer satisfied with air superiority—they wanted total strategic dominance.
The war had just begun.
“Next time, we must win.”
Song Xu stared at the tactical screen, his gaze cold.
The Chinese military’s tactical analysis team had already begun reviewing the battle. They had to find a way to counter the U.S. strategy. If they failed to adapt, they might not even have another chance to intercept the B-21s.
“Our electronic warfare capabilities are still our greatest weakness,” Shen Xue said bitterly. “If we could disrupt the F-35I’s data link, we could isolate and eliminate them one by one.”
Zhang Wei nodded. “We can’t keep fighting reactively. We need to seize the initiative.”
“The core of the U.S. strategy is multi-layered coordinated attacks. To break their system, we must deceive them—force them into miscalculations.”
The tactical officers quickly pulled up a new battle plan. “If we deploy decoy UAVs to generate false radar signatures, combined with tactical feints, we can lure them into a trap and counterattack from unexpected angles.”
“We need a counteroffensive operation.”
Night fell again, the South China Sea winds howling across the battered fleet. The smoke of battle had yet to fully disperse, but new tactical plans were already taking shape.
China’s navy was no longer just waiting to be attacked. They were preparing to strike back.
The U.S. was finalizing ‘Operation Thor’s Wrath’, while the Chinese air force was launching its own ‘Counterstrike Initiative’.
The skies over the South China Sea would soon be engulfed in battle once again.
The true showdown was only just beginning.