The night sky over the South China Sea resembled a vast, dark battlefield, illuminated only by the fiery trails of missiles and the bursts of explosions breaking through the clouds. The scent of burnt metal permeated the air, as if the entire sky was groaning in agony. The battle had raged for nearly thirty minutes, and now, the most lethal strike was about to unfold.
Song Xu took a deep breath, his grip tightening around the control stick, his flight gloves soaked with sweat. Despite the cockpit’s climate control keeping the temperature stable, his back was drenched. A hint of nervousness, a trace of anxiety, but above all—rage.
They had fought their way through the F-35I’s defenses, destroyed the electronic warfare aircraft, and even gained a temporary advantage in the dogfight. Yet, the real threat—the U.S. B-21 stealth bombers—continued to advance, undeterred.
“Thunderhawk Squadron, full speed ahead! Target: B-21 bomber formation!”
Song Xu’s voice was firm and unwavering. Exhausted as he was, he remained completely composed. Shen Xue’s fighter slid into position beside him, her HUD flashing battlefield data, the red threat markers drawing ever closer.
“This is the grand finale,” Shen Xue said coldly. She knew just as well—there was no room for failure.
Inside the U.S. Command Center, aboard the USS Washington, tactical screens flickered with data from the Chinese fighters. The bombers were less than thirty kilometers from their drop point, and U.S. pilots felt their heart rates spike.
“All F-35I units, initiate final defensive protocol! Ensure the B-21s breach the blockade!”
Colonel Graham’s voice echoed through the command channels as fighters swiftly adjusted their formations, reconstructing the tactical barrier. His expression was grim as his eyes scanned the display.
“They’re exhausted, while we still have combat strength. They can’t stop us.”
Night Owl One’s voice came through the squadron’s comms. “All units, stall them at any cost!”
“They may stop the first wave, but they won’t stop the second.”
The battle turned into a race against time.
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The Thunderhawk squadron, afterburners blazing, surged toward the B-21 bombers at supersonic speed. They had only minutes left—if the bombers reached their release point, the Chinese carrier battle group would be doomed.
Yet, the U.S. tactics remained formidable.
Four F-35I fighters swiftly spread out into a cross-interception formation—not to attack, but to form a containment net, forcing the Thunderhawk squadron to slow down. Any delay meant the B-21s would complete their mission unimpeded.
“They’re stalling for time!”
Song Xu instantly saw through the ploy. Switching to squad comms, he shouted,
“Thunderhawk Squadron, execute ‘Lightning Breakthrough’! Ignore the F-35Is—push straight through to the B-21s!”
Shen Xue murmured, “This is a suicide tactic. If we don’t finish them before they react—”
“Then we’re already dead,” Song Xu replied coldly.
“Target locked! Missile away!”
A PL-15 long-range air-to-air missile detached from the pylon, slicing through the night sky toward the B-21 formation.
But in an instant, an F-35I abruptly dived into the missile’s trajectory at high speed, deliberately intercepting it.
Boom!
The explosion lit up the sky—the U.S. fighter had sacrificed itself to shield the bomber!
“They’re insane!” Shen Xue gasped.
“They’re more ruthless than we thought.” Song Xu clenched his teeth. He saw the F-35I pilot eject just before impact. Clearly, the U.S. forces had anticipated this and prepared for casualties.
“F-35I successfully intercepted! B-21s proceeding with the mission!”
Inside the U.S. command center, Colonel Graham’s expression remained unreadable as he watched the unfolding battle. His voice was steady, but carried an overwhelming pressure.
“We underestimated their response capability. But now, there’s nothing left to fear. B-21s, prepare to drop payload.”
“We have to try again!”
Song Xu made a split-second decision. Pushing the throttle forward, his fighter dove at a sharp angle, slicing into the B-21’s flight path. This time, he chose a PL-10E short-range missile.
“Target locked. Fire!”
The missile roared off its rail at Mach 4.5, streaking straight toward the lead B-21.
The U.S. bomber pilot desperately pulled the nose up, attempting to evade, but B-21s were designed for stealth and payload capacity—not agility.
Boom!
The B-21 took a direct hit, flames erupting as it spiraled downward, crashing into the sea below.
Yet, one remaining bomber had already entered the drop zone.
“Target locked, commencing payload release!”
Cruise missiles deployed from the B-21’s bomb bay, skimming the ocean surface as they streaked toward the Chinese carrier battle group.
“Intercept those missiles! Now!”
The Thunderhawk squadron frantically adjusted course, racing to shoot them down. HQ-9 air defense missiles launched from the carrier, forming an intricate web of fire in a desperate attempt to halt the attack.
But the U.S. missiles were using stealth penetration tactics—and one broke through the defensive net.
“Direct hit on Shandong!”
The radio crackled with the urgent transmission. Explosions rocked the carrier’s deck.
The battle ended in silence.
The Thunderhawk squadron, their aircraft battered and scarred, made their way back to the carrier. Ground crews rushed to provide aid, but the weight of defeat was evident on everyone’s faces.
They had won the air battle, yet lost the war’s turning point.
Admiral Zhang Wei stood on the command deck, staring at the damage reports, his expression heavy.
Song Xu removed his helmet, exhaling deeply as he gazed at the dark sky.
“Next time, we won’t fail.”
The fleet was left in solemn reflection.
The war had only just begun.