Working as a police officer in Mexico.

Chapter 739 Justice!!!
"Warning! Warning! Multiple batches of low-altitude, high-speed targets from multiple directions, number 12! Repeat, 12 aerial targets, bearing 270 to 310, altitude below 100 meters, speed 550 knots, distance 60 nautical miles, still approaching!"

The radar operator was somewhat nervous as he watched the screen suddenly fill with a dense array of red dots.

"Identification signal! It's a mixed formation of F/A-18 'Hornet' and F-16 'Fighting Falcon'! They took off from multiple inland airfields, using the folds of the coastline and islands for cover, and conducted an ultra-low-altitude penetration!" The intelligence officer quickly analyzed the data stream.

Rear Admiral Günther Lütjens's expression instantly turned serious, and he quickly issued an order over the communication channel: "Full fleet, prepare for the highest level of air defense combat!"

General Karl Dönitz's calm voice rang out over the internal communication system: "Maintain formation, trust your equipment and training, lads, show the Americans whose home ground is the ocean!"

The deck of the USS Tenochtitlan instantly became a hive of activity, with ground crew braving the strong sea winds to desperately push the remaining F-14 Tomcat fighters and F/A-18 Hornets toward their catapult positions in an attempt to scramble and intercept them.

But time has become the most luxurious thing.

"Enemy aircraft have entered the expected launch range of anti-ship missiles!" The weapons officer's warning sounded like a death knell.

Almost simultaneously, on the distant horizon, beneath the low-lying clouds, clusters of brief but dazzling flames suddenly lit up!

"Missile launch! Numerous active radar signals detected! AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles! At least... at least 24!"

Twenty-four Harpoon anti-ship missiles, like deadly poisoned arrows released from a bowstring, flew at an extremely low altitude of only a dozen meters above the sea surface, at a speed of nearly Mach 0.9, leaving faint trails of smoke as they drew deadly white contrails across the sea surface, and rushed toward the Mexican task force in a fan shape!
Electromagnetic interference has begun, attempting to disrupt the fleet's radar and create opportunities for missiles to penetrate defenses.

"Full fleet! Execute 'Cross Array' air defense maneuver! Electronic countermeasures systems at maximum power jamming! Initiate Standard Missile-2 Block IIIA and Sea Sparrow missile interception procedures! Quickly!" Lütjens' command was short and forceful.

The massive warships drew sharp, graceful white arcs across the sea, attempting to evade being locked on, while the core air defense capabilities of the fleet were pushed to their limits.

The destroyers USS Quautmoke and USS Sifivat once again became the mainstay, their Aegis systems acting like two powerful electronic brains, frantically calculating and allocating targets.

"VLS (Vertical Launch System) cells one through twenty-four, Standard Missile-2, saturation salvo! Now!"

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The MK-41 vertical launch system on the foredeck of the destroyer launched Standard-2 anti-aircraft missiles into the sky at an astonishing speed. Smoke and flames shrouded the bow. After taking off, the missiles quickly turned and pounced on their respective targets like agile hunting dogs.

The inner frigates, such as the Chimarpopoka (formerly FFG-37), were also launching improved Sea Sparrow point defense missiles, attempting to create a barrage along the final path of the anti-ship missiles.

The Standard Missile-2 traced a complex white path in the air before colliding head-on with the oncoming Harpoon missile.

"boom!!"

The first harpoon was detonated in mid-air about 15 kilometers from the West Fivaldt, sending fireballs flying and debris raining down into the sea.

Then came the second one, the third one...

Explosions rang out one after another in the sky outside the fleet, like festive cannon salutes, yet exuding an aura of death.

However, there were too many Harpoon missiles, and they employed complex terminal maneuvering evasion techniques.

One stray fish pierced through the medium-range air defense net and roared toward the "Chimalpopoka" frigate at a height almost touching the sea!
"Hard to port! Full speed! Collision avoidance!" the captain shouted hoarsely.

too late!
"Boom!!!"

A violent explosion occurred near the waterline on the starboard side of the ship. The enormous impact caused the 3,000-ton frigate to list sharply to starboard, flames shot into the sky, thick smoke billowed, and the damage alarm sounded shrilly.

"Our ship has been hit! The starboard engine room is flooding! Fire! Fire!"

"Damage control team! Move to starboard immediately!"

Meanwhile, the US attack aircraft group did not cease its operations.

After launching their Harpoon missiles, the remaining F/A-18s and F-16s rapidly climbed, like falcons breaking free of their restraints, and swooped down towards the USS Tenochtitlan! Under their wings, they carried deadly laser-guided bombs and AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missiles! The objective was clear: to cripple the fleet's command center!

"Enemy aircraft detected diving! Targeting our ship! Close-in weapon system, prepare!" The atmosphere in the control tower was almost frozen.

"Activate the Phalanx CIWS! Launch chaff and decoys!"

On both sides of the massive hull of the "Tenochtetland" multiple MK-15 "Phalanx" close-in weapon systems, their menacing six-barreled 20mm Vulcan cannons instantly raised, and the radars spun wildly.

"Whoosh whoosh-!"

Numerous chaff and infrared decoy flares were launched into the air, creating a false cloud of light around the warship.

The American pilots who were diving down were clearly experienced; they ignored interference and locked onto their targets firmly.

"For America!" A muffled roar came through the communication channel.

Two F/A-18s swooped down at almost a vertical angle toward the middle of the warship's flight deck, with laser-guided bombs already detached from their pylons under their wings!
"Phalanx! Open fire!"

"Thump thump thump thump thump—!"

The ear-piercing sound of high-speed gunfire rang out as several Phalanx CIWS spewed out deadly tongues of fire, forming a dense barrage that attempted to weave a web of death in the air.

Countless 20mm depleted uranium armor-piercing rounds rained down on the diving enemy aircraft and the falling bombs, like a shower of scorching iron.

An F/A-18 was hit directly during its dive, disintegrated in mid-air, and turned into a huge fireball.

The other bomb, despite being fiercely intercepted by the Phalanx CIWS, was detonated just tens of meters from the deck. The shockwave from the explosion overturned and tore apart several helicopters on the deck that had not been secured in time, sending debris flying and igniting a raging fire.

Several other F-16s took advantage of the chaos created by their teammates, flying low from different directions. A flash of fire appeared under their wings as AGM-65 Maverick missiles, trailing smoke, hurtled towards the island superstructure and its sides!

"Missile! Port!"

"Full right rudder!"

The warships were doing their utmost, albeit clumsy, evasive maneuvers.

A small missile flew past the island superstructure and shattered a radar antenna.

The other one slammed hard into the edge of the flight deck on the port side aft!

"boom!!"

The violent explosion once again shocked the entire warship. A huge hole was torn in the deck, and flames and thick smoke gushed out from the breach. Damage control team members braved the high temperatures and deadly smoke, desperately trying to control the fire with fire hoses.

"Report damage!"

"Port flight deck damaged! One elevator jammed! Fire in a compartment! Casualties... Casualties are being tallied!" Admiral Dönitz: "Order all fighters that can still take off to immediately scramble and seize air superiority. We cannot allow them to launch a second wave of attacks!"

The four F-14 Tomcat fighter jets that had been scrambled earlier, guided by the powerful AWACS (Airborne Early Warning and Control System), used the range advantage of their Phoenix missiles to launch a deadly surprise attack on the US aircraft group that was attempting to break away or reorganize their attack.

"Fox 3! Fox 3! (Radar-guided missile launch code)"

The AIM-54 Phoenix long-range air-to-air missile was launched from under the Tomcat's fuselage, burning with the flames of revenge, and hurtling towards the enemy aircraft in the distance.

Deathly fireworks erupted once more in the sky as two US F-16s attempting to turn were struck by the "Phoenix" without warning, turning into two falling fireballs.

The momentum of the US military's surprise attack was abruptly contained.

Seeing that the situation was hopeless and that fuel and ammunition were running low, the remaining U.S. Navy pilots cursed in frustration over the communications channel and began to leave the battlefield and retreat toward the coastline.

On the sea, the Mexican task force was badly damaged.

The frigate "Chimalpopoka" listed severely, and although the fire was brought under control, it had lost most of its combat capability.

Thick smoke billowed from the flight deck of the USS Tenochtitlan, where damage control personnel were still working tirelessly.

The other ships also sustained minor damage, with missile fragments and oil spills floating on the sea surface.

The smoke gradually dissipated with the sea breeze, but the air was still filled with the pungent smell of gunpowder and burning.

The alarm did not stop completely, but its intensity gradually decreased.

Admiral Karl Dönitz looked out of the observation window at the devastation on his own ships, then at the fading enemy aircraft in the distance. He slowly removed his hat and said in a deep voice to Lütjens, "Calculate the casualties, treat the wounded, assess the damage, and simultaneously send a telegram to Mexico City..."

He paused:

"Our fleet successfully thwarted a large-scale air attack by the US Air Force in the Gulf of Maine, shooting down enemy aircraft... 8 confirmed to have been shot down, and 3 suspected to have been shot down. Our fleet's 'Chimalpopoka' was severely damaged, and the 'Tenochteitland' and several other ships sustained minor damage. Casualties... are being tallied."

"Our fleet maintains its basic combat capability and will continue to carry out missions of covering landings and blockades."

"Tell the leaders, and tell the young men on shore, that the ocean is still in our hands."

Lütjens silently saluted and turned to carry out the order.

……

Inside the special train carriage.

Viktor held the telegram he had just received in his hand.

“I’ve finished reading Dönitz’s report,” Victor finally spoke, his voice a little hoarse. “The fleet has suffered considerable losses. The ‘Chimalpopoka’ is basically a wreck, and the deck of the warship is also damaged. The efficiency of carrier-based aircraft take-off and landing will be greatly reduced in the short term. The US military still has some resources; it cannot be underestimated.”

Whether the US military can fight or not, you should ask the 39th Army. When they clashed at Unsan, everyone was surprised. They thought, "Damn, the other side is so fierce."

If it were China, it would have collapsed long ago, but the US military managed to withstand the cut-off and even launch a counterattack from the spot, which shows its strong capabilities.

He tossed the telegram onto the table, leaned forward, and looked at Kennedy: "What does the Department of Defense mean? What does the General Staff mean? What's our next move? We can't keep at sea fighting the Americans at a loss; our resources can't compete with theirs."

Kennedy took a deep breath and pointed to an inconspicuous little dot on the northeastern coast of Maine.

"After an emergency simulation, the General Staff and the Ministry of Defense concluded that under the current circumstances, we must obtain a solid foothold on land. The mixed fleet needs rest and replenishment after this battle. Relying solely on naval guns and carrier-based aircraft to support the landing forces is becoming increasingly risky and inefficient."

He tapped his finger on the small island: "This is Machias Seal Island, located about 12 kilometers east of the coast of Maine and close to the Canadian province of New Brunswick. The island is currently a disputed island with no permanent residents and no clear administrative affiliation. Both the United States and Canada claim sovereignty over it, but neither has an actual military presence there. Only the Canadian Coast Guard occasionally patrols the island."

Kennedy emphasized, "The island has relatively flat and open terrain, allowing for the emergency construction of a simple runway suitable for C-130-class transport aircraft. Once we control the island, we can develop it into a forward logistics hub, an air transit station, and an electronic surveillance station."

"Our fighter jets can take off and land, refuel and load ammunition here, greatly shortening reaction time. Transport planes can directly transport supplies and personnel to the vicinity of the front line, reducing dependence on vulnerable sea transport. More importantly, we can deploy long-range rocket artillery and even tactical missiles here, with a range sufficient to cover the entire northern coastline of Maine and parts of the inland areas, greatly enhancing our ability and sustainability to deliver firepower from the shore."

Casare nodded in agreement and added, "Boss, Secretary Kennedy's analysis makes a lot of sense. We're like fighting on someone else's doorstep. No matter how far you can throw your punches, if your footing isn't firm, you're doomed. Maquias Seal Island is a foothold that will allow us to gain a foothold. But..."

"The risks are equally enormous. Although the island is unclaimed, it is still part of the North American continental shelf, and Canada has always considered it its own. If we were to send troops to occupy it, it would be a direct challenge to Canada's sovereignty claim. Ottawa will certainly not stand idly by; protests are inevitable, and more likely, they will change their current relatively neutral stance. They might even take direct action under pressure from the United States or due to their own security concerns. At that point, we will face joint pressure from both the United States and Canada."

Viktor habitually pulled out a Marlboro, but instead of lighting it immediately, he just held it in his hand and twirled it repeatedly.

The only sounds in the carriage were the noise of the train and the faint rustling of Victor's fingers as he rubbed his cigar. Kennedy and Casare both knew this was a habit of the leaders when they were deep in thought and weighing options.

About two minutes later, Viktor turned around abruptly, his hesitation replaced by determination. He struck a match, lit his cigar, took a deep drag, and thick smoke slowly billowed from his mouth and nose.

"I approve."

He looked at Kennedy and Casare: "We must create a fait accompli before the Americans, especially the Canadians, can react! By the time they're making a fuss and protesting, our bulldozers and engineers will already be on the island building the runway!"

"Tell the lads that there might be slight resistance from the Canadian Coast Guard. Avoid firing first, but if they forcibly obstruct you, use all necessary means to remove the interference and ensure the occupation is completed! I'll take responsibility!"

"Yes, leader!" Kennedy immediately stood up at attention, a mixture of excitement and seriousness flashing across his face.

Viktor strolled back to his seat, exhaled a smoke ring, and continued, "After landing, immediately begin constructing a makeshift runway, radar station, and fortifications. We must be prepared to fight a protracted war of attrition at sea and in the air with the US military, and possibly even the Canadian military. Magias Island is our nail driven into the doorway of the North Atlantic!"

"At the same time, let Lunacharski hold another press conference to announce to the global media."

"The fundamental purpose of all Mexican military operations is not to occupy American territory, but to respond to the blood-soaked cries of our compatriots! We only want justice! We once again urge, and are willing to give, the US government one last chance to immediately take concrete and effective action to severely punish all the thugs and derelict officials in Maine who participated in the atrocities and whose hands are stained with the blood of Mexican citizens, to completely disband those extremist militias, to pay full compensation to the families of our victims, and to issue a public apology!"

"If the United States can do these things and demonstrate sufficient sincerity and action, the Mexican military will immediately cease all military operations and withdraw its troops from Maine and related waters in an orderly manner! We yearn for peace, but we yearn for justice even more!"

Casare understood immediately and wrote it down.

He knew that this statement was intended for the international community, and also to further divide the United States internally, and to continue to put pressure on the beleaguered Washington authorities.

While occupying strategic locations, he also raised the banner of "morality," which is Viktor's consistent style.

The US won't actually arrest anyone.

beat!
We'll see just how capable India really is.

……

(End of this chapter)