Invasion of America

Chapter 121 Execution
Thirty-six hours after the fire broke out, a U.S. Navy spokesperson solemnly announced that the fire on the USS Ford was completely out of control and that an emergency evacuation was underway at Norfolk Naval Base.

This is the world's largest naval base, with fourteen piers and eleven hangars. The base includes one naval station, one amphibious base, and two naval air stations.

It can accommodate more than 120 ships and handle 300,000 to 400,000 sorties of fighter jets. The shipyard that accompanies it is the largest in the US military.

If an explosion were to occur, the loss would not be just of the USS Ford, which cost tens of billions of dollars to build, but of the base itself, which cost over a hundred billion dollars. That would be a heavy blow to the U.S. Navy.

In order to prevent the USS Ford from threatening the entire base, Admiral Alvin made a brilliant decision—to blow up the hull, creating several large holes and pouring seawater directly into the fire in an attempt to control the blaze.

At the same time, a dozen or so high-powered tugboats roared with a deep rumble, their thick cables taut.

They cut the thick anchor chains connecting the aircraft carrier to the dock, attempting to tow the behemoth away from the shore and move it to open water further away for disposal, hoping to limit the disaster to a minimum.

But harsh reality proved that blowing up the ship's sides was an absolutely terrible and incredibly stupid idea.

The explosion tore through the sturdy steel plates, leaving several gruesome wounds on the hull, like opening several huge "ventilation windows" and "chimneys".

A large amount of air rushed into the ship's interior, as if injecting new energy into the raging flames.

Before the firefighters could cover the fire with their fire-extinguishing foam, the flames that were already burning fiercely inside the ship suddenly expanded within a few dozen seconds, fueled by the fresh air.

The flames greedily licked at everything around them, releasing massive amounts of high temperature while the resulting air currents roared.

At this moment, a large number of media helicopters and private yachts have gathered around Norfolk Harbor, drawing global attention to this supercarrier.

Hundreds of millions of viewers witnessed an unbelievable catastrophic scene through the live broadcast—at 3:25 p.m., the high temperature finally ignited thousands of tons of JP-5 aviation fuel stored inside the USS Ford.

In an instant, the 'Ford', billowing thick smoke, was engulfed by a huge orange-red fireball, like an angry sun exploding on the sea.

The massive 100,000-ton ship emitted a deafening roar, and a visible supersonic shockwave emanated from the center of the explosion, creating a clear circular wave on the calm sea surface that rapidly spread outwards.

Huge waves surged on the sea surface, and the rescue ships surrounding the aircraft carrier rocked violently like toys, emitting a tooth-grinding creaking sound.

People in the distance first saw the blinding flash and the rapidly expanding fireball, and then heard the earth-shattering roar that made their eardrums buzz.

The Ford was towed less than 100 meters from the dock when the shockwave from the explosion rushed towards the dock like a wild horse.

The scorching heatwave acted like an invisible wall, instantly overturning hundreds of rescue workers and various vehicles to the ground, scattering them like fragile stage sets.

The fire pump truck, weighing over ten tons, was thrown into the air by the shockwave, tracing twisted arcs before crashing heavily to the ground in the distance, turning into a pile of twisted scrap metal.

As for those unfortunate rescue workers, under the combined effects of high pressure and high temperature, their bodies were instantly torn apart, turning into a blurry blood mist and disappearing without a trace.

The media helicopter pilots, circling in the sky, desperately increased their throttle, trying to escape this death trap, but it was too late.

The immense heat released by the aircraft carrier's internal aviation fuel successfully breached the thick armor protection of the ammunition depot. Thousands of tons of ammunition stored in the core area were completely detonated, emitting an even more terrifying series of explosions.

First came a burst of flame, followed by an even more violent explosion!

The 100,000-ton steel behemoth was as if it had been lifted from the sea by an invisible hand.

Huge flames erupted like a volcanic eruption, forming an even larger mushroom cloud, and a more powerful shockwave swept outwards like a roaring tsunami.

The USS Ford was shattered into pieces in the violent explosion, with countless fragments flying into the sky like a shower of flowers and falling into the sea like a torrential rain, splashing water high into the sky.

Buildings and ships within a radius of several kilometers trembled violently from the aircraft carrier's explosion, and all doors and windows were instantly torn apart by the shockwave, making a crackling sound.

Thick, black smoke billowed into the sky like a dragon breaking free from its restraints, rapidly spreading outwards and blotting out the sun.

The people inside the base ran around like headless flies, their terrified screams and desperate wails intertwining to create an apocalyptic scene.

The helicopters that were fleeing frantically in the sky were not spared either.

The violent airflow slammed against their fuselages, and the fragile rotors twisted and deformed in the raging air currents, emitting an unsettling metallic tearing sound.

Like flies being swatted in mid-air, helicopters made muffled "smack" sounds before losing control and crashing into the ground or sea, leaving behind black dots of debris.

The largest U.S. Navy base has become a living hell.
-
Before the USS Ford exploded, Admiral Alvin had already left Norfolk Naval Base, trying to get away from that nightmarish disaster.

But back at the Pentagon, the symbol of power and decision-making, he was like an insect trapped in a spider's web, forced to face endless bureaucratic wrangling meetings.

The supercarrier was mysteriously destroyed in the fire, and the resulting shockwave swept through the entire military system like a tsunami.

All the bureaucrats knew perfectly well that a scapegoat had to be found as soon as possible, otherwise no one could bear the raging fury.

A distress call came from the Norfolk Naval Base, claiming that the two A1B pressurized water reactors on the USS Ford had suffered devastating damage in the explosion.

The risk of radiation leakage hung like a Damocles' sword over their heads, yet the lengthy meetings yielded no substantial progress other than endless arguments and finger-pointing.

"Dick, help me contact Congress and arrange a suitable time and place."

General Alvin rubbed his temples wearily behind his desk. He didn't specify which congressman he wanted to meet, only emphasizing the word "appropriate."

As his longtime personal adjutant, Lieutenant Colonel Dick understood this perfectly.

The general was trying to evade the Pentagon's ubiquitous surveillance by secretly meeting with several members of Congress with whom he had close ties, and making some behind-the-scenes deals in order to protect himself.

"Yes, sir." Lieutenant Colonel Dick replied expressionlessly, turned back to his desk, and began making phone calls to make arrangements.

But while he was busy, he would occasionally look up and glance coldly at the closed door of the general's office, his expression dark and uncertain.

Just hours before the USS Ford exploded, Lieutenant Colonel Dick secretly met with Harden, the head of the Efficiency Department, who was supposed to have died in the crash, on an inconspicuous yacht outside the port.

Not only is Harden alive and well, but through his extensive network of connections, he has confirmed that the meticulously planned plane crash was indeed orchestrated by General Alvin.

When they met, Harden's conditions were simple and direct.

Lieutenant Colonel Dick had two choices: become a mole, providing information on General Alvin's whereabouts and receiving a huge reward to escape; or choose to remain loyal and ultimately fall into an abyss of no return with General Alvin.

As for Harden himself, he has already secretly reconnected with the Vice President, and the Secret Service will be fully responsible for his future security. His revenge against General Alvin is also part of his plan.

For soldiers, choices are often ruthless and swift.

Faced with two equally dangerous options, Lieutenant Colonel Dick chose to "protect himself" and abandoned Admiral Alvin, this shaky "wrecked ship." So... when Admiral Alvin wearily left the Pentagon and boarded a helicopter to a yacht on the Potomac River, he was not met by members of Congress, but by a face full of mockery and sarcasm.

"Harden, you're still alive?" Admiral Alvin's voice was filled with disbelief and shock. "You...you shouldn't be..."

Compared to warships that weigh thousands of tons, a yacht weighing two or three hundred tons is a tiny, insignificant thing.

The interior of the boat is decorated in a low-key yet luxurious style. In the center of the more than 30-square-meter reception room, there is an exquisite round table, where several guests with different expressions are already seated.

"Should I be dead?"

Zhou Qingfeng appeared as 'Harden', leaning lazily against the leather chair, casually pointing to an empty seat next to the table, and commanding in a superior tone, "General Alvin, please sit down."

General Alvin's sudden appearance surprised the guests present, who all turned their heads in surprise and inquiry.

The admiral instantly realized he had fallen into a carefully laid trap. Without hesitation, he turned to leave the dangerous yacht.

Instead of protecting the general, Lieutenant Colonel Dick, who had been by his side the whole time, grabbed his arm tightly and stopped him from moving.

Standing behind Zhou Qing was a burly, fierce-looking man, Ernst from the "Ministry of Health," who had now become "Harden's" number one enforcer.

He grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth and a threatening smile, and roughly shoved General Alvin forward, pinning him to his seat.

At that moment, General Alvin finally understood what had happened. He whirled around, his eyes blazing as he glared at his adjutant behind him, his voice trembling with rage: "Dick, you...you betrayed me!"

He whirled around, his gaze sharp as a poisoned arrow, glaring menacingly at Zhou Qingfeng, who sat at the head of the table. "Harden, what do you think you're doing?! I'm a four-star general; kidnapping me is a serious crime!"

On Zhou Qingfeng's other side, Deborah methodically set up a portable camera and a small projection screen, her movements skillful and swift.

The screen flickered, gradually revealing the iconic, stately backdrop of the "White House" oval office.

Soon, the figure of the "country bumpkin" vice president appeared in the center of the screen. He glanced at everyone present expressionlessly, and finally locked his gaze on General Alvin, who was being roughly pressed down into a chair.

The general has refused to submit ever since he was brought here. He struggles violently like a trapped beast, shouting at the top of his lungs and desperately calling for help, trying to assert his status.

Only when the powerful vice president appeared on the screen did he fall silent, like a rooster being choked, his voice tinged with hope and intense questioning:

"Your Excellency, I need an explanation! What... what was the purpose of this gathering?!"

On the projection screen, the vice president, his face ashen, said in an icy tone, "Harden, I don't like this guy. Don't let me see him again."

Zhou Qingfeng nodded slightly upon hearing this.

Ernst, having received instructions, grinned maliciously, bent his arm, tightened his grip on General Alvin's neck, and his knuckles cracked.

General Alvin had originally wanted to ask for clarification, but instead, he received a death sentence.

He let out another painful roar, his hands flailing wildly, trying to pry open the iron clamp-like arms, his legs kicking wildly, making clanging sounds, but he couldn't budge them an inch.

Upon seeing this, the faces of the "guests" present changed drastically, and they cried out in alarm, "Harden, stop! Stop it! You're going to make a terrible mistake!"

"Your Excellency, this is murder! Alvin is a four-star general, a national hero. You cannot simply carry out this lynching!"
Whatever the problems, we can sit down and negotiate to find a satisfactory solution!

"What the hell are you lunatics doing?! Are you trying to intimidate us by murdering a high-ranking military officer?!"

I will never associate with you! I'm leaving this place; I'm reporting your atrocities to higher authorities! No one can stop me!

These "guests" were clearly extremely uneasy and fearful of the violent scene before them, but the only one who dared to strongly object and get up to try to leave was Assistant Attorney General Pam Randy from the Department of Justice.

Zhou Qingfeng's reaction was quite decisive. He showed no leniency and had no intention of letting anyone leave. He grabbed a pistol from the table, aimed it at the assistant minister's head, and pulled the trigger without hesitation.

With a soft 'bang', it was a small .22 caliber pistol. The sound was deep and the power was small, but the bullet accurately hit the target's right temple.

That's the most vulnerable area of ​​the skull; it's very easy for it to break with a heavy blow. The target fell to the ground with a thud after being shot.

Bright red blood quickly spread across the floor.

The entire reception room fell into a deathly silence. The "guests" who had just been shouting were frozen in place, staring dumbfounded at the lifeless body on the ground, their hands and feet turning cold.

Even Ernst, who was carrying out the execution, couldn't help but gasp.

He had seen countless ruthless superiors, but Zhou Qingfeng's casual and decisive execution of a high-ranking government official was truly chilling.

Zhou Qingfeng put down his gun, picked up the walkie-talkie on the table, and calmly called out, "Cervantes, bring your men in to collect the body."

Not long after, the muscular Cervantes appeared with two Mexican-American men. They glanced indifferently at the scene, already unfazed by the corpses on the ground.

He skillfully opened the black body bag in his hand, dragged the body inside, and began to clean up the bloodstains on the ground with deft movements.

Zhou Qingfeng's gaze did not linger on the corpse for a moment. He turned his head, his sharp eyes sweeping over the pale-faced "guests" present, like a sharp blade.

"Gentlemen, weren't you all so righteous and awe-inspiring just now? Why have you all become mute now?"
Do you want me to read out all your shady dealings from the past, one by one? Or are you panicking because you're not used to this kind of direct, high-pressure approach?

On the projection screen, the Vice President's voice rang out again, praising, "Harden, you did a great job. There's no need to show any mercy to those who don't listen to you."

I only care about the results. Anyone who dares to resist will be eliminated! I have an important meeting to attend, and the final decision rests with you.

The call with the 'White House' ended there, and the yacht's living room fell into a suffocating silence once again.

Only General Alvin's face had turned purplish-red, his bloodshot eyes were almost bulging out of their sockets, his struggles were getting weaker and weaker, and he was making indistinct sobs.

On the other end of the network, in the Oval Office of the "White House," the Vice President himself looked pale and ashen after ending the video call.

He trembled as he raised his hand to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead, his heart pounding like a drum, an indescribable fear engulfing him like an icy tide.

"Damn Harden... He's a complete killer! I was just saying, but he actually... he actually did it!"

I have to endorse him and become his backer. God, if I don't support him, I'm doomed. But if I support him… how am I supposed to control this madman?!

(End of this chapter)