Legendary Captain

Chapter 387 Captain, I'm going to take them down!

In the aircraft carrier's command center, the surface combat commander and captain, Wu Yinian, the strike commander and carrier air wing commander, Xiao Nian, as well as the command and control coordination officer, the over-the-horizon coordination officer, the helicopter coordination officer, the submarine coordination officer, and the cover coordination officer were all present.

Except for the air traffic control coordinator, the air defense commander stationed on the cruiser, and the underwater operations commander stationed on the destroyer, all the senior officers basically involved in the operation were gathered together.

The commander-in-chief of the carrier strike group, Chen Cheng, is currently in Hanjing to discuss specific escort plans and is not on board the ship.

The fact that so many people have gathered in the aircraft carrier's command room isn't for a party. Wu Yinian winked at Xiao Nian: "Xiao Nian, explain the situation to everyone."

Xiao Nian nodded: "We just received a notification from the Coast Guard that a Chinese cargo ship sent out a distress signal near the Strait of Jiaozhou. The crew indicated that it was likely being shelled by a warship from the State of Chenyan."

"You're saying the navy of my country attacked our ships? Are they courting death?" The Command and Control Coordinator, a man of fiery temper, glared angrily upon hearing Xiao Nian's account: "Do you have the exact location?"

The Command and Control Coordinator is responsible for monitoring various electromagnetic signals, radiation sources, and sensor usage within the operational area, while also providing electronic deception plans for formation operations and strategies to counter electronic warfare.

Domestic cargo ships are now typically equipped with distress signal transmitters, allowing them to contact the nearest coast guard contact point in emergencies. This matter should normally be handled by the coast guard, but the crew's mention of the presence of a South Korean warship changes the nature of the situation.

If it's dealing with a rabble like pirates, the coast guard is generally capable. But if the enemy is a real warship, then it's beyond the coast guard's ability to fight back; they can only relay the information to the relatively nearby Gengdu carrier strike group.

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The attack on our merchant ship by an enemy warship was a very serious incident, so Captain Wu Yinian immediately summoned most of the senior officers to discuss countermeasures.

"No specific location!" Xiao Nian shook his head regretfully. "When the crew contacted our maritime department, they only said two or three sentences. Perhaps due to the distance or equipment malfunction, the sound quality was extremely poor. The signal dropped when the crew was about to report the latitude and longitude to the maritime department. The signal connection time was too short throughout the entire process. After the maritime department traced the signal in reverse, they could only roughly pinpoint the area where the signal originated—it's in this area."

As Xiao Nian spoke, he drew a circle on the nautical chart in the northeast direction of the Koshu Strait, and then continued, "After the maritime authorities processed the conversation urgently, the sound quality improved slightly, and the faint sound of gunfire could be heard, indicating that there was indeed a shelling incident. Moreover, we have reason to suspect that the shelling caused the merchant ship's communication system to malfunction, and the situation is extremely critical."

At this moment, the cover commander interjected, "Are you sure it's a warship from the State of Chenyan?"

If it truly is a warship from the State of Chenyan, then this signal is extremely dangerous. The cover coordinator is primarily responsible for the deployment of the carrier's inner defense perimeter, as well as providing tactical guidance to the destroyer group responsible for anti-submarine warfare and intercepting sea-skimming anti-ship missiles.

As the head of the aircraft carrier's inner defenses and the cover coordinator, I must consider any possible developments. If a foreign warship attacks our merchant ships, is it possible it might also harass our carrier strike group?

Although with the navy's strength, it would be like an egg hitting a rock for Chenyan Kingdom to come and challenge Gengdu's carrier strike group, he still had to guard against this possibility.

In the history of naval warfare, there are countless examples of the weak defeating the strong. If one is not careful, one's ship will capsize in a ditch, which would be a huge joke.

"Judging from the voice message sent by the distressed crew, it is definitely a warship from Chenyan Kingdom." Xiao Nian frowned. "The Jiaozhou Strait is a major artery of international navigation, and nearly 30% of the country's maritime trade passes through there. Chenyan Kingdom is a country near the Jiaozhou Strait, so any ocean-going sailor should not mistake the flag of Chenyan Kingdom."

"But have they lost their minds? How dare they touch our ship?" At this moment, the submarine coordinator spoke up: "Small countries have their own principles of conduct. Keeping a low profile is the rule they should follow. If they had even a shred of rationality left, they wouldn't do something so outrageous."

It wasn't that the submarine coordinator looked down on Chenyan Kingdom; it was simply a matter of genuine military strength disparity. He was confident that the South China Sea Fleet alone could annihilate Chenyan Kingdom's navy and completely blockade the country. And the country possessed three such naval forces.

The disparity in military strength is enormous and undeniable. Unless the entire high command of the Chenyan Kingdom's navy has gone mad, no one would dare to commit such an extreme act of provocation.

"What if they are no longer the navy of Chenyan Kingdom?" Xiao Nian suddenly asked.

"Didn't the crew over there say," the submarine coordinator suddenly realized, "that this warship is the missile destroyer that mutinied and broke away before?"

"We have reported the situation to the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They will be responsible for communicating with the Chinese side to ascertain the status of the warship." Wu Yinian's expression was extremely grave. "Now, the most urgent task is what to do? How to rescue the crew?"

At this moment, the over-the-horizon coordinator glanced at the nautical chart and shook his head helplessly: "It's too far. Even if the carrier-based aircraft took off now, it would take about forty minutes to fly to that area. Forty minutes is too long."

If a warship is to deal with a cargo ship that is completely helpless, it will definitely not take forty minutes.

"What if we use anti-ship cruise missiles?" Wu Yinian asked the beyond-visual-range coordinator.

The beyond-visual-range (BVR) coordinator is primarily responsible for information regarding BVR incidents, the most important of which is large anti-ship cruise missiles. These anti-ship cruise missiles can have a maximum range of up to 200 kilometers.

The over-the-horizon coordinator glanced at the nautical chart and roughly estimated the distance: "No, it's beyond range. Moreover, being beyond range is only one problem; we currently cannot obtain the warship's real-time coordinates."

Warships aren't land-based targets that stay stationary. Only by obtaining the real-time coordinates of enemy ships can the accuracy of anti-ship missiles be guaranteed; otherwise, anti-ship missile technology wouldn't be considered high-tech.

Xiao Nian has now drawn a circular area with a radius of more than 30 nautical miles. The exact location of the warships is unknown, or rather, whether the warships are still within this circular area is an unknown.

With so many unknowns, how could you possibly use anti-ship missiles to hit them?

Wu Yinian was already not very confident about anti-ship missiles, and after the beyond-visual-range coordinator said that, his face became even more solemn, which basically dashed his hopes of using anti-ship missiles.

"Are there any of our carrier-based aircraft patrolling the area?" Wu Yinian immediately looked at Xiao Nian. As the commander of the carrier air wing, he should know the patrol routes of each carrier-based aircraft.

But Xiao Nian shook his head: "This area is beyond our patrol range. There are no patrol aircraft of ours in this area."

Although the patrol range of the carrier strike group's aircraft has been increasing in recent days, it has not yet reached more than 400 kilometers.

Generally speaking, the outermost defense zone of an aircraft carrier can reach up to 400 kilometers. However, this area is dotted with island nations, and patrolling too extensively could easily intrude into the airspace of other countries, which could easily lead to diplomatic incidents.

Therefore, the outer defense zone of the Gengdu carrier strike group was compressed to just over 300 kilometers, which was just short of the area where the cargo ship was calling for help. Moreover, Xiao Nian knew the patrol schedule, and currently in the southern direction, they did not have any combat aircraft available. If they wanted to send fighter jets there, they could only do so from the mothership.

However, as the beyond-visual-range coordinator just mentioned, it would take at least half an hour to launch aircraft from the carrier. Currently, the main combat aircraft on the carrier, the C-18, does not have supersonic cruise capability. Replacing it with the latest C-42 could reduce the time by almost half. Unfortunately, the carrier-based C-42 is not yet in service.

"So you mean our entire carrier strike group can't do anything to a small missile destroyer? Is that what you mean?" Wu Yinian's gaze swept over the senior officers around him, his tone filled with obvious anger.

The humiliation of seeing his own people being shelled by enemy warships on the high seas, despite possessing such a massive carrier strike group, was overwhelming for Wu Yinian.

The purpose of building a strong nation and a powerful military is to protect the safety of its citizens. But now that we have aircraft carrier strike groups, we are powerless against a small missile destroyer when it comes to the crucial moment.

Of course, Wu Yinian also knew that this was due to objective reasons. Carrier strike groups are not omnipotent, and it was understandable that the incident occurred too far from the carrier strike group, leaving them with no way to use their strength.

However, while it's understandable, the feeling of distress and anger is uncontrollable.

Not to mention Wu Yinian, the other senior officers also looked frustrated. Having a massive carrier strike group was incredibly frustrating because they couldn't utilize it due to distance limitations.

"Actually, there are two more of our planes over there." Just then, a man walked in from outside the door; it was Li Cang, the air traffic coordinator.

Carrier-based air wing commander Xiao Nian frowned: "There are still two aircraft. How come I didn't know about them?"

As the head of the carrier-based aircraft unit, he was unaware that there were other carrier-based aircraft in that area.

Li Cang looked at Xiao Nian: "Captain Xiao, have you forgotten about the two C-18s that took off not long ago?"

"You're not talking about Xu Xian and Qin Qing, are you?" Xiao Nian sneered. "Based on the timeline, they should indeed be in that area. But they were conducting a simulated strike mission for a radar station, carrying anti-radiation missiles and aerial bombs. You're telling me to send them to fight a destroyer with that kind of equipment? Aren't you just sending them to their deaths?"

The anti-radiation missile's pitiful warhead is fine for hitting radar stations, but it has virtually no effective killing power against destroyers. The MK41 aerial bomb is quite powerful, but unfortunately, warships aren't radar stations; they won't just sit there and let them bomb them.

Since the enemy ship itself is in motion, the lead time for bombing cannot be calculated at high altitudes. Pilots simply cannot control the enemy ship's movement.

Therefore, whether a bomb can hit its target when dropped from a safe high altitude is entirely up to fate. If it does hit, it's not because the crew dropped it well, but because the enemy ship caught it well.

However, if one wants to drop bombs at close range to ensure a high hit rate, the air defense and close-in weapon systems on a missile destroyer can absolutely obliterate any aircraft. Even if the air defense system of the missile destroyers of Chenyan Kingdom is really not that great, their close-in weapon systems are still quite formidable; dropping bombs at close range is tantamount to suicide.

Xiao Nian was well aware that Xu Xian and Qin Qing were nearby, but he immediately ruled them out. Their anti-radiation missiles and aerial bombs were completely useless against missile destroyers.

"That's your judgment. I think we should contact Xu Xian and Qin Qing and let them decide for themselves." Li Cang only knew that Xu Xian and Qin Qing were near the cargo ship's distress area, but he didn't know that there was a problem with their weapon configuration this time. If they really only carried anti-radiation missiles and aerial bombs, then as Xiao Nian said, this was indeed not the weapon configuration for an anti-ship mission.

As the air coordinator, he knew perfectly well that Xu Xian and Qin Qing were the only ones near the cargo ship's distress call; they were the only hope for the ship's crew.

"No way!" Xiao Nian immediately rejected Li Cang's suggestion: "What do you mean by letting them judge for themselves? Letting them judge is putting invisible pressure on them. If they agree under pressure, we'll be murderers. War isn't about brute force; modern warfare relies on science and technology. Can you even objectively assess the current situation? What gives you the right to throw this problem at them?"

In Xiao Nian's view, letting Xu Xian and Qin Qing decide for themselves was simply throwing the problem to them. He believed Xu Xian and Qin Qing knew their weapon configuration was no better than a destroyer's. But to not even try would be tantamount to abandoning them to their fate.

The moral torment of failing to rescue someone in distress, coupled with the near-certain death of attempting a rescue, would place an immense mental burden on Xu Xian and Qin Qing. They might knowingly venture into danger, only to be shot down by a destroyer and die together, or they might harden their hearts, disregard the consequences, and then suffer the torment of their conscience for the rest of their lives.

This is a question that has no answer at all. Xiao Nian believes that it should not have been asked of Xu Xian and Qin Qing in the first place, as that would be irresponsible to them.

"We're a whole bunch of people sitting here, unable to come up with a solution. And then you call it 'let them decide for themselves,' just dumping this unsolvable problem on two young people? Making them bear all the consequences, and then we don't have to suffer the pangs of conscience? Is there really such a good thing in the world?" Xiao Nian said coldly. "We, as superiors, can't solve the problem, so we just pass it on to our subordinates and then relax! Being a superior is so easy, any good-for-nothing can do it, isn't it, Li Cang?"

As Xiao Nian spoke, he glared fiercely at Li Cang. Li Cang probably didn't intend to pass on this hot potato; he was truly just acting out of desperation. However, this action inadvertently placed Xu Xian and Qin Qing in an extremely awkward situation. As their direct superior, Xiao Nian absolutely could not allow such a thing to happen.

Li Cang was taken aback by Xiao Nian's strong reaction and was momentarily at a loss. At this moment, Wu Yinian spoke up: "Li Cang, can we transfer the communication here? I'll talk to Xu Xian."

Wu Yinian subconsciously ignored Qin Qing because he felt that in this deadlock, only someone like Xu Xian would be the key to breaking the deadlock.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Nian immediately became anxious: "Captain, you can't do this!"

"Xiao Nian, shut up!" Wu Yinian shouted. "He's a soldier! He should have been prepared for this the moment he decided to join the army! You're still thinking of protecting him in a greenhouse; it's time to let him see the cruelty of the battlefield."

Xiao Nian's body trembled slightly. Wu Yinian's words kept echoing in his ears. He lowered his head and slowly squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth: "You've driven him into a corner!"

Going to rescue him would be a futile effort, a suicide mission that would end his life. Or, he would spend the rest of his life tormented by conscience and filled with regret. Neither of these outcomes was what Xiao Nian wanted to give Xu Xian.

Wu Yinian's gaze narrowed slightly: "A desperate situation? That was his choice, his destiny!"

In the air, Xu Xian was somewhat bored as he controlled the plane. Looking around at the pitch-black surroundings, he suddenly felt that military aviation was incredibly dull.

"104, according to the plan, after reaching the target area, conduct CCIP bombing. We will each drop our bombs, in no particular order." Qin Qing's clear voice rang out in the platoon channel. This was her first time going out as the lead aircraft to carry out a training mission, and she was a little nervous, afraid that something might go wrong. So before entering the combat area, she specifically reminded Xu Xian.

"104, received!" Xu Xian replied listlessly, not very enthusiastic. Luckily, the C18 had a simple autopilot for altitude control; otherwise, flying it manually all the time would be exhausting.

CCIP (Continuously Calculated Impact Point) bombing is a bombing method used in the C-18's ground attack mode, where the fire control computer calculates the impact point, and the pilot releases the bomb. Because the fire control computer continuously calculates the weapon's impact point and projects the bombing accuracy onto the head-up display (HUD), the pilot does not need to calculate lead time; in other words, once the impact point is on the target, the bomb can be released.

Compared to the manual bombing mode, which requires calculating the lead time, this method, where the fire control computer calculates the lead time, is undoubtedly simpler and easier to operate.

Just as Xu Xian was losing interest, a man's voice suddenly came through the radio: "Xu Xian, this is the aircraft carrier command center. This is Wu Yinian."

Wu Yinian didn't even call out Xu Xian's shouts, but instead called out Xu Xian's name directly, making his target very clear.

"You are now aborting your training mission. Turn left and proceed to heading 070." Wu Yinian gave Xu Xian a heading instruction directly, and at the same time commanded Qin Qing: "Qin Qing, you follow Xu Xian."

Xu Xian was a little confused about the situation, but he still followed Wu Yinian's instructions and turned left to 070.

"Xu Xian, at 070 direction, 30 nautical miles away, a domestic cargo ship is being attacked by a guided-missile destroyer from the State of Chenyan." Wu Yinian succinctly explained the situation to Xu Xian: "Now I only have one question for you: can you take down that guided-missile destroyer?"

For a moment, the radio fell into a long, deathly silence.

Xu Xian and Qin Qing were both in a state of shock, and Xu Xian, as the person directly involved, was thinking at lightning speed. He did not doubt Wu Yinian's account; he was assessing the possibility of destroying the Chenyan Kingdom's missile destroyer.

However, this prolonged silence put immense pressure on Xiao Nian. He snatched the microphone from Wu Yinian and roared, "Xu Xian, what are you thinking? Do you really want to be a martyr? Don't you know your current weaponry? You think you can go and fight a destroyer? Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

To be honest, Xiao Nian's act of snatching the microphone from Wu Yinian was very out of line, but he couldn't care less.

If there was even the slightest possibility, Xiao Nian would send Xu Xian to try without hesitation. As a soldier, he was willing to take risks, even life-threatening ones, without a second thought.

But if Xu Xian goes now, it's no different from sending him to his death. A meaningless death is something Xiao Nian cannot accept. Xu Xian is only in his twenties, the most brilliant time of his life, and Xiao Nian absolutely cannot let him die meaninglessly at this crucial moment!

Wu Yinian didn't stop Xiao Nian's rude behavior; in fact, he wanted Xu Xian to understand what he was facing! Wu Yinian's thinking differed from Xiao Nian's. He knew, of course, that Xu Xian's current fighter jet's weapon configuration wasn't suitable for anti-ship missions. However, he still let Xu Xian make a choice.

As a soldier, this is a choice he will inevitably face in the future. Regardless of Xu Xian's choice, Wu Yinian will respect it, but this choice must be made by Xu Xian.

At this moment, all the senior officers in the command room remained silent, awaiting Xu Xian's final decision. Among them, Xiao Nian clenched his hands tightly, appearing exceptionally nervous.

A moment later, Xu Xian's deep voice came through the loudspeaker: "Captain, I'll go take them out!"

(End of this chapter)