Prologue 6: Rampaging Sea Wolf

We must first ascertain whether the "Houston" has already identified our identity

Putting down the coffee cup, Lu Chengwen took out a data storage device from his pocket and tossed it to Hua Jianfeng

"Major, it will only take five minutes!" Lu Chengwen appeared very anxious

"Don't rush, I'll be there soon." After forcefully inserting the microphone into the socket, Hua Jianfeng glared at Lu Chengwen and turned to open the cabin door

The two individuals left the command center and arrived at the captain's cabin located behind the command center

Captain, the USS Houston has caught up.

Marine area map, map of the nearby waters

The USS Houston has taken a favorable position and is moving slightly faster than the USS Squid. If the USS Squid does not ascend to periscope depth, it is highly likely that the confrontation will escalate. Considering the special operation deployed by the General Staff, Hua Jianfeng is almost certain that even if the USS Houston does not resort to force, it will use a collision to compel the USS Squid to surface.

I also know that I should tell you, it's just...

"Sinking the Houston!" Hua Jianfeng was taken aback. Although he had anticipated this outcome for a long time, he was still somewhat shocked when Lu Chengwen explicitly brought it up.

The attack sonar wave emitted by the "Houston" is behind us

"Major Lu, could you tell me the purpose of this operation?" As he spoke, Hua Jianfeng took out a cigarette. On this submarine, he was the only one authorized to smoke in the cabin. However, most of the time, in order to maintain discipline aboard the submarine, Hua Jianfeng refrained from exercising this privilege

What is going on?" Lu Chengwen was secretly startled. He turned to ask Le Jiacheng beside him.

Perhaps they know, perhaps they do not. Hetushu.com Lejia sighed softly, "In order to pick you up, we had to expose our whereabouts. Over the years, we have encountered the 'Houston' several times, and we have never been caught by them. This time, however, it seems we may not be as fortunate as before"

The worst-case scenario! ? '' Hua Jianfeng displayed a hint of surprise. This statement means that in order to accomplish the task, force may be employed when necessary

The muffled thuds coming from outside the boat helped Hua Jianfeng make a decision

In the direction of 250 degrees, at a distance of 20 chains, additionally..." Le Jiacheng hesitated slightly, "Two minutes ago, the 'Houston' sent out a directional high-frequency signal, likely measuring our outline."

"You are correct," Hua Jianfeng extinguished the cigarette butt while rapidly contemplating. After a moment, he said, "Based on my experience, I can basically confirm that the 'Houston' is not yet aware of our true identity, but it is very likely that they have already grasped our characteristic noise."

Old Hua, this seems to have frightened Le Jia Cheng quite a bit

What does it mean

"Are you referring to the nautical chart?" Hua Jianfeng immediately stood up, took a folded nautical chart from the bookshelf, and spread it out on the table

Lu Chengwen was slightly startled and glanced at the computer screen

The red lights in all compartments of the vessel began to flash immediately, and in less than fifteen seconds, the "Gun Squid" entered combat status

Hua Jianfeng looked at the special forces major opposite him with skepticism, but his intuition told him that the other party was not lying

Lu Chengwen nodded vigorously and then glanced at the computer screen

Lu Chengwen nodded slightly, studied the nautical chart for a while, and then pointed to a location southeast of the submarine marked by the sword on www.hetushu.com. "Go here. The water depth exceeds 5,000 meters, and with current technology, it is very difficult to salvage a ship that has sunk here. Moreover, the immense pressure of 500 atmospheres is sufficient to damage all electronic equipment on the submarine"

After a brief hesitation, Lu Chengwen pushed aside Le Jiacheng and rushed to Huo Jianfeng's side. "Major, we cannot go up"

In other words, even if we manage to rid ourselves of the USS Houston, as long as we return it to a U.S. naval base, we can compare the collected characteristic noise with the relevant data in the U.S. Navy database. Even if we cannot find an exact match for the noise data, unless we never set sail again, we will be able to ascertain our identity in the next encounter

The first ten at the top. The last five at the bottom. One-third power

Fortunately, it has not yet reached a point of no return

After a brief hesitation, Hua Jianfeng said: "Not for now, closely monitor the 'Houston' ship, I will be there shortly"

"No matter what means are used, the 'Houston' must never return to the U.S. Navy base." Lu Chengwen raised his head, "It is very difficult for submarines to communicate with the outside world while submerged, and the actions taken by the United States are also secretive. Even if a conflict does arise, as long as there is no evidence left behind, the United States cannot make a significant move. Now, it depends on whether you have the confidence and capability."

The worst-case scenario

It is entirely possible. The "Gun Squid" class has two sister submarines. Although each submarine has distinct characteristic noises, there are many similarities in the characteristic noises of submarines of the same class. As long as a certain degree of similarity is reached, it can be determined which country the newly emerged submarine belongs to, and even its specific model

The captain commanded! He patted the helmsman's shoulder, and Le Jiacheng retreated to Lu Chengwen's side

Like a deep-sea monster, the "Gun Squid" with a displacement of several thousand tons plunged rapidly into the depths

Immediately issue the command

This world nautical chart indicates the general conditions of the seabed topography of the major oceans, such as the orientation of large underwater mountain ranges, the distribution of oceanic trenches, the direction of ocean currents, and the deepest points of the main sea areas

The current situation is very tense. If I am not mistaken, there is another submarine nearby, and it is not ours. Captain Hua, if I were you, I would not waste precious time here.

I am not interested in your actions, but I must know why I am to risk my more than one hundred officers and soldiers, along with this nuclear submarine worth billions. Hua Jianfeng's tone was very serious, leaving no room for negotiation. You also know that there is an American nuclear submarine outside, and it has already detected our movements. If my intuition is correct, this matter is unlikely to end so soon. In order to complete this mission and return alive, I need to understand how serious the situation is and be prepared for the worst possible outcomes.

Hua Jianfeng also looked towards the computer screen, and the command was very clear: not only must Lu Chengwen and the others be safely sent back to the country, but all traceable evidence must also be eliminated, and their identities must not be exposed

Why? Hua Jianfeng turned to look at Lu Chengwen.

"Alright, I will give you five minutes." Hua Jianfeng did not think much further; he waved to Le Jiacheng, "You take command, and call me when we reach the periscope depth."

The decryption progress of the file has reached 80 percent, and it is expected to take about one more minute.

Map

Inside the command center, Le Jiacheng and more than ten officers and soldiers were anxiously waiting for the captain

Deputy Chief, you keep an eye on the three of them, and I will take charge.

The three sets of passwords on the submarine are stored in the safe located in the captain's cabin. To be precise, they are three military information storage cards containing the passwords. After starting the dedicated computer, Hua Jianfeng first reads the files from the information storage device that Lu Chengwen gave him into the computer, and then sequentially decrypts them using the three sets of passwords. It takes approximately five minutes to translate the encrypted commands into readable files.

Hua Jianfeng took out the information storage device that Lu Chengwen had given him from his pocket, while quickly calculating in his mind

Lu Chengwen said no more and immediately stood up

It is not too late yet. Hua Jianfeng not only felt no surprise but also returned to his usual demeanor. Now I will take command, and the entire vessel will enter combat status. Set the firing data for Torpedo No. 3: fifteen degrees down at the bow, fifteen degrees down at the stern, full left rudder, and full power propulsion. Sonar officer, monitor the enemy submarine situation.

Can we confirm which country's submarine we are?

At this moment, the hatch was pushed open, and Le Jiacheng appeared at the door. "Old Hua, we have reached the periscope depth. Should we raise the periscope?"

Le Jiacheng shrugged his shoulders, which could be considered as an answer to the question

Does the other party know our identity

Before finishing reading the command, Hua Jianfeng began to wipe the beads of sweat that had emerged on his forehead

In other words, the "Houston" may not know who we really are, thus luring us to surface in order to identify our identity? Would this action certainly expose our identity?

Go meet the USS Houston. Le Jiacheng appeared very tense, even his breathing was heavy

Zhao Shengna nodded slightly, and He Tushu.com.com, Hua Jianfeng looked over at Lu Chengwen, who was standing by the cabin door

The order issued by the Chief of General Staff requires you to decrypt it sequentially using your three codes. It clearly states that from now on, you must obey my command

No. Just rising to periscope depth. " He glanced back at the special forces major. Le Jiacheng lowered his voice and said, "This is an unwritten rule among submarines of various countries. A sonar ping indicates that the other party wishes to communicate with us. This means rising to periscope depth, and then using light signals to communicate.

"Old Hua, we have no other choice," Lu Chengwen said as he glanced around. "Do you have a map here?"

Hua Jianfeng yanked down the internal communication microphone hanging on the cabin wall: "Deputy Chief, what happened?"

"Go to the sea surface?" Lu Chengwen became even more anxious

Upon arriving at the command center of the submarine, Lu Chengwen immediately sensed the suffocating atmosphere of tension. At this moment, the only one who remained calm and composed was Hua Jianfeng. Before long, the two special forces soldiers that Lu Chengwen had brought also arrived, casting inquiring glances at him.

The battle has begun, and among the two submarines, one is destined to remain forever at the bottom of this desolate sea

How is the situation, where is the 'Houston'?

Look at the command I gave you

First, we need to move the "Houston" to the designated area and then take up firing positions. " Hua Jianfeng stroked his chin. "Let's do it this way. I need to return to my post immediately. Will you stay here or come with me to the command center?"

A combat order personally signed by the Chief of General Staff appeared on the computer screen

The bow of the submarine is slightly raised, heading towards the surface of the sea at an approximate angle of five degrees

We are currently here, approximately one hundred and fifty nautical miles from the west coast of Africa