Unknown UFO

"Just as I thought!"

Watching the refracted laser beams appear around the Sky Pit due to physical optical phenomena, Song Xizhu grew even more certain of her hypothesis: what they saw was only the surface, and the underlying cause was gravitational waves.

Light travels in straight lines through air; unless the medium shifts, light cannot bend. This was confirmed after adjusting the laser generator's irradiation zone—a "gravitational lensing" effect indeed existed around the [Sky Pit], meaning the surrounding space was warped by gravitational waves.

"Send these results to Command Headquarters immediately, and recommend this vessel evacuate the current waters!"

Looking at the survey data, a rare solemnity settled on Song Xizhu's calm face. Ignorance breeds fearlessness; she sensed extreme danger!

But at that very moment, the 815A's electronic detection equipment picked up an anomalous reaction within the Sky Pit. The next second, the rainbow-colored membrane on its surface churned violently.

Hum! Hum! Hum!

Around the Sky Pit, the distinctive hum of magnetic fields rang out. In an instant, the drones near the pit were hit by a powerful electromagnetic pulse, losing control and plummeting toward the sea.

A dazzling seven-colored radiance lit up at the center of the Sky Pit, its energy level steadily rising, gradually approaching the electromagnetic pulse generated by a nuclear explosion.

"What's happening? Hurry! Evacuate now!"

The two E-2 AWACS aircraft farther away scrambled to flee into the distance; their fragile frames couldn't withstand the ravages of an EMP.

At this moment, every nation monitoring this colossal Sky Pit detected the unusual changes. The captain of the 815A needed no reminder; he immediately ordered the female helmsman beside him: "Hard to port! Full speed out of this area!"

"Aye!"

As an electronic reconnaissance ship, the 815A's armament was barely enough for self-defense. In times like these, discretion was the better part of valor.

The female officer maneuvered the 6,000-ton vessel, swiftly changing course on the sea surface, heading without looking back toward the Liaoning carrier strike group.

Meanwhile, the captain of the Carl Vinson had no time to worry about the 815A charging recklessly through his defensive zone. With the anomalies inside the Sky Pit, electromagnetic noise in the surrounding waters grew exponentially. Even 100 nautical miles away, they were affected—radar began to malfunction.

"Increase radar power immediately!"

The SPY-1A phased array radar consumed far more power than traditional systems. The simplest and most direct way to counter this interference was to boost radar output.

"Yes, sir!"

The radar officer quickly adjusted the power. Though still interfered with, it was at least usable. Even if sustained high-power operation drained electricity severely and impacted the cruiser's endurance, that concern was trivial given the current situation.

"Wait! What is that?!"

The Ticonderoga-class cruiser's captain stared in disbelief at the Sky Pit emitting blinding light. The next second, a black line was "pulled" out of the pit, then snapped apart into countless black dots. Instantly, the radar blared a piercing alarm.

"Detected unknown targets. Count: 100. IFF—no response!"

After these unknown targets appeared, they swooped toward the ships on the sea surface.

In the CIC, the radar officer stared at the screen filled with signals marked [UN], looking nervously at the captain. These things appeared too suddenly; they were completely unprepared.

"Range 50!"

"45!"

"Still closing!"

"Sir! Electromagnetic interference is intensifying! Our communications are jammed!"

The captain watched the approaching aerial targets, his expression shifting. This situation couldn't wait for orders from the Carl Vinson. The communication channels were severely jammed, radar was affected, and as the interference's energy level increased, they'd soon go blind!

"Immediately intercept high-threat targets! Change course, evacuate this area!" A captain was no fool; he quickly assessed the situation and issued a series of commands.

"Yes, sir!"

Under the harsh electromagnetic environment, the fire-control radar struggled to lock onto the incoming multiple targets. Fortunately, though the Ticonderoga-class was from the '80s, the target count hadn't exceeded its fire channel limit.

The VLS cells opened. Whoosh! Rocket engines ignited, exhaust vented through side ducts, propelling missiles from their silos. Reaching a hundred meters in altitude, fins adjusted their course, flying toward the incoming unknowns, leaving white trails in the sky.

Standard SM-2 anti-air missiles launched one after another. Regardless, given these things' behavior, they meant trouble. The Carl Vinson also detected these unknown flyers, but the signal was unstable, preventing continuous tracking.

As these unknown targets closed in, the Carl Vinson carrier strike group reacted swiftly. The already combat-ready carrier formation executed area air defense, with escort destroyers and cruisers continuously firing anti-air missiles at the incoming unknowns.

Shipboard anti-air missiles had long boost phases—most or all were active. After accelerating to high speed, the Standard SM-2s flew toward the targets to intercept them.

"Gotta say, the USA really puts up a fight when cornered."

Under strong electromagnetic interference, the 815A, with its superior radar performance, had a better grasp of the situation.

But as the Great East's most advanced electronic reconnaissance ship, the navy only handled vessel operation. The onboard technical reconnaissance system was beyond even the captain's knowledge; technical reconnaissance authority rested directly with headquarters, which was surely busy collecting data on the US military's weapons.

In the control room, the technician operating the shipboard radar system frowned. The electromagnetic spectrum was now a chaotic mess. The active phased array radar was running at near full power to counter the noise.

"Something's up! Detected unknown aerial targets approaching!"

Hearing this, Song Xizhu quickly walked to the radar. Most targets were heading for the Carl Vinson, a smaller number toward the two E-2s. Then the E-2s' RCS signals vanished. The remaining flyers turned and dove toward the carrier's escorts.

Seeing the E-2 AWACS signals disappear, she frowned. Sitting down, she operated the equipment. The radar scan data showed no missile RCS signals—meaning they'd attacked the E-2s using an unknown method and successfully shot them down. The enemy was extremely dangerous!

Ding!

Ding!

The active phased array radar, two generations ahead of the US military's, scanned three bright spots approaching at high speed, accompanied by electromagnetic noise. Song Xizhu didn't panic. She picked up the internal phone, and with a clear, cold voice, said:

"Captain, three unknown targets, speed Mach 1, closing on our ship at high speed!"