On the churning sea, a towering cruiser cleaved through the waves.
Its name was Laken, named after the fiercest sea beast in these waters.
When Shelter 70 built it, they equipped it with the most advanced anti-ship systems and surface fire-control radar. In theory, even the combined destroyers of the Northern Federation and the Southern Sea Alliance were no match for it.
This would be a battle without suspense—or rather, a one-sided slaughter!
The atmosphere on the bridge was tense as the radar operator stared unblinkingly at the screen.
The instant he saw the ripple appear on the display, he shouted reflexively.
"Reef has appeared!"
"The target is proceeding along its planned route! In five minutes, our side is expected to be detected by the target's radar!"
Reef should still have been in the dark, continuing to play its role as the seemingly harmless "bait."
Hearing the radar operator's report, Laken's captain, Fu Hongyi, nodded.
They only had a five-minute attack window.
But that was already more than enough—perhaps even far too long.
By the time Reef realized that the ship coming to rendezvous with it was not Flying Fish but Laken, it would probably be sent to the bottom to feed the fish by their anti-ship missiles before it even had a chance to pray.
Still, knowing that his target was once a comrade, Fu Hongyi felt conflicted.
Seeing everyone looking at him, he slowly spoke.
"Can we contact them?"
The communications officer seated before the terminal shook his head.
"No! They entered radio silence according to plan..."
Just as planned.
Though he had never actually intended to contact them, Fu Hongyi still sighed softly and ordered all combat units to prepare.
As everything was readied, the adjutant standing beside him hesitated again.
After struggling for a moment, he