Wanderer Deploys

Sure enough, emergency communications never brought good news.

From the hurried, slightly panicked voice of General Jonathan's adjutant, Wright, on the other end of the phone, they learned that another kaiju was about to attack.

"Wright, has the sonar picked up its image yet? What type is it specifically?"

(PPDC classified kaiju into three types based on their abilities: balanced, agile, and defensive.)

(The Shanlan that attacked Dalian was a defensive kaiju, while Bladehead was a balanced one.)

"Doctor, the specific visual characteristics have not fully come in yet, but in terms of size, it is no less imposing than Bladehead! It is likely a Category 3 kaiju as well!"

Herman's heart sank. Though he had been prepared, he could not help harboring a sliver of hope.

"Commander Mao, I would like to borrow your command center!"

"Of course. No problem."

Mao Shucheng agreed readily. Who would not worry about their own homeland?

It was only human nature.

Even though PPDC headquarters had two mechas, that did not guarantee an impregnable defense.

"Wright, request that General Jonathan initiate a shared feed!"

Herman and Mao Shucheng turned and headed for the command center.

Xiao Shou and Xie Yushan followed close behind.

They instructed Jin Rong to turn on the command center's large screen.

The live shared feed was transmitted over almost immediately.

General Jonathan agreed without hesitation.

Even if his own country chose to flee and abandon everything—

China would never give up.

Even if there was only a one-in-a-hundred-million chance of survival and victory—

it would choose to gamble on it.

If one had to ask why, it was because of the united conviction to stand together against a powerful enemy.

General Jonathan's holographic projection appeared before them as well.

Everyone immediately saluted.

Mao Shucheng merely nodded at Jonathan.

"The sonar has preliminarily detected its size."

The image on the large screen shifted, projecting a kaiju shaped somewhat like a snail.

However, since it was only a sonar-wave response, its form was unstable and abstract.

"Our expert team has analyzed the intelligence. It is approximately one hundred and ten meters tall and is estimated to weigh nearly four thousand tons."

"Its classification data is roughly comparable to Bladehead's, so it has also been designated a Category 3 kaiju."

"Our air force has dispatched two fighter squadrons, twenty-one aircraft in total. They are expected to reach the target battlefield within five minutes."

"Once there, we will force it out. That will make it easier to determine its ability type, and we will be able to see it directly."

"Wanderer is ready. It will soon be towed out and deployed to the target battlefield."

"General, is Wanderer the only one deploying? Our opponent this time is a Category 3 kaiju no weaker than Bladehead. We still do not know its combat data or weaknesses. We should treat this cautiously!"

Dr. Herman could not help asking.

General Jonathan clasped his hands behind his back. His expression did not change, though he let out a faint sigh.

"Explorer was damaged too severely in the Battle of Sydney. Its power system has not yet fully recovered, so it cannot enter combat."

"Still, there is no need to worry too much. Wanderer is equipped with the laser weapon we recently developed. Have faith in it!"

"Besides, Wanderer has never failed before. It has never been defeated!"

Dr. Herman sighed softly as well. He could only place his hopes on Wanderer.

After all, the location where this kaiju had appeared was very close to land, and highly sensitive.

It was near California.

San Francisco was a port city in California.

If the kaiju came ashore there, San Francisco would bear the brunt of it.

The tragedy from two years ago would be repeated.

Though General Jonathan appeared calm, he was not certain either.

Kaiju were strange precisely because they were not creatures that could be defined by common sense.

Whether laser weapons could suppress it was still uncertain.

It was only that, as a general and commander of PPDC headquarters, he could not casually reveal his emotions.

If even he panicked, how could this war continue?

"General Jonathan, if you need anything, say it plainly. China will not stand by and do nothing, nor will we handle this halfheartedly."

Mao Shucheng spoke to Jonathan with a grave expression.

These were not empty words. China's responsibility as a major power carried no selfish interests.

It came solely from that burning passion—the desire to preserve and yearn for peace.

"Of course, my friend, my closest comrade-in-arms,"

"you—"

"are my strongest support!"

(PS: I am very sorry that this chapter is somewhat short. Please forgive me; I truly do not have the mood to keep writing today.)