Just as everyone stared helplessly at the two slowly sinking warships, a roar came from the sky.
Two gray-blue F-15J fighters streaked over the waters at an altitude of a thousand meters.
Higher up, a slower early warning aircraft was also racing toward the scene. Neon Country's air support team had finally arrived, late to the party!
"Blue Falcon Air Support Team calling Murasame 086. We have reached the designated coordinates. Please respond!"
"Blue Falcon Air Support Team calling Murasame 086 again. We have reached the designated coordinates. Please respond!"
The two fighter pilots immediately tried to contact the friendly warship upon reaching their destination.
Even after a long wait, the radio remained silent!
Naturally, they had no idea that the crew of the Murasame-class warship had failed to regain control of their own vessel right up until everyone abandoned ship. That included the communications system!
They had therefore been unable to report the situation or respond at all.
Seeing this, Neon Country's commanding officer aboard the early warning aircraft recalled the earlier report of an attack on their friendly vessel. Alarm shot through him. Realizing something was wrong, he immediately issued orders.
"Have the Blue Falcon Team maintain combat formation and conduct low-altitude reconnaissance of the target waters. Find Murasame 086! Warn them to watch for possible hostiles!"
"Yes, sir!"
The orders reached the fighters. High above, the two aircraft banked one after the other, reducing their speed and altitude to begin low-level reconnaissance.
Before long, aerial footage from the fighters finally revealed the situation to the command center aboard the early warning aircraft. Everyone stared blankly at the two warships belching thick smoke as they slowly sank.
Most of them recognized one of the ships. It was the very vessel they had come to support-the Murasame-class warship!