"Carpet-Bombing" Attack

Inside the bridge of the Whidbey Island-class amphibious assault ship.

The view here was expansive, with a clear line of sight to Rockfort Island straight ahead. Sailors in black Umbrella uniforms were operating the sixteen-thousand-ton vessel in an orderly fashion.

"Unidentified vessel, identify yourselves immediately! Otherwise, we will take measures by force!"

Just then, an angry demand and warning came over the public radio channel. There was no need to guess; the warning had come from Rockfort Island.

The Whidbey Island-class ship followed the U.S. Navy's organizational structure, so it hadn't been driven off while sailing normally. After all, Ashford wouldn't provoke the U.S. military for no reason.

However, when the Whidbey Island-class ship suddenly changed course and pointed toward Rockfort Island, the psychologically unstable and somewhat chuunibyou Ashford had finally lost his nerve. He planned to issue a warning, then attack.

The sailor in charge of the radio and other communications equipment heard the warning, turned toward the far end of the bridge, and asked for orders. "Sir, should we respond?"

Following the sailor's gaze, one could see Sui Bian sitting in the captain's chair. He wore a white golf cap, a white polo shirt, black slacks, and light gray sneakers.

The captain, who had a white beard, a slightly portly build, and the look of an old Russian, stood in the middle of the bridge. He was coordinating the immediate deployment of combat units by air and sea, as well as directing the ship's navigation.

Sui Bian's outfit stood out against the uniformly dressed sailors and captain. Rather than coming to witness the Ashford family's complete downfall, he looked as if he'd come on vacation. But...

To be fair, the surroundings really were lovely. The sea was a deep blue, the sky was clear, and the air was fresh. Sui Bian was truly experiencing the beauty of nature.

In fact, dress shoes and suits were terribly uncomfortable, which was why Sui Bian had wanted to change his style.

"When will the attack team arrive?" Sui Bian didn't immediately give the communications officer an order. Instead, he asked a question.

"One moment, sir..." The sailor turned back to work the controls. After a short while, he turned around again and reported:

"Porcupine One is expected to reach its optimal position in thirty seconds. Vulture Team is expected to arrive over our waters in three minutes, then 'clean up' any targets Porcupine leaves behind."

"Good." After hearing the latest update, Sui Bian gave a slight nod and instructed the communications officer, "Ignore Rockfort Island's warning."

"Yes, sir." The sailor sat back down and directly blocked communications from Rockfort Island.

Not long after the exchange ended.

About a thousand meters above the bridge.

A gray-and-white A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft swept past the Whidbey Island-class ship where Sui Bian was.

The A-10 still bore the markings of the U.S. Air Force. Its wings were loaded with air-to-ground missiles and bombs, as well as two external fuel tanks that looked like missiles.

Inside the cockpit.

The pilot wore a HUD helmet. The instant he spotted Rockfort Island, several red dots appeared on his visor, marking the first targets to be eliminated.

Then the pilot reported in a muffled voice through his breathing mask. "Poseidon, this is Porcupine One. Approaching optimal firing position. Requesting permission to fire. Over."

Poseidon (the same sailor who had spoken with Sui Bian): "Copy. You're cleared to fire."

Pilot: "Copy."

With permission granted, the pilot adjusted the A-10's angle slightly and used his HUD helmet to lock onto four targets.

He then fiddled with the controls using his left hand and used his right thumb to flip open the safety cover on the control stick. Beneath it was a red button, clearly the firing button.

Next, the pilot's right thumb pressed the red button.

"Click!" (x4)

"Whoosh!" (x4)

After the button was pressed, four missiles detached from the A-10's wings in succession and ignited as they sped forward.

Trailing white plumes formed as the hot exhaust met the cold air. Once they'd cleared the A-10, the missiles hurtled toward the four targets locked onto by the pilot at Mach 1.2.

Soon, violent explosions erupted on Rockfort Island, and four small mushroom clouds slowly rose into the air.

"Boom—! Boom!" The deafening noise of the explosions followed.

At that moment, the A-10 piloted by the flyer swept swiftly over Rockfort Island.

Seeing this, the pilot gripped the control stick with both hands and let the A-10 fly on for a short distance before circling the island. He then reported again:

"All four Mavericks (AGM-65s) hit their targets. Beginning suppression of low-threat ground targets."

Poseidon: "Copy."

The transmission ended.

The pilot adjusted the A-10's flight angle, pointed the nose toward Rockfort Island again, and pulled a button that resembled a gun's trigger with his right index finger.

"Brrrrrrrr—!"

The distinctive roar of the 30mm GAU-8 Gatling gun rang out as the pilot worked the controls with his right hand.

The island's defensive fortifications, barracks, guard posts, cages holding various B.O.W.s, moving vehicles, and soldiers were all shredded by the 30mm cannon fire.

"Click~ Click~" (x4).

As the pilot strafed the ground with the cannon, he also seized the opportunity to drop four MK82 bombs, drawing on his experience.

"Boom~! Boom!"

Smoke from four 227-kilogram explosions blanketed the barracks not far from the airport.

In less than two minutes, the A-10 had used up all four AGM-65 Mavericks, all four MK82 bombs, and all 450 rounds of 30mm ammunition.

Afterward, the pilot took the A-10 around the smoke-shrouded Rockfort Island one last time, adjusted course, and began his return flight. "Poseidon, this is Porcupine One. All deliveries have been made to the drop-off point. Returning to Africa Base. Over."

Poseidon: "Copy. Thanks for your service. Over."

After a single A-10's "carpet-bombing" attack, Rockfort Island's defensive installations were nearly paralyzed, and countless personnel had been killed or wounded.

Air defense systems?

Even though Alfred Ashford secretly controlled Rockfort Island, it was still an Umbrella asset. So Red Queen had remotely shut down the island's air defenses minutes earlier.

Without air superiority, once an A-10 appeared in the sky, there was basically no chance for the ground forces.

Sui Bian hadn't planned to distinguish between the employees, researchers, security personnel, and USS reservists on the island who were loyal to the company. After all, bullets didn't have eyes, and there was no way to tell who was loyal.

Warn them beforehand? He didn't like tipping off the enemy, so all the personnel on the island would have to be wiped out.

As the A-10 gradually disappeared from sight, two AC-130s took its place, ready to assist the ground forces aboard the Poseidon in conducting a thorough sweep of Rockfort Island.