'Licking the Ground' Attack

Inside the bridge of the Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship.

The view here was expansive, offering a clear look at Rockfort Island straight ahead. Umbrella sailors in black uniforms were operating the sixteen-thousand-ton vessel with methodical precision.

"Unidentified vessel, identify yourselves immediately! Otherwise, we will be forced to take coercive measures!"

At that moment, an angry demand and warning crackled over the public radio frequency. One didn't need to guess to know the warning originated from Rockfort Island.

This Whidbey Island-class ship utilized the United States Navy's organizational structure, so it had not been expelled by Rockfort Island during its normal transit; after all, Ashford was not about to provoke the U.S. military without cause.

However, when the Whidbey Island-class ship suddenly changed course and aimed itself directly at Rockfort Island, Ashford, who suffered from psychological issues and a touch of "chuunibyou," could no longer sit still and prepared to launch an attack after issuing a warning.

The crew member responsible for radio and communication equipment turned his head toward the far end of the bridge after hearing the warning, seeking orders: "Sir, shall we respond to them?"

Following the crewman's gaze, one could see Sui Bian, wearing a white golf cap, a white polo shirt, black casual trousers, and light gray sneakers, sitting in the seat reserved for the captain.

Meanwhile, the captain—a man with a white beard, a slightly portly build, and a "Russian" air—stood in the center of the bridge, coordinating the combat troops to board aircraft and boats, and directing the ship's navigation.

Sui Bian's attire was completely out of place compared to the uniformed crew and captain. It was less like he was here to witness the total downfall of the Ashford family and more like he was here for a vacation, but...

Truth be told, the environment here was indeed pleasant; the seawater was azure, the sky was clear, and the air was fresh, allowing Sui Bian to truly appreciate the beauty of nature.

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

"When will the strike formation arrive?" Sui Bian didn't rush to give instructions to the communications officer, but instead asked a question in return.

"One moment, sir..." The crewman turned back to operate his console, and after a moment, he turned his head again to report:

"Porcupine One is expected to reach the optimal position in thirty seconds. Vulture Team is expected to arrive in the airspace above our current location in three minutes to 'clean up' any targets missed by Porcupine."

"Good." Upon receiving the latest update, Sui Bian nodded slightly and gave the order to the communications officer: "Ignore the warning from Rockfort Island."

"Yes, sir." The crewman, having received his orders, sat back down and promptly 'blocked' the Rockfort Island side.

Shortly after the conversation ended.

Outside the bridge, at an altitude of about one thousand meters.

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

This A-10 still bore the markings of the U.S. Air Force, its wings laden with air-to-ground missiles and bombs, along with two external fuel tanks that looked like missiles.

Inside the cockpit.

The pilot, wearing a HUD helmet, saw Rockfort Island the moment he looked down, and the helmet immediately marked several red dots, indicating the targets to be neutralized first.

The pilot then reported in a voice muffled by his oxygen mask: "Poseidon, this is Porcupine One, approaching optimal firing position, requesting permission to engage, over."

Poseidon (still the same crewman who had spoken with Sui Bian): "Copy, permission to engage granted."

Pilot: "Copy."

With permission to fire, the pilot slightly adjusted the A-10's angle, locking onto four targets using his HUD helmet.

He then manipulated the console with his left hand and used his right thumb to flick open the protective cover on the control stick, revealing the red button underneath that was clearly the fire trigger.

Immediately after, the pilot pressed the red button with his right thumb.

"Click!" (x4)

"Whoosh!" (x4)

After the button was pressed, four missiles left the A-10's wings in succession and ignited, flying forward.

Trailing white exhaust plumes caused by the condensation of cold air, the four missiles accelerated to Mach 1.2 after clearing the A-10, hurtling toward the four targets the pilot had locked onto.

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

"Boom—! Boom!" The deafening roar of the explosions followed shortly after.

It was at this moment that the A-10 piloted by the pilot streaked rapidly over Rockfort Island.

Seeing this, the pilot gripped the control stick with both hands, let the A-10 fly forward for a distance before circling back around Rockfort Island, and reported again:

"Four Mavericks have hit their targets. Preparing to initiate suppression fire on minor ground targets."

Poseidon: "Copy."

Communication ended.

The pilot adjusted the A-10's flight angle, and once the nose was aimed at Rockfort Island again, he pulled the trigger, which resembled that of a firearm, with his right index finger.

"Bzzzzzzzt—!"

The unique sound of the 30mm GAU-8 Gatling gun accompanied the pilot's movement.

The fortifications, barracks, guard posts, cages holding various B.O.W.s, and moving vehicles and soldiers on Rockfort Island were all blasted into debris by the 30mm cannon.

"Click-clack~ Click-clack~" (x4).

While strafing the ground with the cannon, the pilot seized the opportunity to drop four MK82 bombs based on his experience.

"Boom~! Boom!"

Four plumes of smoke from the 227-kilogram explosions shrouded the barracks not far from the airfield.

In less than two minutes, the four AGM-65 Mavericks, four MK82 bombs, and 450 rounds of 30mm ammunition carried by the A-10 were completely expended.

Subsequently, the pilot maneuvered the A-10 for one final pass around the smoke-filled Rockfort Island, adjusted his heading, and began his return flight:

"Poseidon, this is Porcupine One. All packages have been delivered to the destination. Preparing to return to Africa Base, over."

Poseidon: "Received. Thank you for your service, over."

Following a 'ground-licking' strafing run by an A-10, the defensive installations on Rockfort Island were nearly paralyzed, and personnel casualties were countless.

Anti-aircraft systems?

Even though Alfred Ashford secretly controlled Rockfort Island, it remained an asset under Umbrella, so the Red Queen had remotely shut down the island's anti-aircraft facilities several minutes prior.

Without air superiority, once the A-10 appeared in the sky, the ground battle was essentially over.

Sui Bian had no intention of distinguishing which employees, researchers, security personnel, or USS reservists on the island were loyal to the company; after all, gunfire had no eyes, and it was impossible to tell who belonged to the loyalist faction.

As for giving advance notice? He did not like to alert the enemy, so he had no choice but to purge all personnel on the island.

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