"Bzzzt-!"
A piercing alarm rang throughout the Great Xia fleet, and red warning lights flashed frantically in every compartment.
On the carrier deck, ground crews ran as J-series carrier fighters were towed to the electromagnetic catapult positions, their engines roaring.
Beneath the icy sea, nuclear attack submarines codenamed "Wolf Pack" cruised slowly.
The entire Great Xia fleet bared its sharpest claws and fangs like an enraged lion.
Hu Jianjun set down the microphone and watched the massive fleet pressing closer on the screen, a mocking smile tugging at his lips.
Without turning his head, he spoke to the communications officer beside him.
"Notify the electronic warfare unit."
"Have our playlist ready."
"Eagle Country came all this way to liven things up. We can't let them get too bored."
Even Antarctica's icy sea wind could not dispel the smell of gunpowder over the water.
The Great Xia fleet lined up inside the territorial sea baseline like a steel Great Wall, ready for battle.
In the international waters beyond the baseline, the immense eight-nation combined fleet blanketed the sea, a dark mass radiating suffocating pressure.
On the bridge of the flagship Freedom, Admiral Jackson leaned back in the commander's seat, a faint sneer on his lips as he studied the two clearly separated sides on the satellite image.
"Begin the exercise."
He uttered the words casually.
Instantly, the eight-nation fleet sprang into motion. Guns swung around, and carrier aircraft took off.
They made a great show of conducting so-called "antisubmarine" and "air defense" drills in international waters.
In the Kunlun's command center, General Liu snorted at the flashy performance on the screen.
"Playing house now?"
He raised his enamel mug and blew on the tea-leaf fragments floating on top.
"We're all old foxes here. Who are they trying to fool with