Chapter 39 Battle Erupts—Personally Taking the Front Line

“This is Falcon Squadron.

We’ve entered the designated airspace and are beginning the interception mission.” “Falcon One here.

Radar contact detected.

Bearing zero-two-one, range fifteen kilometers.” “Targets locked.” “AIM-200D, two missiles away!” The hostile aircraft were still fifteen kilometers out— Yet Falcon Squadron had already achieved radar lock on all three F-35As.

The AIM-200D was a sixth-generation hypersonic air-to-air missile capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 12.

Six AIM-200Ds tore through the sky.

The tremendous shockwaves from their hypersonic flight erupted like thunder.

The friction generated as they ripped through the atmosphere made them look like six brilliant meteors dragging blazing tails behind them.

There was almost a two-generation technological gap in missile technology.

As a result, the F-35As barely had time to react.

By the time the Chaos Insurgency pilots saw warning lights flashing across their cockpits and heard the missile-lock alarms screaming— It was already too late.

Several deafening explosions erupted.

Through his helmet-mounted display, one pilot saw nothing more than a brilliant flash of fire streaking past.

His F-35A didn’t even have time to begin an evasive maneuver.

The pilot slammed the emergency ejection control.

The next second— His aircraft exploded into a massive fireball.

“MAYDAY!

MAYDAY!” “I’ve been hit!” “Engine failure!

Hydraulic system’s on fire!” “Goddamn it!” “Where are they?!” “There’s nothing on radar!” Three state-of-the-art fifth-generation F-35As had been shot down almost instantly— Without even detecting the enemy aircraft.

These were F-35As.

Some of the most advanced fighters currently fielded by the United States.

Yet they had been locked from more than ten kilometers away and destroyed before their pilots even saw the enemy.

Military experts often predicted that combat between fifth-generation aircraft might eventually resemble the dogfights of World War I and World War II, with stealth forcing aircraft into close-range engagements.

What was happening now completely overturned that assumption.

Three of America’s most advanced fighters had been destroyed beyond visual range before they even knew where the enemy was.

And that was only because the radar aboard the Foundation’s F/A-181 Black Wasp II was merely around twenty years ahead of contemporary technology.

More importantly— Aircraft like these were nothing more than basic Foundation fighters.

When Ophelia received the report that her aircraft had been destroyed, her brows knitted slightly.

She hadn’t expected the Foundation’s fighters to be this powerful.

The air assets she had dispatched hadn’t even managed to serve as a distraction.

But the arrow had already been loosed.

There was no turning back now.

Ophelia gritted her teeth, raised her radio, and issued the order.

“The end of Chaos approaches.” “Let the enemies of Chaos tremble.” “Let them know fear!” “Commence the attack!” A wave of fanatical voices erupted over the channel.

“CHAOS IS COMING!” “CHAOS IS COMING!” At the same moment— The 702nd and 703rd Special Operations Battalions of MTF Nu-7, which had been maintaining the outer perimeter, came under artillery fire.

“Report!” “Hostile contact!” “Suspected Chaos Insurgency forces!” “The enemy possesses mechanized units and artillery of at least 105mm caliber!” “They’re launching an assault against our perimeter!” Colonel Hans immediately asked, “How long until the 705th Heavy Armored Battalion finishes deployment?” “Ten more minutes, sir!” Hans was just about to issue another order when he suddenly saw a command-model V-44X Blackfish descending toward the open ground beside the farm.

His eyes widened.

He hurried over and saluted.

“Sir?” “Why are you here?” Ethan returned the salute with a smile.

He looked around at the assembled MTF operators.

“Colonel Hans.” “Hammer Down seems pretty relaxed.” Hans immediately reported, “Sir, I don’t believe the Chaos Insurgency’s current offensive poses a serious threat.” “This is still United States territory.” “Any battle fought here will inevitably remain below a certain threshold.” “Even the Chaos Insurgency wouldn’t dare trigger a conflict so large that it becomes impossible to conceal, especially this close to the heart of the federal government.” “To the outside world, both organizations still operate from the shadows.” “That means they can’t deploy excessive heavy firepower.” “The amount of air power they can mobilize is also extremely limited.” Hans continued confidently, “And we currently control the air.” “With Falcon Squadron overhead, any large-scale Chaos Insurgency deployment would simply become target practice for our gunships.” Ethan’s smile widened.

He nodded in satisfaction.

“Very good, Colonel Hans.” “But I think they may still deploy one extremely powerful assault force directly into this area.” Hans looked confused.

“Sir?” “SCP-096 has already been contained.” “The Blackfish carrying it will return to base under Falcon Squadron’s escort.” “What value is left here?” Ethan looked at his puzzled subordinate.

This time, he didn’t bother speaking in riddles.

“Me.” Hans froze.

Ethan continued, “The supreme commander of the Foundation is standing right here.” “Do you think I’m worth more to them than SCP-096?” His eyes narrowed slightly.

“Perhaps today we’ll finally see what kind of extraordinary forces the Chaos Insurgency is capable of deploying.” Hans’s eyes widened.

He immediately objected.

“But sir!” “I believe you should return to the command center.” “As the Foundation’s supreme commander, you—” “Relax, Hans.” Ethan cut him off.

“Everything is under control.” “I’m actually curious.” “I want to see exactly what kind of cards the Chaos Insurgency has left to play.” With that, Ethan walked directly toward the farmhouse that had been converted into Hammer Down’s temporary command post.

Colonel Hans could only give a helpless smile.

Then he turned and glared at the surrounding MTF soldiers.

His voice thundered across the position.

“Nobody embarrasses Hammer Down today!” “Pin those bastards to the outer perimeter and don’t let a single one through!”