Zhou Tengyun stormed into the Saudi Arabian US military base alone, capturing two senior US generals commanding the operation to seize Starry Sky Group's desalination technology. He then bolted, obliterating the pursuing US aircraft before quickly returning to the Starry Sky Group's desalination vessel.

News of Zhou Tengyun's successful capture mission quickly reached Hong Kong, bringing a wave of relief to Liu Hui, who had been anxiously awaiting the outcome. Starry Sky Group had already entered a military conflict with the US, and given the current stalemate, neither side seemed prepared to back down, guaranteeing a large-scale confrontation was inevitable. Since Liu Hui had already committed to war with the US, he certainly wasn't foolish enough to wait passively for the US attack; instead, he decided to emulate the US strategy and strike first.

Dispatching Zhou Tengyun to the US military encampment in Saudi Arabia was Liu Hui’s bold move to preempt the enemy. With the capture of the two primary US officials responsible for this operation, they could interrogate them to expose the deplorable act of the US government openly ordering its forces to illegally seize private property and technology, thereby gripping definitive leverage over the American administration. The previously captured US soldiers held low ranks, and their testimony lacked weight and credibility. However, the current captives—a Major General and a Lieutenant Colonel—carried far greater persuasive power, leaving the US government no room for denial later.

Liu Hui’s preemptive capture was also a calculated act of deterrence aimed at US decision-makers, sending a clear message: do not assume safety just because you are surrounded by troops. If the Starry Sky Group wills it, they can send people to seize you at any moment. The US military base in Saudi Arabia served as a stark, living example. Therefore, they must exercise extreme caution in their decision-making to avoid provoking forces they ought not to cross.

However, Liu Hui was fully aware of the formidable strength of the US military and their high confidence in achieving ultimate victory. They would certainly not be intimidated into submission by this single capture operation. The typical US response in such situations is to crush the enemy completely with overwhelming military force, possibly even employing their specialty: a decapitation strike. This was evident in the fact that three days after the conflict erupted between the US government and the Starry Sky Group, the US had made no effort to initiate contact with the Group.

Following Zhou Tengyun’s successful capture, the enraged US military was certain to retaliate with a massive offensive. Thus, as a precaution, Liu Hui specifically warned A Huo to remain vigilant and not give the US forces any opening. Xiao Hei immediately awoke from its slumber, beginning to patrol the vicinity of the desalination vessel and observe the US military deployments.

The following day, at 9:00 AM Persian Gulf time, the USS Stennis Carrier Strike Group stationed in the Strait of Hormuz received new orders from the US Department of Defense. These orders mandated that the Stennis Strike Group immediately prepare for combat and initiate an attack on the Starry Sky Group’s desalination vessel starting at 10:00 AM that morning. The order formally appointed Rear Admiral James, the commander of the Stennis Carrier Strike Group, as the overall commander for this operation, simultaneously transmitting a detailed battle plan. The Department of Defense officially designated this operation as "Operation Swift Wind," intending to eliminate the Starry Sky Group's desalination vessel as swiftly and cleanly as a gust of wind.

Rear Admiral James was somewhat surprised upon receiving the command. It wasn't the sheer scale of force being deployed against a few desalination ships that startled him, but rather the extreme suddenness of the operation. According to usual protocol, major military actions required notification of the field commander several days in advance to perfect the operational plan. It was unprecedented for the Department of Defense to issue the plan directly and appoint him commander on the spot.

Admiral James had already reviewed the "Operation Swift Wind" plan. From his professional perspective, the plan was riddled with gaps, failing to account for numerous variables, and the required military asset repositioning was far from complete. Why, then, was the Department of Defense pushing for an immediate offensive?

Naturally, James was unaware that Zhou Tengyun’s capture operation the previous night had successfully infuriated the US government. Although the US did not know who abducted the base commanders, Major General Morrison and Lieutenant Colonel Carl, the shell casings from the escape path perfectly matched the mysterious weapon previously used by the Starry Sky Group's desalination vessel. Therefore, the perpetrators were certainly linked to the Starry Sky Group. Furthermore, the US base reported the loss of a highly critical document—the classified file detailing Lieutenant Colonel Carl's mission targeting the Starry Sky Group's desalination technology. Thus, the situation was clear: the mysterious individuals who abducted Morrison and Carl were agents of the Starry Sky Group.

The US government hypothesized that the Starry Sky Group abducted Morrison and Carl because they knew the two officers were the actual implementers of the classified mission to acquire the desalination technology, hoping to use them as leverage to prevent the US from launching a full-scale assault.

However, the news that high-ranking officers had been abducted from within their heavily guarded military base sent shockwaves of fury through the US Department of Defense. In the history of the US military, there had never been a precedent where their own commanders were snatched by outsiders from within their base. The US military was accustomed to capturing enemy commanders; they certainly were not accustomed to receiving such treatment.

Consequently, the Starry Sky Group's kidnapping solidified the vengeful resolve among top officials in the Department of Defense. Simultaneously, however, they began to harbor a degree of apprehension regarding the Starry Sky Group's capabilities. If they possessed the strength to abduct personnel from a US military camp, who could guarantee they wouldn't attempt to seize someone from the Pentagon? The abductor had left with such casual ease, completely unthreatened by US military hardware.

The abduction of Major General Morrison and Lieutenant Colonel Carl caused the US government to panic slightly. They feared the Starry Sky Group might extract direct evidence of their mission through interrogation. Coupled with the possession of the classified document, the US government worried that the Starry Sky Group would expose the entire affair, leading to a monumental scandal that would immediately topple them from power amid public outrage. This fear prompted the US government to launch a preemptive strike on the desalination vessel before the Starry Sky Group could gather sufficient proof, aiming to rescue Morrison and Carl, retrieve the classified document, and silence all witnesses.

This urgency is why the Department of Defense ordered James to execute "Operation Swift Wind" before the US military's redeployment was fully finalized.

Despite the glaring deficiencies in the "Operation Swift Wind" plan, James resolved to proceed. In his mind, the Starry Sky Group, no matter how capable, was merely a corporation, utterly incapable of engaging in direct military confrontation with the US Armed Forces. Therefore, even with a flawed operational plan, they were confident they could eliminate the Starry Sky Group's desalination vessels.

Above the Starry Sky Group's desalination vessel in the Persian Gulf, a thick, white cloud obscured it, rendering any activity on board invisible to spy satellites overhead.

A massive, bowl-shaped instrument, newly installed on the desalination vessel, began rotating continuously in a 360-degree arc. At a central point beneath the bowl, waves of spiritual energy were being emitted outward into the sky, while the connected computer clearly displayed real-time conditions of the surrounding airspace.

This bowl-shaped instrument was a radar-like device delivered to the desalination vessel by Liu Hui via the "Starry Sky II." During the US military’s initial "Plan" to attack the desalination ships, they deployed intense electromagnetic jamming, nearly severing the vessel’s communications with the Hong Kong headquarters—a near catastrophe. Although the vessel's radar utilized a new technology that mitigated complete jamming, allowing detection up to eighty kilometers, Liu Hui worried that the US would employ even stronger interference this time, potentially rendering their radar useless and leaving them defenseless. Hence, he had this "Spiritual Energy Wave Radar" transported to the Persian Gulf.

At the Starry Sky Science Research Institute, research into the application of spiritual energy waves had been underway for some time. They discovered that high-grade energy stones emitted a mysterious, unique fluctuation—which Liu Hui identified as the spiritual energy wave emanating from the spirit stones and thus named it accordingly.

Later, institute experts found that this spiritual energy wave was a form of energy transmission. Although they did not yet understand the exact nature of this energy, its propagation speed was identical to that of electromagnetic waves, traveling at the speed of light. This sparked an idea in Liu Hui, and he tasked Chen Changsheng with researching the specific applications of this spiritual energy wave. Prompted by Liu Hui, Chen Changsheng began working to construct a radar-like apparatus utilizing this marvelous wave.

Before An Qi formally joined the Starry Sky Group, this "Spiritual Energy Wave Radar" was still in the experimental phase. Upon learning of the project, An Qi became deeply interested and, in just three days and nights, resolved all the technical hurdles, successfully building the world's first target detection system based on spiritual energy waves—the "Spiritual Energy Wave Radar." However, the device was still undergoing final testing and refinement, not yet ready for mass production.

Given the severe threat to his communication security posed by the US military, Liu Hui rushed this prototype "Spiritual Energy Wave Radar" to the Persian Gulf to prevent his own radar system from being blinded by future electromagnetic jamming attacks.

As soon as the "Spiritual Energy Wave Radar" was installed, it clearly displayed the precise situation within a 500-kilometer radius around the desalination vessel. On the contemporary Earth, nothing existed that could interfere with the propagation of spiritual energy waves.

"Boss Huo, we've detected unidentified aircraft to the west and south, about a hundred kilometers out. Huh? This radar can actually display the precise outlines of these two planes."

A Huo immediately looked over. On the monitor screen, two bright spots were visible. Upon magnifying the spots, they could discern the rough shapes of the two aircraft.

"Boss Huo, these are US 'Global Hawk' unmanned reconnaissance drones. They must be scouting our position right now," the radar operator quickly analyzed the aircraft types.

"Looks like the US is finally making their move! This is the first time they’ve deployed recon drones in days; I guess our mysterious weapon really spooked them," A Huo chuckled before relaying the news via phone call to Liu Hui back in Hong Kong.

Upon receiving the update, Liu Hui knew the US military could no longer hold back. The deployment of "Global Hawk" drones signified the imminent launch of their attack against the Starry Sky Group. He immediately ordered A Huo to prepare for battle and commanded Xiao Hei to enter a heightened state of alert.

A massive, expansive white cloud continued to hover directly above the desalination vessel, enveloping a five-kilometer radius. This prevented US spy satellites from observing any movement on board, and when they attempted infrared scanning, the heat signatures were completely blocked by the cloud, rendering the desalination vessel invisible to satellite surveillance.

Although the US military suspected the large cloud was artificially generated by the Starry Sky Group, they knew that "cloud-making" required immense technological prowess—a feat even the US had not yet mastered for stealth purposes. They concluded the appearance of a white cloud above the vessel must be a coincidence.

Consequently, the US dispatched two "Global Hawk" drones, one from the west and one from the south, to scout the desalination vessel. Wary of the opponent's mysterious weaponry, the drones maintained a reconnaissance distance of one hundred kilometers, the maximum range. While this limited the effectiveness of the surveillance, it provided a rough triangulation of the desalination vessel’s position, barely enough to guide US cruise missiles.

Having established the general location of the Starry Sky Group's desalination vessel, at 9:30 AM Gulf time, aircraft began launching from the USS Stennis. First, an E-2C Hawkeye early warning aircraft took off, followed by two E-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft. Finally, two squadrons of Super Hornet fighter jets scrambled.

Under the direction of the E-2C Hawkeye, the two E-18G Growlers sped toward the desalination vessel, tasked with initiating electromagnetic jamming and destroying the enemy’s radar. The two squadrons of Super Hornets formed two combat air patrols, heading toward the Persian Gulf, where they were to rendezvous with bomber wings and other fighter escorts deploying from US Middle East bases for a combined assault on the Starry Sky Group's desalination vessel.

Soon, it was 10:00 AM Middle East time, and the US officially launched its military offensive against the Starry Sky Group.

At the command of Rear Admiral James, the commander of the Stennis Carrier Strike Group, all US warships in the Gulf region launched "Tomahawk" cruise missiles, all targeted at the Starry Sky Group’s desalination vessel in the Persian Gulf.

In an instant, these warships launched a total of forty "Tomahawk" cruise missiles, guided by satellite and "Global Hawk" drone data, streaking toward the desalination vessel.

Back at US Central Command, military analysts determined that if even one-third of these forty "Tomahawk" missiles struck their target, their immense destructive power would sufficiently damage the Starry Sky Group's vessel, neutralizing its mysterious weaponry. Once the threat of the mysterious weapons was gone, the remaining bombardment by conventional aircraft would conclude the war.

As the forty "Tomahawk" missiles flew towards the Starry Sky Group's desalination vessel, US military satellites in orbit began broadcasting intense electromagnetic interference toward the vessel's location. Simultaneously, at an altitude of one hundred kilometers, the two US E-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft sped toward the vessel. Upon receiving their orders, they activated the jamming pods mounted beneath their fuselages, beginning to flood the Starry Sky Group's desalination vessel with electromagnetic interference. The Growlers also launched two anti-radiation missiles, intended to destroy the ship's radar systems.

The moment the two E-18G Growlers activated their jamming pods, combined with the electromagnetic interference broadcast from the satellites, the desalination vessel’s communications were instantly and completely shielded, severing contact with Hong Kong headquarters.

Fortunately, the desalination vessel was equipped with the "Spiritual Energy Wave Radar" and utilized hardwired field phones, avoiding the catastrophe of suddenly becoming blind and unable to direct combat operations. The external electromagnetic jamming, however intense, had absolutely no effect on the spiritual energy waves, allowing A Huo and his crew to maintain normal voice communication and detect airborne targets.

Noticing the US military initiating electronic warfare, A Huo knew immediately that the US had formally begun its attack.

"I order all Type One Special Weapons armed, all Type Two Special Weapons armed. Prepare for combat. Simultaneously, deploy the 'Starry Sky' Observer."

As A Huo issued his command, sixteen deep recesses suddenly opened across the four desalination vessels. Eight of these recesses housed Type One Special Weapons—electromagnetic cannons—and the other eight housed Type Two Special Weapons—laser systems. Originally, each desalination vessel carried only four sets of laser weapons and four electromagnetic cannons. However, supplies delivered by the "Starry Sky II" included an additional four sets of each, totaling sixteen special weapon emplacements. Although two of the electromagnetic cannons were aimed below the waterline, even so, these sixteen special weapon emplacements, along with the below-surface defenses provided by the "Starry Sky II," were deemed sufficient to guarantee their security.

Another large crate was quickly opened, revealing a gray-white spherical object, roughly one meter in diameter. The activation switch on the sphere was flipped, and it immediately levitated into the air. Controlled remotely by an adjacent operator, the sphere rapidly ascended, halting at an altitude of about one thousand meters, perfectly concealed within the man-made cloud surrounding the desalination vessel.

"Boss Huo, the 'Starry Sky' Observer has been deployed."

Immediately after the deployment of the "Starry Sky" Observer, the desalination vessel's computer clearly displayed a topographical map covering a diameter of one hundred kilometers in the vicinity. Every feature on the map was rendered with absolute clarity.

The "Starry Sky" Observer was a specialized high-altitude observation instrument developed by the Starry Sky Group. In the absence of their own satellites, it functioned as a low-orbit military asset, capable of clearly viewing conditions below.

The "Starry Sky" Observer utilized the Starry Sky Group's levitation formation and high-grade energy stones, transmitting data via spiritual energy waves. Furthermore, because it emitted no electromagnetic fluctuations itself and was hidden within the cloud cover, its gray-white coloring ensured its existence remained completely undetected.

With the "Starry Sky" Observer in place, the desalination vessel effectively possessed its own military satellite overhead, constantly monitoring all activity within a hundred-kilometer radius. No movement on the ground or in the air, no matter how subtle, could escape its notice. In terms of intelligence gathering, the Starry Sky Group had temporarily surpassed the US military.

On the Stennis Carrier Strike Group, intelligence reports were rapidly being consolidated and relayed to Rear Admiral James.

"Our military satellites and the E-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft are currently executing electromagnetic jamming against the target. The electronic warfare aircraft have also launched anti-radiation missiles; they are estimated to strike the target in two minutes."

"Forty Tomahawk cruise missiles have been launched from our destroyers; these cruise missiles are projected to impact their targets in exactly twenty minutes."

"Under the guidance of the AWACS planes, two squadrons of our Super Hornet fighter-attack teams are en route to the objective, expected to link up with the bomber squadrons in ten minutes."

"Two wings of F-15 fighters have taken off from our military bases in the Middle Eastern nation. They are providing escort for two bomber squadrons and one ground-attack detachment, anticipated to make direct contact with the Starfall Group in half an hour."

"The 'Voice of Death' Marine Attack Squadron is fully armed and ready, currently awaiting the General's command."

My sincere gratitude to the reader, Ye Ming, for the 300 coin tip and the three votes for 9000-word updates. Regrettably, I can only manage 6000 words again today. Thank you to the reader, Qing Feng, for your monthly ticket support. Today, I was looked down upon by the reader, +┈ヤ.~, who cast three negative review tickets. While I don't fully comprehend the reasoning, I must still thank you; at least it generated me an income of 1.5 yuan.