35: Chapter 35 Standoff

To be honest, Li Ming wasn't particularly keen on dealing with these reincarnations of Halsey, but by sheer coincidence, as Fujian advanced, the sea area where the cruise ship was located had become a necessary passage for the Supply Ships.

The Naval Bombers in the rear were relocating, and the nearest Air Force Base had already entered a state of combat readiness, initiating takeoff procedures.

Now, he had to make up for his own foolish mistake.

The other side hadn't shown any hostility yet; despite having numerical superiority, they hadn't initiated any probing actions either. This might also be due to the lack of a proper communication channel between the two sides.

Regardless, it was still unclear whether there were more forces following behind the enemy. The P-38s above the storm couldn't possibly achieve their intended effect.

Li Ming still chose to contact Fujian, reported the current situation, and cross-checked information with her.

The Sirens hadn't arrived yet, but out of caution, Fujian was holding her position for now. This meant Li Ming had to handle the rear situation alone.

"Alright, let's head back. Deploy the encirclement formation," Li Ming thought for a moment. "mustang 11th and 13th Air Regiments, take off carrying HVARs."

Considering they were only Destroyers, using bombs risked missing or causing overkill. These rockets were just right.

The enemy's situation was currently unclear. First, he didn't want to use a cannon to kill a mosquito. Second, he couldn't yet determine if they were clearly friend or foe, or perhaps a neutral party (even though they didn't seem very friendly). Although Li Ming wasn't a professional, judging from Yellow Chicken's tone, the other side were professional 'Escort Destroyers'. Without a comparable adversary, it's hard for a force to develop a clear fleet hierarchy.

So Li Ming decided to gamble once more, betting that the other side would be reasonable when faced with the regular armed forces of an unknown power.

Additionally...

"Notify the Forward Destroyers to transmit on all frequency bands. Also..."

He switched the communication channel to Fujian once again.

"Fujian, is the rear area within your electronic suppression range?"

"It is not, Commander. However, through the relay of the Communication Ship, I can jam information channels to a certain extent."

"Understood. Leave the rear problem to me."

Li Ming cut off the communication, ensuring Fujian wouldn't ask further questions—she always worried a bit too much.

The fleet began advancing at full speed on the turbulent sea. Li Ming felt his seasickness acting up again.

He hoped he could hold on a bit longer. Feeling dizzy, he took the enamel cup from the fixed holder nearby and went to pour some hot water.

"Chirp, chirp chirp chirp..." The Telegraph Chuchu delivered the forwarded telegram.

Li Ming turned it over and looked.

It was all garbled code. Clearly, the other side's radio system was different from the international standard.

But the fact that they had initiated communication before his fleet arrived, and hadn't taken any direct hostile action, was somewhat good news.

It was evident that even though there were only two Destroyers on the front line, the other side hadn't chosen to act rashly and had remained calm.

Perhaps because the other side couldn't be sure of their situation either?

However, Li Ming didn't plan to let his guard down just yet. He still approached in an encirclement formation. According to the information, the Reconnaissance Aircraft had already arrived above the storm but hadn't been able to see through it to spot any possible information on the sea surface. Just before Fujian's last contact with the enemy, Li Ming contacted Fujian again and learned that 'the other side showed no signs of communicating with their rear.'

Were they recklessly bold, or did they truly have backing, or was it...

As they got closer, Li Ming looked at the three miserable-looking Destroyers and began stroking his chin.

But even though he rubbed his chin nearly hard enough to produce sparks, he couldn't figure out how they had survived until now, or what kind of determination drove them to challenge the storm.

Well, he wasn't in a position to criticize them, as his own side wasn't much better off. Continuing like this, they'd really have to start chaining the ships together.

"Medic, get me some seasickness medicine," Li Ming's voice wasn't very loud. He leaned against the window, his trembling hand tightly clutching the enamel cup.

Soon, the Military Doctor Qiu handed over the seasickness pills. Li Ming took them, put them in his mouth, then brought the enamel cup to his lips and took a small sip...

A large wave hit, turning his small sip into a big gulp, which he promptly choked on and coughed out.

"Damn!... Give me another one..."

Finally managing to swallow the pill, Li Ming... finally decided that before his brain fully booted up, he needed to expel the nearly two liters of water he had probably drunk.

After completing this series of operations, Li Ming returned to the Bridge and stretched.

It felt good to regain his composure. But for now, the other side, due to his encirclement, had chosen to maneuver, trying to maintain distance as much as possible. However, within a semi-encirclement, no matter how they ran, they couldn't escape unless they could execute a sharp turn on the spot in this weather—that would be truly suicidal. Li Ming would have to salute their bravery.

"Continue attempting communication. Signal lamps, radio, use them all. Semaphore... no, forget semaphore, they can't see it in this weather."

Of course, there was also the point that he didn't intend to let Yellow Chicken appear in the other side's field of view. Otherwise, if the other side had no concept of Yellow Chicken, he might be seen as a 'gene maniac' or a 'greenskin creator' in their eyes.

The other side was also continuously using signal lamps and sending radio signals. Although most likely neither side understood what the other was saying, at least they were trying to communicate, which was good news.

Li Ming dispatched two Destroyers, with all lights on, to cover his Command Ship as it gradually approached, ensuring that even if ambushed, he wouldn't be without the ability to fight back.

The other ships had gradually established an encirclement. Meanwhile, the two Destroyers escorting the cruise ship were slowly moving away from it and entering first-level combat readiness duty.

The two mustang air squadrons had also arrived. Although two planes were struck by lightning and crashed on the way (their rockets detonated, causing them to explode on the spot), at least the deterrence level was sufficient. Li Ming ordered the Flying Chuchus to patrol the periphery, ensuring they could immediately enter attack mode if any situation arose.

Not long after, the other side also turned on their lights. Li Ming's gamble paid off; the other side didn't open fire but chose to negotiate.

He breathed a sigh of relief internally, but Li Ming still took his greatcoat from the clothes rack nearby—the last time he wore this, he accidentally tore it, and Fujian was the one who helped him mend it...

But he had to admit, he liked this gray military greatcoat. Putting on the unmarked military cap, fastening his belt, holstering his sidearm, Li Ming then took out the han sword he had custom-made at the factory—Fujian had scolded him for it, but wasn't it useful now for showing off?

He looked at himself in the mirror. Hey.

Not bad at all.

Walking with a swagger that disowned all relatives, Li Ming returned to the Bridge, preparing for the upcoming negotiation.

Back on the Bridge, Li Ming picked up the binoculars again and saw someone who appeared to be an officer from the other side appear on the deck.

Two people, one male, one female. The male looked normal, in a white naval uniform, probably a naval officer. The female...

The female jumped off the ship?!

...And then stood on the water's surface.

Ah, right, right. So she's a Ship Girl...

Ah, no, no, no, no!

Ship Girl?

Hey, buddy, I just set out, and I have to fight a boss already?

"Cough, cough, cough!" Li Ming almost choked on his own saliva. He immediately straightened his clothes again, then cleared his throat lightly twice, switching into serious mode.

Although in Li Ming's memory, Ship Girls were kind, he needed to be cautious now.

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