20: Electromagnetic storm! The crisis of technological weapon failure!

The cheers within the Deep Blue's Combat Information Center (CIC) had not entirely subsided, yet the atmosphere had already grown heavy. The system's glaring "42% Energy Reserve" warning, like a Sword of Damocles hanging overhead, cast a shadow over the joy of victory. What truly set off alarms in Lin Feng's mind was the communications officer's report:

"Captain! Target signal characteristics analyzed! Preliminary identification: E-2D 'Hawkeye' early warning aircraft variant! The signal source maintained a position at the edge of the battlefield, approximately 450 kilometers high, throughout the latter half of the battle. After the battle ended, it rapidly disengaged to the west and has now moved beyond our effective tracking range!"

"E-2D..." Lin Feng's fingers unconsciously tapped the cold metal edge of the command console, producing a soft 'thump-thump'. "Not just stragglers, but an organized airborne early warning and command platform. They were observing us, evaluating our capabilities, especially... our anti-air defenses." His gaze swept across the screen at the residual explosion smoke, symbolizing the anti-air firepower. "It seems we left a sufficiently deep, but also sufficiently dangerous, impression on our 'audience'."

"Captain, the intelligence team is working at full capacity to decipher intercepted encrypted communication fragments, hoping to find clues about the forces behind them," the intelligence officer added.

"Hmm, that's a top priority," Lin Feng nodded, his eyes sharp. "Also, inform the Chief Engineer that non-essential systems are to enter low-power operation mode. Energy, we must solve the energy problem immediately!" He turned to the system interface, quickly browsing the mission list and redeemable resources, searching for options or missions that could quickly replenish a large amount of energy. However, high rewards often came with high risks, requiring time for preparation and troop deployment.

Just then, the clear sky outside the bridge began to change in an eerie, unannounced way.

The originally azure sky, as if thick ink had been dropped into it, quickly spread into ominous patches of greyish-purple. The sunlight became dim and distorted, and wisps of visible mist, carrying faint blue-purple electrical arcs, rose from the sea surface. The air seemed to solidify, carrying a heart-pounding static sensation, and exposed skin could feel a subtle tingling.

"Captain, report! External environment abnormal!" The radar officer's voice carried a hint of surprise and uncertainty. "Atmospheric ionization concentration is rapidly increasing! Electromagnetic background noise... skyrocketing exponentially! Our radar... radar echoes are experiencing severe interference! The screen is starting to flicker!"

Almost simultaneously with the radar officer's report, a piercing alarm once again blared throughout the ship, but this time it wasn't a combat alarm. It was a sharper, more urgent "EMP / Electromagnetic Storm Alarm!" signifying system failure and environmental disaster.

Bzzzz— Crackle!

The lights in the CIC suddenly dimmed, then flickered violently! The massive main screen, like an old television with a bad connection, twisted and jumped wildly, instantly covered by large patches of static! All electronic instruments emitted harsh electrical static, their needles shaking erratically, data jumping madly or simply turning into garbled code!

"Report! 346A radar main array signal attenuation over 70%! Fire control system offline! Navigation system malfunctioning! Communication system... severely interfered with, all frequencies below longwave completely cut off!" The weapons officer's voice was filled with incredulous panic.

"Satellite communication cut off! GPS signal lost! Data link completely paralyzed!" The communications officer's voice also changed pitch.

"Deep Blue Hegemony system report: Detecting a super-strong regional electromagnetic storm outbreak! Energy level: A+! Estimated duration: Unknown! Causing severe interference and risk of permanent damage to precision electronic equipment and systems reliant on the electromagnetic environment! Recommendation: Shut down all non-life-support electronic systems! Enter electromagnetic silence mode!" The system's cold alert sounded amidst the chaos, yet it felt like a last straw.

"Execute! Execute immediately!" Lin Feng made a decisive call, his voice firm and resolute. "Shut down all non-essential electronic equipment! Main radar, fire control, active sonar, satellite communication... all powered down! Only retain minimum passive sonar, backup mechanical gyrocompass, and emergency shortwave communication attempts! The entire ship enters Level 1 electromagnetic protection status!"

As a series of orders were issued, most of the screens in the CIC instantly went dark, and the piercing alarm abruptly ceased, leaving only the dim, flickering light of the emergency lamps, illuminating everyone's uncertain faces like ghosts. Inside the ship, the previously ubiquitous faint hum disappeared, leaving only the sound of waves crashing against the hull and the mournful wail of the sea wind passing through the superstructure, terrifyingly silent.

The nerve center of a modern warship—its electronic systems—was instantly paralyzed in the face of this furious natural power! The 055, a steel behemoth relying on the "Chinese Aegis" and informatized combat capabilities, seemed to have its claws and teeth pulled, its eyes covered, its ears plugged, turning into a clumsy iron coffin floating on the sea!

"Damn it! This cursed weather!" Vice Captain Chen Hai slammed his fist on the control panel, his voice full of frustration. "Missiles, radar, communications... our most powerful weapons are all scrap metal! This is more troublesome than a dozen enemy planes!"

Lin Feng forced himself to calm down and walked to the porthole. The scene outside was even more terrifying. The sky was completely covered by rolling greyish-purple clouds, and thick, silent blue-white lightning bolts furiously darted deep within the clouds, like the enraged veins of a god. The sea was no longer calm; waves rose without wind, churning with strange, electrically charged spray. A strong smell of ozone permeated the air.

"Electromagnetic storm... a sequela of the global upheaval? Or some unknown phenomenon?" Lin Feng's brow furrowed. An electromagnetic pulse environment of this intensity far exceeded the scope of natural storms in his understanding. He immediately thought of the system's background setting: "unknown energy tides leading to the collapse of order." This storm, he feared, was one manifestation of that energy!

"Captain!" The sonar operator suddenly reported in the deadly silence, his voice very low and tense. "Passive sonar has detected an anomaly! Bearing 220, distance... approximately 15 nautical miles! Multiple underwater noise sources! Characteristics... propeller noise, irregular, suspected... *multiple small vessels!* They are approaching us! Speed... very slow, seemingly using the storm and swells for cover!"

"Small vessels?" Lin Feng's eyes narrowed. At this critical juncture? Is it a coincidence, or... taking advantage of the situation?

"Can you determine their intent?" Chen Hai immediately asked.

"Unable to determine! Passive sonar information is limited! But their course is directly towards us!" The sonar operator's voice was filled with worry.

"Damn it! It must be those sea rats who smell blood!" Chen Hai gritted his teeth. "They know that in this cursed weather, our cannons and missiles are just decorations! They want to get close to engage in boarding actions or send fire ships!"

Lin Feng's mind raced. Without radar and fire control, long-range weapons were unusable. Close-in weapon systems and HQ-10 missiles also relied on precise electronic equipment; under such strong electromagnetic interference, forcing them to operate would not only make them inaccurate but also risk burning out the systems! A conventional destroyer facing a swarm of small boats in this environment would be at a huge disadvantage!

"Captain, report! Backup shortwave communication attempts restored! Receiving intermittent clear voice calls!" The communications officer suddenly shouted, his voice carrying a mix of hope and tension. "It's... it's our temporary outpost on a nearby island! The signal is extremely poor, but barely audible! They report: observing a large number of modified fishing boats and speedboats, flying black skull flags, emerging from the western island reefs during the storm, their target is us! Quantity... over thirty vessels! They warn us... to be careful!"

Over thirty pirate ships! Using the cover of the electromagnetic storm, like a pack of sharks smelling a wounded whale, they swarmed in! Their intention was clear—kick them when they're down!

Everyone in the CIC felt their hearts sink. The steel behemoth that had just repelled a modern air raid was now, in an instant, facing the most primitive yet most deadly wolfpack tactic, and without any high-tech means!

"Damn it! These bastards!" Chen Hai cursed.

"What are you panicking about!" Lin Feng's voice, like a stabilizing force, instantly quelled the panic. His eyes were cold as he swept his gaze over everyone. "Without radar and missiles, is the 055 no longer the 055? Don't forget, we still have a steel hull! We still have naval guns! We still have well-trained Marines! We still have our fists!"

He strode back to the command position and, under the dim emergency lights, issued a series of "primitive" but incredibly firm orders:

1. "Main gun and secondary gun manual aiming mode prepare! Gunnery Officer, take men to the gun positions! Use optical sights and binoculars for me! Blast the approaching small fry to the bottom of the sea!" (The 130mm main gun and secondary guns can be operated optically and manually in extreme situations)

2. "Marines! All hands to deck combat stations! Heavy machine guns, rocket launchers, snipers in position! Block all possible approaching broadsides and sterns! Absolutely no enemy vessel is allowed to come alongside or board!"

3. "Damage Control Team! Prepare high-pressure water hoses and fire axes! Be ready to respond to fire attacks at any time!"

4. "Engine room! Ensure power! We need to maneuver and evade!" (Propulsion systems have better protection against electromagnetic pulses)

5. "Lookout posts! All hands to stations! Use your eyes! Keep a close watch on the sea surface! Upon spotting a target, immediately report its bearing and distance!"

The orders were relayed like a whirlwind. The entire warship, like an ancient beast awakened from an informatized slumber, entered the most primitive close-quarters combat state with a slightly clumsy but incredibly resolute posture. Sailors carried heavy ammunition boxes to the gun positions, Marines quickly sought cover on the slippery deck, setting up heavy machine guns and rocket launchers, cold rain and electrically charged sea mist hitting their resolute faces.

Lin Feng stood by the porthole, looking out at the apocalyptic greyish-purple sea and sky, and the small dark specks on the sea surface, flickering in and out of the waves like ghosts, closing in. His fists clenched tightly.

High-tech weapons are ineffective?

Then, in the most primitive way, he would show these opportunistic pirates what steel will means! What the dignity of Deep Blue means!

"Deep Blue! Engage the enemy!" Lin Feng's roar, like a thunderclap, exploded in the oppressive storm!