275: Red Alert First Fleet

To support this large-scale troop deployment, Jiang Xin carried out an emergency expansion of the newly formed Red Alert First Fleet.

Ten new large landing ships and six integrated transport ships were added, greatly enhancing the fleet's amphibious delivery and logistical support capabilities. Simultaneously, one destroyer and three frigates were added to further strengthen the escort firepower and regional air defense network.

At this moment, in Jiangzhou Port—a deep-water harbor transformed by the system and looking brand new—half of the First Fleet's vessels were quietly moored at their berths. The somewhat pale winter sunlight shone on the silver-gray hulls, reflecting a cold metallic luster. The sea breeze blew with a salty, fishy scent, making the military flags snap and flutter. On the pier, there was a scene of chilling solemnity and bustling activity.

The officers and soldiers of the Fourth Brigade of the Second Army Group, as the first wave of troops to be deployed to the Jingchu region theater by water, were boarding the ships in a rapid and orderly fashion.

Chen Hao, the Commander of the Second Army Group, personally visited the pier. Standing by the command vehicle, his eyes were like torches as he scrutinized every step of the boarding process.

The First Fleet's task was extremely heavy—it needed to transport a total of four brigades in batches to various strategic strongholds along the river in Jingchu region. From Jiangzhou Port to the core objective, Jiangcheng Military Port, a single voyage plus troop boarding and unloading would take at least twelve hours, not counting potential unforeseen circumstances.

Meanwhile, at Hongdu Port, the First Brigade of the Second Army Group was conducting the same boarding operations; their destination was Huanggang. The subsequent Second Brigade would head further upstream to Yichang, while the Third Brigade would head directly north from Jiangzhou to Huangshi. The First and Second Mixed Brigades would travel inland from Jiangzhou toward Xianning.

On the Western Hunan front, Zhang Lei would lead the most elite Mecha Unit and air force to directly assault Yueyang via airdrop, establishing a forward bridgehead. Once Zhang Lei completed the clearing of the target area, Jiang Xin, far away in the South of the Ranges, could perform remote base construction through the system. Subsequently, the First Brigade of the First Army Group departing from Jiujiang Port would arrive at Yueyang Port by ship to complete the link-up. Other units would also advance from Hongdu, Chuping, Yuan state, and other directions by water and land, forming a multi-pronged pincer movement against the Changsha and Zhuzhou.

Jiangzhou Port Core Boarding Zone

The massive destroyers and frigates had finished resupplying and taking on personnel, being the first to cast off and set sail toward their outer sea picket positions. The deep-water berths at the heart of the port area were reserved for the large landing ships and transport ships.

These ships now had their enormous well deck doors open, like giant whales opening their mouths. Heavy roll-on/roll-off ramps were laid diagonally from the decks to the pier, forming sturdy steel slopes connecting land to the voyage across the ocean.

“All personnel attention! According to the boarding plan sequence, begin boarding!” The boarding Commander's steady and highly penetrating orders came through the loudspeakers, echoing repeatedly across the noisy pier.

As the order was given, the Red Alert Soldiers who had been waiting in formation immediately moved. In company and platoon units, they formed neat squares and marched with unified steps toward their designated vessels. Thousands of pairs of military boots stepped on the concrete pier, producing a heavy, dense, and rhythmic 'thud-thud' sound that converged like the beating of war drums, shaking the heart. The soldiers wore jungle or urban camouflage, their faces painted with anti-glare grease, rifles slung across their shoulders, and backpacks bulging. Their gazes were sharp, and even during the boarding process, they did not forget to vigilantly scan the surroundings and the sea.

At the gangways and roll-on/roll-off entrances, guides in striking fluorescent vests held red and green signal flags, the whistles in their mouths occasionally emitting short, sharp commands.

“First Company, port side gangway!”

“Third Platoon, Channel 3, move it!” Like conductors of a symphony orchestra, they precisely guided the torrent of steel and flesh into their respective compartments and decks.

The infantry boarding process was efficient and rapid.

Once the infantry had finished boarding, the heavy equipment began to be loaded.

With a low and powerful roar approaching from a distance, the ground vibrated slightly. An apocalypse tank led the way. Its massive body, like a mobile fortress with thick twin-linked cannons pointing forward, slowly approached the roll-on/roll-off ramp. The driver looked through the periscope with full concentration, carefully adjusting the direction under the precise hand signals of the deck guide. The heavy treads ground over the concrete, leaving clear tooth marks. When the front treads of the tank touched the ramp, the entire steel slope let out a slight 'groan.' The tank climbed steadily upward, its body tilting slightly; the driver and Commander inside stared intently at the instruments and external conditions, not daring to be the least bit careless.

When the apocalypse tank's nearly hundred-ton steel body was fully onto the broad deck of the landing ship, the deck securing team waiting nearby immediately swarmed forward. They nimbly looped arm-thick specialized steel cables over the towing hooks at the front and rear of the tank, using massive hydraulic wrenches to tighten the shackles until they made a reassuring 'click.' On the vast sea, the sliding of any equipment could be catastrophic.

Following the apocalypse tank, infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, self-propelled artillery, and heavy military trucks loaded with ammunition crates, fuel drums, and various supplies drove one after another into the enormous well decks of the landing ships. The soldiers collaborated with a clear division of labor: some waved flags at the entrances to guide vehicles, some held blueprints inside the decks to direct parking positions to maximize space utilization, and others held registers to quickly verify the serial numbers and units of every piece of equipment entering. Soon, the well decks were filled with a forest of steel, the cold metal surfaces glinting with a chilly light, various weapons pointing toward the sky or the sides, a majestic combat power permeating the orderly arrangement.

Over at the integrated transport ships specialized for personnel and supplies, teams of logistics soldiers pushed flatbed carts loaded with materials, shouting cadences as they flew to deliver tons of grain, medicine, spare parts, barreled fresh water, and fuel into the lower cargo holds. Meanwhile, more soldiers lined up in long queues to board the upper decks and living quarters via gangways. They quickly finished forming up in designated assembly areas within the ship's cabins, where officers conducted final headcounts and mission briefings. After the personnel had finished boarding, some light vehicles and important equipment also began to be hoisted via deck cranes or side-hull doors.

“Thud—!” As the last batch of equipment was secured, the heavy well deck door of the final landing ship, driven by hydraulic systems, slowly folded inward until it closed seamlessly with a dull, solid boom, isolating the internal world of steel from the outside.

Air Wing Vice-Captain Liu Jiang stood on the bridge of the flagship, holding binoculars and looking toward the horizon where the sea and sky met. The destroyers and frigates that had left the port earlier had already formed an escort formation in the designated waters, the signal lights on their masts flashing rhythmically to signal 'ready' in light code.

He took a deep breath of the salty air, picked up the communicator, and gave the order in a deep voice:

“All ships report boarding and readiness status!”

“Landing Ship No. 1, complete!”

“Transport Ship No. 3, complete!”

...“Reporting to Commander, Red Alert First Fleet, all personnel ready!”

Liu Jiang's gaze was firm, and his voice spread through the fleet broadcast to every vessel:

“All crew members and transport units, attention! I order—cast off, set sail!”

“Woo—!” The long and loud blast of the siren pierced the noise of the port area, like a clarion call to war.

On the pier, thick cables were quickly unhooked from the bollards and hauled in by sailors. Assisted by tugboats, the massive hulls slowly left their berths and turned their bows.

The destroyer took the lead, its sharp bow like a blade cutting through the calm sea surface and churning up white waves. Frigates were distributed on the fleet's flanks, their Radar antennas slowly rotating as they vigilantly scanned the surrounding airspace and water. The massive landing ships and transport ships formed the core formation, following steadily behind, plowing wide and straight wakes on the sea that extended toward the unknown battlefield.

On the decks of the transport and landing ships, the Red Alert Soldiers who had finished boarding did not immediately enter the cabins to rest. In squad and platoon units, they stood in neat squares facing the gradually receding coastline. The sea breeze blew against their young and resolute faces, fluttering their military uniforms.