225: Chapter 225 Who is the Real Hunter?

A Junior Death Soldier walked over and handed over a handwritten reconnaissance report: "Leader, in the past six hours, we have detected at least three high-altitude drone overflight trails over the east side of the city. The characteristics match the MQ-9 'Reaper', flying at an altitude of over 8,000 meters. Our light weapons cannot reach it, and our existing man-portable air-defense missiles..." He paused. "They are the 'Arrow'-2 from the last century, infrared-guided, with no anti-jamming capability. The success rate for hitting such a modern high-altitude drone is less than 10%."

Sinwar closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into the System channel.

[Master, emergency. The enemy has deployed an MQ-9 'Reaper' drone squadron, equipped with precision optoelectronic pods and 'Hellfire' missiles. Our current equipment cannot effectively counter them, and we face the risk of being continuously hunted. Requesting tactical support.]

...

Naypyidaw, Presidential Palace underground secret room.

Zhang Cheng was standing in front of a huge screen, watching the real-time footage transmitted back by Sinwar—it was uploaded directly through the Death Soldiers' visual sensors. In the footage, although the tiny black dot in the sky was blurry, after system enhancement, the 'Reaper's' unique V-shaped tail and slender fuselage could be clearly identified.

"They came really fast," Zhang Cheng sneered. "The Yanks are in such a hurry to get back at us. After taking a beating in Myanmar, they ran to the Middle East to flex their muscles?"

Old K stood to the side, data streams flashing in his eyes: "Master, system analysis shows that the MQ-9 possesses powerful battlefield surveillance capabilities and stand-off strike capabilities. If not contained, the maneuver space of Sinwar's troops will be severely compressed, and they may even be eliminated one by one."

"So, we have to send them a gift." Zhang Cheng rubbed his chin. "Let them know who the real daddy is in the field of drones."

He quickly browsed through the System Mall interface, his fingers stopping on the [Man-Portable Air-Defense System] and [Electronic Warfare Equipment] sections.

"System, exchange: 'voroshilov-2' man-portable air-defense missile, magic-modified version."

[Confirm exchange: 'voroshilov-2' man-portable air-defense missile system (System magic-modified version) × 50 sets.]

[Magic-modified characteristics: 1. Dual-band infrared/ultraviolet composite guidance, extremely strong resistance to infrared jamming flares; 2. Built-in thermal imaging sight, capable of locking onto low-infrared signature targets at night and in complex backgrounds; 3. Launch tube integrated with micro-phased array radar, capable of detecting slow-moving aerial targets within eight kilometers; 4. Single-shot hit rate increased to 92%.]

[Consumed points: 35,000 points.]

"Exchange again: 'Hummingbird' micro electronic warfare drone."

[Confirm exchange: 'Hummingbird' micro electronic warfare drone × 10 sets (each set contains 1 mother drone, 6 decoy sub-drones).]

[Characteristics: The mother drone can hover at high altitudes over the battlefield, releasing decoy sub-drones to simulate the radio signals and heat signatures of a command post; the sub-drones can simulate human activity infrared signals, capable of luring AGM-114 'Hellfire' missiles to deviate from the target; possesses frequency-hopping jamming capability, capable of briefly cutting off the data link between the 'Reaper' and the rear.]

[Consumed points: 15,000 points.]

[Total consumption: 50,000 points. Current point balance: Sufficient.]

"Approved." A cold glint flashed in Zhang Cheng's eyes. "Sinwar, the equipment is ready for delivery. Listen, I don't just want you to shoot down that 'Reaper', I want you to fight a beautiful ambush. Let the whole world see that the Yanks' so-called 'technological generation gap' is nothing but a scrap of paper in front of me."

[Command received. Delivery coordinates confirmed: Gaza East District, second basement level of the abandoned hospital.]

...

Gaza, second basement level of the abandoned hospital.

This was a trap carefully selected by Sinwar. Although the main structure of the hospital had half-collapsed, the underground parking lot and emergency room areas had sturdy structures and massive space. More importantly, it was located at the northwest corner of an intersection, with an open field of view and multiple high points and concealed retreat routes around it.

At this moment, it had been transformed into a place that looked "very much like a command post".

Several diesel generators were deliberately placed near the ventilation ducts, emitting obvious heat; several antennas stuck out from the cracks in the collapsed floor slabs—although they were actually just receiving devices, from the air, the characteristics were obvious; more than a dozen Junior Death Soldiers wore imitation officer uniforms, walking frequently in specific windows, creating an illusion of personnel density.

And in several ruin bunkers 300 meters away from the main hospital building, as well as the top floor of a half-collapsed residential building opposite, the real killer moves were being set up.

"Air defense team one, in position." Sinwar's voice sounded in the encrypted channel.

On the top floor of the residential building, two Junior Death Soldiers were lying behind a pile of rubble. In front of them was a launch tube that looked thicker, shorter, and more sci-fi than the traditional 'stinger'. The tube body was matte black, and there was a complex optical window at the front—this was the composite sight integrating thermal imaging and laser ranging. This was the System magic-modified version of the 'voroshilov-2'.

"Target altitude 8,000 meters, speed 70 meters per second, heading stable, currently circling." The observer reported through a modified tablet computer—this was real-time air situation information directly obtained through the 'Firmament' system terminal, provided by high-altitude reconnaissance Death Soldiers. "Distance 7.5 kilometers, has entered maximum range."

"Received, maintain silence, wait for orders."

Directly below the hospital, in the shadows of the second basement level, another Death Soldier was operating a device the size of a suitcase. The lid of the box was open, revealing a complex screen and joystick. This was the mother drone control terminal for the 'Hummingbird' electronic warfare system.

"Decoy sub-drones released," he reported in a low voice. "Three in the red zone (hospital top floor), three in the yellow zone (parking lot entrance), signal characteristics have been simulated as 'working radio stations' and 'personnel gathering heat sources'. Frequency scanning shows that the 'Reaper' has taken the bait, and its radar illumination mode has switched to tracking and locking."

Sinwar was hiding in an abandoned bus 500 meters away from the hospital, observing the sky through a periscope. In his hand, he held a simple detonator.

"Very good," he said softly, as if talking to himself, and as if reporting to Zhang Cheng thousands of miles away. "Let the Yanks' 'Reaper' see who the real hunter is."

...

Nevada, Creech Air Force Base.

"Sir, target confirmed! 'Ghost 01' reports, heat source signals in the basement of the abandoned hospital have increased, radio activity is frequent. Combined with our voiceprint library comparison, the accent of one of the communicators highly matches the commander in yesterday's attack video!" Mark Stevens shouted excitedly. "Requesting attack authorization! We have an excellent window of opportunity; striking now can ensure maximum lethality!"