234: Chapter 234 Missile in the Air, Warning Firing

"Understood!"

That night, in the rocky reef area outside Saleh Port, a dilapidated cargo ship "accidentally ran aground." The Coast Guard (actually tribal militants controlled by Houssa in disguise) "discovered" a large quantity of "smuggled weapons" in the hold during the "rescue" process.

In reality, this was equipment deployed by the system: six sets of improved "YJ-83" shore-to-ship missile systems.

This missile was originally one of the main anti-ship weapons of the Dragon Country Navy, with a range exceeding 250 kilometers. It uses active radar terminal guidance and possesses "fire-and-forget" capability. The modified version provided by the system further optimized the tracking capability for small high-speed targets and simplified the launch system, allowing it to be operated by a trained small team.

Each system includes: a missile launch vehicle (integrated with a quadruple launcher), a command and control vehicle, a radar vehicle, and a power supply vehicle. All are painted in desert yellow and possess basic camouflage capabilities.

Three hundred Junior Death Soldiers arrived with the equipment, disguised as "international mercenary technical personnel." Over the next two weeks, they would be responsible for training sixty of the smartest tribal youths selected by Houssa to master the operation and maintenance of the missile systems.

The transport work was completed before dawn. The six systems were disassembled into components and transported up "Eagle Beak Rock" along treacherous mountain paths using pickup trucks and manual labor. By daybreak, all equipment had entered the preset positions and was covered with camouflage nets. From the sea, this hilltop looked no different from the countless surrounding hills.

But Houssa knew that from today on, shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait had an extra Sword of Damocles hanging over its head.

Seven days later, 10:00 AM.

In the middle of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a 50,000-ton bulk carrier flying the Squid Nation flag, the "Zion," was sailing from south to north at a speed of 12 knots. The ship was loaded with construction machinery and agricultural products being transported from the Port of Durban in South Africa to the Port of Haifa. This was originally supposed to be an ordinary commercial voyage.

Captain Avi Levy stood on the bridge, drinking coffee while chatting with the first mate beside him: "I heard the south bank hasn't been peaceful lately? Tribal militants are active?"

The first mate shrugged: "Who knows. Anyway, we have insurance, and..." He pointed to the national flag flying on the mast, "This flag is the best protective talisman. These Arabs don't have the guts to touch us."

Just as he finished speaking, a strange voice suddenly sounded on the communication channel in heavily accented English:

"Squid Nation merchant ship 'Zion' ahead, this is the Yemen Liberation Front Coast Guard. You have entered our territorial waters; please turn and leave immediately. Repeat, turn and leave immediately. If you ignore the warning, we will take necessary measures."

Captain Avi was stunned for two seconds, then burst out laughing: "Coast Guard? The Yemen government forces collapsed long ago, where would a Coast Guard come from? It's probably pirates bluffing."

He signaled the communications officer to reply: "'Yemen Coast Guard,' this is the 'Zion.' Our ship is sailing normally in international waters and has not entered any country's territorial waters. Please do not interfere with legal shipping."

The other side was silent for a moment.

Then, that voice sounded again, colder this time: "Final warning. Your ship's current position: 12 degrees 28 minutes North latitude, 43 degrees 20 minutes East longitude. You are 16 nautical miles from our coastline and have entered territorial waters. You have three minutes to turn. In three minutes, if the course remains unchanged, we will fire warning shots."

"Fire?" The first mate also laughed, "What are they going to fire with? AK47s?"

Captain Avi shook his head: "Ignore them. Continue sailing. Notify the company that we have encountered suspected pirate communication harassment."

Three minutes passed quickly.

The "Zion" still maintained its original course and speed.

At the "Eagle Beak Rock" position, Houssa watched the approaching cargo ship through binoculars, a cold arc curling at the corner of his mouth.

"Firing Position One," he ordered, "Single shot, target the water surface five hundred meters in front of the ship's bow. Warning shot."

"Firing Position One understands. Missile programming: YJ-83, low-altitude sea-skimming mode, inertial plus terminal radar guidance, set airburst point: 500 meters in front of the target's bow, altitude 10 meters."

"Fire!"

Boom—!

Hot gas spewed from the tail of the launch tube, and a completely white missile roared out! It first climbed to an altitude of a hundred meters, then quickly lowered its trajectory, almost hugging the sea surface as it sped away at Mach 0.9!

From launch to impact, it took less than forty seconds.

On the bridge of the "Zion," the lookout was the first to see that white line flying across the sea surface.

"That... what is that?!"

Captain Avi grabbed his binoculars, and when he saw the object's outline clearly, his face instantly turned pale: "Missile! It's an anti-ship missile! Hard to starboard! Fast!"

But a 50,000-ton cargo ship takes time to turn.

The missile exploded in the air according to the preset program less than five hundred meters from the ship's bow! The warhead did not release its full power, but the shockwave and fragments from the explosion still kicked up waves several meters high on the calm sea. A few shrapnel pieces even hit the anchor chain at the bow, making a crisp "clanging" sound!

"They... they really fired..." The first mate's legs went weak, and he slumped to the floor.

In the communication channel, that cold voice sounded again: "Next time, the target will be your bridge. Turn, or sink."

Captain Avi no longer dared to hesitate, screaming hoarsely: "Hard to port! Turn around! Leave this place! Fast!"

The massive hull of the "Zion" carved a pathetic arc on the sea, turning in panic and fleeing back the way it came.

The news, after the "Zion" sailed into safe waters and the shaken captain sent out an emergency report, spread through the global shipping industry and energy markets at the speed of light.

"The Yemen Liberation Front possesses anti-ship missiles and effectively controls parts of the waters on the southern shore of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait."

"Squid Nation merchant ship forced to turn back after warning shots."

These two headlines hit the front pages of all major global media outlets within the next twenty-four hours.

In London, at the Baltic Exchange, crude oil futures prices surged by 7% in response.

In New York, Wall Street analysts urgently adjusted their assessment reports on the Middle East situation.

In Singapore, shipping insurance companies held overnight meetings to discuss whether to classify the Bab el-Mandeb Strait as a "high-risk area" and increase premiums.

The most tense reaction came from Bahrain, the headquarters of the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet.

Vice Admiral James Malloy, the commander, stood before the large screen in the combat operations center, his expression solemn as he looked at the location of "Eagle Beak Rock" and the estimated range coverage of the "YJ-83."