287: Chapter 287 YJ-18, Launch

Zhang Cheng turned his gaze toward Yemen: "What is the movement over at Houssa's side?"

Li Lanzhi reported: "President Houssa reports that the USS Eisenhower carrier strike group is loitering 300 kilometers away, but multiple groups of unidentified small vessels and submarines have been discovered operating near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, suspected of reconnaissance or preparing for infiltration. There are also signs of unusual troop movements at the Saudi Arabia border. Houssa has ordered all missile positions and coastal defense units to enter the highest state of combat readiness and has strengthened security in Sanaa and important ports."

"The USA really wants to get back at us through Yemen." Zhang Cheng sneered. "Tell Houssa to hold his ground. Anyone who dares to intrude into our territorial waters or airspace, no need for warnings—sink or shoot them down directly. Also, approve half of the batch of 'YJ-18' anti-ship missile systems he requested. Use points to exchange, and deploy them immediately."

"Yes!"

Zhang Cheng leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping lightly on the armrest. Fighting on two fronts doubled the pressure. But the window of deterrence brought about by the crushing defeat of the "Grey Wolf" had to be utilized well. Lavitz's madness was both a crisis and an opportunity to thoroughly resolve the Gaza issue. And Yemen would become another testing ground to evaluate the USA's determination and capability to intervene under the new situation.

"Notify Special Envoy Zhao Gang," Zhang Cheng said to Li Lanzhi, "and leak the intelligence that Lavitz might use prohibited weapons, as well as some of the evidence we possess of the 'Grey Wolf' being captured (without revealing the source), to the Dragon Country through appropriate channels. Ask them to exert maximum diplomatic pressure on the Squid Nation and the USA, warning them not to take risks. At the same time, express our firm stance on maintaining the security of the Red Sea shipping lanes."

"Yes, Mr. President."

Orders were issued one after another, and the nerve center in Naypyidaw operated at high speed. In the distant Gaza and Yemen, war clouds gathered once again, and this time, it might determine the final outcome of the entire Middle East chess game.

In the Gaza Strip, thirty meters underground, deep within the "Rock" command post.

On the screen in front of Sinwar, two adjacent images were displayed. On the left was the real "Rock" command core area, where personnel were nervously and orderly transferring important equipment and data to a deeper, more fortified "Fortress" backup command post. On the right was a ruined area three kilometers away that had long been bombed into a wasteland. At this moment, it was covered by a faint, shimmering layer of light that seemed to ripple like water.

That was the "Holographic Terrain Projection and Heat Source Simulation Unit" that the system had just deployed and activated. In satellite and drone reconnaissance images, that ruin would be "restored" into a seemingly intact complex of buildings, displaying heat source signals consistent with a command center (generators, personnel gatherings), simulated radio activity, and even simulated vehicle traffic. To the naked eye and ordinary telescopes, it remained a ruin, with only slightly strange light and shadows, but in the night and complex battlefield environments, it was enough to pass for the real thing.

"The decoy has been set up," a Death Soldiers technical officer reported. "The simulated signal strength and heat source distribution have all been set according to the normal activity patterns of the "Rock" command post. It is expected to deceive most of the enemy's reconnaissance methods for four hours."

Sinwar nodded, his gaze calm. He glanced at the time; one hour and twenty minutes had passed since he received Zhang Cheng's warning. If Lavitz's "Final Purification" was truly coming, it should happen within the next hour.

"Order all frontline combat units to maintain radio silence and stand by in concealment. Drone reconnaissance squads should focus on monitoring enemy long-range artillery positions and airports that might launch special attack aircraft. Air defense units should prepare to intercept potential incoming missiles or aircraft, but prioritize ensuring the 'safety' of the decoy area, allowing a small number of 'escaped fish' to hit the periphery of the decoy area to enhance authenticity." Sinwar issued the orders. "The 'Lens' film crew, split into two groups. One group will stay at a safe distance and use long-focus and thermal imaging equipment to record the entire strike that the decoy area might suffer. The other group, prepare to head to the residential areas that might suffer real attacks immediately after the strike occurs to record evidence."

"Understood!"

The orders were quickly conveyed. The entire Gaza resistance network, like a precise clock, quietly changed its rhythm under Sinwar's coordination. On the surface, radio activity in some areas "weakened," as if the command system was contracting toward a certain point—this was exactly the effect simulated by the decoy system.

Meanwhile, in the southern part of the Squid Nation, at a highly classified artillery position.

Colonel Aaron looked at the encrypted coordinates received on his communication terminal, sent from the "Ministry of Defense" with highest authority, along with a brief order: "Execute 'Final Purification', authorization code: Thunder Snake-7-Final."

The coordinates pointed to an area in the east-central part of Gaza; according to previous intelligence analysis, there were suspected signs of high-level command node activity of the Resistance Organization there.

Colonel Aaron took a deep breath. He was a radical Zionist who firmly believed that the most brutal blows must be dealt to the enemy to win living space. Although Minister Lavitz's order bypassed conventional procedures, at this critical juncture of "national survival," he was willing to bear all responsibility.

"Target coordinates confirmed. Load 'Fortress Destroyer' special ammunition." He ordered over the position command channel.

The so-called "Fortress Destroyer" was the codename for a type of super-large fuel-air bomb (thermobaric bomb), whose power was close to the shockwave and high-temperature effects of small tactical nuclear weapons, mainly used to destroy underground bunkers and large, fortified structures. The use of this ammunition was extremely controversial internationally, especially in densely populated areas.

Four specially modified M-107 175mm self-propelled cannons slowly raised their thick, long barrels. This type of old-fashioned artillery had undergone modernization, and its range and accuracy were still considerable; more importantly, it could fire special ammunition. The gunners operated silently and quickly, loading the heavy special projectiles into the breech.

"One test shot, set parameters... Fire!"

Boom!

With a dull and powerful roar, the muzzle spewed huge flames and thick smoke. The shell cut through the night sky, flying toward Gaza.

In Sinwar's command post, radar and acoustic detection systems almost simultaneously captured the trajectory of this test shell.

"Enemy test shot, trajectory calculating... Impact point predicted, located 800 meters northwest of our decoy area, in a wasteland region." The technical officer reported quickly.

"It seems they are calibrating." Sinwar's eyes were cold. "Order the decoy area simulation equipment to simulate small-scale panicked personnel movement and strengthened communication signals near the shell's impact point. Make them believe that we have been alarmed, but the command post is still there."

"Yes!"