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In the conference room, the incandescent light cast a harsh shadow between Chang Yin and Commander Han.
Chang Yin placed a stack of maps marked with the coordinates of US military bases on the table, the red circles on them resembling bombs ready to explode: "Commander Han, all US military bases in Bianyue must be destroyed."
As long as these outposts remain, they can continue to infiltrate China's borders, and similar incidents involving underwater engineering projects could recur at any time.
Commander Han frowned, his fingers repeatedly tracing the rim of his teacup, causing tiny ripples to spread across the water. He stared at the dense markings on the map, his voice low and menacing:
“Of course I know the benefits of destroying the base. But every US military base is heavily guarded, and there are many security measures we don’t know about. Once the operation is exposed, our people won’t even have a chance to retreat!”
Chang Yin's gaze was sharp. He didn't strongly refute Commander Han's words, but calmly stated the facts. "Commander, haven't the lessons from Base 5 been enough?"
Hansen's undersea cable project had been hidden for three years. If it weren't for this accidental discovery, the border defenses would have been completely breached once they finished extracting the oil!
We knew nothing of this until we actually destroyed Base 5. "Therefore, we must take the initiative! I'm willing to take on this mission."
The air seemed to freeze for a moment. Commander Han rose and paced back and forth, his worn-out cloth shoes making a soft sound on the ground. "Tell me your plan."
For the next three hours, the map was repeatedly crossed out with red pencil.
As the morning light pierced through the clouds, Commander Han's eyes were bloodshot, but his expression was unusually firm: "I promise you. Chang Yin, now that you've accepted the mission, you must complete it perfectly, even if you have to crawl on your knees."
"Yes, sir!"
When Commander Han saw Tang Shengkai again, his expression was inscrutable. Tang Shengkai saw it too, but he said nothing. When Chang Yin and the other two left Base No. 5, Sun Jinan, Zhang Dabing, and others followed for a long distance.
Tang Yue sighed helplessly, "Go back, everyone. Make sure you take good care of Political Commissar Fei. We'll come back after we've finished our business."
Despite their reluctance, the group stopped. They hadn't gone far when Tang Yue casually glanced towards the sea. "Company Commander, what stage did you say the US military's underwater project is at?"
Will they negotiate with the border country and take all their machinery and equipment back with them?
Before Chang Yin could speak, Tang Yue continued, "I remember last time when we were in Japan, I got a map of China's oil reserves. Battalion Commander, what do you think about bringing those machines back to mine our own oil?"
Tang Shengkai nodded repeatedly, agreeing with his daughter's reasoning. Chang Yin smiled; he knew this girl wouldn't be so obedient. Her well-behaved demeanor at the base was clearly an act.
They had already come out quite late, and it would probably be dark in another two hours. Tang Yue thought about it and decided to wait until it was dark before making her move.
"If you really want to get rid of it, I think now is the best time. Once Commander Han recovers, he will definitely send heavy troops to guard it. Then both sides will be in trouble."
Tang Yue chuckled upon hearing this; it turned out their battalion commander was quite cunning. "Alright, let's do it that way."
Without further delay, Chang Yin and Tang Shengkai kept watch while Tang Yue retrieved a small yacht from her spatial storage. The group jumped aboard and headed straight out to sea.
Upon reaching the approximate location, Tang Yue scanned the area with her senses, raising an eyebrow slightly. Thankfully, they had arrived; otherwise, a fierce battle would have ensued at sea.
Chang Yin noticed Tang Yue's expression. "What's wrong?"
Tang Yue turned to look at Chang Yin, "Battalion Commander, Hansen didn't finish speaking."
Chang Yin's expression darkened. He felt he had been very strict in his interrogation; had he overlooked something? "What is it?"
Tang Yue shrugged indifferently, "There are still quite a few US troops guarding this place. It seems that even if news can't get out from Base 5, it can still get out from here."
That Hansen, well, how should I put it, he's still leaving himself a way out.
Chang Yin's eyes darkened. If it weren't for Tang Yue's spur-of-the-moment decision, they wouldn't have come here. Given their complete lack of knowledge about this place, if Commander Han had only sent a few people to garrison it...
Chang Yin dared not think any further. It seemed necessary to send a message back to Commander Han.
Tang Yue couldn't reach Chang Yin's shoulder, but she had grown a little taller. She patted Chang Yin's hand and said, "Battalion Commander, don't worry, we're here now."
By the time Tang Yue returned with the diving suit from the fishermen in the nearby waters, it was already dark.
Chang Yin, Tang Yue, and Tang Shengkai, dressed in simple diving suits provided by fishermen from the Bianyue Kingdom and carrying heavy oxygen tanks, quietly dived into the icy seawater.
At that time, diving equipment was far less advanced than in later generations. The rubber diving suits were stuffy and heavy, and water would seep through the edges of the mask from time to time.
Using the moonlight, the three swam towards the area where the underwater project was located, following the pre-marked directions. The seawater grew colder as they went deeper. Chang Yin glanced at the old depth gauge in his hand; the needle was already pointing to a depth of 30 meters.
The water pressure made his eardrums ache. He gestured for the two to pay attention, and Tang Yue and Tang Shengkai nodded in response, skillfully adjusting their breathing rhythm.
Finally, they saw the outline of the underwater project. The rusty drilling platform supports stood on the seabed, their massive bodies appearing particularly sinister in the dark blue water.
Several thick submarine cables, like giant pythons, snaked their way into the distance. Chang Yin's heart tightened; this was even more heavily guarded than he had imagined—old-fashioned sonar detection devices were installed around the platform, and searchlights swept across the seabed at intervals, leaving pale white beams of light.
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