442 Insects
Today, the sky was clear and blue.
In the sea northwest of Gambia.
The Horizon-class frigate of the French Fifth Republic’s National Navy, the Atlantic Fleet, No. D-621 Knight Astolfo, was advancing in the southeast.
This was the product of the next-generation common frigate plan jointly developed by France and Italy. It was the new generation of medium-sized air defense ships in Europe. They used many stealth technologies and combined the advanced air defense missile systems of the two countries.
It was the traditional crystallization of the conflict between the European countries.
It was a sad product of the cost-saving concept.
As well as the negative teaching material of the history of the large country’s navy.
The suffocating single-sided rotating radar could only update its detection ability every second. It was enough to crack the impact engine of the supersonic anti-ship missile.
In the current era where mainstream countries were continuously increasing the caliber of the ship’s cannon, the French guy raised his hand and slashed down, cutting off the main cannon at the bow. He only took two 76mm water pipes to make up the numbers. He could not do anything and did not get first place.
The most shocking thing was none other than disdaining the close defense cannon system that fired thousands of rounds per minute. He confidently equipped two F-2 autocannons with a 20mm caliber and a maximum firing speed of 720 rounds per minute.
Coupled with the two 76mm cannons, after the interception failed as an air defense missile system, the battleship and even the fleet would deal with the last defense line of the anti-ship missiles at the end that was easily at Mach 3.
—Right, this autocannon is still f*cking manual.
The bold confidence of this design was probably unparalleled.
Moreover, the two ship cannons were in front and there was no kinetic energy weapon system at the stern. In other words, when the anti-ship missile attacked from behind, once the radar and poor performance air defense missile interception failed, the French could only watch helplessly as they exploded behind and did not even have the chance to raise the white flag.
However, it was this compromise product that worked hard to compress the budget and could only be used for self-preservation that was still a sea force that shocked the various countries on the west coast of Africa. After the fall of Banjul, the second ship of the Horizon-class, the Knight Astolfo, repaired in Senegal, hurriedly left the port and swam to the sea near Gambia to find any possible survivors and escapees and wait for the next order.
At two in the afternoon local time, they received a new order.
The battleship set off at full speed for a top-secret mission.
At about four o’clock, the NFH-90 medium-sized anti-submarine helicopter completed its takeoff preparations. The crew boarded the plane, and the major of the frigate’s aviation department personally led the team. The helicopter left the helipad and gradually rose into the air.
Through the porthole, they looked down.
From top to bottom, the smooth and simple beautiful lines of the Knight Astolfo were like a beauty lying in the sea against the blue sea.
Its white body, flat tarmac, and the white ball at the top of the bridge stubbornly bulged. The two 76mm naval cannons in front of the bridge looked so petite.
The crew members had serious expressions as they looked at the gradually shrinking Knight Astolfo and the lingering splash dragged by the tail. No one spoke or chatted. In their boring and long voyage life, the crew members of the aviation department were the most enviable. It was always good to occasionally go for a spin in the air.
However, this time was different.
They had already heard that something relatively strange had happened in Gambia.
At this moment, even a fool could guess what he wanted to do by sending a helicopter in the direction of Gambia.
As expected, the major sitting in the crew cabin glanced at the four marine officers opposite him. These people had been transferred from various departments on the ship. There was the deck control team of the combat department and the clerical administration of the administrative department. The latter was a gentle Chinese man. He had been recruited only because he knew Chinese.
Now, the administrative department of the warships of the various countries gradually leaned towards recruiting a Chinese soldier or a soldier who understood Chinese, especially in the United States. This was because the Chinese Navy had continuously expanded the range of long-distance navigation in recent years. The warships of the various countries needed to understand the administrative work of the Chinese to prepare for communication and cursing.
The major took the mission code from the front passenger seat of the pilot and held the portfolio. After comparing it, he opened the document and took out the fax that the Minister of Defense had personally issued. He opened it and read it for a moment.
Then, he looked up and said, “Gentlemen, you’re about to carry out an urgent mission. France requests you to remain silent about everything you’re about to see. After the mission is over, everyone has to sign a new confidentiality regulation. We’ll receive a VIP in the sea area near the territorial sea of Gambia to transport important goods.”
The four soldiers immediately straightened their backs and shouted, “Yes, sir!”
From the corner of their eyes, they saw two metal boxes tied to another row of seats.
“The main point of the mission is to shut your mouth, keep the secret, and remain friendly. All hostile actions are forbidden. Sergeant Luo, you will be in charge of translating. The entire conversation will be recorded. I ask you to translate without any personal emotions.”
“You’re not allowed to take out the self-defense weapons you’re issued without permission. Most importantly, at any time, place, or situation, you’re not allowed to carry out any form of hostility against the VIP. These are the words of the Minister of Defense—be it weapons, words, or eyes!”
After the major finished speaking, he asked, “Is there a problem?”
The four soldiers looked at each other. The second lieutenant of the combat department shouted, “Yes, sir!”
“Tell me.”
“Does the rescue operation involve landing? Does it involve a temporary shutdown? I didn’t discover any rescue equipment. Where will we find the VIP? Will there be a battle on the island or at sea?”
The major looked down at the mission fax and confirmed it. He shook his head and said, “There’s no such information. He only ordered us to arrive at the coordinates strictly according to the designated route and wait.”
At this point, the major could not help but shake his head and curse, “Bureaucrats who keep us in suspense.”
A stupid and idiotic big shot gave a baffling order from thousands of kilometers away. Then, the front-line soldiers racked their brains and took the risk to carry it out. It had been like this for thousands of years.
The process of this mission was casual like an outing, but the precautions were repeatedly reminded.
In particular, the VIP target was a Chinese person. This overly polite and simply fawning tone and instructions made the white major secretly unhappy—was there a need?
This was not a serious mission. There was no need to maintain silence the entire time. After confirming that there was no mistake, the sailors in the crew cabin began to communicate. The main topic was focused on what had happened in Banjul.
Also, who was the VIP?
“Could it be the Chinese Ambassador to Gambia?”
“What has been happening in Gambia recently is very strange. They started a war and were defeated.”
Previously, the Knight Astolfo was repairing in the military port of Senegal. This country enveloped Gambia and Comoros. It was quite well-informed and the information it heard was strange.
After all, to a group of seamen, the greatest fun in life on boring voyages was gossip.
They had even heard the information that the Foreign Legion had failed in the Comoros Special Task Force… but they did not know if it was true.
“Luo, are you also paying attention to Comoros? Your compatriots are in the limelight there. I’ve seen that video with my own eyes. Were you lying to us in the past? I thought the Chinese were all as weak as you.”
Sergeant Luo retorted, “I’m French.”
Otherwise, he would not be able to join the French Navy, let alone serve on the Horizon-class frigate.
He was born French and his parents were immigrants. He was proud of this because he could join the French army and not the Foreign Legion.
However, at the same time, he felt a sense of disgust and rejection for China and his race. This hostility was not without reason, because he was French and had been born French. However, no matter how much he acted like a Frenchman, in his childhood, on the streets, in school, and even in the army, his nickname would always be “Chinese”. Everyone always called him Chinese.
...
Especially now, this VIP they wanted to pick up was actually facing a Chinese person with an extremely cautious attitude. It would have been fine if it was an American.
Chinese…
—Why Chinese?
Even he, who had trained hard, worked hard to perform and fulfilled his duty, was extremely happy when he was specially chosen to participate in a confidential mission. He thought that his professional skills and the loyal performance had finally been appreciated and recommended by his superiors… However, he had just found out that it was not like that. It was only because he spoke Chinese.
At this moment, he could not describe his mood.
He even hated his parents a little. Since they had already become French and given birth to him in France—why did they have to teach him to speak Chinese? Why write Chinese characters? Why did he not completely cut it off?
The white comrades beside him chatted excitedly about the Chinese man who had caused a craze in the world. Sergeant Luo only felt that he was noisy—but unfortunately, his comrades never considered his mood.
Suddenly, someone smiled and said, “Wow, wait, could it be that the VIP is Kang De?”
The second lieutenant of the combat department also smiled and said, “Is that so? Then I must get him to sign an autograph for me.”
The other sailor beside him also winked and hugged Sergeant Luo’s shoulder. “It’s all up to you, Luo. Whether we can obtain a few months of bragging capital and free beer depends on you…”
The major said, “Gentlemen, confidentiality rules.”
...
The excited French soldiers shushed him in unison.
Sergeant Luo could not help but say, “Why is it Kang De? He’s in Comoros now and should be preparing to return to China. Moreover, I’ve always thought that it was a carefully planned promotion and scam. The Chinese don’t know martial arts. I’m completely sure of this. The reason why he’s so famous is either because of a disgusting plan by Chinese capital to trick the world, or a conspiracy by the Chinese government to strengthen its international influence…”
Instead, the French soldiers were unhappy. “Oh, Luo, you’ve seen that video, right? It doesn’t look like it was edited, let alone special effects. We’ve analyzed it frame by frame. Even Hollywood won’t do it so exquisitely. He’s undoubtedly a true man. How can you suspect your compatriots?”
“I’m French!”
Sergeant Luo was already a little exasperated. “Just watch. Before long, this true man will sign a contract with a Chinese or Hollywood company to become an action star!”
“No arguing, gentlemen.”
The major controlled the order again. “Don’t let your emotions affect the VIP.”
—Sergeant Luo was even angrier.
You don’t even lick Americans so hard!
About 20 minutes later, the pilot’s voice sounded, “Major, we’re about to reach the designated coordinates. This is a sea area. There are no islands, reefs, no buoys, no ships, and the radar hasn’t detected any signal. Where’s our guest?”
The sergeant walked to the cockpit, glanced at the radar, and looked down through the window. There was a vast sea, sparkling with the sinking sunlight. There was nothing.
He confirmed the coordinates again and there was no mistake. He thought for a moment and ordered, “Patrol the vicinity. The mission ordered us to wait. I’ll ask the command center…”
He returned to the passenger cabin and took out his communicator. He stood in front of the side door window of the helicopter and connected to the ship’s tower. “Captain, we’ve already arrived at the designated location and haven’t discovered the V…”
Before he could finish, his eyes suddenly widened and he looked ahead in confusion, “Oh, f*ck…”
With his vision, he barely saw a black cloud break out in the distance and rush over.
“Missile attack!” he roared. “Heat bomb! Get away! Get away!”
The helicopter suddenly dodged to the side, but the pilot’s confused and flustered shout sounded, “Sir, we’re not locked on, and the radar didn’t detect it…”
“But what’s that?!”
The major who rushed into the cockpit was exasperated.
“Perhaps it’s an eagle?” The co-pilot went to get the binoculars, but the major snatched them away. He picked them up and focused on them for a moment, his mouth widening.
“Sir!” Someone shouted from the crew cabin. “The captain said to let you open the hatch!”
He urged him twice before the major came back to his senses.
The impact of the scene he had just seen had yet to dissipate from his mind.
There was nothing more terrifying than seeing a person flying in the clouds on an eagle in the NFH-90 medium-sized anti-submarine helicopter. If there was, it was that person carrying two plastic bags.
If there was anything more terrifying than this—that person was still on the phone.
Another even more terrifying thing—a person flying on an eagle with two plastic bags and making an impatient call, but he locked such a person outside the helicopter.
He jolted and took three steps to the crew cabin. He opened the safety valve and pulled open the side door of the helicopter. The surging sea breeze drums in, blowing his hair and face.
The four people in the crew subconsciously narrowed their eyes. Then, they widened their eyes at the same time and ignored the salty and cold sea breeze. Their minds were blank.
They saw someone.
They also saw an eagle.
The eagle swept past at an extremely fast speed. It was golden and vibrated its green illusory wings. It swept under the helicopter and flapped its wings, shining through a breathtaking rainbow.
A person stood in the void not far from the helicopter, as if he was stepping on the sturdiest ground. The helicopter hung in the air, and with every step he took, golden light bloomed under his feet. Complex and beautiful patterns unfolded like petals that shone with a strange light. Just like that, he stepped through the empty air and walked through the cold and high sky.
When he stepped onto the metal floor of the helicopter cabin, there was an empty sound.
Only then did people realize that such a person really existed in the mortal world.
Yellow skin and black hair. This face was extremely familiar. Two days ago, it had already become popular on the entire Internet.
Kang De.
The Chinese, Kang De.
Kang De glanced at the white men who stood up and his gaze stopped on the Asian. “Can you understand me?”
Sergeant Luo’s mind was blank. He was stunned, terrified, and confused. He subconsciously nodded. “Yes.”
Kang De shook the bag in his hand. “Is there a box?”
Sergeant Luo subconsciously glanced at the two metal boxes on the chair. The white men had already rushed over. They untied them and held them with difficulty. They brought them to Kang De and opened them.
Kang De placed the two bags in his hand in the box and closed them.
Everyone saw something flapping inside as if there were many insects, but they did not dare to ask what it was… It was a secret. Only now did they know why it was a secret.
“Hand it to your superiors. One is for China, and the other is for your country. Tell them not to play any tricks. Also, do it as soon as possible and be careful, because these things will eat the box.”
These locusts had been locked in the bag and had been struggling and biting. Although enchantment strengthening could give ordinary substances magical performance, there was an upper limit. After this upper limit, they would disintegrate. Kang De had to pay careful attention along the way. Once the bag was about to be chewed through, he would add another one.
He had already set up three to four bags.
Therefore, he did not have to worry about the enchanted bags being studied by the French. No matter how fast it was, after the French scientists obtained it, there were only locusts left in the box.
“Do you understand?”
After Kang De closed the box, he scratched the surface of the cold and solid metal box a few times. With the power of the Fire Thief to extract and decompose, he could also casually write on the surface of the solid object and pretend to have deep internal strength.
When the French people saw this highest-level protective box being drawn like this, they nodded vigorously.
“Then it’s fine. Hurry up and be careful. I don’t know how long this box can last. It’s best if you have a larger backup—if anything inside escapes, I won’t have to say the consequences.”
Kang De waved his hand and fell back, jumping out of the helicopter. The Hima Eagle caught him from below. A brilliant light flashed. Everyone watched him quickly leave, then looked at each other in silence for a long time.
It was like a dream.
After a while, the second lieutenant who had mocked Sergeant Luo licked his lips and asked in fear, “Luo, what else do you Chinese know?”
This time, Sergeant Luo did not refute or emphasize his nationality.
After contacting the country and informing them that the package had been delivered, a black light flashed and Kang De had already returned to the white fog world.
After settling this small matter, it was time to pay attention to bigger things.
In the vast space of the western airport, all kinds of chariots and firearms surrounded one another. Where the muzzle pointed, there was a bulging plastic bag on the ground with the logo of the supermarket.
In the bag, a group of insects was bumping around aimlessly.
…
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