Despite the enemy's surprise attack, the New Navy's response was swift.
As the first round of attacks occurred, the commander quickly directed the ships to activate their response systems and enter a defensive posture. The New Navy fleet on the sea surface began to rapidly adjust its formation, launching a defensive counterattack.
"Everyone, concentrate fire! The enemy is still attacking! Focus your fire!"
A commander shouted orders, then gripped the command console tightly, calmly directing his subordinates to handle the emergency.
They understood that if they didn't respond quickly, this attack could lead to the complete collapse of the entire supply line.
However, the strength of this attack far exceeded the New Navy's expectations.
Although the counterattack was launched quickly, losses were still unavoidable.
Several transport ships had already suffered heavy damage to their hulls, rendering them unable to continue sailing, and began to gradually sink.
Fierce fires blazed on the water's surface, illuminating the night sky.
The captain stood in the command cabin, his gaze passing through the windows, watching the smoke and fire gradually rising in front of him.
Although countless calculations and considerations were in his mind, there was more of a calm scrutiny.
"We have entered the enemy's controlled area, but we cannot stop.
If there is another attack like this, they will not be able to recover."
He muttered to himself, having already judged the New Navy's response in his mind.
Under his command, the World Government's elite fleet changed its offensive strategy again, deciding to launch more surprise attacks in the coming hours to ensure their target was completely destroyed.
Although the New Navy failed to respond immediately, they would not give up easily, and the prelude to the counterattack had begun.
The next situation would depend on how quickly both sides adjusted their deployments to continue this psychological game without gunpowder.
In this conflict, the World Government's attack was in full swing,
while the New Navy, although suffering a temporary blow, had not given up.
They were seeking a glimmer of hope, and the more complex battle behind them had only just begun.
But the New Navy quickly discovered that this enemy attack was a multi-pronged operation.
Vice Admiral Joyce Reilly stood by the window of the bridge, his deep eyes looking out at the distant sea through the porthole.
The sea breeze fiercely lashed at his face, as if trying to blow away the oppressive feeling in his heart.
However, no matter how he tried to calm himself, the tension in his heart never subsided.
He knew that today's material escort mission was not only related to the survival of the New Navy, but also a crucial part of the entire war.
Food, weapons, ammunition, medical equipment—these were all urgently needed supplies for the front lines, and the consequences of losing them would be unimaginable.
What weighed even heavier on his mind was that behind this escort mission was a fleet of warships under his personal command.
"Vice Admiral, we have unidentified signals ahead on our route."
The adjutant's voice interrupted Reilly's thoughts, and he turned around, his face sinking.
"The enemy is coming?"
Reilly's low voice carried a hint of vigilance.
His heart began to race, and his tense muscles involuntarily contracted, as if foreseeing the coming storm.
The adjutant nodded.
"According to the intelligence we received, pirates have laid an ambush about five nautical miles ahead of us. Our detectors have detected anomalies.
It should be a pirate fleet."
"Damn it."
Reilly gripped the command baton in his hand, a glint of determination flashing in his eyes.
"Immediately activate the defense systems, stay alert, and prepare for battle."
However, despite his quick response, he was still clear that this enemy attack would be an unprecedented challenge.
The pirates were not only numerous but also fierce, having once made countless naval soldiers tremble with fear.
What worried him even more was that the speed of the supplies was far behind the pirates' offensive pace. If these supplies were lost, the New Navy's combat power would be severely damaged.
Reilly turned and walked to the central command console of the bridge, his hands propping up the surface, his gaze as sharp as a hawk, staring intently at the radar screen in front of him.
The signals on the screen flickered erratically, the enemy's concealed ships could not be fully tracked, and their position at sea was getting closer and closer.
All of this seemed to foreshadow an imminent fierce battle.
"The enemy has begun to gather, preparing to ambush us."
The adjutant's voice came again, with a hint of urgency.
"We must take action before they launch their attack, otherwise our fleet will face encirclement."
Reilly's brow furrowed, he knew he could not avoid this battle, but he dared not underestimate any step of the decision.
At this moment, time was the most precious thing for them.
He gritted his teeth and said in a low voice:
"Everyone, prepare, strengthen ship defenses, mobilize cannons, immediately maintain formation, and be ready to fight at any time!"
He couldn't help but take a deep breath, constantly weighing various options in his mind.
If the pirates chose to attack suddenly, the victory or defeat would depend on whether the fleet's tactical deployment could achieve the expected results.
More importantly, the morale and composure of the entire fleet would also be the key to determining victory or defeat.
Just as Reilly adjusted his mindset and prepared to command the fleet to meet the possible attack.
Suddenly—
"Boom! Boom boom!"
One after another, huge explosions came from a distance, shaking almost every inch of water on the sea surface, and the columns of water that erupted shot straight into the sky.
"The enemy's artillery fire is here!"
A trace of panic flashed in the adjutant's eyes. The Den Den Mushi on the command console suddenly rang, and the red warning light kept flashing, indicating that the fleet was being suppressed by enemy fire.
Reilly did not panic. He calmly watched the direction of the explosion, his heart beating violently, but his eyes remained clear.
He knew that the pirates' attack had already begun. Although the shock of the explosion made it almost impossible to breathe, he was still clear that this battle was inevitable.
"Immediately execute the counterattack plan, mobilize combat ship groups, and concentrate firepower to counterattack!
Let them understand that the New Navy is not an easy opponent to challenge!"
With Reilly's order, the cannons on the bow roared instantly.
The roaring artillery fire shot out like lightning, directly hitting the pirate warships.
However, this attack did not have the desired effect.
As the shells passed, the pirate fleet's ships flexibly changed positions, and with their skilled tactical skills, they easily avoided most of the attacks.
A trace of disappointment flashed in Reilly's eyes. He knew that the pirates' strength far exceeded his expectations, and this also meant that they were about to face an extremely difficult battle.
"Vice Admiral, our defense line is about to collapse!"
The adjutant said anxiously.
"Give me a little more time!"
Reilly responded through gritted teeth, his face becoming even more serious.
Watching the artillery fire intertwine on the sea, he realized that this battle was not only about the survival of their fleet, but also about whether the New Navy could take the initiative in future battles.
He silently pondered, what the fleet needed most now was a strong counterattack, only by completely striking the enemy could they buy time for subsequent supplies and reinforcements.
And all of this had to be done quickly and accurately.
Reilly's eyes became firm again. He straightened his body, walked to the front of the bridge, looked around, and the eyes of the commanders and soldiers were full of anxiety, but also with unwavering faith.
"We are the New Navy!
We will never bow our heads!
No matter how many enemies we face, we will persevere to the end!"
His voice echoed in the bridge, shaking the hearts of every naval soldier.
At this moment, Reilly had already decided in his heart that he would use all his strength to defend this supply line, even at all costs.
He knew that this battle was not only about their New Navy, but also about the New Navy's strategy and layout.
...
