Shane Freak
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Chapter 477 - The Beginning of Fierce Battle (End)
🕑 Added 2023-08-20 05:59:15 +0000 UTCTransformers Begin : Table of Content/Chapter List
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Guam Naval Base, one of the most important overseas military bases of the United States.
The base and military facilities on the island covered about a third of the island's total area, primarily consisting of the Andersen Strategic Air Base, Apra Naval Base, and Agana Naval Air Station.
The 15th Submarine Squadron was the mainstay of the Navy stationed on Guam, but that didn't mean there were no other naval vessels stationed there.
On the contrary, due to the United States frequently showcasing its military might worldwide, large-scale naval cruises and military exercises were quite common. The Guam Naval Base, situated at the hub of the Western Pacific shipping lanes, often hosted ships from the 3rd and 7th fleets of the Pacific Fleet, some of which were even stationed there permanently.
Now, when the orders from Washington reached Guam, the three Perry-class frigates of the 7th Fleet stationed there – the USS Nicholas, USS Haws, and USS Ingraham – immediately began replenishing and preparing to set out to the Mariana Trench region, resuming their interrupted patrol missions.
Also receiving orders were the USS Curtis Wilbur, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, and the USS Chancellorsville, a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, which had recently departed from the Yokosuka Military Port in Japan for a planned visit to Australia.
These two mainstay vessels of the US Navy had arrived at the Guam Naval Base three days ago, and according to the original plan, they were supposed to depart after four days of rest on Guam.
However, when Washington found out that these two mainstay vessels of the 7th Fleet were conveniently resting at Guam, due to safety concerns, the USS Curtis Wilbur and the USS Chancellorsville were incorporated into a temporary patrol fleet.
Colonel Bieber Langbatten, the commanding officer of the USS Chancellorsville guided missile cruiser, was appointed as the commander of the temporary patrol fleet. This 42-year-old naval officer was one of the rising stars in the US Navy in recent years and had previously participated in the Second Gulf War's naval cruise bombing campaign against the Iraqi regime.
"... Is this an order from the Department of Defense, General?"
"Yes, Colonel. This is a direct order from the Department of Defense. We've verified with Washington that your visit operation is temporarily suspended. Get ready to accept a new mission!"
"Understood. We will complete the mission!"
After receiving the order, Colonel Bieber Langbatten, who was puzzled, contacted the 7th Fleet stationed in Japan.
After confirming that the temporary dispatch order they received was indeed correct, they quickly completed the replenishment, recalled all the soldiers and officers who were on vacation on Guam, and formed a temporary task force together with the USS Curtis Wilbur guided missile destroyer, USS Nicholas, USS Haws, and USS Ingraham frigates. They cooperated with the 15th Submarine Squadron, which had already set out, and began their patrol operations in the designated area.
Ironhide and the other Autobots had noticed their presence in the US Navy's alert area shortly after they entered, but their moods were not great.
Although this could also be attributed to them having spent three days in the seawater, the main reason was that they had just received news from Diego Garcia Island.
"How dare they... How dare they..."
Skids was furious. "What do they take us for? Slaves of those foolish Earthlings?"
Sideswipe's usually cold face also showed an unusual expression of anger. "I refuse to board their ships!"
Ironhide's face was equally unsightly. They had just received news from Diego Garcia Island that the Americans were extremely angry about their unilateral action without prior approval, disregarding the terms of their cooperation agreement, and sending armed forces into the area that was supposed to be manned by the US military.
Gabriel, the Secretary of State, had flown to Diego Garcia Island personally to protest to Optimus Prime.
The Americans even went so far as to forcefully threaten to disband Sound Nest and expel all Autobots from American territory.
In the face of the Americans' aggressive stance, and also considering that they had indeed not notified the Americans before this operation, they were indeed in violation of the cooperation agreement.
In the end, Optimus Prime made a concession equivalent to handing over the lead role in cooperation under the Americans' pressure. He agreed that all of Autobots' future actions would be reported to the Americans in advance. He also ordered Ironhide and the others to board the US military ships that were approaching Guam and assist in their patrol operations, following the Americans' commands.
For a long time, even the Autobots stationed within US mainland military bases had a considerable degree of autonomy in their actions.
Not to mention Sound Nest, which revolved entirely around Autobots' operations. Although Autobots had never fought for command authority, Commander William had never caused trouble either.
Now, under the pressure of the Americans, Optimus Prime's concession was equivalent to giving up their dominant position in the cooperation. This was something these proud Autobots couldn't accept.
From Skids to Sideswipe, were all extremely angry at Optimus Prime's concession.
Even Ironhide himself, upon receiving the announcement from Diego Garcia Island, was so infuriated that he wished he could fire a few shots into the sea to vent his anger.
However, as the commander of the operation, he had to step forward to maintain Optimus Prime's authority.
"... Alright, if it's Leader's command, we must obey!"
Chromia didn't say a word but nodded slightly after Ironhide spoke, indicating her agreement with him.
Skids snorted in frustration, not saying anything more. It was clear that the minority would follow the majority, and he was ready to go with the flow.
Sideswipe, on the other hand, was very stubborn. He silently returned to his patrol area without saying a word, his attitude clear.
"Come back, Sideswipe!" Chromia called.
Unfortunately, all she got in response was a gradually fading black shadow.
While a few Autobots were at odds due to their disagreement about being commanded by the Americans, they didn't know that almost at the same time they were clashing, a cargo ship named the "Windsor Wife" had finally arrived in the western Pacific after more than twenty days of sailing from Mexico. It slowly entered the Mariana Trench area and collided with the US naval fleet that had reached the alert zone at full speed, resuming their patrol in the Mariana Trench region.
Just as the two sides were about to collide, at that very moment, a strange flying unit flew across the sky at supersonic speed and landed accurately on the deck of the "Windsor Wife" cargo ship.
On the deck of the cargo ship, a few crew members trembled all over at the sound of the impact, but they all acted as though they hadn't heard anything unusual, going about their business as usual.
The flying unit that had landed on the cargo ship's deck then rolled over on the deck and revealed itself to be a monstrous mechanical creature about the size of an American lion.
It was none other than Ravage, the mechanical dog.
With Ravage's arrival, the four Decepticons onboard the "Windsor Wife" cargo ship, who had been disguising themselves as various vehicles and enduring rain and shine for more than twenty days, began to move.
A deep mechanical sound followed: "Our operation has been compromised, Autobots and humans are becoming wary. Lord Soundwave has ordered to eliminate all obstacles and resurrect Lord Megatron!"
"Roar!"
With a mechanical sound resembling a beast's roar, as soon as the four Decepticons on the deck finished transforming, they leaped into the sea one after another.
Immediately, the five Decepticons locked onto the US naval fleet about a hundred nautical miles away and swiftly swam toward the fleet.
War had begun!
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Next Chapter >>Chapter 478 - It's On
