91: A direct confrontation between the top leaders of Long Country and the United States!

On the morning of the Anti-War Army's publicly announced departure date, Secretary of Defense Sevitz, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Claire, and others were closely monitoring satellite intelligence in the U.S. Department of Defense's operations command center.

They eagerly wanted to see what kind of military deployment the Anti-War Army would make to protect their leader's travel.

They would definitely not only dispatch air forces; their ground forces would certainly also be active.

After more than ten thousand Anti-War Army personnel disappeared deep into the mountains, the U.S. Military lost track of their exact hiding place.

Now was a good opportunity!

Several military satellites were continuously monitoring the entire MacDonnell Ranges, watching to see which corner the Anti-War Army would emerge from.

They also wanted to know how the more than twenty strategic bombers from last time mysteriously disappeared, and if they had been hiding in the mountains ever since.

Suddenly, the monitoring screen in front of them began to flicker.

First, the image distorted, with horizontal lines appearing as if the signal was being interfered with, and then, it turned into static!

Several satellite-related screens seemed to malfunction!

Savitz urgently asked, "What's going on? Have the satellite department report the situation!"

Soon, the Satellite Intelligence Center reported, "Our military satellites have suffered a collective attack. Preliminary estimates suggest the methods include lens blinding, electronic jamming, and even... even microwave attacks!"

Ah? What?!!!

This completely exceeded the expectations of Savitz and others.

"How could anyone attack our military satellites? Who attacked them?"

While the Satellite Center investigated the source of the attack, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Claire looked grave.

"Minister, it's most likely China, interfering with our satellites."

Savitz didn't immediately grasp it.

"Ah? China? Are they crazy?!"

Claire said, "Have you forgotten the incident in Darwin City?"

"Only China has the motive and the capability to do such a thing."

Savitz immediately recalled the interference with U.S. Military satellites days earlier, when the Darwin City conflict had not yet ended.

That time, it was also blinding and electromagnetic interference, and it was also speculated that China was responsible.

But—

Savitz still found it hard to believe: "Last time they only acted once, for only 10 minutes, and that was over the border region of Australia... But now, they've extended their reach over the heartland of Australia. Don't they know this is an act of invasion? No, attacking our military satellites is completely an act of war. Has China lost its mind?"

"They're going this far just to cooperate with the Anti-War Army's visit?!!"

Claire and the others also fell silent.

They had anticipated that China would provide assistance for the Anti-War Army's visit, including military assistance, but they hadn't expected China to launch a satellite attack right at the start.

It was too barbaric, too brutal!

Was this still the China that used to emphasize forbearance and considering the overall situation?!

China's image suddenly seemed a bit unfamiliar.

Savitz's anger remained: "Regardless, this is a clear act of invasion and war! Connect me with the high-level Chinese military officials; I want to speak with them directly—"

A military officer meekly stated, "Minister, due to the West Pacific tensions between our two sides, China has stopped the hotline with our high-level military officials... To be precise, it stopped a long time ago."

Savitz choked, but then said, "Then start with the low-level military hotline and indirectly contact the Chinese high-level officials!"

Thus, it took a full hour and a half for Savitz to connect with the high-level Chinese officials.

He spoke with full fury: "I am U.S. Secretary of Defense Sevitz. Your country suddenly invaded Australian airspace and attacked our military satellites. Do you not know this is an act of war? This completely undermines mutual military trust!"

A cold male voice came from the other side: "I believe that high-level military trust between China and the U.S. has long ceased to exist."

Savitz was stunned; it was true.

If there truly was trust, they would have informed him of their intentions before acting.

Savitz was still furious: "Even without trust, as the two most powerful countries in the world, we should consider the international situation. Your side directly attacking our military satellites is a clear act of war. What exactly is your side trying to do?"

"Provoke a world war?!"

The person on the other end retorted: "I'm afraid it has always been your country actively escalating the situation."

"Your country has always been meddling in the situation in our Southeast and Southern seas, selling arms to puppets. The war between Russia and Ukraine, the war in Persia—hasn't your country always been supporting them behind the scenes, raising the heat of war?"

"What right does your country have to accuse our country of instigating a world war?"

This...

Neither Savitz nor Claire, nor anyone in the command room, could refute these accusations.

Because everyone worldwide knew about the U.S. stirring up trouble in international affairs everywhere.

But Savitz and others were speechless not just because these words were irrefutable.

It was because this was a conversation between the highest levels of both sides.

Was it going to be so direct, leaving no room for mediation?

China had always given the U.S. the impression of considering the big picture, understanding diplomatic etiquette, and always hiding its words, with a lot of metaphors for you to interpret yourself.

To be so merciless and straightforward now was rare!

Savitz calmed down slightly and asked, "May I ask who this is?"

Only then did the other side formally introduce himself: "Minister of China's Department of Defense, Dong Changjun!"

Savitz and Claire gasped.

Speaking of which, China's new Minister of Defense had only been in office for a few years.

Previously, it was rumored that he was a so-called "hawkish faction" within the Chinese military.

But Savitz thought that no matter how hawkish, he couldn't deviate from China's diplomatic mindset.

He hadn't expected such a strong stance.

The unyielding attitude of China's highest leadership left Savitz and Claire momentarily flustered.

They had never communicated with such a China before and had no idea how to respond.

After a moment of silence, Claire spoke.

"Hello, Minister Dong, I am Claire, Chairman of the U.S. Department of Defense."

"There's no need for us to continue with emotional rhetoric."

"However, your country's attack on our military satellites is indeed tantamount to a military invasion and an undeclared war."

"I don't think China is a country that likes to proactively provoke wars; what you are doing is wrong, isn't it?"

Claire softening her tone was unavoidable; the satellite system had not yet recovered, so it was not the time to show strength.

Dong Changjun said, "I apologize, General Claire, but I think you are prejudiced."

"Our country does indeed have satellites operating there, but all space airspace is public airspace; there is no concept of it belonging to a particular country just because it is above that country."

"If that were the case, your country's satellites wouldn't have the right to operate over other countries, would they?"

"Furthermore, saying that our country attacked your military satellites is a complete slander."

"In fact, our satellites are also suffering interference and attacks over a certain airspace, and our country suspects that your country is responsible. Now you are turning the tables, and our country also demands an explanation from your country!"

—

Savitz and Claire immediately felt as if they had swallowed a fly alive.