Chapter 117 Attacking in the East and Attacking in the West
“To sum up the above analysis, it is certain that Garden is planning an attack on us, and we think that he wants to divert our main force through a feint attack, and his real goal is Port Fulan. "
In the conference room of the naval base, everyone was discussing the latest news obtained from Clement, said an officer who was responsible for analyzing intelligence.
Austin is a little unbelievable. Port Fulan is the headquarters of the Navy. "If this is the case, then they are very courageous."
The intelligence officer speculated: "Based on the captured According to other pirate prisoners, Garden's strength has greatly increased after annexing several pirate groups recently, and his number has increased to six to seven hundred people. This may be the reason why he has the confidence to fight against us."
Austin nodded: "It seems that while we are targeting Garden, he is also planning to deal with us."
Quick, the captain of the Hope, asked: "Commander, what should we do? Should we follow our plan? , the main force stays in Port Fulan, waiting for Garden's attack?"
Austin shook his head: "We have to think about it again. There is no direct evidence yet that they want to distract us and attack Port Fulan. We can't just stay in the base and watch them plunder other places. What if they don't feign attacks elsewhere? "
Damn it! It would be nice if the navy had more manpower. After the large pirate groups of hundreds of people like Shark and Quaker were finished, what was left were small groups of at most a hundred people, and the navy could divide its forces without any scruples. Now that the strength of the Loach Pirate Group has greatly increased, it will be a bit risky to spread out the troops.
At this time someone spoke: "As long as we have sufficient troops, we can assist other places while ensuring the safety of Fulan Port, and Major Joyce's 3rd Infantry Battalion is training nearby."< br>
Everyone turned their attention to this officer, who was the captain of a galley warship named Arman.
Seeing everyone looking at him, Captain Arman shrank his neck and said hesitantly:
"Uh...should we rely on the help of our army brothers? After receiving the distress signal, let the 3rd Infantry Battalion help us defend Fulan Port, and we can concentrate our troops on the scene of the incident."
"How is this possible? Doesn’t it seem that we are too incompetent to ask the Army to intervene in the tasks assigned to the Navy by Mr. Lyman?”
Sure enough, someone immediately came out to refute, it was the captain of the Hope, Quick.
When this guy was a pirate, he was beaten up by the 1st and 2nd Battalions in Lake Town, and he had some grudges against the Army.
When Austin asked him to join the Navy, he also specifically asked about the personnel composition of the Navy. After learning that except for Commander Austin, only one person in the army had an Army background, the others were either new recruits or captives of pirates. , he made up his mind to join the navy.
Although the other officers did not speak aloud, it could be seen from their expressions that their hearts were still leaning toward Quick.
But Navy Commander Austin agreed very much with Captain Yaman’s suggestion. He said:
“Everyone, we should give priority to how to complete the mission. Any means is acceptable. Even with the help of others.”
"The construction of the second batch of sailboats is very smooth. Once completed, we will go south to open up the route. The pirates can't be delayed any longer."
"Originally, our first goal was to kill Loach Garden. If It would be great if he comes to the door himself, and he has annexed other gangs, which saves us having to deal with them one by one."
He told the intelligence officer: "You must make good use of Clement. Try to figure out Garden's true intention."
Seeing the naval commander's statement, the other officers had no choice but to say yes.
The meeting finally decided to join forces with the Third Infantry Battalion to eliminate the pirates, but this had to be approved by the staff. Austin immediately sent people to the town in the middle of the lake.
...
In the following days, Garden's pirate group suddenly became quiet. Not only was Alda not attacked by him, but there was no news about him from other territories. It was obvious that the other party was accumulating strength, perhaps overhauling ordnance warships, or perhaps digesting the newly annexed pirate group in preparation for the upcoming war.
In order to deal with the pirate attack, the navy once again strengthened its training. Austin received authorization from the staff and the 3rd Infantry Battalion stationed near Port Fulan was temporarily placed under his command. under.
During this period, intelligence officer Duran arranged for the brothel owner Clement to contact the Loach Pirates several times. The information obtained through these contacts showed that "Loach" Garden did have the intention of attacking the east and the west. The target is indeed Fulan Port, but the specific date when the pirates launched the operation is not yet known.
On October 10th, a distant beacon distress signal was suddenly observed. The Navy immediately dispatched warships to rush there. The defense of Fulan Port was taken over by the Third Infantry Battalion. At the same time, under the instruction of intelligence officer Duran, Clement released the fish falcon, which carried the message: the main force of the navy has set off.
When the rescue fleet arrived, the pirates had already retreated. According to local militia reports, the pirates just ran outside the fortress and bluffed before leaving, and not many people came.
Austin concluded that this was a "test" operation by Garden to determine whether the feint attack could draw out the main force of the navy.
......
A week later, at noon on October 17, the Hope and several other ships returned to the base port from an exercise. Recently, they were practicing how to use the new semaphore at sea. communication.
The officers and soldiers lowered the canvas and inspected the hull. After confirming that nothing was abnormal, except for those who stayed on duty, the others went ashore and walked to the canteen, discussing the lunch dishes along the way.
Suddenly the bell in the base rang, indicating that a warning signal was received.
Quick muttered: "I hope I mean it this time! That bastard Garden." He immediately rushed to the war conference room with other officers. The sailors regrouped and were ready to go at any time.
At the operational meeting, Austin decided to let the navy stay in Port Fulan and send the 3rd Infantry Battalion to rescue, because according to the observations of the soldiers on duty, it was most convenient to go overland to the place where the signal was sent this time.
The fish falcon carrying the news that "the navy has left" also flapped its wings and flew into the distance again.
A few hours later, 10 pirate ships flying skull and crossbones flags appeared in the waters near Port Fulan. After receiving the news, pirate leader Garden immediately commanded his fleet and rushed to Port Fulan.
He stood on the deck and ordered loudly: "This time, when we land ashore, give me a big robbery. We must do it with great fanfare and steal the reputation of our pirate group."
Then he emphasized: "But you must remember that there are only five hours. You must return to the ship after five hours. By then, whether everyone is here or not, I will order the fleet to return."
" "Long live!" "Long live!" all the pirates shouted in response to their leader, gearing up for a big fight.
Garden pulled out his sword and pointed to the east: "Order the slaves to speed up! Attack Fulan Port!"
"Boss, that's not right!"
A shout from the lookout ruined the atmosphere.
Garden, who was in a good mood, held back his anger and asked loudly: "What's wrong!"
The lookout hand on the mast pointed to the east with a look of fear: "The navy has not Let’s go, they... they are coming towards us!”
(End of this chapter)