3:00 PM at the capital, Esthirant, Musway Avenue, Parpaldia Empire

  Two young soldiers stood outside the government office, built in the Erthios architectural style, characterized by its vast domed roof and marble facade. They were enjoying a cigarette under the bzing afternoon sun. One soldier, holding an RM-10 rifle named Marquis, remarked, "Hey Bis, looks like the Prime Minister's motorcade is coming. Do you know what time it is?"

  Bis, with his blond hair glistening in the sunlight, replied with a grimace, "Who knows? There's no one around to ask."

  Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of engines. A long line of bck Xeln F cars, resembling armored Audi Type A models, approached. There were eight cars in total, carrying the Prime Minister and his security detail.

  The soldiers hurriedly signaled for the welcoming committee. The first Xeln F stopped, and Prime Minister Kaios stepped out. He was a middle-aged man with graying brown hair and a long beard, dressed in a coatee uniform, exuding a calm demeanor.

  From the second car emerged Valhal, a high-ranking official and military observer from the National Strategy Bureau. He was a stout man with a bowl haircut, accompanied by two bodyguards.

  The third car carried Harin, a senior official from the Ministry of Finance. She stepped out in a bck dress, holding an umbrel, which her assistant promptly shielded her with.

  The fourth car carried Arde, the Minister of Defense and Supreme Commander of the Royal Parpaldian Armed Forces. He had a stern face, a fiery temperament, and a brisk, efficient manner, dressed in a Napoleonic-era military uniform, complete with a mustache and long sideburns.

  The remaining cars carried journalists and Tibault, the mayor of the industrial city of Duro.

  Mayor Pusso of Esthirant greeted the Prime Minister, his sycophantic tone as usual. "Welcome back, Prime Minister."

  "How are the preparations for the meeting?" Kaios asked.

  "Everything is ready, sir. Refreshments are prepared," Pusso replied.

  With that assurance, Kaios led the guests inside.

  4:15 PM inside the government office.

  Under the grand chandelier, with its warm yellow light, and surrounded by oil mps behind the guards, a rge round table, about 10 meters in diameter, was set for the meeting. The gssware sparkled under the lights. The guests had enjoyed their tea and were ready to begin.

  Prime Minister Kaios chaired the meeting, with Mayor Pusso assisting. Seated at the table were the four senior officials. Harin even had a recording device ready.

  "Welcome, esteemed guests. On behalf of Emperor Ludius, I extend our gratitude," Kaios began. "Today's meeting concerns the imperial edict on national defense."

  He handed out copies of the edict. Harin, Arde, and Tibault examined the document closely, but Valhal was more interested in a young man sitting nearby, who bore a striking resembnce to someone from Mu.

  "Have you all read it?" Kaios asked.

  "Yes, but we need more details to understand the Emperor's intentions," Arde said.

  "Very well," Kaios said, receiving a document from Pusso. "Firstly, our naval forces are outdated compared to Mu and the Holy Mirishial Empire. If attacked, our ships would be easily outmatched."

  Arde nodded in agreement. "Absolutely. Our La Logen-css ships are obsolete compared to the advanced nations. Do you have new designs?"

  "The Emperor has hired engineers from Mu to design new warships. We pn to have these ready by next year," Kaios said, showing the new design. "This is the Ironcd, made entirely of metal, with a dispcement of 2,000 tons and equipped with steam engines and heavy artillery. It will revolutionize our navy."

  The officials were awestruck. Harin, however, voiced her concern. "Are we sure Mu is genuinely helping us? This seems like outdated technology. Are we not capable of developing our own?"

  "Parpaldia pns to repce all wooden ships with these Ironcds. Initially, we will procure eight, with seven built in Mu and one in Duro to facilitate technology transfer," Kaios expined. "The cost will be 1.85 million Parpaldia Pesos, not including training and armament."

  "That's 18% over our annual defense budget. We'll need to extract more funds from the colonies," Harin noted.

  "Indeed, but this will give us a formidable navy," Arde said. "Our small ships are insufficient; we need a powerful deterrent. The Mu engines require advanced metallurgy."

  Valhal, who had been silent, finally spoke up. "The Emperor's decision is strategic. My sources indicate he has been preparing for this for two years. He must have found something significant in Mu."

  At the snack table, a young man with a sly smile observed the meeting...

  6:30 PM, the meeting continued.

  Prime Minister Kaios sipped his tea thoughtfully, then turned to Tibault. "Can Duro handle building a ship?"

  "Duro has long been the industrial capital of our empire, blessed with a strategic location, a beautiful coastline, and a warm-water port that bolster our shipbuilding industry. Constructing a ship is well within our capabilities if you provide the designs, technology, training, and necessary components."

  "Good. The empire's continuous evolution is essential for survival. We cannot keep pace with the times without embracing innovation."

  "The survival of the empire hinges on today's decisions. What's the next issue on the agenda?" Valhal asked the Prime Minister.

  "The next matter is infantry weaponry, specifically firearms. Our muskets are antiquated—slow to reload and with unreliable range compared to the weapons of the Holy Mirishial Empire and the Republic of Mu. Their armies could decimate ours if we don't modernize. Do you agree, Arde?"

  "Based on battlefield reports, it's clear we can defeat a weaker opponent, but against technologically superior or equally matched foes, we face devastating losses," Arde replied.

  "Our current firearms ck precision, forcing us to deploy troops in dense formations to increase accuracy. The RM-10s from Rhen Mark are cumbersome and entirely dependent on linear formations, which are highly vulnerable to cavalry attacks," Arde continued.

  The room was filled with a palpable tension as the weight of the empire's future loomed over them. Each decision carried the fate of their nation, and the urgency to modernize was undeniable.

  Rhen Mark- 10 (RM-10):

  "We need to bolster our fnks with cavalry," Valhal suggested to the Prime Minister, his voice firm with determination.

  "The issue isn't cavalry," Kaios replied sharply, his eyes narrowing. "Cavalry can't counter wyverns or the advanced weaponry of the Holy Mirishial Empire and the Republic of Mu. Our priority must be minimizing risks to ensure our soldiers' safety. Myrus, come over here; we need to discuss something with you."

  At this, the young man at the pastry counter stood up. He was slim, dressed in a tawny sweater with a purple checkered scarf, and had brown hair styled simirly to Valhal's. Approaching the group, he introduced himself, "Greetings, Parpaldian leaders. I am Myrus, an engineer from Mu. Emperor Ludius personally invited me to present a new rifle design. The Emperor has chosen one of the 23 models. Here it is for your review."

  Myrus handed over the design for the new breech-loading rifle, model PJ-103. It was 1250mm long, with an 8x50mm caliber, a muzzle velocity of 620m/s, and a maximum range of 2.5km, capable of holding eight rounds.

  "In terms of design, it's vastly superior to the RM-10, but I need some field trials," Arde remarked, scrutinizing the design.

  "Of course," Myrus replied confidently. "We'll give you a month and a few units for testing. After that, we'll start mass production, aiming to fully equip our army within five years. How does that sound?"

  Myrus interjected, "According to the Emperor, he has also purchased the rights from us and is fully transferring the PJ-103 production line to Parpaldia. It's an honor to assist you."

  Valhal smirked, sensing the puppetry of the Emperor's hand in establishing ministries that served his autocratic rule. The Emperor's absolute power was evident, with the Prime Minister shouldering all responsibility.

  Kaios, visibly irked by the Emperor's uniteral decisions, which had become a regur source of frustration, decided to conclude the meeting. "First, we need to allocate the budget and pay Mu. Herin, take care of that."

  "Yes, sir," Herin responded, his tone professional.

  "Next, Tibault, within six months, Mu's engineers will arrive in Duro to oversee the keel ying and technology transfer. Regarding rifle production, the Emperor will select one of the four major arms manufacturers in Duro. I trust you'll manage this well."

  "I will do my best," Tibault affirmed, his voice filled with resolve.

  "Finally, Arde, inform Admiral Armos about phasing out sailboats in favor of ironcds. I invited him, but he couldn't attend. Also, submit a report on the rifle trials for evaluation."

  "Understood, Prime Minister. Rest assured, I'll convene a meeting at the General Staff to address this matter," Arde replied with a nod.

  Valhal then spoke up, his voice tinged with concern, "Should we inform Remille?"

  Remille, a symbol of women's empowerment in the empire and a key figure in founding the Party of Radical Parpaldia Council - PRPC, wasn't involved in military matters and hadn't been invited to this meeting.

  Kaios replied respectfully, "Military affairs aren't Remille's domain. She's more suited to political matters, so we decided not to involve her."

  Turning to Myrus, who still held his briefcase, Kaios said, "Myrus, you've worked hard today. If it's not too much trouble, stay until tomorrow morning before heading back to Mu."

  Myrus politely declined, "I appreciate the offer, but I need to return to Mu to complete my mission report. Thank you for the invitation, but I must decline."

  "Very well. My men can escort you to the airport."

  "Thank you, sir," Myrus replied, his voice polite and respectful.

  Around 8:00, all the guests had departed, only Kaios in the room.

  The sky was clear, revealing a city rapidly industrializing beneath it. On the balcony of the building, Kaios and Deputy Prime Minister Charles were sipping light wine.

  The city appeared peaceful as usual, but something felt off. The sky, usually dotted with countless stars, had only a few scattered tonight. It seemed like an ill omen for the empire. Kaios remained calm as ever, while his trusted colleague Charles held a stack of documents about a completely new country—Pakistan.

  "What is this, Charles?" the Prime Minister inquired.

  "Yes, sir," Charles began, "this is a new nation to our east. Over the past few months, our ships have encountered numerous fishing vessels from this country. This could escate into a future conflict. We currently ck the resources to sustain our colonial garrisons."

  Kaios, unaware of the navy's activities, responded, "Alright. I'm assigning you to investigate this nation called Pakistan. Avoid any conflict until we have more information."

  "Understood, sir," Charles replied.

  Arabian Sea, 64 nautical miles southeast of the Ormara Peninsu, Ismic Republic of Pakistan

  Two patrol boats, PNS Joval and PNS Lojistan, were severely damaged after an engagement with the Parpaldian Navy. Previously, Pakistani vessels, mostly patrol boats and fishing vessels, had frequent encounters with Parpaldia.

  Upon learning the situation from the United Nations, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved increased defense spending, particurly for the navy, to protect fishermen. However, this was insufficient as the patrol boats cked the heavy firepower of warships. Most enemy vessels traveled in groups and were akin to Man O'War ships from the 18th and 19th centuries.

  Returning to the scene, two Pakistani Navy patrol boats, PNS Larkana and PNS Zarrar, discovered the heavily damaged patrol boats. Major Zarkin, commander of the Larkana, ordered the rescue of the two vessels.

  After two hours, the rescue operation was complete, and fortunately, there were no casualties. However, the hulls were severely damaged and had to be abandoned, likely due to a cannon shot. In Captain Zarkin's quarters, the two captains of the patrol boats were giving their accounts.

  "About two hours ago, we were tasked with protecting three fishing boats at sea. We thought it would be an easy mission, but things quickly deteriorated. From a distance, a barrage of cannon fire came our way. I immediately used binocurs to scan the southwest. My God, there were several rge ships with sails, using a line formation, clearly hostile. Luckily, their aim was poor, but the shockwaves hit, sending water spraying and capsizing the three fragile fishing boats instantly."

  The scene was chaotic. Fortunately, we managed to rescue the victims. However, in a moment of distraction, a medium-sized vessel approached quickly from the south, slicing through the waves. Lojistan took a direct hit from a cannonball. We returned fire, a machine gun mounted on the deck unleashing a barrage on a nearby ship, setting it abze. Realizing we were running low on ammunition and causing minimal damage, we had to retreat to save our lives. That's all, sir."

  "It seems they brought an entire fleet this time," the deputy captain remarked, his face calm but stern.

  "Alright, inform headquarters that we need reinforcements."

  "Yes, sir!"

  A smaller vessel then approached the two patrol boats. The crew was astonished by its size, comparable to a frigate, which Parpaldia cssified as a Galleon-css ship.

  The ship moved swiftly, yet it was no match for the incoming cannon fire. Major Zarkin had made a decisive change, authorizing the use of the onboard artillery. The cannon mounted on the hull opened fire, quickly reducing the Galleon to splinters. Its hull riddled with holes, it began to take on water.

  Realizing the urgency to counterattack, Zarkin ordered the PNS Larkana and PNS Zarrar to speed past the burning Galleon. The massive La Logen stood tall amidst the fleet, like an imposing wall, catching the eyes of the two patrol boats and becoming a high-value target. The swift Pakistani patrol boats were like predators circling their prey, quickly approaching the La Logen. Following their established strategy, the patrol boats' cannons unleashed a barrage.

  Though La Logen was rge, it was primarily constructed of wood, with only thin metal sheets reinforcing its vulnerable points. The regur cannonballs proved devastating. The ship caught fire intensely, likely hitting the gunpowder storage. A massive explosion tore the vessel in two. The entire engagement transpired in moments, leaving the Parpaldian fleet stunned and unable to react.

  Meanwhile, Admiral Leron, commanding the Parpaldian fleet, was left in the dark, unaware of the Pakistani assault.

  Gwadar Port, approximately 75 nautical miles southeast of the engagement zone

  The radio operator was watching the news, observing the changing dynamics around Pakistan. Besides their main adversary, India, a mysterious nation from the Indian Ocean had begun to harass the Ismic state. Sipping his coffee on a scorching summer noon, he suddenly heard a signal on the radio: "Gwadar Port, come in. Do you read? Come in."

  He quickly responded, "This is Gwadar Port. What's the situation?"

  "This is PNS Larkana. We've contacted the navy, and they informed us there are two idle ships at your location. We need authorization to deploy them to support us. I'll send the coordinates. Over."

  "Roger that. Over."

  The coordinates were promptly reyed, and the operator requested permission from his superiors to dispatch the PNS Tughril and PNS Babur. Both ships, commanded by Captains Terim and Adel, along with Rear Admiral Ehsan stationed at the port, prepared to set sail. The Multi-role Frigate and Heavy Corvette embarked simultaneously, heading towards the designated assistance area.

  The political ramifications of this encounter could not be understated. Pakistan, under increasing pressure, had to bolster its naval defenses, not just against India but now against an enigmatic new threat. This engagement highlighted the escating tensions and the necessity for strategic military decisions. Major Zarkin's swift actions and the coordinated response from Gwadar Port underscored the urgency and complexity of modern naval warfare. As the ships sailed into the horizon, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation, each crew member acutely aware of the pivotal role they pyed in this unfolding drama.

  Jinnah International Airport, Karachi - Approximately 90 Nautical Miles Southeast of the Engagement Zone

  In the suburbs of Karachi, Colonel Samin was resting at his private residence when he received an urgent call from the Air Force. "Colonel Samin, we have an emergency mission requiring your immediate attention."

  "What's the situation?" Samin responded.

  "We've had a major naval encounter. Details will be briefed at the airport."

  "Understood. See you at Jinnah Airport."

  Thirty minutes ter, at Jinnah Airport, the usually bustling hub was eerily quiet. The recent transportation disruptions had severely reduced passenger traffic, leaving many aircraft grounded. In a special operations room, Lieutenant Colonel Bayar was preparing his gear when Samin arrived, his face tense with concern.

  "What's happening, Bayar?" Samin asked.

  "I've just received the orders myself. Someone will brief us shortly."

  About half an hour ter, a senior colonel entered the room, carrying a briefing board, accompanied by several aides. Samin and Bayar were tasked with using JF-17 fighter jets to conduct reconnaissance over the western seas, where the Navy required support. The JF-17, though proven in combat like in the February 2019 incident where it downed an Indian MiG-21, had not been extensively tested in various combat scenarios.

  "Just to remind you, we have no intel on the enemy's ground-to-air or air-to-air capabilities. Maintain a safe distance. Satellite data suggests their fleet could be neutralized with 21st-century technology," the colonel emphasized.

  "Here are the mission details. Samin, your codename is Bronze; Bayar, yours is Silver. May Alh bless you, brothers." The colonel's aide handed the pilots iPads containing their mission data.

  Half an hour ter, the two JF-17 jets were ready for takeoff. The heat from their turbojet engines scorched the runway as they roared to life.

  "Zoom!"

  "This is Samin. JF-17, callsign Bronze, has successfully taken off. Over," Samin reported to air traffic control.

  At Mach 1.6, the two JF-17s quickly left the Pakistani coast behind. Before long, the endless blue of the ocean filled their view.

  "Reporting in. We've located the enemy fleet. Over," Bayar announced.

  "JF-17 Silver, confirm enemy force numbers. Over," came the response from air traffic control.

  "Reporting in. There are seven ships in a horizontal formation and one ship detached, engaging two patrol boats and two fishing vessels. Over," Bayar reported.

  "JF-17 flight is authorized to use force against the enemy. Over."

  "This is Bronze. I will maneuver southwest, maintaining a 100km distance from the fleet. Over," Samin communicated to Bayar.

  "Copy that."

  The two JF-17s conducted their reconnaissance over the southwest waters of Pakistan. Samin's jet flew through the clouds, its white body standing out against the azure sky and the shimmering Arabian Sea below. As they flew, Samin noticed another fleet in the distance.

  "Bronze to Silver, Bronze to Silver, do you read?"

  "I read you, over."

  "Do you see that, Bayar? There's something out there. Over."

  "I have it on radar, about 30km away. Over."

  "I should report this back to air traffic control. Over."

  "Agreed. Out." Bayar replied. As Samin began his communication, an unidentified flying object suddenly emerged from the clouds. Samin instinctively veered right to avoid it.

  "Dear God, it's a dragon!" Samin excimed. For the first time, he faced a creature of myth.

  As Samin's JF-17 tried to shake off the dragon, his determination to down this airborne menace was clear. Yet, a flesh-and-blood beast was no match for a machine flying at supersonic speeds. Bayar quickly maneuvered his jet to support Samin. An SD-6 missile unched from Bayar's jet struck the dragon, bringing it down instantly.

  Samin finally reconnected with Jinnah Airport's air traffic control. A female operator answered:

  "JF-17, callsign Bronze, do you read?"

  "This is Bronze. We have crucial information: another fleet accompanied by a dragon has been spotted. Over."

  "I believe there's another fleet nearby. Why weren't we informed about their dragons? Over."

  "We've heard reports of them using Wyverns, a smaller dragon species. It's likely they have a fleet organized simirly to a carrier group. Over."

  "What are our next orders? Over."

  "JF-17 flight, continue to monitor and provide support. Over."

  Frustrated, Samin muttered to air traffic control, "We're ready to send them to Jahannam, aren't we?"

  Jahannam, the Ismic hell, represents ultimate suffering, contrasting with the bliss of Jannah, paradise.

  Returning to the mission, "Even if the enemy ships are wooden and capable of unching dragons like a carrier, comply with the mission orders. We're in standby mode. Over."

  "Copy that." Samin calmly ended the transmission and maneuvered to gain a better view of the trailing fleet. The two JF-17s ascended above the clouds for a clearer, safer vantage point. Using binocurs, Bayar observed the enemy fleet, noting its scale and apparent connection to the fleet ahead.

  The political and military stakes of this engagement were evident, as Pakistan confronted an unprecedented and mythical adversary. The situation demanded not only tactical prowess but also strategic foresight to navigate this complex and escating conflict.

  Royal Palpardia Fleet I, Under the Command of Admiral Armos

  Admiral Armos commanded the formidable Fleet I of the Royal Palpardia Navy, divided into three sub-fleets: Patrol, Escort, and the Attack Fleet. For this daring raid, Armos led the Attack Fleet, comprising 28 powerful La Logen-css ships equipped with 121 rge and small cannons, and 17 smaller Gallion-css ships armed with up to 89 cannons. Despite this formidable strength, Fleet I was also bolstered by 8 special-css ships.

  Admiral Armos stood on the deck of his fgship, La De Glory IV, with a proud and commanding presence. The ship was positioned at the center of a pentagonal formation, surrounded by warships protecting the technologically advanced Wyvern Carriers. These carriers, twice the size of La Logen-css ships, had runways on either side, each capable of housing 15 to 20 wyverns. However, due to logistical constraints, each carrier currently held only 13 wyverns, as the fleet couldn't sustain a rger number.

  The massive fleet before Admiral Armos symbolized the empire's pride and power. As he surveyed the scene, a sailor approached with urgent news:

  "Admiral, the wyvern sent for reconnaissance has lost contact, sir."

  "Deploy three more. We need intelligence on the enemy patrol fleet. Without information, we are blind. Remember, our enemy is still unidentified, and our raiding ships have suffered significant damage recently, which is why I've taken personal command."

  Immediately, preparations began for the unch of three more wyverns. The unch process, usually swift, was expedited further, completing within 5-6 minutes. Yet, this time, the enemy was different...

  Meanwhile, the two JF-17 jets had observed something unusual.

  "A massive fleet," Bayar reported to Samin. "They're as numerous as ants. Over."

  "Did you see those dragons earlier? Over," Samin responded.

  "The situation is deteriorating. Over," Bayar said through his binocurs, spotting three dragons taking off from the wyvern carriers. "Reporting in, three dragons airborne from the ships with runways on both sides. Over."

  "Bayar, are those dragon carriers? Over?" Samin asked.

  "Confirming the presence of dragon carriers. Over," Bayar replied.

  "Report this to the airbase. Over," Samin instructed.

  Samin contacted air traffic control to report the dragon carriers. "They have four aircraft carriers with dragons. We need F-16 support. Repeat, they have aircraft carriers. Over."

  Faced with a decision, Samin and Bayar had to choose between continuing their reconnaissance or returning to support the defensive fleet. As they contempted their options, a wyvern suddenly emerged from the clouds, targeting Bayar's jet. Bayar quickly turned and fired a burst from his 23mm machine gun, destroying the dragon instantly.

  The second dragon pursued Samin, but despite flying slowly, the dragon struggled to match the jet's speed. The JF-17 wasn't just for defense; Samin pulled up sharply, then dropped down, aligning his missile sight on the wyvern. A PL-5E missile unched from the wing, striking the dragon down.

  "Eliminated two targets," Samin joyfully informed Bayar.

  However, Samin's instincts warned of danger. The final dragon, with a cunning pilot, had hidden within the clouds, waiting to strike. Samin's jet became its target, and the wyvern unched a fireball at the slow-moving JF-17, striking its tail and destabilizing the aircraft.

  "Bronze reporting, over."

  "Damn it, JF-17 Bronze hit by enemy fireball but continuing mission. Over."

  "We underestimated their capabilities. Change our approach. Over."

  "Reporting, tail fuel tank leaking. Over."

  "Abort mission. Over."

  "Copy."

  Despite the damage, the wyvern wasn't giving up. Bayar closely escorted the slowed Samin. In the urgent situation, Bayar deployed fres to distract the pursuing dragon. Just then, a missile streaked through the sky, hitting the wyvern. Reinforcements had arrived—seven F-16s dispatched to assist.

  The situation had escated into a full-scale conflict, with political and military implications extending far beyond the immediate battle. The arrival of the F-16s marked a turning point, as Pakistan's advanced air power confronted the mythical and formidable enemy fleet. The stakes were high, and the outcome of this encounter would resonate throughout the region.

  Unified Fleet of Palpardia I

  Admiral Armos stood on the ship's railing, binocurs in hand, scrutinizing the battlefield. Suddenly, he noticed something unusual: the wyverns he had dispatched seemed to be facing an overwhelmingly superior force. Even the most advanced wyverns of the Unified Fleet were struggling, and the Mu pnes were not nearly fast enough to respond.

  "Admiral, the test wyvern squadron has also lost contact. We need to alert the patrol fleet, sir," an anxious aide reported.

  "Very well. Order Vice Admiral Leron's patrol fleet to retreat. We still have no concrete information about the enemy, so instruct our ships not to engage unless directly provoked," Armos commanded.

  "Yes, sir!"

  Armos's face reflected concern, but he quickly regained his confident demeanor. He knew that the fleet under his command was formidable, with ships capable of tearing apart any foe. Shortly after, a message was transmitted to Vice Admiral Leron's ship, instructing them to regroup with the main fleet. However, the situation was more complex than Armos had anticipated; their adversaries were no longer relying on cannons but were using powerful, precise weapons.

  The patrol fleet had received Armos's signal, but the situation worsened as two additional ships appeared from the west. The Frigate PNS Tughril and the Corvette PNS Babur approached the enemy fleet.

  Ahead of them was a line of massive ships, standing like towering walls on the ocean. Rear Admiral Ehsan stood in the control room of PNS Tughril with Captain Terim. Ehsan quickly assessed the situation, realizing the fleet was preparing to retreat, but where could they go?

  From the radio signal, Ehsan learned that the entire fleet was moving towards the main fleet nearby. Letting the enemy escape would disadvantage Pakistan. Ehsan ordered an increase in speed; both ships accelerated towards the enemy. Initially, they considered using missiles but opted for explosive shells upon realizing the enemy ships were wooden, aiming to conserve ammunition.

  "This is a good range. Open fire!" Ehsan commanded.

  Both ships unleashed explosive shells targeting the rgest ship, the Beacon, carrying Vice Admiral Leron. The ship exploded, stunning the Palpaldian sailors.

  "Boom!" The Beacon erupted in a fiery explosion, shocking the Palpaldian sailors.

  Before the attack, Vice Admiral Leron stood on the deck of the Beacon, surrounded by nearly 200 soldiers, preparing for retreat. Moments earlier, as he observed his fleet bombarding the enemy, an officer informed him of Admiral Armos's decision. Leron was puzzled, believing the empire's forces were dominating the battlefield, but he followed orders.

  As he directed the sailors to lift anchor, a lookout on the Beacon spotted two fast-approaching ships. Leron didn't have time to react before the enemy ships closed in, posing a significant threat.

  The Beacon, the rgest ship in the fleet, positioned at the outermost edge to shield others, took two direct hits. The ship exploded, taking Leron's life and leaving the fleet in chaos. "How could a behemoth like the Beacon be taken down so swiftly?" a sailor wondered.

  Those two explosive shells marked the beginning of a tragedy for the empire...

  Jinnah Airport, Pakistan

  The two JF-17s piloted by Bayar and Samin flew back to Jinnah Airbase. "Alright Bayar, I'm ready to nd. Thanks for covering me, over," Samin said, his voice strained but relieved.

  "No problem, over," Bayar responded calmly.

  At Jinnah Airbase in Karachi, the personnel debated the use of the F-16s. The logistical challenge was daunting; sourcing parts for these Western aircraft was expensive and complex, especially with the distance from the United States. Conversely, the JF-17s, though considered difficult to handle and cking in combat effectiveness, were more readily avaible. Despite the initial hesitation, seven F-16s were dispatched, compelled by the escating situation.

  Bayar's JF-17, having completed its mission, now rejoined the fray. The seven F-16s were systematically targeting the wyverns deployed by Admiral Armos. For the F-16s, the wyverns were mere nuisances. Their primary objective was to obliterate the enemy's wyvern carriers and exact retribution.

  As Bayar rejoined the formation, the combined JF-17 and F-16 squadron maintained strategic altitude and distance, gathering intelligence on the enemy's wyvern carrier fleet. Despite their differences, the JF-17s and F-16s operated in unison without significant hindrance.

  "Squadron, switch to anti-ship missiles," the F-16 squadron leader commanded. In this engagement, the F-16s were equipped with Chinese anti-ship missiles, as their American counterparts were reserved for air superiority roles.

  Upon reaching firing range, the squadron leader verified the enemy positions, ensuring the targets were locked. They were now 468 kilometers from the enemy fleet, within striking distance.

  "Fire!"

  The squadron unched their CM-400AKG anti-ship missiles, hurtling towards the Palpaldian fleet at over Mach 5. The cumbersome wyvern carriers, along with their sluggish escorts, were sitting ducks for the advanced Chinese weaponry.

  The wooden ships of the Palpaldian fleet stood no chance against the onsught. The missiles struck with devastating precision, resulting in a series of explosions that turned the sea into a bzing inferno. The Palpaldian warships were engulfed in fmes.

  "Good hit! Good hit!" the pilots cheered.

  Meanwhile, Admiral Armos was in turmoil. His wyvern forces were being decimated by the enemy's superior aircraft. Yet, he still clung to hope, awaiting the return of his patrol fleet. Suddenly, an urgent report came through:

  "Sir, we have critical information to report!"

  "Go ahead," Armos responded.

  "One of our wyvern carriers has been destroyed. How could they achieve such an impossible feat? Additionally, Vice Admiral Leron's fgship, the Beacon, has been sunk."

  Armos was stunned. The reality hit him: if they didn't retreat immediately, his fleet would not survive. With a heavy heart, he ordered a full retreat, abandoning the forward fleet.

  That evening

  The patrol fleet was completely annihited by Pakistani air and naval forces. The Pakistani government seized a substantial amount of weaponry and equipment from the defeated fleet. Apart from the Beacon and two severely damaged ships, the rest of the fleet was captured nearly intact, along with numerous prisoners.

  This marked the first significant humiliation for the Unified Fleet of Palpardia under Admiral Armos's command. The Parpaldian navy, in a desperate bid to save face, attempted to cover up the disaster.

  ___________________________________________________________

  - Sakura -