NOVEL NEXT Chapter 180: One Successful Hit
It was about a minute left before these missiles would make impact, and they watched as they dashed against the land of Nortasia.
Interestingly, it was just Jayden and the ladies who were watching.
...
"Mom! Mom, come see!"
A child around the age of eight to ten quickly called on her mother the moment she spotted the descending rocket.
The moment she rushed out, she flinched upon having a sight of it.
"Mommy... Are we going to die?" the young girl then asked, her face holding a sense of fear and curiosity.
However, her mother simply approached and gave her a tight hug.
"No, sweetie. We are not going to die. We are safe under the shield... We are safe."
Those words came out with some weight of uncertainty, but who was she to show her fears to the child? She had to cling to the possibility of the Aegis V saving them and sending the missiles back.
It had happened before... so why not now?
...
There was a large crowd gathering on the highway, as cars began to stop, drivers rushing out of their cars, and people rushing out of various buildings, all watching the drama that unfolded in the skies.
Amidst the interest was the fear of "what if?"
Many began to wonder if the missiles would penetrate this time, because they knew Icelandia to be a very smart country that would always figure out a way to take down their enemies.
Still, there were still many who believed in the words of the young President. After all, they knew they would have no other choice.
If things were to go the negative way today, they'd all die. There was no doubt about that, so it was better to cling to hope, hoping to see the Aegis V crush the attacks with ease.
...
[Breaking News!]
"Good evening, citizens of Nortasia. This is Annelise Carter reporting live from Dominion City. We interrupt regular programming to bring you urgent news.
Intelligence reports confirm that fifty. Yes, fifty ballistic missiles have been launched from Icelandia and are currently on course toward Nortasian territory. Among the projected targets is Dominion City, our nation's capital, with at least ten warheads locked directly onto this city.
Military experts say the incoming wave is the largest assault attempt in recent history, far surpassing the six missiles redirected only two days ago by our nation's proud Aegis V Defense System. Tonight, the question on every citizen's mind is clear: Can the Aegis V hold once again?
Across the streets of Dominion City, families are watching the skies and their television screens. In the markets, in homes, even in underground shelters, whispers can be heard: 'Will it stop them? Will Aegis save us again?'
Officials at the Ministry of Defence have reassured the nation that the Aegis V system is fully active and prepared to respond. Analysts describe the system as a state-of-the-art shield capable of intercepting and redirecting ballistic threats. However, never before has it faced a barrage of this magnitude—fifty warheads simultaneously.
Our correspondents across the provinces report varying reactions. In Riverdale, citizens are calmly gathering at designated safety shelters, showing quiet confidence in the shield's ability. Meanwhile, in Fenille, where memories of the last missile strike remain fresh, some families are evacuating inland, not willing to take any chances.
A resident we spoke to earlier, Ms. Liora Grant, held her two children close as she said: 'I believe in our leaders. I believe in the shield. But I am a mother. I can't help but be afraid. We just pray it holds.'
At the Defence Command Center, military strategists are carefully tracking the trajectory of every single missile. The latest updates show the warheads approaching Nortasian airspace within the next twenty minutes.
Political leaders have called for unity during this critical moment. In a statement released moments ago, President Jayden Cole urged citizens to remain calm, stating, 'We have faced storms before. We will face this storm together. Stand firm. Trust in our shield. Nortasia will not fall.'
International reaction has also been swift. Allies within the Independent Society are reportedly monitoring the situation closely, while other nations wait to see whether the Nortasian shield can once again prove the strength of modern defense technology.
And so tonight, all eyes are on the skies above Nortasia. The fate of millions may depend on the steel, circuits, and brilliance of the Aegis V Defense System. Will it withstand this unprecedented assault? The next minutes will decide.
Stay with us on Nortasia National Network as we bring you live updates. This is Annelise Carter. May our shield hold, and may Nortasia stand strong."
...
The whole country was reportedly buzzing, all eyes waiting to see what would happen.
And surely, everything went like a short movie. In less than three minutes, the showdown was already on.
---
Jayden watched, his eyes sticking to that one shot that was coming directly towards the island.
If one looked, one would notice the mixed feelings in his heart.
Tension, confidence, nervousness... hope.
BUSSSSSSS!
And then...
BOOOOOM!
The moment the rocket came in contact with the surface of the invisible defence, there was a great force that forced the crazy charge to stop, and then they all watched the missile backfire at once.
"Hmm-mm," Jayden nodded with a sigh of relief.
...
Everyone, live in the nation, watched as the missiles were sent back towards Icelandia.
They cheered, as praises began, all acknowledging the President for the wonderful work.
Another reason to prove that all those who had doubted him were fools, and he kept leaving more impressions on the nation.
...
"You were right," Charlotte told Harper.
"We were right," Harper smiled.
They all headed back inside, as Charlotte had to be the one directing the missiles afterwards.
"I think we should destroy him now. No excuses this time," Charlotte said.
"The missiles wouldn't be able to hit the presidential district, and it'd be a bad idea to do that. We just need to eliminate him in the smartest way possible. I will make sure of that," Jayden said.
A news report was on air in the living room, so Jayden took interest in seeing if all the missiles were backfired.
All the stations were giving positive news so far, as well as the masses praising and acknowledging him. He didn't take the glory of that, because he knew he hadn't fully deserved it yet, until all this was over.
Every news report he came across, every headline... all were positive, and he was having a relaxing mind.
Until...
[Breaking News! One ballistic missile arrived ten minutes after the first fifty missiles and hit Western Spring City successfully.
Over six hundred buildings have been crushed to the ground, and the entire part of Western Spring is on fire.]
Jayden's eyes widened the moment he came across the news, right from the most accurate station in the country, NNN.
His heart almost skipped, knowing the weight of what had just happened.
Western Spring City...
It was one of the last places he would want the attacks from Icelandia to hit, and now... now that nightmare had just shown itself.
At that point, the first thought that came into his mind was,
"Katie."
******
Royce had refused to get his mind off the situation on Earth after hearing about the war between Icelandia and Nortasia.
Even after having that conversation with Commander Cross, he was becoming too curious and wanted to really know why The Grandmaster wanted to destroy Earth.
He knew really well that what he was telling his people was nonsense. Earth is a world of strong and wonderful people, and he knew that.
He knew that there was a more obvious reason why The Grandmaster wanted to strike.
And that was when he got an idea.
He decided to meet up with Miss Esta, the same lady who had injected him with the Serum.
Entering the Test Building, he quickly spotted her, and fortunately, she had no job in hand.
"What brought you here, Royce Nexuson?" she asked with a respectful tone.
"Nah, don't call me that. I'm Royce... Royce Kingsley, and you know why I'm still sticking to that surname, right?"
She shook her head at once, flinching.
"I... I have no idea," she said, already tense.
"I guess not. You do have an idea," Royce nodded.
She tried to speak but he quickly interrupted.
"You injected the fake Serum into me."
Miss Esta's eyes widened at once.
"Yes, you did. You can't deny that. I know that... I'm supposed to be vile, completely uninterested in the things of Earth. But here I am, still worried about my world, and envious about the people's love for Kael rather than me. Isn't that enough sign?"
Miss Esta couldn't say a word, terrified.
"I'm damn correct, right?" Royce smiled.
"Okay now, I just need you to tell me why?" he then asked.
At that point, Esta shook her head, completely objecting to his request.
"Well then. Let's see what The Grandmaster does if he hears it."
He attempted to leave, but then she suddenly pulled him back.
"Please don't. If he hears about this, he would kill me," she pleaded.
"Well then, tell me why," Jayden stated.
She didn't have a choice, noticing that he really wanted to know why, so she began to explain.
"I am the daughter of Magnus Vance... The Grandmaster, Neil Vance, was my uncle..."
Royce suddenly picked more interest with the start of the story, grabbing a seat.