Beneath the water, two surviving nuclear navies watched each other carefully through sonar arrays and combat systems capable of starting another war if somebody made the wrong decision.
Inside the Combat Information Center aboard the lead destroyer, the atmosphere remained tense despite the agreement for surface contact.
Nobody trusted the situation completely.
And honestly, nobody should.
The destroyer captain looked toward Adrian again.
"Sir, Changzheng-418 is ascending slowly."
One of the sonar operators immediately added, "Depth passing seventy meters."
Another voice followed.
"No targeting sonar detected. Reactor output stable. Their propulsion remains low."
Adrian nodded once.
"Maintain readiness."
"Aye, sir."
Outside across the destroyer's deck, sailors moved back into visible combat positions. Marines armed with M4 carbines and machine guns took positions near the rails while CIWS systems remained active above them.
