Captain Liu's order echoed calmly across the missile control compartment inside the Changzheng-418.
The atmosphere aboard the Chinese ballistic missile submarine immediately became tense and focused.
Rows of naval personnel operated beneath dim red combat lighting while launch authorization systems flashed across tactical displays.
The submarine itself remained deep beneath the Philippine Sea, hidden beneath layers of black ocean water far from Beijing.
But distance no longer mattered.
Not with submarine-launched ballistic missiles.
The launch officer rested both hands against the console while confirming final telemetry data.
"JL-2 launch sequence initiated."
"Target coordinates verified."
"Conventional warhead package confirmed."
Another officer monitored guidance overlays displayed across the digital map of Beijing.
Multiple red circles covered the ruined western districts surrounding Adrian's extraction corridor.
Huge infected concentrations.
