Eastern Mediterranean, flagship Independence of the Mexican Fleet
Admiral Morales stood on the bridge, holding the order that had just come from Mexico City. The paper was thin, but every word on it felt like a red‑hot branding iron.
"Go to combat readiness."
He folded the order, stuffed it into his pocket, and picked up the intercom.
"All units, this is Morales. Target: the Big Mao Fleet outside Tartus Port. Two cruisers, three destroyers, one nuclear submarine. Our mission is not to fight a war, it's to make them too afraid to fight. All missiles loaded, all radars active, all fire control locked on. Whoever fires first loses. But we need them to believe we're not afraid to lose."
The bridge was silent for two seconds. Then confirmations came from each ship over the intercom—short, crisp, no unnecessary words.
