[ " Master, " ] Bawang alerted, his voice filled with urgency, [ " There lies a colossal vessel ahead, gradually falling prey to the clutches of relentless pirates. " ]
Bawang took the initiative to contact his master, Liu Yong, knowing his expertise was needed in this dangerous situation.
Liu Yong swiftly observed the unfolding events through the eyes of a third-party vision, his lips curling into a chilling smile. [ "Let us not interfere in matters that do not concern us, " ] he retorted, his voice laced with disdain. [ " Instead, let us revel in the spectacle. " ]
Liu Yong was no saint. The Risheng Ocean Shipping Group had repeatedly targeted him, and his lingering anger towards them had yet to subside. If he didn't give them trouble, they would consider themselves lucky. So why would I extend a helping hand?
He reasoned with himself, considering it an entertaining show devoid of suspense.
The pirates surrounding Risheng's ship were undoubtedly skilled in their illicit trade. They effortlessly breached the ship's defences within minutes, infiltrating its deck.
Dozens of heavily armed pirates swiftly boarded the vessel, overpowering the crew and taking control. The ship's course was altered, and its speed escalated. The helpless crew members became captives, confined under vigilant watch.
[ " Bawang, you may depart now; the spectacle has reached its climax, " ] Liu Yong instructed.
[ " Very well, master, " ] Bawang acknowledged, his loyalty unwavering.
Bawang commenced his departure, navigating towards the sea region where the "Shitai," owned by the Global Shipping Group, resided. The distance between them was a mere hundred nautical miles.
In a mere half an hour, Bawang reached the ship's vicinity. Maintaining a safe distance of several hundred meters, with a water depth of approximately 200 meters, Bawang swam steadily, serving as a silent escort for the "Shitai," guiding it into the treacherous Gulf of Aden.
ƥαṇdαηθνε| The news hit Luo Maoyuan of the Risheng Ocean Shipping Group like thunderbolts. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that one of his colossal 150,000-ton ships would fall victim to a brutal act of piracy.
His mind raced, desperately seeking a solution to this dire predicament. Panic seized him as he hastily turned to his subordinate, seeking any sliver of hope amidst the chaos.
[ " Mr. Luo, " ] his subordinate began, [ " a few days ago, the 'East Star' belonging to the Global Shipping Group was hijacked by Somali pirates. They demanded a staggering 100 million US dollars. " ]
Luo Maoyuan was well aware of the incident and its ramifications. Anxiety gnawed at him as he asked, [ " What happened afterwards? Can you provide me with more details? " ]
His subordinate replied, [ " From what I've gathered, the Global Shipping Group reluctantly paid the exorbitant ransom of 100 million US dollars, securing the safe release of the 'Dongxing'. " ]
A sense of helplessness washed over Luo Maoyuan. His heart ached at the thought of the impending financial blow. The ransom demanded by the pirates would undoubtedly drain a significant portion of the Risheng Group's resources, potentially jeopardising its existence.
Presently, they needed more funds, making the prospect of raising such a colossal sum seem insurmountable.
Meanwhile, aboard the "Shitai" vessel of the Global Shipping Group, Captain Peng Yi stood on deck, his gaze fixated through a telescope, his expression grave and resolute.
A crew member beside him remarked, [ " Captain, there's no need to be overly cautious. Pirates hijacking a ship passing through the Gulf of Aden is rare. " ]
Peng Yi responded, his voice measured, [ " A prudent sailor ensures the longevity of their vessel. Caution can never be excessive. Let every member of the crew remain vigilant. We will enter the waters of the Gulf of Aden within a hundred nautical miles. " ]
As the Captain relayed his instructions, an air of unease crept among the crew. One young member, Xiao Zhao, exhibited visible nervousness, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, and a slightly anxious expression.
An elderly sailor offered comforting words, [ " Xiao Zhao, don't let nerves consume you. I've traveled this route not fifty, but at least three or four dozen times. Never once have I encountered pirates. Don't fear, relax. " ]
Xiao Zhao found some solace in those words. Yet, he wasn't the only member of the crew feeling the weight of anxiety. Several others shared his unease, their hearts filled with silent prayers, hoping for a smooth passage through the treacherous waters of the Gulf of Aden.
Mere miles away from the "Shitai," a warship tore through the waves at an incredible speed. This vessel belonged to the notorious Somali Al-Shabaab, who had acquired a second-hand missile destroyer from another nation at a considerable cost. Though second-hand, it boasted advanced radar capabilities, rendering it a formidable threat.
A pirate reported excitedly, "Head, we've located the target, bearing southeast, at a distance of 22 nautical miles. " ]
Mansur set down his binoculars and bellowed, [ " Issue the command! Full speed ahead, catch up to the target! " ]
The warship surged forward, its velocity increasing from a modest dozen knots to over 25, closing in on the unsuspecting "Shitai."
Armed men aboard the warship brimmed with anticipation and enthusiasm. Their mission was straightforward—seize the cargo ship belonging to the Global Shipping Group, the "Shitai," and hold it hostage until an astronomical ransom of 1 billion US dollars was paid.
As the sun descended, casting a golden hue over the vast ocean, Mansur's eyes glistened with anticipation. Through his trusty telescope, he caught sight of the cargo ship "Shitai", gracefully gliding across the horizon. Excitement surged through his veins, for he believed this mission was as good as accomplished.
[ "Head, shall we deploy the speedboat and make haste? " ] one of Mansur's crew members eagerly suggested.
Shaking his head gently, Mansur replied, [ " Patience, my friend. They cannot escape our grasp. We must approach them cautiously, closing in before making our move. Prepare the first and second teams. " ]
These were no ordinary pirates; they were the elite armed forces of Al-Shabaab, assuming the guise of pirates for this particular operation. The distance between the warship and the "Shitai" gradually diminished.
Onboard the cargo ship, and the crew members finally noticed the approaching warship. An alarmed voice echoed, [ " Captain, there's a warship rapidly approaching us! " ]
Captain Peng Yi swiftly turned his gaze towards the vessel in question.
Indeed, a warship loomed approximately 1.5 nautical miles away, its origin still uncertain. Trying to alleviate any concerns, Peng Yi remarked, [ " It appears to be an **** warship. Such sightings are not uncommon in these waters. There's no need to fret. Having a warship as an escort enhances our safety significantly. " ]
As Peng Yi spoke, his face relaxed gradually, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his heart. He firmly believed that the presence of a warship would deter pirates from daring to attack, causing them to flee at the mere sight of it.
The crew members, echoing Peng Yi's sentiment, began to ease their apprehension upon deducing the warship's probable affiliation. Some even stole glances, sizing up the imposing vessel.
[ " That warship is swift! " ] one of the crews exclaimed in awe, observing its graceful navigation through the waves, closing the gap rapidly.
Before long, the warship was within proximity, mere hundreds of meters away from the "Shitai." Even without the aid of a telescope, the naked eye could discern the warship's distinct features.
Curiously, it was an aging warship, a second-hand relic of the sea. Yet, what perplexed them was the sight of the warship's crew members, all seemingly African descent, adorned in a medley of outfits. Some wore military uniforms, while others opted for civilian attire.
Adding to the intrigue, each crew member clutched a firearm, predominantly AK-47 rifles.
The unexpected twist came when two speedboats were lowered from the warship, each accommodating a sizable group of at least seven to eight heavily armed individuals.
This couldn't be right; something was amiss.
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