Chapter 190 SS-18 Satan

Chapter 190 SS-18 Satan

Richard immediately began deploying the SS-18 ICBM, a strategic missile he had acquired from the system three days prior. He chose the Manila International Airport as the setup location.

The SS-18 was quickly assembled on a secure platform. Richard supervised the operation, ensuring every component was correctly installed and the missile was ready for immediate launch.

Ten minutes later, the missile is ready for launch. Richard returned to the command center and towards Sara's station.

"Are they still in that square?" Richard asked, leaning forward as he tried to get a better look.

Sara quickly checked the satellite feed and nodded. "Yes, they're still there. No movement from Gwanghwamun Square yet."

"Good, let's launch the missile before they adjourn their precious meeting," Richard said, clapping his hand.

The personnel manning the SS-18 Satan systems began the final preparations for launch, following Richard's command. They double-checked the targeting coordinates, ensuring the missile's trajectory was perfectly aligned with Gwanghwamun Square.

"Sir, we're ready to launch on your order," one of the personnel reported to Richard.

"Let's hope there are no survivors within the blast radius of the W-sixty nuke," Richard muttered under his breath. As much as possible, he wanted to avoid survivors' casualties that were hiding near the square. But he knew that taking this shot now would mean a possible end to this apocalypse.

He took a deep breath and uttered the word. "Launch."

As Richard gave the launch command, the command center's atmosphere tensed to an almost palpable degree. The personnel at the SS-18 Satan systems console initiated the launch sequence.

First, the safety protocols were disengaged, unlocking the missile's firing mechanism. The team leader, with a steady hand, entered the final authorization code, a necessary step to ensure full control and prevent unauthorized launches.

On the main console, the system status switched from 'Standby' to 'Active', indicating that the missile was now live and ready. The targeting system, already locked onto the coordinates of Gwanghwamun Square, underwent one last verification.

Next, the ground support systems initiated the fueling sequence. The liquid propellant, stored in secure tanks, began to flow into the missile's fuel chambers. This process was monitored closely; any fluctuation in pressure or temperature could lead to catastrophic failure.

Once fueling was complete, the ground support crew retreated to a safe distance, and the launch area was cleared. A final systems check was conducted remotely, confirming that all systems were go for launch.

In the command center, Richard and his team watched as the launch sequence entered its final phase. The countdown began, with the digital clock on the main screen ticking down. noVE)lB-In

"10, 9, 8..." the automated voice read out the seconds.

As the countdown reached zero, the SS-18 Satan's engines ignited with a thunderous roar, a bright flame erupting from its base. The missile lifted off the ground, its ascent slow at first but rapidly gaining speed as it climbed into the sky.

Calculations were rapidly made in the command center.

"Based on its current velocity and trajectory, the missile will reach Gwanghwamun Square in approximately 12 minutes," Sara announced.

The staffers inside the command center exchanged tense looks. Fifteen minutes was a very short window, but it was also a prolonged period in which anything could happen. For example, the meeting could have ended before the missile reached its target. Which is something that Richard and the rest of the Blackwatch don't want to happen.

As the SS-18 Satan missile ascended into the sky, the command center staff remained fixated on both the missile's trajectory and the situation unfolding in Gwanghwamun Square.

The SS-18 operates in three key stages during its flight. The first stage involved the initial boost phase, which was already underway. This stage utilized the missile's primary engines, propelling it away from the Earth with significant thrust. The boost phase is critical as it sets the missile on its correct trajectory. The engines burned for about two minutes before detaching, allowing the missile to proceed to the next stage.

In the command center, Sara kept her eyes glued to the satellite feed, monitoring the situation in the square.

"Still no movement at Gwanghwamun Square," she reported

The missile then entered its second stage, known as the mid-course phase. This was the longest portion of the flight, where the missile cruised through space. During this phase, the onboard navigation systems continuously adjusted the missile's path, ensuring accuracy. This system was highly sophisticated and capable of making real-time adjustments based on external factors like atmospheric conditions.

As the missile progressed through its mid-course phase, the command center was eerily quiet, save for the occasional status update. "Missile is on course, nine minutes to impact," one of the technicians reported.

Finally, the missile would enter its third and final stage – the re-entry phase. This stage was crucial as the missile re-entered the Earth's atmosphere and headed towards its target. The re-entry vehicle, designed to withstand intense heat and friction, protected the warhead as it descended at high speed toward Gwanghwamun Square.

"Seven minutes to impact. The re-entry phase will commence shortly," another technician announced.

The re-entry phase began when the missile reached the mesosphere, the third layer of the Earth's atmosphere, situated above the stratosphere. This layer, starting around 50 kilometers above the Earth's surface and extending to about 85 kilometers, is where most meteors burn up upon entry due to friction with the atmospheric particles.

"The missile has entered the mesosphere," one technician reported. "Re-entry phase is commencing."

At this point, the missile's speed and the friction of the atmosphere generated immense heat. The re-entry vehicle, equipped with heat-resistant materials, was designed to protect the warhead from extreme temperatures that could exceed 1,500 degrees Celsius.

As the missile plunged deeper into the atmosphere, passing through the mesosphere and into the stratosphere, its speed slightly decreased due to the increasing air density. However, the sophisticated guidance system of the SS-18 ensured that the missile remained on its precise path towards the target.

"Check, missiles coming in hot on the target," Sara spoke, breaking the silence. "Time for impact, one minute."

As the countdown continued, the missile, now in the stratosphere, was mere moments away from its destination. The sophisticated guidance system made its final adjustments, ensuring the warhead was on a collision course with the exact coordinates of the target.

"Ten seconds," Sara announced.

As the missile reached its target, there was a brief moment of stillness before the impact. The W-sixty warhead detonated upon impact, releasing a colossal explosion. The force of the blast was immense, creating a massive shockwave that radiated outward from the point of impact.

Almost instantly, a gigantic mushroom cloud rose from the heart of Gwanghwamun Square. The cloud billowed upward and the explosion vaporized everything in its immediate vicinity.

The heat from the explosion was so intense that it incinerated nearby structures and caused secondary fires to break out in surrounding areas. The shockwave shattered windows and damaged buildings for kilometers.

"There's no way they would survive that," Mark mumbled.

"Don't jinx it," Richard said. "This is the moment where we would see how strong this progenitor really is..."