Chapter 423: Destroy Your Navy and Air Force
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Despite Hardy's warnings, Indonesia remained unbothered. To them, a company like Hardy's had little influence compared to the nation's military might. The Dutch East India Company had once occupied Indonesia, and the country's resilience against them was a testament to its strength.
The Indonesian Defense Minister's response was unequivocal: "If the Hardy Group attempts to invade Indonesia, it will face severe consequences."
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Hardy's plane landed in Penang, where he gathered information and consulted with the Strategic Research Office. The orders were clear: "A formal letter has been sent to the Indonesian government demanding serious action against the perpetrators and compensation for Hardy's losses."
Hardy then granted an interview with the Global Times, reaffirming his stance: "We have formally requested the Indonesian government address the rioters and compensate us. Failure to comply will compel us to take further action."
The Indonesian president, after reviewing Hardy's letter, dismissed it with contempt. "A company with such arrogance. Indonesia, with its vast land, population, and military, is not to be intimidated by such threats."
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Hardy's next steps were decisive. Utilizing a secret communication channel, he consulted with U.S. President Eisenhower and British Prime Minister Churchill. Both leaders expressed support for Hardy's preparations for a localized conflict.
A week later, Hardy issued another ultimatum to Indonesia, receiving no response. He decided the time was right.
Hardy commanded the deployment of six warships and a landing ship carrying over 200 heavily armed mercenaries from Singapore Port towards Surabaya. The fleet reached its designated sea area, a mere 50 nautical miles from Surabaya, within a day.
Early the next morning, a dozen planes flew over Surabaya, dropping bombs on the military camp. The initial assault caused chaos and destruction. The planes made a second pass, intensifying the damage before departing.
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Surabaya awoke to the aftermath of the bombing. As the city scrambled to understand the devastation, warships approached the port, and the landing ship quickly disembarked troops equipped with heavy weaponry.
The target was clear: the gang boss responsible for inciting the riot and looting Hardy's assets. Hardy's intelligence had pinpointed his location—a large manor in Surabaya.
The mercenaries stormed the manor, encountering minimal resistance. The gang boss and his associates were swiftly eliminated. The operation concluded with the mercenaries evacuating, leaving behind only remnants of destruction.
Hardy's show of force was not just about retaliation; it was a demonstration of his capabilities and resolve.
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The Indonesian president, infuriated by the attack, convened a meeting to strategize a response. The news of the assault spread globally, with headlines declaring Hardy's mercenaries had decimated Indonesia's navy and air force.
The Indonesian President announced the casualties: 569 people, including 514 soldiers and 55 civilians. He vowed a fierce retaliation, suggesting that if Hardy did not apologize and compensate, Indonesia would consider war.
In response, Hardy downplayed the connection between the Dominion of Hardy and the HD Mercenaries, claiming that while the mercenaries were part of his dominion, their actions were an independent business operation.
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The international community reacted. The British representative at the UN clarified that the HD Mercenaries were an American entity and not directly controlled by the UK. Meanwhile, the U.S. dismissed Indonesia's claims, emphasizing that the actions of an American company operating abroad were not the responsibility of the U.S. government.
Undeterred, Indonesia sought a different approach: a blockade of the Strait of Malacca, intercepting ships belonging to Hardy's company.
In response, Hardy prepared for further confrontation. Air bases and warships were put on high alert. Bomber formations were deployed to target Indonesian naval and air bases. The Indonesian forces were caught off-guard, suffering extensive losses as Hardy's military assets wreaked havoc.
Submarines were dispatched to disrupt Indonesian warships in the Malacca Strait, sinking or heavily damaging two vessels.
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The Indonesian president was devastated. The destruction of the navy and air force left the nation reeling. The global media was ablaze with reports of Hardy's aggressive tactics, indicating that Hardy was prepared to challenge an entire nation.
Indonesia's inability to retaliate directly against Hardy, given the British and American backing, left them in a precarious position.
The international situation remained tense as Indonesia considered its next moves, while Hardy's bold actions solidified his reputation as a formidable and relentless adversary.
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