Sparks flew on Qin Haonan’s speedboat. He reacted just as quickly, immediately shutting off all power!
"So this is a geomagnetic storm? It’s brutal!" Qin Haonan could even smell a faint whiff of burning rubber.
Thankfully, Wang Jun had told them in advance how to deal with a geomagnetic storm. Ren Yuanyang had also reminded him repeatedly that if he encountered one, he had to cut the power immediately.
It was already too late by the time he saw the sparks, but cutting the power now could prevent further damage from the storm. The first wave was just the vanguard of charged particles ejected from the star; more and stronger particles were still on their way to bombard Blue Star’s magnetic field.
At that moment, alarms blared throughout the Aircraft Carrier Base! Nearly everyone scrambled into action, cutting power and installing protective devices.
"The geomagnetic storm is here after all!" Wang Jun’s brow furrowed. "I hope its intensity isn’t too high!"
"What a coincidence! Looks like we won’t be able to track Tattooed Haonan this time either," Ji Yizhi said, a hint of helplessness in his voice.
They weren’t panicked by the sudden geomagnetic storm. The Aircraft Carrier Base had long-established contingency plans. They had done everything they could; the rest was up to fate.
"Do you think our phones will be destroyed by the geomagnetic storm?" Long Zhan suddenly asked.
"It’s hard to say, but I’ve already had some people turn off their phones and put them in protective storage," Wang Jun said, shaking his head.
"I guess we’ll have to wait until this storm is over to know for sure," Long Zhan said helplessly. "I wonder if the faction behind Tattooed Haonan took proper precautions."
"I believe they did," Wang Jun replied, seeming to have great faith in Qin Haonan’s group.
Meanwhile, Ren Yuanyang’s group was completely unaffected. All electrical devices and appliances had been shut down. Of all the cell phones, only Ren Yuanyang’s was still on.
They already knew about the geomagnetic storm by the time Qin Haonan informed them.
"So it really happened? I don’t seem to feel anything," Lu Jiamei said, curious.
"I had a bit of insomnia last night." Xin Wan gave a wry smile. "I wonder if it’s related to this."
"Some people with sensitive constitutions are indeed affected by geomagnetic storms," Ren Yuanyang replied. "Haonan, what’s the situation on your end?"
"The speedboat’s engine is dead. I’ll try starting it again after the storm passes. If it’s really damaged and won’t start, I’ll need you to come pick me up," Qin Haonan replied with a laugh.
Ren Yuanyang nodded slightly. "Alright. Stay safe over there. First, check all your weapons and keep them within reach."
"Don’t worry, boss. Automatic rifle, watermelon knife, Spray Melons, and Iron Melons are all ready to go!" Qin Haonan responded. "I’m actually kind of hoping they’ll come for me."
"Don’t get cocky!" Ren Yuanyang immediately warned. "The Aircraft Carrier Base is full of well-trained soldiers, definitely stronger than Lvzhi Country. You can’t let your guard down for a second!"
"Yes, boss!" Qin Haonan replied. "But I have a feeling the Aircraft Carrier Base won’t move against me. That other, unknown faction, though... that’s another story."
"No matter who they are, just be careful. If they dare to get close, don’t hold back," Ren Yuanyang replied.
"Yes, sir!"
The Peach Blossom Base was largely unaffected by the geomagnetic storm, but the situation for other large ships was more perilous.
This was especially true for the crews of large ships who had no idea what a geomagnetic storm even was, like the reconnaissance squad from the Dawn Cruise.
When they saw sparks fly from their monitors and the speedboat’s displays, everyone froze on the spot.
It wasn’t until the sparks short-circuited and ignited small flames that they snapped out of it and scrambled to cut the power and extinguish the fire.
"What’s going on?"
"Could it be an attack from the Aircraft Carrier Base?"
"It’s possible. Maybe this is a warning not to interfere with their transaction!"
The captain frowned slightly. "I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a weapon with this kind of effect."
"Maybe it’s a new weapon developed by the state!" a soldier speculated.
Just then, the captain of the Dawn Cruise sent a message in their Dawn Base group chat.
"Attention everyone, a geomagnetic storm has just occurred. It may last for some time. Please turn off all electronics and stay safe!"
Seeing this message, the reconnaissance squad leader immediately understood. "It wasn’t an attack from the Aircraft Carrier Base, it’s a geomagnetic storm! Everyone, shut down all electrical equipment!"
"Yes, sir!" the team responded in unison.
"What about our phones? Should we turn them all off?" a soldier asked, raising his hand.
The captain thought for a moment, then ordered, "Turn off half of them!"
"Yes, sir!"
They cut the power to all the electrical equipment on the speedboat.
"Captain, are we still going after that speedboat?"
The captain nodded. "Of course. We have a Water-Type Evolver! Since it’s a geomagnetic storm, the other party should be immobilized as well. We can close in on them slowly."
Everyone’s eyes lit up.
If they could just catch that speedboat, they would get their hands on evolved Cherry Tomatoes. The mere thought of eating fresh Cherry Tomatoes made their mouths water.
All across Blue Star, large ships were dealing with the damage from the first geomagnetic storm, but then a second, stronger wave hit.
CRACKLE! BOOM!
Some of the large ships that hadn’t taken adequate protective measures actually exploded, erupting in flames.
Fortunately, the rain had grown heavier today, and the downpour would quickly extinguish the flames. Still, the losses were immeasurable.
The Aircraft Carrier Base also suffered heavy losses. Many precision instruments were destroyed by the geomagnetic storm, even with protective measures in place.
Conversely, the less advanced, less sophisticated instruments actually survived.
Listening to his subordinates’ reports, Wang Jun’s brow tightened. This geomagnetic storm had single-handedly knocked their industry back to the steam age.
"What’s the situation on everyone’s end?" Wang Jun asked in their three-person group chat.
"All the precision instruments and equipment are fried!" Ji Yizhi shook his head helplessly. "Even with protection, it was no use."
"Yeah, it feels like this storm was specifically targeting high-end, precision instruments," Long Zhan added.
"Sigh... Survival is probably going to be even tougher from now on," Wang Jun lamented.
"Don’t worry. Everyone was affected, it’s not like we’re the only ones who suffered heavy losses. If our three fleets combine, our development will still be faster than anyone else’s!" Long Zhan, on the other hand, was optimistic.
Wang Jun was taken aback for a moment, then nodded. "Captain Long is right. The Aircraft Carrier Base still has an advantage."
The other two men nodded in agreement.
"I wonder how Tattooed Haonan’s speedboat is doing," Long Zhan said suddenly. "His boat didn’t look particularly high-tech. The damage should be minimal, right?"
"You actually have the spare mental energy to worry about someone else’s speedboat?" Ji Yizhi was speechless.
"Our transaction went so smoothly. Maybe there will be more deals in the future!" Long Zhan replied with a laugh. "Isn’t it normal to be concerned about a business partner?"
Ji Yizhi shook his head. He didn’t think for a second that there would be any more deals between the Aircraft Carrier Base and Tattooed Haonan.

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