The Fox of France - Chapter 460 (Patreon)

Chapter 460: Chain Reaction (5)

The French, or to be precise, the French disguised in Spanish coats with an added layer of American, are professionals at what they do. Once the tripartite agreement was reached, they sprang into action immediately.

The operation, named "Blow", was carried out at night to avoid detection by the British and facilitate escape if discovered. Even the absence of a bright moon was considered, as naval combat capabilities in such darkness were almost nonexistent.

However, operating under such darkness presented another challenge: accurately determining position. Mines were to be laid in "Area One" tonight and "Area Two" tomorrow. However, due to the darkness making it difficult to ascertain positions, mines intended for "Area One" could end up in "Area Two", leading to the unfortunate scenario of being blown up by one's own mines the following day. Who would you complain to then?

Navigation wasn't particularly difficult; from the port of Algeciras, just six kilometers east was Gibraltar. By utilizing the lighthouse at Algeciras and the one at Gibraltar Fortress, along with another light on the Spanish side, ships could easily determine their position.

After Spain's declaration to reclaim Gibraltar, the British Navy heightened its alertness. Even at night, British sentries remained vigilant.

On this night of a waxing moon, which sets early, leaving only a dark blue sky before dawn, most were asleep, save for a few sentinels.

Private Ham, who had just taken over his shift, was told to be extra vigilant due to the tense situation. Despite the pitch darkness, especially over the sea where nothing could be seen, one had to rely more on hearing than seeing.

The sea breeze carried the sound of the waves, which Ham listened to, bored, reminding him of his home in Scotland...

Suddenly, Ham heard a distant "thud", akin to a large fish leaping and diving back into the sea.

"Perhaps a dolphin," he thought. Dolphins were commonly seen frolicking in the bay, but usually during the day. Don't dolphins sleep at night?

But dolphins were not Ham's concern, and with the sea pitch black, he saw nothing more.

Another "thud" sounded.

"It seems those dolphins are having a lively night, not sleeping quietly," Ham mused, his thoughts wandering aimlessly like Virginia Woolf suddenly fixated on a spot on the wall one January.

In the dark, the sea performed its magic, conjuring images of dolphins leaping as Ham had seen from the cliffs of Scotland in his youth. The Scottish sea breeze, cooler than here, where even the wind felt warm and damp...

Lost in thought, Ham suddenly heard footsteps, indicating Captain Harington's approach for inspection. Ham quickly gripped his rifle, ready to show his diligence.

Indeed, Captain Harington soon appeared, lantern in hand.

"Well done, Private, very alert!" Captain Harington praised Ham, patting his shoulder. "Any unusual activity?"

"Sir, just the dolphins in the bay, very active tonight," Ham replied.

"I've heard that dolphins might leap frequently if sharks or orcas are nearby," Captain Harington remarked, not overly concerned. After all, neither sharks nor orcas could attack them on land.

The dolphins remained busy until dawn approached.

The next morning, a food-carrying ship from North Africa exploded upon entering Gibraltar and quickly sank. A British patrol ship sent for rescue also exploded.

The explosion tore the patrol ship in two.

"Mines! It must be those damned Spaniards, sneaking mines into our shipping lanes!" General Wilk leaped up.

News of mines in Gibraltar's waters spread across Europe. The British immediately summoned the Spanish ambassador, demanding an explanation.

The Spaniards denied involvement, distancing themselves from the incident. Subsequently, the American ambassador in France announced a press conference, where he declared that American naval forces had attacked the British in Gibraltar with mines, in retaliation for Britain's crimes against humanity in America. He warned of continued attacks, not limited to Gibraltar.

"We will fight in Gibraltar, in Ireland, in Scotland and Wales, in England, in the heart of the enemy—London. We will return the flames of war, the brutality the British inflicted on others, back upon them!"

The American stance was credible to many, given the widespread news of British atrocities in Savannah. Media outlets, guided by the Ministry of Truth, exaggerated British villainy, prompting widespread condemnation across Europe. The narrative shifted, absolving Spain of suspicion and highlighting the justified nature of American retaliation, in line with the lex talionis.

Even the British harbored doubts about the source of the mines, knowing America lacked the technology. They suspected French involvement, given the secrecy surrounding naval mine technology. The Americans likely received mines through indirect channels, similar to how France provided cruisers to America.

Britain realized the strategic choice of Gibraltar by the Americans, necessitating local assistance, likely Spanish, given recent renovations and unusual lighting at a Spanish military club.

General Wilk, informed by technical reports, considered disrupting the American's navigation by turning off Gibraltar's lighthouse.

The British, learning from French anti-pirate operations, quickly developed their mine-sweeping capabilities, only to face improved French mines, complicating their efforts.

The cycle of American minelaying and British minesweeping continued, with all British ports heightening security against potential American mine attacks. This strained Britain's finances further, leading to increased borrowing and financial difficulties.

With Britain's focus on homeland and Gibraltar, a merchant ship left Rotterdam for Cape Town, carrying a leatherworker named Philip among others seeking better opportunities amid Europe's economic downturn. Philip's journey represented the many artisans facing hardship in Europe, looking towards America, India, or Africa for a new start.

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