Damn the World, Ride a Submarine - Chapter 113



Only Krnovel

Episode 113 – FMR (FrostMingle Realm)

A cool breeze began to blow.

Although every meteorologist and agency had different predictions, the common observation was that this winter would be harsh.

The traditional Köppen climate classification system was rendered useless.

– Köppen (1846-1940) – German climatologist, devised the Köppen climate classification in 1923 based on vegetation distribution.

Beyond the scientific community, broadcasting and the media began to use the new term.

FMR (FrostMingle Realm) Cold Complex

The FMR cold zone is similar to the tropics in terms of precipitation, and similar to temperate or polar climates in terms of the warmest month.

It refers to a complex climate zone where the average temperature in the coldest month drops below minus 40 degrees Celsius.

It refers to a phenomenon in which summers are characterized by crazy rains that cause floods, and winters are harsh, like the tundra zone, with temperatures dropping to -30 to -60 degrees Celsius.

What was even scarier was that most of the temperate regions of the Earth were turning into this FMR cold complex.

Korea and Japan were no exception. The bigger risk was that tropical regions like the Philippines could also record sub-zero temperatures in the winter.

Considering that the Philippines recorded its lowest temperature ever last winter in Manila, with temperatures dropping to 10 degrees Celsius, there were many deaths.

It was predicted that damage would be severe in tropical regions where there was a lack of understanding and preparation for winter.

As the dire prospect of a second winter loomed, South Koreans were seen in the media shaking their heads in anticipation of the fear.

[Formation of ESSO at a critical moment]

[ New ally, Far Eastern Republic ]

[ Overcoming the Energy Crisis through ESSO ]

[ OSS also saved South Korea ]

[ Who is Lee Si-eon, the head of OSS? ]

We had to prepare before the second winter came. Everything was uncertain.

The romantic idea that humanity would unite in the face of a global crisis was unthinkable. The United States would also blatantly engage in selective interventions for its own interests.

…

The purchase of Ohio-class SSGN submarines requested from the United States is also progressing smoothly. We have arranged to select and send crews for the acquisition of four vessels.

With ESSO formed and OSS leading the defense force, there was ample justification for purchasing weapons. The United States also welcomed the move, as it would greatly reduce its military burden in East Asia.

The acquisition of the America-class amphibious assault ship has also been completed.

One ship was sent to Tawi-Tawi and the other to Vladivostok. The crew and airmen were to be trained while on the move.

In addition, two additional Tiger-class military support ships commissioned to Hanwha Ocean have been completed, launched, and commissioned. One ship each has been sent to Tawi Tawi and Donghae.

However, the construction of the newly planned OSS aircraft carrier was delayed. In fact, it was partly because I had increased the size of the aircraft carrier in the middle of the project.

If I had to build just one, I wanted it to be far superior to the Gerald R. Ford class of the United States. I spoke with Hanwha Ocean CEO Han Kyu-dong about that.

“Mr. Han. Is that possible?”

“Yes, it is possible, but…”

“If possible, please tell me the disadvantages first.”

“Yes. The biggest downside is that the costs are astronomical.”

“How much?”

“Even if there are no developmental errors, it is likely to be more than three times the size of the existing Ford-class aircraft carrier.”

“…”

“We do receive technical support from the U.S., but as the scale has grown, there are some areas that need to be completely redeveloped.”

“I was prepared for that much. What about the other parts?”

“It has somewhat poor maneuverability. However, it can reach a top speed of 30 knots.”

“…”

“As the size of the hull increases, there are more things to consider to ensure stability in case of sudden sinking, as there are restrictions on turning and changing course.”

“I guess so.”

“Also, we need to secure bulge space… In other words, the hull needs to be bigger to make it bigger. Accordingly, the ports we can call at are likely to be limited.”

“The bulge is absolutely necessary”

– Bulge: A torpedo-defense device that bulges the lower side of the hull to protect against torpedo attacks.

“And we don’t know where the home port will be, but we will have to build new docking and maintenance facilities. That will also incur additional costs.”

“Yes. As expected. Any other problems?”

“I don’t know much about strategy or tactics, but I heard that the value of the goal increases.”

“That part is okay because it’s the same for all aircraft carriers.”

“There is no data at all on operability. We don’t even have computer simulations, so we test various situations with models.”

“…”

“Once it’s been created, if any problems arise, it will be very difficult to fix.”

“Yes. So you’re saying there are no technical difficulties in drying it?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Okay, just go ahead and do it.”

“Really, thanks to you, I am able to build an unprecedented ship.”

“Oh, and this time, along with the acquisition of the submarine division, I have something I’d like to ask you.”

“Yes. Go ahead.”

“I want to build a shipyard in Kiribati.”

“Huh? In that far away place···.”

“Don’t be surprised. Haha. We’re halfway around the world and there’s a war going on. It’s only 10,000km away.”

“Ah… yes. I was so surprised because of you, sir, that I think my heart will get stronger.”

“Haha. Anyway, I hope that at least a shipyard facility capable of maintaining the ships we possess can be built quickly.”

“ah ···.”

“I would like Hanwha Ocean to take charge of all aspects of this, including dispatching technicians and personnel. Of course, we will pay the costs.”

“Yes. I will try to set up a separate TF…”

“Are there any other difficulties?”

“Um… sir!”

“Yes. Feel free to speak.”

“Since you’ve already planned it that way, why don’t you build the aircraft carrier you’re designing now at the new shipyard?”

“Oh! Please explain in more detail.”

“First of all, the Okpo Shipyard is cramped because there are so many ships that the CEO has ordered. As I mentioned earlier, even if an aircraft carrier is built, separate docking and support facilities will have to be built.”

“Right. So at once···?”

“Yes. It seems like it would be more profitable in terms of time and cost to do it all at once. Just like Chairman Chung Ju-young built the dock and the ship at the same time a long time ago.”

“ah ···.”

“Of course, each unit will be built at Okpo Shipyard. They will be completed as they move and then finally built in Kiribati.”

“…”

“It is entirely possible, as it is the method used by Director Kim Wan-jun when building the Kiribati OSS-LAND port.”

“Oh! Good. Then the shipyard, aircraft carrier, and docking and supply facilities will be completed all at once.”

“Haha. Well, it won’t be the same day and hour, but it will be twice as fast as doing them separately. Plus, the OSS-ART lab is also located there, so that’s a huge advantage.”

“Thank you. Then, I will ask you to do so.”

After hanging up the phone, I thought that I should bring him along when President Han Gyu-dong retires or retires.

He never once said that something was difficult or that he couldn’t do it. Even when I gave him a mission that seemed impossible, he would find a new way to do it, which surprised me.

…

I thought that we should not give Russia time to turn its attention to the Far Eastern Republic. I thought about how to provide more support to Tatarstan, which is deeply embedded in the heart of Russia.

First, I convinced Ukraine. They agreed with me.

As a result, Ukraine decided to send a military advisory group and some troops to train the Tatarstan army. The OSS would provide support.

And we put support for Tatarstan on the official agenda of ESSO. As a result, we decided to provide large-scale support for the Korean military’s unusable firearms.

It was decided to send conventional mortars and K105A1 wind-wing wheeled self-propelled howitzers to Tatarstan.

– K105A1 Wind Wing: Howitzer mounted on a truck

This was also a headache for the Korean military, as it involved sending an ambiguous weapon that had millions of shells piled up and could not be modernized.

The United States and Japan agreed to shoulder all additional costs.

In the midst of my busy schedule, I received a call from Vice President Jin Min-gyu, or rather, Secretary General of ESSO.

“Yes, Secretary General!”

“Oh my. I’m so embarrassed that you call me that.”

“You are the Secretary General of ESSO. What are you talking about?”

“Sir, I’m contacting you because I have two things to discuss with you.”

“Yes. Please tell me.”

“First, Korea also wants to send ESSO defense forces.”

“hmm ···.”

“I think there is pressure from the political circles to increase their voice now that an important international organization has been established in Korea.”

“Yes. Well. It went well.”

“Would it be okay?”

“I think you can think of it like NATO forces. Even if Korea sends them, the control and operations will have to follow our will. And we won’t be able to send enough troops to control the entire ESSO force.”

“Yes, I understand. Then, I think we should organize the Far Eastern Republic as an ESSO defense force, including some of the former Russian Eastern Military District Command troops, in addition to the OSS Far Eastern Brigade.”

“Yes. It has to be fair.”

“Yes. But sir, if things continue like this, Japan will probably come out and say it will send its Self-Defense Forces…”

“Japan says no.”

“Oh, yes, I understand.”

“The Self-Defense Forces are not an army. Even under the country’s pacifist constitution, sending troops overseas is nonsense.”

“Yes, sir. But there is a really important matter.”

“yes.”

“We need to appoint a commander-in-chief of the ESSO military forces…”

“Oh, that’s right. I’m also thinking about it. I’m thinking about picking a new character, and…”

“Yes. Our opinion is that the representative should take charge.”

“Me?”

“Yes. That’s right. Of course, it’s the OSS. It’s a position that holds the military power of the multinational force. You can’t trust anyone from outside. And even within the company, there’s no one who can bear the weight.”

“Oh, my highest rank is sergeant. Even in NATO, the commander is a US Air Force general, so I don’t take on the rank.”

“CEO!”

“I just like being in the background.”

“CEO!”

“Then your face will have to be shown here and there. You know very well that kind of thing is just disgusting.”

“I know, sir!”

“Let’s try another way… among the four-star generals we’ve already recruited.”

“Sir! Whether it’s Korea or the Far East Republic, if they’re four-star generals, they’re people who pledge their loyalty every time they receive a star. What will you do if such a person doesn’t follow your will at a crucial moment?”

“Oh, that’s true, but…”

“Now it is your turn to step forward.”

…