Damn the World, Ride a Submarine - Chapter 119



Only Krnovel

Episode 119 – Golden Horn Bay

I felt the need to solidify a new power structure in Central Asia.

If the Central Asian countries united, it seemed possible to put pressure on both Russia and China at the same time.

Secretary-General Jin Min-gyu and Director Lee of the Information Department were invited to the video conference.

“I have invited you two today to discuss something important with you.”

– Yes, sir.

– Yes, go ahead.

“Tatarstan seems to be holding up better than expected.”

– With Chechen mercenaries joining the war, Russia also seems to be taking a breather.

– Oh, I see.

“Because Central Asian countries have recently withdrawn from the EAEU (Eurasian Economic Union).”

– That’s right. It’s a good thing for us.

– It seems like there’s not much difference between the world and the international community. Russia is delusional… hahaha.

“So. An idea came to me.”

– oh!

– What about this time? Hahaha

“Aren’t there countries that end in ‘stan’? From Tatarstan to Tajikistan…”

– Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan

– There’s also Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Haha.

“Yes. I think we could act as a catalyst to bring those countries together as a union.”

Everyone seemed to agree on the idea of ​​creating a new international union in Central Asia.

– That’s a good idea.

– So you’re saying that the process of making the Far Eastern Republic independent and creating ESSO was done in that area?

“Yes, we have even named it. CAA (Central Asian Alliance).”

– ha ha ha.

– If the representative has made up his mind, then we can proceed right away.

“However, unlike ESSO, we only help those countries to unite and then leave.”

– I don’t think it will be that difficult, since there is a foundation laid in Kazakhstan to support Tatarstan this time.

– Kazakhstan has a relatively large territory and a wide border area, so it could play the role of a leader.

– That’s right. I checked the map again, and it looks like we can check both Russia and China.

– but···.

– ?

– It won’t be easy, as Tatarstan is in a state of war.

– Well, joining the alliance would be tantamount to declaring war on Russia.

“Yes, it will be difficult, but if this is accomplished, it will solidify Tatarstan’s independence and eliminate any chance for Russia to turn its attention to the Far Eastern republics.”

– Yes, I understand. Let’s give it a try.

– Korea and Japan are also sensitive to Central Asian resources, especially rare earth elements. We will prepare support measures.

“If this goes well, I’ll be able to breathe a sigh of relief.”

…

The OSS Air Force was created based on the OSSAC Air Force. And 20 F-35As were introduced and deployed to the Ussuriysk base of the Far Eastern Republic Air Defense Forces (formerly the 11th Air and Air Defense Army).

The Far Eastern Republic deployed the 22nd Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment and the 303rd Mixed Aviation Division to the ESSO defense forces.

Now, including the OSS Air Force, the ESSO Air Force had about 60 fighters and bombers.

Two ground divisions dispatched from Korea also set up camps near Vladivostok and Ussuriysk, and the ESSO ground forces were also taking shape.

Preparations were now being finalized for the official inauguration of the ESSO Defense Forces.

It seems that they accepted the Far Eastern Republic’s opinion that the founding ceremony should be a political performance, and prepared not only a review but also a parade.

For that purpose, they even said they had carried out construction to expand the square in the Golden Horn Bay in Vladivostok.

– Golden Horn Bay: (Bukhta Zolotoy Rog) It was named after Count Nikolai Muravyov-Amursky because it resembles the Golden Horn of Constantinople.

We boarded the ARK to travel to the Far East Republic. We were accompanied by Hyein, her bodyguards, and three teams from the OSS Special Forces.

This time, not only the ARK set off, but a special group including an escort SSN attack submarine, an Aegis destroyer, an amphibious assault ship, and an ESB mobile base ship headed to Vladivostok.

I thought it might be too noisy, but I followed the opinion that it was necessary to show the forces of ESSO and OSS.

It was a new experience to ride a submarine with Commander Choi Eun-seok after a long time.

“Commander Choi Eun-seok!”

“Yes, sir.”

“It’s time to get promoted now.”

“Ah, haha. I don’t really put much importance on rank.”

“No. Until now, OSS was a military company, so it was based on job duties regardless of rank. But now that it has become a real military, you should be promoted according to your position and rank.”

“Ah… yes. Thank you.”

“You’re being promoted to lieutenant general this time, right?”

“yes?”

“Submarine Command, you are the commander, so you should be a vice admiral.”

“Oh, I retired as a colonel···.”

“I would like to be a general, on par with Admiral Son Il, but since the command is part of the Navy, I compromised with a vice admiral.”

“ah ···.”

“There is much work for you, Commander.”

“Yes. What?”

“Did you know that with the creation of this ESSO defense force, two Borei-class SSBNs carrying nuclear warheads, formerly belonging to the Russian Eastern Military District, were assigned to it?”

“Yes. I was surprised.”

“As for other submarines, they are still operated by former Russian military captains and crews.”

“ah ···.”

“Since the OSS has the operational control of ESSO, the commander should pay attention to their morale and increase their sense of belonging to ESSO to increase their mental power.”

“Oh, yes, I understand.”

“The ESSO Navy will also independently organize a submarine command. The commander will also be in charge of it.”

“My shoulders feel heavy.”

“Commander, with two Borei-class ships, you can wipe a country off the map.”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“That’s why I want someone I can trust to control and take control of the submarine force.”

“Oh, yes. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“And I have already told Director Lee Shin-young to make sure that the Commander’s special activity fund is set aside generously. I hope you use it well.”

“Yes. But I don’t know much about that kind of thing···.”

“First, Commander, please announce that the salaries of officers and sailors in the ESSO Submarine Command will be increased by 1,000%. Also, please improve the working conditions by adding more crew members.”

“That’s what the representative ···”

“It’s important for the crew to feel a sense of belonging to ESSO, so it’s nice to see the Commander putting in the effort.”

“ah ···.”

“And when the mood is right, if any of the submarine crew members wish to move to Kiribati, where their families are warm, you can also offer them a relocation subsidy and housing.”

“That’s right···.”

“Why are you doing that?”

“Haha. Since meeting you, sir, I’ve been able to do all the things I’ve only dreamed of since I was little. Now, I’m just amazed rather than moved. It seems like only yesterday that we were saying, ‘If only we had nuclear submarines,’ but now we’re even building submarines equipped with nuclear warheads… It’s like a dream.”

“Yes. I am like that too. Somehow… I feel like the world will be shaken up again after this winter passes.”

“Do you see it that way?”

“China is still hungry after taking over Taiwan, and it seems like it won’t give up on the broken Russia. The Third World countries that are scattered everywhere are in danger of making a surprise move due to insufficient resources and climate change.”

“ah···.”

“This winter is going to be harsh, so I think we need to prepare thoroughly.”

“…”

…

The OSS leaflets heading to the Far Eastern Republic were passing through the Sulawesi Sea and bypassing the Philippine Sea.

So Japan was heading across the Pacific Ocean, with a port call at Hakodate in Hokkaido, turning left.

Even inside the ARK, there were endless things to check and decide on.

Creating the CAA (Central Asian Alliance) was not easy.

It was an idea to stably maintain Tatarstan’s independence, but paradoxically, because Tatarstan was unstable, the surrounding countries seemed hesitant.

However, they seemed to agree that there was a need for an anti-Russian coalition in Central Asia. I instructed OSSIA to be patient and to continue its operations and support.

It was my first time on a submarine in a long time, so at one point I felt a bit suffocated. I didn’t think I was the only one who felt that way.

We decided to surface for a while in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and soak up some sun.

It was partly to relieve the crew’s fatigue, but also because I wanted to smoke a cigarette while feeling the Pacific breeze.

It was also necessary to let them get some fresh air, at least as a consideration for Hye-in and several other special agents who were riding in a submarine for the first time.

As the ARK surfaced and its hatch opened, a gust of fresh air rushed in.

In the distance, OSS Aegis destroyers and amphibious assault ships were visible.

After lighting a cigarette, I asked Commander Choi Eun-seok.

“Is it because of us that our fleet has stopped?”

“Haha. There are other reasons, but since this is a flyer formed to protect the representative, we should provide assistance.”

“This is really inconvenient in many ways···.”

“Now, they say that at least three of the same type of aircraft are flown when moving helicopters.”

“Wow~ He’s a head of state.”

“You will soon become enemies. You will have to get used to it.”

“That’s right. I feel like doing it that way… For now….”

“If there is a problem with the representative, it is not just a problem for OSS. The whole of East Asia will fall into chaos.”

– Huh~ Phew.

He exhaled a long puff of cigarette smoke toward the Pacific Ocean.

In this case, the crew was allowed to come out onto the ARK deck and sunbathe for a while. With so many frigates coming, it seemed like they could afford this level of luxury.

Sergeant Hyein and Yumin also seemed to be having a great time taking selfies on the deck of the ARK.

After enjoying the view like that, we set sail again.

Some ships docked at Hakodate Port in Hokkaido, but the ARK headed straight for the Far Eastern Republic.

After anchoring in Vladivostok, we headed under heavy guard to the Presidential Palace of the Far Eastern Republic, where we met President Choi Ivanovich.

He was a fourth-generation Korean and was younger and smarter than I thought. I could sense a cool realism behind his gentle eyes.

During our conversation, he constantly expressed his pride in being of Korean descent and emphasized that it was a link between Korea and the OSS.

After spending a day resting at the presidential palace, he immediately submitted a brief report on his promotion to general.

Of course, it was my first time, and President Choi Ivanovic was also awkward, but the ceremony was completed without a hitch.

With this, he became the highest-ranking general in the Far Eastern Republic. Immediately afterwards, he completed a simple ceremony in which Secretary General Jin Min-gyu was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the ESSO Forces.

He went from being a reserve sergeant to a five-star general and then a marshal.

…