Damn the World, Ride a Submarine - Chapter 138



Only Krnovel

Episode 138 – Steel Heart

There were editorials in some media outlets that said OSS was using a ‘madman strategy’, but that was also a wrong view.

I didn’t want to use the ‘madman strategy’ to steer the negotiation in my favor.

The goal was to prove through brutal punishment that ‘if you want to provoke the OSS, you have to risk your national fortune.’ It was to leave a precedent where the country was ruined if you tried too hard.

He had already become a madman who would pull out a gun just by looking at me.

…

While waiting for the Myanmar military’s response, I went to the operations room of the flagship, Tawitawi, to get a report on the operation from Admiral Son Il.

“Admiral, let’s begin.”

“Yes, sir, I will first tell you about the planned targets of cruise missiles and surface-to-air missiles.”

Admiral Son Il displayed a map of Myanmar on a slide.

“As instructed by the representative, we have set up planned targets in an order that will cause minimal casualties while still inflicting substantial damage.”

He continued his report, pointing the laser pointer at the slide screen.

“The red markers on the slide are the primary targets. Satellite communication facilities, military communication towers, military telephone exchanges, military data centers, ground and sea surveillance radar facilities, high-altitude warning radars, early warning radars…”

The remaining planned targets, as compiled by Admiral Son, were as follows:

* Secondary target

Hangars and runways for military aircraft such as fighters, helicopters, and transport aircraft. Large-scale ammunition storage facilities, rocket and missile storage facilities. Armored and artillery bases, and military maintenance depots.

* 3rd target

Myanmar Defence Ministry Headquarters, each military headquarters, regional command, information command, logistics command

“Okay. Where have you decided on the landing point?”

“There are two options. The first, strategically most useful place is Sittwe.”

“…”

“It is the capital of Rakhine State in Myanmar. It has a highly utilized port and an airport. It is advantageous for future frontline deployment, but the disadvantage is that civilian casualties are expected.”

“That’s a bit burdensome. What’s next?”

“And. Maungdaw, north of Sittwe. It has no port or airport, but it has a coast suitable for landing.”

“hmm ···.”

“The distance to the Rohingya rebels is also close. The downside is that the road conditions are poor, making it difficult to deploy the front line.”

“Anyway, if we advance inland with only our troops against the Miyama Army of over 600,000 men, it will be like falling into a swamp.”

“Yes. There are many areas where it is a jungle, so there are many areas that cannot be overcome with advanced weapons.”

“First, let’s land at Maungdau and secure a beachhead, and then secure Sittwe depending on the situation.”

“However, as you can see on the topographic map, the land travel from Maungdau to Sittwe is not easy. The road conditions are also poor.”

“Hmm… I’ll think about it some more. But for now, I think it would be less burdensome in many ways to minimize civilian casualties.”

“all right.”

Thirty hours have passed since the statement was released. There has been no response from the Myanmar military.

The world’s press was racing to report on the OSS statement and the fleet’s movements.

There was considerable public opinion that our demands and military actions were excessive, but the tone was not as critical as expected.

Instead, here is an article that deeply analyzes just how crazy the Myanmar military is.

It was an opportunity to once again remind us of how lonely the Myanmar people are fighting against the military coup.

Two days after the statement was released, the Myanmar military responded.

Their only solution was to hand over the OSL grain carrier, punish those responsible for the seizure, and guarantee future safety of passage through the Bay of Bengal and the Burmese Sea.

Immediately following the Myanmar military’s statement, a short statement of opposition was released.

* * * * * * *

…not a single word of the statement previously released by OSS toward the Myanmar military can be modified.

There is no negotiation.

If all the demands are not met, the Myanmar military will face a catastrophe. There are 24 hours left.

* * * * * * *

As soon as the statement of opposition was released, the world’s media began to buzz.

In the midst of all this, China intervened. The gist of the statement released by the Chinese Foreign Minister was as follows:

‘China supports the current Myanmar government and is willing to help Myanmar when it is in trouble.’

China has invested significantly in Myanmar as part of its Belt and Road Initiative, but there was no direct mention of OSS in the Chinese Foreign Ministry statement.

– One Belt One Road: Refers to the economic belt connecting the inland and the sea as part of China’s ‘New Silk Road Strategy’. Myanmar was recognized as an important passage for China to enter the Indian Ocean as part of the ‘One Belt One Road’.

While observing domestic and international reactions and worrying about what would happen in the future, Admiral Son Il came to visit.

“CEO!”

“Yes, Admiral. I was going to call you anyway.”

“I wanted to discuss the method of striking the planned target.”

“Haha. I thought the same thing. I would like to hear your opinion first, Admiral.”

“Basically, preemptive strikes and volley fire are tactically advantageous. However, I think it needs to be modified according to the strategic and political goals that the representative is considering.”

“Ah! I just kept it in my head and didn’t have time to tell you.”

“Yes. I don’t think the CEO planned such a large-scale operation simply for the sake of retaliation and punishment.”

“First, the political goal is for the OSS to become more feared than the United States.”

“It seems like it already exists, but…”

“No. This incident confirms that, excluding ESSO, OSS’s influence only extends to Mindanao, Philippines, and Ukraine.”

“ah…”

“The ‘strategic ambiguity’ adopted for the sake of ESSO’s security seems to have sent the wrong message to some countries that the problem could be solved with soft power.”

“Sir! Please explain the strategic objectives of this operation once more.”

“Support the Myanmar National Army and Rohingya rebels to oust the Myanmar military and help establish a pro-OSS regime.”

“ah ···.”

“OSSIA agents have already infiltrated Myanmar and are conducting operations.”

“which?”

“We are creating supply routes for militias and rebels in Laos, Thailand and Bangladesh, and preparing to respond to attacks by the OSS.”

“Then. Is the landing operation a prelude to gathering scattered civilians and rebels and strengthening military capabilities?”

“Yes, that’s right. Due to the Myanmar military’s oppression and massacre, the civilian army, student army, and local guerrillas are all scattered in the jungle. I plan to create a liberated zone for them.”

“Then it seems right to neutralize the enemy’s response capability with salvo fire.”

“If we only eliminate the targets for landing, the enemy will be able to detect the operation. It should be an all-out attack to reduce the capabilities of the Myanmar military.”

“Oh, I understand.”

“How many missiles would it take to secure sea and air supremacy?”

“The Myanmar military is poorly equipped, but its numbers are enormous. It has 650,000 troops and over 200 fighter jets.”

“…”

“The Navy will also be quite large. It seems that it will take more than 400 rounds to secure initial air supremacy and sea supremacy.”

“Okay. First, let’s neutralize enemy reconnaissance, surveillance, and air assets with the SSGN submarine’s Tomahawk. Then, let the fleet enter the Bay of Bengal.”

“Understood. I will receive your final decision before the operation begins.”

“Yes. Then thank you for your hard work.”

After talking with Admiral Son Il, he became lost in thought.

I simulated war situations in my head. I pictured sinking warships, burning tanks, and crashing fighter planes.

Whether they are soldiers or civilians, their lives are the same. I began to doubt whether I was making unnecessary sacrifices.

I tried to console myself by thinking that it was to prevent greater sacrifices, but in the end, I only realized that I was a weak human who had no choice but to choose the lesser evil.

If a world of chaos and death comes, I still have no change in my thoughts about pulling the final trigger.

I think that you wouldn’t make the naive choice of drinking poison because of your beliefs.

And before I knew it, I was sitting in a position where I had to have a heart of steel, even though it wasn’t my intention.

Another day passed while I was lost in thought like that.

After much thought the previous night, I had to change one decision. I realized that I shouldn’t make a sentimental decision once I’d decided to go to war.

Failure was like falling into an irreversible swamp. I had to make decisions that were even a little bit more advantageous to victory.

He called Admiral Son Il again.

“Admiral, we need to change the landing point.”

“Then. Are you thinking of Sitwe?”

“Yes, that’s right. There is a high possibility that the Myanmar army will set up a defensive line while advancing from Maungdaw to Sittwe. If we attack by surprise, we need to secure the most valuable assets.”

“If it is a high-value asset…?”

“This is Sittwe Airport.”

“all right.”

“Oh, and Admiral, I checked the maps and satellite images, and there is only one road connecting the beach and the airport, and there is water flowing in like a moat.”

“Yes. I checked it too. If we land in Sittwe, we will probably have to change our plan to focus on aerial landings.”

“I’m relieved that you’ve confirmed it. Since securing the airport is the priority, I think the special task force’s role will be important. Please call Director Kim Jun-myeong.”

Director Kim Jun-myeong came in with a somewhat nervous expression.

“Did you call the representative?”

“Yes. There are changes to the operation that we would like to discuss.”

“Yes. Go ahead.”

I went to the map, pointed to Sittwe, Myanmar, and continued speaking.

“We have changed the landing point to Sittwe. We need to secure an airport about 1km from the beach.”

“Um… It’s close to the beach, but I think it would be better for the main force to go to Heliborne.”

“Please explain further.”

“From experience, areas like this where there are many private houses and schools are not only difficult to infiltrate, but there are also many unexpected situations that occur while moving.”

“I guess so. That’s the problem.”

“Therefore, if the goal is to capture the airport, we must rush in all at once, control the outskirts of the airport, and occupy the control tower.”

“…”

“If the air superiority has been secured, the airport will be in our hands by the time the enemy command assesses the situation.”

“So then you’re saying that a lightning air assault is the answer?”

“Yes, it is.”

Lightning air assault!

It was a reckless and daring operation that involved the rapid deployment of troops using dozens of vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and helicopters.

…