Damn the World, Ride a Submarine - Chapter 155



Only Krnovel

Episode 155 – The 3rd Assault Squadron

Defending Ukraine and Crimea was also important to us in terms of securing food resources.

The creation and stationing of the OSS Black Sea Fleet was a task that required not only human resources but also the willingness to pay a bloody price.

The American proposal felt like it was lacking something.

All ships and equipment needed to create a fleet were donated free of charge, and more than just supply support was needed.

“Okay, but there are a few more conditions.”

– yes ··· ?

– I thought this was enough…

“First, allow unrestricted use by OSSAC aircraft of U.S. airbases in U.S. territorial waters and military partner areas, such as Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean and Sigonella in the Mediterranean.”

– Oh, yes. I will take action immediately.

“And please arrange for the OSS to purchase or permanently lease several U.S. atolls in the Pacific.”

– What, why is that?

“We will use it as a supply base for the OSS fleet.”

– Okay, I will cooperate as much as I can.

“And finally, you may be aware that OSS’s backup base is in Kiribati.”

– I know. There are huge shipyards and military facilities there.

“Yes. Please allow OSS to enrich nuclear fuel there.”

– … Although this is unprecedented, we will review it proactively.

“Okay, now we’ll take Crimea and the Black Sea. But we’ll trust the United States to stop Russia from advancing south of Armenia.”

– Okay, we’re very concerned about that too.

…

Thus, the creation of the 4th Assault Group of the OSS was confirmed.

It was decided to receive America-class amphibious assault ships and all carrier-based aircraft, as well as escort ships such as the Arleigh Burke-class Aegis ships, from the United States.

However, the situation was changing too urgently to wait for the 4th Assault Group to be formed.

The 3rd Assault Group, stationed in Mindanao, Philippines, departed for the Black Sea. One joint firepower ship, Arsenal Ship, was also included in the group. It was the Shin Gi-Jeon 3.

The 3rd Assault Group was given the nickname the OSS Black Sea Fleet.

At the same time, additional enlistments were permitted from the OSS Crimean Brigade stationed in Crimea.

As news spread that the OSS Crimean Brigade was increasing its strength, Ukrainian veterans volunteered in large numbers.

Not only was the treatment and pay good, but the legend of the recapture of the Crimean Peninsula was also with the Crimean Brigade.

Among them were a significant number of troops from the 1st Ukrainian Marine Division that took part in the Yevpatoria landing operation.

In this way, the OSS Crimean Brigade grew to a division-level strength of 15,000 men.

At the same time, improvements were made to the equipment of the Crimean Brigade.

All brigade personnel were issued with baritone body armor sets, and a demonstration of its performance was held to further instill confidence and pride in them.

And we permanently leased several US islands throughout the Pacific, and we were able to set up supply bases or depots for the OSS at several of the US military bases on those atolls.

Winter was passing by in my hectic daily life. While I was taking a short break at my lodgings, Director Kim Jun-myeong came to visit me.

As we were going out to have a smoke as usual, Hyein called out to us.

“Here~”

Hyein was handing over a thermos of coffee and two mugs.

“Oh! Thank you.”

“It’s cold outside, and smoking is….”

“Haha. Okay.”

“Take this and drink it while smoking it, it’s hot coffee.”

Suddenly, it occurred to me that we looked like a married couple.

I sat next to Director Kim Jun-myeong on a bench by the beach at Shinhung Camp and smoked a cigarette.

As I poured coffee from the thermos into the mug, warm white steam warmed the air.

From a distance, security guards were watching the sea and our backs.

“Sir! Come to think of it, we are doing what the US used to do.”

“That’s right. We are involved in every conflict zone in the world except India and Pakistan.”

“Will there be another war?”

“It would be strange if it didn’t explode.”

“Haa~ I’m a soldier too, but I really get sick of it. Especially Russia…”

“When fighting becomes a habit, everything has to be resolved through fighting. I think that applies to individuals as well.”

“A person?”

“It is said that those who have achieved something by repeating a certain method cannot think of anything else. If you fight to achieve something, the fight itself becomes the goal.”

“ah ···.”

“It’s just a choice, but many people take it as giving up or defeat.”

“…”

“Or, on the contrary, it’s giving up and defeat, but sometimes it’s disguised as a choice or a mental victory. Haha.”

“Come to think of it, you seem to be very rational in dangerous or important situations.”

“Actually, that’s not true. It’s often very irrational. I just keep asking myself what I really want.”

“Is that what you mean? Even if it’s irrational, if it’s something you really want, do it?”

“Haha. Yes. That’s right.”

“But sir. I have something to be careful about…”

“Yes. Go ahead.”

“It has grown to the point where it is difficult for the organization to handle. That is what I am saying.”

“…?”

“Wouldn’t we need some sort of internal surveillance or monitoring organization?”

“Thank you for your concern, but it’s all for nothing.”

“yes?”

“I don’t trust anyone, but I don’t doubt anyone either.”

“What do you mean?”

“I once told someone… ‘Don’t trust people, trust the situation.’”

“Oh! That sounds plausible. Haha.”

“It’s one of the movie lines. I think it’s a proposition that has great implications, whether it’s negotiation or organizational management.”

“which?”

“No matter how hard you try, you can never know what’s in a person’s heart. Even if they’re your parents or children.”

“…”

“But situations can be known and created with effort.”

“That’s true. You can’t control the human heart, but you can control the situation.”

“I think that if I create a situation where people doubt me, I have already failed.”

“Ah! As expected, the representative is ···.”

“I’m not kind because I’m naturally kind. I chose to be strategically kind because it’s the path that’s better for me in the long run.”

“Ah… I feel a bit scared.”

“yes?”

“That’s because you, sir, seem like the kind of person who can strategically give up kindness. So if you get caught….”

“Hahaha. Wouldn’t that be the case for everyone?”

“No. Ordinary people can’t do that. Kind people are endlessly kind, and strong people are just strong enough to break.”

“Now that I hear it, that’s true.”

“You seem like a person who can rationally choose between angels and devils. I can attest to this from my own experience.”

“Hey, I’m human too. Haha.”

…

The dark clouds that could be felt everywhere were enough to make us forget the harsh cold of winter.

The 3rd Assault Group was heading to the Ukrainian Black Sea, and support for Kurdistan through the Kurdish route from Turkey was also continuing.

Then, Chief Lee delivered news that made the dark clouds even darker.

“Sir! I have some bad news.”

“Yes. What is it this time?”

“Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan are seeking to join EASA.”

“Oh, really… Russia is taking over areas where NATO has less influence.”

“Yes, it is.”

Turkmenistan is one of the worst dictatorships in the world, but it is not well known because of its low international influence.

It was a strange country where its citizens were banned from traveling abroad and golden statues of the powerful were erected.

In an effort to create a clean country, black vehicles were banned nationwide, and all buildings in the capital were only allowed to have white exterior walls.

– EASA (Eurasia-Africa Security Alliance): Eurasian-Africa Security Alliance. An alliance encompassing Russia, China, Iran, and African Sahel countries.

The manager continued speaking in a worried voice.

“There is no need to worry about Turkmenistan’s national power, but … Kazakhstan is the problem.”

“If that happens, China, Russia, and Iran will be connected inland.”

“…”

“Oh! That’s right, sir. Isn’t the Tatarstan government-in-exile in Kazakhstan?”

“Yes, that’s right. The government in exile will likely deport them to a third country.”

“I understand that it is because of the limitations of being a landlocked country surrounded by Russia, China, and Iran. Ah···.”

“If this happens, the entire Caspian Sea will fall into the Russian sphere of influence. And many of the military facilities and production bases from the Soviet era will remain in Kazakhstan.”

“EASA will overcome economic sanctions on Russia and Iran on its own…”

“Yes. Russia, China, Iran, Africa… there is a clear intention to tie EASA into a bloc economy. India is also taking a step forward.”

“Yes, sir. I understand. Please continue to pay attention to Kazakhstan’s information channels and HUMINT.”

“With the support for Tatarstan, a considerable information axis has already been established.”

“Good. At least so that the Central Asian countries can weigh their future.”

“all right.”

Kazakhstan was a landlocked country between China and Russia. From Kazakhstan, passing through Turkmenistan, you reached Iran.

From Iran it runs west through Iraq and Syria to the Mediterranean Sea.

I began to suspect that Russia might be trying to bypass Europe and Turkey and enter the Mediterranean.

…

The harsh weather of the third winter clearly showed the limits of political morality and maximized national egoism.

There was never a time when there was no national egoism, but at least there was a time when they created something called a justification.

But now, the world has become one where the direction of the gun can be turned at any time according to profit.

…

Towards the end of winter, the Tatarstan government-in-exile established a provisional government in the Crimea Peninsula of Ukraine, believing that the OSS garrison was safe.

Due to being expelled from Kazakhstan, it was 1,500 km away from Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan.

Soldiers who had fought for Tatarstan in the past volunteered in large numbers for the OSS Crimean Brigade.

As a result, the OSS Crimean Brigade’s strength increased to 50,000 men, and it became the OSS Crimean Corps, consisting of three divisions and two brigades.

And the 3rd Strike Group arrived in the Black Sea, making Sevastopol its fleet base.

An urgent security alert has arrived from OSSIA.

[…large Iranian forces massed on Iraqi border, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Towards the border between Basra and Baghdad…]

After checking the details, I immediately connected a secure communication with this manager.

“Boss! Are you sure?”

“This is information shared by the US CIA. We also confirmed it through our channels. It is certain.”

…