Damn the World, Ride a Submarine - Chapter 161



Only Krnovel

Episode 161 – Introduction Operation

After hearing that China was concentrating its troops in Vietnam, the minister asked back.

“It’s not just a simple movement of troops?”

“That is not true. After analyzing satellite images, we have also confirmed through intelligence assets within China that war is imminent.”

“The world is going crazy. Ah! What excuse does China have for starting a war?”

“The pretext is that Vietnam has resumed oil drilling in the South China Sea.”

“Didn’t you do that a few years ago?”

“It seems like a simple excuse.”

“Well, we’ll make it even without a justification… Have you analyzed China’s intentions?”

“I guess. Considering climate change, relations with Russia, and the military power of ESSO countries, it seems they decided that advancing into the Far East would not be easy.”

“Okay. Have you shared information with Vietnam?”

“Yes. Vietnam also noticed. It seems they thought that the Second Sino-Vietnamese War would break out at some point.”

“We should send the PATA Rapid Response Force to Vietnam first. The US probably doesn’t have the resources to pay attention to this.”

“Yes, the Middle East is also in a difficult situation.”

“Okay, please keep updating.”

“yes.”

I had expected that China would do something someday, but when it actually happened, my mind went blank and no thoughts came to mind.

First, 50,000 PATA rapid response forces stationed in Brunei were urgently dispatched to Vietnam.

Since the war had not yet begun, they set up a garrison north of Hanoi, Vietnam, under the pretext of changing the garrison location.

And 150,000 OSS Southern Forces of Myanmar were also moved to Kengtung, Myanmar, which faces the border between China and Laos.

The OSS 2nd Assault Group, which was training in the waters south of Vietnam, was ordered to advance northward to the vicinity of the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea.

Vietnam was also increasing its troops along the Chinese border and establishing defensive lines.

If China had eyes, they would have noticed this military movement. In a sense, it was also a warning not to miscalculate.

And we looked at the soldiers killed in the Sino-Vietnamese War that took place in 1979.

At that time, China mobilized 200,000 ground troops, and both sides suffered extreme casualties in less than a month.

It was a war in which China withdrew its troops on March 6, claiming that it had achieved its main objectives. It was effectively China’s defeat.

China must have known how strong Vietnam was in the war of patience. China quickly realized that continuing the war was a losing business.

But this time it was different. There was virtually no rational justification for starting the war, and the strategic objectives were unclear.

It was nothing more than an explosion of internal discontent and accumulated energy within China. If we had to point out something, it was the recognition of China’s sovereignty in the South China Sea through violence.

It was an action carried out knowing that the decision of PATA would automatically involve Southeast Asian countries and OSS.

‘If I were the leader of China and had to control the South China Sea…’

I tried to think about it from a different perspective.

‘We must put an end to OSS and the new camp…’

I came to the conclusion that China’s ultimate strategic goal might be OSS. I decided to bring forward the planned work a little, and called in Director Kim Jun-myeong and Director Kim Wan-jun.

– Sir, did you call?

– It’s been a while, sir. Haha.

Director Kim Wan-jun, who returned from Kiribati, greeted us with a bright smile.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you two together.”

– That’s right. We used to meet up often.

– Really. The organization is growing bigger, so everyone is busy.

“The reason I brought you two together today is because I think another great war is about to break out.”

– Yes. Another war?

– Again?

“Yes. It seems that China will lose its power and move south.”

– Oh~

– Oh, again.

“According to confirmed information, it is a foregone conclusion that Vietnam will be invaded. However···.”

– ?

– …?

“It seems that China’s ultimate goal will be our OSS. From China’s perspective, if only there were no OSS, they would be able to exert their former influence in Southeast Asia and the Far East.”

– That’s right. China is surrounded by ESSO and PATA, which OSS is involved in.

– …

“So, we need to prepare for the moment when our base, the Shinheung Camp, becomes their target.”

– That’s right.

– What should I do? I’m not even a soldier…

Director Kim Wan-jun asked back as if he was curious.

“We will empty the new camp.”

– ah ···.

– Oh, I guess I’ll need it.

“But I hope that when external reconnaissance assets observe, they don’t get the feeling that the entire base is empty.”

– I guess you want to use deception tactics in times of emergency.

“Yes, that’s right. The biggest high-value target for China in the South China Sea is the new camp. They might even consider a preemptive nuclear strike.”

– yes?

– Hey, no way. We have two nuclear powers.

“That’s true. But if the OSS were to be neutralized in an instant, would those two countries be able to retaliate with nuclear weapons at the risk of their own national fate?”

– ah···.

– After hearing what you said…

“Our very existence is nothing but a nuclear umbrella. The United States is also reluctant to intervene due to its own problems and the Middle East. Even Russia is tolerating all of China’s actions. Not to mention Europe.”

– Okay. What should I do first?

“First, please board the Northern 1st Army stationed at the new camp, whether it be a cruise ship or a supply ship, and have them dock at a safe place in the Pacific and wait.”

– all right.

“Oh, and please move the remains of the fallen soldiers from the Shinheung Camp Cemetery to the aircraft carrier Gaius.”

– Are you really going to abandon the base?

– …

“Not necessarily. It’s just that I don’t want to leave the dead soldiers alone while I evacuate the base.”

– … all right.

“And. Director Kim Jun-myeong.”

– Yes, sir.

“Please check the necessary parts for a landing operation in Hainan Province, China with Admiral Son Il-il.”

– Oh… That’s where China’s largest naval base is.

“Yes, I know. I want to be prepared not as an operational operation, but as a strategic option depending on the situation.”

– all right.

“Then you two! Please. I will also prepare and live on the ARK or the Gaians.”

During that time, even the Military Supply Command and the Intelligence Service had been working hard to marine the ship to the point of building a cruise ship. However, as the number of ground forces increased, the number of personnel stationed at the new camp also increased.

We moved our accommodations to an aircraft carrier with Hyein. There was no need to worry, as the employees’ families still lived on the cruise ship and stopped at various islands in the Pacific.

It was not difficult to get the Northern 1st Army and the remaining personnel on board the ship, as there was some spare capacity on the cruise ships and supply ships that had been introduced to bring political prisoners out of North Korea.

North Korean immigrants were finding stability by settling down as workers in military factories and shipyards in Marshall Islands and Kiribati.

And the last ship of the Arsenal Ships, of which five were ordered at once, was launched and named Shingijeon No. 5.

The Shingijeon-4 was fully loaded with missiles and assigned to the 4th Assault Group, which was docked in Vladivostok.

While we were preparing for war with China, Israel was on the verge of being annihilated by a pan-Islamic state.

When the entire Israeli people were in danger of being annihilated, Egypt stepped in and proposed a ceasefire.

Egypt is a Middle Eastern country that has the fastest political judgment and the most exquisite presence at the right moment.

Egypt’s proposal was to stop fighting on the current front and make that the border.

Israel had lost 70% of its territory. It was a harsh proposition, but there was no other option when the country itself was about to disappear.

While Israel was pondering, Egypt proposed a three-day ceasefire, which all countries agreed to.

Egypt quickly put forward additional proposals for post-war settlement, the gist of which was as follows:

It included recognizing Palestine as an independent state, eliminating Israeli influence, and restricting Israelis’ access to its borders.

The situation was one where the positions of Palestine and Israel were reversed. Israel had no other answer. If a ceasefire cannot be reached at this point, it will be completely occupied.

This was because they were gripped by the fear that what they had done to Palestine in the past could happen again.

But the Palestinians were vehemently opposed to the ceasefire.

Because they wanted revenge.

Perhaps, what they were hoping for was for the Palestinian police to retaliate against them in Israeli territory, just as they had been treated.

Now, an invisible battle has begun over who will divide the torn territory of Israel and how.

The Palestinians naturally assumed that they would inherit the land, but as always, they were second in line.

Israel accepted Egypt’s ceasefire offer and agreed to resume negotiations.

The fact that the Sixth Middle East War ended in a sudden, crushing defeat for Israel was enough to make the United States feel discouraged.

This was because the US had suffered an attack on its aircraft carrier by Iran and was on the verge of launching a large-scale amphibious landing operation in support of Israel.

In addition, public opinion against a “war with nothing to gain” had become intense due to two major earthquakes that had occurred in the country.

In this way, the United States has proven itself to be a ‘toothless tiger.’

Meanwhile.

Russia, which controls western and northern Ukraine, appeared to be catching its breath.

Coming down further was partly because it would put them within the strike zone of the OSS Black Sea Fleet, but it also seemed to be to reorganize the extended supply line.

That is understandable, since they abandoned Russia’s traditional tactics and succeeded in advancing quickly by imitating the German blitzkrieg of the past.

This was because militias and special forces throughout Ukraine were waging guerrilla warfare and striking at Russian supply units.

…

As war clouds gathered over Vietnam, the introduction operation of the new camp was coming to an end.

There were some who said that the introduction operation was an excessive measure, as it gave up the advantages of Tawi Tawi Island, the southernmost island in the Philippines.

It was because of my old age, but I thought it was important to choose safety even if it was somewhat inconvenient and costly.

The OSS 2nd Assault Group was sent north to the waters between Hanoi, Vietnam and Hainan Province, China.

In response, China issued a warning statement, saying that it was heightening military tensions.

It was an inevitable measure because it was judged that if China attempted a landing operation in Vietnam, it would be difficult for Vietnam to stop it.

Yet China’s clock kept ticking.

The manager informed me that it was time.

“Sir, China has invaded Vietnam.”

“Ultimately… how big is the scale?”

“The ground forces alone number 950,000.”

“yes?”

Even though China was a country with an abundance of people and troops, this was an incredibly large number. It was 1.5 times the size of the entire South Korean military.

…