Damn the World, Ride a Submarine - Chapter 209



Only Krnovel

Episode 209 – Iron Ore and Bituminous Coal

I could tell from the look in General Kim Poong-in’s eyes that he was truly moved.

“I am so touched that all the regrets I had while serving in the military for decades have been fulfilled in one go.”

“The display you see over there is RTTF. It broadcasts various situations on the battlefield live. The commander on the scene can check what he is missing on that screen.”

“ah ···.”

“As you may have noticed, the first priority of OSS tactical doctrine is the recognition that people are your greatest asset. Forget about cost-effectiveness in combat.”

His gaze was fixed firmly, as if he would not miss even a single moment.

“The most important thing is the lives of soldiers. Soldiers are not expendable items, but rather objects to be protected and resources that can be protected.”

“Your Majesty’s will. I will follow it with all my heart. Ah~ I always envied that aspect while training with the US military… Thank you. Thank you.”

“And finally. As you know, our OSS has many multinational operations. It’s rare for us to defend a fixed front like Korea.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“So, there will inevitably be a lot of landings and airlifts. Please take that into consideration and prepare accordingly.”

“I will work hard and do my best.”

“Oh, and there’s a new combat system.”

“???”

“A new concept ship called the self-propelled gun battleship has been developed and is in Korea to carry the K-9 self-propelled howitzer.”

“A self-propelled gunboat?”

“Yes. It is a warship that can fire self-propelled guns from the deck of a ship at sea. This will also be initially operated by the Navy, but we plan to organize it as an independent unit.”

“ah ···.”

“In other words, the armored force will not be a part of the army, but will be a joint operational force encompassing the army, navy, and air force.”

He continued to explain to Commander Kim Poong-ik the composition of the armored force for the joint operation.

“In addition to the self-propelled gun battleships, ten 100,000-ton landing ships for the armored forces are under construction, with more to be built.”

“Your Majesty, just hearing your words makes my heart swell and send shivers down my spine. Thank you for entrusting me with this important task. I will do my best.”

…

Starting with one submarine, he led a huge military-industrial complex in five years. He further created an armored force commanding thousands of tanks and self-propelled guns.

There was no clear reason. It just felt like it had to be done. It felt like some kind of great last war was left.

Even if this winter ends and we safely make it through next year, I thought that it could happen at any time if human desire builds up its strength.

There’s something I suddenly realized while rescuing OSL staff in the US.

When the winter plunder season ends, people may realize something strange: that plundering between nations, not between people, is necessary.

Before I knew it, I had become someone who couldn’t run away to a warm southern country and live leisurely alone.

The vague goal became to become the last surviving group, even if it was not the final winner. In order to do so, it was necessary to prepare for the threat of humans, which was closer than the threat of nature.

After completing all preparations for the creation of the Armored Forces, the remaining work was left to Commander Kim Poong-ik and the relevant officials.

Then, I headed to OP3 with my group and Director Kim Wan-jun. It was a forward base with a steel mill and a shipyard.

Looking up from the sky on the MV-280, a huge, dark mountain appeared on one side of OP3 Island.

“Director Wanjun, what is that mountain? It wasn’t there before.”

When asked out of the blue what the huge mountain rising up in one corner of the island was, Director Kim Wan-jun answered with a cold expression.

“Because there was no place to store the massive influx of iron ore, they piled it up and it ended up forming a mountain like that.”

“Wow~ This is amazing.”

“Haha. After all, the CEO gave the order.”

“That’s true, but when you actually see it with your own eyes, it’s incredibly scary. How many sheep are there?”

“Hmm… It doesn’t make sense. I heard that even if iron ore imports are cut off for two years, the steel mill’s blast furnaces won’t shut down.”

On the other side of OP3 Island, the hull of a huge aircraft carrier was visible at the shipyard dock. It was so magnificent that it blocked the view even from the sky.

“Sir, when will we finish building our aircraft carrier?”

“They say it will be launched within a year. They say it will take more than a year to be commissioned after launch.”

“Oh, I know it’s not an easy task. I’m getting impatient.”

“That’s it. The CEO keeps telling us to put something in, so it’s getting a little late. He told us to come to Kiribati right away and put in 100 remote-controlled fighter cockpits…”

“Hahaha. I know. I know. I know you meant to tease me.”

“Anyway, every time I see it, I can’t help but think it’s overwhelming. Now that I know about it in America too….”

“I guess so, how do you hide something that big? Haha.”

“Oh, and there’s something I didn’t tell you. When you were fighting the war to reclaim Taiwan, you captured a Chinese merchant ship that appeared to be a spy.”

“is it so?”

“Yes. It seems that China has also realized that this is our new base.”

“So that happened? How was the aftermath handled?”

“The ship has been returned. I understand that the people suspected of being spies are being detained and interrogated by OSSIA. This section chief will report to you shortly.”

While I was talking to Director Kim Wan-jun, the MV-280 landed at the shipyard helipad.

OP3 looked like a giant steampunk city, with huge smokestacks, docks, and cranes galore.

“Sir, what is that ship?”

“Oh, that’s the self-propelled gun battleship No. 3 that’s being built.”

“is it so?”

“The CEO told us to build at least 5 ships, but…”

“Haha. I’ve done so many things that I can’t even remember everything I’ve done.”

Director Kim Wan-jun continued speaking after tapping his chest once as if to tell him not to worry.

“Just say whatever you want, sir.”

“It gives me peace of mind when you say it like that.”

“At first, I thought the CEO was just asking me to do such strange things. But looking back, I realized that they were all useful and necessary.”

“…”

“So, when the CEO gives me an order, I just do it. I don’t doubt it, and I think about it later. Haha.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Oh, and there’s one more thing you might like.”

“Oh! I’m looking forward to it.”

“We are building an underwater submarine docking facility next to the main island port.”

“Underwater?”

“Yes, that’s right. When a submarine, especially the ARK that you’re riding, is carried out, isn’t it visible from the satellite? That’s why the submarine doesn’t surface, but rather docks underwater.”

“Oh, that’s a good idea. But the ARK is so big…”

“I’ve been pushing Hanwha Ocean CEO Han Kyu-dong a bit. It will be completed by next summer. And once it’s completed, we’ll be able to supply submarines and even repair them.”

“Oh, how is that possible underwater?”

“At first, I thought about just connecting the submarine hatch to the land from underwater. But President Han Gyu-dong said that making just that would require a lot of resources and technology, so I expanded the work a bit.”

“…?”

“The submarine goes underwater and then comes back up onto a huge floating dock.”

“ARK is over 200m long… Is there a facility for that?”

“The iron ore storage yard you saw from the sky earlier is where the submarine underwater dock is located.”

“Wow~ That’s cool. It’s my style. Haha. But with all that iron ore piled up, won’t the weight be a problem?”

“That was taken into consideration when it was built. And the iron ore itself is stacked in an arch shape, distributing its weight to the outside.”

“Wow. Everyone from Dr. Kim Beom-jun to the director surprises me. Hahaha.”

“That’s all ~ I learned it from the CEO.”

“By the way, I am sure you are very heartbroken that the farm you worked so hard to nurture at Shinheung Camp has been blown away.”

“Yes. At first, I was so angry that I couldn’t sleep.”

“I guess so. You put a lot of effort into it…”

“So, we made the farm bigger on the main island of OSS-LAND.”

“oh!”

“We created a food production complex by adding a cultured meat factory and a seafood factory that processes seafood as soon as the trawl ships unload it.”

“…”

“Once completed, it will be more than enough to feed all of Kiribati.”

“Well done. Do whatever you want, sir. Haha.”

“So now we are trying to build things like walking trails and parks on the main island of Kiribati and OP.”

“Right, right. Since it’s a place where people live, things like that are necessary.”

Director Kim Wan-jun was making Kiribati OSS-LAND more than just a base, it was a sea city. It had an airport and a port, as well as residential areas, military industries, and power plants all organically placed.

And the food production complex that was even self-sufficient in food was an amazing result. It included almost all the technologies of factory-style smart farming.

In addition, they were preparing to raise livestock by making fertilizer from byproducts generated from processing seafood and meat, and making feed from byproducts of grains and vegetables grown on farms.

And what really taught me was that in addition to the residences of the staff and workers who came into Kiribati, they were also building a residential complex that could accommodate over 200,000 people.

Although they were not building houses right away, they were importing and stockpiling all the building materials along with the development of the land so that they could respond to future needs.

OP1 and OP2 were fully equipped with facilities to be used as additional military bases in the future, and recreational facilities were also being built here and there.

And we have also strengthened our relationship with the Republic of Kiribati, so we are receiving all the conveniences.

“Sir, I have something to discuss with you.”

“Yes. Go ahead. Anything.”

“The President of the Republic of Kiribati has expressed his desire to delegate the defense of his country to the OSS.”

“Doesn’t Kiribati have an army?”

“None. There is only a coast guard of 200 men per boat. They are currently entrusted with the defense of Australia. It is far away, and they seem to be conscious of the military power of the OSS being right next door.”

“So, did you talk to Australia?”

“I guess it’s difficult for the Republic of Kiribati to bring that up directly. They already have support.”

“Um… What do you think, sir?”

“I think it will be okay.”

“is it so?”

“It could also help with the supply and demand of labor, and could send a good message to other island nations.”

“What if it was another island nation?”

…