Damn the World, Ride a Submarine - Chapter 223



Only Krnovel

Episode 223 – Mainland Russia

I felt that Director Hyun Min-seong was becoming more and more like me as our relationship deepened.

“Director Hyun is good. It’s good to be prepared for anything. I feel at ease knowing I’m in a safe place like this.”

“I’m glad that you feel at ease, sir. I heard that your wife will be coming here soon.”

“I see. By the way, Director Hyun has some practical work to do.”

“Yes. Just speak.”

“We have agreed with Kim Jong-un to expedite joint space development between the South and the North. We hope to create an independent legal entity where scientists and technicians from the South and the North can conduct research and work together.”

“Sir, I don’t know anything about space development…”

“Did the current director know anything about the ship when he first ordered and took over the Sonia Torre?”

“That’s true, but…”

“We need to create an organization that encompasses the South and the North, the civilians and the government, and even the military. We decided that Director Hyun was the right person to integrate and coordinate people and organizations with different backgrounds.”

“Ah… I’m trembling because you’ve entrusted me with such an important task.”

“I believe that the current CEO is someone who can run things by listening and seeing a lot and understanding what is lacking and what are the hidden shortcomings.”

“Thank you. I will try my best.”

…

Leaving the South-North joint space development project to the current director, our group, including Hye-in, headed to Vladivostok in the Far Eastern Republic. It was an hour and 30 minutes away by MV-280.

While we were heading to the Far Eastern Republic, the 5th Assault Group, which had departed from Jinhae, was already on standby in the northern waters of the East Sea, and the ARK was also moving to the waters near Vladivostok.

Even while I was working in the Far Eastern Republic, the joint space development project between the South and the North was progressing rapidly.

Although there were some growing pains, it was agreed that the new space center would be built in Kosong County, North Korea.

It was a favorable location for both the South and the North because it was close to the Geumgangsan tourist site and located right on the Military Demarcation Line.

In order to appease South Korean public opinion on the establishment of a joint inter-Korean space center in North Korea, the North also showed its sincerity.

The northern region of Gosung County, Gangwon Province was designated as a joint management area between the South and the North.

In other words, although it was originally North Korean territory, it was allowed to enter and exit without any restrictions, just like in South Korea, and the presence of South Korean police to maintain public order was acknowledged.

In the case of Gosung-gun, Gangwon-do, it was no different from achieving partial unification.

There, the PSLC Peace Space Launch Center was built, and a rocket launch pad, a rocket research center, and a satellite research center were built.

* PSLC (Peace Space Launch Center)

While on a busy schedule, including meeting President Choi Ivanovich in Vladivostok and inspecting the OSS Far East Corps, an urgent phone call came from the head of the Information Service.

“Manager. What’s going on?”

“Sir, it has been confirmed that Russia is preparing an operation to retake control of the Crimean Bridge and restore it.”

“That went well.”

“yes?”

“Once the bridge is restored, is there a law that says only Russia can use it?”

“What does that mean ···?”

“Yes. We are thinking of moving on.”

“Oh ~”

“Was this information also relayed to the Eurasian Front?”

Russia’s attempt to rebuild the Crimean Bridge was not a threat. It was a very opportune moment for Russia to take action, and I was grateful for that.

“As soon as I confirm the information, I will report it to the CEO first.”

“Okay, I’ll talk to Commander Lee Du-man. Please give me the details separately.”

“The timing is incredible.”

“yes?”

“I was already considering landing on the Russian mainland. Now that I know about it in advance, my tactical options have increased. And aren’t they just giving me a pretext?”

“Are you trying to enter the mainland?”

“Yes. Now we must end the war in Ukraine.”

…

After finishing my schedule in the Far Eastern Republic, I departed Vladivostok on the ARK to tour the Shinheung camp that was under reconstruction.

There was an opinion that we should avoid the East China Sea, so we decided to go across the sea off Hakodate, Hokkaido. The 5th Assault Group followed the ARK as an escort group.

I called the commander of the Eurasian Front from inside the submarine.

“Commander, an intelligence report will be arriving from OSSIA soon.”

“Marshal, are there any other movements in Russia?”

“Yes, it is said that Russia is planning to rebuild the Crimean Bridge.”

“Ah… Then it seems that Russia has targeted the spring offensive towards the Crimea rather than the south. Marshal, how about blowing up a few more bridge piers so that they are completely unrecoverable?”

“No. Leave it alone.”

“then ··· ?”

“First, if it becomes known that we are predicting their movements in advance, there is a risk that the information assets we have worked so hard to build will be destroyed.”

“ah ···.”

“Second, since we are considering a landing on the Russian mainland anyway, if we modify the operation a little, their restoration of the Crimean Bridge could be of help to us.”

“So, should we abandon this operation and concentrate our firepower towards the Crimean Bridge and the Kerch Strait?”

“No, that’s not a good idea either. And if there’s a standoff in the Kerch Strait, neither side will be able to cross.”

“Then what?”

“Russia will attempt to seize Tuzla Island in the Kerch Strait to rebuild the bridge.”

“I guess so. The bridge that was cut off is between Kosa Tuzla and Tuzla Island.”

“Please naturally withdraw your troops in advance and hand over the island when the attack begins.”

“I understand what you’re saying, but if you retreat that way, won’t your intentions be revealed?”

“In war, the aggressor tends to interpret things the way he wants to see them. History proves it. Haha.”

“still ···.”

“That’s not all. Our OSS has been taking a lukewarm combat line during the war in Ukraine, securing control of the Black Sea for the stable import of grain and minerals.”

“…”

“And we haven’t sent ground troops to Ukraine for years. The OSS Crimean Corps was created when Crimea surrendered.”

“Did your Majesty foresee this situation?”

“Hahaha. I’m not a fortune teller or anything, so I can predict the future. I just look at the situation and circumstances objectively. And there’s one more reason why they might misjudge.”

“which ···?”

“Because when the Russian army attacked Tuzla Island, we retreated without responding!”

“So?”

“Do you think the Russians would say, ‘Oh! This is suspicious. Let’s retreat too’? Think of it as you being the commander in chief.”

“I understand what you said, Your Majesty. Since there is an imbalance in information, the enemy’s judgment will be different.”

“The more rigid an organization is, the more it moves according to plan. If they have planned something, let’s listen to it. Haha.”

“Can I tell you what I think, my lord?”

“Okay. Let me give it a try. Haha.”

“We will proceed with the original operation, the Novorossiysk landing operation, but we will deceive them into thinking that we are advancing towards Krasnodar…”

“…”

“Controlling the Kerch Strait area and forcing the entire Crimean Army to cross the Crimean Bridge… aren’t you thinking of a Holy Land invasion?”

“Oh~ You got it 90% right. Haha.”

“If you could tell me the remaining 10%, I would appreciate it. Haha.”

“First of all, the OSS’s plan to land on the Russian mainland was not aimed at simply occupying Russian land.”

“ah ···.”

“The main goal is to disperse Russia’s power and support the southern Ukrainian front.”

“Oh, right.”

“The advance to Krasnodar will proceed as planned. However, it would be better to adjust the speed to minimize damage.”

“Then what about the legs…?”

“We plan to dispatch one OSS Special Forces Regiment. Due to the nature of the bridge, there are limits to the number of troops and firepower that can be deployed. If the other side is blocked and isolated, it could be taken over surprisingly easily.”

“I understand, sir. After the capture of Krasnodar, you can understand that we will advance towards Rostov-on-Don, the southern Ukrainian front.”

“Yes, that’s right. We’re going around the Sea of ​​Azov and putting pressure on the rear of the Russian Southern Army.”

“If we go back, there will be no minefields, so we will be able to launch a double-sided attack in an instant.”

“Commander, if we completely surround and annihilate the Russian army or go too deep, we will face another danger.”

“…?”

“The goal is to cut off the Russian supply lines and gradually isolate them, giving Ukrainian forces time to clear minefields and secure an advance route.”

“Marshal, if things have progressed that far, wouldn’t it be better to just quickly annihilate the Russian army on Ukrainian soil?”

“Commander!”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Recovering Ukraine’s borders will not end the war. From Russia’s perspective, it will simply change the front line.”

“then…?”

“From Russia’s perspective, if we make a mistake, we could lose Stalingrad, or Volgograd as it is known today, to the OSS.”

“…”

“We need to make Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan feel threatened that they could become isolated and lose their corridors to Iran.”

“ah…..”

“That is, the war will end only when Russia loses all its territories along the Black Sea coast and even changes its borders to Ukraine and Kazakhstan.”

“Your Majesty, is that possible?”

“That’s not the goal, the goal is to make you believe that.”

“…”

“So, what I’m saying is, we should occupy the empty land while keeping the Russian Southern Army in check.”

“Then what about northern Ukraine? I tried to persuade the Polish military leadership, but it seems that they are not moving easily due to the political environment.”

“I’ll take care of that part.”

“Okay. Then, I will review the operational plan under the premise that ground forces will be reinforced.”

“Yes. We have already dispatched the OSL Jeong Si-woon team to Poland, and ESSO is also negotiating with Poland on arms exports. And OSSIA is also conducting a public opinion campaign, so Poland will not be able to come out as if it were someone else’s business.”

…

Before we knew it, the ARK had left the waters off Hokkaido, Japan, entered the North Pacific, and passed through the Philippine Sea into the Sulawesi Sea.

Meanwhile, the 5th Strike Group returned to the East Sea under the Far Eastern Republic, and the 4th Strike Group, which had been on standby in the eastern waters of Taiwan, passed Luzon and moved to the waters near Tawi Tawi.

If we go a little further, we can arrive at the new camp on Tawi Tawi Island, which felt like home.

…