Damn the World, Ride a Submarine - Chapter 243



Only Krnovel

Episode 243 – Serpentraider

The minister was talking about encouraging the Turks to buy Russian gold.

“So Turkey makes money and we save face. Is that it?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Okay. Even if it means taking a little loss, if you can get both, it’s a good way. Please secure as much as possible by doing so.”

“Yes, I understand. And going through Turkey is also an insurance policy to prevent the Russian line from committing fraud.”

“Ah… That could be a risk. Anyway, Manager, please take care of it.”

“all right.”

“Oh, and manager.”

“yes.”

“There are no strongholds for our intelligence services in Africa or South America?”

“There are contact points in South Africa and Brazil. Why is that…?”

“Somehow, I feel like we don’t know much about those two continents.”

“Then we will establish a related department and enable it to collect and analyze information.”

“Yes, please do so. Since we have grown so much in the meantime, it seems we cannot neglect Africa and South America either, since we have been able to learn about them even a second earlier.”

“all right.”

…

Before leaving for Kiribati, I toured the OSS armored units stationed at Camp Sinheung with Commander Kim Poong-ik.

“Commander, did you receive the Valkyrie and Warrior Tracks from OSS-ART?”

“Yes. We have received one battalion’s worth of ammunition and are currently evaluating it for combat.”

* Valkyrie: A quadrupedal robot. There is a combat robot equipped with a 5.56mm rifle and a 300-round magazine, and a passage-clearing robot with a robotic arm that can install shotguns and breaching charges.

* Warrior Track: An unmanned combat vehicle. Equipped with machine guns, grenade launchers, etc. A separate reconnaissance vehicle can launch drones.

“How is it?”

“First of all, we can conclude that tanks can sufficiently replace infantry in open terrain.”

“Oh, as expected, you didn’t disappoint.”

“Yes, that’s right. However, tactically, we need additional equipment.”

“Yes. Go ahead.”

“The enemy will target HQs that operate unmanned tanks and combat vehicles.”

“I guess so.”

*HQ (Headquarter): Also used as an abbreviation for the act of establishing a headquarters, command center, or headquarters.

“Unmanned tanks can be controlled from the TARC remote command vehicle, but unmanned combat vehicles and combat robots cannot.”

“Ah! So, Commander, you’re saying that you need a tactical armored vehicle that can carry out missions while the operator is moving to control the Valkyrie and Warrior Track.”

“Yes, that’s right. If the enemy discovers our command center, they will attempt to attack with artillery fire and missiles.”

Commander Kim Poong-ik was talking about the tactical vulnerabilities of the command and base.

“I understand what you mean, Commander. You’re saying that in order to increase tactical perfection, we need to move or relocate our HQ and positions frequently.”

“Yes, it is.”

“I wonder if it would be a good idea to make it based on the Redback armored car chassis.”

“I think the AS-21 would be the best choice in terms of habitability and mobility.”

“Okay, I understand. Anyway, I will give you instructions and support so that you can develop it quickly.”

“Thank you. And your Majesty!”

“yes?”

“We have prepared a demonstration of the combined tactics of the OSS Armored Corps. It would be an honor if you could come and see it before you leave.”

“Oh! Okay. That’s good.”

…

I climbed up to the observation tower at the live-fire training range to watch a tactical demonstration by the OSS armored forces.

Not only could the training process be observed with the naked eye from the observation tower made entirely of glass on all sides, but it was also equipped with a TOC tactical operation system.

It was designed so that you could simultaneously see tactical assets actually moving and firing while looking at the operational situation panel.

I had an intuition that this was not simply a demonstration of combat in the form of an event, but a facility for developing combat doctrine. I was impressed by Commander Kim Poong-ik’s meticulousness.

The start of the battle was signaled by the sound of dozens of reconnaissance drones rising.

The drone, rising at a high altitude, disappeared from sight and was not heard.

Enemy targets were displayed on various TOC panels, and data analyzing air defense risk factors was uploaded.

Upon detecting enemy tanks, 12 LAH unmanned attack helicopters flew over the observation tower and hovered on the ridge opposite the target, waiting for the order to attack.

As soon as the order was given, the LAH unmanned attack helicopter rose above the ridge,

All 12 aircraft simultaneously fired their Cheon-geom air-to-ground missiles and then lowered their noses back down the ridge to hide their aircraft. This was a tactic that utilized the ‘Forget After Launch’ function.

The Cheongeom was a Hellfire-class air-to-ground missile with a range of 8 km and a penetration power of 1,000 mm.

The LAH unmanned attack helicopter formation fired another round of Cheongeom missiles and flew over the ridge.

At the same time, the Warrior Track battalion (unmanned combat vehicles and reconnaissance vehicles) that had been waiting advanced into the valley, followed by the K2 unmanned tank and Valkyrie battalion.

It seemed like a tactical demonstration assuming a canyon where there was no choice but to take a single route of attack.

The Warrior Track Battalion, having escaped the canyon, detected the bio-signatures of the virtual enemy with radar, infrared cameras, and directional microphones. They opened the way for the tanks to advance by firing machine guns and grenade launchers.

As the Warrior Track Battalion secured the advance route in the valley, the K2 unmanned tank battalion advanced, followed closely by the Valkyrie Battalion (quadruped walking combat robots).

The tanks that emerged from the valley formed a line and began firing their 120mm tank guns one after another.

– Boom, bang, bang, bang ······.

The remaining enemy armored vehicles and artillery were destroyed by tank guns, and then a formation of LAH unmanned attack helicopters flew in and fired dozens of 70mm rockets at the enemy’s simulated trenches before returning.

As the tanks advanced, the Valkyrie Battalion covered the rear and completed a search for anti-tank forces.

The armored car following behind opened its hatch and the Valkyries were climbing into the armored car backwards.

The armored battalion carrying the Valkyries outpaced the tank battalion, reached the trenches, and laid down their Valkyries as if giving birth to a baby.

Under the cover of Warrior Tracks and tanks, the Valkyrie Battalion approached the enemy’s trenches.

They were seen checking trenches with cameras extending out like tentacles, then throwing grenades or firing rifles with robotic arms.

And then the Warrior Track got close to the trench and appeared to be pouring out something.

“Commander, what is that?”

“Yes. It’s a ground-based suicide robot that Dr. Kim Beom-jun sent me to test.”

“What’s that snake-like thing?”

“Yes. Haha. It actually crawls like a snake. It can crawl into narrow spaces like trenches or bunkers to scout out, and if it finds an enemy, it can self-destruct.”

“Oh, that’s a really cool idea. What’s the name?”

“It’s Serpentraider. I saw it for the first time and thought it was a really good idea. And the other part is really amazing.”

“What is it? I’m looking forward to it.”

“There is no need for special control.”

“Yes? Then how?”

“If you release several of them, they will spread out in all directions, finding directions and paths that other individuals have not taken.”

“Oh my~”

“That is, the operator passively reconnoiters by checking the cameras and location signals of each suicide drone.”

“Passive reconnaissance?”

“That way, you can check the structure of the trench or tunnel. And if necessary, you can press the self-destruct button.”

“Wow, that’s amazing. How powerful is the self-destruct explosion?”

“It has the explosive power of about three hand grenades.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about this amazing thing…?”

“Oh, that’s it. The cluster operation you’re seeing now is the first test. They said that if we send this test data to OSS-ART, they’ll revise and supplement it further.”

“It would be really useful in trench warfare or urban combat.”

“Yes. However, the problem is that the Serpent Rider’s radio reception range is short. That’s why the Warrior Track went all the way to the trench and released it.”

“Ah, I see. There are a lot of obstacles…”

“Your Majesty, look at this.”

The combat information panel pointed to by Commander Kim Poong-ik showed a map of the trenches scouted by Serpentraider.

There, the shape of the tunnel that could not be confirmed by aerial reconnaissance was marked in red.

“Wow, this is a paradigm shift in trench warfare.”

“Yes, I am looking forward to it as well. Your Majesty, I will now blow up the trenches.”

“yes.”

Commander Kim Poong-ik gave the order to blow up Serpent Rider.

– Kookung, thump, thump, thump, kookung, kookugukookung.

The ground shook as explosions erupted all over the trenches, sending up low clouds of dust. Then, the unmanned combat vehicles and unmanned tanks crossed the trenches, concluding the tactical demonstration.

– Clap clap clap

I found myself applauding in satisfaction.

“Excellent. Thank you for your hard work, Commander.”

“It’s all thanks to your consideration.”

It was obvious that the OSS Panzer Corps’ own tactical doctrine was taking hold. And seeing a demonstration of an unexpected new weapon felt like receiving a gift.

…

After finishing the schedule at the new camp, I boarded OSS-AC No. 1 and headed to Kiribati. It was a distance of 9,000 km. An aerial refueling aircraft and escort fighter squadron followed.

As they reached the North Pacific Ocean, the escort fighter formation turned around and refueled in the air as they passed over Camp Marshall.

I wanted to stop by Marshall Camp and take a look around the Free Division, but I wanted to see the aircraft carrier Bastion quickly, so I went straight to Kiribati.

Hyein also seemed happy to be returning to Kiribati after her long trip.

“Brother! So, if nothing happens, you’ll stay in Kiribati forever, right?”

“Hmm, that’s true, but won’t something happen sooner or later?”

“Ugh~ Winter is finally over and the war is coming to an end···. Already···.”

“Hahaha. Still, I have to prepare thoroughly for everything.”

“Well, you’re the kind of person who worries about earthquakes and floods while building a house… But now, wherever we go, we’ll go together, right?”

“Well, I’ve made sure to fully decorate our living quarters on the Bastion that’s being launched this time. It’ll be better than home. Haha.”

“But you don’t have any friends.”

…