Rust - Chapter 256



Only Krnovel

Rust [RUST]-256

In modern times, submarines are broadly classified into two types.

Killer and Boomer. The Killer was a vessel that hunted enemy ships or submarines. It was a relatively small, nimble, and fast-moving submarine.

In contrast, the Boomer is a terminal weapon carrying 16 to 24 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).

Since the warhead of the SLBM it was loading was a tactical nuclear warhead, the fact that Boomer launched the missile meant that a mutually assured destruction situation had arrived. In other words, a nuclear apocalypse.

It was not the case that Boomer would move in a situation where relations with China were as tense as they are now, because there was a risk that China, with its feet numb, would get scared and press the button.

So, the submarine that was deployed for this operation was a killer submarine, a nuclear attack submarine (SSU).

Northwestern Japan.

A Virginia-class submarine raised its periscope in the waters near the port city of Niigata.

“The port is bustling with people.”

Early warning aircraft flown by the US military in Korea in the East Sea have confirmed that a huge number of ships, including very large transport ships, are heading to ports in northwestern Japan.

The early warning aircraft couldn’t get any closer to Japan because of the volcanic ash and dust, so that was all they could see, but that was enough.

“As expected.”

This must have been a transport ship carrying the Chinese army that had gathered in a panic to escape after hearing that the entire Kanto region of Japan would be blown up. They were all gathered in a huddled together at a place where they would die.

Why blow up the Kanto region, where traces of youth and the secrets of superhumans are hidden? If we just blow up the port where the Chinese gather, it will become entirely the United States’ territory.

“Have you received any reports from the agents?”

“The enemy has destroyed all the repeaters, so communications are cut off.”

The buoys that had been set up to monitor the enemy and ensure smooth communication were all gone. The fact that the US military had laid them down to provide eyes and ears must have been a sign of a large-scale transport operation.

“News are coming out, starting with broadcasters in northern China, of transport ships being sent to ports in Japan to evacuate refugees.”

“Stories of fishing boat captains who set out to help Japanese refugees have been posted on RingTalk and NewTube.”

“Ha- Do these guys think we’re stupid?”

This was psychological warfare.

“You’re saying that you’re destroying the relay station to prevent the agents from transmitting detailed information and transporting refugees? Are you asking me to believe that?”

“······.”

“It’s a deceptive tactic.”

The deception tactics used by the Communist Army against the Nationalist Army during the Chinese Civil War. The deception tactics used by the Viet Cong against their own forces during the Vietnam War were similar.

The way communists disguised as civilians infiltrated the rear and cut off escape routes, supply lines, and communication networks. It will probably be the same now.

The fact that they attacked a buoy equipped with a small radar, sonar and communication relay was clear evidence that they had something to hide.

And Chinese fishing boat captains are risking their lives to gather at Japanese ports to help Japanese refugees?

Those guys who haven’t gone to Japan even once in the past half a year since the disaster struck? They even broadcast to the neighborhood to ask people to please believe them?

No way. You dirty bastards.

It was a well-known fact that the people who attacked the United States were Chinese. It was just a security issue. All the crew members who participated in this operation were silently angry.

“Prepare to launch missiles.”

Although it was a medium-sized killer submarine, it was loaded with cruise missiles carrying small tactical nuclear warheads for this very moment.

The crew repeats the captain’s soft orders.

“Prepare to launch missiles!”

“Ready to launch.”

“Check code-”

“Check the code!”

.

.

.

Mid-April. Spring in Japan is in tatters.

The cherry blossoms that were blooming beautifully could not be seen. The dead cherry trees had no new shoots or flower buds.

Gray mud from melted snow and ice. Evil spirits rising from rotting corpses. All that was mixed together was a swamp of death.

Tokyo is a place where life is hard to find, with sewers blocked and backflowing, and even flies and other bugs disappearing, perhaps due to the toxicity of the volcanic ash and smoke.

Urrrrrrrr-

Earthquakes of magnitude 5 to 6 occurred almost daily, and buildings supported by snow and ice began to collapse one by one.

“Are there any survivors?”

“doesn’t exist.”

To escape the overflowing and stagnant water, cockroaches and rats that had been hiding underground came up to the surface. They were after the survivors. Those who had survived the harsh winter quickly became prey to cockroaches and crazy rats.

Knock knock knock

The agent who changed the filter in his mask did not stop coughing.

What was spat out at the end of the sound of “Kkaak” was a lump of dark red blood. Even though he was a user with the ability to strengthen his body, his lungs were damaged by the crude filter, so there was nothing he could do about it.

The way back, supporting the fallen member, was terribly difficult.

The ash, dust, and smoke not only killed the survivors, but also shortened the lifespans of the mutant monsters. Rumors began to circulate in the United States that the mutant monsters were beginning to run rampant.

“Punishment from heaven on the evil British and Americans, revenge on China for betraying them.” That’s what my grandfather, the head of the New Japan Alliance, said. At the same time, he was engaged in a tug-of-war to receive as much aid as possible from the United States and China.

‘Build strength with the enemy’s aid, and attack the enemy with the enemy’s supplies.’ It was a good story, but that was only logical when aid and supplies were normal.

‘China has cut back on aid supplies.’

‘The US military is telling us to send the refugees away, saying they will take care of it.’

‘You damn bastards!’

That’s how they raided the American supply depot. They were too numerous and too close to raid the Chinese. They took advantage of the fierce fighting between the Chinese and American forces to successfully raid the supply depot and then destroyed the evidence.

‘There must be no trace left.’

‘What about bullet marks?’

‘Cover the traces with the 12.7mm bullets used by the Chinese.’

The indelible traces were covered in that way.

We raided the US military supply depots, but we were always short on supplies. We had no choice but to comply with the Chinese’s threat that if we did not cooperate, they would completely cut off our supplies. We needed survival supplies to survive.

Above all, filters to filter out volcanic ash and dust were essential for survival. Water purification tablets, water filters, air purification filters, and masks. The Kanto region of Japan had become a harsh environment where one could not survive without these things.

‘As long as the container can enter by any means necessary, that’s fine.’

The Chinese army used Japan’s connections to transport 16 containers to the United States. There were over 100 people who entered disguised as Japanese refugees.

‘I don’t know what I’m going to do, will it be okay?’

‘I don’t think they will attack the United States. Even if they do, we have no choice.’

Like it or not, we had to give in to what the Chinese wanted, because it was a matter of survival.

I tried reaching out to the US again, but it was no use. The US was consistent. As I said last time, they said that all the refugees and superhumans should be placed under the control of the US military.

This was a story that the New Japan Alliance, which had been pursuing an independent Japanese revival force, could never accept, and in the end, they continued to join hands with China. The result was what we have now.

Should we have handed everything over to someone, whether it be the US or China?

Should we have given up on the refugees, the technology, and even the cradle of the superhumans who might become absolute powers in the future?

‘There’s no need to give up.’

My grandfather’s voice came to mind. His confident eyes and voice.

Even after the defeat in World War II and the ruins, Japan was a country that grew to the point where it could control the United States.

‘In the future, superhumans will be the standard for measuring national power.’

‘No matter how great a country is or how many rascals there are, there will eventually come a time when they cannot defeat superhumans.’

‘In order for Japan to revive, we must hold onto the superhumans. This is the land where superhumans are born. We must protect Japan.’

With mutants that can’t be fired by firearms aplenty and air and sea routes cut off, there will come a time when superhumans will be absolutely necessary. Can you hold out until then?

Kadama Kiriko was lost in thought.

The atmosphere of the city I returned to after a few days was strange. The city that was always bustling with refugees gathering every day was empty.

“What happened? Where did all the people go?”

“Everyone has fled.”

The man who stayed behind to deliver the news explained the situation.

There was a rumor going around that the United States had decided to exterminate the mutant monsters in the Kanto region and were going to bomb them indiscriminately. So the story was that people were heading to the port to take refuge in Hokkaido and the Kansai region.

“What are you talking about? There’s no reason for the US to suddenly do that.”

“It is said that the US mainland was attacked and foreign policy changed drastically.”

Because communication and the Internet were cut off, the news was very late.

After returning from a search operation that had lasted over ten days, Kiriko could guess just how dire the situation was.

“As we withdraw our troops, we have decided to bomb all areas where variants have appeared, including the metropolitan area.”

The US military had been making many sacrifices to take control of Tokyo and the surrounding areas, but now they’re suddenly withdrawing and bombing?

Fortunately, both the US and China knew that the superhumans who had joined the New Japan Alliance were here with the refugees. So, paradoxically, it was a place that was safe from bombing.

“Even though I think rationally this place is safe, I feel uneasy inside.”

Now that communications and the Internet are cut off, even if there were a misfire, it would most likely be buried.

“Most people said they would go to the port and take a boat to the Kansai region or cross over to Hokkaido.”

“You said you were going to bomb to catch the mutant monsters?”

“Yes.”

“Has the US military made an official announcement?”

“No, there was no formal briefing.”

Kiriko’s body began to tremble slightly at his answer. A growing sense of discomfort.

Bombing with bombers was absurd.

How can you bomb when volcanic ash, dust and smoke make it impossible for aircraft to fly?

Would it be possible to catch the mutant monsters in the metropolitan area and other wide areas with regular missiles?

You’d need thousands of missiles, right?

Where did the story about America attacking come from?

“It seems like the story came from the Chinese military.”

A rising goosebumps.

Kiriko muttered at the creeping ominousness.

If the target of the US attack is not a mutant monster but the Chinese military…

“no way···.”

“yes?”

I had to find my grandfather. He would know that something was strange right now.

“Where is the representative?”

“You went there to persuade the refugees.”

So you knew something was strange.

Kiriko walked towards the place where her grandfather Shinta Kadama had gone.

How long did it take to walk in a hurry?

A bright flash of light that looks like an explosion.

Below the mountain, a small sun rose over the distant harbor.

Then, a mushroom cloud rises into the sky.

Kiriko collapsed, her strength drained.

Into those dazed eyes, one, two, three… little suns shone along the distant coastline.

Kurururung- Kururururung-

======

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Late April, early May.

A large, military-colored hard case was delivered. It was a box from the US military.

“······.”

“······.”

Maru and Kim opened the box in silence. The large box was filled with uniforms, basic clothing, combat boots, and short boots.

“But did you ever mention things like dimensions?”

Miss Kim was very stubborn.

“Let’s try it on first.”

First, conquest.

I tried on the clothes one by one and they fit perfectly.

These stalker-like bastards. How did you know the size?

It seemed like the same thing to Kim Yang, judging from the angle of the clothes he was wearing.

‘The officer’s uniform looks cooler than I thought, but why are you sending me the luggage already?’

That night Maru had trouble sleeping.

“Ah- shi-”

“Diana, why do you think you’re doing this? You just won’t leave it alone.”

[During the Pacific War, there was a precedent for recalling and re-educating those who had been discharged as officers in order to supplement the shortage of officer personnel.]

“It’s different from the current situation.”

[It appears to be a preliminary step to avoid future controversy.]

Maru, who was vaguely aware of Uncle Sam’s malice, felt very uncomfortable.

Kim Yang-do also came down to the restaurant with a groggy face, perhaps from lack of sleep.

“What’s wrong with your face?”

I didn’t even have a nightmare about the military.

“When I was working at the company, I had a nightmare. I had a dream that I was lost in Southeast Asia and China…”

Starting with the incident where she was hiding in a garbage can, the story of Kim Yang’s eventful company life began.

“Wait a minute. Let’s eat first.”

Because I’m curious.

By the time Maru and Kim Yang heroically end their combative meal.

Diana received an emergency call signal.

[A call came in from Homeland Security and Strategic Command.]

Emergency as soon as you throw the clothes?

Ha- Maru laughed in vain, put down his spoon, and got up from his seat.

“Just finish eating. I’ll go and check.”

Maru, who had nodded once at Maru’s words, entered the room behind Ms. Kim and started a video call. The faces of Chief Dan Brown of the Department of Homeland Security and a lieutenant colonel from the Army appeared on the large monitor.

[Information has arrived that a civil war has broken out in China 56 hours ago.]

The secret operation was a complete success, annihilating the Chinese forces in the Kanto region of Japan.

[Taking advantage of the weakened power of the Northern Theater Command, Beijing attempted to purge the Rong family, which ruled the Northern Theater Command, but the Rong family found out about this in advance and started a civil war, using a large number of superhumans to attack Beijing.]

Wouldn’t it be good if the Chinese kids fought among themselves? Manager Dan Brown’s face distorted as if denying Maru’s thoughts.

[··· Information has been received that superhumans have infiltrated Beijing and are after the nuclear security code.]