Rust - Chapter 506



Only Krnovel

RUST [RUST]-506

Over the Newport News Shipyard.

Around the giant airship, crows were circling, searching and guarding the area.

Hood, who had seen the battle footage, spoke in an unknown voice.

[The seagulls, you know. They looked smart, so why did they pounce on me like that?]

“I guess they made that decision because it was good in a half-hearted way.”

Even though they saw dozens or hundreds of them crashing into aircraft carriers at a time, seemingly committing suicide, the seagulls were still burning with fighting spirit.

“It must have been because I was alone.”

You can’t catch a single human?

I don’t really have any weapons, I’m just holding a stick, can’t I hold it?

Seagulls have pride. Wasn’t it something like, ‘Hey, let’s clean that up.’

[···Is that so?]

“How could I know what the seagulls were thinking? This is the result.”

Maru’s plan was to get the seagulls to focus on him. He would lure them out onto the deck of the aircraft carrier and then provoke them.

When the seagulls gathered like that, they were concentrated on firing with the Aegis ship’s Vulcan cannon. That was the only thing that worked.

“How about the shipyard?”

[It looks okay on the outside. There isn’t much seagull poop either.]

The Newport News Shipyard was in better shape than expected.

When China’s strategic nuclear device landed near Norfolk, much of the equipment was damaged by the EMP and shock wave, but the most important dock and crane facilities were almost intact.

There were three nests nearby.

Considering that the number of seagulls alone was around 50,000 to 60,000, it was in really good condition.

‘It’s fortunate that the night bombing worked.’

The fact that nearly a thousand seagulls survived the successful bombing was significant, as it meant they were either on guard duty or sleeping soundly so they could respond immediately.

‘It was also great to take off from the sea using an aircraft carrier.’

hmm?

for a moment.

Maru’s gaze turned towards the burned seagull’s nest.

‘You posted a guard?’

‘Were you on guard?’

‘What were you on guard against and why did you take a nap?’

If a flock of seagulls stands watch, there must be a reason, right?

Maru’s eyes narrowed as he thought about the nest and the shipyard, the reason for drawing the line.

‘prey···.’

Could a population of 50,000 to 60,000 be sustained by fish alone? Surviving the winter meant enduring the suddenly cold winter sea.

‘Survival on fish as a staple food in such severe cold that the harbor freezes over?’

Even if they were seagulls, it wouldn’t be easy. If so, it meant there was something nearby. Something that was both food and a threat.

What could possibly be worth standing guard at night?

‘mouse?’

I recalled a story about how the birds that had taken over the airport and its surroundings were attacked by rats as winter approached.

‘That’s what New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport said.’

Even if it wasn’t a rat, it was clear that something was up. Maru immediately alerted the guards who were searching the Newport News Shipyard.

“Use tear gas actively during searches. There is a high possibility that something will happen.”

[four!]

The two aircraft carriers in the dock appeared to be completed.

The progress rate was said to be between 75% and 85% on paper, but when actually checked, the progress rate for both ships was close to 90%.

[According to the data, it was a preparation in anticipation of friction with China turning into armed conflict. The conflict situation in Europe was also judged to be dangerous. It appears that construction was rushed in preparation for this.]

“Did you judge that there was a risk of it escalating into a world war?”

[It seems so given the circumstances.]

The Newport News shipyard had five large docks capable of building aircraft carriers, and the frames for other carriers were being erected at three other docks.

Taking pictures of aircraft carriers at the same time, it’s not even Show Me the Money. Maru was shocked. If it weren’t for China’s preemptive nuclear strike and the cannibal incident, the peace might have lasted a little longer.

“I don’t think war and the end of the world could have been avoided anyway.”

[If it’s war, is it World War 3?]

“Maybe. It was avoided because China split into seven.”

[······.]

From the time the great disaster struck Japan and the mutant virus spread across the globe, the end of everyday life was inevitable.

Japan, the world’s third largest economy, collapsed. Could our daily lives survive?

Even if the infected people and animals that turned into mutants and monsters due to the mutated virus had not run wild, the global economic depression was certain. Perhaps war was waiting at the end of that long depression.

Thinking back now, that’s what it was.

How shallow was the probability of daily life holding on? Even if a virus spread or a war broke out far away, daily life would collapse without a trace.

So, looking back now, all of this was just a sign of the end.

[Sorry to interrupt you. Uh···.]

“What should we do about this?” the nurse said in a voice.

“What’s going on?”

[So. Just a moment. Kkiruru- kkiruk-]

A sound heard behind the nurse.

Could that be the sound of a seagull?

[The seagulls are asking for help?]

[······.]

“······.”

The silence on the floor was interrupted by the cry of seagulls again.

Kkiruk- Kkiruru

[They say unconditional surrender.]

[······.]

“······.”

Kirurururu-

[There are also freshly laid eggs.]

[······.]

“······.”

“But you. Where are you now? Why are you with a seagull?”

[Hey- I came out to get some air for a bit···.]

Several seagulls hiding in the cracks of the building clung to us, begging for help.

“For now. Leave them there and go back to the garrison.”

[Then all the seagulls here will die?]

Even if it was just a normal mutation, I was going to wipe it out, but why would I keep a seagull that was shitting acid alive? I was going to finish off all the seagulls near the shipyard.

“No, it won’t work because of their shit. They’re acidic and the opposite of shipyard shit.”

Kirurururu- Kirururook=

[Huh? What’s in the shipyard?]

Kkuruk kkururu-

[You want me to guarantee your safety? You say there is important information. What should I do?]

under-

“Where is it?”

Maru said, holding Eclipse.

“Wait there.”

======

======

The capital of the empire, the city that never sleeps. New York.

Chancellor Den Brown recalled the negotiations with the Holy Kingdom’s Vladimir Kalin.

The Empire is in charge of all materials, manpower, technology, and supplies, and prioritizes repairs to Nimitz-class aircraft carriers and Arleigh Burke-class Aegis ships. After that, the Empire takes the one with the higher construction progress of the two aircraft carriers, and the Kingdom takes the one with the lower progress.

It wasn’t a bad deal. It was definitely a good deal, considering it would take at least a year just to rebuild the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

This was especially true when considering the supply and utilization of human resources. If I were to start operating the Navy Yard shipyard in earnest in the year after my departure, which would be at least a year away, I had to secure human resources in advance.

Rather than letting the manpower gathered like that sit idle, it would have been better to send it to the Newport News shipyard and let it work. It was an opportunity to increase their skills while repairing Nimitz-class aircraft carriers and Aegis ships.

It was true that the Empire also coveted the Newport News Shipyard. It would be a lie to say that it wasn’t coveted, as it was a shipyard that built new aircraft carriers. However, the moment it took over the shipyard, there was a very high possibility that it would come into conflict with the South.

Terrorism, terrorism, or something like that. Even if it wasn’t terrorism, it was a job to clean up and manage a huge flock of seagulls.

It wouldn’t have been bad to just throw it away to the Holy Kingdom and reap the benefits.

Since the technology, manpower, and materials would be under the control of the Empire anyway, it was the Empire that actually operated the Newport News Shipyard.

[It is said that the Holy Kingdom and the Confederacy signed a non-aggression pact.]

“···Vladimir Kalin?”

Virginia Langley, you must have a lot of ties to the military.

If it was the Vladimir Kalin that Dan Brown knew, there was a aftertaste. A serious one at that.

“I don’t think the Holy Kingdom was the first to propose a treaty, but the South was the one making the proposal? What are the terms?”

[The South sent a special envoy to Toledo and negotiated with Yania Kim, the second-highest ranking official, and agreed to a non-aggression pact. The detailed terms could not be confirmed.]

General Dan Brown nodded.

‘Those Virginia Langley guys were working in Toledo, and were they surprised when they got a taste of the fighting power of the Royal Army?’

“Check the specific conditions and consistently manage information related to the upper-level figures, including Yania Kim.”

[yes.]

General Dan Brown laughed silently.

‘Why is it a non-aggression pact now? Is this what you were aiming for?’

Before taking over the Newport News Shipyard, it was clear that a non-aggression pact had been signed with the South. The timing was such that whoever took over the Newport News Shipyard first would be the owner. The winner was the Holy Kingdom.

‘It would have been a chance to weaken the Confederacy if things had gone well. It’s a bit disappointing.’

They quickly signed a treaty with the Holy Kingdom. They were not easy people after all.

The Holy Kingdom, which had no real power except for Vladimir Kalin and Yania Kim, had been building up its power during the harsh winter and cruel spring.

The armored force consisting of tanks, self-propelled guns, and armored vehicles was also considerable, and considering the 155mm towed howitzers, multiple rocket launchers, and missiles, it was certainly not an insignificant force.

Although it was said to be a mass-produced version, considering that most of the troops were armed with exosuits, its actual combat power was bound to exceed expectations.

If you add aircraft carriers, fighter jets, Aegis ships, and even nuclear submarines to that, it would be a force that would actually be in the top 20 military powers in the world. Even without nuclear weapons.

If you add in the crow and wolf units, you should see that it was not just empty words, but a real military power.

‘This is it.’

Should we call it a watchful enemy? In any case, since the kingdom had taken control of the Newport News shipyard, it was difficult for the South to advance northward over it.

‘then.’

General Dan Brown’s eyes turned to the map. There was a place that had to be passed to get from the Eastern Sea to the Southern Sea. There was the Florida Peninsula.

“To the Holy Kingdom, we propose that we take charge of the air defenses and facility restoration at the Newport News Shipyard.”

What if the Newport News Shipyard area was turned into a forward base? What if the Empire and the Holy Kingdom joined forces to create a shipyard and base that would be firmly established?

General Dan Brown shrugged.

‘Try to do well somewhere.’

======

======

Confederate States of America

There was a lot of shouting in the conference room. To the Southern Navy, Vladimir Kalin was an unforgivable bastard. It had been that way since the first three Aegis ships were destroyed.

But, that crazy guy captured 5 more ships. He took the Aegis ships like a piece of cake. That’s how many Aegis ships were taken by Vladimir Kalin.

Not only that, they intercepted the 2nd Atlantic Aircraft Carrier Fleet that they had their eyes on. The Aegis ships that were heading to the negotiation table without knowing anything about it collided with the Imperial Navy and lost two more ships.

Now the Southern Navy had only two ships left. Only one Aegis ship was available for immediate combat.

A defense treaty with an enemy that virtually destroyed the entire Southern Naval force without any gain?

You said you tied it without even asking for my opinion on whether it would be okay to tie it?

“You signed a non-aggression pact with that monster?”

“I cannot agree with such arbitrary decisions!:

The Navy guys had a seizure.

“Because the Navy was in ruins, the Commander-in-Chief agreed to non-aggression negotiations.”

At those words, the naval commander exhaled with a look of madness on his face.

It couldn’t be helped since all of the naval power had been blown away. If the Holy Kingdom were to lead a carrier battle group into the Gulf of Mexico, the game would be half over.

“Very well. Then, as quickly as possible, let’s take over the Newport News Shipyard.”

“I have already sent the troops.”

If it was difficult to protect the shipyard, they could have just brought in a new aircraft carrier that was almost finished. The heated conference room calmed down with talk of a new aircraft carrier.

[This is an urgent message from the unit dispatched to secure the shipyard.]

[Newport News Shipyard. Taken over by the Holy Kingdom.]

“······.”

“······.”