May 4th, 2021, 04:35,

  The seas 153km from Northeast Ulsan

  Thirty rescue choppers and anti-submarine choppers were flying around the dark skies and lighting up the surrounding seas with its headlights. Above the ocean’s surface, 100 or so rescue vessels and commercial fishing ships were busy searching for the sunken destroyer and vessel’s crew from the joint fleet.

  A few of the crew’s bodies floated up to the surface along with the wreckage, but since many of the men must have been in the cold ocean for hours, no survivors could be found. Also, most of the men sank with their ships so recovering the bodies was no easy feat. Since the navy men were unsure when the Japanese navy would strike while they were conducting their search and rescue, they were all tense and weary while working.

  However, the president had ordered, more like requested, to rescue as many people and recover as many bodies as possible. The 1500 navy soldiers, UDT/SEAL rangers, and civilians all worked together to conduct the search and rescue.

  “The Yangmanchun has been connected to the tow hook, sir.”


  “All right. Let’s search the interior of the vessel.”


  “Yes, sir.”


  The Yangmanchun (DDH-973) had lowered its anchor before the crew had left the ship. The rescue vessel, the Tongyoung class Pyeongtaek (ATS-032) had completed connecting the hook and line to tow the vessel and reported in to signal the start of the interior search. Then, the two rescue vessels, the Kim Joon (FF-831) and the Gwangyang (ATS-033) began to tow the ship back to Pohang naval base.

  Meanwhile, 200 search and rescue UDT/SEAL specialists were busy conducting their search for the aegis destroyers, the Taejo (DDG-995), Seoaeryu (DDG-993), and the Kim Um-sun (FF-851). Each specialist was equipped with diving gear and busy recovering the bodies.

  “This is search team 3, we are entering the bridge of the Taejo. Over!”


  “This is the captain of the Tongyoung. Search safely. Over!”


  The Taejo had sunk 100m into the ocean while leaning 35 degrees portside. The six UDT/SEAL search specialists entered the bridge of the ship. From the pitch-black darkness, the SEALs used their headlights equipped on their helmets to make out their surroundings. Master Sergeant Ahn Hyung-hoon, who had been in the force for over 20 years, saw numerous mangled bodies that could not be identified.

  “This is search team 3, we have located multiple bodies.”


  “Did you find admiral Gil Un-suk? Over!”


  Colonel Ahn Kyung-joon, the captain of the Tongyoung, asked hastily.

  “The bodies are too waterlogged to be identified, sir. We will collect all the bodies we have found so far, and bring them back to the surface. Over!”


  “All right. Be careful. over!”


  “Yes, sir. Over!”


  Master Sergeant Ahn Hyung-hoon finished conversing on the radio and signaled to his team. Then, the others all carefully collected the floating bodies within the bridge into a plastic body bag, and the two remaining men connected those to the rope leading back to the Tongyoung ship. The recovered bodies were pulled back to the surface.

  The search mission had lasted past dawn and continued to the next day.

  * * *

  February 5th, 2021, 05:30

  Seoul Yongsan-ku B2 bunker (ROK military joint command center)

  The joint chief of staff, who had been awake all night keeping an eye on the battle, was contacted by the naval strategic command.

  “Sir! The naval strategic command has recovered the body of Admiral Gil Un-suk.”


  “Are you certain?”


  Chairman Kang Ui-sik, who had been checking on the final plans for parts of other operations seemed to be exhausted, but when he heard the news, his face lit up again.

  “Yes, sir! The body was damaged quite a bit, but they have carefully managed to recover it and it is now aboard the Tongyoung.”


  “What about the others?”


  “Yes, sir. They recovered Captain Kim Yoo-hwan, and they are in the process of recovering the other officers, non-commissioned officers, and the men currently.”


  “That’s a relief. Please tell them to do their best. General Na!”


  “Yes, sir.”


  Chairman Kang Ui-sik, who had felt heavy pressure from the president’s earnest request, was finally able to relax for a bit when he heard the news about the bodies being recovered smoothly.

  “That’s a relief! Let’s continue discussing the plans about the landing operation.”


  * * *

  February 5th, 2021, 07:00,

  Seoul Yongsan-ku B2 bunker (ROK military joint command center)

  Above the skies across Kyushu and the east sea where many lives were lost, a bright sun was rising. Between the white clouds, hundreds of planes were crossing the sea, and the planes had the Corean flag’s emblem drawn on their wings and bodies. These were the Corean fighter jets and Blue Dragon bombers.

  The forces being deployed by the Corean air force was about 80% of their strength, and these planes had split into three directions to head to their targets: Honshu, Hokkaido, and Shikoku, and flew at high speeds.

  The 24 KB-30P Blue Dragon bombers and the 50 tactical bombers were given a special mission to bomb the military factories close to large cities. Therefore, civilian casualties were inevitable. Despite this, the 500 Corean aircrafts reached their target location and slowly lowered their altitude to begin their bombings.

  Japan, which had lost its reconnaissance satellites and military satellites that could be considered as its eyes, was unable to detect all the enemy jets except for a few with the early warning radar planes and the THADD radars at the U.S military base.

  The air force commander ordered all fighter wings to mobilize and the surviving surface-to-air artillery forces used their radars to begin the interception.

  The 1st escorting fleet, which was in charge of defending Yokosuka and Tokyo skies, moved near to the ports and set their aegis radar output to the maximum to start their interception procedures as well.

  * * *

  February 5th, 2021, 07:00

  The naval base port at Incheon

  A hundred Corean ships emerged from the seas at 06:00, splitting the waves.

  The 7th maritime flotilla’s five Hocula destroyers, the 2nd fleet escorted the 10th amphibious fleet’s 14 vessels, logistical ships, and civilian container ships. The fleet had the 2nd and 3rd mobile marine division, the 6th marine brigade, and the 8th special forces aboard the civilian ships. A reorganized special force was on their way to land in Japan.

  “It’s a sight to behold, sir!” Colonel Yoo Joon-ho, the captain of the Kanghwa, spoke to admiral Oh Seung-hwan of the 10th amphibious fleet.

  “I agree.”


  Colonel Yoo Joon-ho, who was watching the 100 vessels from the bridge, smiled and spoke again.

  “Sir, I still can’t believe this is happening.”


  “Oh! You feel that way as well? I know I am seeing this with my own eyes, but I still think I am dreaming at times.”


  “It’s incredible that our nation is conducting a landing operation against Japan. Something deep in my heart seems to stir up. Haha.”


  “Yes, I can’t believe this is happening in our lifetime. Haha.”


  “The officers’ and the men’s morale are at an all-time high, sir.”


  “Well, we are landing in Japan of all places. However, if the men are too excited, it could lead to accidents, so tell each commander to ease their tensions and stay focused on the mission.”


  “Yes, sir. I will be right on it.”


  * * *

  February 5th. 2021, 07:00

  Tokyo, Japan, Prime Minister’s Cabinet emergency situation center

  Prime Minister Abe, who could not hold back his anger, slammed both his fists on the table while standing up.

  “Sir, please calm down.”


  “Minister of National Defense! How could I stay calm? The 4th escorting fleet has been annihilated and three of our Zumwalt destroyers that we had spent billions on have sunk. How dare you? Can you tell me to stay calm?”


  Prime Minister Abe, who had his eyes bloodshot from a burst vessel, glared at the government bureaucrats and military commanders before sitting down. He must have gotten exhausted from his own rage, and took a deep breath.

  “It is not good for your health to be angry, sir.”


  “Stop worrying about my health, and come up with a solution. That damn Chungmugong Lee Sun-shin cruiser had taken out our two escorting fleets and the carrier strike group, hasn’t it?” Prime Minister Abe asked while glancing at Minister Shibasaki, and Commander Murakawa of the navy.

  Commander Murakawa nodded his head, winced for a second, and began to speak carefully.

  “Sir! Without the Chungmugong Lee Sun-shin, the Corean navy only has the 2nd fleet and the 7th maritime flotilla.”


  “Yes, so the Lee Sun-shin cruiser is the problem, isn’t it?” Prime Minister Abe, who was getting frustrated at the commander for pointing out the obvious, spoke.

  Commander Murakawa nodded to the navy’s strategist Igawa Gei. He stood up and began to speak.

  “How about we use the B-1B Lancer bomber to attack the Lee Sun-Shin cruiser, sir?”


  All eyes moved towards Igawa Gei. The recent air-raid on Jeju Island was successful thanks to the B-1B lancer stealth bomber. However, the thought of sending a bomber to attack a ship was never done before.

  “Commander Igawa! No matter how capable the B-1B stealth bomber is, how will it break through the enemy vessel’s powerful radar? We might lose our last B-1B stealth bomber as well in the attempt.” When Minister Shibasaki expressed his opposition, Commander Igawa Gei continued.

  “Well, of course, it would be risky if only the B-1B lancer bomber was deployed.”


  “Please explain in detail then.” Prime Minister Abe, who noticed there must be a rhyme and reason to this suggestion, decided to hear out Commander Igawa Gei’s idea.

  Commander Igawa, who seemed to be flustered by the attention, coughed a few times before beginning his explanation.

  “Currently, our air force has 70 F-1 jets and 250 F-2, F-4 jets set aside as reserves. ”


  “Commander Igawa! Are you suggesting we use them for Kamikazes?” Commander Kitano Takeshi, the commander of the air force, spoke in an uncomfortable tone.

  “I wouldn’t say they are being used for Kamikaze. I am suggesting we use our reserve jets to distract the enemy cruiser’s radar, and then commence the bombing with the B-1B lancer while they are distracted.”


  “How is that different from Kamikaze?” Commander Kitano Takeshi spoke loudly.

  As the highest-ranking commander of Japan’s air force, he was upset at the suggestion of sacrificing the lives of the pilots made by Commander Igawa of the navy.

  * * *

  February 5th, 2021, 07:00

  Yokosuka, Honshu, Japan. The deep sea, N 34° 6′ E 138°40′ (the Yang Se-bong’s location)

  The Hocula submarines, the Yang Se-bong (SSP-85) and Lee Un-hyung (SSP-86) had been sailing at a depth of 180m for three days along the Japanese strait. The two vessels succeed in infiltrating the area 152km southeast from Yokosuka.

  “Captain, we have reached the first location,” Major Na Kang-soo, the first mate of the Yang Se-bong, came up to Captain Kim Jin-joon, who was looking at the monitor, and quietly spoke to him.

  “All right, where is the Lee Un-hyung submarine?”


  “They are 3km away from us, and at 195m below the surface, sir.”


  “Good! Are we seeing anything on the sonar?”


  “We haven’t detected anything yet, sir. It seems that we will be able to detect something when we reach a 100km radius from our target.”


  “Maintain our azimuth and sail silently at class 1. Do not make any unnecessary noise until we reach our destination.”


  “Yes, sir.”


  First Mate Na Kang-Soo, picked up the microphone-

  This vessel will begin sailing silently. All hands on deck, keep this in mind until the situation is over.