February 3rd, 2021, 16:00

  The deep-sea N 30°33′ E 131°24′ at Tanega island, Kyushu Japan (The Corpus Christi’s location).

  At 100m below the eerily quiet ocean surface, the LA class (Flight I with a load displacement of 6,920 tons) nuclear submarines the Corpus Christi (SSN-705) and Houston (SSN-713) maintained a distance of 1km from each other while sailing silently.

  The LA class nuclear submarine was first deployed in 1976 and all the way till 1996. For the past 20 years, it had gone under three stages of improvement, and over 62 vessels were sent to the field. However, there were still 30 of them on active duty.

  These submarines were developed to strike down enemy ships that were targeting the allied aircraft carrier. For each carrier strike group, 12 LA class submarines escorted them to form a defensive net against enemy submarines.

  The LA class submarine could house about 130 crewmen and could go into operation for 90 days maximum. For arms, it was equipped with four 533mm torpedo launch tubes that could launch Mk.48 ADCAP/CBASS torpedoes, Mk.67 SLMM naval mines. It also had UGM-84 Harpoons and UGM-109 Tomahawk missiles that could be launched with its Mk.36 VLS vertical launch pad.

  However, through continued refurbishing and maintenance, the upgrades continued. By following the A-RCI (Acoustic Rapid COTS Insertion) upgrade plan, each vessel was overhauled with a spending of $460,000 per vessel.

  This plan was set to modernize the LA class nuclear submarines by equipping them with AN/BSY-1, AN/BQQ-5, or AN/BQQ-6 sonars from their standard A-RCI sonars excluding a few Flight I class submarines. By equipping them with the new sonars, the LA class submarines would be elevated to a Seawolf-class with a COTS/OSA system as the basis.

  This upgrade focused on making the submarines more powerful while operating near the shore, so their power was not improved significantly for the open seas. The main focus of this upgrade was to compete against the new Russian nuclear submarine’s sonar capabilities.

  The funny thing was, despite the expensive upgrades given to the LA class submarines, they were taken down by the Jangbogo class submarines from Korea during the previous Rimpack training exercise.

  At the end of 2021, the two submarines were scheduled for retirement. To conduct their last mission, they had silently sailed along the curvy straits of Southeastern Kyushu. The depths along the Kyushu area were less than 120m deep, but it got deeper as it went south. Thanks to the ocean craters, some areas reached up to 1,800m in depth.

  “Sonar operator, are you hearing anything?” Captain Robert Harley of the leading Corpus Christi (SSN-705) submarine, had come to the CIC (Combat Information Center) personally and asked the sonar operator working from the AN/BQQ-15 sonar.

  “Everything is quiet, captain,” the operator continued to pay attention to the surrounding sounds to not let anything slip past him while answering the captain.

  Captain Harley picked up the communication receiver and gave an order to the CR (Command Room). “This is the captain. Helmsman, set the diving angle to 15 degrees and the depth to 130. Maintain our speed.”
-

  Maintaining azimuth! Setting the diving depth to 15 degrees and diving to 130! Maintaining our current speed.

  * * *

  February 13th, 2021, 16:30

  The deep sea, N30° 4′ E 131° 5′ from Japan Kyushu Tanega Island (the Yang Se-bong’s location (SSP-85))

  Last February 5th, the Yang Se-bong submarine (SSP-85) and Lee Un-hyung (SSP-86) under the 7th submarine fleet had taken down Japan’s chopper carrier and six destroyers under the 1st escorting fleet. These two submarines were sending out SUSL active pings so they did not fear getting detected by the enemy, and continued their mission.

  The sonar operator of the Yang Se-bong (SSP-85) was analyzing the returning sonar patterns from their SUSL active pings. Something caught his attention, and he reported it to the operations director.

  “Sir! I detected two sonar patterns that seem to be from submarines.”


  “From which direction?”


  The sonar operator pointed to a spot at the monitor. “They are at an azimuth of 0-1-8 from our location, and approximately 71km away. Depth at 130 to 90, and sailing at 20 knots, sir. They are heading to our 7′ O clock direction.”


  “When can we tell if the submarines are friendly or not?”


  “It seems we will be able to when they are about 60km away from us.”


  “Very well, put them up on the screen and analyze their sonar patterns.”


  The operations director gave out his orders and then reported to the captain at the helm-

  An unknown submarine’s sonar pattern has been detected at azimuth 0-1-8, distance 71km, depth 130 through 90! We are currently analyzing the sonar patterns.

  Lieutenant Colonel Kim Jin-jun, the captain of the Yang Se-bong (SSP-85), was taking a break at the helm. When he heard the report, his half-shut eyes glittered again.

  “Really? That’s great. I was about to die of boredom. Continue to track its movements.”
-

  Yes, captain.

  When the operations director’s report was over, the location of the unidentified submarines showed up on the screen at the helm. After 10 minutes had passed, the sonar operator was able to detect the sonar patterns more clearly. He balled up his hand into a fist and began to shake it.

  “I found it. Sir! We have identified the unidentified submarine.”


  “What is it?”


  “They are the LA class nuclear submarines, the Corpus Christi and Houston, sir.”


  “LA class nuclear subs? The Americans must be on the move!”


  The operations director immediately reported to the captain. Lieutenant Colonel Kim Jin-jun gave the order to the battle station himself and asked operations director Song Ki-young.

  “The Corpus Christi and Houston? Which fleet are they under?”


  “Yes, they are under the 7th submarine fleet from the U.S navy.”


  “When did the 7th fleet’s 7th carrier strike group set sail from Yokosuka again?”


  “05:00 hours on the 12th, sir.”


  The Yang Se-bong (SSP-85) had received intel from the navy’s command headquarters that the U.S navy’s 7th carrier strike group was sailing west from Yokosuka before silently sailing.

  “That must mean the 7th carrier strike group is nearby, isn’t it?”


  “The two LA class nuclear submarines must be taking the lead to search out any submarines from the lead, sir.”


  “Sonar operator, are we only detecting two nuclear submarines?”


  “Yes, I can hear a few faint sonar patterns, but I am not sure if they are from the ocean’s tide flow or the snorkeling of another vessel. I believe we will need more time.”


  “I see.”


  Lieutenant Colonel Kim Jin-jun gathered both of his hands as if to clap before speaking. “Everyone to battle stations while sailing silently! Tell the Lee Un-hyung to go into battle position as well.”


  “Yes, captain.”


  The Yang Se-bong (SSP-85)’s interior turned red and a siren went off. The crew quietly moved and prepared to engage the enemy.

  “Send an encrypted message to the navy’s operation command! The message: Current location at N 30°33’7.03″ E 131°24’37.64″ and have detected two LA class nuclear submarines from the 7th fleet. The Christi and Houston are presumed to have the 7th carrier strike group at its rear! All vessels are in battle positions and standing by! Requesting further orders.”


  “We will send the message immediately.”


  * * *

  February 13th, 2021, 17:00

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

  Chairman Kang Ui-sik, who was taking a break while listening to the rain, heard the report from the navy’s operation command headquarters as soon as he returned to the bunker.

  “Sir! It’s from the navy’s operation command.”


  “What is it?”


  “We have found two LA class nuclear submarines at southern Kyushu along the Tanega Island! Also, they report that the 7th carrier strike group is not far behind, sir. Both of our submarines have entered into battle positions and are waiting to strike.”


  “Battle positions? That’s too hasty! It’s not as if we have already begun the war against America.”


  “What should we do?”


  Vice-chairman Choi Ho-il, who had been listening to the conversation, asked a question to chairman Kang. “Comrade chairman! How about we just deliver the first blow and hit hard? It would be easier to face the enemy now rather than facing all of them at once after the 11th and 7th carrier strike groups join forces.”


  “That’s a dangerous statement, Vice-chairman Choi! America is not like any other enemy we have faced. They are on a different level compared to China or Japan.”


  “That is why I am suggesting attacking first. If we are going to start a war, why don’t we do it while we are at an advantage?”


  An aide came up chairman Kang and spoke quietly. “Sir! The Blue House is requesting for you and the vice-chairman to come for a meeting.”


  “The Blue House?”


  “Yes, sir. The Minister of National Defense has just left to head there as well.”


  “Okay. Lieutenant General Kim!”


  “Yes, Chairman Kang, sir!”


  “Tell the navy’s operations command to just be on the watch for the enemy’s movements and do not take any offensive actions. Based on the current state of things, we must not give the Americans an excuse to incite a war!”


  “Yes, sir.”


  Chairman Kang gave the order in a stern tone. He put on his coat and prepared to head to the Blue House.

  * * *

  February 13th, 2021, 17:00 (UST 04:00)

  A building in the suburb of Washington D.C. (the USSC’s villa)

  Despite it being late, the meeting room was brightly lit. Two people wearing black masks were sitting across each other on a table and talking.

  “They have truly failed?”


  “Yes, 18 Scorpion mercenaries have died, while 6 are severely injured.”


  “How did you let this happen? This holds the fate of our entire organization……,” Victoria, who was one of the people wearing the black mask, asked in anger after hearing about the failure. She leaned back on the chair.

  “I apologize, madam. We should have sent more mercenaries……”


  In truth, five Scorpion mercenaries would be more than enough for a single mission. The assassination of Prime Minister Abe only took four men, and it was a success. However, despite sending over 30 mercenaries, this mission was a failure. The best veterans who had boasted a 100% success rate had failed for the first time.

  “So, that means that Yagumachi Genzo is in Corea now?”


  “It seems he was captured by the Corean Intelligence agents……”


  Bang!

  Victoria slammed the table so hard with her fist, the sound rang across the entire room.

  “It’s only a matter of time before the Corean government finds out we are tied to the Pyeongyang terrorist attack!”


  Seven Star, the man who was in charge of the mission, was at a loss for words. Victoria, whose anger was hidden by the mask she was wearing, suddenly felt cold sweat dripping down her face. The fact that the USSC council, which had America and the world in its grasp for the past 60 years could be in jeopardy made her nervous.

  “Shall we deploy the Scorpion mercenaries to Corea?” Seven Star began to suggest any ideas that popped up in his head.

  Victoria angrily responded as if to scold him. “What good would deploying the mercenaries to Corea do right now? Are we going to assassinate every high ranking Corean bureaucrat in our grasp?”


  “If the need arises, shouldn’t we consider it?”


  The senseless remarks from Seven Star made Victoria stand up from her chair.

  “If the Corean government knows about our secret, then taking out just the government officials would not be enough. We must wipe the nation off the map.”


  “Does this mean war?”


  Victoria answered with a command instead. “Call for a council meeting of the USSC. Immediately!”