February 13th, 2021, 18:50

  The deep sea, N 30° 4′ E 131° 5′ south of Tanega Island, Kyushu, Japan (The Yang Se-bong (SSP-85)’s location)

  “Both nuclear subs have been hit!” The sonar operator raised both of his hands and shouted confidently. The Mk 48 torpedo headed towards the Yang Se-bong (SSP-85) exploded in its tracks after losing reception.

  “All 4 enemy torpedoes headed towards us have exploded, sir.”


  “Both submarines? Are you sure?”


  “Yes, sir. It was a direct hit.”


  The sonar operator, who finally could relax, wiped the sweat from his brow with his sleeve. Sergeant Kim Gwang-kyun, grasped the headset to his ear and begin to close in on a certain sound.

  “Hey!”


  “What is it?”


  “Sergeant Kim, sir, put on the headset. It sounds like it’s the Lee Un-hyung.”


  “Are you sure?”


  Sergeant first class Kim Hyung-min put on the headset and focused on the sounds coming through the headset.

  “Hey! What the……?”


  The operating sounds of the Lee Un-hyung (SSP-86) that the crew had thought to have sunk was clearly coming through the headset. Sergeant first class Kim Hyung-min’s eyes were about to bulge out from his sockets.

  “It really is them.”


  When Sergeant first class Kim Hyung-min manipulated the console at lightning speeds, the monitor for the sonar showed the 3D outline of the Lee Un-hyung (SSP-86).

  The outer plating was slightly damaged, but the submarine was in fair shape overall. Also, it was maintaining its depth without sinking.

  “It’s alive, they’re alive! Ha ha ha.” Sergeant first class Kim Hyung-min hugged sergeant Kim Gwang-kyun while shouting.

  “What’s with the commotion?” The sonar director came up to them while frowning.

  “Apologies, sir. I forgot to report in out of joy.”


  “So, what is it?”


  “The Lee Un-hyung, sir! They are alive and still sailing.”


  “Are you certain?”


  “Yes, look at the monitor, sir.”


  The Mk 48 torpedo’s bubble jets that had gone off 20m below the Lee Un-hyung (SSP-86) had engulfed the entire submarine in bubbles. The shockwave, pressure, and buoyancy had struck the entire body of the Lee Un-hyung (SSP-86), but the hydronium alloy plating had only been slightly damaged. The ACS (Anti-gravity Control System) installed between the plating had also acted as cushioning and the crew had only felt a slight shock but were unharmed. The bubble jet had temporarily cut off communication with the outside, along with sonar detection.

  February 13th, 2021, 19:00

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

  When the submarine battle between Corea and America that would shock the world had begun, Chairman Kang Ui-sik who had returned from the Blue House, and the military commanders started to plan for the secondary retaliation.

  The first course of action had already been planned, but this was only set as the minimum defensive measures if the worst came to be. However, the situation had called for a more active offensive approach, so details of the plan had to be set once again.

  After the meeting was over, the operations aide-de-camp had reported in about the two American LA class nuclear submarines being struck down. The atmosphere of the meeting room was very encouraging.

  “We must send additional forces to land on Japan, sir.”


  The current war’s progression was very ironic. In 1950, America, Soviet Russia, and China had used Korea as their stage to wage war and boast their military power. However, after 70 years had passed, the power of Corea was pressing down on the two major military powers of the world: America and China. Now, the nation was about to use its power on Japan.

  While this was going on, the Corean military had sent the 2nd marine division (Blue Dragon), the 3rd marine mobile division (Fire Drake), and the 6th marine brigade (Black Dragon) which totaled up to 25,000 men to Japan. Also, there were 50,000 special forces men faithfully conducting their mission of bringing back cultural artifacts and attacking the Japanese military.

  Based on numbers alone, there were about 80,000 soldiers in Japan, but without the 50,000 special forces that had not been trained for formal battles, there were only 25,000 marines fit for battle.

  The Japanese military’s army had been struck by numerous missile-strikes and air raids, and they had already been defeated twice. However, there were still 18,000 surviving troops and more were to come from their emergency draft. Also, the U.S military stationed in Japan were all equipped with the latest equipment and had 13,000 men. It was no measly force that could be ignored.

  Combining the Japanese army and the U.S military stationed in Japan, there were about 31,000 men ready for action. 25,000 marines were not enough to face them head-on. Therefore, General Lee Un-hyung, the commander of the military, suggested deploying more troops from the army to Japan.

  “I also agree that we need to deploy more troops as General Lee has suggested. I would like to discuss that more with Lieutenant General Na and come to a conclusion as soon as possible.”


  “Yes, sir.”


  Chairman Kang Ui-sik stood up from his seat and glanced at the 50 military commanders who were in attendance. After taking a moment, he began to speak quietly. “Soldiers of the Corean military! As we have just heard, the war against America has just begun. Whether America attacked first or not, we have crossed a bridge that we can’t return. We are soldiers. We must protect our nation and citizens.

  We could see our nation as David while America is Goliath. But who won in the end? David won. Corea will be like David that won against Goliath, therefore we will name the war against America as ‘David and Goliath.’ I would like all of you to do your best, so that our war may end up like the legend.”


  Lieutenant General Youn Ki-yoon, the commander of the 620th artillery corps, quietly asked Lieutenant General Ahn Gil-won, the intelligence director while covering his mouth with his hand, “So, what’s the whole David and Goliath thing that comrade chairman is talking about?”


  “They are the characters from the Israel holy scriptures. David was a small but clever sheep herding boy, while Goliath was a large warrior. When they fought each other, David won.”


  “So, the chairman is saying that our nation may be small but clever like David while America is like Goliath the giant. Is that right?”


  “Haha, yes, you are right.”


  “That’s a story that catches my interest.”


  While the two generals were quietly conversing with each other, Chairman Kang Ui-sik sat down on his seat, and Operations Director Lieutenant General Na Tae-yoon came up to the podium.

  “Before we get to the details of our meeting, I would like to briefly report about our weaponry. The vessel has not been officially been deployed yet, but it does play a large role in our plans for our operations. Therefore, I would like to inform everyone about the equipment first.”


  When Lieutenant General Na Tae-yoon finished speaking, the large screen in the briefing room lit up. Then, a large submarine that seemed to be from a Sci-Fi series showed up on the screen.

  “The submarine you are looking at is the next-generation submarine named the Super Hocula tactical submarine. It has a load displacement of 23,530 tons and is the second-largest submarine only outclassed by Russia’s Typhoon class submarine.

  However, its functionality is far superior. This vessel is at least two generations ahead of the latest submarines from America and Russia, thanks to the newly applied technology we have developed.”


  While Lieutenant General Na Tae-yoon continued with his briefing, the specifications for the Super Hocula submarine and its functions showed up on the screen.

  Floating displacement: 19,600 tons

  Load displacement: 23,550 tons

  Length: 220.5m

  Width: 18.5m

  Waterline: 9m

  Power source: 4 Plasma super protonic Mod-E engines

  Engine output: 510,000 horsepower

  Speed: over 60 knots

  Diving depth: 1,850m

  Crew: 120 men

  Arms:

  • 100mm Scithe K-2 double barrel cannons, range 250km (high cluster plasma rounds)

  • Sky Sea Dragon missiles (GTAS-300 ship-to-air missiles), range 420km, Mach 10 x 60

  • Black Shark torpedoes (483mm K-746 submarine-to-submarine/ ship super cavitating multiple-round torpedoes: 120) 8 torpedo launch tubes, 4 at the tail and 2 on each side

  • Avarice-II (SSM-1200K submarine-to-submarine hypersonic cruise missiles), range 450km, Mach 8 x 80

  • The Sky Dragon A missile (submarine-to-surface SSGN missiles), range 1500km, Mach 3.5 x 200

  • SD-SLBN Gungnir-II (submarine-to-surface missiles), range 15,000km, Mach 45 x 80

  Sonar: Hypersonic IUSW-B.L. 02 sonar type radar

  “Five thousand researchers and technicians are working day and night at two top-security docks to put the finishing touches on the Super Hocula submarine, and the vessels are scheduled to be launched within this week. Also, the 240 crewmen that are to board the submarine have already been training via a simulation for a year, so they can begin their operation as soon as the vessels are deployed.”


  The screen split in two, and footage of the crew training with the simulation equipment showed up on the right side.

  “The Super Hocula submarines are to be deployed to the battlefield with its launch. The first submarine has been named and numbered the Lee Hui-hyung (SSP-091) while the second as the Choi Joon (SSP-092).”


  Excluding a few of the commanders from the joint chief of staff and navy commanders, the military commanders attending the meeting were all staring at the screen with their mouths open. The submarine was equipped with unimaginable technology with a length of 200m.

  The arms and the power the submarine had was another factor that surprised everyone. One Super Hocula submarine could be more than enough to wipe an entire nation off the map with its 200 rounds of Sky Dragon A hypersonic cruise missiles, and the 80 rounds of the SD-SLBN Gungnir-II ICBMs.

  Finally, the submarine was capable of facing off against submarines, ships, and even aircrafts, making it something that could fight off against any enemy. While sailing, the submarine was capable of fighting against other submarines by using the latest Black Shark torpedoes and at a depth of 100, it could launch its Avarice II supersonic cruise missiles to attack ships.

  Also, while floating on the surface, the submarine was capable of using the 100mm Scithe K-2 double barrel cannons like the Chungmugong Lee Sun-shin (CG-1101) and could intercept aircrafts and high-altitude ballistic missiles with the Sky Sea Dragon missiles. The Super Hocula submarine was able to attack and defend itself against any enemy from any location.

  While the explanation about the submarine continued for about 10 minutes, the generals could not hold back their surprise and began to shout in glee. Also, numerous questions followed the presentation.

  A weapon such as this will obviously dominate the battlefield for the war between Corea and America and create a huge impact. It was something that could change the outcome of the war.

  When the briefing about the Super Hocula submarine was over, the military commanders gave a standing ovation.

  “Since we are now done presenting the information about the Super Hocula submarines, we will now begin the meeting to establish plans for our operations.”


  The meeting was over in the late evening after setting the details from their first plan. There were a few noticeable operations from those that were made. One of them was using the Super Hocula submarine to attack mainland America.

  America had been subjected to terrorist attacks after its independence, but it has never had its mainland attacked before. If it was, then the fear and shock its citizens would receive would be tremendous.

  To win the war against America and end it quickly, Corea had chosen to attack America’s mainland. However, the Pentagon would never in a million years predict Corea would attack them at home.