February 14th, 2021, 18:30,

  The deep seas N 30° 5′ E 130°22′ South of Yaku Island, Japan

  The Yang Se-bong (SSP-85) Hocula submarine had escaped the 7th carrier strike group’s chase after taking down two LA class nuclear submarines. It had sailed silently along the ocean and carefully tailed the 7th carrier strike group again.

  The Virginia class (Block II) tactical nuclear submarine, the New Hampshire (SSN-778), replaced the sunken LA class submarines and took the lead of the carrier strike group while looking out for enemy submarines.

  “We are 37km away from the 7th carrier strike group, and at a 12% chance of being detected by the enemy sonar.”


  When the sonar operator reported the collected intelligence, the operations director gave an order.

  “Report immediately when the chance of being detected by the enemy sonar increase up to 30%. The rest of you are to work in three two-hour shifts. The rest of the crew are to relieve themselves.”


  Since they were only to be tailing the enemy silently until they receive further orders from HQ, the operations director ordered the off-duty crew to rest. The off-duty crew started to move toward their bunks carefully.

  Captain Song Ki-young went to the command room and reported the current situation to the submarine’s captain, Lieutenant Colonel Kim Jin-jun. “Captain! We are at 12% threat of being detected by the enemy sonars. I ordered the crew to go into three shifts, each lasting two hours.”


  “Very well! Why don’t you take a break?”


  “I am fine, sir. Truly.”


  “No. You should take a break and let the first mate take over things at the battle station.”


  Major Na Kang-soo tapped the operations director on the shoulder, smiled, and walked toward the battle station.

  “Sir! I have a question. Are we chasing after the 7th carrier strike group to take down the Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier?” Captain Song Ki-young asked.

  Lieutenant Colonel Kim Jin-jun, who was watching his monitor, turned his head and answered, “Why? Are you afraid?”


  “I am a bit concerned, sir. I am not sure if a single submarine can take down an aircraft carrier and make it out safely.”


  “As soldiers, we are to conduct the mission even if our lives are on the line. Don’t worry, I’m sure HQ won’t give us such rash orders. If they did, they must have a trick up their sleeves, wouldn’t they?”


  * * *

  February 14th, 2021, 18:40

  Downton Hiroshima at Hiroshima prefecture, Honshu, Japan

  The occupation of Hiroshima, one of the key areas in Honshu, had begun. The joint chief of staff commanded the missile forces HQ and the Chungmugong Lee Sun-shin cruiser (CG-1101) stationed at the East Sea to strike Hiroshima.

  Hundreds of the

  surface-to-surface missiles and the Sky Dragon (SLCM) ship-to-surface missiles fell on Downton Hiroshima and covered the city in flames. The 39-story Hiroshima Central building standing tall at the center of the city was hit by a Sky Dragon (SLCM) missile on its side. The explosion shook the entire area and the high heat caused hundreds of glass windows to shatter and spray their pieces everywhere.

  The Sky Dragon (SLCM) missiles launched by the Chungmugong Lee Sun-shin cruiser and the surface-to-surface missiles launched by the artillery missile forces had directly hit the skyscrapers and major facilities within Hiroshima. The entire city looked like a furnace from the explosion and flames.

  Vrooooooo~

  The Sky Dragon missile that exploded on the 29th floor of the building caused the lower floors to vanish without a trace. The upper part of the building had lost its support and started to collapse on itself. A cloud of smoke and dust engulfed the area.

  The priority targets for the attack on Japan had been the military and industrial facilities. Civilian casualties were low compared to the frequency of the attacks made by Corea. However, when the war against America had started, the Corean joint chief of staff had abandoned its standard procedures and prioritized strategies that ensured victory.

  The 3rd mobile marine division (Fire Drake) that had just landed at the Hamada Port on Honshu attacked with their own 150 cruise missiles along with the Chungmugong Lee Sun-shin to hit Japan’s 12th and 13th mechanized infantry brigades’ anti-air forces and their main forces occupying Hiroshima.

  The police and firefighters had gathered around the collapsed building to seek survivors. However, when the Hiroshima Central Building had shown signs of collapse and causing nearby buildings to collapse as well, the police used their flashlights to guide the citizens to evacuate the area. The firefighters wearing gas masks and attempting to enter the building quickly backed away from the scene.

  Crash!

  The Main and New buildings next to the Hiroshima Central Building also lost their balance and collapsed, causing another dust cloud to appear. The gray cloud had engulfed the city and made it seem like there was a fog in the area.

  The Hiroshima Central Building and the Main and New buildings, which were the landmarks of Hiroshima, completely collapsed and disappeared in history. These buildings were designed to withstand an 8.0-magnitude earthquake, but the continued explosions from the cruise missiles had caused them and the building nearby to collapse. The debris from the buildings fell on the city roads, cars, and small shops, causing more fires. The dust cloud made some of the citizens grasp their throats and pass out from choking on the dust.

  * * *

  February 14th, 2021, 18:45

  The 261 road 11km North of Hiroshima, Honshu, Japan

  The cruise missile attacks and the explosions had made the city seem like a piece of canvas being blotted by red paint from the raging fire. The 3rd marine mobile division’s 12th mechanized infantry brigade and its subordinate battalions had finished preparing for their match and now waiting for the brigade commander’s orders 10km North of Hiroshima.

  “Commander! HQ says they will stop the missile attacks at 19:00, sir.”


  The communications operator reported to the brigade’s commander Brigadier General Lee Tae-sung who was watching the scene through the reconnaissance drone.

  The general checked his watch and spoke while straightening his shoulders, “19:00? There are only a few minutes left! Why don’t we get moving? Get all the battalion commanders on the line.”


  Beep beep beep.

  “Commander! We are online.”
-

  Sir! It’s Lieutenant Colonel Shin Hyuck-dong, the commander of the 51st battalion-

  Sir! It’s Lieutenant Colonel Nam Sang-ho, the commander of the 52nd battalion-

  Sir! It’s Lieutenant Colonel Gil Min-sung, the commander of the 53rd battalion.

  “We will now begin the march on Hiroshima at 19:00. The 51st armored battalion will break through their central defenses and the remaining battalions will split into two groups to take over the major facilities. Any questions?”
-

  Commander! I am worried about civilian casualties while conducting our mission, sir.

  “It doesn’t matter. From this point on, we put the safety of our own forces as a priority over civilian casualties. This is from the joint chief of staff, so make sure to engage in the offensive.”
-

  Yes, sir.

  “One more thing. The roads and buildings will be damaged from the missile strikes. So, make sure to be cautious while marching into the city. We move with the 51st Battalion on the lead.”


  When each battalion finished communicating with each other, they moved along the road at 19:00. The 51st battalion’s C-3 White Tiger tanks, which was in charge of breaking through the enemy’s defenses, moved into a two-line horizontal formation when they reached the four-lane road. After getting into position, the tanks pointed their cannons to their sides and sped up.

  * * *

  February 14th, 2021, 19:30

  The Shin-Yokoda underground bunker at Chiba prefecture, Honshu, Japan

  The Japanese prime minister’s cabinet and the joint military command had officially entered into the war against Corea with America as their ally and moved into the Shin-Yokoda underground bunker. Also, after America officially entered the war, Deputy Prime Minister Aso Taro gave a national address.

  The address spoke about how Corea was disrupting the world peace and had illegally waged war against the nation. Therefore, Japan would ally with America to protect world peace and fight to keep it. He also urged the citizens of Japan to actively follow the emergency draft as well.

  However, the citizens of Japan were not that welcoming towards the national address, excluding the alt-right groups. Japan had had most of its economic facilities destroyed, and the headquarters of the corporations involved in war crimes had been destroyed. Many citizens could not enter the buildings and lost their jobs. The citizens of Japan were preoccupied with obtaining necessities and food.

  After America officially declared war against Corea, the U.S. armed forces in Japan and the Japanese joint military command held the first strategy meeting at the Shin-Yokoda bunker. Deputy Prime Minister Aso Taro and many other government bureaucrats were in attendance.

  First, the joint military command’s Operations Director Yamada Tetsuto started the briefing with a summary of the battles occurring in Japan.

  “The 8th armored division’s 43rd armored regiment in charge of defending Kyushu has been eliminated at the battle of Saga. The armored regiment had attempted to ambush the Corean Marine fording the Chikugo River with the U.S. Navy’s jets under the 7th carrier strike force, but they failed. Our army had also attempted to take back downtown Saga with the U.S. Marine’s aid, but we also failed in retaking the city.”


  “How large were the Corean Marine forces?” The navy’s commander Murakawa asked.

  “The forces on land were the size of a battalion, and they had 16 attack choppers in the air. Also, 12 fighter jets were deployed from mainland Corea.”


  “Our 2 tank battalions, 1 flight wing, and 16 U.S navy jets were taken out by such a measly force?” Commander Murakawa spoke as if to scold the operations director.

  The army’s commander Takitayo Ochiro glared at him and answered the question instead of Operations Director Tetsuto. “Commander! How dare you speak about this defeat? All you have done is waste dozens of naval vessels. Do you have any sense of shame?”


  “What? Waste?”


  “Silence! What are you doing?” Minister Shibasaki raised his hand and calmed the two generals. “How could you act this way at the Japan-America joint military meeting?”


  “I am sorry. sir.”


  “I was insolent. Sorry, sir.”


  The two military commanders stood up from their seats and bowed politely.

  “That’s enough, sit down. Director Yamada, please continue the briefing.”


  “It seems the leading and following forces that have forded the Chikugo River are the size of a brigade. They are currently moving towards the Omuta area.”


  “Are you saying the Corean Marines are targeting Omuta next?”


  “According to our scouts, yes.”


  “Very well. Please continue.”


  “Up next, is the battle at Hiroshima. The Corean military launched 150 rounds of supersonic cruise missiles at Hiroshima within an hour. They have ravaged the civilian buildings and military facilities. It seems that they will annihilate the area once the landed marine forces finish mobilizing to the area.” The operations director continued his explanation based on the intelligence they got in real-time.

  “What have our anti-air forces been doing? They let Hiroshima get overrun.”


  Deputy Prime Minister Aso Taro had bags under his eyes that almost reached his cheeks. His cheeks were also shaking from stress. Ever since Prime Minister Abe was assassinated, all the responsibilities had been his, and the weight was crushing his shoulders. The stress was getting to him. He wanted to resign from his position and run away to a foreign country. However, he did not have the courage to do so due to his sheepish nature.

  “The anti-air net across our nation has been broken a long time ago. The operable anti-air forces have been moved to Tokyo, and they are focusing on defending its skies. Deputy prime minister, sir! It seems defending Kyushu will be difficult in this situation. I would advise moving our remaining forces to Honshu and focus on defending it instead.”


  Deputy Prime Minister Aso Taro turned around when he heard Director Yamada Tetsuto’s report. He showed obvious signs of being flustered and glanced at the Minister of Defense Shibasaki. Minister Shibasaki glanced at Lieutenant General Bruce Wright, commander of the U.S. armed forces in Japan, and spoke. “Commander Wright! When will the U.S. military start attacking the Corean peninsula?”


  Commander Bruce Wright couldn’t easily answer and stayed silent. Deputy Prime Minister Aso Taro urged him again.

  “Our entire nation is being pillaged by the Coreans. Shouldn’t America attack mainland Corea, so that Japan can have time to regroup and retaliate?”


  When Minister Shibasaki’s tone became sharper, Lieutenant General Bruce Wright put down his coffee and answered. “The assault on Corea will begin once the 3rd fleet sailing west from the Pacific arrives. They will probably arrive at Yokosuka Port in two days. The 3rd fleet has 50,000 U.S. marines aboard. Once they reach port, the marines will be deployed to defend Tokyo and the capital, and fix the inoperable anti-air net. Also, once the 11th and 7th carrier strike groups rendezvous, they will start their attack starting with Jeju Island. Director James will give you the details.”


  As soon as Commander Bruce Wright finished speaking, Brigadier General James, the Operations Director, stood up from his seat and went up to the podium.

  “The strategies I am reporting is the first draft, so please keep in mind that there can be changes in the future.”