November 26th, 2023, 6:30p.m.

  25° 42′ 18.76″ N 133° 31′ 28.04″ E (Knyaz Oleg [K-553])

  In less than two minutes and as soon as the R-30 (RSM-56) Bulaba (Nato name: SS-NX-30) launched from the last launch tube and soared to the surface of the water, the sonar’s alarm went off in the sonar room.

  “Argh! At 1-7-5 azimuth, distance 5,300, object estimated to be a torpedo and it is approaching very quickly!”


  “Torpedo? What are you talking about?”


  Sonar operator, Vitaly Denisov, the head of the Sonar Room, placed the sonar’s headset on. Not long later, he was able to identify the noise he had heard through the headset. He confirmed his suspicions by checking the wavelength analysis information on the sonar’s console, then ran to the CIC (Combat Information Room).

  “Captain! We must go underwater immediately. An object, presumed to be a torpedo, is at a distance of 5,500 meters away from us and it is approaching fast.”


  In response to the sudden report, the crew members of the CIC froze.

  “What do you mean torpedo? Nothing was detected within a ten-kilometer radius”


  “Yes, that’s right.”


  “Oh my goodness. How long will it be before it reaches us?”


  “In about 20 seconds.”


  “Are you insane? You said it’s 5 kilometers away, but you are saying it’ll only take 20 seconds to get here? Even if it were a supercavitating torpedo, it doesn’t make sense!”


  “That’s the truth. We must go underwater immediately.”


  At this moment, the worst report came from the sonar room.

  “Tor…torpedo! Ten seconds to reach!”


  “It’s an emergency dive. Maximum dive angle! Output Max!”


  “Arms operator! Four VIST-2s1 shots!”


  VIST-2: A small hydroacoustic countermeasure device developed recently in Russia and mounted on a nuclear-powered submarine. It outperforms the existing self-propelled nixina or decoy, which disrupts the target detection system of torpedoes launched by enemy submarines or completely paralyzes the sonar. It is a deception device that has advanced far beyond its level.

  Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, Captain Maxim Shatskih issued an emergency submergence order to avoid the torpedo. As a result, the upper deck’s roof doors were closed all at once, and the Knyaz Oleg (K-553), with a displacement of 24,000 tons and a total length of 170 meters, began to fill its four ballast tanks with seawater.

  In addition, four VIST-2s were ejected from the two dispensers one after the other, submerging in all directions and emitting a powerful underwater disturbance.

  “Submerge.”


  The captain increased the engine’s power to its maximum and pulled the start lever all the way up.

  The submarine became heavier as the ballast tank filled with seawater, and when the large screw rotated at its maximum output, the Knyaz Oleg (K-553) submerged as if being sucked in at an inclination of nearly 45 degrees.

  However, the speed of the approaching unidentified torpedo was so rapid that it was unlikely that they could avoid it. Furthermore, it was unclear whether VIST-2, which was being used for the first time, would perform as expected.

  “Five seconds to get here! Distance 980! 4 seconds. Argh!”


  The sonar operator screamed and threw off his headset while reporting the arrival time. The sound of the super-joint torpedo running through his headset made him feel like the Grim Reaper was chasing him.

  The torpedo that was approaching at a terrifying speed toward the Knyaz Oleg ship (K-553) was the S-SSSFM-500B Trident missile torpedo launched by Sukjong the Great (DDG-1005).

  The S-SSSFM-500B Trident super-cavity missile torpedo, which flew at Mach three, penetrated the water at a point, five kilometers away from the target and immediately switched to submergence mode, creating a super cavity that allowed it to reach speeds of up to 660 knots.

  All of the submarine crew, who were trembling in fear while holding on to a fixed object, cried or closed their eyes as they became more terrified due to the screams in the sonar room.

  Coo! Crack! Crack!

  Because of the massive explosion, the Knyaz Oleg (K-553) was engulfed in a massive underwater tornado and began to shake violently. As a result, the crew members were thrown in all directions.

  Cying! Cooak! Crack! Crack!

  Strange noises and the sounds of the external armor breaking could be heard from all corners of the submarine. Despite this, Knyaz Oleg (K-553) continued to submerge into the deep sea.

  “What is that? Did we avoid it?”


  After some time had passed and the interior of the submarine had quieted down, the crew members who were on the floor, sat up one after another and looked at the others around, unsure whether it was a dream or reality.

  At that moment, someone raised both of his hands and shouted.

  “I survived. Hurray!”


  The crew’s cheers erupted everywhere.

  Captain Maxim Shatskih, who had been thrown to one corner of the CIC, awoke as well, thanks to the help of his subordinates.

  “What happened?”


  Captain Maxim Shatskih struggled to sit in his chair, wiped the blood from his face with his sleeves, and asked the tactical controller, Yasur Hassanov.

  “It seems that it lost its target due to interference from VIST-2 and exploded on its own.”


  “That’s extremely lucky. Check the damage status of each department.”


  “Yes, I will.”


  As the captain said, it was luck.

  The S-SSSFM-500B Trident Ultra-Joint Missile Torpedo exploded about 200m away when it lost its target due to the disturbance caused by VIST-2, which was injected just before colliding with the Knyaz Oleg (K-553).

  Even though the large nuclear submarine Knyaz Oleg (K-553) had some external armor damage, and a strong tornado underwater storm wave was raging, it was able to submerge without any problems.

  Unfortunately, their good luck didn’t last very long.

  A new super-joint torpedo was approaching from 38 kilometers away at a speed of 660 knots in the deep sea. The new torpedo was the black shark B super-joint multi-tan torpedo, which was launched by the Dosan An Chang-ho (SSP-089).

  Each department was reporting on the damage status to the CIC of the Knyaz Oleg (K-553), which was stable once again.

  “This is the engine room. There are abnormalities in the reactor and the power transmission engine. That’s it!”


  “This is the armed forces room. All the six torpedo launch tubes are not damaged and the 20 upper deck launch tubes are also intact. That’s it!”


  “This is the hull management office. The outer walls of the port and rear ballast tanks have been damaged, resulting in a loss of function. Even though we took emergency measures, it still needs to be repaired. There are only two remaining ballast tanks. That’s all!”


  “This is the sonar room. Active and passive sonar’s systems are both abnormal…Huh?”


  While reporting the damage, the sonar operator in the sonar room abruptly stopped speaking. In response, the tactical controller nervously asked back.

  “Vitaly! What? What are you doing instead of finishing your report?”


  “Sorry. I’m sorry. Wait a minute…Oh! A new torpedo has appeared! A new torpedo has appeared! The distance is 25,400, and the torpedo is estimated to be super-joint! Its speed is over 600 knots. 74 seconds to reach its target!”


  Sonar operator, Vitaly Denisov, who was reporting the damage status, reported to the tactical controller through the communication network that a new torpedo had been detected.

  “A new torpedo? Are you sure?”


  “Yes, I’m sure. And it’s extremely fast.”


  “Okay. Please relay the information to the combat controller room.”


  “Okay.”


  “Report on the damage status of all departments have been temporarily suspended.”


  After completing the communication, the tactical controller, Yasur Hassanov motioned that the captain should join him. Captain Maxim Shatskih was receiving treatment for his head injury in the infirmary at that time.

  After a while, Captain Maxim Shatskih ran in with his head in a white bandage.

  “You’re not giving me a break, you punks.”


  With a gasp, the captain entered the CIC and looked at the large screen. Based on the information sent from the sonar room, the location of the submarine and a newly emerging torpedo were marked.

  “The distance is 19,800! 58 seconds to reach!”


  “Do Koreans only use supercavitating torpedoes? Damn! Anyway, we have plenty of time to solve this. Load heavy torpedoes to launch tubes one and two, and get ready to inject four VIST-2!”


  Captain Maxim Shatskih, who had briefly complained, calmly ordered.

  “Yes. Loading heavy torpedoes in the launch tubes one and two and preparing to fire four VIST-2s!”


  “Port with 3-4-5 azimuth! Change the submerge angle to 20 and keep the output as it is.”


  “Porting with 3-4-5 azimuth! The submerge angle is 20! The output remains the same.”


  The Knyaz Oleg (K-553) remained perfectly aligned. In addition, the two launch tubes were loaded with 633mm VA-111 Schyk-valley supercavitating torpedoes. The VIST-2, which had a great effect previously, were also ready for injection.

  In fact, the Knyaz Oleg (K-553) was the latest submarine launched in 2021 and it was a Borei-class 955A IV, not the existing Borei-class 955A III. Despite having the same basic specifications and performance as the previous model, the torpedo was replaced with a 633mm schick-footed joint torpedo, and two additional launch tubes were also installed at the rear.

  “Torpedoes one and two have been loaded!”


  The captain ordered the launch based on the officer’s report.

  “Launch torpedo number one! Launch torpedo number two as well in case of any failure.”


  Following that, a pair of Schikbal supercavitating torpedoes were launched from the launch tubes. The torpedoes were moving at speeds of up to 200 knots. Also, four VIST-2s were ejected from the two dispensers in quick succession.

  Even if the Schikbal supercavitating torpedoes failed to intercept, the VIST-2, which had previously demonstrated excellent performance, could also be relied upon.

  Both countries’ super-joint torpedoes approached each other quickly deep in the sea. After a while, a report from the sonar room stated that a massive explosion had occurred.

  As a result, the crew of the CIC (Combat Information Room) and the sonar room continued to cheer. However, their cheers only lasted a few seconds.

  The Schikbal supercavitating torpedo, which was launched from the first launch tube, clearly intercepted the Korean Torpedo. What they didn’t realize was that the Dosan Ahn Chang-ho (SSP-089) launched not one, but two black shark B super-joints.

  Since the two torpedoes were traveling at the same time at a close distance, the Knyaz Oleg (K-553) was unable to detect both torpedoes.

  Captain Maxim Shatskih, who had received the sonar room’s report, realized this and ordered a second torpedo launch.

  Tuang!

  The Schikbal supercavity torpedo, launched from the second launch tube, self-propelled toward the Black Shark B Cho Joint Torpedo.

  “12 seconds, 11 seconds… 5 seconds, 4 seconds, 3 seconds, 2 seconds, 1 second, collision!”


  Boo!

  As the sonar room was about to report that the interception had been confirmed, the two sonar detectors and the sonar inspector looked at each other with puzzled expressions, as if they couldn’t figure out what had happened.

  “Did the interception work? Why aren’t you reporting it?”


  As the tactical intelligence officer continued to chide the sonar officer through the communication network, the sonar detector who was almost in tears, replied.

  “The interception was confirmed, but another eight torpedoes are heading toward us.”


  “How far away are they and when will it reach us?”


  “It…The distance is 3,720, and 11 seconds before it reaches us!”


  “What does that mean? 11 seconds?”


  Just before colliding with the Schikbal supercavitating torpedo, the Black Shark B torpedo’s pairing was separated, and eight small coal torpedoes which were inside rotated clockwise and popped out. What that means is that only the shell of the Black Shark B torpedo, from which the small-sized coal torpedo escaped, exploded when it collided with the Schikbal supercavitating torpedo.

  Captain Maxim Shatskih, who had been calm while being in charge so far, quietly closed his eyes as the unexpected situation unfolded, hoping that the VIST-2 would save them once more.

  Despite the captain’s wishes, only two of the eight small self-propelled torpedoes were deceived by VIST-2 and exploded, while the remaining six collided with the Knyaz Oleg (K-553).

  Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

  Despite each submunition torpedo being small and weak, being detonated at the same time caused such an explosive force that it broke the outer armor of the Knyaz Oleg (K-553), and the shock wave that wrapped around the fuselage mercilessly blew up the crew members in the room.

  The entire submarine was fortunately protected due to the triple outer wall and multiple bulkhead systems, but the weight of the submarine increased dramatically as seawater was sucked into the damaged area of the outer wall.

  To make matters worse, two of the submarine’s ballast tanks were damaged during the first torpedo attack, reducing the submarine’s buoyancy significantly. As a result, although there were crew members who had survived, the Knyaz Oleg (K-553) gradually sank to the bottom of the deep sea after losing its ability to submerge itself……