21st century Goguryeo

Chapter 214

February 9th, 2021, 02:00

Jeonnam, Goheung-si, the Naro Space Center

At 2:00 am, the Naro Space Center launched the Woori-Naro 5 rocket into the sky with the CS-AD Zeus 2 and 3 satellites as its cargo. The rocket had been launched late at night to avoid detection from the enemy. Also, the Woori-Naro 5 rocket was equipped with the super electronic countermeasure devices to prevent detection from enemy radars.

The first reason was to avoid the rocket launch being mistaken for a ballistic attack by Japan and Russia which could cause them to retaliate. The second reason was to stealthily move the satellites after Japan and America’s military satellites have been struck down.

The final reason was to apply and test the next-generation technology to the ballistic missiles so that they could not be detected by the Aegis destroyers, early warning planes, and X-bander radars on the ground.

The Woori-Naro rocket had shot up into the sky at a speed of 30km per second. After a few minutes, the 1st engine detached from the body, and the 2nd engine fired up. The rocket flew at a diagonal angle and arrived at its target orbit. A moment later, the 2nd engine’s top pairing opened up to release the Zeus 2 and 3 satellites in order.

The Naro Space Station’s mission control reported the successful launch to the Blue House and other high-ranking government offices. The CC bunker in Yongsan had also communicated with the Zeus 2 and 3 satellites, and when the final maneuverability tests have all been passed, the satellites all activated their Transparent Cloaking System (TCS) and hid from sight.

With this, Corea’s CAMD (Corea Air and Missile Defense) capabilities had been elevated in launching and intercepting missiles.

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February 9th, 2021, 10:00

The Toneri Park at Yadaguchi prefecture, Tokyo, Japan

The Toneri Park was built in 1940, and its construction had been planned to celebrate the 2600th anniversary of Japan’s foundation. Most of the park’s original grounds had been used as farmlands after the second world war. However, in 1977, the Showa emperor had inherited the area for the anniversary of his 50th-year reign. Renovation of the park had started by 1981. The park was renovated consistently since then and became a green resting place for many citizens. However, the recent air-strikes had filled the park with craters and half-burnt trees. The gruesome scene seemed to reflect the coldness of late winter.

In the park that was full of grim atmosphere, a group of non-Japanese Asian men was taking a stroll. A man wearing a black beanie carried a camera with a telephoto lens and took pictures of the area. At times, he would point the camera towards the 10-story building at the seven o’clock direction instead of the scenery at the park. The building was the secret building for the prime minister’s cabinet, and where Prime Minister Abe would access the bunker to take care of government business.

Also, at the center of the park, men wearing leather jackets and sunglasses were walking around and acting suspiciously.

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February 9th, 2021, 10:00

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

The Joint Chief of Staff had been resting for the three days of ceasefire, but now the break had been extended for another week. The news about the Zeus 2 and 3 satellites reaching the target orbit successfully and being fully operational had brightened the atmosphere of the Joint Chief of Staff.

When Corea would have to face open war against Russia, the greatest obstacle it would face would be the ballistic nuclear missiles. However, the three operational Zeus satellites have made the issue non-existent. The Joint Chief of Staff had lessened its burden and now could focus on strategizing for the war offensively rather than preparing its defenses for the Northern states.

Meanwhile, the Apollo satellite’s intel had confirmed that the American pacific fleet has begun to mobilize for war. The Joint Chief of Staff began to carefully tail the movements of the 3rd fleet’s carrier strike group.

The Apollo 3 satellite carefully watched the San Diego carrier with its TCS cloaking system activated. It also confirmed that the 1st carrier strike group’s Nimitz class carrier the Carl Vinson (CVN-70), the Lake Champlain (CG-57) Aegis cruiser, the Wayne E. Meyer (DDG-108) Aegis destroyer, the Michael Murphy (DDG-112), and a dozen other vessels in the fleet carrying supplies and weaponry in preparation to set sail. The Apollo 3 satellite used its photopic lens to record footage and moved towards Hawaii.

Numerous men and vehicles were busily moving supplies and ammunition to the dozens of submarines, ships, and aircraft carriers under the 3rd and 9th carrier strike group at the U.S naval base at the western part of Oahu Island at Hawaii.

The two carrier strike groups would be more than enough to overpower an entire nation’s navy. Each strike group had aircraft carriers, Aegis cruisers, destroyers alongside anti-air destroyers. There were also numerous supply ships that would allow fleets to continue their operations. Additionally, LA and Virginia class (Block I, II) nuclear submarines, considered to be the greatest in the world, accompanied them.

Finally, the Apollo 2 satellite sent in footage of the 11th carrier strike group’s next-generation aircraft carrier, the Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) and its 23rd destroyer fleet’s cruiser, five destroyers, two anti-air destroyers, and two stealth destroyers sailing north. Also, the 15th submarine fleet’s LA class submarines and Ohio class submarines escorted the 11th carrier strike group and sailed along with them.

The four carrier strike groups under the 3rd fleet, which could easily overpower a nation’s navy and air force, had mobilized and moved swiftly to fulfill their mission.

The Joint Chief of Staff showed each footage by order to the attendees in the briefing.

“Looking at the actual footage, those Americans do have a powerful navy! It’s also not just a small part of their navy, is it?” Vice-chairman Choi Ho-il shook his head and spoke in awe.

“That is correct. Those three fleets are no measly threat.”

General Na Hyung-hwan, who was sitting next to the vice-chairman, answered.

“Up next, is the reconnaissance footage of the 7th maritime flotilla that could face off against the American aircraft carriers and destroyers,” Lieutenant General Kim Yong-hyun, the operations director, spoke into the microphone.

The 7th fleet under America’s pacific fleet had the Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier (CVN-76) and the Zumwalt class stealth Aegis destroyers that the Japanese navy had borrowed. It also had the two Aegis cruisers, three Aegis destroyers, and three nuclear submarines. Numerous supply ships from Yokosuka Port also set sail to aid them in their mission while being escorted by submarines and escorting ships.

The footage was crystal clear thanks to the Apollo 1 satellite’s precision photopic lens. The Joint Chief of Staff focused on following the movements of the entire pacific fleet.

When the footage from the Apollo 1 and 3 satellites finished playing, Lieutenant General Kim Yong-hyun continued to speak. “We will now begin the briefing to inspect the response of our navy if the pacific fleet enters into the war.”

The screen switched to show a digital map of Northeast Asia.

“The red lines on the screen are the expected routes the American pacific fleet’s carrier groups would take.”

The 7th carrier strike group under the 7th fleet and the 11th carrier strike group under the 3rd fleet were to rendezvous at the southern sea near Kyushu, then sail towards Jeju Island from the west.

“Lieutenant General Kim! Couldn’t the 7th carrier strike group move to our Southeastern region through the Shimonoseki Strait?” Chairman Kang Ui-sik raised his hand and asked a question.

“We have discussed that topic with the operations directors of the naval command headquarters. If numerous aircraft carriers and dozen vessels were to move through the Shimonoseki Strait at once, then their defenses could be compromised and cause them to be vulnerable. Therefore, we have left out the possibility that the American fleet would move through the area, sir.”

“That seems possible, please continue.”

“Up next is the defensive tactics we have set against the 7th and 11th carrier strike group that’s headed towards Jeju Island. Our 7th maritime flotilla and 2nd fleet will defend the area, while two Hocula class submarines and six 214 type submarines will defend the area. Also, we will place the 25th fighter wing, two Black Phoenix bomber battalions, and two Phoenix fighter jet battalions at the Seogwipo International Airport that is being repaired. Also, we are increasing the size of the SSM-700K Haesung 3A missile forces from a battalion to a brigade, and they have finished positioning themselves for battle.”

“You have turned Jeju Island into a large-scale aircraft carrier! That’s a brilliant plan! Ha ha ha.”

“Thank you, sir. Up next is the intelligence about the 1st, 3rd, and 9th carrier strike group sailing from Pearl Harbor and San Diego Harbor.”

Lieutenant General Kim Yong-hyun pointed to the digital map with a laser pointer and continued his briefing.

“The 3rd fleet’s three carrier strike groups are not sailing directly to Corea, but rather three Southeastern regions of Japan. It seems they are planning to defend Japan’s skies and aid in the airstrikes of our nation.”

Lieutenant General Kim Yong-hyun pointed to the digital map’s areas that each carrier strike group would dock at.

“If that is the case, how will we respond against the three carrier strike groups? If we leave them be, then they will be a big thorn on our side, wouldn’t they?”

“Unfortunately, 40% of our navy’s forces have been damaged or lost, so a direct engagement with them seems difficult. However, we are planning to use five Hocula submarines and type 214 submarines to operate guerilla missions.”

“Why is the Chungmugong Lee Sun-shin cruiser being excluded from the defending forces?” Vice-chairman Choi Ho-il asked.

“The Chungmugong Lee Sun-shin has been tasked with defending the Eastern sea and taking out any Russian vessels showing suspicious activity, so it has been left out from this mission.”

“Shouldn’t we pump out more of the Chungmugong Lee Sun-shin cruisers? Comrade chairman?”

Vice-chairman Choi Ho-il glanced at Chairman Kang Ui-sik with a lamenting look on his face.

“When the Chungmugong Lee Sun-shin was planned to be built, we didn’t know we would be at war with our neighboring nations. I also regret not producing more of them. We should have built at least four more cruisers...,” Chairman Kang Ui-sik trailed off while answering the vice-chairman.

Currently, the Chungmugong Lee Sun-shin class cruisers 2 and 3 have gone into production since last June and were still a year away from their first launch. Even if they were to rush production, the ships would only be ready for launch by the end of this year.

“When our forces land at Japan, they could be in great trouble.”

General Lee Un-hyung, the commander of the army spoke with a concerned look on his face. Lieutenant General Oh Dong-won, the second-in-command, made a suggestion.

“Sir! Couldn’t we attack the American carrier strike groups with our Zinog and Epirus missiles that the newly launched Zeus 2 and 3 satellites have?”

“General Oh! That’s the last resort. If the American carrier strike groups were to be attacked by such weapons, then America could send ICBMs to our nation. If that happens, we could be attacked by both America and Russia’s nuclear weapons.”

The briefing that was meant to be short and simple was extended by the numerous questions and opinions given by the attendees by an additional 30 minutes.