Konpeki no Kantai::Volume1 Chapter6

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Konpeki no Kantai Volume 1 Chapter 6

Chapter Six: The Deep Blue Fleet Strikes a Blow

1

Let's go back in time a little.

The Fugaku's radar had already detected signs of the returning attack force.

Without hesitation, Admiral Maebara ordered the firing of the marker dye.

Captain Irie interrupted, "Commander, isn't this a bit dangerous? According to the reports from the Seiden-kai, five enemy destroyers had left Panama in a hurry to get here."

The Seiden-kai were reconnaissance planes modified to be seaplanes. Their mothership was the I-701, Otohime. The Otohime was a large supply submarine accompanying the fleet.

"It doesn't matter," said Maebara.

"......?"

"Signals Chief, transmit a signal underwater!" said Maebara.

"Yes, sir."

"Use tactic G-7 to intercept each destroyer individually."

"Roger!"

Since radio communication is not possible underwater, the Deep Blue Fleet uses special sonic signals to communicate with each other. Of course, since there is a great chance of it being intercepted, it's use is limited to emergencies.

It was called the Ontsuu-8. It was a new invention created by the Deep Blue Society for submarine fleet operations. It consisted of a transmitter emitting high frequency waves.

The orders were transmitted in the Deep Blue Fleet's private code.

With a smile on his face, Captain Irie said, "Your Excellency, will you be using the G-7? That would make sense."

"Shall we show them the results that come from hard training?"

Maebara laughed calmly.

Up until now, the natural enemy of a submarine was a destroyer. If one of those guys had you in its sights, there was nothing you could do about it. About the only thing you could do was act like a ninja and hide oneself at the bottom of the sea.

For a submariner, this was most frustrating. The solution for this disappointment was the new tactics and equipment of the Deep Blue Fleet.

They had the ability to fight back and not run away. It was the long awaited interceptor function for submariners.

"Torpedo chief, did you hear that just now?"

"Yes sir. It's nice to think we finally get to use the G7."

"Let's do this. Get it ready! The enemy is closing quick. And he's what we would expect. They saw our attack planes and of course inferred that the mother ship must be close by."

"Understood. But sixty-twos are a waste. I think that fifty-three centimeters will be enough for this attack, if you don't mind."

"That's probably fine. I'm leaving it to you, so do as you will."

"Understood, sir."

At once, a sleeve that could be inserted automatically into the torpedo tube was slid into place, and a fifty-three centimeter oxygen torpedo was loaded.

"Hurry up! The first one is for the G7," called out Lt. Terashima.

At once, "Done." They were perfectly skilled.

"Torpedo room to conning tower. Preparations complete."

"That was quick," Maebara answered, totally at ease. "Lt. Terajima, you may fire."

"It is an honor, sir," replied Terajima, also quite comfortable.

If this had been a training exercise, then about now they would have been concentrating on how to escape.

"Now, now, Lt. Terajima. The success or failure of the attack will have a great effect on our operations from now on. This is the first test. Do it well!" said Maebara, lighting a fire under him.

"Leave it to me." Terajima was brimming with confidence.

"Who's the one listening?" asked Maebara.

"Nakayama Issui." Issui was a sailor first class.

"Switch with Sergeant Yamane." He was a petty officer.

"Yes sir, I've switched with Yamane."

"I am requesting this because we're going to do a sonar attack."

"Yes, sir. We're ready and waiting." Maebara's confidence was infectious.

Yamane Shuusuke was an expert in hearing who came up from the Yokosuka Navy Band. Maebara, thinking that those who played music had to have outstanding ears, poached him from there and trained him. Beating drums and tooting horns was simply a waste in time of war. This was the best use of their talent.

This is something that could be said of the Navy in general, but especially in the case of the Deep Blue Fleet, which from the second class sailors on up were skilled men. When Maebara was appointed as fleet commander, he took great care in selected about one thousand personnel. For that reason, it was indeed a team of very able men.

Sonar Tech Yamane reported precisely, "Bearing 23 degrees right, range 7000." His ear was completely reliable. You could even call it a unique ability.

"All right, shift direction and launch the decoy!" Maebara commanded with dignity.

"Torpedo room, yes sir! 35 right, range 4500."

"Bearing board ready."

"Fire!"

One of the secret G7 decoy torpedoes was fired from submarine #1.

"Hold steady as you are!"

"Understood, sir!"

"Sonar Tech Yamane, the decoy has been fired! We leave the rest to you."

"Yes, sir!"

<~~15% Completed~~>

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