21st century Goguryeo

Chapter 548: Season 2 Book 22 Battle of Life or Death – 2-6 The 2nd Round

January 23rd, 2024, 09:20

184 kilometers off the city’s eastern shore, Katsura, Chiba Prefecture, Japan

Numerous anti-vessel missiles flew tail-to-tail toward the Sohn Byung-hee (CG-1103), which advanced at full speed into the waters 260 kilometers away from the Pacific Fleet. In addition, the F-35C and F-35B fighter jets transferred from the three aircraft carriers flew at high speeds to narrow the

distance. They then each fired an AGM-158S SRASM air-to-vessel missile with a range of 250 kilometers.

Although the Pacific Fleet had fired an astounding number of 120 anti-vessel missiles in retaliation, their target, the Sohn Byung-hee (CG-1103), did not make use of any defense systems. Instead, as promised in advance, Char Ri-suk (CG-1104), who was in charge of defense in all directions, activated

their automatic defense system and got ready to intercept the incoming missiles.

The GTAS-300 surface-to-air missiles soared one after another, bursting with blue flames from the 68-extended vertical launch pad of the Char Ri-suk (CG-1104) that followed in the sea 5 kilometers behind the Sohn Byung-hee (CG-1103). As soon as they reached their designated altitude, they tuned

southeast and disappeared through the white clouds.

Within minutes, firework-like explosions were seen in the air between the Sohn Byung-hee (CG-1103) and the Pacific Fleet.

Even though the naked eye could not see that far, the interceptor operators saw it with their equipment and shouted in the command rooms of the Sohn Byung-hee (CG-1103) and Char Ri-suk (CG-1104) and their tactical displays showed their visions in real-time.

“Captain! Shall we activate the defense system?” Operations Officer Min Yeong-hun asked with a slightly worried expression on his face.

“Mr. Min! Is that worry I hear in your voice?” Captain Seo Gil-su, who was looking at the screen that showed Min’s intercepting operations in real-time with various tactical symbols, asked with a calm expression on his face that seemed to say nothing was going wrong.

“It is not fear but practicality. We are running out of ammunition. I figured it would be better for this ship to also fortify herself in defense.”

“You are right! But a little bit of effort can overcome anything! First of all, let’s advance further as planned.”

Captain Seo Gil-su rose from his seat and tapped Min Yeong-hun’s shoulder. He then approached the tactical screen and read the number indicating the distance from the Pacific Fleet. At that moment, the Pacific Fleet was 257 kilometers away.

“What is the status of the SSS output?”

“It’s now at 100 percent.” The operator in charge answered in a voice so loud that it resounded in the entire command room.

“How often will we be able to use it?”

“It will depend on how much damage the shield will sustain once activated. At least three times, I think.”

<‘In that case, we can use hyper-propulsion at least once!’> Captain Seo Gil-su pondered for a moment.

Captain Seo Gil-su, who had made up his mind, gave instructions in a loud voice while holding the comms receiver connected to the vessel’s bridge.

“Bridge!”

“Yes, this is the deputy captain.”

“prepare for hyper-propulsion! Make sure it works right away when I give an order!”

“Yes, I will prepare hyper-propulsion.”

“Report as soon as it is ready!”

“Yes, sir.”

After registering the deputy captain’s response, Captain Seo Gil-su handed the comms receiver to the operation officer, looked around at the tactical controller and other operators, and immediately shouted.

“Our primary target is the enemy aircraft carriers. Ignore the destroyers escorting it. Hit the nearest carrier first. Weapons!”

“Yes, Captain!”

“When they enter the range of our rifles, set them as their primary target so that they can fire immediately without further orders!”

“Yes, sir.”

“Comms!”

“Yes, Captain!”

“If this attack is fended off, the Pacific Fleet will definitely retaliate with more vessels. Therefore, this ship will defend itself against their retaliation in SSS mode. Inform the crew so that there are no unnecessary attempts at interception.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Tactical Commander!”

“Yes, Captain!”

“After defending against their retaliation in the SSS mode, immediately get them within the range of our rifles with hyper-propulsion! Afterward, our missiles will home in on each of their three aircraft carriers.”

Captain Seo Gil-su instructed the crew clearly and succinctly. Then he returned to his seat and sat down.

At that time, the anti-aircraft operator who was watching the interception of missiles said in an urgent voice.

“Now! A total of 24 enemy anti-vessel missiles that survived the interception are 50 kilometers away from the main ship! They are expected to hit us in 50 seconds!”

Those were the AGM-158S SRASM air-to-vessel missiles that had shown excellent interception and evasive capability in the first battle.

“Tactical Commander!”

“Yes, Captain!”

“Immediately switch to Melee Defense System!”

“Yes, we are switching to a close-range defense system.”

‘When Captain Seo Gil-su immediately ordered the use of the close-range defense system, deciding that there was insufficient time to devote to the Char Ri-suk (CG-1104), even for close-range defense, 22-millimeter rifles were mounted on the bow and stern, and two more on the left and right strings.

They fired rounds automatically toward the sky, which soared through the clouds and sought their targets.

In addition, the Shield-M2 short-range anti-aircraft missiles, which boasted a range of 50 kilometers and a speed of Mach 6, were fired consecutively from the 16-tube missile launcher.

Shortly after the Shield-M2 short-range anti-aircraft missiles disappeared through the clouds, red explosions were seen in the sky.

The AGM-158S SRASM air-to-ship missiles had been neutralized as they were intercepted by both the Shield-M2 short-range anti-aircraft missiles and the 22-millimeter Vulcan beams.

However, it was only the beginning of the retaliation from the Pacific Fleet.

‘The 52 F-35C Lightning II jets that were transferred each still had one AGM-158S SRASM air-to-ship missile left, and 70 additional F-35C Lightning IIs and F-35B Lightning IIs soared from several amphibious ships and aircraft carriers and approached them.

The countless white-smoke trails of anti-ship missiles, fired from Zumwalt-class and Arleigh-Burke-class destroyers crisscrossed the sky as the missiles themselves lit up the sky above the Pacific Fleet.

“An additional 70 fighter jets have been launched from the enemy aircraft carrier! A total of 132 fighter jets are swarming toward us!”

“28 anti-vessel missiles were fired from an enemy destroyer. Just now, 29! The number continues to grow.”

“Enemy fighters also fired anti-ship missiles. They are all targeting us.”

Amid urgent reports from the operators, Captain Seo Gil-su was overseeing all of it with a calm expression on his face.

“A total of 88 anti-ship missiles were fired from their destroyers! We have 132 seconds until impact!”

“A total of 52 primary air-to-ship missiles! 140 secondary air-to-ship missiles, 125 seconds until impact! 117 seconds!”

Finally, a whopping 280 anti-ship missiles were fired toward the Sohn Byung-hee (CG-1103). The United States, the most powerful country in the world, was overkilling it with 280 anti-ship missiles in a single attack against one cruiser.

Although it is impossible to accurately calculate it, the total cost of the 280 anti-ship missiles is estimated to amount to 800 million dollars. By crude calculation, it may have been worth all that if they managed to sink the cruiser worth close to four billion dollars, but taking into account the previously

launched anti-ship missiles, it was becoming less and less cost-efficient.

“Things are going as the captain expected.”

“Indeed! I hope this attack will deplete all the anti-ship weaponry of the Americans.”

Showing a satisfied smile, Captain Seo Gil-su watched the numerous red lines crisscrossing on his tactical screen.

A few minutes later, 280 anti-ship missiles honed in on the Sohn Byung-hee (CG-1103). Captain Seo Gil-su gave his order just then. A pale-blue magnetic field enveloped the entire hull of the Sohn Byung-hee (CG-1103).

Numerous anti-ship missiles collided with the magnetic shield surrounding the Sohn Byung-hee (CG-1103), creating a spectacular display akin to a fireworks show as the missiles exploded in mid-air.

However, a small vibration was transmitted to the body of the Sohn Byung-hee (CG-1103) due to the explosive momentum of all the missiles exploding at once.

“What is the current output?”

“Current magnetic field output is 81 percent, but it is falling. 79 percent, 77…”

‘When all the anti-ship missiles poured in with a short time lag were blocked by the magnetic shield and exploded, it led to Captain Seo Gil-su’s question.

“The current output is 52 percent.”

“It’s not as bad as I thought. Great! Bridge!”

“Bridge here.”

“Initiate hyper-propulsion right this moment!”

“Yes, hyper-propulsion is operative. Ten seconds until activation! Nine!”

‘The hyper-propulsion countdown was initiated.

Two huge plasma water propellers protruded from the bottoms of the left and right strings of the stern of the Sohn Byung-hee (CG-1103).

The hyper-propulsion feature had never been used before ever since it was first introduced in the prototypical vessel, the Lee Sun-shin (CG-1103).

‘When the alarm sounded to notify the crew of the hyper-propulsion throughout the ship and the counting began at the same time, Sohn Byung-hee’s guaranteed win was certain.

Everyone on the ship grabbed something nearby to anchor themselves in place.

“Five! Four! Three!”

As the count went on, the plasma water propeller emitted a deafening noise.

“One! Hyper-propulsion initiated!”

Instantaneously, a huge amount of seawater was pushed out from the plasma water propellers. Then, the giant Sohn Byung-hee (CG-1103) rushed forward, breaking through huge waves just like a racing car leaping forward at the start signal.

Its speed was close to 100 knots. It was equivalent to a staggering 185 kilometers per hour.

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January 23rd, 2024, 09:30 (local time: 10:30)

450 kilometers off the eastern shore of Katsura, Chiba Prefecture, Japan

When the Sohn Byung-hee (CG-1103) refused to sink even after receiving nearly 120 anti-vessel missiles, Admiral Rubin Scott was fuming and ordered even more anti-vessel missiles to be used in the second attack.

The destroyer had fired all the anti-vessel missiles loaded on its vertical launcher. Each carrier’s air wing was also armed, and it fired 70 percent of the anti-ship missiles used in this battle.

As such, the Pacific Fleet, which poured out all of their available anti-vessel missiles, had to see the Sohn Byung-hee stand intact after all the missiles were intercepted by the Char Ri-suk.

Chief Operating Officer Jimmy Lopez said that the Korean cruisers must have also exhausted their anti-aircraft missiles and their ability to intercept their missiles was no longer viable. However, when about 280 anti-ship missiles slammed into the magnetic field to no avail, he became silent and only

came to his senses when Admiral Rubin Scott slapped his thigh in frustration.

“Damn it!”

Admiral Rubin Scott bit his lower lip and closed his eyes as he sighed deeply.

In the footage filmed and transmitted by the Atlas recon satellite, numerous anti-vessel missiles that were poured toward the Sohn Byung-hee (CG-1103) were futilely blocked by some mysterious membrane and exploded in the air almost at once.

They couldn’t believe their eyes. But what they saw then astonished them further. The Sohn Byung-hee (CG-1103), which had blocked all of their anti-vessel missiles with its magnetic shield, began sailing at a momentous speed and approached them, soon getting them within the range of its long-range

rifles.