Rune Troopers: Self-Defense Forces Adventure - Chapter 4: In the Midst of War (Part 8)
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- Rune Troopers: Self-Defense Forces Adventure
- Chapter 4: In the Midst of War (Part 8)
The Aegis Class Destroyer ‘Ibuki’ increased its speed and detached from the Fleet. It was one step ahead of the Fleet stationed near the Royal City of Seyrord.
Its mission was to cover the ground troops who were still struggling in the battle. However, the greatest strength of the Aegis Class was its out-range capability, which allowed it to fire missiles from outside the range of any enemy.
In reality, it was unnecessary for them to get to a visible distance from the city. But Kaburaki dared to do so.
Historically, Naval forces have often used ‘showing off’ their ships as a deterrent to their opponents. This time, he decided that such intuitive ‘bravado’ was important, rather than purely tactical.
At the same time, it also increased the risk of being targeted by the enemy, but as the Naval Commander, he could not allow himself to put only his own men in danger.
Kaburaki was down within the CIC, located deep inside the ship.
In the dimly lit, windowless room, the radar operator stared at the screen, trying not to miss even the smallest anomaly.
“Ensure anti-aircraft surveillance to its max output,” Kaburaki ordered, to which they loudly responded.
“Sir, yes sir!”
As Kaburaki stared at the radar screen, the number of light spots suddenly increased. He knew immediately that the ‘enemy’ had taken flight.
“Commander Kaburaki! We have confirmed the appearance of an unidentified flying object of unknown nationality! About 50 targets!”
“That’s not an object.”
Kaburaki smiled sarcastically. He tried to reassure his subordinates by showing nonchalance, but he was too nervous to get it right and it turned out to be a draw.
But that could not be helped.
Yes, this was the first ‘actual battle’ since the founding of the Self-Defense Forces.
“The target group is headed straight for the destroyer! Minimum distance to target, approximately six miles!”
“Commander, please advise!”
The Chief Gunnery Officer in-charge of weapons, asked Kaburaki for instructions.
Seeing the distance was too close for the Aegis to be in combat range. There was not a moment to lose.
Kaburaki immediately relayed orders to the Chief Gunnery Officer.
“Prepare for an anti-aircraft battle!”
The Chief Gunnery Officer shouted to his men.
“All hands to station, anti-aircraft combat!”
The CIC’s men began to prepare for battle at this order with a distinctive intonation that had been a tradition since the days of the Imperial Japanese Navy.
It was a movement that had become so ingrained in their bodies through repeated training that they had mastered it.
At the same time, an alarm sounded throughout the ship, indicating that battle stations had been issued.
Crew members rushed to their stations, equipped with iron caps and life jackets called kapoks.
Then, all bulkhead hatches in various parts of the ship were closed. This was done to minimize flooding blocks in case the ship was damaged and flooded.
Kaburaki was encouraged by the quick transitioning to combat positions as per training.
His men were doing their best. Then he must also do his best as a Commander. He shall show them his combat capability.
“The attack would commence in semi-automatic mode. Intercept enemy target groups with the aim of losing their combat capability. Shoot down any incoming enemy targets!”
The crew buzzed into action.
The Chief Gunnery Officer could not believe his ears when he heard this excessive order to attack. He could not believe that the order arrived from the normally mild-mannered Kaburaki.
‘The enemy is serious. We must be serious, too, or there would be no point.’ Kaburaki said to himself.
From Kato’s report, and considering the mindset of the enemy, who had shot down the helicopter without question, a half-hearted attempt at combat seemed even more dangerous.
According to preliminary radar detection, the enemy had directed almost all of its air power against the destroyer. In other words, the enemy Commander intended to sink them with all his might. It was hard to believe that they would retreat with a half-hearted attack.
This was a battlefield, and the enemy was a real army that had invaded other countries with impunity and went to the extent of killing indiscriminately.
Secretly, Kaburaki chuckled to himself.
‘How far can we, a makeshift military, fare against a true military power?’
“Commander Kaburaki, understood, Sir. All approaching enemy aircrafts will be destroyed!”
The Chief Gunnery Officer confirmed that Kaburaki was not giving the order out of the blue and with a determined look on his face, he ordered his subordinates, “Main Guns and Short-Range Missiles on standby!”
The computer of the Aegis system, which was capable of detecting, capturing and intercepting more than 200 targets at the same time, made a threat assessment based on the distance and speed of the oncoming enemy and began calculating priority attack targets.