Empire of the Ring

“I’m the aircraft commander of the Lynx helicopters of the vessel Aleksandar 1001. Security team, please stop firing. We’ll deal with the enemy boat.”

-Roger that. It looks like the enemies have portable missiles, please take caution.

“Roger.”

The Lynx helicopters arrived at the scene less than 20 minutes after taking off from the Aegis destroyer.

There was already an exchange of fire at the scene.

Security personnel on the tanker were firing menacing shots with 12.7-millimeter heavy machine guns to keep the unidentified ship away, while the unidentified boat was circling outside the range of the machine gun and watching for an opportunity to attack.

The mysterious boat was scurrying to take a turn at the loud rotor noise of the Lynx helicopters.

The two Lynx helicopters that caught up with the boat started firing machine guns immediately without warning shots.

The Lynx helicopter’s machine-gun attacks soon devastated the boat.

The boat stopped running as if a bullet had gone straight through the steering house.

There was no ship that could withstand 12.7mm heavy machine guns with an effective range of 2km and 600 shots per minute.

The enemy vessel was firing back occasionally, but it was not enough to combat the Lynx helicopters.

“This is the aircraft commander of the Lynx helicopters. The unidentified vessel is unable to navigate now. We have no more threats, so we will withdraw.”

-Thanks. Our ship is approaching the scene at about 50 kilometers of distance. Are there any survivors?

“We only attacked the steering room and the machine guns. We estimate there will be a number of casualties and survivors.”

-All right. Please pull out.

“Roger.”

It was 10 minutes later that the Aegis destroyer which sailed at its full speed and the Lynx helicopters reunited.

20 minutes after the Lynx helicopters arrived, a high-speed boat aboard the Aegis destroyer rushed off the destroyer with special forces on board. They were sent to capture the survivors on the unidentified ship. It was another chance to seize evidence.

For this reason, the Lynx helicopter pilots also focused on neutralizing the enemy ship rather than sinking it.

The pilots’ proper judgment had allowed them to secure a large number of survivors.

“Captain, this is Lieutenant Choi Joon-hyuk of the Special Forces. We just took over the ship.”

-Was there any resistance?

“No, there wasn’t. They were all out of it, so we could subdue them easily.”

-What about the survivors?

“There are seven survivors, including the injured. There are five dead.”

-What is the extent of the injury?

“Three have minor injuries, and two are seriously injured. It’s a dangerous situation because they’ve lost a lot of blood.”

-All right. We’ll be arriving soon, so give them first aid.

“Yes, I got it.”

If the casualties could survive until the Aegis destroyer arrived, they could find a way to live.

The Aegis destroyer had a captain-level medical officer on board, so blood transfusion was basic as it was even equipped with medical equipment for operations.

Although he did not have much intention to keep the wounded prisoners alive, he was going to treat them to get important information out of them.

The operation was a good opportunity to promote the Kazakh Navy’s status as they captured survivors and the enemy’s ship.

The performance of the freshly born Kazakh Royal Navy would be an example for other countries as well.

***

– Are you saying that the enemy only targeted our ships again this time?

“Your Grace, I’m sure of that. There were oil tankers besides our ships nearby. Even though the attackers must have known that our ships were carrying heavily armed security personnel, it only tried to target our ship. So, we were forced to attack back.”

-I understand. We can’t just send back an enemy who’s determined to do harm to us. How are the prisoners?

“They are cooperating relatively well. They’re eating well and answering questions well. But there is not much highly classified information. How should we handle them?”

-If it looks like we can’t get any more out of them, notify the Somali government to take over them. It’ll only be a problem if we take them to Kazakhstan.

“All right. I’ll take care of that.”

-There’s going to be more attacks in the future. So, from now on, we’re not going to be so passive, we’re going to have to take extraordinary measures.

“Your Highness, I’d like to search the waters of Somalia myself, but can I?”

-Let’s wait and see. And don’t hesitate to attack any high-speed boats or patrol boats that try to reach our ships next time. We should scare them away so that they can’t approach our ships.

“Your Highness, do you mean we can sink those ships? Then we could be accused of being inhumane.”

-If they engage in hostile acts without disclosing their identity, you may sink them. If there’s a problem, the royal family will take responsibility.

“What happens on the scene is my responsibility as a commander. I’m afraid the Kazakh royal family will be in trouble because of our decision.”

-If there is a country that criticizes our legitimate actions as a means of self-defense against terrorism, it will be regarded as a country behind the scenes of terrorism. The position of the Kazakh royal family is clear.

“All right. I will carry out what you say.”

-But don’t overdo it. Make sure the Lynx helicopters are thoroughly overhauled to prevent any accidents.

The Lynx Wildcat helicopter was an optimized helicopter to operate at sea.

Developed as the next generation of naval operations and mobile helicopter by the British military, it could detect submarines’ periscope or snorkels accurately from a distance with sea search radar.

-Commander, Jun. How do you feel about using the Lynx helicopters?

“The Lynx Wildcat is the best. The maintenance is relatively simple, so there are few minor problems. I love this helicopter.”

-I’m glad to hear that then. We’ve been very active this time. Why don’t we apply them for Arirang Shipping, too?

It was impossible for the royal navy to follow around every time Arirang Shipping ships sailed. Rather, it was more efficient if the Lynx helicopters were provided to merchant ships to avoid the danger on their own

“It seems to be a very effective vigilance duty. It’s hard for Aegis and frigates to keep up with merchant ships sailing long distances. I have to refuel outside the Indian Ocean.”

-Then there are two Aegis destroyers each, so please apply for one for Arirang Shipping Co. I’ll instruct you to sail Arirang Shipping’s ships in a fleet as far as possible.

“Do you run now?”

-There’s no reason to be embarrassed. The ship is equipped with a flying deck, so run it right away.

“I only have two helicopters to support, and I don’t know if they’ll work.”

-You can bring in more Lynx helicopters if necessary. How long will you be passive about targeting us?

“Then, I will talk with Arirang Shipping and support the Lynx helicopter right away.”

***

Commander Jun, who ended his call with the Duke, called the Lynx helicopter pilots into the captain’s room.

Now that he knew clearly what the Duke wanted, he was trying to carry out preemptive attack-oriented operations rather than passive defense.

“As explained so far, you can judge on the spot. His Highness ordered to launch a preemptive attack rather than using passive defense strategies. This means that even if there are errors in your judgment, you won’t be held accountable. His Highness has vowed not to sit idle to any more provocations. It’s going to be a burden, but I want you to go into the operation with the idea that it’s for the national interest of Kazakhstan.”

“Yes, sir. We’ll do as you said.”

“And one helicopter will be deployed to support Arirang Shipping, so I will let you know who will be dispatched later.”

“So we’re being put on a civilian ship for the time being?”

“That’s right, until the situation is over. This operation is called sterilization operation. We’ll root the enemies out this time. If there are no questions, the operational meeting is dismissed now.”

“Yes, sir.”

The pilots’ faces became gloomy after hearing that they would have to decide what to do with the enemies. If they remained on the Aegis destroyer, it would not be too much of a burden to act as they would be ordered by the captain, but if they were sent to a civilian ship, they would have to decide, only consulting their co-pilots to end the situation.

The need to use firepower against the pirates, who were not fully armed, was a great burden.

“Commander, if we act too aggressively, it could cause even greater opposition. Can’t we just threaten them and send them away?”

“Do you see pirates or terrorists as normal people like us? They are kidnapping and even killing sailors without any guilt. Don’t you know that once you’re a pirate, you repeat the same crimes with pleasure? We’re going to act hard on them to break the vicious circle.”

“…”

“Think about how the Russian navies treated the pirates in the Gulf of Aden. They don’t even try to negotiate hostages in the first place. It’s just punishment. I mean, the pirates were afraid of retribution, so they took the Russian ship off their attack list.”

“I understand what you mean. I guess we’ve been so complacent. We will carry out a sterilization operation as ordered.”

“I know it’s a burden, but it’s for the national interest, and it’s kind of a war, too. I don’t think pirates or terrorists should be treated humanely. Western countries’ humanitarian treatment has increased the number of such criminals. We should show them that we’re cold-blooded. If you’re not confident, tell me. I’ll take you out of this operation.”

The fact that active-duty soldiers were excluded from important operations meant that they should take off their uniforms.

“No, I will certainly carry out the sterilization operation.”