Empire of the Ring

When the Kazakh naval fleet had just passed through the uninhabited island in the southernmost part of the Maldives after three hours of the voyage, the radar room reported that a fleet believed to be Chinese was spotted.

A patrol plane that took off the USS George H. W. Bush also confirmed that it was the Chinese navy.

“Commander Jun, we have identified one Yuzhao-class amphibious assault ship, three believed-to-be supplier ships, four Hangzhou-class destroyers, and three Lanzhou-class air defense vessels.”

“I thought they’d take on old Liaoning’s aircraft carrier, but there was someone in the Chinese navy who had a sense.”

“What’s the use of a carrier? It can’t be called a real aircraft carrier if it doesn’t have an early warning system or an electronic plane. I don’t know why anyone would be obsessed with a carrier that’ll be useless with a single missile.”

There was a reason for China to be so hung up on the possession of aircraft carriers, as the U.S. carrier battle group once entered the Taiwan Strait without anyone’s restriction during the 1996 Taiwan Strait crisis.

At that time, the Chinese military suffered the indignity of all surface-to-ship missiles in China’s mainland being useless due to the activities of electronic warfare aircraft from U.S. naval aircraft carriers, which made the Chinese Navy insist on having the carriers.

Based on its economic strength, the Chinese leadership was building its second and third Liaoning-class aircraft carriers.

However, such aircraft carriers would be helpless before the U.S. Ford-class carrier strike group as Chinese carriers had weaknesses in their defense.

While the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier’s airborne early warning and control aircraft could track about 2,000 targets within about 650 kilometers at the same time, Chinese aircraft carriers were only able to track only 30 to 40 targets in the range of about 150 kilometers.

“The distance between the Chinese fleet and our ship is 90 kilometers. It’s sailing our way, so we’ll meet in an hour.”

“You said you had three supply ships, right?”

“Yes. Commander.”

“The fact that they’re carrying three supply ships proves that they’re exploring all the pearl-necked routes.”

“Shall we receive the Chinese Navy? Deputy Captain, I want you to issue a combat deployment.”

“Aye, aye, sir! All fleet, actual combat deployment!”

“All fleet full-speed advance.”

“Yes, sir. Every ship advances at full speed.”

Two U.S. Navy Aegis destroyers were also busy issuing combat deployments and speeding up when the Kazakh Navy suddenly issued combat deployments.

The seven allied warships were making a full march toward the Chinese fleet, cutting through the current.

***

“I don’t think they knew we were approaching. They seem to be embarrassed by our appearance.”

An hour later, the Chinese fleet, which the allied fleet encountered, began to be on alert, rapidly slowing down its navigation speed.

“There’s no way their radar didn’t work. The floundering since the enemy appeared is a sign of a significant lack of operational capability in the oceans.”

“There’s no way they don’t know that this is the U.S. Navy operation zone, but they’re too relaxed.”

“There’s no reason to be nervous because it’s not the Indian Navy. Get in touch with the Chinese fleet. Find out its destination.”

It was natural to ask about the order or destination of the vessel because it was a U.S. military operation zone.

After a while, the deputy captain, who was trying to communicate with the Chinese fleet, came up to Commander Jun with a shrug.

“Chief, we’re having trouble communicating.”

“Send a light signal. It must know the Morse signal.”

Every warship in any country had a light for the light signaling on its bridge, the highest point on the ship. If the communication device was broken or if there was a chance of an enemy’s interception, warships could blink lights to send a Morse signal and exchange opinions with each other.

Now that there was a communication problem, they were trying to communicate with a light-emitting signal.

“Commander Jun, they’re on their way to the Port of Male, Maldives.”

“It doesn’t seem like a lie.”

“I think the Chinese fleet is on high alert.”

The Maldives was a place where the U.S. Navy’s Indian Ocean Fleet, and Pacific Fleet’s security zones overlapped, so it was natural to be nervous if it was not for the navies of allies. It was more so if four Aegis destroyers and three 3,000-ton frigates were blocking the way in such waters.

Any abnormal action could be considered an act of aggression and could lead to an armed conflict.

The speed of navigation should be reduced and any rapid change was forbidden, and of course, the guns should not be operated as the use of guns could be taken as an attack.

There was international maritime law, but an armed conflict between warships in high seas was a pre-law issue. So, it was customary to show that there was no intention of attacking sailing in parallel at low speeds.

The Chinese fleet, which was well aware of what capabilities the Aegis destroyer, was sailing at low speeds.

Commander Jun did not show his nervousness because of the officers and soldiers on the bridge, but he was half worried before meeting with the Chinese fleet.

This was because the Chinese Navy’s armament was not made public, so it could have appeared with a new weapon that he was unaware of.

But seeing how the Chinese fleet was complying well with the allied fleet, he was no longer worried.

The fleet of both sides moved slowly toward the Maldives’ port of Male.

***

“It makes me feel great to hear that the Chinese fleet freaked out.”

-They were flustered when four Aegis ships appeared.

“I heard there were assault ships on the Chinese side, is that true?”

-There were some helicopters, but they weren’t enough to threaten our fleet.

“It must’ve boosted our soldiers’ morale.”

-That’s right. Everyone was very proud.

Commander Jun’s explanation flattered Youngho as if he had carried out the operation himself.

It was all thanks to the Kazakh Aegis destroyers that the Chinese fleet kept a low profile in international waters. Although Kazakhstan was still far behind in the army or air force, its naval powers were great.

-Your Highness. If you supply the refueling vessels, the radius of our fleet’s activity will be much wider.

“Don’t our allies supply oil?”

-They do, but operations were often disrupted because fuel was not available in time. If we have a 20,000-ton fuel supply ship, such a problem will be easily resolved. I don’t want to show any weakness, especially to the Chinese navy.

When Commander Jun mentioned the weak point of the Kazakh Navy, Youngho was alerted. He never wanted to be underestimated by showing weakness to enemies.

“How long will the fleet hold out if a 20,000-ton fuel supply ship is supported?”

-A full month’s activity is possible without landing at the port.

“Then we’d need to get fresh food supplies to the soldiers…”

-We can endure inconvenience until a multi-purpose landing ship is deployed, Your Highness.

“Okay, I’ll put it on the wanted list right away. We have to keep your pride as an oceanic navy.”

-Thank you. Your Highness, it will raise the status of the Royal Navy. I hope I’m not being too greedy.

The oil supply ship was a necessary strategic asset in the future, so Youngho was pleased to accept Commander Jun’s request.

“Greedy? No way. If you’re a commander, of course, you should try to correct any flaw of the Royal Navy.”

-I’m sorry to have drained the Caspian Sea of power, but I’m asking for more and causing you a headache.

“No, I don’t know why I didn’t think of that before when the small missile ships are doing so well in the Gulf of Aden these days. If you hadn’t suggested it, I would’ve just been wasting such precious power.”

At the suggestion of Commander Jun, Youngho had taken out some of the Yoon Young-ha class missile ships and the coast ships delivered from the U.S. and deployed them in the Gulf of Aden.

Smaller ships of less than 1,000 tons were doing a great job in the Caspian Sea.

-The Caspian Sea is an important area for us. Because of the amicable relationship we have with Russia, we were able to pull out the power, but ultimately we have to replenish the power.

“The power we have now is a bit too much in the Caspian Sea. Don’t worry, the submarine can cover the empty spots enough.”

Even though it was a small submarine, it was a covert force that even Russia did not know about, so it was a hidden card in the Caspian Sea.

-Your Highness. We need a large submarine to set foot in the ocean. We need at least one unit to maximize power.

“Would one be enough? There should be at least three or four units. Let’s review it together when you return home after the operation.”

-Thank you for your consideration for the navy, Your Highness.

“I should thank you. It’s about the Kazakh Navy’s power. Don’t worry about the cost.”

-I’m afraid the Army may be jealous.

“Hahaha… That’s something you should take if you want to be greedy, and please take it easy in the Maldives operation.”

“I will do as you say, Your Highness.”

Sooner or later, India and China were supposed to face each other in any way in the Maldives.

While neither the U.S. Navy nor the Kazakh Navy could justify its intervention in the dispute between the two sides, it would have a role of pressuring China.

The Kazakh Navy had done enough to play a role as an ally by just hanging around nearby.