"It is now the night of December 21, 2010, the eve of the Chinese New Year's Day. The Beichuan ship officially entered Kuimen. There are strong winds above level 12 on the river, as well as harmful natural phenomena such as 'dragons absorbing water' and 'huge waves', which interfere with the equipment.
It's still normal. Tonight we will implement the 'Bronze Plan'. I am Captain Manstein. This is my first captain's diary of this voyage. I hope it will not be the last."
In the bridge command room, Manstein glanced at his watch to confirm the time, and then looked at all the members in the cabin illuminated by incandescent lights. "Originally, announcing the start of the mission required the final instructions from the school board, but due to the storm and
Due to force majeure, electronic signals cannot communicate with the outside world, so I finally officially announce that the 'Bronze Project' will enter the second step of implementation from now on."
Why is it not the first step? Because the first step of the 'Bronze Plan' is to arrive at Kuimen. This should be the least difficult step, but who knows that the strange scene of the storm has suddenly pushed this step to the next step?
The difficulty is hell, but at least they have finally taken this step.
The 3,000-ton frigate named Beichuan was sailing in the midst of strong winds and huge waves. After another half-hour of heavy rain, what came into view was now a vast ocean. The magnificent scenery of Kuimen was no longer there. They seemed to be in the midst of strong winds and huge waves.
Conquering the waves on the rough sea, the wind force of level 12 is enough to set off a ten-meter wave and hit it head-on. Amidst the broken white foam, the warship with its navigation lights on broke out of the water and headed towards the unknown darkness ahead.
A destroyer with a displacement of 5,000 tons was originally supposed to be dispatched to sail safely in this storm. However, due to the limitations of the Yangtze River waterway, today's 3,000-ton frigates are already at their limit, so the entire warship was extremely heavy during this trip.
Carefully, he constantly avoided the visible whirlpools and the raging dragons to absorb water. Every time lightning passed by, it illuminated the cold sweat and tense cheeks of everyone in the observation window.
Everyone comes with a mission. Most of today's warships are from the 'Zhou family'. When Zhou Zhen boarded the ship, everyone saluted him, and every face that was wet by the heavy rain was
All perseverance and solemnity, this unified iron-blooded temperament really made Manstein and others look at him.
"Unlike last time, we don't have a home field advantage this time. Even the away game is an extremely harsh environment. The host has no intention of entertaining the guests, so strictly speaking we are not guests, but thugs who broke in."
Manstein put his hands on the table and glanced at each of the students in combat uniforms and said, "As a thug, you naturally need tools for thugs to break down doors."
Electronic drawings were spread out on the big screen behind him, and what appeared in front of everyone was a torpedo codenamed 'Storm' that was familiar to them.
"Produced in Russia and modified by the Equipment Department, it was originally intended to be a weapon that would win with speed and use an alchemical warhead torpedo composed of dense alchemical shrapnel to obtain penetrating power. However, after the Battle of Constantine, the Equipment Department changed its mind. Although Alchemy
Although shrapnel is effective, the equipment department has considered the interference of the Dragon King's Word Spirit. If His Highness Norton can use the 'Candle Dragon' like Constantine, it will be extremely difficult for the alchemical warhead to hit." Manstein
explain,
"So the current Storm Torpedo has been officially changed to an explosive warhead composed of the blood of the Holy Infant, alchemical mercury and other chemicals that are highly toxic to dragons. In order to ensure the stability of the blood component of the Holy Infant in the warhead, the speed of the torpedo has changed from
The original 200 knots has declined to 66 knots, but the explosion range is enough to cover a kilometer in radius centered on the original explosion point. The electromagnetic fuze detonation ensures error tolerance. This is one of our trump cards against the Dragon King, which is hidden in the bottom of the warship.
It can be launched at any time provided the warship’s radar captures our target.”
Manstein paused and said, "According to the current intelligence, Norton, the King of Bronze and Fire, is most likely hiding in the Bronze City that was explored in the 'Kuimen Project', so in order to lure the enemy deeper, we
A dive team needs to be dispatched to conduct underwater operations. The specific task is to place an alchemy bomb to lure the Dragon King out of the cave."
Everyone looked at the two people at the front, who were naturally Lin Nian and Lu Mingfei. They were Group A of the diving team and the number one seed. They took over the most dangerous part of the mission.
"Is there any problem with Group A?" Manstein looked at Lin Nian and asked.
"No problem." Lin Nian has already changed into a diving suit. It's just that this diving suit is a little bit bulkier than any other diving suit. But no one will question his quality, because this is the equipment department's third-grade diving suit.
The latest product that has been pushed out of the water within a few months is the liquid ventilation wetsuit.
This kind of diving suit allows humans to breathe liquid oxygen like a fish and can easily dive into the deep sea. The most important thing is that the compressed air is replaced by a substance called "liquid air". The entire diving suit can carry more oxygen than before.
More than twice as much, you can inject a large amount of oxygen according to your personal needs.
"Where's Lu Mingfei?" Manstein looked at Lu Mingfei next to Lin Nian, with some worry in his eyes. His seasick appearance on the landing craft was really worrying.
"No problem." Lu Mingfei shook his head and said, but anyone could tell that this kid's chest was rising and falling much more frequently than usual, and his face was a little abnormally rosy. It looked like he was excited or overly nervous.
If it were a normal situation, Manstein would definitely stop changing the team to dive, because Lu Mingfei's state is extremely unsafe, but based on what they know about the situation under the river, they might change any team to go down.
They are all close to death, but Group A has a higher chance of survival.
"There is only one storm torpedo shot, and only one chance of success. Underwater Group A successfully lured the Dragon King out of the Bronze City. We launched it when we entered the sonar range. Even if we cannot successfully kill the Dragon King, we will definitely be able to severely damage him. For
There will be opportunities for close combat later." Manstein seemed to be fully prepared. Constantine's experience made them no longer have blind trust in thermal weapons. In this plan, the storm torpedo was at most
It is used as a means to greatly weaken the Dragon King's frontal combat capability, rather than a decisive blow.
Everyone in the cabin knows what the real winner is, and what the trump card is.
"Now repeat the operating list. Captain Manstein, first mate Zhou Kang is responsible for the helm; second mate Caesar is responsible for sonar and torpedoes; third mate Zhou Zhen is responsible for the bilge; chief engineer Zhou Kang is responsible for the engine and fuel supply
; The boatswain of the warship, Chu Zihang, is responsible for the security command of the warship. The underwater operation team, Group A, Lin Nian and Lu Mingfei, Group B Ye Sheng and Yaji, members of Group C and Group D are preparing to dive.
The replacement is responsible for the temporary escort work of the warship." Manstein read the list slowly. There were their people in it, as well as the original crew brought by the warship Zhou Zhen. This is their warship, with engines and some
It is better to leave the control of the ship's equipment to someone familiar with it.
But it can be seen that for truly important tasks, such as sonar, torpedoes, and the overall security order of warships, Manstein assigned important positions to his own people. Caesar and Chu Zihang were in Group C and Group D.
The dive priority is last, so other positions can be temporarily assigned to work. Zero, Susie, Nono and others serve as the 'sailor' branch in every corner of the warship, which can be regarded as preventing any unexpected situations from happening.
As the captain, Manstein had no objections to Zhou Zhen, nor did the original captain. The forty-year-old burly man with a square face named Zhou Kang was very happy in the handover of the warship, or he absolutely obeyed the orders.
Zhou Zhen asked him to hand over the command of the warship, and he put the warship into Manstein's hands without hesitation.
Because of this, Manstein asked directly face to face: Do you have any objections to me taking over this ship? If you have any objections, you can raise them now to avoid conflicts later and make the situation very troublesome. I don’t want to be beaten by myself at a critical moment.
People interfered. Zhou Kang also answered him directly: I have no objection. As long as it is for the cause of dragon slaying and the protection of the country and the people, let alone this warship, even his life can be placed in your hands.
, as long as you are someone whom Colonel Zhou Zhen trusts.
After listening to these words, Manstein did not live up to the trust of this square man and gave him the first officer position of the warship. This meant that if something unexpected happened to Manstein, Zhou Kang would be the first mate of the warship.
The right to command the warships was actually a change of trust in Zhou Zhen, because Zhou Kang's words and deeds would definitely be decided by Zhou Zhen.
For the time being, the entire warship is united. People from Kassel College and people from Zhou Zhen's side have woven together to become a community of destiny. Everyone on the swaying warship is holding their breath and waiting for the decisive moment to come.
.
"The wind has reached level 12, and we have arrived at the Kuimen Pass." The voice of the former captain and first mate sounded from the loudspeaker in the bridge command room, calm and dignified.
Facing all the students, Manstein took a deep breath and turned around. Behind him were observation windows with wide views on three sides. The scenes shown in Kuimen outside the observation windows were scenes that could really only be seen at the end of the world.
The dragon sucked up water and swept across the river, lightning broke from the clouds and hit the water, and black whirlpools formed and annihilated. If there is a sea in hell where the dead suffer, then its cruelty cannot be greater than this.
"Is this the entrance to Kuimen Pass?"
"Yes, look at the 'islands' on both sides. They were not islands originally, but two mountains. The one on the left is called 'Baiyan Mountain' and the one on the right is called 'Chijia Mountain'. Under normal weather, they should be towering into the sky.
The clouds are as tall as the wall, like a gate created by heaven and earth." Zhou Zhen spoke in the crowd with an equally low voice, "But now the two mountains have disappeared. Although Kuimen has a narrow river since ancient times, it was like this when it was submerged.
This is also the first time we have seen each other and we are about to pass through this 'door'."
The warship stopped in front of Kuimen, as if waiting for something in the storm. Everyone in the combat command room also knew what they were waiting for, and their eyes fell neatly on Manstein's back.
Manstein also felt the gaze behind him. He took a deep breath looking at the scene that seemed to be heading towards the end of the world, picked up the communicator and said, "This is the captain, informing all units on the ship to prepare for impact. Advance four, enter Kui."
Door!"
This order was like blowing the horn of charge, and the facts proved that there was indeed a horn sounding. It was the whistle of the Beichuan frigate, stretching over the turbulent Kuimen. In this long sound, steel
The beast entered full speed and drove quickly towards Kuimen, crossing the 'gate' formed by the two mountains.
After crossing the waterline of Baiyan Mountain and Chijia Mountain, the warship advanced all the way. Manstein's delegating the power of the helm to the original captain proved to be an excellent choice at this moment.
The entire warship seemed to come alive in the hands of this man named Zhou Kang. It sailed like a god on the strong water with 12-level wind force. The first battle speed caused the Beichuan to cut a white streak on the water.
line, constantly and flexibly avoiding the path of one waterspout after another, and passing one whirlpool after another. Instead of causing the ship's hull to become unstable due to the swirling water flow, the warship often took advantage of the steering of the vortex to become more stable.
Further avoid the pushers of mountains and strong winds.
"A captain with more experience at the helm than anyone I know."
This was Manstein's first instinct when he looked at the advancing warship in the bridge command room. He couldn't help but look back behind him, but Zhou Zhen had already left after he gave the order and went to the bottom where he was responsible.
The cabin is where storm torpedoes and various induced bombs are loaded, and there is no room for error. The other students also rushed to their posts and became one of the screws in this steel monster that cut through the waves.
Now only Lin Nian, Lu Mingfei and Ye Shengyaji are still in the bridge command room. Group A and Group B are on standby before reaching the dive position, following Manstein at any time and waiting for him.
Command and transfer orders.
"Lin Nian." The name Manstein called out was not surprising. The only thing he should give instructions to now and the one he should repeat most was this name.
"I'm here, Captain." Lin Young nodded lightly.
"Don't be brave." Manstein looked at Lin Nian and said, "This is the only request I give you. Avoid unnecessary contact battles. Storm torpedoes may not kill the Dragon King, but they can definitely weaken him. Only then can
The time for you to actually take action was close enough last time, you should understand what I mean."
"I understand." Lin Nian nodded.
"As for Lu Mingfei." Manstein looked at Lu Mingfei and said in a deep voice, "Follow Lin Nian, you must follow closely. As Lin Nian's eyes, you must do the best you can, even though no one else
Know where your limits are. Now that you are standing here, standing next to Lin Nian, you must be the 'S' level that Cassel College and everyone believes."
Lu Mingfei's back straightened after a change from his normal tone and demeanor, and his voice when he answered "yes" became much louder. He had the same sense of mission as when he was the president of the literary club in high school.
At this moment, Lin Nian, who was beside Lu Mingfei, suddenly frowned, his ears twitched and he looked up at the observation window not far away.
At this time, Manstein's communicator suddenly rang, and it was Caesar's voice that came from inside, but the content of the report was a bit bizarre.
"Captain, the sonar directly ahead has detected a 'school of fish'."
"Schools of fish?" Manstein picked up the communicator and subconsciously asked to confirm, "How can there be schools of fish in this kind of weather?"
"I don't think it's a school of fish either, it just looks a bit like a 'school of fish' on the sonar because they move in groups." Caesar's voice was a little low, and Manstein could even hear the horror in it.
"These 'fish schools' seem to have been approaching us since we crossed Kuimen."
Manstein's expression changed suddenly and he turned around and approached the observation window to look out, but he could see nothing but the roaring river water and lightning. The black river water seemed to swallow up all the gazes peering down.
"Second officer, we are moving at full speed now!" He picked up the communicator and said in a strange tone.
"I know." Caesar said calmly over the communicator.
If Manstein could see the sonar image in front of Caesar now, he would probably be frightened by the dense light spots that surrounded the entire warship at some point. The light spots seemed to be a 'phenomenon', constantly surrounding
Silence swirled around the high-speed warship.
"Caesar, there's a situation on the deck." The communicator rang again, and what came from it was Chu Zihang's voice, as well as the noise of the strong wind and waves in the background.
"What's going on?" Caesar asked quickly.
"Listen." Chu Zihang suddenly stopped talking on the communicator, letting the sound of wind and waves fill the communication channel. The first mate at the helm inadvertently turned his attention and listened carefully.
Soon, the expressions of Caesar and the first mate began to change, because they actually heard singing.
It was a hymn full of nobility like a church hymn, which made people feel as if they were in an empty church, listening to the ethereal syllables reverberating in the church and shaking their skulls. This singing voice of the Holy Spirit actually appeared in the church.
In a violent storm with force twelve winds?
"The singing came from underwater." Chu Zihang's voice sounded again, "Many crew members found white figures appearing under the water around the warship, and there were a lot of them."
"Be prepared for battle. The safety of the deck is temporarily entrusted to you." Caesar said in a deep voice.
"Yes." There was silence on the other side of the communicator.
On the deck of Beichuan, big waves suddenly hit the deck of the ship. After the white water waves broke, a black-haired figure still stood firmly on the side of the ship. His right arm was tightly wrapped around the rope to stabilize his body from being blown by the strong wind.
Walk.
The pair of ever-burning golden eyes pierced the darkness of the storm and looked down the ship. The extremely penetrating ethereal chants came from underwater and surrounded the entire space, as if the entire stormy night was ringing with this unhuman voice.
The high pitched syllables of language.
Under the water, white souls drifted past one after another, with pale and expressionless faces facing the water, reminiscent of the souls of those sea victims guided by the Greek god Calypso.
The storm washed away the black scabbard. Chu Zihang pressed his right hand on the handle of the imperial sword, and the veins stood out. White steam surged all over his body, and a dark red ring of fire quietly emerged behind him, illuminating the darkness in a corner of the deck.
"I remember that there is an indigenous people called the Alayans in Mindoro Island in the Philippines. They are a primitive tribe that still maintains the habit of eating hair and drinking blood."
In the captain's cabin, Caesar looked at the black river outside the observation window and suddenly said, "There is a sacrificial ritual among the Ala'an tribe. They will put the prey on the altar and sacrifice the meat souls to heaven for them to eat.
Discarded minced meat.”
"We are not prey, this is a fully armed warship!" The first mate's face twitched.
"They are not Araans, but dragon-like creatures that can use your warship as a ready-made altar!" Caesar exhaled and revealed the true identity of these densely packed light spots, "Isn't it just to enjoy after the hymn is sung?
Is it time for communion?”
The chief mate next to him paused for a long time, and finally took a deep breath, picked up the ship, and began to inform the whole ship, "Deck level one alert, all crew members are ready for boarding. We have a guest."