lerbook #662 - Chapter 33 Interception (II)
#662 - Chapter 33 Interception (II)
The Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier, flagship of the Royal Navy's Third Fleet, is responsible for the defense of the homeland and the Nordic region.
At this moment, the entire command center was like an overturned hornet's nest, plunged into chaos. Countless naval technicians hurried back and forth between their posts, tensely and methodically summarizing the important information constantly being transmitted from all directions.
The intelligence officer, with a grave expression, quickly walked to the commander and reported urgently, "Commander, we have just received the latest news from the Coast Guard. After detailed verification and analysis, it can be undoubtedly confirmed that the invading submarine is actually a Transformer! After verification, it is the 'Alliance' we know, which has been lurking in the submarine museum for a long time."
Upon hearing this, the commander's face showed an expression of disbelief, and he murmured to himself, "The Alliance... I never expected it! When it was still in service, I personally boarded this vessel for a tour. So, where is it now?"
A technical officer quickly unfolded a large nautical chart and carefully marked the relevant positions and information on it. Pointing to the map, he explained to the commander, "As of now, this so-called 'Alliance' submarine has successfully crossed the Strait of Dover and officially entered the North Sea area. According to feedback from the aircraft monitoring it, its course has clearly turned due north. It is worth noting that its speed has reached sixty knots."
The commander frowned and slid his finger slowly along the chart, while questioning in confusion, "An underwater speed of sixty knots? How is that possible! Have you got the data wrong? Is it a torpedo!"
The technical officer replied decisively, "Absolutely no mistake, Commander! Whether it is the data obtained through the sonar detection system or the results obtained using laser ranging, the displayed values are accurate. In addition, regarding its diving depth, it has remained stable at a level of about ninety meters."
The commander said with a surprised expression, "So, that Alliance is traveling close to the seabed? And it's running at the speed of a car!"
The technical officer standing beside him nodded with a solemn expression and responded, "Although it sounds unbelievable, judging from the current data, the fact is probably indeed so."
The commander frowned, staring intently at the large screen in front of him, and asked, "Then, are there any of our ships in the Alliance's path?"
At this time, the officer in charge of intelligence quickly stepped forward and reported, "Commander, according to the latest intelligence, we have two high-speed frigates patrolling in the North Sea. In addition, the Triumph is also operating in the waters off Norway."
Upon hearing this, the commander decisively issued an order, "Very good! Immediately notify them to intercept. Remember, the primary goal of this operation is to force the opponent to stop, not to destroy it completely. Understood?"
Everyone responded in unison, "Yes!"
Meanwhile, in a certain area southwest of the Scandinavian Peninsula, there lies a deep trench with a maximum depth exceeding 800 meters. A British Royal Navy submarine is quietly lurking here. This is a Trafalgar-class attack nuclear submarine, hull number S93, the Triumph.
Suddenly, a communications officer rushed into the officers' cabin and loudly reported to the captain, "Captain! We have just received an urgent dispatch from the Third Fleet Command, ordering us to immediately set out and intercept an unidentified object suspected of being an alien submarine!"
The captain took the telegram and read it, saying, "Intercept aliens, are you sure there's no mistake?" Despite the incredulity, as a soldier, obeying orders is his duty. The captain immediately ordered the submarine to enter combat readiness.
The Triumph, as the last of the Trafalgar-class attack nuclear submarines to be launched, is also the most technologically and equipment-complete of its type. Its submerged displacement is nearly 6,000 tons, and its maximum submerged cruising speed can reach 32 knots. Its main weapons are six 533mm launchers, which can launch various torpedoes, as well as submarine-launched Harpoon anti-ship missiles and Trident cruise missiles, capable of performing various tasks such as anti-ship, anti-submarine, land attack, blockade, and reconnaissance.
In fact, the Triumph is just a backup plan. The British military is more focused on the two frigates. The Type 23, also known as the Duke-class frigate, is a large ocean-going multi-purpose frigate.
It is 133 meters long, with a full load displacement of 4,200 tons, and a top speed of 28 knots. In addition to its excellent anti-submarine capabilities, its air defense capabilities are also quite outstanding. It is equipped with a 4.5-inch Mk.8 naval gun, a thirty-two-tube vertical air defense missile launching unit, two quad-mounted Harpoon missile launchers, and a pair of triple torpedo launchers.
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Although the interior of the submarine is relatively cramped, the cabin appears quite spacious compared to the actual situation of only two people.
Since the Alliance became a museum, it has been modified with many useless things. Such as the classically decorated restaurant; or the luxurious captain's cabin; especially the transparent open observation cabin located at the front of the control room. When Deep Sea upgraded it, it retained these decorations.
At this time, Liu Yuan was tightly embracing Vivian in the observation cabin, leisurely enjoying the sea view outside. However, there is not much to see in this deep sea, especially in shallow seas like the North Sea, which has an average depth of less than 100 meters.
After hundreds of years of weathering and sedimentation, the seabed has long been piled high with all kinds of garbage, the number of which is simply countless. Just now, Liu Yuan actually witnessed a large fish with a pink bra on its head floating past him, such a peculiar sight instantly made Vivian laugh so hard that she bent over and trembled.
However, this trip was not without its gains, because they unexpectedly discovered an ancient shipwreck from the Hanseatic League era. And there are many such shipwrecks. As a master of history, Vivian was immediately fascinated by these relics, her eyes sparkling with excitement. But now is not the time, they can come back to find treasure later when they have time.
From the Strait of Dover to Merlin's burial place is about 1600 kilometers. At Deep Sea's speed of sixty knots, that's 112 kilometers per hour. Adding the uncertainty of navigating on the seabed, it will take about 17 hours to reach the destination. To pass the boring time, Liu Yuan told her some of his stories. For example, some of the companies he has established around the world, and some of his stories with the Transformers, such as several alien invasion events.
Vivian's eyes sparkled as she listened, and stimulated by the thrilling experience of the day, she turned over and straddled Liu Yuan, actively offering a passionate kiss... Deep Sea thoughtfully dimmed the lights in the observation cabin.