TFA1 7.23 - Perfect Jackpot
Although at first glance it looked easy, diving using a DPV was complex and risky actually. It required a greater situational awareness than simply swimming, as some changes could happen in a flash. It also required precise and simultaneous depth control, buoyancy adjustment, monitoring of breathing gas, and navigation.
Moreover, even if DPV could compensate for poor buoyancy control by thrust vectoring while moving, on each stopping the diver may turn out to be dangerously positively or negatively buoyant if adjustments were not made to suit the changes in the depth while moving.
Also, a rapid ascent or descent under power could result in barotrauma or decompression sickness. While limited visibility would increase the risk of impact with the surroundings, at speeds where injury could be fatal.
Therefore, the eight frogmen chose to wait on the surface while their target closed in. Considering that in a rainstorm, the watch guards who were tasked to prevent an infiltration from swimmers would have low visibility.
With small maneuvers, the frogmen shifted left or right to avoid hundreds of passing warships. Then, as a huge silhouette appeared in the distance, they used a waterproof night vision monocular to confirm their targets.
When their target passing next to their position, the frogmen immediately made sure their breathing regulators were working properly, and then swiftly closing in into the side of each carrier ship.
On the right side of the last carrier ship, Captain Kasino calmly made calculations. Then, when the carrier ship slid down he immediately dived, approached the center of the keel, and attached a limpet bomb that was set to explode in two hours, and as the carrier ship was climbing upwards, he moved aside before slowly rising to the surface.
While his heart was still pounding, Captain Kasino looked at the carrier ship that moving away and muttered, 'Hope nothing goes wrong.'
At first glance, the maneuvers to attach the limpet bomb seemed simple. But actually, a one-second miscalculation could make Captain Kasino fatally get hit by the keel. Therefore, he wouldn't be surprised if one or two frogmen would fail and didn't return.
After taking a deep breath, Captain Kasino then maneuvered between the Buriek Navy’s columns, heading north.
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Carrier Ship Essei-01, Flagship of Makai Combined Fleet.
15:20, 7 Sept 2025
From the bridge, Rear Admiral Savier watched the rainstorm that showed no sign of abating. After making a small calculation he turned to the operator crystal sensor.
"We're halfway through the journey, is there still no sign of Buriek Navy's presence?"
"Negative Sir, the crystal sensor does not capture any activity at sea or in the air, nor is there any emission of unknown crystal communicator."
"Weird, if Buriek Navy wants to ambush us, this rainstorm will become a good cover to mask their approach.” After a moment of silence Rear Admiral Savier then asked, "What about swimmers?"
The communications officer immediately replied, "A watch guard on one of destroyers reported that he saw an object that did not resemble any marine life maneuvering between the fleet."
"Did other watch guards see it too?"
"Negative, Sir."
"Then ignore it.”
"Aye Sir."
With a calm heart, Admiral Savier then walked over to his seat. But he had not yet sat down when a maintenance officer approached him with a suppressed panic-expression.
"Sir, there is something you must see."
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Rear Admiral Savier frowned, then he said, "XO, take the command for a moment."
"Aye Sir."
Wasting no time, Rear Admiral Savier then followed the maintenance officer, escorted by his bodyguard.
---
On the center of the lowest deck of Essei-01, Rear Admiral Savier observed the slightly shifting ship's construction. The leading half of the ship shifted 10 cm to the left from its axis, while the rear half shifted 10 cm to the right.
With ease Rear Admiral Savier concluded that the keel of Essei-01 had broken. "How did this happen? It's impossible to hit a reef in these waters. Moreover, the location of the fracture is right in the middle of the keel."
The maintenance officer immediately replied, "There is no sign of a collision with reef. But a few minutes before the ship construction began to shift, the personnel on duty here reported a vibration on the floor. It was as if someone had hit the keel with a big hammer.
The aft and front ends of the ship have also started to rise. We had to anchor and check how bad the damage on the keel."
Rear Admiral Savier frowned as he said, "Not only we had to anchor, we must also start evacuating."
"But Sir, how about our mission?"
"Losing one carrier ship won't affect our mission. Start the evacuation, it's just a matter of time before this ship splits in two. Riders and Cloud Hawks should arrive on land before sunset. I will contact the nearest Region to receive them."
Then, Rear Admiral Savier was just about to contact his XO when he received a call in his crystal communicator.
[Admiral, this is XO, I don't understand why or how, but other carrier ships reported their keels seemed to be broken and asked for permission to carry out an emergency evacuation."
"Huh?"
In an instant, a huge question mark appeared on Rear Admiral Savier's forehead.
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Operation Control Room, Davy Jones MOB
15:50, 7 Sept 2025
With great attention, Vex and Nate observed the total evacuation at Makai’s carrier ships. If conventional tactics were used, it would take massive explosives to sink Makai’s carrier ships. However, if the frogman could put explosives at its keel, then a minimum amount of explosive was more than enough to sink it and it would look like it was an accident.
It was because the keel was the spine where the ship's skeleton was placed and held together, as well as being the heaviest part. Thus, the entire weight of the ship would all be pulled down and distributed to the keel evenly, and it would prevent the ship from tipping over to the side due to strong winds.
So, if the keel breaks in the middle, the weight distribution of the ship would be disturbed, and sooner or later the structure above it would split due to not being able to withstand the weight of the ship and the waves that came repeatedly.
The Frogman also had another key of success. As the shipbuilding techniques between Kingdom of Makai and Kingdom of Buriek were similar, by using the data from Buriek Navy theey could accurately determine the angle and distance from the water surface to the center of the keel.
The only challenge was, how the frogman could get to the right place and attach the limpet bomb without getting hit by the keel. Fortunately, they managed to carry out the sabotage perfectly.
Vex then ordered one of the communications staff, "Send Osprey to extract the Frogman."
"Sir."
While the communications staff relayed the orders, Vex turned to Nate. "I hope it will buy us some time, while I return to earth to take care of the delay on our shipment.”
Nate nodded and then said, "Since we are now involved in it, I sincerely hope this conflict does not continue. Considering that we still have the uninvited guest from the east."
"So do I."
Vex and Nate then took a deep breath at the same time.
---
South coast of Amstell Continent
20:40, 7 Sept 2025
Beneath a 30-meter cliff wall, eight frogmen were shivering while stood on a reef, submerged in seawater up to 20 cm high. At the same time, 12 meters ahead of them an Osprey slowly lowered its altitude up to 8 meters above sea level. Then, a rope ladder was thrown from the ramp door, while a hooked sling was lowered from its belly.
The frogman immediately swam while carrying the entire equipment that had been tied together and wrapped in a buoyant net. After the net containing the equipment was attached to the hooked sling, they then climbed one by one into Osprey.
As a Team Leader, Captain Kasino became the last frogman to climb. As soon as he arrived at the Osprey’s cabin, the Load Master immediately handed him a tablet. "Congrats Captain, you have eight perfect jackpots."
"Thank you." Captain Kasino checked the pictures of eight carrier ships that split in half before turning his gaze to Loadmaster. "Chief, do you have something to eat?"
"I have one box of instant cup noodles, if you don't mind."
"It's more than enough."
Without delay, Loadmaster heated some water and distributed instant cup noodles.
*****