riri_shizu

Pontus has struck without warning, again. The Third Pontic-Inazuman War has ignited, shattering the fragile peace between the two seafaring nations. As fleets clash under crimson skies, Admiral Sangonomiya Kokomi of Inazuma must lead her armada against the cunning and relentless Pontic garrison.

In a theater of war spanning uncharted waters and treacherous coastlines, loyalties are tested, alliances are forged, and betrayal lurks in the depths. With the fate of her nation hanging by a thread, Kokomi faces not only the enemy but the ghosts of her past and a dangerous secret that could turn the tide of the war—or destroy everything she holds dear.

Amidst the roar of cannons and the whisper of waves, honor and survival become inseparable in this tale of maritime strategy, sacrifice, and the enduring spirit of the warrior. "Waves of Honor" immerses readers in a Japanese-inspired naval epic where every decision carries the weight of an empire.

Eiko no Nami - Waves of Honor

FURONG NAVAL BASE, INAZUMA, SYONAN

The ships assembled in the rock-forged docks formed one of the largest fleets ever known in naval history. Each Akebono Maru transport ship housed at least a thousand Valkyrian troops and several dozen armoured vehicles - the destroyer-converted ships were armed with 130 mm main guns that would not do anything against battleships or heavy cruisers, but should ward off destroyers.

The massive 150 vessel-strong fleet made for the Pontic shores of St. Petersburg. Aboard the Watatsumi were Rear Admiral Sangonomiya Kokomi and Nagano Yukiko along with Supreme Allied Commander Inazuma (SACIN) Hoshino Miyuki and LANDCOM of the IGF, Hoshino Miyune. The flotilla was not trying to remain covert, since there was no earthly way Inazuman Naval Command could have concealed a fleet spanning two nautical miles across.

Kokomi leaned against the table, nursing a cup of coffee, her fatigued eyes roving over the holographic map in front of her, a blinking red dot showing the fleet advancing at a steady 14 knots. Next to her, Miyuki and Miyune surveyed a topographic map of St. Petersburg, discussing privately between the two of them. All was calm.

KYPILVRR AIR BASE, ST. PETERSBURG, PONTUS

Lieutenant-Commander Vasily Petchkin couldn't believe his ears. CINC-EAST wanted him to do what now? He reread the orders conveyed to him by CINC-EAST. "Engage the Inazuman fleet with Plamya missiles." He was supposed to kill an entire fleet with 40 Tu-95s carrying 160 T-43 missiles? This was bullshit. Utter bullshit.

His wingman gave him a nervous nudge and he sighed, climbing into his heavy bomber. A good airman never questioned his orders.

Two hours later, he was airborne, still wondering about the folly he had been told to commit.

KAZAN, ASTRAEN SEA, TEN MILES OFF THE COAST OF MUSASHI

The Kazan's captain glared at his orders. He had originally been told to stay hidden near Musashi Seaport. Apparently, STAVKA now wanted him to give all secrecy and put the pedal to the metal. He sighed, and called out, "Right full rudder." His crewman seemed visibly shocked but turned the annunciator nonetheless, "Right full rudder, da."

As the submarine surged forth, her captain cringed, hoping that STAVKA knew what the hell they were doing.

RIS IZASHIO, ASTRAEN SEA, 20 MILES OFF THE COAST OF MUSASHI

The RIS Izashio was an Amatsukaze-class destroyer allocated to guarding Musashi Seaport. Her radar operator screamed, "Transients! Transients! Pontic submarine ten miles, bearing zero-three-seven northeast!" The Izashio's captain immediately ordered, "Load torpedo tubes two, three, four. Set up firing solution."

Three Type 97 torpedoes sped towards the submarine. This was to become the first confirmed submarine kill in the war.

KAZAN, ASTRAEN SEA, 14 MILES OFF THE COAST OF MUSASHI

The Kazan never heard the torpedoes. All three slammed into it just aft of amidships at a sixty-degree angle.

The Kazan had had full watertight integrity set. It did not make a difference. Two compartments were immediately vented to the sea, and the bulkhead between the control room and the after compartments failed a short while later from hull deformation. The last thing the sailors saw aboard was a curtain of white foam coming from the starboard side. The Akula rolled to port, turned by the force of the explosion. In a few seconds, the submarine was upside down. Throughout her length men and gear tumbled around like dice, where half the crew were already drowning. The captain's last conscious act was to yank at the disaster beacon handle, but it was to no avail: the sub was inverted, and the cable fouled on the sail. The only marker on the Kazan's grave was a mass of bubbles that languidly dispersed a moment later.

Chapter 9