I Became a Captain of the British Empire

I guess I’m crazy

Late at night, Repulse’s conference room.

After the embassy staff left, they entered the meeting with the information the intelligence department gave them. I looked at the black-and-white photos in the middle of my desk and thought.

Lexington-class battlecruisers… No, in this world, is it the Constellation class? Designed as part of an interwar naval augmentation program, it was the first and last battlecruiser for the US Navy.

The basic armament is four 16-inch .50 caliber turrets. Equipped with an engine of 180,000 mana there, the maximum speed reaches a whopping 33 knots.

The only weakness is that the armor is thin enough to be similar to that of Repulse. Of course, this is also a limitation of battlecruisers.

It covers it with firepower that overwhelms Repulse and a top speed of 33 knots, which is faster than Hood. In the first place, even with the firepower of eight 16-inch guns, the power to deal with in the entire Royal Navy is counted in one hand.

“So, are you saying this guy is coming over to Panama?”

The officer sitting across from me asked with a twisted mouth. He nodded quietly.

“We will pass through the canal within this week at the latest. Perhaps we have just reached the other side of the canal.”

A shadow falls over the trembling eyes.

Eventually, the vice-captain sighed and accepted the words.

“This is embarrassing. It’s completely different from what I’ve been dealing with so far.”

“Because it’s the same battlecruiser. Both speed and firepower overwhelm us.”

“The good news is that our teeth are also eaten by the opponent.”

That was the opinion of Tiger’s captain, Bedford. That was all there was to take comfort in.

Of course, this also has problems. The Repulse has fewer shots, and it’s questionable whether the Tiger’s outdated 13.5-inch gun can penetrate enemy armor unless at close range.

If it’s a ‘Mighty Hood’ that uses a 15-inch gun with a lot of guns and a fast main gun, it’s worth dealing with, but… This fellow has just completed repairs and is undergoing rehab in his home country.

“How about tying your feet through an aircraft carrier?”

It was Air Chief John’s opinion. But I couldn’t help but shake my head.

“That is troublesome. It is difficult to stop a battlecruiser moving at high speed with an air strike. Don’t you know?”

No disagreements were heard.

Yeah, that’s the way we did it not too long ago. The unfortunate thing is that this applies to the other party as well.

In the end, the only thing that can stop a battlecruiser is the same battlecruiser… .

“Director, how is the repair of the engine going?”

“You can see that I did everything I could on the Eolchu site. The rest have to go into the dock and repair damage to the enclosure itself.”

“It must be difficult here… .”

We are in a situation where we can’t even get the original speed.

Should I come back soon… . I’m worried. However, the journey to this point is too wasteful to go back without doing anything. Damn, what brought me here!

While struggling alone, the gunnery commander continued.

“Chief of the flyer. Since we came this far, I think we should at least bombard Panama.”

“The damage is not easy to take such a risk. Moreover, isn’t the opponent a state-of-the-art ship? Our ships, built during the Great War, will be difficult to deal with.”

Captain Bedford interrupted the conversation as if to cut off his words, as if he was annoyed by the commander’s words.

“Look, operative. Even though our Tiger’s command is old, its fighting power is still the same. Have you forgotten the lessons of Jutland?”

“That’s why I say more. Don’t they have an advantage in both range and speed? How can I deal with it?”

“Stop making demoralizing remarks.”

“Captain, I express my opinion. The Repulse’s 15-inch guns can easily take on enemy battlecruisers. All you have to do is get a good vantage point outside the canal… .”

“They might be passing through the canal right now, so what’s the advantage?”

The voice gets louder.

Emotions began to creep into the conversation.

“Isn’t that why we need to hurry up the sortie even more?”

“As a supply officer, I disagree with that statement. Fuel and ammunition are a problem, and food needs to be resupplied. There is also a rest for the crew members… .”

“Chief of the flyer. After all, it’s like watching a game with an air raid through an aircraft carrier… .”

bang bang-

He banged on the desk and coughed. Only then did the silenced officers turn their attention.

I feel that my attention is focused.

“Everyone please be quiet. Isn’t it something that can be solved by simply throwing away any suggestion?”

It’s too much heating, these things.

I understand that you have become sensitive after a long voyage, but you must not forget the basics. we are soldiers

“It seems like everyone’s opinions have been heard enough. First of all, let’s draw a conclusion by focusing on the grand strategy.”

I’m just doing the best I can at this point. That’s all.

First of all, the request from the top is to hit Panama as soon as possible and put pressure on the United States. However, it is difficult for the current flyer to continue its operation.

“Supply officer, how many supplies do you have left?”

I asked while looking at the officer sitting in the middle of the conference room. The supply officer holding the papers said calmly.

“If you’re talking about combat voyages, the stockpile is currently limited to a week.”

Too short. Well, since we came from Bermuda all the way here through the fierce battle, it is time to resupply.

“We will sortie now, destroy Panama within a week, and engage the enemy battlecruiser squadron… .”

If it was a normal operation, it would be enough time. But things are too bad. Our condition is like that, and the enemy’s power is not formidable.

It’s impossible. Sober intelligence says so.

However, it is a situation where you can’t give up and bite the flyer. The expectations of the upper management are piercing the sky, and it is not a good decision to withdraw from the strategic point that has been reached.

However, if we stay here, support may come at any time. If you make a mistake, you may face a disaster of being destroyed while isolated from your home country like the pocket battleship ‘Graph Spee’.

damn, what the hell am i supposed to do

choice and focus. Again a decision is required. It’s a decision that could cost thousands of lives. Think carefully. therefore… .

“Take it slow. Anyway, I have to stay here for a few days. Let’s figure out a way while we finish resupplying.”

Still need time. First of all, you need to properly finish the supply. Second to fuel, you need fresh groceries and rest. Everyone is so tired.

smart-

As I was taking a breather, I heard a knock.

“come in.”

Someone opened the door and came in. It was Kirk.

“I have business for the head of the flyer… .”

“Just tell me quickly.”

Somehow, a cold answer came out.

I guess I’m getting sensitive too.

Kirk hesitated for a moment as if embarrassed, then looked around and opened his mouth.

“There is a guest from the embassy.”

“customer? ah.”

Come to think of it, I said I had someone to talk to. Judging from what he said in a hurry, it must be a difficult matter to have a listening ear.

Officers who have not heard the story look puzzled. He shook his head and told them.

“The meeting ends here. Let everyone get some rest.”

got up right away.

I don’t know why the ambassador doesn’t speak directly… .

You will be able to check now.

* * *

London, Naval Headquarters.

Beatty got up from the couch and looked at Churchill, frowning.

“You mean. I’m asking in case you don’t know… .”

I grabbed my cane and slowly approached it. As a shadow fell, Churchill raised his eyes slightly and looked up at Beatty. The old admiral continued in an unpleasant voice.

“Isn’t the Prime Minister having a strange affair?”

“Strange wind, be careful with your words.”

Churchill vehemently denied it, but Beatty never let go of his doubts.

“I just asked if there was a good agent.”

I guess my thoughts are right.

The sound of grinding teeth echoed through the office.

“A good agent! damn it! Don’t you know what kind of guy the intelligence guys are going to take?”

Banging the floor with his cane, Beatty shouted. Churchill blinked in surprise.

“Do you know?”

“I don’t live with my ears closed either. There is something that I put across.”

Most of them were leaked from the 1st Naval Police,

Be that as it may, Beatty didn’t reap an unpleasant pitch. Churchill turned his head away from the embarrassing gaze.

“Don’t worry too much. My friends also say that I am a promising person. Aren’t they both highly anticipated seeds?”

“No, but the agent side… .”

very anxious

Churchill agreed. But he didn’t even admit it, so he just nodded shyly.

“You will do well. If it’s that friend, you’ll be able to handle it well enough. Both of them are equally expected, so maybe it’s a good match.”

“That makes me even more worried.”

Beatty leaned on her cane and looked to one side of the office. The sunlight broke through the clouds for the first time in a long time and came through the window.

“If both are abnormal, then one of them won’t have to suffer… .”

The old admiral couldn’t be relieved even in the golden light shining through the curtains.

* * *

Repulse’s captain’s quarters.

In fact, we had a close meeting in my master room, which was used as a substitute for the flyer room. Even the vice-captain and Kirk had been sent out, so there was only me and the agent in front of me in the room.

The intelligence agent, who introduced himself as ‘Mr. K’, started talking by turning over the file.

“What is it?”

“This is the information you want.”

Have I ever asked for information? I don’t remember anything like that.

Looking at the file folder with a puzzled face, a short coded text was written.

“I don’t know how to read ciphertext… ?”

“Oh right!”

The agent, who clapped his hands, took the paper and began to write something with a pen.

What are you doing this… ?

The more you look, the more unique you are. A gentle suit, long or short blonde hair with slightly curly ends. He is one head shorter than me.

That’s why I had to keep my head down and look at it.

Above all, it is surprising that female agents existed during this time. No, it often appeared in movies, but I thought it was because it was a movie… .

So, in many ways it is inconvenient.

“Here, here. I moved it to plain text.”

When I handed over the documents again, something was written in English under the coded text. Write a little bit bigger… .

I read the small sentences one by one with my eyes closed.

“Battlecruisers sortie from the Pacific Fleet… Wasn’t it almost a week ago?”

I widened my eyes in surprise and glared at the agent angrily.

Just now let me tell you this important fact.

“What the hell has the intelligence department done so far?”

“ah… Originally, news should come in as soon as it departs, but the agent on the Pacific side was killed.”

It’s a total mess. What the hell is this situation?

“Well, since I caught it well and delivered it, wouldn’t it have worked out in the end?”

Agent shrugging his shoulders with a calm face.

What’s going well, you madman! The time table is completely broken.

“Damn it, we have to set sail right now. Was this what you wanted to convey?”

“no. I brought it as a bonus… .”

As if he had more to say, the agent raised his hand and stopped me from going outside.

He glanced at his wristwatch and continued talking quietly.

“This is a special order that came out of discussions on the side of the Navy Secretary.”

On the Minister’s side? Did the upper management discuss alternatives? Well, he probably won’t let go of that either.

I stopped my hasty steps and turned around.

Maybe, something will come up with a solution.

“The Repulse Flyer under Task Force H immediately departs from Mexico and then enters Panama.”

In the end, it’s a sortie call. Apparently, the battlecruisers haven’t crossed the canal yet. Then there is a chance of winning.

“Is there a means to collapse the canal?”

“Bombing, bombing and landing on the canals.”

… What to do?

I blinked blankly and tilted my head. I don’t know what kind of operation it is.

As if to help understanding, K continued.

“what… I want to die there. yes.”

“what?”

It seems that the top of the head has turned into a group.