I Became a Captain of the British Empire - I Became a Captain of the British Empire chapter 102

A little special line

11 p.m. Off the coast of Gibraltar.

One by one, the party dressed in uniform climbed onto the deck of Repulse. Those who move their bodies against a dark background as a tent.

Seeing the pretty young ambassador at the front, Captain Tobay gave a vigorous salute.

“Welcome to Repulse.”

“Nice to meet you, Captain Torbay. Where is the Admiral?”

Sending bright eyes, the ambassador asked.

“You are currently on the bridge. Would you like to meet me?”

“No, I hope to see you somewhere else.”

“Then I will tell you.”

A group that moves quickly.

As if being chased by something, like the wind, it disappears within me.

Behind Tobay, who was quietly watching them, an officer in uniform opened his mouth.

“There is something.”

“It’s better not to pay too much attention, operative. This is for the Admiral to resolve.”

“I’ve been working at Repulse for a long time, but the Admiral seems to get caught up in this often.”

With a grin, Tobay looked back at his seasoned operative.

An officer who has been with Repulse since the North Atlantic Fleet Battle. It is a unique case that remains on the ship until the end even after being promoted.

“Well, see what happens with the boss. Anyway, this is just as tiring as this.”

“At least there’s nothing to be comfortable with in this unit.”

“Then aren’t you the one who stayed here after all?”

Tobay shrugged his shoulders in amazement.

Seeing the officer coughing, he was playful.

“Even though I’m tired, I guess it’s nice to be here after all.”

“I just liked the atmosphere.”

“I think I have a strong attachment to it. I even write connections.”

Surprised, the officer turned his head with his eyes wide open. Tobay only raised the corner of his mouth as if he was happy.

“After being promoted, didn’t you have to transfer to another ship? Even the position has changed.”

“that… … .”

The operation officer who became dumb after eating honey in an instant.

Seeing him restless, Tobay finally couldn’t hold back his laughter and shook his head.

“Don’t worry, I don’t intend to say anything here. I also received a lot of help from you.”

The operation officer, whose expression had calmed down in an instant, wiped away a cold sweat. Tobay, who was enjoying his flustered face, eventually continued with a smile.

“Anyway, I don’t know what the admiral is thinking. I mean, you asked yourself to go in this direction.”

the way to the east.

The purpose is to dispatch an excessive amount of reinforcements to the Japanese Navy and urge them to sortie.

Even if they do this, if they refuse, the cabinet will be able to point out diplomatic rudeness. Not only that, but you can legally project power into the Philippines.

‘Of course the Japs won’t sit still. I’ll be busy anyway.’

It was the admiral’s judgment that if he gestured before that, he would eventually stand up with that heavy ass.

Tobay couldn’t help but be surprised by that.

The admiral, who used to simply operate the fleet tactically, has now reached the stage of establishing a grand strategy himself.

It’s hard to think that he was just a captain until half a year ago. What the heck is the secret to that incredible ability?

Although he works in a laid-back way now, he is not without ambition either. It’s something you have to aim for the top someday and compete with your peers.

‘If I learn even a little more until then, it will definitely be a big advantage.’

It was time to look up at the lightless bridge.

“… hmm?”

Watching the party entering the ship, Tobay suddenly tilted his head.

A tall, blond-haired young man closely following the ambassador.

“What are you doing? Captain.”

“No, it’s nothing special… … .”

Tobay stares at the door.

Then he shook his head and spoke.

“It felt like I saw a familiar face for a moment. Never mind.”

It was he who averted his eyes as if avoiding his gaze.

* * *

After a while, Repulse’s meeting room.

After receiving the report from the bridge, I heard the situation from the adjutant following me while I was rushing down.

“The ambassador’s party is here?”

“Yes, I am Ambassador Anthony Eden, who is being dispatched as a special envoy to Japan.”

“Either?”

I couldn’t help but shake my head in surprise at the familiar name.

“Anthony Eden, right?”

“Yes, he is.”

I knew it.

The person who will serve as the future Prime Minister of the British Empire has boarded the ship. He had a reputation as a foreign minister. In the original history, he served as foreign minister in Churchill’s cabinet, and after the war he succeeded him as prime minister.

However, due to a mistake in the Suez War, he retired from politics lonely. He is being dispatched for diplomatic work now, so at least he shouldn’t have to worry about his abilities. But that sounds like a burden on me too.

“I’m crazy. Why did such a giant appear?”

I had no intention of stepping into politics.

Anyway, I can’t help it. I’m just doing my best to not make you uncomfortable on the way.

Unlike Churchill, I’ve heard that Eden doesn’t have a particularly lively personality. As long as each of us is faithful to our roles, there won’t be too many things to do.

I cleared my complicated mind and opened the conference room door.

“Welcome to Task Force Z, Ambassador Eden.”

“Nice to meet you, Admiral Lewis. I really wanted to meet you.”

A younger face than you think. Aren’t you in your 40s now? No, younger than that.

Maybe he’s younger than me. There was a slightly quiet expression in his face, but there was still a lively energy.

“How do you feel about boarding Repulse?”

“yes? ah… It looks like a very good battleship. Compared to the royal yacht Rinaun, this seems to prove that this is a fighting ship.”

What is it, are you referring to being tattered?

Even so, it was a look of genuine admiration.

… Is it delusion of damage? Well, our Repulse isn’t the style to go anywhere.

“You are exaggerating. thank you Please sit down.”

I immediately activated a commercial smile and guided me to my seat. All the ambassadors take their seats one by one. A young man who looked like an aide sat next to Eden, and the rest of the party sat next to him.

In fact, I heard the good news.

In response to the criticism that the current ambassador to Japan is unable to work, the cabinet is taking quite special measures. Of course, I never dreamed that it would be transported with our fleet.

Anyway, maybe that’s why, Eden’s expression as he sat down looked very heavy.

“I already heard the news. On the way to the Far East, I will take you there safely.”

“Thank you, Admiral Lewis. And, if possible, could I ask you a few questions?”

“Yes, you can.”

Eden speaks in a low voice.

“What is the combat power of our fleet?”

It’s a tricky question. I don’t have a scout.

When I showed a look of bewilderment, Eden hurriedly continued.

“Oh, compared to the Japanese Navy’s main fleet, or the US Pacific Fleet.”

“That’s what you mean.”

If this is the case, you can answer. If you ask how much combat power you have without a clear target, I don’t have much to say.

It’s not like suddenly saying ‘Repulse’s combat power is 50,000.’

Anyway, after clearing my throat, I slowly shook my head and thought.

I don’t know why you ask this, but I have to answer first.

“well. Obviously, our fleet can be seen as an elite unit with the best British forces concentrated. However, it must be said that it is difficult to compare it to a huge fleet in charge of one ocean.”

“okay. It is nothing different, because we have to think of various plans according to the situation in the Far East.”

chin-

He rummages through his jacket pocket and pulls out some papers. A pile of documents exuding a mysterious aura. He casually handed me a thick piece of paper.

“Read it, Admiral. These are plans conceived with the Secretary of the Navy in the Cabinet.”

Secretary of the Navy? What did that fat man do after hearing me?

I slowly flipped through the papers with an anxious mind.

Fortunately, most of them don’t deviate much from the direction I suggested.

However, there was one catch.

“In the Japanese Empire, if the sortie is postponed to the end, the Asian Fleet will be defeated single-handedly. After that, we will prepare for the Philippine offensive with the support of the British Commonwealth Army.”

Are you serious? It is unbelievable when you see it with your own two eyes. Are you really thinking of doing this?

When I raised my head with puzzled eyes, Ambassador Eden continued to speak with a face that seemed to know that.

“This is an issue agreed upon by the Cabinet. Of course it is top secret.”

“This will not stand still on the part of the Japanese government. Do you not know well what they are aiming for in this war?”

What Japan wants in this war is, of course, hegemony in the Pacific region. It is to eliminate even a little bit of the influence of the United States, the biggest competitor, and to develop Southeast Asian colonies independently. The Philippines must be a gold nugget.

If Britain tries to get its hands on that vital zone, even its allies will not stand still.

“That’s why it means to be more mindful.”

Eden answered calmly.

He brought his body closer to me and continued in a low voice.

“Admiral, can this Z task force single-handedly defeat the US Asian Fleet?”

Are you serious? Slowly, a feeling of uneasiness creeps in.

“If it’s just the Asian fleet, there’s no problem. But we have amphibious assault experience… !”

“That’s it.”

Speaking firmly, he leaned back in his chair again.

“Admiral, after gaining control of the seas, the operation will fall under the jurisdiction of the British Commonwealth Command.”

In short, the Australian army will be in charge of the ground battle, so don’t worry. However, the defense of the Philippines is not so easy. Can British Commonwealth forces single-handedly drive out the American forces?

“Maybe Gallipoli, I think.”

“You worry too much. I am here to prevent that from happening.”

Differently from his image, he smiled relaxedly and said so in a confident voice.

“As soon as we arrive in the Far East, we will have serious talks.”

“Who are you talking to?”

“Of course they are from the Far East.”

A face that asked me all these things.

Then he boldly continued to speak.

“Admiral, please carefully review their naval power.”

what is this… It is an important matter that cannot be separated from politics.

“For a simple expedition, isn’t the matter a bit complicated?”

“This is an idea from the Admiral. You must see the end.”

Damn it, belated regrets come flooding in. No, this is definitely the right way. But why am I carrying a gun?

I let out a grumbling sigh and said.

“To be honest, I didn’t want to get involved in something serious like this. Is it really dead or alive?”

sh*t! I hate politics. The risk is too great. However, it is too late to step out now. The ship has already sailed. I can’t back down any longer.

As I sat there with an expression of regret, the atmosphere at my bedside was strange. When I raised my head, Eden was staring at me.

Eden’s lines blinking.

“Do you like Shakespeare?”

The eyes are different. Until just now, it was clear, but I could see a quiet corner somewhere, but now it shines brightly as if it has come alive.

“yes? ah… Well, at least I saw Hamlet.”

“Hamlet! It’s a basic requirement. It is truly a wonderful work.”

Gradually, he raised the corner of his mouth and leaned toward me.

“Would it be all right if I could talk to you for a moment? We’ll see each other for quite a while.”

A strangely excited expression. Come to think of it, did Eden say that he was interested in Shakespeare?

I nodded my head obediently, thinking that it would be nice to build some kind of friendship at this time.

“what… I see.”

I didn’t know then.

Why do people avoid Deokhu?

After listening to the passionate speech that lasted for over four hours, I was barely able to get out of the conference room under the pretext of an unexpected situation.