Skirmish at Japan Southern Sea

### Outcome

The Gra Valkas Imperial submarine Mira strikes a JMSDF destroyer Takanami in a sea area near Japan.

### Result

**Japan Victory*** Submarine destroyed

**Skirmish at Japan Southern Sea** is the first naval engagement between Gra Valkas Empire and Japan. Gra Valkas Imperial 2nd Submarine Fleet attacked a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer on the sea area about 400 km southeast of Okinawa, Japan.

## Background

After refueling through secret bases on several uninhabited islands on the New World, the Gra Valkas Imperial Cetus-class submarine *Black Moon* had emerged to a periscope depth about 400 km southeast of Okinawa, Japan.

The Japan Ministry of Defense dispatched the second group of escorts, and the JMSDF Takanami-class destroyer *Takanami* to observe the submarine after it was discovered 2 days ago about 500 km southeast of Okinawa.

The existence of a Gra Valkas submarine was anticipated but caution was enforced due to the possibility that the submarine could be from another country other than the Gra Valkas Empire. The Japanese government instructed the Ministry of Defense to elucidate the nationality of the unknown submarine but granted permission to retaliate if attacked first.

Unknown to the crew of the *Black Moon*, the JSDF already knew their location while they were ascending to periscope depth. The loud sound from the ascending submarine confounded the crew of the *Takanami,* since a submarine shouldn't make so much noise, especially on stealth mission. This went against all common naval warfare sense.

## Naval Battle

The Gra Valkas submarine captain found a ship that he believed to be Japanese. They were planning to launch a commerce raiding operation against the Central World, and as a precedent, to inform the world that the blades of the Gra Valkas Empire will reach even the distant waters of Japan. Their main goal was to disrupt convoys and supply chains. What they didn't know was that their submarine had been under surveillance ever since they entered the waters near Okinawa. Furthermore, the submarine crew didn't know that they were about to attack a Japanese destroyer that was armed with sonar and anti-submarine equipment, including guided torpedoes.

The submarine captain noted through his periscope that the *Takanami* was heading toward their position. He then ordered his crew to fire a torpedo at it. However, the *Takanami* detected the launch and accelerated to avoid the attack. The unguided Gra Valkas torpedo missed its target, shooting behind the *Takanami's* wake. The destroyer then counter-attacked by firing one Type-97 Short Torpedo from a deck launcher on its side.

The submarine captain made frank comments when he saw that they fired something into the sea. The submarine slowly began to dive. He was expecting the destroyer to be sunk after his torpedo attack and he had to question what was dropped off the ship's side. After a short time, the submarine acoustics officer cried out that he heard a sound that was clearly the sound of an enemy torpedo heading toward them. The submarine began to dive full speed. Creepy high sounds can be clearly heard on board. The fact that Japanese ship emits sonar suggests that there may be submarines in that country as well. This could have significant implications for the Empire's future strategy, and the captain decided to stay alive with information.

The imperial soldier yelled that the enemy's torpedo is turning and approaching them. The submarine captain was shocked and realized that Japanese guided torpedo was a high-performance weapon. The submarine dove at full speed but this was a futile effort. The torpedo hit the submarine and shattered its hull, causing it to flood with water under pressure. The majority of the crew perished when the sub imploded from the impact and sank. The torpedo's explosive pressure rushed upwards to the surface and became a huge column of water, signifying the sub's demise.

## Aftermath

JMSDF Destroyer *Takanami* reported that an unknown submarine was crushed and sunk under the sea. Regarding nationality, Japan could salvage well in this sea area. The clash in the waters marked the first engagements between Japan and the Gra Valkas Empire.

The survivors of the submarine crew were later discovered by the Gra Valkas Imperial Navy through the discovery of an emergency escape pod, where the surviving crew were extremely weak due to months of being stranded on the ocean.

Information Technician Naguano heard the news from his senior and shuddered immensely to believe what he read the book called "Treasure Continent" that Japan might conduct anti-submarine warfare, as well as the Japanese submarines themselves.