RM Vol 3: For a World without Boundary – Interlude: Enemy at the gate! (Part 5)

RM Vol 3: For a World without Boundary – Interlude: Enemy at the gate! (Part 5)

Spoiler

It's an uncanny coincidence but weirder stuff has happened before. - Slime-san on June 10

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"The enemy vessel has made a break out of docking! Are they running away?"

"No! If they're running away, they should have headed for direct West, not a South-West bearing. From the look of it, they're dashing further inland."

"This hotel is literally by the coast. If they are heading inland, they will have direct access to the VIPs."

"Any idea how many hostiles are on that ship?"

"Enough to cause some serious damage if they make landfall anywhere. There's no telling how much firepower they're still backing after previous engagement."

"Can they even pass through the strait?"

"It's a small enough vessel, the draught won't be deep enough to hit a shallow mound."

"They're still further away from any settlement, do we have any nearby units that can intercept them, with force if necessary?"

"The Gustaf V and her escorts are the only ones nearby, anything smaller will risk being perforated by the time they get close to the Sardegnians. However, our vessels won't be able to catch up to the enemy ship before they pass the Stegesund Strait. By then, we won't be able to stop them without risking civilian casualties."

"Our ship is faster, but they got a head start. Damn it! If we can't stop them by sea, then may as well prepare for a coastal invasion. Your Majesty, please grant the permission for the Royal Guards to sortie!"

King Gustaf V, deep in thought about the ramifications of this recent development, nods at the request. "You have my blessing. Go out and greet the enemy that dares intrude on our doorstep!"

The officer who made the request salutes Gustaf V. "Long live the King!"

Now that a portion of the Swedish Royal Guards moving out to secure the hotel's outer perimeter, the conference room is noticeably less cramped. It doesn't mean that Gustaf V's security is any less airtight, however. Still, with the information that is made available to her thanks to her daughter, Lu knows that she should intervene now before things develop in an unforeseen manner.

"King Gustaf, if I may be bold to suggest something?" The Belkan Empress interjected, surprising Gustaf V for a bit.

"Do tell, Empress." The Swedish King nodded at Lu.

"This is the HSwMS Gustaf V to hostile Sardegnian vessel. In the name of His Majesty the King of Sweden, stand down and prepare to be boarded!" Such a broadcast is played on repeat many times. During said broadcast, the Captain orders the preparation of boarding parties.

While armed sailors are gearing up for boarding action, the Captain's attention is taken away by one of his subordinates. The man is then shown through binoculars the action of the Sardegnians uncovering something on their deck. The Captain of the Gustaf V then promptly jumped in shock when it turned out that the Sardegnians had bolted haphazardly some naval cannons on their ship. His inexperience in naval warfare matter shown when the Sardegnians secure the first shots on the Gustaf V and at such a close distance. Luckily for the man, his faith has blessed him, the two 90mm shells that the Sardegnians send out have lackluster performance on the Swedish coastal defense ship. One falls short of the vessel while another harmlessly shatters against the impressive armored belt of the Gustaf V. Nonetheless, they do cause the Captain and the crew of the Gustaf V a fright. Worse, they scratch the paint job on the ship that is bearing the name of His Majesty, using something that's not even worthy to be called an armed merchantman. A humiliation like that would cost the Captain his military career at the very least.

The Captain is now positively livid after that slight.

"Good! Good! If they spit on the civility we offered them! Then who are we to not return that slap they gave us in kind! I want all guns to aim that stain in the sea!"

The sound of groaning metals can be heard as the Gustaf V lays her armament consisting of:

4 × Bofors 283 mm gun M/1912 (2×2)

8 × 152 mm/50 cal. Bofors QF M/1912 (1×2, 6×1)

4 × 75 mm/53 cal. Bofors QF M/1912 (4×1)

2 × 75 mm/53 cal. Bofors AA M/1915 (2×1)

2 × 57 mm/21.3 cal. Bofors M/1916 (2×1)

2 × 6.5 mm/92.3 cal. MG M/1914 (2×1)

After a report that all batteries are ready, the Captain shouts heatedly.

"FIRE EVERYTHING!"

For the first time in her service record, Gustaf V unleashes her first all batteries salvo in anger against a target many times less than her in wiping the Sardegnian vessel off the ocean in less than five seconds. It has been nothing short of a point-blank range for the Gustaf V, as such, nearly everything hit the now non-existent vessel. Ultimately, what remains of the former enemy are floating debris and oil stains, with pieces of things still falling from the sky after many explosions.

By HSwMS Gustaf V's side is the HSwMS Tapperheten, a vessel that has been lucky enough to get a front view of Gustaf V's anger. In a moment of hilarity, the Tapperheten has signaled Gustaf V this:

"Chill, bro, chill."