Although at first glance it looked easy, in truth diving using a DPV was complex and risky. It required greater situational awareness than simply swimming, as some changes could happen in a flash. The operator needed precise and simultaneous depth control, buoyancy adjustment, monitoring of breathing gas, and navigation.

Moreover, buoyancy control was vital for diver safety, and even if the DPV could compensate for poor buoyancy control by thrust vectoring while moving, on stopping the diver may turn out to be dangerously positively or negatively buoyant if adjustments were not made to suit the changes in depth while moving.

Also, a rapid ascent or descent under power could result in barotrauma or decompression sickness. While limited visibility would increase the risk of impact with the surroundings, at speeds where injury could be fatal.

Therefore, the eight Frogmans chose to wait on the surface while their target closed in. Considering that in a rainstorm, the watchguards who were tasked to prevent an ambush from swimmers would have low visibility.

With small maneuvers, the Frogmans shifted left or right to avoid hundreds of passing escort ships and landing ships. Then, as a huge silhouette appeared in the distance, they used a night vision monocular to confirm their targets.

When the awaited target finally arrived beside them, the Frogmans immediately made sure their breathing regulators were working properly, then swiftly closing into the side of each carrier ship.

On the right side of the last carrier ship, Captain Kasino calmly made calculations. Then, when the carrier ship slid down he immediately dived, approached the center of the keel, and attached a limpet bomb that was set to explode in two hours, and as the carrier ship was climbing upwards, he moved aside before slowly rising to the surface.

With his heart still pounding, Captain Kasino looked at the carrier ship moving away and muttered, 'Hope nothing goes wrong.'

At first glance, the maneuvers to attach the limpet bomb seemed simple. But actually, a one-second miscalculation could make Captain Kasino fatally get hit by the keel. Therefore, Captain Kasino wouldn't be surprised if any of the Frogmans failed and didn't return.

After taking a deep breath, Captain Kasino then maneuvered between the Buriek Navy columns, heading north.

- - - - -

Carrier Ship Essei-01, Flagship of Makai Combined Fleet.

1520, 7 Sept 2025

From the bridge, Rear Admiral Savier watched the rainstorm that showed no sign of abating. After making a small calculation he then turned to the sensor operator.

"We're halfway through the journey, is there still no sign of Buriek Navy's presence?"

"Negative Sir, the sensor crystal does not capture any activity at sea or in the air up to a radius of 50 km from the fleet column. Nor is there any emission of unknown communication crystals."

"Weird, if Buriek Navy wants to ambush us, then this rainstorm would be ideal for a cover when maneuvering to close in." After a moment of silence Rear Admiral Savier then asked, "What about swimmers?"

The communications officer immediately replied, "A watchguard on one of the escort ships reported that he saw an object that did not resemble any marine life maneuvering between the fleet."

"Did any of the other watchguards see it too?"

"Negative, Sir."

"Then ignore it. Even if it's a swimmer, it's impossible to launch the hijacking alone."

"Aye-aye Sir."

With a calm heart, Admiral Savier then walked over to his seat. But he had not yet sat down when a maintenance officer approached him with a suppressed panic-expression.

"Sir, there is something you must see."

Rear Admiral Savier frowned, then he said, "XO, take the command for a moment."

"Aye aye Sir, XO takes the command."

Without wasting time, Rear Admiral Savier then followed the maintenance officer, escorted by his bodyguard.

- - - - -

On the center of the lowest deck of Essei-01, Rear Admiral Savier observed the slightly shifting ship's construction. The leading half of the ship shifted 10 cm to the left from its axis, while the rear half shifted 10 cm to the right.

Without difficulty, Rear Admiral Savier concluded, the keel of Essei-01 had broken.

"How did this happen? It's impossible to hit a reef in these waters. Moreover, the location of the fracture is right in the middle of the keel."

The maintenance officer immediately replied, "There is no sign of a collision with a reef. But a few minutes before construction began to shift, the personnel on duty here reported a vibration on the floor. It was as if someone had hit the keel with a big hammer.

The aft and front ends of the ship have also started to rise. We must stop to check how badly the keel is damaged."

Rear Admiral Savier frowned before saying, "Not only we had to stop, but we must also start evacuating."

"But Sir, how about our mission?"

"Losing one carrier ship won't affect our mission. So don't waste time, it's just a matter of time before this ship splits in two. Raiders and Cloud Hawk should arrive on land before sunset. I will contact the nearest Region to receive them."

Then, Rear Admiral Savier was just about to contact his XO when his crystal communication was on.

"Admiral, this XO, I don't understand why or how, but seven other carrier ships reported their keels seemed to be broken and asked for permission to carry out an emergency evacuation."

"Huh?"

A huge question mark instantly appeared on Rear Admiral Savier's forehead, while the world seemed to be spinning wildly.

- - - - -

Operation Control Room, Davy Jones MOB

1550, 7 Sept 2025

Carefully, Vex and Nate observed the total evacuation at the eight Makai Navy carrier ships.

If conventional tactics were used, it would take massive explosives to sink one of Makai Navy carrier ships. However, if the Frogmans could put explosives at the carrier ship's keel, then a minimum amount of explosive was more than enough to sink it and it would look like it was an accident.

This was because the keel was the spine where the ship's skeleton was placed and held together, as well as being the heaviest part. Thus, the entire weight of the ship would all be pulled down and distributed to the keel evenly, and prevent the ship from tipping over to the side due to strong winds.

So, if the keel breaks in the middle, then the weight distribution of the ship would be disturbed, and sooner or later the structure above it would split due to not being able to withstand the weight of the ship and the waves that came repeatedly.

The Frogmans also had another key to success, it was the technical data that the Buriek Navy sent, where the shipbuilding techniques between Kingdom of Makai and Kingdom of Buriek were similar. Therefore the Frogmans could accurately determine the angle and distance from the water surface to the center of the keel.

The metallurgy used to make the material for the keel was also known in detail, so the explosive required to break the keel could be measured precisely.

The only challenge for the Frogmans was how they could get to the right place and attach the limpet bomb without getting hit by the keel. Considering that the targeted carrier ship was not staying still, but moving forward while going up and down splitting the fierce waves.

Fortunately, judging from the total evacuations on the eight carrier ships, it could be concluded that the sabotage was successfully carried out.

Without wasting time Vex gave orders to one of the communications officers, "Once the rainstorm subsides, send Osprey to pick up the Frogmans."

"Sir."

While the communications officer was sending orders, Vex turned to Nate. "Hopefully this will give us some time, while I'm back on Earth to take care of the spare parts, ammunition, and assets that haven't arrived yet."

Nate gave a small nod before saying, "Well, while you're gone, Viscount Issel and I will do our best to quell the ambitions of those who are tempted to devour Sandhur Region.

Since we are now involved in it, I sincerely hope that the conflict in Sandhur Region does not continue. Considering that we still have the uninvited guest from the east."

"I hope so too."

Vex and Nate then sighed deeply at the same time.

- - - - -

South coast of Amstell Continent

2040, 7 Sept 2025

Beneath a 30-meter cliff wall, eight Frogmans stand shivering on a reef submerged in seawater up to 20 cm high. Meanwhile, 10 meters ahead of them a V-22 Osprey slowly lowered its altitude to 8 meters above sea level. Then, a rope ladder was thrown from the ramp door, while a hooked sling was lowered from the belly.

The Frogmans immediately swam while carrying the entire equipment that had been tied together and wrapped in a buoyant net. After the net containing the equipment was attached to the hooked sling, they then climbed one by one into the Osprey.

As Team Leader, Captain Kasino was the last person to climb to the Osprey. As soon as he arrived at the deck, the Load Master immediately handed him a tablet. "Congrats Captain, you have eight perfect jackpots."

"Thank you." Captain Kasino checked the pictures of the eight Makai Navy carrier ships that split in half before turning to the Loadmaster. "Chief, do you have something to eat?"

"I have one box of instant cup noodles, if you don't mind."

"It's more than enough."

Without delay, Loadmaster then heated some water and distributed instant cup noodles.

*****