21st Century Goguryeo

November 16th, 2023, 19:00 (Kurdistan Standard Time 13:00)

Iran, West Azerbaijan, 5km north of Karachihaden (the 7th mechanized infantry brigade, 75th mechanized infantry battalion)

The northern region of Karachihaden reflected the ferocity of the battle that had occurred between the Iranian military and Corea for the area throughout the night.

Numerous half-burnt and smoking armored vehicles' remains littered the northern plains, and piles of Iranian soldiers' bodies were strewn across the plains and drowned the land in blood.

The Iranian forces that attempted to hold Karachihaden consisted of two armored brigades, one mechanized infantry division, and three battalions of militia. The Corean military was outnumbered 10 to 1. On top of that, two of the enemy's armored brigades were equipped with the T-14 Armata tanks they previously battled at Maku.

No matter how powerful the C-23P-M Hyun-mu armored vehicles under the 75th mechanized infantry battalion were, it would have been difficult to face off against the 4.5th generation T-14 Armata tanks that were on par with Corea's C-2A1 Black Tigers. Additionally, the 75th battalion would have to face off against 200 pick-up trucks armed with railguns as well. The Corean forces were like moths drawn to a flame.

Despite their disadvantages, the 7th mechanized infantry brigade's headquarters ordered its 75th battalion to march into Karachihaden in the dead of night.

The 75th mechanized infantry battalion had superiority in vision at night, along with their networking capabilities. Therefore, the brigade headquarters judged that its battalion could handle the battle and sent them in.

Russia's T-14 Armata tanks were just as capable at night and networking since they were 4.5th generation tanks as well. However, the issue was the crew's proficiency. Even if the revolutionary guards were the elites within the Iranian military, they weren't able to master the T-14 Armata tank's controls and systems within a month.

The 12th carrier strike group's unmanned bombers and jets providing air support blocked off the Iranian air forces from taking flight and the FAH-91SP Peregrine Falcon choppers from the 30th aerial force's airstrikes made a major contribution also.

When the 75th mechanized infantry battalion annihilated the Iranian 1st revolutionary guard's armored division, two armored brigades, and the 11th mechanized infantry division by using their 3-dimensional tactics, the militia and the defeated forces all retreated to downtown Karachihaden to defend the city.

The 75th mechanized infantry battalion also made an encampment 5km north of the city and went into sentry duty while taking a break.

As the 75th armored battalion found shelter near the collapsed buildings, some of the infantry in the battalion started to fall asleep near their armored vehicles from fighting the battle all night. Despite being in the rough terrain under the blazing sun, the soldiers were in deep sleep.

"Corporal Kim, sir! We're here to relieve you. Please get some rest." Corporal Kim Gil-tae and Private First Class Kang Tae-man moved towards Corporal Kim Sung-ho and Private First Class Youn Ho-jin who were on sentry duty.

Corporal Kim Sung-ho checked his watch and spoke, "Is it time already? Did you guys get enough rest?"

"More or less, sir. Please get some rest yourself."

"Okay, thanks!"

"Yes, sir!"

At the barren fields across Karachihaden, the blazing sun's rays and light caused shimmers across the field.

"Tae-man, you take our 12 to 2 o'clock. I'll keep watch on our 10 to 12."

"Yes, sir!"

In three hours, the 75th mechanized infantry battalion was scheduled to join forces with the Republic of Kurdistan's defensive forces before making the final push towards the city.

* * *

November 16th, 2023, 20:00 (Local Time 14:30)

The Indian Ocean, N22°50'3.93" E 62°46'30.04" (the 12th carrier strike group Baekbum Gim-gu (CV-001) unmanned bomber piloting deck)

The Baekbum Gim-gu's four CUF/A-22NP Phoenix bombers were busy dropping payloads on the battlefield across Iran and Iraq. After they were finished, the four unmanned bombers flew 2,000km to patrol the southern skies of Karachihaden.

The piloting deck was located at the deepest part of the aircraft carrier, and it had dozens of monitors set up in four lines. Each monitor outlined the numerous flight statuses and information of the four Phoenix bombers, and the operators were busily watching them. These operators could be considered as the pilots of the bombers as well.

The CUF/A-22NP Phoenix bombers were on autopilot by artificial intelligence to conduct missions, but the operators could jump in at any time to manually pilot them.

The Phoenix jets were checking for reinforcements from the Iranian military before the urban battle at Karachihaden was to take place along its programmed route.

Bombings from the CUF/A-22NP Phoenixes from the Baekbum Gim-gu also played a major role in the Iranian military withdrawing from the western front and West Azerbaijan after their continued defeat.

The Iranian army was at a disadvantage despite fighting in their home territory after losing all aerial control. At the start of the war, the surviving Iranian jets were taken down by the Phoenix unmanned jets and the Iranian air force decided to refrain from further deploying their jets. Therefore, the skies above Iran and Iraq were being controlled entirely by the Corean military.

"Armored forces detected 25km away from Karachihaden's Eboli village road 11!" Delta flight wing's Jet 3 operator checked the footage and shouted.

"How big are they?" Captain Nam Sang-gyu, the Delta flight wing's commander, turned around.

"Based on the footage, it seems they are at least the size of a brigade, sir," Lieutenant Oh Hyun-woo, the operator of Bomber 3, swiftly manipulated the console and reported back.

"A whole brigade? Are the Iranians out of their minds? They are going to move an entire brigade even after losing so many of their own to us?"

At the start of the war, the Iranian military moved a large group of forces to West Azerbaijan but was detected by the Phoenix bombers. Over 10 divisions worth of military forces were bombed by the Corean jets and perished.

After that, the Iranian military started to move their forces in groups of battalions. This had the advantage of lowering losses, but the issue was the slow rate of reinforcements coming into the western front. Therefore, the Iranian military was unable to face off against the relatively small group of Corea's peacekeeping forces. It only led to their men getting picked off one by one.

"It seems to be the 32nd revolutionary armored brigade under the 6th armored division, sir," Lieutenant Oh Hyun-woo finally finished his detailed analysis and reported to the captain.

"Isn't the 31st armored brigade the ones marching to Koi? My, my, I guess defending Karachihaden was more urgent."

The Delta flight wing's commander started manipulating a tablet after hearing Lieutenant Oh Hyun-woo's report.

Captain Nam Sang-gyu continued reporting to the commander, "Sir, it seems the Iranian military has given up on marching towards Koi and decided to focus on defending Karachihaden."

"That must be the case. I'm sure holding Karachihaden would be more important than retaking Koi. It does lead to Tehran after all. Regardless, it's a good thing we caught them on the move. Do you think we can wipe them out 100% with the arms equipped on the Phoenixes right now?"

"I don't think a complete annihilation will be possible, sir."

The large central screen on the piloting deck showed the status of the arms aboard the four Phoenix jets.

"Hmm, I guess we have no choice! Flight wing Delta, start the bombing. I will contact the flight battalion's commander to request for another flight wing to aid us."

The Delta flight wing's commander gave the order to attack and manipulated his headset to report to the flight battalion's commander. "Yes, sir! As of now, 14:20, the Delta flight wing will begin its attack."

When the Delta flight wing's commander gave the order, the operators started moving their hands busily. The four Phoenix unmanned bombers flying 30km above the surface all swiftly gathered to the target destination.

Woooooooooosh~

The bombers all changed their wings' angles and dropped their altitude within bombing range and started to open up their internal weapons hatch. When the two connection rods started to turn and point to the 2 o'clock direction, the C-SDB-10 (Plasma Cluster Bombs) started to fall to the surface.

Each bomber dropped 8 rounds and 32 C-SDB-10 plasma cluster rounds in total started to fall towards their targets using their GPS guidance system.

All 32 rounds landed precisely on their targeted locations within a minute.

Boom! Baaaaaang! Boooooom!

The 32nd armored brigade was caught off guard and was pelted by a shower of metal coming from the sky.

Explosions that shook the heavens and land rang out everywhere, and the bomblets falling like rain from the sky caused some of the tanks to shoot up into the air.

Each round of the C-SDB-10 (Plasma Cluster Bombs) was capable of wiping out an entire football field, and the 32nd armored brigade instantly lost 50% of their numbers. However, their misfortune did not end there. The surviving armored forces were bombed by the Echo flight wing and perished as well.

* * *

November 16th, 2023, 22:00

The North State, a building in Pyeong-yang, Hyungjesan-ku, Shinmi-dong (the old Reconnaissance General Bureau's safehouse)

Jo Myung-rok buried himself into the sofa and puffed on the Cuban cigar, filling the entire office with white smoke.

"Is everything ready?" Jo Myung-rok stopped puffing smoke and spoke to the man seated on the other side of the sofa.

Jo Won-jin answered him, "There's no need for concern. We have finished making preparations."

"You must make sure everything is taken care of. It's a historic moment, isn't it?"

"The agents have memorized their routes and trained numerous times."

"The men they will face are no easy targets. They are elite agents from the NIS. They wouldn't be that different compared to our boys from the General Reconnaissance Bureau!"

"I understand."

"Yes, I guess the day has finally arrived. So, this afternoon, right? That bastard Kim Chun-won who has been influenced by capitalism called me. He must have been curious to call me, right? I bet he has no idea that tomorrow will be his last. Fu fu fu."

Jo Myung-rok stubbed his cigar on the ashtray and continued speaking after standing up. "And another thing. Our mission is important, but our escape to Russia is far more crucial. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Yes, that has been prepared by the Russians and ready to go. I'm sure we won't have any further trouble going to Russia."

Jo Myung-rok muttered to himself while looking at the dark scenery from the window, "I will be the one who laughs last. Fu fu fu."