JDS Azumaya
Kongo-class Destroyer
Japanese Territorial Waters
CO: Captain Shinsui Hirayama
1500 hours
Lieutenant Commander Tadayuki Nomata looked around the CIC with pride, allowing himself a small smile at the air of efficient, purposeful activity around him. Even though the bridge was thought of as the most important part of the ship, the Combat Information Centre was the nerve centre of the Okikaze. Using data gathered through radar, sonar, radio communications and good old-fashioned visual observation, their tactical situation was constantly analysed to effectively employ the myriad offensive and defensive systems at their command. He glanced sideways at Lieutenant Commander Kazuhiko Sato, Okikaze's Tactical Action Officer who was flipping through the Intelligence Reports on his clipboard. The TAO was Captain Hirayama's representative in the CIC, authorised to take whatever defensive or offensive action was necessary without the need to contact him first. With the speed that situations could develop, such autonomy was essential to the operation of the CIC. Over the last few months, he had come to rely on Kazuhiko's composure and objectivity.
'Sensor contact!' Petty Officer Kasamatsu called from the Tracking/Detection Station, breaking the silence, his tone urgent.
'Identify.' Chief Petty Officer Hayatama ordered, moving to stand behind him.
Tadayuki glanced at Kazuhiko, who had put down his reports, but neither man said anything. Hayatama was the CIC Watch Officer and he was already doing what needed to be done. As soon as he had any information, he would share it.
'Profile suggests an ICBM.' Kasamatsu said and Hayatama turned to Tadayuki.
'Sir, we have a probable Intercontinental Ballistic Missile on our radar.
'Confirm that.' Tadayuki said, raising his voice. 'Sound General Quarters. Alert the CF Division and inform the Captain immediately.' He ordered, feeling the cold rush of adrenaline through his body. This was it. Amid the hubbub of voices, he heard Seaman Mimasuya saying
'General Quarters! General Quarters. All hands, General Quarters.'
'Confirmed ICBM, sir.' Hayatama called. 'Trajectory suggests that it was launched from North Korea. Estimated impact in less than five minutes.'
'Thank you, Chief.' Tadayuki said, glancing at his watch just as Mimasuya reported
'All hands now at General Quarters, sir. CF Division reports AEGIS System online and standing by.'
'Mimasuya, contact Ominato and inform them that we are tracking a North Korean ICBM.'
'Aye, sir.' Mimasuya said, speaking softly and urgently into her headset microphone as Tadayuki turned to Lieutenant Masunori Inukai.
'Weapons Control Officer, inform CF Division to commence AEGIS target acquisition immediately.'
'Aye, sir.' Inukai said. 'Kasamatsu, maintain telemetry tracking on ICBM-1.' He activated his own headset, saying
'CF Division, this is WCO. Prepare for immediate interception of ICBM-1.'
'We need authorisation from Ominato HQ before we can fire.' Kazuhiko said mildly, so quietly that only Tadayuki could hear him.
