Chapter 24 - Smoke Screen

The impact of the air raid warning sound that echoed in the Azur Lane main base made the docked destroyers ignite their main furnaces. Black smoke coming out of the ship's chimney began to spread to provide temporary visual cover.

 It seemed that the Azur Lane main base often received surprise attacks from unknown parties. My submarine detection ability assisted by passive skills had detected two separate siren divisions in this short attack. Seeing their movements focused on one attack and turning their backs on the Azur Lane main base indicated that an Elite Siren was leading the attack.

 Sofia and I walked leisurely without panic along the main street.

 It could be said that I trusted the abilities of the Admiral who was on duty in this place. As the main base is located on the front lines to fight the sirens, they should have understood this attack pattern and designed a strategy to retaliate.

 Just in case, my radar and ESM mast continued to monitor the siren's movements and predict attacks that might threaten my submarine dock.

 Luckily, the Eagle Union dormitory was located not far from the Azur Lane main building and the dry docks of the Azur Lane main base. Bringing the Prototype Smoke-Ship Grenade Launchers out into the open space was eye-catching, especially with the other nation ship girls preparing to go into ships mode.

 "Master, are we going to test that weapon in a situation like this?" Sofia asked as she glanced at the Prototype Smoke-Ship Grenade Launchers.

 I only smiled slightly to answer Sofia's question and took out my submarine's fake Wisdom Cube. I created a small radio frequency that entered the communication network of all ships in the Azur Lane military base.

 "Ahem.. Test.. Do you hear me?"

 "Need help?"

 With that short statement, I prepared to launch a support attack in the form of a smokescreen rain that covered the Azur Lane main base. To promote the product and create market demand, I intentionally made the other factions hear this free promotion.

 "Ahem! I don't want to help too much. But... there is only one help I can provide, which is air cover using a smokescreen."

 "This is no ordinary smokescreen. The Prototype Smoke-Ship Grenade Launchers that I am currently testing are the sweet fruit of my little idea that was rejected by Eagle Union and used my savings money to make it."

 "These Prototype Smoke-Ship Grenade Launchers will disrupt the radar network, system malfunctions, and scramble communications. But.. it will okay... they just break to adjust some... Uhh... Boosting range effect?"

 "Ahem! You will feel the effects after the Prototype Smoke-Ship Grenade Launchers make their main debut."

 My brief presentation on the radio communication network has been completed. The next step is to conduct a test of real prototypes.

 "The Prototype Smoke-Ship Grenade Launchers will be released in three seconds."

 "One..."

 "Two..."

 "Three..."

 "The Prototype Smoke-Ship Grenade Launchers are launched!"

 Buuuuuuufffff.. Pooooof!!

 Swwiiirrlll... Poooooof!!

 After my radio contact as a promotion was over, the Prototype Smoke-Ship Grenade Launchers made their first debut. Prototype Smoke-Ship Grenade Launchers have a smoke-spreading range of up to one kilometer and spread quickly in the air. In an instant, part of the Azur Lane military base was covered by a white smokescreen.

 From a distance, my submarine's radar and ESM mast were affected by the Prototype Smoke-Ship Grenade Launchers. The system interference that made it difficult to detect the surrounding conditions.

 Ugh... This is what a double-edged sword is!

 I started using the Wisdom Cube to move my submarine into the radius of the smokescreen. The distance between the main island and my submarine's dock was not too far. It would take a lot of time, especially since the Azur Lane main base was filled with surface ships.

 "Master, it seems that some ships outside the smokescreen range have strange interference with their equipment," Sofia exclaimed while pointing at one of the ships that was flashing its searchlights toward the Azur Lane command building.

 "O-Oh, Uuuppss..." I muttered softly.

 Sofia...

 To be honest, my submarine was also affected.

 What should I do?

 Should I use another variation of the Prototype Smoke-Ship Grenade Launchers and launch a smokescreen attack that covers the entire Azur Lane military base to dampen the friendly-fire effect and make them confused?

 Hmmm... Such a crazy idea feels really good.

 I like that crazy idea!

 I immediately took out another variation of the Prototype Smoke-Ship Grenade Launchers using the Weapons From Another World skill.

 Braaaaaak!!

 Taaaaaak!!

 Another variation of the Prototype Smoke-Ship Grenade Launchers had piled up behind me. The system used was still the same, namely a smokescreen jammer using a mortar and rocket launching system.

 "Sofia, help me!" I ordered Sofia.

 "Yes... Master!" Responding to my order, Sofia helped me set up a rocket system that contained a smokescreen jammer.

 Maybe, I'll call it Prototype Smoke-Ship Grenade Launchers Mk.II or Prototype Smoke-Ship Grenade Launchers Mk.III?

 I don't know, it will add variety to my sales items later… Fufufu… Hahaha!!

 Sofia learned the simple installation instructions quickly. The learning speed of my former submarine system's artificial intelligence turned out to be very fast.

 "Master! Solution Ready!" exclaimed Sofia who had finished assembling the new varian of Prototype Smoke-Ship Grenade Launcher and rocket launcher version.

 She was fast to act, like she entered combat mode while inside the submarine.

 Not bad, I'm so proud of you, Sofia!

 "Set Solution, bearing 19!" I continued my order.

 "Un! Bearing 19! Set Ready!" Sofia replied.

 "Fire Solution!"

 Brooooossshhhh... Sraaaakkk.. Swiiiiiishh!!

 Poooooofff!!!

 A small rocket launched into the air and exploded. The bang from the explosion of the small rocket spread white particles in the air and turned into thick white smoke.

 "Master! Next Solution Ready!" Sofia has finished loading the rocket version for the next attack.

 "Set Solution, bearing 171!"

 "Un! Set Target Ready!"

 "Fire!!"

 Brooooossshhhh... Sraaaakkk.. Swiiiiiishh!!

 Poooooofff!!!

 Sofia and I repeated several attacks of jammer smoke rockets that spread in the air. In an instant, the entire Azur Lane military base was covered by a white artificial cloud that hid the shape of the island optimally.

 "Hnng?!!" after my submarine's radar and ESM mast returned to normal. I realized the additional effect of this smoke screen.

 The effect is too wide!

 What is this?! I can see radar reflections from other ships in other island ports.

 Wait! Isn't the distance between the Azur Lane military base and the other islands very far?

 Eh?! Why is this additional effect so wide?!

 Urm... How much i sell this... If the effect is this big?

 Isn't it natural for Eagle Union to reject this great cost weapon idea?

 Oops... I added a strange story to my fake life history again.

 Forgive me, I should have thought about this effect in more detail. I already experienced two failures in the first test.

 In the first failure, the Prototype Smoke-Ship Grenade Launchers' effect only applies within the smokescreen range and will paralyze anything around it.

 Second, this overly wide effect is like a legal cheat for conducting long-distance spying. Detecting ships between islands will be a legal cheat that is hard to refute against that.

 Ugh, I have to fix this failure bugs smoke-screen effect before selling it to Azur Lane.

 Once again, I made a simple communication radio for all ships in the Azur Lane military base.

 "Hello... Test... You have realized the effect, right?"

 "Yep, this weapon is still a prototype that needs to be refined by Eagle Union."

 "As you are aware, there is a siren division that is facing away from the island and a decoy attack to split the number of troops."

 "I will only help up to this point. From now on, I will leave the decision to attack to your nations Admiral!"

 "Oh! I know its not much but... God Luck ladies!"

 Bzzzttt!!

 Nguuuiiinnnggg!!

 "Altair! What did you just do!" a voice echoed over the radio behind me.

 Reflexively, I turned my head and noticed the presence of speakers scattered across the main street of Azur Lane.

 "You should help too! Wait! That's not it!"

 "What kind of weapon is that? I've never heard of you making a weapon like that before!"

 "How much money do you need to perfect it?"

 The voice that echoed came from my fake old friend.

 With a gentle smile filled with victory, I looked at Sofia who also smiled at me.

 "Kukuku… Everything is moving according to plan!" Sofia and I said at the same time.

 To repay my fake old friend's goodwill, I replied to the voice with a closing sentence through the ship-wide radio contact.

 "I will buy the entire stock!"

 That short reply echoed through the radio channel and concluded my small favor.