Chapter 390 Confrontation at Sea Part 2  

The crew executed the command releasing the depth charges into the sea. These cylindrical bombs descended rapidly, timed to explode at a predetermined depth where the submarine was likely to be located.

Simultaneously, the hedgehog mortars, mounted at the bow of the battleship, were activated. Unlike depth charges, which detonated upon reaching a certain depth, hedgehogs fired a salvo of small bombs in an arc, designed to explode on contact with a submarine. This made them more precise, reducing the chances of missing the target.

The crew watched anxiously as the hedgehogs arced through the air before plunging into the water.

Seconds later, the depth charges detonated, sending shockwaves through the water. The explosions from the depth charges were powerful, creating columns of water that shot up from the sea's surface.

Below the surface, the hedgehog bombs reached their target area. The crew on the Ciela Bonaparte waited with bated breath for signs of contact. The hedgehogs were designed to detonate upon striking a solid object, so any explosion would indicate a direct hit on the submarine.

Captain Emeriau, standing resolute on the bridge, kept his gaze fixed on the sonar screen. "Any changes in the acoustic profile?" he asked, seeking confirmation of the attack's effectiveness.

The sonar operator, eyes locked on the display, responded, "No confirmed hits yet, Captain. The acoustic signatures are still being analyzed."

Emeriau nodded. "Maintain sonar surveillance. Inform me immediately of any changes," he ordered.

The moments following the attack were crucial. If the submarine had been hit, it would likely start to surface or leave a trail of debris or oil. On the other hand, if it had evaded the attack, it might attempt to flee or launch a counteroffensive.

Leclerc, standing by Emeriau's side, observed, "If the submarine survived, it might change tactics now and also show that we are in the area hunting them." "I don't care what they think, to be honest. I just want them to sink," Emeriau stated firmly, his focus unwavering. "Keep a close watch on all sensors. If they've survived, they won't stay quiet for long."

The sonar operator continued to scan the displays, searching for any signs of the submarine. "We're monitoring all frequencies, Captain. If they make a move, we'll detect it."

***

Beneath the surface of the water, Captain Ivan braced himself, clutching the controls of his submarine tightly. The shockwaves from the depth charges reverberated through the hull, creaking under the strain. Despite the precarious situation, he remained composed, issuing orders to his crew. "Maintain our current depth," Ivan directed and added, "We can't fight that battleship even if we want to."

Ivan knew that they stood no chance against the French battleship, especially when it was top of the line. They may have a deck gun atop the submarine, but its caliber wasn't enough to pierce through the battleship's armor. Their only chance lay in stealth and evasion.

"Can we fight it with torpedoes?" One of the Ottoman crews asked.

Ivan shook his head. "Loading a torpedo tube creates noise, and that noise can be picked up by the battleship's sonar. We'd be giving away our position."

"Stay the course and maintain silent running," Ivan reiterated. "Our priority is to evade and survive."

Ivan emphasized his last words. He doesn't want to die in the depths of the ocean, especially not inside a submarine under the Ottomans.

Meanwhile, back on the Ciela Bonaparte, Captain Emeriau remained focused on the task at hand. "Update our sonar sweep patterns," he instructed. "And keep an eye out for any debris or oil trails. They might be trying to mislead us."

The sonar operator adjusted the equipment, sweeping a wider area with varying frequencies to counter any evasive measures the submarine might employ. "We're expanding the search parameters, Captain," the sonar operator confirmed.

As the Ciela Bonaparte continued its vigilant pursuit, the sonar operator suddenly called out, "Captain, we're picking up another sound. It's faint but consistent with submarine propeller noise."

Captain Emeriau immediately turned his attention to the sonar display. "Location and bearing?" he asked sharply.

"Bearing 165 degrees, range approximately 500 meters," the operator replied.

"Adjust course and speed. Full speed. I want to end this quickly and I want to be over directly above that submarine…" Captain Emeriau commanded

The engine of the Ciela Bonaparte roared to life as the battleship increased its speed.

The crew, alerted by the sudden change in pace, prepared themselves for the imminent confrontation.

Leclerc, coordinating the response, announced over the intercom, "All hands, prepare for engagement. We're closing in on the target."

The sonar operator kept a steady eye on the display, updating the bearing and range as they approached. "Closing in, Captain. Target is now within 300 meters." Captain Emeriau stood at the helm, his gaze fixed ahead. "Prepare to deploy depth charges directly above the target. We'll give them no room to escape."

The crew readied the depth charges, positioning them for a precise drop.

Below the surface, Captain Ivan felt the increasing vibrations from the approaching battleship. "They're right above us!" he exclaimed, realizing the imminent danger. "All hands, brace for impact!"

The Ciela Bonaparte, now directly over the submarine's last known position, was ready to strike. "Deploy depth charges, now!" Emeriau ordered.

The depth charges plunged into the water, rapidly descending towards the submarine. The crew of the Ciela Bonaparte watched the sea, waiting for the telltale signs of a successful hit.

The sonar operator of the Ottoman submarine yelled.

"Depth charge in the water!" the sonar operator of the Ottoman submarine yelled, alerting the crew to the imminent threat. Captain Ivan swiftly assessed the situation, knowing they had only moments to react.

"Hard to port! Emergency dive!" Ivan commanded, hoping to evade the depth charges by changing their position and depth rapidly.

The submarine crew reacted with haste, executing the evasive maneuvers. The vessel began to dive deeper and veered to the left, attempting to escape the deadly radius of the depth charges.

Above them, the depth charges released by the Ciela Bonaparte reached their preset depths and detonated. The powerful explosions sent shockwaves through the water.

The crews inside the submarines were thrown off balance as sparks erupted from the electrical lines.

Despite the chaos, Captain Ivan maintained control, barking orders to stabilize the submarine and continue their evasive maneuvers.

"Compensate for the turbulence! Keep us level," Ivan shouted over the sound of groaning metal and buzzing electronics. The crew worked feverishly, adjusting the ballast and steering to keep the submarine from losing control.

"Depth charges and hedgehog in the water!" the sonar operator of the Ottoman submarine yelled, alerting the crew to the additional incoming threats. Captain Ivan realized the dire situation as multiple detonations rocked the submarine.

Inside the submarine, alarms blared, and red emergency lights flickered on. Ivan knew they had been hit. "Damage report, now!" he demanded, trying to assess the situation amidst the turmoil.

Crew members shouted reports from different sections of the submarine. "Hull breach in aft section!" "Fire in the engine ro—"

An explosion cut off the words of the crew and above the sea. Leclerc peered through his binoculars and saw oils and debris floating on the surface.

"Captain, we have debris and oil on the surface."

Captain Emeriau approached the observation deck, looking through his own binoculars. He observed the remnants of the submarine scattered across the water's surface. "Gentlemen…we got them."