Otherworld Bone Dragon Operation Guide

Chapter 118 Hospitality
"We can't possibly lose," Zijin asked, posing the core question. "How much can we consume?"

The simulation began, and the first plan was for the white triangle to move forward and intercept the enemy.

The pirates have a numerical advantage, and a normal commander would deploy a suitable battle line, using a T-formation to bombard the White Triangle with heavy fire. Specific details and micromanagement depend on real-time sea conditions, wind direction, and the ship's performance.

Rear-loading cannons are now common in this world. Although they cannot reach the Star Empire Navy's maximum range of 11 kilometers, they can still cover a range of over 6 kilometers. Muzzle-loading shotguns are lightweight and agile, capable of covering an area within 3 kilometers.

There were also incendiary ships capable of rapid, short-distance dashes. While incendiary attacks were ineffective against the White Triangle, replacing the incendiary bombs with high-explosive bombs wasn't a difficult idea.

Therefore, for safety reasons, the White Triangle had to maintain a firing range of 6 kilometers or even further. With the performance of the MK71 gun, this distance could easily take out the enemy, three or four ships in succession without a problem.

Then the enemy would scatter, and even if they pursued, they could only catch two or three ships. After all, the Triangle was also responsible for escort duties and could not leave its position for an extended period.

"Six to seven ships." Su Ming was very dissatisfied with the simulation results. With so many pirates gathering and coming to him on their own initiative, this kind of opportunity might not come again, and it would be a real pity not to make full use of it.

Concealing their strength indefinitely is also not an option. The enemy numbers are numerous, and if they cannot be suppressed, the situation could easily spiral out of control. Especially if pirates storm the fleet, they could take merchant ships and hostages. The White Triangle could handle one or two such situations, but with more, the situation would absolutely deteriorate.

According to the protection agreement, 55% of the loss of personnel and goods will be deducted from the commission.

The three of them simulated the battle several times, but the results were not ideal.

“We can use a surprise attack to close the distance from the start,” Beanie suggested. “We can overwhelm the pirates with our firepower and quickly annihilate them! Being close will prevent them from spreading out immediately.”

"Close-range rapid attack?" Su Ming thought for a moment. "That's a bit reckless. The enemy has many ships and cannons. If we are slow to react, we'll be riddled with holes by thousands of cannons."

"If we want to achieve more results, we have to take some risks," said Beanie. "At this range, I'm confident I can take down one ship with three shots and crush the pirate fleet in three minutes!"

“I think it’s worth a try!” While Su Ming was still weighing the risks, Zi Jin spoke up, “These pirate ships only have ordinary cannons; I can intercept dozens of shots.”

"What if it exceeds your tolerance limit?" Su Ming asked.

“The White Triangle is so fast.” Violet shrugged. “If things get bad, we’ll just run, create distance, and then fight back. Anyway, with the current performance of the Bone Fortress, I can’t think of any way we can lose.”

“Alright.” Su Ming also made his decision. He turned to Bei Anqi, “Then you will take command.”

This battle is a stand-and-fight match, a contest of stats, skills, and who will back down first. It is most suitable for a professional artillery officer like Beanche to be in command.

“Then I’ll gladly accept.” Beau Angie didn’t refuse.

As the pirate fleet came into view, filling the western horizon in a vast, imposing mass, communications for the White Triangle were nearly overwhelmed. All the cargo ships, including several escort vessels, frantically turned east, fleeing along the routes they had come from.

The White Triangle remained disguised as a cargo ship, even mimicking their escape tactics. Su Ming replaced the fuel with pre-treated charcoal, activated the purification equipment at the exhaust vent, and minimized boiler exhaust as much as possible under low power conditions, while also significantly reducing steam output and cooling it at the outlet. From a distance, it truly looked like a sailboat.

Beianqi spread out a large stack of calculation papers on the command platform and calculated constants based on the current wind speed, temperature and humidity to simplify the firing table.

"Su Ming, execute the pre-battle checklist. Elisa, mark the threat level of the enemy ships." She issued the instructions to the two.

"Received," Su Ming replied to Zi Jin.

Following the checklist, Su Ming inspected the MK71 in sequence, checking the loading, reloading, muzzle rotation, and elevation/depression movements. He then tested the sighting and sensing equipment, and everything was normal.

Zijin also identified the actual ship type, cannon type and quantity of the enemy ships, and marked them one by one.

The pirates were eleven kilometers away, and the White Triangle pretended to fall behind, gradually retreating to the very back of the convoy.

"All units prepare, power system at maximum output standby!"

Su Ming quickly switched the power system out of smoke-free mode and back to normal operation.

As the second hand ticked, the three waited for the pirate fleet to approach within ten kilometers of their rear. Suddenly, the Triangle sped up, its propellers whirring and its tail spraying out large plumes of white water.

"Hard to port! Deploy the port screed!"

A white slat extended below the port waterline and spread outwards. Using the lateral drag provided by the slats, the White Triangle completed a 180-degree turn with a very small radius, facing the pirate ship.

The boilers and steam engines were pushed to maximum power, billowing steam from the stern and increasing the ship's speed. The sails, which had been used as decoys, were untied and floated on the sea behind, enveloped in steam. The warship revealed its true form, facing off alone against the massive pirate fleet.

Amidst the wind and waves, Violet drew her staff, twirled it, and launched three signal flares—red, green, and yellow—up into the battlefield. It had only one simple meaning: a declaration of war!
Immediately, all eyes in the room focused on them.

The White Triangle accelerated at full speed, exceeding 20 knots in just a few minutes. The pirate fleet, in a triangular formation, approached with the wind at a speed of 12 knots. At this distance, it was too late for them to avoid it; they could only continue charging forward to meet the White Triangle head-on.

"Order to turn left! Change formation to two staggered columns!" The pirate commander adjusted the formation. The white triangle was approaching from a slightly rightward angle, so the commander chose to turn the fleet left, passing the white triangle at a distance of about three kilometers.

The pirate ships, arranged in two columns, would take turns obtaining the optimal firing angles and unleashing a barrage of cannon fire. After thirty-one warships, the commander didn't believe any of them could survive, not even the recently formidable undead bone ships!
Legend has it that the terrifying bone demon on the ship possesses a powerful forbidden technique capable of sinking a ship in one strike, and one or two unlucky ships are bound to become its casualties in this battle.

Faced with an unavoidable situation, the pirates were also aroused to their ferocity, and in a narrow encounter, the brave would prevail!

The side panels of the pirate ship opened one after another, and at the shouts of the buglers, the gunners vigorously pushed out all the main and secondary guns, waiting for the White Triangle to enter the firing range. The crew members were on the edge of their seats, watching the wind billow the sails and the waves crashing against the shore, nervously awaiting the moment to fire.

(End of this chapter)