Navigating the Arctic Ocean

"Well, you haven't talked about Canada in a while."

"Yeah, that's true."

"It's just that it's not in the limelight."

(This chapter will take place in the Canadian area.)

- ほうこうおんち

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The survey vessel Chikushi, led by the icebreaker Sōya Maru, first enters the Bering Sea. Off the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula, while Japan had secured fishing rights there after World War I, the presence of the Soviet Union meant vigilance was necessary. In the distance, Japanese torpedo boats (akin to small destroyers on the global stage) were on alert to ensure Soviet naval units did not interfere.

It was confirmed that the warm Kuroshio Current had intensified. However, the Bering Sea remained cold.

"There were predictions that the Kuroshio would flow northward and veer eastward along the Aleutian Islands. It seems to be heading towards the Aleutians," remarked Dr. Uda while analyzing water temperature, ocean currents, and the plankton residing there.

The same conclusion was reached by Professor Ekman and the British team conducting research from the Atlantic side. They had established an observation base in the surviving Queen Elizabeth Islands, located north of what was once Canada. Originally part of the British Commonwealth, the vanishing of Canada resulted in these former Canadian territories being designated as British.

"Gentlemen, one thing is clear: the water temperature along the old Northwest Passage is rising. In other words, warm currents are now flowing into the southern side of the Queen Elizabeth Islands," an announcement that excited the team.

The presence of a warm current suggested a possibility of overturning predictions of global cooling.

However, follow-up surveys led to a disappointing conclusion. The warm Kuroshio Current does not flow into the cold waters of the Sea of Okhotsk or the Bering Sea. Instead, it collides with the cold Oyashio Current at the northernmost Kuril Islands and turns eastward. From there, it passes south of the Aleutian Islands, traveling northeastward. It flows south of the Queen Elizabeth Islands, through the Northwest Passage, before changing direction near Baffin Island. There, it meets the cold waters filled with glacial runoff from Greenland. This less saline surface water allows the highly saline Kuroshio, now transformed into the North Pacific Current, to descend and flow south along Baffin Island.

"And the warm current?"

"It passes through the former Hudson Strait and reaches the Labrador Sea, where it collides with the cold West Greenland Current coming from the north, releasing heat."

This was one reason why Britain had not suffered as much cooling as mainland Europe. When the warm current cools upon contact with the cold current, it releases heat into the atmosphere. This heat, carried by the strengthened westerlies unobstructed by land, reaches Britain. As a result, cold air masses do not blanket the skies over Britain.

Additionally, the sea area where the warm and cold currents meet remains an abundant fishing ground.

Traditionally, the Grand Banks in the Labrador Sea off Newfoundland Island was where the warm North Atlantic Current and the cold Labrador Current converged. Though the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Current have disappeared, the warm current traveling all the way from the Pacific now fulfills that role. With Canada no longer in existence to assert control over this region, Britain, having lost Dogger Bank, decided to monopolize this area.

Professor Ekman and his team remained at Grise Fiord, a settlement on Ellesmere Island, continuing their observations while awaiting the arrival of the Japanese. The lodging facility there also housed numerous British officials in anticipation.

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The Chikushi and Sōya Maru anchored at Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands. The Aleutians were now the only remaining "continental territory" of the United States. The Japanese, seeing the Stars and Stripes proudly flying at the harbor, couldn't help but exclaim in excitement:

"Look! The United States of America is still there!"

Before it could fully develop into a naval base, Dutch Harbor had become a desolate port following the continent's disappearance. However, an unexpected sight awaited them there.

"That's a cruiser. And destroyers, too. What's going on?"

Had they grown wary of being seized by Japan?

No.

When representatives of the Japanese survey fleet paid a courtesy visit to the small fleet's headquarters, they heard something astonishing.

"Little Diomede Island was briefly captured by the Soviets."

Little Diomede Island, part of Alaska, is only 5 km away from Big Diomede Island (Ratmanov Island), which belongs to the Soviet Union. In the wake of the United States' disappearance, the Soviets promptly launched an invasion.

"This island was originally called Krusenstern Island and is our territory," they declared, driving out the Inuit inhabitants.

The Soviets also moved to invade St. Lawrence Island.

However, unlike the small and isolated Little Diomede Island, St. Lawrence Island had been reinforced by General MacArthur, chairman of the New United States Preparatory Committee. He had sent part of the 21st Infantry Brigade from Hawaii to defend it. A standoff ensued between the opposing forces, each numbering in the hundreds.

Lieutenant General Herron, commander of the US Army's Hawaiian forces, coordinated with the Navy to dispatch reinforcements alongside a fleet. Before the reinforcements could arrive, the Soviet troops withdrew. It seemed to have been a rogue action by a unit of the Soviet Army's Kamchatka Defense District.

Acting as a representative of the provisional government, MacArthur protested to Stalin.

"I'll send the commander to Siberia as punishment. Let that be enough."

"Wait a minute, isn't Kamchatka already part of Siberia?"

"Kamchatka? Where's that again?"

"Premier, it's a massive peninsula located east of East Siberia, north of Japan's Kuril Islands."

"Oh, I see. So, they were already in Siberia. Fine, I'll forgo Siberian exile. Instead, I'll send them to Kveskneli."

"And where exactly is Kveskneli?"

"General, there are some things in this world you're better off not knowing. While I sympathize with your country's collapse, that also means your military power has vanished. I suggest you not overplay your hand."

The phone conversation ended on a tense note.

Speaking of which, Kveskneli refers to a realm in Georgian mythology described as "the lowest world." After Christianity spread, it became known as the land where souls embark on a one-way journey.

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"What? The Soviets...?"

"It happened before they were engaged in the war with Germany. They likely withdrew quickly to avoid unnecessary conflict in anticipation of the battle with Germany. If they weren't preoccupied with Germany, they would've seriously attempted to occupy the Alaskan islands."

The Japanese renewed their vigilance toward the Soviet Union.

...Though, the British—whom the Japanese were about to meet—had essentially done the same thing by "peacefully" annexing former Canadian territories.

At one point, a task force of about ten ships, including cruisers and destroyers, had been stationed in the area. However, the current deployment consisted of only one light cruiser, one destroyer, and several patrol boats. The commander of this small force was highly cooperative regarding Japan's use of Dutch Harbor, possibly viewing Japan as a potential ally in a conflict against the Soviet Union if the situation arose. Though the port was desolate, the Japanese were met with sincerity and understanding. This fostered sympathy for the United States among the Japanese and heightened their wariness toward the Soviet Union.

Weather and oceanographic surveys conducted at Dutch Harbor clearly indicated that the region was experiencing warming. Having come from Hawaii, the American commander couldn't discern whether this change was unusual or simply the norm, making him less helpful in this regard. These people had been living amidst the shock and chaos caused by the disappearance of the US mainland. Despite being island nations, the Philippines, Hawaii, and Cuba have been remarkably indifferent to climate change. Their tropical climates hadn't seen dramatic shifts like Japan, which had grown hotter and wetter, or Europe, which had distinctly started cooling.

Dr. Uda discussed the concerns shared by Japan and Britain with the American commander.

"I think I understand... at least I'll try to. But there's nothing we can do right now. We don't have the resources to send scholars—or even know if any are left."

The University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, established in 1907, does have an oceanography department, so there may still be scholars available. However, it was uncertain whether any authority figures, like the late Dr. Harald Sverdrup, who disappeared with the mainland, remained. Realistically, cooperation seemed unlikely. Nevertheless, the commander assured them that he would report these concerns to MacArthur, the military command in Hawaii, and the legislature.

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After completing resupply, the fleet headed north, stopping at Saint Paul Island in the Bering Sea. Here, a few scholars were dropped off, and a naval construction team hastily built accommodations and a storage facility for supplies. The island, home to about 500 native Aleut people, could not provide the materials the Japanese needed, even if they attempted to purchase them. Thus, all necessary supplies were left on-site. The research team would conduct fixed-point observations of the Bering Sea until Chikushi and Sōya Maru returned to retrieve them. There were also a few American fishermen on the island, from whom they could gather valuable information.

After leaving Saint Paul Island, the fleet, with the approval of the American provisional government, proceeded to St. Lawrence Island and the contentious Little Diomede Island. At both locations, observation personnel and supplies were deployed. The fleet then ventured into the uncharted waters of the Beaufort Sea—a truly Arctic region.

"It's certainly cold out here."

The fleet was navigating northeast, following the warm current. However, even a slight deviation northward caused the fleet to leave the warm current, exposing them to the frigid Arctic waters, which cooled the air around them. Early summer was approaching, and they occasionally spotted icebergs in the distance. Yet, the cold waters were safer. The warm current generated dense fog that obstructed visibility. This fog also blanketed the Aleutian Islands, making aerial surveys perilous. To ensure safe passage, the icebreaker Sōya Maru led the way as the fleet pressed on toward their meeting with the British expedition.

"Iceberg ahead!"

"Please, make sure we don't scrape against an iceberg and sink the ship!"

Matsuoka, growing increasingly uneasy about the perils of the sea, nervously addressed the captain. He feared the response would be an angry reprimand for meddling in navigation but was surprised by the captain's lighthearted reply.

"Don't worry. Unlike that massive liner, we have plenty of lifeboats onboard. Everyone will fit."

"No, that's not the point..."

"If we send out an SOS, a rescue ship will come to our aid immediately."

"Please don't talk as if we're going to sink!"

"We'll jump together if it comes to that."

"Th-that's not the issue!"

"We're about to meet the guys from the country that sank that ship, so now's the only time to make these jokes. Let me get them all out of my system before then."

With the crew exchanging black humor—aware that the British, with their love for black comedy, might even join in—the fleet finally arrived at Prince Patrick Island, formerly Canadian territory. They were greeted by a former Canadian lighthouse tender.

From here, the real mission would begin.

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Starting today, I will again update every three days, two chapters a day. The next chapter will be uploaded at 18:00.

- ほうこうおんち