On 25 September 2024, all trainees woke up at 04.00, especially the combat ship crews from each fleet. At 05.00, all participants had showered including the first, middle, and senior officers. At 06.00, the entire troop was in the main building to conduct breakfast activities with Navy Chief Admiral Yudo Margono. At that time, Middle Admiral Otto sat right next to Rear Admiral Agas.
"Good morning colleagues!"
"Morning!"
"Today we will carry out the big exercise that we have planned before. However, before starting our activities today, it would be good to have breakfast first so that we can do the activities with all of our strength and body. Before breakfast, let's pray according to our respective religions and beliefs. Pray, begin. Enough."
The entire troop ate the food that had been served with gusto and relishes. There were even some of them who had finished eating and chatting with their comrades-in-arms. Some of them were also no longer seen in the meeting room as they were busy taking care of the logistics of the ships that would be training today. Vice Admiral Otto and Rear Admiral Agas had finished eating and decided to leave the meeting room to take care of the logistics of Fleet 9.
"Agas, what is the condition of the logistics that arrived yesterday evening?"
"All logistics for fleet 9 have been distributed evenly. Each battleship and LPD got their respective rations."
"Good, what about the ammunition?"
"For the total ammunition of fleet 9, 20% of them are harmless training ammunition, while the rest are combat ammunition for our activities tomorrow. The helicopters, tanks, military vehicles/tactical vehicles, trucks, and their supplies have entered the LPD. We just need to execute everything based on the schedule."
"Okay, tell all crews to get into their respective ships. We'll be leaving soon!"
"Yes sir!"
Although the weather forecast said it would be sunny today, Otto's gut feeling said otherwise. Looking up at the sky, he hoped that today would be as normal as any other day. At 08.00, all participants including the crew were ready in their positions. Navy Chief Admiral Yudo Margono opened the event with an inauguration from the harbor.
"On this happy day, I, Admiral Yudo Margono, wholeheartedly start the Nusantara Grand Exercise 2024! Happy training and have fun!"
The activity was officially opened, and all fleets now sail to their respective destinations according to the direction of the Navy Chief of Staff and high-ranking officers waiting at the Natuna command headquarters. Fleets 7, 8, and 9 began to separate and move to their respective destinations.
"Bzzt... This is Vice Admiral Otto, taking over the leadership of Fleet 9. Moving towards the training site with Fleets 7 and 8."
"Yes sir!"
Inside the KRI Raden Eddy Martadinata, Vice Admiral Otto served as the ship's captain and Rear Admiral Agas served as the first mate (in charge of cargo management, fresh water supply, and navigation). The crew is generally divided into 4 main categories, namely the deck department, engine department, Stewart department, and other departments. The main responsibility lies with the skipper as the leader of the voyage.
Deck Department
The deck crew for a ship generally includes:
1. Skipper/Master is the leader and in charge of the voyage.
2. Chief Officer/Chief Mate is in charge of cargo management, fresh water supply, and navigation.
3. Ensign II/Second Officer/Second Mate is in charge of making the route map of the voyage to be carried out and setting the direction of navigation.
4. Chief of Staff III/Third Officer/Third Mate is in charge of organizing, inspecting, and maintaining all ship safety equipment and is also in charge of navigation.
5. Markonis/Radio Officer/Spark is in charge of radio/communication operators and is responsible for maintaining the safety of the ship from distress whether it is caused by nature such as storms, sinking ships, and others.
6. Serang, bosun/boatswain (Head of subordinate work).
7. Jurumudi/Able Bodied Seaman (AB).
8. Kelasi/Sailor/Ordinary Seaman (OS).
9. Pumpman/Pumpmaster, specialized in tankers (liquid carrying vessels).
Engine Department
1. Head of Engine Room (KKM)/Chief Engineer, leader and responsible for all engines on the ship including main engine, auxiliary engine, pump engine, crane engine, lifeboat engine, steering engine, freezer, etc.
2. Engineer I/Second Engineer is responsible for the main engine.
3. Machinist II/Third Engineer is responsible for all auxiliary engines.
3. Engineer III/Fourth Engineer in charge of all pumping engines.
4. Electrician/Electrician in charge of all electrically powered engines and all backup power.
5. Foreman (Head of Fitter and Wiper).
6. Welders/Fitters.
7. Oiler.
8. Engine room cleaner/Wiper.
9. Waterman/Watertender.
Service/Steward Department
1. Chief Steward (Head of Cook, Cook & Baker, and Galley Utilityman Messmen).
2. The Cook/Cook/Cook & Baker is responsible for all food, including cooking, menu organization, and food supply.
3. The Galley Utilityman Messmen are responsible for the crew's kitchen equipment and tableware.
Fleet 9 has now traveled halfway to the targeted location. At a constant speed, it follows Fleet 7 and 8 in a V formation. This aims to break the flow of sea currents that are passed. That way, the ship behind it will move more quickly. At 16.00, the crew of KRI Raden Eddy Martadinata held an anti-air exercise with an imaginary target.
"EMS (Early Motion Status) detected, 150 degrees."
"Prepare anti-aircraft guns."
"Advance engines. Full!"
"A missile is targeted by the enemy."
"Prepare to launch Mica missile. Data-Link! Target in range in 4 seconds. 3, 2, 1. Target in range!"
"Fire!"
"First target successful. Second target approaching..."
"Very good Agas."
"Sssh.. shut up Bima."
"CIWS, prepare to intercept the second target. Start EA (Early Action)."
"Prepare for impact on the side."
"CIWS, commence firing with automatic AAW (Anti-Air Warfare) mode."
"Missile approaching, side 90 degrees. To the left side of the main hull."
"Hmm... Sailor Irwan is seriously injured."
"Eh? Me?"
"Leakage in the left bulkhead of the 30th hull!"
"Move the wood! The ship and crew are depending on us!! If you're slow we'll sink!"
"Hmm... the sky looks strange..."
"Training is complete, Vice Admiral Otto."
"Understood."
"We seem to be 10 minutes behind schedule."
"It's okay. By the way, Navigator. Please inform me of the current weather conditions."
"Yes."
It was raining heavily that night, and the sea was rather choppy which caused the speed of the ship to slow down. According to the weather forecast, there was a low pressure around the North Natuna Sea that would last all night and would subside the next day. The wind speed also increases as time passes.
"It looks like we will face a storm. Prepare the ship and notify the entire fleet."
"Yes, sir!"
"Move forward 3000 yards from the other ships. Stay close together!"
"Prepare for the storm. Machinists to the hull immediately."
"Hmm... the weather is very strange. This is the first time I've seen something like this."
As the rain became heavier, the ocean currents became more turbulent and choppy. Lightning strikes here and there. Suddenly, the entire fleet was confronted by a huge storm that shut down the ship's navigation and steering systems. The whole crew was jolted by the impact of the waves on the port side of the ship. Vice Admiral Otto immediately tried to contact the engine department to confirm any damage to the ship.
"Chief Engineer! I want a damage report now! Chief!"
All of the ship's electronics shut down, causing the ship to bob and weave. Shortly after, a large bolt of lightning struck the ship, causing the entire crew to faint and fall asleep in an instant. It didn't take long for the crew to wake up from their deep sleep. Those who woke up were greeted by a beautiful aurora in the sky.
"Aurora in Natuna?"
"No way... Natuna?"
Slowly, the ship's engines and electronics began to operate. However, they responded strangely with strange numbers appearing.
"We may have been hit by a very strong magnetic storm..."
"Vice Admiral Otto! The comms have been restarted!"
"Chief Engineer! Chief Engineer! I want a damage report now!"
"This is Chier Engineer! All engines have suffered no damage at all. They are operating very well and performing flawlessly."
"Bridge to Radio Department! I want a navigation report now!"
"All detection and navigation systems are operating properly. But we have not received any signals! There are disturbing sounds, but we can't hear anything!"
"Damn it!"