Just as everyone was sighing a breath for hunting down one of the squids. Another squid takes over its position, and the 'Red October' again gets wrapped by two squid. This time, the tentacles not only just simply wrap the ship, but also start to destroy all the weapons that are firing at the tentacles.
Gorshkov watching all this in shock, it just seems like these squid got intelligence.
"Where are the helicopters? Do not be scared of sacrifice, we need to make sure 'The Ecliptic Veil' is safe! Ask all the ships to fire at full speed, buy the helicopter some time."
Another Ka-25 with the escorts of two Yak-38 again reached above the 'Red October', this time, with support from other ships, and also planes. The Ka-25 can lower its altitude, a ladder is then thrown to the board, as long as the person carrying 'The Ecliptic Veil' climbs up, their mission is done.
Gorshkov looking it nervously with his binoculars, please, nothing worse will happen.
Just when the sailor carrying the 'The Ecliptic Veil' wants to climb up the ladders, a huge and high wave forms beside the ship.
"Three o'clock, dodge! Dodge!"
Another tentacle stretched out and again wanted to hit the helicopters. Luckily, this time the pilots were alert, and the helicopters successfully dodged the attack. But what is not lucky is, that their second try to take 'The Ecliptic Veil' failed.
The pilot also sees what is behind the tentacle, it is the fourth squid, but later not long after, the fifth, the sixth appears. In total 18 squids have now joined the battle. Even the one that has tentacles that have been shot off, his tentacles now recovering with visible speed.
The squids, not only try to attack the 'Red Octobers', but the other as well, those who CIWS are firing to support the 'Red Octobers' before, are now all getting attacked.
"Admiral, what should we do?" the adjutant asked.
Gorshkov's face showed hesitation, as an Admiral, of course, he has a plan whenever something happens, but if it is not in the most desperate situation, he will not want to use this. But his hesitation only showed up for a second, the longer he hesitated, the more would die.
"First, ask the Karak defectors for help, send her to a helicopter. Second, inform all units to conduct anti-submarine warfare." Gorshkov does not know whether will it work or not, but hopes it will.
"And third... Inform the 'Red October', ready to sacrifice."
Adjutant nodded for a second when he heard this order but then went back to normal and sent Gorshkov's order to others. If Gorshkov can choose, and things do not get that worse, maybe the third one will not be needed, but if it doesn't...
Serina was staying in her room with nothing to do but at the moment squid started attacking the fleet. A group of guards are ready outside the room, awaiting the order, either shooting to kill her or something else.
She did not know what happened outside until she was released and brought to the helicopters.
As the fleet of 200 ships formed a massive formation, most of the ships that remained unscathed were engaged in anti-submarine warfare, utilizing all available ASW weapons.
Serina has observed that some of the ships launched rockets into the sea, these are the Soviets' anti-submarine rockets. Others are sending cylindrical objects, which are depth charges.
"Miss, our commander is asking whether you know any best way to due with those squid." The lieutenant on the helicopter pointed in a direction and asked her.
This time, Serina focused solely on where she was pointing, and the lieutenant received his answer from Serina's facial expression. The shock these squids brought her was akin to the shock the Soviet army had inflicted on her.
What the hell is these? Are these can still be called squid? They are even bigger than those sea monsters. Looking down from the air, the sea is now filled with wreckage. Some smaller vessels, like the frigate, have been torn apart. The squid is smart, after realizing they can't destroy and pull 'Red October' down quickly, they change their tactics to first destroy those who can deal heavy damage on them.
They even know how to concentrate on firing those weaker ones, sending a few just to destroy a frigate.
The closer they get, Serina finds something.
"It is the Nazg smell, the undead, but these creatures do not seem like they are dead." She thinks in her mind, she has never seen these creatures before as well.
"We need to escort 'The Ecliptic Veil', anything you can do to help us?"
Unfortunately, Serina can not give him an answer, the type and scale of battle is no longer something that a small magician like her can change.
"Can you get even a small detection on those squids?" the lieutenant continues to ask, having experienced two ambushes by the squid nervous in their mind.
If it is only detections, maybe it is not that hard.
"Yes." She answers firmly.
"Great, just detect whether any squids are approaching us when we lower our altitude, alright, this may save our lives."
At sea near the fleet, more squid tentacles have been stretched out.
The good news, their anti-submarine warfare is working, it works on the squid as well.
Bad news, the squid that has been forced out is a little bit too much.
Yet, it is still regarded as good news. The squid that was forced out have shed their camouflage and remain at a distance from the fleet. This provides the fleet with some opportunities to eliminate them.
However, the anti-submarine warfare has little impact on those still clinging to the ship. Many smaller vessels continue to be torn apart. Even the 'Red October' cannot hold on any longer.
"It is time, to inform the 'Red October', that we are going to launch torpedoes on them."
Gorshkov still gives out the order. It will never end it they could not kill the squid. These squids are stuck to the bottom of the boat, making it impossible for many weapons to deal with them, and weapons that can deal with them will accidentally injure their own people.