Creatures of the deep have no eyes
because sunlight never reaches their world.
In this infinite darkness, death and silence reign.
Yet they endure,
nurturing the resilient light of “hope".
July 18th, Western Pacific Japanese waters
USS Bonefish Gato-class submarine
USS Fleischer Destroyer
Lorelei
August 6th, 08:15
Lt. Commander Masami?
You've read Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment"?
Perhaps...
The story of Raskolnikov
who kills an old loan shark
then is consumed by guilt.
August 6th, 15:00 Yokosuka Naval Base
Remember who it was he really wanted to kill?
No.
Really...
That's a shame.
Pardon me.
I'm Asakura of Naval Command.
You need no introduction, Sir.
By the way...
You heard about today's atom bomb on Hiroshima?
Yes.
A ruthless and indiscriminate weapon that will change world history.
You've been shore-based how long?
Nearly 3 years.
"Captain Coward", right?
Why did you oppose Kamikaze attacks?
I refuse to call 'suicide' a strategy.
We invest so much in our young men
it's wasteful to throw away that military potential.
Let's speak frankly.
I don't need a "yes-man".
You abhor the pointless waste of young lives.
But what if ordered to deploy suicide tactics?
I have a vital mission.
8 day ago...
The US cruiser Indianapolis was caught off Tinian
and sunk by our subs.
Sadly she'd already delivered her cargo which was...
an atomic bomb.
Probably the one used on Hiroshima.
For the Yanks, the bomb was maybe a demonstration.
But if they have more, we're finished.
One of our experts, Mr. Takasu...
He brought something back from Germany.
Follow me.
This...
is the I-507. An experimental ship given to us by Germany.
L-507...
A masterpiece of Nazi science, it's our last hope.
Lt. Commander Masami.
I hereby assign you command of the I-507
Stop the next atom bomb.
You sail at 0500.
Save Japan from annihilation.
06:30 August 7th - Uraga Straits
I'm honored to serve with you again.
Enemy ahead. Dive in 60 seconds.
Prepare to dive.
All hands forward.
He runs like a coward, after all.
Engines full stop.
I can't read German.
Can anyone stop this damn thing?
What are you waiting for?
Move your asses!
Engine room, I said stop!
Only one thing for it...
That did the trick!
Depth reading.
We're at dive depth.
Open all vents.
Depth, 21...
Pitch 5 degrees.
Depth, 21...
Attention all hands.
You heard about yesterday's atom bomb on Hiroshima.
Our mission gives us the chance
to prevent further atomic attacks.
As you know, it's my first sortie in 3 years.
It's a new ship... we're undermanned.
And you misfits are lucky bastards to have survived this far.
I know they're not ideal conditions.
But the survival of our homeland
rests on your shoulders.
I don't care what's hiding in your past.
Understood?
Your presence aboard means
you're our nation's last hope.
Don't forget it. Do your utmost.
If your heart's not in it, own up without shame...
I'll send you home out of the forward tubes.
Keep working.
Some call me a "coward" but don't worry.
You're in good hands.
We will complete our mission.
We will make it home.
About that drill...
A drill, huh...
I timed it at 62 seconds.
And you?
The same.
I want it down to 45.
Do not drop your guard.
Survival is about not giving up.
I hate this guy. What's his problem with kamikaze tactics...
No respect for us manned torpedo pilots?
Too many fine words...
Behind there, our torpedoes await.
We'll be ordered to attack soon.
That's the secret mini-sub.
No, torpedoes, surely...
Who's wasting precious air?
You again. Names?
Special Assault Squad, pfc Origasa.
Same... pfc Kiyonaga.
Kamikaze torpedo crew, huh?
I'll nail courage into you. Stand to attention.
Perhaps it's unwise to hit men before their mission.
Hold your tongue. Who'd you think you are?
What's going on?
Sir, please tell us our mission.
Don't speak out of turn.
Return to your posts.
You two, report to me later.
Sorry for that. It's a motley crew...
Did you know?
No.
No-one told me of suicide corps on my ship.
My apologies. They're pilots of the mini-sub.
Meaning...
it's a suicide weapon?
No.
It's a tracking device.
If sonar is a ship's ears, Lorelei is its eyes.
The Germans named it after a mythic witch,
"Lorelei"
Imperial Navy Headquarters
August 7th, 09:25
Today at 0500,
the I-507 set sail in secret.
Whose orders?
Captain Asakura's, I believe.
Where is he now?
We don't know. We're searching.
The best cadet the Naval Academy ever produced.
He's been a wild card
since he fought in the South Pacific.
We must track him down.
Figure out who's helping him.
Director of Intelligence,
it's your direct responsibility.
We arrive here by end of day on 11th.
We'll test Lorelei, the new sonar.
We're to sink the ship carrying the new atom bomb
and shut enemy sea lanes.
Our nation's survival depends on us.
Gentlemen, I'm counting on you.
I wonder how good this Lorelei is?
No need to worry.
The Lorelei system is infallible.
But don't forget our orders.
"Avoid the enemy at all costs"
Capt. Asakura was most specific.
August 7th, 22:55 Hachijojima
Bearing 185, 52 degrees.
Your picture...
If only they'd been evacuated...
Life rarely goes as planned.
I'm supposed to be a star pitcher.
Hey...
Hear something?
Here it is.
Want to see inside?
Then we'll know what our mission is...
Go ahead. I'll keep watch.
Aren't you going?
I'm doing this for you.
I don't recall asking...
Go on.
Okay, okay...
Who are you?
Don't!
Drop it!
Enemy sighted.
All hands, battle stations.
Depth to 21
Distance 6 to 8,000.
Down scope.
They know our position.
Do we wait it out on the bottom?
There's no time.
Okay, let's give Lorelei a try.
But...
We must test the ship's potential.
Unless you have an objection?
Release the mini-sub. Pilots please board.
Pfc Origasa to the mini-sub.
Private, do you hear me?
I'm already on board.
It handles much the same as the suicide torpedo.
But the controls are more sensitive.
Yes, Sir, but...
Maintain 80m separation to avoid collision.
The mini-sub's fragile...
Take care when you detach.
Are you ready to launch?
Yes.
Start launch procedure. Flood access tube.
Get to your post!
Standby power on.
Starting up.
Check access hatch.
Commence launch.
Rudder controls released.
Restraints away.
Distance 75... 80m.
Stopping power.
Maintain distance.
Maximum amplification.
Engage Lorelei.
All hands, stand by.
Lorelei pinpoints every ship in the sea.
Lets us pick them off, one by one.
This is the surrounding sea-scape.
How far can it see?
In normal conditions, 120 miles.
Bearing 210, 5,500 meters...
Three destroyers.
Heading the same way?
Unbelievable... direction AND range...
Sonar, check bearing 210...
Searching...
Three of them.
Probably destroyers.
Exactly right.
Same bearing... closing in.
Let's strike first. Battle stations.
We're under orders not to fight.
We're too close to run.
- We have few torpedoes... - Who said I'd use them?
Maintain depth. Seal watertight doors.
Gunnery Chief to Fire Command.
All set here.
They're bearing line astern.
If we hit the lead ship
The others collide with her.
Taking out all three?
If your data is accurate.
Bridge to Fire Command...
Are you ready?
Ready to fire, sir!
We have exact coordinates.
Hit it first time.
Torpedoes in the water.
Six of them!
Hard starboard. Head straight for them.
Hard starboard, full ahead!
First wave at 180m...
Main ballast, partial bleed...
Slight left rudder. Once they pass, dip slightly.
Slight left rudder!
Down elevator.
Blow main tanks! All up. To the surface!
20 meters, 18...
15... 12... 10 meters.
We're at the surface.
Gunnery Chief, adjust aim...
2 degrees left, 1 degree down...
2 left... 1 down...
Open fire.
Fire!
We're diving. Seal the muzzles.
Target hit. Sounds of collision.
Only one collision?
Just one.
The lead ship dodged the shell.
Pretty impressive.
What happened?
Enemy approaching!
Fix it.
Diving planes full descent.
As deep as she'll go.
We're past safe limits...
130 meters... 140...
Depth charges in the water!
How's the Lorelei?
We can't go deeper.
Gentle feed tanks 1 to 4.
Engage auto-level.
Silent cruise mode.
The bastards are still on us.
10 degrees off starboard and closing.
Straight to us.
Signal strength 3...
4... 5...
Directly above.
Depth charges!
Brace yourselves, here they come!
Ahead, slow.
Bearing 030.
Enemy receding to port.
Stay calm, move out slowly.
Propeller noise continuing to fade.
Everyone okay?
What chance of repairing the Lorelei system?
Tell us how it all works.
What are you hiding?
The core of the Lorelei system...
is a human being.
A human?
Take a look.
She's had countless injections...
Is she Japanese?
She came from Germany with the ship
That rumor of Nazi human modification was for real?
It sounds incredible but...
they harnessed some latent ability.
Like bats and dolphins able
to navigate with internal sonar...
She senses emotional disruption?
Maybe we have a hidden ability
which emerges under certain conditions.
It's speculation but...
maybe she senses other psyches through the water
then the Lorelei system amplifies it.
Every time we hit the enemy she passes out
and the system shuts down.
A fragile core to a powerful weapon.
Keep it secret.
She's not to be seen.
Permission to speak, Sir.
What?
Allow me to ram the enemy.
Mind your manners.
For my family's sake let me strike the Americans.
No suicide missions from my ship.
She almost died right in front of me!
It's a human weapon, just like a manned torpedo!
Private.
Time to punish your insubordination.
Shall I make him watch the girl?
Good idea.
I'm here to fight.
How could I face my late brother?
Do your job as best you can.
That's how we respect the fallen.
Captain!
Do you know why he has no stopwatch?
He relies on that wristwatch?
It's a memento from his late wife.
That's the kind of man he is. Trust him.
Who lives here?
A man trying to avoid war at all costs.
August 8th 10:00 - Outskirts of Tokyo A man trying to avoid war at all costs.
Nishimiya, Ambassador to the US?
He's still talking peace to them.
Why are we here?
He's always been close to Asakura.
Sorry, but husband flies to Manila soon...
Manila? To make peace...?
You helped Capt. Asakura study in the US.
Cultivating the young builds a strong nation.
Asakura loved his country.
Full of hope... an upright and pure man.
I introduced him to many outstanding young people in the US.
I thought him fit to lead our country one day.
Pardon the interruption.
This arrived for you.
It's from Mr. Asakura...
Asakura?
For my nation's sake
I resolve to commit hara-kiri.
Everything's ready.
You still didn't eat?
I know you've been through a lot.
You're trapped in here.
You think you'd be better off dead.
But at least, eat.
It's my job to make sure you do.
I'll bring something else later.
What now?
I hear you worked in an ice-cream parlor.
What's the matter?
Are you okay?
You've got a human side after all.
Captain...
Tasty.
Thank you, sir.
Chief made it. It's "ice cream"...
You've got to eat to get well.
I'll leave it here.
Your family?
You speak Japanese?
They're dead?
Yeah, it's just me, now.
You think of them?
I'll never forget.
Captain.
Last night, a guard thought he heard Morse code.
Morse code?
A misfit crew, a strange, new weapon...
Even as a last resort, this mission doesn't feel right.
Lt. Commander Masami.
You've read Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment"?
The story of Raskolnikov,
the young man who kills a loan shark.
Remember who it was he really wanted to kill?
Unusual for you to be here.
How is she?
If only she'd eat something.
Ever read this?
Yes, back when I was a student.
Raskolnikov, the hero,
claims he didn't kill the old woman but killed himself.
Why did he say that?
"Deicide"... killing God?
Deicide?
He broke the Sixth Commandment
and thus killed God within himself.
God in himself...
Killing himself at the same time.
Suicide, huh?
Killing God and himself...
August 9th, 02:48- Tinian Base
USAF B-29 Superfortress "Boxcar"
Kazan Archipelago
What are you doing?
You had me scared.
No wonder, being trapped in here.
Give me a second...
This is your Captain.
In two days we reach our objective.
First we surface to overhaul the guns.
Those with spare time, steel yourselves for our final battle.
May I...
ask your name?
Paula.
Paula...
Atsuko Ebner.
Atsuko?
Grandma was Japanese.
Is that right?
I'm Yukito Origasa.
Yukito...
If we make it back to Japan,
come see my hometown.
It's a port town with huge shipyards.
Western buildings, churches...
There's a streetcar.
Long stone stairways...
lead to my secret spot.
The crew have settled in.
Damn Origasa...
Amid a world made mad by war
her gentle voice, so pure and serene
like a shaft of sunlight in the dark water
brought them a moment of solace.
You want a drink, too?
How the hell can it drink?
It's a Leica.
You like photography?
Yes.
I wanted to be a photographer.
Really?
Pick it up if you like.
Lieutenant...
You have a daughter, right?
5 years old, now.
Unlike me, she's a beauty.
This is her cat's cradle.
She begged me to take it.
I just saw a jumble of string.
But she taught me...
to make a bridge.
I hope we can leave them a better world.
I forgot... emotional talk is taboo.
I'll make Origasa scrub toilets as punishment.
Hey?
What's wrong?
August 9th, 11:02 Atomic Bombing of Nagasaki
How's she doing?
Just like before.
Recovery's taking longer this time.
Back to your posts.
Something about war...
or death seems to overwhelm her...
paralyzing her nervous system...
She sensed some massive conflict somewhere?
It's just speculation...
I'll go get her some water.
What is it?
Aren't you on toilet duty?
I am indeed, sir.
But I was worried...
Come in.
Captain.
You're still going to use her?
You carry your wife's memento...
...yet you're still going to...
A memento of regret, not love.
I was a soldier first, husband second.
My duty was foremost to my country.
How could I ever make a wife happy...
It's a reminder of my mistake.
August 10th, 13:00
The Mariana Islands
What's wrong?
All hands, battle stations.
Sound the alert!
Alert ready.
What are you doing?
You bastards.
Sit.
Come with me.
What's going on?
The I-507 will rendezvous with a US destroyer
and surrender to their command.
What the hell?
Captain Asakura's last orders.
August 10th - Imperial Naval Command
August 10th - Imperial Naval Command Although the Emperor made up his mind,
Although the Emperor made up his mind,
those Army dolts refuse to listen.
No-one dare confront them...
I hear Nishimiya works towards peace.
If we don't agree to terms
the Soviets will invade and tear our nation in half.
I can't believe that...
Those army blockheads!
What's going on?
Please be seated.
I came to talk.
But first let's dine.
Our last supper, perhaps.
As officially agreed, we give the ship to the Allies.
Agreement?
Yesterday, a second atom bomb fell on Nagasaki.
A third will fall on Tokyo, tomorrow.
What the hell are you saying?
We hand over the Lorelei system.
In return, they drop the bomb.
Target: Tokyo.
That's what we have agreed.
Soon, many nations will have the atom bomb.
Who'll have the upper hand then?
The one with Lorelei.
This sub can slip past the enemy's defenses
and put an atom bomb on their doorstep.
Why bomb Tokyo?