The Yari Mini-Sub


Designation: Anti-ship Talon
Manufacturer: Shirada Naval Yards (unconfirmed)
Country of origin: Japan
Mass-produced at: Imperial Docks

Key features:

• Two Mozu mini-torpedo tubes
• Radar detecting threats within range
• On-board generator with safety switch
• Sturdy, condensation-resistant canopy
• Waterproof black box



The Empire of the Rising Sun struck the Soviet Union without warning and with a seemingly uncanny knowledge of the Union’s few coastal vulnerabilities. This foresight must have been partly due to the Empire’s Shinobi network, as its hooded assassins have earned a terrifying reputation for obtaining sensitive information brutally and reliably. Another theory gaining popularity is that the Empire thoroughly managed Submarine reconnaissance operations across Northern Europe and Asia, evading detection by relaying essential tactical data to the Imperial Military Command. These underwater reconnaissance missions were carried out by young pilots of the Empire of the Rising Sun’s Yari Mini-Submarines, the smallest combat submersibles ever invented. Although these Mini Submarines initially appear rather harmless due to their size and relatively innocuous shape, the consequences of their successful reconnaissance reveal them to be an enormous threat. It also transpires that the Yari Mini-Submarines possess considerable firepower; moreover, the pilots of these vessels are prepared to sacrifice their lives for the ambitions of the Empire of the Rising Sun.


The Empire of the Rising Sun uses its Yari Mini-Submarines (so named after the spear used hundreds of years ago during the Japanese wars) to patrol the seas in search of weaknesses in its enemies’ coastal defences.

Although it is rather late for this information to emerge from the Soviet Union’s perspective, much has been gleaned from the wreckage of numerous Yari Mini-Submarines found destroyed off the northern coast of Russia. Having carefully studied the Soviet Submarine programme and the capabilities of their enemies’ navies, the Emperor’s chief naval technicians must have developed the Yari Mini-Sub as an inexpensive miniature Submarine suitable for reconnaissance and small-scale skirmishes. Each of these vessels is fitted with a pair of light torpedo tubes, which, although far less powerful than the torpedoes of a Soviet Akula, can nevertheless ultimately pierce and sink even the largest of ships (the Soviet Union unwittingly found this out the hard way). Mini-submarines are also virtually undetectable when submerged, which is part of what makes them so dangerous. And because they are cheap to manufacture, they can be rapidly deployed to support Imperial blockades.


Earlier models of the Mini Submarine had two seats for two passengers, but as the ‘Last Voyage’ attacks proved increasingly effective, a slimmer version was developed to reduce overall costs.

Although ill-equipped to withstand a large-scale naval strike, the Yari Mini-Sub has a secret weapon that can prove deadly even to ships several times its size: Its pilot, loyally devoted to his Emperor, is trained to use his vessel in a devastating tactic known as the ‘Last Voyage’, which can severely damage even the sturdiest hull. Unfortunately, this destroys the Yari Mini-Sub in the process. Soviet forces were completely taken by surprise in their first encounters with this tactic, which led to the shocking defeat of one of the Soviet Union’s most famous Akula fleets. The psychology that leads Imperial sailors to be inclined to use such a strategy is still being studied carefully, and diametrically opposed theories abound, with some experts insisting that Mini Submarine pilots must be extremely brave, whilst others claim they do so out of fear.


Reconnaissance on the battlefield has at least revealed the following facts about the Yari Mini-Submarines:

• Affordable– Presumably, the reason the Mini Submarines are so small is to keep manufacturing costs to a minimum. These are relatively inexpensive, fast scout vessels, but they are unsuitable for large-scale naval combat. However, Mini Submarines can still be extremely dangerous, particularly when deployed in large numbers.

-Submerged protection- The Imperial Mini Submarines’ greatest defence is their ability to evade radar whilst submerged. Whilst submerged, Mini Submarines cannot be detected by most enemy radars, nor can they be attacked by most conventional weapons. However, the Mini Submarines’ torpedoes are not designed to operate under extreme pressure, forcing the Mini Submarines to surface in order to fire.

-An abundance of mini-torpedoes- Due to their small size, Mini Submarines are not equipped with heavy weapons, although their mini-torpedoes partly compensate for a lack of raw firepower with a rapid rate of fire. This makes Mini Submarines extremely well-suited to lightning-fast attacks. Note that Mini Submarines cannot defend themselves against land-based or airborne targets.

-Final Voyage - Yari Mini-Sub pilots are known to resort to extreme measures in the name of completing their missions. Specifically, they have been observed ramming their targets, intentionally crashing into them. This is inevitably catastrophic for the Mini Submarines, but also for their targets.