Chapter 249 - Book 10 4-1 A Time For Decisive Action: Sleeping With The Enemy!
February 15th, 2021, 05:10
Seoul Jongro-ku, Blue House national emergency situation center underground bunker
When Russia launched its RT-2PM Topol ICBM missiles, President Suh Hyun-woo was reading the documents that he wasn't able to check last night with the night shift staff. The government bureaucrats were also sitting at their seats and seemed to be waiting for something.
"Mr. President, Russia had started moving 10 minutes ago." National Security Director Oh Jang-soo suddenly appeared out of nowhere and reported to the president quietly.
"Is that so? Can we check their movements right now?" The president spoke while glancing at the large screen at the situation center.
"When the aerospace force links the data to us, then we will be able to track their movements in real-time. Please wait a moment, sir."
Based on the conversation between the president and the national security director, the topic did not seem too serious. However, Russia had just launched 55 ICBMs towards Northeast Asia's direction. The reason for these two men being so calm was one of these reasons: they were already aware of the attack, or the target of the ICBMs was not Corea.
"The aerospace force's command center linked their data on screen 1, sir."
The screen at the center of the room showed 55 red lines representing the missiles launched from central Russia. The lines were headed towards Corea in an arc.
* * *
February 15th, 2021, 05:10
Seoul Yongsan-ku CC tanker (aerospace forces command center)
Since February 9th, the tactical interception satellites, Zeus 2 and 3 had been deployed into the field. The power of the aerospace forces was increased significantly.
The CAMD system's 1st stage interception rate had increased by 300% and it was very encouraging for the nation.
The 55 Russian ICBMs were being tracked by the Apollo reconnaissance satellite and it relayed the data in real-time. Also, the information was being sent to the joint chief of staff and the Blue House's national emergency situation center.
"Russia's 55 ICBMs have entered the atmosphere and reaching their secondary phase!"
"Are their final destinations still unchanged?" Lieutenant General Lee Kyung-hyun, the commander of the aerospace forces, was commanding the room himself.
"Yes, sir. They are still moving towards their calculated route from the start."
"If any of their routes change by the slightest, report to me immediately."
"Yes, sir."
The Zeus tactical interception satellite usually started the interception when the target entered the atmosphere and before reaching its secondary phase. However, Commander Lee Kyung-hyun was focusing only on the movement of the ICBM missiles through the Apollo 1 satellite. This meant that he had no intention to intercept the ICBMs.
* * *
February 15th, 2021, 05:10
The deep sea N 29°44' E 129°36', 24km North from Nakano Island, Japan
The Yang Se-bong (SSP-85) had silently sailed past Nakano Island and was now tailing the 7th carrier strike group.
-We are 51km away from the 7th carrier strike group, the New Hampshire nuclear submarine is 44km away from our 7 o'clock, sir.
The report from the battle station was sent into Lieutenant Colonel Kim Jin-jung through the silent communication line*, who was watching his captain's screen at the helm.
*Silent communication line: Technology worn by the crew of Hocula submarines, a small earphone that can be used to communicate while sailing silently.
-We will infiltrate into a 20km vicinity of the Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier. Maintain our silent sailing and use marine straits as much as possible while moving.
Four hours ago, the Yang Se-bong (SSP-85) had received an urgent order from the naval strategic command. The submarine had 12 rounds of the Black Shark (483mm K-746 submarine-to-submarine/ship super cavitating torpedo) loaded and tailed after the enemy while skating along the ocean floor.
Thirty-six hours ago in Moscow, Russia.
A top-secret mission that only President Suh Hyun-woo and the government bureaucrats related to the NSC, and a few joint chief-of-staff members were aware of was being conducted. It was sending an emissary to Russia. Vice Minister Na Won-il from North Korea's Ministry of the People's Armed Forces was selected.
During his early days, he had studied at a college in Moscow, and when he became a North Korean government official, he had worked as the North Korean ambassador to Moscow. He was the man who had kept the best relationship between the military commanders of Russia. The president had chosen him for the task instead of any other government staff member who worked under the South Korean government.
This visit was top-secret, therefore Vice Minister Na Won-il arrived at Moscow aboard the Three-toed Crow space jet while President Suh Hyun-woo had suggested an unofficial visit to President Putin through the hotline. President Putin accepted the offer. However, there was something he was surprised by. Even if the visit was unofficial, it was customary for an emissary to come into the nation via a civilian aircraft. However, Corea's Vice Minister had come into Russia aboard an unidentifiable aircraft.
America's F-22 Raptor stealth fighter jets were able to enter into the outer boundaries of Russia's skies undetected by radars. However, having a civilian plane transport someone into the heart of Moscow, the capital of Russia, with its powerful anti-air net, bypassed all logic.
There were hundreds of air-radars on the ground across Russia, six early warning radar satellites, and A-100, A-110 early warning planes surveying Russia's skies 24 hours a day. Avoiding the detection of all that equipment was unimaginable. President Putin had become curious about Corea's stealth technology.
Vice Minister Na Won-il had arrived near Moscow in the early hours of the morning. His party of four consisted of himself, a secretary, and two bodyguards. They took a short break at a hotel in the suburb of Moscow and used a van prepared by the Corean embassy to head towards the promised location.
Due to the secretive nature of the visit, the van headed along a local road and arrived at an old building outside of Moscow instead of the official government building. As the van got closer to the old building, more armed soldiers and bodyguards showed up. The building seemed to be a part of an intelligence agency or a military facility.
When the van pulled up to the main entrance, many armed soldiers and tall men in black suits surrounded the vehicle. Someone opened the car doors.
"Welcome. I am Nikolai, the foreign policy cooperation officer."
Vice Minister Na Won-il and his entourage got off the van. Then, he shook Nikolai's hands while greeting him in fluent Russian. "Hello. I am Na Won-il, the emissary for Russia."
"You must have had a long trip. Please follow me."
When they opened the entrance doors and entered the building, the bodyguards started to search Na Won-il and his entourage. Vice Minister Na Won-il stretched out his arms to his sides and glanced at the interior of the building. From the outside, the building looked old and dull, but the interior had been decorated with traditional Russian designs and seemed elegant.
After the search was complete, Vice Minister Na Won-il climbed up a flight of stairs covered by red carpet and reached the second floor. He and his entourage stopped in front of a decorated door after walking through the hall.
"Mr. Na, your bodyguards are not allowed in here. Only you may enter."
Vice Minister Na Won-il nodded to his bodyguards and signaled them to wait outside. He opened the door and entered the room alone.
At the center of the large room, a square table was set and at the opposite seat, President Putin was seated while other high-ranking government officials were at the sides of the table.
"Welcome. It's been a long time since we met."
"Mr. President! Long time no see."
President Putin got up from his seat and shook the vice minister's hand while smiling. The two men had not seen each other for 10 years, and the last time they had met was when the vice minister was acting as the North Korean ambassador. They greeted each other like old friends. Then, the other officials greeted him as well.
The men took some time to have tea, and converse with each other. A moment later, Vice Minister Na Won-il started to speak of the reason for his visit.
"Please take a look at the documents I have brought."
Vice Minister Na Won-il pulled out a thick stack of documents from his briefcase and handed it to President Putin.
"What is this?"
"It's translated in Russian, so please take a look first, sir."
The contents of the document Vice Minister Na Won-il handed over were top-secret even within the Corean government.
It was evidence and reasons why the war against Corea and Japan had started. It also explained to the Russian government why Corea had no choice but to enter into the war, and requested Russia's peaceful ceasefire while the war against America was going on. The document also suggested a military alliance.
The Corean president had held a meeting with the NSC before sending emissary Na Won-il to Russia to decide whether to reveal to Russia about the SS-class information regarding America's secret organization. Most of the government officials who attended the meeting had voted against the revelation. It was decided to share intelligence related to America to Russia excluding the bit about the USSC council. Russia would only be informed about America's involvement in the 8.15 Pyeongyang terrorist bombing.
"Is this true?" President Putin shook his head and asked with an incredulous look on his face.
"Mr. President! Why would I fly all the way out here to feed you lies, sir? This is all the intelligence the Corean intelligence agencies have gathered and analyzed for years."
"Does this mean Corea was involved in the kidnapping of Secretary Yagumachi Genzo from Japan at Moscow?" President Putin abruptly mentioned the kidnapping of secretary Yagumachi Genzo in Moscow on February 9th.
President Putin was aware of the kidnapping and the shootout at Moskovskaya since he heard a report from Director Evgeny Lebedev of the SVR (foreign intelligence agency). Vice Minister Na Won-il was taken aback by the unexpected question, but regained his composure and spoke confidently.
"I won't deny it. But, Secretary Yagumachi is deeply involved in the outbreak of the war between Corea and Japan. I hope you understand."
"I would like to ask one more thing. Was Prime Minister Abe's assassination Corea's doing?"
"No. That is not how our nation handles business. Can't you tell? During the war against China, we did not attempt to assassinate President Xi, nor engage in a surprise attack at Beijing. Would our nation really do such a petty act against Japan, a nation smaller than China?"
"I understand. We were aware of the general situation of Prime Minister Abe's assassination, so I only asked to confirm our suspicions. That is also something our nation cannot express our opinion on, but the issue is that Russia had an agreement with Japan that was made with Secretary Genzo as the negotiator. I am sure you are aware of the terms through our friend Genzo, correct?"
"I am aware of the terms generally."
"Very well, Mr. Na! Our nation, Russia is at a semi-war against Corea. Also, we have a military agreement with Japan, your enemy. Why is it that the Corean government is revealing top-secret information to us at this moment?" President Putin's friendly expression disappeared from his face, and he asked the question with a piercing gaze.
The documents he received had already outlined the reasons for emissary Na's visit. However, President Putin seemed to have wanted to hear the reason from the emissary himself.
"Mr. President, I would like to give you a straight answer. Our president does not want any military clashes against Russia. We want a peaceful alliance."
"Hahaha, Mr. Na! Aren't you thinking things too easily? Our 57th vehicle infantry division sustained heavy damages and casualties at the Eastern Manchurian area. There has already been military conflict between Russia and Corea, and to just wave that away with a single phrase..."
Vice Minister Na Won-il pulled out another document from his briefcase before President Putin finished speaking.
"This is what our president would like to gift you, Mr. President."
President Putin slowly read over the documents. Then, a small smile appeared on his lips.
The gift were documents about the railgun development technology that had already been deployed onto the field by the U.S.. Navy, and another one about handing over Hokkaido to Russia when the war between Corea and Japan was over.