Pentagon, Virginia, USA at the end of July.
‘Finally got here… … .’
Robert, director of the Department of External Affairs, with a visitor pass around his neck, licked his lips.
I already guessed it would come.
Some of Kang-tae’s skills were revealed in the operation to eliminate illegal mercenaries in the black market presided over by the president, and later intervened in the selection of the site for the villa in consultation with the State Department, and also invited Kang-tae by opening Fort Bragg, and even attached an officer in charge. .
Of course, the conditions weren’t bad at all.
You can use the world’s best US military facilities, and you can receive special warfare training properly, and you will be safer than anywhere else in the world when you visit.
But for Robert, it was something that was very unsettling.
It was because the end was obvious.
Kang-tae’s enlistment, or requesting a military contract, etc.
There was a high possibility that many methods would be mobilized that even Robert did not know about, and they might be still in progress.
So did the CIA.
Even though Kang-tae refused, he approached him several times, and it was still ongoing.
Kang Tae must be a talented person that I want to have that much.
Of course, Robert had no intention of giving up either.
I was going to protect Kang-tae somehow, and I was thinking of putting him on the mission of the Foreign Cooperation Agency.
So, around the time I was thinking about how to deal with the Minister of Defense.
The escorting officer announced his arrival and opened the door to the meeting room.
At the same time, Robert hesitated.
“Oh, please have a seat.”
The Minister of Defense, who had arrived first, invited Robert to sit down.
It wasn’t strange.
This is the Pentagon, the headquarters of the Ministry of Defense, and there was only a minister who was the head.
However, face-to-face was not easy.
The number of people waiting to meet at home and abroad was enough to wrap around the Pentacon wall 20 times.
So, the situation was expected to be a working-level worker below the vice minister.
However, next to the Minister of Defense, there was not a single general like a working-level official.
A major and a lieutenant were all in their early to mid-30s and late 20s, who looked like they could do chores.
Robert’s mouth opened immediately.
“… Wasn’t it a working-level meeting?”
“Exactly, working-level meeting. However, it will be treated as a confidential matter, so I kept it to a minimum.”
“Yes, I understand.”
By the time I sat down while answering, I immediately came out of business without even saying hello.
That’s something Robert didn’t expect.
“Recently, movements have been detected in North Korea.”
“… … ?!”
Robert, who had Kang-tae in mind, hesitated.
And the mouth that was about to reply was closed.
It was because information related to North Korea came in to the Foreign Cooperation Bureau.
Specifically, the content related to Giandr.
I haven’t figured it out yet, but with a little more time I’ll figure it out.
Just in time for Kangtae’s vacation to end.
The Minister of Defense soon followed.
“Recently, as terrorists approach nuclear missiles, as a result of expanding the scope of acquiring related information, Korea has already secured and is sharing related information.”
Then one of the lieutenants handed over the file, which Robert took and read.
His mouth fell open as he read a few lines.
“ah… … .”
It was like he was chasing.
It was about Giandro, and it was also in the hands of the Ministry of Defense.
In the meantime, the Minister of Defense, who had been watching, opened his mouth.
“Did you already know?”
“I cannot answer. But why are you showing me this?”
When Robert asked as if changing the topic, a quick answer came back.
“We need Director Anderson’s help with the operation we’re planning.”
“My help… … ?”
Soon, what was hoped for became true.
“Mr. Lee.”
There were many surnames called ‘Lee’, but only one was mentioned between the two.
Kang Tae.
Wait a moment for Robert to pause.
He answered as if he was breathing.
“first… Let’s hear the plan first.”
I wanted to refuse, but I couldn’t just say no.
I hadn’t heard the details, but there were traces of Giandro being tracked by the Foreign Relations Agency, and above all, because the Secretary of Defense is also the head of a federal agency that works for the security of the United States.
“Currently, we are preparing two strategies.”
“Two things… … .”
“One is to directly infiltrate North Korean territory to neutralize the enemy’s plans, and the other is to attack on the high seas or on uninhabited islands to annihilate and capture them.”
“… … .”
Robert’s expression hardened.
This time, it was because of what was expected and reviewed.
In particular, North Korea penetration was so unlikely to perform the mission that it was scrapped in the first round.
But that was coming out of the mouth of the Minister of Defense.
“We haven’t reached the implementation stage yet, but I hope Mr. Lee will be with us in any operation. Honestly, even if it means infiltrating North Korea and killing Kim… I think Mr. Lee will do a great job.”
Then the minister looked at the still silent lieutenant.
“Isn’t that right, Lieutenant Edman?”
“you’re right.”
Philip Edman, who had been silent for a while, answered with all his might.
After that, Robert opened his mouth.
“I couldn’t see the name tag well… It must have been you.”
I couldn’t see the name because the seat was diagonal, but I didn’t know until I heard the word ‘Edman’.
Soon, Robert’s gaze shifted to one side.
“Then who is this?”
An officer in his early to mid-thirties, whose name is unknown, with the rank of major.
The Minister of Defense looked at him and said.
“I am the commander of this operation team.”
At those words, Robert met his eyes again, but the major also exchanged glances but did not speak.
It was worth it.
He must be the commander of at least a tier 1 special forces unit or a special ops agent specializing in black ops.
Neither of them were junior officers at the Pentagon, likely doing chores.
They were essential personnel to recruit Kangtae.
Soon after, the real intention of the Minister of Defense, which Robert was concerned about, came out.
“And I would like Mr. Lee to be assigned under our commander and move during this operation, is that possible?”
“That is difficult.”
“Isn’t it better to proceed even if it is difficult?”
“His affiliation… … .”
“I know, not the Department of Defense. However, there is a need to facilitate operations through unified command. In addition, you will receive sufficient support from the Ministry of National Defense, do you intend to reject this as a matter of the commander?”
The Minister of Defense continued with a relaxed gaze.
“Or are you trying to force him down and regress? Isn’t that what Director Anderson knows best?”
“… … .”
“I’m sure Mr. Lee will be satisfied. Why don’t you ask him about his intentions?”
When Robert couldn’t answer, the defense secretary asked with satisfaction.
It had to be.
It was because I prepared a lot to lobby Kang-tae this time.
Of course, the operation will proceed as planned, but in the midst of it, we were preparing firmly to give Kang-tae a taste of the support of the US Department of Defense.
He probably wouldn’t be able to shake off his outstretched hand.
Although I heard information that the CIA, the world’s best and largest intelligence agency, had failed in lobbying, it was because there and the Ministry of Defense were fundamentally different.
military agencies.
I couldn’t compare myself to an intelligence agent.
In particular, the Ministry of National Defense must be more attractive than the CIA to Kang-tae, who is a natural soldier.
The fact that I came to Fort Bragg first was proof of that.
Even though I was not invited, but only allowed to visit, I flew by helicopter.
I was impressed by the equipment, facilities, and troops, and since then, I have been steadily coming three times a week to train myself.
And that, too, for more than half a day.
This, too, was well known to Robert.
so i was worried
I was concerned that Kang-tae would rise to the plate laid by the Ministry of National Defense.
Then, the change of affiliation was an instant.
Many agents have changed that way.
It seemed that Kang-tae, who had also rejected the CIA’s offer, would not do that, but he was a soldier by nature, so it was something he never knew.
By the time I can’t answer this.
The Minister of Defense gestured to Philip, who was next to him.
“I’d better call you here… Please contact Lieutenant Edman.”
“But the security line… … .”
When Philip took out his cell phone and stopped like an officer, the Minister of Defense shook his head.
“You don’t have to communicate everything about the operation. All you have to do is let them know that you will be supported by the Department of Defense under our commander on the next operation.”
“ah… yes All right.”
Philip quickly finds Kang-tae’s saved contact information and presses it.
The ringing tone continued for quite some time.
‘At this time today… It must be at the MMA gym.’
The moment Robert, guessing, wished it had passed without being accepted.
– Oh, Philip, what’s going on?
Kang Tae answered the phone.
It was also very friendly and close while calling names.
‘I was so friendly… … ?’
While Robert waited nervously, Philip quickly announced the message.
In the next operation, it will be assigned and controlled with the US Special Operations Forces, under the commander, and supported by the US Department of Defense.
Kang Tae’s answer came right away.
– What is it? What about our team?
“So, Lee, only you… … .”
– No, that’s not okay. I trust our team. Of course, active Delta or Devgrew are good too… that’s hard
“… No, Lee?”
Philip called in bewilderment.
Contrary to what he had hoped for, it was because he rejected it so easily.
While Robert’s face straightens.
– And I have no intention of changing my affiliation yet.
“yet? Then when will it be?”
– I don’t know. If you want later, I’ll ask you at that time. Oh, and… … .
Kang-tae, who had finished his speech at will, calmly added an afterword.
– I would like you to avoid calling me at this time in the future. I’m working out.
“ah… I’m sorry, Lee. Then exercise.”
pop.
after that call.
The defense minister’s eyebrows were deeply crumpled.
‘no… The report clearly… … .’
Kang-tae had a lot of good feelings for the Pentagon.
It was amazing.
Not only that, but he liked and respected soldiers, and even had the pride of being a soldier.
A true soldier.
It was not only Philip’s report, but also cross-validated through conversations secured by video.
However, he refused as if he didn’t care.
He even declared not only his attachment to the team, but also that he would not change his affiliation.
I hesitated, but I had no intention of giving up.
‘I’ll have to approach, keep going…’ … .’
The CIA was also trying to lobby Kang-tae behind the scenes.
Even if I hadn’t seen or heard anything, I could be sure.
The CIA wasn’t such a soft organization.
Above all, Kang-tae was not a talent to be let go just because he refused.
It was literally like a one-man-army that could benefit everyone from the organization to which it belonged and even the head of the organization.
Meanwhile, Robert said leisurely.
“Then let’s talk about the rest.”
I didn’t mean to make fun of the Minister of Defense.
Now that Kang-tae’s whereabouts were decided, it was time to talk about work.
Because they had a common enemy.