Philip Edman, who was dispatched as a liaison officer, sighed after sending an e-mail to Washington.
It wasn’t because the report I sent this time was insufficient or overtime.
It was because the contents written inside were not good.
It is a private meeting between Kang Tae and Kenneth Young, a clerk at the consular office.
‘He must have tried to appease… … .’
Philip’s impression of thinking about this was crumpled.
It was because I didn’t know what the conversation was going on, and even if I tried to find out, it wouldn’t tell me.
I tried to leave Kangtae, but what came back was a roundabout refusal.
The only thing that could be a hint was the word private, so it was not easy to deduce what the result was.
‘Maybe it’s not appeasement, but pre-work. Prepare a woman that suits Lee’s taste, or money, equipment… … .’
Around the time I remembered the classic and effective methods of appeasement.
Tiriri- Tiri-ri-
A phone call came in.
It was not his personal cell phone, but a work device provided by the Ministry of National Defense.
Philip hastily accepted the call.
“This is Lieutenant Philip Edman,”
– This is Virginia.
Virginia was not a password or code.
It was the state in which the Pentagon, the Department of Defense building, was located.
In other words, it means that the Ministry of Defense has contacted you.
And, needless to guess, Philip knew who the voice was.
One of the Secretariat staff who contacted on behalf of the busy Minister of Defense.
However, Philip, who responded, did not respond lightly unlike when he dealt with the Minister of Defense. There was still strength in his throat as he spoke.
Anyway, it was because the words that followed contained the intention of the Minister of Defense.
Even if not, the staff will tell you what you have to say.
As an ordinary US Army officer with aspirations of success, Philip said more politely.
“Yes, please.”
By the time I answered that and took a deep breath.
Unexpected words came.
– I contacted you because I have information to disseminate immediately regarding the trainee.
“… … !”
Philip’s eyes lit up.
Recruit was a code that meant force, and today was the first time that it was spread over the phone.
In the beginning, phone calls were rare.
On the day the defense minister arrived in Bolivia, he suddenly contacted me to encourage me, my immediate supervisor called to confirm, and the employee I was talking to called me to ask additional questions.
When receiving information or instructions, they had to use secure e-mail.
Even if it wasn’t, it was all done that way.
whatever you send or receive.
It was mainly a transmission position, but it was rare to receive it.
It was because the work in Bolivia did not proceed dynamically, but rather sluggishly.
So I had no information or instructions.
There was no proper education today, and I just repeated my commute to and from the police station.
In the meantime, I wrote and sent a new, but objectionable content only today.
But what came back as an answer was an urgent-looking call.
While Philip picks up his breath.
The conversation continued on the other side of the cell phone, spreading important information that needed to be announced over the phone.
– Two days ago, there was a big change in the movements of the local Santa Cruz Cartel members. Movement using cars and motorcycles has increased significantly, and the number of cases in which locals come into contact with foreigners has increased. Although details of the conversation could not be ascertained, an increase in armed forces suggests violence. According to the data currently collected, terrorism or riots are likely to occur under these circumstances.
“Te, you mean terrorism?”
Philip’s eyes, which had been strained, shook greatly.
It was because it was a word that everyone in the world was wary of, especially Philip, an American and an active-duty officer.
While he was flustered, a voice over the phone calmly asked.
– Have you heard or know anything about it beforehand?
“Oh, no… doesn’t exist. It is all written in the report.”
– Then, please be extra careful. Our current guess is that anti-American sentiment remains deep in relation to the cocaine plantation, so it is highly likely that the trainee will terrorize the PMC to which it belongs.
“… … .”
Instead of replying, Philip blinked.
I thought it was going to be a troublesome week in many ways, but it was because a bomb flew right in front of me.
By the time I want to do this.
The voice over the phone continued.
– If the process of contacting the trainee sent today is not placation, it is highly likely that they conveyed similar information. It is possible that more specific details have been obtained through local informants, and through this, it is expected that the basic work to appease the trainees is underway.
“ah… … .”
Philip, who was taken aback, reacted only then.
‘ah… You’re saying that he did something very CIA-like, throwing bait only with information instead of appeasement… … .’
As he realized, the voice over the phone finished the conversation.
– We hope that the related information will be delivered to the trainees and utilized.
“Ah, I see. I do. however… What about that terror? Can I respond according to the local situation? Do I have anything to do as an American officer?”
Philip nodded and quickly asked, and a little help came back.
– Move according to the instructions of the local commander, but if necessary, you may act individually according to your own discretion. In case of emergency, your GPS location will alert the US military on standby at the Paraguayan border. We can arrive in up to 90 minutes, so wait in a safe place and you will be rescued.
“ah… All right.”
– There are other things to check.
“Yes, please.”
– This is the trainee’s thoughts about political inclinations and snitches.
“… yes?”
Again, this was an outrageous statement.
Philip blinked at the completely unpredictable question, and a determined voice came over.
– Do you know what the trainee thinks about political leanings and infiltrators? If so, you may respond right away.
“Oh, no… I do not know.”
-Then, I will contact you tomorrow morning, so please check the matter and reply.
“all right.”
after that call.
Philip looked down at the phone that had ended the call with a bewildered face.
The contents of the call were all embarrassing.
Possibility of terrorism, Kang-tae’s political leanings and thoughts about the infiltrator.
As he was struggling, a hotel visit was opened.
rattle.
After that, Kang Tae came in with a gym bag.
“ari! Are you done exercising already?”
“Because Harry is good at taking care of himself… … .”
With those words, while Harry entered, Philip sighed as Kang-tae entered the bathroom.
‘What’s different about his political leanings? He’ll be active as a human weapon, and he won’t have anything to do with joining the party… … . Still, I’m curious where you support it. I will definitely do a great job in the US Army or wherever, so if you support me, there will be benefits… … .’
Two thoughts tangled in his head.
A common prejudice that Asian Americans support the Democrats and soldiers support the Republican Party.
At the end, Philip spoke to Kang-tae as he came out of the bathroom.
“Lee, I don’t know if you know this… … .”
Kang-tae came out just in time, and Harry was going into the bathroom after that.
It was an opportunity for the two of us to talk, albeit briefly.
Philip quickly got to the point.
“New information has come in from the Pentagon. There is a possibility of terrorism… The movement of the local cartel is unusual. That target could be us… … .”
Philip, who was talking, changed his question after seeing Kang-tae’s calm expression.
“Have you already heard?”
“yes.”
“Um… okay… … .”
As Philip replied, he suppressed his regretful feelings.
It had to be.
Because next time I had to ask him about his political leanings and his thoughts on snitches.
He licked his lips at this and gave up.
‘This will come later… I’ll have to do it while drinking. It’s an inconvenient topic to do right after a workout… … .’
At the same time, Harry, who entered the bathroom, came out with a bright face.
“Philip! Why didn’t we exercise together?”
“… Didn’t I, too?”
Harry tilted his head as Philip asked, patting his weak thigh.
“Didn’t you come back soon? I didn’t see it in the middle… … ?”
“Is there anyone who doesn’t go in the middle?”
When Philip looked more curiously, a light answer came back.
“I don’t usually have enough time to exercise with other people. Since time for personal maintenance is tight, everyone works out in their spare time. Fortunately, Bolivia is toxic, so… … .”
“No, but I won’t do it for three hours.”
“It’s okay if it’s a little long, right?”
“Three hours is a bit long, or to say it’s okay… … .”
Philip looked at him with a tired face.
We worked out together for the past week to get closer, but it was because we stayed at the gym for 3 hours each time.
Of course, Philip couldn’t hold out until the end on the first day.
I couldn’t complete the two hours, and from the next day it gradually decreased, and now I only exercise for about 45 minutes.
‘It’s time to go back and forth here from the Paraguay border in 3 hours… Spending that time on exercise… … .’
Around the time when I wondered if the two of them might actually be athletes.
Kang-tae, who was servicing a sniper rifle in a hard case before he knew it, spoke as if to soothe Harry.
“Harry, it’s possible because you’re crazy, but it’s usually difficult.”
“Anyway, sir. In fact, this is nothing different from a vacation schedule… … .”
“Check the equipment, the cartel is moving slowly… … .”
“Um, I see. Even if you prepare well, I will help you even if it is small.
At those words, Kangtae shook his head.
It was because Harry took out various equipment from his large army backpack and began to tinker with it.
There was even something Kang-tae, who was thoroughly prepared, did not have.
somewhat excessive.
Harry, who was taking things out from inside, laughed and raised his voice.
“If you use the shooting range while training the local police, please test this. For some reason, if you are a senior, I think you can use this easily.”
Then Harry took out the aiming mirror for the rail and the rotating scope.
It was a tool for aiming at the enemy while looking in the mirror without aiming directly, holding out the gun at an angle from behind a curved wall.
One of the expensive corner shot (Corner Shot: Refracting Gun) substitutes.
He had brought it himself.
In addition, it was one of the things explained from the first day, so Kang-tae knew it well.
“Looking at… Okay, so I have it.”
“Yes, senior.”
The moment you answered like that.
“… … ?!”
In an instant, the three people’s expressions changed.
At the same time, they exchanged glances with each other.
It wasn’t clear, but it was because there was a commotion through the crack in the front door.
“Did you hear?”
The moment Kang-tae asks Harry.
Shouts came from the hallway as if a door had been smashed.
“Arm and assemble immediately!”