Washington DC, Pentagon.
Reports about Norman Jones came to the Secretary of Defense one after another.
The fact that he stole several worker IDs and photographed or printed out information for each part to steal confidential information, left the United States with a fake passport, arrived in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, and moved to Haiphong.
At the end of the basic report, additional information gathered locally was added.
“I am identifying the person in the blind spot that Norman Jones greeted. According to eyewitness statements so far, he is a white male in his 30s or 40s, dressed as a tourist, and… … .”
After the trivial explanation that followed, the Minister of National Defense asked the key point.
“Montage?”
“Currently in production. It was judged that the report was urgent, so without a montage… … .”
“it’s okay. Please continue.”
The Minister of Defense rejected the reporter’s apology and motioned for him to continue.
What was important was not procedures or etiquette.
It was time.
Norman Jones, who was in Vietnam, had to be caught before he went to China.
If you can’t, things will get bigger.
So, the reporting process was also minimized and adjusted so that it could be reported almost directly on the spot.
By the time I grasped the local information like that.
Tiliri-
The intercom bell rang.
The Minister of Defense reflexively picked up the receiver and looked at the LCD panel.
It was because of dozens of unannounced phone calls.
He raised his voice at this, but hesitated after looking at the number that appeared on the small screen.
It was because the hotline number for the National Security Agency (NSA), an intelligence agency within the Department of Defense called the CIA, was displayed.
The phone call came from there, so it wouldn’t be normal.
Perhaps it has something to do with this case.
– Minister?
“ah… I got a call.”
It was when the Minister of Defense paused and raised his voice after calling him over the receiver.
I froze at the words that followed.
“What, what… … ?”
he asked reflexively.
It wasn’t because of Norman Jones’ event that he had expected, but because something unexpected came across him.
– We are currently trying to contact the publisher, but the information we have not yet… … .
“Hey, wait!”
When the Minister of Defense shouted, the generals and secretaries who were reporting paused and looked at each other.
And after leaving, saying that I would come again.
The Minister of Defense caught his breath and spoke out again.
with clear pronunciation.
“You mean you’ve been wanted? Mr. Lee?”
– That’s right.
“Is it false or how likely is it?”
– We are trying to find out whether it is true by trying to contact you, but there is too much information posted to be false. Kang Tae-ri’s various body information, workplace, and current location are listed, and his colleagues also have bounties.
“how much?”
– Kang Tae-ri, $50 million. The other associates are worth $10 million each, for a total of $100 million for the six.
“… … !”
The Minister of Defense’s eyes widened.
Not millions of dollars, but 100 million dollars?
He hesitated, but he quickly realized.
Before discussing truth and lies, it’s an amount that anyone can turn their eyes to.
Those who instigated assault and murder even for hundreds or thousands of dollars were more likely to act and see.
Even the local military and police did not know if they would agree.
In particular, it would be easier to move if they were related to the local mafia, cartel, gang, or other underworld that dominated the area.
American citizenship would not be of much use either.
Hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands of dollars at best would not support prison life or the families left behind, but $100 million was more than enough to rule a prison.
In the worst case, the whole village could try to devour Kangtae.
“Can you handle it?”
– It takes time, but it’s possible enough.
“It’s time… All right. Please contact me as soon as more information comes in.”
Suddenly, the Minister of Defense hung up the phone and hurriedly dialed the number again.
It was the officer’s contact information that I had memorized not too long ago.
Philip Edman, an Army liaison officer serving in Bolivia and now operating in Brazil.
Fortunately, the call was quickly connected, and right after I heard Philip’s spirited voice.
the Minister of Defense asked succinctly.
“Have you contacted the Special Forces?”
– I’m going to meet with the manager soon.
“Then take Charlie’s team and join the Special Forces immediately. Do not inform the local military and police of the related information, and move immediately.”
– yes? Are you talking now? Why all of a sudden… … .
“The entire Charlie team is wanted. It is a very dangerous situation, so don’t trust the local military and police, be sure to join the special force and move together.”
At those words, there was a hint of hesitation through the receiver, followed by a confused and surprised voice.
– Number, number, who got off? Are you a brazilian mafia?
“It’s the dark web. Not just in Brazil, but all over the world. So take Charlie’s team and move right away, right now.”
– So the operation is canceled?
“This is a temporary suspension. Make your move only after the hazard has been identified. Let’s spread the specific details right away through the NSA.”
After the call, the Minister of Defense hurriedly called his secretaries and issued additional orders.
And just as he was about to stand up, he staggered and touched the table.
“Minister!”
As the surprised secretary shouted and came running, the Minister of Defense shook his head.
“I do my job… Coffee please when you come in.”
Then he slumped back to the seat he was about to get up from.
It was because I couldn’t sleep for two days.
All I had to do was take a nap when I was flying across the Atlantic and a few hours before I had a break.
Did you get 4 hours of sleep in 2 days?
Fatigue was creeping in, but there was no time to sleep.
It wasn’t just the war, it was because there was actually a lot of work to do with it.
You had to figure out the secrets possessed by self-destructed Walter Grayson, find the whereabouts of Norman Jones, and protect Kang-tae from crossing over to Brazil.
It’s a situation where all sorts of things happen at the same time.
“There’s nothing strange about going crazy… … .”
It was a shame because he expressed his intention to resign to the president, otherwise he might have fainted.
I was under a lot of stress both physically and mentally.
As he let out a long sigh, a general with a star instead of a secretary came in with coffee and a file folder.
It was just when I thought work had come again.
“A montage of people who came into contact with Norman Jones.”
The Minister of Defense, who saw this, hesitated.
It was because Montage’s face was quite familiar, so it looked familiar.
It wasn’t because it was a common face.
It was definitely a familiar face, and the moment I looked at it again while wearing magnifying glasses.
The Minister of Defense’s gaze stopped tremblingly.
In an instant, he even came up with a name suitable for the montage.
“Giandro Basicanal… … .”
“yes? Do you know someone?”
While the general questioned, not knowing why, the Minister of Defense wiped his face.
“Damn it… … .”
Thanks to Kang Tae, he was a public enemy of the Foreign Cooperation Bureau.
I couldn’t hear the briefing or receive any related materials, but the reason I went to Bolivia must be to find traces of him.
By the way, that Giandro was in Vietnam now.
* * *
Northeastern outskirts of Guarulhos, Brazil.
Immediately after getting off at the airport, I headed to the residential area adjacent to the Arujá Golf Club to receive equipment and contact the Special Forces.
There was nothing unusual about the process.
The distance to the promised point was also very short, about 3 to 4 km, and there were no particular dangers in the distance.
It was unlikely that there would be a cartel or mafia like in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.
The crowded side looked busy and peaceful, while the non-crowded side looked leisurely and quiet.
But that’s it.
Philip suddenly got a phone call, and things changed.
I pulled out a 9mm semi-automatic pistol made from a polymer made in Brazil that I didn’t want to use, which was acquired along with the vehicle, and I ended up holding it.
“… Cha, they say there’s a bounty on the entire Charlie team.”
At first, I didn’t know what to say, but after the explanation that followed, I took the firearm out of my chest, grabbed it, and pulled the slide to check the chamber.
“… Team leader, shouldn’t we go a little faster? You say this gun has a lot of flaws too?”
When asked while holding the only item of self-defense, Jake also pulled the slide several times before speaking.
“… Harry, step on it.”
He, too, seemed to be unreliable with a pistol made in Brazil.
At the same time, as Harry stepped on the accelerator as if he had been waiting, Jake radioed the car behind him before he knew it.
“I’ll speed it up, so catch up quickly.”
– All right, Charlie 1.
Wait a moment to hear Marcus’ answer, who was sitting in the passenger seat of the back car.
The Toyota Hilux, which has been on the market for well over 10 years, has hit the road quickly with a loud rattle.
Around the time when the tremors transmitted from the car body felt like anxiety.
Finally, the area seen in the picture was revealed.
It was a small town with several buildings under construction that the Special Forces were supposed to contact.
It seemed safe and peaceful here, too, but I knew very well that it wasn’t.
Building walls, raising iron bars, and blocking gates or garages was a typical example of an area with insecure security.
There is no mafia with a gun in front of you.
Soon the car slowed down, looked out the window with Jake, and ordered.
“Stop.”
While entering the empty building.
Soon, people who seemed like shadows appeared in the building.
“oh… … .”
Special Forces, American Special Forces.
The 2nd tier special forces that I met during ROK-US combined training once a year or once every two years during my active duty.
They had come in T-shirts over jeans, body armor and assault rifles.
A few wore sunglasses, and their heads nodded.
It wasn’t just because of his professional attitude or appearance.
It was because most of the crew members were Hispanic like Jose, as if considering the fact that the operation site was Brazil.
There were also whites and blacks who looked like American soldiers, and they probably spoke enough Portuguese, which is used in Brazil.
I’m sure it’s very reassuring, but deep inside I’m worried in many ways.
It wasn’t because the numbers were small.
Just looking at those who came first as an advance party, there were quite a few.
There was something else I was concerned about.
‘If you say you’re protecting us and get hurt for no reason… I can’t… … ?’
Just because we were wanted, we weren’t the ones to abandon and run away.
If a skirmish occurs, they will rather go ahead.
While I was thinking about that, I heard a deep breath from the driver’s seat.
Harry seemed very nervous.
To the extent that sweat drops suddenly form on the side of the face seen from the side.
And that wasn’t all.
Philip, who was sitting next to me, was also moving his gaze here and there as if he was uneasy.
Only Jake is quiet as usual.
‘To do… Being normal is abnormal… … .’
While I was thinking about that, Jake’s second order fell.
power down.
As I lowered it while holding the cheap Brazilian handgun I still had, the Special Forces members came as if they had been waiting for it and held out the box.
It was our armament delivered again from Bolivia.
Firearms, body armor, helmets, and other equipment.
As I threw away the Brazilian gun I was holding and put on my personal armament, I heard a conversation from the side.
To be precise, it was the words of the Special Forces members directed at Jake.
“You are the famous legend.”
“Jake, do you remember me? I’ve been with you for about six months.”
“I’ve heard a lot about it, Russell. It’s an honor to meet you like this. Very nice to meet you.”
It was a word of joy for Jake, who passed through the special force.
From nob le mt l dot com
Let the time after such a short meeting pass for a moment.
Soon, Jake’s gruff voice was heard.
“Let’s talk about work now.”