Washington DC, USA, Harry S. Truman Building.
Robert Anderson entered the Secretary of State’s office with a thick file folder.
To receive approval for the performance and operation reports of TF-235, which was dispatched as an advance team and support team, and TF-242, which performed field operations, and disbanding the team, it is time to briefly explain and present the documents.
The Secretary of State, who had been listening carefully and examining the documents, raised his head.
“Are there any additional appointments?”
“Yes, I was going to go and talk to Marcus Washington in person… … .”
“You mean the member who asked to retire?”
The Secretary of State also looked down and read the document as he spoke.
Marcus Washington’s retirement request.
I underwent reoperation for a gunshot wound I received last year, but it was said that the aftereffects were so severe that it was impossible to carry out normal operations.
There were no additional medical certificates, but the Secretary of State was easily convinced.
It was because it was a familiar thing.
Although he was not from the military, he was well acquainted with related reports and data.
In addition to reports and approvals from related departments, there have been times when I have received petitions written by former victims of Operation Black, which took place under the auspices of the State Department.
The Secretary of State, who put that thought aside for a moment, raised his head again and looked at Robert.
“I don’t think it’s urgent, but can I come into the meeting with you?”
“It’s not urgent, but what kind of meeting is it?”
By the time Robert was asking questions, he was counting the meetings that the Secretary of State had to attend and that he could attend as well.
The answer came back soon.
“This is a security meeting presided over by the president.”
“yes? Why at the security meeting… … ?”
The end of Robert’s questioning question naturally faded.
I have reported or spoken in the presence of the president, but it was the first time I was called to a security meeting that I was not invited to in the first place.
Obviously, many important people will come.
The Secretary of State replied calmly to him who hesitated.
“It is because Lee’s name will also appear at the meeting. Wouldn’t Anderson be better at answering that than me? And I’ll get permission to attend, so you can go in together.”
“Well, if it’s about Lee… Is it because of the operation?”
Robert asked cautiously.
It was because, as the person in charge, he was carrying the burden of the failure of this operation.
Of course, despite being surrounded by numerous Chinese soldiers and police, facing tanks and attack helicopters, he escaped safely without fatalities, but that was not the first goal.
The first was the killing or capture of the traitor Norman Jones.
The second was a safe escape.
Of course, even that was a great achievement, so I didn’t get reprimanded, but officially, the operation failed and I had no choice but to notice.
I looked at the Secretary of State, but a different answer than expected came back.
“The operation is also an operation, but more than that, I think there will be questions about Lee personally.”
“yes? What is his identity?”
“Oh, to be precise, his ability. Externally, his identity has been kept private, so there will be questions and answers about his operational history and skills.”
“All right. Then I will attend the meeting.”
“great. Then let’s get ready and go.”
“You mean now?”
“Oh, I didn’t say that.”
The Secretary of State added words as if he remembered.
“Grandon was looking for you.”
“If it’s Grandon… Are you talking about Thomas Grandon?
Robert asked, hesitant.
It was because Thomas Grandon, who had been nominated as the new defense secretary, had been passed by the Senate last week to become the new defense secretary.
As a general who had only been discharged for four years, he was a very tough soldier and had experience commanding special forces.
Jake, who was currently under Robert’s command, had also operated under him.
At the end of that thought, the Secretary of State nodded.
“you’re right. It seems he has a lot to say.”
“ah… All right.”
“then Let’s go.”
The Secretary of State got up and left the Harry S. Truman Building with Robert.
The destination is the White House.
We sat side by side in the back seat of a large black sedan, passing by the Washington, DC scenery.
The Secretary of State, who had been silent, opened his mouth.
“Anderson.”
“Yes, Minister.”
“I like the answer to Lee, but… Try to make a good impression at the meeting.”
Robert hesitated at the sudden words.
It was because the Secretary of State was the one who didn’t say anything personal or advice other than work.
I hesitated and looked at this, but the Secretary of State’s words continued nonchalantly.
“It has to look good, especially to the president.”
“Minister?”
I called him to find out what he meant to say, but instead of answering, the conversation continued.
“I’m not saying flattery. You are doing a good job in your position.”
“… … .”
When Robert waited instead of calling again, the Secretary of State added slowly.
“We need to move more socially and politically. Apart from your rise or success, to do your job better. especially… Even for Kang Tae-ri, whom you cherish the most.”
“… … ?!”
Robert’s eyes lit up when he heard Kang-tae’s name.
I looked up to ask about the meaning, but the Secretary of State gave me a wry smile.
“I was saying this because my tenure was coming soon. Since the new Secretary of State doesn’t know what to do, you also informed him to act politically for Lee in advance.”
“Are you saying the Minister is resigning?”
When Robert asked in surprise, the Secretary of State nodded.
“As you will know when you enter the conference, the situation in China has changed unexpectedly and suddenly. We have to prepare for this, but the State Department situation is not so good. Maybe he’ll take responsibility for that… It seemed that it would be this year at the earliest and early next year at the latest.”
It was an unexpected word.
The head of the Department of Defense, one of the twins of the United States, had recently changed.
However, the remaining twins, the Secretary of State, are also changing?
This marked a major change in America.
Of course, once appointed ministers do not stay together throughout the president’s term, but it was not a light thing for the two to change almost in succession.
Even the defense minister took responsibility for his mistakes and resigned.
It meant that the Secretary of State would then quit and leave in the same way.
Soon the Secretary of State added.
“So Anderson has to work harder. First of all, I will help and leave as far as I can. I wish I was late, but I don’t think the world situation will hold me back.”
By the time Robert briefly replied that he would keep it in mind, the car pulled into the White House and came to a slow stop.
“Come on, let’s get off.”
The Secretary of State said and got off, moving along with Robert and going inside.
And soon it was time to arrive at a conference room in the West Wing of the White House.
“You are finally here!”
Thomas Grandon, the new Secretary of Defense and a handsome middle-aged white man, jumped up and approached them.
“Oh, you must be Robert Anderson.”
Thomas held out his hand, offered a handshake, and introduced himself by including his middle name.
“Thomas Genner Grandon. He also served as a field agent, and I heard that he was from the military, but he is still in good shape.”
“Thank you, Minister.”
“Then, since we met like this, let’s ask some questions.”
“Yes, if I can answer, I will.”
Most of the information about Kang-tae has been deleted, so I have to save my words, but I was careful with my words because it was a mutually cooperative relationship and also a competitor at the same time.
Even so, the situation where the Secretary of State said he was likely to resign soon.
Soon, Thomas smiled and continued.
“Is that agent a real person? Or an alien… … .”
“… yes?”
“I’ve looked at all the resources I have access to, and no matter how I look at it, it just doesn’t make sense. How can a person do that? that… Ha, thinking about it again makes me cringe.”
Recalling a record he had seen, Thomas shook his head and said,
“It’s something even the Marines who do anything are afraid of and pretend to be gay. I mean, it’s not something a person can do.”
“… He is a real person.”
“Good. Then can I meet you? I want to see for myself.”
When Thomas smiled and said, Robert shook his head.
“It is possible if there is a separate schedule.”
“Apart from such an official schedule, wouldn’t you do something private during your vacation, whether it was shooting at the shooting range or ironing at the gym? Then I’ll be with you then, that’s what I mean. I have no intention of sitting at a table the color of dog sh*t and seeing your face.”
“Why do you want to see it personally?”
“Soldiers build friendships in the smell of gunpowder or sweat. You’re also from the field, so don’t you know it well?”
Then, Thomas punched himself in the chest.
He was a natural soldier with a southern American accent.
Perhaps if he refused here, it would come out even stronger, so Robert nodded as if he couldn’t help it.
“… Then we will check it according to the procedure, and we will respond.”
“Here is the agent’s direct superior, and the final officer, where are you going to get his autograph?”
At that, the Secretary of State smiled bitterly.
“Then please help Anderson here, starting with today’s meeting.”
“Ah, of course. Don’t worry.”
By the time Thomas gave a cool answer and asked about specific and trivial abilities.
Soon, people began to enter the meeting room.
In the midst of it, Robert, who was talking with Thomas, hesitated.
It was because, following the Secretary of State and Thomas, various positions related to US security, such as the Senate Chairman, CIA Director, NSA Director, What Chairman, Center Director, Military Intelligence Director and Investigation Director, filled the positions.
In other words, all high-ranking officials who can protect the United States have gathered.
Seeing this, Robert’s neck trembled.
‘What the hell are you talking about… … .’
While looking at the crowd with such thoughts.
The president appeared.
As always, time-driven and busy.
Everyone rose to their feet and pulled a chair close to the President’s seat.
Same goes for Robert.
I froze for a moment to watch the meeting begin.
It was because the reason for hosting the meeting soon came out.
“China is preparing to invade Taiwan.”
“… … ?!”
Robert’s eyes widened.
The word war was not unfamiliar or strange, but it was because China was different.
It was a great power that followed the United States in terms of military and economic power, with the largest population in the world.
Taiwan, which was to be invaded, was a country where US troops were stationed.
In simple terms, it was that the United States might go to war with China.
The saying that the world’s 1st and 2nd place are competing.
“The timing of the invasion is expected to take place within a month at the earliest, or within this year at the latest, and within the next week, a detailed invasion plan is expected to be announced and diplomats and US troops stationed there will be advised to leave the country.”
After hearing the details, Robert took a deep breath.
It was more serious than I thought.
The same goes for various reports and opinions that follow.
Russia’s response to China, movements of other European powers, and even information obtained from East Asian countries are listed.
As Robert, who runs several teams of black agents, has nothing to say, so it’s time to wait.
At the end of the meeting, Robert was mentioned.
The high-risk operation carried out this time and the reaction of China were talked about, and Kang Tae was also mentioned in the process.
“The agent… … .”
Then, it was time for several questions and answers, such as whether the record left this time was true, whether it was an exaggeration, or whether it was false.
The secretary’s office staff hurriedly came in and handed the documents to the president.
Take this and wait for the president to look into it.
Soon his eyebrows furrowed, and he turned to Robert before he knew it.
“That name came back in China.”
“yes?”
When Robert looked at him, not knowing what he meant, the president said heavily.
“The terrorist I reported to earlier, Pikal.”