Washington DC, Arlington, Virginia, Pentagon late evening.
Robert, who went through several checkpoints, received a visitor’s pass, and was guided by a soldier waiting for him.
The destination is a conference room located within the Ministry of Defense.
This time, it was a visit to hear the training briefing of TF-288, TF-290 and TF-300, which were formed under Robert’s umbrella, and TF-300, which included Kang-tae, but Robert’s face, which was moving, was not good.
It couldn’t be better.
It was because there had just been an official White House briefing on the possibility of a war in Taiwan, and several members of Robert’s command had been admitted to a military facility during that time.
Including Kang Tae, and former Foreign Cooperation Bureau agents who were active in other countries.
By now, everyone had arrived at the military facility and unpacked their belongings.
But, in the meantime, Robert didn’t know anything.
It was because the order came down from above, and it was enforced.
And it’s like getting a briefing only belatedly.
While thinking that, the soldier’s feet stopped in front of a door.
“I think so.”
After he knocked briefly, he opened the door and went in and saluted.
Robert tilted his head to look in, then hesitated.
‘… … ?’
Because the Secretary of Defense, Thomas Grandon, was in it.
After the salute, the soldier left, revealing Thomas in full uniform.
“Welcome, Mr. Anderson. You can sit here.”
Afterwards, he calmly guided them to their seats, but Robert’s expression became harder than before as he silently bowed and entered.
It wasn’t because the Minister of Defense was uncomfortable.
It was because the Thomas I was facing now was one of the most important people in the world, and as such, he was a difficult person to meet.
Of course, the working staff under his command would see him often, but Robert, an outsider, was different.
It was difficult to face each other easily unless there was something really important or it was compulsory or necessary.
However, I was meeting the Minister of Defense again within a week.
And I wasn’t alone in facing him.
There were several generals in uniform, and among them were middle-aged men in black suits.
Naturally, he did not look like a simple civil servant.
It was because his physique, gaze, and even his sitting posture gave off the atmosphere of a field agent.
As Robert was also a person who played in the field, it was impossible not to know such people.
It must be an operation team carrying out a dangerous mission or a team that supports them.
At the end, a conclusion was drawn.
‘This isn’t normal… … .’
Even before the briefing, it was the same when I was recklessly sent to a military facility, but I was even more certain now.
That we are entering the midst of a whirlwind of storms.
After Robert sat down, Thomas, who was sitting at the top of the table, calmly introduced the attendees.
Beginning with an aide in the Secretary’s Office, generals from major installations including the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and the Unified Combatant Command (UCC).
While the names of affiliations and ranks were listed one after another, the format of the words changed in the middle.
They were men in black suits.
They were the ones Robert expected to be field agents, but he stopped at the brief words he heard.
“This is Mac from Syria.”
Origin and one short name.
But Robert could see all the meaning in it.
Because Syria is a country famous for having US torture facilities, and also because it was where Giandro was held.
I will definitely say something about it.
While keeping this in mind, the business came out faster than expected.
“Mac has no time, so you can say what you need and leave.”
“Thank you, Minister.”
After answering like that, the man called Mac brought up the matter straight to Robert.
As expected, it was something related to Giandro.
“So far, all available methods are being used for interrogation, but the inmate has been showing new reactions since a few days ago.”
“… … ?”
Just when I was about to say something, the words continued quickly.
“They found that Asian.”
“… … ?!”
The word Asian made Robert flinch.
It was because there was only one person related to Giandr, and that was Kang-tae.
I hadn’t even thought about it.
I thought I had one thing to do since Giandro was taken.
However, the interrogation was still ongoing, and even Giandro was looking for Kangtae.
Robert’s mouth opened quickly.
“Did you ascertain why he was looking for him?”
“I didn’t tell you that, so I checked for a few days and came here.”
“So you still don’t know?”
“Yes, I don’t know.”
“Then why should I see him? It’s an important training session.”
“Of course, it may be pointless, but at least you will know why he called Asians. Over the past 5 days, over 100 times in total, I have visited Asians repeatedly. And above all… It was a new reaction that came out in about a month, so we had no choice but to come.”
Hearing the answer, Robert let out a shallow breath.
‘I have no idea what the purpose is…’ … .’
Then, with concern, he asked.
“Then wouldn’t it be dangerous if I met him?”
“hahahaha, it can’t be. Over the past month, I’ve looked into every detail of his gut. There is nothing dangerous about it.”
“Is there a specific date or time I need to visit?”
“No, but come as soon as possible. As you know, it is getting weaker, so if you are late, you may not have a chance.”
“It’s weak… … .”
“To the extent that further interrogation is difficult. So we can’t even confirm why the inmates call Asians.”
Robert nodded.
Syria was famous for being vicious.
To the extent that an unspoken rule has long been handed down orally: to go to Jordan for important interrogation, to Egypt for elimination, and to Syria for torture.
Perhaps he literally peered into Giandr’s body.
To the point where interrogation is really difficult.
“Then you should go as soon as possible. However, I cannot give a definite answer, and I will review it positively.”
“Okay, Mr. Anderson. I will leave it up to you.”
After that, the table in the conference room was quickly vacated.
The briefing began, but Robert’s hard expression did not straighten.
Rather, it got darker.
I saw the Thomas I faced when entering, and I even met a person from Syria, but the briefing that followed was also not light.
‘Infiltrate… … .’
Some of them were kept private for security reasons, but all of the required training was mentioned.
Infiltrate buildings, secure or kill targets, and exit.
The problem was that it was difficult to get help other than the Delta Force or support team that had infiltrated the area.
It was like Hong Kong.
The problem was the fact that much more than in Hong Kong, Delta Force, the regular army, was put in.
The exact location, name, and building were not listed, but I was able to guess enough from what I had heard about the Taiwanese war and Pikal.
Neither the location nor the target will ever be easy to deal with.
‘Maybe it’s harder than Hong Kong, but it’s okay… … .’
Robert reflexively thought of Kang-tae.
They missed Norman Jones, who was their original target, and got engaged in the process, because there were bullet marks all over the new body armor Kang-tae was wearing.
There were pieces of metal and concrete stone fragments from the impact of the bullets all over the body armor.
If it hadn’t been worn, it would have had to be sewn up.
Fortunately, there was no such thing as a bullet that was properly lodged in the chest, but I couldn’t ignore the minor wound.
It wasn’t because the wound was sore or inflamed.
This was because, unluckily, muscles or nerves could be damaged, resulting in major surgery or the possibility of not being able to move properly due to aftereffects.
If that’s the case, you’ll be retired right away.
For that reason, body armor that can be worn for each part was issued.
From nob le mt l dot com
Living in the legation was not simply for secrecy, but also to prevent possible attacks.
It can be seen as excessive, but it was a reality that could not be helped.
There are many black agents, various operation teams, and special forces members in the United States, but Kang-tae was the only one.
At close range, it was more powerful than an organization of 16 Delta Force members, and at long range, it was more effective than weapons such as mortars and tanks.
A being that no one can compare.
Robert’s confidential organization, where the office changes without even being called, was so valuable.
Everything revolved around Kangtae.
The roles of the newly established TF-288 and TF-290 were also made to support Kangtae’s team, TF-300.
Formally, the goal was to support the field, but in the end it was to help Kangtae.
From nob le mt l dot com
Like a father who put his child on the beach, Robert paused while looking at the makeshift building at the outdoor training ground, thinking of Kang-tae.
‘That’s different from a military facility… … .’
His eyes shone sharply.
“hospital?”
It was inferred from the shape and arrangement of the compartments, and the location of the corridors and windows.
At the same time, Thomas opened his mouth.
“Oh, you see. As expected, I heard that you were at the scene, so it seems that the feeling is still the same.”
“… Are you really infiltrating the hospital?”
said Robert in disbelief.
It was because it was the first time in his 40 years of life to operate in a hospital, not a military facility.
It was inhumane.
Even if there was a target, I couldn’t do it carelessly.
But putting dozens of Delta Force and dozens of operatives in it?
Unable to understand, Thomas’ mouth opened.
“So the training content is a bit tricky. The training period was also long.”
“That’s right, the hospital… … .”
“Fortunately, there are no civilians.”
“Is it a small thing called a military hospital? Still, how… … .”
When Robert reacted again, Thomas raised his voice as if he couldn’t help it.
“It’s not just a hospital. It’s a place where you treat all the f*cking bastards and play with corpses when things don’t go well.”
“… … !”
The moment Robert’s eyes widened, the words added.
“You know that too, don’t you? When you live in the field, there are places that make no sense.”
“… yes.”
Robert answered briefly.
As he said, it was because there were often unbelievable facilities.
Rarely seen, but heard a lot.
Robert shook his head at this, while Thomas’ voice was low.
“The most important thing… The fact that there is a bastard that must be caught, and I will go to hell to kill that bastard.”
Around the time when the bulldog showed a growl.
Robert’s mouth opened slightly.
“… Are you Norman Jones by any chance?”
Then he looked at Thomas, but there was no reply.
Instead, there was a faint smile.