Somewhere in Moscow at dawn.
Pikal’s brow wrinkled as he looked at his laptop in action.
His pupils widened as he scrolled through the information while rolling the mouse wheel, and his eyes strained and even deep wrinkles appeared.
It was because there was an unbelievable fact in the midst of looking at the information from China.
A shooting incident in Fujian Province, China.
It was said that the deceased was a high-ranking official in China, and that even an active military officer had died.
It wasn’t reliable because it was information coming from the dark web, but it was news that couldn’t be dismissed as nonsense.
It was because similar data continued to come in as the minute and second time passed.
As the story gained weight, it seemed that the outline was gradually getting darker.
A clear fact check was needed.
A kind of validation.
This was when I picked up my cell phone to call a person on the Chinese side directly.
Gying- Gying-
The cell phone in my hand trembled.
The caller’s contact number is the number of the State Council, the administrative body of China.
Pikal naturally answered the phone.
Then, after checking the password to see if the source of the transaction was correct, he quickly asked the matter.
“What information do you want to convey?”
– One member of the Standing Committee and one commander of the Unification Army were killed by sniping.
“Is the place Fujian?”
– Xiamen City, Fujian Province.
Pikal’s impression hardened at the short answer.
It was information I had checked on the dark web, and everything I had guessed was confirmed to be true.
The dead person’s name was not mentioned, but it was easy to know who it was.
Wang Qing.
The person I had just spoken to was dead.
It is also at the forefront of China’s war with Taiwan.
It was also clear who the culprit was, but I asked further to confirm the facts.
“Any information about the sniper?”
– Said to be in search. not yet revealed.
“Are there any clues?”
– The time of the incident is at least an hour or two ago. Currently, the entire content is confidential, and it is expected that it will be released to the media later by order from the upper level.
“… Got it. I will pay the bill as before.”
– Double this time.
“I will.”
Pikal shook his head in response and hung up the phone.
A sigh came out of his mouth.
‘… Has China’s fortunes run out?’
It was a problem that even the informant asked for double the money, but it was because even that information became a serious problem.
Wang Qing’s death.
He certainly shouldn’t have died.
It was because he was a person who built bridges with the president, the highest power in China, was a hardliner who agreed to start and escalate the war, and spoke well enough to facilitate negotiations.
A useful class in many ways.
However, as soon as he finished the call, he was killed by a sniping.
The culprit was obvious.
Kang Tae.
In the middle of a Chinese military base, there was no other person who could have killed a standing committee member and a commander without being captured.
Even the time when the incident occurred was an hour or two ago.
‘Considering the speed of its movement, it could have already been tens of kilometers away, maybe even 100 kilometers away. If the ability you have is more than that, your current position will be unpredictable… … .’
Pikal’s eyes closed as he thought, and his wrinkles deepened.
‘… I can’t catch him right now. Regardless of the means, if the city is not blown up by bombing in the first place, it will be impossible to injure it.’
These were all bad things.
A worthwhile negotiator and a potential ally is dead, and there is no trace of Kang-tae who killed him, and it will be difficult to catch him in the future.
But I couldn’t see everything being bad.
There was still hope.
It wasn’t because Kangtae was captured or because there was a substitute for Wangqing.
It was seeing the possibility of expansion.
The death of the Standing Committee member and commander would ignite public opinion, and the invasion of Taiwan would also speed up.
There was the possibility of a really big all-out war.
Moreover, the CIA list that Pikal gave to Wang Qing will still be there, so he should be able to use it properly this time.
‘I can move public opinion and put pressure on Taiwan and the US, so the current situation won’t go to the worst.’
Pikal’s hardened face softened a little.
Wang Qing, who was a useful tool, was gone, but the vacancy would eventually be filled.
One member has been reduced, but there are still six members of the Standing Committee, and there are quite a few members of the Politburo who hold power under them.
The moment I thought about it, Pikal’s phone started crying again.
Geeing-
This time it was from China.
A new alarm was also displayed on the laptop screen that was on.
It was a call from another informant, but while checking this, the bell rang.
Tiri riri— T riri li—
This time, it wasn’t a clamshell phone, but a brick-sized satellite phone.
It was a device that had been secured, and was used for extremely important calls.
In the past, it was mainly used to give orders to subordinates and receive reports, and now it was used for direct contact with key figures.
Simply put, hotline means.
He hadn’t identified the other party yet, but Pikal easily guessed who was calling.
China’s supreme power.
Whether he contacted him directly or had a subordinate contact him, it was clear that the contact was with his intentions.
Russia will send someone.
Pikal, guessing the other party, pressed the call button.
“I got a call.”
Then one of the expected voices came.
It was the voice Pikal had heard.
Director of the Office of the President of the State.
He was the right-hand man of the President, playing the same role as the so-called Chief of Staff to the President.
At the time of the death of Wang Qing, a member of the Standing Committee, the person who became the number one candidate for the new member of the Standing Committee.
However, Pikal’s face when answering the phone was not so bright.
It was because he was not a suitable person to replace Wang Qing, even though he would be a new member of the Standing Committee.
He was neither a hardliner nor a good target for negotiations.
It was difficult to fully convey Pikal’s opinion because he cares more about pleasing the commentator.
By the time those facts come to mind.
The conversation continued on the other side of the phone.
– Do you know what happened in Xiamen City?
“I heard.”
– It’s confidential… Anyway, since you know, it’s easy to talk about.
Pikal’s eyes narrowed as he listened.
It was because the chief’s words sounded more precious than I thought.
moment to hope.
– I have something urgent to tell you, so you’d better come in as soon as possible.
“It must be difficult because you are busy with work.”
Pikal immediately refused.
It wasn’t because the chief’s speech wasn’t very good, it was because he was literally busy.
There was a lot to do.
It was because Pikal made the plan and gave the orders himself, since all the people who played the role were either killed or captured.
In addition, Russia is urged to open a war, and the situation even cares about nuclear missiles for the destruction of the world.
Pikal’s concise answer came back with a more solid answer.
– This is the meaning of the tin, Lord Pikal.
“I know, but there are many things to do in Russia. And there are plans to go to China, see you later.”
– Do you think there is something more important than the death of a member of the Standing Committee?
“That’s right.”
Pikal answered briefly again.
This was because China played an important role in his plans, but not all.
In particular, I was convinced of this Taiwan war.
The sluggish air strikes and lack of combat capability, as a result, did not turn out the desired picture.
The Taiwan War was difficult to end successfully.
We will agree at the right time.
More important than that was Pikal’s ongoing nuclear missile development.
It’s not just one plane weighing a few tons, but a high-capacity nuclear warhead and a decent missile capable of destroying dozens of major cities.
That was the proper way to revolutionize the way to the end of the world.
It was natural for China to fall behind.
Of course, I can’t reveal all of this, so please wait for a while.
A disapproving answer came.
– … How can you give such an irresponsible answer? Anyone who knows what a member of the Standing Committee is… Are you ignoring that it’s not your business right now?
“Irresponsible? ignore?”
Pikal asked vigorously.
It seemed like he was asking for an explanation, but the manager, who was answering, hesitantly replied.
– As a result, the wanted American special forces… Did you step on Chinese soil? It must still be somewhere in China… Isn’t Lord Pikal alarmed by this?
“ah… … !”
A soft sigh escaped Pikal’s mouth.
It was then that I realized.
Why was the chief’s voice so upset and why did he use the words “responsibility” or “ignorance” to himself?
‘It’s a frightened crab.’
Pikal shook his head.
He hadn’t even thought of this.
Are you afraid of Kang Tae?
Of course, even if the US is behind it, China has always been a country that has always been at odds with the US, leading the new Cold War in the 21st century.
In particular, he was showing off his pride and ability, which he lacked for that purpose.
Although there may be reasons for twisted logic and bluffing, China did not show its timidity.
That didn’t work either.
If you make a mistake, you will lose the battle for hegemony that you have been fighting so far.
The 1.5 billion Chinese people would not easily admit it, and it would be difficult for power to remain intact.
I never thought that I would be afraid of Kang Tae.
However, the situation was openly called the wanted man.
It was clear that he was afraid.
Come to think of it, it wasn’t even strange.
A public official like a member of the Standing Committee has a lot of exposure, and the more likely it is, the higher the probability of dying.
‘Then Russia was sluggish… … .’
Wait a while for Pikal’s thoughts to reach Russia.
A voice was soon heard.
– Prince Pikal, we need to discuss the wanted man. And that too as soon as possible… … .
Pikal asked as he cut off his words.
“Did you confirm that the sniper was a wanted man? Or any other clues or evidence? Is there anything you can tell me?”
– that… It’s hard to say right now, but according to the information Lord Pikal gave us… Anyway, isn’t that the only person in the world who can do that?
“It sounds like you’re saying it doesn’t matter if you don’t have it or if you have it… So, has the United States been in touch?”
– It’s also difficult to talk about it over the phone, but we need to discuss it quickly.
“I see.”
Pikal shook his head.
‘It looks like he threatened you with this incident. With the lives of other members of the Standing Committee and the president… … .’
The wrinkles between his eyebrows deepened.
It was because in the current situation, the possibility that the US threat would work was very high.
Because no one would be afraid of such an impossible death.
Moreover, the chairman was continuing the Chinese dictatorship by serving three consecutive terms, and he was the type of person who continued to covet power.
After thinking, Pikal slowly opened his mouth.
“Did you ask me to cancel the wanted me that I put on?”
– … Could you?
Pikal let out a shallow sigh at the words that followed.
‘How can China, a great power in Asia, be so frightened… The country’s luck is really on the decline.’