Robert, who confirmed the circumstances of the information leak, quickly set up an internal audit TF (Task Force) of the External Cooperation Bureau.
Since the scope of information leakage was wide, it was to crack down on foreign cooperation countries first.
There is only one purpose, finding the traitor.
However, unlike the wind, the results did not come out early.
It was because there were only a handful of verified personnel, and it was difficult to grasp both physical and digital records with only those personnel.
As a result, the report came out only after three weeks.
Robert, who looked at the contents first, let out a sigh as if to relieve his worries.
“after… … .”
There was quite a bit of content, but fortunately there was no leak of information related to Kangtae.
There are things like poor management, neglect of work, and expedient receipt of additional allowances.
However, unlike the sigh, Robert’s expression as he looked at the report was still dark.
It wasn’t just because of the revealed fault.
It was because, unless the information was leaked from the foreign cooperation country, the traitor was in a place where they shared related information or cooperated in business.
And those were the places Robert was limited to finding out.
Because he was not an employee of the agency, and he did not have the authority to reveal the crime.
Above all, there were so many places to look for.
Starting with the State Department, where the Foreign Cooperation Bureau belongs, the CIA, which helped identify Sergei’s body, the Homeland Security Department, which shared terrorism information, and the National Security Agency, which identified Kang-tae’s related information.
From what I’ve been able to figure out over the past three weeks, the minimum number of people required to be audited has exceeded 100 units.
Hundreds or thousands of people will easily break through if you increase or expand the points of suspicion.
Of course, it was not an untouchable number. I could have done it if I had done a thorough investigation one by one.
What mattered was the people in it.
They are people who work in organizations that are said to be among the best in the United States, and their ranks are very diverse, from low-level employees to deputy ministers.
No matter how strong Robert was, he couldn’t pick it all up.
In the end, there is only one thing he can do.
It was to visit the Undersecretary of Military Taxes, one of the powerful people in the State Department and his direct superior.
Even holding supplementary materials for 3 weeks.
“This is Director Anderson, Deputy Secretary.”
He knocked and entered, but the answer that came back was far beyond his expectations.
“… Are you serious? Shall we thank all these people? Do you think that is possible now?”
“I decided that it was impossible in my line, so I came to the Vice Minister.”
“Then do you think it is possible in my line?”
“It’s difficult, but if you still report to the top… … .”
“Are you determined to fire the minister?! Why are you like this all of a sudden? You’ve been doing well, haven’t you?”
“Vice Minister, internal data… It also deliberately leaked only Kang Tae-ri’s information. This is no different from obstructing the development or import of nuclear warheads or ballistic missiles. If you compare it to betrayal or treason… … .”
“stop.”
Robert’s lengthy explanation was cut off in one word.
Then the words of the vice minister continued.
“Yes, I understand why. Report and know. You said you could use the Asian as a great strategic weapon. However, what Director Anderson brought was more circumstantial than concrete evidence… Besides, he’s not even our citizen yet, at best he’s just one of the undercover agents under contract.”
Robert shook his head almost reflexively.
Kang Tae had a record of eliminating 9 enemies armed with the latest AR-15 series rifles, including snipers.
13 people in all.
This was one more than the 12 members of one detachment of the Special Forces.
In other words, it was said that he had killed all of one special force detachment by himself, and killed one more.
Considering that the people Kang-Tae killed were Sergei’s team, not the poor rebels, the difference between them and the Special Forces wouldn’t be too great.
This was when Robert was about to respond.
“But Kang Tae-ri… … .”
“I know. He was a major contributor to Sergei’s death, and he killed a lot of terrorists.”
At the same time, the Vice Minister changed the topic.
From Kangtae’s individual ability to a power struggle between organizations.
“… However, this circumstance alone cannot send an official letter to the CIA. Even fragmentarily, the CIA receives more budget than our State Department. And while the Department of Homeland Security has a similar budget, and the National Security Agency has a smaller budget, its power and prestige are by no means weak. You know that well, Commissioner Anderson.”
“… … .”
Despite the vice minister’s call, Robert couldn’t bear to respond.
It was because the story was not about Kang-tae’s skills, but about the power and politics of each ministry, and it was an irrefutable fact.
Robert has been through it too.
Situations where work efficiency fell due to fighting between organizations and political fights.
And that wasn’t just the Foreign Cooperation Agency or the CIA, but a number of organizations established in the United States.
The fact that the CIA is best known around the world has only become more of an issue because of its large size, wide scope of work, and great money and power.
As Robert closed his mouth, the vice minister spoke as if to soothe him.
“There is even an assistant minister on the list brought by the director. It’s hard to go through all these people’s pockets based on the circumstances alone. I don’t know if it’s a situation that the other party supported terrorism in the US mainland… We can’t move to the extent of leaking permanent residents’ personal information.”
It was not wrong.
If you simply look at the recorded data, Kang-tae was a permanent resident, and the opponent was a strong organization.
But Robert wasn’t going to give up easily either.
Because I can’t leave the traitor alone.
“The situation has come to an end, but we can’t leave it as it is. Knowing that the traitor condoned this internally… At that time, as you said, there may be something like terrorism in the US mainland.”
“… … .”
I hope the vice minister doesn’t reply right away to those words.
He finally nodded.
It was because Robert’s gaze did not look like he would give up easily.
And there was also the belief that he was not a nonsense person.
He was a field agent when he was young, later started to do office work and administration, and he is the one who has eliminated countless terrorists.
If he didn’t bend his opinion this far, it was necessary to give him a hand.
Whether it’s a matter of trust or a morale booster.
After making the judgment, the Vice Minister gave a little regrettable permission.
“We will unofficially authorize post-processing or necessary support, so proceed carefully to avoid any problems.”
“All right.”
It’s a bit draining, but I just had to hang my head and come out.
Because I couldn’t force myself to do something I didn’t have the ability or authority to do.
And even Robert didn’t think it would be easy. I knew it well because I had already experienced many conflicts in the process of cooperating with various organizations.
So I don’t like it, but I’ve been making a plan that fits there.
‘… I guess I’ll have to ask the patient after all.’
I was talking about Kang Tae.
To be precise, it was to request an unofficial operation from him after surgery in Germany.
It also acts as a trap or bait.
It was to induce a reaction from the traitor who deliberately leaked Kang-tae’s data.
Of course, that’s not certain, it’s just a possibility.
I can’t touch other departments of the State Department, the CIA, Homeland Security, or the National Security Agency right now, so I had no choice.
I had to try everything that was realistically possible.
Robert, who had left the office of the Deputy Secretary of Armed Forces, took out his cellphone and picked it up as if he couldn’t help it.
* * *
A large hospital in Frankfurt, Germany.
“Oh, how far did you talk?”
As I entered my hospital room, I asked Cho Beom-yong, who was waiting for me.
It was because I went out to talk on the phone after having a conversation. It wasn’t because I looked down on my opponent, Jo Beom-yong.
It was because of a call from Lily Morgan, an employee in charge of the Foreign Cooperation Bureau.
It was okay because the call was short, but the story I heard was heavy, so I couldn’t feel comfortable.
No, I have a lot of thoughts.
It was because I was told that I could be a target after I entered the country.
He even said he didn’t know who the opponent was, what he was doing, or even if he was really moving.
‘Now I’m really going… … .’
It was a laugh out loud.
It was because there had never been a mission that targeted me anywhere in Lareple.
Of course, the enemy could have aimed at me. No, of course it was possible.
Because Lareple is an open world FPS game.
However, that was a story only used on the battlefield, not from Washington Dulles Airport.
In the latter half of the game, terrorism broke out in the US mainland, so street battles were fought in major US cities, but it happened just before nuclear war broke out.
Now, there is no Sergei to play that trick, and no terrorism has taken place.
It was embarrassing, but I couldn’t help but go to the States.
Not only was there nowhere else to go, it was all there for me anyway.
If America isn’t safe, other countries won’t be either.
Rather, the United States, where foreign cooperation countries look after me and where my teammates live, could have been better.
In conclusion, I have only one answer.
‘All right.’
And when I ended the phone call and entered the room, Jo Beom-yong stood up and greeted me.
“Oh, it was no big deal. But are your thighs better? You walk well.”
“Yes, what… Enough to live on.”
“Oh, I’m glad. I was worried because it was an injury suffered by a citizen of my country… … .”
Jo Beom-yong let out a laugh.
It was clear to watch.
From earlier, I used a lot of vocabulary from my own people, Korea, and Korea, and in the middle, I recommended treatment or examination at a Korean university hospital.
It seemed that he was concerned about obtaining permanent residency as well as future nationality.
It was worth it.
Because many countries are struggling to reach me.
I didn’t think I would be alone in Korea.
Rather, it was more passive than I thought, so it was regrettable.
As expected, his mouth opened.
“… By the way, do you have plans to leave Korea by any chance?”
“Immigration?”
When I made it clear, he gave me an awkward smile.
“Ah, hahahaha… That’s right. I think there are some countries that encourage immigration… … .”
“Yes, I already signed it.”
confirmed his question.
“… yes? If it’s a signature… Oh, Germany? Or is it America?”
“America.”
It was a matter that would soon be dealt with on paper anyway, so I replied lightly, but Jo Beom-yong looked rather surprised.
“… If so, Korean nationality… … .”
“Yes, I have to give up. I also have some circumstances.”
When I hid my words because it was related to the foreign cooperation country, Jo Beom-yong, who misunderstood on his own, hesitated and asked.
“… Speaking of circumstances, was there any appeasement in the United States?”
“Reconciliation? What, would you have done only the United States?”
“… Oh, then the rumors are all right. It is said that it has made a contribution to eliminating terrorists in a conflict country… It’s really lamentable that I didn’t recognize and missed someone like you… … .”
“It could be, if you live, what… … .”
I thought it would be because of the changed attitude from the past and the world, but the question continued again.
“Then are you completely transferring your nationality?”
“Perhaps.”
“then… As much as the United States is our ally, you can help us when Korea is in trouble… a little… … .”
At the end of the conversation, I did not know whether it was my intention or a request, and I laughed.
“Yes, it helps enough. I don’t really like the NIS, but I do like Korea. Even if your nationality changes, aren’t your bloodlines Korean?”
“… Ah, okay, thanks for the reply.”
After talking like that.
Just as Jo Beom-yong got up, bowed his head, and left, Marcus appeared, taking off his wheelchair just in time.
The surgery went well and after 3 weeks of recovery, he looked pretty good.
Marcus spoke to me with a smile on his face.
“Lee, your popularity is still there. Are you ready to leave?”
“Oh, I’m done. Just take this and go.”
At his words, I got up and grabbed my bag.
It was time to go back to America and become an uncertain target.