Damn the World, Ride a Submarine - Chapter 199



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Episode 199 – Golden Gate Retreat

At my suggestion to throw away the gold bars, Director Yoo Jae-seong looked at me with wide eyes in surprise and continued speaking.

“Ah, sir! 150 tons of gold is worth over 20 trillion won. And even if you throw it away, the problem won’t go away.”

“What is the problem?”

“If 150 tons of abandoned gold were discovered, the IRS and FBI would investigate.”

* IRS (Internal Revenue Service) US Internal Revenue Service

“If that happens, it will create complicated legal issues such as purchasing restrictions due to CEA and UPA, record keeping requirements, anti-money laundering laws, etc. Especially if UPA is applied, it will be a real headache. And…”

* CEA (Commodity Exchange Act): Regulation of gold and futures trading.

* UPA (USA PATRIOT Act): Also known as the Patriot Act, it stipulates the obligation to report gold transactions exceeding a certain amount to the government to prevent money laundering.

It includes comprehensive measures to prevent terrorism. It allows for phone calls, emails, and wiretapping without a warrant. Some say it is the 21st century version of Big Brother.

“and?”

“If we were to fall into an unwanted force, such as a gang or drug trafficking organization, it could create unexpected problems. However, it would be unreasonable to go through the reporting process now.”

“Okay. Please contact Director Kim Jun-myeong by phone.”

“all right.”

When I was about to ask Director Kim Jun-myeong about the gold issue, I remembered an old memory. After we first met at Sonyatorejo and parted ways, we met in Tongyeong and discussed the establishment of OSS.

And the first mission he was given was to transport 1,000 100g gold bars, or 0.1 ton of gold. This was 1,500 times more than before.

The ARK was still moving forward, cutting through the ocean, and Director Yoo Jae-sung was preparing a video conference in the operations room.

It was an operational review meeting to rescue the stranded OSL employees in San Francisco and recover 150 tons of gold bullion.

Director Hyun Min-seong (promoted) was connected via video conference.

He was also isolated with the San Francisco branch staff. He explained the situation on the ground, and Director Yoo Jae-seong gave a background explanation.

“Director Hyun Min-seong, please explain more about the local looting group.”

– Currently, small-scale robbery and looting groups are rampant in the western and southern parts of the United States. We are armed, so robbery is not a big problem. However, there seem to be three or four large-scale looting groups operating in an organized manner.

“Three or four?”

– Yes, I’m not sure, but it seems like a looting group was formed around existing urban gangs.

– Looting groups are specialized in raiding, targeting specific blocks or avenues and searching every building.

“So you don’t know when they’ll come barging in?”

– I’m not sure, but I think they’ll come here in 4 or 5 days.

“How do you estimate the time it will take, 4 or 5 days?”

– This is the result of a reconnaissance conducted during the week by OSS agents dispatched to the branch office. A large group of pillagers, made up of several groups, is moving south from Santa Rosa.

– It is about 80km away from here. It seems that Nopatto, St. Vincent, San Rafael, and Mill Valley will be looted in that order.

“Why don’t the police or the National Guard stop them?”

Director Hyun Min-seong’s voice was a mixture of embarrassment and urgency.

– That’s right, the firepower of the looting group is at the military level. Moreover, during the day, they are scattered throughout each building, making it difficult to distinguish them from civilians.

“hmm ···.”

– Currently, San Francisco and San Jose police are guarding the Golden Gate and other connecting roads, and the National Guard has also been mobilized.

– The looting is sporadic and the situation is very chaotic as the parties are not clearly identified.

“Understood. It will probably take us two or three days to prepare and execute the operation, so please keep in touch and keep us updated on the situation.”

– all right.

The distance from the current OSS Carrier Strike Group 2 and the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Strike Groups to San Francisco, California, was over 10,000 km. (Carrier Strike Group 1 and Strike Groups 1 and 3 are in the Mediterranean and Black Seas.)

“Commander Kim Woong, is there no problem with OSSAC using San Francisco Airport?”

– San Francisco Airport is ready. It can be used under the same conditions as US Air Force aircraft, according to the security agreement with the United States.

– We have already completed the request for cooperation and received the approval response. We are also preparing the San Carlos Airport, 15km away, as a backup.

“Then we will have to cross the Pacific Ocean. Is the range of the transport aircraft okay?”

– If you use aerial refueling and concentrate your operational assets to Kiribati OSS-LAND, there will be no problem.

“Okay. What about the transport aircraft that can move the OSS special agents and 150 tons of gold bullion?”

– Depending on the operational requirements of the special forces, five C-5M Super Galaxies, three Boeing 777-8Fs, and

– Five A330 MRTT aerial refueling tankers are immediately available for mobilization. The total transport tonnage is approximately 1,300 tons.

“Okay, Director Kim Jun-myeong.”

– Yes, sir.

“Please explain the local operational plan.”

In effect, it was a military operation on American soil. Diplomatic issues aside, it was a situation that could potentially result in combat against American civilians.

While listening to the operational explanation, I was also concerned about political and diplomatic issues.

Director Kim Jun-myeong approached the map and explained the operational plan.

– The operation name is GGR, Golden Gate Retreat.

When I heard the name of the operation, I thought it was really exquisite. Golden Gate refers to the Golden Gate Bridge, a landmark in San Francisco, but I also thought it was a good fit for the operation that required the withdrawal of 150 tons of gold.

– First of all, the driving distance from San Francisco Airport to this OSL branch is 13km.

– Five C-5M Super Galaxies are loaded with 10 tactical vehicles, seven Volvo FMX trucks, and two forklifts.

“Can you transport all the vehicles and troops at once?”

– It is sufficient. The loading space of the C-5M transport aircraft is 4.1m in width and height and 43m in length. And the cargo loading capacity per aircraft is 130t, which is sufficient.

– The truck can be loaded with gold bars and placed into the loading bay of the C-5M transport aircraft.

– And three Boeing 777-8F aircraft will be deployed as spare aircraft carrying supplies for the operation.

“Is it possible to transport 150 tons of gold bullion at one time with 7 trucks?”

– It is possible. The maximum load of the military Volvo FMX truck is 25 tons.

– The convoy will be boarded by C-5M transport aircraft with vehicles and personnel. The convoy will depart as soon as the ramp door opens immediately after landing at San Francisco Airport.

(Convoy-Convoy: escort ship, transport unit)

“Okay. What is the start time and departure point of the operation?”

– The Alpha, Echo, and Z (Zulu) teams of the 1st Special Forces Brigade have already departed for Kiribati from the 2nd Assault Group. They will arrive within 24 hours.

At the end of Director Kim Jun-myeong’s report, Commander Kim Woong added some additional comments.

– Aircraft such as C-5M, 777-8F, and A330 MRTT, carrying the equipment that Director Kim Jun-myeong mentioned earlier, will arrive at Kiribati OSS Air Force Base within 20 hours.

– It will likely take about 10 hours to refit and load other equipment and supplies. As of now, we can depart within 30 hours.

“Okay, I understand. It’s about sending troops to American soil. Please try to avoid any combat situations. I have other things to deal with.”

– all right.

– By the way, what about the other problem?

“This operation is being prepared without any notification or approval from the U.S. government.”

– Then, does that mean the operation can be cancelled?

“There is no cancellation of the operation.”

– …

“They are our people and our property. Even if it becomes a problem, there is nothing we can do. We are just trying to resolve it as smoothly as possible.”

…

It was an operation that required far too much equipment to bring back the isolated OSL personnel.

However, if we try to solve the various problems related to exporting 150 tons of gold from the United States, it will be a waste of time.

OSSIA called the chief and explained the San Francisco operation.

“Sir, it will be difficult to avoid the eyes of the US intelligence agencies.”

“I guess so.”

“But the matter is too complicated to go through official procedures…. I think we can get the CIA’s tacit approval through unofficial channels.”

“is it so?”

“Yes. The CIA relies heavily on OSSIA for Asia and Ukraine. If you come up with a good excuse, I don’t think they’ll bother you. But ···.”

“but?”

“If the US State Department or the FBI found out, they would be furious.”

“If you just turn a blind eye to the CIA, there won’t be any interference with the operation itself.”

“That’s right.”

“Okay, then let’s proceed with the operation for now and deal with other issues later.”

“First of all, let’s say that the CIA is in charge of this operation to smuggle not only OSL but also South Korean and Japanese assets. We are also coordinating with the National Intelligence Service and the Japanese Cabinet Investigation Office.”

“Okay. Then, thank you for your hard work, Manager.”

…

Meanwhile, China and Russia naturally entered into a ‘winter truce’.

The OSS helped the independent ‘Free China’ in Yunnan maintain its own military, as the OSS’ military power was concentrated in Free China.

First, it was decided to create a garrison for the 100,000-strong OSS Northern Army, which had suffered from ceaseless fighting, in Hainan Province.

The advance party, the 1st Northern Army, consisting of 50,000 troops, arrived in Sanya City, Hainan Province, and after a period of rest and adaptation, they exchanged missions with the Free Division, and the Free Division returned to Marshall Camp, which was like a second home to them.

The OSS Southern Army of 150,000 men was stationed in Free China. Since most of the Southern Army’s troops were from Burma, it was deemed appropriate to remain in Free China, which was close to Burma.

There was an incident where 50,000 Yunnan Air Freedom Forces strongly requested to be incorporated into the OSS.

They were mostly Chinese soldiers who had surrendered to the OSS, so it was difficult for them to mix with the Free Chinese Army.

There was concern about accepting soldiers from China, the greatest enemy, into the OSS.

…