Damn the World, Ride a Submarine - Chapter 41
Only Krnovel
Episode 41 – Paperclip
Even in the dark deep sea, the submarine was heading toward Tawi-Tawi’s Sinheung Camp.
I felt uneasy the whole time when I heard that Deputy Director Lee of the headquarters (National Intelligence Service) was looking for me. I thought, ‘I’m no longer the type of person to be swayed by a needless sense of publicity.’
He was a person who could get in my way, and since it was an organization, I was quite nervous.
Nevertheless, the Lee Hoi-young repeatedly submerged and surfaced, and before we knew it, she had reached the waters off Tawi-Tawi Island.
The crew was on the bridge enjoying the sea and sunshine of the Sulu Sea.
A tugboat was seen leaving, leaving behind the people waiting to meet them at Sinheung Camp.
The tugboat attached the ship to the submarine, and pilot Bae Heung-deok, who had been helping with difficulty, boarded the Lee Hoe-young.
He led the entry and docking of the Lee Hoi-young from the bridge tower.
In leading the berthing, considering various variables such as the size and speed of the ship, water depth, characteristics of the berthing facility, and operation of the tugboat. I could feel that he was a veteran.
Seeing this, I was reminded that piloting is the highest paid job.
Let’s safely dock Lee Hoe-young at the dock of Shinheung Camp. The crew and OSS team members seemed to enjoy it like children.
The submarine crew seemed surprised by the fortress-like facilities of Sinheung Camp.
The OSS Charlie, Delta, and Echo team members and staff who remained at the camp could not hide their surprise at the sight of the huge submarine.
Soon after, Sonya Torejo arrived at Sinheung Camp.
I was glad to see the boisterous tension of director Lee Shin-young, whom I had not seen in a long time.
Everyone gathered at the Shinheung Camp auditorium and had a group dinner.
A whole pig was being barbecued at the parade ground, and the smell of sausages and grilling meat was everywhere.
Directors Kim Wan-jun and Lee Shin-young welcomed each other warmly, as if brother and sister had met.
Director Lee Shin-young seemed to have already fallen for the story of Director Kim Wan-jun, who first settled in Tawi-Tawi.
There was no end to the backlog of stories such as Lee Hoe-young’s maximum depth dive, Operation Give Warning, and relocation to Tawi-Tawi Island.
A sense of kinship in having crossed the line of fire. A sense of accomplishment from cultivating new land and creating a foundation. A sense of belonging, of being together. A sense of security, of being protected and protected.
Everyone introduced each other, and even people meeting for the first time seemed to quickly become friends.
The auditorium was filled with bright smiles and laughter.
As I looked at that, I felt a certain emotion that I had never known before.
I realized that I was feeling a certain sense of pride and fulfillment from the sounds of people’s laughter and happy expressions.
Sometimes I felt like I was half a psychopath. Someone once described me as ‘the most human-like robot.’
I wanted to protect their laughter. I thought I shouldn’t let people fall.
I quietly called Director Kim Wan-jun.
He ordered to purchase as much land around Shinheung Camp as possible and create a new housing complex.
And I called Director Jeong Si-woon.
“yes. CEO.”
“Director. Please find out if there is a cruise worth purchasing.”
“yes? When you go on a cruise, you mean that cruise ship?”
“yes. “It can accommodate more than 5,000 passengers and is well-equipped.”
“It will take several years just to dry…”
“So, please look into acquiring something that is currently in operation. Please focus on acquiring it as quickly as possible, even if it means paying a premium of more than $1 billion.”
“1 billion dollars is more than 1 trillion won…”
“3 trillion won would be sufficient for the total project cost. You can use more than that. What is important is the speedy delivery of the ship.”
“ah···.”
“Director Jeong. As you might guess, acquisitions are not made based on profitability. Please do your best to take over quickly.”
“all right.”
…
At Shinheung Camp, training programs under the guise of play continued.
We conducted shooting training with the submarine crew and learned tactical maneuvers through IPSC-style match competition.
Also, drone racing, which used to be done only with a simulator, was done with a real drone.
It was not just a speed race, but a race under the rule that the record was only recognized if the object attached to the dropping device was accurately dropped.
If necessary, mortar shells can be hung instead of those items to enable tactical operation.
Chef Hyun Jeong-min, as a doctor, also provided medical services to the indigenous people around Shinheung Camp. She gave first aid training to the entire camp staff and OSS personnel.
Captain Kim Chang-gi created a fishing camp. If he catches a few tuna with his people.
A fun party followed. The joy was increased by bringing out a few bottles of soju that had been stored away.
While I was having fun at Shinheung Camp, an unwelcome guest came to visit. Headquarters (National Intelligence Service) was the deputy director.
Team leader Park Il-rim and Sergeant Yoo Min brought him with them.
It was for surveillance purposes since he was an outsider, but he seemed to think he was being escorted.
“Wow~ What is this, Lee Si-eon’s kingdom? Kingdom! The inspection is more difficult than entering the headquarters. haha”
“…”
Deputy Director Lee continued his characteristic condescending tone.
“CEO Lee, you’ve grown a lot. haha”
“If you keep being sarcastic like that, I’ll give you a ride straight to Bongao Airport.”
He waved his hand and continued speaking slyly.
“Ah… it’s fun. “Hehehe”
He seemed to quickly notice that I was different from before. He deserved it, as he was someone who had stayed at the headquarters (National Intelligence Service) for decades with his wit.
“Are you still pretending to be the conductor?”
“This guy is still sharp. “Hehe, it’s actually Deputy Chief Daewoo.”
“…”
“As you know, I’m from the family of dogs, so I can’t wear a title. He’s like a chief sergeant. “Hehehe”
“Let’s get to the point first.”
“Please pass on some of the surroundings.”
Although I still didn’t like his tone. He led him to the beach near the Shinheung Camp dock.
“ruler! Now don’t worry about security, just tell me.”
“Please give me a lift to someone in Cambodia. “In your submarine.”
“yes? “Aren’t there a lot of submarines in the Navy?”
“no way. How simple is that? “It’s because we have to avoid America’s eyes.”
“Who are you?”
Deputy Director Lee lowered his head for a moment and appeared to gather his thoughts by supporting his chin with his right hand.
“It is you, so tell me. “It’s high-ranking North Korean assets and some cargo.”
“If that’s the case. “Isn’t it okay to have them defect like in the case of Hwang Jang-yeop?”
“that is. A defection is a defection. “It is somewhat involuntary and…”
“Have you kidnapped me?”
“That’s not it. Let’s say it’s half voluntary and half voluntary…”
“also! A person who is living a good life…”
“I just created the situation for the sake of justice.”
I suddenly felt anger rising at the word “justice.” Does justice mean that they define it however they want?
“And as you might guess, it’s for confidentiality reasons. “North Korea must find out as late as possible, and above all, the United States must not know.”
“wait a minute.”
I stopped talking to Deputy Director Lee and collected my thoughts. I had to listen to the opinions of the people actually running the operation. I couldn’t force them into something that could cost them their lives.
“We will listen together with our people and make a decision.”
“That’s not possible. “This is top secret.”
“If you don’t like it, you can just go back.”
“Ah… I understand.”
Deputy Director Lee seemed to reluctantly accept. He decided that if what he said was true, he had no alternative.
I went to the Shinheung Camp operation room with Deputy Director Lee, and called Director Kim Jun-myeong and Colonel Choi Eun-seok there.
I briefly explained the outline of the operation to the two people. I was waiting for both of their opinions.
Master Kim Jun-myeong was the first to ask a question.
“Deputy Director Lee! All I have to do is deliver?”
“You just have to come close to Okinawa.”
“What next?”
“There is a joint training at the moment, so our navy is naturally able to support us.”
Colonel Choi Eun-seok turned to Deputy Director Lee and asked a question.
“What is naval support?”
“Perhaps we can make contact with the Chomumu or Dosan Ahn Chang-ho and hand over human assets and cargo.”
I talked to Colonel Choi Eun-seok and Director Kim Jun-myeong in turn, making eye contact.
“Even if one of you is against it, I won’t do it. “What do you think, Colonel Choi Eun-seok?”
“There is a lack of information about the sea area. “As long as there are no problems maintaining mutual communication, I don’t think it will be difficult.”
“I would like to hear Director Kim Jun-myeong’s opinion.”
“This is an operation that has been carried out countless times during active duty and in PMC. Of course, there were unexpected situations every time… “I will follow whatever decision the CEO makes.”
Now that we had confirmed the feasibility of the operation and the will of my people, it was time to take what we had to gain.
“Deputy Director Lee, so what do I, what do we gain?”
“Well, money probably doesn’t mean anything to you. pride?”
His sarcastic tone was annoying.
I felt like I had to ask for as much compensation as possible. It was him who was disappointing.
“It’s out of place in this yard. Are you kidding?”
“Is there anything you want?”
“If these two conditions are not met, the operation will be abandoned.”
“… tell me”
“First, Hanwha Ocean is currently completing construction of the Tide-class logistics support ship to be delivered to our Navy.”
“so?”
“Please support me so I can receive it first.”
“Huh… that’s great”
Deputy Director Lee could not readily answer and had a perplexed expression on his face. He seemed to need to increase the scope of his abilities.
“Apart from the 300 billion won in construction costs, we will donate 400 billion won to our Navy as a national defense contribution.”
“What on earth are you going to do… Anyway, I understand.”
The Tide-class logistics support ship was a 39,000-ton logistics support ship capable of supplying 19 million liters of oil alone.
“And the second time. “Please give me Paperclip access permission and security key.”
“That is beyond my authority.”
“Then just give it to the conductor. And since when did you start working with authority in mind? “There are no records of the work I did at headquarters.”
“Do you still remember that? “Didn’t it end safely?”
In an instant, memories of the past were recalled and anger rose. The voice rose.
“Ha… that’s how I survived on my own… wasn’t it actually abandoned with the expectation of being discarded?”
Colonel Choi Eun-seok looked surprised. Director Kim Jun-myeong also heard the story from me. He seemed surprised to hear my voice filled with emotion.
“I’m sorry. I apologize… “It’s for the country, please.”
“Are my terms accepted?”
“I will do so once the operation is complete.”
“Ah… again… if it is not completed before the submarine leaves, it will be treated as if it never happened.”
Deputy Director Lee was examining my expression. He continued answering while avoiding my gaze.
“Oh, I understand. “If you accept, I will share my security key and ID, and I will also take care of the ship problem.”
“If the security key is disabled, not only will the operation be halted, but any future requests will not be accepted.”
“Oh, I understand.”
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