Damn the World, Ride a Submarine - Chapter 50



Only Krnovel

Episode 50 – SBU

After completing the first sea supply, the Lee Hoi-young was once again navigating the unknown seas where the breath of our ancestors still remains.

The Cape of Storms was discovered by the Phoenicians under the orders of the ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Neko II and by Dream during the Age of Exploration.

It was moving forward powerfully, cutting through the waves of the blue sea toward the Cape of Good Hope at the southernmost tip of South Africa.

I stood on the submarine bridge tower. She looked out at the sea in awe and imagined her sailboat from her days of exploration.

A ship made of wood, without power, navigates this wide sea where even the most advanced submarines are not easy.

How did the ancient Phoenicians cross this sea?

Even if it’s 1448, not ancient times. I once again admired the courage of Bartolomeu Dias, a man 600 years ago, who set out in search of India, which was not on maps or charts, using only the power of the wind.

We can guess the arduous journey from the fact that he gave the name ‘Cape of the Storm’ to the cape he discovered in the despair of his never-ending voyage.

The reason why the Portuguese royal family changed its name to the Cape of Good Hope was because Bartolomeu Diaz’s dedication and courage could strongly feel that it meant hope.

While I was lost in thoughts about the endless ocean, the news of the long-awaited test operation of the ARK arrived.

Lieutenant Colonel Park Eun-seok reported that ARK’s test operation was completed safely and sent a detailed report on the results.

As a result of the test operation, it was said that all devices were operating stably and that the vessel was able to successfully dive for more than 2 hours at a maximum depth of 900m.

He added that since the hull of the Typhoon-class submarine that was actually commissioned was strengthened, its reliability appears to be even higher.

Even though it was so big, it was able to reach a faster speed than the Lee Hoi-young. She said that thanks to the large space inside the ship, not only is she comfortable to live in, but she can even jog inside the ship.

We actually sent a video of ourselves jogging inside the ARK and exercising at the gym.

The moment I watched that video, I thought of the scene in the movie Crimson Tide where Denzel Washington is jogging on the USS Alabama submarine.

It was also announced that testing of the SDS (SEAL Delivery System) has also been completed.

It was reported that the entire launch and recovery process was tested, along with a maximum speed test of 9 knots, with two pilot crews on board and launched at a depth of 50m.

The SDS mounted on the ARK was upgraded from that of the U.S. military.

It was possible to carry out an infiltration operation by leaving the water purification vessel underwater while wearing diving equipment, and it was also possible to board it without breathing equipment like a regular submersible.

It is specially designed and installed on the carrier ARK to facilitate underwater recovery with an automatic docking and towing device.

Even while I was happily imagining the news sent by Lieutenant Colonel Park Eun-seok, I was concerned about the situation in Russia that Deputy Director Lee of the headquarters (National Intelligence Service) told me about.

I felt like I needed to talk to him directly. She slowed the submarine and raised her communications buoy.

The summary of the report sent by Deputy Director Lee and his story was as follows.

There is a move by Russia, which has been subject to economic sanctions due to the second Russia-Ukraine war and the use of tactical nuclear weapons, to take surprise measures to freeze foreign assets.

“Uh~ Representative Lee.”

“Deputy Director Lee, are those financial assets that Russia is trying to freeze?”

“Don’t you know, there’s no distinction between things like that in that neighborhood…?”

“ah ···.”

“It might be okay for China and India, but for our country…”

“What about our country?”

“Due to the indirect export of military supplies and weapons to Ukraine, it has been classified as a quasi-enemy country…”

“…”

“furthermore. “Representative Lee’s PLAN B case seems to be more dangerous because it is a special case.”

“Because it is not a transaction between countries…”

“yes. “Not only is it not a transaction between countries, but the problem is that even if a dispute arises, Russia has nothing to lose.”

“? ”

“It is impossible to reveal that the Korean government permitted the construction of nuclear submarines. “Isn’t there a proper organization to mediate conflict?”

“ah ···.”

“From Russia’s perspective. “Isn’t this a profitable business, with submarines that were being retired due to lack of money being refurbished?”

“therefore! To summarize, are you saying that there is a high probability that Russia will take everything by surprise?”

“Well, you can’t do anything when nuclear weapons are launched. Once they come in, they mean to run away. “As the country is at war, there will be no other way to rescue it.”

‘You bitches are going to take my money.’

A curse almost came out of my voice.

“Is there no way we can take action?”

“That’s right, the Russian military-industrial complex is no different from the mafia that has taken over the government. “If they come out ‘with their stomachs full’… normal methods won’t work.”

“…”

“Besides, like I said before. “It is an unofficial matter that our government pretends not to know about, so we cannot protest through diplomatic channels… I think that will be a weakness.”

“All right. In the end, we may have no choice but to use informal methods.”

“Ah… I support CEO Lee, but please don’t cause an accident. “If something happens in this case, the government or the Navy will pretend not to know.”

“Yeah, I know. “Just pretend not to know until the end.”

What I had only imagined and worried about actually happened.

Perhaps it was a good thing that I had imagined it in advance.

Even in an anxious mind, the ship Hoeyoung Lee was silently moving through the deep sea.

I was organizing my thoughts by imagining and worrying about the numerous contingency situations that would occur in the future.

As the tense day continued, I received a call from Deputy Director Lee again.

“Yes, conductor.”

“Representative Lee, I woke up early in the morning to set up a communication time with you…”

“Thank you. “What’s going on, is there any change on the Russian side?”

“Um… this is information I’m giving you in violation of the rules because I feel sorry for you.”

“what?”

“I don’t know what means you will use…”

“…”

“It has been confirmed that Ukrainian SBU agents are currently infiltrated in Severodvinsk, and their location is inside the Sevmash Shipyard.”

– SBU (Sluzhba Bezpeky Ukrayiny) Security Service of Ukraine –

“thank you. But how can we get this information…”

“Well, there was close cooperation between intelligence agencies because of the bypass export of military supplies.”

“…”

“In the meantime, I asked a businessman with whom I became acquainted, and this information was given to me as a means of mutual assistance.”

“ah ···. thank you.”

“No, this is when I’m full-blooded. “If I can cover up even a little of the mistakes I made with a sense of fairness, that’s enough.”

It was surprising to me that he had a debt of heart. Also, the fact that he was always so arrogant and full of bravado, and was saying it with his own mouth, felt unfamiliar.

“If you let the bad luck go away, it will become a relationship. I am thinking. thank you.”

“Thank you, I will send you information on the connection points, security codes, and communication channels to the Ukrainian intelligence service through naval security tradition. and ···.”

“…”

“As you know, this is like cooperation between businesses rather than country to country.”

“…”

“I will refer to you as an unofficial household resource that can be deprived, so make sure you use it well.”

“thank you.”

Debriefing refers to any form of intelligence interrogation. It included intelligence interrogations of not only the general public but also agents and agents.

In other words,

The fact that Deputy Director Lee was introduced to the Ukrainian Security Service as a ‘person capable of being deprived’ meant that he was in a position with high security access.

And nonofficial cover meant a duke official with an unofficial position for duke security.

The fact that he introduced me like that, even though all records of the headquarters (National Intelligence Service) had been erased, meant that Deputy Director Lee himself was taking a considerable risk.

That was tantamount to using the nation’s security resources for personal purposes.

Anyway,

Bad relationships have been stored away for a long time, matured, and fermented into something beneficial.

I found it fascinating that the current situation showed its power at a critical moment.

…

Fortunately, among the crew of the Lee Hoi-young, there were people who could speak Russian and Ukrainian languages.

I was going to send him with Lieutenant Colonel Park Eun-seok, but for some reason he stayed behind, saying he liked Lee Hoe-young.

Even though English is used in communication with the Ukrainian Security Service, I somehow felt reassured.

I called Director Kim Jun-myeong and Colonel Choi Eun-seok to the captain’s office and shared this entire situation.

Colonel Choi Eun-seok seemed quite surprised, and Director Kim Jun-myeong looked calm as always.

Now that the situation was not clear, I had no choice but to wait for the information from the Ukrainian SBU, which Deputy Director Lee of Headquarters (National Intelligence Service) would send through the Navy Security Service.

…

But I couldn’t just wait.

Even if it was futile, all available resources had to be mobilized to prepare for all contingencies.

While the submarine was sailing on the water, I gave some instructions to Hye-in, who was on board number 9, via satellite phone.

Director Jeong Si-woon was instructed to check the progress of the acquisition of a large cruise ship line being promoted and important matters within the company, and to provide a summary report.

We cooperate with OSL headquarters to research information about Korean companies, organizations, and individuals who can receive help in Ukraine.

The order was to closely cooperate with Director Jeong Si-woon.

What’s going on? There was a question, but no detailed explanation could be given.

And I immediately called Director Jeong Si-woon.

“yes. CEO.”

“Director, is everything okay?”

“yes. I’m fine. “Even so, I was going to report on the cruise ship.”

“yes yes. Please summarize that part briefly and forward it to Secretary Hyein Lee.”

“yes.”

“Something special is happening.”

“yes?”

“The director needs to fly to Ukraine.”

“yes? suddenly ···.”

“It is difficult to give a detailed explanation over the phone, so I will summarize the situation and send it to you via secure email.”

“… all right.”

I could feel that Director Jeong Si-woon took some time to answer.

Ukraine is a country currently at war, so it was understandable. But it wasn’t even a situation to explain or persuade.

“Please prepare to go to Ukraine as of this time. “You may feel at a loss.”

“…”

“Please quickly establish an OSS liaison office in Kiev, Ukraine. “By actively recruiting local employees.”

“ah ···. all right. “It looks like something urgent is happening.”

“I hope that the Ukrainian liaison office will be operational within the next two weeks.”

“yes?”

“I know it’s difficult. “When you receive the secure email, you will understand its urgency and importance.”

“all right. “Just one thing…”

“Say yes.”

“What is the main role of the liaison office?”

…

Insignia of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU (Sluzhba bezpeky Ukraiyny))

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Ghost Bear