Chapter 24
August 10th, 2016 13:00. Kyungi -do Paju-si Panmunjeom Joint Security Area Conference Center for North/South Hands-on Staff.
One year after the theatrical North/South hands-on staff meeting, North Korea sent the Labor Party’s Secretary and Head of the United Front Kim Young-chul as their representative, while South Korea sent Minister of Unification Oh Seung-tae as their representative to begin the meeting.
The Labor Party’s Secretary Kim Young-chul, who came with four aid staff, greeted the Minister first. “Comrade Minister Oh Seung-tae, long time no see. I presume you’re doing well?”
“Yes, I’m doing well, thanks to you, Mr. Secretary.”
“I didn’t do much, but since you say you did well because of me, I can’t help but feel sorry.”
“Ha, ha, ha, is that so? Secretary Kim Young-chul, you seem younger than before. Are you aging backwards?”
“Does it really seem that way? Ha, ha, ha.”
The meeting started with awkward jokes, and after five long hours, many policies to ease the tension between the two nations were discussed. Another step was taken to improve relations between the two countries.
August 12th, 2016 19:25. Seoul Jong-ro ku Blue House National Emergency Situation Center Underground Bunker.
Ten days have passed. In response to the precision diagnostic report of the unidentified object that came back from the dispatched researchers at the 17th Fighter Wing, a national security council was hurriedly called for in the underground bunker in the Blue House National Emergency Situation Center.
“Before we start the council today, I’d like to make a request to everyone present. The contents of today’s meeting will be considered confidential in SS-rank, which is higher than S-rank. Therefore, if anything discussed today were leaked to outside sources, this will be considered treason and violators can be subject to a lifetime prison sentence or worse in times of national emergency.” The government bureaucrats all listened more intently than usual as they glanced at the President, who spoke with a resolute tone. “Let’s begin then.”
Acting Chairperson Prime Minister Lee Young-ho began to speak. “On July 24th, 2016, approximately 5:40p.m., the unidentified object crash landed at Daechung Lake. A local witnessed the crash and notified the police, who contacted the military, then the Joint Chiefs dispatched an emergency Army, Navy, and Airforce joint investigation party. The Joint Chiefs worked on a six day-long salvaging mission, and they prevented civilian contact within a one-kilometer radius of the area by using a local army’s training exercise as a cover to maintain secrecy. Transportation of the object was completed to the 17th Fighter Wing on July 29th, 11:00 p.m.”
Prime Minister Lee Young-ho moved back from the microphone to cough. He was about to continue speaking, but Minister Ahn Sang-tae of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport asked a question. “Why didn’t we have a joint mission with the US Armed Forces in Korea? Minister?”
Prime Minister Lee Young-ho glanced at the President for awhile. The Prime Minister saw the President give a slight nod as a signal, then he answered Minister Ahn Sang-tae of The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport’s question. “There was no trace of the object’s crash in our military’s radar. We didn’t receive any contact or information from the US Armed Forces in Korea. Thus, we determined it wouldn’t be necessary for a joint operation to be carried out when we didn’t know whether the US Armed Forces in Korea didn’t notify us or if they simply didn’t know because their radars couldn’t detect anything.”
Prime Minister Lee Young-ho finished speaking. He gave the signal to Secretary-General Kim Hong-gyu, who was standing by next to him. Secretary-General Kim Hong-gyu began to hand out the paperwork to each bureaucrat.
Prime Minister Lee Young-ho explained, “The paperwork that the secretary-general is handing out is the ten-day precision diagnostic report from the Agency for Defense Development. The document is concerning the unidentified crashed object from 18 days ago, dated July 24th at 6:00p.m. Please take a look.”
The report’s contents were as follows:
Diameter: 26.5m
Height: 7.5m
Form: Shape of a round disc.
External material composition: unidentifiable: cannot find the chemical symbol for the element in the current periodic table.
Strength test conducted for the metal material: Currently determined to have 20 times the strength of the strongest metals on earth.
Traits of the metallic material: No reaction towards radiowaves, predicted to be unable to be detected by any current radar system owned by Korea.
Internals check for the unidentified object: No entrance found in all 360-degree angles, and unable to check its contents via Photon resonance imaging machines.
Specifics contents from category 4: Elemental symbol testing contents: 15 types of testing and experimentation taken.
(omitted)
Final conclusion: The unidentified object has been deemed be made by technology outside of Earth’s science, and it has been unanimously agreed by 12 researchers that it is from an alien source.
Amidst the surprised looks on each of the NSC agents’ faces, the Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke. “Could this... truly be? It sounds like something out of a Sci-Fi novel.”
Minister of Science, ICT, and Future Planning Yoo Seung-woo read the report thoroughly several times and spoke with an excited look on his face. “Indeed, it does seem like it. The diagnostic results are from our researchers, who worked hard for ten days, so we must trust it. Regardless, if the object is a flying saucer from space, then its worth will be astronomical, considering all the applied technological advancements we could make.”
Minister Ahn Sang-tae of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, who was a true pro-American, suggested, “However, according to the results of the experiment, we couldn’t obtain information about its identity, let alone any sort of technological value. How about we conduct joint research with America?”
Minister of Justice Lee Jae-soo frowned and retorted, “Minister Ahn, are you aware of what you’re suggesting? We should ensure that our researchers obtain the applicable technology for our nation’s benefit and make it a foundation for the future. Why are you always on about America?”
“What? Minister Lee! Is that all you can say?”
“Gentlemen. Please stop. Are you both just here to argue in front of the President?”
Minister Ahn Sang-tae’s face was bright red from Minister Ahn Prime Minister Lee Young-ho’s criticisms, but he could not speak up and only glared at Minister Lee Jae-soo.
NIS Secretary Na Bong-il said, “I’d like a chance to speak.”
“Please, you have the floor.” freeweb(n)ovel
“I’m sure some of you are aware there’s a rumor that the US researches about aliens and alien aircrafts at an airforce base called Area 51. We at the NIS are unsure about it being true or not, but we have reason to believe it may not be a rumor after today’s incident. In a way, I think this is a big chance for Korea. Shouldn’t we use all of our power to obtain applicable technology from this object and use it as a stepping stone for an improved Korea in these economic and politically unstable times?”
“I also agree with Secretary Na.” President Suh Hyun-woo, who had been listening intently after his greeting, spoke up. “I have high expectations for this unidentified object. I’ve considered a joint research with the US like Minister Ahn suggested; however, I’ve concluded that despite our inability to extract applicable technology from the object currently, we’ll be able to do so through continuous support from the government and succeed. What do you guys think?”
“You’re right. Mr. President, we must achieve this with our own technology through any means necessary.”
Prime Minister Lee Young-ho spoke up in support. “Therefore, I’d like to proceed with the research under governmental intervention about this unidentified object, using all human resources if necessary. I’d like this laboratory to be under presidential authority. Also, I’d like to invite prominent scientists working overseas. I’d like all of you here as Ministers and Secretaries of each governmental branch to make support of this research a top priority. I’d like Minister Yoo Won-jin of the Ministry of Economy and Finance in particular to aid in finances for establishing the lab a top priority.”
“Yes, Mr. President. We’ll take care of the budgeting for erecting the lab.”
The appearance of an alien aircraft, an object that seemed to come from a Sci-Fi novel like a UFO, was discussed whether or not it would create a large influence within Korea during the meeting. The ten people in attendance discussed the matter for two hours and established various policies before ending the meeting.
August 13th, 2016 11:00. Chungbook Chungju-si 17th Fighter Wing Airforce Base.
There was a large tent next to 20 igloo-like structures. There were numerous military police and black-suited men standing guard. A moment later, many black sedans approached the tent.
After six black sedans came to a halt, the black-suited men established a path towards the tent. A middle-aged gentleman stepped off the black sedan. It was President Suh Hyun-woo.
President Suh Hyun-woo, who wanted to see the unidentified object himself, visited the 17th Fighter Wing Airforce Base after the national security council meeting with the Blue House staff.
The 17th Fighter Wing Commander Brigadier General Oh Suk-myung and his advisors, who were standing still, saluted the President. “Loyalty!”
The President saluted back.
“Thank you for coming all the way out here despite the long travel, Mr. President, sir!”
“It didn’t take much effort. I only feel sorry for all the effort you and all the other soldiers had to go through just for my arrival.” fr(e)ewebn(o)vel
“It’s nothing sir. I believe it’s an honor, Mr. President.”
“I’m glad you think of it that way, thank you. Ha, ha, ha.”
A woman in her 40s, who was standing behind Brigadier General Oh Suk-myung, greeted the president. “How are you, sir? I’m the National Defense and Science Agency’s Lead Researcher Lee Su-jin.”
“I read your report thoroughly. Thank you for all your hard work, Dr. Lee.”
“My only regret is I couldn’t obtain tangible results.”
“No, you did all you could. I’m dying of curiosity.”
“Ah, yes excuse me. Let’s go here.”
“Let’s go.”
Six armed military police standing guard in front of the tent saluted the President loudly with their guns. “Loyalty!”
The President stopped in his tracks after he was guided into the tent with Dr. Lee Su-jin. Seeing the disc-like aircraft made out of black, metallic material, he stopped in his tracks. The reports and pictures had not done the object justice.
“It’s amazing to see it with my own eyes. It looks like something out of a Sci-Fi movie.”
“Yes, Mr. President. We were in awe when we first saw it, too.”
Chief Secretary Na Sung-tae, who was looking at the aircraft while walking along its edge, seemed to have a question and asked Dr. Lee Su-jin. “Would this aircraft be manned or unmanned? I’m getting curious after looking at it in person.”
The President also seemed interested, so he glanced at Dr. Lee Su-jin after hearing the Chief Secretary’s question.
“I apologize, but we were unable to determine whether this is a manned or an unmanned aircraft. There was no operating part during our 10 days of experimentation... It could be an unmanned aircraft, but if there is a living pilot, we predict it to be deceased.”
President Suh Hyun-woo pleaded to Dr. Lee Su-jin in an earnest tone. “We’d like to see the internals soon. You must have gotten the report yesterday. There will be no holding back in terms of government funding or human resources, so, please do your best to succeed in the research and contribute to our nation.”
“As a scientist, it’s an honor for me and the other researchers to participate in the project. We’ll try to obtain results that will satisfy you as quickly as possible, Mr. President.”
“When you say so, I get even more curious about this thing. Ha, ha, ha.”
The President laughed loudly as he looked at the black disc-like aircraft.
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