Chapter 276.1: I Should Trust Them (1)
After their coffee break, Kang Chan, Seok Kang-Ho, Hwang Ki-Hyun, and Kim Hyung-Jung went to a different room. Kang Chan then told the three about his conversation with Lanok.
He couldn’t disclose everything about the Blackhead. Hence, he beat around the bush instead, telling them that France wanted to build a power plant for the next-gen energy source in South Korea and that it would be the foundation for the Eurasian Rail’s success.
“Assistant Director, do you know anything about the energy source the ambassador was talking about?” Hwang Ki-Hyun asked.
“From what I heard, the facility will be able to supply about five hundred years' worth of electricity, and South Korea will get unlimited use of it.”
Hwang Ki-Hyun looked at Kang Chan in surprise. His expression seemed to say, ‘What does that even mean?’ and ‘Has he gone crazy?’
Awkward silence engulfed the room for a brief moment.
“Is the energy source a nuclear weapon?”
“France and the UK apparently already have the technology needed to produce that much energy, but I heard they will need to use Blackheads and the supply of denadite and cetinium from Mongolia as raw materials.”
“Blackhead?”
“It’s a type of gem. One Blackhead is discovered in Africa once every several decades, maybe once every ten years at most.”
“Hmm.”
Kang Chan couldn’t blame him for being confused.
Hwang Ki-Hyun sighed and groaned. He then glanced at Kim Hyung-Jung as Kang Chan continued with his report.
“The ambassador also mentioned that if we push through with this plan, the engines of locomotives and vehicles would inevitably change from oil to electrical ones. The Arabs, who export crude oil, and the Jews, their investors and traders, will do everything they can to stop that from happening. Their resistance will likely prove difficult to deal with.”
“This has at least given me a rough guess about why Russia and Saudi Arabia both offered us joint oil development rights.”
“If what you said is true, does that mean the Eurasian Rail will be using electric trains?” Seok Kang-Ho wondered.
“Now that you’ve mentioned it, that would likely be the case, wouldn’t it?”
Kang Chan, Hwang Ki-Hyun, and Kim Hyung-Jung turned toward Seok Kang-Ho in surprise, the possibility only coming to them now.
Seok Kang-Ho continued, “Won’t that force the trains to go to South Korea to recharge?”
That’s right!
The three stared at Seok Kang-Ho in awe. If what he said was right, then South Korea would become the starting point for all of the Eurasian Rail’s operations.
“I’m sure you’ve already heard about this, Assistant Director, but Russia and Saudi Arabia have given us proposals that are quite similar. Which one do you think we should accept?” Hwang Ki-Hyun asked.
“I heard that Russia and France have the same goal. The Ambassador told me that I’ll have to negotiate with our government, but if I could choose, I’d say the right choice would be to work with Russia.”
“Would the facility we’re talking about here be exclusive to South Korea?”
“No. The ambassador said that France, Russia, Germany, and even Switzerland would like to have their own down the line as well. He would ask for my help when we get to that point.”
Hwang Ki-Hyun briefly stared into nothingness, seemingly pondering about what to do.
“On one hand, this will give us all the vested interests, but on the other, this will turn South Korea into a testing ground,” he commented afterward.
Kang Chan silently listened.
“I’ll have to report this to the President first. Do you have any solid evidence we can use to back this up?” Hwang Ki-Hyun asked.
“I unfortunately don’t.”
It was too preposterous for them to believe what Kang Chan had just said, but they couldn’t just ignore it either due to the proposals they had received from Russia and Saudi Arabia.
Hwang Ki-Hyun’s expression seemed to be telling them as much.
“On another note, Director, I would like the French embassy’s security to be strengthened,” Kang Chan said. “Is there any way we can make that happen?”
“That won’t be a problem. You’re the head of the counter-terrorism team, after all. I’ll discuss this with manager Kim,” Hwang Ki-Hyun answered, then looked at Kim Hyung-Jung.
Afterward, he turned back to Kang Chan. “Assistant Director.”
“Yes?”
Being called his position felt awkward, but Kang Chan couldn’t bring himself to tell Hwang Ki-Hyun.
“Do you think all those special forces were dispatched to Africa as part of some powerful country’s scheme to take you down?”
“What a coincidence. I’ve been meaning to ask you that exact question.”
When it came to the reason they were sent to Africa, Kang Chan was just as cautious as they were.
“I see. I’ll arrange a meeting with you and the President soon. I know how bothersome this can be, but I hope you lend us a hand anyway,” Hwang Ki-Hyun said, then glanced at his watch.
They only had an hour left before midnight.
“I can’t believe it’s already this late. I’ve taken too much of your time. You two should get some rest. I’ll be sure to update you if anything comes up,” Hwang Ki-Hyun told Kang Chan and Seok Kang-Ho.
He then stood up and walked out of the room with Kim Hyung-Jung, leaving Kang Chan and Seok Kang-Ho behind.
“For some reason, I just can’t bring myself to smoke when the Director is around. Anyway, have you given the Blackhead to the ambassador?” Seok Kang-Ho asked.
“I have. He told me they’ll need the red wavelengths that I possess to generate energy, but since neither of us has any idea what they’re talking about, let’s just assume that what everyone is saying is true for now.”
Seok Kang-Ho poured water into a paper cup. As he set it down on the table, Kang Chan changed into a hospital gown.
“Won’t this project cause earthquakes in South Korea? Isn’t that what happened in the UK?”
“We have to believe that the ambassador has all of this under control,” Kang Chan replied.
“Even so, things can still get dangerous.”
Kang Chan nodded as he sat at the table. Seok Kang-Ho had certainly become smarter. Unfortunately, the more he talked now, the more issues Kang Chan had to think about.
Chk chk.
“Hoo.” Kang Chan exhaled the cigarette smoke, feeling as if this long, tiring day was finally ending.
“Well, anyway, you must be destined for this!” Seok Kang-Ho exclaimed.
“What the hell are you saying?”
“Why else would you never get time to rest? You can’t even get a moment to catch your breath. Haaa! Compared to you, I’m living a far easier life.”
Seok Kang-Ho spoke, shook his head, and blew out smoke all at the same time. The sight made Kang Chan acknowledge that he was very talented.
“Oh, right! My father is going to buy sushi for lunch tomorrow,” Kang Chan said.
“Did you tell him to buy enough for all of us?”
“I did.”
“Phuhuhu! I’m so looking forward to tomorrow's lunch.”
Kang Chan relaxed as he and Seok Kang-Ho conversed. After a while, he lay down in his bed.
It was wise to sleep whenever he had the chance to.
***
Although it was still quite early in the morning, loud noises from military trucks were already echoing all over Jeungpyeong.
On the day of their return to South Korea from Africa, one of the generals who had been waiting for them at the airport had told Cha Dong-Gyun to let them know if they needed anything, and he immediately used that opportunity to request his unit be reinforced as soon as possible.
Screech!
When the trucks stopped, ten soldiers from the First Airborne Forces jumped out of them and walked toward the barracks. They all had fierce eyes, tanned skin, and broad shoulders.
“First Airborne Forces reporting for duty, sir!” one of the soldiers exclaimed.
“At ease. We’re going to have a mock battle in an hour. Rest until then. The Third Airborne Forces and the soldiers from the 606 are at the barracks next door. Be sure to greet them,” Cha Dong-Gyun said.
The Second Lieutenant talking to Cha Dong-Gyun and the other First Airborne Forces soldiers stared at Cha Dong-Gyun. His face was covered in cuts and scars, and his military uniform was puffed up, a clear indication that he hadn’t had his wounds properly treated yet and instead had just wrapped more bandages around them.
‘Why is he in such a hurry?’ the soldiers wondered, quite perplexed by his appearance.
Cha Dong-Gyun looked back at the soldiers, then took out cigarettes and a lighter from his pants pocket.
Since it was still January, mornings deep in the mountains were cold and chilly enough to remind people that they were still in the middle of winter.
“Anyone want a smoke?” Cha Dong-Gyun asked.
“No, thank you, sir.”
Despite the soldiers’ refusal, Cha Dong-Gyun started handing out cigarettes to all of them anyway, starting with the Second Lieutenant. He then flicked the lighter on for them.
Chk chk.
“Hoo!” they exhaled, steam and smoke mixing as they came out of their mouths.
“Haven’t you just returned from Africa, sir?” the same soldier asked.
“It’s already been two days.”
“If I may ask, why did this unit need reinforcements so urgently?” he prodded on, wondering if there were plans to dispatch them again somewhere else.
“What’s your name?” Cha Dong-Gyun asked.
“Second Lieutenant Han Jae-Guk, sir.”
Looking straight at Han Jae-Guk, Cha Dong-Gyun put a cigarette in between his lips. “As a member of the Airborne Forces, what do you want to do the most?”
“Me?”
“Yes, you.”
Han Jae-Guk looked at the soldiers who were with him. “I want to fight in the frontlines, sir.”
“In the frontlines, huh? How would you prefer to die, then?”
Han Jae-Guk hesitated for a moment. Steeling his resolve, he answered, “I believe soldiers, combat, and death come hand in hand.”
Having finished his cigarette, Cha Dong-Gyun extinguished its embers. He then threw it into the old paint can next to him.
“We lost eleven men in Africa,” Cha Dong-Gyun said.
The atmosphere around them suddenly grew as cold as the weather.
Cha Dong-Gyun continued, “My brothers fought relentlessly. They left me with experience. I’m thinking of passing on that experience to you all before I forget even a little bit. That’s why I’m in a rush. See that bell?”
The soldiers looked at the bell behind Cha Dong-Gyun. They initially thought it was used to wake the soldiers up or gather them for a meal. However, it now seemed like it had a different purpose.
“If any of you find the training too difficult to endure and wants to quit, you may ring that bell,” Cha Dong-Gyun explained.
Han Jae-Guk smiled defiantly.
‘How dare you imitate the Americans? Let’s see how hard this training really is,’ Han Jae-Guk thought.
Cha Dong-Gyun locked eyes with him, looking quite amused.
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