Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: A Strategic Proposal
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“Please, have a seat.”
I found myself facing the Deputy Director of the NIS again, this time at a wine bar in Gangnam.
The peculiar thing was, aside from us, there wasn’t another customer in sight.
Then again, with burly men blocking the entrance like that, I doubted many people would be in the mood for a drink here.
“Here we are, the wine is served. The Deputy Director is quite insistent on Schubert, so I brought this, but I’m not sure if it will suit your palate.”
The man serving us was just as suspicious as the others.
This place, then, was likely one of the NIS’s operational bases.
I’d seen plenty of front operations disguised as ordinary offices, but a wine bar was a first. I had to wonder whose taste this was.
“First, there’s one thing we need to be clear about.”
As I accepted the glass, Deputy Director Im Hyo-sik stared at me intently.
A smile still lingered on his face.
He was the type whose true thoughts were impossible to read.
“Go on.”
“If I don’t make it out of here, my secretary might just break down the door. As you’ve seen, he’s more than strong enough to do it.”
“…Pardon?”
He looked utterly bewildered.
He couldn't have missed that I was just trying to break the heavy tension.
My intention seemed to work, as a mixture of bewilderment and amusement spread across the faces of the stiff agents around us.
“That won’t happen, so please, speak freely.”
“Well, in that case, I’ll be frank. The reason I wanted to meet the person in charge of the Brown Bear Project was to discuss a matter of grave importance.”
“Discuss? What could you possibly have to discuss with us about that project, Mr. Jin?”
He tilted his head, feigning curiosity.
But the glint in his eyes told me he was eager to hear what I had to say.
“If my involvement can prevent an unnecessary operation, isn’t that something worth discussing?”
“An unnecessary operation?”
“I’m talking about the NIS’s plan to smuggle a Russian ICBM in the form of scrap metal.”
It was possible the event had already happened.
But I took the shot, holding on to a sliver of hope.
A sliver of hope that the distortion of history might have affected this event as well.
*In the original timeline, the agency wasn’t renamed the NIS until 1999, but he’s already calling it that. This means history has already been twisted here. I just have to hope that operation was pushed back, not moved forward.*
Flinch!
The Deputy Director’s expression hardened in an instant.
That was proof the incident wasn’t just a fabrication.
Now, the important question was whether the operation had already been carried out.
“How do you know about that? That operation hasn’t even been approved by the Director yet. Damn it, where are these leaks coming from?”
The last part was a complaint directed at the agents around him.
The startled agents practically shrunk into their collars like turtles, but the Deputy Director couldn't seem to calm his anger.
“Damn it all, this is killing me.”
In any case, if it hadn’t been approved, it meant the operation hadn’t started yet.
A huge relief.
In that case, it was worth a try.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t reveal my source. Not even if you do something to me.”
His eyes narrowed at my words.
I worried he might press for an answer, but thankfully, he didn’t repeat the question.
“Fine. We’ll deal with that later. For now, tell me why we should halt this operation.”
“The NIS’s intention in smuggling an ICBM is to acquire ballistic missile and atmospheric re-entry technology.”
“…”
“But there are limits to what you can achieve through reverse engineering. That’s why I’m saying there’s no need to attempt such a pointless operation.”
“Hmm…”
A long sigh escaped Deputy Director Im Hyo-sik’s lips.
Coming from the development team leader of a defense contractor, my words must have carried some weight.
Still, the reason he ultimately shook his head was probably because of the ADD’s claims.
Their arrogant assertion that they could develop any weapon as long as they had a physical sample to reverse-engineer.
Damn it, I too was once caught in that same overconfidence.
“That’s a bit different from what the ADD claims. Dr. Hwang and most of the researchers at ADD were confident they could develop it as long as they could get their hands on a physical model.”
As expected, he mentioned the ADD, doubting my credibility.
It wasn't like I could say, ‘Listen to me, I used to be the head of the ADD.’
Instead, I took a piece of paper and a pen from the counter and began to explain, drawing various symbols.
“The most critical part of atmospheric re-entry technology is material science—developing materials that can withstand extreme heat.”
“I’m aware of that.”
“In addition, you need solid-fuel propellant technology and a highly precise gyroscope. These things have limitations when it comes to development through simple reverse engineering, which is why the NIS won’t gain much even if you bring in an ICBM.”
He looked confused throughout my explanation.
What was he thinking? After muttering to himself for a long while, he spoke in a low voice.
“Hmm… if what you’re saying is true, then to acquire complete ballistic missile technology, we’d be better off just buying the source technology.”
Historically, that was indeed how things had played out.
The NIS had carried out the largest operation in its history to smuggle a Russian ICBM as scrap metal.
But the ADD was ultimately unable to overcome the technological hurdles, and in the end, our military decided to start over with short-range missile development.
That led to the decision to purchase Iskander technology from Russia and build our own platform with it.
That’s the development history of the Hyunmoo-2A ballistic missile.
“Damn it… No wonder those Russkie generals were so willing to hand over an ICBM. I understand for now. I’ll discuss this with the ADD officials again based on what you’ve told me. We’ll decide whether to proceed with the operation or to buy the Iskander technology through the Russian military.”
“No, there’s no need to buy it from Russia.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
Deputy Director Im Hyo-sik tilted his head.
“Because we at Jaewoo can build you a ballistic missile on par with the Iskander. In fact, that was the fundamental reason I wanted to meet you.”
“What in the world!”
It must have been hard to believe.
That in a country that was a barren wasteland for ballistic missile technology, there existed a company with technology on the level of the advanced Iskander.
But was it just the Iskander?
After building upon that foundation, we now possessed not only medium-range missile technology but also space rocket technology using solid fuel.
In truth, if we had the funds, we could even develop an ICBM.
“Are you saying that Jaewoo truly possesses ballistic missile manufacturing technology?”
“Of course.”
“How?”
I remained silent on that point.
Frustrated, Deputy Director Im Hyo-sik chewed his lip for a moment before exclaiming with a sudden realization.
“Don’t tell me you bought the missile technology from the Russian military?”
It would have been a plausible scenario for him to imagine.
Given the current chaotic state of Russia, it wasn’t impossible. In fact, the NIS had acquired cruise missiles in a similar fashion.
Since I had intended to use that as my excuse anyway, I simply nodded.
“Well, well… For a private defense contractor to pull something like that off is nothing short of amazing. But how on earth did you not get caught?”
“Well, that’s…”
“Did you know? Our NIS faced all sorts of pressure from the Russian government just trying to bring in a single cruise missile. Ah, but you must already know that. According to Chairman Lee Ki-ho, you mentioned that very fact to pressure him into arranging this meeting with me.”
“It wasn’t so much pressure as it was using the information I had. And I’m afraid I can’t tell you how we avoided the Russian government’s notice. It was a method that came at a considerable cost.”
“I’m sure it was. We anticipate that if we were to proceed with our operation, the sacrifices would be substantial. But even if you bought the technology, there’s no guarantee you can make it a reality, is there? Jaewoo is not the ADD.”
“You seem to doubt Jaewoo’s technical capabilities, but you shouldn’t forget that we are the company that developed smart munitions, something the ADD couldn’t even dream of.”
“…”
“In other words, while the ADD may represent this country’s military technology, it doesn’t hold absolute superiority. On the condition of your silence, I’ll tell you one more thing. In theory, we are already projecting the potential to develop a missile with a range of 800 kilometers and a warhead weight of 2 tons.”
That was with the Hyunmoo-4 in mind.
A weapon that could be called the most powerful short-range missile on Earth.
With a massive 2-ton warhead.
A monster that used gravitational acceleration to impact at Mach 10.
“A 2-ton warhead? W-wait. A range of 800 kilometers…”
Deputy Director Im Hyo-sik looked momentarily flustered.
Range aside, a 2-ton warhead had immense strategic value.
His eyes darted back and forth, imagining what it would mean for us to possess such a weapon.
“But that’s just a possibility. For now, we’d have to create something that wouldn’t provoke a backlash from neighboring countries.”
Even so, there would be a backlash.
Frankly, building a ballistic missile is difficult the first time, but improving an existing one isn't nearly as hard.
Before my return, the government had developed a 500-kilometer-range missile but kept it secret for a long time for that very reason. Considering the international political climate of the time, it was the right call.
Only a fool would show their claws before they had the proper strength to back them up.
“Hmm…”
The Deputy Director looked relieved, yet troubled, for a while.
After some time passed, he downed his wine in one gulp and shot up from his seat.
“It seems this is not a matter I can resolve on my own.”
Huh? What was this nonsense?
Saying it wasn’t his problem to solve now?
You said you were in charge.
“I’m sorry, but please give me some time. Someone from the NIS will come for you soon.”
“…”
“Oh, and one more thing. Don’t be alarmed if you see these men around for a while. It’s not surveillance, but a measure to protect you, Senior Managing Director Jin, in case anything happens.”
“…Pardon?”
******
“Senior Managing Director…”
A few days later, just as he’d promised, the Deputy Director sent several NIS agents to my office.
The quick-witted Secretary Kim, looking thoroughly intimidated, informed me of their arrival, and I used lunch as an excuse to follow them out.
“Where are we going?”
“Naegok-dong.”
Naegok-dong was where the NIS headquarters was located.
As expected of an intelligence agency, I had to undergo a thorough search. Even the briefcase I brought for the briefing was inspected for a long time.
“Am I going to meet the Director of the NIS?”
Our final destination was the office of the NIS Director.
So he was the true final decision-maker for the Brown Bear Project.
As I expected, when I entered the room, several middle-aged men, including the NIS Director, were seated inside.
“Welcome.”
The first person to extend a hand to me was, naturally, the NIS Director.
The nameplate I glimpsed on his desk read Ahn Si-hyun.
From his appearance, he didn't seem to have a military background; he looked like someone who had spent his entire career in intelligence.
“Jin Hyun-seung of Jaewoo Thales.”
“A pleasure to meet you. I am Ahn Si-hyun, Director of the National Intelligence Service.”
His tone was quite affable.
It was a demeanor that didn’t quite fit his position as the nation’s intelligence chief.
But that was just his exterior. What lay beneath, I couldn’t yet tell.
“Is everyone here?”
Just as I shook his hand and was about to sit down, the door opened again and someone else entered.
*Thud!*
Everyone in the room shot to their feet.
Puzzled, I turned my head to see a familiar figure standing there, solid and imposing.
“The Minister of National Defense?”