Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Papa Bear is Calling
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[One moment.]
Alexei's expression hardened as he gestured to the people around him.
At the same time, the NIS Director whispered something to his agents, who promptly exited the room, leaving only Alexei, myself, and the Director.
“I assume we don’t need to worry about eavesdropping here?”
Still, just to be sure, I asked the NIS Director.
He nodded with a stern face and pointed to the door the others had just left through.
“There are no windows here, and the door is perfectly soundproofed, so no sound can escape. Furthermore, we conduct anti-wiretapping sweeps four times a day. To be honest, while this may be a front company, its security is on par with the NIS headquarters. You have no need to worry.”
Only then did I feel at ease.
Perhaps trying to ease the tension, the Director personally poured cups of coffee and placed them in front of Alexei and me.
[Actually, if Russia is that committed, we are more than willing to agree to the exchange.]
I said to Alexei, who was just picking up his coffee cup.
A bright expression slowly spread across his face.
But the most important part was yet to come.
[However, any weapons developed using the gyro technology we provide must not be revealed to the world for the next five years.]
[What is the meaning of this…?]
Alexei stared at me, his tone incredulous.
[Are you aware that this constitutes interference in our internal affairs?]
[You could see it that way, but for us, it’s a necessary safeguard. If Russia were to immediately unveil what it created with our technology, the United States would suspect us. Who would handle the fallout from that?]
[Damn it… But can you trust us? What will you do if we break our promise and release it within that timeframe?]
[Then we’ll have to insist it wasn’t something we gave you, but technology that was stolen. By the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, no less.]
[…….]
[And if the U.S. uses that as a pretext to ask us to join in sanctioning Russia, we will comply without hesitation.]
[Heh…]
Alexei looked at me, dumbfounded.
What was he thinking? Suddenly, his expression turned dead serious.
[Is that the only condition?]
[Well, for now…]
[Then I will report this to my superiors. No matter how I look at it, this isn’t something I can resolve on my own.]
Alexei avoided giving a direct answer.
But the technology exchange would eventually happen.
And whatever choice they made after that didn't matter to me.
If they kept their promise, that would be good.
And even if they broke it, I had already warned them of the actions we would take.
[It will likely take some time. As you know, the political situation in Russia is quite complicated right now. In any case, I will contact you again as soon as possible.]
The relaxed demeanor he’d shown at the airport was gone, replaced by a sense of urgency.
No, the unexpected turn of events had completely wiped away his composure.
Sure enough, as he turned to leave, a rueful complaint escaped his lips.
[Damn it. I was planning to relax and get one of those famous body scrubs while I was here, but it looks like I’ll have to give that up.]
******
[“Good evening, everyone. This morning, the Ministry of National Defense announced its decision to pursue indigenous development for South Korea’s next-generation attack helicopter project. Jaewoo Aerospace has been selected as the lead developer, with the total project cost estimated to reach up to three trillion won over four years.”]
A few days later, the news reported that Jaewoo Aerospace had been selected for the nation’s large attack helicopter project.
For a while, debates raged across various sectors about the project's feasibility, but public opinion eventually shifted, acknowledging that there was no alternative after the U.S. refused to sell the Apache, and the controversy died down.
“Congratulations!”
A month later, amidst lingering concerns, Jaewoo Aerospace officially began its transition into an attack helicopter development system.
The funny thing was America’s reaction.
After being so arrogant the whole time, the U.S. finally hinted at the possibility of selling the Apache.
But this time, it was our government that made them back down by demanding a technology transfer they could never agree to.
“I don’t know if I can handle this.”
The new CEO appointed to Jaewoo Aerospace was Yoon Sang-hyun.
The purpose was for him to oversee the newly launched attack helicopter project.
Was it because he had my and Chairman Jin's full trust? Despite the personnel change being tantamount to a demotion on the surface, his expression was full of confidence.
“I’m sorry for burdening you with such a heavy task, CEO Yoon.”
“What could I do? It’s the first serious favor you’ve ever asked of me, Hyun-seung. By the way, I hear your research institute will be developing the components directly?”
“It’s the only way to shorten the development time.”
In truth, shortening the development time was just a convenient excuse.
After landing a massive project worth nearly three trillion won, my own research institute had to get a piece of the pie.
I couldn't just let an opportunity to rake in over 500 billion won in profits from component and material development alone slip through my fingers.
“True. This whole project was started with faith in your institute’s technological capabilities from the beginning.”
Besides, the institute’s growth rate was staggering.
As they say, strike while the iron is hot. It was my hope—my ambition—to use this opportunity to drastically expand the institute’s scale.
‘By the way, isn't the institute's current valuation just over one trillion won?’
At this rate of growth, my institute alone would easily surpass the scale of most domestic defense companies by next year.
“By the way, have you heard anything from your brother?”
Jin Hyun-cheol, who had resigned as CEO of Aerospace, had recently moved over to the construction division.
I wasn't exactly on speaking terms with him.
When I shrugged, CEO Yoon clicked his tongue and muttered.
“Tsk, tsk. Now that the succession is all but settled, you two should try to let go of the bad blood.”
“There’s no bad blood to let go of. We just find it uncomfortable to face each other.”
“Still, for the Chairman’s sake, I wish you two would get along. Hyun-cheol might have been a bit greedy, but he’s not an unreasonable guy.”
“I know. But is my father really okay? Health-wise?
I asked, since the topic had come up.
Over the past few months, Chairman Jin’s health had declined; he was noticeably thinner than before.
But as soon as I asked, CEO Yoon subtly changed the subject.
“The coughing is just because his lungs have always been weak. For now, you should visit him often so he doesn’t feel neglected.”
Watching CEO Yoon enter the Aerospace building after that brief remark, I was sure something was going on.
The problem was that no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t find out what it was.
I’d even gone so far as to visit Chairman Jin’s personal physician, but even he seemed reluctant to talk about the Chairman’s health.
Damn it. It’s not like I could drag him to a hospital myself to get him checked out.
“Hm?”
Just as I was lost in thought, my phone rang.
The long, complex caller ID suggested an international call, and I had a good idea who it was.
-Hey! Hyun-seung. It’s Ryan.
My guess was spot on.
A smile was about to form on my lips out of pleasure, but his excited words came pouring out.
-I called to see if you’d heard the news. About Motor Sich. It turns out China is trying to acquire them.
[Is that so?]
I’d expected this, so it wasn’t particularly surprising.
The problem was that China, already under scrutiny from the U.S. for the technology theft incident, seemed to be rushing in too recklessly.
I didn’t understand why they kept overplaying their hand when they weren't in a position to be assertive.
[The U.S. government will obviously be against it, right?]
-You even have to ask? Washington is in an uproar over it. They’re already on edge with China because of the hacking incident, and now this just pokes the bear. Thanks to that, I hear Lockheed is getting an earful.
[What do you mean…?]
-If Jaewoo had just acquired them, things wouldn’t have gotten this complicated. Which brings me to my point—things are starting to move in the direction you predicted.
[…….]
-You know, what you said before? That the U.S. government might end up approaching Jaewoo first. That kind of talk is starting to circulate among government officials. Anyway, what are you going to do now?
The Motor Sich acquisition was, in fact, a crucial matter for me.
Putting everything else aside, the U.S. allowing it would be tantamount to condoning our fighter jet development.
In other words, it meant we could rule out American interference in our future indigenous fighter jet development.
[Hmm…]
Of course, there were difficulties.
Their heat-resistance technology, with a turbine inlet temperature of only 1200°C, was vastly inferior to Western engines that surpassed 1600°C.
The durability of their components was also significantly lower than that of their Western counterparts.
[If an offer comes, I’ll naturally have to accept.]
Nevertheless, the reason I could make the decision so readily was their large aircraft manufacturing technology.
The fighter jet engines wouldn't be a problem as long as the technology exchange with Russia was successful.
But Motor Sich’s large turbofan engines, contra-rotating prop engines, and the engines for the super-heavy transport helicopters they supplied to the Mil Design Bureau were things I truly coveted.
If we could acquire that, it would open the door to developing not just tactical command and control aircraft, but also transport planes, anti-submarine patrol aircraft, and even entry into the commercial airliner market.
The remaining challenge would be how to raise the turbine's superalloy heat-resistance technology to my desired level of 1800°C, but I’d probably have to find another way for that.
[Anyway, thanks for the update.]
-I didn’t call for thanks. I just wanted to give you a heads-up so you can prepare. By the way, you must feel pretty satisfied. Lockheed, who gave you so much trouble, is now getting chewed out by the U.S. government. Oh, that reminds me, there’s one more piece of news.
[What is it now?]
-Boeing is in a festive mood lately. I can’t tell you why, but just know that this could potentially change the entire market landscape. Anyway, I’ll call you again later.
[…….]
The reason he hung up without saying what he really wanted to was probably fear of being wiretapped.
As a lobbyist, he would be under intense surveillance by the U.S. government. In fact, I had to assume this entire conversation was being monitored by the NSA.
“Tsk.”
Considering that, I needed to be careful too.
Was it possible I wasn't under surveillance, given I was already doing business with the U.S. military?
No, forget surveillance; wiretapping was probably rampant. That's why I've recently made it a rule never to give instructions on important matters over the phone.
‘Anyway, what kind of event could change the market landscape?’
What came to mind was the joint stealth fighter development program currently underway in the U.S. for the Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.
No, it wasn’t just for the U.S., but a product that would eventually be sold to its allies as well.
But wasn't that project supposed to go to Lockheed?
Historically, that’s what led to the creation of the F-35.
‘Other than that, there’s nothing that could shake up the U.S. aircraft market…’
*Pfft.*
After mulling it over for a while, I let out a dry laugh.
When I thought about it, what did it really matter to me?
The important thing for me right now was the success of the negotiations with Russia and whether it would enable our indigenous fighter development, not the power struggles between American aviation companies.
“I need to see you for a moment.”
Shaking my throbbing head, I waved toward one side of the lobby.
As if he’d been waiting, the Head of Security, who was on standby, rushed over.
“Yes, Senior Managing Director.”
“I might be pulling an all-nighter here with CEO Yoon today, so tell Secretary Yang he can go home. And I’m sorry, but I’ll need you and a few of your team to stay.”
“Understood.”
The Head of Security, recently discharged from the military, hadn’t yet shed his old habits.
He would habitually bring his hand to his head in a salute after every response.
Because of that, my own hand had reflexively shot up more than once.
*Ring, ring.*
Just as he was about to turn away, the phone rang again.
“What’s with today?”
This time, the number on the screen was the NIS Director’s.
It was probably a call to congratulate me on the official launch of the attack helicopter project.
“Yes, Director.”
-Senior Managing Director Jin, sorry to call when you’re so busy.
“No, it’s fine.”
-If you’re in Seoul right now, could you come to the Blue House?
My prediction was completely off.
But what did I just hear?
“Where?”
-The Blue House. I’m sending Deputy Director Im to you now, so please come with him.
“Has something happened?”
-Papa Bear called.
“……”
-Anyway, let’s talk when you get here. This isn’t something to discuss over the phone.
Papa Bear?
Could it be… the President of Russia?