Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Unexpected Rivals
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[What makes you think that?]
[There are many reasons, but the first that comes to mind is that the mechanical gyroscopes currently fitted in America's ICBMs have numerous problems.]
That was something I was already aware of.
A device first developed at MIT, which achieved unparalleled accuracy after a grueling ten-year refinement process.
But in the pursuit of such high precision, its structure became incredibly complex, and its components were made from exceedingly rare materials.
From what I'd heard, production was limited to just five units a year for those very reasons. Setting aside the astronomical price, the reality was that even responding to failures in existing units was a challenge.
[And?]
[And now, Korea has created a potential solution, so of course we'd be interested, wouldn't we? It would not only reduce the burden of repairs but also allow for the stable expansion of our nuclear delivery systems. Moreover, if it could be applied to cruise missiles like the Tomahawk, it would be like America gaining a divine spear. That's why I'm telling you to make a proper bet on this opportunity.]
[…]
I remained silent for a moment.
Not because I hadn't considered it, but because I was curious about his intentions.
Strictly speaking, he was in a position to represent America's interests, yet his current attitude seemed to be the complete opposite.
[No need to look at me like that. I'm just offering this advice as a way of repaying you for solving a troublesome problem. It's not as if Mr. Jin is suddenly going to make some absurd demand related to nuclear weapons.]
Heh.
I managed a smile, but the feeling was bitter.
Considering the international relations of this era, I was well aware that even if I offered technology far greater than the gyroscope, anything related to nuclear weapons would never be permitted.
But there's truth in every jest.
Even as he urged me to make a bet if I wanted something, Jeffrey's attitude of explicitly drawing the line there was a stark reminder of just how difficult this problem was to solve.
[By the way, I've invited one more guest. Would you mind if he joins us for a moment?]
[Who…?]
His words made me tilt my head in confusion.
At the same time, the chime of a bell sounded as a silver-haired, middle-aged man opened the door and entered.
[To be frank, I wanted to clear things up definitively, so I called someone from Lockheed Martin. His name is Kevin Bryan. He's the director of external affairs.]
Jeffrey spoke as the man made his way over.
It was a completely unexpected situation.
But before I could say anything, Jeffrey stood up, and I rose as well, if only to be polite.
[Sorry I'm late.]
The man greeted Jeffrey, then immediately looked at me.
An awkward silence hung in the air.
Then, as if realizing his mistake, he extended a hand toward me.
[Kevin Bryan.]
[Jin Hyun-seung.]
There was no strength in his handshake.
From the fleeting expression on his face, he didn't seem very comfortable with this meeting either.
Then again, it couldn't have been pleasant to meet like this with someone they had tried so hard to crush.
[Let's not stand around. Please, sit and let's talk.]
At Jeffrey's words, we all sat down almost simultaneously.
Perhaps wanting to save time, Jeffrey immediately turned to Kevin.
[Kevin. A short while ago, Jaewoo Thales and the U.S. Navy reached an agreement on a major cooperative project. I don't have to tell you what that means, do I?]
[Of course. And I'd like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere apologies to Mr. Jin. For the record, Jeremy Jeong from the Korean branch, who planned the last incident, has already been dismissed.]
[…]
Kevin spoke as if he had been waiting for the chance.
He was being almost excessively deferential.
My mind was blank as I tried to process this virtually impossible event.
[Um, Admiral. Is it really impossible to readjust the required specifications?]
After apologizing to me, Kevin hesitated for a moment before speaking to Jeffrey in a meek voice.
It was a conversation whose meaning I couldn't grasp.
I leaned back in my chair and observed them.
[I didn't call you here to talk about that. And this is not the place for such a discussion.]
After his short reply, Jeffrey glanced at me.
Kevin's gaze also flickered toward me for a moment before he let out a long sigh.
[It doesn't matter. The media will be all over it by tomorrow anyway.]
[In that case, I'll be blunt. If our Navy were to raise the required specifications at this point, it would be tantamount to sending a signal that we're deliberately pushing Boeing out. Do you think that's possible?]
[Hah…]
Kevin sighed once more.
For some reason, he looked back at me and spoke in a self-deprecating tone.
[They say you never know what life will throw at you… Now that we're in this position, I think I can finally understand a little of how Jaewoo felt.]
It felt strangely sincere.
To be precise, it was like someone who had reached a state of enlightenment, looking back on their past actions with a hint of remorse.
I suddenly grew curious about what could have demoralized a company like Lockheed so completely.
[Please, don't mind me. Go on with your conversation.]
[Thank you. Mending our relationship with Jaewoo Group is important, but for us, this is a more pressing matter at the moment…]
He gave an awkward smile and looked back at Jeffrey.
Had they decided to stop minding my presence?
The two continued their debate.
[But if perhaps the Secretary of the Navy were to step in… Admiral, please, could you help with that?]
[You're being unreasonable. What do you want me to do when Boeing has already met the required specifications?]
In that instant, a shiver ran down my spine.
No matter how I looked at it, this conversation seemed to be about the U.S. military's next-generation joint strike fighter program.
What was baffling was that it felt like history was unfolding differently. Specifically, the part about Boeing meeting the Navy's requirements was definitely not what had happened in the original timeline.
In the original history, that was the very point where Boeing's defeat became apparent.
So what happens now?
Could it be that the X-32, not the X-35, will become the U.S. military's next joint strike fighter?
[Still, there's no need to be too discouraged. As I said, there are still nearly two years until the final selection. If Lockheed continues to make improvements during that time, there's still a chance, isn't there?]
Jeffrey's words, meant as consolation, seemed to have little effect.
After all, "improvements" was easier said than done.
How could it be easy when even slightly increasing the weapons payload might require a complete redesign?
If nothing else, I could understand how Kevin felt about that.
[I understand. I apologize, but I must be going now.]
In the end, he stood up with a brief farewell.
Just as I thought he was leaving, he suddenly turned back and stared at me intently.
[…]
[I don't know if you've heard the news at Jaewoo.]
[What news?]
[I hear Japan is lobbying heavily through the Sasaki Foundation.]
[…]
[About Motor Sich. It seems Mitsubishi wants to acquire it. Mitsubishi has been eyeing an entry into the civilian aircraft business for a while, and it looks like they're planning to use this as a stepping stone. The symbolic significance of acquiring Motor Sich doesn't just apply to Jaewoo, so this is likely their angle.]
[…Why are you telling me such important information?]
[Well, let's just say it's a form of apology. In any case, if you're still interested in Motor Sich, you'd better start preparing some countermeasures.]
With those final words, Kevin left the restaurant.
A long silence followed.
It was Jeffrey who spoke first.
[I'm sorry, but I knew nothing about that.]
[I'm sure you didn't. That would have been something that happened in the political arena.]
[But why would Japan, at this particular time…]
[Didn't Kevin already answer that question? If the U.S. government permits Japan to acquire Motor Sich, it's equivalent to condoning Japan's entry into the civilian aircraft market. That's what they're after.]
[Then you can't really blame them. After all, Jaewoo and Mitsubishi have the same objective.]
[You're right. They're just acting in their own self-interest, so I can't fault them for that. I'm sorry, but I think I should be going as well.]
I gave a short answer and rose from my seat.
I stood up, leaving Jeffrey with a brief farewell.
[What are you going to do?]
[What do you think? Understanding is one thing. But ultimately, they've put their spoon on a table someone else set. I can't just stand by and watch that, can I? I'll have to throw that spoon into a pile of shit.]
[…]
******
[Ryan?]
The moment I left the restaurant, I called Ryan.
He happened to be in Washington and came running at my call, and we settled into a café he frequented.
[Is it because it's been a while? You look completely worn out.]
Ryan tossed out a casual joke… damn it, or was it not a joke?
His expression seemed to suggest it wasn't.
[I suppose I look that way because I haven't been sleeping well with all the work lately. How have you been?]
[I'm just as tired. It's not easy sucking up to pot-bellied politicians. By the way, I figured you'd be curious, so I'll tell you now—Kate's been admitted to the hospital. Her condition has gotten so serious that we can't manage it at home anymore. I think we might be hearing bad news soon.]
So, this was as far as her fate would take her.
It wasn't like I gave her the illness, but I still felt uneasy.
The only comfort was that I was covering her hospital bills, but it seemed that wouldn't last much longer either.
[Anyway, what's the deal with Boeing and Lockheed?]
I shook off my thoughts and asked.
He, who had been distracted by his phone, immediately leaned toward me and spoke.
[I was just about to tell you about that. Boeing actually succeeded in improving the performance of the X-32. Because of that, they completely spoiled Lockheed's party.]
[…]
[Well, some people are saying Lockheed still has the upper hand since there's time left, but who knows. Boeing completely fixed the issue of exhaust gas being re-ingested into the intake, which solved the engine power problem. Not only that, but their weapons capability has now surpassed Lockheed's.]
If the gas re-ingestion problem was solved, then Boeing definitely still had a chance to win.
No, with Boeing's excellence in weapons control, they might even turn the tables completely.
If this goes on, I might actually witness history being completely rewritten.
[Anyway, what was that you said on the phone earlier? Mitsubishi is trying to take over Motor Sich? I've never heard anything about that.]
Ryan's sudden words snapped me back to attention.
Right now, that was the most important issue for me.
I immediately pushed aside my other thoughts and explained.
[They didn't use official lobbyists, so you might not have heard. According to Lockheed, the Sasaki Foundation is involved, which means a big shot in the Democratic Party who's friendly with them must be in on it.]
[Hmm… that's possible. The Sasaki Foundation has always poured enormous amounts of money into the Democratic Party. Anyway, if that's how things are playing out, what's Jaewoo's plan? It won't be easy to snatch it away if Japan already has the ruling Democratic Party in its pocket.]
[Then we'll use the Republican Party.]
[…]
Ryan stared at me with wide eyes.
A moment later, as he understood the meaning, a wide grin spread across his face.
[You mean to tackle them through the Senate. Since the Republicans control the Senate right now.]
[Exactly. I'll provide the ammunition. You get the Republican senators who have influence in national defense on our side. And if possible, find some dirt on the Democratic congressmen who took money from the Sasaki Foundation.]
[So, we trip them up and make a deal?]
I nodded immediately.
It didn't seem like an impossible plan, as a smile spread across Ryan's lips.
[That's all well and good, but how are you going to handle the fallout? In the end, the Democratic congressmen who become scapegoats are people who can put pressure on this country's administration. This incident could make Jaewoo a permanent enemy of the Democratic Party.]
That doesn't matter.
In a few years, the Republicans will take power in the U.S. again.
Besides, American politics runs on the logic of money.
Even if we're on their bad side for a while, it's a problem money can eventually solve.
[But I can't just stand by and let someone else steal the meal I prepared. The question is whether there's any leverage to be found. Is it possible?]
Ryan looked at me quietly.
Then he let out a chuckle and suddenly reached out to pat my shoulder.
[You don't know the half of it. In this country, the ones with the most dirt to shake out are the politicians.]
[That's a relief.]
A grin.