The Switchblade and Korea Aerospace
As the rebels advanced, relying on their superior numbers, the SEAL team members returned fire with everything they had. However, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the enemy, they were forced to retreat step by step. Realizing they needed to reach the road to facilitate their extraction, Eric keyed his radio again. "We're still pinned down by heavy numbers. How much longer?"
"The Switchblade has arrived on station. Which sector should we engage first?"
Eric scanned the front, where the hail of bullets was thickest, and identified the area where the rebels were most concentrated. "It's difficult to pinpoint specific targets from my current position. You have authorization for autonomous engagement."
Receiving the order, the SEAL support team utilized infrared sensors to track the heat signatures of the rebels. They identified the most densely packed cluster and initiated the strike immediately. As the rebels firing toward the front suddenly saw their comrades collapse from explosions raining down from above, they scattered in search of cover. In the ensuing confusion, Eric led his team in a tactical retreat.
Huddled behind cover, the rebels noticed the lack of return fire from the front. A man who appeared to be their commander signaled for one of his subordinates to move forward. After confirming the area ahead was clear, the subordinate gestured for the rest to advance. Realizing that infantry alone couldn't handle the special forces team that had successfully snatched the hostages, the rebel commander ordered his men to bring up the armed trucks from the rear.
The rebels, packed into armed trucks and standard transports, picked up speed to hunt down the retreating Americans. They spotted the SEALs running just a short distance from the village. The rebels in the armed trucks opened fire with machine guns, forcing the SEAL team to scramble for cover once more.
Watching the engagement from afar, the support team launched another Switchblade. They guided the drone directly over the armed trucks and struck the truck beds where the machine guns were mounted.
"Damn it! If we could launch multiple units at once, we could wipe them all out in one go..."
Smith, from the SEAL support team, hurriedly loaded another Switchblade into the launcher to cover his teammates. The team leader kept radioing for them to hurry, and Smith and his colleague frantically operated their terminals to target the remaining rebel vehicles. Once Smith confirmed the location of the machine-gun-mounted truck on his display, he commanded the Switchblade to self-destruct into the target. Seeing the truck explode, Eric fired at the approaching infantry from behind his cover and issued orders to his team.
"Retreat in sequence, starting with the lead element."
The SEALs began to fall back, shielded by covering fire from the rear. The rebels, though rattled by the explosion of their truck, pushed forward behind their remaining vehicles, driven by a desire for revenge. Smith, having expended his last Switchblade, grabbed his rifle and sprinted forward to rescue his isolated teammates, beginning to neutralize the closest rebels to provide support.
Eric watched the approaching rebels. "Check your magazines! Check your magazines!" Realizing his own ammunition was nearly dry, Eric took a fresh magazine from a teammate and returned fire with single, precise shots. The rebels began to build a perimeter, using their trucks to flank the team rather than attacking head-on. As Eric fired his last remaining round, he checked the status of his team's ammo. They, too, had fired their final magazines and were drawing their sidearms.
"Damn it! Looks like this is my last operation in Iraq."
At Eric's mutter, a teammate replied, "Team leader, I dreamt of my wife yesterday, and she told me this operation would be a success..."
The two men checked their pistol rounds and fired at the approaching rebels. Eric pulled out his last grenade and ordered his team, "We'll buy you time. You guys get out of here."
A teammate who still had ammunition fired at the rebels hiding behind the truck. "Team leader, we're all pulling out together! You promised to buy us beer after this op!"
Watching his men defy his orders, Eric offered a self-deprecating smile. "Well, at least we got the hostages out... stubborn bastards. They never listen to a word I say!"
Lying behind cover and looking up at the sky, Eric heard a low, humming sound. He looked forward and saw the approaching trucks erupt in fire. Moments later, an unfamiliar voice crackled over the common channel.
"Hey, you sea-dogs! You couldn't handle a bunch of rookies, so we're here to provide support."
There was only one group that called the SEALs "sea-dogs," so Eric grumbled as he replied, "Hey, Delta! You're late! ...But thanks for coming."
Delta Force, providing rear-guard security, had deployed their own Switchblades to eliminate the rebel trucks. Eric and his team lay behind their cover, gasping for air. When the trucks they had been using for cover exploded, the rebels began to retreat back into the village. Once Eric confirmed the enemy had vanished, he rose from his cover and began his final retreat.
The U.S. command dispatched attack helicopters and transport choppers for the hostages and the exhausted SEAL team. Upon returning to base, Eric submitted his helmet camera footage, which had recorded the entire operation, to the command staff. Seeking to shift negative public opinion regarding the ongoing casualties after the declaration of the end of the Iraq War, the U.S. military edited the footage of the rescue and held a briefing. The SEAL team's rescue operation was broadcast as breaking news across the globe.
As the footage of the SEAL team destroying the Iraqi rebel trucks played repeatedly on the news, their heroic actions were highlighted, and simultaneously, the excellence of the Switchblade was promoted to the world.
Taesik, who had caught the breaking news of the hostage rescue, wore a pleased smile as he received a call from Park In-tak, the CEO of Starlink Defense.
"Representative, have you seen the news?"
"Are you talking about the hostage rescue report?"
"Yes. Along with the rescue news, there are continuous follow-up reports on our Switchblade, and we've received an interview request from ANN to introduce the system."
"Hahaha. You have to strike while the iron is hot. Why don't you handle the interview yourself, CEO Park?"
"Understood. I'll make sure to use this opportunity to properly promote the Switchblade."
Taesik hung up the phone, listening to the joyful tone of CEO Park's voice, hoping for a surge in Switchblade sales. Following CEO Park's interview, requests for sales and participation in the coalition forces in Iraq poured in from the UK and Australia, and other nations began inquiring about the specifications and pricing of the Switchblade.
While Starlink Communication was preparing for a new contract with Dae-A Motors and Starlink Defense was continuing its sales of the Switchblade, good news arrived from the Ministry of National Defense.
"Representative, I'm not sure if you remember me, but this is Major General Choi Young-gyu, whom you met during the Switchblade test evaluation."
Taesik, remembering Major General Choi, who had promised to support the acquisition of Korea Aerospace alongside his positive evaluation of the Switchblade, answered immediately.
"Ah! Of course I remember you."
"The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy has finally sent an opinion that they will proceed with the public sale of Korea Aerospace. The problem is that the government only holds a 27% stake, so additional shares will be needed to secure management rights."
"That alone is sufficient. I will take care of the rest."
At the news of the Korea Aerospace sale, Taesik immediately called Executive Director Jung Jae-hoon of Dae-A Motors.
"Executive Director Jung Jae-hoon. Do you have a moment?"
Executive Director Jung of Dae-A Motors, surprised by Taesik's sudden call, replied, "The new car preparations are going without a hitch, so what is this call about?"
"The government has announced it will sell its stake in Korea Aerospace. I understand that Dae-A Heavy Industries holds a 10% stake in Korea Aerospace. Would it be possible for me to acquire it?"
"Korea Aerospace... are you talking about the aerospace company formed by the merger of Misung, Dae-A, and Daeyoung?"
"Yes, that's correct. Starlink is looking to acquire it for business diversification. I will offer a 5% premium over the current market price."
"Hmm... even though I am a second-generation executive, I cannot make the decision to sell shares held by an affiliate on my own. I will report this to the Chairman and get back to you."
"I look forward to a positive response."
After ending the call with Executive Director Jung, Taesik picked up the phone again and called the Misung Group, which also held shares in Korea Aerospace.
"Vice Chairman Jeon! This is Kim Taesik from Starlink."
"What brings you to call, Representative Kim?"
Taesik repeated the conversation he had with Executive Director Jung and requested the sale of the 10% stake in Korea Aerospace held by the Misung Group.
"I understand. I will give you a call after I receive the Chairman's decision."
To secure management rights for Korea Aerospace, Taesik needed the shares held by Dae-A and Misung in addition to the government's stake, so he waited with an earnest heart for a positive response.
The Ministry of National Defense invited Taesik to the production launch ceremony for the first mass-produced T-50 advanced trainer aircraft developed by Korea Aerospace. Taesik attended the event with Department Head Park Kyung-hoon to gather information on Korea Aerospace before the acquisition.
Upon arriving at Korea Aerospace in Sacheon, Gyeongnam, an event official guided Taesik to the venue. The executives of Korea Aerospace looked at Taesik with puzzled expressions as the representative of Starlink visited, alongside officials from the Ministry of National Defense and the Air Force.
"I am Kim Seok, the CEO of Korea Aerospace. Nice to meet you."
The CEO of Korea Aerospace exchanged business cards with Taesik and then checked the purpose of his visit with a curious look. "I heard recently that Starlink has entered the defense sector, but what brings you to Korea Aerospace?"
Taesik, unable to reveal his intention to acquire Korea Aerospace just yet, answered cautiously. "I was requested by the Ministry of National Defense to attend the T-50 production launch ceremony, so I visited. It is the only aircraft manufacturer in the country, so the factory site is quite large."
The CEO, who had been looking at Taesik with suspicion, left to greet the high-ranking officials from the Ministry of National Defense as they arrived. Taesik observed the atmosphere, looking at the factory landscape and the executives of Korea Aerospace. The executives, mostly former government officials and military personnel, exchanged pleasantries with the high-ranking officials from the Ministry and Air Force, addressing them as seniors and juniors. Department Head Park Kyung-hoon conveyed the information he had gathered to Taesik.
"30% of the executives are former government officials. Since they lack professional management mindsets, the company is barely avoiding a deficit."
"Where is this CEO Kim Seok from?"
"He is a former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy. He passed the civil service exam and is known to be a senior to the current Minister."
"If we acquire it, a total overhaul will be necessary."
As Taesik was not a government official, he moved comfortably around the venue, examining the KT-1 basic trainer and the T-50 advanced trainer on display. One of the executives approached and spoke to him.
"Our T-50 advanced trainer was developed quite well, wasn't it? I am Jo Yun-je, a director at Korea Aerospace."
After a brief greeting, Taesik asked a question about the T-50 advanced trainer.
"Looking at the wing shape, it seems to be equipped with pylons for armament. Is a follow-up model being developed?"
"I heard Starlink acquired Misung Thales, but you seem to know more about aircraft than I thought."
Director Jo Yun-je gave a brief briefing on the T-50 he was in charge of and then asked Taesik about his own questions.