Krasnaya Gora, Republic of Svetvostok
Bar'yer Palace was orderly and chaotic. A tightly equipped government system since the establishment of the democratic government was preventing panic from spreading to chaos. Still, Svetvostok's members of the government had to deal with international political issues that they had never experienced before in the most dangerous international political situation since the Great Patriotic War. Waves from Matsume and Kaskadia were huge. Waves from the Aureumterra could engulf Svetvostok.
Extraordinary meetings, which only bring together the president and key secretaries, are a system that determines the overall foreign and defense policies of Svetvostok. Unlike regular meetings, which involve all secretaries, extraordinary meetings are not official events, but they have higher expertise in that they are attended by key secretaries related to foreign affairs and defense.
Extraordinary meetings have the advantage of professionalism, but their shortcomings are also clear. Major secretaries are mostly ambitious figures, and because of this, they often have disagreements at meetings.
"To be honest, the Matsume war is none of our business. We have a good relationship with Neo-Korea, and we and they share a common goal of opposing foreign colonialism. And Matsume is not a meaningful partner for us. In recent years, cooperation with Neo-Korea has been increasing, and the President recently proposed a ministerial meeting with Neo-Korea. Expressing support for Neo-Korea at this critical juncture will greatly contribute to our diplomatic efforts." |
"To put it all together, the Matsume attack by Neo-Korea is justified. Matsume sank a Neo-Korea ship. Whatever the circumstances, it is reasonable to assume that Matsume sank a Neo-Korea ship for now. And to keep Aureumterra in check, we need cooperation with Neo-Korea." |
The Secretary of the Treasury Kim Juyeon was silently listening to others. She sometimes wrote something down, sometimes nodding her head and listening to others. (A nod of course does not mean sympathy for the opinion.) When Viktor Shevchenko was done, Kim Juyeon began to speak as if she had been waiting.
"I listened to others well. They all have a point. Matsume is not an attractive partner for us, and Neo-Korea is a diplomatically important partner, in contrast to Matsume. However, I have to wonder whether Neo-Korea can bring Matsume to its knees. Of course, Neo-Korea is a military powerhouse, but it lack the ability to project its forces into other regions or continents. The Air Force, which is a means by which they can pose a real threat to Matsume, recently suffered a massive failure. If air forces with modern capabilities haven't produced anything, it's obvious what their navy will be able to do." |
When Kim Juyeon finished speaking, someone turned on the microphone and began to defend Kim Juyeon. Surprisingly, it was the Secretary of Intelligence Illya Kozlov who came forward to fire support at Kim Juyeon. This was a bit of a mystery, considering the competitive relationship between the two.
"Based on the analysis by the Ministry of Intelligence, it is unlikely that Matsume made a preemptive attack. Neo-Korea was preparing military preparations even before the sinking of a merchant ship, and all the circumstances were revealed too quickly, and all of Neo-Korea's military actions seemed as if they were prepared in advance. Also, starting a war with just the sinking of a merchant ship is an overly aggressive response. Neo-Korea seems to have waited for the sinking of a merchant ship to happen." |
The score seemed to be 2:2 or higher. Kim Juyeon and Illya Kozlov's comments were clear and solid. The seesaw began to tilt to one side. Now what's left is the president's decision.
The Secretary of State An Sang-gun seemed unwilling to step down. He is an experienced diplomat and politician. He had big ambitions, apart from his quite good personality. He would not allow himself to easily step back from an argument.
"They are all probable concerns. After all, however, in particular, an all-out war, depends on economic strength and endurance. If the war escalates into an all-out war between the two sides, then Neo-Korea will dominate Matsume. Although Matsume achieved great military results temporarily, it is highly unlikely that they will be able to withstand Neo-Korea's offensive in a long-term war." |
As the debate seemed to drag on, the president stepped up. President Han Yeji raised one hand, quieted everyone, and began to speak in a soft but dignified voice.
At the same time, this was also the president's chess to maintain the initiative. The secretaries here were both good advisors to the president and potential competitors. The president needs to restrain them before they invade the president's area.
"I understand how you care about your country. Thank you, everyone. I have the same concerns as you in this matter. Neo-Korea is our important partner, and a country with superior military capabilities than Matsume. However, Neo-Korea's political justification is lacking. A war cannot happen with just one sinking of a merchant ship. Neo-Korea has gone too far. And if we support Neo-Korea, we will have to give up our relationship with Meridon, one of the other important partners." |
In fact, President Han Yeji already had her own answer to this question. Even so, it was not necessary to excessively prevent secretaries from participating in chess games.
"As you all know, if Sombreland falls, it's us next. When the Aureumterra becomes much bigger than it is now, it may be hard for us to deal with them. We need to balance the power of the continent. It's in line with our security policy." |
Again, the sides seemed split. Secretary of State An Sang-gun came out to support Viktor Shevchenko.
"We should note that the alliance between Joseon and Sombreland ended recently. Joseon finally refused to help Sombreland, even though it was a country with far greater military capabilities than ours. There were two main reasons. Joseon did not want its casualties to increase. And, Sombreland's military and government insiders were negative about foreign influence." |
The Secretary of the Treasury Kim Juyeon realized it was time for her to step up. She turned on the microphone again and focused on making a rebuttal to her opponent.
"Joseon is an offshore country, not a country in our region. So they have no reason to have any animosity toward Aureumterra's expansion. For Joseon, the war between Aureumterra and Sombreland is not their problem. On the other hand, we are different. Sombreland borders us. They are the breakwater that can hold back Aureumterra, so we need to support Sombreland to hold back Aureumterra's expansion. This is our problem. When Aureumterra's power gets too big, it will be too late to regret it then." |
Now it was President Han Yeji's turn to move the chess piece. She started talking after she coughed and called attention.
"I have concluded. We are going to make a proposal to Sombreland. Of course, that proposal will not include sending any army troops. What we are going to suggest to Sombreland is an arms support package similar to Meridon's proposal for Sombreland, and air combat support that has gone further. Assisting weapons, and firing missiles from a great distance, using fighter jets or bombers, is less dangerous than sending army troops. This would reduce our casualties, while also preventing Aureumterra's expansion." |
Beakto City, Republic of Svetvostok
Located outside Beakto City, the 24th Air Bomber Wing Base houses the NSB(Служба национальной безопасности, National Security Service)'s dispatch office. This dispatch office is disguised as a support office for the Army Air Corps, but it actually fills up the office with not a few NSB personnel and various intelligence-gathering equipment.
Do Hyejin was one of the NSB personnel dispatched to the airbase. She is a non-official cover agent whose status is classified. Do Hyejin's performance as an agent was very good, and all she could do was range from field sabotage to third-party buying and hacking, but her tendency to not hesitate to engage in extreme violence was a double-edged sword for the NSB.
Do Hyejin didn't enjoy violence. However, if the moment comes when she decides that violence is necessary, Do Hyejin doesn't hesitate to use it. This is one of the obvious advantages as an agent, but the problem is that sometimes that's too much. Do Hyejin sometimes uses excessive levels of violence to complete her duties, but NSB will have to deal with the burdensome political cleanup that follows. The moment a mission begins, Do Hyejin's concern is the mission's success. The aftermath is not her concern.
Vasily Tsarnaev was one of those concerned about Do Hyejin's disposition. But anyway, Do Hyejin is a competent agent of the NSB, and his colleague. Vasily Tsarnaev must lead agents, including Do Hyejin, to carry out missions successfully.
"Do Hyejin. We are most likely to have a new mission. Headquarters are interested in Sombreland or Matsume. Get ready to go on a mission. A team will be assigned soon." |
Do Hyejin didn't make much of an expression. She considered the mission a routine, not a special event.
"Okay, I'll be ready to start as soon as the orders come down. As soon as the team members are selected, I'll be familiar with their profiles as well." |
Do Hyejin's attitude is typical of a loyal agent. Obviously, Do Yejin is an agent with many advantages. However, Vasily Tsarnaev needs to keep an eye on Do Hyejin and help her not cross the line.
