Free Web NovelAbout a week later, the chaos had somewhat subsided.
However, the Americans’ rage showed no signs of fading.
In New York, day after day, countless crowds gathered in front of the Twin Towers to mourn the victims and vow revenge.
In Washington D.C., the line of mourners visiting the Capitol never ended.
While nations harboring anti-American sentiments and terrorist groups denied any involvement, the United States named Al Qaeda as the mastermind.
It was the conclusion reached by compiling reports from all intelligence agencies and countless informants spread across the globe.
― You are either with us, or against us.
With that, the United States issued its warning to the entire world: any country or organization that hid, supported, or protected Al Qaeda would be treated as an enemy.
One madman in Iraq mocked, saying, “It is divine punishment,” but quickly changed his words. Even so, the American government, searching for targets of vengeance, did not let him off.
Thanks to the crushing blow dealt to Hussein’s regime, the world got a taste of America’s overwhelming fury.
“Brother, go to the New York headquarters, tidy things up, and return to Korea. I’ll be back in Korea tomorrow.”
I sent Han Kyungyeong back to New York and planned to spend my last night in Washington D.C.
Looking out at the Washington night view beyond the suite’s glass window, I slowly swirled my glass of liquor.
Just then, the door opened and Manager Ma entered.
“Boss, Vice President Dick Cheney is here to see you. What should I do?”
“Vice President Dick Cheney?”
At those words, I turned my head. Someone I had never ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) expected was here. After a brief thought, I nodded.
“Let him in.”
Once permission was given, Dick Cheney entered the suite with his bodyguards.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Vice President.”
“It has been a while, Mr. Kim Muhyuk.”
I set down my glass, shook hands with him, and guided him to a seat.
As soon as we sat facing each other, Cheney opened his mouth first.
“There is not much time. Let us go straight to the point. But first, I would like everyone else dismissed. Both my guards and your guards.”
Judging by his eyes, this seemed to be an important matter. I accepted his request.
With a glance, I signaled Manager Ma, who bowed and led everyone outside.
The room was now left with just Cheney and me. I picked up the whiskey bottle and asked the weary-looking man across from me,
“Would you like a drink?”
“Mm... just one. I haven’t had the time to drink lately.”
I poured whiskey into his glass, then filled mine as well.
Downing the whiskey in one go, he wasted no time explaining why he had come.
“Sorry I couldn’t properly greet you during the inauguration.”
“No need. I understand completely.”
After a token exchange of courtesy, Cheney’s face hardened.
“You’ve seen the reports that Al Qaeda was behind this terror. We are now starting the War on Terror.”
It was unexpected. Cheney had never seemed to harbor good feelings toward me, yet here he was speaking so openly.
“I expect Black Bear to perform well this time. I have already spoken with Eric, but since you are the real owner, I thought I should tell you personally.”
“That is for Eric to handle. It’s not something I need to interfere with.”
“Is that so?”
At my indifferent answer, Cheney gave a faint smile.
Leaning forward, he asked with a grave expression,
“Mr. Kim Muhyuk, do you believe Al Qaeda was truly behind this? I mean our official statement.”
The question was so sudden it puzzled me, but I answered as if nothing were strange.
“Al Qaeda has carried out terror attacks against the U.S. before. It is entirely possible they orchestrated this one. Besides... does it really matter whether they were behind it or not?”
“Already, countless conspiracy theories are spreading. That this was staged by us, or that it is another Gulf of Tonkin incident.”
For the government to concern itself with such rumors—without thinking, I let out a soft laugh.
The Gulf of Tonkin Incident had been America’s excuse to step into the Vietnam War.
No one had died, yet the U.S. used it as justification to enter full-scale war.
That was why, even decades later, conspiracy theories still labeled it an American fabrication.
“Why are you laughing?” ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
Noticing, Cheney asked sharply, clearly displeased.
“Ah, my apologies. The rumors are simply too absurd.”
“Well, we have already deployed special forces into northern Afghanistan. Black Bear will also be sent in next week. This is Top Secret.”
What on earth was this man doing? Suspicion rose in my mind, but I kept quiet and listened.
I could not fathom why he was telling me information classified at the highest level.
“Originally, we planned to strike every hostile nation, including North Korea. That is why we began investigating you—what ties you might have with North Korea, and what profits you sought from this event.” ƒrēewebnovel.com
The more he spoke, the more my face stiffened.
“Frankly, we thought you would profit greatly from this situation. But you took no action at all. It was as if you knew we would investigate you.”
As I expected...
I had already assumed they would scrutinize anyone profiting from the attacks.
Even those who did not profit could be eliminated under the pretense of national security if they drew attention.
That was why I had no intention of using 9/11 for personal gain.
“And so?”
The air in the room instantly chilled.
Though I tried to hide it, my voice came out cold.
Lowering my eyes to mask my expression, I slowly swirled the glass.
“Yet days before the attack, airline stocks were dumped in huge volumes. The very airlines involved in the hijackings. As if someone had predicted the attack.”
That was news to me. I looked at him silently as he continued.
“Others made immense profits through derivatives. We traced the money flow, but suddenly the link was cut off. As if by a ghost.”
He finished and studied my face intently.
Being under suspicion was not pleasant. I lifted my glass to my lips and asked,
“Do you think it was me?”
“Well. Perhaps it was. Perhaps not. In time, it will be revealed.”
His ambiguous answer stoked my irritation. I set down the glass and glared at him.
“Tell me plainly why you came. You went out of your way to seek me out—what is your reason?”
Cheney suddenly burst into laughter. I frowned at the sound.
“I bring good news. Don’t be so upset.”
“...Good news?”
“I heard you wish for a peace treaty between America and North Korea. I came to speak of that.”
“President Bush rejected it. Wasn’t that already a dead matter?”
The peace treaty was no longer in my hands.
Before 9/11, perhaps—but now, it was impossible.
Yet Cheney said something entirely different.
“We are willing to make a peace treaty.”
“Suddenly?”
“Yes. That is our administration’s stance.”
“Unexpected.”
Cheney only smiled faintly and suddenly held out his empty glass.
“Another drink.”
I poured him more whiskey. After setting the glass down, he continued,
“Next week, North Korea and certain other nations will be re-designated as state sponsors of terrorism.”
State sponsors of terrorism.
That was America’s term for countries deemed threats to its security.
North Korea had already been listed since the 1988 KAL bombing, but with reconciliation talks underway, rumors in Washington suggested they might be taken off.
But with Bush in power and 9/11 just happened, everything was overturned.
“Those re-designated nations will lose all support, from America and its allies alike. They will be utterly isolated.”
Excessive as it was, no one could oppose this in America’s current mood. Not even Russia or China.
If it went as Cheney said, North Korea would be completely isolated.
They would resume nuclear development. Moderates who promoted reconciliation would be purged. Hardliners would seize power once again.
One event was spreading like a web across the entire world.
“If the peace treaty were proposed after this incident, it would never have been considered.”
He was right. I silently nodded, and Cheney spoke again.
“Let us test their sincerity.”
“Name the conditions.”
“In exchange for guaranteeing the regime, they must declare complete nuclear abandonment. Allow ongoing nuclear inspections by the U.S. And lastly, join as an ally in the War on Terror.”
The nuclear abandonment I expected, but joining the war as an ally—that would not be easy.
“Do you think it is possible?”
“You mean the U.S. will recognize Kim Jongil’s regime?”
“Yes. If he stands with us, dictatorship does not matter.”
“Then I will convey it.”
At my reply, Cheney smiled and raised his glass.
“Let’s have one last drink.”
Smiling in return, I raised mine. We clinked glasses and downed the liquor while meeting each other’s eyes.
Setting down his empty glass, Cheney stood.
He extended his hand. I shook it lightly.
“I hope for good results. But if it is revealed you had any involvement in this attack, you will face the true wrath of America.”
His grip tightened as he issued his warning. Suspicion was written all over his face. I answered firmly,
“I am innocent.”
With that, Cheney ended the handshake and left the suite.
Alone again, I swirled my glass, lost in thought.
So much information had been dropped on me all at once. My head was spinning.
“They suddenly want a peace treaty with North Korea?”
I could not understand what America truly wanted. But one thing was certain—this was the last chance.
“Manager, contact Kim Jongil.”
“Right now?”
“Yes.”
Jang Songthaek had suggested going through the embassy, but not knowing his ulterior motives, I chose direct contact with Kim Jongil.
“Please wait a moment.”
Manager Ma left, returned with the satellite phone, and dialed.
Watching him call, I slowly gathered my tangled thoughts.
“But... asking North Korea to join as an ally?”
Would they accept? And why would America want that?
The questions spun endlessly in my mind without resolution.
“Boss, it’s Senior Captain Baek Cheolsu.”
Kim Jongil’s hotline had been answered by Baek Cheolsu. That alone showed how much Kim Jongil trusted him.
Receiving the handset from Manager Ma, I spoke.
“Senior Captain Baek Cheolsu, this is Kim Muhyuk.”
― Yes, President Kim. This is Baek Cheolsu. What is the matter?
“It’s been a while. I wish to speak with Chairman Kim Jongil.”
― He is sleeping. Is this urgent?
Checking the time, it was indeed dawn in Pyongyang.
But this matter could not wait. I pressed him.
“That is something I must say to him directly.”
― ...Please hold.
A silence passed.
Then at last, a familiar voice came.
― Is that you, Mr. Kim Muhyuk?
“Yes, Chairman. It is I.”
― What business brings you at this hour?
His voice was heavy with sleepiness. Soon, I heard him issuing orders to those around him. I waited patiently.
When his side was settled, he cleared his throat and spoke again.
“I am in Washington now.”
― ...Is that so?
At that, his tone changed.
“I have made progress on the matter you entrusted to me. I wish to visit Pyongyang. Please notify President Kim Hakgwon.”
