21st Century Goguryeo

January 19th, 2024, 06:00 (U.S. time: 18:00)

The White House (Presidential Office) in Washington, D.C. in the United States

With all the attention focused on the Pacific Fleet sailing over the East Sea of Japan, President Trump took a moment to rest, burying his tired body on the sofa after receiving a report from the Pentagon's Joint Chiefs of Staff on the progress of the '2024 Pacific Joint Training.'

But his sweet rest didn't last very long.

That was due to a report from the secretary's office that a video call request from President Putin of Russia had been received via the intercom.

"This guy doesn't even sleep? No, of course, he can't sleep because of Korea. Hoho."

President Trump laughed as he looked at the clock on the office wall, picturing how President Putin, who was restless and unable to sleep well, must have felt in his head.

"Let's do it in 10 minutes."

"Russia is in a hurry and requests an immediate connection."

"I think they're pressed for time."

"Okay, let's accept the request."

Previously, when leaders from different countries made video calls through hotlines, they would use interpreters to communicate, but thanks to technological advances, subtitles can now be created in real-time, just like in movies. In other words, the other person's words were interpreted as subtitles, allowing the conversation to continue uninterrupted. Furthermore, the content of important security-related conversations between the two countries' leaders is unlikely to be relayed to the interpreter.

While both countries' secretaries were connecting the video call, President Trump sat on the sofa, his gaze fixed on the screen. After a while, the screen brightened, and President Putin appeared a little tired.

"Pff! It's been a while, President Putin!"

President Trump, who almost made an impolite mistake with his laughter, smiled brightly, unlike other times, and greeted him right away. However, President Putin was aware of this. Normally, he would have refuted or disconnected the call, but he pretended not to notice as this was not the time to do so. Instead, he said, "What makes you feel so good? You seem quite happy, unlike your usual self."

"Is that what it appears to be? Haha, they say that if you smile a lot, you never grow old. So, I'm working on it these days."

The leaders of the two countries were acting a little childish during the video call.

"No matter how long you live, you will die and go to the next life. Why are you attempting so hard to live for so long?"

"President Putin! I couldn't rest all day and was only getting some shut-eye after work. So, simply tell us what you require from us."

"Let's do that. I'll tell you the matter right away. We want the United States military to intervene in our war with Korea."

"What do you mean? Out of the blue?"

When President Trump made an expression and pretended not to know, President Putin's eyebrows narrowed.

"Didn't you know about the current situation of our war with Korea?"

"Haha, I know it well."

"Since you know, why is there a need to pretend?"

"No, my knowledge, what does it have to do with our US intervening militarily in Korea?"

"President Trump! Did you already forget?"

"What do you mean?"

"Do you remember about the USSC?"

President Trump's expression, which was full of smiles a while ago, distorted for a moment. It was a taboo word for President Trump, to the point that if there is a word he wanted to erase from the world, it would've been the USSC.

"President Putin! Isn't that something we settled in the past?"

President Trump, who wasn't serious previously, spoke with a stern voice.

"Settled...Can such an important matter be settled so easily?"

The situation had been reversed.

President Putin's expression brightened, while President Trump's expression was getting darker and darker.

"It would be really difficult if you keep behaving like this."

"I know that. It's very difficult."

"No, it won't be difficult for me but you."

President Trump's voice rose slightly as he spoke, and he used the word 'you' to refer to the president rather than addressing him more politely, indicating that he had become enraged. However, instead of feeling bad, President Putin felt happy because it demonstrated the value of his hidden card, the USSC, which irritated President Trump.

"President Trump! Calm down. What's wrong with you?"

"President Putin! This is the last warning. Please don't bring up the word USSC again."

"Haha, what do you mean by 'warning'? Do I appear to be like the presidents of European and Middle Eastern countries who tremble at every word President Trump says? In any case, as previously stated, please apply practical military pressure on Korea. The sooner you start, the better...within a week.

President Trump did not respond immediately after President Putin finished speaking because he was lost in his thoughts for a moment, stroking his chin with his hands. As a result, silence filled the video communication. President Putin, too, sat and waited.

"Okay, I will comply with President Putin's request. But I no longer trust President Putin because you made a promise the last time and now you are threatening me again with the USSC. That's why."

President Trump, who raised one eyebrow, smiled.

"What are you talking about?"

"We should tie up the USSC case this time in order to grant President Putin's request."

"How can we do that?"

President Trump leaned forward and said, keeping an eye on President Putin, who was on the screen.

"President Putin should also show me your weakness comparable to the USSC case. So, there won't be any more unilateral incidents like this, right?"

The table turned around once more. As such, the video communication between the two leaders proceeded in a tense atmosphere.

"What? Does that make any sense?"

"Of course, it makes sense. Am I the one who broke the promise? How can I continue to trust President Putin in such a situation?"

President Trump, who was leaning forward, relaxed and leaned back in a comfortable position on the sofa. As a result, there was another moment of silence, and President Trump waited this time. President Putin then spoke quietly a few minutes later.

"All right, if President Trump wants to. Instead, we need to ensure the military pressure on Korea."

"Of course. You don't have to worry about that. We will mobilize all our United States forces to apply military pressure on Korea."

Video communication with President Putin could be of unexpected great benefit to President Trump. Even if President Putin did not request military pressure on South Korea, the Pacific Fleet was currently conducting a military operation to retake Japan under the guise of '2024 Pacific Joint Training.' It only meant that the military action radius had to be slightly expanded to include the Korean Peninsula.

Under these circumstances, this opportunity had presented itself as a golden opportunity for President Trump to eliminate his weak point, the USSC case, which was discovered by Russia, their hostile and rival country for decades, but not by any other country.

"President Trump, before I reveal my weakness, could you please tell me briefly about your plans for putting military pressure on Korea?"

"Sure. I'll let you know. Do you know that the third and seventh fleets belonging to the Pacific Fleet are currently sailing over the East Sea of Japan?"

"I do."

"It is because of the current '2024 Pacific Joint Training.' However, the two fleets are equipped with various weapons and war supplies, and six divisions of the U.S. Marine Corps, enough to be put into action at any time. What do you think? If we use this amount of power, will we be able to put enough pressure on Korea?"

"Not just pressure, I'm asking for a real military action."

"I know that. Don't rush me. We will change the route of the Pacific Fleet to Jeju and Namjoo. Is that good?"

"Very good."

"I will then base my decision on the data that President Putin will send to me."

"Hmph! Of course. I'll send it to you as soon as it's ready, hopefully by tomorrow morning."

"All right, then, let me go over the data and see if we can come to an agreement."

"All right. Then, let's wrap this up."

President Trump's face lit up after the video communication, and he felt ten years younger.

The following day, at 2 a.m., President Trump, who had made another video call on the hotline, signed a top-secret military alliance after receiving data revealing President Putin's weaknesses. In addition to the Pacific Fleet, President Trump directed the deployment of the 5th Fleet of the Central Army Command, which is in charge of the Middle East. As a result, the 5th Fleet, comprised of one aircraft carrier, four nuclear submarines, and twenty various surface ships immediately changed course to the Indian Ocean and began the voyage at full speed.

* * *

January 19, 2024, 07:30 (Latvia time: 00:30)

Some building in Latvia-ri (a secret house in the Lithuanian branch of the CIA European headquarters)

Secretary of State Maine Jones was tossing and turning in bed because he couldn't sleep after going to bed at the CIA's safe house after receiving a barrage of criticism from President Trump. Perhaps this was due to his fears that he would be removed from his uniform when he returned to his home country as a result of this case.

Maine Jones, the Secretary of State, got out of bed, took a bottle of whiskey from the cabinet, and filled his glass. He attempted to sleep with the aid of alcohol.

As Secretary of State, Maine Jones approached the window with the glass of whiskey and was about to take a sip of the glass as he drew the curtains and looked out the window, a knock was heard.

"Who is it?"

"It's Louis."

It was Eddie Louis, the head of the CIA's Latvia branch.

"Come in."

<Clank clank.>

The door opened and Eddie Louis entered.

"What's going on?"

"I have an urgent report to make. I've already notified the European headquarters."

"Really? Have a seat."

State Secretary Maine Jones sat on a chair, holding the glass of whiskey in one hand and pointing toward another chair with the other hand.

"No, I'll report it right away. I confirmed that yesterday morning the heads of foreign affairs from five of the EU countries had a meeting with diplomatic envoys from South Korea."

"What? And you just find out now?"

Not sure if it is because of the whiskey or because of the anger, but Secretary of State Maine Jones stared at him with bloodshot eyes and scolded him.

"I'm sorry. All of the agents were only focused on the leaders of each country."

"Is that even an excuse?"

State Secretary Maine Jones rose from his seat, and pointed at Eddie Louis, the branch manager, as he got angry.

"I'm sorry."

"Oh, my! Which countries are they?"

"Italy, Finland, Austria, Spain and Sweden."

<Clink!>

The whiskey glass flew, hit the wall, and broke into pieces.

"This was it! This was the reason for the summit rejection!"

Secretary of State Maine Jones looked out the window trembling.

"Who was that diplomatic envoy from Korea? Did you find out?"

"Yes, He is Kim Myung-hwan, the second vice minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

"Kim Myung-hwan?"

Maine Jones soon remembered who Kim Myung-hwan was. When he visited Korea a year ago, he saw him two or three times with Minister Kang Kyung-hee. At the time of his first meeting with him, Minister Kang Kyung-hee boasted that second Vice Minister Kim Myung-hwan was a valuable talent indispensable to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by demonstrating outstanding diplomatic skills despite his young age. He was 38 years old at the time, very young for a deputy minister.

"He was that guy."

Maine Jones, who bit his lower lip, turned his head toward the branch manager and asked, "Did you check his location?"

"Yes! He is currently staying at the Radison Blue Regenne Hotel."

"Really? We can't just leave him alone! How many agents can you call now?"

"There are 18 agents including me right now."

"18? That's enough. Call in all of the agents to assassinate Kim Myung-hwan."

"What? It's an assassination?"

"Yes! I'll take responsibility for it, so carry out the mission quietly! I'll inform the CIA director, too."

"Okay."