21st Century Goguryeo

January 22nd, 2024, 20:00

The B2 Bunker (the Digital Information Center of the Intelligence Headquarters of the Joint Chiefs of Staff), Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Namju

Behind the man who was on the computer were soldiers and researchers with lab coats on. With serious expressions on each of them, they watched the progress the man was making. Now and then, they advised the man on the computer about whatever he was working on.

The man who was surrounded by the soldiers and researchers, while typing away on the keyboard without stopping, was none other than Namgoong-won.

His face was one of deep exhaustion. His eyes were bloodshot, and his dark circles looked like they might reach his jaw at any moment.

This wasn't surprising, since Namgoong-won hadn't slept a wink for the past 24 hours while working on this project. His meals were also replaced with bread and milk instead of the usual, so that he wouldn't waste time eating.

But Namgoong-won was happy. Even though his body was exhausted from doing the work that he was the best at and wanted to do, his mind was rejoicing. If his wife, Lee Hye-jin, was next to him, she would've stopped him at any cost, but he was pumped up to the point that he was thinking it was a relief that she wasn't here.

<clack-clack-clack! clack-clack-clack-clack-clack-clack! clack-clack-clack-clack-clack-clack-clack-clack!>

Namgoong-won thought that the sounds generated from the mechanical keyboard every time he pressed a key, were the most beautiful in the world. As the clock on the wall pointed to exactly 22:10, Namgoong-won raised his hands and cheered.

"Yes! Complete!"

"Oh! Is that true? You're amazing, making this in one day..."

"Wow, those rumors about you were true."

"A genius! Genius!"

The soldiers and researchers who were watching from behind him exclaimed one by one. These people were also those that were famed for their work with computers, but they couldn't help but exclaim in admiration at the ability of Namgoong-won with their own eyes.

Namgoong-won, who had raised his arms, suddenly felt his head spin. At the same time, he was overcome with exhaustion, and he fell back into his chair.

"Oh my! I'm dizzy."

Namgoong-won realized now, after touching his forehead, that he was sick.

"Are you okay?"

"Hey! Bring coffee! Never mind, bring water instead!"

"Ah! I'm okay. I'm just a little dizzy because I got up suddenly. Haha."

As several people bustled around him, Namgoong-won managed to make a face to prove that he was okay.

"Besides, Colonel Kim Tae-suk!"

"Yes, Director Namgoong-won!"

"Ah! I'm not a director. I'm no longer a part of the National Intelligence Service either. Just call me Namgoong-won."

"But isn't it better to call you 'director' than to just call you by name?"

"I know. What's so important about calling someone a certain title? I think it's more important that the software is finished. I'm counting on you to test it. That's okay, right, Colonel Kim Tae-suk?"

Namgoong-won scratched the back of his head while pointing to the monitor with his other hand.

"Ah! Of course, thank you so much for your hard work. Please have a good rest. We'll finish the testing by then."

"Yes, then I'll come back in four hours. Ah! That's right, when will the equipment that'll be carrying this software come from the Parthenon research center?"

"It's already arrived and is on standby at the moment." Colonel Kim Tae-suk pointed to the large silver case that was on one side of the table.

"Ah! I see. Haha! Then I'll be going!"

"Yes, go ahead. Go and rest. One of our men will lead you to the resting area."

Namgoong-won nodded in reply. It seemed like he didn't even have the strength to speak anymore. He followed the man who was supposed to guide him to the rest area and left the Digital Information Center.

The hacking software that Namgoong-won had spent 24 hours nonstop making was to be put into the long equipment called X-119, which was in the case that Colonel Kim Tae-suk had pointed to. It was to be loaded onto the CFS/A-31SP Three-toed Crow space fighter jet, which would fly out into space. Then, they would shoot the X-119 at the 2nd satellite of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, which is the current designated target.

If they succeeded in attaching the X-119P to the 2nd satellite of the Hubble Space Telescope and succeeded in hacking its internal system, they would be able to get through to the internal server network of NASA.

The CFS/A-31SP Three-toed Crow space fighter jet, a strategic level ship, used for hacking NASA, was possible because, since this operation was ordered by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, there was a huge amount of support for it.

* * *

January 23rd, 2024, 02:00

The Konosu industrial region, Konosu, Saitama Prefecture, Japan

The Konosu industrial region in Konosu, 45 kilometers away from Tokyo, was one of the three biggest industrial regions in Japan. This area had gotten much financial support from the Republic of Korea's government and had been renewed since Japan's defeat in the Korean-Japanese war, when most of the industrial facilities had turned into ruins. The area that this region covered was about 18 times the size of Yeouido, and, regarding size, wasn't one to be bested by the Republic of Korea's industrial regions.

In addition, the Konosu industrial region had many automobile-related factories. Cars were, even from before, an industrial strong point in Japan, and since the Konosu industrial region was responsible for the production of cars, it was a very important industrial region that made up 15 percent of Japan's economy.

On the many roads within the Konosu industrial region, which was as big as most cities, there were numerous C-161PT Small Strategic Cars with their TCS (transparent concealment system) turned on, secretly and quickly moving to the destination location given to each of them.

The C-161PT Small Strategic Car was the upgraded version of the previous C-161P Small Strategic Car that had TCS mode and hovering system capabilities.

The C-161PT Small Strategic Cars, traveling along the road as if they were sliding, made minimal engine sounds with their TCS modes turned on. Like assassins, they were able to slip through the security service's monitors as well as the surveillance cameras that were everywhere.

As the C-161PT Small Strategic Cars arrived at each of their destinations, without anything holding them back, the marines that were wearing the ES-C1 exosuits, wearable exoskeleton robots, showed themselves one by one. They also had their TCS modes turned on.

The ES-C1 exosuits were wearable suits that were able to make the user stronger or control the operation movements more intricately, according to what the user wanted. It was a combination of 'Exo,' standing for devices that were wearable on the outside of the user's body, and 'Suit,' standing for clothing.

Currently, equipment such as exosuits is used in many areas, such as industrial fieldwork, rescue work, and medical rehabilitation. Of these exosuits, the ES-C1 exosuits were perfectly made for military use. They were upgraded to be lighter and enable the user to move freely as well as quickly.

Any soldier that had the ES-C1 exosuit on was able to run for an hour at a speed of 25 kilometers per hour, and was able to lift up to 500 kilograms. Moreover, it was so comfortable that the ability to move freely and quickly wasn't hindered by wearing it.

Each marine that was equipped with the ES-C1 exosuit, lifted boxes that looked heavy. They were marines of the 1st Marine Division who were assigned as explosive specialists.

Each group of the Small Strategic Cars had three marines with exosuits on, and three others that were keeping watch for them.

"This is Corn One! Two, three, and four should just listen. Over! Make sure you get back in time! Unless you want to say hi to the Jade Emperor down in hell after being hit with lightning." The orders of the higher-ranked marine traveled through the communication network to many of the lower-ranked marines.

Teams were formed, with each team having two marines: one wearing the exosuit and one keeping watch for the one with the exosuit on. The teams moved quickly to each of their designated locations.

Soon after, each team neutralized the internal security system of the factories, and freely moved inside. They then took out bombs that looked like lunchboxes from the boxes they had brought using the exosuits.

These bombs were the PP7-XAM installation bombs, with highly concentrated plasma, which were usually used for plasma cohesive bombs.

The bombs were able to create an explosion of around 10 TNT bombs. A con of using these bombs, however, was that, as good as they were at creating explosions, they were heavier. If anyone was to try to carry these in a backpack without an exosuit on, they would probably only be able to carry three or four.

The marines had deployed 98 men with exosuits to the Konos industrial region. Each man was given two hours to install 80 PP7-XAM bombs.

* * *

January 23rd, 2024, 04:30

The situation room of the Security Service Headquarters Bunker, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan

The air was heavy in the situation room of the Security Service Headquarters Bunker. All of the executives of the security service, as well as the Minister of Security Forces, Mike Takashi and the general manager of the security service, Superintendent Yoshida Maya, were gathered.

Seemingly pressured by the tension, the faces of those gathered weren't too happy. It was because they were afraid that their lives would be ruined because of the plans of the right-wing politicians supporting the 'Declaration of Independence.'

Because of Japan's top-down decision-making culture, those gathered were unable to even give an opposing opinion. Some executives were even considering giving up their places so as not to be involved.

"Still no contact from the American forces?" asked Minister of Security Forces Mike Takashi, frustrated.

"No, sir. Not yet."

"Hah! Sh*t, there are only 30 minutes left! How is it that they have yet to contact us? Minister Mike Takashi turned his anger toward Superintendent Yoshida Maya.

"We've finished preparations, so why wouldn't they call in any time now?" Superintendent Yoshida Maya managed to make a casual face and replied.

Commander Sasaki Sho, who was next to the superintendent, carefully opened his mouth to talk. "Perhaps! Could it be canceled?"

"What? You say canceled, when there are only 30 minutes left before the operation goes into action? You want it to be canceled?" scolded Minister Mike Takashi.

Commander Sasaki Sho bowed his head and shrank into a corner.

Just then, the emergency phone rang, breaking the silence. It was the call they had been waiting for, from the American forces.

"Yes, this is the Security Service Headquarters. Yes, yes, I understand. Yes, yes." Inspector Osako Yuya finished the call and reported the contents loudly so that everyone in the situation room could hear it.

"Minister Mike Takashi! It's a call from the commander of the Pacific Fleet of the U.S. Navy. They'll be going through with the landing operation at the time we agreed on, and that we should go through with the 'Declaration of Independence' operation as well."

As soon as Inspector Osako Yuya finished his report, some of the executives in the situation room, who had hoped that this operation would be canceled, made a discouraged face and hung their heads.

"The water's already been spilled. We need to make this operation a success. The future of Japan depends on it! Everyone take responsibility and stay true to the tasks assigned! Over!" shouted Minister Mike Takashi as he stood up from his chair.

He was trying to boost the morale of the executives before the big operation, but the reaction of the executives wasn't as good as he expected. All of them, with expressionless faces, got up from their seats, saluted, and, with heavy footsteps, walked to the locations where each of the forces they were supposed to command were.