Empire of the Ring

The city of Atyrau was the administrative district of western Kazakhstan, located at the lower reaches of the Ural River and the Caspian Sea. It was the capital of the Atyrau Region and was home to 140,000 people.

It started as a fishing hub city and now it was where petrochemicals and machinery industries were developed, and it was also well-known for its famous oil field.

Recently, it became famous for something different because the Arirang Autonomous State was established in the region. Atyrau was also the main stage of activity for the Navy and the Arirang Autonomous State's Maritime Police.

Even the mayor or the governor could not walk all over the Maritime Police since their role was significant in west Kazakhstan.

It was up to the Maritime Police to inspect and search ships entering and leaving the Caspian Sea and the Ural River, so there was no restriction for the cargo that was brought in to the autonomous state through the Caspian Sea.

The cargo that came into the Arirang Wharf today was something that would make headlines in the press but was quietly being unloaded at the dock without a word.

The cargo was the Gripen fighter jets from Sweden. The first delivery brought in ten jets. Even though no extradition cost had been paid yet, it was possible to bring in because the appraisal of the paintings and jewelry taken by Eriksson estimated about1.4 billion dollars.

That was enough to cover the cost of 20 Swedish jets and installing an air defense network system as well as the deposit for the new Gripen models.

"If I knew this would happen, I shouldn't have complained. I take my words back for saying that the paintings were useless."

"Just know that the safe from the president's villa hasn't even been open yet. For now, there's no way to open it, but when it opens, you'll have to sew your mouth shut for a while."

"I know, I know. Let's just move on. We should do this a few more times."

"There are only a few places left to rob."

"There's got to be more corrupt politicians left in Kazakhstan."

Even Youngho did not expect the paintings to cost this much. The safe from the villa was now stored at the Serbian ranch because he did not find a way to open it yet. He wondered what kind of surprising items might be in it.

"I guess Sweden must be busy these days, too. They decided to decommission a decent air force plane and replaced it with new models that don't have much difference in performance?"

"It's only natural to choose a slightly improved version of the fighter. A slight part change could control its survival. Russia is frequently invading Finnish and Swedish airspace, they needed to be fully prepared."

The Baltic countries were on high alert after Ukraine's annexation to the Crimea revealed Russia's innermost intention. They were making a desperate effort to expand its air defense network since Russia was openly showing its intention to take over its former federal countries and neighboring countries.

"Why are the big landers so greedy? If the Scandinavian Peninsula had been their land for a long time, that would make sense, but that is not the case."

"Well, I guess the one that has more wants to have more."

"Then, Central Asia won't be safe, either."

"If other countries attack Kazakhstan despite the fact we're holding out here, they are going to have to watch out for our counter-attack."

"Man, I like how you speak these days."

***

At the autonomous county airport, the construction of a runway specialized for fighter jets was underway. The runway would be dedicated to fighter jets that would fly and land from time to time for future training. Separate runways were needed for the jets so that it would not disrupt the take-off and landing of civilian planes. Youngho ordered to build a hangar that was solid enough to stand a bombing as well.

Moreover, special constructions were underway throughout the stone walls outside that went around the state.

They were the anti-aircraft artillery and missile launch sites.

From the time the autonomous state's city was planned, various defensive facilities were prepared, but the state was not at all prepared for attacks from the sky. Youngho started off with a technology partnership with D Drones, an American drone manufacturer, but with the level of technology of the autonomous state, it would take too long until the state could come up with its own anti-aircraft defensive system.

That was why Youngho wanted to introduce an air defense system to the state.

Its primary goal was to cover the 50-kilometer range above the state, while its other goal was to build an air defense network covering more than 100 kilometers. That was what Youngho ordered from the Swedish Strategic Air Command. Considering the possible civil war, this was enough preparation.

When he first conceived the state, he benchmarked the city of Grozny, a military city made of military facilities. So, he built stone walls and air-raid shelters from the time he drew up the city plan.

During the Chechen war, the Russian armored troops advanced to the urban district of Grozny, and only 15 of the 120 tanks and armored vehicles returned unscathed.

In addition, Russia deployed 50,000 soldiers, but they were defeated by the Chechen Army with only 12,000 soldiers. Russia managed to win by mobilizing its air force after huge sacrifices but had since struggled with Chechnya's urban guerrillas. It was such a strong military city that Russia suffered such huge damage.

"Our defense system would cover the whole Air Force of Kazakhstan."

"We can't just sit there and wait for them to strike us. If you see any signs, we'll have to launch pre-emptive attacks."

"Should we slip in an intelligence agent in the Kazakh Air Force?"

"How?"

"Well, there's no other choice but to buy someone with money. Most of the Air Force soldiers were the ones who were trained in Russia on commission. I hear most of them brag about getting a job with Russian civil aviation companies after they're discharged from the military."

The reason that young Kazakhs entered the Air Force Academy was not because of their patriotism. It was a means to get a good job after being discharged from the military. Russian civil Aviation companies often recruited them when they came to Russia for commissioned education. This was because being a pilot was a popular job not only in Russia but also everywhere in the world. Young people did not care where they went since they were offered high salaries, apartments, and even a chance to marry a Russian beauty.

"It's good that they like money. Try to buy them at all costs. Our imitation of Russia hurts our pride, but we can't help it."

"No, I don't feel any guilt. We're using each other. Well, I guess it's fortunate of us to have met with Victor Jun of the Navy and Lt. Col. Kabak of the Army. They're such loyal soldiers."

"It's the president's fault. He made the upright soldiers turn their backs on him."

"His life must be hell these days. He's been robbed here and there."

"So, keep a close watch on the Presidential Palace. Shouldn't we know where he had taken the rest of the gold bars and cash if we were to take them too?"

"What if he's already taken them overseas?"

"We might be able to find where he hid them if we keep watching him."

The gold bars that he took from the palace before Youngho and Jong-il arrived must be somewhere in the country since they were quite heavy to transport. If it were to be taken out somewhere, where the gold bars were hidden would be the president's key hideout.

Whether they were in his home in Kazakhstan or abroad, Youngho was determined to take them at all costs.

***

Shortly after the Swedish fighter jets were delivered, instructors, mechanics, and other engineers were dispatched to the state.

The Swedish Air Force would send pilots when there were signs of a sudden change in Kazakhstan. As ten fighter jets for the first delivery arrived, and as related people were sent from Sweden one after another, the residents of the state were relieved from the fear of losing their home. Knowing the situation in Kazakhstan, they had been scared about the future of Kazakhstan.

However, the Arirang Autonomous State was not shaken by the fact. It was rather more active than ever. Various construction projects were taking place and fighter jets were brought in regardless of the outside situation. This gave a sense of confidence in Youngho's leadership in people's minds.

"Construction Director Min, do you have enough manpower?"

"We have more than enough people now. The response of the Kazakh people from the newly incorporated area is amazing. They had never been paid such a high salary before."

"Please don't overwork them. They're our residents now. The safety of construction sites should be our priority."

"Of course. Most of the work is done by equipment, so there's not much labor to their work."

Most of the Kazakh people who were newly assigned to the autonomous state had been living on farming and livestock business as their main business, but after selling their land to the state, most of them had to find a full-time job. It was because large-scale farming machinery was given to them, and there was no need for that much manpower on farms anymore.

Most of the young men were absorbed into the Countryside Force, the Vigilante Army, or different factories, but it was different for the middle-aged people since it was difficult for them to learn new work. So, when it was rumored that various construction works would take place and high wages would be given, they all snooped to the construction sites.

"We need to speed up the dock and bunker construction before anything else."

"The exterior bunkers and anti-aircraft installation construction will all be completed next month, but the dock won't be finished until autumn at the earliest. We should be satisfied with the temporary work."

"If we finish the temporary dock, will you be able to start working on the railroad right away?"

"The roadwork has been completed a while ago. However, there are difficulties in the rail supply line."

"Rails are scheduled to be sent from Volgograd this week, so don't worry about it. And could you make the runway construction that we've started this time as elaborate as possible? Our current runway is a little rough and the planes feel shaky when taking off and landing."

"It was a bit disappointing because we lacked pavement skills, but our skills have improved over time, so look forward to it this time."

The runway was not too flimsy, but because of the lack of experience of the construction workers, it was quite rough that passengers of the airplane could feel it. Sometimes, Youngho even felt embarrassed to bring guests to the state because of it.

"We've got a lot of residents, and we need more shelters for them. It's hard for me to tell a good site for the shelter because most of the land is empty."

"We have no choice but to build more gymnasiums. That way, we can accommodate the residents all at once and save money."

"If things happen, people will be harmed on their way to the gym. Let's build several smaller ones. Make sure that you build it within easy reach of each home or workplace. Don't think about saving money."

The large buildings were all equipped with their own shelters, but there were no separate evacuation facilities at the industrial complex or residential areas.

Even if there was an underground gym in the city where the administration office was located, people could be attacked on their way there.

Moreover, because the facility was built to target the first immigrants, it was too small to accommodate the entire population.

"Then I'll get started right away. We'll discuss the locations of new shelters with the commissioner and place them in at proper locations."

"We need to make it broad and solid. Keep in mind the supply for a week will be stored here too."

"Let's make it more than enough to survive a nuclear war."

"You tell me what I want to hear. We can lose money since we can make more of it later, but we can't bring back a sacrificed person when he's gone."

"I'll keep that in mind."

It was no better to not build a formal shelter that would collapse with a single bomb or missile because it would be safer for people to stay home.