November 1, 2020, 10:30, Seoul Yongsan-ku B2 bunker (ROK Military Joint Command Center)

  On Sunday morning, TV stations broadcast an official statement from the Ministry of National Defense. The Ministry notified the citizens about the reclamation of Yo-Dong (Sun-Yang) at 8:00 a.m. that day and how the ancestral lands from 1,400 years ago have been reclaimed. It also briefly informed the citizens of the status of the ongoing military encounters in the three Northeastern provinces. When the announcement from the Ministry of National Defense was over, the broadcast ended with footage of the Korean flag rising over the Yo-Dong City Hall.

  The citizens who watched the broadcast—from the elderly to young children—were filled with patriotism. It created a sensation at par with the flag-raising at the Dan-Dung City Hall. On this day, all TV stations showed programs outlining the history of Goguryeo and the Yo-Dong Province to inform the people and the world press about how Yo-Dong was formerly a Korean territory.

  The Ministry of National Defense’s spokesperson used the old traditional names of the cities in its broadcasts to emphasize the fact that the area was Korea’s old territory. China used historical bases from 2,000 years ago for its South China Seas territorial claims, claiming the Korean territories as their own. Also, China used the Northeast Borderland History and the Chain of Events Research Project to claim Goguryeo as its vassal state in its distorted history. The Korean government jumped at this opportunity to protest against this historical distortion and present the correct history to alert the world press; hence, the prepared broadcast.

  “The Ministry of National Defense did a better job than what we expected.”


  President Suh Hyun-woo had come up from the National Emergency Situation Center underground bunker last night and was taking a break from his official residence. He watched the broadcast while drinking a cup of coffee his wife Lady Oh Un-ha had made for him. He was already notified about the contents of the broadcast by the Ministry of National Defense, but the President seemed satisfied by the thoroughness of the ministry and laughed heartily.

  “You seemed pleased.”


  Lady Oh Un-ha, who was in the study, came closer to the President who was laughing by himself. She spoke to him.

  “Did you hear that? I was just so pleased by how well the Ministry of National Defense handled things that it made me laugh.”


  “Dear! If the President of a nation at war starts laughing first thing in the morning, the bodyguards and employees of the Blue House will curse you under their breath.”


  “My, I haven’t thought of that.”


  * * *

  November 1, 2020, 11:00, Tokyo, Japan, Prime Minister’s cabinet meeting room

  Inside the Prime Minister’s meeting room, the Ministers from each department were glued to their seats watching the TV broadcast from the Korean Ministry of National Defense about the occupation of Yo-Dong (Sun-Yang) and the status of the ongoing war.

  When the broadcast was over, the TV was turned off and Prime Minister Abe spoke on the microphone.

  “The Korea–China war’s progress has me dumbfounded. What is the Ministry of Defense doing? None of your analysis was correct.”


  Prime Minister Shinzo Abe spoke in a disappointed tone, then leaned back with his arms crossed. Prime Minister Abe was expecting Japan to profit greatly both economically and militarily from the Korea–China war as they did with the Korean war before. However, the war’s progress has toppled his expectations.

  “I am sorry, Prime Minister.”


  Minister of Defense Shibasaki repeatedly bowed his head as he spoke. Japan’s Ministry of Defense had analyzed the possible outcome of the Korea–China war, assuming that Korea’s preemptive strike would allow them to cross the border up to the Ap-rok River. Then after a fierce battle at the Liao-Ning Province, the Koreans would be pushed back by the sheer size of the Chinese military. Japan had planned to use that opportunity to aid Korea militarily and economically and eventually profit from it. But contrary to their prediction, the Korean military occupied an important strategic point, Sun-Yang, within five days and annihilated four Chinese Army groups. This has left the Japanese Ministry of Defense dumbfounded.

  “We are using all of our intel to analyze again the Korean military’s power, ” the Minister of Defense Shibasaki spoke.

  “Actions speak louder than words,” the Prime Minister said.

  “I think this can be attributed to one of two factors.”


  The Director of Intelligence, Inamoto Junichi, spoke.

  “Tell us, Director Junichi.”


  “Yes, sir. The Chinese military power can now be seen as a house of cards built on an illusion. In recent years, China had claimed and advertised how they developed high-tech weaponry, have they not? For example, they claimed their J-20 and J-30 stealth fighter jets were superior to America’s F-22 jets. However, based on the Korea–China war, we have confirmed they were simply bluffing.”


  “I also agree. All China has done is to hack America’s intelligence and technology to make inferior copies of weapons. They have never developed superior weaponry using their own technology.”


  Minister Shibasaki butted into the conversation.

  “Please stay out of this, Minister of Defense.”


  Prime Minister Abe spoke while glaring at Minister Shibasaki who cut the conversation.

  “I am sorry, sir.”


  “Yes. Director Junichi, what’s the other factor?”


  “Well, sir. The Intelligence Department has been collecting a few bits of intel. According to our agents that have connections with U.S. intelligence agencies, the Korean military has and is developing high-tech weaponry we have never imagined before.”


  Prime Minister Abe became wide-eyed and showed intense interest.

  “Unimaginable weapons? What are they?”


  “I will send in a report as soon as we finalize the details, sir.”


  “I would like to see it as soon as possible.”


  “I will prepare them then.”


  “Minister Shibasaki.”


  “Yes, Prime Minister.”


  “Our defense forces must be prepared for any situation no matter how the Korea–China war progresses. The Joint Command Office must keep this in mind and check the status of each branch of the military again.”


  “Yes, sir.”


  * * *

  November 1, 2020, 11:00 (U.S Standard time 31st, 22:00), The Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia, USA

  The Command Center screen of the Pentagon showed footage that seemed out of a movie. The footage was from the battle of the Korean and Chinese tanks at Sun-Yang that occurred a few hours ago. The Korean tanks were weaving in and out between hundreds of Chinese tanks while firing their photon cannons. The footage repeatedly showed the Chinese tanks being taken down like a candle in the wind when the photon cannons fired in high definition.

  “As we have feared, the Korean tanks are using particle materials.”


  United States Secretary of Defense John Wayne spoke while resting his chin on his hands and brows furrowed.

  “Indeed. As we have seen from the footage, the cannons the Korean tanks are using are more advanced by a generation compared to the railgun cannons we have equipped our American tanks. The details are written in today’s report.”


  Tactics Analysis Officer Lieutenant General Rhode Mackey pointed to the report he sent in this morning and spoke.

  “How can Korea have such technological power? And in such a short time,” the U.S Secretary of Defense asked.

  “A few years ago, the CIA was caught trying to infiltrate a Korean secret military research facility. At the time, the Defense Intelligence Agency pacified the situation by recommending to the Korean government to stop all intelligence activities within the country.”


  Defense Intelligence Agency Director Michael Joshi answered.

  “A research facility? What do you mean?”


  Secretary John Wayne’s curiosity was piqued by the topic he had never heard of before.

  “At the time, our Intelligence Agency was highly interested and tried to gather intel, but the CIA’s activities were discovered. The White House ordered a stop to all espionage activities within Korea, therefore, we could not obtain any more information. But we believe this secret is related to Area 51,” Director Michael Joshi continued.

  Secretary John Wayne was shocked by the fact the facility could be related to Area 51, which was considered an SS rank top secret in the United States.

  “Area 51?”


  “It’s not something concrete to give an official report, but considering all the information we have, it might be possible Korea has UFO as well.”


  “That means the Korean government developed its tanks using alien technology . . .”


  “As I have said before, we have no concrete evidence. I am only speaking from the information we have so far on the suspicious superiority and power the Korean military has.”


  “Looking at the progress of the Korea–China war, I suppose it would be natural to think so. There is a cause for reasonable doubt, though. Have we located the position of the Korean satellite that might be an attack satellite?”


  “The thing is, we have checked all satellites that are in geostationary orbit above Korea’s aerospace, but we did not find any that matched the specs of a military satellite.”


  Dwayne Johnson, the U.S. Airforce Chief of Staff answered with embarrassment on his face.

  “My, Korea has launched over ten satellites in recent years, but none has been found. How does that make any sense?”


  “I am sorry, sir. If you give us more time, we will make sure to locate it.”


  “Work with NASA and find it ASAP.”


  “Yes, sir.”


  U.S. Secretary of Defense John Wayne tapped the table with his chin on his hands and spoke sternly.

  “I would like the military intelligence agencies to gather concrete intel about the Korean military’s power and weaponry. Use any means necessary and report about anything you find out, Director Michael.”


  “Yes, sir.”


  “Please set up a meeting with the Director of the CIA. I would like to speak with him.”


  “Yes, sir.”


  * * *

  November 1, 2020, 15:00 (China Standard Time 14:00), China Southern Sun-Yang Province, 60th Armored Brigade’s 26th Armored Battalion’s encampment

  The 26th armored battalion had camped out in the southern suburbs of Sun-Yang Province. They slept until the afternoon to rest from the battle that raged on until dawn. The men were gathered at the temporary mess hall to eat their late lunch after waking up.

  “I feel refreshed after finally taking a good sleep, but I am starving.”


  Sergeant First Class Oh Young-taek grabbed his stomach and started talking to Staff Sergeant Kim Young-joo who was walking behind him.

  “I also woke up early from the hunger, sir.”


  “Did you sleep well, Yeom?”


  “Yes, sir.”


  The three entered the temporary company mess hall and became wide-eyed.

  “Wow! When was the last time we were served steamed kimchi ribs?”


  The 7th Mobile Corps Commander gave a special order to prepare the dish for the men who gave their all to take over Sun-Yang. The soup was made with beef, and there were six side dishes instead of four. So each man was getting served with two trays.

  “Sergeant First Class Oh, can you finish all that?”


  One of Sergeant First Class Oh Young-taek’s tray was filled with steamed ribs.

  “I knew you guys wouldn’t be able to get much because of your low ranks, so I got plenty. This is for you two, so eat up.”


  “Wow, I didn’t know you cared about your subordinates this much, Sarge.”


  “You figured that out now? Great work yesterday. Let’s eat up and regain our strength.”


  “Yes, sir!”


  Staff Sergeant Kim Young-joo and Corporal Yeom Hoon-gi grabbed a rib the size of their fists before taking a bite.

  “You guys aren’t the only mouths to feed, you know.”


  Sergeant First Class Lee Suk-kyung appeared out of nowhere and tried to grab one of the ribs as he sat down next to Sergeant First Class Oh Young-taek.

  “Hey! Eat your own. These are for my men.”


  “Come on, man. Don’t you have any love for your cohort? I will get you guys something good so share a little!”


  “Like what?”


  Sergeant First Class Oh Young-taek glared at Sergeant First Class Lee Suk-kyung while grabbing his hand that moved toward the ribs.

  “All right, stop being petty. It’s this.”


  Sergeant First Class Lee Suk-kyung showed the pack of soju inside his jacket and smiled.

  “Where did you get that?”


  “I begged the Mess Sergeant and got it. Can I eat now?”


  “So are we grabbing a drink tonight?”


  “Come to our tent later! Let’s have a drink together!”