January 19th, 2024, 13:00

  B2 bunker in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Namju (Joint Chief of Staff at the Armed Forces Joint Command Control Center)

  Following the briefing from the commander of the first Army in charge of the northwest front in the operational conference room, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Shin Sung-yong returned to his office, sank his heavy body into the sofa, and drank the hot coffee brought by his assistant.

  He was physically and mentally exhausted after two months of being unable to sleep for more than three or four hours per day.

  Not only his family, but also several commanders, advised him to get enough rest to keep his health in check, but as the top military commander in charge of the Republic of Korea’s Armed Forces, he had to overcome such adversity. He had been doing his best day and night with the desire to do as well as Kang Ui-sik, the current defense minister and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

  “Assistant! Please call the head of the intelligence department.”


  “Yes, Chairman!”


  Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Shin Sung-yong, placed the coffee cup on the table and gave his instructions to his assistant through the intercom.

  After a while, Lieutenant General Oh Dong-gwun, head of the intelligence division of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, came in.

  “Salute!”


  After his modest big salute, Lieutenant General Oh Dong-gwon took off his hat and sat on the sofa opposite the chairman.

  “Have you called me, Chairman?”


  “I apologize. You must be preoccupied with things but I called you here.”


  “What are you talking about? You’re busier than I am.”


  “Haha, is that so? Anyway, what happened to the thing that I asked you to look into last time?”


  “Oh! You mean the US reconnaissance satellite?”


  “Has there been any progress?”


  South Korea, which was engaged in an unprecedented large-scale air war with two countries, Russia and New China, suffered more damage than expected and determined that the cause could be due to the US reconnaissance satellite. As a result, they officially requested that the US Department of Defense withdraw its reconnaissance satellite mission over Russia.

  However, as expected, the US Department of Defense denied the request, claiming that it was a routine reconnaissance mission. As a result, Joint Chiefs of Staff Shin Sung-yong directed Oh Dong-gwon, head of the intelligence division, to find information on the U.S. reconnaissance satellite through the military intelligence department.

  So far, the only information available is that it was developed in February 2023 under the model name X-350 Atlas Reconnaissance Satellite and was launched into space in March, with a total of 12 units currently operating in low orbit. In fact, it was impossible to determine the capabilities of the X-350 Atlas reconnaissance satellite.

  “I’m sorry. There has been no progress since the last time. We are currently mobilizing all of the resources of the Intelligence Command, Security Command, and all intelligence departments within each military to investigate, but NASA is obstructing us.”


  Currently, NASA has a more comprehensive security system against external hacking than the Pentagon in the United States or the White House in Washington. Following the Area 51 hacking incident in 2015, NASA has spent astronomical amounts of money to create a security system that can never be hacked from the outside.

  As a result, all attempts by intelligence officers and soldiers to hack NASA’s computer network and obtain information on the X-350 Atlas reconnaissance satellite were futile.

  “Well, NASA…Is there no way?”


  “50 people are attempting to hack NASA’s computer network but we have yet to find a way to do so. I apologize.”


  “There is nothing to be sorry for, and…Ask the National Intelligence Service for support.”


  “NIS?”


  “Yeah, aren’t there a lot of talented people in the National Intelligence Service? What about Namgoong?”


  Shin Sung-yong, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, couldn’t recall his full name.

  “Chairman! Are you talking about Namgoong-won?”


  “Yes! That’s right! I heard that he is the best in Korea.”


  “Namgoong-won is no longer a member of the National Intelligence Service. It’s been a while since he left, and he was one of the people that was rescued during the last Tianjin VIP rescue.”


  Although detailed information on the VIP-class rescue in Tianjin was received from the National Intelligence Service, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Shin Sung-yong, was unaware of the information about the rescued personnel.

  “Is that true?”


  “Yes, that’s right. I learned about it after a brief conversation with Director Chuk Hyuk-joon of the Cyber Security Bureau at the National Intelligence Service.”


  “Well, I see. By the way… How did he get involved in the Tianjin accident if he had retired?”


  “It seems that the National Intelligence Service needed his help. So, as far as I know, he temporarily returned to work and resumed his duties.”


  “Oh! He’s a saint. Do you know how he is doing now?”


  “I heard that he was receiving treatment at the National Medical Center and was discharged a few days ago.”


  “Really? Then you must confirm Namgoong-won’s exact condition with Director Chuk Hyuk-joon and check whether he will be willing to assist us so that I can make an official request to the Director of National Intelligence Service.”


  “Chairman, he has just returned from the verge of death, asking him once more…”


  Lieutenant General Lee Dong-gwon appeared embarrassed and trailed off at the end of his sentence, at which Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Shin Sung-yong looked at him with serious eyes and said, “We are currently at war. In a few days, there could be a naval war with the US Navy. I understand what’s on your mind but we have to do our best. I’ve never met Namgoong-won, but I believe he’ll do us this favor.”


  “Yes, I see.”


  January 19th, 2024, 17:00

  LF Apartment (1103) in Jamsilbon-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul

  Namgoong-won, who was discharged from the National Medical Center three days ago, was eating, sleeping, and watching television in his home as if he was unemployed.

  Only the follow-up measures of the merged New China and the battlefield situation of the Korean-Russian war were broadcasting on TV these days, rather than fun entertainment programs or dramas. In particular, as all the territory of New China belonged to Korea now, real estate speculation was on fire.

  Today, on the TV channel, a real estate expert and an overweight man appeared and discussed whether he could make a lot of money after the city restoration project was carried out if he bought land now.

  “Sigh! I’m bored to death. Instead of entertaining shows, there are only programs like this that cause citizens to exaggerate!”


  Namgoong-won threw the remote and sat on the sofa, staring at the ceiling. His wife, Lee Hye-jin, was away at work, leaving him at home alone.

  At the time of discharge, the doctor in charge asked him to rest well without doing anything for at least 10 days and then resume his normal activities. Accordingly, Lee Hye-jin had given him an order to rest at home without doing anything. As a result, Namgoong-won, who was stuck at home, was in a zombie state, wandering around obediently.

  “What should I do? Shall I play a game? My lovely wife is about to get off work, so should I go out to the mart to buy food for dinner?”


  While he was looking at the ceiling, thinking, the doorbell rang.

  “What is it? Is it a package? I didn’t order anything.”


  Looking at the front door monitor, he could see Director Chuk Hyuk-joon and a soldier in a military uniform standing right behind him.

  “Huh? What happened to Director Chuk?”


  Namgoong-won ran to the front door wearing a white t-shirt and colorful sleeping pants and opened the door.

  “Are you feeling okay?”


  “Oh! Director Chuk! Welcome. Haha, my body is fine.”


  Namgoong-won spread his hands and made a gesture that he was okay and opened the front door wide.

  “Oh! This is Colonel Kim Tae-seok from the intelligence headquarters of the Joint Chiefs of Staff!” Director Chuk Hyuk-joon introduced the soldier standing behind him.

  “Hello, I’m Kim Tae-seok.”


  “Hello, nice to meet you. Oh my! Come on in. Haha.”


  When Director Chuk Hyuk-joon and Colonel Kim Tae-seok sat down on the living room sofa, Namgoong-won dashed to the kitchen and served them two cups of Americano coffee.

  “Do you like coffee? Haha, I should`ve asked you before bringing it but I’m so distracted. Haha.”


  “Ah! I like coffee. It’s okay.”


  Colonel Kim Tae-seok drank a sip of coffee from his cup.

  “Well, it smells good and tastes great.”


  “Haha, my wife is a coffee maniac…so, she only uses Ghanaian coffee.”


  Namgoong-won sat on the sofa opposite them during this awkward conversation, and then Director Chuk Hyuk-joon explained the purpose of their visit to his house.

  “Manager Namgoong-won! I’m sorry to come to your house all of sudden.”


  “No, Director! I was so bored.”


  “Without further delay, we’ve come because the Joint Chiefs of Staff want you to hack into NASA’s computer network.”


  “What? NASA?”


  “Colonel Kim Tae-seok will fill you in on all the details.”


  Colonel Kim Tae-seok began his explanation with several documents and photos as soon as Director Chuk Hyuk-joon finished talking.

  Namgoong-won was puzzled when he heard Colonel Kim Tae-seok’s explanation.

  “We think your skills will be enough to hack it. Will you help us?” Director Chuk Hyuk-joon asked on behalf of Colonel Kim Tae-seok. This was also the purpose of Director Chuk Hyuk-joon’s visit in person.

  “Oh! I know what I am saying might be childish to you but I think my wife would oppose it.”


  “Are you talking about Manager Lee? I’ll try to persuade her.”


  “Mr. Namgoong-won! I know you did a dangerous mission that nearly cost you your life the last time. As a result, I completely understand your wife’s objection. However, this is a safe mission within the intelligence command.”


  Colonel Kim Tae-seok said in a calm tone.

  “First of all, I’ll speak with my wife when she returns. I apologize for not being able to give you a reply right away, even though you came to see me in person while you were busy with work.”


  “Oh, never mind. Please discuss it with your wife. We hope you can respond to us today because we don’t have much time.”


  “Yes. I’ll let you know my decision tonight.”


  Namgoong-won smiled as he looked at the business card given to him by Colonel Kim Tae-seok.

  “Haha, I look forward to hearing from you.”


  They talked for another 20 minutes before leaving, and Lee Hye-jin, whose entire body was exhausted, arrived home at 7 p.m.

  “Honey! I am here!”


  Lee Hye-jin, who opened the front door and entered their house, buried herself on the sofa and collapsed. However, she couldn’t feel Namgoong-won’s presence at home.

  Lee Hye-jin sat up, looked around, and shouted.

  “Honey! I am home!”


  However, there was only silence.

  “Namgoong-won! Won! Hey! Where are you?”


  Lee Hye-jin finally got up from the sofa and looked around the house, room by room. Finally, she looked in the most suspicious small room, his studio, where he works on various programs.

  She banged the door open! She noticed Namgoong-won was excitedly working on something on the main computer.

  “Hey! Namgoong-won!”


  When Lee Hye-jin shouted, Namgoong-won, who had been working on something in a trance-like state until then, was startled, and eventually fell off the chair.

  “What are you doing? Your wife is here. Can’t you hear me? Huh? Namgoong-won!”


  “Oh! Is the queen here? I’m sorry. I was working on something…”


  “Didn’t I tell you not to touch your computer for a while and just take a good rest? I’m going to destroy everything.”


  Lee Hye-jin held a small hand hammer in her right hand.

  “Queen, please don’t.”


  Namgoong-won knelt, pretending to pray with both hands together.

  “Get out of my way! I’m going to destroy everything!”


  “No! Honey! Don’t you know how expensive they are? Please forgive me!”


  “Get out of my way!”


  “You can’t.”


  “Get out of my way!”


  “No!”


  Namgoong-won and Lee Hye-jin, who had dinner at the table after the argument, looked at each other with loving eyes.

  Namgoong-won then cautiously mentioned Director Chuk Hyuk-joon’s visit and Lee Hye-jin’s response was as expected.

  “No! You almost made your wife a widow. How can you go back?”


  “Honey, it is safe this time! I’m not going abroad. I will be working at the information command for a while.”


  “No! Didn’t you hear what the doctor said? He told you not to do anything and to rest well for 10 days after discharge! It’s only been three days since you were discharged from the hospital!” Lee Hye-jin glared at him with her eyes wide open and said firmly.

  “You are saying this since you don’t know, but staying at home and doing nothing isn’t a break; it’s living as a corpse. If I continue in this manner for ten days, my body may feel better, but I will lose my mind. I assure you of it! I guarantee it.”


  Namgoong-won put down his spoon, crossed his arms, and pouted like a child.

  “Are you a kid?”


  “I don’t know!”


  “Oh! You’re becoming a kid!”


  “I don’t know!”


  “I don’t know if I will be raising two kids or one.”


  Lee Hye-jin shook her head as she stroked her eight-week-pregnant stomach……