Chapter 249: Do You Think It’s Me?

As a week passed, the initial chaos began to subside somewhat.

However, the anger of the Americans showed no signs of cooling down.

In New York, large crowds gathered daily in front of the Twin Towers, mourning the victims and vowing vengeance.

In Washington D.C., memorial processions visiting the Capitol continued without end.

Despite the fierce response from the U.S., countries and terrorist groups that held anti-American sentiments denied any involvement, while America pointed fingers at Al-Qaeda as the perpetrator.

This conclusion stemmed from intelligence gathered from various agencies and informants around the globe.

– Either join us, or stand against us.

Alongside this, the U.S. issued a warning to the world: any country or organization that harbored or protected Al-Qaeda would be considered an enemy.

One deranged individual in Iraq mocked the situation by saying he had received ‘the wrath of God,’ only to hastily backtrack, but the U.S. government, searching for targets for retaliation, didn’t let him off the hook.

Thanks to the fall of Hussein’s regime, people caught a glimpse of America’s tremendous rage.

“You go to the New York headquarters to handle things, then come back to Korea. I’ll already be in Korea by tomorrow,” I instructed.

I planned to send Han Gyeong-yeong back to New York and spend my last night in Washington D.C.

As I gazed at the Washington skyline through the suite’s large glass window, I slowly swirled my drink.

At that moment, Manager Ma entered as the door swung open.

“Boss, Vice President Dick Cheney is here. What should we do?”

“Vice President Cheney?”

I turned at his words, momentarily surprised by the unexpected visitor, then nodded.

“Let him in.”

As I granted permission, Dick Cheney stepped into the room, accompanied by his security detail.

“Good to see you, Mr. Vice President.”

“Long time no see, Kim Mu-hyeok.”

I set down my drink and shook hands with Cheney before guiding him to a seat.

As soon as we sat across from each other, Cheney spoke first.

“We don’t have much time. Let’s get straight to the point. I’d like everyone else to leave. That includes my security detail and yours.”

The seriousness in his gaze suggested this was an important discussion, so I accepted his request.

I signaled to Manager Ma to dismiss everyone, and he bowed respectfully before ushering them out of the room.

Now, it was just Cheney and me left in the room. I lifted the whiskey bottle, looking at his tired face, and asked.

“Would you like a drink?”

“Hmm… Just one, please. I haven’t had the mental strength to drink lately.”

I poured whiskey into Cheney’s glass and filled my own as well.

After quickly downing his drink, he immediately stated his reason for coming.

“Sorry for calling on you after inviting you to the inauguration. I’ve been a bit neglectful.”

“Not at all. I completely understand.”

After exchanging pleasantries, Cheney’s expression grew serious as he asked.

“You must have seen the reports about Al-Qaeda being behind this latest attack. We’re about to start a war on terror.”

I was taken aback. It was surprising to hear such sentiments from Cheney, who hadn’t exactly harbored warm feelings for me.

“I’m counting on Black Bear’s involvement in this situation. Although I’ve spoken with Eric, I felt it necessary to inform the actual owner, Kim Mu-hyeok.”

“That’s a matter for Eric to handle, not mine.”

“Is that so?”

Cheney smiled faintly at my detached response.

Leaning forward with a solemn expression, he posed a question.

“Do you believe Al-Qaeda was responsible for this, as we claim?”

His unexpected question caught me off guard, but I answered nonchalantly.

“Al-Qaeda has been attacking the U.S. for a long time. If they wanted, they could have orchestrated this incident. Besides… does it really matter if they are behind it or not?”

“Conspiracy theories are already circulating, suggesting this is a fabricated incident or a second Gulf of Tonkin situation.”

I couldn’t believe the government was paying attention to such rumors. A light chuckle escaped me.

The Gulf of Tonkin incident was used as a pretext for U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.

Despite having no casualties, this incident marked the beginning of serious U.S. participation in the Vietnam War.

Because of this, even decades later, conspiracy theories surrounding it persisted.

“Why are you laughing?”

Cheney, noticing my chuckle, asked in a tense tone.

“Oh, my apologies. I couldn’t help but think how absurd it was.”

“Well, I have already dispatched special forces to northern Afghanistan. Black Bear will also be deployed next week. This is classified information.”

What on earth was going on with him? Doubts began to flower in my mind, yet I remained silent and listened.

I couldn’t fathom why he was sharing top-secret information with me.

“Originally, we planned to attack all countries hostile to us, including North Korea. So, I started investigating you too, to see what your relationship with North Korea is and what you could gain from this incident.”

With every word Cheney spoke, my face hardened.

“It surprised me. Based on your past actions, I thought you would benefit greatly from this incident. Yet you made no moves, nor did you seem to gain anything. It was almost as if you knew we would investigate you.”

As expected… my assumption was correct.

They were indeed monitoring those who profited from the terror attacks.

Even if I hadn’t profited, they would conduct investigations under the pretext of national security to eliminate any undesirables.

However, I had no intention of gaining anything from the 9/11 attacks.

“So?”

The atmosphere in the room chilled in an instant.

I tried to hide my discomfort, but a cold tone slipped out naturally.

To mask my rigid demeanor, I cast my eyes down, raising my drink to swirl it slowly.

“Yet, just days before this incident, airline stocks were being sold off in massive amounts. Stocks linked to the airlines involved in the hijacking. It’s as if they had foreseen the terror.”

This revelation was a fact I was unaware of. As I listened closely, our eyes met.

“Moreover, there were others who profited significantly from various derivatives related to this event. Digging into the source of their funds led to a sudden dead end, as if they vanished into thin air.”

Cheney scrutinized my expression as he finished his statement.

Feeling scrutinized put me on edge, so I brought my drink to my lips and asked.

“Are you suggesting that it was me?”

“Well, it could be you, or it might not. Eventually, the truth will come out, won’t it?”

His vague response irritated me. I set down my glass and glared at him.

“Please explain why you’re telling me this. What’s the reason behind your visit?”

Cheney suddenly burst into laughter, causing me to frown unwittingly.

“Don’t take it too badly; I’m here for good reasons.”

“…Good reasons?”

“I heard you want a peace treaty between the U.S. and North Korea. That’s what I’m here to discuss.”

“President Bush rejected that. Wasn’t it a done deal?”

The peace treaty was already out of my hands.

If it were before the 9/11 terror attacks, perhaps, but now it was impossible.

Yet Cheney spoke words that were completely contrary to my expectations.

“We are willing to discuss a peace treaty.”

“Suddenly?”

“Yes, it’s the stance of our administration.”

“That’s unexpected.”

Without answering, Cheney simply smiled and suddenly extended his empty glass.

“Pour me another drink.”

I poured whiskey into his glass, and he set it down as he continued.

“Next week, North Korea and several other countries will likely be reclassified as state sponsors of terrorism.”

State sponsors of terrorism.

A term that the U.S. uses to classify countries that pose national security threats.

North Korea had already been designated as a state sponsor of terrorism due to the 1988 KAL flight bombing, but due to the atmosphere of reconciliation between the North and South, discussions of removing that designation had been circulating in Washington.

But, with the Bush administration taking office and this terrorist incident occurring, all that speculation evaporated.

“The countries that get reclassified as state sponsors of terrorism will be cut off from all support from the U.S. and most other countries. They will be utterly isolated.”

While this was an excessive measure, given the current climate in the U.S., nobody could oppose it—not even Russia or China.

If Cheney’s words were to be believed, North Korea would be thoroughly isolated.

In their isolation, they’d likely restart nuclear development, and those who had advocated for rapprochement would be purged. Ultimately, hardliners would regain control.

One single event was weaving a web of consequences that extended across the globe.

“If we talked about a peace treaty after this incident, I wouldn’t be making this proposal now.”

That was an obvious truth. Nodding in understanding, Cheney opened his mouth once more.

“I’ll give their sincerity a chance.”

“What are the conditions?”

“We guarantee the regime’s stability in exchange for a complete declaration of nuclear disarmament. Following disarmament, we will allow ongoing nuclear inspections by the U.S., and lastly, participate in the war on terror as an ally of the U.S.”

I had expected nuclear disarmament, but military involvement as an ally was a more difficult request to accept.

“Is that possible?”

“Are you suggesting we should recognize the Kim Jong-il regime?”

“Yes, if you share our sentiments, we have no problem with dictators.”

“Then, I will convey your message.”

Cheney smiled at my reply, raising his glass.

“Let’s finish this with one last drink.”

I smiled in return, raising my glass as well. We clinked our glasses together and drank in unison.

As Cheney set down his empty glass, he stood up first.

He extended his hand, and I grasped it, shaking lightly.

“I hope for a good outcome. If it turns out you’ve had any involvement in this terror incident, you’ll experience America’s true wrath then.”

Cheney warned as he gripped my hand firmly. While suspicion lingered in his eyes, I stated firmly.

“I am innocent.”

After our handshake ended, Cheney exited the room.

Once he left, I sat alone, swirling my glass as I pondered.

A flood of information overwhelmed my mind, causing chaos.

“Suddenly, a peace treaty with North Korea?”

I couldn’t fathom what the U.S. truly wanted. But, one thing was clear: this was my last chance.

“Manager, please get in touch with Kim Jong-il.”

“Right now?”

“Yes.”

Although Jang Seong-taek suggested contacting through the embassy, I chose to contact Kim Jong-il directly since I was unaware of his intentions.

“Please hold on for a moment.”

Manager Ma exited the room and returned with a satellite phone.

He then lifted the receiver and began dialing.

Watching him, I slowly organized the confused thoughts in my head.

“Anyway, to ask for their military support.”

Would North Korea be willing to accept this proposal? And what was America’s true intention behind it?

Many thoughts swirled chaotically in my mind but refused to settle down.

“Boss, it’s Baek Cheol-soo.”

The person who answered on Kim Jong-il’s hotline was Baek Cheol-soo. That indicated the level of trust Kim Jong-il had in him.

I received the receiver from Manager Ma and spoke up.

“Baek Cheol-soo, it’s Kim Mu-hyeok.”

― Yes, Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok. This is Baek Cheolsoo. What brings you to call?

“Long time no see. I need to speak with Chairman Kim Jong-il.”

― He’s currently sleeping. Is it urgent?

Checking the time, I realized it was indeed early morning in Pyongyang.

But this matter needed discussing right away, so I pressed him further.

“I’ll explain directly.”

― ······Please hold for a moment.

A brief silence fell on the line.

Shortly after, a familiar voice came through.

― Is this Kim Mu-hyeok?

“Yes, Chairman. It’s Kim Mu-hyeok.”

― What’s going on at this hour?

Kim Jong-il’s voice sounded groggy. Soon, I could hear him giving orders to those around him, and I waited patiently for him to finish.

Once he cleared his throat lightly, I took it as my cue to begin.

“I’m currently in Washington.”

― ······Is that so?

His tone shifted at the mention of Washington.

“I’ve made progress on the task you assigned before, and I would like to visit Pyongyang this time. Please inform President Kim Hak-gwon.”