The Crucible. Joaquin De Torres
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us. They’re too dedicated to their own political survival to think of anything as big as this. Besides, most of them are as corrupt as they are cowards.”
“There is one, Admiral,” Kim interjected. “We both know that--”
“No!” Park spat, shaking his head quickly. “This can only be done by us.” Kim swallowed his sentence and nodded in agreement. “Besides, you know the Defense Minister and I are enemies. He doesn’t know our intentions, and I’ll not risk anymore commanders. You’re all I need, Doo-hwan.” He reached over and grabbed Kim’s wrist gently. “It pains me enough to know that your life and your career--” he closed his eyes in regret. “Will be changed forever.”
“I chose this life, Admiral,” Kim said calmly, trying hard to suppress his anxiety. “You taught me everything I know and believe in this mission. I will follow you to the end.”
Park opened his eyes and smiled.
“Thank you, Doo-hwan. Now, the target. In order to not be seen as the instigators of a war, we must not be in Korean waters when we carry out our plan.”
“What do you mean, Admiral?”
“I mean, we must be very far away from the Korean Peninsula and our fleet. We must be on our own, independent and completely unconstrained from our government.” Park studied Kim’s face, looking for doubt.
“Admiral, our original plan was to engage a small ship in our operating area, disable it, but not destroy it, then--”
“The plan has changed considerably since we last talked, Doo-hwan. Trust me, after you hear me out, you will realize that the new plan, no matter how radical it sounds, is a more beneficial one.” Park waited for Kim’s response, which took a long moment.
“Then where, sir?”
“Somewhere you aren’t expecting.” Park took a longer sip from his cup. “America.” Kim stared blankly at him, but Park nodded his head. “We’re going to Hawaiian waters.”
“Why?” Apprehension now mapped Kim’s face.
“Because they would never expect it. We will be able to have the audience that is needed to change American policy.” Park pushed away from his desk and walked over to a large wall map depicting the entire Pacific Ocean area. He pointed to the Korean Peninsula. “If we attack here or anywhere in our or Japan’s waters, our actions will be seen as just part of what’s supposed to happen in a war zone.” He moved his finger down to the tiny formation depicting the Hawaiian Island chain. “But if we strike here, something that’s clearly not supposed to happen, then we’ll capture not only America’s attention, but the attention of the world!”
Kim could only stare at the finger pointing to the islands. His eyes traced the distance between the finger and the Korean Peninsula and shook his head.
“So, you’re saying we’re going to travel over 4,000 miles to American waters to attack an American aircraft carrier.” Kim’s face was nothing less than incredulous.
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.” Park’s face was stern and showed no doubt. “The surprise factor, the audacity of the act, and the reason for it are things the media will kill for. To achieve our final goal we desperately need the media.” Kim’s eyes trailed off as he considered the possibilities and the implications of this new plan. He broke out of his contemplative moment and refocused on his news.
“Admiral, it’s important that you read about what was said at that meeting yesterday.” Kim again offered the sheet of paper.
“The orders you received are inconsequential.” Park returned to his seat and took the paper. “What? We’re going to war?” he asked as he read the lines again. “It says first strike capability on South Korea is first priority, followed by successive strikes targeting U.S. bases, then thermobaric strikes against surface units.” He read further. “Evacuation procedures are fifth priority!? What is this!?”
“The high command nor the government cares about our people. The orders call for the total obliteration of South Korea with no consideration to our citizens. Look at the bottom line, Admiral.”
“The public is not to be warned!” Park couldn’t believe what he had just read.
“The defense minister feels that any advanced preparation would only inform the enemy of our intentions. He did suggest possibly giving the U.S. a 12 or 24-hour warning, but didn’t state which, or when.”
“It doesn’t say anywhere when this attack is to happen!” Park was furious that he and his fellow commanders would receive weak mission orders while the government planned an all-out attack.
“My contact feels that it will happen within two weeks,” Kim offered solemnly. “If no relief is given to our nation by that time, a warning will be given. If the blockade is not lifted by the end of that warning, South Korea is to be destroyed at all costs.” Kim’s voice trailed off, overshadowed by dread. Park stood up and walked to the map again, his eyes silently studying the tracks, distances and waypoints that he had plotted in his mind earlier. He turned around crisply.
“Time is critical, Doo-hwan.”
“For what?”
“We will engage the carrier.”
“But, sir--”
“We will attack the carrier, then surrender to the Americans. We will make our plea then in front of the world once we enter Pearl Harbor.”
“Admiral, how can we--” Park held up his hand upon which Kim ended his attempts to object.
“Think about it first, Doo-hwan! By doing this we will have done two things--both positive. First, we would plead for the end of the blockade making them believe that desperation forced our hand. Public opinion by the Americans and the world is overwhelming. They want the blockade to stop. We must take advantage of this. And second, according to your news, we will have stopped an attack on South Korea. We will have saved both nations from going to war!”
“How can that happen?” Kim asked, already knowing the answer.
“If we get the Americans to end the blockade, and international agencies like the UN or Red Cross begin bringing in aid, our government would have no reason for the attack. None, whatsoever.” Kim nodded to Park’s delight. “I don’t care what happens to me as a consequence. I plan to turn myself over to American authorities. I will take the blame for it all, so that the crew may return home as heroes.” Park’s eyes were riveted with resolution. He raised his finger into the air. “The most important thing we must do--you and I--is to get the American’s to end the Iron Clad blockade. That’s it! How it’s done, is as you said, inconsequential.”
“I’m with you, Admiral! To the end!”
“Good! We will slip out of the harbor tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? sir, we can’t do that,” Kim cut in. “Our weapons bays are not yet loaded and we can’t load them until the day after tomorrow when the storm front is anticipated.”
“Storm front? Load them now!”
“sir, the storm front will blanket the coast with so much cloud cover that the American imagery satellites won’t be able to photograph the dock. We’ll be shielded during the loading. If we intend to travel across the Pacific undetected, we need to use the storm fronts.” Kim’s expression was clear and firm. “It's typhoon season and we must use this natural and powerful advantage.” Park took a deep breath, held by Kim’s unshakable eyes which now glimmered with the possibility that this plan may just work. He acknowledged his protégé by nodding his head and silently thanked the gods for him.
“Of course, Doo-hwan. Of course, you’re right. I got carried away.”
“Who is to know among us?” Kim asked. “I’ve told no one.”
“Set