The spy — former spy, Rhee corrected himself — had been all over the DPRK in the course of his work, but of course intelligence only needed to know what he had seen in the area occupied by the Kim holdouts. Cho knew about several installations in the area, including three bases that intelligence already knew about.
Although they could not possibly serve as the hiding place for the missiles, the intelligence people questioned him at length about those locations as well. Comparing their information with his was a good way to establish his credibility, and his capabilities.
He’d also located two installations that intelligence hadn’t known about. One was a facility for producing bootleg drugs, the other an extensive complex with several oversized armored doors, surrounded by pillboxes and other ground defenses. He’d interviewed locals in nearby villages, who, for a little food, were glad to share their stories of being blindfolded before being taken to work underground excavating huge chambers. It had to be the place, and Cho was confident of its location. He’d been close enough to see the pillboxes and the carefully camouflaged doors. Rhee listened carefully to every detail.
The debrief had lasted for hours, and they’d taken occasional breaks outside the van. The air outside was warm and thick, but the windowless van felt confining. Seeing the sun and taking more than three steps in a straight line refreshed them all.
Of course, there was no shoptalk outside the van, but during one such break, Rhee found himself standing next to Cho, the ex-Russian spy he was slowly coming to respect. Although they’d been introduced when the debrief began, Rhee had listened and said very little. Now, standing next to Cho, he felt he had to say something.
Feeling a little uncomfortable, Rhee asked, “Have you actually joined the army?”
Cho quickly shook his head. “No, Colonel. The uniform just helps me blend in,” he replied formally. “I’m sorry if it…”
“No, it’s fine,” Rhee responded. “For what it’s worth, you’d make a good sergeant.”
Cho smiled, recognizing praise when he heard it. “Thank you, sir.”
After only a moment’s pause, Rhee added, “Your father was a good general. The last war was a hard fight. He deserved better.”
Cho’s smile disappeared but he said “Thank you” again, then added, “May I ask you a question, Colonel?”
Rhee nodded, and Cho asked, “You’re going to plan the operation to capture the missile complex, aren’t you?”
“Plan it, and lead it, if I have any say in the matter,” Rhee responded firmly. “I may not have the same personal grievance that you do, but I won’t rest until the Kim regime is wiped from the earth.”
“Then take me with you,” Cho answered suddenly. “I’ve been through Russian infantry school and parachute training. The Russians even sent me to some of their special operations courses. I’m not as physically fit as your troops, but I’ve been on the ground where you’re going.” Rhee had heard dozens of new recruits with the same desperate tone, but he knew Cho’s determination came from a different place. “I have to be there,” Cho finished, almost begging.
Rhee paused for a long moment, but answered, “I’ll consider it.” After another pause, he added, “If I think you’d increase the chance of the operation’s success.” And after another pause, the colonel warned, “And as long as you’re not bent on personal revenge.”
Cho shook his head, “No, Colonel, although once, I might have been. Now, I have things to fight for, not fight against.”
The headquarters tent was larger than the intelligence section’s trailer, but it was becoming just as crowded. Many had heard rumors about a “special asset” arriving at the base, but the counterintelligence people had spread so many false rumors that nobody knew what to believe. In spite of tight security, many of the headquarters staff had found reasons to be at the briefing.
It was clear something was up. In the assembly area, there was more “hurry up and wait.” Fuel and ammunition stocks were being topped off. Stragglers were being quickly recalled. A few units had “relocated” that morning, supposedly to some other part of the area, but nobody seemed quite sure where.
Security was going to extremes. No new personnel were being allowed on base. Anyone away from their unit had to have a reason, and the orders to back up their story.
For the briefing, the headquarters tent, located near the center of the base, was surrounded with jammers that would scramble cell phone and other UHF frequencies. Several nearby tents were cleared and then occupied by security personnel, and anyone who had business near the tent had to have it cleared with the chief of staff.
Most drastic of all, the headquarters tent’s side flaps, normally rolled up to take advantage of any cooling breeze, had been lowered. Fans and portable air conditioners had been set up in their stead, but it was not completely effective. The temperature in the closed atmosphere was not helped by the high number of attendees.
Rhee would give his brief after the intelligence section. Although his Special Forces were only one part of Operation Kut, his team would have the final and most important role. A kut was a Korean cleansing ceremony. Performed by a shaman, usually a woman, it exorcised evil. The name hadn’t been Rhee’s suggestion, but he completely agreed with the choice. Anyone who had grown up in the South would feel the same way.
Cho’s arrival and information had triggered a series of events that was still cascading outward. Within minutes of concluding Cho’s debrief, Rhee and Kwon had retired to the SOF planning cell to rough out an attack plan. The intelligence staff began their own work, analyzing and then preparing the many reports that were needed by the air staff, the ground forces, even the navy.
Less than an hour later, General Kwon had assured General Sohn that the complex could be taken, and Sohn had issued warning orders to ground and air units all over Korea, then summoned his commanders.
While he waited for the higher ranks to arrive, Rhee continued to work on what was an uncomfortably rough briefing. Special operators tended to be detail men and perfectionists, because the details could be just as important as the big picture. He liked to have answers to any questions his audience might have. Rhee wasn’t alone, though. Two chairs over, he could see the deputy G2, a colonel like himself, typing furiously.
But they couldn’t afford to wait. They didn’t know what the holdouts’ timetable was. All they could do was move as quickly as possible. While Rhee gave his brief, General Kwon was taking their general concept and turning it into a proper operational plan. The colonel couldn’t think of anyone he’d rather have putting the plan together.
According to the chief of staff, General Sohn was ready to come in, but wanted everyone else there first. All Rhee could do was work quickly, and hope that they wouldn’t mind a few “to be determined” on the slides.
Kevin Little, representing the US forces, had arrived some time ago, but except for a hurried nod in greeting, Rhee had ignored his old comrade. He had work to do.
General Long had also arrived, with his interpreter. He was deputy commander of the Chinese Southeast Security Force, and had arrived late last night as the Chinese liaison. Rhee took the presence of a high-ranking Chinese officer as a good sign. Long was senior enough to make decisions, and not just relay everything back to headquarters and wait for a reply.
Long had also brought a gift: a list of all the installations known to Chinese intelligence related to any of the DPRK weapons of mass destruction.
It was foolish, but Rhee took some pride in knowing that while the new information filled in some gaps, they hadn’t known about Cho’s site, either. The Chinese also confirmed that they had not found any nuclear devices at the locations they had occupied.