An axis of evil? No, this was simply a coalition of nations and transnational actors sensing a window of opportunity to give back to the United States what it had, in their view, been dishing out for the past two decades. A group of wolves that had been wandering through the geopolitical hinterlands who had now found ample prey.
And like wolves or Serengeti dogs they stayed close, sniffing, appraising, thinking, and developed a plan of attack that was proceeding nicely.
Aswan looked up at him from across the table and shrugged, as if to say, When do we begin?
The last man had finally arrived, each accommodating another’s tardiness, given the circuitous they were required to take to arrive. But finally, Sung decided to speak. Those that required them had interpreters mumbling quietly in their ears.
“I think it best,” Sung said, giving the interpreters time to echo his words, “that we all introduce ourselves, since many of us have never met. But first let me say that we are all here today to conduct the final coordination and come to ultimate agreement on a work that has been in progress for many years. Our objectives are mutually supporting, and indeed, our forces will be operating together. It is my understanding that each of you has the power to speak on behalf of your ruler, and that your word is binding.”
He surveyed the room of nearly twenty men. He was impressed that they all had arrived and seemed dedicated to the alliance. Yet he had expected more of each man. Having left the country of North Korea only a few times himself, he had a grander image of these men than how they seemed in person. Nonetheless, they were present and ready to commit.
The room had a low ceiling and large, square, open-air windows. Plain-clothes guards were posted outside, leaving the diplomats to do their business. The men sat in folding metal chairs around a large, unfinished plywood table. Sung sat at the head of the table. He was a short man with black hair combed precisely. He had not changed his dark suit in the twenty-four-hour trip from Pyongyang to Panama City. His private jet had landed at Honolulu International Airport and then in Mexico City for refueling before making the final stop on the Atlantic side of the island at Fort Sherman.
“Let us begin with a quick update, which will be provided by my assistant, Sue Kim,” Sung said.
Sue Kim stood from the table and addressed the assembled crowd. She wore a black silk business dress, which complemented her midnight-black hair. Her face was an oval-shaped, tanned mask punctuated by two onyx eyes and full, sensuous lips. While Sung had initially been simply attracted to her looks, he had become profoundly impressed with her balance and sharp mind.
“Our friends in Iraq have fully engaged almost seven U.S. Army divisions and, more importantly, a significant portion of their organic logistics. Likewise with Afghanistan, an entire army division is entrenched there. Bosnia and Kosovo are still consuming their forces, also. What’s left in the United States is reorganizing. We believe we can get a foothold before these units can react.”
She motioned at the map with a metal pointer as she listed each military unit. She rattled off which units were deployed in combat and which were refitting at their home stations in North Carolina, Kentucky, and Texas.
“We assess that it will be difficult, but not impossible, for these units to respond to an internal threat.”
She paused, then said with emphasis, “We intend to apply an old North Vietnamese principle against the United States. For a time in the early portion of the war, the Americans were able to defeat the North Vietnamese armies by using superior technology such as jets, bombs, and artillery. The North Vietnamese overcame that advantage by applying tactics. The tactics were those of closing with the Americans in battle so that the bombs could not be called in without killing Americans as well. This technique proved to be very effective, and, thus, our entire campaign plan is based upon this principle. By introducing military force into the United States, the Americans will not only have to make decisions about the use of force within their own country, but also about the limits of destruction they are willing to accept.”
The cinderblock hut was still. Sung could hear a pack of monkeys in the distance screaming and cackling, as if to amplify Kim’s point. The Central Committee had been clever and resourceful up to this point. The news of the destruction of the Metroliner, the mall, and the sports arena was especially welcomed. It meant that the timeline was in effect and gave Sung confidence that many of the variables they had been questioning, such as internal American support, were indeed accounted for.
“Thanks to our Iraqi friends, in particular General Ballantine, we have begun Phase Two operations. The Texas state capitol building will be destroyed next, and we expect to have the same effect as the other attacks. There is one American that does seem suspicious of who might be behind the attacks. His name is Mr. Matt Garrett. He has been to the Canadian headquarters site with what we believe to be a small CIA paramilitary team. Ballantine had to evacuate last night, so operations from Canada were compromised.”
Sung turned to Kim and asked, “What do we plan to do about this Garrett?”
“Not to worry. Ballantine has indicated that he will take care of that issue. He is in full communication and remains capable.”
Sung nodded. “Continue.”
“The American government has chosen to continue limited airline operations. This is better than we could have hoped and should provide us the necessary cover for the remainder of our operations.
“In closing, I should say that we will remain here at Fort Sherman. Lodging has been prepared for everyone. We have security. No one is authorized to have communications outside of our command center. Our guards have orders to kill anyone who is caught trying to depart.” Kim sat down with a perfunctory cross of her legs.
Sung stood and began speaking. “Let me first say that it is a genuine pleasure to be teamed with so many admirable allies. I would like for us all to say our names, what our countries’ objectives are, and where we are in stages of preparation. As for North Korea, we have the necessary personnel and supplies to conduct our part of the operation in this hemisphere. Inside of the United States, we have infiltrated our special operations personnel. Thanks to Mr. Cartagena’s supply routes, we have all of the necessary equipment to conduct operations in the Northwest. Are there any questions?”
The men were silent, many still listening to their own interpreters and processing the information. Sung let what he considered sufficient time to pass and then opened his hand to Aswan, indicating for him to speak next.
“Good morning, gentlemen. My name is Hosni Aswan. I am here on behalf of all members of Saddam Hussein’s former regime.”
Hosni Aswan was a young Iraqi who had fought in the Persian Gulf War in Ballantine’s Tawalkana Division. His loyalties ran deep not only to Ballantine, but also to Hussein. It was no mistake that Hussein had called upon the services of both Ballantine and Aswan. Aswan was a short man with olive skin, typical of his people, and a slashing scar across his left arm. The wound was the result of artillery shrapnel. He wore a short-sleeve, white madras shirt and black pants.