by Kevin Brown
“It could be a place that had abnormally good weapon-making skills,” Taehan said. “Did they say whether the weapon was made of uranium or plutonium?” Taehan asked impatiently.
“Yes, they did,” Shunda said. “My friend, who had learned the technology of the weapon, told me that the principle used was to convert the mass into energy when an atom called uranium is broken down. The people in the camp call it a nuclear weapon and say it can devastate the entire planet.”
Taehan thought that the nuclear weapon could turn the war upside down.
Daekhan, who had been listening quietly said, “We are going to convince the leader of Kimose that we need that nuclear weapon. Then we are going to use the transmission device to take it to Taebakun and drop it on the culcoon factory.”
Taehan was shocked at the daring plan, but could see how the transmission device and the nuclear weapon were a perfect combination and if they were used together, could turn the tide of the war.
Dutan spoke, elaborating on the plan. “If we carry the nuclear weapon through the pathway outside the atmosphere, the transport will be destroyed by Taebakun fighter planes before it can reach its destination. The transmission device solves the problem nicely.” He looked at Taehan and nearly smiled as he anticipated using the device to such a great end.
“First,” Daekhan explained, “we will move to the location in Kubaisen that corresponds to the bombing target on planet Taebakun. Then we will install the transmission device and bring the nuclear weapon to the area. When we’re ready, we will complete the operation by dropping the weapon on our target; Taebakun’s culcoon factory.”
“Right now Taebakun is winning the war with the size of their culcoon army so our next move is to prevent them from making any more. If we destroy their factory by using the nuclear weapon, they will not be able to outnumber other armed forces as they do now.”
Taehan grasped. The operation could work. “It’s an exquisite plan. Amazing!”
“I did not come up with it on my own,” Daekhan said. It was one of the scenarios we discussed for striking Taebakun before they attacked us. It was not the original intention, and I was not expecting to use it after being defeated so soundly on that battlefield. But here we are, in a position where we must use it and hope all goes according to plan.”
“I believe it will,” Taehan said. “What are you going to do with the enemies already in Hoon, Hanbau, and Koman? There are a lot of them.”
“After destroying the factory, we will have to fight against the remaining enemies. It will not be easy, and the war may be longer than expected. But the fight will be more equal once the factory is destroyed. We will have to make a united force by gathering all our troops and what Shunda can recruit in Kubaisen as well as the parantan troops scattered throughout Hoon’s major cities of Hoon. We’ll also have to get the troops that are resisting in Hanbau. If we can pull all these troops together, we may be able to compete with Taebakun’s armed forces.”
Taehan was impressed by Daekhan’s plan. “Will the fighter plane that led us through the transmission device make the delivery?”
“Yes, it is a bomber and not a fighter. We superimposed the digital elevation models of the two planets to determine the location we need to install the transmission device. We found out that the installation site is located at a very similar altitude to the bombing target location.”
Daekhan looked at Taehan and suddenly became very somber. “In other words, when the bomber passes through the device, it will be located very near to the ground in Taebakun so it will be almost impossible to escape the site alive after dropping the nuclear bomb. “We will be eternally grateful for the pilot’s bravery in accepting this responsibility,” he said. “It is a hard decision to sacrifice oneself for one’s planet.”
The atmosphere inside the transport suddenly became solemn.
After a long silence when everyone was lost in their own thoughts Shunda said, “The urgent issue now is how to persuade the leader of Kimose to give us their nuclear weapon. This won’t be an easy task even though I know them well and my friend took on a key role in manufacturing the nuclear weapon.”
Daekhan quickly returned to the present moment and said, “Yes, it is important that we stay focused on the challenge of convincing Kimose’s leader to give up such a valuable asset.”
Out into the World 25
The transport dropped in altitude, which indicated that the destination was near. One of Shunda’s men was standing next to the pilot and had explained the location in detail. They could see groups of buildings as they got closer to the ground. Most of them came to a peak at the top or were square shapes, very different from the curved, gently flowing structures popular on Hoon. In some ways the scenery of Kimose looked similar to what was on Parahan, but this kind of architecture had not bothered Taehan much at that time - probably because he had gotten used to it. But now he frowned at all the sharp edges and tried to look anywhere but at them.
Ruined villages appeared as they crossed the trackless plain. Deserted buildings littered the landscape, clearly demonstrating the wounds of the war and the stark reality of a countryside not yet recovered. The transport landed after passing an abandoned city and crossing the river, and then in front of them, a strange-looking building was visible through the windshield. Each floor of the building was irregularly jagged, as if it had viewing platforms that looked out over the endless expanse of plain. In some ways it looked like a fortress prepared for a battle. Small buildings sat on both sides of the fortress. In size, it could have contained a small city.
“The big building in the middle is the headquarters of Kimose,” Shunda said just as the other transport landed beside theirs. “Let’s walk from here. I notified them earlier so they should be waiting for us.”
Daekhan and the others disembarked from the transport and joined Santan’s company to walk toward the building. Nobody stopped them. When they neared the entrance, which Taehan thought looked like a throat, they could hear familiar music coming from inside. He had listened to it often when he was in the camp and he knew it as well as he knew his own thoughts. In fact, he still remembered all the lyrics without even trying. Suddenly his legs stopped working as the melody and the words flowed over and through his body.
Life
Life is pain
Sadness
But they are all memories
Just try to enjoy
He sunk into the memory of Parahan not as a prison camp or a place constraining him. Instead, it was the place he was born, where he grew up, the one that held thirty-five years of his life - the place he could not forget. Just then he remembered where he was and looked back at Santan who was also transfixed by the music and lyrics. Tears fell from his eyes.
“Do you miss it?” Taehan asked quietly.
“Are you kidding…? Why would I miss the camp?” Santan denied with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
Everyone else was ready to enter the building when Taehan regained his composure. He and Santan hurried to catch up and then they all stepped through the door and into the passage running through the middle of the building. Just a few yards inside they saw two burly men who were armed. Considering their attire, they had to be soldiers of Kimose. Their facial appearance and skin color were similar to Shunda, but their physique was bigger than his.
The man on the right came towards them with a friendly face and Shunda walked forward to greet him. They spoke for a moment in the Kubaisen language and Taehan thought they seemed to be exchanging information since the soldier glanced politely at them a few times and then both the men walked ahead to guide them deeper into the building.
Shunda approached Daekhan and said, “I introduced you as the new leader of Hoon; we need to follow them.”
“Let’s go,” Daekhan said.
The party followed the soldiers deeper into the corridor. After several minutes the soldiers turned left and began climbing a flight of stairs. On the floor above, a large
rectangular space appeared in front of them. The four guards in the room looked them up and down, trying to read their intention. One of the soldiers spoke to them in their language and Shunda exchanged greetings with him. The soldier handed him a box.
“Everyone must wear one of these interpretation devices since the leader does not know Hoonish,” Shunda said, giving one to each person.
“I’ve been in this room, and since it is small, it will be better if only five of us go in as representatives,” Shunda suggested.
Daekhan turned to the group and said, “Mr. Dutan, Shunda, Taehan, and Santan will come with me. The rest of you please wait here.”
A small room appeared when Shunda gently pushed at the center of the gate and it opened to reveal a cozy, quiet room - far from what one might expect a leader to be in. Six chairs were arranged to fit the shape of the square room. They could see several other people sitting on chairs lined up against the wall. A man on the innermost chair who appeared to be the leader rose up with a smile.
“Welcome!” He was skinny and shorter than the others and the cold radiating from his eyes belied his warm welcome. “I am Tobachi. Nice to meet you.”
“Daekhan, nice to meet you.”
“Please, have a seat.” Tobachi spoke in a soft voice.
Daekhan sat on the chair across from Tobachi and the rest of the group sat next to Daekhan who began exchanging pleasantries with Tobachi to break the ice. After summarizing what had happened on Hoon, Daekhan briefly explained his plans for retaliation and then carefully brought up his request for the nuclear weapon. While Tobachi knew about Hoon’s defeat at the hands of Taebakun, he was shocked at Daekhan’s request for the nuclear weapon.
He was silent for a few minutes and then said, “We were very surprised to hear the news about Hanbau and Hoon succumbing to Taebakun. Their military force must have been stronger than anyone thought. It seems we have all underestimated their capability.”
“Agreed,” Daekhan said. “That is why it is imperative to hit them with a strike so powerful it will stop them from ever trying to attack any other planet.”
“I understand your position. But I don’t think you understand ours. This nuclear weapon is very valuable to us.”
Daekhan listened without interrupting.
“It is the source of Kimose strength. Having a nuclear weapon allows us to negotiate equally with the Kubaisen Leadership. Without this weapon we are an eagle without claws.”
“I am aware of your situation. That is why I’m asking you for a favor. We need a portion of your nuclear arsenal, not all your bombs.”
“I think there might be an alternative solution to using our nuclear weapons if you put more thought into it,” Tobachi said.
“Taebakun wins wars by outnumbering others with a large number of culcoons,” Daekhan said. “The culcoons that attacked Hoon are one issue, but how many culcoons can be made in the future poses an even bigger problem. We will not be able to win the war or stop Taebakun from advancing on other planets if we do not destroy the factory.”
“What are you planning to do after you destroy the factory by using our nuclear bomb?”
“We will combine the remaining troops of Hoon and Hanbau and work together with Kubaisen. This planet will be their next target. It is the only independent planet, so Kubaisen needs to show active movement against Taebakun.”
That got Tobachi’s attention, for it seemed Daekhan was referring to both the Kubaisen leadership and Kimose when he spoke of Kubaisen.
But Tobachi showed no emotion and acted as if he expected that answer.
“Have you ever considered a compromise with Taebakun? You may be able to avoid war if you can satisfy their demands.”
“Their only condition would be that we become their slaves. Their ultimate goal is to conquer and control all universes including Koman, Hanbau, Hoon, and Kubaisen for the expansion of slavery that serves them. If we compromise, all planets will be ruled by them, perhaps eternally,” Daekhan said earnestly.
“Moreover, Kubaisen will not be given a chance to negotiate. Your leadership is not truly functional. Of course, a defeated Hoon will be on a par with Kubaisen…”
Daekhan clasped his hands tightly together at the thought.
Tobachi looked around at Daekhan’s party, including them all in his response.
“I will have to discuss this with my associates in the next room. It is a delicate matter, and I cannot make the final decision without them.”
“That is understandable,” Daekhan said. “We will wait outside.”
“No, please, stay here and make yourselves comfortable since the meeting might take some time,” Tobachi said. “There is a conference table in the next room we can use.” Then he left the room.
Daekhan’s party fell into silence, and after some time Santan broke it by saying, “What are we going to do if the eagle denies loaning even a single claw?”
“We cannot force them to offer anything,” Daekhan answered
All of them had been thinking of how to persuade Tobachi to hand over the nuclear bomb, but no one had mentioned the request might be rejected.
“If we do not get the nuclear weapon, it will be very hard to deal with Taebakun in the future. We do not have any alternative plans…”
Daekhan sighed deeply.
“You are absolutely right,” Dutan said, rubbing his hands up and down over his face as if to rub away the thought. “The transmission device made by the institute will be useless without the nuclear bomb. We cannot turn the war around just by using the technology of moving to a different planet in an instant.”
“Kimose will eventually have to deal with Taebakun so they cannot easily reject our offer,” Daekhan said, trying to give everyone in the room a ray of hope.
“Of course…,” Taehan said, looking at Daekhan, “… if Taebakun comes after them it will not be in the distant future. It is going to happen soon.”
“If we are rejected, why don’t we drop several bird claws after moving to Taebakun through the transmission device?” Santan said, arching his eyebrows and flashing the hint of a smile.
“Shut up, Santan! How can you joke in this situation?” Taehan said.
“I am just saying. You know how hard it was to make the transmission device… Or should I beg to Tobachi by crying and holding his hands?” Santan said lightly, laughing.
No one responded. A long silence fell over the room stretching minutes into an hour or more.
Then the door opened and Tobachi stepped inside and sat down. The others didn’t have long to wait.
“Okay,” he said getting right to the point. “We will provide you with a portion of our nuclear weapons. We’ve decided to help you, so the troops of Kimose will join the united forces.”
Relief washed over the others in the room.
“Thank you!” Daekhan said with a smile, “we will be successful if we all work together.”
Out into the World 26
Sochan came running into the room screaming for Daekhan. The pitch of her voice drew Taehan’s guts into a tight ball, for he knew something was terribly wrong.
“Help! Come quick! Something awful has happened to the pilot!” Everyone froze in the sudden silence.
“The pilot of the bomber?” Daekhan asked.
“Yes! I was just informed that he was near his plane speaking with the pilots of the transports and then suddenly crumpled to the ground, unconscious and foaming at the mouth.”
Taehan’s stomach spasmed as he shot a look at Daekhan. This was the pilot who was to undertake the mission of releasing the nuclear bomb.
“Where is he?”
Her voice was still trembling as she responded that he still lay near the plane. Daekhan jumped up and ran out the door with Taehan and Santan close behind.
When they got to the transport landing zone they could see the other two pilots standing beside the fallen man. Their faces were pale. Obviously they were shaken by this sudden turn of events. One of them
spoke.
“I think he is dead! He is not breathing!”
Taehan ran to the man and lifted his eyelids. Then he checked to see if he was breathing by putting a finger under his nose. Finally, he dropped his ear to the man’s chest to listen for a heartbeat. There were no signs of life.
One thought came to his mind in the moment.
“When did Yanhu, the man from Hanbau, disappear?” Taehan asked, his voice rising in anger and indignation.
“We do not know exactly when,” one of the researchers said. “We just noticed he was gone when we were waiting for you outside the institute.”
“I saw him talking with the pilot alone,” another man said with a shocked look on his face.
“He poisoned him!” Taehan shouted with rage.
“That damn bastard!” Daekhan spat. “That fucking Hanbauian drove Hoon off the edge!”
“I don’t understand this guy,” Santan shouted. “Why does he help the enemy that invaded his planet?”
“He had a reason,” Daekhan said. “We just don’t know what it is….yet.”
“How detrimental is it that they know our plan now?” Taehan asked with concern. “Won’t that sabotage our efforts?”
“I do not know how much Yanhu knows about the plan, but even if he knew the whole thing, they wouldn’t have a good countermeasure. There is no way to defend against a nuclear bomb,” Daekhan said. “Moreover, resistance factions in Hoon’s major cities are still fighting back. They cannot pull a large force back from Hoon to invade Kubaisen immediately. At best, they can send a small scouting squad.”
“But we have to move quickly. It’s not safe here,” Sochan said.
“Of course we have to hurry.” Daekhan stopped and signed heavily, brooding for a while as he rubbed his temples. “The issue is, we do not have a pilot. We cannot go back to Hoon and search for another volunteer. One of us must fly the plane in.”