TL: Skye
It was two days later that I met with people from the US government.
"Hey, man. If a civil war's about to break out, you should've told me in advance. Who sends people to America on the day it happens?"
"Sorry, sorry. I was caught up in everything too."
I'd gone out to greet Min-sik and the other Koreans I'd sent to America right before the declaration of war, and...
"...Who are those people over there?"
Two Americans were standing there with CEO Moon from Daeho Trading.
"Ah... well..."
When I asked, it turned out they were people I never expected.
"They're from the US government."
"The US government? Which department?"
"That's all I know. CEO Moon said he needed to arrange a meeting with you and asked if they could come along."
"You don't even know who they are and you let them on the same plane? Without my permission?"
"What was I supposed to do? CEO Moon was practically begging. We couldn't have pulled off the drone export deal without him."
"...What exactly is CEO Moon's deal anyway? He knows people in the US government, he makes impossible things happen."
Min-sik scratched his sideburns as he answered my question.
"I don't know the details either. My great-uncle just told me he's affiliated with the NIS."
"Oh, come on."
You can't just bring an intelligence operative into someone else's country.
I wanted to leg-sweep Min-sik for trying to brush this off like it was nothing, but as befitting Post Gandhi, I calmed myself and spoke.
"Fine. I'll meet with them, so head inside first."
"Let's grab a drink when you're done. Bring Isabella too."
"Get lost."
After sending Min-sik off, I approached the Americans who were standing with Moon Seong-mun.
Moon Seong-mun extended his hand when he saw me.
"Let me introduce you. This is—"
I walked right past him.
I had no intention of showing respect to someone who'd brought guests without the host's permission.
'I should just deport him.'
I approached the Americans and offered a greeting, but...
"So... who did you say you are?"
"I'm Ellen Evans, Director of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research at the US State Department."
"John Brown, FBI International Operations Division."
They were far more important than I'd expected.
*
"Would you like some coffee?"
"I'm fine. I had some before we left."
"That's a shame. It's the only specialty product San Marcos has worth bragging about."
"Ha ha, as a matter of fact, I brew San Marcos beans at home. The rich aroma and acidity suit my palate perfectly."
Director Ellen declined politely and adjusted her posture. FBI Agent John Brown sat beside her, watching me without the slightest movement, like a stone statue.
I looked at them and crossed my legs, feigning composure.
"You must be tired from the long journey. Let's get straight to business."
"Very well."
Director Ellen interlaced her fingers on the table and began.
"We're here because of Chevron."
"I figured. It would be quite inconvenient if it came out that an American corporation instigated a civil war in another country. So? Are you here to bury this? Or to threaten me?"
It was a provocative question. But contrary to my expectations, Director Ellen let out a small laugh.
"I think there's been some misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding?"
"We're not here to save Chevron."
"Then?"
"We're here to hold our corporation accountable for the crimes it committed in San Marcos."
"...What?"
For a moment, I doubted my ears. Not to cover it up, but to take responsibility?
I was still blinking in bewilderment when Director Ellen spoke again, her eyes cold and steady.
"As you know, Chevron is a critical company that forms a major pillar of America's energy security. But their conduct over the past few years has gone too far. In Africa and the Middle East, they've been funding rebels and supporting dictatorships, directly contradicting our government's foreign policy."
"......"
"So I've been investigating Chevron together with John here. But they've been so adept at evading the law and destroying evidence that we couldn't pin anything on them."
John, seated beside her, added to the explanation.
"Then recently, a series of events occurred. Right here in San Marcos, which happened to be in conflict with Chevron over contract issues."
"So the two of us conducted a thorough investigation, and we became certain that this string of incidents was Chevron's doing."
"I see."
A fairly convincing explanation. From the US government's perspective, an uncontrollable mega-corporation would certainly be a headache.
But.
"Then why are you coming to me now? Dozens of people have already died and we've been through a civil war."
"Well, that's..."
It was also an explanation that was transparently self-serving.
"Let's be honest with each other. You came through back channels for a different reason, didn't you?"
When Ellen fell silent with a flustered expression, John Brown stepped in.
"You're right. We don't want this incident to become public."
"John!"
"Who else but a State Department official would come all this way and still speak in diplomatic language? Do you really think that's going to get us any help?"
After silencing Ellen, John Brown asked me directly.
"We understand you have evidence that can prove Chevron's crimes."
"......"
"You don't need to deny it. We've already confirmed that the senior partner at Douglas & Hoffman was kidnapped... or rather, relocated to San Marcos."
"Ahem."
"You've secured evidence, haven't you?"
John Brown looked at me with serious eyes.
"Even if we're certain of the culprit, we can't indict without evidence. And because illegally obtained evidence is inadmissible, we can't conduct aggressive investigations either. But here in San Marcos, it's different. Whether it's kidnapping or torture, you don't have to worry about methods."
His gaze, as if he knew everything, sent a chill down my spine.
The fact that he knew Lucio had brought the lawyer meant they must have been watching the Douglas & Hoffman attorney from the very beginning.
'They let it happen on purpose. Hoping we'd find the evidence for them.'
I cleared my throat and changed the subject.
"So?"
"Please hand that evidence over to us. We'll ensure severe punishment on behalf of San Marcos."
"I'm not sure about that. I don't have any evidence, and I don't see why I should trust people who want to quietly bury this."
"I think there's been a slight misunderstanding."
John Brown leaned toward me.
"We said we didn't want this incident to become public. We never said we would bury it."
"How is that any different from—"
"We mean to leave Chevron alone and punish the executives involved in this matter."
'He's not wrong.'
Even though they acted under Chevron's banner, it wasn't the entire company that committed terrorism.
Honestly, most employees were just doing what they were told.
"The executives did it, not the company itself... Well, that's not wrong."
When I nodded, John Brown pulled out a document and handed it to me.
"This is a list of the executives and operatives who orchestrated this situation. I intend to apprehend all of them and permanently remove them from society."
"You're saying you'll imprison them for life?"
"Correct."
"Hmm..."
I folded my arms, and he looked slightly taken aback.
"You don't seem pleased."
"No."
"Even though they'll spend the rest of their lives in prison?"
"It's America."
In America, the world's largest and greatest capitalist nation, money can buy anything.
'I can't let Ian's killers live comfortably.'
The official routes might be closed, but places like Austerville Prison boast better facilities than a studio apartment in Seoul.
John Brown seemed to grasp my meaning and nodded.
He glanced at Ellen beside him, and she began talking about something seemingly unrelated.
"Recently, crimes committed by illegal immigrants have been surging in the United States. As a result, the State Department and Justice Department are jointly pushing a policy for overseas prisoner custody. Simply put, it's a policy where we pay a certain amount to house our criminals in foreign prisons. Think of it as outsourcing."
"And?"
"We're considering San Marcos as our first partner."
I couldn't grasp what she meant. They'd pay us to take illegal immigrants?
'Why are they suddenly bringing this up?'
There's a saying in Go: every move is caused by the move that preceded it.
The reason they made this proposal must be because, just moments ago, I'd expressed displeasure at the perpetrators being imprisoned in America.
If so...
"Are you saying you'd hand over the perpetrators to us?"
"Precisely."
"Is that even possible in America? These are people with serious connections."
Chevron was an industry behemoth that made over 200 billion dollars in operating profit annually. I couldn't believe they could transfer executives from such a company to a foreign prison against their will.
"You don't need to worry. This has already been approved by the President."
"You mean President Drump?"
"Yes."
Ellen answered with a confident smile.
"Chevron has been directly opposing the energy policies the administration is pushing. He'd been planning to deal with them at some point, and the perfect opportunity presented itself."
"Hold on."
You're sending people to a foreign prison just because they opposed some policies?
'What a terrifying man...'
How did someone like that get elected president in a liberal democracy?
As I trembled with fear at the thought of such a vicious dictator, Ellen asked with concern.
"Are you alright? You're suddenly shaking..."
"Ah, I'm fine. I was just shocked by how cruel President Drump's decision is."
"Well, if we're talking about cruel—"
Ellen hurriedly cut off John Brown's retort and asked.
"Ahem, so will you give us your answer?"
"Just one more thing. Did Chevron's major shareholders approve this as well?"
"We finalized negotiations with them before coming here."
I thought it over briefly and nodded.
"Very well. I accept your proposal."
Ellen and John Brown's faces brightened.
"However, we will decide where they're imprisoned and how they're treated."
"Do as you please. Just keep them alive."
"I like that."
Being able to avenge Ian put my mind at ease.
"So we'll handle the criminals that way, then..."
I tapped my fingers on the desk.
"How do you plan to address compensation for damages?"
Director Ellen's expression stiffened slightly.
"An American corporation committed terrorism and killed another nation's head of administration and all its cabinet members. On top of that, they provoked warlords into attempting a coup."
"......"
"Our government suffered massive economic and human losses from this civil war. How are you going to compensate for that?"
"Of course, we deeply feel our moral responsibility, but..."
"I'm not talking about moral responsibility. I'm talking about actual responsibility."
"Well, I would need to go back and confirm..."
"Then let's talk again after you've confirmed. I'll give you the evidence then."
"No, please don't be like that..."
"Ah ah ah, we're all reasonable people here, aren't we? Should I start leaking this to the press and filing lawsuits? Get it splashed across the front pages? Actually, forget that. I should short Chevron stock. When the price crashes, I could make a quadruple return, couldn't I?"
I began pushing my sales pitch in earnest.
*****
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