âThereâs really only one path that people can take on this rough mountain. The SBS arenât stupid, though, so I doubt theyâll actually use that path.â
He spread out the newspaper-sized map, which had been folded in half, in front of Kang Chan. âThereâs only one road that connects the two places. However, this five-kilometer section starting from here to here might become a problemâthis spot is flat enough for the enemy to lay in wait and ambush us. Moreover, in case of emergencies, they can just easily retreat into the mountain.â
âHow long has it been since the SBS arrived?â
âTodayâs their third day in the area.â
Kang Chan looked at the map with a frown. âItâll probably be difficult to just drop down.â
âTheir snipers will be more than glad to shoot us down.â
âAbout the Hadron Colliderâif the SBS is going there to destroy it, wouldnât it be better to strengthen its security?â Kang Chan asked.
âI heard that they have already done that. They dispatched the GIGN[3] to guard it.â
âI see. Whatâs with the other map?â
âThis map has a more detailed outline of the surrounding area. Itâs all mountains, though, so there isnât really anything in particular that we have to take a closer look at. To go over this side of the mountain, people have to be an expert in mountain climbing. Even then, they wonât be able to move quickly. At that height, oxygen is quite thin.â
âWhat weapons are they equipped with?â Kang Chan asked again.
âThe MP5SD[4].â
Kang Chan nodded. The special forces preferred that weapon the most.
Not only were its noises extremely suppressed, but it also had great accuracy and high magazine capacity.
âCaptain, is it really okay for the Korean team to take part in this operation alone?â
âIf we run into a problem, plan a rescue operation with one of these two areas as the starting point once you get back. How do I contact you?â Kang Chan asked.
âWe will be using a satellite phone like last time.â
Kang Chan shook his head. âOur locations will be exposed too easily if we do that. Every day, Iâm going to turn on the phone at eight in the morning and eight in the evening. Iâll turn it off after ten minutes. If you have to contact me, then do it within those time frames. However, unlike us, you have to be on standby at all times in case we have to contact you.â
âHonestly, I donât have a good feeling about this. I have been feeling uneasy for the past few days already. Itâs such a relief that youâre the guide,â Kang Chan explained.
âHow bad is it?â
Kang Chan quickly looked around their surroundings. âI donât know yet. Iâm sure youâre already aware of this, but I only feel things right before the situation arises. If by any chance the operation goes south, then you have to do what it takes to launch another operation. If you have no choice but to pass on incorrect information to us, then make sure to include Dayeru in a sentence. I will take that as a code that youâre being threatened. The moment you use it, Iâll come get you alone.â
âIs it that bad?â
âThe only reason we can do this is because we already know each other. If we had someone else as our guide, I couldnât have told them something like this. Anyway, think of what I just said as a backup plan.â
Seok Kang-Ho stood up when Kang Chan glanced at him. They had experienced this before.
Drrrrr. Clank. Clank. Drrrrr.
They moved a big box and opened its lid, revealing military uniforms and weapons.
âWe brought our own military uniforms,â Cha Dong-Gyun said.
âYour own military uniforms? Let me see them.â
Cha Dong-Gyun quickly opened his jump bag and showed Kang Chan the light gray military uniform that they had brought. When turned inside out, it could offer adequate camouflage on green fields.
It was late fall in France, but since they were going to be in the mountains, it wouldnât be wrong to assume that it would be as cold as the beginning of winter.
The uniform was light gray, so it offered decent camouflage in such areas.
âPut that on,â Kang Chan said.
âWe brought a few more uniforms. Weâre hoping everyone would find one that fits them.â At Cha Dong-Gyunâs command, a soldier brought over clothes, bandanas, and helmets.
Everyone changed into their uniforms and military boots, put on a bandana and a helmet, and attached a walkie-talkie to themselves.
Next up were weapons.
âWe donât know how long this will take, so bring as much ammo as you can. Make sure to have a sleeping bag and other necessary tools and equipment in your bags as well,â Kang Chan ordered.
Like what he did in his previous operations, Kang Chan attached six rifle magazines, two pistols, four pistol magazines, and a bowie knife to him.
He also stashed away another magazine in his bag along with a sleeping bag, a field ax, a shovel, a rope, and other equipment he thought could come in handy.
After finishing up his preparations, Kang Chan felt more reassured.
âThe teams will be the same as last time. I will be commanding one, and Seok Kang-Ho will be commanding team two. Team one!â Kang Chan yelled.
Twelve soldiers raised their hands. One of them was Choi Jong-Il.
âTeam two!â Seok Kang-Ho called. He then looked at the soldiers who raised their hands.
With basic preparations out of the way, Kang Chan sat down in his seat. Not long after, Cha Dong-Gyun handed him and Seok Kang-Ho a watch that had black leather straps.
There was no harm in wearing a watch, so Kang Chan just put it on and smoked a cigarette.
More than half of the members were already laying down.
âAre you going to sleep?â Seok Kang-Ho asked Kang Chan.
âYeah. You should sleep as well.â
âDonât worry. I will.â
After Seok Kang-Ho climbed up to the top bunk, Kang Chan lay down. The sound of the engine and the strange vibration that they felt from the bottom of the aircraft sounded like a lullaby.
1. Col des Corbeaux is a mountain pass in Vallorcine, Switzerland â
3. It was written as ì§ëšë in the raws, but the GIGN (Groupe d'intervention de la Gendarmerie nationale) is the elite police tactical unit of the National Gendarmerie (one of two national law enforcement forces) of France â
4. the MP5SD is a variant of the MP5, a submachine gun manufactured by Heckler and Koch â