Chapter 188: < Protect – Episode 187 – Shotgun [6] >
Africa was always in chaos.
And despite being a little better, South Africa was also overcome with war. Was it different now though? Not at all. The place was full of fights over the gap between the rich and the poor as well as religion and race. Not all Africans were against the US military invading Nigeria, and when it came to Cameron, they welcomed them with open arms.
Compared to the chaos in all of Africa, Cameron was more stable in terms of politics and society. However, since Cameron was also dominated by Islams, there were terrorist attacks and kidnappings there as well. What had to be made certain was that the stance of the Islamic rebels and Boko Haram as well as the IS West African Branch and the fundamentalists were different.
“A few years ago, when the Middle East was in chaos, Boko Haram was faced with a big revolution as well.”
Boko Haram’s fundamentalists and those following the IS were separated. That was how the IS West African Branch was born.
“How complicated.”
“Everything’s complicated in Africa.”
“What about Edouard?”
“I looked into it… and it’s a bit iffy.”
“Why?”
“As a result of the US military’s invasion of Nigeria, hundreds of native powers are fighting back toward the unions. Oh, is that the right term?”
“Yeah. You’re learning quick.”
Logan and one of his underlings, Greg smiled in response to Ahn Soo Ho’s compliment.
“Korean is a very practical language. It’s one of the most useful languages we’ve ever learned.”
“It is based on Chinese characters.”
“Then should we try learning Japanese as well?”
“Sure, why not. So what’s the situation?”
Greg continued to smile as he turned on the screen. On the screen was the face of a couple of black men.
“The socialists of North Africa are participating with their own ideologies which are making the complicated African situation even more chaotic.”
“Communists?”
“It might not suit communism or Islamism… but the militaries and rebels of Africa use a lot of AK rifles. They’re cheap, and they were even handed out for free at one point.”
Greg changed the screen.
“Hanran Metalworking Company. Soo Ho probably hasn’t heard of them before, but they’re a very well-known gun manufacturing company in South East Asia. This company’s stock structure is quite complicated, but the owners are actually A&E. You’ve heard of them before, right?”
“Anne & Everick.”
Anne & Everick Investment was the England-Hong Kong investment firm led by Hwang Chi Rin.
“Is there an international arms seller behind Edouard?”
Greg switched the screen once more in response to Ahn Soo Ho’s question. He dressed as well as a model and seeing from his hairstyle, he was either a fund manager from Wall Street or the City of London.
Ahn Soo Ho laughed.
“D. Punch.”
His real name was different.
“Sylvestre.”
All he knew was that he was a secret agent from France.
“That means…”
“It’s highly likely that England and France know something about this, Soo Ho.”
“Right?”
“Yes, Sir.”
Europe imperialism was still existent in the 21st century, and England in France was in the middle of a fierce war in a place that no one could see for rights of Africa.
“What are the chances that France will retaliate?”
“Not zero, but isn’t that too obvious of a scenario?”
The aftereffects of the Davis Scandal shook even England and France. Since London became known as a terrorist nation because Ransel was from there, France felt bad for both the States and England.
“If France is secretly supporting Edouard, that won’t be no joke. How much have you confirmed?”
“We’ve postponed the money trace for now.”
“Okay. I’ll look into everything else. Good work, Greg.”
Once Greg excused himself, Logan spoke up.
“I haven’t heard of D. Punch in a long time.”
“He’s more like D. Punch Junior.”
While England had Sherlock and America had Colombo, France had Jean Jacques ‘D. Punch’ Sylvestre. He got his name from Sylvestre of the purple murder incident in France. The man on the screen looked no older than 40.
“Do you know him, Soo Ho?”
“I’ve met him with a predecessor back in the day. We were both rookies back then.”
“A predecessor?”
“Hector Garcia.”
Logan flinched.
Hector Garcia
The king of darkness that ruled before Ahn Soo Ho.
In contrast to his splendid resume, he was living a pathetic life as an old man who was drinking away in the woods just waiting for the day he died. Ahn Soo Ho got a feeling. Did Logan feel it, too? He picked up the list of kidnapped reporters in Nigeria.
“Garcia, Garcia… There’s no Garcia here.”
“Just put all of them up.”
Logan turned on the screen to show the faces of the kidnapped reporters. In the middle of looking through it, Ahn Soo Ho pointed out one person.
“Her.”
“Immanuel Hernandez?”
“She has a middle name, right?”
“Yes. C.”
As soon as Immanuel C. Hernandez’ profile came up on the screen, Ahn Soo Ho nodded. He recognized her face. Hector Garcia called his one and only daughter ‘Chappie’. Seeing how he called his only daughter a rascal, he must have wanted a son. However, that didn’t mean he didn’t love his daughter any less.
Ahn Soo Ho took out his phone.
“Eaton. Send men to the address I’ll be giving you. And they might be armed, so be careful. Don’t hurt them, got it? Florida, Tallahassee.”
He gave him the exact address and then hung up the phone. His phone rang only 15 minutes later.
“There’s no one at the empty trailer park. Who are you looking for, Soo Ho?”
“Hector.”
“What?”
“Hector Garcia.”
“Oh my god!”
That name was bound to surprise anyone in the intelligence world. While the Accompanist, Kumiko kept a dark secret from 100 years ago, Hector Garcia was at the center of the 40 historical years following the assassination of Kennedy.
“Did you know that he was there for a long time?”
“Yeah.”
“Hm.”
Jeremy Eaton O’hare of the CIA sighed deeply. Florida, Tallahassee in America. That meant they had a big shot sitting right in front of them without knowing. Did he resent Ahn Soo Ho for not telling him? That was something only rookies would do.
‘I can hear him thinking from all the way over here.’
He didn’t talk, but he could hear him breathe. That meant Jeremy’s head was full of thoughts at the moment. He then spoke a minute later.
“If you’re planning to attack Boko Haram in 24 hours but also looking for Hector Garcia… does that mean he’s related to this incident?”
“You might not be at the scene, but you haven’t lost your touch, Eaton.”
“I don’t know. How would Hector Garcia be related to the kidnapping incident?”
“Do you need me to teach you?”
He couldn’t see Eaton, but he knew he flinched.
“But not for free, right?”
“Of course not.”
“We’re having a hard time, too, these days.”
“Forget money… Just secure a plane going to Nigeria. As fast as possible.”
The only flights allowed to land in Nigeria were that of America, and it was impossible to leave Korea and arrive there within 24 hours.
“Deal?”
“Deal.”
It was easy for the CIA deputy director to secure a flight. That was why power was a great thing.
“Immanuel Hernandez.”
“Who’s that?”
“One of the American hostages.”
When he sounded confused, Ahn Soo Ho just smirked.
“Think about it, Eaton. Why do you think Hector hid?”
“To protect his family?”
“Yeah. Because those who really want to know his secrets will come looking for him even if he’s retired.”
Hector lived as a homeless person in order to protect his family. On top of that, he had to change all of his family members’ identities, and he did it well enough to not be traced by the CIA.
“Is Immanuel Hernandez…”
“She’s Hector’s daughter.”
“But I didn’t find that in her records.”
“Do you really think Hector Garcia would have done such shabby work?”
“I guess… you’re right.”
“Where did she grew up?”
“Hm. Miami? Sigh.”
Miami and Tallahassee were on the opposite side of Florida.
“So, you think there was another intention behind the kidnapping incident.”
“Someone wants to drag the old and tired man out of his cave.”
“Why?”
“Do you really have no idea?”
The Dresden file was capable of seeking responsibility and tainting reputation, but it didn’t have much legal power. Why? Because there was a statute of limitations for war crimes as well, but if the secrets inside Hector Garcia’s head got handed over to the prosecution, arrests would be made.
“I warned them to release the Koreans in an hour, but they didn’t answer.”
He first suspected that they just had a lot of guts. They definitely knew that if he acted himself, Boko Haram would go down in an instant, but they still didn’t give any response.
“So I thought about it. Maybe… they’re in a situation where they can’t let them go.”
J-law and Issac
Angola
Europe Terrorist attacks
Gaius Pharmaceuticals
Ultra Program
Davis Scandal
General Ashford
United Industry
Nigeria Invasion
Boko Haram
The kidnapping of international reporters
Edouard
Anne & Everick
D. Punch Sylvestre
Hector Garcia
Immanuel C. Hernandez
Ahn Soo Ho always felt bothered by his predecessor. Why did Hector decide to retire when his career was at its prime?
‘Because I became a threatening competition?’
That wasn’t it. They had a sense of comradeship with one another. He had no intention of bringing harm upon Hector. That meant he didn’t hide to avoid him.
‘There’s another reason.’
Within the complicated situation that would have made anyone dizzy, Ahn Soo Ho managed to find the exact framework.
“Eaton. If you want to know how this all started you’ll have to investigate the White House.”
“What? Investigate the White House?”
“Yeah.”
“You’re not kidding… are you? I could lose my neck.”
“The road of all heroes is full of hardship.”
“Fine. Any other warnings for me?”
“Don’t trust anyone.”
If Ahn Soo Ho’s predictions were correct, the key persons of the American administration were probably already seized. That was when he understood the FBI’s Adam Laroche’s foolish behavior.
“Wait! Soo Ho!”
Before Ahn Soo Ho could hang up, he heard a ringing voice in his years.
“Oh yeah! I almost forgot. The agents that looked through the trailer found a message that he left a few days back.”
“I’m listening.”
“I’ll send you a photo of the scene.”
“Thank you.”
The photo got sent as soon as they hung up. Ahn Soo Ho saw the photo on his phone and laughed loudly.
“Haha!”
‘I’m here, boy! Suck me?’
It sounded weird when literally translated, but it needed to be localized a little bit. When Hector first saw Ahn Soo Ho back in the day, he used the word “suck” a lot. Did he think of him as a son that he would inherit his wealth to? He definitely got to where he was using his own capabilities, he the old man helped him a lot as well.
‘That crazy old bastard!’
If he hadn’t shown interest in the kidnapping case and looked through his trailer, he never would have found that message. Never in his life. That was why this was a miracle.
‘If you save me, I’ll suck you off!’
That was a mercenary’s way of saying, save me. Ahn Soo Ho grumbled.
“It’s hard getting a request from him. Logan, what do you think?”
Logan saw the message and frowned.
“Does that old man’s wrinkly penis even stand?”
“There are lots of good medicine these days. I’m sure it’ll stand as long as he survives.”
Logan smiled.
“Then go and suck him, Soo Ho.”
“But I won’t if it smells.”
Ahn Soo Ho picked up his phone.
“Hey, Henry. It’s me. Make me a temporary bulletin board. I’ll pay you back with a wish from Ahn Soo Ho. Yeah, you heard that right.”
He wasn’t a genie in a bottle, but he was capable of doing anything as long as it didn’t involve bringing the dead back to life.
“The call order is…”
Private Ryan played by Matt Damon safely returned home. Then what about Hector Garcia? Would he be able to go back home with his daughter as well? No one could guarantee it, but he had to try anyway.
“Saving Old Man Hector.”
He now had another reason to go to Nigeria besides finding Choi Ye Won.
< Protect – Episode 187 – Shotgun [6] > The end.