The Crucible. Joaquin De Torres

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СКАЧАТЬ flags and effigies protesting America's disciplinary actions against their country. But something else is burning here--something horrible and morbid.” The camera panned behind the reporter to a large smoldering pyre. “What you are looking at are the bodies of dead students burning in the pyre.” The camera zoomed in as crying students swung corpses onto the large burning stack. All in sight wore bandanas covering their noses and mouths.

      “Families of university students who have died of disease or starvation are offering their bodies in front of dozens of international camera crews in a blatant protest of America’s deadly food and medicine blockade, codenamed Operation Iron Clad.

      “For almost seven months, this blockade which keeps food, medical supplies and fuel sources out of North Korea by military means, has killed more than 528,000 citizens--over half a million people. It is the harshest form of punishment ever devised in the history of international diplomacy. This was the U.S. response to President Kang’s letter to the U.N. threatening nuclear holocaust if their bomb-making factories and reactors are attacked.

      “The world has heard these threats in the past, but despite harsh rhetoric on both sides, not much has been done to punish North Korea for their incessant threats of South Korean attack and invasion. They’ve also threatened Japan with annihilation through biological weapons, and increased their practice missile firings over that country.

      “Operation Iron Clad was designed to wrap all the past threats of punishment into one convenient and lethal package. The results have been nothing less than devastating. Hospitals around the capital are 150 percent full with little or no medical supplies or technical advances. Morgues are simply burning bodies in open ditches while family members mourn.

      “There is outrage and there is terror. The numbers of dead nationwide are ghastly. In several hospitals for the terminally ill and the elderly, up to 3,000 patients countrywide have been euthanized because there is no medication to treat them. Deaths by starvation have reached 45,000 in the poorest villages and towns. Deaths by suicide have reached 20,000. The government continues to divert food reserves to the military, rather than sharing it with the populace as they prepare for an impending war against South Korea.

      "Politically, the situation is grim. Even North Korea’s strongest allies, Russia and China, have refused to ship food and supplies in. In fact, there is speculation, especially within government and Internet circles worldwide, that the Whitehouse has secretly made deals with both countries not to interfere in exchange for a variety of economic favors, an accusation that the White House emphatically denies.

      “But one thing that cannot be denied is that concerning the tragic and horrific state North Korea is in as a result of Iron Clad, it is just a matter of time before something, or someone, takes it upon himself to exact some kind of vengeful act on a massive scale. Reporting live from Pyongyang University for CNN, I’m Marla Reese.”

      Najin Naval Base

      Najin, North Korea

      Commander Kim Doo-hwan, the Executive Officer (XO) of the North Korean battlecruiser Kim Il-Sung, approached his commanding officer’s door apprehensively. He carried with him bad news and was reluctant to report it. Conflicted and distressed, he could see how the plans of his commanding officer and his government would shatter his life. Both plans were much different in scope, but the results would be the same: to put an end to the American blockade by force.

      The government’s plan would sacrifice the lives of millions; his commanding officer’s plan would sacrifice just s single ship--his. Well-educated, well-respected and well-connected, Kim’s life and whatever dreams he may have had for his future, were about to end.

      After taking a deep breath, he raised his hand and knocked.

      “Come in, Doo-hwan,” answered the man inside. Kim entered and closed the door. “Pour yourself some coffee; it’s hot.” Kim set his folder down on the desk and moved to the small vanity table where a coffee machine sat. He turned back and glanced at the man sitting behind the desk, staring at a portrait of a woman and a child at a small alter behind the desk. A black ribbon encased the large frame of the photograph. Small candles were alight at the foot of the portrait and the sweet smell of jasmine incense perfumed the room. Kim realized that he had come at the wrong time. He stood at attention and looked at the most respected and admired man his life.

      “It's difficult sometimes, Doo-hwan, to get through the day.” The man wiped away tears from his eyes. Kim offered a slow, venerable bow to the portrait and small family alter the man was facing. Kim held the bow, paying his respects.

      “I must go now, my beloved wife and son." There was a pause, then a deep bow to the portrait. The pain that gripped his heart and the anger that possessed his soul were held in check. He absorbed it all bravely, with dignity, allowing the corridors of his training to lead him back and stand him upright. Duty called, and emotions were now to be placed along side the memories now residing upon the alter.

       Admiral Park Woo-kuen spun around in his swivel chair, his 65-year-old face now serene and composed. He looked at the well-disciplined, 37-year-old man standing rigidly in his sharply-pressed uniform. Tall, refined and commandingly handsome, Kim’s face exuded discipline and temperance.

      "Please pour us both some coffee and sit down, Doo-hwan. I'm done for now. Thank you for your patience." Kim turned back to the table and poured each of them a cup and brought them back to Park's desk who then regarded them sternly.

      “It’s shameful that we have so many luxuries aboard this vessel while the rest of our nation suffers.” Kim pulled up a chair and sat. “This coffee, the meat and fish in our freezers, the sacks of rice in the holds--it’s unfair that we have so much.” His face registered disgust.

      “Yes, Admiral; it’s not fair.”

      “We are the warriors, Doo-hwan, and now the government is depending on us to do what we’ve been trained to do." He caught the young commander gazing at his cup, reluctant to touch it. “Go on, drink it. It is already in your hands; don’t waste what is so coveted.” The admiral eyed him with admiration. “Times have turned the military into the privileged class. We’re fed well now because the time has come for us to fight.”

      "The final meal before battle," Kim answered with a slight grin. "How ironic when we've been called the spineless dogs of Asia by our neighboring countries."

      “Indeed, how ironic.” Park took a slow sip from his cup. “After what we will do, they will never criticize us again.” At hearing this, Kim dropped any hope of changing his commander’s mind. “Now, you have something for me, Commander?” Park’s smile faded as his eyes dropped to the folder lying on his desk.

      “sir, these are key notes taken from the Security Counsel and Ministry of Defense emergency meeting yesterday.” Park stared blankly at him, prompting Kim to continue. “sir, my operatives in the counsel sent me this e-mail as soon as they could.” He opened the folder and proffered a printout of the e-mail to Park. “This could change everything. We should be receiving orders any day now.”

      “We already have,” Park said flatly. He produced a sheet of paper from his desk and laid it on top of Kim’s document. His fingers tapped on the sheet dismissively. Kim quickly recognized the official letterhead--Toejo Naval Headquarters.

      “Admiral, is something wrong?”

      “These are our new orders.” He handed the sheet to Kim then looked away grimly. “It says that we are to put to sea and shadow enemy ships leading the blockade. But we are not СКАЧАТЬ