Free Kill Chain by J Robert Kennedy Page A

is
imperative that we respond immediately and with strength. There can be no hesitation.
Pyongyang must be made to realize they risk war if they do not return the
hostages.”
    President Starling agreed,
the Japanese Prime Minister clearly correct. The only way to deal with a bully
was to stand up to him. With North Korea now confirmed involved, it changed the
game. This was about face, not money, not religion. North Korea had a long
history of playing the petulant child, and it appeared they had taken it to new
extremes.
    Kidnapping wasn’t new.
They were credited with a long list of abductions including that of Korean
nationals living in other countries, as well as Japanese and other foreigners,
though this scale and profile was unprecedented.
    And they had a history of
killing.
    But again, to kill the
German Chancellor’s husband was unfathomable.
    Yet he was dead.
    And the world now knew
who was responsible.
    The German people were
demanding action despite their pacifist history since the war, and every other
country with the exception of the Chinese were already dealing with the outrage
of the public. His briefing only minutes ago indicated talk radio stations and
Internet discussion groups were afire, war demanded.
    “We have limited assets
in the area,” said the British Prime Minister. “I’ve ordered as many vessels as
we can spare to head to the region, but it will take weeks before we can
contribute substantially. I’m afraid it will be up to regional powers to handle
this for the time being. Mr. President, I assume we can count on the Pacific
Fleet?”
    Starling nodded. “I’ve
already ordered our forces to full readiness. Elements of the Seventh Fleet are
being redeployed from patrols in the South China Sea and Japan.”
    “I’ve ordered our Navy to
deploy as well,” said the Australian Prime Minister. “We also have several
fighter squadrons that are ready to assist should it become necessary. What I
want to know is what the Chinese response to this is? President Cheng, you are
perhaps North Korea’s only ally in the region. Is there anything you can do?”
    Cheng cleared his throat.
“We have of course been in contact with Pyongyang, who deny any involvement. In
fact, they are threatening war over the implied insult that they would commit
such a crime.”
    “Ridiculous!” cried the
French President. “That lunatic is always threatening war.”
    The British Prime Minister
agreed. “If someone breaks wind in Trafalgar Square near a North Korean, they
think it’s an attack on their dear leader or whatever the bloody hell they’re
calling this one.”
    “Gentlemen, if I may,”
interjected the South Korean President. “It is the North’s unpredictability
that we must be wary of. They have a standing army of over one million men and
over seven-hundred artillery pieces within striking distance of the capital. If
we go to war, this city will be leveled and tens of thousands will die, if not
more.”
    Starling’s head bobbed,
he painfully aware this was the most dangerous capital city in the civilized
world, it the only one with a sworn enemy within shelling distance. “Agreed. We
need to be very careful how we proceed. We should position our forces but avoid
provocation. This is more than our loved ones at risk, it is the lives of the
innocent civilians of this country as well, that must be considered.”
    “What are you
suggesting?” asked the Australian Prime Minister.
    “I suggest we be
extremely careful lest we risk war.”
    The Italian Prime
Minister raised a finger as he leaned toward the camera. “Not to sound the
coward, but with Seoul being within artillery range, should we still be in the
city? My security team wants to evacuate immediately.”
    The Australian nodded.
“Mine as well.”
    Starling glanced at Red,
who had remained remarkably well behaved after the initial refusal to evacuate,
the operator’s face revealing no emotion.
    “Then it is agreed, we
should leave at