So it was done.
Years of planning and maneuvering. The difficult arrangements with the scientists, the companies, the Northerners, the mobsters and criminals like Manski, so repulsive and yet so necessary—it had all paid off. The plan would be well underway by now. In less than an hour, the people of Korea would have their revenge and be launched on the road to reunion and strength.
Park knew he would not get any credit for it, but credit was never his goal or desire. It was enough to know what had been accomplished.
The billionaire ordinarily had no use for TV, especially the news. But he could not resist the pleasure of seeing the newscasters’ response to and coverage of the destruction of Korea’s traditional enemy. He went to his office and turned on the small set he kept there, surfing through the channels, though by his calculations it would be at least a half hour before the aircraft would reach Japan.
The half hour passed slowly. Park flipped through the channels, waiting.
Another half hour. He settled on a Japanese station, reasoning that it would carry the news first.
Nothing.
Another half hour. He flipped to CNN. The network was playing a feature about shearing sheep.
Park once more began flipping idly through the channels. There should be news any moment. Any moment.
The phone rang.
Park glanced at the clock on the desk before answering. It was nearly four.
“Something has gone wrong,” Li told him. “The Northern troops haven’t moved as planned. Namgung is not in the capital. And Tokyo—”
“Yes,” said Park, putting down the phone.