Uncivil Servants

A Divided Land
     For more than a half a century after the ceasefire, a state of war still exists on the Korean peninsula. More than 30,000 U.S. Military, Department of Defense civilian employees, and contractors live and work under constant threat from the last remnant of the “Bamboo Curtain”.
     Most agree the world would be a better place if, and when North and South Korea reunite. Others have doubts and some in the region fear the industrial might of one Korea.  Will a divided people, the same blood running through their veins ever be one?
     Six nations will come together to decide the future and fate of millions, possibly the world. Three civil servants, a Japanese Diplomat, a South Korean Army Officer, and a United States Secret Service Agent will do all they can to influence the decision. Who will prevail and at what cost?

Unfriendly Skies
     Air Force One is the Air Traffic Control call sign for aircraft transporting the President of the United States. The Vice President’s aircraft is designated Air Force Two. When airborne, an AWACS-3 aircraft with the call name “Guardian” monitors Air Force Two’s flight.
     “Major, we have bogies.”
     “Radar Control, repeat,” the AWACS pilot responded, looking at his co-pilot.
     “Bogies, 400 nautical miles out. Sir, they’re approaching Air Force Two from the northeast and closing.”

Special Agent Forbes
     Michael’s early life choices put him on the path leading to the doors of the U.S. Secret Service. Over the years, Michael served in both National and International Field Offices and is currently assigned to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington. D.C.
     To this day, nothing is more important to Michael than carrying out the oath and living up to the Secret Service motto...“Worthy of Trust and Confidence”. Agent Forbes’ job is protecting the President of the United States and no one does it better than “Chess Master.”

The President, the Man
     The city of Pocatello sits along the Portneuf River on the edge of the Bannock Mountain range in southeastern Idaho.
Pocatello wasn’t the center of the universe then or now, but it was the birthplace of Peter Stewart.
     At an early age, Peter learned to empathize with the less fortunate and looked for ways of helping when and where he could. Sitting in the cold mud goose hunting on the nearby Shoshoni-Bannock Reservation with his brother was fun; selling greeting cards to raise money for a child on the reservation with one shoe, few warm cloths, and no father was rewarding.
     Peter Stewart served two terms in the Idaho State Legislature, one term as a United States Senator, and one full term as Governor of Idaho before running for the nation’s highest office.

The First Lady
     Mary Rockwell Stewart was an impressive woman in every sense of the word. She was a stunning beauty at the age of forty-seven; she was a stunning beauty at, pick any age. Mary Stewart had that “Cover Girl look” that only a very few were blessed with.
     Perfect as she appears, the First Lady has a flaw. A watch given by a close friend years earlier hides a scar on her left wrist. Little did she realize that the giver of the gift would later come back to haunt her, the President, and the nation.

The Attaché
     The rain subsided as Yashiro's plane touched down at Inchon’s International Airport. He'd travelled to Seoul on numerous occasions and was familiar with Korean immigration procedures, and customs lines. He was thankful he entered the country under a Japanese Diplomatic Passport, able to avoid the delays and scrutiny.
     “Welcome to Korea Mr. Matsuta,” the Customs Officer said, handing back the passport. Yashiro nodded in reply and adjusted the strap on his shoulder bag; the brief case remained cuffed to his wrist.
     Continuing to the exit, Yashiro saw a man walking toward him. He didn’t recognize the stranger who stopped and bowed.
     “Mr. Matsuta, my name is Hotaka Sakai. I am from the Japanese Embassy. The ambassador instructed me to escort you to the hotel. Would you like me to carry your bag and briefcase, sir?” Yashiro handed the man his shoulder bag; the contents of the briefcase were for Yashiro’s hands and eyes only.

The Patriot
     Beating the air into submission, the Black Hawk climbed above the parade grounds giving the passengers an unobstructed view of Warrior Country and Tongduchon, the Korean city adjacent to Camp Casey. The Change of Command ceremony was over. Accompanying the generals on the short fight to Yongsan Army Garrison, Korean Liaison Officer Colonel Lee sat silently as the Blackhawk made its way toward Seoul.
     Jung-ku Lee started his military career as a KATUSA, an acronym for Korean Augmentation Troops to the United States Army. Later in life, Colonel Lee would often think back about those and other times, never forgetting the price paid to keep his beloved Republic of South Korea free.
     Although too young at the time to understand, after the tragic incident, Jung-ku’s father was never the same. He remembers on more than one occasion seeing his father weeping with his mother, begging for her forgiveness. Jung-ku’s brother of sixteen was mercilessly hacked to pieces by North Korean soldiers when the family tried to flee south. His mother lost an arm during the attack, but managed to survive. The stories and images of the horrific events that took place that day were forever etched in his mind.
     Growing up, Jung-ku could do nothing to right the terrible wrong committed again his family and country. But Colonel Lee would find a way; he would see to it that the North and South would never be reunited.

Acting Director Thornton
     Eldridge Thornton is the youngest person to hold the position as Director of the Secret Service. His appointment came about over drinks one evening at the Lincoln Inn restaurant near the White House.
     “Ted, I like you to meet my son, Eldridge. Eldridge, this is Senator Ted O’Leary. Ted’s the chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee.
     “It’s an honor to meet you Senator O’Leary,” Eldridge said, shaking the senator’s hand.
     Eldridge had no training or background in law enforcement, and never served in the Armed Forces. The only thing Eldridge had going for him was his father. Congressman Walter K. Thornton was Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, one of the most powerful committees in Congress.
     Make no mistake, when political favors are exchanged in Washington, anything is possible. Eldridge Thornton was living proof.