Petropavl and Pavlodar, Kazakh cities located near the Russian border, had called for independence as autonomous republics. These were the areas where Russians, Ukrainians, and Germans had an overwhelmingly high rate of residence. About two-tenths of the whole Kazakhstan's population lived in the region, so if they became autonomous republics, Kazakhstan's population would be drastically reduced. It was also an industrial zone, and losing it could result in a significant drop in national competitiveness.

It was strange that those cities suddenly demanded independence in time for martial law when they had been quiet the whole time while the country had been noisy. Even the central government was at a loss for public power.

The leaders of the autonomous state, who had just gathered in the conference room, were stunned by the news. That was because what they were worried about happened too quickly. The two cities in the north simultaneously claimed their own republic as if waiting. There had to be Russia's intervention.

"How can we stop the crazy government? One-twentieth of the land will be lost to Russia."

When Kim Chun commented, Park Jong-il opposed him.

"It's rather good. They had been asking for their own republic since long ago. It's better for them to disappear now for the future. For us, it's a chance to claim Russia's intervention."

"Russia won't be satisfied with those cities only. It won't care about international opinion either."

"From the very beginning, those cities were not for Kazakhstan to handle. This was bound to happen anyway. For now, let's wait and see how the president responds."

Intelligence agents also said that their movement was unusual, but no one expected that the two cities would act this fast. They had predicted that there would be a lot of tax resistance since those cities were full of middle-class people, but it was a quite unexpected situation. Although this could happen because there are countless ethnic groups living in Kazakhstan, the problem was that the heavy industrial base was all concentrated in the North.

"If the economic base is cut in half, only Kazakh people will suffer."

"Putin must have prepared for this. No one is going to blame the northern residents for rejecting corruption-ridden Kazakhstan."

There was an agitated discussion among the leaders of the autonomous state.

It was bitter that they were about to miss out on a great industrial base. However, the Arirang Autonomous State was not in the position to stop it now.

Park Jong-il insisted to take advantage of this event. In other words, it is an opportunity to eliminate the government that was not able to stop this. This could have been the president's scheme to get Putin's favor by separating the northern cities since he was cornered now.

"At this rate, every ethnic group of Kazakhstan will become an autonomous republic. Right now Kazakhstan is no different than anarchy."

"Phew, we'll have to move the military force."

"Are we doing a coup?"

"No, you have to fight tricks with tricks. We need to foster a border conflict. If the Kazakh military acts out regardless of the government's will, the situation will become more complicated for them."

"What if Russia intervenes?"

"That's exactly what I want. I wish Russia would cross the Kazakhstan border. They will have to turn around quickly after being bashed by international opinion. Meanwhile, we'll eliminate the current president."

"If the young military officers don't agree with us, we'll be in a weird position."

"You think the military that consists of Kazakh people will just let the northern cities pull away from Kazakhstan especially when they're going to join Russia? They'll for sure act as a decent martial law army this time."

Russia would cross the border on the grounds that should protect its people.

If this happened, the two countries would naturally clash. A local war with Russia should take place to topple the Kazakh president who is trying to get Russia's support. The northern cities' demand for separation must be embarrassing to the government, but on the other hand, it could be the president's card to turn around the situation.

There was absolutely no way to depose the president in a referendum. No matter how badly he misjudged and committed crimes, people would vote again for him. They were innocent and naïve but at the same time, they were ignorantly blind.

Therefore, it was the best to overthrow the government using a chance like this.

***

"Are you suggesting a local war with Russia?"

"Are we just going to watch the northern cities separate from us? The economy is about to collapse. It's like losing a national treasure. We should at least act like we're going to stop it. That way, Russia might get scared of us and drop its plan."

Everyone was reticent at this point.

Youngho looked around the audience.

The officers present today were doubling from the last meeting.

Among around 20 young field officers, some were wearing captain badge.

They all came to the state upon Youngho's request despite the martial law.

"You're right, duke. If we just hand them over without any resistance, Russia's misjudgment will continue, and the general election shouldn't be held in a calm state. Unfortunately, our naive people will support President Nazarbayev again. It's time to break that vicious circle. That's why we're here."

"I think the opposite. If there's a conflict with Russia on the border, the president will try to use it as a reverse. He's in a situation where he has to step down, but he's more likely to stay in power under the pretext of a national crisis."

"I don't think we need to stop it by force. Those cities are not going to be absorbed into Russia right away. They were people who didn't go back to Russia when they became independent. I'm sure they're not going to return to socialism. They're probably just sick of the president's long-standing dictatorship, and that's why they're demanding separation and independence."

Opinions were divided.

As the debate grew longer, Youngho stepped up.

"Definitely the Russian government was behind them. This is what our state's intelligence agents found out. The British Secret Intelligence Service also reaffirmed this."

"Do you have an intelligence department in your state?"

"I'd like to explain it to you to prevent any misunderstanding. It's been running for years. The original intention was to dispatch staff to read the economic trends of each city. We now have the same equipment and capabilities as the intelligence service in any other country."

"…"

As it was unheard of that a state less than 20,000 people were operating an intelligence bureau, everyone was stunned to hear Youngho.

There was another reason that he told about the intelligence department. It was to show the military guests the power of the autonomous state and the state's relations to powerful nations.

"You know that our state is related to the Danish royal family. With the help of the Danish royal family, I have been interacting with governments in Britain, the U.S. and other countries. The U.K. intelligence service promised to provide military satellites in real-time, and the U.S. intelligence service promised to provide missile ships. The reason why Western countries support us is that they want to stop Kazakhstan from being invaded by Russia. They had judged that the current government wouldn't be accountable."

The military personnel were highly motivated and intrigued by Youngho's long explanation. It turned out the state had a huge background if developed countries were helping it.

With these countries helping the state, they, at any rate, there was a higher possibility of success for any of the state's decision.

"I just want Kazakhstan to be strong. If I could, I want to protect Kazakhstan by using my own money. So, with the help of the Swedish government, we have signed an agreement to bring in about 30 fighter jets."

"…"

"We've already received ten of them and we're training with them. And..."

"You bought those expensive fighters? How much money have you put into it?"

Lieutenant Colonel Jun freaked out and blocked Youngho.

The whole world knew how expensive fighter jets were, so it was understandable how everyone freaked out. Youngho told them everything plainly, now that they were in the same boat together.

"I overdid it because I didn't think adding a few more missile ships would solve it. There's no way I was going to pull Air Force into this, so I had to build my own air force. Kazakh pilots don't care about the security of the nation, but only about themselves and the future job positions."

"I don't have anything to say as an officer, but do you know why the Russian aviation companies treat them so well? It's a trick of Russia. It is intended to weaken Kazakhstan's air force power and expand its own power. The Air Force pilots already know that but they still go to Russia."

This meant that civilian pilots would become the reserve forces of the Russian Air Force in case of an emergency. That was why Russian companies gave an exceptional offer to Kazakhstan's airmen. The officers at today's meeting were not surprised to know that since they already knew about this fact.

"That's shocking. They still choose to go to Russia knowing that?"

"Well, if we had the opportunity, most of us would have chosen to go to Russia. There's not much hope for improvement here. If you had children, you would want to provide a pleasant environment and good educational opportunity. Of course, we don't have to do that anymore now."

"What do you mean that you don't have to do that anymore?"

"Looking at the state of Arirang, I thought students would not have to go abroad for a better learning environment. I felt like they would grow up really well if they studied and grew up in this environment."

"The autonomous state's educational system is a bit experimental. It's not desirable at all

"But it seems to be the best educational environment for us. I could tell just by looking at the children's faces. If I had a choice, I'd like to raise my children here."

This remark was made by Lieutenant Colonel Kabak, the leader of the military group.

He expressed the current situation in a stark manner, but rather confident.

He expressed shame, but it was the reality. No wonder, that a family head wanted to provide a better environment for his family. This was not a matter to associate patriotism with. If the country wanted to force sacrifice by citing the nation and its people, it would have to give them the right treatment. It was also too much to hope to work silently where there was no future.

In a way, the northern cities' demand for independent autonomy may also be a rejection for the hopeless non-proliferation regime. The people of those cities must have been sick of President Nazarbayev's rule and were looking for a chance, but the president had declared the martial law instead of stepping down just in time. Since Russia has got their back, they had no fear. The northern cities must be celebrating its long-cherished independence.

It would be heartbreaking to know that the Arirang Autonomous State was plotting to crush that dream.