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LOCATION: SEAT OF THE TRANSITION GOVERNMENT
CITY: PYONGYANG, NORTH KOREA
DATE: APRIL 20, 2026 | TIME: 12:00 PM
The weekend was a whirlwind of activity around the globe as the news got out.
The horrific action that left the world stunned just five days ago had led to an entire regime collapsing in 48 hours.
General Cho Joon was named as the head of the transition government, with plans to hold a democratic election in one year.
He immediately set up a council that consisted of five members from North Korea and one diplomat each from South Korea, China, Russia and the United States.
It was an odd number intentionally, because the North Korean Transition Council, or NKTC, as it was to be called, would actually vote on referendums and policies.
Each member of the NKTC would have an equal vote, and it took a simple majority to pass a resolution.
The first order of business when they convened on Monday morning was to secure the nuclear stockpile.
General Cho allowed inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to come into the country to help secure and monitor the weapons. They were to maintain a constant presence until further notice.
Next, Cho consolidated the military around the country. They were used to reporting to a single person, so it wasn't anything new. Cho just needed to ensure those higher up the chain of command remained loyal to the country. And to him. For now.
There were two dissenters, but they were dealt with swiftly. Never to be heard from again.
He also sent orders for all 15,000 North Korean troops fighting for Russia in Ukraine to return home immediately. They were needed to support the transition, after all.
The third and very important part of the agenda was humanitarian aid. General Cho was shocked to learn that the Supreme Leader had commandeered the two 40,000 ton vessels of rice and wheat, and stored them in grain silos west of Pyongyang.
He let it sit there in storage while his people starved. General Cho ordered it all released immediately, with bags of rice and wheat delivered to every home in the country.
There would still be plenty left after it was done. Next, he opened up humanitarian aid corridors. Pre-cleared vessels could enter certain ports, and cargo planes were allowed on pre-cleared flight paths.
Lastly, the DMZ. The Demilitarized Zone was a 2.5 mile wide area between North and South Korea. It was littered with land mines, barbed wire, watchtowers, tank traps and fortified guard posts.
It would take a long time to clear it up. But the Council made the first step on April 20th: an immediate ceasefire declaration. Other actions could be planned and taken in time. But this one was symbolic and important.
The Council met for hours upon hours, going over plans and voting on resolutions. One seat remained vacant throughout: Russia.
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LOCATION: THE KREMLIN
CITY: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
DATE: APRIL 20, 2026 | TIME: 6:00 AM
On April 15th, President Sergei Volodin of Russia rejoiced at the success of that little hermit kingdom. Helping their scientists develop hypersonic missile technology was a true masterstroke.
And getting a direct, decisive hit on America's largest supercarrier was genius. Definitely worthy of celebration.
But how much can change in just 48 hours.
April 17th brought the downfall of the little dictator, and a complete regime change fell into place over a single weekend.
Giving Russia a seat at the table in their interim government was a joke. As if Volodin would send a single diplomat to such a farce.
Democracy.
It was so overrated.
The little marshal had been useful. For a time.
A willing pawn in exchange for a few crates of ammunition and the illusion of prestige. Helping him circumvent global sanctions was a small price to pay.
Now he was gone, and the Americans and Chinese would carve up the tiny peninsula like a roast.
Whatever. Good luck with it.
Didn't really need then anyway.
He turned his focus back on the real prize: Ukraine. The breadbasket of the world.
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LOCATION: THE BLUE HOUSE
CITY: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
DATE: APRIL 20, 2026 | TIME: 1:00 PM
At the presidential office in Seoul, referred to as the Blue House, the South Korean President and his security council met once again for what seemed the hundredth time in five days.
Some of the older members of the council voiced their skepticism, but the US President had assured them that the NKTC was legitimate, and the regime change real.
They were currently looking at the unilateral ceasefire declaration issued by the Transition Council.
Their representative on the NKTC had also confirmed the legitimacy of all the actions coming out of Pyongyang.
"I think we can't afford not to accept this," the President said. "Imagine what this could mean for the future."
Sure, there were plans in place for a unification. But until three days ago, it was so much of a long shot, it may as well have been written by crayon on construction paper.
"Sir," one of the aides said, "we have received numerous requests to track down families. I think we should set up a family reunification portal where people can log their information."
The ideas kept on coming. It was overwhelming, sure.
But if you let yourself believe just a little bit that this was real, it was the dream that most Koreans on both side of the DMZ didn't even dare to dream about a week ago.
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LOCATION: THE OVAL OFFICE
CITY: WASHINGTON, DC
DATE: APRIL 20, 2026 | TIME: 8:00 AM
President Michael Trent was glad to be back in the Oval Office. There was a lot to be happy about, in fact.
While the constant public statements, UN resolutions and the media parade was exhausting, Trent had lived for the updates in the Situation Room.
Not only had the dictator and his conspirators in Beijing paid the ultimate price, but once he fell, the entire governmental bureaucracy caved immediately.
It was an unexpected, but welcome development. The US having been given a seat on the Transition Council was icing on the cake.
But Russia not even showing up to the Council? Their President hollering all over the press about the questionable and unfair circumstances? Oh man, it was just delicious.
Trent went over his notes again.
It was rare for the US President to make a nationwide address in the morning, but he didn't want to wait any longer.
The American people demanded justice for the Ford. They deserved justice. The makeup team adjusted his hair and necktie once more before stepping away.
Camera. Lights. Go.
My fellow Americans,
Five days ago, our nation suffered a grievous loss. The USS Gerald R. Ford, our most advanced carrier, and a symbol of American resolve, was struck without warning.
5,238 sailors and airmen were lost. We mourn them, and we will honor them always.
In the days since, the world has witnessed something no one thought possible: the fall of the North Korean regime.
The people of North Korea are stepping into a new chapter of their history. One that promises peace, security, and the hope of reunification.
A Transition Council now governs in Pyongyang.
It includes voices from North Korea itself and from across the region, including the United States. Their mandate is simple: secure the nation's weapons, provide for its people, and take the first steps toward peace on the Korean Peninsula.
This is not the end of our vigilance. Our military remains ready, and we continue to monitor every development.
But it is the beginning of a new chapter. One where we choose cooperation over chaos, unity over division.
To the people of North Korea: we see you. We hear you. You deserve food, freedom, and the chance to live without fear. To our allies: we stand with you in ensuring this opportunity for peace is not lost.
And to those who would threaten our nation, know this.
We will act when we must, and we will not hesitate to defend our people, our allies, and our future.
Tonight, we honor the men and women of the Ford. Tomorrow, we get back to work.
May God bless the memory of our fallen, and may God bless the United States of America.
The camera clicked off at the end and they gave him the all-clear.
President Trent fell back in his chair and stared at the top of the Resolute Desk.
"Jonathan," he said, calling out to his Chief of Staff, "clear the rest of my day. And get me Nathan Rourke. There's something he's not telling me."