Assembling the Team
After a light meal, I grabbed some coffee to go and headed back to the hotel room.
"It's a suite with separate areas, so not bad for talking."
"Doesn't matter where."
The guy who'd threatened to put a hole in my gut yesterday was gone, replaced by this incredibly polite demeanor. I stared at Jacob's completely changed expression for a moment, then spoke to Athena.
Can I tell him about you?
Not 100%, but I can share a downsized version, no problem.
How much?
Say it's an AI you made, and reveal only about half the capabilities.
Not a bad level. I handed Jacob one of the new wireless earbuds I'd bought.
"Put this on for now. It's off-the-shelf, so performance is meh, but it'll do for starters."
Without a hint of suspicion, he took it out of the case and popped it in one ear.
Send him a comm. Share it with me.
Got it. One sec.
A few seconds later, Athena's voice rang in my ear.
Nice to meet you, Jacob boss.
"...What the hell is this?"
"Next-gen AI I developed. I'm using it for intel stuff."
Surprise flickered in Jacob's eyes.
"You're barely in your early twenties, Boss. Impressive."
"Eh... it just kinda happened. I found you thanks to it, so no doubts about performance."
His eyes widened for a split second.
"Better than the US DoD's AIs, then."
That much? I was planning to downplay it to half, but if that's the gap, no worries for now.
"Anyway, put that aside. Ever run ops in Korea?"
Pretty crucial topic. Even a human weapon needs prep knowledge for Korea's unique environment.
"A few years back, supported presidential security during a Korea-US summit. Got briefed on most things, know Korea basics."
Unexpected. Did Athena set this up?
You knew this?
Of course. I filtered for people with Korea knowledge first.
"Makes things easier, then. As you know, guns are impossible in Korea. Smuggling or making 'em works, but big restrictions on use."
"Got it. One combat knife's enough to drop a few guys. No worries."
The sudden grim talk threw me off. Probably his real side.
"I'll figure out the gun issue. For other gear, we'll max out what we can bring from the US."
"Understood. Just give me the list, I'll prep."
Athena can handle the list.
Athena, got others besides Jacob?
Yes, but can't bring 'em all at once. Too many moving raises intel agency flags.
I knew that.
How many for this trip?
4 total's good. A squad.
Military terms giving me mild PTSD, but way different from my army days—actually kinda fun.
"Want three more besides you. We have a list, but they're not urgent like you, so later."
"What kind?"
"People you know, or solid squadmates from service."
Jacob thought a bit, then pulled out a battered notebook from his pocket.
"Mercs are everywhere if it's just skill. But guys who'd give their lives for you, Boss? That's different. I'll pick from ones with stories like mine."
"Perfect. Skill's baseline—ones with unbreakable ties. I can work the same miracle on Ethan for them."
Jacob flipped through the notebook at my words, then named two like he'd remembered.
"Two squadmates from my service days."
One short, but two's a win.
"Tell me their stories."
"One's demo/heavy weapons expert—lost lower body in an accident. Other's like me: mom's terminal cancer."
Diverse backstories. Should be doable.
"Served with you, so skills are given. Personalities solid?"
"Yeah, both trustworthy."
Low chance he'd screw me now. Good to go.
"Names?"
"Liam Miller and Carlos Mendes."
Names sound badass.
Can you find those two?
Already did. They were on my list too—Jacob nailed it.
Pop their profiles? Need faces.
Two profiles materialized before my eyes.
Role: Ex-Delta Force Sniper / Field Medic
Issue: Mom has Alzheimer's + stage 4 cancer. Total nightmare.
Role: Heavy Weapons / Explosives Expert
Issue: Covering retreat in Syria—right leg blown off by booby trap, left foot disabled.
Jacob's story was rough, but this guy's a despair cocktail.
What a raw deal. Anything else?
Desperate to save mom, even looking into selling his kidney. No time to waste—handle fast.
Like Ethan, maybe worse.
Korea factory make the meds?
Yes, two days. Just approve, I'll start production.
No reason to hesitate.
Go. Who's the last one?
Carlos "Sledge" Mendes, heavy weapons/explosives. Syria retreat cover—right leg gone, left foot impaired.
Medals galore, huh?
Silver Star, discharged. Hiding in Texas now.
Texas. Long drive from North Carolina. Turning into a US road trip, but better one and done.
Liam—where's he at?
Here in North Carolina.
Lucky. West Coast would've sucked.
"...Boss?"
Oh. To Jacob, I looked like a muttering lunatic staring into space.
"Sorry, conferring with the AI."
"You can do that?"
"Yeah, kinda... happened."
I brushed it off and stood.
"Carlos can treat in Korea. Liam's trickier—making meds for his mom takes two days. Travel here adds three, minimum."
"Got it. I'll prep just in case."
Thought he'd question regen and meds, but nada.
Expected grilling, but smooth.
Ex-military.
How to ship Korea meds?
How to transport the meds? Fly back myself?
No need for hassle. Hire someone to pick up from factory, ship via urgent cargo.
Was bracing for 30-hour round trip, but easy fix—relief.
"Jacob, got a blockchain wallet?"
"Yeah, made a few for work."
Good.
Athena, send $100k.
Got it. To his most-used one.
"Sent $100k to your main wallet. You got three days free—spend with Ethan."
Jacob's eyes trembled faintly.
"...Truly grateful. But me gone leaves a security gap..."
He doesn't know me yet.
"I'll stay in except meals. Go worry-free. Need more cash, call or earbud me."
Jacob bowed deeply and left with Ethan.
Athena, find the last one yourself. Nap time.
Sure, sleep well, Master.
"Ah, fuck."
Meant to catnap, but clock said 5:30 PM. Drew curtains—beautiful North Carolina sunset.
"Gonna mess up my night sleep."
Splashed water on face in bathroom to wake up, checked phone.
"No missed calls?"
Expected Jacob, but probably busy with son.
"Any contact?"
Nope, Jacob's still at the mall with Ethan.
Son healthy again—he's lost in time.
"Found the one I mentioned?"
Before I finished, photos and profile popped up.
Role: Army Green Beret Combat Engineer / Mech Engineer
Issue: Like Carlos—lower body disability. Gov denied treatment, blamed op error.
"Shitty situation. Where?"
Kentucky outskirts junkyard.
Right next door.
"Cool, same as Carlos—haul to Korea."
Max five days, total strangers bonded for life.
"...Jacob's with son for dinner. Burger for me?"
Burger sounds great. In America? Gotta try authentic ones not in Korea.
Recruiting's fun, but damn, that burger's calling louder.