Homecoming and Legs Reborn
The final day of our US trip dawned. After washing up and grabbing breakfast out of habit from our long hotel stay, it looked like everyone else was ready too.
"Everyone got all their stuff?"
I did one last check just to be sure.
"All set, Boss," Jacob replied with a confident grin.
"Good. Let's head straight to the airport."
With everything in the States wrapped up, I left the hotel feeling light and free, heading to the airport. Once we returned the rental car, it really hit me—the trip was over.
After dropping off the rental, we hopped into the waiting courtesy vehicle, bypassing the bustling main terminal full of regular passengers and gliding toward the quiet private terminal on the outskirts. The car didn't stop for a second, slipping right up near the hangar by the runway.
"First time on a private jet for me. Procedures always this simple?" Carlos peered out the window, sounding amazed.
No immigration wrestling, no baggage check chaos.
"I figured you guys would've flown private plenty, being elite soldiers and all."
"Transports, yeah. Plenty of those," Liam quipped suddenly.
Everyone burst out laughing. Everything was so new they were all glued to the windows sightseeing, until the car pulled up in front of a sleek black plane.
"...Whoa, no joke."
There it was—the matte black jet Athena had shown me.
We exchanged greetings with the lined-up crew and pilots, climbed the stairs, and stepped inside. The modern wood-toned interior matched the 3D model perfectly. Sinking into the seats, I felt the premium leather. Ethan, experiencing his first flight, was buzzing with excitement, so I calmed him down a bit and grabbed the pre-poured champagne.
"Great job, everyone. Lots to do back in Korea, so rest up on the way."
Jacob raised his glass at my words. "Thanks again, Boss."
Everyone clinked glasses. Looking out the window, North Carolina's landscape shrank below us.
Unlike the layover on the way in, we flew nonstop to Korea without a single break. I slept, woke up, and killed time watching NerTube on the screen Athena projected, wondering how much longer.
How many hours to Incheon?
We're not going to Incheon, Master. Gimpo.
We'd left from Incheon, so Gimpo threw me for a loop.
My car's parked at Incheon. Bet the parking fees are insane by now.
Your car and an Escalade have already been transported to Gimpo Business Aviation Center.
Not Incheon Airport? Some business center?
Yes. Private jet terminal—no crowds, faster processing. Way better.
Guess as a regular guy until recently, I never knew about spots like that. Listening to Athena explain while gazing out the window, I felt the altitude dropping gradually.
"Almost there."
No sooner had I muttered it than we descended sharply and touched down.
The plane halted, the hatch opened, and two waiting vehicles came into view. We descended the stairs, boarded, and headed to the private terminal.
Damn quiet.
The terminal inside was hotel-lobby serene and spotless. No one buzzing with travel excitement or relief at homecoming.
Customs inspection started tensely, but Eric must've packed smart—no issues. The customs officer eyed the black Pelican cases suspiciously, but finding nothing off, waved us through clean.
Stepping out the terminal doors, Seoul's hazy air filled my lungs—nothing like North Carolina's fresh stuff.
"Ahh, that fine dust taste. Definitely Seoul."
My mouth spat trash talk, but thinking of home brought a grin. Glancing back, the four stared at me blankly.
"Great work, everyone. I'd love to head home and crash, but fixing Eric and Carlos's legs comes first, right?"
Eric and Carlos's faces lit up with anticipation. A short drive later, my familiar Panamera and the massive Escalade came into view—still not used to that beast.
"I'll take my car. You four pile into that one."
I handed Jacob the keys, helped load the luggage into the trunk, and set off for the Siheung bio factory.
On the outer ring road from Gimpo to Siheung, my Panamera led with the black Escalade shadowing like a ghost. Inside its heavy tint, Jacob, Liam, and Ethan were probably sightseeing Korea. Carlos and Eric swallowing hard, anticipating the miracle ahead.
Entering Siheung city limits, Athena reported in.
CCTV control within 2km of the factory secured. Treatment prep complete.
"I don't even know the factory layout. Last time we rushed for the drugs and flew straight to the US."
Ethan's clock ticking had us skipping the tour, grabbing meds, and bouncing.
I'll introduce it then. They won't know if it's me or you anyway.
The Siheung bio factory warehouse looked like any ordinary plant from outside. But rolling up the heavy shutter revealed chilly air, state-of-the-art labs, and robotic arms.
The four men stepping out of the car had awe in their eyes—especially Eric, the mechanical engineer, whose gaze trembled uncontrollably.
"...This the factory you meant, Boss?" Eric muttered in disbelief.
Athena, controlling my body, strode forward purposefully.
"Eric, Carlos. Get in these capsules."
The two, handed industrial suits by a robot arm, trembled as they entered, hands clasped behind their backs.
"Liam, assist as our field medic. Jacob, stand guard—no one gets in."
"Got it, Boss."
Liam stood by me, Jacob headed to the entrance, and Athena activated the capsules. For my sake? Scans of Eric and Carlos popped up, alien script scrolling beside them. Per Athena's commands, fine lasers began scanning their legs.
No mere surgery—this was stem cell regeneration channeling every bit of god-made AI tech.
Nerve reconnection at 98%... Starting culture fluid infusion. They'll both be walking fine in about a day.
No issues?
All variables under control. Just wait comfortably now.
With that, control of my body returned.
"Treatment done in a day. We just chill till then."
Liam's face went slack at the idea of them walking normally after just twenty-four hours.
"...Boss's tech defies imagination."
Strictly speaking, not mine, but the praise felt good anyway.
To give Jacob time with his son, I sent him and Ethan to the reserved lodging. Liam and I kept watch.
"Your army stories make time fly."
"Stories you won't hear anywhere else. Where'd you serve, Boss?"
Compared to Eric's battlefields and spec ops, my driver gig barely qualified as military.
"Just regular infantry. Makes my service seem like a breeze next to yours."
Liam shared tales of HALOs, covert ops, and wild stuff from his service—time melted away. Mid-story, the low hum of the machines faded.
"Day's up already?"
Check the clock: exactly twenty-four hours.
Where's Jacob? Guarding the door?
Yes. Ethan's watching NerTube at the lodging.
Call them. They need to see this.
Jacob arrived, and we watched the capsules. Green culture fluid drained out. With a hiss and pressure release, both hatches opened simultaneously.
Steam billowed from the capsules. Carlos's voice cut through.
"Hey, Eric. You alive?"
His voice was a bit hoarse. Then a solid thud echoed—not prosthetic, but human legs hitting the floor.
Steam cleared fully. Eric stepped out, staring at his left leg in disbelief.
"This... this real?"
He hopped in place lightly, then stomped like a maniac. Thud, thud reverberated through the vast factory.
Carlos, from his capsule, collapsed to the floor, groping his legs.
"It's real... I feel it, the sensation."
The battlefield beast, tears welling like a kid while fondling his legs—it was kinda fresh.
"Promised I'd fix 'em, didn't I?"
I played it cool, but inside I was screaming holy shit on loop.
The two hesitated, then snapped to attention with sharp salutes.
"Now I get why Jacob and Liam follow you. This leg's yours to command."
Eric echoed with steely resolve. "Same here."
I was high on the vibe, barely controlling my face muscles. But seeing Liam and Jacob's red eyes made it harder to hide my own emotion.
"Time to head home."
A day-plus since landing from the US, but with Carlos and Eric's legs perfect, it finally felt like US business was done.