Interrogated by the Director
Jaejeong opened his eyes.
He looked around and found himself sitting in a chair inside a sealed white tent.
The back of his head throbbed like he'd taken a rifle butt to it.
Fortunately, his limbs weren't bound.
He reached back and touched the spot. A hard scab of dried blood crusted there, and as his vision sharpened, he spotted the second familiar face he'd seen today sitting across from him.
A bald man in a white coat.
A single desk separated them.
The tent was entirely white all around.
Three armed soldiers stood behind him.
Jaejeong eyed the man.
He didn't look like he'd put up much of a fight.
Even with the three soldiers at his back, it wouldn't be hard.
Right-handed, so he'd start with the one on his right rear—kick the knee, snatch the gun.
Take him hostage if needed.
And if the other two opened fire, the guy could serve as a bullet shield.
That was Jaejeong. He could do it.
He had the skills and experience from the military, plus the street smarts from police work.
He was the monster who'd smashed dozens of heads solo in the hospital cafeteria.
A few punks like these? Child's play.
But...
He couldn't.
His blood boiled, sure, and he was pissed, but this was the safe zone.
How many trials had they endured to get here?
Talk first.
The man spoke first.
"What's your name?"
His deep baritone voice and calm expression created an oddly soothing atmosphere.
"Before that, explain why you're going this far with us. And where the rest of my people are."
"You're badly mistaken about something. I already know your name from your comrades, Mr. Han Jaejeong. To be clear, I'm not sitting here to answer your questions. I'm here to ask mine."
Jaejeong shut his mouth.
"Not going to talk, eh? Hm..."
The man crossed his arms, nodded, and continued.
"Fine. Since it's your first time, I'll answer this once. This safe zone houses over 100,000 people. We've poured everything into defending it, surviving on the backs of countless sacrifices. Now, what happens when outsiders enter that foundation—long after the outbreak began?"
"Isn't the safe zone for survivors?"
"Yes. But to those of us here now, including me, what are you? Joy? Relief at more survivors? No. It's like receiving a mystery box. Our excessive caution is natural. One infected slipping in could collapse this whole zone in half a day. That's why we check every body and investigate everyone's past."
"The others?"
"They're finishing investigations and physical exams."
"Do your thing, then. Investigate."
Jaejeong spread his arms in acceptance.
Even faced with noncooperation that could piss anyone off, the man's expression never changed.
"Tell me about your work outside."
"Sergeant Han Jaejeong, Violent Crimes Unit, Gangnam Police Station. That enough? My job makes asking questions easy, but the reverse? Not so much."
"Next. The safe zone has various sectors: military securing safety, production zones growing food in fields for the long haul, boundary zones repairing outer walls. What do you think you're best suited for?"
"Not sure what I'm best at, but closest to what I did is military. Though I'd make these guys' lives hell. Bunch of fresh-faced active-duty kids."
Jaejeong glanced back at the soldiers with a sneer.
Their faces rang a bell.
These were the ones from the riverside park who'd stomped Beom-sik and come at him.
The man showed no emotional flicker, no matter what Jaejeong said.
Just notes when needed.
Like a robot talking to a human.
"Whatever, your call. Next. I heard about Captain Kang Jin-hyeok. And the radio contact. What did he tell you?"
"Why?"
"Standard procedure. We have to verify what you say, at least."
Jaejeong tilted his head.
Didn't add up.
The man said the others' interviews were done.
Yet verifying stories?
And it wasn't Jaejeong who'd mentioned the captain.
Then it hit him.
Captain Kang's words about a secret evac op for top officials.
They were planning to sail up the Han to Yeouido soon.
Survivors here wouldn't like that.
Chaos, probably uncontrollable.
Jaejeong answered.
"Heard one thing. But not sure if I should just blab anything. And if you want info, quid pro quo, right?"
Buy time, think.
Figure out what this guy wanted, his angle.
Lots of options later.
If they wanted force, they'd have done it already.
Outsiders or not, they needed people.
"What do you want?"
"Who the hell are you?"
The man stared hard.
His heavy-lidded eyes, drier than a desert, bored into Jaejeong.
"I'm Park Yi-hyun-seok. People call me Doctor. Biology professor, was Director of Infectious Disease Policy at the Korea Disease Control Agency. Until last week."
"A scholar, huh."
"So... what did Captain Kang tell you?"
"Why not ask him direct?"
The doctor's steady face shifted. He leaned back, crossed his legs, smirked faintly.
"Not sure how much you know, but our forces on the west sea have two options: help us when we need it, or... Our position's delicate. Can't risk offending them. Would've been easier to ask the captain direct, but we're not that close. Ah, this is fine for you to know. What I want is..."
"If I know anything problematic."
"Exactly."
"Who'd answer straight like that? Wrong order for interrogation. Next time, leave it to me. Gotta know how to do it proper. Damn pen-pushers... Anyway, a promise is a promise."
Jaejeong smacked his lips like it pained him.
Confirmed.
The guy wanted to know if they knew about the evac op.
Leak that VIPs-only plan, and order crumbles.
Production zones, boundary repairs—clicked instantly.
This place's structure, operations.
One word could mean life or death for all.
His group had stayed silent on it. Certain now.
At least on this.
No patience for games otherwise.
Civilians with guns? They'd kill dissenters easy.
Not sure how they'd react.
Might not believe.
But wouldn't ignore if they knew.
Extra mouths bad for ops.
Jaejeong baited.
"It was... classified. Can't tell anyone."
"That's why you must tell me. Then we sign nondisclosure or promise."
"Worried, honestly. Finally reach safety after hell, don't wanna get booted or killed over chit-chat. You don't know what we went through."
"I stake my name: won't happen. We've never expelled or harmed anyone like that. Now, trust us. What Captain Kang said."
The doctor leaned forward.
This obsession meant Jaejeong was right.
Or so he thought.
No tells, but behind that face, probably pacing frantic.
Jaejeong wasn't a physiognomist, but years of interrogations taught him reads.
Those eyes burned like a bonfire slicked with greed.
Cold, obsessive, ruthless for goals.
Dangerous.
Jaejeong leaned in too.
"Captain said... virus only hit Japan and us. And we can't cross borders."
The doctor's sharp eyes pierced Jaejeong's.
Blank face, just staring.
Chilling for most.
The doctor nodded slowly.
Then pondered deeply.
No emotions shown—what was he thinking?
"That's fine. Announced it two days ago anyway. Odd, though. Everyone gave similar answers. Like rehearsed. Or truth, so I'll accept. And..."
He pulled a pistol from a drawer.
"Cleared up the pistol misunderstanding too. Statements match. No way to confirm, so I'll believe you."
"What's with the gun?"
"Not just Korean military here. US too. Guidelines aside, some long-deployed officers carry private weapons. Issue was you holding one from the oil run team. Anyway, basics done. Sorry for the rough patches—understand. After physical, handler'll tour and intro the zone. Dismissed."
The doctor left with two soldiers.
Jaejeong finally exhaled in relief.
Acted tough, casual, but every second tense.
Not some sociopath.
No one stares like that.
More shocked the group synced answers.
Good thing.
Key they thought alike.
Even that dumbass Lee Beom-sik had brains. Lucky.
"On your feet. To physical exam."
"This ain't boot camp..."
Standing, Jaejeong eyed the leading soldier.
Cheekbones and eyes swollen puffy.
The one he'd traded punches with.
"Hey..."
The soldier stopped.
"What?"
"Smoke?"
Long sigh, reluctant nod.
"Yeah. Got one?"
"Nah, I'll share. Light up first."
The soldier glanced around, led Jaejeong behind the tent.
Infected People