The Well Church and the Path Forward
Team Leader Shin, who had been retreating while using the smoke as cover, caught up with the team members who had departed earlier and ordered a rotation to relieve the injured operative. "Jihyuk is wounded. Jungmin, swap with him." Jungmin immediately switched places with the injured member and moved close to Team Leader Shin. They increased their pace to clear the village, all while maintaining rear security. Suddenly, an explosion erupted behind them, and a radio transmission came through from the operations headquarters.
Armed trucks approaching from the rear and pursuit forces have been neutralized!
Shin increased their speed, thinking to himself that this operation would have been impossible without the drones provided by Starlink Aviation. The sound of gunfire behind them had ceased. When the first missile fired by Section Chief Choi successfully detonated and eliminated the enemies, he immediately switched the drone to infrared mode to scan the area around Alpha Team for any remaining Taliban. Seeing an armed truck approaching from outside the village after the hostages were secured, he asked the Starlink Aviation technician, "How many missiles are left?"
"Six remaining."
"Hostage rescue is the priority. Neutralize the armed truck and the pursuing Taliban in the rear."
The Starlink technician immediately fired four missiles at the Taliban and the armed truck pursuing the rescue team, then observed the area in infrared mode to check for any further pursuit. As the flames subsided, the infrared feed illuminated the entire village; movement was only visible inside the houses. He radioed Alpha Team to report that the Taliban had been eliminated and continued to monitor for any threats around the retreating rescue team. Seeing no heat signatures other than the hostage team, the Starlink technician felt relieved and cracked a small joke. "This is a proper test and evaluation for the medium-altitude drone. The NIS should consider purchasing these."
Section Chief Choi laughed at the remark. "We really will purchase them. If it's for the NIS budget, we can buy as many as we need."
The Starlink technician was startled by the promise of a purchase. "There's a real benefit to joining this operation."
"If this operation succeeds, I will ensure a bonus is paid to the Starlink Aviation staff who cooperated."
At the mention of a bonus, the technician smiled and re-verified the safety of the area surrounding the rescue team. Section Chief Choi immediately dispatched an armed truck to handle the transport to Bagram Airfield, confirmed the current location of the hostages, and picked up the satellite phone. "Director, all 17 hostages have been rescued."
[And our side?]
"Fortunately, there are no casualties other than the wounded. We are currently moving to Bagram Airfield."
[Hahaha. That is a relief. Once the hostages arrive, have them transported directly to Korea via the transport plane at Bagram.]
"I will have them undergo medical checks before departure. There are no major safety concerns, but it is necessary as a precaution."
[Do so! You've worked hard.]
After ending the call, Section Chief Choi focused back on the screen provided by the medium-altitude drone, not letting his guard down until the final hostages arrived at Bagram Airfield. Once they reached the base, the South Korean government announced the rescue of the hostages held in Afghanistan, followed by mourning for the two who had tragically been sacrificed. Section Chief Choi asked for the understanding of the Starlink Aviation staff as he loaded the medically cleared hostages onto the transport plane. "The hostages come first, so the Starlink staff will have to depart on the second flight. I apologize for not being able to send you home first after you cooperated with the operation."
"Not at all. I am satisfied just knowing that the medium-altitude drone I helped develop performed exactly as intended."
"Now that there's nothing special left to do, let's have a celebration party with our agents. I spoke with the U.S. military and secured some pork belly and soju."
The staff were delighted to hear that pork belly and soju—hard to come by in Afghanistan—had been prepared. "Let's send the medium-altitude drone back to Korea first and then have the party. Once it takes off, Starlink Aviation will take over control via data link, so there's nothing special for us to do."
A party was held, attended by the special forces and NIS agents who participated in the operation. Everyone was more interested in the news playing at the party venue than their soju glasses. As the operation was carried out independently by South Korea, domestic and international media reported the rescue as breaking news, and the NIS provided some footage from helmet cameras to the media for promotional purposes. The media continuously broadcast the provided footage, and those at the party watched the news with a sense of pride. Section Chief Choi, who arrived late to the party, poured himself a drink. "I was a bit late due to media relations. I want to thank everyone who joined this operation. I would like to propose a toast to the success of the operation. Long live the Republic of Korea!"
"Long live the Republic of Korea!"
The attendees shouted in unison, downed their drinks, and clapped with emotional eyes. In Korea, Starlink Aviation received media attention with reports that the medium-altitude drone currently under development had been deployed in the operation, and CEO Jo Yoon-je introduced the drone along with other weapons developed by Starlink. When the hostages arrived in Korea, reporters flocked to the military airport instead of Starlink Aviation to interview them, and CEO Jo Yoon-je sighed in relief, saying he had escaped the pressure of the media.
Around the time the hostage rescue operation quieted down, Major General Choi Young-gyu of the Ministry of National Defense brought good news. "CEO Kim, the mass production quantity for the medium-altitude drone has finally been decided."
"How many is it?"
"Due to the success of the hostage rescue operation, they have decided to purchase 12 drones and 500 air-to-ground missiles. And there will be additional purchases from elsewhere."
"Elsewhere...?"
"The NIS also says they want to purchase them, saying they will use the drones for operations. They requested that we produce them together when we produce the drones we requested."
"How many does the NIS say they need?"
"Two drones and 50 air-to-ground missiles."
Not long after the call with the Ministry of National Defense ended, a call came from Chairman Lee Hyundo of the Misung Group. "CEO Kim! The atmosphere has finally ripened."
"What do you mean by that?"
"You said you wanted to acquire the Misung Techwin engine plant last time, didn't you? Thanks to the weapons developed by Starlink playing an active role in this hostage rescue operation, the favorability toward Starlink has risen, creating an atmosphere where Techwin can be sold. The problem is that we are the ones getting criticized instead."
"Why is the Misung Group getting criticized?"
"There are complaints that the companies Starlink acquired are making huge contributions to the defense industry, while the rest of the defense companies have no role."
"Aren't you just feigning misery?"
"Hahaha. I will sell the Techwin engine division right away, so get ready."
"Understood. Now Starlink Aviation will finally have some breathing room."
"And you are an advisor to Misung Electronics, but you don't seem to be doing your part. Please pay attention to the smartphone we are developing."
"Is there a problem with the product being developed in collaboration with Google?"
"That's not it! The product is scheduled to be released next year, but the sales volume of the A-Phone is just too terrifying."
Because he knew the advantages of the smartphone all too well, Taesik replied, "General phones will be difficult to sell in the future."
"I know that too. Fortunately, the communication method is different, so it's only being sold in the U.S. and Europe, but other than the A-Phone, everyone's sales are on a downward trend."
"Isn't Misung Electronics still holding the Southeast Asian market?"
"The price of one A-Phone is enough to buy three Misung Electronics phones. Smartphones are the trend now! Still, you are doing your part in the semiconductor sector instead of mobile phones. As A-Phone sales increase, our revenue is also rising."
"How is the DRAM semiconductor doing?"
"As you said, the shipment volume in Taiwan is increasing tremendously. Companies supported by the Taiwanese government have started a price-cutting competition along with massive volume. The game has finally begun."
"If it's Misung Electronics' capability, there won't be a problem."
"We've solved the semiconductor yield issue, and now only the full-scale price war remains. Thanks to you telling me in advance, we've completed the preparations. Now only the full-scale war remains."
"Then it's already a won fight. If Misung Electronics has raised the semiconductor yield, there's no place that can follow Misung in price competitiveness, right?"
"Still, don't you have anything to say to me?"
"If you win this war, please pay attention to semiconductor equipment and materials."
"Why? Is something going to happen in Japan?"
Taesik, knowing that Japan would later impose restrictions on the semiconductor industry to gain an advantage over Korea, gave a subtle hint. "If a neighbor lives well, wouldn't they be jealous? Aren't you worried that all the equipment and materials that go into semiconductors are Japanese products?"
"Hmm... I'll have to look into that. And is there anything else?"
To Chairman Lee Hyundo, who was asking him too many things, Taesik said, "If you give me Misung Techwin for free, I will tell you."
"My, my... You are the only person who threatens me, CEO Kim. Let's talk again next time."
Just as Taesik was about to end the call, "Ah! You. Are you meeting our Miso? Miso said she sent you a few texts, but there was nothing but formal replies..."
"..."
"Don't be like that, go meet Miso. Unlike me, she's a kind child! If you happen to marry Miso, I'll send a few of our affiliates that you've been eyeing along with her. How about it? It's a profitable deal, isn't it?"
"Chairman..."
"Don't be like that and make an appointment today! I'll send Miso to where you are. I'm hanging up now."
As Chairman Lee Hyundo unilaterally ended the call, Taesik sighed and stood up from his seat. Since he had no particular interest in dating after his regression, he had intentionally sent perfunctory replies to Lee Miso's texts. A moment later, he checked his phone at the notification that a text had arrived.
Taesik immediately called Miso back at her considerate text. "This is Kim Taesik."
[Oh my. You actually called. You don't have to meet me today, so please don't feel burdened.]
"No, it's not like that. Let's see each other for the first time in a while."
[Where should we meet?]
"Is there anything you want to eat?"
[I want to go to a street stall (pojangmacha). I want to eat something ordinary, not the things I eat every day.]
"Then, let's go eat dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken)."
[That's great. Shall we meet after work?]
"Where should I pick you up?"
[Don't do that, let's meet halfway. It's a waste of time if you come to pick me up.]
"Then, let's meet in Jongno."
Taesik headed to Jongno 3-ga, the meeting place, after work, and approached Miso, who was standing at the subway entrance with an awkward expression. "It's awkward, isn't it? Ordinary people meet people like this."
"No. Watching people was fun too. Let's go eat dakgalbi."
Taesik walked and shared ordinary stories, and Miso watched the dakgalbi cooking on a round iron plate at the restaurant with curious eyes. "It looks delicious."
Taesik felt that Lee Miso was a more down-to-earth and decent person than he had thought, and after the meal, they talked at a coffee shop. The date after a long time stirred strange emotions in Taesik, and he focused on the conversation while looking at Miso's face.