Deployment (1)
Departure day for America. Cheol-woo and Yuri arrived at Amberley Air Force Base. As soon as they entered the base, officers tried to blindfold them and load them into a vehicle, but Jason firmly intervened. These weren't the kind of people you treated that way. Even if their eyes were covered, they could map out the entire structure just from sounds and their sense of direction.
"We couldn't provide detailed information until today for security reasons. Please understand. The deployment to America involves two companies' worth of troops—not a huge number. But since it's a joint operation with army, navy, and air force coordination, we'll provide aggressive air support and artillery bombardment."
"What's the final objective of the operation?"
"We'll support the rebels until the U.S. federal forces are completely expelled from California's western region. Of course, we might end the operation early depending on the situation or continue fighting even after the goal is met. The federal forces remaining in California are estimated at around 3,000 men."
"That's not many."
"The rebels have even fewer. Even combining the California National Guard, Coast Guard, and police forces, it's about 1,000. This is because the blue drug craze is sweeping North America right now, forcing both sides to pull back their main forces."
"So most of the troops left on both sides are ability users."
"Yes. That's the high probability."
Only ability users would stick around in a region hit hard by the blue drug and keep fighting. At first, 3,000 or 2,000 had seemed ridiculously low, but realizing they were all ability users made his breath catch. 3,000 ability users was an overwhelming force.
"Is our side's force all ability users too?"
"The two landing companies for ground forces? Yes. They're all composed of ability users. If you want, you can take command of each company at any time, but we won't assign you any official positions."
"Yeah. That's better. I don't like being tied down or leading people."
"I had a feeling you'd say that."
After bossing around employees in Hong Kong, Cheol-woo had instinctively known it wasn't for him. Sure, he'd had to play along pretending to be a manager back then, but even accounting for that, commanding and looking after subordinates was exhausting both physically and mentally. He could trust his sister with his back, but handing it to underlings felt off, uneasy. Guys blindly following him and staking their lives were a burden. It was much better to roam free as a lone wolf, giving and taking no orders.
"This is the man commanding the federal forces left in California. Name's John Friedman. Colonel. He has skilled ability user soldiers under him and is said to be adept at guerrilla warfare."
Jason handed over a photo of the soldier. A tall, handsome Hispanic mix—more actor than soldier.
"The peculiar thing about John Friedman is that before the rifts opened, he was known as a total washout, about to be discharged soon... but."
"He suddenly awakened and became a capable soldier?"
"Exactly."
"He's infected with a parasite."
"Parasites' intelligence is assessed as higher than the average host's. Very plausible. That's why the rebels have put a bounty on Colonel John Friedman..."
"Nah. No need. Better not fixate on capturing the commander and focus on our operation goals."
"The bounty is 15 million U.S. dollars. If you claim it, you don't have to share with us—you can keep it all."
"...Let's set it as a side objective. Capturing that brutal parasite commander should be top priority, right?"
15 million U.S. dollars? Cheol-woo licked his lips. That was about 20 billion won... no, with the exchange rate crashed, just shy of 10 billion. Still a massive sum. Worth aiming for if the chance came.
"One more thing to watch out for. I see you placed buy orders on U.S. stocks like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman..."
"Ah! Was it the Secret Intelligence Agency that blocked the trades!?"
"Not us—the brokerage firm. They figured no sane person would buy millions in stocks from a country in civil war."
"New York's under rebel control, right? No risk of parasites messing with the markets. Why block it? Put some pressure on the brokerage to lift the restrictions. I need to buy now."
"Um... You haven't forgotten that we've already secured the bunker site for you with a down payment, have you? If you lose all that money, you won't be able to buy the site..."
"Sheesh. I'll pay it back with interest, so don't worry."
"..."
Jason felt a throbbing headache coming on. If this guy's investments tanked, the abandoned radar base—the toxic inventory—would fall on the Secret Intelligence Agency. But they couldn't force him to stick to safe assets with private funds. Headache city.
"Alright... We'll contact the brokerage and lift the trade restrictions..."
"Thanks."
So what could he do? Nothing. Jason could only pray this madman's multimillion-dollar gamble paid off. He felt like crying. If the agency went bankrupt, it'd be solely on him for trusting David Min too much.
"These are the troops deploying with you two."
Inside the hangar they were led to after getting out of the car, soldiers sat in a circle for an ongoing operation briefing. Sensing their presence, the soldiers glanced over curiously.
"Do they know who we are?"
"Only that you're civilian mercenaries deploying with them. Equivalent to army majors, able to take command if needed. No personal info beyond that, so rest easy."
"Good to hear."
"David Min is classified as our top strategic asset from the start. Can't hand your info to soldiers who might get captured."
Ah—treated like that? Cheol-woo's expression soured. It felt oddly unpleasant.
"And please sign the contracts. Includes the deployment pay breakdown. After wrangling with parliament, the special pay totals 5.5 million Australian dollars for both of you combined. Paid upfront. Basic pay adds 550 Australian dollars per operation day."
"Pen, please, employer."
Thinking it over, strategic asset treatment wasn't so bad. Cheol-woo skimmed the contract and signed quickly. More seed money for stocks. That was all that filled his head.
"This is your quarters. Meals will be announced by bell. Disposable supplies issued with rations—often delayed, so use sparingly."
"..."
Thud—the door shut. Surveying the room, Lee Joo-eem and Im Team Leader's faces twisted in disgust. Bunk beds chipped and blackened with mold. Tiny sink, cracked mirror. And to top it off, an exposed toilet. Were they really supposed to live here?
"Director Park, what the hell is this!? You said you had connections in America!"
"Well... The guys I know are PMC outfits on the East Coast... Still, be grateful they're taking us as refugees."
"Ugh! Should've gone with Manager Min!"
"Hey! How many times do I have to say he's not a manager—that bastard's a runaway rookie!"
"Don't care! He was our real manager!"
Ha—these idiots. Park I-sa felt a migraine hit. Ever since being detained by the Chinese army, interrogated, released, and after endless hassle getting flights here, it was nonstop that crap. He'd told them Min Cheol-woo was no manager, just a deserter newbie, but they kept calling him Manager Min. Every time, Park's blood boiled.
"Ah. I wanna go back to Korea. Stood on the wrong side and look at this mess..."
"You punks. If you're gonna badmouth me, do it where I can't hear!"
Park I-sa left his subordinates and stormed out. Damn it—total bullshit. Acting like he'd gotten skinned alive, badmouthing him right to his face. Who didn't wanna go back to Korea? He worried about Chairman Myeong, and Team Leader Lee in the special ward for research-treatment. But reliable intel said Chairman Myeong was sidelined, Seoul fully in President Kim's hands. Some deal with the government. GeumMyeong Group was now backed by the state—overthrowing it from Korea was impossible.
No real ambition anyway. Just wanted to settle somewhere safe to stretch out and sleep.
That was when.
"What the—?"
Wheeeeeng— A blaring siren echoed across the refugee camp. Soldiers moved in perfect order, chaos erupting. Wondering what was up, Park I-sa peeked outside—and froze.
A black tornado approaching from afar. And mutants swarming the ground like a carpet.