Chapter 169
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 169
Chapter Title: Horizontal and Vertical Alliances, San Francisco (4)
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After hearing the story, Sergeant Wolf frowned.
“Uh… what the hell. It would’ve been better if I hadn’t heard it.”
Disgust was plain on the face of the seasoned soldier. Was it resentment toward treating people like objects? Winter didn’t think so upon looking into his eyes. It was something else.
“Eh. If we’re just gonna kill her and forget, it’s better not to know. If things don’t go smoothly, it’ll haunt my dreams…”
Right. The sigh of a soldier who had learned the enemy’s inner thoughts. The more you know about someone, the harder it is to hate them. Especially for those trained to kill strangers without emotion.
Major General Sierra’s confession was another fierce life spent fighting the apocalypse. The resulting sense of kinship was something only fellow fighters could share. It didn’t matter that she was one of the power holders who had accepted rampant corruption as a given.
“So what happens with that woman from now on?”
Sergeant Noah Wright cut in. Winter recited what he’d heard from Chadwick.
“I didn’t know, but apparently she’s a hugely famous singer and actress, just like Major General Sierra said. That’s why the Public Affairs Office is eyeing her. They say she’ll help stabilize the Chinese-American citizens and refugees. It’s a role no one else can easily fill. She’ll probably be evacuated soon. After the operation ends, we’ll see her on TV, or maybe at a morale-boosting show on the quarantine front lines.”
It was practically set in stone. Zhou Wei would board a submarine before long.
Sergeant Wright looked uneasy.
“Eh. I was asking about you and that young lady’s future, Lieutenant. Any prospects or not?”
Winter forced a smile.
“How long has it even been since we met?”
“If hearts align, people marry in a day. Especially for folks like us where tomorrow’s uncertain. You said yourself she’s stunningly beautiful. Doesn’t seem like she’s uninterested either. Far from it, actually? Her whole demeanor changes around you.”
He was getting cheekier by the minute. This must be how they were bonding.
“It’s not the right time. Like you said, tomorrow’s uncertain.”
The sergeant smacked his lips.
“Fair enough. You’ve got Supervisor Gibson, after all.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You two are awfully close. Always talking alone. You even have plans to meet today, right?”
That afternoon’s regular briefing was scheduled, and Joanna had asked Winter to return a bit early. She’d tell him the purpose in person. Her unusually bright demeanor suggested it wasn’t bad news, but who knew.
“I’ve told you many times, Joanna and I aren’t like that.”
Lots of people suspected otherwise. Nothing he could do about it.
‘I’ve said it over and over. CIA movements are suspicious. SAD solo ops or whatever…’
She was struggling.
SAD. Special Activities Division. CIA’s direct combat unit, they’d been early Orca Black members but had pulled back to secondary roles due to accumulated losses.
The problem was their recent activities. Multiple trips inland. Bringing in unidentified cargo. Even the supervisor’s inspections were impossible. They’d refused, saying it was separate from Operation Long 9 tracking or Fair Strike.
During a break, Joanna complaining had dark circles under her eyes.
She couldn’t very well open up to the rough special forces guys.
It was inevitable that the FBI agent’s woes focused on the boy officer.
“You’ll have to endure that level of misunderstanding.”
It was Sergeant Wolf. His grinning look was suspicious.
“You haven’t even done your initiation rite, Lieutenant.”
Winter tilted his head.
“Initiation rite?”
“Yeah. I had to sing and dance in front of my men. Even did the hula hoop.”
“…Cruel and unusual?”
The boy officer’s dubious question burst the sergeant’s laughter.
“It’s all in fun, but yeah, it’s a ordeal. So endure the misunderstanding. If done properly, you’ll go through far more embarrassing stuff. Enough to give you nightmares for days.”
Degrees varied, but people were people everywhere.
“Torment me in moderation.”
The sergeant nodded at Winter’s words.
“I’ll go easy.”
Just on you. The added quip felt intimate. Not keeping distance was welcome for Winter. Most others still maintained some with the young war hero. A warped form of wanting recognition. I’m suffering here, and that kid’s… Awe mixed with envy, endlessly human attitudes. Not unfamiliar to the boy.
“Speaking of which, time for me to head out.”
Winter checked his pocket watch. The timepiece gleamed in the afternoon sun. Hour, minute, second hands. Plus Milky Way and constellations, a city nightscape, calendar. Human ways of perceiving time crystallized in ornate precious metal.
“I’m counting on you. Check the time on the way. No need to wind it. Everyone who needs to know it’s mine does.”
Words from the original owner. So the watch was like the ring from the CIA. Overlapping lives, schemers’ ideas much the same? A strange sentiment passed through Winter.
The watch was also a musical instrument playing time. Swiss craftsmen lavished care even on the ticking. Was that the completion of a timepiece?
“We’ll watch a bit longer before heading in. Nice singing.”
Sergeant Wolf and the White Skull strike team stayed seated. Only Winter had plans with Joanna, and event oversight was near-rest.
Another sergeant handling comms asked,
“But going so quietly? Won’t the pretty major be disappointed?”
Winter shrugged.
“We’re parting ways anyway. Even this face is fake.”
“Cool as ice.”
Say hi to the supervisor. The radio-strapped sergeant turned back to the stage.
On the way back, he checked the time repeatedly. Pretending deep satisfaction. Orca Black’s old Chinese patriots would scrutinize it. Major General Sierra seemed far from incompetent. Other Chinese generals too.
They had to be exceptionally capable somehow. Winter thought so. Surviving to this point proved they weren’t ordinary.
Gu Du (蠱毒). Myth of deadly insects in a jar devouring each other; the last survivor, fueled by grudges, more venomous. Used for curses in old times.
San Francisco Bay was a sealed jar. Countless people brewing human gu.
A-gong. Action team members called Winter that all the way back to Pequod. Hard to translate literally as “elder,” it meant respect. Occasionally mixed with Don Lee, caudillo—foreign dignities.
“You’re here, Winter.”
Joanna, waiting in the supervisor’s office, greeted him with a familiar smile.
“Why’d you want to meet today? Something in the briefing?”
Appointment before the regular briefing. Logical to assume related.
But the FBI agent shook her head, still smiling.
“No. Just good news. Glad your voice is back.”
“Told you not to take the modulator pills. Haven’t since noon.”
Her request too. Restore natural tone. Winter had spoken little on the way. Suited his taciturn image anyway.
Joanna pulled a sealed case from the cabinet. Unlocked with code: satellite phone. That the purpose? Winter took it as offered.
“Why give me this? Who do I call?”
Her apologetic yet proud expression as he asked.
“Anyone. Whoever you want, Winter.”
“No way…”
“Worried about the ones left at Fort Roberts?”
That was it. Winter eyed the phone and agent alternately, anew.
“That ‘if it works out, I’ll tell you’ thing?”
Supervisor’s role included personnel welfare. Winter had wished for radio contact; her response then. She’d trailed off, mumbling she’d say if approved.
“Didn’t want to raise hopes if it fell through.”
She looked embarrassed.
“Higher-ups are always idiots. Approve other stuff instantly, drag on this. Security excuses they know are meaningless. Took nearly two months. And stricter than proposed.”
“Proposed?”
“Yeah. Wanted your NETT Warrior smartphone unlocked. Calls included, locked functions. Especially banking, AAFES online store access. Pay’s useless with limits now.”
Thought of everything.
“Thanks for the consideration.”
“No. Just limited calls approved.”
“Still.”
She accepted thanks with stiff embarrassment. Eyes averted.
She briskly stated restrictions.
“Can’t call anytime. Report time and purpose in advance. Under supervisor or comms security oversight. Calls recorded, evidence for security violations. Leaking ops or military secrets? Up to treason charges. Lieutenant Han Gyeowol, understood?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Instructions here. Use now if you want.”
She gestured. I submitted this request for you. Winter smiled once more, eyed the sat unit.
Didn’t memorize Winter Alliance exec numbers, but intellect boost recalled them.
Who to call? Winter cleared his throat.
“Ah, ah. Voice okay?”
Joanna tilted at the question.
“Hmm.”
“Effects seem gone, but rougher than first meeting. Used to be crystal clear. Overuse of modulators. Few days off pills should fix, but…”
Not for a while.
“It’ll be fine. People who know me will just think I’m under the weather.”
If so. Winter entered code, dialed.
Signal didn’t ring long.
[Hello?]
Familiar voice after ages. Warm with years. Min Wangi.
No words, he asked again.
[Unknown number. Who is this?]
“It’s me, Director Min. Han Gyeowol.”
[Gah!]
Crash, bang. Groans followed. Hurt? Eye contact with awkward-smiling Joanna.
“Um, you okay? Bump into something?”
[No, nothing. Ngh. P-please wait.]
Winter covered the mouthpiece.
“How much time?”
Joanna checked watch.
“Till briefing. About 30 minutes. Enough?”
Nodding, Winter awaited Min Wangi’s return.
Soon, calm voice.
[Been thirsting for news of Little Boss. Too sudden, startled me.]
“Same here. Didn’t think I could call till moments ago. Secret op, as you know.”
All he’d briefly messaged before leaving.
[How now?]
“Someone helpful. Aiding me greatly.”
Supervisor banged head on wall.
============================ Author’s Note ============================
#(Removing one note that might stir controversy.)
#Q&A
Q. cㅏ님 : @First time seeing, insane writing skill what is this work? No good novels to read lately (regret a lot, blew premium on 3 months worth for 500 eps) Praying for more works like this!! So fun, shocked early on, insane immersion top tier!
A. Thanks for enjoying. Hope the novel stays fun.
Q. 아크하임님 : @What’s protag’s current age and height in-world?
A. In-world, year changed, so 18.
Physical reality Winter... well. Haha.
At [Transaction], 17. Time since deliberately vague. Starts still 17 in post-apoc for narrative intent.
Wanted to show Winter’s mental time froze after body vanished.
Q. 음란마귀F님 : @Orca Black seems on US East Coast now? No plans for US gov to use them for Gulf oil rigs? Facilities built, experts in safe East Coast zones—could fuel tanks/ships galore. (US has refineries.)
A. Current spot San Francisco, West Coast.
Hard to pile that on Orca Black. Already stretched thin, as mentioned. Securing abandoned SF bases etc.
But like securing nearby oil fields from Fort Roberts, forward bases in contaminated zones active. Obviously.
LA offshore artificial islands same. Hotel California chapter planned, but might cut, so appearance iffy.
Q. 늦사리님 : @With your pure-hearted taste, any top recs in novels (excl top10 toube)? Finding good ones like hunting stars lately.
A. No time to read much...
Pinned a few to check trends, untouched. That #1 sage regressor recently? Same.
Q. Guaaaaak님 : @You always praise Wind’s Star Cluster. Watching it too, but what sparked the praise?
A. Spark... dunno. Just good.
Q. 노블레스버퍼님 : @How many times you seen Your Name?
A. Think I got time/money for repeat views...?
Q. 가식적썩소님 : O-Wang Gu-cha > O-Wang Bu-cha, mixing with Yue Wang Guqian and Bu-cha..?
A. Yes. Mixed up. Forgive if I eat spicy ramen.