Chapter 241
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 241
Chapter Title: Suspended Execution (13)
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#Suspended Execution (13)
The temporary company that had come this far was assigned barracks. Officers and NCOs, along with medical personnel, were waiting.
“What should we do with these prisoners?”
Winter turned the search company commander’s question back on him.
“Do you happen to have a detention facility?”
“There’s the provost marshal’s unit. Should we hand them over there for now?”
“Yes. We’ll decide on their disposition after the report.”
While the exhausted soldiers were sorted under supervision, several people pulled Winter down from his horse and hugged him. Embraces of varying depth and warmth. Among them, Yura’s was the most distinctive. On top of a warm human scent came the chemical smell unique to treated leather. The fur was incredibly soft.
Her mouth opened and closed several times without a sound. Yura finally gave up speaking with a sigh.
“We finally meet again. It’s been so long, hasn’t it?”
Winter’s words, soothing Yura, were directed at everyone. Overwhelmed, some laughed, some cried, and others felt awkward. The awkward ones even seemed unfamiliar, and upon closer look, there were faces Winter was seeing for the first time mixed in.
On top of that, it was notable that all five adopted children without citizenship, who had come as allies, were present. As their eyes met Winter’s, the Chinese-descended Benjamin Meyer flashed a tense smile.
Amid the flood of raw emotions, Jinseok greeted Winter with an incongruously calm demeanor.
“I’m glad you returned safely. I have so much to say, but too much to even start.”
The challenging vibe from before was gone, replaced by a somewhat dejected atmosphere. Something must have happened while he was away, but that could be looked into later.
“By the way, Yura, what on earth is this cape…?”
Winter finally asked, but Yura’s throat was still tight. Jinseok answered.
“A man-eating tiger appeared in the mountains east of Fort Roberts not long ago.”
“A man-eating tiger?”
“Yes. Survivors heading to the base were attacked. At first, we thought it was a variant attack, but it turned out to be a feral tiger. When Lieutenant Yura shot it, it had a collar with a name tag, so it was probably a pet originally.”
“……”
“Turning the hide into a cape was Jang’s suggestion. He thought it might help when dealing with guys who look down on her for being a woman…”
“Jang’s idea?”
“At first, I thought it was a ridiculous suggestion. Min laughed too. But it really worked on those old fogeys who’ve got age shoved up their asses or the cum-stained thug bastards. Especially the thugs who love showing off. Before that, they used to pick fights with her a lot. Now I think Jang understood the childish psychology of those punks well. He must have done something behind the scenes too.”
“I see. But lieutenant… You must have been promoted too, Jinseok?”
“Yes.”
“Congratulations first off. It suits you. I thought you two would become NCOs and officers would come separately.”
“Yeah, whatever.”
Jinseok responded lukewarmly. Winter looked back at the cape and said.
“I get the situation roughly, but is there any reason to keep wearing it even here…?”
Having composed herself, Yura let out a plaintive whine.
“I hate it too—it’s hot and embarrassing. I only wear it because the reporters and Major Maguire’s men keep bothering me. Can’t you do something about them?”
From her furrowed brow, it seemed she’d had plenty of complaints about it before. Major Maguire was the Defense Department public affairs officer familiar even to Winter, apparently still in Olema. Winter recalled his fateful encounter with the civilian pilot after leaving San Francisco—a pararescue veteran who’d gotten a weird comic book signed to give to his grandson.
‘So that’s why they drew Yura like that in the comic…’
The public affairs office was clearly egging it on. It felt a bit too lighthearted for the quarantine war, but with so many people overly terrified of the plague, there was no helping it.
“Hmm, I know the embedded reporters here, so that should be fine, but Major Maguire’s from a different unit… And he’s probably following orders too.”
“But it feels like everyone’s pointing fingers at me.”
“Still, no one’s saying anything bad, right?”
“No way. It’s 100% mocking! I can’t even sleep these days because of it.”
It was less a complaint and more outright anger. Hmm, even Alejandro didn’t sound mocking when he called her Tiger Wonder Woman. But Winter understood. It must feel totally different to her.
The captain, watching from a few steps away, put on the brakes.
“Lieutenant Lee. I don’t know what you’re saying, but that attitude is unbecoming of an officer. Maintain your dignity.”
His voice was low and gravelly. Yura flinched and stepped back reflexively. Winter stared at the captain. Sturdy build, tanned face, large eyes and thick eyebrows, a bushy beard so dense his mouth was barely visible. Notably, he wore a full sword over a meter long at his waist. It didn’t look like mere decoration or ceremonial gear. Winter asked.
“And you are?”
“My apologies. Captain Bahadar Singh. I’ve been assigned as the major’s staff since the company was formed. My role is deputy company commander. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”
“Ah, nice to meet you. Please take care of me going forward. I’ll be lacking in many ways, so help me out a lot.”
“The pleasure’s mine.”
Judging from Yura and the others’ reactions, he didn’t seem like a bad guy. He didn’t seem to know Korean from his speech, but English was a survival skill for Winter’s allies, so communication wouldn’t be an issue. There must have been qualifications for forming the independent company too.
Deputy company commander, huh. Placing a captain in that role suggested they were planning for expansion. The independent company setup was unfamiliar to the US military anyway, so it was likely a stepping stone for a higher unit. At least up to battalion level.
“I’ll brief you on the unit status as soon as you arrive at the company area. You must be exhausted, so how about proper handover starts tomorrow?”
“Let’s do that. I’ll finish the report first.”
Two soldiers had been waiting at ease since earlier. No words yet, but their business was obvious.
Winter wrapped up the reunion with light hugs for the wistful group. Better times would come. It had been partly for the reporters too, so Colonel Rogers would understand, but dragging it out too long wasn’t good.
“The base has grown a lot. How many troops are stationed here?”
The escort soldiers looked troubled by Winter’s question. One seemed like a wooden log from the start.
“We don’t know exactly either. The 240th Division was reestablished here just three days ago, and we heard there are many unassigned troops. Officers said troops are joining in real-time, so who knows how big it’ll get.”
Reestablished, so it seemed they’d revived one of the divisions that vanished when the front collapsed. How many originals remained was questionable, but inheriting the unit number had its own meaning.
“Then, did Colonel Rogers get promoted too, by any chance?”
“Colonel Rogers…? You mean the division commander, right? He must have been a colonel until Major Han was deployed. Yes, he’s a major general now.”
The other soldier chimed in.
“We joined recently, so we thought he was a major general from the start.”
The soldiers’ conversation continued.
“What? By that logic, the division commander’s promotion speed is insane? Temporary rank, probably?”
“Even temporary is crazy. We’ve heard there’s a shortage of senior officers, but not to this extent…”
To Winter, though, it made sense. The US military had ballooned to over ten million in a short time, Army alone. Junior officers could be trained somehow. But senior officers above that were different. Even recalling retired ones wouldn’t suffice.
Even accounting for that, Rogers’ promotion was exceptional. Thinking further, he was probably a colonel-grade general with brigadier general promotion confirmed before assignment here. Colonel in name, but treated as a brigadier in a sort of adjustment period.
Division HQ was the same building they’d used as a stronghold before, but greatly expanded around it. The soldiers stopped and turned.
“Please go in this way.”
“Thanks for the escort.”
“Um, Major! If it’s okay, could I get an autograph?”
The tense private, a sergeant despite his rank, looked quite young. In a world where even regular soldiers promoted fast like officers. They had to fill the spots of the dead.
Above all, the US already had many teenage soldiers pre-plague. Cases were common of high school grads, or even dropouts with parental consent, enlisting right away. Recruitment posters like “Teenagers, the U.S. Army Wants You” were easy to spot.
It meant teens could make sergeant with ability alone, even before. The country fought so many wars. Manpower shortages were never foreign to the US military.
‘Otherwise, they wouldn’t use prisoners as soldiers.’
Jail or Army? Light-sentence inmates actually got that choice. Even cops were recruited that way, supposedly. Crooks’ psychology best understood by ex-crooks.
“Name?”
Winter took the notepad and asked for the full name.
“Timothy Lynch, sir!”
The private couldn’t hide his smile amid the stiffness. His freckled face flushed red.
Winter’s signature style reflected Defense Department public affairs guidelines. They requested the surname Han (韓) in Hanja. Clearly recognizable as such. As an image often exposed to the public, they wanted it to remind people of his East Asian origins. Winter didn’t find it laughable. It stemmed from a crisis mentality that division meant doom.
This had nothing to do with Sergeant Lynch’s joy at receiving it.
“Thank you! I’ve always admired you greatly, Major!”
“Thanks. I question if I deserve it, though.”
“If Major Han doesn’t qualify, who does?”
“Hmm. What about the president?”
“……”
Sergeant Lynch made a needless troubled face. He’d heard even factions criticizing the current administration over refugees, minorities, and international aid didn’t deny President Macmillan’s achievements.
Winter bid the two soldiers farewell.
“I’ll head in now. Take care, both of you.”
“Yes, sir!”
Inside the door felt less like a military unit and more like a busy company office hour. Desks crammed with papers, comms gear, ops maps, and officers and admin troops bustling between. They’d knocked down walls between rooms to expand space. No separate office for the division commander. Winter spotted Major General Rogers at the far end, working in full combat gear with weapon holstered. A proper tactical HQ.
Winter passing by briefly caused a temporary work stoppage. Regardless of rank or gender, everyone stole a glance.
Major General Rogers was on a call. Winter stood before him and waited about five minutes. Rogers ended the sat phone call, set it down, and threw an emotionless gaze.
“You’re here.”
“Major Han Gyeowol, reporting back from mission.”
“……”
The silently staring general spoke.
“No need for a separate report on the op. We tracked most of it real-time. Your late insertion yielded the best results. Excellent.”
“Thank you.”
“Separately, one thing I’m curious about.”
The general asked with mechanical puzzlement.
“Why drag useless baggage all the way here?”
As expected. Winter double-checked.
“Are you referring to the death row inmates?”
“Yeah. Plus one dog.”
The dog was a slight surprise. Winter looked at the general. Major General Rogers sat ramrod straight, making the chair back look awkward.
============================ Author's Note ============================
#Q&A
Q. From Borei-nim: @I thought there was no related news so no nuclear retaliation, but there was.
A. Yes, there was. It happened earlier than planned and differed a lot from the plan.
Q. From Gwangak-nim: USCGC Eagle? How do you even find stuff like this? It’s amazing.
A. English web has tons of info not on Korean web. It’s just a matter of time invested.