Techno Ranger

by Thomas Sewell

  Ding. Silver elevator doors opened. A barrel gaped through the gap first, aimed right at me.

  I held my hands out to the side. Took another leftward step.

  Another People's Army lieutenant stepped out behind his Type 88 automatic rifle. Looked like an AK-74, but with a reduced buttstock and shorter overall length to suit the average North Korean's height.

  Rather than a 30-round banana magazine, curved forward like on the AK variants, he'd slung a long tube under its barrel. The helical magazine stored 150 cartridges.

  Plenty deadly.

  Kwon smiled. Supported his arms on the table in front of him, careful not to release the switch. He'd stalled for this dude's arrival.

  "Pahk, excellent timing. I've explained to our guest that Minister Meon will negotiate, not us."

  Pahk nodded, but didn't take his aim off of me as he stalked forward.

  Much closer and I could risk an attempt to disarm him.

  Right now he'd turn me into a poor shield for the glass behind me well before I reached him.

  I lifted my hands to shoulder height, palms open and forward. Time to play a card of my own, "You may be more interested in your family reunion than Meon will be. They might embarrass him."

  Kwon removed a cheap Korean pistol from a holster with his right hand. Patted his left breast pocket with it for some reason.

  Maybe a cultural thing?

  "My only living family are these men, Uncle Meon, and Supreme Leader."

  "You have a sister-in-law. A nephew. They wait to speak with you at the base of the tower."

  He pointed his pistol at me.

  Now I had two gaping barrels to deal with. At least they weren't planning to shoot Hyo-jin.

  "You are a liar and a murderer. My only blood relatives are dead. Dead at the hands of your soldiers, just like the team I brought to the lab.

  "Were you there?

  "This scientist knows you. Did you kill my men?"

  "I was there."

  His finger trembled on the trigger guard, but he wasn't prepared to shoot quite yet. I blessed special forces trigger discipline.

  "Some who attacked me died."

  "Some? You show your lies. My entire platoon died. If you didn't murder the helpless, at least some would be just wounded, or else captured."

  Wait, he thought they were all dead?

  "I'm going to slowly lift up my phone and play a video from the local news. Two of your soldiers from the lab are alive. They're prisoners."

  Showing them every exaggerated movement, I reached down and eased my phone out of my pocket.

  Pahk took a step forward like he wanted to shoot me, but Kwon held up a palm to forestall him.

  Brought up a local news site with the lab story. Played full-screen videos of his men's perp-walk outside the lab, captured by news cameras on the street and from helicopters overhead.

  "See, alive. One has an elbow wound, so he's wearing a sling, but otherwise they're both fine."

  "Meon told me they were all killed. May have been mistaken. Imperialists lie all the time. Maybe that video is fake."

  Pahk also refused to accept any aspersions, "The Juche spirit of the Party would not allow one so close to our Supreme Commander to be misled."

  "Perhaps he had his own reasons for deceiving you. An attempt to bolster your morale, maybe. I can call your men. They're prisoners, but you can see and speak to them yourself, over a video chat."

  Kwon shook his head, but lowered his pistol. Set it on the table next to his much larger weapon. "Doesn't matter."

  "Matters to me. The only family I have and the only family you have, are all here right now. They're all dead if we can't work this out. Like you, I've already lost too much family. Don't need to lose any more.

  "Not tonight."

  He patted his pocket with his hand, "What family have you lost? Imperialist border guards slaughtered my only brother and his wife. My parent's grief killed them. Minister Meon raised me as his nephew.

  "We have no other family!"

  "A terrorist killed my mother and father when I was seven years old. I've read the records.

  "A bomb, not as large as that one, but big enough to destroy its target and my parents. They were only having dinner. That's all. Innocent bystanders. Collateral damage. Not even a deliberate target."

  Pahk's veins were about to pop out of his skin. "Lies, lies, lies! He seeks to prey on your sympathy, Lieutenant Kwon. Ignore him. These Dominionists are masters of deception, of shrouding people from the truth. Of shaping their past to match yours. Remember your hostage training.

  "He desires you to trust him, but doesn't truly care what happens to you. Only your comrades in arms care. My team will sacrifice our lives for each other."

  Kwon raised his pistol. Took aim at my nose. "You almost had me. Uncle warned me about the temptations we'd face here. If any of our men show themselves below, your snipers will kill them. No, we won't be sending anyone out into the open. You'll just die here."

  Just listen once.

  That's all I needed, or else Hyo-jin, my new family in the Rangers, the entire city, would all be gone together.

  "I'll call them. Order a cease-fire. Tell them to bring your relatives to the door. Send them in to speak with your men alone. No risk."

  I hoped Jin-son had that much courage, to approach unescorted, through the door which just exploded on him. "One of your men can search them. Bring them up. If they aren't your family, then you can still shoot me. Use them as more hostages."

  Hyo-jin thrust her shoulders forward, her hip cocked to the side, "And me. You can shoot me. I trust this man to do what he says.

  "He's telling the truth."

  I forced down a smile, lest they misunderstand. She'd never even heard of Jin-son and his mother before.

  Kwon lowered his pistol again. "How do I know they won't attempt to overpower my soldiers when they're close enough?"

  "Your nephew is confined to a wheelchair. Your brother's wife is almost an old woman.

  "Neither poses a physical threat."

  "If you lie, you die. Call them. Give your orders.

  "Pahk, take his weapon from the floor and then go make the arrangements. You know the stakes. Search them well, and then bring them to me."

  "Those aren't our orders from Meon. No one is to enter."

  "Minister Meon placed me in command."

  Pahk nodded, lips tight.

  He lowered his weapon. Turned on his heel.

  Stooped and picked up my rifle on his way back to the elevator.

  I'd miss it, but that's not the weapon I needed to wield tonight.

  I made the call to Schnier. He'd trust me on this one, right?

  Chapter Forty-Four: The Deal

  Jin-son's Mother overheard Lieutenant Schnier's half of his phone conversation.

  With her son's life at stake, wisdom dictated she gather complete information.

  Function dictated the soldier's uniforms, but like most in power, necessity ruled their actions.

  The American soldiers had stashed her and Jin-son in the station lobby with Sergeant Lee and that rude military attaché, Michelle.

  Lee possessed superior Korean breeding, so logic compelled a cautious mother to stay by his side. He'd already brought a new wheelchair to Jin-son from the civilian first responders stuck at the perimeter.

  Schnier mentioned them four times in his conversation. He'd agreed to hand them over to the North Koreans. But first, he radioed a ceasefire order to his men.

  They were no longer to target any enemy appearance.

  His request was blunt, "Will you take your son into the tower? Convince Kwon Chol of who you are? Of your story?"

  She preferred not to answer yet, so she picked up a water bottle. "Wait. Need use restroom."

  Standing in the women's room and staring into the mirror gave her a few minutes.

  Would her son be safe in the tower?

  The North Koreans had no reason to kill him, specifical
ly, but as a living relative of hers, Meon might consider him a loose end.

  She was old, but remained a deserter from the North. That carried a death sentence, so they might decide to punish her escape.

  Risky for them both. She couldn't lose her son! He was all she had.

  Would rather lose herself.

  Outside the lobby restroom doors, she filled a water bottle for her son. Took a sip for herself.

  The place echoed without the usual crowds, making it difficult to think. The soldiers obviously found her son critically important, to keep them both so near the fighting.

  No telling when they'd next have easy access to water. Couldn't allow her son to dehydrate.

  He was important to her, too.

  She strolled back to Schnier and her son. "Jin-son, record this. Send to your friend."

  She turned to Michelle. Ticked off each demand with a finger, "Want American citizenship for both. Scholarship to any school in United States for son. Living expenses for time at school. Expenses for both.

  "Then we will go. Have a deal with American government?"

  Michelle pulled on her tacky shell necklace, as if that reminded her of something, "D.C. gave me authority for whatever is necessary, although I'll answer for it all later. I'll make it happen. You have your deal."

  "Good. Jin-son shut off recording. Drink water. I'll push you to tower."

  "I can use the push rims, just take off the brakes."

  She released the brakes. Grabbed the cheap rubber handles. "Nonsense. Save strength. Will need if go wrong."

  They left the soldiers behind.

  She pushed him across the courtyard. Up to the ruined door.

  The snow on the ground had either melted or turned to ice, but her grip on the chair's handles helped her balance.

  After one glance, she refused to look down at the blood and broken glass. The crunch of door glass under the chair's tires mixed with crushed ice.

  The American soldier saved her son, like her son's father had saved her, giving his life in the process. That was enough for her to trust his comrades-in-arms.

  She pushed her precious son down a tunnel-like hallway. Silent black curved television screens echoed the tires. Parroted her steps.

  They reached the barricade of steel table and trash cans.

  Two snipers crouched behind cover; weapons searching for targets. A third man, an officer, stood up. "Names?"

  The familiar arrogance of the North Korean military actually reassured her. She'd dealt with his kind before. "Yeo Min-jung. This Kwon Jin-son. You are?"

  Her son nodded at his name, clearly not sure what to say to this icon of death, a representative of the northerners she'd warned him about his entire life.

  "Lieutenant Pahk. I will search you; then you will come with me."

  She stepped forward. Held out her arms. Spread her legs.

  "Search old woman first. Paralyzed child next."

  Her jibe hit her mark.

  Pahk reddened. He understood the loss of face involved in a special forces soldier finding them a threat.

  Did his duty, though. Patted her down like a pro. Even unstrapped her son and lifted him partially from the chair. Ensured they'd hidden nothing under his feeble limbs.

  "Satisfied?"

  "We'll take the elevator."

  She pushed Jin-son in and then turned him around to face the doors.

  Pahk stood to the side of the elevator where he could glare at them and also face the doors.

  Never realized how frightening a long elevator ride could be, despite taking one every day in her own apartment building.

  Didn't have elevators in most of North Korea, at least not for people outside the elite ruling class, so probably Pahk was even more afraid.

  Doors dinged open. Pahk motioned for them to leave.

  She pushed Jin-son into the room.

  Lieutenant Harper and a towering Korean woman in a lab coat formed the base of a triangle. Another North Korean officer stood at the apex, next to a table. A masculine version of his mother's looks.

  "Doryeonnim?" She added, "Unmarried-younger-brother-of-my-husband?" for the American officer.

  Americans spoke terrible Korean.

  Harper pointed, "That's Kwon Chol."

  She wasn't impressed with his grasp of the obvious. "Met when he child. Knew parents well. Doryeonnim, this your nephew, Jin-son."

  Kwon Chol reached into his breast pocket. Removed a photograph. Studied it.

  Stepped forward a few paces. Held it in the air between them. Examined it again.

  His voice turned quiet, soft, "You're older, but it's you. And your son looks like my brother and our father. Is he alive, also?"

  Now he looked hopeful.

  She hated to crush him, but slowly shook her head, "Party Secretary for village, Meon Lon-chun, shot husband in back when border guard chase us. Died for me to live. To escape with unborn child."

  Kwon Chol staggered back, "Meon killed my older brother?" He sat on a raw wooden bench. Stared at the floor. "What have I become?"

  She pushed Jin-son forward.

  After a moment of silent tears, he looked back up. "Our parents? Meon told me grief killed them after your deaths."

  She bowed her head. "I ashamed. Parents starve in camps. Punishment for our treason."

  Kwon Chol sighed, "Not your burden, Ajumeoni."

  With that title, he acknowledged her as his older brother's wife.

  Her son leaned forward. Bowed from the waist. "Glad to meet you, Uncle, even under these circumstances."

  Such courage her boy had!

  Her restored relative stood. Bowed correctly. Shook Jin-son's hand.

  "Good to have family, even if we don't know each other."

  Pahk strode forward, chest out. Stopped next to the wheelchair.

  "Congratulations on your reunion, but it doesn't change the basic situation. If there is to be peace, we must complete our mission. I'm sure after we unite Korea you and your family will live together again."

  Kwon Chol frowned. "He's right. Meon committed terrible crimes against our family, but I cannot betray the strength and spirit of Korea. His reckoning must come later.

  "I'm sorry."

  * * *

  At least Hyo-jin seemed happy to see me. I watched the tearful reunion while sneaking meaningful glances at her.

  Pahk, not so much.

  We had maybe another fifteen minutes until Meon's deadline. Probably realized he wasn't getting a ransom yet, but expected negotiations about the timing for gathering that much portable wealth.

  The family bullet had hit its mark, but we hadn't convinced Kwon Chol he couldn't trust Meon.

  No more collateral damage. No more orphans today. No more losses like Bishop.

  I'd wanted revenge for his death, but now I realized Kwon Chol was a naïve tool for the real villain. Meon started this chain of events in motion years ago.

  Kwon Chol needed to know the truth.

  Without Bishop's sacrifice, he wouldn't have his family again. I wouldn't have found my new family, either.

  How could I help Kwon Chol understand what I'd only realized myself once Bishop died?

  At least now Kwon Chol knew I was true to my word. That's an opening for trust.

  I stepped forward and joined the reunion. "This is your true family. Not just Jin-son and his mother, but the men you serve with. Your fellow soldiers who risk their lives for each other.

  "They're your blood brothers, not Meon. He's just using you for wealth and power."

  Pahk stepped between us. Tried to isolate me.

  Ignoring him as too short to block my line of sight, I pointed down; toward the tower's entrance. "My family already lost a respected elder today. A blast killed our top sergeant while he saved your nephew's life.

  "He would forgive you his family's loss. Meon wants you to set that nuke off and kill your remaining family. All of your family is in this city."

  Kwon bowed his head. I sensed his wh
eels turning. "This is my real family, but the unification of Korea under Dear Leader is my duty. I won't embarrass my family and my ancestors by failing."

  Pahk, on the other hand, wasn't buying what I was selling yet. "We have to think for the future. For the peace of our entire nation. For our relatives in the North.

  "Yes, war brings great sacrifice, but peace makes it worthwhile."

  How could I convince them of the madness they participated in?

  What makes men obey orders to perpetrate terrible tragedies?

  Avoidable catastrophes, like the explosion which killed my parents?

  Couldn't they see the truth?

  "Meon told you this will lead to peace? Detonating a nuclear weapon and murdering ten million civilians? Definitions get twisted in Communist North Korea, but that's what you call peace?"

  Pahk spat on the floor in front of me, "You're lucky to be alive. No more of your interference."

  I took a long breath. Recovered my composure. Forced myself to shrug casually, as if this wasn't the most important conversation of all of our lives.

  "Call Meon. Ask him to explain how his demand for 100 million American dollars in exchange for your bomb leads to peace. To explain how wealth for himself reconciles Korea."

  Pahk growled, "He's negotiating for peace and unification, not wealth."

  He turned to Kwon Chol. "The Imperialist lies. Do not doubt our Party leaders."

  Kwon Chol lifted his dead man's switch. "It's my responsibility. I have reason to doubt. There's no harm in calling him. You will not reveal the presence of my family. No need for distraction."

  Pahk paused. Nodded.

  Jin-son's mother recoiled and pulled her son's chair backward a foot before catching herself, "Let me speak to him. I have many things to say to that . . ."

  Kwon Chol held up a hand. Stopped her from continuing. "No, we'll see what he has to say about this man's words."

  He removed a phone from his pocket. Pushed the button for speaker-phone. Pressed redial.

  Meon answered, "Status?"

  "We have a situation. An American officer infiltrated the tower. Claims he's here to negotiate. That they could not reach you to attempt a diplomatic agreement. You're on speaker phone with him."