In the long run, the course of action he and his cohorts were planning was preferable. And if the President of the United States insisted on meddling, on forcing reunification on the South, then he and his allies would find any victory to be a pyrrhic one.

It was getting late. Time to move. Sun and Kong cupped their left hands at their sides, the pistols cradled in them, barrel up, the silencer extension reaching nearly to their elbow. They walked through the darkness toward Ki-Soo's tent. They passed a sentry who was patrolling the area, a man with medals, a big scar across his forehead, and a sinister bearing. The man saluted with zest.

The tent flap was unfastened and the Colonel entered.

Sun did not hesitate, though he was not without regrets. He had read Ki-Soo's record and had a grudging respect for the man. His father was a Japanese soldier and his mother had been a comfort girl during the Second World War. Ki-Soo had fought hard to overcome the stigma associated with his birth, obtaining a degree in communications and then joining the military, where he rose quickly. It was unfortunate that he would die at best, be dishonored at worst. But he had a wife and a daughter, and the Colonel hoped he would be reasonable.

Sun's orderly went to the holster hanging from the chair by Ki-Soo's desk and collected the TT33 Tokarev pistol. He tucked it in the back of his belt as Sun himself got down on one knee beside Ki Soo's cot and put his free hand beside the Colonel's right ear, the barrel of the gun to his left ear.

Ki-Soo awoke with a start; Sun pushed the man's head against the barrel and held it there.

"Don't move, Colonel."

Ki-Soo jerked his head and tried to rise, but Sun held it firm.

"I said don't move."

He squinted into the darkness. "Sun?"

"Yes. Listen carefully, Colonel--"

"I don't understand--"

Ki-Soo tried to sit, then stopped as Sun pushed the gun harder.

"Colonel, I haven't time for this. I need your help."

"For what?"

"I want the code to change the launch coordinates of the Nodongs."

"But your orders! They said nothing about--"

"These are new orders, Colonel. Without your help, this will be difficult. With your help, this will be easier and you live. Your choice?"

"I want to know who you're with."

"Your choice, Colonel?"

"I won't turn the missiles without knowing where!"

Sun stood, the gun still pointed at Ki-Soo's head. He is doing what a good officer should do, he thought. Let him have that much.

"They'll be aimed nowhere in this country, Colonel. That's all I'll tell you."

Ki-Soo looked from Sun to his aide. "Who are you with?"

Sun's arm shifted and there was a pop followed by the hiss of released gas as the silenced pistol discharged. Ki-Soo howled as his left hand was pushed into the cot. His right hand flew over, clutching the bloody wound.