As Ivanovich, Director of Defense Intelligence for Country R, raises a cup of warm black tea to his lips, a message arrives on his phone.

  [Natasha sniper mission failed. However, Vadim, the alien liaison, is dead.

  A small craft descended from the battleship and retrieved him.]

  Ivanovich reads the message and quietly sets the teacup down. After a moment, he exhales slowly and tilts his head.

  ' A bullet fired from a U trench struck and killed an ordinary soldier escorting members of the press… Ah… wait.'

  He pauses.

  “Could this actually work in our favor?”

  His fingers tap lightly on the desk.

  “U forces fired on soldiers who were merely protecting journalists walking under a flag of peace.

  Then an alien craft descended and retrieved the body.

  Our people will see this and grow furious. Public anger will turn toward U… and toward the alien battleship.

  It will strengthen the argument that we must strike first.”

  Ivanovich decides the failure of Natasha’s assassination attempt may still serve a purpose.

  He rises from his desk, intending to report to the President immediately.

  At that moment, someone knocks.

  “Director, there is something to report. An American agent is here to see you.”

  “Ah… I see. Send him in.”

  The visitor is an intelligence officer dispatched from JSTR.

  Although the United States currently supplies weapons and funding to Country U—and can therefore be considered an enemy state—Country R cannot simply ignore a global superpower. Especially now.

  The appearance of the alien battleship is being evaluated as a potential threat not only to R, but also to the United States.

  In times like these, intelligence cooperation becomes necessary.

  “Good afternoon. I’ve come from JSTR because I have information you should hear, Director.”

  “I see. What is it?”

  “First, we’ve heard about today’s incident at the front. We’re curious how your government plans to respond.”

  Ivanovich folds his hands.

  “Before that, I’d like to hear the American side first. After all, that’s why you came.”

  Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

  He wonders what information the Americans have brought.

  “We currently have a young Asian woman in custody,” the agent says.

  “She’s suspected of having a connection to the alien craft that landed near the U border.”

  “She’s being interrogated?”

  “Yes. During questioning she requested a meeting with a former Vice Minister of Defense from South Korea.

  The meeting was arranged. Nothing significant came out of it, but we believe the two must be connected somehow.”

  “In Korea, the former official claims they don’t know each other. We’re not entirely convinced.”

  The agent pauses.

  “We believe the appearance of the alien craft could affect the Korean Peninsula.”

  “I see. But why share this information with us?” Ivanovich asks.

  The agent answers calmly.

  “From our perspective, the alien battleship appears peaceful for now. It’s assisting the U military and acting non-aggressively.”

  He shakes his head slightly.

  “But we believe there’s a strong possibility it represents a real strategic threat—to both R and the United States.”

  “We don’t yet know their intentions. That’s exactly why we need to understand their strategy.”

  He continues.

  “We’ve also received intelligence that the Korean official I mentioned may travel to North Korea to meet senior military officers and government figures.”

  “Since your country maintains good relations with North Korea,

  we’d appreciate it if you could obtain information about any discussions between the North and South… and share it with us.”

  “I see…” Ivanovich murmurs.

  He pauses, then nods slowly.

  “Very well. We’ll look into it.”

  “R still maintains influence over North Korea. They cannot simply ignore us.”

  He leans back in his chair.

  “But if we provide useful intelligence to the United States… we will expect something in return.”

  “Of course,” the agent replies. “What do you have in mind?”

  Ivanovich’s voice hardens.

  “We are preparing an attack on the alien craft.”

  “First, we will maintain domestic support for continuing the war. You’re aware of today’s incident, I assume?”

  “The alien ship retrieved a wounded soldier and brought him aboard the mothership. Our people will be outraged.

  There will be public pressure demanding that we strike the spacecraft.”

  “And once that happens…”

  He smiles faintly.

  “The offensive against Country U will resume.”

  Ivanovich leans forward, his eyes sharp.

  “Therefore, we intend to launch an attack on the alien craft very soon.”

  “In this operation, we will use tactical nuclear weapons.”

  “I trust the United States will not oppose this.”

  The American agent frowns.

  “And if the attack succeeds,” Ivanovich continues calmly, “we will claim twenty percent of Country U’s territory.”

  The agent exhales slowly.

  “That isn’t something I can decide here.”

  “We could theoretically provide high-end conventional weapons instead of nuclear ones.

  But if we did that, the world would laugh at us.”

  “It would mean we’re supplying weapons to both U and R at the same time.”

  “Exactly,” Ivanovich replies coldly.

  “That is why we will handle the attack ourselves.”

  “All we ask… is that the United States does not oppose it.”

  The decision has already been made.

  After witnessing Vadim’s death, Natasha leaves the battlefield and returns directly to the city.

  The entire drive back feels unreal.

  Nothing about the trip to see the alien battleship had felt dangerous. Everything had been calm—almost peaceful.

  Then, without warning, a gunshot shattered the silence.

  Vadim suddenly threw himself toward her.

  How did he know?

  How did he know to jump in front of me?

  Vadim clearly knew something.

  He sacrificed his life to save hers.

  And then the alien craft descended and took him away.

  Why?

  Were they trying to save him?

  Natasha grips the steering wheel tighter.

  What is the truth?

  Did U forces really fire that shot?

  There had been only one bullet—and it was aimed directly at her.

  She cannot understand why the U military would try to assassinate her.

  When she finally reaches the city, she submits a leave request at her company.

  Back in her apartment, she throws her bag onto the floor and collapses onto the bed.

  Burying her face in the blanket, she cries for a long time.

  Eventually she rolls onto her back and stares up at the ceiling.

  In the silent room, she whispers to herself.

  “I have to go home.”

  “I have to meet Vadim’s mother.”

  Slowly, Natasha gets up.

  Then she begins packing her bag.