“Because I can only see them a couple of times a year.”
“My apologies.”
“That’s the life of a soldier dispatched overseas, isn’t it?”
His voice turned slightly bitter.
It was the first time Taesu had seen Colonel Clark make such an expression.
Perhaps because they were at his home, his human side showed much more clearly.
Taesu, wearing a wry smile, picked up the bottle and said,
“It seems I should be the one to pour first.”
“What matters is drinking it, no matter who pours.”
“You’re absolutely right.”
Glug, glug.
Taesu responded by filling Colonel Clark’s glass to the brim.
Then Colonel Clark filled Taesu’s glass as well.
They raised their glasses together, and Colonel Clark said,
“To your safe return.”
“Thank you for the invitation.”
Clink.
After exchanging meaningful toasts, they tossed the liquor into their mouths.
After that, the drinking began in earnest.
Pouring, drinking.
In between the repetitions, personal conversations passed back and forth.
Perhaps because the space was so warm and comfortable, their hearts felt more open as well.
Within that simple, unpretentious conversation, Taesu could feel them growing a little closer.
By the time about half the liquor they had prepared was gone.
Tak.
Setting down his empty glass, Colonel Clark slightly shifted the atmosphere.
“Let’s leave the pleasant conversation for another opportunity.”
“You mean it’s time to talk business.”
“Shouldn’t we finish it cleanly before the alcohol starts to rise?”
“That way, the remaining liquor will probably taste even better.”
When Taesu matched his rhythm with that reply, Colonel Clark smiled faintly.
But even that smile felt different.
Within the smile was a knife-like coldness.
Taesu said exactly what he felt.
“There’s definitely a difference between Father Clark and Colonel Clark, starting with your expression.”
“Doctor Choi, you’ve changed as well.”
“Mm. Have I?”
Swoosh.
Taesu ran a hand over his face, but he couldn’t really feel any difference.
But that wasn’t what mattered.
After the mood settled a little more calmly.
Colonel Clark spoke first.
“I was quite surprised when Dr. James came to me and told me about the plan.”
“It is the sort of plan that’s usually hard to imagine.”
“No. I was surprised by how lightly you were taking it.”
Colonel Clark’s words were full of an unexpected twist.
Taesu, too, could not treat his serious expression lightly.
“Taking it lightly, you say.”
“You should remember the point I emphasized several times.”
“You said Kashmir has the interests of many different powers tangled together.”
Taesu answered, recalling their previous conversation.
As if that memory was correct, Colonel Clark nodded heavily.
Then he added,
“I’m not opposing it simply because those interests are tangled together.”
“Is there another reason?”
“Do you know how many PKO soldiers were unofficially severely wounded or killed last year?”
Colonel Clark asked in a low, sunken voice.
Taesu was quite startled by the question.
“Unofficially?”
“If it had been a problem caused by the Indian Army or the Pakistani Army, we would have lodged a formal protest and retaliated.”
“If you couldn’t do that, then……”
Taesu trailed off, sensing something.
As if confirming his guess, Colonel Clark continued.
“Yes. It’s the count from extremist groups and other organizations.”
“Even so, how can they attack the PKO?”
“Because they have no country. They have nothing to protect.”
Colonel Clark’s lips pressed tightly together.
His grief for the soldiers who had suffered was clear.
Taesu, listening, did not feel at ease either.
The fact that what he had seen until now was not everything made it all the more bitter.
Then Colonel Clark opened his mouth again and said,
“I told the doctor the same thing during the day.”
“What did he say?”
“He said he would call Doctor Choi tomorrow and talk it over again.”
At that, Taesu tilted his head.
“Then why did you invite me today?”
“I judged that it would be better if I persuaded you first.”
“Persuaded? Wait a minute. Then……”
Taesu quickly looked around.
A family home.
Framed family photographs.
The cooking.
Even the family stories that had come up naturally.
When he thought back on it, each and every thing had meaning.
‘If all of this was planned?’
The smile slowly disappeared from Taesu’s face.
It was not something he could dismiss as a mere guess.
Taesu immediately probed Colonel Clark.
“It seems you prepared thoroughly.”
“A military operation doesn’t consist only of charging forward no matter what.”
“Especially since the Department of External Cooperation isn’t a combat unit.”
“Yes. Our specialty is a battle of wits.”
Colonel Clark readily admitted it.
Taesu smiled bitterly.
‘I really walked right into it, didn’t I?’
The homesickness Colonel Clark had stirred up had been effective.
Taesu’s heart, too, had been filled for the first time in a while with his parents and his older sister.
But there was something Colonel Clark had overlooked.
Their views on family were different.
At some point, a small smile appeared on Taesu’s hardened face.
“Heh, I definitely lost the battle of wits.”
“It doesn’t seem like you’re surrendering.”
“Why would I do something that convenient for you? I’ll proceed somehow.”
When Taesu showed his resolve, Colonel Clark’s brow narrowed.
“Doctor Choi.”
“I understand your intention in telling me to think of my family, Colonel.”
“That’s right. Your family.”
“Yes. And those family members are still living very difficult lives even now.”
Taesu said calmly.
Just a moment ago, while drinking, they had talked about his upbringing.
Colonel Clark clearly remembered as well, so he tried even more earnestly to persuade him.
“For their sake, too, nothing must happen to you, Doctor Choi.”
“Then it would be better for me to learn safely here at headquarters.”
“That’s all that’s needed.”
Colonel Clark answered, brightening.
But Taesu’s answer that followed was different.
“If that’s how you think, you should have stopped me from going to Ijambak from the start.”
“That…… Hm.”
Colonel Clark could not say anything.
It was because of Sergeant Ryan’s case.
To the silent man, Taesu added one more thing.
“The helicopter dispatch is ultimately an extension of the deployment.”
“A helicopter can be shot down by anti-aircraft weapons.”
“A vehicle can be immobilized just by damaging one wheel.”
“Hrm.”
Perhaps unable to refute him, Colonel Clark tossed his drink into his mouth.
Tik.
As he set down the empty glass, his expression was filled with complexity.
Taesu filled his glass again and said,
“A medical team that travels by helicopter will definitely be of help.”
“Like with Ryan?”
“Yes. If we get word, we’ll fly out immediately.”
Taesu made the vow with grave determination.
Of course, after saying it, he felt a slight sting.
‘My mouth again.’
But it wasn’t something he said simply because he was drunk on the mood.
He had not the slightest intention of interfering in military operations.
Taesu’s thinking was simple.
Civilians and soldiers were all the same people.
No reason was needed for one person to save another.
The fact that it was a life was equal for everyone.
Taesu waited for an answer with a weighty gaze.
Soon, Colonel Clark took hold of the bottle and said,
“I’ll consider it positively.”
Glug, glug.
At the same time, he filled Taesu’s glass.
It was clear that he was conceding his opinion somewhat.
Taesu apologized with a bitter expression.
“I’m sorry for being so stubborn.”
“You’re only stubborn about the parts you’re convinced are right, Doctor Choi.”
“I do have that tendency.”
“I like that about you, Doctor Choi. However.”
When Colonel Clark cut himself off, Taesu lightly caught the end of his words.
“However?”
“Sometimes, please consider the position of those who oppose you.”
“I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.”
When Taesu expressed his willingness, Colonel Clark slipped in a remark.
“Then, starting with this matter, perhaps you could reconsider……”
“Now, cheers.”
Clink.
Taesu quickly clinked his glass against his, cutting off his words.
Then he smiled brightly.
It was a smile filled with the certainty that there would be absolutely no reversal.
Colonel Clark also smiled bitterly and lifted his glass.
With that, the official conversation came to an end.
They went back to private conversation, tilting their glasses as they talked.
The drinking continued smoothly and quietly.
“Haha. So then……”
“Oh, something like that happened……”
Laughter was heard from time to time as well.
In the midst of that drinking, Taesu smiled faintly at Colonel Clark.
‘Thank you, and I’m sorry.’
He murmured his feelings inwardly.
If he had planned the helicopter dispatch alone, he might have been persuaded.
That was how astonishing Colonel Clark’s persuasive power was.
The reason Taesu had been able to hold firm to the end was largely because of James.
It was a plan James supported and was actively involved in.
Since Taesu had been designated as the helicopter rappel leader, he could not back down.
Late at night.
A military jeep crossed over toward the NGO side, its headlights flashing.
Screech.
When it stopped in front of a low building, the rear door opened and Taesu got out. His face was flushed red, and his body swayed slightly.
“Phew. No one’s here, right?”
With slightly unfocused eyes, he looked around and checked his surroundings.
No matter how long it had been since he had drunk, he didn’t want to look as though he had been partying by himself.
Fortunately, it was some distance from the ward tents, and no one was around.
But then, at that moment, someone suddenly appeared beside him.
Thud.
Startled, Taesu checked who it was and felt relieved.
“Hup. Ah, Sam.”
“How did the two of you drink five bottles of that strong brandy?”
“That’s just how it goes once you start drinking.”
“You’re incredible. More importantly, I’ll escort you inside.”
When Squad Leader Sam tried to guide him, Taesu stopped him.
“No. I can go in on my own two feet.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course I’m sure. Here, look.”
Taesu pointed to his own face.
Squad Leader Sam stared at him, then was greatly surprised.
“Are you really sobering up? You reeked of alcohol just now……”
“It’s the power of the genes that let me survive university OT and MT.”
“I don’t really understand what you mean.”
It seemed Squad Leader Sam didn’t know because it was Korean culture.
Taesu realized it belatedly and said,
“Anyway, I drink well, and I sober up well.”
“It seems that way.”
“Thank you for bringing me back, and I’ll see you next week.”
“Yes. In the end, we’ll be seeing each other. Rest well and come back.”
Squad Leader Sam gave a light farewell, then got into the vehicle and left.
Vroom.
Only after the military jeep disappeared from sight did Taesu enter the building.
Taesu passed through the familiar hallway and arrived in front of the door to his quarters.
Knocking? As if.
Creak.
He opened the door right away.
And the moment Taesu stepped inside, the sight that unfolded before his eyes instantly drove away even the last of his drunkenness.