June 27, 2040

  "Russia Ura! (Long live Russia!)" The military parade in Verkhoyansk was in full swing, the cityscape brighter than it had been five years ago. The midnight streets were filled with a mix of Russians, Chinese, and the occasional Japanese, Koreans, North Koreans, and indigenous people. The parade marched through the city center, showcasing new missiles and tanks. Andreyev, now the city’s mayor, stood atop a military truck, waving to the crowd. Behind the truck, a limousine followed. "...God, it’s so damn loud," Olga grumbled inside the limousine, applying lipstick. She wore a red dress beneath a white mink coat.

  "...Be patient, dear. The parade will be over soon," Dmitry Grekov, disguised as an old man, said softly. Olga rolled her eyes. "...Ugh, my one and only dad sold his daughter to that guy, and you’re saying that?" She pointed at Gamamusa, irritated. Gamamusa sipped his coffee. "...Watch your words. Mr. Grekov is publicly known as ‘Anton Solzhenitsyn,’ one of Lenya Group’s shareholders. You’d better call him Anton. And Olga, our marriage is just a formality to present the CEO and major shareholder of Lenya Group uniting for strategic reasons. It has no real effect." Olga scowled. "...Ugh, not exactly what I want to hear from a guy past 50. Dad’s 60 now, only a 10-year gap." Dmitry shook his head. "...Daughter, you’re 30 now. You’re well past marriageable age. How long will you keep whining?" As Olga pouted, Gamamusa sighed, looking out the window. "...I’m worried about what’s coming. Every intelligence agency in the world is already moving..."

  Gamamusa monitored Lee Byung-soo, who was watching him from a rooftop overlooking the parade route, using data from a military satellite. Lee Byung-soo lowered his binoculars, frowning. "...Ugh, that guy’s face pisses me off every time." He pulled a radio from his pocket and sent a message. "...Team Leader Jung Min-ju? The target’s right in front of me. Should I take the shot?" Jung Min-ju’s stern voice came through. "Don’t mess around, Agent Lee. You’re a freshly minted Grade 7 agent, and you’re joking like that? Our mission is to monitor and protect Gamamusa. Forgotten already?" Lee Byung-soo sighed. "...Of course I remember, Agent Jung. I just don’t get it. Why are we protecting him? Isn’t he our enemy?"

  Jung Min-ju stroked her chin. "Of course he’s our enemy. But five years ago, when I was in Brazil, I learned something terrifying. The data transmission device in Gamamusa’s brain? North Korean Reconnaissance General Bureau spies have it too. They want him dead because he’s likely planning to overthrow their regime. If they kill him, the monsters that are receiving global data will move around unchecked. That’s not something we want." She smirked at Kim Min-seok sitting beside her. "...Luckily, I’m a Grade 3 team leader, Kim Min-seok’s a Grade 4 agent, and we have some operational control. Plus, Lee Byung-soo, you were specially recruited from the military prosecution to the NIS, so we can monitor Gamamusa together. Let’s do this right!"

  Kim Min-seok gestured to her. "Team Leader, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service is about to call! No time for phone chats!" Jung Min-ju nodded and hung up. "...Why’s the Five Eyes calling us? Gamamusa’s a big deal, huh?" Kim Min-seok scratched his head. "...Well, we’re the ones requesting info from Canada, right? We came to Canada to meet them, not the other way around." He pointed to a Canadian flag nearby. Jung Min-ju scratched her head. "...True, but it’s still the first time they’re meeting us, isn’t it?" Knock knock. A knock came at the door. Kim Min-seok and Jung Min-ju stood to face Laurie Kenneth, head of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. "(English) Hello? I’m Laurie Kenneth. Please, take a seat." They sat, and Laurie Kenneth did the same. She began, "...Let’s get to the point. I hear you know a lot about Gamamusa. That man is becoming a major threat to our national defense. It seems he’s trying to fracture all the Five Eyes nations."

  ...

  "...Remember, Gamamusa, a true patriot doesn’t boast for the nation. They advance it." Gamamusa opened his eyes, stirred by the dream of his father. He used to toss and turn after such dreams, but not anymore. Unlike before, he awoke in a skyscraper bedroom with a glass window overlooking the city skyline. Beside him, Olga, in pajamas, rubbed her eyes. When their eyes met, she yanked the blanket to cover herself. "...If you so much as touch me, I’ll kill you. God, this is so annoying. Sleeping in the same room for a fake marriage?" Gamamusa stood with a wry expression and stepped to the window. Just ten years ago, satellite images showed a barren, empty plain. Now, people and cars bustled through vibrant streets between buildings. He smiled. "...Father, I’ll advance the nation without boasting. Watch me."

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