Rising up from the periphery of the launch pad was the girdered framework of a launch tower. Several scaffoldings hung suspended from the sides of the tower, allowing welders to strengthen seams and joints. Oh stared up at the welders as he circled around the structure, taking care to avoid the steady shower of sparks raining from the scaffolds. Parked beside the tower’s hydraulic-powered elevator was a small mobile home that served as the offices for the construction project’s supervisors.
Oh’s nephew had apparently seen the general coming and appeared in the doorway. Decorum forbade him from greeting Oh with anything more than a formal salute, but judging from the beaming smile on his face, it was clear that Park Yo-Wi was thrilled to see his uncle. Beyond familial affection, Park’s feelings for Oh were tinged as well with gratitude, as it was the general who’d greased the necessary skids to secure his nephew with the base construction contract. Prior to that, Park had distinguished himself by helping with the design of other missile sites in Ichon and Chunghwa as well as several of the isolated country retreats Kim Jong-il increasingly preferred over Pyongyang as a base of operations.
“So, how do you like it?” Park asked.
Oh glanced around, nodding with approval. “Very impressive. You’ve done a good job.”
“Thank you, Uncle,” Park said. “I just got off the phone with the outdoor crew. They’re ready to start installing the roof. Come, I’ll give you a look.”
The two men stepped into the tower elevator and began to ascend toward the uppermost platform. The walls of the elevator cab were made of chain-link fencing, allowing Oh a bird’s-eye view of the clandestine missile site.
“It’s hard to believe that when I was last here there was nothing but an empty pit,” the general said. “I was worried that we might have set our sights too high.”
“We’ve been working double shifts to stay on schedule,” said Park. “As you can see, it’s been paying off.”
Oh nodded. “Major Jin tells me you expect to be operational here by the end of the month. Is that true?”
“If need be, yes,” Park said. “We won’t have all the bells and whistles in place by then, but the fuel lines will be installed and the launch pad will be fully functional.”
“Excellent,” Oh said. Offering up a brief smile, he added, “This will shut up everyone who shouted ‘nepotism’ when you were given the contract.”
“I’ve done my best not to let you down,” Park said.
“And it would appear that you’ve succeeded,” Oh responded.
When the elevator reached the top platform, the younger man subtly moved in front of his uncle, keeping him hemmed inside the cab.
“Before we step out,” Park said, speaking low so that the workers on the platform couldn’t overhear, “I’d like a word in private.”
Oh frowned, puzzled by the sudden look of concern on his nephew’s face.
“What is it?” he asked.
“It concerns Major Jin,” Park said, choosing his words carefully. “I know you have been friends with him for some time, but…”
“But what?”
“Do you consider him loyal beyond reproach?” Park asked.
“How can you ask such a question!” Oh snapped, temper flaring. He caught himself and lowered his voice. “Of course he’s beyond reproach. Why would you think otherwise?”
“I don’t know,” Park confessed. “It’s just a feeling.”
“There has to be more to it than that.”
Park was hesitant to elaborate, but when Oh pressed further, he confided, “It was just something I overheard from the workers. About goods being diverted to the black market. The major’s name was mentioned.”
This was news to Oh, but he wasn’t totally surprised and he did his best not to appeared alarmed. After all, as he proceeded to tell his nephew, “There is a difference between being entrepreneurial and being a traitor. You should know that.”
“Yes, I understand, but—”
“Let me finish,” Oh interjected. “You are young still, Yo-Wi. There will be ample opportunities ahead for you to assure a good life for you and your family. But men like Major Jin—men like me—we have been forced to weather hard times and we can see that our time is passing, so if an opportunity arises where we can better our situation and ensure our future…Well, I think you understand what I’m saying.”
Park nodded contritely. “Of course,” he said. “I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions.”
“An honest mistake,” Oh said. He smiled faintly. “Now, let’s put this behind us. Show me the rest of your work.”