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close than they do from inside the Beltway.”
    Dan said, “Surely he can’t think he’ll win. Kim, I mean. Even if we don’t have the forces actually on station. We’re getting good at rapid force deployment. And what we did to the Iraqis and the Serbians from the air—that should make the North think twice.”
    Owens looked as thoughtful as someone squeezed against him could. “The only way they could succeed is to stop the Air Force from striking from Japan. And at the same time, keep us from reinforcing through the southern ports.”
    â€œThat’s a tall order.”
    â€œLet’s hope they reach the same conclusion.”
    Dan remembered the headlines in the
Korea English Times.
. “But what I was reading this morning, about Pyongyang turning down the Japanese offer to build new reactors for them if they close down their old Chernobyl-type power plants—”
    â€œPart of the picture. The crippled-tiger syndrome. You know? That’s when they turn man-eater. And again, I don’t think the North’s in this alone.”
    â€œThe Chinese?”
    â€œThey play five moves ahead. Sooner or later, they plan to either bully us out of East Asia, or bloody our nose till we back away. The flash point could be Korea, Taiwan—even Japan. That’s why I don’t like reducing our forces. It puts the smell of blood in the water. And that’s just the wrong message, around these parts.”
    The wail of the all clear echoed down the stairwells. The PA system shouted out impatient-sounding Korean, adding, as if in afterthought, “All clear. All clear. All go now. Thank you for participate.”
    The press eased only by degrees, but he breathed easier once he got their groins unlocked. She must have felt him. But not a smile, not a wink. He hoped she took it as a compliment. As they ebbed toward the exit, he thought of one more thing. “Where’s this spy sub come in? With the all-girl crew?”
    â€œThe Sang-o? I don’t know, and it worries me. Hopefully they’rejust probing our defenses. As usual. If it’s something else… well, let’s just hope it isn’t. Okay?”
    He was nodding when he remembered the other thing he’d been meaning to ask her. “Uh, Captain—Dick Shappell mentioned, at one point, it was you who got me aboard that sub. Or suggested to him that I go along.”
    â€œThat’s right.”
    â€œCan I ask why?”
    â€œOther than that you’re an antisubmarine expert?”
    â€œThat’s the only reason?”
    â€œNo. Since you ask. A friend from DC said you were headed out my way. That you were one of the good guys, and might need a hand now and then.”
    He got another inch of clear space between them. “Can I ask who?”
    â€œJennifer Roald ring a bell?”
    â€œOh sure. Captain Roald…in the Sit Room. Yeah, we worked together.” He was impressed. There was a good old girl network now.
    Owens stuck out her hand. “Okay? It’s been great talking to you, Commander.”
    â€œYeah, very… very interesting. Uh, Captain.”
    She tilted her head, then added, “Just try to sort of…
relax
around me, Commander. Can you do that?”
    He felt his face burning. Cleared his throat, but couldn’t think of one damned thing to say.
    Fortunately just then he caught Commodore Jung’s uplifted beckoning wave from beside the exit. Shappell and Hwang stood beside him. He raised his hand in reply, and pushed toward them through the relieved, chattering crowd.

II

PHASE I

4
Pusan, South Korea
    C OMMANDER Hwang piloted the little tan Hyundai. Dan figured it was just as well, once he saw how Koreans drove. No rule was sacred and they took no prisoners. He didn’t relax until they got out of Seoul onto the highway. The sky was clear and shining, the air warm, yet not so hot as to be oppressive. He shook out a map and ran a