Phoenix

12. Captives

For a moment, a surge of raw fury pulsed through Jin. The desire to snatch the two pistols and eliminate the agents was powerful. He knew Arya was also an expert in unarmed combat; a two-on-two fight would not be an unequal match at all.

​However, he forced himself to study the opponents' faces. These were highly trained, experienced agents, not amateurs. They stood at a calculated distance to ensure they couldn't be easily lunged at.

Jin knew, even without looking them in the eye, that if he or Arya made a move, these men would fire without hesitation. In this narrow corridor, at this range, the results would be fatal.

​Arya seemed to be reaching the same conclusion.
Seeing the tension in her expression, one of the agents spoke. "I'd say it would be wise to accept the situation."

​The first agent added, "Please, Mr. Kim, don't do anything stupid."

​"Do you know the consequences of trapping us here?" Jin asked, his voice deceptively calm.

​"We are just servants of order, Mr. Kim. We have no answers for you. We were
simply commanded to guard you here."

​"Then I'll ask your superior myself. Where is Mr. Bullock?" Arya demanded. "Call him."

​"Well," the man wielding the pistol shrugged, "first of all, get back in there."

​Jin retreated into the storeroom in a fit of quiet rage, followed by Arya. The two CIA agents promptly locked the door from the outside.

​"What is going on?" Arya asked, her voice trembling with surprise.

​"We are their prisoners for now."

​"Why?" This was the first time she had been on a field mission since rejoining the NIS, and the reality was beginning to set in.

​"Welcome to the world of espionage," Jin said with a bitter smile. "Don't you see? Informing the CIA about the Uno-code and the virus was a mistake. We've just handed them an extremely powerful, infallible weapon."

​"So... you mean...?"

​Jin nodded, revealing the dark logic behind the CIA's behavior. "They don't want anyone else to be wary of the virus. They want the world to be caught unprepared."

​"So they'll protect themselves but let the rest of the world's networks crumble?" Arya was horrified. "That's monstrous! Every computer system on the planet will be destroyed!"

​"Except for America's," Jin noted. "Think about it. What happens if the global economy, education, and defense sectors collapse? In that crisis, only America will remain standing. Their rivals, including China and North Korea, will be left in the gutter. America could strike whenever they want against a defenseless world. As economies fail, the CIA will hold all the cards. America won't just be a superpower; it will become the Ultimate Power. How could a man like Bulldog pass up an opportunity like that?"

​"Oh, God. Is that man a human or a vampire?"

​"Worse. I knew he was selfish and stubborn, but I didn't think he would sink this low," Jin said quietly. "The fault is mine. I should have analyzed the situation more thoroughly before coming here. The problem isn't just Bulldog; it's the agency itself. Any CIA chief might have made the same calculation."

​"But Jin... if they want to keep their own systems running, they'll need the antivirus. How will they get it?"

​"Don't you see? While you were telling the story of the Uno-code, you gave Bullock the name of your professor. They'll find Dr. Donnen and force him to create the antivirus for them."