Jun continued, “The Kappa seem to fight with spears and javelins, and have not shown evidence of technology. However they did overwhelm the defenders of the Supreme Leader and Pyongyang, apparently very quickly. Preliminary intelligence is that day 2 of their invasion was when they realized they needed to pull troops from the South Korean front to try to defend the capital.”

  It was clear that she had emotions related to the North Koreans overrunning the initial South Korean defenses and taking Seoul, but she continued. “Pyongyang fell the next day, even though Kim Jong Un was level 99” She snorted a bit at the level and there was scattered laughter from others. General Jang Song-won has offered the complete surrender of all Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea forces to the South and the North's military joining our forces in what he calls 'the battle against the true foes of Korea.' He was also the one who authorized the nuke, so we believe he is the current leader, or speaks for the new leadership.”

  She paused, “Unfortunately our own government has had some issues of late, even before the invasion. While the strategic choice is obvious, our politicians are reacting to the anger of the public towards the North Korean military for the invasion and occupation. We have been accepting individuals surrendering, for the most part. If those who surrender have classes, we have been trying to integrate them into South Korean units with classes, but only as a minority of the group. We would accept a full scale surrender, but likely not the integration of North Korean units.”

  “So we are delaying accepting a surrender, letting the North Korean military absorb as much of the invasion force as possible, while not moving on North Korean positions other than recapturing Seoul. A lot of the positions the North held are vacant, and where that is the case, our forces are moving to the armistice line. We also have received over a million refugees, and expect maybe three million more. Hopefully as many as six million can escape north, we believe the People's Republic of China is aware of the situation and will do the humanitarian thing. That still means we are leaving over fifteen million men, women, and children to the fate that.” Jun stopped talking, and visibly composed herself.

  “That is my report to our American allies. I am happy to answer questions.” The questions she received were mostly about exactly where the borders had been pushed north, how many with levels had been captured and integrated, and what levels the North Koreans were. Her answer to the last question was “Most of the North Koreans were in the high teens or low twenties. The highest level we have captured was level twenty-eight. She may or may not have been their highest level hero, depending among other things on whether you believe the claims about the Supreme Leader.”

  Eric looked at the Colonel next to him. “What's the highest level in your guys?”

  “Sergeant Guidry and Captain King are both level 5.”

  “Fuck,” Eric sighed, “Oh goody, it is committee time.”

  Dr Cohen had taken the mike and requested the group break into sub-groups to discuss the new department. Each corner was designated for a particular issue, and everyone was encouraged to go to the appropriate location. Military threats, law enforcement, domestic and environmental threats, and trade. When Eric moved to join his boss in environmental, she told him “No, go to trade, it will be good for your career, and I think I can handle this stuff.”

  Eric nodded, and found himself listening to some people bloviate about 'economic opportunities,' and 'not disrupting future relations with potential trade partners.' He spoke a bit about how he had set up the rift with the orc and goblin dominated world, and had negotiated with them. That is when he had an idea.

  He approached Dr Cohen first. “Sir, do you think the South Koreans would accept help from mercenary forces?”

  The doctor looked at him, “What kind of mercenaries?”

  “The orcs of Ba'ruq fight as mercenaries on behalf of the Dwarves, in exchange for crafted goods and some agricultural goods. Er, there is more to the trade between the two of course, but the point is, the orcs would probably be willing to help if paid. Right now we have been getting a steady influx of gold as the orcs have a lot of demand for American goods, but have not found a lot to trade in return. I am sure we could work out some sort of triangle trade, or the US could even pay the orcs as part of our contribution to defending our allies?”

  “This is what I like, why I set you up in committees.” He turned and called, “Soryeong Pak, Mr. Yong, could you come over here?”

  The South Korean officer and her government counterpart came over, and Jun asked “Yes Doctor Cohen?”

  “This gentleman has a proposal for your government, and perhaps mine, but we want to find out if it would be acceptable before we move on it. Eric, can you tell them what you told me?”

  “Er, yes,” he turned to the South Koreans, “The orcs who are connected to Earth by a rift in my area serve as mercenaries to another world they are connected to. We could ask if they would be willing to fight to defend Korea.”

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  “I am not familiar with orcs,” the male Korean said.

  “Um, green skin, tusks, otherwise basically big muscular humans. I kinda wish we had Tilly with us-wait, I took pictures at our last cookout.” Eric took out his phone and showed the them all what a female orc looked like. “The men are bigger, and more muscular, but the difference seems about the same as the difference in humans.”

  “Still, they look powerful, you say they will fight for money?” Mr Yong asked.

  “Er, yeah, actually I think they might fight for logs and ketchup, but they would happily take money to buy our sauces and trees.” Mr Yong looked confused. “Right now they buy a lot of things from us, spices, condiments, tree logs, but other than weapons for some of our heroes, they have not had much luck finding things to trade in return. So they have been paying in silver and gold coins. I'm sure you know how that sort of trade tends to go. Anyway, do you think your government would accept that kind of help?”

  “I do not have the authority to say yes, but personally I am sure they would. I am also sure they would have accepted that type of help when the north invaded, and wonder why this was not offered them.”

  Eric rubbed his head, embarrassed. “Um, I'm not sure if anyone above me knew about it?”

  “A lot of lives were lost when we failed to hold the line,” both of the Koreans were visibly angry, “But I can accept that this was an error of ignorance. If you will excuse me, I would like to phone my government. Jun, can you come with me?”

  Eric looked down, “Er, sorry Dr Cohen, I guess I could have handled that better.”

  “No, that is, well, we didn't move troops to Korea when the invasion started, we sent supplies, ammunition, but only the American troops already on the border fought. The Koreans are-justifiably in my mind-very angry at what they saw as a failure by us to honor our treaties. Which may be an advantage, I think I can swing us paying these orc mercenaries with US funds as a type of apology.”

  They both stood in silence, Eric fidgeting, until the Koreans returned. “I believe we have sufficient support from our government to pay for these mercenaries, if they are worth their price.”

  Eric racked his brain to remember something he had heard in conversation weeks ago. “Don't hold me to this, but I think it was ten silver a week per level of the hero for garrison duty, and a gold a month per level for combat or bodyguard work.”

  “A silver?”

  “Oh, sorry, the orcs use silver and gold coins, well copper too, to buy things from us. A coin is about an ounce so a gold coin is about two-thousand dollars and a silver coin is about twenty.”

  “So for a tenth level hero, it would cost twenty thousand dollars for a single month?”

  Eric gave a sympathetic frown, “Er, yeah, I think so, I'll have to check when I get home and can go through the rift.” Eric saw Dr Cohen talking with a military aide, then continued, “Um, sorry it is so much.”

  “We have seen what level twenty heroes can do in a fight, they ripped through our forces. If four million dollars would get the services for a hundred level twenty heroes for a month, it would be a bargain.” Jun interrupted.

  Her male counterpart frowned, but reluctantly nodded. “We can authorize a ten million dollar payment, if the orcs can provide the services you describe.”

  Doctor Cohen came up behind Eric, “The US will triple it, as well as provide transportation. You are our allies after all.” He turned to Eric, “I assume the faster you get back to your rift, the faster you can provide these fighters?”

  “Er, yes, but...”

  Cohen interrupted, “I'm coming with you of course, to represent the government. It might delay something important, but I think this is more important, we are talking about lives.”

  The doctor and Eric were quickly escorted to a helicopter, then flown to Phoenix, where another helicopter was waiting. As the pair were dropped just outside the rift, Major Abdullah was waiting with an armed squad of soldiers. He saluted as they got out of the helicopter. “Sir, we have an escort for you, they are all level 3 and veterans of the second battle of the skeleton rift.”

  “Thank you, they sound like the best protection we can get.” Doctor Cohen nodded at the Major, then at the troops.

  One stepped forward, a heavyset black soldier with a crooked nose, “Sergeant White, I'm squad leader of your protection detail.”

  Doctor Cohen said “Thank you, I trust I can also count on your discretion, and that of your troops, at least until the news comes out?”

  “Yes sir.”

  The group went through the rift and Eric immediately searched for Frob, finding him in the usual location. As he approached the orc said “Friend Eric! Wait, where are your law-keeper shadows?”

  Eric laughed, “This is another military trip, and not like the last one, which is too minor to discuss.” Frob seemed to get the warning, but his large wink ruined things. “Anyway, I'm asking you for directions to someone else again, who would I talk to in order to hire mercenaries?”

  Frob frowned, “For just you, like a dungeon run, or...?”

  “Creatures from another rift have invaded my world. We don't have the levels. We are happy to pay what the Dwarves pay.”

  Frob sighed, “I could easily get a few level tens for an orc friend, but you need more than that, right? For what you want, you will need a contract with at least the war-chief. He is in Som'nar, which is a two day ride northeast. I can rent you some fast wolves-at a fair price, I will not cheat you.”

  “Aww, I wanted to work on my bargaining skill, well we are in a hurry.” Soon the six men were holding onto fur as the wolves happily ran towards Som'nar. Eric had a rough compass heading and had been assured that it would be obvious once he was close. With Eric's Long-stride ability, it was only towards the end of the day when he saw a pillar of black smoke almost due east.

  “What the fuck is that?” Sergeant White asked.

  “I don't know, but I bet that is why I was told the city would be obvious.” Eric answered.

  The group adjusted their heading and soon saw a massive edifice tucked into a mountain gap. Dark stone walls rose probably 40 feet, wide enough for a car to drive on top. Orcs walked the walls and manned ballistas and trebuchets. The sounds of traders yelling about their goods and haggling spread even outside the city. The open draw-bridge that was wider than it was tall, made of wood, which crossed a dry ditch before the wall. Wagons pulled by something that looked like a cross between a cow and a boar and orcs streamed through the gap in both directions. They had arrived at Som'nar