The secure conference room was unlike any other space in Riverside Correctional. Hidden three floors below the administrative wing, it had reinforced walls, signal jammers, and security clearance levels that most prison staff didn't know existed.
Yang Wei sat across from a large screen displaying the presidential seal. The room was silent except for the hum of encrypted communications equipment. Warden Hayes stood at attention beside the door, while the man in the dark suit—Agent Morrison from the Department of Defense—operated the secure video link.
"Connection established," Morrison announced.
The screen flickered to life. President Chen appeared, flanked by Secretary of Defense Williams and National Security Advisor Zhang. Behind them, Yang Wei could make out the distinctive wood paneling of the Situation Room.
"General Yang," President Chen said, his voice carrying the weight of authority that had guided the nation through three major conflicts. "It's good to see you again."
Yang Wei straightened in his chair. "Mr. President."
"At ease." President Chen's expression softened slightly. "First, I want to personally thank you for your service to this country. Operation Nightfall was a complete success thanks to your infiltration of the Kozlov arms network. The intelligence you gathered prevented what could have been the largest weapons trafficking operation in Pacific history."
Secretary Williams leaned forward. "The evidence you collected led to the arrest of forty-seven individuals across six countries. The network is completely dismantled."
Yang Wei nodded. "I was doing my duty, sir."
"Your duty and more," President Chen replied. "Which is why I'm honored to present you with this."
Agent Morrison stepped forward with a wooden case. Inside, nestled in blue velvet, were the five stars of a General's rank.
"By executive order," President Chen continued, "you are hereby promoted to Five-Star General, the highest rank in our military. Your service record is exemplary, your sacrifice immeasurable, and your country is in your debt."
Yang Wei stared at the stars. Three years ago, when he'd accepted the Kozlov mission, he'd been a Colonel. The operation required him to appear as a criminal, to be arrested for embezzlement from his wife's company, to serve time while actually gathering intelligence from within Kozlov's network of contacts in the prison system.
The hardest part wasn't the danger or the isolation. It was watching Yun Xi's face when the FBI arrested him at their anniversary dinner.
"Thank you, Mr. President," Yang Wei said quietly. "It's been an honor to serve."
President Chen smiled. "I know you were hoping to retire, General. To return to your life, your marriage..." The President's expression grew somber. "Agent Morrison informed me that your divorce was finalized yesterday."
Yang Wei's jaw tightened. "Personal matters, sir. They don't affect my service."
"On the contrary, they affect everything." President Chen leaned forward. "I understand your wife never knew about your real assignment. That you couldn't tell her the truth."
"Operational security required—"
"I know what operational security required," President Chen interrupted gently. "And I know what it cost you. If there had been any other way..."
"There wasn't," Yang Wei said firmly. "The mission came first."
Secretary Williams cleared his throat. "Which brings us to why we're here today."
President Chen nodded. "I'm afraid I have another assignment for you, General. One that requires your specific expertise."
Yang Wei had expected this. He'd hoped for retirement, for a chance to rebuild what was left of his life, but he'd expected another mission.
"I'm listening, sir."
Agent Morrison handed him a classified file. "Operation Golden Phoenix," he explained. "We have intelligence suggesting a major economic conspiracy targeting several Asian markets. The scale is unprecedented—if successful, it could destabilize the entire regional economy."
Yang Wei opened the file. The first page contained a photograph of a man in his thirties, handsome but with cold eyes. The caption read: "Viktor Krukov (alias), suspected financial fraud operation leader."
"Viktor Krukov," President Chen continued, "is the apparent heir to a powerful family fortune. However, our intelligence suggests the family wealth is a facade. They're running what appears to be a massive Ponzi scheme, targeting high-net-worth individuals and corporations for a final massive fraud before disappearing."
Yang Wei studied the photograph. "What's my role?"
"Integration and intelligence gathering," Secretary Williams replied. "Viktor Krukov operates in your city's business circles. We need someone inside to confirm the scope of the operation and identify all participants before they can execute their final plan."
"Timeline?"
"Weeks, not months," President Chen said gravely. "Our economic analysis suggests they're preparing for a major move. We need to stop this before it happens."
Yang Wei closed the file. "I understand the mission parameters. What resources do I have?"
"Unlimited," President Chen replied. "Any federal agency, any military unit, any intelligence asset—they're at your disposal. This operation has the highest national security priority."
Agent Morrison stepped forward again, this time carrying a phone and what looked like a government identification card.
"Your new identity documents," Morrison explained. "You're now officially consultant Yang Wei, special economic advisor to the Department of Commerce. This gives you cover to move in business circles while maintaining your security clearance."
Yang Wei took the materials, his mind already shifting into operational mode. Three years in prison had been preparation for this moment, though he hadn't known it at the time.
"There's one more thing," President Chen said, his voice taking on a more personal tone. "Your ex-wife's company, Zhang Clan Corporation, is one of the potential targets. Viktor Krukov has apparently been courting her professionally."
Yang Wei's head snapped up. "Sir?"
"We don't believe she's involved in the conspiracy. All intelligence suggests she's a legitimate businesswoman who's unknowingly become a target. But General..." President Chen's expression was serious. "You cannot reveal your identity to her. Operational security is paramount."
"I understand."
"Do you? Because from where I sit, this mission puts you in an impossible position. You'll need to protect her while maintaining your cover, possibly even watching her interact with the target."
Yang Wei was quiet for a long moment. Then he said, "Will that be all, Mr. President?"
President Chen studied him carefully. "General, if you need to recuse yourself from this operation due to personal conflicts—"
"No sir. I accept the mission."
"Are you certain?"
Yang Wei stood, the five-star insignia heavy in his hand. For three years, he'd sacrificed everything for his country. His marriage, his reputation, his freedom. He'd watched the woman he loved sign divorce papers because she believed he was a criminal.
Now his country was asking him to do it again. To protect her from the shadows while she moved on with her life, possibly with the very man he was investigating.
"I'm certain, Mr. President."
President Chen nodded slowly. "Then God speed, General. And Yang Wei?"
"Yes sir?"
"When this is over, when Viktor Krukov is neutralized and the threat is eliminated, you'll have earned the right to choose your own path. No more missions. No more sacrifices. You'll have paid your debt to this country ten times over."
The screen went dark. Yang Wei stared at his reflection in the black monitor, still holding the stars that represented the highest honor his country could bestow.
Behind him, Warden Hayes cleared his throat. "Sir? There's a young woman waiting for you upstairs. Says her name is Ye Xiao Ling. She seems... insistent about celebrating your release."
Yang Wei pocketed the insignia and closed the classified file. The mission was beginning already.
"Tell her I'll be right up," he said.
As he walked toward the door, Agent Morrison called out. "General? Your ex-wife doesn't know who you really are. But that young woman waiting upstairs—she's the daughter of Colonel Liu, your former subordinate. She knows exactly who you are."
Yang Wei paused at the threshold. "I'm aware."
"She's also the CEO of Ye Yu Corporation, one of the most powerful business empires in the region."
"I'm aware of that too."
Yang Wei left the room and headed toward the elevator that would take him back to the world above. A world where he would have to be someone else again, protect someone who hated him, and investigate a man who might be stealing the heart he'd already lost.
The stars in his pocket felt heavier with each step.