Finally, after 378 consecutive rings, Remo relented.
"If you're selling something, or are named Smith, cross your legs or risk the family jewels."
"Remo, I have discovered something interesting."
"Lose it."
"I have completed my deep background search on Reemer Bolt."
"So what?"
"Eleven years ago, Bolt was employed by Chemical Concepts of Massachusetts, the company that developed the fluorocarbon gun that nearly brought the planet to the brink last time."
"You're kidding!"
"My information is that he was marketing director. When I dealt with the ChemCon employees responsible for the ozone crisis of 1985, I overlooked him. It would appear that history repeated itself."
"So he really was a loose end?"
"No longer," said Smith.
Remo grunted. "Anything else?"
"There are reports out of Russia of a shadowy group of disgrunted ex-KGB operatives attempting to consolidate power."
"Shield?"
"They are being called Felix by ITAR-TASS. The name derives from Felix Dzerzhinsky, the founder of the Soviet secret-police apparatus."
"More loose ends," Remo groaned.
"We will watch them closely."
"Before you go, and you are going," said Remo, "whatever happened to that photographer who was dragged off by men in black on TV?"
"Travis Rust has been released unharmed."
"Who had him?"
"FORTEC."
"Why'd they snatch him?" asked Remo.
"Recall that Chiun slew one of their investigators at the BioBubble site. When the body was discovered, FORTEC thought they had a serious alien threat on their hands."
"They did. They just didn't know it. So long, Smith."
And Remo hung up. "How's it coming?" he asked Chiun, who was busily scratching out slashing characters on his scroll.
"I have decided the sun dragon possesses smooth silver skin, and not scales."
"It was silver."
"And three thousand years from now, it will trouble the House no more because the Reigning Master of Sinanju slew it without mercy," added Chiun.
"Wait a minute! I was the guy who risked his neck up there."
Chiun smiled thinly. "And I am the Master who is inscribing the truth for the Master who will carry on three thousand years hence."
With that, the Master of Sinanju signed the scroll with his name and sat back, his face serene with the knowledge that he would one day be remembered as the first Master to venture into the Void and return alive. As well as the first Korean in space.
All rumors to the contrary.