A Dark Fantasy Spy

The commonality between politicians and information officers is their inability to take vacations abroad.

In a tightly-knit European political sphere, where everyone rallies around the EU, it might be understandable, but for politicians from other countries, the notion of a vacation abroad feels utterly impossible. Even when elected with widespread public support, they must tread carefully, as mere breathing can ensnare them in various controversies.

Of course, some politicians do travel abroad to broaden their perspective, and vacation is still vacation, after all. However, whenever they do so, it’s not uncommon to hear whispers like, “Isn’t that guy going just to slack off?” or “He’s just creating a sense of discomfort.” This is especially true during times like when a massive travel ban was issued due to COVID, when their faces could flood the internet news and become fodder for interrogation.

As a consequence of the pressure from the public, politicians, particularly members of Congress, often venture abroad under the pretense of “business trips.”

Business trips are not “vacations”; they are classified as “official duties.” At least they can claim they weren’t just frolicking about.

Information officers don’t have it much different.

With constant surveillance and eavesdropping from counterintelligence agencies merely for taking a breath, information officers must also exercise caution during their vacations. In that light, traveling abroad can be a risky and adventurous endeavor.

Nevertheless, there’s always a way around the clouds.

Training, education, mutual exchanges, exercises, business trips, visits, and so on.

Seeing the passionate resolve of professional politicians, information officers have begun to embark on vacations disguised as business trips.

It’s no surprise that within the information agency, rumors abound of officers who go abroad to scenic places like Europe or North America, only to spend their time learning golf. Of course, I, too, once took a business trip to Hawaii (the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet resides there) and had quite a blast, so I can’t say much…

In any case, being an information officer is a tough gig when it comes to traveling abroad. The company rarely grants leave unless it’s for a honeymoon, and even they don’t tend to go out much. Moreover, due to the nature of their job, it can be challenging to return promptly in case of emergencies after an extended trip.

Thus, I preferred taking vacations without interference from anyone, whether domestically or internationally. A day away from work to rest peacefully was all I sought.

But then—

“Good to see you, Colonel. Is the Administrator currently inside?”

“I’m the first secretary working at the embassy. I have urgent matters to discuss with the two saints…”

“A letter and gifts from the homeland.”

“Documents requiring approval…”

“Letters sent by foreign ambassadors to the hero…”

“Items you requested…”

Is this really what vacation looks like?