CHAPTER FORTY FOUR
August 20
9:01 a.m. Korea Time (8:01 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time)
Gyeongbok Palace – Seoul, South Korea
Gunshots echoed through the vast plaza. A thousand people filled the flagstone square near the steps to the ancient palace. Behind the palace, a green hillside rose up through morning mists that were still burning off.
Honor guards from the Republic of Korea Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines flanked the caskets, standing at attention. The traditional honor guard, in red, black, and gold medieval costume and carrying longbows, stood at attention in front of the caskets. A pipe and drum band, also in traditional dress, stood in the back and to the right.
Luke and his team occupied places of honor in the front row of the square. Luke himself was seated next to the P
