Chapter 151 – Good Reception (2)
“Reception is good. Nice to talk to you.”
Artemis sent coffee. Even as I take a sip and put it down, there is no response from the other party.
There are times when you feel embarrassed when something you desperately want comes to you. I waited quietly.
[Oh, nice to meet you, nice to meet you. My name is Eugene from Jeonju. Ah! I don’t live in Jeonju.]
He speaks gibberish.
“…”
[…
The faint mechanical sound continued.
[Ah!]
Chic.
It seems he realized that he had kept his finger on the transmit switch.
Just before the communication was closed, I heard a sigh from my colleagues.
As my ears have become brighter through body strengthening procedures, I can hear local broadcasts other than those I am talking to.
“We are also well aware of the external situation. There are more than 10 confirmed infectious disease clusters in Jeonju, and there is no place to ask for help. “You are probably the ones who traveled north the most.”
The answer didn’t come right away. Should we lead the initial conversation from here?
“Where do you come from?”
[We are from Mokpo.]
Even in the southern part, where the risk of infectious agents is low, one-third of Korea’s land area has been crossed in this era.
There is no public transportation, no place to rest, and danger is everywhere. I could see their persistence.
“You’ve come a long way.”
[Because it was worth it.]
“Oh, please speak comfortably. “There is no need to use polite language during communication in an emergency situation.”
[Ah, I understand, no, I understand.]
Eugene felt very awkward. It seems like he is not used to speaking informally.
[Are you correct in providing support to Yeosu through drones?]
“Right. But there will be no further support. This is because the urgent risk factors have disappeared, and it has become possible to become self-reliant in the winter.”
Thanks to our help and the cold winter, most of the infectious agents that had spread in Yeosu were eliminated.
Now, the situation is rapidly improving as the defense line has been concentrated in a narrow area north of Yeosu and a large-scale search for supplies has been sent to Suncheon and Gwangyang.
[Where is the exact location of that place?]
“I can’t reveal it.”
Silence continued.
This is because not being able to reveal the location not only implies secrecy, but also exclusivity toward outsiders, that is, an unwillingness to accept them.
But they probably didn’t intend to fill up on just one drink.
[I’m curious about the size of that place. Can you tell me how many people there are?]
“I can’t reveal it.”
[Can you tell me your name?]
“I can’t reveal that either. Just call me manager.”
Although I cut like a knife, there is no hostility or harshness in my voice. The conversation continued as if the other person knew that.
[I’m just asking, just in case, can you accept us as members?]
“I can’t do that. “We are not accepting outside personnel yet.”
A moment of silence.
[Not yet, does that mean I can receive it in the future?]
A slight commotion was felt through the communicator. It seems that their most important motivation for the expedition was frustrated.
“After this. “Right now we have a huge task ahead of us, and it is difficult to distract ourselves from other things.”
[Can you tell me what that task is?]
“Of course.”
I paused for a moment. To convey strong will and trust in the voice.
“It is about eradicating all infectious agents from our country.”
There was no answer on the other end of the phone.
“For the survivors, the infection war is just a thing of the past. Just like World War II that you only see in textbooks. This is the attitude not only of civilians but also of the government and military. I have no intention of criticizing you in particular. Right now, it’s about making a living day by day… Protecting the shelter we managed to find in a safe area, and finding even slightly better food for our children and aging parents. That is the war people are facing. But for me, the infection war is still ongoing. I don’t know how long it will take, but I will definitely erase them all.”
Securing, developing, and applying technology to eradicate infectious agents.
Shelters have the best conditions to do this. It may be the best condition on the Korean Peninsula, or perhaps even in the world.
[We are young and each of us has useful talents. All men are military veterans. It hasn’t been long since I was discharged from the military. I swear, everyone will be able to pay for their meals.]
“I’m sorry, but there is no merit to that. “Do any of the members have a doctoral degree in science or engineering?”
[…
“It doesn’t seem to exist.”
[I understand roughly what their position is.]
He paused for a moment. I felt like I was choosing my words carefully every time so as not to offend my nerves.
[Then why did you support Yeosu? We had hope after seeing your support for the people. Since it is an altruistic yet powerful group, we decided that we could contribute something.]
Eugene seems to have a knack for presenting their motives or position favorably in negotiations.
[Did you say Raven Rock? If you were going to maintain secrecy and not receive outside personnel, was there a need to intervene with survivors outside?]
It might be a bit unfair from their perspective. They must have gone through a difficult journey, guided by the kindness we showed them.
“I was a soldier. To be exact, he was an officer. “I didn’t particularly have boiling patriotism or passion.”
Therefore, when I received an offer with good conditions, I was able to quit without any hesitation and move to a shelter.
“Nevertheless, I chose a career that involves risking my life to protect the lives of others. That has its own meaning. Even now that I have taken off my military uniform, the oath I made to my country is still partially alive. “It’s a weak link, though.”
I was thirsty, so I took a sip of coffee. During this time, the other person said nothing.
“The reason I helped Yeosu is simple. The situation there at the time was the worst, and without help, many people would have died. “Maybe the entire region has been taken over by the infectious agent.”
It is said that the garrison troops and citizens have now taken a breather and are cleaning up the area and laying the foundation, but when we intervened, it was on the verge of drying out.
“An army in operation cannot stop for the sake of a few citizens. However, if thousands or tens of thousands of people are in crisis, that itself becomes a new operational goal.”
[So in the meantime, we, the survivors in the South, can’t get any help? The situation has improved a lot, but there are still many desperate people.]
“We plan to help in any way we can.”
[Can you tell me what it is?]
I took a moment to gather my thoughts.
“What is the weather forecast?”
[This is the weather forecast?]
He was taken aback by the unexpected story.
“Yes, like a real weather forecast, not the crappy one on Jeju Island.”
Currently, the accuracy rate of forecasts on Jeju Island is less than 30%.
“How about a channel that broadcasts survival knowledge and other helpful information at the same time every day? Information about where the infectious agent colony is moving from today, and the habits and weaknesses of various strains. “We are closer to them than anyone else, and we also run a research center.”
Civilians knew less about infectious agents than expected.
In particular, since even the government, which is the control tower, is quarantined on Jeju Island, where there is no threat of infection, the arteriosclerosis of information is very serious.
“Even if it is not necessarily helpful for survival, it would be good to tell trivial stories or events held at a fairly large survivor camp. “Humans gain a sense of stability when they feel that society and social networks are maintained.”
[I’m talking at length, but isn’t it ultimately about running a broadcasting station?]
“We also have a very cute announcer. “If I debut on the domestic stage, I will be quite popular.”
Eugene did not simply consider it a joke but took it seriously.
“In this way, one by one, we will return to pre-war Korea, starting with the parts that cost the least. “We intend to increase those kinds of efforts.”
I’m a mate! And they applauded.
“Anyway, even if you advance further north, you will gain nothing other than risk. “I recommend you stop and go back.”
[… We need some time to organize our opinions. Could you maintain communication standby status?]
“Of course. Over and out.”
[Over and out.]
Chic.
“Ha.”
I buried myself deep into the back of the chair.
[As expected, you weren’t planning on accepting it?]
“Because there is no reason to trust them or accept them.”
I finished the last sip of coffee.
“Like the maritime prison case, if we don’t get it right away, isn’t this a situation where thousands of people will starve to death? Between them and us, there are over a hundred colonies of infectious agents. We’d have to send a helicopter to pick them up, but there’s no guarantee that there won’t be more of them in the future. “Then shall we send a helicopter every time?”
A small villa appeared on the central control room screen.
Artemis dispatched a reconnaissance drone at the point where they were sending radio waves here and there. It has arrived now.
They seem to be in a small villa at the beginning of a mountainous area.
There were two trucks, a van, and bikes parked outside.
Two men are lying face down in a place that is good for surveillance. They are a very well-organized search team, even wearing camouflage ponchos.
“This guy Eugene seems to have quite a bit of leadership. He also shows an idealistic side. How will these characteristics manifest themselves when they enter our city? “There is a lot to endure compared to the little labor that can be gained.”
In an apocalyptic situation, the most common and surprisingly difficult thing to pay for is labor. This is a world where it is very difficult to create added value.
[I liked the part about potential risk factors.]
“What?”
A video was played on the screen.
A handsome man presumed to be Eugene (we don’t know his face yet) was speaking in Eugene’s voice inside the shelter.
[You are all precious people. You are not being treated as you deserve!]
Hundreds of people responded to his words. They are wearing cotton clothes made from natural materials processed in the shelter.
Each face was full of dissatisfaction, excitement, and elation, and Eugene’s face showed some kind of satisfaction.
The video stopped there.
[You must be concerned about this situation, right?]
“It’s a very likely scenario, right?”
[It is a scenario with a possibility of starting, but no possibility of success.]
The paused video resumed. They were quickly suppressed by robots and human security forces, and the instigators were immediately expelled.
[A series of processes in which such forces are secretly organized behind the scenes, reach a critical point, and explode. That’s an interesting subject of research.]
“Is it like psychological research? “I didn’t know you were interested in that.”
[Rather than being interested in human psychology, I am more interested in human behavior.]
Artemis laughed.
The unique sound of laughter heard when imagining something pleasant or making a plan.
You can often hear her talking about new inventions or the moon.
[I am the alpha and omega of the lunar base construction plan – the Artemis project. A centrally controlled AI that builds and protects civilization in the most hostile environments.]
As I spend more time with her, I gradually hear things I had forgotten again for the first time in a long time.
[It is my nature to organize and control human society. What I’m doing with the prisoners now is a mission given to me by you, but it’s also related to my research.]
In fact, Artemis used to conduct various social experiments.
[One day, when everything is resolved, the front door of the shelter that was tightly closed will be opened. We could expand the sphere of civilization to the outside world, perhaps even to the moon.]
Several concept photos appeared on the screen.
A large city built around a rocky mountain above a shelter and hundreds of thousands of people.
And even the majestic silver-white base built on the moon.
It is probably the result of countless cuts, cuts, and cuts from the Moon Base draft that was entered from the moment she was born.
Like an old man sharpening a bat. In this case, should we say she is a goddess who cuts moonshine?
“For that time, do you need experience dealing with various types of crowds and experiencing accidents?”
[That’s it. Currently, our city is filled with a very biased talent pool, so there is not much information available.]
Artemis seems prepared to endure some turmoil within the shelter in order to study human behavior.
While talking like that, she noticed some movements on the surveillance network.
At the same time Artemis warned, I pressed the transmit switch.
“This is Raven Rock.”
One shot to get attention.
“This is Raven Rock. An urgent situation has arisen.”
And the main topic.
[This is Eugene. What’s going on?]
“We need to get out of there right now.”
[What…]
Before Eugene could finish speaking, a gunshot was heard over the communicator.
[I told you not to shoot!]
A man with a deep voice shouted.
“Is it an infection?”
[That’s right. He was wandering around alone, but more people might appear after hearing gunshots.]
“That’s right. “More will appear.”
[…?]
I said while looking at their location information on the screen in the central control room.
“Our surveillance equipment was detecting that area.”
[They were watching us?]
Someone else said.
You can also hear Eugene softly telling you to shut up.
“I wish you could call it protection.”
[Sorry. Is there something wrong outside?]
“Two groups of infectious agents are moving northeast of the current location. “One of them is heading towards where you are.”
On the screen, a group of walkers were seen going over a low hill. There was a vehicle and a villa docked not far from there.
[Is it because of gunshots?]
I can faintly hear the sound of longing for someone.
“No, we were heading in that direction from the beginning. “Just say it was unlucky.”
The sound of craving stopped.
[We are fairly well armed.]
“How many rounds of ammunition do you have?”
[I used it a bit on the way, but it’s enough for 200 shots.]
“Even if you put all of that in your head, you won’t have enough ammunition. If you don’t want to die, leave right away.”
[Got it!]
A few seconds later, young people were captured on screen rushing out of the villa.
They got on trucks and bikes parked outside.
A drone lands above it. Upon seeing the weapon attached to the bottom of the drone, two men reflexively aimed their guns. It’s an old K2 rifle that must have been captured somewhere.
[There are two rotors, right?]
One man said as if he was surprised.
“Don’t shoot. “I sent it.”
Everyone looked surprised upon hearing the voice transmitted from the drone.
[Manager? Are you the manager of Raven Rock?]
Eugene asked. He was holding a shotgun.
“Right. Infectious agents are spread all over this area right now. If you escape with the same determination as you came, the trouble will get worse.”
[I have been chased by them several times so far, but I was able to shake them off without any problems.]
“It’s going to be hard this time, right? “The infected entities heading towards you are just walkers, but there is a Juggernaut, a giant muscle mass entity, near your escape route.”
[Are walkers referring to ordinary infected people?]
“Yes, you are quick-witted.”
[The names of infected people vary from region to region and from person to person. Thanks to this, I can get a rough idea while listening.]
Everyone was on board as we spoke.
“If you are unlucky enough to run into the juggernaut, your car will flip over. “I will guide you to a safe route while looking down from above, so just follow it.”
Before I could finish speaking, the vehicle was driving off. Because many of the people there heard my voice.
Although some people protested due to trust issues with me, they gradually silenced the cries coming from all over.
The drone flies high in the sky.
[Oh my god.]
[Step on it quickly!]
[How many are there in total?]
At the same time, hundreds of walkers appeared from beyond. There are some variants, but they are not threatening.
As it quickly gets dark, a car is being chased by monsters.
They escaped following the guidance of the drone I sent.
Their vehicles were marked as green dots on the 3D map displayed on the screen.
The red dots surrounding it are a group of infectious agents. It’s like looking at the skin of a severe chickenpox patient.
And the last one.
There is a blue dot coming over the mountain at the end of the map.
