Chapter 117 – Blackout
When the coast of the South Sea began to come into view in the distance, it was the white waves that greeted us before the blue sea.
[I expected it to be like this.]
Noise tree. Giant mutant trees rise along the ridges near the coast.
“Let’s think positively. “There is hope for the survivors beyond, right?”
Sky.
Is this a move aimed at causing interference? Or is it due to the strong sea breeze?
White branches stretching out on both sides like a cat’s whiskers dance continuously.
With the blue of the sea peeking through the branches, a fascinating scene unfolded.
Would it be like this if a tree grew from the corpse of an angel?
Monsters and armies are no match for this majesty. Only the natives who kneel and worship will be the final piece of the puzzle.
“It’s my first time.”
[What?]
“It occurred to me that I am a being in harmony with nature.”
It’s hard to believe that it’s the result of infection. This is also a fascinating sight that makes you want to believe that it is a beauty created by nature.
However, the soldier instinct latent within me, the instinct that had saved me from countless death spirals, pushed away the temptation.
That thing does not belong to our world.
That is the enemy, the enemy of your world.
It must be destroyed.
My instincts shouted so.
“What would it take to wipe them out? Pouring bombs seems like a waste, and it must be napalm, right? “Wood burns easily if you light it on fire.”
During a joint operation during active duty, there was an attack on a terrorist hideout inside a mountain.
The American friends who went with us attacked the location with precision bombing, but the problem was that there was a large amount of oil underneath the base.
The explosion caused a huge pillar of fire to rise up. For the first time, I could see how easily forest fires spread.
If those giant noise trees were engulfed in flames, it would truly be a sight to behold.
“What do you really want to see? The sight of them all burning brightly and then collapsing. If possible, operate at night.”
[It seems like it will burn well, but it will depend on what the ingredients are. Do you remember that a large amount of heat source was detected inside?]
I nodded.
[What do you think the heat source is?]
“That’s right…”
I was speechless for a moment. Come to think of it, wood that generates heat on its own? Is that possible?
[Could that even be a tree in the first place? What if it’s ‘something’ that looks like a tree? What if the intestines are spilling out when cut in half or blood is gushing from the cross-section of the artery?]
It’s a ridiculous assumption, but it’s the infectious agent that makes it make sense.
At that moment, the screen shook with a crackling sound and our conversation was cut off.
[We have to turn off the radio. Interference is very strong.]
Is it because there are multiple noise trees crowded together? Even though I was farther away than when I was seedbolt, the screen was already shaking.
“Stop.”
At my command, the drone carrier stopped accelerating and activated the reverse propulsion device.
Even as the speed decreased, the invisible energy field disrupted communication even more powerfully, but when it moved back, it gradually recovered to its original state.
According to what has been revealed so far, the noise tree only interferes with radio waves and does not have the ability to neutralize the device itself.
If you give up direct control of Artemis and send it into autonomous driving mode, you can observe beyond the trees.
However, in this case, data must be collected based on the drone’s own judgment. Perfect programming becomes necessary.
Rather than coding in advance at the shelter, it was more advantageous to send it to a place where it could be sent and then design the program based on the situation in the south.
If such a request were made to a human programmer, it would be a harsh request from Gongmile itself.
However, Artemis does not waste time incorporating changes in circumstances into its plans.
She constantly predicts, calculates, and corrects. The information observed during the journey up to this point has already been applied.
The drone carrier maintained a sufficient distance and looked around to find the optimal course.
Artemis’ programming progress changes in real time.
It was fixed at 100%, meaning completion, then briefly went down to 99%, and then immediately recovered to 100%.
After some time had passed, the infiltration point was selected.
“Are you ready?”
[It’s all over.]
“Good.”
He put his hands on the desk and buried her mouth.
“Let’s go somewhere. “I wonder what lies beyond.”
Drone carriers advance toward the white wave.
Without the slightest fear into the strangeness that constantly flutters and beckons.
Jijijik.
As the speedometer went up, distortion occurred on both the screen and the sound system.
The white waves on the screen get closer, and the alarm sounds and afterimages become more severe.
Then, at some point, a change occurred.
“This is…”
[Beautiful.]
Just as Artemis said.
The white and black noise was colored in rainbow colors.
Without asking, the distortion that was drawn like a knife fight becomes harmonious like the stream of water in a flowing valley.
A brilliant scene unfolded as if the Aurora in the night sky had descended.
Only the white tree branches swaying beyond that made us realize what kind of mission we were carrying out.
Kwaaaaa-.
The crackling noise disappeared, and a roar as if in the middle of a stormy ocean filled the central control room.
Is this what happens if you take hallucinogenic drugs and fly through dark clouds with lightning?
The colorful, undulating waves of light constantly merged, split, collapsed, and swirled.
It felt like I was peeking into a gap in a dimension leading to another world.
“Haha…”
I started laughing without even realizing it.
I’m ecstatic! And it’s beautiful! That… That’s really…
Rumbling-.
In the middle of the aurora, a drone carrier penetrated into a space filled with brilliant brilliance.
Beep-.
No signal.
“…”
When I came to my senses, black screens were being displayed all at once.
“What did you just do?”
[I don’t know, me too…]
Artemis’ voice contained a bit of humiliation.
In addition to the drone carrier that departed as an advance team, the aircraft waiting outside the range also failed.
Did the Noisetrees notice something? The wave of unknown radio waves expanded and engulfed everyone.
[It’s probably not destroyed.]
Even after the audio and visual signals were cut off, the drone’s identification signal was maintained for about 2 seconds. The signal indicated that all parts were normal.
If the drone had been burned by something like an intense EMP, there would have been a problem with the identification signal.
It is believed that drone carriers have begun autonomous exploration outside our control.
What the drones saw and heard will be known when they return after completing all missions and crossing the radio barrier.
“Is this how NASA employees felt when sending Voyager?”
He said while staring at the black screen.
[It can’t be compared to that. Because the images our drones will bring can predict the outcome. It’s one of three. Empty islands, islands full of monsters, islands where survivors wander.]
Artemis said.
“I hope it’s not the second time.”
[Don’t you want it to be the third time?]
I sighed.
“I think that’s asking for too much.”
* * *
It will take time for the drones to come back. This is because it is not simply going back and forth.
I will return after scouting around various islands in the south, not to mention Jeju Island.
We considered visiting a nearby Japanese island, but decided against it because it seemed like it would prolong the itinerary too much.
A time when expectations and anxiety about whether those expectations will turn into disappointment coexist.
There was something to see for me. It is a natural cloth.
Clothes were provided to the residents when they first moved in, but you can’t live off of that alone.
Additional clothing was required. You need underwear, not to mention socks, shoes, and slippers.
However, there are no external companies that can supply this anymore.
Shelter factories can make synthetic fibers, but from now on, our oil reserves should only be used for military purposes.
If you load the flamethrower with the materials needed to make 10 sets of chemical fibers, you can turn a bunch of monsters into charcoal.
I gave Chrollo instructions on making alternative cloth, and she faithfully carried out the instructions.
[I have to guide you, I’m sorry. There is no choice but to rush the operation of the spinning mill.]
Chrollo’s face and dozens of other residents were visible through the PDA video call. Everyone is wearing work clothes.
They were at a newly built spinning and weaving factory in the central industrial area.
“Are you okay. Because I’m not specifically looking for a work report. “I was just curious.”
Then, I quickly ended the call, telling him to take care of his problems. Otherwise, Chrollo will be sorry forever.
Rose and Chrollo preferred to interact and fight with residents through their android bodies.
Artemis is barely involved in the residents’ lives, except for some important work, including trials.
This is the opposite of kids who interact for the sake of broadcasting but are not interested in interaction.
The place I am currently in is a hydroponic cultivation facility. Everything around is pure white.
“I’ve only heard about it, but this is my first time seeing it in person.”
There was cotton in my hand.
Like a landscaping plant that has been exposed to heavy snow, white cotton clumps are growing on the branches.
These are sent to the spinning and weaving factory where Chloro is currently training for her job and processed into her cotton.
It will be used for many purposes, from outerwear and underwear to socks and gloves.
[Isn’t all this a feat of the manager? The seeds you risk your life to bring from the Seed Vault will provide warmth and softness to the residents.]
These kids are three-headed holograms and have followed me since the entrance to the facility.
[Administrator, you are truly the Moon Ik-Jeom of the 21st century, no, of the apocalypse! No, no, it’s more than that. Actually, Moon Ik-jeom did not risk his life to bring cotton seeds.]
Her hologram disappeared and a video of the expedition appeared in its place. It is a sight of trees falling one after another from the top of the mountain.
[Wow! The seven-eyed monster that was chasing me at the end of the expedition! In the scene where it cries out, all the residents scream.]
“We will guide you to other places as well.”
Nongsuni appropriately ended the praise from the shy kids.
She is in charge of this place on behalf of Chrollo and is my guide for today.
In the place where Nongsuni guided, she was growing hemp and flax.
Hemp that looks like a thin perilla leaf, and flax that blooms blue flowers. These are also the results of seeds taken from Seed Vault.
“You can make hemp and linen out of these. It is an item that captures both tactility and breathability.”
She held out two pieces of fabric on her tray to see if there were any prototypes already from the factory.
She held it between her index finger and thumb and rubbed it.
“It’s rough, isn’t it? This is my first time seeing this in person.”
It’s amazing to actually touch something I’ve only seen in textbooks.
“Because everyone has been overtaken by synthetic fibers. However, it is optimal for mass distribution in this era.”
Nongsuni laughed.
[This is good news.]
Nongsun and I turned our attention to Kids. She has an unusually serious face.
[In the future, the administrator will successfully defeat the infectious agents and purify the world.]
Honestly, there is no answer whether it is possible or impossible, but it seems like the future has already been confirmed in Kids’ minds.
[By that time, a group of survivors hiding somewhere will have appeared, right?]
“That remains to be seen. “The drone reconnaissance results haven’t even come out yet.”
If expectations are high from the beginning, disappointment is also high.
[Let’s think positively. Let’s just think that Mr. Hudson across the sea is alive, the kind people who left supplies at the country motel are alive, and the people who just live somewhere are alive.]
“Hmm.”
I crossed my arms.
“So?”
[At that time, post-apocalyptic bartering will begin as we rebuild the collapsed world.]
It is a very possible future.
[There is no product like cannabis in this world… Wow!]
When I blew a bean on her forehead, she became quiet.
“You’re talking about big trouble.”
Kids flew around me with her sullen face.
“The temperature remains constant in our city. Cotton clothes are enough. Some people who work in hot places should wear hemp or linen clothes.”
Nongsuni, who was looking at her with an embarrassed face, said.
“All the clothing and footwear materials for the residents can be grown here. It is the completion of a perfect closed cycle.”
Nongsun said, clenching both fists.
Her face was full of pride.
Certainly, in a disaster situation like the present, being self-sufficient in food and clothing will give you a great sense of stability and accomplishment.
Starting from seeds, cotyledons grow, flowers and fruits develop. It is woven in a factory and ultimately becomes the clothes you wear.
Watching this process and embracing its fruits is a perfect cycle of motivation.
“Hello!”
The workers in the hydroponic cultivation room, whom I often encountered, all greeted me with bright faces.
Is it because the air is clean and the workplace itself is full of life thanks to the numerous plants?
I’ve felt this before, but I think it’s the most lively and satisfying place in the shelter.
“I really like this place.”
Nong Suni smiles proudly as she looks at the crops she is growing and the women passing by.
She wants to add one more thing to her joy at this time.
“There were silkworm moths among the frozen embryos obtained from the seed bolt.”
“Wow… Is that really true?”
Nongsun’s eyes were shaking with anticipation.
“That’s right. Silk cultivation will also begin.”
She was happy, jumping up and down in her seat.
The use of hydroponic cultivation facilities for purposes other than food production will increase, but this is not a problem. Because the population is far below the original capacity, the cultivation room’s operating rate is still running low.
Nongsuni, who I loved loudly, realized that she was in front of me and her face became embarrassed.
“Ahaha, sorry. “I made too much of a fuss.”
“Are you okay. Really.”
In this day and age, seeing such a spirit of fighting and happiness is valuable in itself.
“Now, let’s go! We have a lot to show you elsewhere! It’s harvest time now! Ahaha, it’s harvest season all year round here.”
I hope that my shelter will continue to be filled with this kind of positive energy.
That’s what she thought as she watched Nongsuni vigorously taking the lead.
