Chapter 161 – Resume Communication (4)
Director Kim cares about her subordinates.
You may say something that ruthlessly leaves the belly bread behind, but it is the truth.
Starting from the bottom before the war, going through the hellish infection war, to setting up a rest area.
These were guys who steadfastly followed him and endured all kinds of chores and pain.
Although it wasn’t a fatal wound, there was one who got stabbed with a knife instead, and there was another who went to bakery instead, even though it was only half a year old.
There was a time when our business was taken away, and we were not even paid for three months, and we all had to survive on cup ramen.
In the meantime, not one person left their side, so the bond is not easy.
There is a reason why I thought, ‘I have suffered so much, so I should release some.’
So, the task of securing military discipline was short and quick.
Even though his subordinates were slow to notice, they were amazing at showing loyalty and change of attitude, so he was immediately rearmed with a hungry spirit.
“Shall I put my luggage in the truck bed?”
As Jinsu tried to beckon the stalker robots, his men moved quickly in half a beat.
“We will do it, Chairman!”
However, the problem is that in addition to the hungry spirit, the gangster spirit has also returned.
Instead of the title ‘manager’ that I had been taught, I used the much more familiar ‘Chairman’.
It was said so naturally that even Chief Kim himself did not immediately realize what was strange.
* * *
“Not the chairman, but the manager!”
Director Kim seemed to suddenly realize something and gave a harsh look.
“Sorry!”
One of the subordinates even hiccuped and apologized.
“It’s okay. Call me whatever you feel comfortable with.”
What about a manager? What about a president? I don’t care what you call it.
[Hoo~ Hoo~]
Artemis, on the other hand, looked different.
[Chairman… Chairman… Hmph.]
Did you like the tone?
“Move gently, move gently!”
“Hey, one more person here.”
The manager’s subordinates quickly moved the luggage. The combination of hands and feet is a skill that is not something you have guessed once or twice.
“Are there any bottles of alcohol without labels?”
One of the subordinates who was currently moving said.
“Ah, that was made by our camp ourselves. Although it has only been produced for a few months, it uses a fermentation accelerator to produce the same taste as if it had been aged for 10 or 20 years. “I can confidently say that it will taste much better than the labeled loot.”
I looked at Chief Kim standing next to me.
“Don’t sell things without labels, but share them with your siblings.”
“Oh my, Chairman, no manager, please feel free to speak.”
Director Kim repeatedly waved his hand as if he was in awe. It’s not that he wasn’t, his face was full of extreme burden.
I grinned.
“Okay, I’ll take it easy.”
Because everyone worked diligently, the luggage was quickly loaded.
“Then would you like to go to the rest area now?”
I nodded to the manager’s question.
“There are a lot of things to ask, including installing communication facilities.”
Bang!
The stalker robot that was on guard a short distance away opened fire.
A walker was seen falling down with blood spraying from 200 meters away.
“Because it’s difficult to do it here.”
“Then let’s go. Shall we take you there? Or…”
He saw a Shelter-made APC (armored personnel carrier) behind me.
This vehicle, which has a similar design to the Huron APC, has the protection and power of an armored vehicle, but its appearance is similar to a four-wheeled large van, so it attracts less attention.
“It would be uncomfortable if I had to ride with you. Let’s go separately. “Let’s leave right now.”
“All right. Everyone get in!”
The director’s subordinates and my soldiers piled into the vehicle.
“Hey! You guys guard the back.”
When the director gave a hand signal, several of his subordinates nodded.
The vehicle in which the chief was in the front, the APC in which I was in the middle, and the second vehicle in which some of his subordinates were located behind us.
[He’s quite a useful human being. I think I know my location well.]
Artemis seems to like the director in many ways.
By the time I arrived at the rest area after driving like that, it was almost night.
“I guess there’s really plenty here.”
A lighthouse-like light from afar was announcing the existence of the rest area to all directions.
[These days, lights turned on at night are a sign of wealth.]
I once saw a photo that was circulated as a satellite map of North Korea before the war.
South Korea was brilliantly bright, but North Korea was pitch black. There is only faint light around Pyongyang.
Even the light from the fishing boats fishing for squid in the South Sea was greater than the light from all of North Korea.
But now that too is a thing of the past. When looking down from the Shelter low-orbit satellite, the entire Korean Peninsula is pitch black. Among them, Rest Area is one of the few fireflies.
The road leading to the rest area was quiet. Excluding our group, there is only one car entering and one car leaving on the road.
[There are not many people outside. Still, the area around here will be safe.]
“Because even if it is safe from infectious agents, it is not the case between humans.”
On the other hand, there are quite a few people lining up on the roadside.
Each person was carrying various things on their backs, and either this was their original purpose, or they were passing by and had no choice but to find a safe area as night fell.
Some people travel alone, while others form groups.
“In general, the state of armament is not very good.”
In the past, Chief Kim said through a broadcast that strict checks would be conducted from the front entrance, but the situation does not seem that dangerous.
Even in this era, it is difficult to obtain firearms in this country.
[Scanning.]
The camera installed on top of the APC scanned people.
[Total number of people waiting, 41 people.]
[2 hunting air rifles.]
[2 S&W M60.]
[2 types of leisure crossbows, 3 pieces.]
[1 stun gun.]
[3 gunny bags with the ends cut off.]
[Two gunny bags tied with kitchen knives.]
[6 baseball bats.]
[1 ohama.]
[1 butcher knife.]
[5 excesses.]
[3 golf clubs.]
[2 police standard tonfa.]
Artemis informed us of the armament of the waiting personnel.
In accordance with the field protocol, formal notations such as chisel and sack were ignored and all were marked as ‘dog’.
“I never thought there wouldn’t even be a single K2 for reserve forces. Well, it’s not particularly strange.”
[When the army retreated, they took care of everything, including decoration items. The remaining method is to capture what the fallen soldier spilled, but if the surrounding soldiers were unable to retrieve it, it probably means that the area has been taken over by an infectious agent.]
Considering their poor level of armament, most of them look like scavengers or bundlers.
“Pass!”
After the inspection of the vehicle that had been waiting since we arrived, we were guided to the parking lot.
The boy who was waiting a few meters away quickly ran over.
“Follow me!”
Is it over 10 years old now? He guided the vehicle wearing a luminous vest that was much larger than his size and covered half of his chin.
In the past, it would have been child exploitation, but in today’s world, it is child protection.
“Are you here, manager?”
A man carrying an old K2 and wearing a bike helmet, jeans and denim jacket bowed politely to the lead vehicle.
“Dad! “What is that car?”
In the queue on the right, a boy who looked to be about 7 or 8 pointed his finger at us.
The child’s face was filled with wonder and joy at seeing something enjoyable.
My father, startled, quickly lowered his hand and looked at us with anxious eyes.
[What? Why is it like that?]
“This is a time of lawlessness. Are you saying that there can be many people who commit violence just because of a child’s pointing? “I must have been especially scared because the people riding in these scary-looking vehicles were probably heavily armed.”
[Are there people that are that barbaric? At most, they are kids.]
“In the civil war areas I went to, there were cases where children were tied to the front of technical trucks and used as shields. If you want to shoot, shoot.”
The world today is more dangerous than it was back then.
Although it may be a loss of respect for the head of the household to be scared of everything, it is also the way to protect the family.
As the lead vehicle departed, we followed.
Every time I pass a line of people, I can hear their voices.
“No! This is mine!”
The voice of a child complaining.
“It’s noisy! What did mom say? “She just let me play with her up to this point, right?”
A mother snatched her toy robot as if robbing her child. She then took the batteries off her back and handed them to her husband. She probably intends to use it for trading.
“Seju, do you remember what you said?”
“Huh. “My sister is 20 years old, and I am 12 years old.”
“Okay.”
A picture of a sister kissing her sister’s forehead.
No matter how much I put on her, her older sister had a youthful appearance that matched her high school uniform.
The lead vehicle with the director in it enters first, and we follow behind it.
“Welcome!”
The gatekeepers bowed and greeted me. They didn’t raise their hips until our car had passed.
[What are you looking for?]
Artemis asked as she saw me rummaging through the supplies in the corner of the car.
“Chocolate.”
What I took out was chocolate wrapped in a wrapper without any decoration.
Since it was made for consumption during operations, it is as big as a cell phone, hard, and does not melt easily.
However, thanks to Artemis’ touch, the taste is excellent.
“I’m going to give it to that little parking attendant when he comes.”
[Be kind too.]
However, the kid from earlier did not lead the car I was in.
Instead, a young man with all-white hair dressed neatly in a suit came running.
He approached us, greeted us at a 90-degree angle, and then politely led us to the parking lot.
It gives the impression of being the brain type’s second-in-command in a gangster movie.
Aside from her decent attire, she has a look that looks like she’s been dazzled by at least one person or two, and even the tattoos on her collarbone are perfect.
The place where our car stopped is a good spot where we can avoid people’s gaze and leave at any time.
When we arrived, a girl who looked to be in her mid-teens was running around and moving cones. It looks like it was blocked to prevent other vehicles from coming.
When the door opened with a mechanical sound, Director Kim was welcoming us with open arms with a smile on his face. She seemed to be breathing heavily, as if she had been running hard.
“Why are they so disciplined? In the real military, this doesn’t happen even if the division commander comes for a surprise inspection.”
It’s not that I don’t like being treated with all my heart, but I also feel like it’s too much.
But Artemis doesn’t seem to be like that.
[Why? It looks nice. Since ancient times, things below have to be like this. Jinsu, have you never heard this? ‘A servant who is out of breath is a lazy servant.’]
Her voice was full of satisfaction.
“We sincerely welcome you to our rest area.”
I looked back at the waiting robots.
“Two of them will follow, and the rest of us will prepare to install the communication equipment.”
[Roger!]
The stalker robots repeated.
I have no intention of dragging everyone to this crowded place. Two escorts are enough.
The robots assigned to the guard role were disguised so as not to attract attention.
Wearing black jeans, a black duster coat, a balaclava, sunglasses, and tactical gloves.
This means that it doesn’t really look like a robot. I also changed my gun to the M27 IAR A5.
[Are you anxious with this level of disguise?]
“No, I’m satisfied.”
No matter where you look, you can see people out there.
Each person moves around busily with various expressions such as anticipation, joy, disappointment, fear, and anger.
Some are looking this way with curious eyes.
Human society formed after destruction.
I took the first step towards there.
* * *
The rest area had a large parking lot, but the actual parking space was only about 30%.
“This is not an era with as much vehicle traffic as in the past.”
Director Kim said while guiding.
Even so, this is more vehicles than a fairly medium-sized military station. One of them caught my eye.
“It’s a military vehicle, right?”
“They are deserters. Military units don’t come here. “Everyone is so busy that they stick to their own area.”
“Aren’t you going to misbehave? There won’t be anything to see.”
“Not at all! Because I know their position, I don’t want to pretend. In times like these, how can you survive if you are hated everywhere? In fact, the military is more prone to misbehavior. There is no separate blade strength. We didn’t come this far for nothing. Business is business, but that new… I’m sorry. “I didn’t want to get involved with those people.”
“Well…”
The majority of the military still performs minimal public protection duties such as maintaining public order and distribution.
But that’s it. The method or attitude is coercive.
There are not enough supplies to be distributed, but there are signs of embezzlement led by executives, and the amount going to the people is decreasing.
This is a unique case in that it is an army with a strong spirit of service to the people, like the Mokpo or Yeosu garrisons.
The remaining 70% of the parking lot has large and small tents installed here and there.
Half of it was run like a night market, and the other half was being used as a temporary lodging.
“Do all outdoor tents also charge money?”
“Of course. Is there anything free in this world? These days, you have to pay to be in a safe area. A soft bed is a secondary issue.”
The rest area building that followed the director has been completely reopened.
“These are stores we directly operate. “We only sell products whose quality is guaranteed.”
There were a variety of products gathered from all over, and they were sold in separate corners by type.
On one side, one of the subordinates who came to the meeting place is holding a magnifying glass and checking the items in the bundle.
“My brothers inspect each item one by one. Although they are stupid, they are strict in this regard, so you can trust them. Now, please come this way.”
The place where the manager led me was the reception room on the second floor.
Two carefully dressed young ladies are sitting on the guest sofa.
“I’ll bring you something to drink.”
The manager went directly into the bathroom as if he wanted to show off that he was treating a distinguished guest.
Just before entering, I saw him frowning at the two young ladies. It’s obvious even without looking at how it works.
“Hey, hello.”
As I headed in that direction, a young lady stood up with a friendly smile, but my interests were elsewhere.
“Sit down.”
She grabbed her shoulder and pushed her down, then walked to the balcony opposite her.
“Ah!”
She paused for a moment and took out her chocolate from her arms and handed it to her.
At first, she took it and carefully opened the package to see if she could smell the sweet scent.
And a dark brown solid that catches your eye. Her eyes grew as big as a flower lantern.
“Thank you!”
She turned around and walked out onto her balcony, waving her hand.
As the cool night breeze blows pleasantly, the entire view of the rest area comes into view.
A large light placed in the center blocks out the darkness, and people put out various goods and trade in tents.
There is an unidentified jar for boiling oatmeal, and there is also a skewer shop selling various types of grilled animals.
“Please serve 4 people.”
A couple was seen receiving oatmeal in the container they had brought after giving them batteries.
The child who held her mother’s hand had red eyes from crying so much, but smiled brightly when her mother handed her one of the skewers.
Some stores sell only canned goods, while others sell dried, preserved foods.
Sizzling sounds, the smell of grilling meat, and the murmur of bargaining. Occasional shouting and laughter can be heard.
This rest area was like a stew made by gathering together the ingredients of ‘living’ in a world on the brink of destruction.
It gave me a different feeling from the shelter, my abundant and refined paradise.
“Kyahahaha!”
“Oppa! Brother! Let’s go together!”
And the sounds of children. This is a treasure not even in my city.
Looking at the campsite on one side of the parking lot, there were many families trying to go to other areas after spending the night here.
Some people hang their arms around the fence outside the parking lot and enjoy the view. Even lovers leaning on each other and looking at the night sky.
Among these people, armed rest area guards patrol from time to time.
Even though they are not rich, everyone is trying to live hard. It made me smile.
[Installation is complete.]
Meanwhile, robots (which were also disguised as coats) took out communication equipment, antennas, and various types of speakers from the vehicle and completed the installation work.
An antenna was installed on the roof of the rest area building, and communication equipment was set up in a pre-agreed room on the second floor.
“Oh, you’re here!”
The manager approached me holding a drink in each hand.
“I’m sorry for disappearing without a word. “I like the scenery here.”
“It’s just an honor for me.”
The manager smiled and handed me the drink without any unpleasant feeling.
“The communication equipment we talked about has been installed. “I’d like to check if it’s being received properly. Is that okay?”
“Oh, you don’t even have to ask for my permission. Treat it as if it were your own home and do whatever you feel comfortable with.”
“That can’t be possible. At first glance, it looks like a place that was created with a lot of hard work.”
Grumble.
After drinking my drink, I gave instructions to the waiting robot.
“Make it work.”
[Roger!]
After a few seconds of noise.
A sweet melody penetrates the night sky.
A saxophone that sounds like whispering in her ear or escorting her lady.
[Blue moon!]
A profound voice that captivates people across generations.
[You saw me standing alone.]
A small radio at our location.
Large speaker temporarily installed in the parking lot direction.
A beautiful song flows from both sides.
“…”
“…”
“…”
The chatter that filled the rest area quieted down.
[Without a dream in my heart.]
One by one, everyone stopped what they were doing and just looked at the speaker from which the song was playing.
[Without a love of my own.]
Only Frank Sinatra’s sweet voice resonates.
It crossed the ocean, crossed centuries, and even transcended the remains of a destroyed civilization to give peace to the hearts of people.
