Chapter 169 – Public Broadcasting
‘Please find me.’
Communications presumed to have been sent by alien survivors are being sent repeatedly at regular intervals.
I was very curious about the hope he had, but I can’t cross the sea with curiosity alone.
“There is no response.”
I sent a reply to the signal source several times, but there was no response.
“It’s not like you don’t understand, right?”
[No way.]
On the central control room screen, a signal heading to Japan from the South Sea airship was visually displayed.
Waves spreading like waves over the blue sea. It contains replies assembled by Artemis into various forms.
[English, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, other major national languages, and even letters based on hieroglyphs left behind by those aliens. I sent a reply in a way that was as easy to interpret as possible.]
But there is no response.
Since it is a recorded broadcast, it is unknown whether aliens are still alive.
Now that we have carried out one big operation after another, we do not have the strength to go across the sea to Japan.
Therefore, I plan to rest for a while and gather my strength.
Until now, during these breaks, people have enjoyed pre-war mass media or used sports centers, but recently, one more thing has become available.
[It is expected to rain nationwide starting tomorrow morning. The rain will stop around midnight, but cold winds will blow from the north, temporarily lowering temperatures and forming icy roads.]
It’s a kids’ radio broadcast.
[Please plan for optimal conditions or a short-term plan for hunting north. Rain and cold air will flow out like the ebb and flow, so if you are not careful, you run the risk of being isolated in the area of the infectious agent. The temperature by region is…]
Since the resumption of communication, Kiz has started broadcasting publicly, and the area covered most heavily is the weather.
[The sea wave is normal at a maximum of 1 m mainly in the offshore area, but please be careful as your body temperature is likely to drop lower than usual. It was the weather.]
In today’s era, weather is a factor directly linked to life.
The proportion of fishing in food acquisition has increased, but boats and equipment are poor. Knowing how high the waves rise when paddling makes a huge difference.
In terms of securing supplies, what is the temperature in the area occupied by infectious agents, and if it rains or snows, how long and how long?
If you know these accurately, you can minimize risks.
Currently, the weather forecast is broadcast twice a day, and the response from survivors is very favorable.
[Team 2, this is headquarters. Reply.]
This is because when listening to survivors’ communications through the repeater installed at Director Kim’s rest area, they often mention our broadcast.
[Team 2, can you hear me?]
[I can hear. We completed our search of the targeted shopping mall. I will return like this.]
[No. There is a new mission. This is an order to conduct an additional search of the northeastern trial site.]
A bewildered exclamation was heard over the communicator.
[… Didn’t you report that the area was crowded with infected people?]
[They say it’s going to rain tomorrow and the sand will fall below freezing. Now is the time. I will leave it to your discretion whether to give up or proceed after reaching the scene.]
[The source of the forecast is probably not Jeju Island, right?]
[Of course. This is an example from inland.]
[Ha… I got it.]
Jeju Island’s broadcasting station also ran weather forecasts, but no one listens to them anymore.
Now, let’s go back to Kids’ broadcast.
Weather Forecast The following is information about what is going on in the world.
[It is said that the Goheung garrison officially signed a peace agreement with the Yeosu garrison. To be precise, the two largest remaining forces united and negotiated with the commander of Yeosu County.]
Kids said.
[According to the terms of the agreement, forced mobilization of citizens is no longer permitted in Goheung.]
Now that Lee Man-cheol has fallen and most of the Jujeon faction executives have died, the risk of fratricide has disappeared in the south.
It’s still a confusing situation, but it will slowly be resolved over time.
[It is rumored that a group of at least 20 mobile looters has settled down near the Machang Bridge. Hawkers are advised not to move in that direction. If you hear the sound of a bike exhaust nearby, quickly hide.]
Meanwhile, looters are slowly appearing everywhere.
Nearby military units are still working hard to beat them, but the number of units that are increasingly considering the bullets and oil used in such areas to be a waste has begun to increase. They respond lukewarmly except in areas under their direct control.
[It is said that the operation to recapture the Honam Plain, which began under the leadership of the Mokpo garrison, has entered the final stage. Currently, there is a fence and barbed wire along the river. They say it requires a lot of labor, so if you are interested, please go.]
One of the useful aspects of Kids Radio is that you can get information about jobs in each region now that practically the entire population has become a day laborer.
[It is said that three meals a day and ration vouchers are provided according to the amount of work done. For those who do not have a vehicle, we will inform you of the pick-up location operated by the garrison.]
Now that the won has become a piece of trash and barter has become the default, there are only two items that can replace currency. These are bullets and ration vouchers distributed by military units.
Bullets worked everywhere, and ration tickets were market prices. The farther away you are from the garrison, the lower its value.
As Kids called all five pick-up locations, popular pre-war songs began to play. It’s the final stage.
[That’s it. Until now, Kids has cared for you very much. Please listen to the music broadcast and see you later.]
Currently, Kids’ radio broadcast covers knowledge and information from morning to late afternoon, and covers topics of interest from the evening.
It seems that they decided that it would be efficient to provide helpful information in real time to people who are working and searching, and then provide a fun show to comfort the mind and body in the evening when they are relaxing.
[Welcome, Administrator.]
Kids greeted me.
It’s still a cute 3-head figure.
The shelter broadcasting station I visited after a long time was a little different.
It was dark and still, but slender dolls moved between the shadows of the building.
[Collecting stories from the outside world and providing useful information to people. Children who were interested in such activities applied.]
The faces of the androids reflected in the darkness were neat, but there was a faint sense of anticipation and curiosity.
[I could have run the broadcasting station alone like before, but there was an order from Artemis.]
“Let the kids do what they want.”
This is a story I already heard from Artemis.
The idea is to let children who have just begun to develop their individuality be free to bloom.
There is no reason to oppose.
[Yes. That’s it.]
Kids laughed bitterly.
[Well, it’s not like I’ll just stick to the radio forever. In the long run, I will be able to handle video media and engage in external activities, so there is no harm in having additional manpower.]
At that moment, laughter was heard from somewhere.
An android giggling looking at electronic paper. Another android whispering in her ear.
[These are the stories of prisoners in the shelter collected for broadcast. I was investigating how I ended up in the cell. There are so many stories that hit goals. Viewers also really like it.]
My eyes were fixed on their smiling faces.
“Are you feeling humorous? “Isn’t the speed at which one acquires individuality too fast?”
[Children assigned to me are especially prone to this. Maybe it’s because I have an aptitude for being interested in and empathizing with other people’s stories.]
A shadow fell in front of us as we talked.
“Excuse me.”
The beautiful android put down the tea and refreshments and bowed politely to me.
The hologram of Kids flew next to the steaming teacup. She sniffs and pretends to smell.
[I like it because it is helpful for this purpose as well. I can treat the manager to something when he comes.]
After finishing setting up what I brought, the android looks at me.
She was dressed like a news announcer, but she was tall and skinny.
“How much sugar do you want?”
“One spoon.”
She lifted one of her sugar cubes with her index finger and thumb and dipped it into the fondant tea.
Then she dips her little finger and swirls it around. Even though hot steam rises.
It’s not a big deal, but in this part, I feel like she’s not human.
Jjook.
After stirring everything, suck your wet little finger. It’s cute in its own way, but it’s not the kind of attitude you’d show to VIP guests.
[These children have just woken up, so they need more education in this area. Although he has the skills and is good at his duties, it feels like he lacks common sense in some strange ways.]
Kids folded their arms.
As she said, these children are special. Unlike other sisters sold before the infection war, the OS distributed by the manufacturer was not installed.
Under the guidance of Artemis, she is reborn and finds her own desires and her self.
Although they have various skills and knowledge, they are immature in everything about life.
Should I say that he is as smart as a doctor but also like an innocent child?
“Are there many people looking for us since we started broadcasting publicly?”
[Of course. Including even one walkie-talkie, the number is countless. Some asked for simple thanks, others asked for help or joining, or others asked to trade information. Most people ignore it, but sometimes those with useful information manage it separately.]
Starting external broadcasting was not just a charity project.
Information has the characteristic of moving in both directions, so the more we spread, the more it comes back to us.
Kiz’s mission is to help refugees have a better life by sharing her survival information, but she also seeks to acquire various outside information from her roots.
[Would you like to say something? We will record it and broadcast it at an appropriate time during the broadcast.]
The android who brought her car with Kiz’s words hands her microphone with both hands.
Although it was sudden, it was difficult to refuse as both Kids and Android’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.
What should I talk about?
In times like this, it would be nice to have a message that is somewhat theoretical but can contain courage.
I picked up the microphone and opened my mouth.
“Everyone has probably heard about the mysterious force that exists inland. As you may already be convinced by past broadcasts, the rumor is true. It’s a hellish environment, but we’re getting through it.”
Perhaps what the world needs most now is hope for tomorrow.
“The world is still full of monsters. They are fierce and outnumbered, but they have no plan. All I do is tear the flesh in front of my eyes or fall asleep day after day. No matter how scary a monster is, that is its limit. On the other hand, we are moving forward step by step according to a solid plan, a plan for the future.”
How many politicians and military leaders have repeated the same thing? Survivors must have heard stories like this often and with disgust.
But the story I tell will sound special.
“You will be afraid every day that infectious agents will come down from the north. But don’t forget that there are people coming down from above to catch them.”
Androids walking around, whispering and laughing.
All of them stopped what they were doing and listened to me.
“When the time comes, a wind will blow that will purify the world. Until then, we never stop. Definitely.”
Only my voice echoed in the dark broadcasting station.
