00019 - The Little Prince in the Ossuary
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#High Risk High Return, Paso Robles (6)
The day changed.
Around 8 a.m., the radio buzzed.
「Checking communication status. Banana, banana, standing by on the network, Radio Check. This is Able, able. Over.」
The radio, which had its batteries changed and was turned on since dawn, emitted a voice laced with a faint static. From the start, it wasn't very friendly.
The rescue mission was assigned to Able Company. It's led by the senior captain Markert, a racist.
As the world spiraled into madness, he revealed his true colors. Traditionally, the U. S. military strictly prohibits racism.
However, it was a state of emergency. Numerous principles that were supposed to be upheld were neglected.
The designation for us was 'Banana', a derogatory term for Asians.
It was inconsiderate from the start to use military communication protocol with civilians.
The polite interpretation of those words would be:
"Refugee supporters on the communication network, can you hear me? We are Able Company. Over."
Ending a sentence with "Over" means 'I'm done talking; now it's your turn to speak,' to avoid overlapping conversation.
The repeated use of "Banana" was clear. The party was displeased. Isn't it true that people have ears to hear?
Jin-seok and Je-jung turned bright red.
Among those in the gym, the majority, with common sense and moderation, observed the expressions of Gyeo-ul's party.
Some were outraged. However, a few, including the man who clashed with Gyeo-ul yesterday, stifled their laughter.
The quivering corners of their mouths were conspicuously irritating.
"Banana" isn't even part of the communication code. Demanding a response that adheres to protocol was akin to mockery.
Without the relevant skills or experience, players wouldn't know radio communication protocol.
Gyeo-ul picked up the receiver.
"Check-in. This is... Refugee Support Group, Han Gyeo-ul. Lima Charlie, five by five. How do you read, over."
"Lima Charlie" is an abbreviation for Loud and Clear.
Five by five indicates signal quality, referring to the strength and clarity the radio captured.
A strong signal implies high sensitivity, and clear comprehension indicates high clarity.
Koreans usually use a scale from 1 to 3, while Americans use 1 to 5.
The response translates to, "This is refugee supporter Han Gyeo-ul. Your communication is loud and clear. Please confirm if you can hear me well."
「Copy, good signal strength on your end. Able-Actual informs you to correct your call sign. Your designated call sign is... confirmed as Banana. Please repeat if acknowledged. Over.」
The communication officer's voice was uncomfortable. Anger was evident. Able-Actual... in other words, the company commander must have ordered it.
It's like making a Black person repeat the word "Negro."
It's childish. An emotional burden in Gyeo-ul's chest almost rolled away. Gyeo-ul responded in a calm voice.
"...... Copy. Able, I have one request. These people don't understand radio protocol. I don't mind if you call us Banana, but I would appreciate it if you could use simpler language understandable to others. Over."
After a brief silence, a response came back.
「Understood, banana. Able will commence the rescue operation at 0800 hours. What is your situation?」
It was an absurd request. Despite informing them that half were students, they asked if we could escape independently.
The civilians' expressions twisted with disbelief. The AI system message from the command and control appeared through the hologram.
「AI Help (Perception Level 8): Your response will change the mission content. Choosing independent escape means Able Company will no longer move from their current position, and the success condition is to meet Able Company 60 minutes before EENT. Rewards vary based on process evaluation.」
「Estimated Difficulty (Perception Level 8): Bordering on Impossible.」
「AI Help (Perception Level 8): The probability of success is extremely low. However, if you perfectly achieve the objective, a reward evaluation up to thirty-seven times is anticipated. The choice is yours.」
There was no need to think about it. Over thirty unarmed personnel, with twenty-one being middle school students receiving minor penalties more significant than Gyeo-ul's.
An independent escape was impossible. Even Gyeo-ul had limits.
"Impossible. Three civilians are armed, but their firepower is weak. They are likely to fall into chaos if a situation occurs."
「Understood. Able will continue with the mission. Banana, stand by at your location. Over.」
The communication ended there. Guessing there wouldn't be any issues, Gyeo-ul activated the time acceleration feature.
Unless an incident occurred, the time acceleration would automatically deactivate when Able Company arrived.
However, the unexpected happened. As the time acceleration was disrupted, gunfire and explosion echoes were heard. It wasn't far.
A loud explosion and a great roar followed one after another. The latter wasn't human. People gathered around Gyeo-ul, visibly anxious.
Gyeo-ul picked up the radio. Attempting to communicate, there was no response.
"Hey, little leader. What's happening?"
Je-jung awkwardly used honorifics, implying some lingering regrets from their previous encounter. Gyeo-ul answered without delay.
"The military uses silencers. Hearing gunshots itself suggests something unusual. The only weapons that can't be silenced are vehicle-mounted heavy weapons, right? So, it means they've encountered an opponent requiring such measures, doesn't it?"
"Oh, come on."
"And the explosions, there are several types. Distinguishing by size, there are at least three types. If they're using explosive devices beyond grenades, from what the military has, the only things that would make a larger sound are rockets and plastic explosives. Hearing continued fighting despite such arsenal... doesn't it mean the opposition's group is substantial?"
"......."
As Gyeo-ul's analysis reached this point, the three wore different expressions. Disappointment and defeat were apparent in Jin-seok.
"You seem to know a lot for your age. Are you speculating only from the sound......?"
"Anyone can reach that conclusion when thinking calmly."
The young man bit his lip. The more mature tone of the boy's response deepened his sense of defeat.
The boy discreetly observed his eyes. It's beneficial for a group to have one or two such encouraging members.
Yura, the only one unperturbed by pride issues among the three, was honest.
"Even being calm in this situation is impressive. There's a chance the rescue team won't come."
A concern tinged with clear trust was palpable. It signified that reverential affection had accumulated to a point where it visibly influenced perception. Gyeo-ul spoke serenely as ever.
"I need goats."
"Huh? Goats? What do you mean......?"
"It's nothing significant, but it's a long story. I'll tell you once we return."
An enigmatic remark casually tossed in.
'I believe we will return safely.'
Yura's expression brightened slightly.
If it were loudly declared, "We will return safely!" it might have had the opposite effect. Shouting like that implies self-doubt.
"What are you discussing among yourselves?"
The Americans were suspicious of the conversation held in Korean. Though a minority, in some cases, an unfounded anger was apparent in their eyes.
That's how people are. When anxious, they tend to blame someone and want to vent their resentment.
Whether to be honest or not, Gyeo-ul chose the former after considering its ripple effect.
"We said it seems the rescue team is struggling?"
Immediate backlash ensued. A white man raised his finger and spoke vehemently.
"Ha, that's impossible! It's the world's strongest army! There's no way they're struggling against the half-dead ones!"
It was instant and emotional, a rebuttal to the denial of hope. There was no need to confront it directly. Gyeo-ul nodded.
"That might be true. Nevertheless, that's what I think."
"... If you don't know, just keep your mouth shut! Don't cause unnecessary panic! The rescue team will come for sure."
"I hope so."
A naturally crafted smile, a warm response in return. The nuance is 'I understand your words, but, realistically, I disagree.'
The boy's composed demeanor aimed not at the man but at the onlookers.
The tense atmosphere was shattered as the radio resumed its cries.
「Break, break! Able 1... Escape from current position... Engagement... Abort mission... Romeo Point... Individual withdrawal...!」
Though the sound reception was good, the rough breathing, gunshots, and explosions made it hard to understand the shouts.
Screams were layered in the background.
The gym's interior chilled immediately. Regardless of anything else, "Abort mission" and "Individual withdrawal" were distinctly audible.
The radio communication became increasingly chaotic. Among the frantic messages, the word "monsters" was repeatedly mentioned.
Gyeo-ul felt a tinge of curiosity. It shouldn't be the time for special or enhanced mutants yet. Therefore, there's no reason to suddenly call ordinary mutants monsters.
'A more challenging mission than expected.'
The frequency of gunfire and explosions outside was decreasing. Simultaneously, the directions multiplied. The U. S. forces are scattering.
Despite that, the continued heavy gunfire indicated surviving vehicles.
However, the sounds distancing were a negative omen. It implied vehicles leaving stragglers behind to escape.
By this time, asking for the situation through the radio seemed unnecessary.
Someone began to sob, the cry gradually spreading. It was collective psychology. As the cries increased, the radio buzzed less frequently.
Hearing perpetual screams would have been preferable. Those voices shouting desperation into the network disappeared one by one, eventually leaving someone speaking alone.
He seemed reasonably flustered when there was no response.
「Hey, is no one really there?... Someone, answer, please!」
Terrified, the individual disregarded radio protocol altogether.
But this is typical. Military communications don't always adhere to rules. Reports of U. S. military communications mostly show conversational exchanges.
Thus, it was merely the racist boss pulling rank previously.
The solitary yelling progressively became hysterical. Gyeo-ul picked up the receiver, tilting his head. There seemed no need to refer self-mockingly with an absurd call sign.
"Han Gyeo-ul here. I'm listening, go ahead."
「Oh! My God! Thank you. I forgot you guys were there! Damn, it might not help... but still, having someone to talk to is wonderful! Really wonderful!」
"Are you hurt anywhere?"
「Damned it... I injured my leg rolling down the stairs. Seems broken.......」
"How many are with you?"
「It's just me. My comrades scattered. There must be other living idiots somewhere else.」
"Are you safe for now?"
「Safe? Well, nothing immediate seems ready to kill me. But who knows how much longer I'll last? Haha.」
The final tear-soaked laughter steeped in despair and resignation. The expected words were missing considering the context. Gyeo-ul pointed that out.
"You're not asking to be rescued. Are the injuries severe?"
「It's not about the injuries. With such monsters prowling, how could I ask...?」
"I'm sorry, but could you possibly explain those monsters?"
「.......」
There was silence for a moment. Just as suspicious of whether the person had lost consciousness, Gyeo-ul received the answer sought.
---------------------------= Work Afterword ---------------------------=
1. To readers concerned about the author's health:
I lack skill currently, hence it takes a long time to write a piece. This isn't something possible while employed. I quit recently.
The reason for working in the first place was to save money and pursue a career as a full-time writer.
2. Technically, today isn't my scheduled release day... but hey, whatever.
Clacky's Corner:
I'm liking author-nim more and more. Also, I am looking forward to author-nim's messages at the end of the chapter if there are any.