Chapter 149

Episode 149. Special Forces Science Officer Scope (6)

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There’s one thing I kept secret from others. Poi Station, a male voice in Korean. Doesn’t that remind you of something?

– Director Kwon. Is what I’m thinking correct? Can you confirm it for me?

– I don’t know. But I believe what the Director is thinking is correct.

– Do you have any more information?

This conversation took place a few days ago, secretly with the Head of the Precognition Department. As you might have guessed, there’s a reason I came to this location alone.

First, let’s get to work.

I took careful steps forward. Ahead, there was a black nuclear submarine. It was lying on the cave floor, like a tuna dragged out of the water.

I slung my gun over my back and slowly climbed up the side of the nuclear submarine. The black submarine felt more like… a living creature than a ship.

A black whale carcass.

The surface of the submarine felt like rubber or something, not steel. I pushed aside the unpleasant thoughts and continued climbing.

Anyway, the structure lying on the cave floor perfectly matched the Comsomolets I had studied. That’s a relief.

The entrance to the submarine was open, and it wasn’t hard to get inside.

It would have been possible to break through the submarine’s walls using supernatural phenomena, but who knows what might happen if I damaged it even slightly. So, I decided to hold off on breaking anything.

“Is anyone here?”

I walked slowly, my hand resting on the pistol at my belt. I didn’t know what might be inside the submarine. Not that I couldn’t guess.

“Is no one here?”

“Huh?”

A male voice.

“Ah. Minji doesn’t look like this…”

“That’s unpleasant.”

Who the hell is Minji?

Anyway, this guy might know. There’s only one person in the world who carries the Niguras-5 and leads a bunch of Popo around.

“Aren’t you going to greet me?”

“Nice to meet you, Director. I’m the Science Officer of Special Forces ‘Moon of Seoul,’ currently on a mission.”

I nodded slowly.

The signal relayed through Poi Station and the familiar male voice. In short, I had expected that the missing Science Officer of the Special Forces, or a clone of them, might be here.

They’re here. I’ll have to figure out exactly what, but the Special Forces Science Officer is here.

“You seem to have a lot to say.”

“I do.”

This is the submarine’s bridge.

I chose a suitable chair to sit in, and the Science Officer leaned against a suitable spot.

“Are you human?”

“Yes.”

They seemed human.

It would be nice if there were a supernatural phenomenon that could determine whether the being in front of me is human or not, but unfortunately, I haven’t found anything like that yet.

“First, let me apologize. You suffered because of me during that bunker exploration, didn’t you?”

“That’s true.”

“Who’s Minji?”

Instead of answering, the Science Officer showed me a canteen they were holding in their right hand. The canteen had a face drawn on it, as if carved with a knife.

“Ah.”

“I’ve been talking to this friend for the past few days. There’s food on the submarine, so…”

I hope they’re not sick. It would be a problem if they’ve already gone mad. But I don’t think a Mimic could make jokes or act like this.

It’s a small mercy.

“Director.”

“Go ahead.”

“I don’t want to work for the Foundation anymore. If I’m rescued like this, I’ll have to go back to the Foundation, and the Foundation’s doctors will treat me like a patient and convince me to return to work. I’m not stronger than the Foundation. I’ll be persuaded.”

I sighed.

That’s likely.

“That’s true.”

“I want to live quietly, researching and teaching at a rural university. Director, is that possible? Can you promise me that?”

“Yes. Do you have a place in mind?”

“Somewhere like KAIST or POSTECH—”

Damn, this cheeky brat.

“Enough, report for duty starting tomorrow.”

“Ah, Director. It’s possible, isn’t it?”

It might be possible.

“Enough, tell me what you’ve been doing here. Have you found anything?”

“Well… a lot.”

The Science Officer fell into thought, holding the canteen (Minji). Are they trying to be funny, or does that thing actually comfort them?

“First of all, this is a subspace. The hole in the Poi Station underground bunker wasn’t really an 8-kilometer-deep pit but some kind of spatial anomaly. That’s why I fell here.”

For some reason, I felt a sense of regret.

“I see.”

“I haven’t seen it directly, hiding inside the submarine, but there’s something in this subspace. No, it’s obvious.”

It is obvious. Something is summoning or bringing ships or objects here. If that something can be personified or materialized, it might even be a good thing.

“Do you know what it is?”

“It eats ships.”

It eats ships? Must be huge.

“So?”

“I was safe inside the submarine, but sometimes I hear screams. I’ve been playing music to drown it out.”

“Is the music still playing?”

The Science Officer didn’t answer.

This person seems mentally unstable too. Not in a normal state.

It’s entirely possible that something dragged this submarine here.

It might even be the logical conclusion.

“On my way here, Science Officer.”

“Yes.”

“There’s something towards the center of the cave. Something that looks like a temple made of gray marble. Have you been there?”

“No, why would I go there? It’s dangerous.”

“It might hold the key to escaping.”

“I disagree. Didn’t I end up here because I went on an adventure with you?”

“……”

That’s a hard point to argue.

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry. I’m just stating the facts… Anyway, let’s talk. I don’t plan to return to the Foundation right away.”

At least up to this point, it was somewhat expected. Still, it’s a relief they’re not hostile. I was even considering the possibility they might get angry and try to kill me.

“Aren’t you angry?”

“What would change if an ant got angry at a tank? You’re something beyond human, capable of destroying or building nations with your abilities alone, Director.”

“You’re exaggerating.”

“Director. Is your suggestion to explore the temple in the center of the subspace an order?”

“……”

This Science Officer’s rhetoric is on par with national power. I had no response.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

It’s not fine.

The Science Officer took out the canteen again.

“Minji thinks so too.”

They’re definitely crazy.

“So, Science Officer, you want to get out of this subspace as soon as possible, right?”

But Minji’s friend shook their head.

“No. How should I explain it… This place is a trap for spatial movement. Once you enter, you can’t leave through spatial movement.”

See, we have to head to the temple and investigate. There’s no choice.

“Then, Science Officer, stay here. I’ll find a solution and come back.”

The Science Officer nodded. I don’t know if they can retire just because they want to, but I’ll bring them back.

At least I’ll feel a bit better.

A sense of guilt had coiled up in a corner of my mind. An old, deeply buried guilt I had forgotten existed.

It’s not just about this person.

The countless people who died under my command, under my orders. The guilt for all of that. Saving this person might ease that feeling.

The scales may be unbalanced, but emotions are sometimes irrational.

“Give me any helpful information. I’ll investigate and come back.”

After bringing the Science Officer back to the Foundation facility, I’ll have them treated by psychiatrists. If they’re lucky, they might return to duty. If not, there’s nothing I can do.

****

[New Hypothesis About Hasti]

[Author: Research Department Head]

[I propose a new hypothesis. Could Hasti suddenly becoming obedient and well-behaved be due to receiving the Popo Serum?]

[Just a thought I had.]

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[New Hypothesis About Hasti. Reply.]

[Author: Dr. An, Humanoid Research Department]

[I’ll assume this document was sent expecting a reply. It’s an interesting topic, and we’ve discussed it several times within the Humanoid Research Department.]

[I think it’s a plausible possibility. Why don’t you try the serum yourself, Department Head? See if you suddenly feel like obeying the Director.]

[We believe Hasti’s condition is a form of Stockholm Syndrome.]

[Dr. Kim hit her with a monkey wrench and shot her spine, then kept her confined for a while, bringing her food and all. Classic Stockholm Syndrome.]

[Ah. Come to think of it, hasn’t the Research Department Head been dragged by the Director a few times too? Or am I misremembering?]

[You haven’t taken the serum, have you, Department Head?]