Chapter 62

Episode 62. We Don’t Know What They Are (2)

***

The Pine Man Ship was a very beautiful vessel.

However, seasickness was not so beautiful. I’m not usually someone who gets motion sick, and I’ve even been okay when riding helicopters.

It’s probably more due to tension than seasickness.

The endless horizon, the endless irregular movements, and the mystery of supernatural phenomena. All of it is contributing to this nauseating feeling. Ugh, I feel like throwing up.

“Director, do you believe in aliens?”

The Head of the Mechanical Division asked me.

Well, I don’t see any reason not to believe.

“Aliens… are you talking about humans from outside this world? It’d be even funnier if I didn’t believe in aliens. I’ve seen them multiple times.”

“You’ve seen aliens multiple times?”

I nodded.

“You could think of Returnees as aliens in a way. I’ve also seen people living outside this world in the Supernatural Space – Garden. Aliens exist.”

“Ah, I mean aliens from space.”

I shook my head. That seems unlikely.

“It doesn’t make sense for alien spacecraft capable of crossing dozens of light-years through space to be shot down by Earth-made fighter jets.”

“That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s impossible. It’s just not the simplest explanation.”

“Well, until other evidence appears, the simplest explanation is considered the truth in scientific methodology.”

The Head of the Mechanical Division pondered for a moment.

“Is this really a situation to apply scientific methodology?”

I thought the Head of the Mechanical Division was a good person. He probably is, but it seems our academic views differ a bit.

Not that he’s a bad person, though.

“So, Director, are you just claiming it’s magic because you couldn’t find an answer to this Unidentified Flying Object incident?”

I let out a small sigh.

Haa. It’s good to exchange opinions with fellow scientists, but I’m already feeling a bit tired.

“Head of the Mechanical Division. We haven’t even seen the site yet.”

“That’s true.”

The Head of the Mechanical Division awkwardly scratched his head.

***

The overall commander of this operation is me, the Director of Facility 82. I’m also the one who needs to be briefed on the progress of the operation.

“Captain. Are we sure this is the right location?”

“Ah, yes. The location where the target crashed has already been confirmed with sonar.”

“That’s a relief.”

“In the sea, most sounds can be heard from thousands of kilometers away. We know exactly when the object fell into the sea, how the Korean Navy responded, and what conversations took place on the ships.”

“I see…”

Well, enough science talk. There are more important matters. I took my eyes off the sea and met the gaze of the Pine Man Ship’s captain.

“Please brief me.”

“Currently, the Foundation’s Pine Man Ship, along with the Korean Navy’s Cheonghaejin and Gwanggaeto the Great ships, are waiting near the site.”

“Understood.”

“We’re currently deciding on the salvage method. The Foundation wants to proceed with human divers, while the Korean Navy suggests using a submersible.”

I nodded.

“Then let’s dive. Do we have the means to salvage it, or are we just exploring and coming back?”

“According to sonar, the target is lodged on the continental shelf slope. It’s about 150 meters underwater, so human divers can reach it. It’s emitting a regular, peculiar sound underwater, but the machinery itself doesn’t seem to be alive.”

“Got it. What’s the salvage plan?”

“The Korean Navy believes they can recover it with the equipment and personnel on the Cheonghaejin.”

I shook my head.

“No, that won’t do. It’s our property, why should the Korean Navy retrieve it? Besides, it’s not like the Anomalous Phenomena Response Bureau is retrieving it, the Cheonghaejin is part of the Korean Navy.”

“Understood.”

“We’ll retrieve it first. Even if the Korean Navy protests, we’ll ignore them for now.”

Supernatural phenomena belong to us.

***

At the stern of the Pine Man Ship, preparations for retrieving the target were in full swing. The target was 150 meters deep.

First, a submersible would be deployed, followed by a diving bell to send in divers.

A crowd had gathered at the stern.

As I approached the stern, many eyes turned toward me. Well… having been a soldier myself, I understand why.

If the overall field commander, the Director, suddenly shows up where people are working, it can be startling. I decided to let it slide.

“Hello, Director. Team Leader of the Special Forces ‘Catfish’ diving team, reporting to you.”

A tall man… though his equipment covered most of his face, so I couldn’t tell what he looked like.

“Yes. Please brief me.”

“We’ll deploy two diving bells to the target location. Simultaneously, the submersible will move a net connected to the crane into the deep sea. The Special Forces will secure the net to the target, and we’ll use the crane to lift it.”

“No evacuation plan?”

“There are two diving bells. If one fails, we can use the other to move the team members twice.”

“Can’t the submersible rescue them?”

“In deep-sea environments, it’s difficult to board and exit the submersible. If necessary, they could cling to the outside and slowly ascend.”

“Understood.”

I don’t know much about submersibles or deep-sea diving. If the experts say so, then it must be true.

“Let’s proceed as quickly as possible. Start the dive as soon as the diving bells are ready.”

“Understood.”

A moment later. The diving bells were brought to the deck, and the Special Forces members boarded them.

*Creak.*

The heavy machinery moved.

The Pine Man Ship’s crane began lowering the diving bells into the sea. The sea swallowed the diving bells as if they were mere toys.

“……”

It’s a shame I can’t go to the site.

***

Meanwhile.

On the bridge of the Cheonghaejin, a large number of Korean military personnel and related officials had gathered. It’s not a usual occurrence, but this isn’t a usual situation either.

The bridge was bustling with voices. The Cheonghaejin’s captain, high-ranking Defense Ministry officials, the Director of the Anomalous Phenomena Response Bureau, and others.

Korean officials had gathered.

“What is this? Who does he think he is, ordering around Korean Navy and Air Force generals in Korean waters? Are we really just going to stand by and watch?”

A young naval officer vented his frustration. The Cheonghaejin’s captain sighed instead of answering. I’ve seen this before in Aden.

“It’s better not to know.”

“What even is the Foundation? Isn’t it just a non-governmental organization? No matter how powerful the Foundation is, can’t the government apply some pressure?”

“Watch your words. The Foundation might be listening.”

“And this situation too, they call the Cheonghaejin here, and now they’re saying the Foundation’s ship will retrieve the UFO, so we should step aside…”

The Cheonghaejin’s captain sighed.

“That Foundation ship. Do you know when it set sail?”

“Why does that matter?”

“It’s been operating nearby since 12 o’clock. Hours before the object was discovered. They predicted this. The Cheonghaejin’s involvement was at our request.”

“……”

“Is the object even theirs?”

“If it were, they would’ve claimed it already. They don’t know what it is either, which is why they agreed to a joint investigation.”

“Understood.”

“I don’t know much either. If you want to live long, just keep quiet. Don’t spout off with incomplete information and make enemies.”

Another sigh.

***

The Cheonghaejin’s captain kept his mouth shut and looked out at the Foundation’s ship waiting beyond the sea. The Director of the Anomalous Phenomena Response Bureau awkwardly nodded.

“How should I put it… it’s a bit embarrassing to say this, but it’s best not to provoke the Foundation. I’ve heard this Director is different. Let’s resolve this smoothly.”

The Director lowered his voice.

“The new Director?”

“Ah, this is classified information…”

The Director lowered his voice even further.

“Absolute power corrupts absolutely, as they say. The Foundation is no different. The Foundation’s leadership is a bit unstable.”

“……”

“It’s classified, so I shouldn’t be telling you this, but you might see the Director later, so I’ll just say it.”

“Understood.”

“Fascist governments, their actions are predictable, right? Loyalty competitions, meaningless checks, power games, and so on… that’s why the Foundation’s leadership is always in chaos, according to investigations by the NIS and the Response Bureau.”

“……”

“Anyway. The Korean branch’s Director has been replaced almost daily. But this Director is different. I saw him in another operation. This Director seems to have both strength and ability, along with the loyalty of his subordinates.”

The Director stopped speaking.

“Dr. Kim. Are you listening?”

***

“No, you just said you’re sure they’re listening, so why ask now?”