WeTried Translations

Translator: Coughing Baby

Editor: Coughing Baby

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

Chapter 314: Greek Islands (14)

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The difference in mood between Gyeoul and the independent company lasted right through dinner. Everyone knew a major announcement was coming soon, but their heads and hearts were out of step, leaving them oddly indifferent. From the company members’ perspective, whatever explanation the authorities gave would not affect them immediately. So only a handful of people kept checking the time with any real seriousness.

The mess hall had prepared a special meal as well. It was a gesture of respect for a unit leaving the front after completing its mission. The directive had come personally from General Schroeder, the blockade commander. Today the independent company was the focus; tomorrow, some other unit would take its place.

In other words, the cooks never had a single easy day.

That was why Gyeoul, as their commander, made a point of thanking and encouraging them.

“You’ve probably heard all kinds of strange things from people, but don’t let it get to you. Anyone with their head on straight knows cooks have it rough.”

The three cooks dispatched from the independent company to the shared mess hall all looked awkward, as if none of them knew who should answer first. The most senior among them, Sergeant Maeng Dong-rok, shook his head.

“I hate to admit it, but... we did have it easy by comparison. The independent company doesn’t have that many mouths to feed, does it? After I got here, I heard that in other units, thirty people once had to feed an entire division. That’s roughly ten thousand people, even with a conservative estimate... whew, I can’t even imagine how brutal that must’ve been.”

Hearing that, Gyeoul tried to remember. When the independent company operated on its own, it received three standard modules, UGRs, nine boxes of food per meal.

“For a division-level unit, would that be about six hundred boxes per meal?”

“These days, shipments come in batches of four, six, or eight days, so they receive a lot more at once. It’s a wonder those people are still on active duty.”

“That’s true...”

“Well, for us, it’s over once we get through tomorrow morning. Right?”

The cooks looked at one another and laughed. Gyeoul gave them a faintly pitying look.

“Not exactly.”

“Is that because we’re being reorganized into a battalion?”

Although it had never been officially confirmed, the upgrade to an Independent Battalion was now something everyone knew. Gyeoul simply nodded.

“Yes. There’s also the recruit training center issue.”

Even if they expanded their personnel, it would not be easy. But the sergeant still smiled as if that was fine.

“We’re ready for that much. Either way, it’ll be better than here. The work is one thing, but, well, haha, I think the peace of mind will matter more.”

“If so, I’m glad. Take this.”

“Goodness, you didn’t have to. Thank you.”

Sergeant Maeng happily accepted the gift Gyeoul held out. It was a selection of the highest-grade liquor sold at the base PX. It was fairly expensive, but not enough to burden Gyeoul. Besides, it was hard to find any other kind of gift here.

“Share it with the cooks from the other units you worked with. Tell them I said thank you too.”

“I thought this seemed like a lot. If I tell them Lieutenant Colonel Han Gyeoul gave it to us, they’ll be thrilled.”

Under the electric lights that had come on at dusk, the cooks held each bottle up to the light. One of them asked Gyeoul for something else. “Sir. Would an autograph be possible?”

“An autograph?”

“I think it might be an even better gift than liquor for them.”

“It’s not the first time someone’s asked me, but... hm, it feels strange. An officer giving soldiers an autograph. How should I put it? Awkward?”

It felt like a private relationship intruding into an official one. In other words, a matter of discipline.

“You aren’t an ordinary officer, Company Commander. And... uh, you might not like me saying this, but... objectively speaking, your autograph would probably be worth a lot more than the liquor... I’m sorry. Now that I’ve said it, that sounded even more, well, rude than I expected...”

As the soldier floundered, unable to deal with the words that had come out, Gyeoul gave a half-formed smile.

“I’m not offended, but hearing that does make me worry pointless rumors might spread later. Does Lieutenant Colonel Han Gyeoul even remember he’s a soldier? Has he forgotten his duty after getting swept up in celebrity fever? That kind of thing. You just said I’m not an ordinary officer too.”

If his autographs began trading for high prices, criticism would inevitably follow. At the very least, strict senior officers inside the military would see it as inappropriate.

The cook, glancing at seniors and juniors alike, apologized again.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think it through.”

“Don’t worry about it. Thanks to you, I realized it again. It’s just something I should be careful about ahead of time.”

Gyeoul patted the deflated soldier on the arm.

After sending them off, taking a late shower, and returning to his quarters, it was 7:40 p.m. The government address was scheduled for 8:00 p.m., the start of prime time.

Knock knock.

The one who knocked was Captain Singh.

“May I come in?”

“Of course. Anytime.”

Although it was a newly built barracks, the door creaked. Gyeoul’s private room was especially bad, so Captain Singh frowned.

“The hinge seems warped. Why didn’t you request a replacement? Someone else will use this room after you.”

“It’s fine, Captain. Everyone probably wants to rest, so there’s no need to make extra work for them. Besides, it’s useful. I can tell right away when someone comes in. An uninvited guest might be a mutant.”

“Come to think of it, you’re still in combat uniform. Don’t tell me you sleep like that too.”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

Gyeoul even ran in full combat gear, and he had not so much as opened the packaging on his issued physical training clothes. He only changed into a fresh combat uniform each day. Even now, he was wearing his Bayonet and pistol, and a loaded rifle leaned against the nearby wall.

“Anyway, what brings you here?”

At Gyeoul’s question, the captain lifted the case of beer in one hand.

“How about watching the broadcast together? It’s about to start.”

“I don’t mind, but didn’t you say you don’t drink, Captain?”

“This isn’t for me.”

“I don’t like alcohol either.”

“That isn’t what I meant. With your permission, the first sergeant and the operations staff officer will be coming too.”

“Oh. It’s too cramped in here, though.”

“If we aren’t watching alone, it will be the same anywhere. In the lounge, we’ll have to stand. Not every private room has a TV.”

It seemed he would have a hard time talking with Anne during this broadcast. Gyeoul took his hand away from the phone in his pocket and stepped back diagonally.

“In that case, come in. Sit down for now. If you want something to snack on, have some of this.”

Captain Singh looked curiously at the bowl Gyeoul held out.

“Is this fried hardtack?”

“I gave the cooks a gift, and they told me to take some.”

“Aha, excellent.”

The turbaned captain began eating without hesitation. Crunch, crunch. Sugar sprinkled like first snow fell all over the captain’s beard. The sight was so guileless that Gyeoul nearly burst into an unguarded laugh. Maybe the captain liked sweets as a reaction against being so strict and ascetic most of the time.

A few minutes later, First Sergeant Merriweather and Lieutenant Foster joined them too.

The sight of three muscular men sitting side by side, chewing hardtack, was quite funny all by itself.

Foster asked no one in particular.

“The president will appear in person, right?”

Gyeoul nodded.

“Probably. If he sent out a spokesperson instead, it’d look like he was passing the blame or running away.”

“What do you think of the recent exposé?”

“It’s probably partly true. That’s what makes it more of a problem.”

Captain Singh agreed.

“The most malicious deception is a lie that uses the truth.”

First Sergeant Merriweather, however, had a slightly different view.

“Regardless of how many lies are mixed in, if the part about that plan called 「Greek Islands」 is true... I think I’ll be very angry. I didn’t defend this country so only rich people could get saved.”

The operations officer agreed cautiously.

“Well, the first sergeant is more or less right. What matters for now is what they say today.”

In a way, their attitudes seemed to reflect the differences in the social backgrounds they had been born and raised in. The operations staff officer was white, the captain was Asian, and the first sergeant was black. In the current political climate, the more someone belonged to a minority, the more sensitive their reaction was bound to be. Whether that reaction was positive or negative.

A sudden question occurred to Gyeoul.

‘Come to think of it, is Captain Singh’s promotion review still not done?’

If the captain was to be the chief staff officer of the Independent Battalion, promotion to Major would not be strange. On top of that, the captain had even received a medal for distinguished service this time. The request had been submitted long ago.

Gyeoul suspected there might be some other reason behind the delayed notification.

“Oh, there he is.”

That was Foster. It meant the president had appeared, just as predicted. President MacMillan, appearing earlier than scheduled, stood at the podium and calmly arranged his documents. When reporters began throwing questions at him already, he asked for their understanding with a relaxed air. He must have entered a little early to show exactly that kind of composure.

‘Still, he looks exhausted.’

Makeup had been applied to hide it, but it did not fool Gyeoul’s eyes. When the call connected from Olema, now a field base, the president had nodded off in the middle of their conversation as if he had fainted. Perhaps from accumulated fatigue, he also gave a light cough. Then again, even that might have been calculated.

After receiving a whisper from an aide, the president looked straight ahead, his expression gaining weight.

「It seems time to begin.」

The announcer’s voice disappeared, and the room beyond the screen fell quiet.

「My respected American citizens. If you are watching this broadcast now, you know why I am standing here.」

The president paused half a beat, then continued.

「That is correct. Serious allegations have been raised. At a moment when we should be commemorating all the trials we have overcome and rejoicing in the great victory our homeland has achieved, you have been forced to face yet another unexpected anxiety. So I ask: did this nation’s government truly intend to abandon its duty?」

Having said that much, the president lifted his head and acknowledged it without hesitation.

「『Greek Islands』 exists.」

“Shit.”

First Sergeant Merriweather rolled the curse quietly in his mouth. Through the speakers came the murmur of the reporters behind the screen as well. President MacMillan waited for the commotion to die down, then slowly nodded.

「Yes, that is correct. There is a plan by that name. However, much of what has already become known differs from the truth. If you ask whether this was truly a conspiracy to betray the people, I can answer with confidence that it was not. Unlike most other emergency succession plans, the only government official to be included in 『Greek Islands』 was one designated survivor.」

“By designated survivor, he means...”

At Foster’s murmur, Captain Singh nodded.

“I heard that since the quarantine war began, it’s been in effect at all times.”

A designated survivor was a system in which one high-ranking official in the presidential line of succession was isolated under strict security.

「In other words, even if this plan had to be carried out, the members of the government, including myself as president, were meant to share the fate of this country and most American citizens. The truth of my words will be proven by the original documents to be released after this address.」

Camera flashes burst again in a concentrated wave.

President MacMillan raised one index finger.

「Next, one more point. Why did we intend to take only the wealthy? I will answer. Because at the time, that was necessary.」

It was a single sentence that stunned the audience, and everyone watching this broadcast.

Footnotes:

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