WeTried Translations

Translator: Coughing Baby

Editor: Coughing Baby

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

Chapter 330: Return (13)

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For the most part, it was a convincing explanation. A foolish act that could easily have happened in a world nearing its end. When Pastor Park Tae-sun was bitten, he must have been out of his mind with fear that he had caught the plague. He would have begged the Absolute for salvation. To believe in God also meant believing in miracles. When his prayer came true, it would not have been strange for him to take that sudden, overflowing vitality as the work of God.

But there was one question in Campbell’s story. Gyeoul asked it.

“Major. I understand Pastor Park’s story. But it sounds strange to say the believers were infected. Are you sure it was an infection? Couldn’t they have suffered side effects from consuming a carrier’s bodily fluids over a long period? Were the people I encountered on April Pacific infected too?”

“Uh...”

Instead of answering right away, Campbell’s eyes shifted. Gyeoul received a warning from Branch Chief West.

“Lieutenant Colonel Han Gyeoul. You must have signed a confidentiality pledge back then as well. Though its purpose was to secure Operation Fair Strike, by the terms of that pledge, everything you experienced from the moment it took effect until the operation officially ended is classified. The April Pacific incident you just mentioned is no exception. In any case, it occurred during deployment. Surely you are not going to say you did not know.”

In principle, even the details of each operative’s assignment during a mission were supposed to remain compartmentalized. In other words, Gyeoul had been at fault for mentioning it so casually, assuming the other party would naturally know.

“I’m sorry, Branch Chief.”

West shook their head after accepting the apology.

“That is not something you need to apologize to me for. The person who ends up in trouble is you, Lieutenant Colonel. Of course, depending on the situation, the government might be put in a rather awkward position as well, but at least that does not seem to be the case today.”

Meaning West and Campbell already knew. As for the Brigadier General, Laughlin had just signed the pledge.

“You’re saying I should be more careful in general.”

“Yes. At the very least, you should confirm in advance whether the other party is cleared to handle that information. And even if they are cleared, some people may not welcome learning new secrets. Like Brigadier General Laughlin here.”

The Brigadier General, suddenly singled out, gave an awkward smile. Laughlin did not want the number of troublesome matters that became a burden simply by knowing them to increase for no reason. Given Laughlin’s duties and rank, handling various kinds of classified information was unavoidable, but not all secrets were equal.

“Ahem.”

Campbell cleared their throat. West had finished the warning and given Campbell a small nod. Campbell was not deaf, so there was no need to spell out the range of what could be discussed.

“Lieutenant Colonel Han has asked a good question. Would you wait a moment?”

Campbell changed the folder path on the tablet.

“The photos you are seeing now are protein binding structures (Subunit) and mutated cells obtained from Pastor Park’s blood. So far, a total of 427 types have been discovered, and that number is probably still increasing even now.”

Looking at the photos of cells, each one a different shape, Brigadier General Laughlin gave a sour assessment.

“There are an awful lot of them. Are mutants like this too?”

“No.”

Campbell denied it immediately.

“Mutants have far fewer, and they are much more stable. In Pastor Park’s blood, on the other hand, new things are constantly appearing, and just as many disappear again. That means the instability is high. Their sizes vary as well, from as small as several dozen nanometers to as large as 200 micrometers. What do you think that means?”

“...I couldn’t say. I’m a layman. Doctor, explain it as simply as you can.”

“Mm, simply, simply...”

Muttering, Campbell snapped their fingers. The gesture was still far removed from anything military. Campbell was a civilian expert employed by the military, someone for whom rank was practically decorative.

“How about this? The Morgellons complex is like an intricate machine. Multiple pathogens mesh together like different parts, forming a symbiotic relationship. Actually, symbiosis is not quite the right term either, because some of them depend on one another beyond the level of a polymorphic colony...”

The explanation trailed off. Explaining a specialized field to laypeople was always difficult.

“Blah blah. Please pretend you did not hear that last part. In any case, if we think of Morgellons as a kind of machine, then the Morgellons that entered Pastor Park’s body lost the function of one important component. It would have been fortunate if the machine had simply stopped there, but unfortunately, it began to run out of control. Each component is a living machine, you see.”

“Huh.”

“Yes. Huh. As a result of that runaway process, not only the mutations in Morgellons, but also the physical changes caused by infection, strayed far from their normal path. That is why Pastor Park’s blood became infectious, albeit irregularly. Depending on how you look at it, he may have become more dangerous than any special mutant. Potentially.”

“...You mean that thing was on this base?”

Brigadier General Laughlin referred to Pastor Park as if he were an object. Branch Chief West answered.

“Do not worry. There is a safety device.”

“A safety device?”

“First... three high-explosive incendiary bombs are embedded inside the cult leader’s body. Each fuse is linked to seven types of sensors, including a GPS receiver and gyro module, and runs on a cobalt-60 nuclear battery. If he leaves the designated range or if body temperature is no longer detected, they detonate immediately, according to the control device’s judgment.”

The Brigadier General was appalled.

“Good God. You people really are insane. Was there no more common-sense method?”

“Do not look at it that way. We did not take that measure. It was the work of the True Patriots. Originally, it seems remote detonation by an observer was possible as well, but in the process of wiping out the True Patriots remnants, everyone who knew the detonation codes died. From the cult leader’s perspective, I suppose that was fortunate.”

“...”

“That is one of the reasons we could not send the cult leader and the believers to another facility early on. Even now, when preparations to remove the bombs are complete, Cult Leader Park is refusing surgery and stalling for time. Fear is part of it, but distrust is the larger problem, and that has been giving us trouble.”

Gyeoul narrowed his eyes.

“You mean Pastor Park himself knows about the bombs inside his body?”

“That is correct, Lieutenant Colonel. In fact, we only confirmed it because he told us first. He had quite a lot of resentment built up. To reassure him, we told him remote detonation had become impossible. Now he is suspicious of the purpose of the removal surgery. He says we may actually be trying to implant new bombs capable of remote detonation. He is also resisting being moved elsewhere.”

Brigadier General Laughlin raised a question.

“Can’t you sedate him and proceed?”

“We already tried, and failed. He is maintaining his reason, but physically, he is already close to a mutant. We achieved nothing and only made him more wary.”

“Mm...”

“His drug resistance is extremely high, and as Doctor Campbell said, his condition fluctuates, so deciding the proper dose each time is difficult. I heard he woke up in the middle of surgery even after being injected with a dose of sedative that would be lethal to a human. It is already a procedure that requires both a surgeon and an explosive ordnance disposal specialist. If he resists violently, forcing it through becomes difficult. One wrong move, and we lose a valuable sample.”

“No, then how on earth did the True Patriots implant the bombs?”

“Implanting them is comparatively easy. The fuses would have been inactive then. Above all, until Pastor Park first made contact with us, he was not certain of his own value. Now he has realized we cannot easily kill him, and he is digging in his heels.”

“This is unbelievable. Is there no method...?”

“Why wouldn’t there be?”

“...?”

“Until now, we have simply avoided inhumane methods. As I said, the ultimate responsibility for everything the True Patriots did lies with the government, and it is true that Cult Leader Park was treated unjustly. But if this continues, we will have no choice but to use rougher methods.”

“For example?”

“For example, we could sever his nerves, render him fully paralyzed, and put him on the operating table. As long as he is somehow kept alive, that is enough. Well, if he is lucky, perhaps he will recover. He has regenerative ability close to that of a mutant, after all.”

At that point, Major Campbell shook their head alone. Campbell seemed to think the possibility was slim. Unless it was a special mutant or an enhanced mutant, every mutant ability was an enhancement based on the human body.

“...In a way, I almost pity him.”

Hearing Brigadier General Laughlin’s impression, Branch Chief West gave a cynical smile.

“Pity? Cult Leader Park?”

West leaned against the armrest, tilted their upper body, and propped the right side of the jaw on a loose fist.

“The number of believers who received his 「grace」 is over 300. The reason I cannot give you the exact number is that some may have died even after coming here. Ignorance is not an excuse. Manslaughter would be one thing if it were one or two people, but at this point, it is a serious felony that would merit the death penalty at maximum and life imprisonment at minimum. We are trying to respect basic human rights, but lately, I have even begun to question whether we should regard him as human at all. At the very least, his body has left humanity behind. He has no citizenship either.”

He had committed crimes that could not be forgiven on a human level, and physically, he was no longer human. Since he was not human, he had no human rights either. That was what West meant.

“We have drifted a little off topic, but we have various other measures prepared to prevent biological contamination as well. You would be quite surprised if you knew the size of the emergency budget poured into that little settlement.”

Then West looked at Gyeoul.

“Since things have turned out this way, Lieutenant Colonel Han Gyeoul, you will also cooperate in an emergency. Though I suppose there is not much time left.”

“Me?”

“Yes. This is not a request. It is a notice. Knowing secrets comes with responsibility. The same goes for Brigadier General Laughlin.”

After a brief pause, West continued.

“This actually works out well. We were planning to expand the emergency response team anyway. With your help, Lieutenant Colonel Han, the chance that we will have to burn the entire settlement in the worst case should be lower. You are the quarantine war’s top specialist.”

“...”

“We have secured various samples, including Cult Leader Park’s DNA, but from a research standpoint, it is better for the sample provider to remain alive as long as possible.”

So that was why West had seemed to reveal such deep secrets so easily. Judging by the tone, West seemed to be preparing for serious friction with the believers. The part where West described Gyeoul as a quarantine war specialist also made it sound as if the believers were being treated as potential mutants. Gyeoul asked.

“Branch Chief. Why were you planning to expand the emergency response team?”

“Because there is a risk that the cult leader, sunk in paranoid delusion, may incite the believers in self-defense.”

“...Do the believers still believe that firmly?”

“Most of them do. Faith is a frightening thing. We isolated the minority who had begun to doubt before they could be lynched.”

“Is the reason you still allow religious activity because they are easier to manage that way?”

“That is part of it, and it is also for the believers themselves.”

“For the believers themselves?”

“Let us call it a white lie. Rather than realize the truth and die in pain, anger, despair, and fear, would it not be better for them to face the end with peaceful hearts, even within a false faith? With the hope that they have been promised salvation after death.”

“Salvation after death...”

As Gyeoul turned the words over in his mouth, a small laugh reached his ears. When he looked back, it was Campbell’s sneer. Campbell hurriedly changed expression and apologized under the eyes now gathered on them.

“I’m sorry. I am also a person of faith, so I felt something and made a mistake.”

It seemed to be a bit of true feeling that had slipped out by accident. Campbell’s first name was Elijah. Gyeoul stared for a moment, then made a request of West.

“Branch Chief. Would it be possible to verify what you have told us so far?”

“Verify?”

“It is hard to believe everything as is from stories and photos alone. At minimum, I would like to review more detailed materials. I would also like to meet and talk with Pastor Park himself, or with a few of the believers. Is that possible?”

“Hmm...”

The branch chief folded their arms and thought, then asked in return.

“Putting the visit aside, what would be the point of providing even more specialized materials? Limited access is not impossible, but whether you can understand them is another matter, Lieutenant Colonel.”

“Yes. That is why I am thinking of asking someone else. Of course, we would need to get a confidentiality pledge from him too. That will need your permission as well, Branch Chief.”

“This is becoming more and more troublesome. I had not accounted for this... Who is this person?”

“Captain Jo Yun-chang from the battalion medical unit. Though his field is different, I believe he has enough expertise to judge whether the materials are true.”

After thinking it over, West answered.

“I promise I will review it positively.”

“Thank you.”

“Then... do either of you have any other questions or requests?”

The one who reacted was Brigadier General Laughlin, who had been listening for some time. The general asked a question with clear expectation.

“What are the chances of developing a vaccine?”

At that, West looked to the seat beside them. Campbell shrugged.

“None.”

“None?”

To the Brigadier General, whose expression twisted, Campbell confirmed the answer.

“Yes. At least so far, there is no prospect. That is the limit of partial immunity. Even Pastor Park is showing brain damage as time passes. Part of the cerebellum and the cerebral cortex are changing. Given time, he will become no different from a zombie.”

Brigadier General Laughlin’s disappointment showed openly.

“Then what exactly are you researching?”

“We are researching a vaccine for now. However, without the original form of Morgellons, further progress will be difficult. That is why my research team expects a weapon to be created before a vaccine.”

“A weapon?”

The voice was doubtful. Campbell gave a broad grin.

“As I explained, Pastor Park’s partial immunity causes functional errors in the Morgellons complex. We thought, what if we developed a biochemical agent based on that? I am curious whether mutants can adapt even to this. Though this too assumes that things go well.”

It was certainly a fascinating possibility. But was it truly a positive one? Would the thaw of the end really come? Gyeoul could not be sure.

Footnotes:

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