Ch.14Chapter 3. Anyway, It Doesn’t Seem Like My Fault (3)

I press the pedal again.

Even on a bicycle, my movement method remains the same. I observe my surroundings thoroughly, and only when I’m sure it’s safe do I set off. To prepare for unexpected situations, I need to conserve energy, so I move unhurriedly at a leisurely pace.

All the while, I continue exchanging messages steadily.

8qawsed8

“Lambert village is nothing short of hell. There are gangs with haphazard armaments riding motorcycles, and zombies drawn by the noise fighting over territory. I absolutely don’t recommend it. Do you really need to go there?”

Of course I have to go.

First of all, there will be hardly any zombies there. The gang members will shoot any that approach. And gangs are people who live by exploiting others. They’ll go on regular raids, so there’s a high chance they’ve already stripped this area of anything useful.

If there are few zombies, plenty of good supplies, and a bunch of bad guys who deserve to be killed, why on earth wouldn’t I go?

‘Raid the gang territory and secure resources for self-sufficiency.’

This isn’t a time of chaos anymore. Each group, however crudely, is solidifying their position. In this situation, it’s better to crack the head of some middling figure and take over rather than trying to forcibly wedge your way in.

Taking on a large gang alone doesn’t make sense?

Then I’ll just let others fight for me. I couldn’t use all the supplies in there by myself anyway. I’ll give up what I need to give up, take what I need, and leave.

In particular, the most crucial item is right there in Lambert.

V

“There’s something I need to get. I have no choice.”

I need a car.

I’m not even hoping for an RV. Even a small one-seater or two-seater would be fine. Having a car means having storage space and a somewhat safer place to sleep. Even if it runs out of gas, it can still be used as lodging.

And what could be better than a car owned by a gang? It would be well-maintained, full of gas, and if I’m lucky, stocked with weapons, ammunition, and food.

Just thinking about it makes my mouth water to the point where I’m actually getting hungry.

8qawsed8

“…So to get that bag, you’re saying I need to come to Lambert or the outskirts of Hampton. Is that right?”

V

“That’s right.”

8qawsed8

“I’d prefer to trade somewhere safe. Wouldn’t that be better for both of us? For example, if you go east from there, there’s a large reservoir.”

V

“I can’t go that far. Are you asking me to run across the wasteland dodging the eyes of those motorcycle gang members?”

* * * * *

Intelligence Department. Leticia bit her lip. Normally, she would have been more composed. But having left after the morning briefing with the new commander, she simply couldn’t back down now.

The latest report brought by the controller only added to the confusion.

“Medical supplies and personnel being transported to Hampton were attacked by a motorcycle gang. Defense personnel are presumed dead, and those severely injured appear to have been abandoned and turned into zombies. Survivors unknown.”

“Additional note – Intelligence suggests a human auction market will be held in Lambert village. The government has denied permission for an operation to recover medical supplies and rescue medical personnel from Lambert village. The assessment is that the risks outweigh the benefits.”

Human auction market.

A major event that attracts all the vicious criminals in the area. Their level of armament would be considerable. The idea of approaching such a place is insane. This isn’t something a sane person would consider.

“…Would it be possible to meet somewhere other than the outskirts of Hampton?”

An officer who couldn’t hold back anymore offered a suggestion, but Leticia shook her head.

“He won’t agree. He’s aiming for a ‘kill two birds with one stone’ strategy.”

“Kill two birds…?”

“He wants us to destroy the Lambert gang. Plus, he leaked information that the terrorist Hans might be monitoring this conversation. It’s a ploy to draw both sides in. He’s subtly implying that if one side doesn’t go, the other side benefits.”

* * * * *

At the same time, members of the Elza Liberation Movement came to the same conclusion.

“Hans, what the hell is going on here?”

“…He’s trying to exploit both sides.”

Hans growled.

“See that ridiculous nickname? Anyone can tell it’s advertising ‘I’m from the 8th Military Police.’ This guy is trying to lure both the military police and our operatives to Lambert. He’s created a situation where we have no choice but to go. Who the hell is this guy?”

He definitely didn’t seem like an ordinary information broker. Information brokers don’t have the ability or courage to set up such dangerous scenarios.

He wasn’t from another liberation unit either. After inquiries here and there over the past couple of days, they’d only received complaints like “That’s your territory, why are you asking us?”

Could he be an agent from the Elza puppet government or the Eastern Dictatorship?

That made even less sense. If that were the case, he could have just handed over the bag without all these complicated procedures.

“Let’s keep watching for now.”

* * * * *

8qawsed8

“Understood. I suppose there’s no choice. Then I’ll meet you near Lambert. But how should I recognize you? And how should I identify myself?”

Finally, he’s starting to understand. But I don’t answer right away. I smile broadly as I pedal my bicycle. Let him sweat a little. From now on, I need to negotiate the price.

V

“I’ll leave the bag at the top of the tower on Lambert’s town hall. You can just take it. There’s no need for you to see me, is there?”

Of course, what I really mean is “Clean up Lambert and clear the path for me.” If this “8-whatever” doesn’t have that capability and the deal falls through? If I have no choice but to sell to this Hans guy?

It doesn’t matter. I’ll just take the mobile phone and abandon the bag. What if the phone becomes a brick? Well, I’ll just sell it somewhere as a free phone. I have no intention of meeting Hans anyway.

If this bag was truly important to Hans, he would have come to get it himself by any means necessary. But he didn’t. Instead, he asked me to move it.

An item that’s very precious to him but he doesn’t want to touch directly, containing a bomb that can blast a 50-meter radius, equipped with a small communication base station, satellite tracking device, and remote bomb—and he wants me to move it to a populated area?

It can’t possibly be a normal item.

What Hans really wanted was for me to become a suicide bomber. If I took this to the outskirts of Hampton, he’d press the remote switch and boom. It’s obvious.

It’s much better to sell it off cheaply and find a way to escape.

In truth, I’d like to throw it away right now. That thing is just ridiculously heavy, and probably useless anyway.

* * * * *

The intelligence officers were excited when they finally saw the reply that arrived after a long while.

“Lambert town hall? That’s right in the center! With strong defensive positions! This is going too far, isn’t it?”

Leticia sent a reply:

8qawsed8

“I’m sorry, but going there would be too difficult. Instead of the village, how about the factory district? There’s a place with three chimneys in a row, taller than the others and distinctively shaped, making it easy to find. It’s also more accessible than the village center.”

The reply came sooner than expected.

V

“Let’s do that. However, on the condition that you answer my question. How is the zombie virus transmitted now? What level of understanding do people have about the virus, and how are they preparing against the disease? If you answer this question, I’ll place it at the factory chimney. I already know it’s a zoonotic infection.”

“…Virus transmission? Why is he curious about that?”

This was absurd beyond measure. Suddenly asking for virus-related information out of nowhere. What was this all about? After careful consideration, Leticia provided a sensible answer.

8qawsed8

“I’m not sure of your intention, but I’ll answer. The infection routes are as you already know.

Let me start with what’s certain. First, zoonotic infection is indeed real. It can be transmitted through bodily fluid exchange and skin contact. The risk of infection increases if there are wounds on the skin. This means you shouldn’t get bitten or scratched.

The virus doesn’t appear to spread through air or water, and infection via insects has not yet been confirmed.

Droplet transmission, such as through sneezing or conversation, seems to cause infection, but more case studies are needed. Transmission through objects is still being researched, but the possibility seems relatively low. However, you should still avoid wearing a zombie’s clothing.

That’s why the Elza government has established human non-protection zones. This is to isolate the infected and protect the healthy. The guidelines are to wash hands three times a day, avoid unnecessary contact, always pay attention to the news, and follow control measures.”

V

“What about hunger?”

8qawsed8

“Pardon?”

V

“Abnormal hunger. It’s not normal to get hungrier while eating something. Is there anything related to this?”

“…Hunger?”

Everyone tilted their heads in confusion. Leticia did too. Strangely, she wasn’t very hungry when at the base. But as soon as she went out on operations, she became unusually hungry. It was even worse when entering human non-protection zones.

But the government had also provided a clear answer to this issue: ‘Trust the government. And thus be saved.’

8qawsed8

“The government’s official position is that it’s a psychological effect. Like an urban legend. The more you worry about it, the more conscious you become of it. There’s nothing wrong with your health.”

V

“I understand. This is sufficient. One last question: are you really buying the bag?”

There was no choice.

8qawsed8

“Yes. When should I come to pick it up?”

V

“Let’s say three days from now. Send a message if anything comes up. However, I may or may not be able to reply.”

8qawsed8

“Understood.”

That was the end of the conversation.

She leaned back in her chair, but not for long. Leticia looked at the intelligence officers. The team tracking the transmission reported first.

“An unusual signal was detected near the transmission tower forest. However, the pattern changes too rapidly to track effectively. The overall pattern is similar to that of Elza independence terrorists. It wasn’t a mobile phone transmission either.”

“According to Hoot, there’s a satellite tracking device and mobile phone relay in the bag. He wasn’t told the exact mechanism. It’s encrypted, and we don’t know how to decode it yet.”

The intelligence officer added.

“Does that mean Hans can accurately determine this person’s location?”

“He said that’s not the case. The encryption is too complex and the signal strength too weak, resulting in significant errors. He can only determine an approximate location, not precise details.”

That was somewhat reassuring, but she couldn’t completely relax. Now that Hans had seen the entire conversation, he would certainly make some move. He would either strike the gang as quickly as possible or do something a terrorist might do… there were too many possibilities, making her head throb.

No. This wasn’t the time to think about that. She needed to file a report first. She needed to focus on V for now. What was his purpose? How did he know about the village situation, and why was he trying to draw her and Hans in? And why was he asking about the virus…

“Oh?”

A single exclamation. Everyone looked at Leticia. She collapsed into her chair as if her legs had given way, then frantically pulled out paper and pencil and began drawing lines.

“Ma’am?”

Leticia’s behavior, frantically drawing Xs and Os like a madwoman, was extremely bizarre. But no one dared to say more. It was clear to everyone that she was in an intense state of concentration that shouldn’t be disturbed.

“I think I understand now.”

Leticia raised her head with a dazed look. The intelligence officer, thinking “Our chief has finally lost it, but then again, she’s been through too much,” was about to say something, but she was faster.

“Intelligence officer. Prepare a report on the progress so far immediately. I’m going to give an oral report. Make the written report your top priority.”

“Um, where are you going?”

“To the Special Mission Unit Commander.”

Leticia’s face was full of smiles.

“…I think I now know who this person works for.”