Banpo. (2)
So what are you eating to survive right now? Better not ask that. I might hear something like they're dipping cardboard boxes in tap water and gnawing on them. Ah, but damn, I'm curious. I'm holding back my curiosity when Special Forces Captain Seong Gyu-hyuk spoke up.
"How's it going on your side? You've got dozens of people too, right? I imagine things aren't easy there either."
...Hmm. Not easy? Aside from the zombie waves, not really. I shrugged and said,
"Not bad. Had ham and cheese toast with coffee yesterday morning—it was pretty damn good. Thinking of asking for seconds when I get back."
The team members' and Seong Ga-yeon's eyes widened slightly. Seong Ga-yeon said,
"...Ham and cheese toast? Ham and cheese, okay, but bread? Where the hell are you even getting bread these days...?"
"We've got a kid on our side who bakes. She's young, but she's got the knack. The lower floors of the large mart are stocked to the gills with flour, butter, all that shit. Pretty much a bread party every day."
I propped my chin on one hand and glanced up at the sky. Stars are pretty tonight.
"Sides are a bit skimpy now, but we're growing peppers, cabbage, lettuce on the rooftop. Give it time, we'll have fresh stuff. Overall... not bad."
The team members exchanged glances. Special Forces Captain Seong Gyu-hyuk said,
"A large mart... that place must've been crawling with those things. How'd you clear it?"
I smirked. "You saw the video."
The team let out awed "ahs." They'd all seen how I fight. Especially Seong Ga-yeon... no way she doubts it now.
"Cleared the mart, dropped the shutters, welded 'em shut, did this and that. Our people put in a ton of work. Even when the zombie waves hit, we held safe. Oh, and thanks for your guys sweeping 'em up with the chopper."
I smiled as I said it. We're doing pretty damn well. Looks like you aren't. I didn't say that part out loud.
Seong Ga-yeon stared into space and muttered softly,
"Ham and cheese toast... sounds delicious..."
She must've said it unconsciously. She startled herself, glancing at her brother and the team.
Special Forces Captain Seong Gyu-hyuk's face turned bitter. ...Ah... damn it... my heart's stirring again. Hold up, think this through.
These people are trained fighters. They've got helicopters and a light aircraft. Gear-wise, solid. Now with weapons, they can protect themselves and others.
If this group's power grows... they might actually help turn the tide against the apocalypse. Hell, they will.
Would they turn into cockroaches? Doubt it, from what I've seen. They said rescue's their goal. Sure, some rescues might include more roaches, but not these guys.
Yeah. So. Propping my chin, I asked,
"Banpo's got a large mart too, right?"
Special Forces Captain Seong Gyu-hyuk nodded. "Yes. But... it'll be tough."
"Why?"
Seong Gyu-hyuk glanced at his team, then pointed beyond Banpo Bridge. A round building in the distance. Bright lights. I tilted my head. What's that?
Seong Gyu-hyuk said, "Our chopper pad, Floating Light Island, is there."
Huh? Chopper? I lifted my chin and peered far off.
Sebit Dungdung Island? That's it
Seong Gyu-hyuk nodded. "We're landing on the roof, so it's precarious. Building's sturdy—no issues so far, but no guarantees. We need a new pad ASAP."
He took a sip from the water bottle his sister handed him and continued.
"We use the chopper to herd nearby monsters away, lure 'em along the river and drown 'em before landing. Problem is, every takeoff draws hordes from Gwacheon, Dongjak-gu. Neighborhood never clears out."
...Ahh. Clear 'em with chopper noise, they fill back in from afar. Clear again, more come. From what they say, the far-off waves that settle don't wander back—they just squat.
...Tricky. Means convenience stores and shops never stay empty. Probably packed tighter. The bastards crawl off somewhere when idle.
Seong Gyu-hyuk said, "Luring 'em stirs the locals too, so we can't shake 'em off. Believe me when I say the Han River bed's swarming?"
...I believe it. I nodded. No clue how many flights, but each one triggers waves.
"The ones under the river keep crawling ashore nonstop. Can't see at night, but they're heading to Banpo, Yongsan right now. Slow in water, so it doesn't show."
Seong Gyu-hyuk flicked the empty energy bar wrapper aside and said,
"Every chopper or plane launch pulls 'em in. We've sunk 'em all so far, but eventually, they'll swarm out. That's my read."
...Hmm... yeah, possible. Very.
Seong Ga-yeon added, "Gangnam had a zombie wave recently. Some stragglers kept piling into Banpo. Not the whole thing, but even the tail end was massive."
"Yeah. If Park Dae-wi hadn't herded and drowned 'em all, none of us would've lasted."
Park Dae-wi, the captain who swept human beasts into the Han? ...Wanna meet him.
I nodded and asked, "Choppers from Floating Light Island, so where's the light plane taking off and landing?"
Seong Gyu-hyuk answered, "Banpo Sports Complex. Cleared the soccer goals, tennis nets—whatever. Doesn't need a huge runway, so that's enough."
Seong Ga-yeon nodded. "Monsters swarming's the issue. Every time Kim Dae-wi lands, Park Dae-wi lifts off in the chopper to herd 'em to the river. Park Dae-wi's earning his keep."
"Mm."
Seong Gyu-hyuk nodded. Se Floating Light Island and Banpo Sports Complex... choppers and light planes. Got it.
I nodded. "Alright, understood."
I gazed beyond Banpo Bridge. Then said,
"...When we arrive, show me the large mart's location."
The team looked at me. Fuck if I know. Build 'em into a force first, then ally up.
Su-hyeon, Ye-eun, Eun-seo, and my nameless woman. You'll have to wait a bit.
After resting, we stood and crossed Banpo Bridge.
"Ugh...!"
Seong Ga-yeon, leaning on her brother, grimaced. Limping badly. Pain flaring up again after settling during rest.
As we walked Banpo Bridge, I pulled out my phone and called. Su-hyeon picked up, voice bright.
"Oppa! Where are you? When you coming?"
"Hey, Su-hyeon. How's everyone? No issues?"
"Yep! Streets are dead quiet! Halmae says she can finally stretch out and sleep. When you coming? Ye-eun-unnie and Eun-seo-unnie miss you too."
Aigoo... my chest grew heavy. I smiled bitterly and said,
"Gonna take a bit. Not too long."
Su-hyeon's voice dimmed. "How long's a bit? Something happen?"
She's really attached. Makes sense—nights together, shared ordeals.
I smiled. "Nah, nothing. Crossing Banpo Bridge now. Probably meeting the president."
"President? On Banpo Bridge?"
"Yeah."
Meeting the president. Never imagined saying that pre-apocalypse. I chuckled.
"Be back soon, no worries. Call if shit hits. Got it?"
"Got it. Hurry. Oppa, stay safe?"
"Yeah."
Hung up. "Whew."
Sigh slipped out. Should be eating whatever delicious pot of something Ye-eun whipped up, chatting, laughing. Then sex before bed.
"Got a girlfriend?"
Seong Ga-yeon glanced back and asked. I smirked.
"Ah, yeah. Kinda."
More than one, but whatever.
Seong Ga-yeon smiled through cold sweat. "In times like these, that's precious. Cherish her."
Hmm. Good words.
"Ga-yeon-ssi, no boyfriend?"
Her face darkened slightly. Seong Gyu-hyuk, arm around his sister's shoulder, looked back.
"That bastard... turned that day. Ga-yeon barely escaped."
...Ahh. Got it. I nodded, said nothing.
Other team members looked grim too. Probably had lovers or wives. Tall, built, handsome guys.
But now alone. No need to pry. Apocalypse day one. Survivors till now.
We crossed Banpo Bridge and turned onto Banpo-daero.