Welcome to Ark No. 17 (3)
A day had passed. It felt as though a hundred years had gone by, yet only a single day had truly elapsed. Fatigue still clung to me, but the AI refused to let me sleep in.
> Today's breakfast menu is bacon and fried eggs.
The door slid open, and a robot presented the tray. I should have been getting used to this by now, but I wasn't. I usually skipped breakfast, so I wanted to refuse, yet the AI pressed on.
> Skipping breakfast negatively impacts brain activation. Please eat, Controller.
Faced with that, I had no choice but to finish the meal. As Controller, I had to regulate even my own daily life. If I harmed my body through overeating, fasting, drinking, or smoking, the consequences would directly impair my judgment. I understood why the AI intervened; the doctors who wrote its code had ensured it would.
"Show me the aquaponics facility."
> Displaying on hologram.
The aquaponics facility combined hydroponics and aquaculture, growing fish and plants together in nutrient solution. It was no exaggeration to call it the most critical installation for the Ark's food supply. The hologram displayed a meticulously organized layout.
"How many personnel can we assign to the facility right now?"
> Approximately 400.
"Increase it to 600. Most operations are automated anyway. As long as they follow the manual, accidents should be minimal."
Perhaps it was the breakfast, but my mind felt sharp. With the food supply issue addressed, my attention turned to medical needs.
"How many personnel can we assign to the hospital?"
> 44, including both soldiers and civilians.
"Pull them and assign them to the hospital. Now, for the research facility..."
Any method to kill those unknown monsters more efficiently would be welcome. Flamethrowers? Special gases? Even capturing live specimens—dangerous as it was—could reveal their weaknesses. Perhaps we might even discover a way to reclaim the surface.
"Researchers...?"
> Only three in total, soldiers and civilians combined.
"No choice, then. We'll have to use them."
If those were the only cards I held, I had to play them. I wasn't sure what three people could accomplish, but figuring that out was my duty as Controller. This roughly completed the initial task assignments for the evacuees. Some remained—elderly or too young for labor—so I ordered the older residents to teach basic knowledge to the children, filling the makeshift educational facility.
"Contact Colonel Alfonso Hayek."
> Understood.
In two days, the troops would return to the surface. They were injured and morale was low, but the greatest problem was the complete collapse of the chain of command. A colonel leading brigade-level forces was far from normal. Using the Controller's authority, I needed to reestablish the military hierarchy.
—This is Colonel Alfonso Hayek. What do you need?—
"Colonel Hayek, bring the surviving field-grade officers to my office. It's about the chain of command, so move quickly."
—Understood. Please wait a moment.—
*
Before long, the colonel arrived with six officers. Their faces remained haggard, though a day had allowed them to clean up somewhat.
"Colonel?"
"Yes. Everyone, introduce yourselves."
At my words, the officer on the left glanced around and spoke first.
"Major Adrian Callahan. I served as a communications officer during the evacuation."
"Lieutenant Colonel Yang Taixin. Commander of the 55th Battalion."
"Major Ignaz Keller. I was an aviation officer commanding the helicopter unit."
"Lieutenant Colonel Nakamura Ichika. I commanded the 12th Battalion under the 96th Division."
"Major Vladimir Andreev. I served as a communications officer alongside Major Callahan."
"Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Miller. I commanded the armored battalion of the 37th Brigade."
"Commissioner General Philip Smith. I was the chief of the local police station."
One police officer among the soldiers was no issue; he still qualified as an officer. After hearing their introductions and positions, I made my decisions swiftly.
"Alfonso Hayek!"
"Yes!"
"Effective immediately, you are appointed Commander of the Defense Bureau of Ark No. 17. That makes you the highest-ranking individual here aside from myself. Can you handle it?"
"I survived fighting monsters. What can't I do?"
"That answer puts me at ease."
Promoting the colonel was only a fraction of the Controller's power. The other officers looked on with envy at his four-rank jump.
"Adrian Callahan, Vladimir Andreev. You will both be assigned to the Communications Bureau. Any objections?"
"None!"
"None from me either!"
"Ignaz Keller. Unfortunately, the Ark has no aviation unit yet, though aircraft are in storage. I am promoting you to lieutenant colonel and placing you in command of the aviation battalion. You will also report to the Defense Bureau. Serve diligently."
"Understood."
Given the Ark's nature, only helicopters were available, but they would suffice; bombers were not an option here. Helicopters could also handle transport—fighters and bombers had no room for survivors.
"Yang Taixin, Nakamura Ichika. You will each be promoted to colonel and assume regimental command. Can you manage?"
"Of course!"
"No problem!"
"And Gerard Miller. You will continue commanding the armored battalion, even if we only have combat walkers."
"That's more than enough. Honestly, I was worried I'd be reduced to regular infantry."
Gerard grinned as he spoke, though the smile seemed forced. It didn't bother me.
That left Philip Smith alone. The police commissioner fidgeted anxiously, his eyes darting about.
"Commissioner General Philip Smith."
"Sir!"
"You will take charge as Commissioner General of the Security Bureau. I will assign the surviving police personnel to you. Lead the effort to maintain order."
"Ah... Thank you, Controller! I won't let you down!"
Philip beamed with gratitude. Given the crisis, he had been treated as combat personnel, but there was an inevitable gap between trained soldiers and police tasked with security. The Ark needed people to maintain order, so our goals aligned.
"That concludes this meeting. Detailed unit assignments will be announced later. Stay sharp."
"""Yes!"""
"Dismissed!"
*
After consulting with the AI, the 6,000 soldiers were reorganized. The 1st and 2nd Regiments under Colonels Yang Taixin and Nakamura Ichika each received 1,500 infantry, forming two regiments of 3,000 total. Majors Adrian Callahan and Vladimir Andreev each commanded 50 communications specialists. Lieutenant Colonel Ignaz Keller led the 3rd Aviation Battalion with 60 pilots and 140 engineers. Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Miller's 4th Armored Battalion received 600 walker pilots and 400 engineers. This accounted for 4,300 combat personnel. The remaining troops, severely wounded, were temporarily excluded as they required months or even years of treatment.
Philip Smith, now Commissioner General, received his original 40 subordinates plus 60 new recruits, bringing his force to 100 officers. All preparations were complete. In two days, these 4,300 soldiers would risk their lives to rescue countless others.
The south had already been cleared. What remained were the civilian shelters to the east, west, and north—hundreds of them. Each varied in size, supplies, and wall strength; we would only know the details upon arrival.
"Still no communications?"
> No detectable signals.
"I see..."
Every civilian shelter had been given the nearest Ark's communication code. Some might be new, others might have lost the code or had their equipment destroyed...
"What is the probability that the shelters contain no civilians at all?"
> Estimated at 23.8 percent.
Crunch...
Perhaps... just perhaps... they had all died before we even reached them.
"Damn it... This is impossible."
> The Controller's term is for life.
"Shut up."