Chapter 141
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 141
Chapter Title: Exam (6)
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「Here’s the first update. A week ago, an anonymous whistleblower leaked internal documents from the Department of Homeland Security, and they’ve been spreading uncontrollably online, causing quite a stir. The document, dubbed the Apocalypse Papers, is officially titled 『Clarification of the Outbreak and Initial Spread of the Great Plague』. The introductory memorandum states that it was compiled through joint research by the Biological Weapons Defense Strategy Headquarters, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and other relevant organizations, under the direction of current Homeland Security Secretary Pelletier. This top-secret, 4,700-page document—what makes it so controversial?」
The hosts were a male-female duo. After the composed female anchor’s opening, her male counterpart delivered additional details in a crisp Eastern accent.
「The most shocking part is the information on the plague’s origin. Until now, the prevailing hypothesis was that Morgellons started in a densely populated area along China’s East Coast. But it’s been revealed that the source was actually a Chinese military ballistic missile base in the sparsely populated inland region of the Tibet Autonomous Region. There’s also evidence that the Chinese government systematically covered it up. This pushes back the initial outbreak date by about a week.」
It was the female anchor’s turn again.
「This bolsters the theory that Morgellons is a biological weapon. Republican Senator Barbara Bozeman commented that China’s military ambitions have doomed the world and criticized the current administration’s Asia policy for bearing partial responsibility. On the other hand, Democratic Representative John Burr urged caution, saying China could still be a victim and that reckless statements could undermine national stability.」
Winter, who had been listening up to this point, let out a sigh. Joanna wore a sour expression, like she’d bitten into a bug. “Fuck.” The short curse was her unfiltered truth. Even the investigator, who hadn’t shown displeasure at overt discrimination, couldn’t hold back.
Winter asked,
“Why wasn’t this censored?”
Considering Operation Jangjeong 9, this news should have been blocked outright. It shouldn’t have reached San Francisco, at least. That’s why it felt so unexpected.
The Chinese would take this as slander against them. In their current position, they had no choice but to react defensively. Especially with their strong nationalism. There were groups who believed Morgellons was an American plot to bring down China.
“Since it spread online, they probably decided designating it a prior censorship case wouldn’t help. There were likely scoundrels trying to exploit it politically too. I’m suspicious about how the document leaked in the first place.”
She tapped the table with a displeased look.
“Plus, this operation is also top secret. Different departments are involved. I doubt there was proper inter-agency cooperation.”
Inter-agency cooperation. The Department of Homeland Security, the parent agency, might not even know about this CIA-led operation, or the organization’s sheer size could be hindering efficient communication.
Even if the former was implausible, the latter was highly likely. Homeland Security had been hastily assembled after 9/11 by mashup of dozens of existing organizations without proper integration.
‘Which made it hopelessly incompetent at times.’
There were three agencies that immediately came to mind for media control: the DoD’s Public Affairs Office, the White House Chief of Staff’s office, and Homeland Security. In the face of an unprecedented disaster, rational administration across the board was impossible.
The cafeteria was quiet. Everyone had set down their utensils.
“Idiots. If nukes hit the mainland, who’s gonna take responsibility?”
Someone’s disappointed mutter spoke for the room.
But this was just the beginning. The anchor pair traded lines like a conversation.
「Meanwhile, the document assesses that Chinese fishing boats played a decisive role in the initial infection spread. In Japan’s case, the dominant theory was that infections spread from Narita International Airport, but it’s confirmed that the Japanese government didn’t fail to seal off Narita. What they couldn’t protect was their long coastline.」
「Yes. This was a theory floated before, but it was always cited as a secondary cause. The accepted narrative was that Narita led to the destruction of the Tokyo metropolitan area before the coast finally fell. However, the satellite photos in the document show signs of infection spread in other regions even before the Narita lockdown began. Without exception, coastal areas. Meaning the sequence is reversed.」
「There were claims that fishing boats landing simultaneously transported massive numbers of refugees.」
「Exactly. Controlling large vessels is straightforward. But when countless small fishing boats swarm in all at once, what country could stop them? Not even America could.」
The man’s words carried a stain. His co-host pointed it out.
「Does that mean the North American West Coast outbreak was due to Chinese fishing boats?」
「The document only raises the possibility. But Chinese fishing boats have been a problem for ages. Swarming in fleets and devastating fisheries worldwide, right? China’s arrogant disregard for other nations combined with the plague to create this catastrophe.」
Winter shook his head. Radio might be freer than broadcast TV, but journalists had the same duties. Even in the outside world, they at least formally maintained neutrality.
The female host called out her partner’s inappropriate remark.
「William. That was highly inappropriate.」
「Hmm, you’re right. My apologies. I apologize to the listeners.」
「For accurate reporting, the White House’s official stance is that the Apocalypse Papers are merely a reference document. The infection signs along Japan’s coast could just be mob riots. Isn’t that right?」
「Yes. Some experts don’t trust the Apocalypse Papers. They say Japan’s initial response was a mess. Did you know? When the first infected was found at Narita Airport, the police and Self-Defense Forces fought over command. Traffic cops blocked the SDF’s emergency response team.」
「Shocking. Where’d you get that info?」
「That officer’s in a West Coast refugee camp now. The military-police rift in Japan dates back to the Empire days and is infamous. Japanese bureaucracy’s rigidity is even more notorious. No wonder they say the only decent part of Japan’s disaster response system is the earthquake evacuation manual.」
Even his attempt at damage control was provocative. The male anchor seemed to harbor resentment—or superiority—toward the refugees.
This must be the undercurrent among some Americans. Winter nodded in agreement and picked up his neglected utensils.
Across from him, Joanna ate like someone with no appetite. Her fork moved more sharply than it scooped. But she too treated meals as a duty. She needed to replenish the energy spent that morning. She chewed steadily, barely eating yet somehow emptying her plate like Winter.
Winter asked,
“What do you think, Anne?”
“About what?”
“The speculation that Chinese fishing boats were a main infection route. Does it make sense to you?”
It was the first time Winter had heard such a story. Even for him, who had accumulated experience through repeated world-ends, this twenty-seventh—and possibly final—apocalypse brought unfamiliar threats and strange twists.
Still, he doubted she’d answer.
Surprisingly, Joanna nodded thoughtfully.
“I question my own objectivity, but… yes, it’s entirely plausible.”
“Really?”
“About six years ago, China had around 5,000 officially registered fishing boats. But estimates put the number operating off their coast with permits at a million. Fishermen numbered thirty million. If they loaded refugees at the docks, that enables population movements in the hundreds of millions. Even if the document’s true, it’s not that Japan’s maritime forces or Coast Guard were incompetent.”
“The Coast Guard is Japan’s maritime police, right?”
“Yes.”
The numbers from the investigator lacked a sense of reality. Fitting for a continental power, perhaps.
“But Anne, how do you know all this?”
“I mentioned it briefly during Corona Triumph. I once did a drug bust against Xi Hai Bang gangs in LA. Fishing boats were a key transport method.”
“Ah.”
“It was a joint op with the CIA back then too. FBI jurisdiction is limited to U.S. territory, territorial waters, and airspace. We needed intel on their mainland networks. I worked with them for about two years, I guess. Picked up this and that. Mostly got the short end of the stick, though. You know how it is, Winter—negotiations often require pretending not to know things.”
“And your doubt about objectivity is because of bad blood with the gangs?”
“I’m human too. Filter it yourself. It’s all outdated info anyway.”
She sighed then, lost in weary old memories.
In the brief silence, the female anchor’s voice stood out.
「Following the leak, yesterday— the second weekend after—saw massive protests and violence nationwide. Looting attempts targeted Chinatowns frequently, and in Chicago’s Millennium Park, one citizen was shot dead. The victim was Daniel Kwan, a second-generation Chinese immigrant. Acquaintances couldn’t hide their grief, saying he was an upstanding American. The perpetrator, Royce Melvin, was immediately subdued by protesters. Police are investigating motives and accomplices. May Mr. Kwan rest in peace.」
Behind the soft, emotionless voice, the radio aired the roar of an angry crowd for a moment. Shouts blended in chaos, converging on one meaning: rage. Even in this cafeteria, a minority empathized. “Fucking Chinese, all drop dead.” The shameless mutter was barely audible to Winter, but the fact there were several was a problem. Teaming up with them for the operation was worrisome.
「On this matter, at 11 a.m. today, President MacMillan addressed the nation, calling for unity and rational judgment. Let’s hear it.」
A new voice soon followed. The president’s, one Winter had encountered in a journal.
『My fellow Americans.』
He addressed the nation and paused in silence for a long moment before continuing.
『Forty billion have died.』
Joanna snapped back to the present. Winter listened quietly.
『Humanity is vanishing. We are becoming a history without records. Soon, in the near future, America may become a lonely nation. There will be no neighbors to love, no siblings to cherish, no lives to protect. We are fighting extinction.』
『I know. We are not gods. We cannot take responsibility for every tragedy in this world. Thus, I will not lead America into reckless adventures. Even if trapped by harsh realities’ limits, navigating between necessary evils—even if it makes me a traitor to conscience and a heretic to humanity—I, as President of the United States, will prioritize the people’s safety over the nation’s justice. For in a democracy, the people are the nation. You are America.』
『Let me say it again. You, the sovereign people, are America. If you wish to see the homeland defended by countless patriots’ deaths, look to yourselves! Therefore, I earnestly implore you: America must not destroy America!』
『Remember the heroes fighting disease even now. They disregard your origins, jobs, genders, ages, wealth, religions—solely to protect this nation, our fragile homeland, you the people, they lay down their lives. We cannot render their noble sacrifice meaningless. Within the United States’ frame, we are one. We must be one.』
『Do you remember Private Danny Chen’s death? He was a young hero who donned the uniform and took up arms to defend America. Yet reality betrayed his ideals. Solely because his parents were immigrants from China, he endured constant lynching from comrades. The torment didn’t stop until the hero chose suicide. Who can call that just? Are you acting justly now?』
『On October 3, 2011, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, a 19-year-old hero took his own life. He now rests in Valhalla near New York. All America wept then. You wept. Where did those tears go?』
『Now is the time to weep again. To become one through tears. Let us not forget Daniel Kwan, who was one American. We who mourn his death are America. Let us rely on faith in each other. Leave the slandering, attacking, and defaming to politicians.』
『May the spirit of our ancestors endure in our united homeland. May our limits expand day by day. May we forge a new destiny before the inexorably approaching end.』
『And at the least, when God grants us the chance, may we extend hands to those in need. May we not become an America that spits on and beats the wretched. May all fighting for the homeland find refuge in its embrace.』
『America, let us advance together. The United States and its friends in union will triumph. May God’s blessing be upon humanity’s future. Thank you.』
============================ Author's Note ============================
#WinterSolstice
In the story’s timeline, Winter’s birthday is approaching. It’s the winter solstice. December 21st. I hope the world ends that day.
#Q&A
Q. Xino-nim: @Author-nim, author-nim. How do I get you to update daily? Hit you with manuscript coupons? Or send canned goods??
A. I’m curious about that too. What should we do? Maybe if the North Korean regime collapses...
Q. MasterCalsolum-nim: @Blood pressure finally down, ate meat after ages, went down smooth like drink. Meat is love indeed. Tunguska-nim, eat lots of meat too.
A. Yeah, right? Meat is love. But it’s expensive. So pricey...
Q. Daemokjang-nim: @Red Hot Chili Peppers song, huh. The lyrics hint at modern society’s problematic vibes, matches the novel well. Trying to say both game world and real world can’t escape Californication?
A. I believe text is a means of conveying meaning, completed in the reader’s heart. So what Daemokjang-nim feels is most important.
Q. BlueCrystal-nim: @How about a Q&A poll? They’ll overwhelmingly vote for longer ones.
A. I don’t think majority overriding minority is ideal. Thanks anyway for enjoying the author’s dumb jokes. Haha.