Chapter 83
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Lakeside Night, Fort Roberts (2)
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The briefing room was filled with the regiment's key staff officers. They greeted the boy officer warmly. Winter took a seat next to Lieutenant Colonel Capston. Coincidentally, sitting directly across from him was 1st Battalion Commander Farrell Ramos. He gave Winter a smile and a nod. The anxious look from the night Camp San Luis Obispo fell was nowhere to be seen. Still, it seemed he hadn't forgotten that silent comfort from that night.
Everyone gathered around was at least a major. Winter was the only company-grade officer present. It was easy to gauge the weight of this meeting.
"The problem remains the typhoon."
The regiment's operations officer opened. On the screen at the front of the conference room were three aerial photos. Reservoirs filled to the brim. They looked dangerous even at a glance.
"Let me get straight to the point. There are three dams we need to secure."
The operations officer zoomed in on the first photo and pointed a laser dot at one side.
"Our top priority is Nacimiento Dam. It's located 13 kilometers west of the base, and as you can see, the water level is dangerously high. It's structured to drain naturally once it reaches danger levels, but right now, inflow exceeds outflow. According to the engineers, collapse could begin as late as tomorrow afternoon."
The colonel asked,
"How long would collapse take?"
"Once it starts crumbling, it'll be in an instant."
The operations officer answered promptly.
"Because Nacimiento is a rockfill dam. Think of pouring water on a sandcastle—it'll be easy to understand. The damage from its collapse would be catastrophic. The flash flood would reach the base in under ten minutes, with expected max velocity of about 20 meters per second and water height over six meters. We need to secure it quickly and open all the spillways."
Murmurs spread. But they were closer to dissatisfaction than anxiety. One officer raised his hand.
"The distance is short, so taking it shouldn't be an issue, but isn't this warning too late? What have the engineers been doing all this time?"
In the US, dam construction and operations fall under the Corps of Engineers. That's why every major dam and reservoir has an engineers' office nearby. For any facility defense issues, the engineers bear primary responsibility.
But it wasn't fair to pin all the blame on them. Separate from facility management, monitoring reservoir and river levels was a collaborative task with the Federal Bureau of Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources.
The operations officer warned,
"We need to save time. No pointless complaints."
"......"
The questioner hesitated. His face showed doubt—was it really that urgent? The dam might collapse tomorrow, sure, but it was a distance that could be covered on foot in four hours.
Winter understood, though. In the worst case, even fully opening the spillways might not stop the rise. With no knowing how long the foul weather would last, it was safer to hurry as much as possible.
The briefing continued.
"The next target, San Antonio Dam, is in a similar situation. It's four kilometers due north of Nacimiento, and the short distance means it should be easy to seize. We've planned to deploy one engineer company and 1st Battalion simultaneously to secure both. Please refer to the documents distributed."
Winter examined the black-and-white map in the handout. The two dams were practically adjacent. Half of Fort Roberts was visible, sliced at the map's edge. The scale was huge—one grid square side was just one kilometer. Proof of how close they were.
The colonel raised a question.
"The entire 1st Battalion? Do we really need that many troops just to seize two dams?"
The operations officer nodded.
"If it's just about controlling the facility, one platoon each would suffice. Open the spillways and come back. But I'm concerned about variant activity. These things have the intelligence to infiltrate the base deliberately and set fires to disrupt air ops. And recent reports say even non-special variants are using simple tools, right? I doubt they'll stay quiet while the weather grounds our recon and strikes."
The colonel countered in bewilderment,
"You're not saying you think the variants will attack the dams, are you?"
"Better safe than sorry. We have to prepare for everything. Remember the Christmas Eve raid. Who imagined they'd use an EMP?"
Then, abruptly, the arrow turned to the boy officer.
"Lieutenant Han, what do you think?"
Caught unprepared, Winter paused a moment. All eyes in the room focused on him. The operations officer added,
"Give us your unfiltered opinion. That's one reason we called you."
"......I do think it's possible. Though the causality might be reversed."
"What do you mean?"
"From multiple trips escorting convoys to Black Mountain, I've confirmed that intelligent variants act as scouts. Naturally, there are some near the base now. With air recon down, there might even be more than usual."
"And?"
"They might spot our forces heading to secure the dams and only then realize their importance."
To the officers, this felt like a more realistic warning than the operations officer's. Winter pondered how long it would take a Grumble to destroy a dam. It had the physical power to crumple a Humvee into scrap and demolish a house in one go. It wouldn't take long.
'......Half a day?'
Even a small crack would start the collapse. Water pressure would handle the rest.
As the room nodded in agreement, the operations officer switched the screen. The third dam. Its reservoir looked smaller than the first two, but only relatively.
"Our final target is Salinas Dam. It's 56 kilometers in straight-line distance from the base, about 70 by road, so lower risk. Even if it collapses, Fort Roberts shouldn't take direct damage."
Thanks to recent spillway work, the operations officer explained.
"But the San Ardo oil fields farther downstream are different. Right on the riverbank—they'll flood for sure. Damaged refining facilities would be hard to repair."
The colonel groaned.
"That's trouble. Better secure it regardless of risk."
"I agree, but......distance is the issue. The first two are so close we can send a battalion without worry. We can lay phone lines, return to support the base if needed, or vice versa. But not this one. We'll have to send a small force. Comms will be impossible at that range. It'll be a dangerous mission."
The operations officer stared openly at Winter. Capston probably knew up to this point. Winter had mentioned needing a mission. When assigning dangerous tasks at Fort Roberts, they couldn't overlook the boy officer. Likely, the operations officer had ordered Winter summoned.
The colonel asked Winter,
"Lieutenant Han, your thoughts? Seems the staff thinks you're the man for it, hence inviting you."
"I'll follow orders."
"No, I want your opinion. If you're against it, we'll give it to someone else. You're needed everywhere. I wouldn't be thrilled sending you outside the base at a time like this."
The colonel's words were unexpected. After a moment's thought, Winter shook his head.
"I should go."
"Thought so. How much force do you need?"
"One platoon. Or fewer."
Bewilderment spread.
"That's reckless. Impossible to defend the whole dam with that."
"No need to defend."
"Why?"
"The map shows seven towns between the base and the dam. It's that far. We might get spotted by a few ghouls en route. But they can't keep up with vehicle speed. So even if variants spot us upon arrival, the chance they grasp the connection between Fort Roberts and the dam is extremely low."
"Meaning if we get attacked, the target would be you and your platoon, not the dam?"
"Yes. Unless a Trickster tracks us over distance—they communicate over long ranges. But Tricksters aren't that common. And look at the map: no towns or villages within 10 kilometers of Salinas Dam. Probably fewer variants too. We can slip in and out undetected."
Winter planned to go on foot from a distance. No noisemakers. Rain and wind would mask sounds anyway.
The support force for the boy officer would come from 3rd Battalion, as usual. Winter wanted to take his allied combat team, but it was greed. Command wouldn't approve. Too critical an op for refugee support troops. The colonel ordered Capston and the logistics staff to provide everything Winter requested. He seemed pleased with the boy officer's confidence.
With roles assigned, the briefing wrapped quickly.
Before leaving, Ramos offered a handshake.
"Always so brave. Good luck, Lieutenant."
"You too, Colonel. 1st Battalion still short on replacements—must be tough."
"Not as much as you. Checked your record: you've been in every major op. If you were under me, I'd force you to rest."
"Thanks for the concern."
The colonel patted the boy's shoulder, gave Capston a brief smile, and left the briefing room. Capston asked,
"Any particular platoon you want?"
"Hmm. One I'm used to would be best, but honestly, any from Charlie Company is fine. Just gather volunteers. As I said, fewer than a platoon is okay. Don't want to drag anyone into danger unwillingly."
Especially not Jeffrey and his platoon. They'd come if called, but Winter felt bad pulling them so often.
Capston shook his head.
"I'm still worried. No radios either, right? If something unexpected happens, response capability will be severely lacking. At least need backup reserves. Think it over again. Even a company request would get approved easily."
No radios because of Tricksters. They'd detect signals and come running—and they don't travel alone. The lone one on Christmas Eve was to get captured. Winter made a gentle smile.
"Thanks for worrying. But it's fine. Fewer numbers are better to stay hidden. The east side of the dam is mostly woods......Under those conditions, variants spotting me before I spot them is unlikely. Even if spotted, easy to shake them. More troops would overwhelm my capabilities."
"......Alright, I'll round up volunteers. Assemble in the motor pool in 30 minutes. Tell me if you change your mind."
After glancing at the colonel, Winter headed straight to the motor pool. Supply personnel, already briefed, waited. With their help, Winter loaded gear, tools, food, ammo onto vehicles. Especially plenty of food and fuel—for getting stranded at the dam.
'With rain this heavy, roads could wash out anytime.'
The boy held out a hand to gauge the rain's weight. It drummed heavily on his glove.
As he waited, footsteps approached en masse. Boots splashing through mud. A full company on the double. Leading was Lieutenant Sullivan. Formerly 3rd Platoon Leader, he'd been promoted to company commander after Capston's predecessor died.
The company formed up in the rain before Winter's eyes.
Winter tilted his head.
"What's this? Everyone turning out?"
Sullivan replied,
"Heard you're looking for volunteers, Lieutenant Han?"
"......No way."
"Afraid so. Whole company volunteered. Pick who you want."
Now Winter saw they were all holding back grins. He felt a bit awkward.
============================ Author's Notes ============================
1. Today is the author's birthday. Wanted to sleep early but... ㅠㅠ
By the time I wake up, half the birthday will be gone...
Anyway, playing all day today. Sealbreaker? No idea. Not touching it.
No one to play with, but whatever.
Gonna watch movies alone, grill meat alone, hit cafes alone, drink alone...
...
Guess I'll play Overwatch...
2.
Q. Reineysis-nim: @Columbarium with morning commute... How many hours does it usually take to write one chapter?
A. Hmm. This one took longer—wrote it once, scrapped it, rewrote from scratch. When I get bogged down in details or the direction feels off, starting over is best. Clinging to sunk wordcount ruins the writing.
Without that, usually around 8 hours.
Q. HobakHobak-nim: @Military phone Korean-made? Probably has ActiveX installed;; Every support request is an auth hellscape ㄷㄷ
A. Nah, America's not that sloppy.
Q. MasterKalsolum-nim: @Costco pizza down to 2 slices too... Back in the day, like 10-15 years before the 40,000-year time warp, I could devour as a food fighter. Won 100k prize at a spot with 5k entry: 5 pork cutlets, 5 galbi patties, 5 bowls rice, 5 sodas in under 30 min—did it in 14:41.
A. Wow... Takes me 20 min per bowl... Impressive...
Q. Dohwaryeon-nim: @Paper books.... A dream for readers and writers. If publishing, self-pub or go through a publisher?
A. Looks like we'll get paper books. Honestly, wasn't that desperate for me. Wanted to as a student, but after...
Q. CheongnyuRyom-nim: @Thanks for another innocent-filled chapter. That Russian guy isn't the president in the story, right? Still remember you telling Putin "Be my reader." Tekeli-li!
A. Identity's a secret. Probably stays that way. Haha.
Q. Mulsangga_Sekye-nim: @Chat scenes between folks feel fresh and fun!
A. Tough part for the author. Trying to depict realistically.
Q. EojinGwangdae-nim: @Italy's 7 hours ahead incl. summer time, so 5am there is noon Korea—means I get novel at 5am? Big win? Pizza's Italian anyway.
A. Italy, where you can get tasty pizza anywhere... Jealous...
Q. HaetbitNajam-nim: @Oh dear, Mr. Pizza is for arthropods. Humans can't eat it!
A. Isn't it human-exclusive? Thought modern humans eat such tasteless stuff.
Q. NeoGGM-nim: @Looked up news—Samsung Mark spotted? That it?
A. Rugged case.
Q. AigoNaeInsaeng-nim: @If Crozen appeared in this world, would it purify? Miss absolute good more and more. Noble time up, can't read more.. Will rebuy next time.
A. Crozen wouldn't sit idle. Come back in 40k years. '-)/
Q. MuhyopSoseolGwang-nim: @Hopeless chat reactions hilarious. Feels like evolving from demon cave to demon.
A. Hilarious despite no hope... Where you buy L'Rueye?
Q. Ghozt-nim: @Discovered Wicked—full of innocence. But protag's infinite cat-love stands out.
A. Read it. Kinda... lacking.
Q. Ketaro-nim: @Curious: the Russian threatening to kill ActiveX creator Kaleisky... Info agency? Says made to prevent tech/info leaks—others joke, but seems high-up intel... Not Putin's heir? Mission for Winter... New threat, urgent seize/recover? Ah, love Domino's.
A. Luski's identity to readers' imagination. More bait later.
Domino's good but cheese too salty. Brand pizzas all salty to me. Can't even eat KFC chicken—too salty.
Q. NunTteoboniSinSegye-nim: @Tunguska-nim lost innocence, didn't cherish Regular. Game start?
A. I lose innocence to readers via novel?
Q. Yeotdaeng-nim: @No high-class innocent porn games? Learn what innocence is watching Yogg-Saron-nim's noble face each time.
A. No time for high-class watches... No room for other games.
Q. HuchuReulHuchuHuchu-nim: @Sponsoring 7 patronage, 27 manuscript fee. Other maker pizza half... possible? Eating Red Riding Hood lately—tasty.
A. Hoong? Red Riding Hood near home—gotta try. Birthday splurge alone! Thanks for tip.
Q. RGZ95-nim: @Luski uncle seems high-rank? Less ordinary the more I see @[email protected]
A. Vladimir's popular. Proud :)
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