The Birth of the Gongdeok Alliance
The Gongdeok Alliance. We had unexpectedly steered the narrative in a new direction—the idea of forging a "new power." With Police Chief Lee Yeonggeun bringing his officers over from Aeogae Station, the issue of public safety was definitively resolved. After all, people are far more likely to follow professional police officers than a civilian-led patrol. Furthermore, by securing Chungjeongno Station, we had acquired more than enough supplies—to the point of excess. Perhaps Pastor Son Gangjo’s proposal... might actually be realistic.
As I was lost in thought, Lee Junhyeok suddenly burst into a hearty laugh. "The country is going insane, so why should we be the only ones trying to stay sane?" That remark broke the ice, and the subsequent discussion proceeded with remarkable speed. "Alright, then. The soldiers will handle monitoring the infected and combat against 'people' if it comes to that. Chief Lee Yeonggeun and his police force will maintain internal order and security. We’ll collaborate on facility maintenance with Mr. Park Yeongsik leading the way, and Bae Sunok will head over to Aeogae and Chungjeongno to personally verify our supply status."
Once all those details were settled, I actually started laughing. It was just so absurd. "This is... it really feels like we’re forming a government." As I said that, Jang Yeeun playfully added a comment. "Should we decide on a name for our group, then?" For a split second, I thought the faces of everyone in the meeting had stiffened, but then, one by one, they began nodding in agreement.
"Uh... wait a second, a name is a bit..." I tried to protest, but the mood had already shifted.
"Since we’ve come this far, let’s pick a good name. Nothing is more important than a name when people gather to build a community." Hearing that, others began to chime in. Mr. Park Yeongsik said simply, "How about just... 'Seoul Alliance'?" while Bae Sunok added, "I think a name that feels a bit more unified would be better."
"Then... let’s call our group the 'Gongdeok Alliance.' Gongdeok Station is the center of our power, after all. It represents the place where we first started, and our commitment to keep moving forward." When Jang Yeeun said that, everyone nodded in quick succession.
"But who will take on the role of leader?" Second Lieutenant Jeong I-hyeon asked cautiously. I looked at Lee Junhyeok. Surely, he was the highest-ranking person at Gongdeok Station, wasn't he? Lee Junhyeok thought for a moment before opening his mouth.
"...We need to show that we are different from the military junta, and it doesn't look great if a soldier is in the leadership position, does it?" That was true.
Just then, Bae Sunok raised her hand carefully. "...I don't think people would object if Representative Lee Sieun took the lead, would they?"
"That's right. If it's Representative Lee Sieun... who would object? She handles things so cleanly."
"I agree. We can all trust and follow Representative Lee Sieun’s decisiveness and leadership."
At those words, everyone nodded, and I felt my face flush red, not knowing what to do. No, why is the conversation heading in this direction? Then, Jang Yeeun spoke up with a laugh. "The leader of the Gongdeok Alliance, Representative Lee Sieun is entering!" At that moment, Lee Junhyeok also laughed and shouted, "Long live Representative Lee Sieun!" The atmosphere instantly soared, and I ended up collapsing, burying my face between my knees.
"Uh... Representative Lee Sieun, could you lift your head now?" Hearing Second Lieutenant Jeong I-hyeon’s voice, I barely managed to look up. But the situation before me was more serious than I had imagined. Everyone was looking at me. No, perhaps it would be more accurate to say that everyone was waiting for me.
"You’ve made up your mind now, haven't you, Representative?"
"No, that’s not it..." Just then, Jang Yeeun approached my side. "Just try it. Everyone trusts you."
Then, Police Chief Lee Yeonggeun raised his hand and said, "Representative Lee Sieun, please make your decision. The seat is already waiting for you."
I stopped speaking for a moment and closed my eyes. In that instant, it felt as if all the noise around me had vanished. My palms were trembling slightly. Then, my body reacted before my mind. My head was blank, and I couldn't think of anything, but my lips opened on their own.
"...I understand. Then, I... I will accept the position of General Representative."
I’m doomed.
Because he insisted that integrating the people was crucial and that introducing me as soon as possible would minimize confusion, Pastor Son Gangjo approached me. That was how he had convinced the others.
"Representative Lee Sieun, don't be nervous. I’m a man who has preached in front of tens of thousands of people in the past." I nodded at his words, but my breath still felt trapped in my throat. Despite that, I finally stood before the podium. No, are you kidding me? I have to give a speech in front of hundreds of people on the very day I become the representative? I’m going to lose my mind, seriously.
Were there about 200 people from the church? They were mixed into the crowd, waving their hands as if to support me, acting as shills. ...Is it really okay for us to be doing this?
"Gongdeok Alliance! Gongdeok Alliance!" The voices of the shills rang out, and that cry gradually spread to the people around them. I bit my lip hard. Well, I have to do what I have to do...
"Everyone, we are standing at a critical crossroads. The world we have lived in until now has collapsed, and we must start over in a new world. In this situation, we have two paths we can choose." I paused to catch my breath and looked at the crowd. Everyone was watching me in silence.
"One is to restore order through a military government, and the other is to find hope through a civilian government. However, the military government can never be our answer. They abandoned the civilians!"
At that moment, Pastor Son Gangjo shouted loudly from the front. "That is correct! We must unite not through force, but through our hearts!"
...Isn't this man a talent who should have been born about 100 years ago? He wasn't a German in his past life, was he?
"And... if there is a government that has lost its mind, it is the current Choi Jaeyeol administration. Looking at their actions, which prioritize political gain over lives, one cannot even tell what they exist for. We must walk a different path from this irresponsible government. The Choi Jaeyeol government doesn't even have the ability to return the country to normal, yet they are lost in a world of their own!"
Saying that, I paused for a moment to gauge the crowd's reaction. When I brought up the name 'Choi Jaeyeol government,' an even stronger cry of anger erupted from the crowd.
"We are different from such a government. We will guarantee the safety of civilians and help them stand up again in the midst of this chaos. The work we must truly do is to protect the lives of civilians and help them find hope once more!"
The slogan 'Gongdeok Alliance!' erupted once again. At that moment, some of the people from the church raised their hands in unison and shouted at the top of their lungs. "We support the Gongdeok Alliance!"
That cry swept through the crowd. One by one, they began to join in. The pastor also raised his hands high in the front, leading the people.
"We prioritize the protection of civilians above all else. And we will find a way to rise together. Even under the pressure of the military government, there is much we can do. We will create a government for the people, an alliance for the people. And at the center of that alliance is Gongdeok Station. We start from here!"
"Long live the Gongdeok Alliance!" The crowd's shouts rang out once more. That sound grew louder and louder, and I gained strength from it as I continued to speak. "What can we do? We must not only fight, but also protect civilians and restore social order. If each of us takes on our role and does our best in our respective positions, we can overcome this crisis. We will never collapse!"
"Long live! Long live the Gongdeok Alliance!" Swept up in that sound, I couldn't hide my excitement. "We will reclaim Seoul Station, Noryangjin, and Yongsan, and bring order back to Seoul!"
That night, I was rolling around on the floor out of embarrassment. Should I just die? No, I’m a zombie, so haven't I already died? How am I supposed to face these people tomorrow morning? And why did I have to get so excited in the middle of it all!
After finishing the speech, my head was complex and confused, so as soon as I returned, I just sprawled out on the floor. But that wasn't the end of it. Jang Yeeun next to me was rolling around on the floor holding her stomach because it was so funny.
"Do you know how much I laughed during that speech? You were perfectly in sync with the crowd! You’re a total trendsetter now, Representative Lee Sieun!"
My face turned red, and I buried my face in the floor. "Please, stop laughing. I don't even know, why that became such a big deal back then..."
Jang Yeeun laughed for a long time before finally calming down and letting out a sigh. "Still, you did well. It was really cool. And, you know we’re going to Aeogae Station tomorrow to head out to the surface, right? With the scouting party."