Chemistry

AM 06: 30 - Gwanghwamun Central Disaster Measures Division

“Jungwoo! I found it! ”

Jungwoo, who was falling asleep leaning against the hallway rest room chair, opened his eyes to the scream of Miles.

I was spending the second night, but I had to wake up to this news. The only risk the disaster headquarters is concerned about. Because it was resolved.

Jung woo opened the door of the Situation Room, sweeping his mouth although there was no drool. I was revitalized by the sound of everyone looking tired and finding a truck.

- The two fugitives are being interrogated by a brigade investigator, and they've blocked civilian access around the truck.

Jung Jong-gyu, who was receiving a video call from Hwacheon Police Chief, turned to Jungwoo who was seated.

“A response team will be on site shortly. Please instruct the Dangerous Goods Management Committee member. ”

“Yes.”

Jungwoo wore a headset with radio channels connected to the team leader. Then I turned my eyes to the Situation Room monitor to illuminate the scene.

The truck has stopped in the middle of the road, which police are blocking with a control line.

‘I'm glad I found you before it's too late... Huh? ’

Jungwoo, looking at the traces of pollutants buried all over the truck, looked into the foreign matter that seemed to be different from what he described as the missing substance X.

Why is it unstable? ’

It was a new substance that terrified racing citizens because it was in a stable combination.

The unstable thing was that the spread could at least be all of the contaminants in it.

Jungwoo immediately heard the radio.

“Sir, can you hear me? ”

- Yes, I can hear you. I see the scene.

“When you descend, stand back at least 500 meters to those without protective clothing. ”

- Even the police in control?

He replied that Jung looked at the cops wearing masks on the screen.

“Everything. Some of the toxins can be dangerous just by touching the skin. ”

Information that Substance X, a mixture of almost all toxic substances that chemical companies can emit, has become unstable. Jungwoo told Jung Jong-gyu the analysis exactly as it was.

Jung Jong-gyu, surprised, asked.

“You mean it's dangerous without rain or fog? ”

“First of all, if you don't have direct contact with X, there's no problem, but I would never recommend going in without proper equipment. ”

Later, he advised the head of the response team that a scrutiny was necessary, as if handling hazardous materials in the laboratory.

The captain in the video call got a report and changed his face.

- Minister, one of the suspects in the investigation is down.

“What?"

- They're taking her to the ambulance for a seizure... … What? Did someone else just fall?

Even Jungwoo was embarrassed by this news and turned his head.

The two people who drove a truck carrying 4,000 liters of unstable material for more than 24 hours were most likely exposed to prolonged exposure to toxicity.

‘The risk is completely different from when it was just anesthetic. ’

While I was staring at the screen, wondering how to fix it, the chemical counterparts arrived in front of the truck in question.

AM 07: 27 - The Path to the Bridge of Hwaseong

As soon as he stepped off the road, he shouted at the people.

“Everyone step back 500 meters! ”

A disaster headquarters radio came to Kim Pyeong-jong, who had pulled back even the police who were standing in front of the blocking line.

- Bring the situation camera near the truck. It's mounted on top of a police car.

Kim Pyeong-jong looked around the truck looking for a camera.

“The race lungs don't smell as nasty as the field. ”

Smells different? You neutralized it with a basic compound. The equilibrium was broken. Somehow.

“Do you want to clean it right away with a waste disposal container? ”

- We haven't ruled out the risks yet. Black dot on the side of the truck. Pull the zoom.

Taking the lens closer followed the analysis of the disaster headquarters specialist.

- You see the abrasion? One or four dioxanes that were stuck to the Trinaturatum phosphate were ripped off, and the sodium laureth sulfate attacked the alkylphenol compounds and then they were broken up into pieces.

“Aren't all these poisons you're talking about? ”

- Yeah, there are some variations. If you look at the trail, the reaction direction is consistent. It seems that the nature of the rapid reaction in the water and spreading is still the same.

Kim Pyeong-jong looked at the truck while discussing how to deal with the expert, and he heard the sound of cheating. I heard it in the lid of the tank.

- Sir, the meter. Can I have the meter, please?

Kim Pyeong-jong's gaze also looked down at the reflection of the camera. The reading of the contents in the tank was fluctuating.

“The internal air pressure seems to be unstable. ”

-Molecule bonds were partially broken and contracted, probably due to the swelling. We can't just open this.

Peek-a-boo!

The sound of the wind blows like a sharp flute, and the truck trembles once. Pyongjong Kim took a step back.

- The instruments have fluctuated from a thousand liters to their maximum capacity. At this width, this is the level of molecular activity that gasifies the liquid. Is the tank holding pressure?

Meanwhile, the radio followed a calm analysis. Kim Pyeong-jong was embarrassed and looked at the tank.

“Not yet…. ”

Bang!

The whole truck shudders in fear of the end of the horse.

“Some of them are dented. ”

With the force of the superpolymer gas, no steel structure can withstand it.

Kim Jong-jong intuitively sensed an explosion. Turning his head toward the team members in protective clothing, he shouts immediately.

“Back off!"

A truck that was in serious vibration. The blown lid, unable to withstand the pressure, rolls up and down the side of the road. The people who were escaping after 500 meters are startled.

Fish-su-suh-chum!

Black gas erupts relentlessly from the entrance of the exploded tank.

Kim Pyeong-jong, who was running reflexively behind the chemical car, turned his head and was appalled.

That was no ordinary explosion.

On the truck, 10 meters.

The gas remains undisturbed in the air.

“Oh, how did this happen……. ”

- Don't panic, it doesn't spread without moisture.

He was already expecting this in the Situation Room. My voice is not shaking at all.

It's high humidity around the river, so we need to lead it to a waste container before it reacts.

“Is that possible? ”

- Chemicals have portable evolution tools, right? It holds water.

Later, Kim Pyeong-jong's suggestion from the radio turned out to be unbelievable.

AM 08: 45 - 500 m from rear of Hwaseong Bridge

Behind the newly sagging control line, reporters came running after the news.

When the station's cameras were stuck in the air and there was a mysterious black gas phenomenon in the lens, journalists on one side had to worry about how to explain the work of the response team that was collecting it.

A response team member carrying a portable fire extinguisher stood next to a cylindrical waste collection container.

Continuous spraying straight into the black gas in the air.

As a portion of the gas touching the water moves along the sprayed direction, it immediately stops spraying.

The gas that was sucked right up to the front settled as it reacted to the water in the waste collection container. Finish by closing the lid and loading it into the collection vehicle.

The response team's approach to leading to nothing but a stream of water seemed so simple that it reminded me of a particular movie.

Reporters could not explain that the black ghost floating in the truck was shot with water and put in barrels, so they were not able to broadcast live even though it was breaking news.

“The government announced! ”

All the reporters held cell phones in their hands when someone shouted.

Reporters who saw the statement from the HQ about the phenomenon on the bridge of Hwaseong began breaking news immediately.

“This is a site that collects pollutants called X. Only Woo, the chemist who is in charge of the collection site at the disaster headquarters, offers a simple way to capture it in a barrel using its water-responsive nature. ”

“Unlike in races, they are increasingly toxic, so only professionals with protective equipment can access them near the field. The base is using all available equipment to focus on the collection, which is impossible without the skilled firefighter spraying technique……. ”

After breaking news from each of the stations, the word 'Hwason Ghostbusters’ came to mind in real time.

PM 05: 13 - Gwanghwamun Central Disaster Measures Division

- Almost got what I could see.

All who were waiting inside the headquarters sighed for relief on the completion of the response team leader.

“Be sure to take care of the trucks you've transported perfectly and avoid secondary damage. ”

Jung Jong-Kyu, who sent a follow-up instruction, turned his eyes to the chemist who came in last night and fixed the situation again.

He was rubbing his sleepy eyes and communicating with the health department.

- You're saying that two patients with endocrine abnormalities are caused by insecticides?

“Yes. Especially on pemetrin... Oh, yawn. I'm sorry."

I'll try the antidote and get back to you.

“Have a nice day."

The lid of Jungwoo, who bent his head toward the laptop screen, closed for a moment and went up heavily. Jung Jong-gyu told Jung Woo who was tired.

“Mr. Jungwoo. We're almost done. Rest now. ”

“May I? ”

“Of course. I'll call you if I need you. I don't think so anymore. ”

There are no injured persons and X is recovering completely. Just waiting for the results, Jong-gyu told me to take another break.

When Jungwoo got up from his seat, all the countermeasures officers who were busy on the phone paused.

It was because of the habit of trusting Jungwoo, who had repaired the situation of the race as well as the incident of Hwaseong, to follow the instructions immediately.

After watching Jung walking out of the Situation Room, their activities continued.

Jung Jong-gyu smiled at the reactions of employees who cared more about friendship than he did.

This is not something to be jealous of, this is something to admit. Compared to what that young hero has done for his country in the last 48 hours, this is really nothing.

Unfortunately, Jungwoo rested for less than an hour.

-There are tens of thousands of dead fish floating in the Chuncheon Dam.

During an investigation, we have reported a sudden onset of corrosion at Gate 2. It's like what I saw in the racing building....

- The same thing has been reported in the cancer dam. The dead fish cover the dam, and the four- or five-inch waters that were blocking the water fell out.

News of a new flight from the Department of Water froze the entire situation room.

Jungwoo, who washed and entered the situation room, did not take his eyes off the information recorded on the screen for a while.

Large perforated water gates, black surfaces covering the edges. It has been reported that even a photograph of a group of dead fish is in serious condition.

- This is the Cheongpyeong Dam! The water gate is......

A member of the Water Department, who made a phone call on a cell phone video phone, turned the camera towards the dam.

The rope!

Three sealed water gates burst out at once, forcing the water to erupt.

Jungwoo looked at the lumps of black molecules that flashed on the white stream at that urgent moment and said.

“I see traces of X. ”

“I thought you collected all the X's? ”

Jung turned his eyes to the situation above the bridge while finishing work swallowed a groan.

The cloudy sky.

It doesn't rain, but the moisture is added. Added to the riverside environment, residual pollutants that cannot be determined by the eyes were moved.

Nevertheless, it's only 40 liters of pollution. However, the diffusion and power of X, when equilibrium broke and began to spiral, was unimaginable.

All the modified material X 4,000 liters flowed into the river? The thought of Jung Woong creeped me out.

While quickly calculating how much damage a drop of contaminant can cause, the voice of one person speaking with the water resources official struck the ears of Jungwoo.

“If we get through the dam like this, then the Han River! ”

Seoul.

Pollution is flowing into a densely populated metropolitan city of 10 million citizens.

PM 06: 07 - North River Road

“That's a lot of pushing today. Let's get in line, don't get in the way. ”

The director asked if he was driving to Yoon Yi Seol's car.

“I don't think we're gonna make it out of here by 7: 00. If you're hungry, why don't we stop by a restaurant nearby? The Walkhill Hotel course will be fine. ”

“No, I'm having dinner with Jungwoo tonight. No interference. Alone.”

When he uttered the word 'interruption’, he looked straight at himself, so he lost his sight.

“Is that gonna work? They'll keep up with the cameras. ”

“Don't worry about it. Jungwoo moved it and it's so difficult. I don't really know him when I wear a mask. ”

“No, not you, Jungwoo. It's still on the news. Today, it is more recognizable than singer Yoon Yi Seul. ”

Yoon Yiseul was right, and after he stretched his elasticity, he picked up his mobile phone and searched for Lim Wu, who was in second place with his swordsmanship.

“What are you doing?”

“Mr. Jungwoo is making first place. Until five o'clock, I was number one, but I went down for a while. ”

“I'm so excited. ”

“Turn on the radio. Listen to Jungwoo's news. ”

I don't have any more groupies like this. When the dean put his tongue on the radio, the announcer's voice came out.

- You should get an umbrella for dinner. There's rain all over the capital.

While the weather forecast was coming, Chairman Ji seriously asked.

“Jungwoo, you're really not busy. ”

“I got a call earlier. I'm going to take a little break after work. ”

“Yippee, Yi Seol. What do you do when you call someone who's been through all night asking them out on a date? ”

“Jungwoo wanted to see you first. ”

As usual, Yoon Yi Seol hoped that traffic would slow down and arrive home.

Yippee.

A single drop of rain clings to the window and pours down.

Yoon Lee Seol touched his hand on the other side of the glass along the trail of the raindrops and waved his head.

“If it rains, I can't go out on a date. If we catch Jungwoo's cold, we'll be in trouble. ”

“Who are you worried about in front of the showcase? You take care of yourself. ”

“Oh, I'm in the best shape I've ever been. ”

PM 06: 07 - Gwanghwamun Central Disaster Measures Division

“…… if it rains, everyone within a 5 inch radius will be addicted to this toxin. ”

Jungwoo's analysis instructed Jung Kyung to estimate the size of the damage as it spread within the situation room.

The circular range of 5 km was placed on the map of Seoul City.

“When reacting between Dongho Bridge and Seongsu Bridge in the heart of the Han River, Yongsan, Seongdong, Gwangjin and Gangnam-gu are influential. There are at least 2 million casualties.... ”

As the large numbers rose to their mouths, none of the situation rooms spoke a word. President Kang Ju-hyuk, who was meeting together in a video call, asked Jungwoo with a grim face.

- Is there no other solution than evacuation?

Jungwoo was also thinking about this endlessly and constantly. However, it took a long time to manufacture an antidote that would neutralize 50 toxins at once.

Even if they made the antidote, it would take at least a few days to distribute it to all the citizens of Seoul.

After Substance X, which moves along the flow of water, it is too late.

Reaction Induction Catalyst? No. We don't know where he is, but we'll leave this to chance. Calm down, Jung Woo. Substance X is only moving based on a chemical signature. Molecular masses simply drawn to the "H" O, not living creatures. ’

We got dead fish coming in!

Biological contamination signal when Substance X hits the water gate. The Han River was near.

President Kang Ju-hyuk, who was making a serious face, immediately ordered this news.

- From now on, the disaster headquarters will move on to Phase 1 scenarios.

Yesterday, a countermeasure started, assuming the worst. However, Jungwoo knew that this reaction would not work properly.

This was going to be worse than the worst family ever.

Power outbursts, bank server paralysis, and a major catastrophe at which the financial sector collapses at one time.

Two million citizens can become addicted to 50 toxic substances, one of which will be recorded.

PM 06: 10 - Seoul

Ehhh!

The noisy siren sounds that could be heard during civil defense exercises resounded throughout Seoul City.

At the same time, a distress call was sent to all citizens.

[Ministry of National Safety]

[Chemical contamination alarm! All citizens near 3 km on the Han River, please move further away immediately.]

Internet articles, TV and radio coverage, as well as chemical threats were spread.

“Huh?"

Yoon Yi Seol's eyes, who had picked up her cell phone and checked the text, widened.

“Chief Ji. What the hell is going on? ”

“I don't know.”

- Ladies and gentlemen, we just had a government announcement.

The announcer on the radio, who used to say everyday things, began to talk about breaking news.

-The spilled contaminant is spreading in the Han River. The president has called for evacuation of citizens who cannot escape for more than 3 miles to a dry area....

I listened to the radio for a sudden evacuation, and my phone rang. Yoon Lee Seol checked his name and put it on his ear.

“Yes, Jungwoo. ”

- Mr. Lee, where are you?

Yoon Iseol smiled and replied to Jungwoo's voice.

“I'm going home. This is the north bank of the river.”

- Uh, where? Are you there with Chief Jee? Get as far away from the Han River as you can!

“I'd love to, but it's crowded. It'll take an hour. ”

PM 06: 11 - Gwanghwamun Central Disaster Measures Division

- Is Jungwoo still in the Situation Room? We're getting a distress call on the radio.

Jungwoo darkened the situation of Yoon Iseol being near the Han River.

- Don't worry, it's an expensive van with a dehumidifier.

“Mr. Lee Seol. But the danger remains unchanged. The quickest way out of the Han River. ”

-Okay.

Jungwoo, who finished the call, bites his lips.

It's not just Yoon Yi-sun. It's hopeless for citizens who have no knowledge of the dangers of breaking Substance X to escape the danger altogether within an hour.

The situation is completely unpredictable as to how it will appear in Seoul.

‘Think. Find it. I'm a certified chemist. There's nothing you can't do! ’

I understand that there are no more answers because I know it well. Jungwoo suddenly thumped the wall of the hall.

“Wow, Jungwoo. If you hit it like that, it'll blow your wrist off, and you won't get a hole in the wall. Did you see what I did in front of the press? ”

The thick voice of Miles walking out turned Jung Woo's head.

“Captain Ma. People are gonna get hurt. Lee Seol is next to the Han River, but if he doesn't get out in time... ”

Miles' reliable hand climbs onto Jungwoo's shoulder.

“At times like this, you have to stay calm. You said you could decrypt people who were poisoned in a matter of time. Let's make it ready. ”

“…… Yes, sir. ”

In the snow pile, in the wildfire, and in the rain, Miles comforted his heart to see the chemist's shoulders sagging, who always found the best answer.

“If you get a report and go. No matter how much I want to live, sometimes I fail. I may be a great firefighter, but there are times when I can't even save one with my forearm. It breaks my heart, but we haven't failed yet. Let's hope it doesn't break our hearts already. ”

“Commander……. ”

“All the great firefighters in Seoul are helping to evacuate the city, and the disaster headquarters has been training for this situation for two days. Yoon Il-sul will be able to leave and go out with you. All the way to Christmas. You've already given up.... ”

Jungwoo who was walking in the hallway stopped.

“Yes, sir? What did you just say? ”

“My big arms? ”

“Christmas.”

“What's that? ”

“It's snow at Christmas! ”

“What are you talking about? ”

Jungwoo jumped through the door of the Situation Room.

< 25. Chemical Lane (9) > End