# April Vengeance, Corona Triumph (3)
I couldn't afford to look around the air base. The estimated arrival time of the freighter was shortly, as the troop encampments and refugee areas were south and east of the runway and the coastline west of the runway. It is not large enough to simply come and go. Winter's gaze stutters into intellectual-modified reality.
"Did I mention the Russians and Chinese refugees are housed here? I wanted to see the situation...... ’
The base of Vandenberg is known to contain around 100,000 people.
Until the freighter arrived, Agent Winter and Agent Gibson were waiting on the runway next to the observation platform. It was not a private airport, so the control room was wide and flat. Traces of NASA are found everywhere. It was not a typical air base.
There was a passenger in the waiting room.
“Lt. Winter? ”
Winter bowed to him. There's a lot of people pronouncing my name right. Thinking. The opponent was General Hayden Strickland, Base Commander. It seemed like an old branch.
“Have a seat.”
The FBI investigator and a young officer thanked the general for his offer of office. The hot tea was ready. The General himself drinks brandy in his tea.
And he didn't say a word until the glass was empty. Even winter feels awkward. Adding to that atmosphere is the general's silence, expressionless face, and the gaze of a frown. The general's expressionless expression was a difficult equation to solve.
The glass is empty at an awkward rate. The commander gives a pen and a piece of paper.
“Sign.”
“…… Yes? ”
“Sign, please. ”
Winter tilts its head and looks into what kind of habitat it is. It's blank. Flip it over. Oh, is that it? Feeling a little confused, the winter was signed in sufficient size.
The lieutenant ordered more.
“Below that, to beautiful Brandy Strickland..." ”
“Who's that? ”
“My daughter. ”
Again, ah, and again, the winter I write down as instructed. The commander scavenged for results. Roll the stone so it doesn't crumple, and carefully tuck it into your chest. The movement didn't match the face of a plaster statue. He also glanced at winter and encouraged by tapping his shoulder.
“Good work.”
And salute again. This was the end. I turn my back. Few will follow. A lieutenant in the Air Force at the guide station smiles.
“Don't mind both of you. The Commander is usually less verbal. ”
“I have an idea where you're from. ”
Agent Gibson shakes his head with excitement.
We don't have to waste any more chances because we have people. Winter asked about the status of the base. The impressive lieutenant replied quietly. He also asks a few questions. Personal curiosity about winter. Of course, there wasn't enough time for this.
“Oh no, I'm getting a call. ”
The lieutenant announces the arrival of the freighter with his unfortunate face.
A new hurricane is brewing in the distant seas, so the waves are high to get to the boat. So the vehicles were designated by helicopter. When winter and Joanna Gibson came out, the pilot was already releasing the wheel brakes and preheating the engines. The wind makes the sound of wings spinning.
The same species as in Santa Maria. The fuselage was small, so it made me feel lovable.
Even if the pilot smiles, the FBI investigator's face still looks bad. Well, a medium-sized transport airliner was awkward, but a small helicopter would be awkward. It was fortunate that it didn't sit out at all. In the past, on a flight to Santa Maria, people from all over the world were screaming.
‘One of them……. ’
Winter sighs unconsciously. I don't know if it was a good thing I said I didn't have to come back.
The helicopter shakes anxiously as it falls off the ground. Agent Gibson is shrunk. What to do. Winter is between the agent's pride and fear. Looks like he's ashamed of himself on the plane.
The wind blows. Winter grasps an agent's arm.
“You look tired. ”
“…… I don't regret it. ”
Whether you want to avoid embarrassment, the agent tells you the past.
“I've been in crashes before. No, the expression" accident "is ridiculous. It was caused by a drug bust. ”
It's a drug bust and an attack. Winter asks.
“Was it the Mexican cartel? ”
“Yes, I was also a field supervisor. I was on a search flight near the Node when I got a heavy machine gun shot. And the timing was up and running, and my head was turning white. I escaped somehow… but as you can see, there's still a sequelae. ”
The question arises: wouldn't it be better to send someone else? Winter examined three possibilities: First, Gibson's own ability to overcome this problem. Second, the problem is that no one wants to come west of the blockade. Third, if you just don't have an idea above.
I can't rule out the possibility that it's the last one. ’
American intelligence agencies, surprisingly, do a lot of shoveling. Winter knew this through experience. Even though it was a world reconstructed based on past data, it would not be as different from the facts as it was based on facts. I just hope there are no fatal mistakes on this operation.
It was natural not to ask the agent himself. Changes the flow of conversation naturally.
“I heard some cartels are holding out in the city. Is that true? ”
It was in the news. Drug cartels are occupying some cities and preventing the invasion of mutants. Tijuana cartels, the Mexican Gulf cartels, Los Zetas, etc. While the United States supported them with food and ammunition, the United States also told them not to cross borders.
Given that this news is not frequent, winter's knowledge is far from up-to-date. Since we have an intelligence agent with us, we'd better get enough information.
“How much do you know about them? ”
“As far as interested people know. ”
“I asked a vague question. ”
The agent smiles stiffly and relaxes himself with the story.
“They've been close to the military for a long time. whether it's funding, whether it's armed, whether it's organization. We recruited a lot of people from military campaigns, even from our United States Special Forces. There were more than one or two patriots buying money. ”
Agents sigh. We raided a local node, and there were anti-tank rockets and anti-aircraft missiles. She witnessed a horrific crash, but it may have been a relief that the machine gun was fired. If you were hit by a missile, you would have died instantly.
“There are times when a single organization has Brigade-class fighters. There are many such organizations, and they have always exercised dominance in each base. ”
“You really are a military bee. I understand how you're holding up. ”
“You should also consider the specifics of the Civil War environment. Your cities are a nightmare maze. They've been familiar with the terrain, tactics, and defense strategies in many battles with our investigative agencies, intelligence agencies, and the Mexican military…. In my view, cruelty may have been the driving force behind blocking the pathway of infection. ”
Which means he would have killed her no matter how suspicious. The agent gives a dark look. He was the face of an expert familiar with the ecology of criminals.
Apparently, he's in his mid-30s. Seems to have been through more than a year of mayhem.
“Even those human scum can help spread the flow of mutants……. We have no choice but to support you right now. There are civilians who rely on them. ”
The long horse ends with a sigh. Hatred for the cartel has spread.
The destination of the short flight has approached. A colossal ship, likely to weigh over 40,000 tons. In flowing sponges, the cargo ship was the only true vessel. The escort ship's adversaries are aligned, but the waves rise and fall as they are small. The escort ship was unexpectedly flying a Philippine flag.
The cargo ship is not a container ship, so the upper deck is clear. Types of Bulk Carriers that primarily transport minerals or food. You shouldn't have any trouble landing.
Winter read its manifest clarity.
[Corona trumps]
Bang. A light smashing landing. The pilot does not turn off the engine. As winter and investigators descend, they salute the outward appearance of the ring and possessions, raising the rider.
A captain, some sailors, and an officer in a strange uniform came to see you. All Asian.
“Welcome, you two. Welcome aboard the Corona Triumph. The wind is cold, so let's go inside and talk. ”
The captain spoke in a different accent in English. They all seemed to understand. Is he from a country that uses English as its common language? Where is such a country? India or the Philippines?
I go inside, and there are English and Japanese weapons everywhere. The escort ship is a Philippine Navy…. It's getting weirder and weirder, but the FBI investigators are all over the place. Apparently, he wasn't on another boat.
Anything else you can see, the holes on the bridge. There were traces of ammunition and cannonballs. Looking at the direction winter stares, the captain smiles depressingly.
“The sea has been very rough lately. the weather, the waves, the people. ”
There aren't many places to talk on a boat like this. Especially the ship that was attacked. In a restaurant that was punctured by emergency repairs, the captain and officers introduced themselves.
“Greetings later. This is Roy Cases in charge of this vessel. I've received transport missions from the CIA. ”
Ongoing Officer Greetings.
“Greetings. I am Lieutenant Ryan de Leon, Philippine Navy liaison officer Frigate Ramon Alcaraz. ”
Winter and the investigators also make their names known. As an officer, Lieutenant Leon was particularly pleased with winter, although neither was the captain nor the crew.
The captain announces the sailing schedule.
“This ship is currently heading north toward San Francisco at 10 knots an hour. If nothing happens, you'll reach the fog at Golden Gate around 6: 00 p.m. tomorrow. Until then, you can relax. Nothing much, but we're here to make sure you're as comfortable as possible. If you'd like, I can show you to your cabin right now. ”
Captain Caesar said time of arrival is important. Well, don't look at it.
Winter did not take his recommendation.
“It's early to go to sleep. ”
Then the captain asked:
“If so, could you spare a little more time? In this age, sailors like us starve for news.... ”
Examine the investigator, make sure she doesn't object, and then nod in winter.
“Who wouldn't? Good. I have questions, too. ”
If there's something you're not supposed to say, the investigator will cut it for you. That's how winter felt.
Artwork Reviews
# Q&A
Q. Blue Crystal: I think @ writers tend to underestimate your novels and abilities. They'll sell 1500 copies in no time. Heh heh, be more confident. Ah, but do you have any plans to publish Joarapan?
A. Contractual publication of paper is authorised by the publisher. It's hard for me to keep it private. Haha.
Q. Eugene Kwangdae: @ heh heh heh The part about acknowledging the meaning of sympathy means the part of the writer that you wrote to annoy us. It's a big comprehensive meaning, but I'm glad to know the meaning a little bit more specific in the vague sense of sympathy. I really don't care if the writer wrote it because he intended to be political satire. Writing should only be read globally. It's a long time to read in Italy. Sympathy... It's a good material.
A. Okay. I misunderstood. I apologize. Yes, compassion is a very good material. It's what drives people like me to write novels.