The Little Prince in the Ossuary

End of April # 5

“It's the middle of winter.”

The speakers buzzed as winter spoke. It was not a noise or interference, but a long sigh on the handset over there. After a brief silence, the president's voice came out.

[This is the first time I've seen you at the White House. Nice to meet you, Major. I can barely feel my voice. Nowadays, only bad news...]

He said with a margin.

[I should say this first. I'm sorry to hear about what you've been through as president of this country. We'll need to get the details, but the superintendent's testimony alone gives us an idea. The world is a world where you see people like John Cutler reappear.]

A winter that tilts its head toward unfamiliar names. Knows more than most, but does not know everything.

“Cutler? Who is he? ”

[Devil.]

Short disconnect and reconnect.

[He's the head of the Department of Health and Human Services who experimented with syphilis. at home and abroad. Tuskegee must be pretty famous among them. Have you ever heard of it?]

“Ah……. There is.”

It reminded me, in some ways, of racism. Because the victims' placenta was black. Another similarity to this case would be fine.

[“We just used people who were going to die to study it anyway. I only wanted to help my country and humanity, but why ask for responsibility....” My sympathizers and assistants were self-defense and served. Cutler himself was not dying, but he would have said the same thing. And he said, "Well, aren't we going to save more lives?"]

Chadwick said the same thing.

[Stupid logic. An act of patriotism makes an entire nation an accomplice. But as a politician, I find it hard to stay calm.]

“Don't say that. You're a much better man. ”

The president smiled spontaneously. He was the one who said in his speech that he blocked the path between need and need. He was a person who pushed the boundaries of the world of people and people. Winter knows that feeling. The weight of the stone still in your chest. As long as it exists, the boy will be bound by the feelings he wants to throw away.

[Thank you for believing that. I was afraid you'd be disappointed in this country.]

It was not a concern about one winter man. The president would have calculated social costs.

[I have a question.]

“Go ahead.”

Maybe the reason he wanted to make the call wasn't just to reconfirm the supervisor's statement.

The story of the so-called President was completely unexpected.

[I'd like to send the major and his close friends to you, but I'm curious about your opinion.]

“Are you talking about the Alliance... or Fort Roberts' Korean refugee relief workers?" ”

[I heard you've been promoted to a regular Independent, not a supporter. Depending on the situation, additional Japanese, Vietnamese, Filipino and Cambodian may be deployed. I don't know which Chinese has the most numbers. Everyone is more likely to see the reverse effect.]

“Sounds like a polling plan. ”

[Yes, my Press Secretary strongly recommends it. You said that if refugee soldiers take part in the rescue operation, they will draw a good picture. Not a bad story for you, either. It's about gaining the support of citizens.]

It's worth knowing. Winter asked something else.

“Is Fort Roberts okay? ”

This is just a military base, but the current president is memorizing the status of each node, but it's not strange. Again, the answer without delay.

[Rest assured, this location is far from the center of Mutant Assault, so I understand it's one of the strongholds for rescue activities. In the first place]

The horse was inadvertently cut off.

“Sir?”

[…….]

The comms are gone, as secrets are coming and going. As winter approaches, Joanna examines the communication equipment in a bewildering fashion. But she wasn't universal either. Just about to call the comms, someone on the other side of the phone wakes up President McMillen. The radio wasn't cut off.

[Well, I'm sorry. I fell asleep.]

“Are you all right?”

[It's nothing. I was up late last night watching a show. West wing.]

It was a depressing, dry joke. The White House must have switched to emergency systems after Yang Yong-bin's nuclear attack. Maybe a lot of people have already died from fatigue.

[How far did you say... …. Well, yeah. You didn't have that many scattered troops in the first place. Most importantly, with the Air Force's strong support gone, there's no danger of a single Independent squadron being formed on their own. Am I right?]

The last question was not towards winter.

[That's right. There's no need to worry about the base itself. He seems to care about the people close to him, as I've heard.]

But what does it mean that the Air Force is gone? The winter the bear thought was possible. Identifying a target, that is, obtaining a target is difficult.

‘Because if you don't prepare to crash, low altitude flights won't be possible. ’

You cannot launch a brute-force bombing in a crowded swamp. Normally, a small child identifier (IFF) would have played a role, but by now most vehicles equipped with such equipment would have been abandoned. Occasionally, there is a portable device, but it is difficult for the desperate stragglers to carry large and heavy identifiers to escape. The signal of lighter things does not reach the sky.

Tricksters that have learned precision bombardment also emit short-circuit radio waves. It was inadequate spacing to induce propagation tracking missiles, while disrupting rescue activity. It would be best for the U.S. military to interfere with the station. The air of this dawn would have had such help.

I think I know why there hasn't been a Navy plane that flew out of the sea.

An Independent squadron of Winter allies, by the way. It was anticipated, but it eventually produced a unique uniqueness based on the American military. It's the winter I've been thinking about.

“I don't know why you need my opinion. ”

[If you refuse, I will reconsider.]

“ ……. ”

[Surprisingly?]

“I honestly do. ”

[Don't be so hard on yourself. For my associates, the major is a subject of the Order of the Order.]

“Ah.”

[It means I don't want to cut open the goose's belly to lay a golden egg. You're practically an irreplaceable human resource.]

The President has changed his tone.

[Nobody's having a hard time right now. But with that in mind, you were over-burdened in a short period of time. There's no argument about this. Ordinary people would already be in trouble. Then why are you trying so hard...? That's an easy decision to make.]

It was a bit different from the truth, but a positive misconception. Winter listens quietly.

[Someone said, Lieutenant in the middle of winter...... Since you were a lieutenant back then. Anyway, one lieutenant only fights to protect his fellow Americans. His soul has no country. Therefore, he is not a patriot. Don't call him a hero. "That was a pretty interesting argument.]

The President's low smile was not friendly.

[Demanding unpaid patriotism from others is usually the most unpatriotic of humans.]

And he mentioned Kennedy.

[Do not ask what a country can do for you, ask what you can do for it. It's easy to understand, but this proverb doesn't require unconditional sacrifice. It's just a request to change the order. A major has already done enough for his country. I can't pay you back right now, but you have to at least be considerate.]

“Thank you."

[No thanks. So speak freely. You need to be judged as a field commander. Are you able to carry out your mission properly, or are you not too eager to catch your breath with the existing troops?]

“ ……. ”

Joanna shakes her head quietly. Your sacrifice is enough. Meaning that, it became easier to read minds in gestures as they became more friendly than before.

“You should be able to do enough. I don't care either way. Let them go if they want. ”

[I see.]

The president's words resemble a sigh.

[I have to tell you this in advance. Motivation is important.]

Motivation? Is there anything left? Winter leans in.

[I think you already know the story of changing the refugee relief system from direct management to budget support for leaders.]

President McMillen mentioned one of the Republican nominations. Arguing to stop universal support for the entire refugee community and allocate budgets to leaders who make progress. It was a policy to spark endless competition and survival among refugees. Conservative citizens, as well as some progressive citizens, are enthusiastically supported.

People were weak, and I couldn't help it if I was scared.

“Yes, I heard it on the air. ”

[Soon you'll be able to introduce it. The support of the citizens is so hot. It would be bad for most refugees, but at least it would be good for the major. That's the bigger problem. I'd say your popularity is poisoned. Who says you don't want to save your budget and increase your benefits?]

“You're holding back. ”

[We have to stop the horse's election somehow. It will be irreversible.]

In the expression "irreversible point," I felt that winter was strange.

‘Before the emotional goal gets deeper, before there are fewer good people……. ’

Thoughts were incomplete in a short time. The president stopped thinking about winter.

[I just don't intend to end it there.]

“What would you do...? ”

[Do not limit the support to budget. I intend to grant you the right to establish a subordination or territory, limited to a sufficiently accomplished refugee leader or group. Given the public opinion, it's more likely that the Territories will be more likely. A lot of people would feel distant from you if they were under orders. It might be easier to get promoted to the 51st in the case of the territory.]

Those with military service experience in the United States, especially war heroes, benefit greatly from political advancements.

It meant that one day you would be influenced by politics. It would have been enough to accommodate refugees by securing areas where they could be self-sufficient. Even if it is as small as Rhode Island, it is not difficult to accommodate refugees of several nationalities.

However, the presidential term is only half a year away. Is that even possible?

[I don't think it will be difficult. It's already settled with the House Chairman.]

It was a surprising answer to the question of winter.

“Isn't he a Republican? ”

I can recall hearing about newspapers blowing in the wind, news passing by, etc.

[Even if you are a Republican, you feel that if you are elected, your country is doomed. There was someone else who wanted to push me from the Republicans in the first place.... Maybe I wouldn't be so worried if he was.]

“I see……. ”

I don't think it would be weird if the assassination scandal exploded. However, winter soon shook its head. The dead are easy to make up. It is never an easy choice unless you know how the public opinion spreads after that.

[So don't break it.]

I just wanted to have a private conversation. The president's selfishness unfolded.

[I'm sorry I locked you up in a hotel when I was in D.C. When we meet again at the next Seohyun ceremony, why don't you sit down and have a beer? A beer made with honey is delicious.]

“I look forward to it.”

[I enjoyed it for a while. The warmest season returns at the end of the cruelest moon. Goodbye.]

“ ……. ”

Johanna, who is listening, smiles faintly. I know April is a cruel month, but what's next? When winter becomes suspicious, the correction of intellect by English outputs a translucent string in the field of view. It was part of the wasteland, a poem winter couldn't memorize.

Winter was warm. You covered the earth with the eyes of forgetfulness and fed it to the parched bulbs of your miserable soul.