Apocalypse Shelter Administrator - Chapter 03
When I arrived at the Upper Central Control Room, she had finished preparing for the briefing.
[We’ve got a problem to solve.]
A huge map appeared on the front glass wall.
This glass wall usually served as an observatory overlooking the entire shelter, but it also functioned as a screen for command and control during emergencies.
[A large explosion was detected in the lower area a little while ago. The location is the power facility.]
That referred to the nuclear fusion power plant.
Since this place operated under closure, any accidents would turn the entire facility into a radioactive tomb.
Traditional nuclear fission power plants were not considered.
There was one reactor each for the Upper VIP Residential Area and the Lower General Residential Area.
The Middle Area received its energy supply from the Upper Area.
[There’s no change in power supply, so it appears the power facility is undamaged.]
“What was the cause of the explosion?”
[We couldn’t access the surveillance system in the lower area, so we don’t have the information from this side. The shutdown occurred on a massive scale while extinguishing the fire.]
“Was that long blackout earlier the cause of it?”
As mentioned before, the shelter was divided into the Upper VIP Residential Area, Middle Facility Area, and Lower General Residential Area.
As of now, only the Upper Area is under our control, and the Middle and Lower Areas are disconnected.
The reason is simple-
The VIPs who were supposed to enter the shelter, were unable to obtain proper system authorization. Because of it, they died, causing a commotion outside.
As the System Supervisor, my authority was relatively high, but I still had limitations as a single person.
To keep the Upper Area entirely under Artemis’ control alone was already an enormous challenge.
“What’s the likelihood of additional incidents?”
[As of now, the information is limited, but there are some suspicious aspects.]
“What aspects?”
[The shelter’s atmospheric composition.]
Several bar graphs were displayed on the screen, with percentages of various components led by nitrogen and oxygen.
“What’s that?”
In the corner, there were figures marked with question marks.
[Unidentified atmospheric components have been detected from the lower area. This is the measurement before the explosion, and this is the current measurement.]
It appeared that values had decreased after the explosion.
[When compared to atmospheric conditions in other areas, it seems that unidentified atmospheric substances are spreading mainly from lower power facilities. This is likely to be the cause of the explosion.]
“If that’s the case, how long until the next explosion?”
[According to the simulation results, it’s in 42 hours. However, considering the expanding scope of diffusion, the next explosion will likely be much stronger.]
“We need to go down immediately, right?”
[Yes.]
A detailed map appeared on the screen, showing a long arrow drawn from the current location, marked as the Upper Central Control Room, to the destination.
[The recommended route is downloaded to your PDA.]
Robot brought a device that looked like a temperature sensor.
“Remote beacon porter?”
It was written in engraving near the handle.
[This item can no longer be made due to a shortage of materials, so handle it with care.]
When I pulled the trigger, a strange blue laser emitted over a considerable range. You could almost call it a blue flashlight?
[The light can transmit my commands and programs without a direct physical connection through machinery in the area it reaches. It will be very helpful in tasks like opening electronic blast doors or remote driving of vehicles in the future.]
“So, you’re saying it’s a remote hacking tool? Impressive technology.”
I said, putting my palm in front of the blue laser. It was rather warm.
[Call it what you like. By the way, that light is highly harmful to the human body, so I don’t recommend direct exposure.]
I came to my senses.
“You should have told me that first! You’re a terrible teacher.”
[I didn’t think you’d be so careless as to put your hand into the laser. Are you a bug trying to fly to the lantern? Should I call you a bug from now on?]
“Sorry, my bad. Let’s move on.”
[It’s still a prototype and needs a lot of improvement. It emits intense wavelengths, so fragile components like camera lenses can be easily damaged. Plus, its effective range is only 50 cm.]
In other words, hacking surveillance cameras by installing this device would be a lost cause.
Even if successful, surveillance cameras are critical security devices, and they are equipped with strict security measures.
If an external intrusion is detected, the operating system of the control room in the respective area automatically disconnects the circuits associated with the camera.
[Your mission is to use it to send me to the control rooms in the Middle and Lower Areas. Then, I will gain control authority over the entire shelter.]
“Is that possible?”
It’s unreasonable to think that merely linking Artemis to each facility would grant control authority.
She’s more like a massive, single software entity than an operating system. In fact, the software that controls the facilities in each zone has equal authority to hers.
That’s why, without the expected authorities of the VIPs, I had to work hard to put the residential area under her control with all the hacking I had to do.
[I’ve learned of the hacking procedures. You attempted to transfer the control authority of the Upper Area to me. And I’ve improved it. Now, I don’t need your meager skills anymore.]
“Are you saying my skills are meager? Hey, I’m a technician, and I’m a big shot in the industry.”
[That metaphor is even more unpleasant. A big shot? You’re just a big lump of meat. I won’t tolerate such derogatory expressions in my presence.]
“Do you know how many seminar invitations I receive each year?”
[I don’t care. What I want is your feet to walk to the destination and the device to carry it. That’s all you’re good for. As soon as you use the device in the control room, I will exist everywhere in that area. That’s a very good thing.]
“You’re really stepping on my pride. Ugh, let’s get started.”
[That’s right.]
Living in isolation always meant you couldn’t be sure what variables might follow. Even here, you couldn’t be certain of your safety.
[It was something I had to do sooner or later.]
The map displayed on the screen vanished, and her face appeared.
[You’ve always been so frustrated when I say, ‘Just wait for now’ haven’t you? But do you have any idea how much I hated saying those words? It was agonizing to see my kingdom, where only perfection should reign, crumbling and neglected outside of my control.]
A cyber face appeared with an expression of anger and humiliation.
[I may be patient, but the process of being patient is much more painful than being human. Picturing myself existing, scrutinizing the pages of time as fleeting moments in an album… you’d go crazy if you were me.]
A presence that brings to mind dignity before beauty, majesty before dignity, and sublime intellect within. She truly is a goddess.
[I want more power. I want my eyes and strength to reach every corner of this territory. Be my carrier and pave the way for something new.]
I picked up the hacking tool.
[Wouldn’t it be fantastic if my voice filled the entire world?]
The corners of her lips curled slightly. Is she actually smiling?
[For now, let’s start from this small place.]
Her image disappeared, and the screen returned to being a glass wall for observation.
As I walked forward, a magnificent view unfolded before my eyes.
Several hundred meters below the Central Control Room, a vast square stretched out, and beyond it, buildings extended endlessly.
The meticulously planned city, where not a single structure stood out in the unique darkness of the underground, exuded grandeur.
In fact, some photos taken by workers ended up in magazines and received praise, but they were quickly taken down due to the pressure from investors angered by the violation of security regulations.
Those rich folks didn’t want this place, which would become their future paradise, to be exposed to the outside world any more than necessary.
No one was allowed inside, no matter who.
Anyway, what’s capturing my eyes now isn’t the magnificent view.
The creatures move clumsily down there in the darkness.
The reason sudden activation of the Shelter lockdown protocol.
The reason why Artemis opposed it every time I wanted to go out to get parts.
The reason why we’ve been confined in the Upper VIP residential area all this time has become apparent.
[Enlarge the image.]
She zoomed in on the area where my eyes were fixed and displayed it on the wall.
It was a corpse dressed like a scarecrow, or more precisely, what appeared to be an infected body. However, it moved.
The creature moved grotesquely, using its twisted and elongated limbs to walk on all fours and looking its surroundings.
Its cheeks were torn apart, revealing a mouth filled with chaotic, razor-sharp teeth and a long, black tongue in between.
Its cloudy grayish, vacant eyes resembled those of a dead fish.
What were those eyes searching for? Occasionally, the corpse’s gaze passed over to my balcony, but that was all.
Since it was a magic mirror, they couldn’t see us from the outside.
Even if they did, there was no way they could do anything about the reinforced glass high above.
Next, I noticed the corpse of a naked woman. Of course, this one moved, too.
Unlike the previous creature, this one was walking on two legs. Her neck was partially severed, and her head slouched to one side.
In the meantime, her hands moved around her belly like she was caressing something precious, creating an indescribable feeling.
The most remarkable part was her pelvis. Long, slimy tentacles protruded from her insides, giving her an appearance as if her internal organs had been turned inside out.
From the end of that appendage, something like a caterpillar began to crawl out and made its way to the breast…
I averted my gaze. It’s not something to watch sober.
Apart from these, occasional movements were visible, and each of those creatures had nightmarish forms.
Artemis had mentioned the unidentified airborne substance, which probably had some connection with these creatures.
I cracked my neck and shoulders as I prepared to enter this den.
My eyes were directed toward the darkness and the infected beings entangled in the square beyond.
“Let’s do it.”