DP Episode 84

Deep Pivot Episode 84

After the team dinner that went on to a fourth round following the regular training disguised as a survival game, Colonel Jin woke up to a rare hangover.

Heemin pushed aside the stack of research papers and documents cluttering the table, setting down two Americanos.

“The Deputy Director of IGTS contacted us. He said all their agents have returned, so we should rest easy.”

“Crazy bastards.”

Colonel Jin couldn’t help but swear openly. He was already feeling irritable from the hangover, and the people who irritated him most had to make things worse.

Since the last incident, his patience with IGTS had grown thin.

He still vividly remembered the news footage when the joint research center between Korea and NASA for gate studies was established. The head of the Korean Awakener Center and the director of the NASA research facility were shaking hands and smiling for the camera.

“They think they’re something, acting like they’re doing us a favor.”

To Colonel Jin, it wasn’t a strategic alliance but a complete setup. The agreement allowed IGTS to handle non-named awakeners without constraint.

With a clink, he put down his iced Americano after taking a vigorous sip.

“So, what are you planning to do now? I can’t keep doing this forever. Major General Park thinks I’m investigating some sort of cult terrorist organization.”

Heemin shook his head with a grim expression.

“…I’m not sure. I tried reaching out to the Russian research lab, but they’re refusing to cooperate. They seem intent on hiding their non-named awakeners’ rampages.”

“You can’t cover the sky with your hand. People already know. They’re just pretending not to.”

“Since the gates started opening, Russia’s been making enormous profits from the military industry. The special grenades that went off at the Yeonseon myPark Mall recently—those were Russian-made.”

Russia, which has been making significant profits from weapons crafted from gate anomalies, wouldn’t want this disaster to end. They would hide any information they found linking the non-named awakeners to gate occurrences.

“If there’s really a connection between the non-named awakeners and the gates, shouldn’t we round up all the non-named awakeners worldwide and find a solution?”

Colonel Jin had many questions.

If all the non-named awakeners around the world were gathered in one place, would gates open only in that region? Or would their mere presence on Earth trigger gates? If Ji Seojun, who was based in South Korea, traveled to Canada, would the gate follow him there?

Anyone hearing Heemin’s words would have similar questions.

“We won’t know for sure until we experiment.”

“It might be premature with only Russia as a case study, but research like that will be necessary.”

Heemin looked at the stack of research papers with a bitter expression. If only things were that simple.

“But the problem is, will countries cooperate so easily?”

“Why wouldn’t they cooperate? It could potentially end a worldwide disaster.”

“If you were in charge, would you lend your country’s nuclear weapons just for research? There’s a reason non-named awakeners are kept secret. Like all awakened individuals, non-named awakeners aren’t just people—they’re weapons that can defend a nation.”

Awakened individuals serve as a key military force. Though currently used primarily for special gate response units, their abilities could determine the outcome if a global conflict broke out.

Non-named awakeners are considered assets belonging to their respective countries. Even if they refuse to cooperate, no outside entity has the right to intervene. Simply requesting cooperation would be difficult in itself.

‘Please lend us your nuclear weapons for disaster research. Of course, we’ll conduct various experiments, and your weapons might be damaged, but we kindly ask for your cooperation.’

If anyone were to make such a request, they would almost certainly risk provoking a war.

“And it’s been over ten years since the gates began. We can’t guarantee that everyone wants the disaster to end. There’s a lot of new industries that rely on the gates.”

Brazil, one of the non-named countries, was a prime example.

Brazil manages its non-named awakeners collectively through alliances with neighboring countries. Early in the gate disaster, they developed anomaly detection sensors ahead of the curve.

Their sensors remain essential components in detection devices worldwide. Even with the costs of managing gate-related disasters, they have enjoyed unprecedented economic growth.

A nation like that wouldn’t risk exposing its non-named awakeners for gate research.

Besides, there’s the complex network of international interests, political issues, and security concerns. The obstacles to ending this disaster are many and challenging.

“The people in power have nothing to lose. Even if a gate erupts, they can hide in their underground bunkers. It’s no wonder they prioritize other things over disaster management.”

“Ugh… I don’t know about all those complicated issues.”

Colonel Jin, who spent most of his life in disaster zones covered in dust, wasn’t as well-versed in global affairs as Heemin. His words were filled with idealistic notions stemming from his lack of awareness.

“If we all worked together, we could stop this tragedy. So many people have died because of the gates.”

“There have always been disasters… Volcanic eruptions, nuclear accidents, earthquakes, typhoons, floods. The gates are just one more thing.”

“…”

“Statistics show that while death rates have risen, so have birth rates. It’s not a catastrophe that will wipe out humanity.”

Colonel Jin fell silent, staring at Heemin.

‘Is he really saying that? Even if he’s from the sciences, that’s too much… He’s no better than an emotionless AI robot.’

People like Heemin who sit behind desks all day and study are the reason they can’t be trusted. If they’d seen firsthand the people bleeding out and begging to be saved, they couldn’t say something like that.

‘Are the people dying worldwide nothing more than flies to you?’

“Dr. Kang.”

He grabbed Heemin’s arm and held his gaze.

“You’ve known Lieutenant Ji for a while, right? Since he was a student.”

Heemin’s expression grew conflicted.

“Yeah. We lived in the same neighborhood. I’ve known Ji since before his parents passed.”

Colonel Jin hesitated, watching Heemin closely.

“If non-named awakeners going berserk is the only way to stop the gates…”

“…”

“If Ji Seojun has to sacrifice himself for that to happen, what will you do?”

The question that they’d both avoided saying aloud was finally spoken.

Could you push a long-time colleague into the abyss if the situation demanded it?

“That’s…”

Hee-min’s face twisted, his lips parted before he removed his glasses. He let out a long sigh.

“…That question is premature. We haven’t tried to find other solutions yet.”

He spoke quietly, covering his face with both hands. Colonel Jin, who had grown uneasy as well, regretted his words and scratched his jaw.

A suffocating silence filled the quiet lab.

“Does Lieutenant Ji know about this?”

“No. Seojun doesn’t know. How could we burden him with this when he only just got back on his feet with a guide?”

“Even so, he should know. It’s a serious matter.”

Hee-min looked up at Colonel Jin, almost glaring. The ice cracked, shifting in the glass, and condensation left a damp ring on the desk.

“If you knew that sacrificing yourself could end the gates, what would you do?”

“I’d sacrifice myself for Cheong-oh, of course! How can you even ask…”

Colonel Jin stopped talking.

“Do you think Ji Seojun is any different? From that point on, he’d feel guilty every moment he was alive.”

He could only nod meekly.

Of course. How could he be unaffected if he learned that he might be responsible for this disaster? He might even go berserk again, despite having survived the safehouse incident.

His head throbbed, and he rubbed his forehead with a deepening frown, drinking his Americano in silence.

“…Colonel.”

Hee-min regarded him warily.

“Of course, he’d sacrifice himself? Do you really believe that’s the right thing to do, to sacrifice one for the many?”

Just as Colonel Jin had doubted Hee-min a moment ago.

“Don’t tell Lieutenant Ji.”

They were now suspicious of each other.

“Don’t put the burden on Seojun.”

Stuck in an ethical dilemma that would shake anyone to the core.

Already tormented with inner conflict, Colonel Jin burst out angrily.

“Oh, come on! Why did you have to tell me about this in the first place?” He slammed his cup down, and water splashed out.

“You think I’m not aware of that? Because of you, I’ve aged ten years, ten years!”

Hee-min cleaned his glasses, now speckled with water.

“I’m really sorry, but you’re the only senior officer I can trust.”

“Which means I’m the most gullible, huh? You’re taking advantage of me.”

Despite his words, Colonel Jin felt slightly appeased and drank the last drops of his Americano. He set down the empty cup and sighed before asking,

“So, why did you call me here today?”

“I have a favor to ask regarding Lieutenant Ji.”

“What now?”

Colonel Jin frowned in irritation, prompting Hee-min to explain.

“I want to collect a sample.”