< Purpose of Executor (Part 1) >
Ramphil called out using the intercom, This is warrant officer Ramphil from SMCP fortress. I come as a temporary executor.
[Welcome to HMCP fortress, executor. This is Second Lieutenant Dagon in charge of the gate.]
Good to meet you, Lieutenant Dagon.
Ramphil was originally a warrant officer, which was a rank below second lieutenant. But the ranks did not matter at the moment, as Ramphil was carrying out missions as an executor.
Regardless of their original rank, an executor was treated as a colonel, and depending on the situation, an executor would receive treatment as a brigadier general. A highly ranked executor would be treated even better than that.
Although Ramphil was a temporary executor, it would not be a problem for him to look down on any personnel except the Warlord in the fortress. However, Ramphil showed respect to the personnel based on their ranks. He had nothing to lose by showing respect.
[Executor. Before I open the door, please explain to me your company.]
They will be helping me carry out the special mission. I am planning to take them in, so please bring extra CP protective clothes please.
[I need the Warlords approval for outsiders visiting.]
I will wait.
Ramphil waited in front of the door, and quickly got an answer. It appeared that the fortress was on high alert with an executor visiting.
[Visitors access has been approved.]
Good.
[I will send out the guide team with the extra protective clothes. The visitors and the armored vehicle can come in.]
Ramphil sent a signal, and Zin drove the vehicle up in front of the fortress gate.
I didnt expect to get the approval so quickly.
All the fortresses need an executors help. They accommodate the executors very well. And an outsiders visit is not a big deal either.
Werent you a temporary executor? Zin asked Ramphil how he knew about executors so well.
I know how soldiers think about executors.
How do they think of executors?
They look up to them as heroes, and take pity on them as well.
Hmm I could see that happening.
Many times, an executor had to sleep outside in the wilderness, and fight against monsters and Reavers. Wargrave soldiers who were used to living in a comfortable environment were afraid of the outside world. However, an executor served the Wargrave organization, and wandered the wilderness.
They were regarded as heroes, and at the same time, older soldiers took pity on the executors.
Leona was not happy to be inside the fortress, and she looked very uncomfortable.
This fortress looks overpowering, and Im getting afraid. The atmosphere unnerved her.
Shortly, the gate opened and a squad of soldiers wearing protective clothes came out of the fortress. They saluted Ramphil as soon as they met him.
Its an honor to see you, executor.
Good to meet you.
The squad was wearing protective clothes and masks, and were armed with laser rifles. The inner area of the fortress was dangerous because of the dense CP level, and most of the personnel wore uniforms that protected them from CP.
Ramphil didnt need to wear the protective gear because he had received the megaframe procedure, and Zin was also immune to the CP.
Zin put on the protective clothes to avoid any suspicion, and Leona also put on the clothes with the help of the guide team.
Oww, it fits too tight on me Owww, its hot! Leona complained as she put on the full protective clothes with the masks. Zin did not take off his coat, and he wore the protective clothes on top of his coat. He looked like an obese person, and Leona found it funny.
She looked at Zin and smiled. Mister, you look like an idiot.
Same goes for you.
Really?
The guide team walked ahead of them, and Leona and Zin walked while Ramphil drove the vehicle. The gate door closed behind them with a large thud. There were green mists inside the fortress.
I dont know what that is, but something doesnt feel right.
Breathing in dense CP would cause extreme pain. Putting on a mask would greatly reduce the risk.
The guide team escorted Zins party through the green mists and reached a giant elevator.
The vehicle will be taken to the vehicle elevator.
A soldier took the AV, and went away somewhere. Shortly after, Zins party was brought underground.
Vwoooooooom!
Wow! Wow! What is this? Leona freaked out as the elevator went underground, and she was surprised to see the ceiling close slowly.
Zin started to mock Leona who was in awe. Stop making a big deal out of everything.
Kids always get excited when they see new things.
You are not a kid.
Yes, I am a kid.
The guide team found the quarreling between Zin and Leona quite amusing, and the guide team started to laugh. Ramphil stood still without a word, as he usually did, his stare rather blank.
The three went through the door at the bottom of the elevator, and took off their protective clothes.
Please take out all your weapons, and check them in. We will return them when you leave.
The guide team was talking to Leona and Zin. As Zin took out his weapons, Leona also checked in her rifle and revolver.
Even though the people didnt know about the void storage, Zin took out a lot of weapons. The guide team was shocked to see Zin take out weapons from the void storage.
What in the world is that
Think of it as an old foxs trick.
As the guide team was suspicious about Zins actions, Ramphil explained, It is whats called a charm. No need to get worried.
Okay
Zin and Leona were outsiders whom an executor had brought into the fortress. The guide team determined that they were trustworthy people.
There was a reason Zin took out his weapons.
Since I followed the fortress rule, I have a favor to ask.
What would that be?
Does anyone repair firearms?
Ah we have some technicians who mainly repair artillery.
Can you repair my weapons? And I would like to talk to the technicians. I could repair the weapons myself, but I know that you do not want me to hold onto the weapons.
Zin was saying that since he was unable to repair his weapons because of the fortress policies, he was asking the guide team to repair the weapons instead. Zin was planning to take advantage of others as much as possible, using Ramphils position as an executor.
Mmm I will ask around, the team leader answered, and Zin nodded. As they passed through the door, they started the visitor check-in process.
Leona found the whole check in process very annoying.
We are starting the disinfection process.
Psshhhhhh!
Aaaaah!
A strange-looking white smoke was sprayed at Zins party in order to remove any poisonous substances from them. After the first process, they were showered with a disinfectant solution. Then the medical team checked the infection status of Zins party. Luckily, they passed the test, as they were not infected with any diseases.
They went through several checkpoints, and they were finally admitted after taking a shower and putting on the Wargrave clothes. Their original clothes were sent for cleaning, the guide team promising to return the clothes after cleaning. Zin took out some items that were fragile.
Jule was nothing. Leona got tired of the whole sanitization process. They even ended up taking some pills and getting antibiotic shots.
Do they always go through this whole process every time?
They go through this process even though they wear protective clothes.
Leona shook her head after Ramphil replied. As the party entered the fortress, the guide team was waiting for them. Lets go.
The party soon reached an area that looked like the central station.
Wow
Leona was amazed that such a clean place could exist in this world.
The walls were all white, and many people were walking through the station area. Many elevators were moving up and down.
Everything looked orderly and tidy.
All the buildings and equipments were in excellent condition. The environment was very different compared to the wilderness.
Because Zin and Leona were wearing the Wargrave clothes, they were not in the spotlight. Fortresses usually had populations of over ten thousand.
Let me guide you to your lodging. Do you know how to look at a map?
I do.
Thats great. Ive notified the managers that we have visitors. You can sleep in the rooms, and meals are served in the cafeteria near the rooms.
Thank you.
Zin knew the structure of the fortress, and he did not need the explanation. The Wargrave community had a tendency to exclude outsiders, but the guide team members were very hospitable to Zin and Leona, probably because they were allies of an executor. Zins party moved into the lodging area, and they were assigned a unit.
It was a multi-story unit designed for a family, and was very clean. This was the place that they were going to stay during their visit to the fortress.
You can eat at the cafeteria at meal time, or you can take groceries to your room and cook as well. The people in the fortress lived according to a tight schedule, but the Wargrave manager was trying to accommodate as much freedom for Zins party. There was no reason for them to decline the offer.
After the guide leader spoke, the rest of the guide team left, and only the leader remained with Zins party.
Executor, are you going to meet the Warlord right away?
That was my plan.
Then, allow me to guide you.
Are you guys planning to stay in the room? Ramphil asked Zin and Leona.
Will do, I dont have any reason to meet the Warlord, Zin replied.
Ramphil nodded and walked out of the room. Ramphil was thinking about staying a night or two, and leaving the fortress in a new armored vehicle.
Leona was amazed at everything inside the unit. She browsed through the windows, curtains, table, and the bathrooms with bathtubs. She had all seen these before, but it still felt alien to Leona. The living conditions at the castle of Jule was nothing compared to the condition of the fortress. Leona did not know what to do with all the new and clean furniture and surroundings. On the other hand, Zin laid down on the sofa and rested.
Mister, you look like you are used to this kind of living.
Well, thats because I have lived long enough.
Leona knew that an ordinary person could not possibly live longer than two hundred years. Was the world like this before?
Leona asked a vague question, but Zin knew what Leona was asking about.
Pretty much.
Compared to the current times when almost everything was in ruins, everything was clean back in the pre-apocalypse days. As Leona looked outside the window and watched the people walk by, she couldnt believe that so many people were living underground.
They dont seem to farm at all. What do they do for a living?
If we go further down, there is a large agricultural area I mean, there are buildings where people can grow food without sun and soil. They produce food down there. Same goes with cattle.
A Wargrave fortress collected a huge amount of chips, and the Wargrave were able to automate many farms utilizing the chips. A small group of technicians managed the huge underground agricultural facilities, and raised cattle in order to sustain the economy of the giant fortress.
A fortress was designed to be self-sufficient. In the case of the Busan fortress, there were only researchers left, and the fortress operated with minimal personnel and power. But most of the fortresses were managed similar to how the Harbin fortress was managed.
Leona could not understand the concept of producing all goods in the underground, but she believed what Zin was explaining to her.
Some soldiers brought groceries to the room, and Zin left the metallic box that contained food on the table.
That is all this? It doesnt look like a C-ration
Leona shook her head as she studied the cans and boxes. Zin read the letters on the cans, and smiled as he took out something.
You will be surprised that there is more to food than C-rations.
What could that be?
Its a food that is typically called noodles, and more specifically, this is Zin said with much excitement, Ramen!
With an ecstatic expression, Zin took out the ramen boxes, and put them on the kitchen cupboard. Zin didnt like the Wargrave much, but he appreciated the delicacies that Wargrave were able to produce.
Although these delicacies were not necessary for survival, Wargrave produced them in small batches. And Wargrave produced snacks and instant foods that had been consumed in the pre-apocalypse days.
Of course, Leona had never tried noodles before. Zin cooked some ramen for Leona, and unfortunately, Leona was not able to fully enjoy the taste of ramen.
Kids could not handle spicy food well, and usually they never had a chance to eat anything spicy at all.
Leona cried in pain as she tasted the spiciness for the first time. Id rather eat ghoul meat! What is this painful taste?!
Leona did not know how to describe the spicy flavor, and expressed it as a painful taste. Zin was amused and surprised at Leonas reaction to the spicy taste of ramen.
Huh… He didnt expect Leona to respond in such a way. If thats the case, I will eat all of it myself!
Slurp, Sluuuurp!
And of course, Zin didnt worry much about Leona.