[ D day - 3 ] [ 17 H : 20 M : 40 S ] [ Shanghai ]
The mayor of Shanghai turned on the news at the behest of his secretary.
The news channel is still reporting.
" Following the Indian government's announcement of a militaristic regime, more and more asian countries announce renouncement of administration to the military.
At 7:10 AM today, South Korea announced an all hands on army muster. For those of you who do not know, South Korea maintains any time war readiness through a mandatory military service for all men. All reserve muster is the country's response to war.
This time, it seems the country is choosing to respond to the portals with the same importance it places on war. However, it sets a dangerous precedent for the countries in the world, and their response to the portals.
First of all, let us focus on how it is going to affect us in daily life.
First, most of the Hallyu stars we know would be enlisting in the army. The country would close its borders partially. While all air travel flows as usual for the time being, no citizen would be allowed to leave countries borders. Any other countries men and women traveling through Korea are forced to leave the country, through the nearest airport.
In our daily life, most of the exports from the country would stop, that would mean the following products, ***, *** ..
At the moment, in response to South Korea's decision, North Korea is arming itself, preparing itself for what could be a devastating war.
Ah! At this moment, we are receiving correspondence from our agent at the North korea border.
Edy, what's the situation there ? " The anchor asked sweetly.
Her voice had been a calm and steady sweet throughout the speech.
The mayor looked onwards seriously.
" Hello, Esther ! At the moment, all army stations near the north korean border seem to be increasing patrol. Right now, I am with the public relations correspondent of the army. Sir, could you explain the situation to us ? " Edy asked the military man.
" Usually, whenever tensions between the two Koreas intensify, the refugees escape into China. In order to avoid such an over influx of refugees, we are going to increase army patrols. We would deport any refugees we catch. At the same time, we plan to protect the citizens who are returning to hometowns. " The captain responded.
" Thank you, commander, for your hard work. " The reporter finished.
" Thank you Edy, Thank you Commander. " The news anchor said her farewells before returning to the normal news.
" At the moment, a phishing site from India is gaining popularity around the world. It's a prophecy from the future, written by an author called ' A nobody from future'. It is a mixture of truth and rumors. We strongly urge people to not believe in the content and panic.
We have the most powerful army in the world. Our army is more than capable of handling portals. We urge people to not panic, stay at home, work remotely if possible. "
The news ended.
" Do we have any orders from the party ? " The mayor asked the secretary.
First of all, India was not in a military regime, but a lock down of sorts. Following the directions from the party, the information is presented in as much bad light as possible, hoping no other countries follow it's footsteps.
After all, that country is protected by natural barriers, which hold true even today. Even if those barriers were not there, India has the highest number of portals per square kilometer in the entire world. It's not where any one could take refuge.
However, they expected action from the countries adjacent to India. South Korea announcing such military muster came as a complete shock.
Korea's mustering military has far more direct consequences than anything the Indian subcontinent does. After all, the border they share with India was the least populated and had the least amount of portals. Adding to that, It's a high altitude plateau. Even if they are planning to evacuate their populace, that's not where people could go.
However, North Korea is not the same. First of all, they have the least number of portals per kilometer in the world. A large area with gigantic predators is easy to conquer for a sophisticated military.
If push comes to shove, their country could push and take any amount of territory from North korea. That is under a really really dire situation where world war four may erupt, or all of their cities were lost … All the same, the territory could be taken.
The mayor had already read the article that was circulating on the internet. Island country is another place where he always paid attention to. As soon as Hiroto's news came out, he read this 'false' cyber criminal article.
If the points are correct, they must relocate the populace.
But how many would be willing to go ?
Even if they go, where would they go ?
Could the government provide basic amenities for such a large populace in any of the deserted areas ?
China is the country where the portals are opened most unevenly.
Like their population, agriculture and many other random things, the portals were also distributed unequally.
The eastern side is littered with more portals per square kilometer than India, while the gobi had five measly portals here and there. Similarly, the western most grassland had a string of portals, but not a single city there could support more population than currently staying there.
However, Shanghai must become empty, the mayor decided.
No matter what the party decides, he could not bear for these many people to die.
Thus, off they must go, he decided.
First, he must write a public letter.
Then, evacuate those who wanted to go home to their hometowns.
If you don't want to go to your home town, go camp in the mountains for the night, he decided.
This way, the army has more leeway to clear a particular portal.
Thus, he mustered his courage, readying himself to speak to the city, when his secretary rushed in once more.
" What ! What is it this time ? "
He screeched at the man. Lu Sheng swore one day he would die just because of his secretary ! The man could learn to be a little calmer, damn it !
" Sir ! watch the news ! " he said, before turning on the news.
The Anchor who just got off the job is on the job once more.
" Israel, the only country to allow women in the army, announces that it will not muster an all hands army like other small nations. Instead, Israel announced a program, allowing it's citizens who pass a certain test to register themselves as a paramilitary unit called 'Hunter'. Both Male and females are welcome to this para military. "
From there, there was more and more news.
Kazakhstan is doing an all hands muster, as well as raising paramilitary. That's followed by almost all Russian countries announcing the same.
In the middle east, USA was withdrawing all it's peacekeeping corps, to be moved out before midnight.
Tesla shares rose exponentially, as Elon musk announced his plan to introduce a new internet technology based on solar sails.
They chose Texas to be their first testing ground.
Then, it's followed by another announcement stating Korea is following in the footsteps of Israel, allowing paramilitary, especially for the reserve corps.
They are allowing the female military as well, allowing almost any number of women to fight in the portals.
Then came the most important news.
The government is discussing one city to evacuate.
Either Hongkong or Shanghai.
Lu Sheng could not understand it.
Shanghai ! They are world renowned, financial capital and a city that stood five thousand years are more !
Abandon it ?
Are you fu**ing Kidding ?
At this time, his phone rang.
" a million, for information. " Lu Chang spoke.
Lu Chang is a genius hacker, and is Lu Sheng's only black contact. An Internationally renowned hacker.
" Is it worth a million ? Really ? " Lu Sheng doubted.
However, he could pay a million yuan, he is feeling the pinch a little, but it's not that bad.
" Information only on payment. " Lu Chang repeated.
"Fine." The mayor grumbled, and paid it to Lu Chang.
" The guy behind the website is called Vikram Malladi, a resident of H city in India. He is currently selling a bio hack for almost Hundred million rupees. Currently, the Chinese government has these bio hacks in its hands, but not a way to transfer them to one another, like this guy does. Also, for some reason, the guy is hoarding aquaponics and hydroponics equipment. Last, but not the least. HongKong won. " Lu Chang finished.
This … this is very necessary information.
So, they are saving Hongkong and throwing them to their own devices.
How nice of you ! Lu Chang grumbled.
Since they are the ones to throw him away, then don't blame him for rebelling.
Lu Chang called his known acquaintance.
After another hour, another shocking news made its rounds in the world.
Shanghai Mayor is the first in the world to allow formation of a private army within a city, allowing any organization with sufficient arm power to declare themselves a guild, and then allow them to enter a portal to clear it.
After making that shocking decision, when the entire city's attention was on him, Lu Chang came out.
He explained every point on the information sheet he found. He explained the city is unsafe to be in, at least after midnight tomorrow. A semi curfew is within the city, every one, who could go home to a country town will go home. The ones who don't want to, will work from home as much as possible. If this entire exercise is a fluke, then he will resign as a mayor tomorrow, for causing alarm within the people.
The words are simple, for that reason, had far more effect than he imagined.
After his alarmist speech, Lu Chang just sat back and relaxed.
The portals are bursting ? What's the big deal ! People have guns, knives and spears. If they want, they could go kill them.
If not, they could go home. He, Lu Chang, did his duty, now, it's time for him to go and enjoy his retirement on a yacht.