Mutagen

Chapter 1172  Emergency Meeting, Planning the Countermeasures for the Incoming [Third Wave]

Day 376 - 6:21 PM - Port of Gilimanuk, Gilimanuk, Melaya Subdistrict, Jembrana Regency, Bali, Indonesia

The announcement from Thirteenth immediately sparked an emergency meeting on the spot.

They had to call Farel back into the tent, and Limabela's father, Baskuro, was also instructed to come. Fortunately, doctor Willis had yet to regain his consciousness. Since the tent was not large enough to accommodate this many people for an extended period, the rest of Mark's group volunteered to leave, leaving only Mark, Mei, and Aephelia, as there was no necessity for them to join. However, Mark told Loius to stay along with Spera. The two might not be necessary for the decision-making and planning, but they were among the most important people to be present because of their abilities.

Aside from those who knew of the [Eyes] beforehand, the others received an explanation of what and who they were. Of course, they were skeptical. After all, there was no mention of the [Eyes] and the [Observer] in any religious literature. Some literature that replaced God with some kind of administrator existed, but those were fictional pieces.

It was until Mark asked them a question.

The question was if they had heard of the term "Biblically Accurate Angels."

Those who had never heard of it were even more confused, like Farel, Baskoro, and General Wijaya. But those who knew, especially Luna and her group, could not help but look at Thirteenth and realize what Mark meant.

In modern media, Angels were often depicted as having human-like appearances with feathered wings on their back and halos above their heads. However, in some biblical accounts, the descriptions were far different. Those depictions gained some traction on the internet before the apocalypse but were not popular enough for everyone to know.

One description prominent to those depictions was Angels having multiple of certain body parts. In the case of the [Eyes], it was rather obvious which body part it was.

Although Mark's question did not fully clear the topic, it gave the rest a bit of context, at the least. As such, they moved on to the real topic to discuss.

The so-called [Third Wave] was coming.

The [First Wave] would be the arrival of [Mutagen], which caused the apocalypse. Affected living creatures became flesh-craving monsters, and within a short span, cities and even countries fell.

The [Second Wave] centered upon the arrival of [Mechids] and the [Fusion of Dimensions] to combat the massive effects of the arrival of the Infected Alien Robots. It caused the entire world to enter a major geographical shift as two dimensions combined. It also caused an indefinite division of countries because of spatial rifts around each country's borders.

And now, the [Third Wave] would be centered on the dissipation of the spatial rifts. It would create a minor geographical shift but cause tectonic movements enough to generate disastrous tsunamis. But the tsunamis and the earthquakes were the least of the problems. The disappearance of the spatial rifts also meant letting the mutated monsters within fallen countries loose into the rest of the world.

The [Third Wave] of the apocalypse would create another world-wide catastrophe.

While the question of how strong those [Mutated Infected] could be was there, their existence would not be the most urgent issue.

The earthquakes and the tsunami would likely destroy and kill before those [Mutated Infected] could.

In Mark's mind, the Mountain Base would not have a problem with the upcoming tsunami. It was located deep in the mountain ranges of General Nakar. It was also built halfway to the top of Mount Malabito. If Mark and the people in the base never saw even just a drop of seawater from the tsunamis that occurred during the [Second Wave], why would they worry about tsunamis of a lesser scale?

However, it did not mean that Mark had no concerns.

Sure, the tsunami would not be a problem with the Mountain Base. However, the ally bases in the Philippines would definitely be in danger.

The Corregidor Military Settlement was on the former island of Corregidor. It was now a peninsula due to the extension of landmass in Manila Bay during the second wave. Nonetheless, its west, south, and eastern sides were still surrounded by water. The tsunami coming from the South China Sea would impact the place the most.

It was the same for the Infanta Settlement. They might be more inland if compared to the former East Port Settlement and Real Military Settlement. However, the settlement had been built beside the Agos River, and the areas to the east going to the eastern coast were pretty much flat land. They were not completely safe.

Worse, the two remaining human settlements on the island of Catanduanes were built near coastal areas. Mark did not care much about the settlement to the south of the island, but the settlement to the north was where his family was. Although he would not want to live with them anymore, it did not mean he wanted them to perish.

And now, this place, the town of Gilimanuk, was in the same dangerous position.

While the town of Gilimanuk became more grounded compared to being a small peninsula before the [Fusion of Dimensions], it was still surrounded by water. To its west was the Bali Strait, while the south was facing an opening towards the Indian Ocean.

As such, the focus of the discussion would be two things. Would they abandon the nearly intact town of Gilimanuk and find a place to settle further inland, or stay here and take countermeasures instead? If they stayed, what countermeasures would they need to take?

The most rational option would be the former. Abandoning the town would be a safe option whether the Indonesian Survivors found another place to settle or not. They would be safer from the tsunami as long as they were further inland.

However, the hesitation among Luna and the others was clear.

What was the thing that most survivors in the apocalypse wanted the most? Was it strength to survive? Maybe it was enough supplies to last a lifetime. There were a lot of things to guess as the possible answer. It was different for everyone, after all.

But if they were given the chance, would they turn back time? Back when the world was peaceful and stable? Most would answer yes, given how hard it was to live in the apocalypse.

The near-intact town of Gilimanuk gave the Indonesian survivors a nostalgic feeling of the past.

It was a nostalgic feeling that made them want to stay and preserve the town's current state.

Of course, the majority leaned towards leaving. Despite the nostalgia, it was absurd to think that the Indonesian survivors would be able to protect this place against a tsunami.

During the discussion, even Kana said it was impossible. Controlling water was one thing, but stopping a raging force of nature was another. Even if Kana had powers, there was a limit to what she could do.

Unfortunately, even Luna and Edge were helpless in this situation. Even Gods were not omnipotent, not to mention a mere fragment.

But as the discussion continuously tilted towards leaving, a soldier asked for General Wijaya to report something.

"General. We finished transporting everything through the portal."

The soldier informed the General.

That was when Mark smiled as he finally shared what he had in mind.

***

Dinner was quite late compared to the previous days. Ever since the Muria Sacred Fortress was destroyed, everyone learned to sleep and wake up early for the journey. Thus, even their meals were bound to be the same.

But now, after a long while, everyone shared a late dinner. The survivors finally left behind the chaos in Java and arrived here in Bali. Of course, the struggle for survival had yet to end. It was just that they managed to accomplish something most people would not be able to do in the apocalypse.

It might not be on their own, but the accomplishment was still there.

That was why this dinner doubled as a celebration.

The food was not that different compared to the previous days. However, they did not skimp on ingredients and spices, making the food taste better.

The wide vacant area near the entrance of the port was also cleaned to use as a venue. Wooden pallets and other makeshift materials were arranged around the center as chairs, making a vacant square at the center.

In the center, a large bonfire was lit, illuminating the surroundings and minimizing the use of lamps in the necessary areas.

Among the people present, there was a corner of the open square reserved for the survivors of Gilimanuk. They were still wary of the people who saved them. Nonetheless, the wariness was subsiding due to the actions of Luna and the others.

Apparently, the former leaders of Gilimanuk tend to separate newcomers and quarantine them after their arrival to the town. While it was a necessary procedure to keep the town safe, it sure was a rather unsettling experience for those people.

But here, not only were the survivors of Gilimanuk allowed to stay together, but everyone who interacted with them was kind to them despite being outsiders to the group.

The ongoing celebration was also bound to heal the hearts of the poor survivors after enduring a long time trapped in the middle of a large horde.

It sure was a happy occasion. There was plenty of food, and even drinks were prepared. Of course, the drinks were just water with powdered juice. Nonetheless, a single pack of powder juice was already a luxury item in the apocalypse. It was already luxurious to prepare enough for a few hundred people.

Unfortunately, there was no liquor this time. It was the only dismay of some of the adults.

Oddly enough, although it was a celebration, there was a serious atmosphere around the leaders. It was too obvious that many of them could not help but notice.

It was when the celebration was nearing its end that the leaders took the stage.

There was an important announcement.

Of course, it made everyone curious. What was this important announcement that made the leaders unable to enjoy the celebration?

The words that came out of General Wijaya's mouth made everyone silent.

"Another catastrophe is about to happen."

Those words were simple but, for some reason, became hard to sink into everyone's minds.

Then, the audience erupted into murmurs and questions as they understood what General Wijaya had just said.

General Wijaya stopped speaking, letting everyone pipe down on their own.

Realizing that the General would not talk if they were noisy, the audience could only shut their mouths and listen.

Finally, the details about the country's borders and its likely effects were shared with everyone. Of course, only the necessary information that could be shared was told to them.

The spatial rifts surrounding the borders were not new to the survivors of Mount Muria. While they had not seen it with their very eyes, the military was quite open with the details about it. The military conducted explorations after the world changed, and findings about the borders came about, albeit limited.

But now, those spatial rifts were about to disappear, creating another catastrophe.

Of course, questions about the authenticity of the information came about. However, the strange thing was that the members and families of the Moon Chasers only asked Luna. And after she confirmed it, they all believed it immediately.

The odd scene of the Moonchasers was noticed by the others, and they were also asked about it. And the answer?

It was because it would not be the first time. Since Luna was a candidate, she was privy to the information given by Thirteenth. Of course, she would warn her followers about it. While not everyone believed it, it soon happened, causing everyone to behave like what they were doing now.

If Luna said it would happen, it would happen. They only need to shut up and follow if they want to live.

The options considered by the leaders were also relayed to everyone. It was no surprise that most of them chose to move inland, although their hesitations to leave the intact Gilimanuk were also apparent.

But when the audience asked what the leaders were going to do, the leaders, for some reason, glanced at Mark.

"We are going to do both."

Luna answered.