READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 184 - Uppermost Solid America
Chapter 184 – Uppermost Solid America
-[News Home // Latest Articles // US Politics]
-[Reporter Kang Kyung-hoon // [email protected]]
-[US Senate Leader Henry M. Brayton: “The Gun Control Bill Has Taken One More Step Forward, But There Is Still a Long Way to Go”]
On October 12 (local time), the US Senate passed a bill to more strictly regulate gun ownership. The bill, which passed the Senate with a vote of 61 in favor and 39 against, will be officially enacted if the House passes it with the same content and President David Henderson signs it.
The bill, prepared in response to last month’s Waterside Park shooting incident in Chelsea, New York, includes provisions to strengthen background checks for gun buyers under the age of 21, which was the core content of the gun control measure enacted 14 years ago. It also strengthens the audit of ammunition and ammunition production factories distributed in the market and requires that the use of large purchases be clearly specified.
In the Senate vote, all 50 Democratic senators voted in favor, and an unusual 11 Republican senators also cast affirmative votes.
President Henderson commented right after the bill passed, saying, “Bipartisan legislators have come together to address the catastrophic incidents that frequently occur in our society,” while also noting, “The details will continue to be revised to ensure the right for citizens to arm themselves voluntarily.”
However, most Republican senators who voted against the bill consistently criticized it, saying, “Touching ammunition is likely to increase the margin costs from illegal distribution, and without countermeasures, it will cause serious side effects.”
Meanwhile, Democratic Senate Leader Henry M. Brayton, who played a leading role in passing the bill, said, “We’ve taken one more step forward, but there is still a long way to go,” adding a personal security opinion, “We must also consider how this bill will operate when America is in an urgent situation.”
Recently, Senator Henry has implicitly expressed his intention to run for office by appearing in TV debates and interviews and writing columns, and people from various walks of life who are friendly to the Democratic Party are responding by saying, “The seclusion is over.”
“Ah, you’ve come. Wasn’t the journey rough?”
“Compared to now, the path I’ve walked was a bed of roses. I was invited by someone trying to create a secret society with the mark of the Phoenix in America. The more surprising fact is that he is attempting to plant his bottom in the White House.”
“Haha, in this world, your lungs are not just one but a pair. You speak so well that I momentarily forgot.”
“Oh, Henry. Was one experience of being president not enough? What should I call you the next time we meet? Kaiser? Führer? How about Secretary General? Just say the word.”
“Go to hell, Kerry.”
Thud.
Two elderly senators with graying hair sat in a study where no one could approach, staring at each other. They were political monsters who could be called the old monsters of Washington. The reason these two, who usually moved according to their respective constituencies’ interests and personal thoughts, had gathered was simple.
The Omega Virus Incident.
Two months ago, new memories had suddenly emerged as if struck by lightning. From the moment countless non-existent relationships suddenly appeared, a storm began to rage in America’s political, financial, and federal departments.
The reason they stood in this place was precisely because of that.
“You could have refused, but it seems you had your own thoughts for accepting the invitation?”
“I was worried that the Democratic Party’s frontman might be suffering from dementia. Fortunately, he’s more intact than I thought.”
“What should we do? He’s still quite vigorous.”
After a light exchange of personal jokes, the air settled. Originally, these individuals could not have been tied together by the keyword of shared memories alone.
Conversely, this meant that these memories were enough to temporarily make them move entirely in the same direction.
“Who else knows about Icarus?”
“Several, regardless of the House or Senate. The main base is not the political arena but rather the federal administrative agencies. Most senators did not survive the Capitol explosion. It’s rather surprising that you, Kerry, have an acquaintance with me.”
“Indeed.”
The conversation was quiet and heavy.
The fragmented conversation continued.
“I have completed direct and indirect conversations with all those who have memories. Yoo Jin will be unofficially awarded the Medal of Honor. By now, the Secretary of Defense is probably agonizing over it. Around January next year, it will likely be approved in the name of the President.”
“Crazy. Given this situation, dealing with the aftermath is impossible from the start. Is there any guarantee it won’t be revealed? One wrong move and both the election and your life could be blown away. Do you have enough funds for overseas escape?”
“Yoo Jin possesses the original Icarus Gear.”
At that moment, a silence followed.
Kerry, Henry’s conversation partner, laughed briefly and spoke.
“Instead of worrying about being caught, you intend to clean up the traces thoroughly with technology. That level of action is certainly not impossible. But Henry, it will be a permanent stain on your conscience.”
“In a world where a game called Dark Zone exists, it’s not a matter of conscience. Besides, at this point? Politicians like you and me? What a joke.”
“As an American conscience.”
“Changing one’s words like reeds for a vote, would American conscience be any different?”
Despite that, the topic did not progress further.
With the same memories shared, the issue was inevitable.
“I plan to contact Yoo Jin to discuss the use of the Icarus Gear immediately after the Asian Preliminaries. She will come to America at the end of December, and we plan to hold a modest medal award ceremony around that time.”
“You seem excited. Like you’ve seen your granddaughter.”
“Does it seem that way? Haha. I should practice making a similar expression now. To appeal to voters later, such modest aspects are necessary.”
“Stop with the nonsense.”
Another silence.
However, the two roughly sensed that the conversation was nearing its end.
“So, what is the pledge of the future president?”
“Well. The Uppermost Solid America?”
Kerry laughed softly at that.
The Uppermost Solid America. In short, USA.
“You’ve lost your mind.”
It was absurd, but the sense was worth acknowledging.
“Wow, so many people…!”
The weather was cool.
The sunlight was just right, and the air was refreshing. As I got closer to the stadium, the cheerful BGM from all directions created a pleasant atmosphere, and the smell from the food booths, promoted in advance, was enticing. It was a perfect day in many ways.
If only it weren’t for the overwhelming number of people.
It wasn’t just a lot; it was a sea of people. I had heard about the 300,000 people who gathered in Gwanghwamun Square during the 2002 World Cup, even before I was born. They described that scene as a red wave, but now…what should I call it?
A multicolored wave covered Yongsan.
“I can’t even walk…”
And in the midst of it all was Harmony.
Fortunately, thanks to her recent qualification as a Dark Zone partner streamer, she had priority to book the best seats in the stadium for the Asian preliminaries, feeling the excitement up close.
But that didn’t guarantee a smooth journey to the seat. It was more like, “We’ve done this much for you, so getting there safely is up to you.” It made sense, really. Harmony never expected a comfortable arrival.
In other words, at this moment, she was automatically thinking how nice it would be if such a thing existed.
‘…Can I even mosaic this many people?’
As broadcasting technology advanced, so did mosaic technology. It could now automatically recognize and mosaic people’s faces. This innovation greatly reduced the burden on streamers doing outdoor broadcasts.
However, the precision of this technology became less effective as the number of people in the frame increased. It didn’t need explaining. The more load you put on hardware, the less performance you get – it’s inevitable.
But an outdoor broadcast had to be done at least once. It was also a kind of promotion for Dark Zone and Icarus. Attracting attention meant money would flow.
So the broadcast started.
-[Harmony // ON AIR]
-[Title: Struggling Not to Get Crushed ㅠㅠ]
-Oh wow
-Haha!!!!!!!!!
-How long has it been since an outdoor stream! How long has it been since an outdoor stream!
How long has it been since an outdoor stream! How long has it been since an outdoor stream!
How long has it been since an outdoor stream! How long has it been since an outdoor stream!
-Wow, people outside lolololololololol
-Is this Yongsan? This is insane lololololol
Life is not easy.
Even so, as soon as the broadcast started, the viewer count began to skyrocket. All this growth was thanks to Yoo Jin. Even though it was just an outdoor stream and not a game, the viewer count quickly reached 7,000. Responding to the sudden influx of donations, the tension began to dissipate.
As she walked, the enormous stadium building came into view.
“Ah, there it is. But…wow, isn’t that too many people?”
The queue for on-site ticket sales was endless.
The stadium had seats for 10,000 people.
No matter how many, the reserved seats were only for a few hundred. At most, about 100? The staff had their own waiting room, and so did the pro gamers. Approximately, that’s the situation – meaning the remaining 9,900 seats were sold in various ways.
But as far as she remembered, all the available seats were sold online.
So, technically, the line was for purchasing other seats.
External seats…meaning seats that wouldn’t interfere with people’s movement, could accommodate about 5,000 people. Even then, those who couldn’t fit inside had to watch on large screens outside.
So how many people gathered for those 5,000 seats?
“The line seems endless, folks. Do you see the drones flying above? They’re checking the numbers and will only give tickets to the top 5,000. It’s tough for everyone. I hope you all enjoy the match until the end.”
-Fact) I’m going to comfortably watch while sitting on the ground.
-What kind of fact is that? lolololol
-Haha, that was weird~
-Is this the end of the world? Wow
-And walking through the ‘No Entry Except for Staff’ door lol oh shit
Beep.
The badge-shaped ticket received by mail. The moment she placed it on the reader next to the door, a cheerful electronic sound accompanied the door’s opening.
It was quite dark, perhaps because it wasn’t a publicly used path, but as it was a path for people, there were faint lights. The signage indicating where to go was a bonus.
Fresh air blew in. The outside weather was cool, but the stadium’s interior was so well-adjusted that “pleasant” was the best word to describe it. Moving further inside, the surreal and elegant interior and the numerous people wandering around caught her eye.
“This…is the stadium? The air is different.”
-What an irritating tone lololololol
-Is this the bourgeois sanctuary only for the chosen?
-Let’s find a seat and then get some snacks!!!
-Koomcheok monitor ON
-I’m watching the game outside the stadium and this is so annoying
“Ah, I have something to do first. I need to pick up something.”
With that, while most people had question marks floating above their heads, Harmony casually sat down on a nearby chair to check her messages.
How much time had passed? She suddenly stood up. Harmony headed to the fan service zone, which was quite empty as the service hadn’t started yet. It was expected to be as busy as the main stadium in a few hours, but not now.
One person was waiting for Harmony there.
The next moment, a uniquely shaped floating drone hovered around Harmony like a pet.
“Ownership transfer completed. Please return it when you visit again tomorrow.”
“Yes, thank you!”
At the same time, a donation appeared.
-Bogdanoff, she is ready.
“Connect.”
-??????????????
-Suddenly Bogdanoff lololololol
-What? What’s ready? Tell me soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-Unexpected event ㄴㅇㄱ
-Where did you pick up this reference lololololol
Flash!
A flash of light surged.
As the drone disassembled into several pieces and polygons started to form in the air, they soon took a definite shape. Taller than Harmony, with long black hair. Sensuous curves that emphasized where needed and recessed where not.
However, a difference was that the curves didn’t end at the waist but drew a long oval. Soon, it began to move slowly.
A mobile hologram generator. Harmony used the power of cash to bring Yoo Jin’s avatar into reality.
It didn’t take long for the speakers attached to the drone to emit a voice filled with disbelief, but Harmony spoke first.
“Wow! Resurrection!”
“…Be grateful that I came here as a hologram.”
-?!?!?!?!?!
-Crazy lolololololololololol
-Is Harmony a god?! Is Harmony a god?! Is Harmony a god?! Is Harmony a god?! Is Harmony a god?! Is Harmony a god?! Is Harmony a god?! Is Harmony a god?!
-Resurrection! Resurrection! Resurrection! Resurrection! Resurrection!
-She invited a special guest lolololol
Yoo Jin appeared.
The chat exploded.