Operation SOE

Chapter 3

"As the conflict intensified, the population continued to dwindle, and the use of radioactive weapons began to affect surrounding regions. Not only Africa and South America, but also other continents experienced a decrease in population, until eventually, everyone started to die. Desperate to escape the deadly radiation, people sought refuge in buildings, but it proved futile."

As I read the contents of the mysterious message, my face twisted with a mix of confusion and disbelief. "War? What war?" I asked myself, completely unaware of any ongoing conflict. This couldn't have happened while I was asleep. If this was true, then how was I still alive?

Countless thoughts raced through my mind, searching for a logical explanation. How did this paper suddenly appear out of nowhere? What did it mean? I couldn't find a rational answer, and I was certain that no one else could have placed it there. It left me perplexed.

"Where did you come from?" I muttered, scanning my surroundings with a perplexed expression.

I carefully placed the paper in the drawer next to my bed and returned to my laptop. The downloads had completed, so I shut it down to give it a rest and unplugged the hard disk. After getting dressed, I ventured outside and found a suitable medium-sized truck parked on the road. I hopped into the driver's seat, ready to embark on a journey to SolareEco, a specialized store located about 10 blocks away that sold and installed solar panels.

Initially, driving the truck proved challenging, but with each passing minute, I grew more accustomed to the task. Before long, I arrived at my destination, parking the truck in the middle of the road, knowing that traffic rules were now nonexistent. Surveying the store, I noticed its moderate size, with two windows on the front and a slender door in the center. A security camera stood guard outside. For some inexplicable reason, I waved at the camera as if to acknowledge its presence. Then, I searched for a means to gain entry and spotted a rock nearby. "Just what I need," I murmured, picking it up. I hurled it toward the right window, expecting it to shatter, but to my surprise, it remained intact. Laminated glass, it seemed. Undeterred, I returned to the truck and, with a surge of determination, drove it into the store, smashing doors and windows to pieces.

Thankfully, no alarm was triggered, relieving me of any unnecessary commotion. Stepping out of the truck, I surveyed the store's interior. Several solar panels were on display, perfectly sized for my needs. Carrying them one by one, I loaded them into the truck. There were even more panels than I required, but I had acquired enough and embarked on my return journey to campus.

Upon arriving back, I glanced at the time and realized it was already noon. Feeling a lack of motivation to begin installing the solar panels immediately, I left them in the truck, scheduling the task for later in the evening. Instead, I turned my attention to organizing my room, which had fallen into disarray. As I sifted through my roommate's belongings, a pang of sadness washed over me. We had been close friends, and the absence of his presence felt strange. Even though I had previously enjoyed solitude, this time it felt different—I longed for companionship. Stumbling upon a photo of us together at a music party for our favorite band, I stared at it, yearning to return to that simpler time. My eyes welled up with tears, and I couldn't bear to discard his possessions. Instead, I organized them as though he were still here.

After an hour, my room was finally in order. With nothing better to do, I logged onto Facebook in hopes of connecting with Alena. However, she was not yet online. Unable to think of any engaging activities, I resorted to my usual pastime of watching anime. Starting the second season of Attack on Titan, I became engrossed in the series. It was a pity that there wouldn't be any new episodes released soon, or perhaps ever again.

As I watched the episode, a notification disrupted my focus. It was Alena, just waking up. We engaged in random conversations, getting to know each other better. She expressed her decision to move closer to my location, fearing that we would soon lose contact once the internet collapsed. I provided her with precise details of my whereabouts, and she informed me that she had already begun packing and would set out in her car at first light tomorrow. Our discussions meandered through various topics, offering respite from the solitude of watching anime and playing video games. Eventually, Alena mentioned needing to briefly step away to complete her packing and attend to other tasks.

Seizing the opportunity, I decided to proceed with installing the solar panels. It proved to be a laborious task, ferrying each panel up to the roof and descending for the next. Exhaustion gnawed at me, but the endeavor was worthwhile. Following the instructions I had read earlier, I installed the panels one by one until my room was powered by a reliable energy source. Covered in grime from the countless ascents and descents, I opted for another shower to refresh myself. By the time I finished, it was 6 PM. I embarked on another truck ride to scavenge for supplies, aware that my stock would eventually dwindle. Breaking into numerous nearby stores, I gathered food, water, and any other useful items I could find. Returning home, I now had ample supplies to last approximately three months, excluding perishable food.