CH 2
The background behind the International Undersea Station (IUS) is simple. Firstly, we reached a point where we could no longer ignore further ocean pollution. Previously, the capitalist mindset regarded the destruction of marine ecosystems and extinction of marine life as insignificant for the sake of development and fishing. However, now, nearly all marine life has been designated as protected species, including even the smallest fish, such as anchovies, making them uncatchable, unprocessable, unmarketable, and un-storable.
Looking at the Korean peninsula, which is surrounded by the sea on three sides and consists of tidal flats, out of the previously lived 14,000 marine species, 4,000 have become extinct, and only around 10,000 species remain. Due to coastal development, landfill, marine pollution, overfishing, water pollution, radiation, and more, marine ecosystems have been severely damaged. As further ocean pollution could directly threaten human survival, developed countries have rallied their immoral leaders.
Secondly, a new habitat for humanity was needed. After humans could no longer consume seafood, they realized that space development, which only created waste and corpses, was a wasted effort. After the last three astronauts returned home, all countries officially gave up on space development. They finally abandoned the grand but despicable idea of terraforming Mars and leaving Earth, and instead pooled the money they squeezed from their citizens into undersea station development.
Petroleum drilling companies and mining corporations for oceanic resources jumped into the IUS project. Despite any justification, humans were more inclined to develop the environment than to conserve it. Eight developed nations successfully built an undersea station in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, causing new ocean pollution. The location selection of the IUS was a major issue, but I do not recall it as I was attending elementary school.
Originally, it was planned to be built in the Atlantic Ocean. However, due to the selection of an earthquake-free location, lobbying for various rare earth elements, petroleum and natural gas drilling, and underwater warfare that I was unaware of, the first undersea station was constructed in the North Pacific Ocean. Now they are pouring money into the Atlantic Ocean to build a second undersea station.
Thirdly, mining was a key factor. No matter what other reasons were given, the truth is that it was the first reason. The ocean is still an undeveloped land, hiding an immense amount of marine resources such as fisheries and minerals. It contains petroleum and natural gas, rare earth elements, manganese nodules, and deep-sea waters that are not yet polluted. Newly discovered information about the deep sea and deep-sea fish, which can surprisingly be consumed, was also a factor. Humans have not completely abandoned the idea of consuming Earth’s resources to survive.
It is somewhat amusing to say this while working at an undersea station, but I think it is contradictory that an undersea station was constructed. When people dumped garbage into the sea, thinking that they did not need it, now they are building houses on the seabed, saying that they need it. The disappearing glaciers, destruction of the ozone layer, overfishing, and nuclear waste have already destroyed the earth’s temperature system, creating a temperature difference of -40 to +45 degrees Celsius. Yet, they cannot bear it and seek refuge in the ocean.
Those who oppose space development argue that it is reasonable to face extinction as one of the living creatures on Earth. I do not agree with their opinion, but I often feel regret about being born just after 2000. I wanted to live in an age where resources were used freely, environmental issues were ignored, and sunblock was unnecessary. Most people born
North Pacific Undersea Station (NPIUS) is composed of four main levels. First, the shallow continental shelf, where an artificial island was created at the 0 level, followed by the first undersea station directly beneath it, located at a depth of -200m [2nd undersea station], the second undersea station at the midwater level (-1000m) [3rd undersea station], and the fourth undersea station located at the abyssal zone (-3000m) [4th undersea station]. The fifth level, the hadal zone (3000-6000m), is still under construction, making up a total of four bases.
The undersea station where I would be stationed is the last one completed, the 4th undersea station at the abyssal zone (-3000m). I was appointed as a dentist there.
Freya, who had several coral models on her desk, checked my passport and started pulling out documents.
“Eight countries, including Korea,” she said with a shrug.
“What about the Philippines? Isn’t it adjacent to the North Pacific? Or Taiwan and Hong Kong?”
“Only countries that can invest at least 1 trillion won in undersea station development per year can participate.”
“The participation fee seems quite expensive.”
I wondered if Korea had that much money. One trillion won is a lot. I vaguely remember reading a newspaper article that said if more money was invested in undersea stations than in space development, space exploration, whether manned or unmanned, would be delayed compared to other advanced countries. Freya spoke disdainfully.
“Eight countries participate and share the costs of excavation. They fought a lot underwater, but it’s none of my business or yours.”
As an Indian, she could enjoy watching this North Pacific mineral resources war. She proudly pulled out the papers she brought.
“What is this document?”
“Information about employment safety and membership forms.”
“Does NEP take responsibility for my employment safety? Why?”
I’ve never heard of them. I wish they’d stop making up new organizations with names shortened in English.
“It was named after Neptune, the Roman god of the sea. In the past, during undersea station construction, a Japanese construction company delayed paying their workers for two months. The Japanese workers employed by the company kept quiet, but the Chinese workers employed by the same company went crazy. Then they destroyed the elevator of the 2nd undersea station by a manned submersible, saying not to think about building buildings if they weren’t going to pay them. A Russian construction company also attempted to blow up the central elevator due to wage arrears. The Korean construction company went on strike for three months because there was no danger pay and the annual salary was too low. In the United States, they subcontracted to Malaysia, the Philippines, and Myanmar, and quite a few people died in accidents. And there was no compensation. Then an Indonesian oil family threw a will and committed suicide terrorism, completely destroying the deep-sea aquarium. There were numerous incidents and accidents during the construction of the undersea station. If you buy me a cup of coffee later, I’ll tell you more about the mess. Anyway, people kept dying for a few pennies, and they had to do something about it if they were going to spend hundreds of trillions on undersea station completion.”
“That’s why NEP was created, I suppose,” I said.
“Only lunatics work tirelessly without any compensation, relying solely on their willpower and mental strength. Proper rewards are absolutely necessary. Everyone staying at the undersea station is enrolled, and if you sign up and sign a contract, even if Mr. Park Mu-hyun dies tomorrow, you can receive compensation of more than 200 million won. Your salary will be paid on the 1st of every month within the already received budget, whether the company goes bankrupt or the country collapses-”
I immediately started scribbling my signature on the documents. Now I understood why it was named after Poseidon. They must be managing those who live in the sea. As long as my salary was paid on time, I had the confidence to work hard under Poseidon or even under sharks.
Freya seemed to find my actions quite amusing and smiled slightly. The salary contract was at the back, and the detailed pages were over 40 pages long. I stared at the salary and vacation section. All medical treatments at the hospital on the artificial island were free. Oh, right. The hospital was connected to the undersea station. There was also a non-disclosure agreement related to personal information protection.
My outdated interpreter couldn’t translate the documents. Everything was in English. Freya told me it was okay to take as much time as I needed while she played with her phone. I secretly thanked her for her indifference. There were probably a lot of people like me. I cursed my poor English skills and slowly began to read through the contracts. I signed more documents than I ever had in my life and handed them back to Freya.
“The more detailed information is here. Please read it.”
I received a thin book. I was a little surprised that it wasn’t electronic paper. When I flipped through a few pages, everything was in English. This was driving me crazy. It wasn’t that I couldn’t read it, I just needed time. It was very long and took a lot of time.
“Don’t most people use electronic signatures these days?”
Freya laughed when she heard my question.
“Some people still don’t have computers and prefer paper for storage.”
Ah, I see. Eight countries participated, as she had said. Freya showed me the company’s signature and sent me one part of the paper electronically. My phone beeped. The email seemed to have arrived properly.
“Thank you. You’ve worked hard.”
“Thank you. Welcome to the undersea station.”
With a sigh, I leaned back in my chair after receiving the blue electronic pad that was about the size of my palm. Freya’s desk also had a blue pad with cute dolphin stickers all over it.
As I put the book and pad that had been given to me into my bag, Freya handed me a beginner’s manual for the undersea station. This was also on paper. When I unfolded it, it was all in English, but I nodded my head casually and put it in my bag. Somehow, I had to get a new translation device if I wanted to survive. This was going to be tough.
Looking at the Korean peninsula, which is surrounded by the sea on three sides and consists of tidal flats, out of the previously lived 14,000 marine species, 4,000 have become extinct, and only around 10,000 species remain. Due to coastal development, landfill, marine pollution, overfishing, water pollution, radiation, and more, marine ecosystems have been severely damaged. As further ocean pollution could directly threaten human survival, developed countries have rallied their immoral leaders.
Secondly, a new habitat for humanity was needed. After humans could no longer consume seafood, they realized that space development, which only created waste and corpses, was a wasted effort. After the last three astronauts returned home, all countries officially gave up on space development. They finally abandoned the grand but despicable idea of terraforming Mars and leaving Earth, and instead pooled the money they squeezed from their citizens into undersea station development.
Petroleum drilling companies and mining corporations for oceanic resources jumped into the IUS project. Despite any justification, humans were more inclined to develop the environment than to conserve it. Eight developed nations successfully built an undersea station in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, causing new ocean pollution. The location selection of the IUS was a major issue, but I do not recall it as I was attending elementary school.
Originally, it was planned to be built in the Atlantic Ocean. However, due to the selection of an earthquake-free location, lobbying for various rare earth elements, petroleum and natural gas drilling, and underwater warfare that I was unaware of, the first undersea station was constructed in the North Pacific Ocean. Now they are pouring money into the Atlantic Ocean to build a second undersea station.
Thirdly, mining was a key factor. No matter what other reasons were given, the truth is that it was the first reason. The ocean is still an undeveloped land, hiding an immense amount of marine resources such as fisheries and minerals. It contains petroleum and natural gas, rare earth elements, manganese nodules, and deep-sea waters that are not yet polluted. Newly discovered information about the deep sea and deep-sea fish, which can surprisingly be consumed, was also a factor. Humans have not completely abandoned the idea of consuming Earth’s resources to survive.
It is somewhat amusing to say this while working at an undersea station, but I think it is contradictory that an undersea station was constructed. When people dumped garbage into the sea, thinking that they did not need it, now they are building houses on the seabed, saying that they need it. The disappearing glaciers, destruction of the ozone layer, overfishing, and nuclear waste have already destroyed the earth’s temperature system, creating a temperature difference of -40 to +45 degrees Celsius. Yet, they cannot bear it and seek refuge in the ocean.
Those who oppose space development argue that it is reasonable to face extinction as one of the living creatures on Earth. I do not agree with their opinion, but I often feel regret about being born just after 2000. I wanted to live in an age where resources were used freely, environmental issues were ignored, and sunblock was unnecessary. Most people born
North Pacific Undersea Station (NPIUS) is composed of four main levels. First, the shallow continental shelf, where an artificial island was created at the 0 level, followed by the first undersea station directly beneath it, located at a depth of -200m [2nd undersea station], the second undersea station at the midwater level (-1000m) [3rd undersea station], and the fourth undersea station located at the abyssal zone (-3000m) [4th undersea station]. The fifth level, the hadal zone (3000-6000m), is still under construction, making up a total of four bases.
The undersea station where I would be stationed is the last one completed, the 4th undersea station at the abyssal zone (-3000m). I was appointed as a dentist there.
Freya, who had several coral models on her desk, checked my passport and started pulling out documents.
“Eight countries, including Korea,” she said with a shrug.
“What about the Philippines? Isn’t it adjacent to the North Pacific? Or Taiwan and Hong Kong?”
“Only countries that can invest at least 1 trillion won in undersea station development per year can participate.”
“The participation fee seems quite expensive.”
I wondered if Korea had that much money. One trillion won is a lot. I vaguely remember reading a newspaper article that said if more money was invested in undersea stations than in space development, space exploration, whether manned or unmanned, would be delayed compared to other advanced countries. Freya spoke disdainfully.
“Eight countries participate and share the costs of excavation. They fought a lot underwater, but it’s none of my business or yours.”
As an Indian, she could enjoy watching this North Pacific mineral resources war. She proudly pulled out the papers she brought.
“What is this document?”
“Information about employment safety and membership forms.”
“Does NEP take responsibility for my employment safety? Why?”
I’ve never heard of them. I wish they’d stop making up new organizations with names shortened in English.
“It was named after Neptune, the Roman god of the sea. In the past, during undersea station construction, a Japanese construction company delayed paying their workers for two months. The Japanese workers employed by the company kept quiet, but the Chinese workers employed by the same company went crazy. Then they destroyed the elevator of the 2nd undersea station by a manned submersible, saying not to think about building buildings if they weren’t going to pay them. A Russian construction company also attempted to blow up the central elevator due to wage arrears. The Korean construction company went on strike for three months because there was no danger pay and the annual salary was too low. In the United States, they subcontracted to Malaysia, the Philippines, and Myanmar, and quite a few people died in accidents. And there was no compensation. Then an Indonesian oil family threw a will and committed suicide terrorism, completely destroying the deep-sea aquarium. There were numerous incidents and accidents during the construction of the undersea station. If you buy me a cup of coffee later, I’ll tell you more about the mess. Anyway, people kept dying for a few pennies, and they had to do something about it if they were going to spend hundreds of trillions on undersea station completion.”
“That’s why NEP was created, I suppose,” I said.
“Only lunatics work tirelessly without any compensation, relying solely on their willpower and mental strength. Proper rewards are absolutely necessary. Everyone staying at the undersea station is enrolled, and if you sign up and sign a contract, even if Mr. Park Mu-hyun dies tomorrow, you can receive compensation of more than 200 million won. Your salary will be paid on the 1st of every month within the already received budget, whether the company goes bankrupt or the country collapses-”
I immediately started scribbling my signature on the documents. Now I understood why it was named after Poseidon. They must be managing those who live in the sea. As long as my salary was paid on time, I had the confidence to work hard under Poseidon or even under sharks.
Freya seemed to find my actions quite amusing and smiled slightly. The salary contract was at the back, and the detailed pages were over 40 pages long. I stared at the salary and vacation section. All medical treatments at the hospital on the artificial island were free. Oh, right. The hospital was connected to the undersea station. There was also a non-disclosure agreement related to personal information protection.
My outdated interpreter couldn’t translate the documents. Everything was in English. Freya told me it was okay to take as much time as I needed while she played with her phone. I secretly thanked her for her indifference. There were probably a lot of people like me. I cursed my poor English skills and slowly began to read through the contracts. I signed more documents than I ever had in my life and handed them back to Freya.
“The more detailed information is here. Please read it.”
I received a thin book. I was a little surprised that it wasn’t electronic paper. When I flipped through a few pages, everything was in English. This was driving me crazy. It wasn’t that I couldn’t read it, I just needed time. It was very long and took a lot of time.
“Don’t most people use electronic signatures these days?”
Freya laughed when she heard my question.
“Some people still don’t have computers and prefer paper for storage.”
Ah, I see. Eight countries participated, as she had said. Freya showed me the company’s signature and sent me one part of the paper electronically. My phone beeped. The email seemed to have arrived properly.
“Thank you. You’ve worked hard.”
“Thank you. Welcome to the undersea station.”
With a sigh, I leaned back in my chair after receiving the blue electronic pad that was about the size of my palm. Freya’s desk also had a blue pad with cute dolphin stickers all over it.
As I put the book and pad that had been given to me into my bag, Freya handed me a beginner’s manual for the undersea station. This was also on paper. When I unfolded it, it was all in English, but I nodded my head casually and put it in my bag. Somehow, I had to get a new translation device if I wanted to survive. This was going to be tough.
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