Trash in the Apocalypse

Since the initial plan to re-establish a connection with the nearby regions failed, Evo devised a new plan to utilize the cell towers. Once he made a plan, he asked Bernard to fetch the right people for the job.

Bernard hasn't found a permanent way to deal with the pest problems in the farm field, but a new order came around. When he received the plan, he sighed in relief since it could be easily done. 

Experts in communication technology rejoiced when they were invited by Black Haven for a meeting. Everyone knew what they were called for, but waited until things were confirmed before rejoicing.

When Bernard revealed the plan, the experts rejoiced inside and placed their best foot forward to comply with every request he had.

The project didn't take long to plan since creating your own radio station is basically just two things: a transmitter to create the signal, and an antenna to broadcast it. 

The only problem lay on the signal privacy since other people could stumble upon it, which would be solved by the experts on their own. Until they get the proper equipment, they would have to adjust to other methods.

Bernard offered each of them a position on the radio station, which would be expanded as a communication network in the future. Their only goal right now is to make several channels that can be privatized to make sure no one can listen in.

Bernard coordinated with Gina to buy materials and vacate several buildings to be turned into the communication station. She needs to convince the owners to sell their buildings and provide a new place for them to live. 

Transmitters were something that many people didn't paid attention to when looting. The only choice they had was to post a job post with generous rewards. The stronger the transmitter, the more generous the reward would be.

The job post was initially viewed as another quick money by other survivors, but the smart, observant ones easily dug through the heart of the matter. 

The higher-ups want a radio of their own!

But why?

They tried to convince themselves for that reason but still felt something strange about it. In the end, they could only give up since they don't have much proof. 

Maybe they just want a better signal? What kind of power doesn't want their own radio to listen and relax to?

With the high rewards for the job, transmitters arrived at Black Haven in less than an hour. People who were hunting and scavenging received the news and hurriedly went back to claim their rewards. The radio station became operational once everything was put in place. The experts just have to make a few tweaks on the privacy and security of the radio frequency. 

The Monitoring Department benefited the most when the cell towers were fixed. With the addition of private channels on the radio station, immediate wide-area communication becomes possible. Small radios were given to Team Leaders as communication practice. When more radios were found in the future, rank, and files could get a chance to own one. If recruits couldn't wait, they can own one and immediately apply for connection. 

The private channel was mainly for monitoring duties and establishing surveillance security all over the territory. In terms of long-range communication, the forum was still the best way to contact people in another town. It doesn't cause money and could be used by anyone. The only problem with it was the delay in reading the message. With the radios, a faster response could be seen once emergency situations erupt. 

Mobile phones that had built-in radio applications became one of the priority items for the Black Haven Scavengers. Although it was ordered to be top secret, it couldn't be helped if a few people leaked the information.

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Night.

The town monitors were having a blast playing with the radios. Though it was called playing, they were actually radioing back and forth asking for each other's situation. The Cardona Monitoring Branch was one of the first batches to receive the radios.

Since the town was the main producer of food in the territory, it was natural for it to be heavily guarded with regular soldiers and reserved soldiers alike. 

"This is HQ. Are you guys sleeping? Why are you guys not answering!? How dare you guys sleep on duty. If a scourge of mosquitoes entered the town, I'll hang your heads!"

The officer let go of the button and waited for a reply. However, only the sound of crickets repeatedly rung in the air.

"Wow," he exclaimed. "I can't believe these guys. Are they really ignoring me now? Just because they get higher grades than me... Tch."

In the army, the more capable you are, the closer you are to the front lines. If you get assigned to an office job, you are not expected to fight and could only support everyone from behind. No one openly discriminates about office workers, but the pride of being able to join the battlefield would never be overridden.

The officer drank his hot coffee and played with his hands. "This sucks. I thought it would be the best if I could work safely, but this really sucks. Should I apply for a re-evaluation?"

Just as the officer was lamenting in loneliness, the radio buzzed to life.

"—zzlk. Hey, why did you guys suddenly turned quiet. Hello? Can anyone hear me?"

The officer frowned. "Is this bastard playing with me? You feigning ignorance now? It's too late to repent. I'll make sure to get his name and have him reported for sleeping while on duty."

The officer was about to speak on the radio when replies suddenly started coming in.

"Hey, I thought I wrecked my radio on the first day I got it. Oh thank you, Lord, this would have cost a lot right now."

"Aside from the idle talk, what just happened? Does anyone know?"

The officer got dumbstruck upon hearing the series of inquiries. He only regained consciousness after the other soldiers started shouting at him.

"Hey, HQ! Are you okay?"

"Answer us!"