Chương 1: Mission
A startled exclamation shattered the calm of the forest, disrupting its tranquil aura. Among the trees stood a man with black hair and piercing brown eyes. He was dressed in a green military uniform and possessed a tall, slender figure that demanded attention.
By his side was a sturdy truck, its brownish-green color blending with the natural surroundings. The spacious cabin of the vehicle was filled with various crates, hinting at an unknown purpose.
Normally, a vehicle would be unable to enter this area since the gaps between the trees seemed too narrow for a large truck to pass through. The man pondered his dilemma, scratching the back of his head uncertainly.
"How did I end up in this mess?" he wondered aloud, breaking the silence of the forest.
…
Only five minutes ago, a cheerful tune filled the air inside the truck, accompanying Jack Thompson on his journey. Jack was driving alone through a desolate stretch of road in the middle of nowhere, with approximately twenty kilometers remaining until his destination.
"Well, it's a bit strange and boring driving by myself, but who cares?" Jack thought. "It's definitely easier than my usual tasks."
Jack was enjoying the tranquil drive, transporting crucial items in his truck to a military base. Little did he know that this serene trip was about to transform into an unforgettable adventure.
It all began when he noticed something peculiar up ahead—a colossal black metal block positioned right in the middle of the road. It stood remarkably tall, measuring about two meters in height. Although Jack found it odd, he didn't dwell on it for too long. He wasn't the type to stop and attempt to move such a massive block by himself. Therefore, he decided to make a slight adjustment to the steering wheel, hoping to maneuver past it without any trouble.
But just as Jack was on the verge of passing the block, something unbelievable occurred. The block underwent a sudden transformation before his eyes. It shattered into smaller pieces, and in a seemingly magical manner, these fragments were magnetically drawn to one another. They rapidly fused together, creating a rectangular structure that obstructed Jack's path. The sight left Jack astonished, questioning the possibility of such an occurrence.
Had the peculiar formation been lying flat on the road, it would have caused only a minor disruption. However, that was not the case. Astonishingly, it stood upright, resembling an enormous screen that loomed before Jack's eyes.
Curiosity intertwined with trepidation as a small spark ignited, gradually enveloping the fragments of the block. Soon, the spark multiplied, converging at the center and giving rise to a mesmerizing vortex shimmering in vibrant shades of blue.
"Oh, shit!" Caught off guard by the unfolding spectacle, Jack couldn't help but exclaim in dismay. In a desperate attempt to avert disaster, he forcefully pressed the brake pedal and veered sharply to the right. Unfortunately, his speed hindered any chance of escape. Irresistibly, both he and the entire truck were drawn into the swirling vortex, disappearing from sight in an instant.
Erasing any trace of its existence, the enigmatic structure reverted to its original form and succumbed to the pull of the vortex, leaving nothing behind but an air of mystery. Reports began circulating of a missing man and his truck, vanished from the world without a trace.
Meanwhile, Jack hastily left his vehicle. Anxiously, he turned his gaze towards the rear of the truck, hoping to catch another glimpse of the structure, yearning for answers that confused him.
But when Jack stepped out of the truck, everything looked different. Tall trees and thick bushes surrounded him, and he couldn't see where he came from. It felt like a whole new world! Jack didn't know what to do. He was confused and didn't understand what had happened. He took a deep breath and decided he needed to find someone to help him.
Pulling out his smartphone, Jack's hopes were dashed when he realized there was no signal, rendering his device useless in this strange realm. Undeterred, he shifted his focus to the conveniently placed radio beside his seat. With a glimmer of optimism, he reached for the device, eager to establish a connection with the outside world.
However, as soon as Jack stepped out of the truck once more, an eerie transformation took place. The surroundings grew dimmer, casting an ominous shadow over the area. His gaze darted around, searching for the cause, only to be met with a startling sight—the massive metal block from earlier loomed before him once again.
"W-what?!" Jack's voice quivered with a mixture of surprise and alarm. Instinctively, he stumbled backward, his body collapsing onto the ground. Before he could gather his thoughts, luminous green letters materialized within the heart of the metallic structure.
"Jack Thompson," the words spelled out. "Identification successful. Hello, Soldier. My creator named me Eyses. I am here to assist you in completing your mission. Let us search for oil."
"What the hell is this?" he blurted out, his voice echoing his confusion. Jack's bewilderment deepened. His fingers tightened around the gun holstered at his waist as he cautiously aimed it at the enigmatic black block.
"Mission? What mission? And what in the world are you?" Jack's attempt to maintain composure was evident, despite the whirlwind of emotions within him. The absence of any human presence within the metal block, coupled with its earlier recognition of him, hinted at the potential for unraveling the mysteries that now consumed his existence.
The once-present green words vanished, replaced by a new set of messages that materialized before Jack's eyes.
"Operation Industrial Labor, or OIL for short. You have been assigned the task of procuring a significant quantity of natural resources, specifically petroleum, from an alternate world. I am Eyses, an Advanced AI Robot designed to assist you in this endeavor."
Jack's disbelief surged, his fists clenching in frustration as he absorbed the information before him. The notion of being handed an easy mission seemed too good to be true, and he couldn't shake the feeling that there was an underlying catch. Doubt crept into his mind.
"I don't recall ever being involved in this matter," he muttered, his voice tinged with a sense of betrayal. "If there truly is a top-secret mission, shouldn't I have been briefed about it? This feels like kidnapping."
"Jack Thompson is an orphan who recently departed from the orphanage. Due to your circumstances, you were enlisted in the army, providing you with financial support, food, and shelter during your tenure. Consequently, you were chosen to participate in this mission anonymously. Success in this endeavor will grant you a distinguished rank, the Medal of Honor, and all the necessities required for your lifetime." The response from Eyses appeared once again, shedding light on Jack's background.
Jack ground his teeth, torn between conflicting emotions. On one hand, the robot's words aligned with his personal history, leaving no room for doubt. On the other hand, accepting such a proposition without further information felt imprudent. Nevertheless, the tantalizing allure of the rewards beckoned to him.
"Suppose I were to accept this mission," Jack spoke, his voice tinged with cautious resolve. "In that case, what kind of information can I obtain? Who is in charge of this operation?"
Eyses provided a concise answer, "As of now, you won't have access to classified information or the technology responsible for teleporting you to this world."
Jack let out a sigh, a sense of trouble settling upon him. However, he found himself surprisingly quick to accept the reality and regain his composure. It dawned on him that his ability to adapt may have been one of the reasons he was chosen for this mission.
With a final question in mind, Jack sought clarification. "Before I proceed, I need to know the amount of oil we need to gather."
"10 billion barrels of oil," Eyses responded.
Perplexed, Jack tilted his head, a look of confusion crossing his face. "Well, how much is that?" he asked, seeking clarification. "You're a robot, right? You should possess knowledge and resources. I, on the other hand, lack the necessary equipment and expertise."
"As an AI, my capabilities are limited to providing essential information and visual aids," Eyses explained. "To answer your question, the world's annual consumption rate is approximately 36.5 billion barrels."
Jack contemplated the staggering numbers, attempting to grasp the magnitude of the task before him. "Well, on a global scale, it may not appear too excessive. However, considering I'll be working alone, it will undoubtedly demand a significant amount of time and effort. I suppose I'll be sacrificing several years of my life for the promise of comfort in the future," he concluded with a resigned sigh. Though tempted to continue grumbling, Jack realized the futility of resistance. Accepting his circumstances seemed the most pragmatic path forward.
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