RTS System in the Apocalypse: New World

By the time the supply convoy returned to Site Three, Trailblazer Three and its escort had already returned from the survey.

The PCV stood beside the western warehouse with dust covering its wheels. Several Scouts remained around the vehicle while the Engineers carried their equipment and survey reports inside.

Priya’s group dispersed after reporting their return.

The new Power Plant had completed earlier that afternoon.

Hans had already deployed it inside the main base, raising the total Energy capacity from one thousand six hundred to two thousand units.

The Field Hospital remained in the Secondary queue.

Hans entered the warehouse several minutes later.

Matilda waited beside the table. A folded map covered most of its surface, with three areas marked across the exterior tract west of Grefort.

The lead Engineer placed one report beside each mark.

"Three possible locations, Commander."

Hans looked between them.

"Are all three usable?"

"Yes, Commander. Each one has problems, but none are immediately disqualified."

That made the decision no easier.

Hans moved closer to the map.

"Start with the nearest one."

The Engineer opened the first report.

"The nearest location sits beyond the western road from Site Three. The existing route can support construction vehicles and reinforcements without additional clearing."

He pointed toward the first marked area.

"The ground is wide enough for the Airfield. Most of the eastern section is stable, but the western side contains old foundations and several buried drainage lines."

"Can they be removed?" Hans asked.

"Yes, Commander."

"Then what is the problem?"

"It would take longer to prepare. Some sections may need to be cleared before either PCV can deploy safely."

Hans studied the surrounding roads.

The location was close enough for Site Three to respond quickly. The main base could also send reinforcements without passing through Westgate. However, the eastern side remained close to the city’s western edge.

"What about aircraft approaching from the east?"

The Engineer moved one finger along the marked tract.

"They can avoid the city. The safest approach would come from the west or southwest."

"And if they have to approach from the other side?"

"They would pass near the outer buildings."

Matilda looked at the same section.

"Too close for low flights."

"That is our concern," the Engineer answered. "The location is usable, but the city would remain too close to one side of the Airfield."

Hans looked at the mark again. The position was the easiest to reinforce, but aircraft taking off toward the east would pass too close to Westgate.

"Keep it as the fallback."

The Engineer moved the first report aside and opened the second.

"The second location is farther west. The ground is clearer and more stable than the first. We found no large foundations beneath the proposed construction area, and there is enough open space for the Airfield and its surrounding defenses."

"That sounds better," Hans said.

"It is, Commander. The problem is access."

The Engineer pointed toward a narrow road running along the southern edge of the mark.

"This is the only direct route from Site Three. Several sections have collapsed, and two bridges along the drainage channels will not support heavier vehicles without reinforcement."

Hans followed the road across the map.

"How long would that take?"

"Several days if we repair the existing route. Less if the Engineers establish a temporary crossing, but that would not be suitable for regular supply traffic."

Matilda looked toward the roads leading from the main base.

"What about approaching from the north?"

"Possible, but longer. The road remains usable for most of the distance, although the final section would still require clearing."

The second location gave the Airfield more space and kept it farther from Westgate. Aircraft could also approach from several directions without passing near the city. However, every vehicle sent there would depend on roads that were not yet suitable for regular use.

"If something attacks the place before those roads are finished, how quickly can Site Three respond?"

"Slower than the first location," the Engineer answered. "Guardian APCs can reach it, but the heavier vehicles would need to follow the northern route."

Hans looked at Matilda.

She shook her head slightly.

"Too isolated for the moment."

He agreed.

"Keep it as the second option."

The Engineer placed the report beside the first and opened the third.

"The last location sits between the first two."

He pointed toward a broad section of open ground farther from Westgate, but still within the road network connecting Site Three to the main base.

"The surface is stable across most of the proposed construction area. We found no major foundations, drainage tunnels, or buried structures beneath the footprint."

Hans looked at the roads surrounding it.

Two routes reached the marked area.

One continued east toward Site Three.

The other curved north before joining the industrial roads leading toward the main base.

"Both are usable?" he asked.

"Yes, Commander. The eastern route needs clearing in several places, but the road itself remains intact. The northern route can already support the heavier vehicles."

Matilda moved closer to the map.

"What about the flight paths?"

"The ground remains open on every side except the northeast."

The Engineer indicated a scattered line of abandoned storage buildings near the edge of the tract.

"They are outside the Airfield footprint. We can remove them or leave them beyond the defensive perimeter."

Hans studied the empty space around the mark.

Aircraft approaching from the west or south would have nothing beneath them except open ground. Even an eastern approach could turn before reaching Westgate.

"What is wrong with this one?"

"The area has no existing protection."

The Engineer turned one page of the report.

"No walls. No large buildings suitable for cover. Any unit stationed there would remain visible from every direction until defensive structures are deployed."

"That can be fixed," Hans said.

"Yes, Commander. It would require more Wall segments and defensive positions than the first location."

Hans looked toward Matilda.

"The other two have problems we cannot solve quickly."

She nodded.

"The first is too close to Westgate. The second depends on roads we have not secured."

Hans returned his attention to the third mark.

The location had no existing protection, but Site Three could reach it from the east while the main base reinforced it from the north. The Airfield would also have enough room for both PCVs, future structures, and a proper defensive perimeter.

Most importantly, aircraft would not need to fly beside the city every time they took off.

"This one," Hans said.

The Engineer gathered the other two reports.

"Understood, Commander."

"Send Trailblazer Three back before nightfall. Trailblazer Four goes with it."

"Both PCVs?"

Hans looked at the size of the marked area.

"One for the Airfield. The other for everything we need around it."

Matilda folded the first two reports and left the third open on the table.

"I’ll prepare the escort."

Hans nodded and looked down at the selected tract.

Before nightfall, both PCVs would be moving west.

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