The platoon leaders and Matilda remained inside the warehouse after the conversion ended.
Anton spread South One’s updated map across the table. South Two’s leader placed another beside it, aligning the two routes they had cleared during the day.
Hans closed the Gold interface and approached them.
"Report."
"The next section reaches Highcross District, Commander."
He unfolded another section of the map.
Hans recognized the blocks immediately. Highcross lay south of Westgate, where the smaller commercial roads opened into shopping centers, office buildings, and banking properties. Kingswell bordered it to the east, where the commercial belt became denser on the approach to the city core.
The main avenue continued through several large shopping buildings and office blocks. Three banking properties had been marked along it.
Two belonged to international banks.
The third occupied a larger building farther inside the district.
Hans recognized the location.
"That should be one of their smaller branches. The regional branch is over in Kingswell, closer to the core."
"The exterior remains intact," Anton answered. "We also confirmed multiple underground parking entrances around the shopping centers and banking buildings."
South Two’s leader pointed toward the service route.
"The rear roads connect to loading yards, parking structures, and underground delivery sections. We could not inspect their full depth."
"Contacts?"
Anton paused.
"The initial count is over one hundred thousand across the exposed streets and outer sections."
Hans looked up.
"Only what you could confirm?"
"Yes, Commander. The larger buildings and underground sections are not included."
South Two’s leader moved his finger across the enclosed blocks.
"The total estimate is between three hundred thousand and five hundred thousand."
The warehouse became quiet.
"That many infected?"
"Possible, Commander. The parking structures alone contain several concentrations. More remain inside the shopping centers and office towers."
Hans looked at the three banks again.
The district could finance much of his next expansion. Reaching them would require an operation far larger than the previous sweep.
Matilda studied both maps.
"Clearing the buildings directly will take too long," she said. "The ground forces will spend most of their ammunition before reaching the banks."
"And the underground sections will remain behind us," Anton added.
Hans nodded.
The banks and shopping centers had to remain intact. The Hellhammers could cover the wider roads outside the district, but firing into the commercial blocks would risk the materials his soldiers were supposed to recover.
"They have to be drawn out."
"Whatever responds can be drawn out," Matilda said.
She marked the wider roads and several loading yards outside the denser blocks.
"We divide the district into sectors. The Falcons can begin movement in one section at a time, then the platoons receive the infected along prepared roads. We do not disturb another section until the first group has been eliminated."
Her finger moved toward the underground entrances.
"The deeper parking levels may remain where they are. The Scouts mark every ramp, service tunnel, and delivery entrance before the operation begins. Anything that stays below will be isolated and cleared after the surrounding streets are controlled."
"And if several sections react at once?"
"The aircraft breaks away. The platoons handle the nearest group from the prepared positions while the rest are allowed to separate."
Matilda looked toward the wider spaces outside the district.
"Striker One should be tested tomorrow. If it can remain ahead of South One and separate the movement more precisely than the Falcons, it can take that role during the commercial operation."
Hans looked over the marked approaches.
"How long before we can begin?"
"At least another day. The Engineers still need to inspect the roads between the district and the possible engagement areas."
Hans looked toward the eastern and northeastern sections around Site Three.
The infected there remained scattered enough for the platoons to handle without disturbing the southwestern commercial concentration.
"South One and South Two operate east and northeast tomorrow," he said. "Keep away from the southwest."
"Understood," Matilda answered.
"Prioritize the units that still need promotions. Keep the veteran squads and armored units close enough to take over when necessary."
The commercial operation would consume ammunition on a different scale. Hans intended to begin before noon, use the first ammunition allocation against the opening groups, then continue after the automatic refresh.
The lower-star units would handle the concentrations already reduced by aircraft and armor. Any promotions earned during the fighting would provide additional ammunition on top of the noon replenishment.
He opened the Airfield interface.
Striker One remained in production.
Hans moved to the Falcon entry and selected another aircraft.
------
[ Falcon Two added to Aircraft Production Queue. ]
[ Production will begin after Striker One. ]
[ Gold: 63,094 (-9,500) => 53,594 ]
------
Hans closed the Airfield interface and opened the Barracks.
------
[ Standard Infantry Squad x2 queued. ]
[ Gold: 53,594 (-19,000) => 34,594 ]
[ Total queue time: 3 hours and 10 minutes. ]
------
He moved to the War Factory interface.
------
[ Guardian APC x2 queued. ]
[ Gold: 34,594 (-16,000) => 18,594 ]
[ Total queue time: 1 hour and 20 minutes. ]
------
Hans dismissed the panels.
Eighteen thousand five hundred ninety-four Gold remained.
Enough for another Apache.
He left it untouched.
"The new squads and APCs will reinforce South One and South Two," Hans said. "One set each."
Anton nodded.
Hans looked toward Matilda.
"Striker One joins South One tomorrow. Observation first. Let the crew coordinate with Anton and engage when necessary."
"Understood, Commander."
The meeting ended soon afterward.
Anton and South Two’s leader gathered their reports before leaving the warehouse. Matilda followed them with the two maps under her arm.
Hans stepped outside.
The Field Hospital stood across the yard, its entrance still busy despite the approaching night. Medics moved between the main building and the nearby supply area while several soldiers carried sealed containers inside.
The doors suddenly opened.
Tyrus walked backward through them.
"One more hour. I only need to observe the equipment during another treatment."
A female Medic followed him outside.
"Negative."
"This is scientific work."
"You have been inside since noon."
"And I have made excellent use of that time."
"The treatment area is not your laboratory."
She closed the doors in front of him.
Tyrus stared at them for several seconds.
"Tyrus."
His shoulders stiffened.
He turned and found Hans standing near the warehouse.
"Commander. What a pleasant coincidence."
Hans looked at the Field Hospital, then back at him.
"Weren’t you supposed to leave for the Hive site?"
"I was preparing for it."
"Inside the Field Hospital?"
Tyrus adjusted his coat.
"Your medical facility presented several unexpected distra—discoveries."
"The Hive. Tomorrow morning."
"Of course."
"Take the escort assigned to you. No delays."
Tyrus nodded.
Hans walked past him.
The scientist remained outside the Field Hospital.
The doors stayed closed.
Hans continued toward the command building.
His army now had aircraft.
The Crescent Federation had relied on them to find enemy movements, strike distant targets, and move soldiers across battlefields much larger than anything Hans currently controlled.
Raptor One could eventually follow the northern roads toward Saicine or travel south toward Silverpeak. His hometown lay farther in that direction. His family might still be there, or they might have moved elsewhere before everything collapsed.
Hans had no way of knowing.
The surrounding cities, highways, military facilities, and eventually the Capital could now be inspected from the air. If any organized authority remained, the Capital was still one of the places most likely to hold evidence of it.
Hans entered the command building.
Those flights could wait.
Grefort still came first.
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