Two Guardian APCs left the base compound a few minutes after the meeting. Several platoon and squad leaders sat inside.
Their mouths remained closed, but their minds had already formulated countless ideas regarding the upcoming survey operations.
Establishing the FOB cannot be delayed, or it would impede the momentum that the army has just gotten after the recent firefight.
After several minutes of waiting, the APC hissed to a stop. The rear’s hydraulics wheezed out as the ramp lowered to the concrete.
"Destination reached," the driver spoke. "Time to get out, fellas."
The soldiers alighted the Guardian APCs and soon gathered around a sheltered area near the intersection.
The Scout leader approached the front and unfolded a smaller copy of the city map.
"We begin with the first route," he said. "Scouts will inspect the buildings overlooking the road. Engineers will remain behind until the entrances and immediate surroundings are cleared."
"While we do that, inspect the possible defensive positions and withdrawal paths."
One of the Guardian APC commanders gestured toward the vehicles behind them.
"We’ll wait for your ass to finish here then."
"No," the Scout leader shook his head. "You’ll join the tests. We need the APCs to test the road and turning space."
"Okay."
The APC commander nodded. Fuel was not a problem with how generous the System was on its refills anyway.
No other discussion followed.
The Scouts separated first.
Two moved along the sidewalk, keeping close to the damaged structures. Another pair crossed toward the warehouses, while the last group approached the parking structure farther ahead.
The rest remained near the APCs.
From where they stood, the first route looked straightforward.
The road continued northwest with little deviation. Most of its lanes remained open. A few abandoned vehicles had been pushed toward the sides during the previous cleanup, leaving enough space for the Guardian APCs to travel without difficulty.
The buildings were the real problem.
Two warehouses occupied the left side of the road. Their broad walls and limited windows made them easier to secure, but their rear sections connected to narrow loading alleys.
The parking structure on the opposite side had too many openings.
Ramps curved between its floors. Concrete barriers lined the edges, but almost every level could be entered from another angle.
One of the platoon leaders looked upward.
"That place can control the entire intersection."
"It can also hide an entire group," another replied.
The Radar would warn them if hostile markers approached the area. That was not the problem.
The problem was how quickly the defenders could react once the warning came.
If the infected entered through the parking structure, the concrete floors and ramps would shield them from the Guardian APCs outside. The defenders would know they were there, but knowing was different from being able to shoot them.
"We should block the lower ramps," the first officer suggested. "The fewer entrances they have, the easier it will be to concentrate our fire."
Closing several ramps would force the infected toward the remaining openings. Machine Gunners and Guardian GIs could then prepare their weapons toward fewer directions instead of constantly shifting between several floors.
Another platoon leader suddenly paused.
"Wait."
He looked toward the openings at the base of the parking structure.
"We don’t have to use ordinary barricades here. The Commander can place Walls across most of these ramps."
The other officers followed his gaze.
System Walls were not merely tougher replacements for concrete barriers. If placed properly, they could close several approaches within seconds and force the infected toward whichever opening the army intentionally left behind.
The Radar would reveal the attack.
The Walls would decide where that attack emerged.
"Leave this ramp open," the platoon leader continued. "The Commander can place a Pillbox or two beside it."
The Scout leader studied the proposed position.
The Pillbox would not require another squad to operate. Once connected to the Radar, it could acquire approaching enemies and begin firing before the infected completely emerged from the structure.
That would give the soldiers inside the warehouse more time to reposition.
"And if they enter from the structure beside it?" another officer asked.
The first officer did not answer immediately.
Blocking the ramps would not matter if the infected could cross through a connected building and emerge behind the position. The Radar might reveal their markers, but the defenders would still need enough time and space to turn their weapons around.
A defensive position that required every soldier to watch a different direction would collapse quickly once the attack became large enough.
"We inspect the neighboring structure as well," the platoon leader finally replied. "If both buildings are connected, we ask the Commander to extend the Wall line between them."
"And if the space cannot be closed?"
"Then we either secure both structures or abandon this position."
That answer was more realistic.
The parking structure could provide cover and control over the road. But occupying it alone would be dangerous if the nearby buildings allowed infected to emerge from its side.
A few minutes later, one of the warehouse teams reported.
"First warehouse is clear. Multiple entrances at the rear. Loading area connects to another street."
The Scout leader looked at the map.
"Can the rear entrances be controlled?"
"Two can be blocked. The last one is wide enough for a truck."
The wide entrance was the greater concern.
A narrow doorway restricted how many infected could enter at once. Several soldiers could hold it with rifles and grenades.
A truck-sized opening was different.
Dozens of infected could rush through together. Larger infected could enter without slowing down. If the defenders were forced to face that entrance, fewer weapons would remain available for the main road.
"Another Wall line?" one of the platoon leaders asked.
The Engineer examined the loading area.
"It should fit."
He stepped closer to the entrance and studied the pavement, nearby walls, and the remaining space between them.
"The Commander can close the two smaller entrances completely. For the larger one, I suggest leaving a controlled gap."
"For the Pillbox?"
"For the Pillbox and the soldiers inside."
Closing every opening would protect the warehouse, but it would also trap the defenders inside if the front road became compromised.
A controlled gap could serve as both an exit and a firing passage. The Pillbox could suppress anything approaching from the loading street while the squad inside the warehouse reinforced it.
The Scout leader wrote another note beside the structure.
Two Wall sections.
One Pillbox facing the loading street.
The large entrance partially open for infantry movement.
"Continue to the upper offices," he ordered.
"Understood."
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