Chapter 259: Silverpeak Defense - I

Voroltz was already on his feet.

"Direction and size?"

"Coming out from the central sectors, Colonel. Fourth Recon counted several groups joining together before they started moving this way. They couldn’t get a reliable number."

The soldier remained near the doorway while Voroltz looked toward the maps along the wall.

Brandon stayed beside the table while Voroltz studied the nearest city map.

"Major Federick, alert every position between here and the central roads. Pull civilians out of the exposed blocks and close the side streets once they’re clear."

"Understood."

"Polls, get Fourth Recon’s full report and find out where the rest of that horde is coming from."

Polls was already heading for the door. The meeting ended much sooner than anyone expected after that.

The two civilian representatives gathered their papers and left with one of the MDC soldiers, while the industrial group moved after them. Genevieve followed more slowly, speaking into her receiver as she disappeared into the corridor.

Voroltz turned toward Brandon.

"Commander Brandon. I don’t know how your men detected them that early, but right now, I need your help against those infected."

"We’re willing to help where we can, Colonel."

"Good. Major Federick will coordinate with your troops. He knows our defensive positions and the roads we need to keep open."

Hawkes and the rest of the southern delegation were left sitting near the table as the others prepared to leave.

"What about us?"

Voroltz stopped near the door.

"If your delegation can send aid to the defense, I will gladly accept it. If not, stay clear of our operations until we have the infected under control."

Hawkes frowned. "That’s it?"

"Right now, Captain, I have a horde moving toward this compound."

Voroltz left with the others, shutting the door behind him.

Hawkes waited until the others were gone before looking toward Anna.

"Ma’am, what do we do now?"

Anna remained seated for another moment. A faint pink light passed through Anna’s eyes before disappearing.

"Let’s leave. Whoever this Golden Eagle Army is, they’re a threat to us."

Hawkes looked toward the door.

"I agree." He paused. "We should warn Major Asters. He will not like this outcome."

Anna gave a small nod.

"Immediately."

...

Not long after, a warning siren sounded across the MDC compound.

The noise carried beyond the walls and into the surrounding streets. At that point, attracting more infected was no longer the biggest concern. The horde was already moving toward them.

Soldiers ran between buildings while officers passed orders through their radios. Engines started throughout the vehicle yard, and several trucks were already being moved closer to the roads leading toward the threatened sectors.

Civilians were hurried away from one of the nearby streets while ammunition boxes and medical supplies went the other way.

Federick brought Brandon into a smaller operations room on the ground floor near the vehicle yard.

It was much less formal than the meeting room they had just left. A large map of Silverpeak covered most of one wall, while two radio desks occupied the other side. The door remained open as runners and soldiers moved in and out with new reports.

Three MDC officers were already waiting inside.

One had Fourth Recon Squad’s report in front of him. Another was marking several roads on the city map, while the third continued receiving updates from the positions farther inside Silverpeak.

Federick walked toward them.

"Men, this is Commander Joseph Brandon of the Golden Eagle Army."

The three officers looked toward Brandon.

"Whatever questions you have about him or his army can wait. Right now, they’re helping us."

Federick moved to the map and placed one hand over the central sectors.

"Fourth Recon last saw the main movement coming out from here. They couldn’t count everything because the buildings kept breaking their line of sight, but several smaller groups were joining the main body as it moved."

He traced the route toward their position.

"We don’t have one continuous defensive line around this part of the city. We hold the larger intersections, barricades and several buildings overlooking the main roads."

Federick shifted his hand toward another section.

"The wider roads are easier for us to reinforce, but they’re also where the infected can come through in larger numbers. The side streets are worse in another way. If enough infected get through them, they can move around several of our positions before we have enough men to stop them."

One of the officers pointed toward several marked blocks.

"We’re still clearing civilians from these areas. Until they’re out, we can’t completely close the roads."

"And we aren’t abandoning the other sectors just to defend this one," Federick added. "We don’t know if this is the only movement happening tonight."

Brandon understood the problem.

MDC had enough people to hold Silverpeak together, but not enough to throw everyone toward one horde without creating another opening somewhere else.

Federick looked toward him.

"That’s what we’re holding right now. The main road will take most of the horde if they keep coming this way, while the smaller streets are where they’ll start getting around us."

He stepped away from the map.

"Now tell me what you can put into the fight."

Brandon moved closer.

"My armor can take the main roads. Vanguards will hold the wider approaches while the Guardians move infantry wherever your line needs more men."

His finger moved toward the smaller streets around the main route.

"Infantry can reinforce your barricades and cover the side roads. I have Engineers with them if something needs to be blocked, opened or reinforced."

Federick nodded slowly.

"And that’s everything you brought?"

"No."

Brandon pointed farther north.

"Our artillery is still behind the forward elements. Once you give us clear sectors, they can start breaking up the larger concentrations before they reach your positions."

One of the officers beside Federick stopped marking the map.

"You brought artillery?"

"Yes."

Brandon continued before the man could ask anything else.

"We also have aircraft available. Some are already watching the city. I can bring additional air support in once we know where your people and civilians are."

The room went quiet as Federick looked at him.

"Our support elements can help reinforce positions or repair damaged routes as well."

Brandon stopped when he noticed the expressions around the room.

"We didn’t come south with just three APCs, if that’s what you’re asking."

Judging from their reactions, the three Guardians outside had given them a much smaller idea of the force Brandon actually brought south.

One of the officers finally spoke.

"How large is your force exactly?"

"The southern formation?"

Brandon gave it a moment of thought.

"Battalion-sized, with additional elements supporting it."

The officer stared at him.

"A battalion?"

"Yes."

Federick slowly looked toward the other officers before returning his attention to Brandon.

"And all of that came from Grefort?"

"We still have more, but they’re stationed elsewhere."

Brandon looked back toward the map. "So, Major, where do you want the armor?"