Chapter 65: FOB Meeting - II

The platoon leaders, together with the other important officers, entered the room in a disciplined fashion.

They picked their seats and read through the available reports. Some had already seen parts of them before arriving, but the full collection contained information that had not yet reached their respective units.

Nobody spoke.

Pages turned across the tables.

The Engineer representatives focused on the photographs of damaged roads and collapsed drainage entrances. The Scout leaders studied the surrounding streets and buildings. The Guardian APC commanders paid more attention to the measurements written beside narrow roads, wreckage, and turning areas.

Hans watched them from the end of the table.

At least I don’t have to explain everything from the beginning.

Soon, the last personnel arrived—Matilda herself.

She entered with another folder tucked beneath one arm. After checking the faces inside the room, she closed the door behind her.

"All personnel requested by the Commander are present," she reported.

Hans nodded.

Matilda took the empty seat nearest to the map but did not open the folder yet.

The remaining officers finished the pages in front of them and gradually raised their heads.

The room silenced in anticipation. This time, they were waiting for him, the Commander.

Hans looked across the table. For this meeting, all he needed from them was to make sure they understood what he wanted.

"Thank you for being present," Hans started. "For today’s matters, Fairy should have already given you an outline. Our next main objective—establishing a forward operating base in Westgate District."

Several officers shifted their attention toward the northwestern section of the map. Hans pointed toward the highway, then followed the roads leading closer to the city.

"We need a route between this base and the future FOB. Vehicle access is imperative. It should also be convenient for the Engineers to maintain, and for the soldiers to defend."

The Guardian APC commanders leaned closer to the map.

Hans continued.

"The first operation will be reconnaissance and route preparation. I want to know which roads are safe and easily defended. From this, what areas are viable for our staging grounds. Which underground entrances should we block or watch out for. Are there any unstable structures that should be kept on the watchlist? And lastly, locations where our forces might be possibly cut off, and how to prevent or mitigate that."

Hans stopped.

The officers lowered their eyes toward the map.

There was no confusion among them. Matilda had already given them the outline before they entered. What remained was deciding how they would carry it out.

One of the Scout leaders rose first.

He walked toward the map and placed his finger on the highway leading toward Westgate.

"We already know three possible approaches from this area, Commander."

His finger followed the first road.

"This one is the fastest. It continues straight from the highway and remains wide until the second intersection."

He shifted toward another.

"This road branches toward the older industrial blocks. It is longer, but there are fewer tall structures around it."

Then the last.

"The third route passes through the commercial edge. It is shorter than the industrial road, but there are more side streets and buildings overlooking it."

Hans studied the three roads.

"Which one do you recommend?"

"None yet."

The Scout leader continued before Hans could react.

"The first route is the fastest, but these structures overlook the road."

He pointed toward several buildings near the second intersection.

"One parking structure. Two warehouses. And a taller building near the corner. These can be used to secure the area, but it will be hard to defend if surrounded."

His finger moved toward the industrial road.

"This route has better visibility and defensive manuevers on the surface. The river to the north blocks one area, but we have not checked the drainage entrances and loading areas."

"And the commercial road?"

"Too many blind approaches. It may still be useful as a secondary route, but I would not recommend it as the main corridor without further inspection."

Hans nodded slowly. That was already more information than the paper reports had given him.

"What about the road integrity?"

One of the Engineer officers stood next. "The first road has already been discussed on paper. The industrial road is littered with large cargo trucks and other debris. Removing them will take a while, and restoration even further."

He shifted to the third route.

"Most structures on the third road can be repaired, or demolished as required. They can serve as a small station for the army, but it will need more manpower for maintenance and security."

The platoon leaders studied the commercial route.

One of them shook his head.

"Too many side streets."

He pointed toward the blocks surrounding the road.

"Even if we secure the main path, these structures can hide infected or armed survivors. We would need soldiers positioned on both sides."

"Could the streets be blocked?" Hans asked.

The Engineer officer nodded.

"Some of them. Walls and debris can close the narrower entrances. But the larger intersections will still require proper defensive positions."

Another platoon leader looked toward the first road.

"This one would be easier to hold."

He pointed toward the parking structure and the two warehouses.

"If those buildings are secured, they can watch over most of the approach."

"And if they are surrounded?" the Scout leader asked.

"Then the road behind them becomes the fallback."

The Scout leader did not appear convinced.

"The taller building can observe both the warehouses and the road. But the area below is too open. That is the only problem."

"Then we’ll prioritize our choices," Hans commanded. "The first route will be the main priority. Survey the areas and plan a cohesive defense approach. The northern route will be the secondary priority. And the commercial road will be surveyed last. Coordinate movement between squads and teams. I don’t want any conflicts arising between the army. Am I understood?"

Everyone nodded. The Commander’s decision was final.

They only needed to give him which decision should he make.

"Proceed with the survey," Hans said. "Bring me the best route after all these are checked."

"Yes, Commander!"

Everyone rose to their feet at the same time and saluted to Hans.

"Everyone is dismissed."

They gathered the necessary documents and folders from their tables and left the room as disciplined as they were when they entered.

When the last soldier left, Hans let out a sigh.

"The meeting was shorter than expected," he massaged his temples. "Can’t all meetings have been like this before?"

His eyes landed on the map, focusing on the three routes that his soldiers provided.

"The next meeting should not be far. And while they’re at it, I should train and harness my superhuman powers in the mean time."

He leaned to his communicator and connected to the channel.

"Viper, come in."

"Yes, Commander?"

"Where are you now?"

"Training your subordinates."

A loud thump echoed on the other side. Hans smiled. "You look busy."

"Very, Commander."

"Well, good for you. You’re about to get busier today."