Advik Bhardwaj sat at the head of the command table, his expression firm as he scanned the digital map of New Delhi displayed on the massive screen in front of him. The V3S Mall Complex had been fully secured, but they weren't stopping there.
The next phase of expansion planning was about to begin.
His newly appointed officers sat around the table, waiting for orders.
"Let's get straight to business," Advik Bhardwajsaid, leaning forward. "We control the V3S Mall Complex, but that's not enough. We need to expand outward and secure more territory. Our next targets: Connaught Place and Worlds of wonder in the west, and Lajpat Nagar, Purana Quila, in the east."
The room remained silent, the officers absorbing the information.
Westward Expansion: Connaughy Place & Worlds of wonder.
Advik Bhardwaj highlighted the western sector on the map. The area covered luxurious hotels, casinos, and commercial hubs such as:
Radisson Blu Hotel – A large casino and hotel resort with valuable power infrastructure and high-security fortifications.
Sheraton New Delhi Resort – Another strategic commercial asset that could serve as a command center or resource depot.
Worlds of wonder – A massive entertainment hub that, if secured, could be repurposed for civilian housing or logistics.
Janpath Market – One of the most populated areas before the outbreak. It could be infested with thousands of zombies, making it a high-risk, high-reward target.
He tapped the Basant Ln area, zooming in on the densely packed streets filled with abandoned vehicles, makeshift barricades, and roaming undead.
"This sector is one of the most dangerous areas due to its pre-outbreak population density. We're looking at possibly 100,000 zombies in Basant Ln alone. However, once secured, we gain access to major roadways leading north, including Connaught Cir and Minto Road."
Eeshan, Chief of Army, nodded. "Urban combat in tight spaces means we'll need riot shields, flamethrowers, and breaching charges. We can deploy our IFVs to push through the main roads, but we'll have to clear the interiors building by building."
Advik Bhardwaj turned to Veeshan, Chief of Air Force. "Air support?"
Veeshan studied the map. "The rooftops in Basant Ln are low-rise and packed close together. We can deploy Apache gunships for precision fire, but drone reconnaissance will be critical to identifying zombie hordes before we move in."
Advik Bhardwaj nodded. "Good. Now, for Delhi-NCR. This sector houses UK 319 Runway 11L-29R, meaning we'll have access to a major runway for future aircraft operations."
Haashan, Chief of Logistics & Supply, interjected. "We can also use the hotels and casinos for high-security storage facilities. They're built to withstand attacks, which makes them ideal strongholds for future expansion."
Advik Bhardwaj tapped the screen, confirming their objectives for the western sector.
Eastern Expansion: Lajpat Nagar, Purana Quila.
The map zoomed to the east, displaying key locations:
Lajpat Nagar – A large abandoned amusement park, perfect for repurposing into a training facility or civilian shelter.
Yashobhoomi Convention Center – A massive fortified complex that could serve as an official headquarters for military and government operations.
India Habitat Center – Luxurious hotels and cultural landmarks that, once secured, could be turned into VIP accommodations, medical centers, or strategic command posts.
Advik Bhardwaj continued, "The eastern sector is more spread out, but it has strategic value. Yashobhoomi Convention Center was a government facility, meaning it likely has secure bunkers and undiscovered stockpiles. India Habitat and Lajpat Nagar are ideal for civilian expansion, and once secured, they will provide additional housing and food production capabilities."
Reeshan, Director of Security, frowned. "How many zombies are we dealing with in this sector?"
Kabir, the recon officer, stood up. "Lajpat Nagar had thousands of visitors before the outbreak, many of whom likely got trapped inside. We estimate 50,000 to 70,000 zombies in that area alone. Yashobhoomi Convention Centre and India Habitat Center are less populated, but they might be hiding other survivor factions."
Leshana, Director of Civilian Affairs, raised a concern. "If we encounter hostile survivors, do we engage or negotiate?"
Advik Bhardwaj folded his arms. "That depends on their intentions. If they're open to cooperation, we bring them in. If they're hostile, we neutralize them. We cannot afford another faction claiming these areas before we do."
He continued. "Now once we have successfully finished the operation, we are going to set a wall along Highway Main Road of Delhi, basically similar to what we are doing right now to the highway after my men took this complex from the undead. The reason why we are doing this is because if we set up a wall, no zombies would ever enter the territory that we have occupied. The V3S Mall complex along with the eastern and western sector is a strategic base that we are lucky to have been blessed with."
The command room remained silent for a brief moment as Advik Bhardwaj's words settled in. His officers processed the scale of the upcoming operation—a massive expansion effort that would push their borders further than ever before.
The plan was ambitious, but it was necessary. Establishing walls along Highway Main Road of Delhi would effectively cut off the largest zombie-infested parts of New Delhi from their secured territory. If they pulled this off, they would control one of the safest and most strategic zones in the entire country.
Advik Bhardwaj leaned forward, his fingers tapping on the edge of the table. "We're not taking any chances this time. We execute this as a full-scale military operation. We're not scavengers looking for supplies—we're an army reclaiming territory. That means overwhelming force, careful planning, and total dominance over these areas."
His officers nodded in agreement.
"When are we going to conduct the operation?" Eeshan asked.
"Well since we have just conducted a major operation that took this complex, I'd say about in a week. Our men are still exhausted from the previous fight so I want them to be in their best condition before we send them out in another operation. This will also help you recuperate and familiarize yourself with the base."
His officers nodded in agreement again, seeing that it was a reasonable explanation.