---
Location: FOB Echo Point – Command Center / North Perimeter Time: 13:15 | Day 10 of Infection Collapse
The wind howled across Echo Point like a living thing, rattling supply crates and fluttering the torn Romanian flag over the northern tower. Logan Hale stood beside the observation window, arms folded across his chest, watching dust swirl in the courtyard below.
The scouting mission to Sector 4B had raised more questions than answers. Three civilians rescued, dozens of suspicious boot prints, and most disturbing of all—not a single infected encountered.
Logan tapped the console.
> [WAR CREDITS: 1,712.4]
[Base Income: +5.2/hour]
[Personnel: 22 (13 Military / 9 Civilian)]
[Vehicle Pool: M1151 HMMWV x2, CV90-30 Lynx x2, M1128 Stryker x1, Utility Trucks x3]
> [Active Objectives:]
Establish Forward Listening Post (FLP)
Investigate Organized Infected Activity in Sector 5
Expand Tier II Defense Perimeter
He keyed the system open to begin procurement.
> [Purchased: Listening Post Components – 85 WAR CREDITS]
[Purchased: Drone Scout Kit Mk.II – 55 WAR CREDITS]
[Purchased: Logistics Crate (Food, Tools, Fuel) – 70 WAR CREDITS]
[Remaining WAR CREDITS: 1,502.4]
Behind him, Dr. Alina Moraru was checking over her charts, cross-referencing new medical entries with the triage logs. Across the room, Dumitrescu was briefing a few of her Iron Shield survivors about upcoming rotations. Discipline was tight. Morale, surprisingly solid.
Sofia entered with a soft knock, holding a clipboard and a combat log.
"Recon notes from Sector 4B. Wraith's drone footage too."
"Thanks," Logan said, taking them. "How are the new survivors adjusting?"
"Quiet. The girl, Maria, barely speaks. Her brother and father have been asking to help, though. I assigned them to crate hauling for now."
Logan nodded slowly. "If they stay clean another 24 hours, we'll evaluate further."
She hesitated. "Do you think they're coming?"
He looked back out the window.
"Yes."
---
Location: Outer Fields, North-East of Echo Point Time: 15:00
Wraith and Reaper One moved through rows of rusting shipping containers and tall grass. The new drone hovered overhead, scanning the terrain with infrared.
"No heat signatures," Wraith muttered. "Still no infected."
"We are being observed," Reaper said. His voice lacked emotion, but not certainty.
Wraith tilted his goggles and panned the sky.
"Birds are gone. Not even rats. It's not natural."
They reached the future location of the forward listening post—an old electrical substation. Hammer and Dragan were already on-site, laying down sensor wiring and motion-beacon stakes.
"Perimeter clear," Wraith called in. "Phase One construction beginning."
Back at Echo Point, Logan monitored the feed.
> [FLP Construction: 12% Complete]
His eyes narrowed.
The infected weren't just adapting.
They were waiting.
---
Location: Barracks 1B Time: 18:22
That evening, after dinner rations, Logan walked through the barracks. He stopped at each bunk, talking with the people under his command.
He checked on Marcel and Cristian in the logistics office, making sure the generator fuel logs were squared away.
He watched Mihai help Petrescu clean their rifles.
He found Lena and Elena folding fresh laundry, chatting with Sofia about basic drills. Even Dr. Moraru cracked a rare smile when Logan passed by, exchanging a nod.
The war wasn't over.
But tonight, Echo Point was alive.
---
Location: Command Center – Briefing Room Time: 20:00
Logan gathered his inner circle.
Petrescu. Wraith. Reaper One. Dumitrescu. Sofia. Hammer.
He laid out the next phase of Echo Point's expansion.
"We establish the listening post and hold it. We prepare for larger-scale raids. I want stockpiles ready, defense drills increased, and another recon patrol into Sector 5 by tomorrow."
"You think we'll find the source of their coordination?" Wraith asked.
"No," Logan said. "But maybe we'll find who they're coordinating for."
> [CHAPTER END]