Everyone was going about their evening when Cole suddenly had an idea. The next morning, he approached Michael on the watchtower, carrying a printed sketch of the nearby blocks.

This map, drawn from memory and based on the pulse data Michael shared over the past week, featured circles indicating the areas with the highest Rotter densities within a four-block radius around the building.

Cole remarked, examining the map, "We’ve been reactive; our efforts outside the wall have consisted mainly of supply runs and route assessments. In and out, avoid contact where possible." He put the map on the platform railing and looked at it. "The density in the eastern blocks has been building for five days. If we leave it another week it becomes a horde formation problem and we deal with it from behind the wall instead of in front of it."

Michael examined the map. The eastern block concentrations were genuine, as he had been monitoring them closely and observing the numbers increase, demonstrating an understanding that passive tracking differs from actively solving a problem.

"Proactive clearing," he said.

"Two-kilometre radius," Cole said. "Divide into three teams, each given a zone for a systematic sweep."

"We must do it thoroughly and push the density back enough to give the building real breathing room." He paused. "It also provides the teams with a common goal. Working together, sharing the objective."

Michael glanced at him sideways. "You’re considering group cohesion."

"I’m considering everything." Cole said plainly.

Michael stared at the map for a moment, then looked down at the building, wall, gate, and the four-block radius that was meant to be their safety zone, which was gradually being reoccupied by things that wanted to eat them.

"Tomorrow," he said. "Full briefing tonight."

Cole picked up the map and nodded and went down.

---

The briefing took place in the sixth floor hallway at seven in the evening because the apartment wasn’t large enough for nineteen people, and the hallway nearly was.

Michael stood at the end of the hallway with Cole’s hand-drawn map on the wall behind him, observing the gathered group. His five, Cole’s group, Damon’s four, Gareth and his remaining men—each of them in the hallway with that tense, compressed energy typical of people who had been told something was happening and were waiting for the details.

Gareth stood at the back, arms crossed and eyes on the map with a focused look, resembling someone who had been waiting for an operation to be called and had strong opinions on how it should be handled.

Tomorrow morning, we will clear the surrounding blocks," Michael stated. "Within a two-kilometre radius, three teams will cover three zones. We will conduct a systematic sweep- no improvisation and no individual heroics." He examined the map.

"Zone one is the eastern blocks with the highest current density, led by Cole. Zone two covers the northern and western approaches, led by Gareth." He paused briefly to let that information settle before continuing. "Zone three includes the southern blocks and the street grid around the building perimeter, led by Sera with Yuna."

He observed Gareth’s reaction to being assigned zone two. His relaxed expression remained, but a change occurred internally, as if his expectations adjusted. Afterwards, it settled, and Gareth nodded once, which was the most acknowledgement Michael was going to receive from him.

"Each team takes a mix," Michael said. "Cole’s team gets Damon and two of his men plus Shin. Gareth’s team takes his own people and two of Cole’s. Sera’s team takes Maya, Yuna and one of Cole’s." He looked at the room. "I move between all three zones with the pulse tracking the full picture and responding to wherever the line needs holding."

"What are we expecting out there," Damon said. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"Standard Rotter density is observed in the western blocks, with a heavier presence in the east," Michael stated. "The likelihood of Stalkers rises beyond the second block in the east.

There may be Crawler activity on the upper floors of structures taller than four stories." He paused. "Based on the pulse’s mass and movement patterns I’ve monitored, a Brute can be expected in the eastern zone. That is Cole’s concern, and Cole is aware of it."

Cole nodded without any expression.

"Rules," Michael said. "Any encounter with threats above Stalker level must be signalled before engagement. Never split your team. If a position becomes untenable, fall back to the previous block and signal. During the operation, the building gate remains open on a twenty-second cycle, controlled by Anya from the lobby panel." He looked around. "Questions?"

Gareth uncrossed his arms. "Zone two," he said. "Northern and western approach. That’s the cleanest zone on the map."

"Yes," Michael said.

"You’re keeping me close to the building," Gareth said. Not aggressive. Just accurate.

"I’m putting you on the zone that matters most for the building’s immediate security," Michael said. "If something pushes from the north or west during the eastern operation that zone needs to hold. I need someone who can read a developing situation and respond before it becomes a problem." He held Gareth’s gaze steadily. "That’s what you told me you’re good at."

Gareth stared at him for a moment, and a flicker crossed his face—perhaps satisfaction, perhaps the opposite, settling somewhere in between.

"Fair," he said and stepped back.

Nobody else had questions.

"Get some sleep," Michael said. "Six thirty at the gate."

---

Six thirty arrived grey and cold, and the gate opened onto a street that appeared the same as always, yet wasn’t.

Nineteen individuals are in the courtyard, moving through final checks in the pre-dawn light.

They work with the precise, economical focus of a team that knows its plan and its details.

Weapons, positions, team assignments—all arranged with compressed readiness built up over thirty-six days, now directed outward.

Michael stood at the gate and looked at each team as they formed up.

Cole’s team assembled with the quiet efficiency that was their default, Damon and two of his men slipping in without friction, Shin taking her position at Cole’s left with her short axe and the focused stillness she always had before things got serious.

Cole looked at his team and made a small adjustment to the spacing, then nodded at Michael.

Sera’s team was tight-knit and purposeful. Yuna was on her right, Maya on her left, and one of Cole’s men stood outside. Sera glanced at Michael, holding her axe, with a clear and composed look in her eyes.

Gareth’s team took longer to assemble. First, his three men—Fetch, Caro, and Wren—lined up, followed by the two from Cole’s group assigned to him.

They took their positions with the professional neutrality of individuals told where to stand, and they simply stood there. Gareth surveyed his assembled team, then looked at Michael.

The easy expression was present on Michael’s face, but beneath it, there was something else happening—a subtle tension that Michael couldn’t fully interpret this morning.

He noted it and moved on.

"Teams move on my signal," Michael said. "Cole east. Gareth north. Sera south. I follow Cole’s zone first and rotate." He looked at the three teams. "Stay on the comm pulse. Any signal from me means stop and hold position until I update."

He stepped back.

"Move," he said.

The gate opened and nineteen people walked out into the city.

---

Support please! Anyway you can helps! Golden tickets or gifts anything helps!

Mass Release is on!

Starting next week a mass release event would take place depending on the support and gifts received a mass release of 20+ Chapters will happen!

1 Golden Castle - + 5 bonus Chapters

1 Golden Capchon - +10 Extra Chapters

300 Ps -s

100 Golden tickets -s