Chapter 116: 80. Signs of Riot_2
Translator: 549690339
Lieutenant Sterling Parker sat with his arms crossed behind the command console, looking at the 3D sand table of Grave 717 in front of him.
As the scouts reported their findings, the guards would place flags on the sand table corresponding to the situation.
Regardless of how difficult the situation reported by the scout, Lieutenant Sterling remained seated like a silent mountain, calm and composed.
His strong aura quickly affected the scouts who came to report.
The scouts were no longer anxious.
They stood quietly in place, waiting for the commander’s instruction.
“Staircase 1 on the first underground level is closest to the water valve. The Undead Cult is bound to defend it heavily. They filled the staircases with poisonous water to delay our closure progress of the water valve. The Undead Cult anticipated our move, and we already at a disadvantage. Following their arrangement will only put us into a complete passive position. We need to open up a new battlefield!”
Looking at the sand table in front of him, Lieutenant Sterling said in a deep voice:
“Summon my orders.”
“Yes, Chief Officer!” The guard at the door saluted.
Lieutenant Sterling picked up the command stick, pointed at the 3D sand table, and locked his gaze on the water valve at the second underground level:
“I order Lieutenant Pompey to immediately lead three squads to enter the first underground level from staircases 14, 15, and 16 on the ground floor, and quickly proceed to staircases 1, 2, and 3 leading to the second underground level. If the situation on the scene allows, Lieutenant Pompey can continue to the second underground level and try to close the water valve there.”
Looking at the layout of the tomb passages on the 3D sand table, the smaller the staircase number, the closer it is to the water valve.
Staircase 1 on the ground floor is closest to the water valve on the first underground level, so the Undead Cult’s defenses are the strongest.
On the other hand, staircases 14, 15, and 16 on the ground floor are the farthest from the water valve on the first underground level, and the defense forces within these three staircases should be the weakest.
In staircases 14, 15, and 16, before receiving any scout reports, the Imperial Army, as long as well-equipped, might still be able to forcefully break through the enemy’s defenses and reach the staircases leading to the second underground level.
Lieutenant Sterling’s approach was indeed a bit reckless, but it was not a huge gamble with great potential gains.
Done well, they could overtake from behind and turn a disadvantageous situation into an active one.
If not executed properly, Lieutenant Pompey’s three squads would be facing a very low chance of survival.
The guard who received Lieutenant Sterling’s command was about to lift the curtain and leave, but he saw a handsome Private Second Class walk in.
“Private Second Class Jarvis reporting, Chief Officer!”
Noland Lee saluted and said quickly and clearly:
“A Frost Skeleton Mage has appeared in Staircase 16. Mars Squad and Zina Squad are using Bee Syrup Bombs to suppress the enemy. Their bomb inventory is running low. Requesting backup!”
“Frost Skeleton Mage…” Lieutenant Sterling frowned, pursed his lips, and the corners of his goatee lifted, as Noland’s report clearly surprised him:
“…Guards, stop, don’t deliver the order.”
“Yes, Chief Officer.” The guard who was about to deliver the order withdrew his foot from outside the curtain and turned back into the tent.
Lieutenant Sterling originally thought that the Undead Cult would not likely heavily defend staircases 14 to 16.
However, Noland’s scout report was far from what he had expected.
In Staircase 16, the one farthest from the water valve on the first underground level, surprisingly, intermediate undead forces had appeared, and they even included the advanced Frost Skeleton Mage.
No scout reports from staircases 14 and 15 had arrived yet, but the situation there was estimated to be similar to Staircase 16.
Just as Lieutenant Sterling was about to launch a surprise attack from staircases 14 to 16, the Undead Cult deployed intermediate undead forces to block their surprise attack route.
The enemy’s reaction was extremely quick and precise.
The enemy clearly understood Lieutenant Sterling’s command style as if they had a firm grasp of his temperament.
After contemplating for two seconds, Lieutenant Sterling stood up and said in a deep voice:
“The Undead Cult’s defense of Grave 717 this time is unprecedentedly strong. They must be plotting something dark in the fifth underground level. This is a life-or-death race against the Undead Cult! We must seize every minute and second to reach the underground river as soon as possible and cut off the main water valve connecting the first to the third underground levels from there.” lieutenant Sterling looked at the guard at the door and gave his orders:
“Order Lieutenant Pompey to lead three squads to enter the first underground level from staircases 6 to 8 and build a forward defense line on the spot.
“Order Lieutenant Maken to lead three squads to advance from the forward defense line to staircases 6 to 8 on the second underground level.
Order Lieutenant Otto Wright to lead three squads to enter the third underground level from staircases 6 to 8 on the second underground level, and build a forward defense line there.’
“Order all squads to converge on the forward defense lines on each underground level after completing their current tasks, clear out the undead creatures, and open up the road from the ground level to the third underground level.”
“Yes, Chief Officer.” The guard lifted the curtain and left the tent.
Lieutenant Sterling looked at another guard:
“Tell Sergeant Major Alvin Stafford to send a combat team to escort the reconnaissance squad in staircases 14 to 16 back, bring more Bee Syrup Bombs and flamethrowers, and everyone must wear Insulated Rain Boots and
Insulated Cloaks.”
“Yes, Chief Officer.” The instructed guard ran away..
