Thomas exhaled, looking around the ruined refinery. The air still carried the bitter stench of burning flesh and oil, and the heat from the inferno below made the tal catwalks uncomfortably warm underfoot. But the job was done. The infection hive was gone, Sector 4 was cleared, and the refinery was now theirs.
But holding it was another matter entirely.
They had secured the site, but it was still a structural liability. There were holes in the fencing, damaged infrastructure, and too few personnel to defend it if another major threat erged. This wasn't just about getting the fuel and leaving. If MOA Complex was going to function long-term, they needed a stable and secure refinery operation.
Which ant fortifications, personnel, and automated defenses.
Phillip wiped soot from his forehead and glanced at Thomas. "Alright, Supre Commander. What's next?"
Thomas didn't hesitate.
"We're calling in reinforcents."
Phillip smirked. "About damn ti."
Thomas opened his System Interface, bringing up the Unit Deploynt nu. The screen was split into two sections:
Military Personnel – Combat specialists, engineers, and logistical officers.
Non-Military Personnel – Skilled workers, technicians, and refinery operators.
Their total Blood Coins and Souls earned from the operation gave them a sizable budget to pull in reinforcents. The Hellfire strike, the Titan's defeat, and the hive's destruction had generated an imnse amount of Souls, boosting their purchasing power.
[Blood coins earned: 135,000
Souls earned: 1,200]
[Blood Coins: 54,641,425]
[Souls: 1M ]
This was more than enough to staff, fortify, and defend the refinery.
Thomas navigated to Non-Military Personnel first. Without trained workers, the refinery wouldn't function properly. He selected:
This was more than enough to staff, fortify, and defend the refinery.
Thomas navigated to Non-Military Personnel first. Without trained workers, the refinery wouldn't function properly. He selected:
Industrial Engineers (x5) – 30 Souls
Responsible for assessing structural integrity and repairing the damaged pipelines.
Refinery Technicians (x10) – 30 Souls
Needed to operate and maintain the refinery's fuel production.
Logistics Officers (x3) – 45 Souls
To oversee inventory and fuel transport back to MOA Complex.
The refinery staff would keep things running, but without military protection, it would be an easy target for any hostile factions or another infected surge.
Thomas navigated to Military Personnel next and summoned 100 infantries ard with the basic combat uniforms and U.S standard issue weapons.
Thomas confird the deploynt.
[Processing… Units Summoned.]
A mont later, a dark ripple spread across the refinery yard. The air shimred as the summoned units materialized, stepping onto the refinery's scorched ground. The 100 infantry soldiers stood at attention in perfectly disciplined rows, their standard-issue combat uniforms neatly pressed, their M4 carbines held firmly against their chests.
Thomas scanned the newly assembled force and smiled with satisfaction. hese n were warriors, professionals ready to fight, defend, and die for this refinery.
And they needed a leader.
Thomas swiped through his System Interface, opening the Unit Assignnt nu.
He opened his system again and summoned a captain that would lead the forces in this refinery for 10 souls.
A confirmation prompt appeared. The air shimred again, but this ti, only one figure erged. Unlike the other soldiers, this man radiated presence—the bearing of a veteran, a leader.
The mont Captain Logan materialized, he stepped forward and gave Thomas a sharp salute.
"Captain Logan, reporting for duty, Supre Commander."
Thomas studied him. Logan was older than the standard infantry, maybe in his early 40s, with sharp blue eyes that saw everything and a face lined with experience. His stance was solid, his movents precise. The kind of man who had seen war and walked away stronger for it.
Thomas returned the salute. "You've been assigned as the commanding officer of this refinery's defense. Your priority is to fortify this place, maintain order, and make sure it stays in our hands—permanently."
Logan nodded. "Understood, sir. I'll get the n into formation and start setting up proper defensive periters."
Thomas crossed his arms. "We've already established a basic fortification. Your job is to expand on it. The infected won't be the only threat out here. Raiders, other factions, maybe even remnants of the military might co looking for resources."
Logan smirked slightly. "If they co, we'll send them back in pieces."
Thomas liked him already.
"Alright," Thomas said, looking toward the assembled troops. "Let's give this place a proper na."
Phillip leaned in. "You got sothing in mind?"
Thomas stared at the refinery—the towering tal structures, the pipelines stretching across the facility, the flaming remains of Sector 4 still smoldering in the distance. This wasn't just a fuel depot anymore.
This was a fortress, a stronghold.
And it needed a na that reflected its purpose.
He exhaled and spoke firmly.
"From this mont forward, this place will be known as Ironhold Refinery."
Phillip nodded approvingly. "Sounds fitting."
Captain Hayes turned to his n. "You heard the Supre Commander! We are now the Ironhold Garrison! Our duty is to ensure that this refinery never falls. If the enemy cos, we make them regret it."
A resounding "Yes, sir!" echoed through the refinery as the soldiers slamd their boots against the ground in acknowledgnt.
Thomas allowed himself a small smirk. It was official.
This was now Ironhold Refinery, and it was under his control.
Now, they just had to keep it that way.
Thomas turned away from the newly assembled troops and walked toward the designated burial site—a small clearing just outside Ironhold Refinery. The ground was uneven, scattered with debris, but it was the best they could do on short notice.
Shadow 3's remains had already been retrieved and wrapped in a military poncho, his rifle placed beside him. It wasn't much, but it was a soldier's burial.
The rest of Shadow Team stood around the shallow grave, their faces unreadable behind their helts. Captain Logan and the newly summoned infantry ford a solemn formation behind them.
Thomas stood at the foot of the grave, silent for a long mont.
"He died in the line of duty," Thomas finally said. "Shadow 3 fought for this refinery, for the people who will one day rely on this fuel to survive. Without him, we wouldn't have secured this place. His sacrifice won't be forgotten."
Shadow 1 and 2 nodded, their expressions grim.
Thomas took a step back and gave a slow, deliberate salute. The rest of the soldiers followed, their arms rising in perfect unison.
The only sound was the wind rustling through the ruined landscape.
Phillip exhaled. "Rest easy, brother."
Shadow 4 grabbed a handful of dirt and let it fall over the grave, followed by the others.
The job wasn't finished, but they would not leave their own behind.
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