Thomas lowered the binoculars and exhaled slowly.
The Philippine Ard Forces.
Their arrival raised more questions than answers. Were they here as allies? Rivals? Or sothing worse? Given the state of the world, nothing could be taken for granted.
Captain Logan shifted beside him. "Orders, sir?"
Thomas looked over the refinery. Ironhold had been through hell in the past twenty-four hours. The facility was operational, the garrison was in position, and the infected were cleared out. But now, a new elent was being introduced to the equation, one they hadn't planned for.
He made his decision.
"Stay on high alert," Thomas said. "We don't know their intentions yet. I want defensive positions reinforced and all guards on standby. No one fires unless I give the order."
Logan nodded. "Understood."
Phillip crossed his arms. "You think they're friendly?"
Thomas let out a short breath. "I don't know. But they didn't co in guns blazing, so that's a good sign."
Phillip smirked. "Low bar, but I'll take it."
Thomas turned to Shadow 1 and 2. "You two take a squad to the watchtower and get a better look at them as they approach. If you see anything suspicious—unmarked vehicles, irregular troop formations—I want to know imdiately."
"Yes, sir," Shadow 1 said before jogging off.
Thomas then addressed Captain Logan. "Position snipers on the catwalks. I don't want them engaging unless necessary, but I want eyes on every angle."
"Already on it," Logan confird.
The entire refinery ca alive as Ironhold Garrison snapped into action. Soldiers moved to their designated posts, reinforcing the sandbag barriers at the front gate. The newly deployed snipers climbed into elevated positions, their scopes trained on the approaching convoy.
The engineers and refinery workers were instructed to stay inside the facility. If things turned hostile, the last thing Thomas needed was civilian casualties.
The convoy was getting closer now.
The first vehicle was a Humvee, its turret manned but not aid at them. Behind it were six military trucks, large and armored, kicking up dust as they rumbled toward the refinery.
Through the binoculars, Thomas could see uniford soldiers in the truck beds, scanning their surroundings. They looked well-equipped—helts, body armor, and service rifles.
Phillip let out a low whistle. "That's not so ragtag militia. That's professional."
Thomas frowned. "Yeah. That ans they have resources."
Phillip nodded. "And if they have resources, they have a base."
That was the part that interested Thomas the most. Ironhold was secure for now, but it wouldn't last forever. Fuel alone wouldn't keep them alive—trade, supplies, and manpower would be just as important. If the Philippine military was still functional, they could either be their biggest ally… or their worst enemy.
The convoy stopped just outside the main gate.
The Humvee's engine idled, and the turret gunner remained seated, his weapon pointed toward the sky—a non-threatening position, but still ready.
The rest of the soldiers inside the trucks didn't move imdiately. No one rushed out. No one pointed weapons.
It was a waiting ga now.
Thomas straightened. "Open the gate, but keep guards posted. We et them outside."
Logan hesitated. "Are you sure about this?"
Thomas looked at him. "They know we're ard. If they wanted a fight, they would've opened fire by now. We at least hear them out."
Logan nodded and relayed the command.
The main gate creaked open, wide enough for Thomas, Logan, and a few selected guards to step out.
The mont they did, the doors of the Humvee opened, and two n stepped out.
One was a high-ranking officer, judging by the insignia on his uniform. A lieutenant colonel. His face was hardened by experience, but there was no hostility in his expression.
Beside him was a younger soldier, likely a lower-ranking officer or aide.
Thomas stepped forward, eting them halfway.
The lieutenant colonel studied him for a mont before speaking.
"You must be the one in charge here."
Thomas nodded. "Thomas."
The officer's lips curled into the faintest hint of a smirk. "Just Thomas?"
"For now."
The officer didn't press the issue. Instead, he extended a hand.
"Lieutenant Colonel Andres Santiago, Philippine Army."
Thomas shook his hand. It was firm, but not aggressive.
Santiago glanced at the refinery. "You've certainly made yourself at ho."
Thomas didn't flinch. "Had to. Place was overrun."
"I can imagine," Santiago said, surveying the fortified entrance. "And now you have an operational fuel refinery. That's… impressive."
There was a weight to his words. A test.
Thomas folded his arms. "Why are you here, Colonel?"
Santiago t his gaze. "We saw the airstrike. Hellfire missiles. That's not sothing you see every day."
Thomas remained silent.
Santiago continued, "We've been monitoring radio chatter in this region for weeks. Most of the military has collapsed, but we're part of what's left. I lead a battalion stationed north of here, in a fortified outpost."
Phillip raised an eyebrow. "A battalion?"
Santiago nodded. "Or what's left of it. We have around 700 n, a few armored vehicles, and enough supplies to hold out."
That was valuable information. Whether the colonel had given it willingly or as a calculated move was unclear, but it ant one thing:
They weren't alone.
Santiago's tone shifted. "You've managed to secure one of the last working refineries in the country. That makes you important."
Thomas wasn't going to play dumb. "And I assu you want sothing."
Santiago nodded. "Fuel. We can negotiate terms, but we're not here to take it by force."
Thomas studied him. He wasn't sure if that was the whole truth, but so far, Santiago had given no reason to doubt his word.
Still, he wasn't about to agree to anything just yet.
"I don't make deals blindly," Thomas said. "You want fuel? Then I need to know what I'm dealing with. I want to see your outpost."
Santiago smirked. "Smart. You don't trust ."
"Would you?"
The colonel actually laughed. "Fair enough."
He considered Thomas for a mont before finally nodding.
"Alright. You want to see the outpost? I can arrange that. But you're coming alone."
Logan tensed. "That's not happening."
"For our safety, we can't show you our outpost unless we control the circumstances," Santiago explained.
"If you co alone, it assures us you're not planning anything. If you bring an escort, it complicates things."
Thomas kept his expression neutral, considering the offer. He knew the risks. Walking into an unknown military encampnt unard, surrounded by strangers, was a gamble. But if the Philippine military was still functioning at so capacity, then this could be the start of sothing bigger.
However—the governnt has collapsed and the military is no longer taking orders from the higher ups.
"I'm sorry but I can't agree with that arrangent."
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