Dobrev left four soldiers on the ground floor.
One pair remained in the lobby. The other secured the rear exit and the eastern corridor.
The rest formed near the stairwell.
The Guardian GI pair moved first. Both carried their shields forward, covering most of the narrow steps while the Machine Gunner followed behind them.
Dobrev stayed near the center of the group.
Several hostile markers remained on the second floor.
Most had gathered near the stairwell.
"Ready."
The first Guardian GI climbed. His partner remained one step behind, shield angled toward the upper landing.
The scraping above stopped. Nobody moved for several seconds.
Then a hand appeared around the corner.
The first infected stumbled into view.
The Guardian GI shoved his shield into it and forced it back onto the landing.
More bodies moved behind it.
"Contact."
The Machine Gunner fired.
A short burst passed between the shields and tore through the infected nearest the stairs.
Two fell.
