The Recon Teams moved away from the center of the ramp.
Echo One and Echo Two took opposite sides near the payment barriers. Echo Three and Echo Four established positions farther back along the cleared lanes, covering the stairwell connections.
Echo Five held the route toward the western ramp. The Attack Dogs remained with their handlers.
Specter Squad descended.
"Specter to Fairy. Possible large mutation infected detected. Engaging with caution."
"Acknowledged," Matilda's voice echoed back. "Retreat when necessary."
"Understood. Specter out."
Specter took the center. The other two DASF units separated along the walls, leaving enough space between them that the infected could not strike more than one at a time. Chancel remained several steps behind and continued tracking whatever moved beneath the ramp.
The breathing grew louder.
Air dragged through a throat too large for an ordinary infected, followed by the scrape of bare feet against concrete.
