After calming the civilians down, Eric sat down at one of the tables in front of the store. He looked around at the parking lot, realizing the situation was worst than previously expected. Through meeting with the manager, Eric had learned that there were roughly one hundred people that had been on the premises when the gas station had been teleported.
There were two state troopers and a few soldiers that were in the store with the move, and Eric had them stationed inside, positioned near the inside exits. "Sir, the situation here is worse than originally assesed. We may need to fortify this position. I don't think its feasible to move all these civilians into hood hill." Eric said over the radio as he watched the treeline, scanning for threats. Monster corpses were steadily piling up outside the gas pumps, there had been quite a few rushing in from the forest.
Milano paused as he heard Eric call in over the radio. He looked at his officers grimly while thinking about potential avenues of approach. He sighed as he tapped his fingers against the map. "Send 1 Armor company over there. They are not to use their main guns unless absolutely necessary. .50 cal only until that point." Murmurs echoed through the tent as he gave out his orders, and Milano waved his hand for silence. "We are not leaving civilians stranded with only humvees there. Not now, not ever."
He turned back towards the map as he called Eric over Comms again. "Dryer, after Delta arrives, you are to switch with them and head back here. You will still head to Riemskin." Milano cut off comms without waiting for Eric to respond. He looked out towards the mountains and lit a cigarette.
Eric sighed after comms were cut, he paced to the edge of the parking lot as he put a wad of chew in his lip. "Ah, I've missed this feeling." He said, the buzz from nicotine fueling his body. He sat down on a cement post holding a street light, looking at the store with his arms crossed. "A goddamn bucees. Whats next, a freaking walmart?"
The area was quiet in response to Eric's question as he looked at the sky. The now always present orange glow lit up his face. "You know, Mia and I still haven't had our wedding yet. Can ya give me a break so that we can exchange vows?" He spit onto the pavement before walking back to the store, ignoring his heavy heart. He had work to do.
Shortly after the tank company arrived, Eric sat down the tank company commander and their first sergeant to discuss the situation. "I think having a Humvee and tank for each cardinal direction will suffice for now. That will cover each access point, as well as allow for vectors of fire to overlap if need be." The commander said as he surveyed the area. "Maybe we should put some of the .50 cals on the roof?"
"Sir, i also think we need discounted patrols along the parking lot edges." The First Sergeant said as he pointed past the fuel pumps. "Since we don't have berms or gates up yet, I think hourly patrols work best here."
"That isn't a risk you should take yet. Sending the guys out there in small squads when we don't have fighting positions dug in would likely be suicide." Eric said evenly. "Until you have a more stable position, a static patrol is best. We still don't know what is in the area outside of the Goblins, but if something stronger comes along you do not want your guys out there alone."
The company commander crossed his arms while he looked at Eric, sighing. "There is no doctrine for this... situation." He said after a slight pause, as if trying to find the words. "I think that Dryer is right for now. Sebrine, when we have more stable positioning, we will do what you suggested." The commander then noticed movement near the treeline. "What t-" His words were cut off while an arrow landed in his IOTV. "Contact front!" Eric yelled out as he grabbed the commander, dragging him behind one of the Humvees.
The front of the Bucc-ees became a flurry of activity as soldiers mounted their vehicles, manning the .50 cal machine guns. "Hold fire! But scan for threats! If anything non human walks out of that tree-line engage!" The commander began shouting orders as he realized he was okay. "The bastards shot me with a goddamn arrow." He growled to Eric.
Eric chuckled in response and sighed in relief. "Well, at least it wasn't magic this time."
First Sergeant Sebrine took command while the commander was being assessed. "Maintain sectors of fire, but hold! If you see something, call it out!" He said into the radio.
After ten minutes of silence, Sebrine had the men stand down. "Alright, I want Second and third platoon to maintain overwatch, first and fourth, go back inside. Make sure those civilians didn't use the situation as a diversion to steal."
"Sir... we have a situation inside." A squad leader said into the radio. Loud yelling could be heard as he made his report, and the three leaders shared a look as they made their way into the gas station.
Eric sighed as he saw the pandemonium in front of him. "I don't get paid enough for this." He grumbled inwardly. The commander stared at the scene with an angry grimace, while Sebrine shook his head.
The commander stepped forward and slammed the butt of his rifle against the tiled floor of the store. "QUIET!" He yelled at the small crowd that was trying to ambush their way out of the store.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I will be frank with you. This place you are in is a new world. We are keeping you inside for your safety and protection. The soldiers you see here have been here already in this world for a few months. We know how dangerous it is, so please stay here. If you still wish to go outside and risk your life, you are free to do so, but just know that once you leave those doors, neither myself or my company will protect you."