On the barren wilderness near the forward base, an ancient facility whose structure remained intact stood silently in the sunset. As the Purification Device continued to spread across the wasteland, the foul clouds that had long hung over this region were gradually dispersed by the changing Energy Field. For the first time in centuries, normal sunlight shone upon this land. Beneath the setting sun, the mottled, ancient architectural complex stood like silent giants upon the earth, casting long shadows into the depths of the wilderness.
A fully armed command vehicle and two heavy tanks were parked in the shadows near the building, while soldiers had established several temporary outposts around it to monitor the wasteland. Inside the command vehicle, a clear image was displayed on the Holographic Projection before Philip.
The squad led by the warrior Sala was approaching the only entrance at the base of the building. The ancient gate had been damaged, its crooked door panels collapsed in the dust nearby. The space beyond the gate resembled a pitch-black cave, silently opening its maw in the dusk as if waiting for the reckless to approach. Amid the background audio from the feed, Philip could also hear the warriors' heavy breathing beneath their full-coverage helmets.
"We've reached the entrance. No response from the heat-source alarm or life detection," Sala's voice came from outside the image. "No active targets within visual range. We have not been attacked."
"Scan the entrance and shine the cameras on everything inside," Philip said into the communications device. "Then advance in a defensive formation. Stay alert."
"Yes, General." The warrior's voice came through, and the image on the Holographic Projection began to turn. The mottled old exterior walls and construction materials that had fallen from them slowly passed before those in the command vehicle. Then