Dam Suspicions (IV)

Although Jackson tried countless times to distract himself, he still could not completely shake the ominous feeling brought on by Elena's casual words. But there was no time now to press her for specifics.

By then, the vanguard had finally reached the building towering over the dam and spread out across the open plaza ahead.

The place looked exactly like a parade ground. The floor was paved with tiles the size of thumbnails, together forming an enormous portrait of the Holy Father.

Jackson had assumed the place would have long since been ravaged by the Orks, perhaps even reduced to a complete mess. Yet not even the floor tiles were damaged. They were extraordinarily hard, without so much as a scratch on their surfaces.

"Have two regiments deploy facing the road."

Jackson gave the order, and the soldiers carried it out swiftly. More troops were still marching along the road; by rough estimate, it would take at least two hours for everyone to reach the dam.

During that time, the Orks seemed to have vanished. That was the one thing that made Jackson uneasy.

"Concentrate the firepower here."

To guard against any surprises, Jackson planned to establish a temporary blocking position. Every light artillery piece they had brought was aimed at the narrow road wedged between the valley slopes, while the remaining machine guns were positioned on either flank.

"Have the heavy mortars target the mouth of the valley. Prepare to stop any enemy heavy vehicles from approaching us. If the Greenskins try to charge in before we withdraw, blast them to pieces with artillery."

Elena offered her own opinion, and it was an insightful one.

"Good idea."

The Imperium lieutenant general praised her without hesitation.

Mortars really were better suited to that role. Their high-angle fire would let them