Abbas, the lead combat engineer, placed a large schematic of Reliance Smart Supermarket on the table. His expression was professional, his posture stiff but confident. Beside him stood Kabir, a civilian construction foreman, who had been selected to oversee the general workforce of 60 construction workers assigned to the project.
Sandeep stood near the wall, arms crossed, listening intently.
Phase One: Perimeter Reinforcement
Abbas tapped the schematic. "Sir, our first priority is perimeter reinforcement. Right now, the supermarket's walls are made of concrete but weren't designed for sustained combat or siege scenarios. We need to strengthen them if we want this place to survive against large hordes."
Advik Bhardwaj nodded. "What are we looking at?"
Abbas pulled up another document and continued. "We'll reinforce the existing perimeter walls with steel plating scavenged from construction sites and industrial zones. The plating will be welded onto the concrete walls, ensuring enhanced durability against both zombie and human attacks."
Kabir chimed in. "That's going to require at least 20 tons of structural steel, cutting torches, welding kits, and industrial adhesives."
Advik Bhardwaj made a quick note them and asked, "How long will it take?"
"With enough manpower and the right materials? One week for full perimeter reinforcement."
Advik Bhardwaj nodded. "Consider it done. What else?"
Phase Two: Watchtowers and Defensive Positions.
Abbas pointed to the four corners of the supermarket compound on the schematic.
"We're constructing four watchtowers, each standing 15 feet tall. These towers will be made of steel scaffolding and reinforced concrete foundations, with sandbag fortifications around the base for added protection. They'll be equipped with:
Mounted M240B machine guns (7.62mm) for sustained fire
Spotlights for nighttime surveillance
Radio communication equipment for constant updates
Each tower will have three-man teams rotating shifts to ensure 24/7 security."
Advik Bhardwaj glanced at Sandeep, who nodded approvingly.
"That'll give us good overwatch on all sides," Sandeep said. "If anything gets close, we'll see it coming."
Kabir added, "We'll also install two layers of barbed wire along the perimeter, just outside the walls, to slow down zombies before they even reach us."
Advik Bhardwaj agreed. "Alright. Materials needed?"
"Steel beams, prefabricated guard posts, sandbags, and four high-output generators for the spotlights," Abbas listed.
Phase Three: Anti-Vehicle and Entry Control Points
Abbas flipped to another schematic. "We can't afford to let enemy vehicles breach the perimeter. We need anti-vehicle defenses installed at all major access points."
Advik Bhardwaj frowned. "What's your plan?"
"We'll deploy concrete barriers and steel spike strips at the front and rear entrances, preventing unauthorized vehicles from ramming through. The JLTV Oshkosh vehicles will be stationed at each entry point, ready to engage if needed."
Sandeep interjected, "We'll also install automated sentry turrets near these points, controlled from the command center. That way, if a breach occurs, we can eliminate threats remotely."
Advik Bhardwaj smirked. "I like that idea. How many turrets do you need?"
Abbas calculated. "At least six turrets—two at each entrance and two covering the loading docks."
Advik Bhardwaj accessed the System Shop and quickly purchased:
6 Samsung SGR-1 Sentry Turrets ( with equiped Daewoo Precision Industries K3: 5.56 x 45-mm automatic light machine-gun with up to 1000 rounds/min rate of fire) – Cost: 180,000 Blood Coins
A blue glow formed outside as the turrets materialized, already primed for installation.
"Good. What about pedestrian access?" Advik Bhardwaj asked.
Kabir responded, "We'll add steel-reinforced security gates at all personnel entry points. They'll have keycard access controls, ensuring only authorized personnel can enter."
Advik Bhardwaj approved. "Excellent. Anything else for this phase?"
Abbas shook his head. "That covers structural fortifications."
Phase Four: Supply Chain and Internal Defenses
Advik Bhardwaj leaned forward. "Now, how do we keep this place sustainable?"
Kabir pointed to a section of the supermarket's rear compound. "We'll convert part of the loading dock area into a water purification station. This will allow us to collect and purify rainwater, ensuring we have an independent supply."
"Estimated time?"
"Three days with proper filtration systems and plumbing equipment."
Advik Bhardwaj made a note. "And power?"
"We'll install three large diesel generators,"
Abbas said. "These will power the sentry turrets, security gates, watchtower spotlights, and internal refrigeration. We'll need fuel reserves as well."
Advik Bhardwaj accessed the System Shop again:
Industrial Diesel Generators – Cost: 90,000 Blood Coins
30 Barrels of Diesel Fuel – Cost: 150,000 Blood Coins
The generators materialized near the loading docks, ready for deployment.
"What about internal security?" Advik Bhardwaj asked.
Sandeep answered, "Close-quarters kill zones. We'll set up sandbag barricades, makeshift cover, and fallback positions inside the supermarket itself, ensuring that if something breaches the outer defenses, we have layers of defense inside."
Advik Bhardwaj nodded. "I want emergency lockdown systems as well. If we need to seal off sections of the supermarket, I want that option."
Abbas jotted it down. "That means reinforced shutters and emergency blast doors installed inside."
Advik Bhardwaj added it to the list. "Approved."
Phase Five: Long-Term Sustainment
Sandeep took over this section. "Sir, with proper defenses, Reliance Smart Supermarket can become a long-term survival hub. But we need agriculture and food production."
Advik Bhardwaj raised a brow. "You're suggesting farming?"
"Exactly. We'll set up a hydroponic farm on the supermarket's rooftop. We can grow vegetables, herbs, and medicinal plants. It'll take time, but it'll reduce dependency on supply runs."
"How much space will it need?"
"Half the rooftop. The other half will be used for solar panels."
Advik Bhardwaj liked the idea. "I'll handle the solar panels."
200 Solar Panels – Cost: 200,000 Blood Coins
Battery Storage Units – Cost: 50,000 Blood Coins
The panels and batteries materialized outside, ready for installation.
Sandeep grinned. "Damn, boss. We're really making this place a fortress."
Advik Bhardwaj smirked. "We're not just surviving anymore, Sandeep. We're taking over."
Final Logistics and Deployment.
Advik Bhardwaj looked at Abbas and Kabir. "How long will all of this take?"
Abbas estimated, "Two weeks for full fortifications, one month for sustainment projects."
Advik Bhardwaj exhaled. "Then get it done."
The engineers and workers snapped salutes, immediately dispersing to begin fortifying Reliance Smart Supermarket.