The intercom system crackled to life as Advik Bhardwaj activated the microphone. His voice was firm, commanding, and clear as it echoed throughout the Leela Palace Hotel, reaching every soldier standing in formation outside.
"Attention, all units. This is Commander Advik Bhardwaj speaking."
The soldiers straightened up, eyes locked on the speakers mounted throughout the plaza.
"We are about to undertake the most significant operation since the outbreak began. The V3S Mall Complex—one of the largest commercial hubs in Metro Delhi—is infested with approximately 350,000 zombies. That's nearly an entire city's worth of the dead, packed into one location."
He let the gravity of that number sink in.
"But we are not here for a suicide mission. We are here to wipe them out, take back the land, and build a new future. This is not just a one-time raid. This is a reclamation. Once we take V3S Mall, it will become a self-sustaining zone—our first real stronghold in the heart of the city."
He paused, scanning the surveillance monitors showing the soldiers' disciplined rows.
"Our strategy is simple: maximum efficiency, minimal waste. This will not be a chaotic firefight. Every bullet counts. Every move is planned. We control the battlefield, not the other way around."
Advik Bhardwaj turned to Sandeep and nodded. Sandeep stepped forward, taking over the intercom.
"Alright, listen up! Group assignments are as follows:"
Group Assignments & Responsibilities
[First Assault Team – "Hammer"
Personnel: 500 Infantry Soldiers + 50 Heavy Weapons Specialists
Commanding Officer: Captain Amith
Objective: Clear the outer perimeter of V3S Mall, eliminate all zombies in open spaces before main assault begins.
Firepower:
2 M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams Tanks (Supporting Fire)
2 M2 Bradley IFVs (Infantry Cover)]
[Sniper Support from rooftops
Rooftop & High-Ground Teams – "Eagle Eye"
Personnel: 100 Snipers + 50 Heavy Weapons Specialists
Commanding Officer: Captain Jagdish
Objective: Secure high vantage points across Leela Palace Hotel, Dell Convention Center, and V3S Mall rooftops. Provide long-range cover and priority elimination of high-threat zombies.
Firepower:
M82A1 Barrett Sniper Rifles (Anti-Personnel)
M90 Anti-Material Rifles (Armored Targets)
M249 SAWs for Suppression
Equipment:
Thermal Imaging Drones for Recon
Laser Target Designators for Precision Strikes.]
[Firebreak & Perimeter Control – "Firewall"
Personnel: 200 Engineers + 150 Infantry
Commanding Officer: Captain Kabir
Objective: Create controlled kill zones by using explosives, barricades, and firebreaks to funnel zombies into open spaces for mass elimination.
Firepower:
200+ Claymore Mines
Flamethrower (M9E1) Teams
Sentry Turrets (Samsung SGR-1) at Chokepoints
Additional Support:
Avenger Anti-Aircraft Systems reconfigured for ground suppression
Gasoline-based incendiary traps along choke points.]
[Breaching & Interior Clearance – "Razor"
Personnel: 500 Infantry + 100 Special Forces
Commanding Officer: Sandeep
Objective: Once the outer areas are cleared, move into key buildings (Mall Arena, IKEA, Underground Parking). Conduct room-by-room elimination while minimizing ammunition usage.
Firepower:
M4A1s + Suppressors
Flashbangs & Frag Grenades
Flamethrowers for tight spaces
Tactics:
Use high-decibel distractions to lure zombies out of confined areas into kill zones.
Breach doors using controlled explosives.
Move in phased formations to minimize risk.]
[Medical & Logistics Team – "Guardian"
Personnel: 100 Medics + 200 Support Personnel
Commanding Officer: Dr. Aanya
Objective: Establish field triage stations at Conrad and secure supply lines for medical support.
Capabilities:
Mobile field hospitals
Immediate combat casualty evacuation
Stockpile of blood packs, antibiotics, and trauma kits.]
"This is not going to be a walk in the park, but high risk means high reward. We are not here to scavenge, we are here to take back what belongs to us. This will be a sustained operation, lasting severaldays. Every squad will follow their assignments to the letter."
He paused, then delivered the final orders.
"Final checks are in effect. All teams, gear up and be ready. Operation V3S Purge begins at 0600 hours. Dismissed!"
The intercom shut off, and a brief silence followed before the plaza erupted with synchronized movement. Officers yelled orders, soldiers performed last-minute inspections on their weapons, and engineers loaded up necessary supplies. The entire military machine was now in motion.
0555 Hours.
Before the operation begins, Advik Bhardwaj opened his inventory and consumed the pill: Experience & Blood Coin Capsule.
Effect: Quintuple all experience points and blood coins gained from kills for the next six hours.
Duration: 24 hours.
"Okay, that'll do. Let's begin."
0600 Hours.
The sun was barely rising over the Metro Delhi skyline when the first wave of armored vehicles rumbled out of the Leela Palace Hotel perimeter. The two M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks took the lead, flanked by two M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, their engines roaring as they advanced down Highway Main Road.
Behind them, Hammer Team, consisting of 500 infantry soldiers and 50 heavy weapons specialists, moved in tight formation. Their M4A1 rifles were loaded, and their movements were disciplined. The sniper teams of Eagle Eye had already secured positions on the rooftops, their thermal imaging drones scanning for threats.
Inside the command vehicle, Advik Bhardwaj monitored the operation through multiple live drone feeds.
"Status check," he ordered through his comms.
Captain Amith, leading Hammer Team, responded immediately.
"Hammer is moving into position. No resistance yet."
Captain Jagdish from Eagle Eye chimed in.
"Snipers are set. Covering your approach."
Captain Kabir, handling Firewall Team, confirmed.
"Explosives primed. We'll funnel them straight to you, Commander."
Advik Bhardwaj nodded. "Then let's get started."
0615 Hours – Initial Contact
As Hammer Team advanced past the abandoned vehicles blocking East side of Highway Main Road, the first wave of zombies emerged.
"Contact front!" Asoldier shouted.
Dozens of infected surged toward them, their movements erratic but aggressive. The M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams turret rotated, locking onto the largest cluster.
"Main gun, HEAT round! Fire!" Captain Amith ordered.
Boom! The 120mm shell obliterated the first wave of zombies, sending burning flesh and debris flying. The impact cratered the asphalt, leaving a mangled pile of infected bodies.
"Light 'em up!" one of the M2 Bradley gunners shouted, unleashing a stream of 25mm rounds from the Bushmaster chain gun. The bullets tore through the advancing horde, shredding limbs and torsos.
The infantry advanced carefully, firing in controlled bursts. Suppressors helped conserve ammunition while preventing unnecessary noise from drawing more undead.
"Keep your spacing!" Amith ordered. "Don't get overrun!"