“Sir,” Murphy said.

“I’ll head back to the entrance,” Marc said. “When Captain Taylor arrives, I’ll escort him in. In the meantime, I’ll coordinate with HOLDFAST to send a small team.

“Sir?” Murphy asked.

That was the codeword used over voice channels to request engineering assets. In this case Marc wanted sappers to assess mine and its viability for later use.

“I strongly believe in planning for the worse and hoping for the best,” Marc said. “I’ll explain once we’re in a more relaxed setting.”

“I commend you all for valour in clearing out this nest,” Marc said.

While serious, he was not about to write up a commendation, since that would draw unnecessary attention to what they were doing. That meant he needed to channel le Marquis and get creative.

“Thank you, Sir,” Murphy said.

“Once you’ve cleared the nest, keep a security detail at the entrance and send out periodic patrols.

”That meant they had to burn the ghouls, leaving no traces of the creatures before the burial details arrived. I know that part doesn’t need to be said.

Based on Murphy’s statements this mine must have extended over the entirety of the hill. The ghouls recovered bodies from the area and brought them here. You can feed a large colony without rousing suspicions.

There was little strategic value in this mine if one assumed linear progression to the war. However, the Germans had their share of brilliant commanders.

In the advent of a strategic withdrawal, these mines could be used to shift the battle back in their favour. The entrance we used is behind our former lines.

“Fresh?” Marc asked.

He hated asking, but he had to know. This would also give him insight on the size of this place.

“A few dead Krauts, there’s little left of them but bones. I found belt buckles from the regiment that made the initial push to our new lines,” Murphy said before taking a break. “Some… fresh ones… appear to be from our lines. Those that went over the top.”

In the distance there was a stray burst of gunfire, the first he heard since y.talking with his second. I think we made a dent in their numbers today.

Marc could not see the man through this mask. In fact, if not for the ranks on their uniforms, Marc might have needed to guess who it was. Still, there was something about the way he said it.

“You found something,” Marc asked.

Murphy nodded and appeared to take a moment to compose himself. Chances were that his second was going through what to say. He wanted the message to be clear and concise, and not as part of a nervous burst.

“We found vertical shaft lines, Sir,” Murphy said. “Most have piles of bodies and bones beneath.”

Murphy nodded in response. Meanwhile, the others quickly stiffened up before turning their eyes back at the three branches of the tunnel.

“Yes, Sir,” Murphy added. “These tunnels are infested, and we have yet to find another exit.”

“Not even the main entrance?” Marc asked. “…or even ventilation shafts?”

“The main shaft collapsed recently. There are signs that someone was trying to dig themselves out… As for shafts, we found some vertical openings, but they are too small for us to use safely.”

After the chuckles died down, it was time to get down to business.

“You’ve been busy,” Marc remarked, after counting twenty-one dead ghouls.

His vampiric vision in darkened spaces meant he could only make out the outlines. That was enough for him to notice a ghoul moving its arm as though slowly trying to drag itself to safety.

Marc took aim and fired, sending a splatter of black ooze and brain matter onto the ground. The arm settled, catching everyone else by surprise.

“I recommend headshots next time,” Marc said. “These are not the brightest of creatures, but many animals know how to play dead.”

“Where is he?” Murphy mumbled.

“Right behind you,” Marc said calmly.

Despite the soft voice almost every man turned around with weapons drawn. Marc remained where he was, letting the dull light visually identify him.

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re too quiet…Sir?” Murphy asked.

“My wife actually,” Marc replied in a neutral tone that somehow sold the line.

Between the support beams he saw what appeared to be coal. The deposits here were sparse and of low quality. A grade often used by poorer households to keep from freezing to death in cities. Probably explains why they abandoned this mine.

Nearer to him he heard some men pacing, keeping watch on the main exit. The men themselves were effectively in the dark, but their silhouettes showed up against the flare’s glow. Like cresting over a hill in combat.

All around them there were mounds of bodies. As the advance teams flushed out ghouls they must have run straight here. Ghouls had a distinctive silhouette, did not wear gas masks, or carry flashlights.

One hundred-and-thirteen paces in, he came across the first flare. The bright red light gave the earthen tunnel a hellish glow, which was fitting for a place where ghouls congregated.

Over time it narrowed, until he transitioned into what appeared to be a layer of shale. Marc passed another three flares until the tunnel broke through the ceiling of the mine. The rubble served well as a makeshift ramp, though one always needed to be careful.

The level of precision and craftsmanship for the supports meant this tunnel was built by humans. In the distance there was gunfire but knew the men at the entrance were blissfully unaware. Just how far does this network extend?