"It's a contingency plan to regroup with the rest of our squad, sir."

You nodded slowly as you processed that piece of information but then told the lieutenant to elaborate. So, she took a deep breath.

"It's a bit of a long story and we really shouldn't linger in the parking lot with the Stryker for too long, as the longer we are away from our stronghold, sir, the bigger the chances more zombies catch up to us." Mills remarked. "So, I am just going to go over the basics. Essentially, the idea of Plan 88 is that, if we get separated, either in hostile territory or in the middle of a disaster zone, but we don't want to draw the rest of our squad's attention to where we are at that very moment because we have reason to expect that area will soon get too dangerous for us to handle alone, then we are to leave a kind of coded message that should only make sense to members of our unit before slipping away."

"I see," You said, scratching your chin in contemplation. "Continue and no need to call me sir for now. As you say, we are on a tight schedule."

"Very well," Your second-in-command said with a nod. "In that case, you should know that we would usually use spray paint to subtly guide them once they get to the place where we carefully hid the actual clue about where we are going to be later on. In this case, Zhang, Garcia, Foreman and I previously agreed that if we found the opportunity to execute Plan 88, the clue would lead them to this weapon's cache first."

You frowned a bit at that. "Why?"

"Because the importance of this building is classified to most if not all civillians still living inside this city, and hidden in plain sight as well," She explained. "Plus, we thought it would be prudent to prevent the risk that a group of raiders may be able to interpret our code at the more public supermarket that Team 2 intends to loot. That way, should they notice the flares being shot from there, and get an idea of where to follow the leads, it won't take them directly to our base," The veteran soldier explained as she bowed her head to you. "Regardless, the idea is that after the painted clues are set up, we would fire two flares at the same time into the sky, but ensure they get pointed in opposite, diagonal directions. That way, they would look like a fiery, smoking X in the sky."

You smirked, impressed at the effort needed to organize this, while also feeling amused that it sounded like an elaborate treasure map adventure; the prize being a safer place to stay. Amelia, on her part, kept watching the experienced soldier with growing admiration and rapt fascination.

"So," The good lieutenant continued, "between that, and the fact we would be using an non-standard color when it comes flare signals, purple to be precise, the other members of our unit will be able to take that signal and focus on the fact that Plan 88 specifies we are to look at center of the fiery X, and then to aim directly below it as a way to guide our teammates to the marked spot in the area. And then, if they see our coded clue over there, hopefully, they will be able to find their way back to us, sir," Mills said, taking a deep breath as she summed it up.

"Wow," You said as your eyes widened feeling deeply impressed. "Now that's thinking ahead with your plans. And by aiming the two flares in opposite direction, that should misdirect any potential raiders that do not already know the X shaped code. So, this way, a third party may focus on one of the directions the flares were aiming at instead of the center," You realized, grinning at her with respect. "Great job lieutenant, and great initiative!"

She looked immediately relieved by your words. "So, you are not mad that I asked Sergeant Zhang to go on a side mission that was not the top priority, sir? It's just that, the opportunity to act then seemed better than it was before we met and realized that you owned us. And Zhang spotted some signs of their presence that made the idea more promising. And well..."

"Lieutenant, stop."

This cause her to shut up on the spot.

"Of course, I am not mad. Your teammates are a priority to you, so they are a priority to me," You declared, looking her straight in the eye. "And I know that sometimes it pays to take the initiative as new opportunities present themselves, even if they pose risk. Just, maybe give me some fair warning in the future on the occasions that you feel there is time for it. That way, I can prepare as well."

You may have imagined it but, still, you could have sworn that you saw a tear or two in her face. If so, she quickly regained her composure either way.

"Thank you so much, sir," LT Mills said, sounding most grateful. "Of course, sir."

"You will have to tell me what it was about that fire and the fierce battle that led you to think that your squad was involved later, though, as now we need to get started on loading those weapons," You stressed. "Still, one of us should stay here to guard the Stryker."

After a quick discussion, it was decided that the lieutenant herself should stay to guard their ride back to base while Garcia and Amelia accompanied you inside. You gave her an encouraging smile and she beamed back as you wished each other luck.

Then, after grabbing your own weapons, your group exited the armored vehicle and approached the entrance of the warehouse that was disguised to look abandoned.