In the end, Julian managed to convince everyone to evenly share the Abyss nests and also save as many Andora natives as possible. Now that everyone had come to one solid conclusion, he quickly devised a plan and came up with the idea of using two bases.
The outpost would be the main base and the place where the survivors they had rescued would be gathered in the end. Meanwhile, another base would be built somewhere in the northern side of the continent and would serve as a springboard for their operations in the north.
Julian drew a horizontal line on the map of the continent, before separating the groups into two. He would take three squads with him to handle all the Abyss nests on the southern part of the continent and also rallying all Andora natives they encountered to the main base.
At the same time, Emery would take the remaining 4 squads and head north to create a second base - a forwarding base.
Then, on the last day before the mid-test ended, Emery could create a Spatial Gate to transport all the survivors on the forwarding base to the main base. That way, all the people who had been rescued could be easily moved, even the old and the weak.
"Just in case of any unforeseen events, we will wrap all of our Nest hunting operations on the 8th day. By that time, I hope most will have completed the objectives and can help our commander transport the survivors from the forwarding base."
It was a sound plan that would help the task of gathering survivors more easily, as they only needed to travel at most 1,000 miles instead of 1,500 miles thanks to the existence of the forwarding base.
However, Emery was concerned that there would be minimal protection for the survivors as most squads would be busy clearing the Abyss nests rather than looking after the rescued survivors.
As if knowing what was on Emery's mind, Atlas who had been quiet all this time opened his mouth.
"The number of acolytes that can be deployed, the number of survivors to be saved, the size of the land and the estimated numbers of hostile creatures; with all of these factors combined, I calculate that 38 percent of the Andora native survivors will be saved by this operation."
Hearing the number, Emery was surprised to see Julian looking satisfied. Noticing the look the former gave him, Julian said with a faint smile. "That's actually a pretty good number, considering our circumstances."
It was evident that Julian was elated, saying they should be able to save at least 1 million survivors. "If we really managed to do this, that is 100,000 points for each acolyte in Platoon 3!"
Apparently, Roran and Anas were both happy with the numbers, or rather, the potential points they could receive. However, the same could not be said for Emery, who was standing there.
He wasn't focused on how many points they could gain from rescuing the Andora natives. For him, Atlas's calculation meant that 62% of the Andora native survivors were going to die. At least 2 million people would die by the end of their operation and, subsequently, the mid-test.
Not willing to accept such an outcome, Emery voiced his disagreement with the plan.
"We need a better plan. Julian, please find a better one."
His words caught everyone off guard and swiftly the place became silent for a few seconds.
Julian slowly approached Emery, "Emery, this is the best and most reasonable plan I can think of. You have to remember there are only 300 of us, even counting that Arcana somehow decides to join the plan."
Patting his shoulder, the Roman continued, "On the other hand, there are 4 to 5 million people spread across a vast 3,000 miles continent filled with millions of Abyss creatures. Most importantly, we only have 10 days to do this."
Sighing, Julian finished his reasoning, "There's no way we can help all of them, Emery."
Emery could clearly see how the other squad captains seemed to agree with Julian's words. Even so, he was not appeased.
"There must be a better way to save even more. There has to be."
Realizing no one shared his optimism, Emery decided to step up and grab a new map. Under the gaze of everyone present, he gave himself a minute to think, before he drew on the map, separating the map into 4 parts instead of 2 like Julian had done earlier.
One in the center was the main base and three surround it as the new bases, making the range for any survivor to reach to any base down to 500 miles.
"4 bases! Let's build three more bases, instead of one! I will transport all the survivors we have gathered on the 8th, 9th, and 10th day respectively. This way, we should have a better result."
Julian calmly explained the reason for his disagreement.
"The reason I dared to propose an extra base in the first place is because you are here, Emery. With the Nest point trick you did before, you can divide the people who guard the base and the one hunting the nest."
The Roman stopped his words for a moment before continuing, "If we start building more bases, we need more people protecting it, which means less points for them."
Even though Julian's counter-argument was solid, Emery still maintained his ground.
"Yes, you're right. For this to work, I need more squads to focus their attention on saving the survivors." The Roman was about to speak when he heard this, but Emery continued his words. "In return, I will help those squads get more points by clearing the Abyss nests in their place."
Emery quickly put together a new arrangement.
With three bases surrounding the main base, whose defensive structures had been upgraded, Emery left the defense to General Solasa, leaving only a few acolytes from Julian and Anas' squad to stand guard in case anything happened.
As for the three bases to be built, the composition was like this:
—
West Base: Squad 21 Julian
Abyss nests by: Squad Roran, Squad Lyndell and Squad Trish
East Base: Squad 24 Anas
Abyss nests by: Squad Orion, Squad Wage Gasa and Squad Ryan Gasa
North Base: Squad 31 Emery
—
Emery would take Sigurd, Klea, Thrax, and Chumo with him to give points to Anas and Julian's squads, who would focus on building a base and gathering the Andora native survivors.
Even though Emery's plan stirred up debate, seeing how firm he was and the fact he was the commander, everyone eventually decided to follow his arrangement, afterall everyone realized the new plan actually would be harder for the commander himself.
Emery look at their face one by one and added.
"I hope you all would do your best to help more survivors, that was my hope"
Hearing this Julian heaved a sigh and decided to grab Emery's shoulder.
"We will do as the commander asked!"
Emery appreciates Julian accepting such a request, after all, as a privilege acolyte, Julian would need 500,000 points himself and this arrangement will be hard for him, unlike Anas, who only need 300,000 as elite acolytes.
In the end, Atlas told the group his calculation: at least 70% of the native survivors could be saved with this plan. The idea of earning 100,000 more points brought extra motivation to all the captains.
Hearing this everyone in the room brightened up.
"Alright guys, let's do our best!"
The meeting ended with that remark and everyone moved to their respective groups.
Julian added that, as Emery chose the northern side, there was also Reyne group, which appeared to have a certain problem with Arcana and as their commander Emery decided to look into it.