It doesn't take long for Corporal Sander to arrive after Diego's summons. She carries with her a tablet and while they wait for John to retrieve his personal map, she reads from the tablet, updating him on intelligence reports relevant to Ward 8. With no operational orders Tilly has been putting people on passive information gathering assignments for field work. Now risk. Low reward. But it gave people something to do and allowed the less experienced field operatives to cut their teeth and cultivate some basic information gathering skills. None of the information Tilly shares is particularly noteworthy by itself, but collectively it help Diego paint a more detailed strategic view of the area.
When John arrives he and Diego begin pouring over their maps and discussing operational area in tactical detail. What John lacks in actionable intelligence concerning Ward 8, he makes up for in his tactical expertise and is able to point out things Diego himself had overlooked.
Reflecting on Ward 8, Diego recalls his time in the sewers. There he and Alexandria had noticed some routes into building sub-levels, such as the one Dr. Sokolov had been living in at the time, but these entry points were protected by electronic security. He also heard the the presence of at least one drone, but vacated the area and did not investigate. Diego also recalls finding a hidden route into the Under City under Ward 8. It had markings near it that he can now associate with the First Generation, which he has noted operating in the subterranean area more than once. Dr. Sokolov's facility is also located in the area.
If the First Generation don't take offense to using the hidden passage, it could offer a means of exodus from Stronghold pursuit. But it would come with the risks inherent in venturing into the Under City. Diego's last venture there resulted in his and Peter's being contaminated by dangerous chemicals that while of no hinderance to them, put everyone around them at risk until Peter took the two Ascendants through a lengthy decontamination process.
Though there is no actual report of it, it would be reasonable for Diego to deduce there is more security in the sewers now. Diego, Hitori, Levi, and Peter attacked and left Ward 8 through subterranean means on their last mission there. They have also been using the sewers a lot in their operations. If Stronghold hasn't already caught on, they will if the tactic continues to be used regularly.
Reviewing the pooled intelligence provided by John's limited experience in Ward 8 and the update from the base's personnel scouting, it is well apparent that Stronghold has the Ward secured. There are checkpoints at every road leading in. But they can't cover every inch of space. There are gaps, and these gaps take the form of narrow alleyways that a vehicle could have difficulty fitting through. Unless it were small and maneuverable, such as a motorcycle. Getting in to the Ward with a van, or other transport for your equipment, is viable is adequate deception is employed and you are able to conceal your equipment from possible inspection in the event suspicions are raise. Leaving the area with the same vehicle, if you cause a commotion, will be much more difficult.
The Autumn Dawn building itself has mostly open land around it, in the form of a large parking space. This make approaching the building obvious. There are no alley's nearby, and nothing noteworthy to conceal oneself amongst other than vehicles and pedestrians. Rather, main streets are on all sides of it's for expansive parking lots. It is like a lone tower standing tall by itself on an open plain.
In a low to the ground sense, there is cover for approach and withdrawal in the form of vehicles in the Autumn Dawn parking lot as well as some decorative shrubbery. Each and every vehicle itself is something that could conceal explosives, but there are no choke points or defensive positions to exploit. This means you can can see Stronghold coming, but both Stronghold and Autumn Dawn in house security will more easily be able to observe your movements. John is able to find some reasonably discreet locations to park a vehicle about a block away from the Autumn Dawn building. A couple even have sew access. Autumn Dawn's open campus takes up considerable space, meaning if you are not using their parking lot, you are parking a fair walk away from the scene.
OOC wrote:If you have further, more specific questions, go ahead an ask. You rolled really well on both Expertise checks.