Pick up a few days after the flag raising.
Max on phone with Lt. Clemente, "As you know by now, we are soldiers, created to help defend this country by being able to do the dirty work without losing soldiers, and without the collateral damage that so often happens during violent conflicts. However, we are also people who need to eat and this blockade is making that difficult. I know that the protesters and reporters will get bored of this in another week, especially with us not keeping gang violence under control, but until then we'd like you or the national guard guys to bring a couple week's supply of MRE's or canned goods so that everyone here doesn't feel the need to do something drastic. "
Lt. Clemente says, "I'll see what I can do about some food stuffs. I'm sure something can be worked out pretty quickly. What do you mean about the gang violence stuff? The latest stats indicated that there were just as many gang incidents as last year?"
Max smiled into the phone, "but how many non-combatants have been injured in the fighting this year? We put the word out that any bystander injuries or deaths would be dealt with by us in a manner that would seriously impair the groups involved from continuing their business. We've only had to come down on one group, who hurt some children while trying to clear a building to set up a drug den near a school."
Unbeknownst to the blockade force and protesters, the sewer system was already in full time use as a transport mechanism in and out of Terminal City. There were three main underground sewer line passages into the area, and scout and security teams had already figured the safest and most secure ways into and out of the 10 square block Terminal City quarantine area.