The squad made their way beside the narrow concrete channel that joined the larger river from the north.
Water moved slowly between its embankments. Its surface was darker than the river behind them, carrying thin streaks of discoloration toward the west.
Echo One-One advanced several meters ahead.
Dmitri followed with Rex, while the other Scouts and Attack Dog watched the utility structures on both sides.
The farther they moved, the emptier the surroundings became.
There were no trees near the channel.
A few broken trunks remained farther from the water, their upper halves gone and their bark scorched gray. Some had fallen across the open ground before being stopped by fences or concrete barriers.
Even the smaller vegetation was scarce.
Dead roots protruded from cracks along the embankment. Dry grass gathered in thin patches around the utility poles, but little else had grown close to the water.
Dmitri glanced behind him.
