A Blunder?

Thomas stood on the rooftop of Landers Supermarket, overlooking the vast ruins of Metro Manila. His arms were crossed, his mind working through the possibilities. The fortifications of Landers were progressing ahead of schedule, and the place was shaping up to be a near-impenetrable fortress—but something was bothering him.

Landers was good, but it wasn't enough.

Phillip stood beside him, looking out at the landscape. "You look like you're planning something big again," he remarked.

Thomas didn't respond immediately. He was studying the Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, a wide thoroughfare that ran parallel to the Manila Bay. On the other side of the boulevard, the entirety of the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex stretched before them.

It suddenly clicked in Thomas's mind.

"This entire area… it's free real estate," he said.

Phillip raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"