Tactical Vantage

The ascent required steady grip. Leaving the wheeled chassis parked securely in the lower rung's shadow, I gripped the grooves of the wooden leg and pulled upward. Three minutes of deliberate progress. Now, my boots rest upon the vast timber plateau. The horizon expands significantly from this elevation. A ceramic coffee mug stands four paces north, casting a dense silhouette. Beside it, an abandoned brass key lies flat on the polished grain. I stepped forward, tested the key's weight against my foot, and established an observation post beneath the mug's curve. The entire lower floor is visible from here. Sector control confirmed.