The Dig

[Aazalot]

Avensis Blaine, also known as Chillworth, had been assigned the Militia Commander by Voncloud when the force was hastily put together. He was sat with a squad of militiamen inside a personnel transport that had been converted for use as an APC. As it trundled through the caves Chillworth's communicator started to chime.

"This is Blaine"

"Chillworth, its Voncloud. I need you and your men to redirect to the coordinates i just sent to your neural Net"

Chillworth's pad again chimed upon receiving the information, he glanced at it before looking back to the communication window.

"These send us towards the Doldrums?"

Voncloud was seen nodding on the image "Indeed, i just had a chat with Magister Orlov of the NCC. Seems we were not the only ones looking into all of the hubbub. What his men found however, is nothing like what i was expecting. They discovered a settlement within the Doldrum's which was playing host to nothing short of a cult. Further underneath this settlement is an Artefact which this Cult have built their headquarters around, what it is or does is still being investigated. Now Orlov's men have taken out the Cult leadership and currently are on over watch with the Artefact however whatever this thing is its to large for them to extract, so i need the Militia to move in to secure the Settlement so we can prep the Artefact for removal and to evacuate those who have taken up residence to Central [b](The name of the Main Pygar Settlement). I will arrange for a cargo hauler transport and medical to head for the Doldrum's."[/b]



At the outskirts of the Doldrums settlement, 2 of the Militia APC's had set up out of sight with 4 squads stood by them facing Chillworth.

"Alright, listen up. Our order's are to head into this settlement and secure it so the recovery teams can move in safely to evacuate civilians and the Artefact. I do not have exact numbers but there are security patrols still in operation and they are our targets. They are lightly armed and armoured wearing a distinctive blue attire, so there shouldn't be any excuses for friendly fire here. The NCC have been kind enough to give us the known patrol routes of these guys, so we will be using ambush tactics, each squad will have your designated patrols. If you Must engage a civilian they are to be neutralised by non lethal means. Once the settlement is under our control Beta Squad will join up with the NCC guys down below? Any questions? no? Good. Lets go"


The Squads give a salute before gearing up ready to head in, Chillworth indicated to his squad to follow once ready. He and his men head through the entrance first breaking off left as the other 3 squads head through, each one breaking off towards their given directions. Despite the settlement being essentially a shanty town, it offered a surprising amount of cover for the Militia who weaved through the makeshift alleyways between the buildings though the lack of experience and the haphazard training some of the Militia had taken in a rush caused some to trip or stumble trying to keep up the pace. After a few minuets of moving Chillworth indicated the squad to stop. Ahead of them was a group of the settlers, mostly sat or laid on the ground some using cast of fabrics to shield from the dirt and dust. Chillworth turned to his squad to whisper the plan but was cut off by a voice above them.
“You Shouldn't be here! Unbelievers! Unbelievers!” A settler was leaning out of a window from one of the tin pot homes opposite the wall the squad had stopped by. Without pause but with panic a squad member opened fire with the silenced side arm towards the window. Despite missing the target, hitting the metal wall to the side, the settler screamed out when they ducked for cover.
“Dammit what are you doing?!” Chillworth scoulded, the sound of voices growing loud from around the corner. “Stand ready” Called Chillworth he and the squad standing with Weapons raised “Do not fire on the civilians, only on the armed guards”

Within moments the settlers they had spotted earlier rounded the corner though their charge was stopped upon seeing the armed and armoured squad. Chillworth lowered his weapon, standing up straight with his hands visible “We mean you no harm, we have come to help and offer aid to the people who reside here” He motions to the squad to lower their weapons as The group before him began to speak amongst themselves “We have transports and crew coming that will look after you and take you to Central” They continued to talk amongst themselves as the team noted how dishevelled a fair few of the residents were. Before long a women walks forwards “We would like to leave this place, your certain you can help us?” she asked, Chillworth nods his head “Of Course. If you can make it outside the town limits, I have members of the Militia set up waiting, they will protect you until help arrives”

The Women nods before she and the group turn heading into their respective residents to gather what belongings they had. Chillworth indicates for his squad to continue moving forward. Following the pathways the sound of distance shouting starts to fill the town before weapons fire joins it. Chillworths communicator chimes, followed by a distressed voice.
“This is Delta team! We need assistance! Grid 5C! Over!”
“This is Blaine, all squads converge on Delta's position!” He looks to his squad “So much for the ambush idea” he mused annoyed. With Haste Chillworth and his team make their way towards Delta, the buildings started to spread out as the sounds of conflict become louder. As they approach its clear that they were entering a town square or market place. A wide enough open space for people to gather. Amongst the chaos, residents were either fleeing, looking for cover, or picking up stones and debris to throw at the besieged Delta team. The Aggression of the Residents and subsequent noise had alerted the armed guards who were filtering into the area, taking pot shots at the team with reckless abandon, the body's of residents caught in the cross fire dotted around the square.

“Do not fire on anyone who isn't armed, DO not fire if you do not have a clear shot! Got it?”
The squad replied in unison “Got it!”
With the element of surprise well and truly gone, the Militia arm their Carbines and venture into the square, following a two by two tactic, a pair move forward as the other renders covering fire. As the battle begins to intensify the residents who had been throwing debris at Delta began to run for cover. This sudden rush of people made it difficult for the Militia to keep fire on the Cult Guards and avoid Civilian casualties. Whilst moving into position members of Beta Squad are knocked down by the sudden wave of fleeing people breaking the squads cohesion and adding to the chaos.
With the Central square slowly emptying of innocent targets the Militia begin to rally, managing to find suitable cover and marking their targets. It became clear that the Cult Guards were more 'people with guns' then trained soldiers compared to the Militia. Once the squads begun to coordinate, the guards start to fall in quick succession. As Chillworth and his men continued to gain ground some of the guard started to come forward and surrender whilst others continued to fight. Eventually the Militia manage to neutralise the last of the guard, they celebrate their first real action being mostly a success as they escort Civilians and Captives alike to the Towns Entrance.





With the last few Residents of the Settlement heading towards the APC's a convoy made up of Transports roll up, hissing as their engines shut off and the gear takes the weight. With the Transports a pair of smaller medical Relief vehicles park themselves by the APCs. As they settle on the ground awnings deploy sideways to cover the Door's as medical staff begin to filter out.
Some of the Militia head to the Medical teams to gather blankets water and other aid to dish out to the settlers who were waiting whilst the rest speak with those who were willing.

A few minutes after the convoy a Cargo hauler with an attached power loader trundles its way towards the towns entrance. Its passenger door opens as it slows to a stop, Voncloud hopping out as it comes to a halt. As Chillworth walks over Voncloud spots him walking to meet him.

“So, all was a success then?” He asks as he looked around. Chillworth nodded in kind “Yeah, all things considered, they were up to task and the Town is secure” Voncloud chuckled as he looks at the vehicles that are arrived “Well thank god for that, getting this stuff down here was an utter ball ache. So at least it was worth it eh?” He smiled patting Chillworths shoulder “In all seriousness, you did good. Seems you kept your men Safe, and you managed to take the town”
“The trainings paid off so far, experience is all we really lack” He looks over to the Militia members “I'm proud of them” He turns back to Voncloud “Beta Team are at the entrance to this 'Amber Citadel' waiting on you and the loader”
Voncloud Pats the side of the hauler “Alright then, Lets move out! Time to see what this 'Artifact' is

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