Capítulo 30: Special Tactics? Shotgun
Location: Outskirts of Midgate, Virek
Date and Time: May 12, 2553 – 1630 Hours
The outskirts of Midgate feel like a warzone waiting to happen. The town was once a key hub for local farmers and traders, but now it's on the edge of collapse, both physically and socially. The buildings are still standing, but just barely. Most of the civilians have fled, but some remain—either too stubborn or too scared to leave.
We've been tasked with neutralizing a URF cell that's entrenched itself on the northern edge of the town. Command wants us to take them out cleanly, without causing any more damage to the area. They're trying to win over the local population, and the last thing they need is for us to look like the aggressors.
It's a delicate situation. The URF is using civilian infrastructure as cover, and that means we're walking a fine line between stopping them and preserving what little remains of this place.
"Keep your heads on a swivel," I say into the comms as Bravo Fireteam moves through the abandoned streets. "We're here to take out the URF, not flatten the town."
The streets are eerily quiet as we move deeper into the outskirts. The buildings are old, some of them crumbling from years of neglect. There's no sign of civilian activity—no children playing in the streets, no vendors calling out their wares. It feels like a ghost town, but I know better.
The URF is here, somewhere. Hiding, waiting.
We've been briefed that the URF has set up shop in an old municipal building on the far side of town. It's not much more than a half-collapsed structure with a few walls still standing, but it's strategic. They've got high ground, sightlines, and plenty of cover.
"Approach with caution," I murmur into the comms, motioning for Dash to take the lead. "The URF isn't going to give this place up without a fight."
We advance slowly, the tension thick in the air. My mind is racing, already running through possible scenarios. There could be civilians inside—hostages, or just people too scared to leave. The URF has used them as shields before, and they'll do it again if it means keeping us at bay.
The closer we get to the municipal building, the more my gut twists. Something feels off. The URF is usually more aggressive, more willing to engage us head-on. But so far, nothing. Just silence.
"Movement," Santiago mutters, pointing toward a shadow that flickers across a nearby window. "Second floor."
I nod, signaling for the team to spread out. "We're going in quiet. Keep it tight, no shots unless you've got a clear target."
We move into position, using the broken-down vehicles and debris as cover as we approach the municipal building. The wind picks up, carrying with it the scent of dust and rusted metal. The place feels like it's been abandoned for years, but I know the URF is inside. Waiting for us to make the first move.
Dash leads the way, his steps silent as we reach the entrance to the building. The door is barely hanging on its hinges, the inside dark and foreboding. I glance back at the team, my heart pounding in my chest.
"ECM ready?" I ask, knowing full well that the URF might have rigged the place with traps.
O'Neill gives a nod, holding the ECM Jammer tight. "Ready to go."
We slip inside, our eyes adjusting to the dim light. The building is in worse shape than I expected—piles of debris litter the floor, and the walls are cracked and peeling. But it's not the structure I'm focused on. It's the civilians.
As we move deeper into the building, I catch sight of them—three civilians, huddled in the corner of a room just ahead. They're young, maybe in their twenties, their faces pale with fear. One of them is holding a small child close, whispering reassurances that I know won't mean much if this goes sideways.
"Civilians confirmed," I murmur into the comms. "Do not engage unless fired upon."
But then, just as I start to assess the situation, I spot the real danger—a URF operative standing just behind the civilians, a rifle in his hands. He's not aiming it at us. He's aiming it at them.
My blood runs cold. The URF knows exactly what they're doing. They're using the civilians as shields, knowing we won't risk a firefight with innocents in the line of fire. It's a dirty tactic, but it's effective.
"We can't take the shot," Santiago whispers, his voice tight with frustration. "We'll hit the civilians."
"I know," I mutter, my mind racing. "But we can't just stand here either."
The URF operative notices us, his eyes narrowing as he grips the rifle tighter. He hasn't fired yet, but I can tell he's waiting. Waiting for us to make a move, to give him an excuse to pull the trigger.
I weigh my options, the seconds ticking by in slow motion. We need to get those civilians out of there, but if we move too quickly, the URF operative will start shooting. And once the bullets start flying, there's no telling who will get caught in the crossfire.
"Dash, set up the jammer," I say quietly. "We're going to create some chaos."
As Dash moves into position, I signal for O'Neill and Santiago to prepare for a quick strike. The ECM Jammer will disrupt the URF's comms and potentially disarm any remote-controlled traps they've set up. But more importantly, it'll buy us time to move.
The ECM hums to life, and in an instant, the air feels charged with static. The URF operative glances around, momentarily distracted by the sudden disruption. It's the opening we need.
"Go!" I shout, charging forward as Bravo Fireteam springs into action.
O'Neill and Santiago move in quickly, disarming the URF operative before he has a chance to fire. Dash covers the civilians, shielding them as the rest of us secure the room. The whole thing is over in seconds, but my heart is still racing.
The civilians are safe. The URF is neutralized. But it could have gone so wrong.
We secure the area, moving the civilians to a safer location as Command radios in to confirm our success. The rest of the building is clear, and the URF forces have scattered, leaving behind only their weapons and a few hastily written plans.
As I stand in the quiet aftermath, my thoughts drift back to the civilians we just saved. The way they looked at us—not with gratitude, but with fear. They don't see us as heroes. They see us as part of the war that's tearing their world apart.
And maybe they're right.
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