Chapter 1020: Preparations on Ximao Star (1)

"Red Rock City" settlement

Located approximately two hundred kilometers southeast of "Jianbao," "Red Rock City" is the second-largest settlement on Ximao Star, second only to the main base.

The Third Company of the Cadian 214th Regiment and a logistics platoon from the Wentuiliya 93rd Infantry Regiment are stationed here.

When the alarm sounded, miners surged out of the shafts, and women ran out of their homes pulling their children.

The Company Commander of the Cadian 214th Regiment, Company Commander Kilgrave, strode up onto an abandoned drilling platform in the center of the town square.

"Quiet, all of you! Look at yourselves! Like a bunch of startled sand rats! You haven't even seen a shadow of the enemy, and you're already in a chaotic mess? Is this how you repay the protection of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance?!"

Many gravel-folk looked with awe at this Cadian officer, who was known for his severity even in ordinary times.

"I am Company Commander Kilgrave! From now on, I am taking over supreme command of 'Red Rock City'! I don't care if what's coming is bugs or some other monster; as long as they dare to set foot on the land of 'Red Rock City,' the steel of Cadian will grind them into dust!"

Kilgrave reached out and pointed at the Wentuiliya soldiers and local peacekeepers who were maintaining order.

"Now, everyone, listen! Men help women, young people help the elderly, follow the Wentuiliya brothers and the peacekeepers, and enter the shelter deep in the mine according to the routes you practiced! Anyone who dares to cut in line or create chaos will be dealt with by military law!"

"Quick! Move! For the sake of your own lives and the lives of your families!"

The crowd began to surge toward the entrance of the mine.

Platoon Leader Aila of the Wentuiliya logistics platoon looked at Kilgrave with gratitude, then continued to guide them with her clear voice.

"This way, everyone go this way! Don't rush, watch your step!"

Just then, the roar of an engine approached from a distance.

The crowd looked up to see a "Rhino" transport vehicle, painted with the markings of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, rumble across the street and stop at the edge of the square.

From the transport vehicle stepped 10 Blood Angels Space Marines wearing deep red Power Armor!

Leading them was a Blood Angels Sergeant, who walked up to Company Commander Kilgrave, his voice transmitted through the loudspeaker of his helmet.

"Kilgrave, I am Sergeant Luosikemu of the Blood Angels Eighth Company, Third Tactical Squad. By order of Company Commander Kashiusiluo, my squad will assist your unit in defending 'Red Rock City' and, if necessary, serve as an assault force."

Company Commander Kilgrave straightened his body and gave a military salute.

"Thank you for the support, Lord Luosikemu. We are organizing the evacuation of civilians and establishing a defensive line relying on the mine entrance and outer fortifications. Your arrival is a great help to us."

Sergeant Luosikemu nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the evacuating crowd and the Cadian soldiers setting up defenses.

"Efficiency is acceptable. Complete the evacuation as soon as possible and reinforce the main entrance. We need to establish a three-dimensional fire net."

Luosikemu turned and gestured to the members of his squad.

The Blood Angels Space Marines immediately dispersed, beginning to survey the terrain and select the best firing positions and counter-attack routes.

Their very presence was a powerful declaration.

The Emperor's Angel had descended and would live or die with this world.

"Oasis" Agricultural Station.

Located in a relatively humid river valley near the equator of Ximao Star, the "Oasis" Agricultural Station is a key project of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance to improve the local food supply.

A reinforced company of the Wentuiliya 93rd Infantry Regiment is stationed here.

Because it is primarily an agricultural project, the defensive fortifications here are relatively weak, consisting mainly of some light protective walls and guard towers.

When the alarm sounded, the Wentuiliya technical officer in charge of the agricultural station, Nalika, used the internal communication system to reassure the staff and farmers at the first opportunity.

Meanwhile, Wentuiliya Company Commander Maskuge stood on the roof of a "Chimera" transport vehicle and said to the gathered crowd.

"Fellow citizens! I am Maskuge! We have detected a threat; yes, it is very sudden. But please look around you!"

Maskuge reached out and pointed to the Wentuiliya soldiers who had already taken up positions, checked their weapons, and set up Heavy Bolters.

"Look at these soldiers! They are just like you, citizens of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance! The weapons in their hands and the uniforms on their bodies represent the Emperor's promise! To protect every loyal citizen!"

"I know everyone is afraid, but fear won't solve the problem! What we need to do now is not panic, but trust! Trust the soldiers around us, trust the contingency plans the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance has made for us!"

Maskuge pointed to the passage leading to the valley in the rear.

"The underground storage of the agricultural station has been reinforced into a temporary shelter. Now, I need everyone to stay calm, follow the instructions of the soldiers and technicians, and enter the shelter in an orderly fashion. We may not have much time, but it is enough for us to evacuate safely!"

Under Maskuge's reassurance and the guidance of the soldiers, the evacuation of the agricultural station proceeded relatively smoothly.

At the same time, Maskuge received a communication from "Jianbao," informing him that a Blood Angels squad would come to support and assist in covering the residents of several small, undefended exploration outposts nearby as they relocated to "Oasis."

Not long after, a "Thunderhawk" gunship roared over the valley and landed on the open ground outside the agricultural station.

Five Blood Angels warriors stepped off. They did not exchange too many pleasantries with Maskuge, directly asking for the location and number of residents at nearby exploration outposts, then left one warrior to assist in the defense, while the other four split into two groups, riding the Combat Motorcycles transported with the gunship, and sped off into the depths of the desert to carry out the rescue mission.

The "Suihao" exploration point is about 50 kilometers from "Oasis," located in a cluster of wind-eroded rock pillars.

There are fewer than twenty exploration team members and their families here, relying on a few drilling machines and a small water recycling device to survive.

Sergeant Leon drove the Combat Motorcycle, weaving through the jagged, strange rocks.

Blood Angels Space Marine Aotasituo sat in the sidecar, holding the Heavy Bolter mounted on the motorcycle with one hand.

"Weak life signal detected, source three kilometers ahead, matching the coordinates of 'Suihao'."

Sergeant Leon's voice came through the internal channel.

"No obvious threat signal found, but environmental interference is increasing."

Aotasituo replied, his finger resting on the trigger guard of the Bolter.