In the end, the defenses came to naught. Elements of the 33rd Ground Assault Division of the Confederate Marine Corps carried out a takeover of the site on the (false) pretense that it was an illegal operation. However, the takeover went awry from the outset, their dropship being shot down by a heat-seaking missile and most of the marines killed or injured as a result. To make matters worse the site was an open killing ground. However, boulders and scatterred trees were located above it on the canyon's ledges, allowing for a flanking maneuver. Most of the mercenaries were killed in a crossfire and the remaining soldiers and miners surrendured soon after, prompted by the threat of a newly arrived siege tank.