Operation: Chrono Storm

[alertcommando]

The door opens into a busy hallway, soldiers and associated personnel moving this way and that in the controlled chaos that precedes a battle. A few casts puzzled glances at Annabelle, but say nothing, noting how the blonde woman is being escorted by the Special Agent.

Comments

[aeons_crackshot]

Annabelle follows close behind. "I'm all for letting you do the talking," she says quietly. "Especially since I have no idea who most of these people are and I can't bluff worth a damn."

[alertcommando]

"We barely finished this base." Tanya smiles. "Florida Keys. Einstein said something about using the gravitational pull of Earth at the right distance from the equator to yadda yadda yadda the Chronosphere send us far enough for a strike into Russia."

"Romanov's video arrived this morning. We are shifting now to arrive at the darkest of night in Moscow and capitalize on surprise."

[aeons_crackshot]

"Sounds like one of Dixon's explanations," she replies with a wry grin.

"That makes sense. I'm sure the Bastard has some idea of what Romanov managed to do, before the end."

[alertcommando]

"The soviet High Commander will attack the outer defenses of the city at the same time, and hopefully draw out a lot of the defenders." Giving them a chance to kill Yuri.

Tanya ducks into a large room, wardrobe and storage? She addresses the man behind a counter. "Sargent, we need two urban cammo suits, winterized, medium. Full kit."

The man blinks at Annabelle, opening mouth to say something, but the Commando cuts him off. "Now!" He startles and nods, rushing off to get them the uniforms.

[aeons_crackshot]

Annabelle does not smirk at how fast Tanya gets him to obey, it's a figment of your imagination. Maybe.

"I suppose I don't look much like a soldier."

[alertcommando]

"It can be changed." Tanya smirks just a bit. "I don't use my right of command very often, but..."

[aeons_crackshot]

"When you do, you make it count," Annabelle finishes with a grin.

[alertcommando]

"Today I'm not taking grief from anyone." The woman shakes head. "Anyone. We have a war to win and a madman to kill."

[aeons_crackshot]

"Absolutely," she agrees, attempting to see what the fellow getting their gear is up to.

"I'm in a mood to give grief, not take it."

[alertcommando]

The man is going around between shelves and lockers, picking up the requested supplies. After a minute, he brings it up to Tanya and Annabelle. "Here it is, ma'am."

Tanya gives nod, grabbing one of the stacks and moving behind a screen to quickly change: the uniforms include hats, face covers, miniaturized radios, a ballistic vest... well, everything for the modern soldier.

[aeons_crackshot]

Annabelle follows Tanya's lead after nodding her thanks to the soldier.

It's a very nice kit, which is good. She has the feeling she's going to need all of it before the day is over.

[alertcommando]

Of course, the utility harness fits their weapons. "Ready? Let's pick explosives at the armory and head down to the chronoshift area."

[aeons_crackshot]

"Sounds good to me," Annabelle says with a sharp grin. She should blend in better now, anyway.

Tanya's going to be the one picking the explosives, as she's the expert here.

[alertcommando]

Oh, nothing too much, a few grenades and bricks of C-4. Then field medkits, a pack of rations and water.

The battle will be short, one way or another, after all.

Next, down to the exit and out, where they can see the chronosphere with the domed cover already up. Twinkling, shifting lights can be seen inside it, and they start to glow brighter. "Just in time. They are powering up."

[aeons_crackshot]

Hopefully short in the victorious sense rather than the other, but short indeed.

Annabelle eyes the chronosphere cautiously. "Lucky for us," she says with a bark of a laugh. "We wouldn't want to miss all the excitement."

[alertcommando]

"We are the spearhead, hon. They will wait for me." Tanya continues on towards a group of men and women milling around some armored personnel carriers.

One of them spots Tanya and snaps to attention. "Officer on deck!" The whole group, fifty or so, all dressed in similar winterized urban cammo, stand to attention as well.

[aeons_crackshot]

Annabelle has no idea what the hell the protocol is for a civilian in this situation, so she's just going to keep her game face on for the moment.

She knows what she's doing, and she's got Tanya to vouch for her. Hopefully, that will be enough to smooth over any rough patches.

[alertcommando]

Tanya salutes the group. "At ease. I'll not tell you how to do your job or what is at stake, you know both of those things already. You do your best, and you will come back to celebrate victory."

Just on cue, a bugle call is heard. "That's our cue: buckle up and head in, ladies and gentlemen." The group disperses, heading into the armored vehicles, Tanya climbing into the closest one.

[aeons_crackshot]

Annabelle follows Tanya into the armored vehicle, glad to finally be going. It's the adrenaline, you see. Like a racehorse poised at the starting gate, there's a certain barely constrained energy about her.

[alertcommando]

At least, it is fast: the vehicles roll in position, and everybody straps down, closing eyes.

...

How does it feel, for a moment to be pure energy, then return to matter? Fortunately, it does not feel like anything: there is a bright light, visible even past close eyelids, a shiver along the spine and the groan and rumble of the fabric of the universe being twisted.

The light fades... and Tanya hits the release of her seatbelt. "MOVE! Out and scatter." She's talking on the radio as well, opening the rear hatch and slipping out to sweep the terrain.

[aeons_crackshot]

It feels just a little like dying, at least to Annabelle.

She's in motion only a moment after Tanya, gun at the ready. She'll move along with her friend, sweeping the terrain and looking for trouble.

[alertcommando]

They arrived at an open space that seems to be a park, and also seem to have surprise on their side.

Each group leaving the carriers checks a wrist compass and moves off, apparently having been briefed and knowing which way to go. Tanya herself does likewise, checking their position and leading Annabelle and three other Special Forces north, as quickly and silently as possible.

Hell is about to break loose. Any minute now.

[aeons_crackshot]

Annabelle follows Tanya, moving like a ghost over the ground.

There will be Hell, but some of it will be of their making, not the enemy's. That's what they're here for, after all.

[alertcommando]

Oh, they make it a whole block away from the park before Hell picks the lock of its cell door and makes a dash for it: the group almost runs right into a soviet patrol, only two conscripts.

Well, that's what they are here for, right? Tanya draws one of her pistols and drills with .45 bullets into a conscript's neck and eye, just to make sure.

[aeons_crackshot]

Annabelle gets the other conscript, her bullets blowing out most of his skull, including the brain stem. He's not alive long enough for his trigger finger to do a thing, even by reflex.