Mirage (mission)

"Desperate for some success, Soviet forces have counterattacked our European allies in Germany, moving deep into the Black Forest. No doubt their commanders hope that they will find and capture Einstein's laboratory. Your special talents have been asked for. The Germans fear they will be defeated without your strategic skills."

- Mission briefing

Operation: Mirage was a defensive action fought by the Allies in Germany against the Soviet Union during the. The Allies prevented the Soviets from reaching Doctor Albert Einstein's Black Forest laboratory and the Chronosphere. The preservation of the Chronosphere proved critical to the war's outcome; ultimately, the Allies used it to invade Moscow and force a Soviet capitulation.

The European War
Although the invasion of the United States was failing, with almost the entire country once again under firm American control, the Soviets continued to strike a series of major blows against the European Allies. Additional U.S. forces began deploying to Europe and the Allies perceived victory to be the likelier outcome.

In the meantime, the Soviet pushed deeper into Germany toward Einstein's laboratory, located deep within the famed Black Forest. Their ultimate goal was to kill the acclaimed scientist in an attempt to end his supplement of weapons and technology to the Allies, as it was his alliance with the West that ultimately turned the tide against the Soviet Union. The loss of Einstein or his work could not be contemplated and the Allies moved quickly to block the enemy's advance. General George Carville, shortly before his assassination, ordered a well-regarded field commander to defend the laboratory.

Holding the Line
In the hour preceding the battle, the Allies quickly mustered their forces in anticipation of a massive Soviet assault. A short time later, the Soviets offensive began and they quickly overran several outlying Allied outposts and established bases with which to press the attack. This left one fortified field base between the invaders and the laboratory; the base also had a ready to deploy in addition to a. Einstein released the Mirage Tank design to the defenders, and occasionally made inappropriate use of communications channels to point out approaching Soviet forces.

Lt. Eva Lee suggests constructing a spy satellite uplink. Doing so triggers the arrival of enemy Apocalypse tanks.

"Apocalypse tanks... on the roll. Be careful, Commander"

- Lt. Eva Lee

The Soviets launched several attacks against the Allied base and Einstein's laboratory, but these incursions were ultimately repulsed despite their ferocity. After building up their forces, the Allies retaliated by attacking the three enemy bases the Soviets had set up to the north, and proceeded to destroy them one by one.

Eventually the laboratory was secured by the removal of the Soviet forward bases.

Aftermath
With his work safe, Einstein prepared the Chronosphere for deployment. The Allies were counting on the doctor's device to offset the Soviet's conventional superiority and end the war. The Chronosphere would not disappoint.