Invisible Control

We conducted a combined arms field training exercise with the 55th Viking Shield Team in the Western Adriatic Mountains in the afternoon. The regional commander summoned an urgent meeting - a team of patrols and engineers went missing near the western borders during a relay station maintenance routine. The remote snowy mountains were highly inaccessible and we did not have any other units in the region. According to the patrol’s final communication entry, multiple relay stations in the area suffered short but simultaneous signal disruptions. The weather monitoring system from the relay stations show only light blizzards in the area, which means the disappearance was unlikely to be of natural causes.

The commander issued a state of emergency immediately. The 55th Viking Shield Team mobilized multiple teams towards the relay stations with reported signal disruptions. We joined the Forseti Forces to form a rescue team and headed straight for the last known location of the missing patrols. Each team was assigned a Chapel - a mobile outpost that could transform into a fortified mini-relay station when needed. The area of coverage was limited, so we maintained a certain distance with each team and marched towards the snowy regions in a webbed shaped formation.

When we arrived at the last known location of the missing patrol team, no units or personnel could be found. After careful inspection, we found traces of vehicle tracks leading beyond the borders. No enemies were found in the relay stations, but there were signs of tampering in all of them.

Under these circumstances, no matter if this was simple harassment, information gathering, misdirection or prelude to an invasion, we were obviously at a disadvantage. After discussions with the commander, we decided to return to base first and request reinforcements. I could sense a tough battle up ahead.