Gridlocked

is the sixth mission of Operation: Catalyst of Co-Op Campaign. The players assumes the role of Pixel One. Knowing that the New European Order is conspiring against the European Union and its allies, the joint task force was reassigned to further monitor NEO members, specifically the activities between Erebus Haxon and the CEO of Romanov Communications; Aleksi Romanov in Moscow.
== Synopsis ==
Intel suggests that Haxon and Romanov are having a meeting at a high class restaurant in downtown Moscow about Haxon joining the New European Order, and Romanov being a major stakeholder in Haxon's future developments in Greece. Command seeks this as an opportunity to capture or neutralize both Romanov and Haxon, and Gryphon squad were retasked of going undercover into Russia to capture or eliminate both targets. Joining the squad are Greylight; a drone operator from the previous mission in Area 52 as recon support, and a group of students from Komonosov Moscow State University acting as protesters in Romanov's private landing pads to prevent Romanov access to his aerial assets. Spectator warns that Romanov has deep connections with the Russian government, which is influencing the state's relationship with the order.
As the lunch time commences in Moscow, the joint task force sets up an overwatch position inside an office building near the restaurant, and an on ground position inside the restaurant itself. Deadpan joins the Pixel One while Evanson, Flemming, and Messer disguise themselves as construction workers. Using parabolic microphones, the joint task force eavesdrops on the two targets, learning about the New Europe Order's current affairs, and more details about the upcoming plan known as "X-Hour". During the luncheon, Haxon exits the dining area to answer a call about "a couple of unwanted associates", and steps outside the task force's field of view. Moments later, an EMP blast from Haxon disables task force's communications and electronics. Having their cover blown, the task force attempts to eliminate Haxon and Romanov by firing their sniper rifles, however the bullets disintegrate upon reaching near their bodies. The squad were quick to point out that Lindholm's personal Orbital Shield has made its way to the global market, and that Haxon and Romanov are virtually immune to any attacks the joint task force can throw at them. Evanson orders the squad to stop the two at all costs. Romanov's security detail secures both HVT's and attacks the team inside the restaurant causing the overwatch team to zipline into the restaurant to take down the HVT's while the ground team attempt to cut them off. Despite their best efforts, Romanov and Haxon escape the trap, and the overwatch team link up with the rest of the team. Greylight informs the team that Romanov's limo is leaving the area, and that reinforcements have been deployed outside the restaurant to slow down the joint task force. The joint task force pushes through, however the limo is now speeding away, the joint task force commandeers two enemy armored vehicles in order to catch up. While speeding down the streets of Moscow, Greylight informs that the Moscow City Police units has been dispatched to chase down the joint task force. The task force later meets with resistance from the police units in a chase throughout the side streets of Moscow, the two forces clash while on their vehicles, however due to the increasing amount of panic from civilians near the initial area, traffic jams prevent any further chases from happening. The joint task force goes on the offensive and uses the traffic jam to close in on the limo, eventually leading to a highway shootout between the police force, the security detail and the joint task force. The team pushes through heavy resistance, and even through Manticore Knights and Legionnaire Operatives from Haxon. The team manages to reach the abandoned limo, where a familiar voice buzzes through the comms, stating that he does not recall the team "joining in this personal conversation on the business affairs of Europe". The team sees that the HVT's are attempting to escape in a secondary limo down on street level. The team then quickly disables the limo with both Romanov and Haxon being the only ones alive. Evanson approaches the Limo, however command orders the team to stand down and let both Romanov and Haxon go due to unseen circumstances. Confused, the team attempt to verify the order with other members, however they confirm they did not receive the order. During the confusion, Haxon begins to mock the task force on them being used as pawns for irrational ways, however the limo mysteriously blows up as Haxon's final words were "...and yet you are all pawns in this clusterfu...", killing both Haxon and Romanov inside. The task force watches as the limo burns, and as communications between command were cut as a drone passes by from the sky, flying away. Greylight quickly figured out that this operation was a setup all along.
==Trivia==
* During the street shootout, if one is quick enough, they can see a speeding car plow through a pair of police officers before they are able to fire upon the squad.
* The players can kill a maximum of two civilians each, otherwise the mission will fail.
Category:Levels of Co-Op Campaign
Category:Co-Op Campaign
Category:Operation: Catalyst