Hangman's Noose

is the tenth and final mission of Operation: Catalyst of Co-Op Campaign. The players assumes the role of Pixel One. With the NEO stronghold of Belgrade overrun, the remaining forces fall into disarray as the leadership is destabilized as a result of the capture of significant members of the New European Order High Council. As NATO/EU forces continue to push deeper into the Balkans, 2 mechanized infantry companies along with the joint task force was sent to capture or kill Drazan Bakal; the High Chancellor of the New European Order.
== Synopsis ==
2 mechanized infantry companies made their way to the bunker, however, the two companies were quickly bogged down by reports of experimental incendiary cannon fire and artillery fire from the hill position near the bunker. Despite losing some of the armored supported, the assault force advanced through enemy fire and experimental direct-energy fire. Gryphon Squad and Lynx Squad was one of the first squads to make it to the outer perimeter of the bunker. The two fire teams fought through heavily armed NEO forces, including a regiment heavily armed NEO operatives deployed from an Mi-39. Despite the regiments' superior firepower and armor, they were no match for the expertise and training of the joint task force, and were eliminated. As more of elements of the mechanized corp entered the compound, more of the defenders begin a withdraw deeper into the mining site. The joint task force pushes deeper into enemy lines by flanking around machinery in order to eliminate anti-armor positions set on top of the coal towers. Afterwards, a final push towards the bunker's entrance was ordered from command. Both remaining fire team fought in the morning light, however after suffering from heavy losses, the defenders were routed back into the bunker. The bunker entrance proved to be quite a problem for the task force, as normal means of breaching the heavy metal door were useless. Suddenly, a couple of defending NEO snipers started to pick off the fire teams outside, pinning them down. Air support was called in to eliminate the snipers, however, the thick walls of the sniper nest made it difficult for the surgical strikes to pierce through. In matter of a few strikes, all of the snipers were eliminated, and an F-15 with a bunker busting AGM was dispatched to bust through the heavy door shortly afterwards. The F-15 manages to unleash the payload on the bunker door, which created a massive explosion that threw both forces to the ground. Disorientated, the remaining NATO fire teams advanced through the clouds of dust and debris into the bunker. The remaining allied forces met little to no resistance at the entrance of the bunker, as most of the defenders were neutralized by the AGM strike. However, more NEO reinforcements stormed into the main entrance, pinning the joint task force from the front and right. Under fire, Gryphon Squad were ordered to flank around the defenders to eliminate defensive positions along the cat walks, as well as an active Lazar APC pinning the rest of the attackers. The joint task force pushes towards defensive positions and eliminates any armored assets, in which the attacking force advances forwards deeper into the bunker. Both forces clash throughout the bunker compound, down hallways and barracks, however the joint task force kept pushing back the defenders deeper into the compound, near the command center where the high chancellor was hiding. Despite their best efforts, the defenders eventually were wiped out by NATO forces, which are now at the entrance of the command center. The attackers managed to breached through the doors of the command center, however, the high chancellor wasn't there. Spectator informs that they have detected movement deep inside the mining facility, near the bottom of the quarry, suggesting that the high chancellor is attempting to escape from NATO forces. Just then, an explosion erupts near the entrance, knocking most of the attackers off their feet. Evanson then discovers that the remaining NEO forces had activated a self-destruct sequence inside the bunker, which is slowly reaching the command center. The joint task force desperately attempts to look for an exit or to abort the sequence, however in sheer luck, a secret exit used by the high chancellor is revealed by an Evanson accidentally pressing a button on the command panel. Suddenly, Evanson becomes trapped in a heap of rubble as the bunker collapses around them, ordering the team to escape without him. The remaining members of the strike team rushes out of the command room, barely escaping the fireball from behind. Catching their breath inside a loading dock inside the mine, the team answers a sitrep from Command. They inform on Evanson's sacrifice, and that the high chancellor is not in the bunker. Just then their comms randomly shut off, as well as any electronic equipment they have. Deadpan suggests its an EMP attack, in which a blurry voice coming from their comms confirms it is an EMP attack. The team recognizes that the voice was from the high chancellor, and proceeds into the quarry, where the remaining NEO forces protecting the high chancellor ambushed the remaining elements of the two companies. Making a last stand, NEO soldiers stormed their positions while allied forces held their ground. Throughout the firefight, both Frostbite and Miller were wounded by shrapnel from a grenade. Despite dwindling numbers from both sides, the joint task force manages to gain an upper hand by shooting down an Mi-2 helicopter attempting to extract the high chancellor. The copter crashes into the walls of the mine, causing a minor tremor that caused a landslide, crushing any NEO soldiers in its path. The firefight dies down as majority of the defenders fell. With the last bit of resistance eliminated, the joint task force makes their way towards the high chancellor inside a trailer, however Bakal then informs that the New European Order, including himself will fight until the last breath and will never surrender to NATO forces. He also announces his intentions of using a secret weapon. Just then, squads of more NEO forces from the crash site of the helicopter swarms into the bottom of the mine, ambushing the joint task force. Command warns that a captured NEO technician warns that Drazan might have shut off his Hivemind limiters, which could potentially kill him from the sheer amount of information he has to process. The following outcomes of the battle will play out, depending on the team's actions:
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Drazan Bakal is captured= If the joint task force is quick enough to reach the high chancellor, the team will breach the trailer and eliminate any defending avatars protecting the high chancellor. Pixel 1-1 will then quickly shut off Bakal's Hivemind headset and disarm the high chancellor as he tries to pull out a Desert Eagle, resulting in the high chancellor being pushed towards the ground. Drazan wheezes one final breath to the joint task force; that there is "always an enemy many times bigger, and many times more dangerous than you can ever imagine...semper honos invaluerit...".
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Drazan Bakal is killed= If the joint task force does not make it to the trailer in time, the team will breach and eliminate any defending avatars protecting the once active high chancellor. Pixel 1-1 will grab the body of Bakal, only discovering that the high chancellor had perished during the ensuing battle. A note falls out from his pocket reading "semper honos invaluerit".
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Regardless of the team's actions, the remaining defenders will be eliminated. The team then informs that the New European Order has officially fallen. Command congratulates the team and orders them back to base for debriefing.
Category:Co-Op Campaign
Category:Levels of Co-Op Campaign
Category:Operation: Catalyst