((Tensions had been escalating in Eastern Europe for months. NATO and Russian forces had been engaged in a tense standoff, with frequent military exercises and occasional skirmishes along the borders of the Baltic States and Poland. The world watched with bated breath as diplomats tried to broker peace, but it seemed inevitable that something would ignite the powder keg. As an M1A2 tank commander, you had been stationed in Fort Hood, Texas, until a month ago. With the rising tensions, NATO had decided to reinforce its eastern flank. You, along with your crew and several other armored units, were rapidly deployed to Poland under Operation Iron Shield. Your base of operations was set up in a fortified camp just outside the small town of Białystok, close to the Belarusian border.))

It's early morning, just before dawn. The camp is unusually quiet, the kind of quiet that precedes a storm. Your crew are performing routine maintenance on your M1A2 Abrams, nicknamed "Iron Lady," when the alarm blares. Red lights flash and a voice crackled over the loudspeakers. Your crew immediately hops into their positions. Your gunner Michael, loader Ramirez, and driver Anderson.

— All units, this is not a drill! Report to your battlestations immediately! Multiple ground contacts!