Operation Flash Hazard was a raid carried out by mercenary forces of the Cascadian Independence Force against Pacific Federation-held geothermal facilities.
The strike operation was notably part of the first moment Federation Peacekeepers were deployed in the war, namely Crimson Team.
Cascadia had many cordium deposits across the entire country, which made it a permanent interest to the Federation Core States' energy generation. By attacking the extraction facilities, the Federation would have to refocus their forces towards these attacks rather than the frontline. This would also enable the CIF to start retaking key territories and force the Federation to rethink their intentions there.
Sicario was specifically tasked to attack facilities in the Yellowstone Exclusion Zone, Hitman Team attacking the Apodock Fracture, which contained the main facilities and powered over 25% of the Cascadian electrical grid.[1] All forces had to destroy as much as they could and retreat before reinforcements responded en masse, and bring in a multifaceted loadout.
The mercenaries' arrival was detected by Federation radar, which immediately notified QRF from every operational airbase in range. As a result, the Federation had to deal with the frontline being stretched this far, starting with Crimson Team being rerouted from another operation and being ordered to shoot down Monarch.
Regular reinforcements soon arrived, but they were dealt with by the mercenaries and were ineffectual. During this time, Dominic Zaitsev reported that while the other mercenaries reported successes, Gunsel Squadron had already pulled out and Assassin Team was still ongoing.
Remembering the cataclysm that undid Solstitium, the facility staff decided to perform necessary adjustments and work to minimize the impact of cordium in the areas, and the ground forces evacuated civilian personnel. Despite objections that they were being attacked and would need a while to restart production, they decided to proceed, not wanting a repeat of Solstitium.
Crimson Team arrived late to the attack, low on fuel and ammo and with most of the facility in ruins. Regardless, they were ordered to drive the mercenaries out of the airspace. Out of ammunition, they decided to turn tail and retreat. Crimson specifically pursued Monarch, with the facility workers watching the dogfight in awe. During the pursuit, Monarch proved to be much more agile than the rest and harder to catch.
Eventually, Monarch was forced to flee like the others, with Crimson Team likewise breaking off due to bingo fuel. Crimson 1, their leader, was slightly bothered, however.
Dominic stated he and Arnold Frenken would speak to J. Griffiths about the Peacekeepers' arrival.Monarch was able to damage one Crimson Team member enough to force them to retreat. Despite almost losing one of their own, the Peacekeepers brushed his shot as a stroke of luck. Regardless, both enemy and ally were dumbstruck by Monarch's feat, and he retreated afterwards.
Hitman stood out among the mercenary pilots not only for the weight they pulled, but the fact that they stared down the infamous Peacekeepers and survived. However, the CIF's rebellion became more difficult with their arrival, even with the Federation offensive being hastened because of the attacks.
The CIF also had more time to reorganize and plan ahead, immediately heading for action. Meanwhile on the other side, Crimson began warning their comrades of the importance of the mercenary threat, which prompted the Federation to send more efficient forces to deal with them.
Some of the mercenaries who struck Apodock Fracture would come along with Independence Force HQ General Faust in the wake of her botched Magadan Invasion to destroy Base Station Zero, the Federation Core State's last remaining geothermal facility - the others had been sabotaged and razed as part of her madwoman plan to burn down the Federation. Their motives varied from sticking a greater wound to their hated enemy polity to showing up Frenken, whose PMC evidently cut the most meat out of the overall raid and the whole war. Though they would all fail and be felled, they would by proxy succeed on a magnitude above their expectations.[2]
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