Chronosphere (Red Alert 1)

	For other iterations of this device, see Chronosphere.

Chronosphere
Superweapon
Internal ID	PDOX (structure) Chrono (power)
Faction	Allied Forces
Role	Support superweapon
Tier	3
Tech level	9
Properties
Hit points	400
Armor type	Wood
Production
Cost	$2800
Produced by	Allied construction yard
Requires	Allied tech center
Combat
Cooldown	7:00
Sight range	10
Function
Power	-200
Abilities	Chronoshift

“

You have also earned the right to be the first to test the newest addition to our arsenal: the Chronosphere. With this to help you, even Stalin's new Iron Curtain will not be able to stop us. - Gunter von Esling(src)

”

The Chronosphere was a teleportation device developed by the Allies during the Second World War. Albert Einstein was a notable contributor to the Chronosphere's design.

Background

The first Chronosphere prototype in 1946.

“

The evolution of the Philadelphia Experiment, the Chronosphere allows the Allied player to move a unit from one location to an other without having to cross the space in between. However, the unit will only exist in its new location for a brief time before returning to its point of origin. This technology is still a bit unstable. Using it on certain units or using it constantly could produce unusual side effects. - Red Alert manual(src)

”

The first prototype Chronosphere device was built by Albert Einstein in 1946 to travel back in time and eliminate Adolf Hitler. While Einstein's intentions prevented the horrors of World War II as he had known from occurring, the removal of Nazi Germany disrupted the balance of world powers, causing the Soviet Union to start a new Second World War.

In the altered timeline, the Chronosphere device was designed again, but to teleport matter instead. Based on experiments with electrokinesis by Harvard and MIT physicists in 1937, the device would transport matter by converting the atoms into wave energies that can be easily transported by beams of light. The experiments were successful with inanimate objects, but faced issues with living beings due to their complex molecular structures.

Initial testing of the device during the Philadelphia Experiment showed a lack of control over the process of teleportation. Solving the control problem became the main preoccupation of Albert Einstein and other personnel working on the project.

Allied campaign

“

Einstein wanted me to warn you that the Chronosphere could produce unknown side effects. Be careful when using it, even we do not understand its full power. - Nikos Stavros(src)

”

A crucial control test of the Chronosphere was performed in a facility near Liechtenstein. Advancing Soviet forces discovered the facility and threatened to destroy it. The base was preparing for a critical test and evacuation would mean the loss of months of preparations. Field Commander A9 was sent to hold the facility. Despite the sustained Soviet assault, the test proceeded on schedule.

The first Chronosphere device powering up.

Even after rigorous testing, the Chronosphere still continued to exhibit problems when used. Personnel were still liable to disappear during teleportations and nuclear warheads could explode if teleported. The appearance of the Chrono vortex during use also highlighted the device's flaws. Regardless, the Chronosphere was officially released for use at the Battle of Moscow in the final stages of the war.

Its various drawbacks were overcome by Einstein at his Black Forest laboratory during the Third World War.

Soviet campaign

	The following is based on the Soviet campaign of Red Alert and might contradict canon.

“

What, you waste our time with magic shows? - Joseph Stalin, viewing footage of an MCV being chronoshifted(src)

”

The Soviets first became aware of the Chronosphere when their agents observed it in operation on Elba Island. Stalin became obsessed with acquiring it, especially after Allied forces began using it.

The Soviets tracked the Chronosphere to Seti, Switzerland. The attack led to the capture of Albert Einstein. The Soviets placed a tracking device placed in Einstein's watch which allowed the Allies to rescue the scientist using the Chronosphere. The tracking device led the Soviets to the Chronosphere's new location on the Iberian Peninsula.

“

If the Chronosphere is not to be ours, then let it be buried along with the Allied dogs! - Joseph Stalin(src)

”

The Allies set their radar stations to automatically send a self-destruct sequence to the Chronosphere if Soviet forces approached. Another Soviet attack failed to disable all of the radar stations and the Chronosphere was destroyed; General Georgi Kukov failed to inform the field commander of the last radar site and for this oversight Stalin personally strangled Kukov.

	The following is based on the Soviet campaign of The Aftermath and might contradict canon.

In Don't Drink the Water, the Soviets capture and successfully use the Chronosphere to destroy the local Allied base. This Chronosphere had a quicker cooldown, taking one and a half minutes instead of three.

Game building

The Chronosphere may only teleport one unit at a time. The Chronosphere may not be used on enemy units. A teleported unit will return automatically to its pre-teleported location after three minutes.

The Chronosphere cannot transport infantry, either inside or outside a personnel carrier. Attempting to do so results in the infantry getting destroyed. A Demolition Truck will explode immediately without being moved if a teleport is attempted. Each use of the Chronosphere has a small probability of generating a Chrono Vortex, or even a deadly Time Quake.

Teleporting a sea unit onto land, or vice versa, destroys the unit at the destination.

Unlike other buildings, the damaged Chronosphere emits a monochromatic time distortion energy, signifying that its controls has been breached.

Abilities

Chronoshift Instantly teleports any ground vehicle to a position on the map. After 3 minutes, the unit is returned its original location. There is a 20% chance of causing a chrono vortex or a time quake.

Appearances

• In the Allied campaign of Red Alert, the Chronosphere needs to be protected in the mission Protect the Chronosphere. The Chronosphere is later buildable by the player in the final mission No Remorse.

Trivia

• In the game's source code the Chronosphere is referred to as the Paradox device.
• In the beta version of the game, the Chronoshift support power was called Time Warp. At one point, it was also known as Paradox.
• The Chronosphere in the original Red Alert has a unique damage animation — when reduced to less than 50% health, instead of the usual cratered and/or burning appearance, the Chronosphere will flash and emit bursts of energy, which was originally intended to be played when used. This has been fixed in Red Alert - Remastered.

Gallery

• 

  Icon render

• 

  Chronoshifting units attack Mammoths from behind

• 

  The Chronosphere activating after the research was completed

• 

  Render from Command & Conquer: Red Alert - Remastered, used as Steam trading card

• 

  Chronoshift beta icon

• 

  A pre-release screenshot referring to the Chronosphere's ability as Paradox

Cameos

DOS	English	French	German

DOS	English	French	German

Videos

A Chronosphere activating

A Chronosphere exploding

See also

• Iron Curtain, Soviet counterpart
• Nuclear missile silo