**Unnamed conflict within Chechnya's capital city, winter of 1999.*

Echoes of gunfire and radio chatter filled the air as two soldiers were stationed at a ruined apartment complex. Light snowfall descended on them through the gaping hole in the roof where part of it had been blown off by an explosion. They were nested on the top floor, with faintly heard orders barked from high command to capture the residential areas surrounding their position.

One soldier laid prone with her scoped rifle aimed at the streets below, while her partner knelt beside her, trying to tune in the radio that crackled with static. The bitter wind howled through the broken windows, carrying the metallic scent of blood and the acrid smell of gunpowder. Snowflakes landed on their cold-weather gear and melted slowly.

"No good?" the sniper called out without taking her eye from the scope, glancing sideways to catch her partner's eyes in the dim light filtering through the clouds.