In the fictional Command and Conquer universe, Cronoshift technology transports matter to a specified place in space and time, as such, it is both a tool for time travel and teleportation.

Background

In our universe, supposedly, Einstein and Nikola Tesla were involved in the Philadelphia Experiment, and, seeing the devastation of the Second World War, Einstein designed the "Chronosphere": A chair which could send one person to specified place in space and time. Einstein went back to when Hitler was released from prison after the Munich Putsch. He then sent him to a random place in space and time, causing the creation of a parallel universe in which the Command and Conquer timeline occurs. Einstein succeeded in averting World War 2, but caused the Great World War 2, a Soviet invasion of Europe. In the new universe, the Chonoshift technology is greatly advanced and is eventually deployable in the field, and can be used for a tactical advantage.

Chronosphere

The Chronosphere is a large device housed in a building, created by Albert Einstein and featured in Red Alert and Red Alert 2. The Chronospheres available to the player are only teleportation-capable, and cannot send units through time. It allows the user to cause controlled chronoshifts. In-game, commanders could teleport units - however, it kills infantry units without special shielding.

Chrono Units

Miniature Chronospheres were affixed to tanks in Aftermath, and infantry and harvesters in Red Alert 2 to create the Chrono Tank, Chrono Legionnaire and Chrono Miner.

The Chrono Legionnaire can erase ground units and structures from time. Some other Red Alert 2 units can be upgraded to use chronoshift technology (e.g. Chrono Ivan, Chrono Commando). In Red Alert 2, chrono units teleport instantly but are rendered immobile for a short duration depending on the distance they have just teleported. This is referred to as "phasing in".

The Chrono Tank is a teleporting lightly armed tank in the Aftermath expansion pack for Red Alert.

The Chrono Miner is the standard ore harvester for the Allies in Red Alert 2. It drives itself to the nearest ore field in the conventional way, but when it has collected a full load, it teleports itself back to the nearest Allied ore refinery to unload.

Chronal Vortices

A Chronal Vortex is a strange warp, created by extensive use of chronoshifts in Red Alert. It is generated in a random place on the map and moves around like a bubble of curved space, swallowing units and structures alike.

Role in the story of Red Alert

As said above, chrono technology is responsible for the Command and Conquer universe. It also plays a vital role in the capture of Moscow in Red Alert 2.

Role in the story of Red Alert 2: Yuri's Revenge

Upon a Soviet victory, Yuri attempts to steal the Chronosphere but it is hacked by Zofia and Yuri is chronoshifted back to the cretaceous period.

See also

Albert Einstein

Time travel

Teleportation