Within hours, Russia launches a full-scale, surprise invasion of the United States East Coast. Soldiers are dropping into Virginia suburbs. The U.S. Army is fighting on home soil. The Russian Airborne begins a march on Washington, D.C.
Allen joins Makarov and three other terrorists in an elevator at Zakhaev International Airport in Moscow. As the elevator doors open, Makarov utters the infamous line: "Remember, no Russian." What follows is a brutal, unrelenting massacre of unarmed civilians.
After a successful operation in Kabul ( "Team Player" ), Shepherd pulls Allen aside. Recognizing the young Ranger’s potential (and perhaps his expendability), Shepherd recruits him directly into an elite sub-unit of Task Force 141. Allen’s mission changes drastically: he is no longer a frontline soldier. He is going undercover. Shepherd gives Allen his most dangerous assignment: infiltrate the Russian ultranationalist circle led by Vladimir Makarov. Allen is given the alias "Alexei Borodin" and is ordered to earn Makarov’s trust. call of duty modern warfare 2 joseph allen
"Your Lieutenant Shepherd… sends his regards."
Makarov leaves Allen’s body at the scene, carefully ensuring that the Russian authorities identify the dead terrorist as a —Joseph Allen. The Fallout: World War III Allen’s death is the detonator for the game’s central conflict. The Russian government finds an American soldier’s body lying amidst the corpses of hundreds of their citizens. They conclude, logically, that the United States government orchestrated the massacre. Army is fighting on home soil
As a player, you are inside Allen’s head. You have no choice but to walk through the terminal, watching innocents fall. Allen’s internal conflict is palpable—he is a soldier sworn to protect life, yet he must participate in atrocity to maintain his cover. His only solace is Shepherd’s promise: “To get Makarov, you have to be Makarov.” Allen survives the airport shootout, fighting through waves of Russian SWAT and FSB. He makes it to the getaway car. He thinks he has succeeded. As he climbs into the vehicle, Makarov turns to him, calm and cold.
When players control Private Allen in "No Russian," they aren't playing a hero. They are playing the fuse to a bomb. In the end, Joseph Allen isn't remembered for his bravery in the streets of Afghanistan. He is remembered as the American who shot up an airport. That irony—that injustice—is the dark heart of Modern Warfare 2 . As the elevator doors open, Makarov utters the
Makarov shoots Allen point-blank in the chest. But he doesn't just kill him; he uses him.