C&C 3.5: Religious Vengeance
Disclaimer Notes: The characters, themes and locations are copyrighted under Electronic Arts Inc. This book is only for my personal use. Should anyone take this, be advised publishing without EA's permission is prohibited.
Historian's Note: This story takes place six months after the events of Tiberium Wars. If you have not read Command & Conquer Tiberium Wars, then please don't bother reading this… unless you love action, tragedy, mild romance and adventure!
CHAPTER ONE
The weather today was dismal. An ion storm that had now lasted for two hours was still strongly in effect. This rewarded the soldiers of Fort Dix some R&R as they could not possibly do any drills or exercise outside without getting scorched to death. Inside a tall, triangular structure on the very top floor, Battle Commander Michael McNeil overlooked through his long rectangular window at ion lightning striking everywhere above several barracks and two airfields. The sky itself was filled with yellow clouds that were just bursting with ion lightning. The entire fort was surrounded with a 10m concrete wall and the only way in was through a security checkpoint equipped with a 3m thick iron gate. Normally, the gate would be guarded by two GDI infantry soldiers, but with the storm, they were called off duty and were replaced with two automated turrets programmed to shoot anyone that the security scanner did not recognize.
After a moment, McNeil turned around to glance over his office. His hope of seeing something better than the ion storm was diminished. The office was only one hundred and fifty metres even. There was a single-sized bed in one corner with a wardrobe right next to it. McNeil pondered on why a military officer would need one as the only clothes he would ever wear was his standard GDIUP BC rank uniform. Again, he thought about that. GDIUP stood for the Global Defense Initiative United Peacekeepers. 'Peacekeepers'. The BC snickered at that as he remembered when six months ago, the Brotherhood of Nod resurfaced to declare war and how the 22nd infantry division helped GDI crush them. There were no negotiations as far he could remember. Well, except for the time when during the middle of the war, some aliens paid a visit with their armada and declared war on mankind. Then, and only then, did GDI and Nod work together to liberate Earth. However, Nod eventually betrayed GDI when the aliens began building massive towers all around the world. Where GDI kept destroying them, Nod did whatever they could to defend them. Unfortunately, one tower located in the world's largest Red Zone was completed before GDI got to it. That tower was impervious to anything GDI could throw at it, even their Mark IV ion cannons. On the good side, GDI scientists concluded that the tower was completely inert, completely harmless. 'Would have been better if they could find out why the hell it was built!' McNeil thought.
Just then, a buzz reverberated around his office, indicating that someone was waiting at the door.
"Enter," the BC answered as he straightened himself. The door slid open upward, allowing a middle-aged white man wearing the basic GDIUP uniform and a hat embedded with a major's oak leaf on the front. His nose was a little larger than the norm, and a dark moustache flecked with bits of grey sat on his upper lip. He took a few steps in the room and saluted his superior, which McNeil returned.
Then with a clipped British accent, the man replied, "You wanted to see me, Sir?" The BC took a breath before speaking.
"What is the current weather status?" he asked. Hastings looked at him quizzically, and to his credit, McNeil noticed. "I would ask EVA, but my office server is temporarily down." That reset the Major's face.
"Good news is that In-Ops have informed us that the storm should be over in the next hour. The bad news is that EVA says the ion storm is extremely unstable unlike most of the storms we've had. Probability of equipment failure and getting electrocuted are both at 82%. While the troops are indoors, Captain Opahle has organised them to do basic training such as 100 press-ups, sit-ups, squats, star ju-",
"I know the basic training Hastings, considering the scheme was my idea." McNeil interrupted with a grin.
"Sorry Sir," the Major responded.
"Forget it. Has there been any news on Nod lately?" the BC questioned. Hastings looked bored.
"In the past six months… nothing. Since they lost the war, they've gone back in hiding by the look of things." he finished. McNeil looked blankly and saw that the Major was distressed.
"Is there something wrong Major?" the BC asked. Hastings immediately straightened.
"No Sir, although I do have a report from In-Ops concerning something unusual." The Major replied. McNeil just stared like he was looking at an idiot.
"For shite's sake Major, why didn't you tell me straight away?" Hastings slightly grinned at that.
"Apologies Sir, but I appreciated the small chat," he replied. That got another smile from the BC. McNeil just looked at the Major, a sign to keep talking. "Since the end of TWIII, Nod's activity in North Carolina had heavily decreased. However, just recently, satellite surveillance has picked up a strange heat signature in the region. What's more alarming is the fact that it was detected very close to the border of D.C.!" Hastings finished.
The Battle Commander thought about what had just been said before speaking.
"Has General Granger been informed?" he enquired.
"He was the first person who got the report and the person who linked it to us." the Major replied. That perked up McNeil's ears.
"He sent it specifically to us?" the BC said.
"Yes Sir! The report was followed with an order to investigate the area. And I'm pleased to say that the General has given the 22nd the gig" Hastings happily remarked. "The level of force is to be decided by you Sir."
McNeil thought through quickly and replied.
"Send Company 7 in," he said, "And have a few Orcas on standby in case things get too hot." Then with one last smile, McNeil finished, "I believe Captain Vega has new recruits that can do with a good exercise!"