Act 1 – Part 2 – Restlessness
Loud and heavy steps could be heard over the asphalt and the rubble, even with the full might of the ion storm over the ruins. A figure entered the still standing building. Walking up the stairs to the roof didn't even phase it, all the debris in the way being just a mild annoyance. The occasional missing balusters and handrails along with missing parts of the risers and treads did not provoke even one eyebrow rise. As soon as the figure reached the top of the stairs, going through the rusted opened door, it saw the scenery.
Rain poured over a crashed Orca Gunship, one that looked like it went through hell. The tail was gone, one engine was mangled, the other scorched, the missile pylons were gone, the autocannon was bent in a very unnatural way and the canopy was busted, cracks being the norm, though it held. The missile did its job, but not to the end, that was obvious, the aircraft being in front of it. Whoever piloted that killing machine was missing. That was a problem.
A grunt of annoyance swept over the crime scene. This should have not happened. The missile was supposed to annihilate the gunship in one hit. Not just take one of its engines. A word with the armorer next time when it would return to the compound would solve the issue of the Kane wouldn't be able to save him from it's wrath.
Turning around from the wreckage, it pondered the possible routes the pilot could've taken. Being in a red zone like this didn't offer many routes of escape, at least not to a GDI pilot. Going down the stairs, it remembered an older recon report about one abandoned outpost. It was a couple of clicks away, but it could've been a viable choice to take shelter in it. Though the chances of the downed pilot actually getting there were slim, it wouldn't risk anything. Whoever piloted the Orca Gunship pinpointed a base of its brethren, and would not survive to report it.
Outside the building, the tiberium fields could've been seen in the distance. They were everywhere, glowing menacingly, ready to infect anyone daring to approach the endless green sea. Looking towards the former capital through the integrated binoculars, it saw the location of where the abandoned outpost was supposed to be located.
"There you are…", a deep accented and synthesised voice came from the mask speaker.
The crack of thunder over it confirmed that the ion storm wasn't going to leave anytime soon.
"Perfect…Deactivate cloaking protocol", the voice said, as it turned towards what seemed to be a waterfall in plain air.
The unmistakable shape of a tri-treaded stealth tank, a shock to every GDI soldier, brought a smile under the mask. Climbing the terrifying machinery, it turned on the terminal inside, The monotone voice of the NOD Electronic-Video-Agent immediately making an appearance:
Processing… Identity confirmed...
Deacon Raško Tadić, 106th Stealth Battalion…
Punching in the state of the downed aircraft, Raško couldn't contain his anger at the prospect of a faulty missile bringing up so much trouble in this area. The GDI have not been here since what it felt like forever… 22 years… Those corrupted and soulless infidels left them a breeding continent of manpower. So many indoctrinated and loyal to the cause. To Kane.
Brother Marcion took the reins of power at one point after presumably assassinating Slavik, leading to a brief schism, but even then, they kept coming. The newly reformed Inner Circle brought stability to NOD, The flock was getting bigger and bigger, and finally the time to strike back at GDI will come. A red flash on the terminal brought him back from the memories.
Looking at the terminal he saw the message:
Deacon, search and destroy the witness. Leave no bone shattered, no infidel standing. In the name of Kane!
Patience was gone by this point. Too many of his brothers and sisters died because of them. He would find the pilot and personally grind the non-believer to dust.
"In the name of Kane…", the synthesised voice rumbled.
END OF RESTLESSNESS