Chapter 2

Carol woke up at about six. She found that Richard was already up and in the bathroom. She stretched and got up as well. Richard always was an early riser. He then came out and ordered breakfast. Carol then went in to brush her teeth and freshen up. When she came out, Richard was already eating. Today he had ordered bacon with scrambled eggs and several slices of French bread. He seemed to prefer them above all other kinds. "Why didn't you order any vegetables?" asked Carol, even though she knew what his answer would be. "I already ate them." "Liar," she said with a smile, "You need to add some greens into your diet." "I know, I know," said Richard, "but I do eat a lot during lunch, so don't complain too much." They finished eating quickly. Richard kissed her goodbye and he went off down to the command center. Carol changed into her lab clothes and went down to one of the medical labs. They still needed to finish up work with the white blood cell project. The teams were already there and working. "So where are we?" she asked. "We're preparing to radiate a tissue with ten times as much white blood cells as the one you were last here for," said a doctor, "We think that with so many white blood cells, it will kill the mutated cells before they have a chance to reproduce and spread to others." "All right, let's start." They watched as the radiation started mutating and killing the cells. The white blood cells responded quickly, alerted by the Helper-T cells of the mutations. They quickly consumed the mutations and destroyed them. "So it did work," said Carol, "However, how do we put it to use?" "We can only use it with people who have small amounts of mutations," said a scientist, "If they have large amounts of mutated tissue and such, the white blood cells can't overcome so much, and they'll probably do more harm than good." "We can let Department 4 handle actually developing a treatment," said Carol, "However, how can we apply what we've learned to other experiments?" "We know the white blood cells destroy the mutations," said a doctor, "What we have to do is develop something to repair the damage." "The damage is being done to the DNA," said another doctor, "We'd have to do genetic engineering to actually get down to that." "So we have to find what genes are being damaged, and figure out a way to repair it," said Carol, "I'll have more people with experience with genetics transferred to this project. How many of you here know about the anatomy of Tiberian creatures and plants?" Several scientists raised their hands. "Give me your names and I'll have you transferred to the dissection projects and projects that involve the Tiberium plant itself. The rest of you, continue working." Carol took down the names of the people who had raised their hands and went down to her office. She made the necessary changes and had her secretary notify the various parties. Then she went down to the hospital wing. "Hi, we okay today?" "Better," said Umagon, "At least I'm more refreshed." "That's good to hear," said Carol, "Now, I just need to take a blood sample." A nurse came in with the extractor. It looked like one of the air pressure injection devices. Carol took the sample quickly and took out the tube with the blood. "Take this down to the lab and have them do the usual checks," she said. The nurse nodded and left. Carol then checked Umagon's vitals and other such things. Everything was in order. "There shouldn't be anything wrong," said Carol, "I'll see you most likely tomorrow." Umagon nodded. Carol turned around and left. She needed to get down to the dissection area. She went into the women's changing room and put on another protective suit. She then went into the area. She entered the room where the dissection of the Tiberium plant was taking place. She found the scientists looking over some images. "What are those?" asked Carol. "We believe they are the Tiberium's DNA strands," said one scientist. They magnified the image. There were six strands intertwined. "How's mapping it going?" she asked. "We barely started," said another scientist, "Currently, we're trying to find a place to start. It's very complicated and we are having trouble isolating the individual strands. We believe it's because they are so tightly packed together." "Very well," said Carol. She worked with the other scientists as they began trying to isolate the strands. It was extremely tricky. The strands were stuck together and it took three hours before they were able to figure out a way to get it apart. Then, the strand broke apart. Because of another scientist's quick thinking, they were able to trap several of the pieces for further study. After that, Carol left the experts to their work.

Richard was going over some logistical things when his assistant called him. "Sir, I have General McNeil, requesting to talk with you," he said. "Put him through." McNeil's image appeared on a screen in front of Richard. "How can I help you general?" "Nothing much. However, I just got word that you have restarted the Stealth Soldier project," said McNeil. "You don't need to worry about that," said Richard, "I'm not trying to be a threat to you or anything. However, we are just experimenting with our stealth technology. Nothing more. Though I'm not the only one that has revived old projects. I have reports that GDI is experimenting with the Chronosphere again." McNeil grunted. "Not surprised you found out. We're fine tuning it so that we don't mess with the timeline and such." "Very interesting," said Richard, "I don't consider it too much of a threat right now. By the way, how are the oceanic Tiberium harvesting going?" "We've managed to clear part of the Atlantic," answered McNeil, "However, we still have to remove the radiation." "We might be able to help with that," said Richard, "The NTTL has developed a water filter for Tiberium." "That would be greatly appreciated." Richard sent a note to Carol to send GDI the plans for the filter. There was no reason why they shouldn't share the technology. They were now allies. "Good day, General," said McNeil before he signed off. Richard pondered over the conversation. McNeil hadn't mentioned the Positron Cannon Nod was building, but he was probably seeing when Nod would announce it. As to the Stealth Soldier project, the Firestorm Taskforce probably were the ones who found out about it.

Carol was concentrating intensely. They were currently cutting a piece of green Tiberium crystal apart. Fortunately, these weren't volatile. The crystal shattered into same fragments. "Damn." They were trying to figure out a way to cut Tiberium without actually breaking the crystal. However, that was becoming tricky. Carol wiped sweat off from her forehead. She retracted the laser and activated another arm. This one held a diamond cutter. She tried on another piece. This time, she was able to make the necessary cuts and the crystal did not shatter. "Heat caused the last one to fracture," said a scientist, "We'll have to use the diamond cutters for all other attempts." Carol nodded. They were currently experimenting with ways to produce the necessary Tiberium crystals needed for the various pieces of technology Nod was currently developing. They put the one finished crystal they were able to get in a container. That container was moved to another storage facility. When they manufactured more such crystals, they would start sending them another site where the actual building and testing of Tiberium- based technology was. "Dr. Ross! You have to come see this!" Carol looked behind her. A frantic scientist was trying to get her attention. "Just a sec." She took her hands out of the controls and followed the man. He took her into the massive dome where Tiberium was actually grown. The two forced their way through the many scientists and technicians present. He pointed to one of the isolated Tiberium plants. Carol gasped. This Tiberium crystal was red. "What do we know about it?" she asked. "It contains more of that unknown element," said a scientist, "It is also very volatile. We've already done some scans. The thing grows twice as slowly as blue crystals, and has even more concentrated amounts of the elements detected in the blue crystals." "Are more growing?" asked Carol. "We detect two other sprouts," said another scientist, "They will take several hours before they actually appear." "Keep tabs on this one," she ordered. Carol then left the section. She removed the protective suit and changed back to her lab clothes. She took out her cell phone and called Richard. "Yeah?" "Richard, we have something extraordinary," said Carol in an excited voice, "We have a sample of a red Tiberium crystal." "What?" "I don't know how it's possible, but it's there. Down in the domes. I'm not sure what it means, but I think Tiberium is evolving." This only confused Richard even more. "What do you mean evolving?" "Look we've already established that Tiberium is a plant," said Carol, "By harvesting them, we are also killing them, so they start evolving very quickly. We've seen how volatile the blue Tiberium crystals are. That just means that they are trying to develop passive deterrents against us harvesting them." "That is not good," said Richard. "Of course it isn't. We have to find a way to stop them from evolving further." "I'll order more of our harvesters to concentrate on harvesting blue Tiberium," said Richard, "Take out the more advanced ones before they have a chance to evolve further." "That's a start," said Carol, "But we need to find a way to neutralize Tiberium for good." "That's your department dear." Carol smiled. "I'll get back to you when I have more information." She hanged up and continued walking back to another lab.

"General McNeil, General Conner wants to talk to you." "Put him through." "General McNeil, we might have a problem," said Richard, "Now we all know for a fact that Tiberium is a living plant. My wife has evidence to believe that the plant is evolving, becoming more volatile and dangerous to harvest." "What are you talking about?" asked McNeil. "We have a red Tiberium crystal in our labs," said Richard, "It is even more volatile than the blue crystals and I fear that more such red crystals will soon appear. I'm ordering my harvesting operations to concentrate on the blue crystals. Those are more evolved than the green ones, and they are most likely the cause of this new strain." "Damn," muttered McNeil, then in a louder voice, "We'll assist. We cannot allow Tiberium to grow uncontrolled. I'll have Dr. Boudreau sent to the NTTL with your permission to help." "That would be appreciated," said Richard, "We had better find a way out of this or we're dead." McNeil nodded. Richard then signed off.

It had been five weeks since the discover of the red Tiberium crystal. So far, no red crystals had been found in the wild, but many people considered it only a matter of time before that happened. Even more GDI scientists transferred to the NTTL since they were better equipped than GDI to actually study Tiberium. Right now, they were working on mapping the genome of the Tiberium plant. Another group was mapping the genome of the mutated cells. It was all very complicated, and not that many people were sure all of this was possible. However, everyone worked on. For some, it was dead exhausting, but the information gathered revealed much. Other projects were underway as well. The Stealth Soldiers were replacing the cyborgs. Nearly all remaining cyborgs had been destroyed, which Carol approved. Their weapons were modified and could now be used by standard infantry, but nearly everything else was destroyed. The Stealth Suits were also designed to shield their wearers from the effects of radiation. That helped greatly. "Carol, we have enough information about the mutated cells to try something," said Gabriella. "What's the thing you're going to try?" asked Carol. "Well, we're going to try to mutate the cells back to their original forms," said Gabriella, "We can create some sort of virus that attacks the DNA and destroys the affected genes. Also, we want it to be able to cause it to transform back." "Is that even possible?" "We're trying," said Gabriella, "It's not going to be easy, but we're trying." Carol nodded. Genetics wasn't her specialty. She knew more about Tiberium itself than anything else. These days, she worked with the team dissecting the Tiberium plants. They had found what created the crystals. The crystals were a waste product and a defensive mechanism. They were sharp and supposed to help deter other animals, but most Tiberian creatures had adapted to counter that. However, the volatile nature of the blue and new red crystals were more effective. Carol finished eating lunch and then went back to the dome section. She changed into another protective suit and then went back to work. They had already studied the difference between the green and blue crystal plants. The only difference was the stomach and how the nutrients and such were processed. The green Tiberium plants broke them down and reformed them into the waste products. It seemed that the actual breaking down of the minerals and nutrients supplied the plant with energy. The blue Tiberium plant actually fused the nutrients and minerals together, making them far denser. That process provided far more energy, and the crystals produced had more radiation imbedded in them and was also more volatile because of the fusing of so many different elements. The other scientists were already getting ready for dissecting the stomach. They set up the instruments and sensors, making sure everything was tuned. After that, they placed the stomach in glass case. "We're ready," said a scientist. Carol nodded. They got under way. They first cut a very small hole in the stomach and inserted a fiber optics camera inside. They watched as the camera sent back what it was seeing. "Looks like it has two chambers," said a doctor, "sensors are detecting acids and other compounds in this chamber. We can assume that this is where the materials are broken down. Lets look in the other chamber." A man typed in used the small joystick and moved the camera into the other chamber. In there they saw pieces of green crystals. There were large fragments and small fragments. After a few minutes, they had seen most of the structures and other such things of the stomach. Now they had to cut it apart. Carol made the first incision. They then pulled a piece of the skin off. After making a few more cuts, they had revealed both chambers. Two laser probes scanned the compound of the stomach. After about a half hour, they had finished. The information they gathered was sent to analysts to study and go over. Other copies were sent to the main archives as well as several backup systems. Carol was exhausted. Several of her assistants noticed it. "Doctor, you should get some rest," said one of them, "All we have left to do is some paperwork. We can handle that." Carol smiled her thanks. She went to her quarters and took a long warm bath. When she came back into the bedroom, she found that Richard was also back. "Why are you back so early?" she asked. "My staff forced me to take a break," he said, "We've been working around the clock trying to diffuse the situation with the extremist mutant faction." "Is there going to be another war?" Carol asked anxiously. "We hope not," said Richard. That did little to assure her. Saying hope not was basically saying that there was no hope. "Don't worry," said Richard, "They can't risk attacking us without making GDI turn against them." Carol smiled. That was some reassurance. GDI had too many science personnel currently working with Nod that they couldn't risk them being in danger. She then got into bed. By the time Richard had showered and got into bed she was sound asleep.

The NTTL had now committed a large container to growing the red Tiberium. They took several samples before they had started growing crystals and cut it apart. The stomach of this strain was even more complicated. It broke down the materials, fused them back together, broke them down again, and then formed them into the red crystals. "It almost seems like these things are samples of nature using nuclear power in plants," said Carol. Two scientists present nodded in agreement. They had never seen anything like this before. "What are ways to neutralize a nuclear chain reactor?" said one of the scientists, "If we can figure out that, we might have something we can use against Tiberium." "That might not be possible," said the other scientist. "We have to remove the fuel to the explosion," said Carol, "That can prevent it." "Have we tried to poison these Tiberium plants?" asked the first scientist. "You know, that might actually work," said Carol, "Providing they don't evolve further." Carol then left. She entered the main working lab. Here, the scientists worked out ideas and theories. Carol sat down at one of the supercomputers and started working. So far, nothing had seemed to actually halt Tiberium except the extreme cold. She checked several files. Tiberium growth slowed down drastically when exposed to cold climates. That might mean something. Carol checked the files on the composition of the plant. It was similar to several tropical plants. That would explain why it grew so well in the places by the equator. Of course, it still managed to adapt to the cold and grew. She jotted down a note. Perhaps if they exposed Tiberium to extreme cold, not just the bitter coldness of Siberia and Canada, it might kill it. They needed to find a way to contain Tiberium permanently. They didn't have to destroy it, but they needed to get it under control. Carol left the lab and went down to the experimentation lab. She then typed in her request. Several scientists down in the domes prepared the experiment. They took a sample of green Tiberium and placed it in a large room. They quickly turned down the temperature. The sensors and probes attached to the Tiberium showed that the level of activity within the plant was slowing. They turned it down even more. They were nearing absolute zero when the plant finally died. All activity stopped. However, this was still unconfirmed. They kept the temperature low for about three minutes. They then started turning it back up. After thirty minutes at 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the plant still remained inactive. Hopefully that meant it was dead for good. They would keep it in the room and record anything that happened. They had here potentially a way to actually neutralize large amounts of Tiberium, providing they could put this idea to actual use.

Richard was not happy. The extremist mutant faction controlled thirty percent of the mutant military forces. They had just split off from the main Forgotten network. It looked like they were about to go to war with Nod. Both the GDI and the Forgotten were denouncing the faction as dangerous and volatile. Richard quite agreed with that. However, they would attack him first, not GDI or their fellow Shiners. He had just upgraded all Nod forces to Defensive Condition 3. Anything else and he would go to 2. If the faction actually attacked him, he would declare open war with the faction. How they expected to win a war with Nod was beyond him. They did not have the resources to fight a major war, and he already knew where their main base was. Bad security on their part. Or it might be a trick, but he didn't think so. He had three ballistic missiles targeted at the location and he could fire them at a moments notice. "Sir, we're getting demands from the extremist faction that they want us to give them everything we've gathered on Tiberium and to stop what they call our abominable research," said an aide. "Tell all units to go to Defensive Condition 2," ordered Richard, "And tell that faction that we do not consider them any sort of actual government or nation. They are rebels and even their fellow mutants have denounced them, so why the hell should we acknowledge them." "My pleasure sir," said the aide. Richard smiled. It probably was. Nod didn't really like the extremist faction for a number of reasons. This might get interesting soon.

Several Nod technicians were working in the control room. On many screens were images of a massive missile. It was one of the ballistic missile targeted at the extremist main base. The silo was an underground one and a large Nod base protected it. A message was received by the communications officer. It was for the colonel in charge. "Sir, I have a message from Nod Command," he said. "Send it up here," said the colonel. "Yes sir." The colonel turned typed in her password into the computer. Her eyes went wide. They were now ordered to Defensive Condition 2. That meant that they had to get the missile to launch readiness. "Activate the missile," she ordered. That surprised the entire staff. All of them were the new breed of Nod soldiers. "I've just received orders from Command that we are at Defensive Condition 2," she explained, "It seems that the extremist mutant faction might actually start something." The technicians accepted this and went to work. If the mutants wanted a fight, they would get one.

Alarms blurred throughout the installation. All the non-combatant personnel went down to the shelters. Then, another alarm started blurring. It was a missile attack. That meant that all soldiers were also to report to their shelters. Carol was getting worried. Richard still wasn't down yet, but he probably was taking personal command of the situation. Several SAM sites appeared and took aim. A squadron of Banshee fighters appeared and started climbing. The radar officers saw a large missile approach them. However, this missile was familiar. It was a multi-projectile missile, similar to the ones that the Brotherhood used. It was aimed for the Tiberium silos. They notified the commanding officers. Those officers ordered an immediate evacuation. Several underground trains began loading the personnel. Missiles took off from the SAM sites. However, they fell short. The Banshees opened fire. However, the missile split just before their plasma blasts hit. One of the five missiles was taken out. The SAM sites opened fire again. Two more missiles were taken out. Another was taken down by a lucky shot from a Banshee. Then, the missile impacted on one of the Tiberium Silos. A small explosion ruptured the silo and caused a reaction from the Tiberium in the silo. Several officers were puzzled at why the explosion was so small. Then, they realized why. The missile was a chemical multi-projectile missile. They immediately shouted for more units to help in the evacuation. However, the gas had reached one of the shelters and several scientists and soldiers were already affected. Some fell while others tried to help each other to escape. Richard was watching all this. He recognized one of the people trying to escape. It was Carol. He ran out of the command deck and down to the lockers. He put on a protective suit, made sure it was secure, and ran out. Carol had nearly collapsed. Another scientist was helping her, but he was about to fall as well. Richard took both of them and pulled them inside. "Carol, you okay?" he was desperate. If Carol died, there was no way in hell he would let any member of the extremists survive. She was unconscious. Medical officers arrived. They took Carol down to the hospital immediately. Richard followed them, trying to make sure that Carol was still alive. Umagon watched as several people were pushed by her room down to operating rooms. She wasn't exactly sure what the commotion was about. "What is that about?" she asked. She hadn't been evacuated yet. "Mutants," the nurse said it as if it was a curse to be one of them, "They launched a chemical missile at us. A lot of our officers have been affected." Umagon was horrified. She had never expected her fellow mutants to actually use such a barbaric form of attack. "We're safe here," said the nurse, "The entire hospital is designed to prevent Tiberium gas from getting in." "I'm sorry," said Umagon. "You have no reason to be sorry," said the nurse, "You aren't responsible for this attack. However, the people who perpetrated this will suffer for it."

Richard was pacing outside the operations room. After about two hours, the doctor finally came out. "She's going to be fine," he said, "We were lucky she was only exposed for a short amount of time. Any longer, and the child would not have survived." "What!" "You didn't know? Your wife is pregnant." The only thing that kept Richard from going into a rage that the mutants had nearly killed his child was that his wife was actually pregnant. The last time they had made love was three weeks ago, so it must have been recent. "How has the child been affected?" he asked. "There was some poisoning, but everything checks out," said the doctor, "Don't worry, there are no mutations. We made sure of that. We've also administered several drugs that helps with destroying the Tiberium poison." "Thank you," said Richard, "One more thing. A boy or girl?" "Girl," said the doctor, "Congratulations general." Richard smiled in relief. However, he realized how close he had been in losing his family. He went down to the command center. He went into his office and contacted the Forgotten leadership. "I am going to launch my missiles at the renegade base," he said, "This is your last chance to tell me if that base is actually yours and not the extremists'." "That base is not ours," said the mutant leader. The other leaders nodded their agreement. "Very well," said Richard, "I appreciate your cooperation." He then went back out to the command deck. "Order the launch," he said to one of the colonels. The colonel nodded and immediately sent out the message. The three missile sites would receive them and launch their ballistic missiles to turn the mutant base to rubble.