Chapter 4
Richard could not believe what he was hearing. It seemed that Cabal had survived once again, and because Cabal had survived, that meant Kane had as well. "Do we have his location?" he asked. "Yes," said Rebecca, "However, the base is protected by a massive mutant and cyborg army. He also has Firestorm defenses and five Core Defenders. There is no way we can launch a frontal assault." "Ballistic missiles," said Richard, "Will they work?" "No," said Kristoph, "That area is filled with jamming equipment. Also, their sensors are sensitive enough that our stealth systems onboard the missiles will not help. They'll be shot down before they hit." "What about the Ion Cannon?" suggested Robert. The other generals looked at him. Robert actually had a good idea. "I'll contact McNeil," said Richard, "See what I can do. How long before our Positron Cannon is online?" "Two weeks," said Kristoph, "before it is fully installed. However, we need another month to finish with the Tiberium reactor." "Then GDI has the playing field," said Richard, "Mobilize our forces and begin attacking any renegade force we know of if it is feasible. Let's get to work." The generals got up and left. Richard went back to his office and contacted McNeil. "Yes General?" "General McNeil, I don't think we took out Cabal." "What!" "My forces have located another Cabal Core in renegade mutant territory," said Richard, "We don't have anything to attack it with, and our Positron Cannon isn't ready yet. We request that you use your Ion Cannon to take the place out." "We're going to need the exact coordinates for this," said McNeil, "This time, we're making sure that Cabal is dead." "We can't really do that," said Richard, "It might decide to slip away into some other computer. However, we can set it back again. We'll end the threat it poses towards us when we find a way to control Tiberium." "Very well," said McNeil, "We'll look into it and decide whether to use the Ion Cannon or not."
It had been two hours since the disturbing news General Conner had sent GDI. Now, the Philadelphia II was right above the coordinates. The whole area was blanketed with stealth fields, but the new advanced sensors were able to see through it all. They found Cabal's core easily. It was the largest structure, a pyramid structure. It was like the Nod Pyramid at the Cairo site, but it only had three sides and was three times as large. "There are several battalions of cyborgs," said Eva, "supported by Tick Tanks and Titans. I am also detecting a large mutant presence." "So the mutants have allied with Cabal," said McNeil, "Eva, target the area with our primary Ion Cannon. Open fire when ready." "Yes sir." The Ion Cannon opened up and took aim. It charged up and fired upon the base. A massive particle beam struck the pyramid. After the light receded, Eva showed the result. "What is this!" screamed McNeil. The rest of the command staff was stunned as well. The dirt and grass had been destroyed, as well as most of the surface structures. However, the pyramid was still intact. Beside that, the Obelisks of Light were also intact. The pyramid extended underground and was attached to a gray colored structure which ran across the area. The obelisks were also attached to the structure. "Fire again!" ordered McNeil. Two other Ion satellites in position opened fire. They hit the structure, but only made scratches. They also didn't really affect the structure. "Give me an assessment," said McNeil. "The entire mountain area was decimated and destroyed," said Eva, "There aren't any mountains left actually. However, the structure has not been damaged." "What about the defenses?" asked McNeil, "What is the status of the air and land defenses?" "The surface SAM sites have all been destroyed," said Eva, "as have the ones in the mountains. However, I am detecting other SAM sites under the structure. All of the laser defenses are still online. Also, the Core Defenders are still online. The surface military forces are also destroyed." "Can your sensors penetrate the armor of the structure?" asked McNeil. "No. General, I have General Conner wanting to talk with you." "Put him through," ordered McNeil. Richard appeared with his command center behind him. "What the hell is that!" he said. "We have no idea," said McNeil, "Try launching your ballistic missiles." "Won't do a thing," said Richard, "They aren't more powerful than your Ion Cannons. If they didn't work, then our missiles won't do much either." "We can try sending soldiers in," suggested McNeil. "Are the air defenses all taken out?" asked Richard. "No," said McNeil, "However, the fact is that their air defenses are hidden under the armor of the structure." "We can dig our way to their base," said Richard, "but how do we deal with their Obelisks?" "A joint operation," said McNeil, "However, we'll need some time to plan it." "The Philadelphia is better equipped to deal with these kind of battles," said Richard, "As is the Kodiak II. Mind if I join you up there?" "Actually trust us?" "This is about Cabal," said Richard. McNeil nodded. "Very well. We'll use the Kodiak II as our mobile command center. You have control over it. The terms are that you can bring some technicians on, but my officers control weapons and navigation." "Fine by me," said Richard.
Richard boarded the Kodiak with ten officers and five technicians. They took off. Two Nod divisions were moving in. Nod had already fired dozens of EMP Cannons at the Obelisks and hoped they were disabled. Actually, they had saturated the entire area with EMPs. Now, they just needed to see if that did anything. GDI Orca Bombers were moving in to attack the surface. Their primary targets would be the Obelisks and any air defenses GDI had detected. Phantom Fighters would support them. Banshee Bombers and Fighters would also assist. After twenty minutes of pounding the area, they hoped that the defenses were somewhat neutralized. Three Obelisks had destroyed but the other seventeen were still there. Subterranean APCs appeared and unloaded their soldiers. These were all Nod Stealth Soldiers. They quickly placed C-5 charges on the remaining Obelisks and blew them. They were able to take out two more. They moved in towards the pyramid. GDI Dropships appeared and landed. Titans and Disrupter Tanks appeared. The Disrupters took position by the Obelisks, ready to start blasting once they activated. It wasn't long. A few minutes after the Titans had all appeared the Obelisks started firing. The Disrupters opened fire but they were blasted as well. The Titans opened fire and a total of five more Obelisks were destroyed before they stopped firing. GDI reinforcements arrived. Forgotten soldiers also came. Several Ghost Stalkers were with them. They fired on the Obelisks. It took twenty more minutes to destroy the last of the Obelisks. GDI infantry moved in. They followed the Stealth Soldiers and mutant soldiers down. The massive circular chamber, which troops entered when they first went into the ship, was like nothing they had ever seen before. Eight large columns supported the chamber. A squad of GDI troops entered the chamber from outside. Suddenly, laser defenses activated. The soldiers present in the room opened fire. However, their rifles were of no affect. Then, twenty Nod soldiers rushed in. They were equipped with railguns and opened fire. The lasers were taken out. The lead Stealth soldiers soon ran into five Cyborg Commandos. There was a fierce firefight for several minutes before they were destroyed. Three Stealth Soldiers lay dead. Mutant forces started upward with GDI troops in toll. They ran into fellow mutants but didn't hesitate to open fire. They kept fighting their way upwards. Suddenly, they ran into defenses. Several small laser cannons appeared and opened fire. The leading mutants were cut down. The soldiers behind them opened fire, but the lasers were too well armored. Three Nod Rocket Soldiers were present and went up. They opened fire and took out the lasers. The force proceeded. More GDI Dropships arrived. This time, they disgorged Tactical Wolverines and Titans. It seemed that the Firestorm Taskforce would handle this one. Then, the Dragon, the command ship of the Firestorm Taskforce, came into sight. Several SAM sites appeared and opened fire, but the shields of the Dragon absorbed them. The ground troops immediately opened fire and took out the SAM sites that had appeared.
Carol was tired. They had finally found the basic genetic keys to the Tiberium plant. Using that, they had developed a virus that was harmful to all Tiberium based life forms. So far, they had tests on the Tiberium plant, Fiend, vein creature, and Visceroid. The life forms had all died. Another department was working on a virus that would mutate the infected cells back to their original forms. They had just tested it on several patients, and things looked good. Some final adjustments were being made and a few more tests were being run, but soon they would be able to mass- produce the vaccine and the virus. They had found a way to defeat Tiberium.
More and more troops poured into the structure. They were meeting more and more stiff resistance. They had found several rooms where strange silos stored Tiberium. GDI had established a base at the site and was bringing more troops in. Nod had also sent in more troops. They kept going in. Suddenly, twenty Core Defenders appeared. The GDI commander swore, knowing that his troops would most likely not be able to defeat them. The Tactical Titans opened fire with everything they had. The Wolverines ran closer and opened fire. Inside the structure, cyborgs like nothing anyone had ever seen before appeared. They were as big as Cyborg Commandos, but were faster, tougher, and almost impossible to kill. They started driving out the Nod, GDI, and Forgotten forces. One of the Core Defenders finally fell. GDI had already lost twenty Wolverines and twelve Titans. That was when the commander saw that their troops were running out of the structure. He signaled a retreat. Nod Subterranean APCs loaded as many soldiers in as possible, GDI Dropships landed and took up the armored units and soldiers, and GDI APCs loaded up more troops and started to run. The mysterious cyborg units started coming out. They opened fire on the last few soldiers trying to escape, killing most of them. The mutants had already disappeared. After the alliance forces had left, the Philadelphia opened fire with their primary Ion Cannon. Most of the cyborg units were destroyed, as were two other Core Defenders. However, the structure was still not damaged.
Richard could not believe what he was hearing. It seemed that Cabal had survived once again, and because Cabal had survived, that meant Kane had as well. "Do we have his location?" he asked. "Yes," said Rebecca, "However, the base is protected by a massive mutant and cyborg army. He also has Firestorm defenses and five Core Defenders. There is no way we can launch a frontal assault." "Ballistic missiles," said Richard, "Will they work?" "No," said Kristoph, "That area is filled with jamming equipment. Also, their sensors are sensitive enough that our stealth systems onboard the missiles will not help. They'll be shot down before they hit." "What about the Ion Cannon?" suggested Robert. The other generals looked at him. Robert actually had a good idea. "I'll contact McNeil," said Richard, "See what I can do. How long before our Positron Cannon is online?" "Two weeks," said Kristoph, "before it is fully installed. However, we need another month to finish with the Tiberium reactor." "Then GDI has the playing field," said Richard, "Mobilize our forces and begin attacking any renegade force we know of if it is feasible. Let's get to work." The generals got up and left. Richard went back to his office and contacted McNeil. "Yes General?" "General McNeil, I don't think we took out Cabal." "What!" "My forces have located another Cabal Core in renegade mutant territory," said Richard, "We don't have anything to attack it with, and our Positron Cannon isn't ready yet. We request that you use your Ion Cannon to take the place out." "We're going to need the exact coordinates for this," said McNeil, "This time, we're making sure that Cabal is dead." "We can't really do that," said Richard, "It might decide to slip away into some other computer. However, we can set it back again. We'll end the threat it poses towards us when we find a way to control Tiberium." "Very well," said McNeil, "We'll look into it and decide whether to use the Ion Cannon or not."
It had been two hours since the disturbing news General Conner had sent GDI. Now, the Philadelphia II was right above the coordinates. The whole area was blanketed with stealth fields, but the new advanced sensors were able to see through it all. They found Cabal's core easily. It was the largest structure, a pyramid structure. It was like the Nod Pyramid at the Cairo site, but it only had three sides and was three times as large. "There are several battalions of cyborgs," said Eva, "supported by Tick Tanks and Titans. I am also detecting a large mutant presence." "So the mutants have allied with Cabal," said McNeil, "Eva, target the area with our primary Ion Cannon. Open fire when ready." "Yes sir." The Ion Cannon opened up and took aim. It charged up and fired upon the base. A massive particle beam struck the pyramid. After the light receded, Eva showed the result. "What is this!" screamed McNeil. The rest of the command staff was stunned as well. The dirt and grass had been destroyed, as well as most of the surface structures. However, the pyramid was still intact. Beside that, the Obelisks of Light were also intact. The pyramid extended underground and was attached to a gray colored structure which ran across the area. The obelisks were also attached to the structure. "Fire again!" ordered McNeil. Two other Ion satellites in position opened fire. They hit the structure, but only made scratches. They also didn't really affect the structure. "Give me an assessment," said McNeil. "The entire mountain area was decimated and destroyed," said Eva, "There aren't any mountains left actually. However, the structure has not been damaged." "What about the defenses?" asked McNeil, "What is the status of the air and land defenses?" "The surface SAM sites have all been destroyed," said Eva, "as have the ones in the mountains. However, I am detecting other SAM sites under the structure. All of the laser defenses are still online. Also, the Core Defenders are still online. The surface military forces are also destroyed." "Can your sensors penetrate the armor of the structure?" asked McNeil. "No. General, I have General Conner wanting to talk with you." "Put him through," ordered McNeil. Richard appeared with his command center behind him. "What the hell is that!" he said. "We have no idea," said McNeil, "Try launching your ballistic missiles." "Won't do a thing," said Richard, "They aren't more powerful than your Ion Cannons. If they didn't work, then our missiles won't do much either." "We can try sending soldiers in," suggested McNeil. "Are the air defenses all taken out?" asked Richard. "No," said McNeil, "However, the fact is that their air defenses are hidden under the armor of the structure." "We can dig our way to their base," said Richard, "but how do we deal with their Obelisks?" "A joint operation," said McNeil, "However, we'll need some time to plan it." "The Philadelphia is better equipped to deal with these kind of battles," said Richard, "As is the Kodiak II. Mind if I join you up there?" "Actually trust us?" "This is about Cabal," said Richard. McNeil nodded. "Very well. We'll use the Kodiak II as our mobile command center. You have control over it. The terms are that you can bring some technicians on, but my officers control weapons and navigation." "Fine by me," said Richard.
Richard boarded the Kodiak with ten officers and five technicians. They took off. Two Nod divisions were moving in. Nod had already fired dozens of EMP Cannons at the Obelisks and hoped they were disabled. Actually, they had saturated the entire area with EMPs. Now, they just needed to see if that did anything. GDI Orca Bombers were moving in to attack the surface. Their primary targets would be the Obelisks and any air defenses GDI had detected. Phantom Fighters would support them. Banshee Bombers and Fighters would also assist. After twenty minutes of pounding the area, they hoped that the defenses were somewhat neutralized. Three Obelisks had destroyed but the other seventeen were still there. Subterranean APCs appeared and unloaded their soldiers. These were all Nod Stealth Soldiers. They quickly placed C-5 charges on the remaining Obelisks and blew them. They were able to take out two more. They moved in towards the pyramid. GDI Dropships appeared and landed. Titans and Disrupter Tanks appeared. The Disrupters took position by the Obelisks, ready to start blasting once they activated. It wasn't long. A few minutes after the Titans had all appeared the Obelisks started firing. The Disrupters opened fire but they were blasted as well. The Titans opened fire and a total of five more Obelisks were destroyed before they stopped firing. GDI reinforcements arrived. Forgotten soldiers also came. Several Ghost Stalkers were with them. They fired on the Obelisks. It took twenty more minutes to destroy the last of the Obelisks. GDI infantry moved in. They followed the Stealth Soldiers and mutant soldiers down. The massive circular chamber, which troops entered when they first went into the ship, was like nothing they had ever seen before. Eight large columns supported the chamber. A squad of GDI troops entered the chamber from outside. Suddenly, laser defenses activated. The soldiers present in the room opened fire. However, their rifles were of no affect. Then, twenty Nod soldiers rushed in. They were equipped with railguns and opened fire. The lasers were taken out. The lead Stealth soldiers soon ran into five Cyborg Commandos. There was a fierce firefight for several minutes before they were destroyed. Three Stealth Soldiers lay dead. Mutant forces started upward with GDI troops in toll. They ran into fellow mutants but didn't hesitate to open fire. They kept fighting their way upwards. Suddenly, they ran into defenses. Several small laser cannons appeared and opened fire. The leading mutants were cut down. The soldiers behind them opened fire, but the lasers were too well armored. Three Nod Rocket Soldiers were present and went up. They opened fire and took out the lasers. The force proceeded. More GDI Dropships arrived. This time, they disgorged Tactical Wolverines and Titans. It seemed that the Firestorm Taskforce would handle this one. Then, the Dragon, the command ship of the Firestorm Taskforce, came into sight. Several SAM sites appeared and opened fire, but the shields of the Dragon absorbed them. The ground troops immediately opened fire and took out the SAM sites that had appeared.
Carol was tired. They had finally found the basic genetic keys to the Tiberium plant. Using that, they had developed a virus that was harmful to all Tiberium based life forms. So far, they had tests on the Tiberium plant, Fiend, vein creature, and Visceroid. The life forms had all died. Another department was working on a virus that would mutate the infected cells back to their original forms. They had just tested it on several patients, and things looked good. Some final adjustments were being made and a few more tests were being run, but soon they would be able to mass- produce the vaccine and the virus. They had found a way to defeat Tiberium.
More and more troops poured into the structure. They were meeting more and more stiff resistance. They had found several rooms where strange silos stored Tiberium. GDI had established a base at the site and was bringing more troops in. Nod had also sent in more troops. They kept going in. Suddenly, twenty Core Defenders appeared. The GDI commander swore, knowing that his troops would most likely not be able to defeat them. The Tactical Titans opened fire with everything they had. The Wolverines ran closer and opened fire. Inside the structure, cyborgs like nothing anyone had ever seen before appeared. They were as big as Cyborg Commandos, but were faster, tougher, and almost impossible to kill. They started driving out the Nod, GDI, and Forgotten forces. One of the Core Defenders finally fell. GDI had already lost twenty Wolverines and twelve Titans. That was when the commander saw that their troops were running out of the structure. He signaled a retreat. Nod Subterranean APCs loaded as many soldiers in as possible, GDI Dropships landed and took up the armored units and soldiers, and GDI APCs loaded up more troops and started to run. The mysterious cyborg units started coming out. They opened fire on the last few soldiers trying to escape, killing most of them. The mutants had already disappeared. After the alliance forces had left, the Philadelphia opened fire with their primary Ion Cannon. Most of the cyborg units were destroyed, as were two other Core Defenders. However, the structure was still not damaged.
