Chapter 2
"GDI views Nod as a dangerous, virulent, and inexplicably self-sustaining terrorist group obsessed with accelerating the worst ecological catastrophe in history, led by a charismatic and brilliant sociopath named Kane. The Brotherhood sees itself quite differently. Nod believes that it is the agent of change for a world in the throes of transition to a New Order, the representative of the poor and the oppressed, and a foil to the previously unchecked power of GDI.
Nod has the people, resources, organisation, and raw military power necessary to stand against GDI and wage war on a global scale. Yet the Brotherhood of Nod isn't a country: it's a strange new hybrid organisation that has the combined characteristics of a religious movement, a multinational corporation, and a nation-state. Given the awesome demands of modern warfare, with its terrible cost and vast scale, Nod's ability to go toe-to-toe with GDI is astonishing.
Nod is able to recruit thousands of new members every month from the desperate populations of the borderlands. Their political, military, and logistical operations are decentralised and buried deep inside the crumbling cities, towns, and outposts in the decaying Yellow Zones. A vast and sophisticated infrastructure is disguised from GDI, and Nod has perfected the art of moving military assets and forces quickly over long distances without detection, even by satellite or drone aircraft with the latest generation sensors.
Nod's core organisation is very sophisticated and high-tech, but they also have a large guerilla force composed of hastily trained and minimally equipped recruits from the Yellow Zones. Nod's field forces are an interesting mix of low tech "militia" troops and similar numbers of highly trained, elite soldiers equipped with state of the art communications gear and the most advanced weapon systems available.
Nod's military assets are experimental and exotic in both appearance and function, but the durability of their units is suspect. Nod engineers are not afraid to risk human life and will often sacrifice safety and protection for increased ability and speed. Their high-end military hardware runs on Tiberium and tends to be fast but vulnerable, lethal but unstable. Nod offensive weapons deployed in vehicles range from rockets, machine guns, and flamethrowers to toxins, lasers, and nuclear weapons. They also have a number of Tiberium-based weapons." -Intel Database: About the Brotherhood of Nod.
Sarajevo
Yellow Zone Y-1
June 15th, 2047
0700
Fifty years ago, the city of Sarajevo and the Brotherhood's Temple Prime, had been destroyed during the First Tiberium War. GDI had unleashed the fearsome power of their Ion Cannon, and left nothing but a massive crater in it's wake.
But now, within that same crater, Temple Prime had been rebuilt, and the city of Sarajevo was a sprawling metropolis once more. It was the capital of the Nod government, the heart of the Nod religion, and the epicentre for Nod pilgrims and businesses alike. It was their home, and it was being transformed into a fortress for the coming crusade.
Karsten Malich had been to many places during his life. He had seen many things during the Second Tiberium War, and the subsequent Second Reunification War. But the sight of Temple Prime truly took his breath away, as he stood by the massive ebony doors. Black Hand elite guards opened the door to allow him entrance, and Malich bowed ceremoniously as he passed through the threshold. Inside, magistrates in flowing robes and confessors with their conical helmets walked to and fro.
Malich made his way through the vaunted halls, taking in the sights like some overzealous acolyte. He passed by many rooms of various functions and stared in wonder at the stained glass windows. However, distracted as he was, he nearly collided with a soldier in full battle harness.
"Forgive me, Brother, I was not watching my footing." Malich awkwardly apologized, not used to using such overly formal speech.
"Please, it was my error, Brother-Commander." The man hastily said.
"Perhaps you can aid me? I was summoned by General Qatar, and ordered to meet her in the grand hall. Can you direct me?"
"General Qatar? She is performing a sermon for new initiates, so the grand hall is currently closed. Curious, but I do not question orders. Continue down the hall, and you shall see it when you find the ornate door."
"Much appreciated, Brother. One vision."
"One purpose." The man finished before walking away.
Malich continued his trek through the temple, again enthralled by its beauty. He eventually came upon the ornate doors the man had spoken off. A large metal portal made into the triangular shape of the Nod sigil, adorned with a ruby scorpion's tail. The door slid open on its own as Malich came close, and a faint red mist rolled out. Malich entered into the darkened grand hall, and made his way towards chest high obelisks, their red light providing the only illumination.
Malich was momentarily distracted by the streams of data that played over the obelisks, as a great and terrible voice boomed out, from behind the obelisks.
"And he cried out in a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come forth! And Lazarus did arise from the grave.'"
Malich immediately fell to his knees, shaking in both fear and religious euphoria. It wasn't possible; it shouldn't have been possible! But there He was, bathed in soft red light, arms spread in a welcoming embrace. Bald head and meticulously trimmed goatee framing the dark and wondrous eyes.
For standing before Malich, was the Messiah himself, founder and ruler of the Brotherhood, shepherd to all mankind: Kane.
Kane gestured for Malich to stand, and he did so shakily. Kane offered a warm smile, as he continued speaking.
"Greetings, my son. I apologize for the deception, but it was I who called for you."
"I am at your disposal, sire! How…how may I be of service?"
Malich had, in all honesty, never been a true believer of the faith, merely a soldier of Nod. But to be in the presence of Kane himself, to know the Messiah had risen from the grave, and summoned him personally? It was too much for any man to bear.
"I have always believed that faith was measured in deeds, not words." Kane began, as he moved through the darkness with ease. "And while my children worshipped my name, their deeds betrayed them. But you, my son, your faith never wavered. Not in Honduras or Jericho, or in the great Rio Insurrection. You risked your life countless times to topple GDI, to perpetuate our cause… to honor my name."
"I live to serve the Brotherhood, your Grace." Malich stated proudly.
"I know you do, thus why I summon you. A great crusade is about to begin, the final crusade. After decades of war we shall at last defeat GDI and bring about Ascension. Prophecy shall come to pass."
Kane smiled and Malich felt a shiver run down his spine. Could it be true? After decades of struggle and war, could this really be the final conflict? Malich almost felt like falling to his knees again. To be so honored as to be chosen by Kane himself for such a holy jihad.
"What would you have me do?" Malich finally asked.
Kane again smiled as they reached a desk in the center of the great hall, the very desk that Kane ruled the Brotherhood from. It was magnificent, even shrouded in the darkness of the unlit chamber.
"I have seen that GDI has grown vulnerable, bloated by arrogance and complacency. Now is the time to strike! While they congratulate themselves on Tiberium advancements Nod made decades ago, we will expose their weaknesses for all the world to see!"
Kane's calm tone was suddenly changed to one of fiery passion, and it was infectious.
"Wherever you send me, I shall see the infidels crushed by your might!" Malich exclaimed.
"Good, Brother, good. For you will strike at the very infested wound that shall be our enemy's downfall. Our Brothers are already in position in the United States, ready for the operation. You shall meet one of my agents, Ajay. Like you, his faith is unquestioned. Your task is to destroy Goddard Space Center, and more importantly, the ASAT control center. Afterword's, GDI will be vulnerable to my wrath."
"Striking the heart of one of GDI's blue zones? That is certainly risky." Malich said casually, before catching his mistake. "Err…I mean-"
Kane gave a soft chuckle, as a father would while teaching their child.
"You are correct, Karsten, but I trust in your abilities. Go, bring glory to the Brotherhood of Nod. Set in motion the Third Tiberium War."
Malich bowed his head, and hastily retreated out of the grand hall. When the doors closed behind him, he breathed heavily, still in awe over what had transpired. After a moment, he noticed the man from earlier approach him. He stood up and frowned, curious as to the stranger's smug look.
"Come, Brother. Our plane awaits."
"Wait, did you know?"
"I did. Kane has placed great faith in you, but it is not time to reveal himself to the world. I am Major Mael Radec, and I shall be your majordomo. We must make haste, for Kane has us on a strict time table."
"Very well, Brother Radec, lead on."
Malich followed Radec out of the temple. Now he walked with even greater pride, knowing he had been trusted with such a monumental task. Now he could inscribe his place in the histories of Nod's heroes, alongside Saint Gabriel Artellos, and the Great Uniter Anton Slavik.
Glory awaited.
… … …
Goddard Space Center
B-2
June 15th, 2047
1400
GDI had long held total air superiority. With satellites in Earth's orbit, and fleets of aircraft carriers controlling the seas, Nod could not hope to match GDI in the air. But it was ironically this same superiority that allowed Nod to move around the globe via sea and air. With so many civilian jets, military transports, and space shuttles clogging the skies, it was easy for a Nod jet to fly by unnoticed.
By the time Malich's flight was halfway over the Atlantic, the plane was already registered and marked as a simple civilian passenger plane, designated for landing in B-2. From there, it was a simple drive out to the hidden Nod base camp located just outside of Goddard, where Malich's warriors awaited him.
Radec departed to ready the Shadow Teams and saboteurs that would carry out the mission, while Malich made his way to the large command tent where he could oversee the operation. He sat down at a fold out table, and activated a holographic display of the space center. He had gone over the plan countless times on the plane ride from Y-1. It was a risky plan that would require precise timing, and a fair bit of luck - or faith - to pull off.
As Malich was deep in thought, the flap to the tent opened, and a man walked in. He was dressed in light recon armor, and had long sandy blond hair. He sat down across from Malich, and gave a smug smile.
"So, you're the one everyone's talking about: the Legendary Insurgent." The man spoke with an Australian accent.
Malich returned with his own self-assured smile, taking pride in the title he had earned long ago.
"And you must be Ajay. Kane informed me of your aid." Malich said in response.
"Yup, that's me. I'm just a lowly messenger of His Will. Anyways, I hope you're as good as they say you are, Commander. 'Cause we're throwing you right into the frying pan."
Ajay typed away on his wrist mounted tacpad, and the screen behind him lit up with the tactical data of Goddard, along with live drone feeds. The place was built like a fortress, and rightfully so, as it contained GDI's ASAT control center, plus numerous shuttle launch facilities. Oh how Malich would love to fly one up to the Philadelphia, and slaughter the fascist overlords.
"Priority one is gonna be the comms building. I already got a team en route, they'll get inside and cut the communications. That will buy us enough time to complete the op, before GDI reinforcements arrive. Your man, Major Radec, has already hand picked the team." Ajay continued.
"Excellent, but what about the defences? How do we get to the actual ASAT building?"
"We'll deploy Black Hand strike teams. They'll fight their way to the power plants, here. Once the power's cut, Shadows will swoop in, and finish the job. At least, that's the plan on paper. You'rethe one who's gonna pull off this caper."
"It should be easier than igniting a Zone-wide riot." Malich chuckled. "But I wonder, what does Kane have planned after this? What target does he intend to strike? He stated something to me about 'starting the Third Tiberium War.'"
"Well, I wish I could tell what Kane has planned, but then I'd have to kill you. Just kidding, but seriously, I envy you Brother. The world's about to change, and you're going to be in the thick of it. It's a glorious time to be Nod."
"That it is, Brother, that it is. Let us bring Kane's fury to the infidels."
… … …
Malakai Zemerik pulled the HEMTT up to the gates of Goddard space center. Two Guardian fixed anti-vehicle turrets immediately targeted his vehicle, as GDI soldiers circled around. Zemerik kept a relaxed posture, as he waited for the officer to approach the driver side door.
"Evening, LT." Zemerik greeted casually, as he handed over the tablet.
"Evening, Sergeant. Comms gear, eh? Bring us a new T.V.? The one in the communal hall is a piece of shit."
"Sorry, sir. I'm just the delivery boy."
"Fuckers always buy the cheap shit. Private! Any Tib' rock?"
"Negative, Lieutenant, truck's clean."
"Alright, Sergeant, I won't keep you."
Zemerik nodded to the Lieutenant, and drove the truck through the gate, maneuvering the cumbersome vehicle towards the communications building.
It felt odd, being back in a Blue Zone. He hadn't been in one since, well, before there were even colored zones. He remembered vaguely about his time in training, before the Second War, before…
Zemerik pulled the truck over, as another group of soldiers approached, only this time they came to help offload the supplies. Zemerik left his two compatriots who had driven in with him, to go into the comms building itself. The paperwork demanded a list of signatures, and Zemerik didn't look forward to hunting down several different officers to confirm he had delivered the goods.
He was escorted into the main control room by a rather bored looking private, then pointed towards the commanding officer. It was a rather attractive looking woman with captain's pins, and Zemerik snapped a salute.
"Ma'am, I'm Sergeant Zemerik. Sorry to bother you, but I need your signature for this paperwork."
"Have Lieutenant Hakim sign it."
"Already did, ma'am. Still need your signature."
"Talk to Engineer Larsson then."
"Again, already did ma'am. Apologies, but it's procedure."
The Captain sighed as she snatched the tablet from Zemerik.
"Damn pencil pushers. I swear, soon I'll have to sign a form every time someone takes a shit."
The Captain shoved the tablet back into Zemerik's hand, then immediately ignored his presence as she turned back to what she was doing. Zemerik just smiled as he turned to walk away, barely noticing the sound of silenced pistols going off and bodies dropping to the floor, as the cloaked saboteurs went to work.
He walked back outside towards the HEMTT, just in time to see his brothers finish loading the dead bodies of the soldiers into the back of the truck. They nodded at him, and he smiled back, as he produced a hidden and archaic handheld radio.
"The pig pen is dark. Send in the butchers."
Zemerik discarded the radio, and reached into the HEMT for his hidden weapon. He quickly loaded his modified GD1 rifle, and stood by as they waited for their reinforcements.
"These infidels are weak and complacent. I hunger for a true test of strength." One of Zemerik's men commented.
"Soon, Brother. After today, we shall slaughter each and every fascist oppressor there is." Zemerik replied calmly.
"Of course, Brother Templar."
Zemerik, Templar of the Brotherhood of Nod, life long devoted servant of the Messiah, smiled in growing anticipation. It wouldn't be long for GDI to notice the comms blackout, so they would need to move quickly.
Another GDI soldier suddenly appeared, he was walking towards them, waving an unlit cigarette in his hand.
"Hey! One of you guys got a lighter? Mine fucking crapped out on me."
One of Zemerik's men went to reach for their lighter, but the action proved unnecessary, as the very ground gave way beneath the GDI soldier's feet. The soldier was lost in the churning rock and concrete, as three Subterranean APCs burst forth from underground. Before the carriers had fully settled, their ramps lowered and Nod soldiers and Black Hand elites came rushing out.
Zemerik and his two men switched on tiny transmitters hidden under their GDI uniforms, to indicate they were fellow warriors of Nod. Then, they charged in with the rest of the force, eager to spill infidel blood.
Just as Zemerik had done during the last war.
… … …
Malich sat in the command tent, orchestrating the battle as both Ajay and Radec sat nearby. They were busy coordinating the eventual extraction, and keeping an eye for any GDI reinforcements. That left Malich alone to his own devices, as he watched his men storm the space center.
Taking the comms building had been painfully easy, and now his warriors were tearing through the facility with little resistance, as GDI struggled to respond.
Complacent and bloated pigs, Malich thought to himself.
So far the only resistance his men had encountered was from security personnel guarding the various office buildings. There had been no sign of the local garrison, yet.
The Nod strike force was quickly moving past the office buildings, with a few squads breaking off to go inside. Their mission was to cause as much chaos and destruction as possible. The others continued towards the power plants, nestled within a jungle of giant metal scaffolding used for the shuttle launches.
"Fuckers!" Ajay suddenly blurted.
"What is it?" Malich asked quickly.
"Bastards got a signal out. A lot faster than we anticipated. Local GDI base is sending a response unit."
"How much time?"
"About, twenty minutes."
"Excellent, plenty of time then." Malich remarked confidently.
"Don't get overconfident, Commander. This mission is of vital importance to Kane." Radec chided.
"Don't worry, Brother-Major. Have those Shadows ready to deploy, the power will fall shortly."
Malich turned his attention back to the holographic display, and issued the warning to his squad leaders. In truth, he was worried about GDI aircraft swooping in and annihilating his troops, but he had confidence they would succeed. They had to, for Malich feared failing Kane more than he feared GDI.
"Goddard garrison is responding. Infantry units and Pitbulls are moving to engage our forces. More foot mobiles are converging on the comms building, but the saboteurs are holding it down." Radec reported.
"What I'd give for some Flame Tanks." Malich mused. "Alright, order the saboteurs to fall back, their mission is complete. We must take down those power plants."
Radec nodded as he moved to coordinate with the men inside the enemy comms building. Malich issued several more orders to his men, and watched with cold detachment. But silently, he willed his men to move faster.
… … …
Zemerik cursed as he ducked back into cover, as more of his Brothers and Sisters died around him. They had moved so effortlessly through the facility, only to now be pinned by enemy Watch Towers. The heavy Vulcan cannons were chewing apart the Nod strike forces, and GDI troops were hounding them from the rear.
"May this blessed soul find peace, in Ascension." The squad Confessor intoned, over the body of a fallen warrior.
"Confessor, I know your work is holy indeed, but we need every gun in this fight!" Zemerik growled.
"Would you have our Brothers' souls not be allowed into Ascension!?" Confessor Kumar argued.
"I'd rather we not all die!" Zemerik bit back.
A burst of heavy calibre rounds chewing up the concrete around them seemed to convince Confessor Kumar, as he grabbed his LMG and began firing on the infidel soldiers.
However, with those heavy turrets still in place, there would be no way to advance. Zemerik needed to find a solution, and fast.
"Sergeant Akinjide! I need you to take our men up the launch platform! Use the RPGs to take out those damned turrets!" Zemerik ordered.
The dark skinned man merely nodded in response, before taking the two other members of Zemerik's squad with him. Zemerik watched the Sergeant sneak the squad past the battle, an impressive feat given the size of one of their squadmates: Private Jörmungandr.
As his squad made their way up the launch gantries, Zemerik and Kumar continued to trade fire with the GDI forces. The Watch Towers continued to keep the Nod force pinned, and the mission timer was running down quickly.
"Kane preserve us." Zemerik whispered.
Zemerik fired burst after burst, ducking down to reload or avoid having his head eviscerated by enemy fire. After killing a GDI grenadier, his worse nightmare soon manifested, but it was Confessor Kumar who shouted the warning.
"Zone Trooper! Focus fire!"
The hulking powered armour soldier strode to the front of the GDI line. His zone armor easily deflecting the bullets thrown at him, as the enemy soldier leveled his portable rail gun. The Zone Trooper fired, turning a Black Hand warrior into a pink mist. Zemerik snarled a promise of redemption, as he fired on full auto at the Zone Trooper. But the bullets did nothing, and the enemy fired again, instantly killing another soldier of Nod.
"Damnation! Cover me Confessor!" Zemerik barked.
Before Kumar could object, Zemerik darted out of cover. Kumar reacted quickly, laying down suppressive fire with his LMG. Zemerik soon found himself in the Zone Trooper's crossbars, but the hailstorm of bullets knocked him off balance, long enough for Zemerik to toss a grenade.
The explosion sent the Zone Trooper stumbling backwards, but the enemy managed to retain his footing. However, as he tried to bring his rail gun back up, Zemerik noticed the huge gaping hole in the chest plate, and fired a single burst through it. The Zone Trooper toppled forward like a fallen tree, and crashed with essentially the same force. Zemerik didn't relish in his victory for long, as he ran back for cover.
"Kane truly looks over you, Brother-Templar." Kumar breathed.
"He watches over all of us." Zemerik replied back, his own voice shaking from adrenaline.
The death of the Zone Trooper did little to dampen the enemy's resolve. GDI soldiers continued to push the Nod forces back while reinforcements arriving via Pitbulls and armored vans began hitting them from the rear.
But as things began to seem hopeless, one of the Watch Towers abruptly exploded. The Vulcan Cannon fell from its perch, crashing to the ground with a great sound. Another RPG impacted the second tower, and more metal debris rained down upon the enemy.
"Forward Brothers! Slaughter the infidels!" Commanded Malich ordered.
Zemerik and Kumar charged forward with the others, happily slaughtering the GDI soldiers. Without the heavy support of the turrets, the enemy could no longer hold back the tide of righteous Nod crusaders. Soon, Akinjide and the others joined them, charging forward with weapons blazing.
Zemerik ordered his squad into cover behind a series of civilian vehicles. They opened fire on the GDI soldiers desperately trying to defend the power plants. Already, teams of Nod saboteurs were trying to get inside.
"Defend our Brothers! Smite the enemy!" Zemerik called out.
He fired a burst at a GDI grenadier, filling the man with lead. The others fired on enemy riflemen, sending them crashing to the ground or fleeing into cover.
"Contacts! To our 8 o'clock!" Akinjide suddenly warned.
Zemerik turned to face the new threat, and grimaced at what he saw. A whole GDI platoon had arrived from somewhere deeper in the complex, and they were accompanied by an old Mark 1 Wolverine combat walker. The walker's heavy Vulcan guns could easily chew apart the Nod warriors.
"Jörm, load up that RPG and take out the Wolverine." Zemerik ordered.
"Got it!" The big man replied.
"Kumar, Roake, keep helping the saboteurs. They must reach the power plants. Sergeant, you and I shall make an opening for Jörm."
"Understood, Templar Zemerik." Akinjide stated.
Zemerik's squad worked efficiently and ruthlessly. Between Kumar's LMG and Roake's rifle, they managed to keep the enemy defenders pinned, along with the other Nod squads. Soon the saboteurs made it inside the power plants, it would be mere minutes before Goddard would be powerless.
But Zemerik had to refocus his attention, as the GDI reinforcements were pushing hard now. He and Akinjide fired on the enemy, killing several enemies before they returned fire. However, Zemerik did not flinch: he kept firing, keeping the focus on him while Jörmungandr readied the rocket launcher.
"Rocket!" Jörm cried out, as he let loose the missile.
Zemerik fired one final burst, before ducking to reload. But through the windows of the car, he could see the Wolverine take a direct hit. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to destroy it outright, and now it began spooling up its guns.
"Jörm, load another! Sergeant, keep them pinned!" Zemerik called out.
But before anyone could do anything, the Wolverine opened fire. Zemerik's squad tossed themselves onto the ground, as the bullets scythed through the cars like a hot knife through butter. Sparks and shards of metal rained down on Zemerik and his men, as the Wolverine now turned to find new prey.
"Jörm, end this fucker! Everyone else, covering fire!"
Zemerik stood up and fired in a wild spray, unleashing his hatred through the righteous bullets of his weapon. Akinjide and the others added their fire, and the GDI soldiers were caught by the hailstorm. However, the enemy stood their ground and fired back, and a few bullets punched into Zemerik's armor, not enough to break through, but enough to knock the wind out of him.
"Rocket!" Jörm called out again.
This time Zemerik watched the missile streak past the GDI soldiers, and again impact the Wolverine dead center. The walker exploded like a tin can, and black smoke spewed from the gaping wound. Jörm quickly discarded the RPG for his rifle, and joined the squad in cutting down the GDI infidels. More enemy forces kept arriving, but it was too late as Zemerik smiled at the sweet news that played over the radio.
"The power is down! Phantom Team, commence phase three!"
… … …
"…Phantom Team, commence phase three!" Malich ordered gleefully.
"Gliding to target now." The Shadow Team leader responded.
Malich watched the eight man team glide over Goddard space center, their self powered gliders easily allowing the team to fly through the complex, towards the ASAT building. And with the power offline, all of GDI's advanced stealth detection systems were offline.
"Major, order our men to retreat, their task is finished. Ajay, begin breaking down camp, we will need to leave quickly."
"Understood." Radec and Ajay replied in unison.
Malich kept his focus on the Shadow Team, barely aware as the rest of his forces now began a fighting retreat to the waiting Subterranean APCs. The Shadows flew past the battle, and the second line of GDI defenses. More Watch Towers, Wolverines, and GDI infantry were holding the access ramps that led up to the main ASAT building. It would have taken double the size of the strike force, and perhaps a handful of tanks, to get past. But for the Shadow Team, all it took was a leisurely hang glider ride.
The Shadows began their decent, and circled downwards to the ASAT building. Guards were positioned outside, nervously watching the flames of the attack. They were completely unaware of the eight Nod operatives that had just landed, and walked past them.
A small click over the radio indicated the Shadows were inside, and making their way to the main control room. Malich watched everything unfold through the Team leader's helmet video feed, as the eight Shadows walked into one of GDI's most important facilities without resistance.
A few times the Shadows had to stop to let patrols walk by, or sneak into other hallways to avoid checkpoints. But eventually, they made it into the control room, with five minutes left on the clock.
"Commander, Nod forces are retreating back to the communication building. Our forces are pursuing." A GDI officer reported.
"Get everyone down there! We need to stop those fanatics from escaping. And get those portable scanners working! This is without a doubt their main target, they will have stealth teams here soon." The GDI base commander ordered.
Malich had to smile at that; the woman was smart, but unfortunately for her, her men were too slow.
"Commander Dongmei, Colonel Malcom reports his unit will behere soon. He's sent a flight of Hammerheads ahead of the reinforcements group." Another officer reported.
"About damn time." Dongmei muttered.
"Commander," the Shadow Team leader whispered. "We are ready to engage."
"Execute." Malich ordered coldly.
The ASAT control room lit up as laser pistols spewed searing light. Officers and technicians were killed in seconds, lasers burning through skin and bone. GDI Commander Dongmei was shot through the head, having just enough time to draw her own pistol. But the slaughter was over in seconds, and dead bodies now littered the control room.
"Place the charges, then escape. Kane's Justice has been done." Malich commanded.
"Sir, the last APC is ready to depart." Radec reported, as he poked his head into the now empty tent.
"Then let's be off."
Malich closed his laptop, and hastily followed Radec out to the waiting APC. Goddard was now in flames, GDI was blind, and the Brotherhood of Nod would have its revenge.
War was coming.
… … …
Malich had been ready to report his victory to Kane, elated in his victory, only to have it ripped away at the news that GDI had destroyed one of their major base camps with an Ion Cannon strike. Now instead of heading towards the North Carolina Badlands, they instead diverted to a smaller outpost hidden just outside the Zone Wall.
"We got a connection back to Sarajevo. Ready to talk to the big man?" Ajay asked.
"Yes, I'm sure Kane will be pleased." Malich said confidently.
Ajay left Malich's field office - which was now located in a dilapidated roadside diner - as he waited for the video call to connect. Outside, his forces began setting up a larger base camp, waiting for further orders. Whatever Kane had planned, it was going to be big.
The call connected, and the image of Kane sitting at his desk in the grand hall filled the screen. Malich bowed his head in respect, as the Messiah spoke.
"It turns out my instincts about you were correct, Commander. With the success of your mission, all the pieces are now in place: my vision shall come to pass." Kane smiled, and Malich felt himself gulp in nervous excitement. "I have linked my personal command systems to your battlefield command console. I want you to have the privilege of starting the Third Tiberium War. The war, to end all wars."
Malich looked down to his console, and noticed the new interface. With a single press of a button, he would start another global war, a new holy crusade. Malich had been responsible for leading the Insurrection in Rio, more than a decade ago, and now…now he would lead Nod in a global revolution!
Kane seemed to sense Malich's thoughts, as the Messiah continued to speak.
"Go ahead my son. Inscribe your place in history with the blood of GDI."
Malich relished the moment for a second more, then, he pressed the button.
… … …
Onboard the GDSS Philadelphia
Director-General Lia Kinsburg stared out of the atrium window, glancing down at the Earth below. The Philadelphia was currently orbiting around the continent of Africa, and where one would have once seen great stretches of brown, along with bands of green. Now, however, it was marred by scars of emerald, radiating even into space. Kingsburg looked at the great African Red Zone and thought of it like an infected wound, leaking puss.
She grimaced at her own thought, and turned to face the rest of the atrium. The Board of Directors, along with most of GDI's senior military staff, were currently taking a break from the long meeting. Most were huddled in groups, sipping synth coffee. Kinsburg was by herself, however, as she needed some quiet, away from constant arguing over the budget.
She caught an angered glare from General Mitchell, of the Steel Talons, who was huddled with General Cortez and General Harkin. They, along with most others in the military, wanted to keep the GDI budget firmly in their hands. While a few considered the threat of a resurrected Kane real, most just wanted to make sure the military stayed on top in GDI politics.
However, there was one officer who was happy with the change to ecology and reclamation initiatives. General Renteria, leader of GDI Zone Operations Command, or ZOCOM. Despite being part of the military, ZOCOM was head of the reclamation efforts, and thus benefited from the proposed budget reforms, while also still enjoying military funding. Kinsburg had already floated around the idea of making Renteria the new Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces: it would be nice to have someone on her side heading the Army.
"Director Kinsburg? May I join you?"
Kinsburg turned to face the man who had disturbed her solitude, and didn't bother to hide her scowl upon seeing who it was.
"General Cortez send you as his messenger boy, McNeil?" Kinsburg asked coyly.
Lieutenant General Michael McNeil flashed a cocksure grin, as he stepped over to the view screen showing the Earth.
"No, I'm here on a peace keeping mission." McNeil stated.
"I'm sure. If you have an argument for why the military should keep its credits, then save it for the debate floor."
"No, no. Not that."
"Then it better not be Mitchell's Colossus project. I've already shot that down enough."
"No, ma'am. Listen, I have a proposal that might make everyone happy. Well…almost everyone. A new task force-"
"Another specialized task force? The Steel Talons already propose enough of a headache."
"Ma'am, listen. I have an idea for a smaller unit, a counter-terrorism special forces unit. One that can use the new limited budget to maximum efficiency."
McNeil's smile never wavered, but now it was Kinsburg's time to flash her own knowing grin.
"Ah, so that's what this is. You want back out in the field? Trying to recapture your lost glory eh?" Kinsburg stated.
"No, ma'am, I'm passed leading in the field. But…an office in B-4, on nice, solid ground, would be nice."
"Hmm, perhaps we can come to an understanding then. I'll let you-"
"What the hell?"
Kinsburg was shocked at the sudden interruption, but followed McNeil's gaze outside the view screen. She spotted a ball of light approaching the station, seemingly rising up from Egypt. But that didn't make any sense, the closest shuttle launch site was Iraq, what could…
Cold realization hit both of them a split second before disaster. Kinsburg had just enough time to gasp before the nuclear missile impacted the space station.
In the blink of an eye, the Philadelphia, along with everyone onboard, was turned into a fireball in Earth's orbit.