Another month passed by, and their progress was astonishing. The underground parking garage was turned into the main base with factories and generators to produce everything Nod need. The third level was converted into a Tiberium garden together with two refineries and generators. Only Kane and those who wear Clark's protective costumes could walk in there. Most of the process to acquire and diggest Tiberium was automated, but a human factor was still required to ensure everything worked properly.
Speaking of their new core member. Clarke's experience as an engineer accelerates their speed tenfold, especially his costumes. The PRT, in their desire to save money, maybe lost one of the best techs built by an ordinary human.
Fully protected suite with good protection against hazard zones. The suit has a bulkier appearance due to the amount of armour plating attached, which reinforces the helmet, abdomen and leggings, and a forearm guard for the right arm. It was a simple but quite elegant design.
Sadly, building one would cost a few million dollars unless you have Tiberium, of course. Already there was a particular refinery to produce and create Clark's costumes. So far, Clarke has designed two suits. The standard one is currently used by those who worked on the third level or helping with expanding their underground base. The battle costume was spread between operatives. Four squids, which Kane called internal guard, were allowed to have suits.
Clark's laboratory was at the same place where they met after a significant upgrade from Kane. The second level mainly was Clark's small kingdom. Besides the laboratory, Kane has also placed War Factory on the second level.
"Give it more space! It's finally coming," said Kane and forced workers to get away from War Factory doors. Slowly he guided Construction Yard to a corner. Soon, the area there would be expanded, and he would put Yard even more profound, but it could lay there for now.
Every step of the Construction Yard caused a booming sound inside the parking lot. But Kane feels or heard nothing of it. Cameras inside showed him where to go and drowned out useless information. After reaching his destination, he clicked deployed button.
In few minutes, the process was done, and waves of information showed on scrins inside Construction Yard. Terabits of details about their currents assets, map of the city and possible buildings to build.
But Kane's attention was taken by the screen with robotic units. The original Construction Yard didn't have that, but Kane upgraded and improved it with Scrin technology to accelerate the building process. Of course, only those with the highest level entrance can give orders to robots to build something new.
Except for Kane, only Clarke have such entrance. He thought to give another one to Price, as Commander he should have one, but he decided otherwise. Already Price was responsible for their entire military branch. Giving him the means to build and create weapons on his own would make him too independent.
Divide and rule. Clarke as the engineer behind their expansion, Price as Commander and Kane as head of the Brotherhood and leader. In Kane's head, it should be like this, at least. So far, his leader was lacking. He provided technology and united Brotherhood around them, but it wasn't enough. If their unity shatters, their soldiers will follow Price, while the new engineer corps could be motivated to follow him. Without soldiers, it would be pointless.
Setting new bots to start expanding the second level and Shredder Turrets around the entrance. Their defence ability was lacking, which needed to be changed and fast.
Getting outside Construction Yard, he signalled a pre-selective group of people to get inside. They would monitor robots progress and set building orders for Clark to approve.
"Contact Clark or me if there are problems with anything," Kane said, passing the group. Receiving a nod from one of the men, he walked to the first level.
The first level was their current storage, kitchen, med bay, and even shooting yard. When they have more space on the second level Brotherhood would use it only as barracks and garages for military vehicles.
Kane received respectful nods from or salutes from those he passed by on his way to the kitchen. In his previous life receive such respect or attending at 16 years would be unimaginable. Kane, a 16 years teenager, can be respected and sometimes even loved here in this new world.
He was ready to stand in line to get some needed nourishment, but before he could, one of the soldiers stopped him.
"This way, sir", the man in the battle suite said and guided him to the table. There he encounters another group in battle suits. After he sat down near a woman, he took a better look at her.
If he can guess, he would say she is around thirty or forty years old. Afroamerican, with dark hard eyes and a sharp face. In a full battle suit with only her face open, she still was intimidating. Especial her brown, almost black eyes, which analyze him like he was an interesting puzzle.
Soon enough, the same soldier who guided him to the table, bring him a tray with food. Simple bread, pack of milk, apple and something which looks like a union between mashed potatoes and meat.
Besides a woman near him, there were also two men in front of him. The first one has black hair, brown eyes, and scars on his face, which tells about the violent past. On the other side, his counterpart was entirely different. Brown hair and blue eyes, with a simple look without any abnormalities.
"You shouldn't stay in line with everyone" the woman interrupted his silent observation and took his attention. She was still looking at him, measuring him, maybe even intimidating him, which wasn't working. Fear left him when he started his life in this world unless you are Slaghouter house 9 or Endbringer. Maybe it was another part of his power or another thing that broke when he became a cape.
"Why is that?" Kane asked and began to eat. He was hungry after hours of working non-stop.
"You are a leader, or so Price told me," she said, still looking at him. "As a leader, you need to distance yourself from common soldier and work stuff."
"Napoleon and Ceaser would disagree with your statement" Kane's answer didn't cause any change in the woman face. So far, her face was set in permanent status between intimidation and boringness.
"One was exiled and another killed by people he trusted. If this is the future you expect for yourself, then who I am to judge." another remark gives Kane some insight about the woman near him.
Americans learning system was lacking in many aspects. At least a public one. People could know who Napoleon or Ceaser was, but they would not be taught about their deeds or the end of their life. Privet schools, on the other hand, have more detailed and broad learning processes. This woman had the privilege to receive a better education than most.
"But before their deaths, they shaped the world we knew and left their mark. Most couldn't even dream of reaching the same high, but it's irrelevant," said Kane and finished his meal. "Can I have a name of people who shared this with me this table? I haven't memorized the name of all internal guard members."
"Amanda Waller," said Waller, then she turned her head and nodded at a man with scars. "This John Carver and besides him Wallace Jenkins. We are squid seven."
'Amanda Waller, someone why I am surrounded by most hard and intimidating humans from different realities, ' Kane thought and looked a Waller with a small surprise.
At first, he thought Price was a common name. Yes, there were similar things between Price and Captain Price, but it could be a coincidence. Then he met Benjamin Clarke, who looked like Isaac Clarke but a little older but still had the same face. Now in front of him sat Amanda Waller. She was quite different from her comics or movie doppelganger; at least she wasn't overweight, but a cold Afro-American woman with possible military background with that name can't be a coincidence for sure.
He also recognized Carver, but Jenkins wasn't familiar. At least he doesn't remember him from anywhere.
"It is nice to meet you, sir. Thank you for that T-infusion shots. Those things rock!" said Avery. He has a pretty joyful voice, combined with a friendly smile. He looked like a positive person. Totaly counterpart of Carver, who was ready to kill at any second.
"T-infusion?" asked Kane; it didn't take him long to understand that Jenkins meant Tiberium Infusion, which every soldier received. "You know, sounds much better than Tiberium infusion."
"Glad you like it ser. Do you think...", before Jenkins could ask, they were distracted by clamour from the entrance.
"What is going on there?" said Carver and stood up from his chair. People around them also begin to rise and moving to exit to find out what happened.
"Let's find out", Kane rise with the rest of the squid seven and slowly leading them to the entrance. Some of the soldiers blocked his path, and before he could ask them to move, Carver showed them aside. Few of them wanted to shove Carver in retaliation but stopped as soon as they saw Kane.
It took few minutes to exit the kitchen and reach the entrance. There Kane found a group of medics giving aid to two homeless men. While one of them would be alright after small first aid, the second was in critical condition.
Kane couldn't see his face. Not because he was far enough, but because it was so swollen and bloodied that it could barely be called a face. It looked like someone was jumping on nan's face without stop a few minutes before deciding it wasn't enough and took a baseball bat to apply more force.
"On three, get him up! We need to move into the medical ward," said one of the medics near the third victim.
"One, two, three. Rise!" together with another man and with the help from few soldiers. Instead of getting into staff way, Kane started walking to speak with another two victims.
"Who attacks you?" he asked at the moment he got close enough to be visible by victim and medics.
"You can ask your questions later. I need to check for more trauma," said the medic without even looking at me. He who was putting bandages around the man's hand.
"You forget your place, move, or my soldiers will move you." Amanda's voice cut like a knife and forced the medic to turn around. As soon as he saw her, he got pale.
"Let's not make a scene" Kane looked at the medic and gave a small smile to put him on ease. At the same time, he offers a nod to Amandas as thanks.
"Sorry, sir, they are primarily alright, but I would like to check them tomorrow" the medic stood up and, after giving a brief nod leave with the rest of the medic stuff.
Carver, after looking at the remaining soldiers around them, gives an order.
"Don't you have nothing else to do? DISMISSED"
Kane was impressed. Soon after, most soldiers disappear, leaving squid seven and Kane along with the victim.
"So, what happened with your friend?" Kane asked the blond man who had bondage on his hand. "It is alright. You are safe amongst us."
"I...am sorry, sir, Kane, sir." the man soon begins crying. He gets on his knees like he wants forgiveness for a serious crime. Kane was confused, but after a minute of listening off to a grown man sobbing, he tried to calm him down.
"Shee, it is okay. Tell me what happened from the start." Kane's calm voice and a reassuring smile finally helped the man to calm down.
"We got too far from safe territory", man begins. He was looking still afraid but continued non the less. "Cho thought we could get more money in the commercial district, but its Empire territory. I told him that it was a bad idea, but he didn't listen! I tried Kane ser! He didn't listen." man was ready to start crying again.
"It is okay. Take a deep breath. What is your name?" Kane asked and put a hand on the man's shoulder.
After taking a deep breath, he looked Kane in the eyes and said, "Alex, sir. Just Alex"
"I wish our meeting was under better circumstances, but I need you to tell me what happened after you and Cho reached the Commercial District." Kane's calm voice helped to calm Alex down, and he continued
"It was alright first. We even received few dollars as a donation. We didn't stay long in one place. When we were ready to finish and go back, five people grabbed us. Four of them were adults and one teenager, maybe sixteen or eighteen years old."
"Initiatory rite," said Jenkins before Alex could continue. After those words, Alex begins to tremble.
"They say Cho was a good one to start with. We tried to fight and scream for help, but no one listened. They said I am a proper Arian and shouldn't spend time with chink" Alex voice was trembling like he was again there, helpless, watching how that teenager used a baseball bat to beat the life out of Cho.
"I can just watch. They forced me to watch. Cho tried to use his gun, but the teenager was faster. He beat Cho before he could do anything. They took ser, I am sorry, we shouldn't take it with us."
"What gun?" Kane's voice was still calm and friendly, but inside, something began to turn. Only soldiers could get weapons in service Brotherhood of Nod. It was the first rule he, Price and Clarke established. Tinker weapon in the hand of amateurs was a recipe for disaster. In their case, a recipe for reveal while they were not ready.
"Cho stole it, one of the reasons why he decided to go to Comercial District." Alex wasn't looking at Kane anymore. Ashamed and afraid of what Kane would do next.
"You will go with us" Kane stood up and looked at Waller. "We need a car for five people. Wait for me upstairs. I will join you after I speak with Clarke."
"Shouldn't we notice Commander about this?" asked Jenkins, unsure. One glance from Waller was enough to give him as the answer.
"We will wait for you outside in black hammer." Waller leads her squid outside with Alex. At first, Alex wants to refuse, but Carver just grabs him and lead him outside.
Finding Clarke wasn't hard. The man spent all of the time inside his new lab. Kane would have done the same if he had a personal lab, but anything they have so far was too small for Kane's projects. He would order drones to expand the third level when they finished upgrading the second.
When Kane gets inside the lab, he finds Clarke working on another suit. Another battle suit, but with more protection and a pair of jet-pack on its feet and back. On the right wrist was some kind of retrieved knife, which Clark tried to adjust.
"Clarke, you should spend less time here working and more controlling your people." Kane didn't want to sound angry, but his sixteen-year-old hormones didn't agree with his desire.
"Kane, what time is it?" asked Clarke, without acknowledging Kane's anger or remark.
"It is first November." last time Kane saw Clarke, it was 28 October. Considering the smell and empty packs with food, Clarke was here all this time.
"Hm, time flies so fast when you have to work on something." from Clark's voice, Kane could guess. Man didn't regret the time spent here and would probably continue to work when Kane left. That's not gonna happen.
"Get up, go to the Construction Yard." Maybe finally, Clarke has notice Kane's angry posture or slight annoyance in his heavy green eyes.
"What I should do there?" Clark asked, unsure. He could find out later what one his man did. Better to finish whatever it is and work on be back to work on the suit.
"All my weapons have tracking devices inside them. You will guide us while we hunt Empire members who stole a tinketech gun because we weren't conservative enough" Kane has to stop his tirade. It wasn't entirely Clark's fault, and also, they do not have time for this.
Kane and Price knew something like this might happened. Well, not entirely alike. They expected someone to attack squid with soldiers and steal a weapon from them, not that someone inside the organization would steal it.
Brotherhood of Nod was growing too fast, and they couldn't control everyone who lived with them and took shelter inside their walls.
"I have to go. When getting inside Construction Yard, contact Price and inform him what is going on. I will be with squid seven." saying his part Kane left Clark alone and went outside.
Black hammer was waiting for him by the road. Kane gets on the back seat with Waller and Alex. Jenkins was their driver tonight while Carver sat beside him and checking his heavy rifle. All members of the internal guard have heavy rifles and guns as second weapons. They were squids of commandos, ready to eliminate whatever Brotherhood of Nod deemed a treat. Unless they face a cape, it should be enough.
Brockton Bay wasn't a huge city. Their black hammer reached Commercial District in twenty minutes. Thankfully it was a night, and people paid less attention to them.
Alex guided them as far he remembered. Those who attacked him and Cho wasn't far away from the same place. Clark informed them where to go to find the group.
In Kane opinion, they were stupid or arrogant, considering he was dealing with nazis, probably both. Maybe Kane expected too much, but staying near the place where you committed a crime barely an hour ago. Yea, it says a lot about them and Brockton Bay.
Commercial District has a small park inside its territory. During the day, people like to spend time day, but members of the Empire gather there to drink or brag about their achievement at night.
Kane, or better say, James, lived in this area with his family. It was an attractive area to raise kids even as nazi territory, only if you were white. Reiners descended from German emigrants from 19 century, which gave them another layer of protection. His parents, in this reality, weren't part of the Empire. At least he never noticed anything suspicious.
"Who took the gun?" asked Kane when they had visual.
Alex pointed at a teenager who stood near a bench. Other members of the group stand around him, laughing and drinking beer.
"Carver, take care of them but don't kill the boy. We need to ask a few questions." Amanda's voice sounds boring, like giving orders to kill someone was pretty typical for her.
"Yes, mam" Carver get out of the car and begin closing the distance between him and the group.
They didn't saw him before it was too late. You would think a man in a black battle suit with a red visor would gather attention, but Carver worked fast. It was a slaughter.
Five shots. Four in the head or in the body to those around the teenager and the fifth to the teenager's ankle to stop him from running. The boy tried to use the gub he stoled from Cho, but blow butt on the head stopped him. Carver took the gun from him and signalled Kane and rest that it was clear to get close.
"Stay in the car," said Kane to Alex and Jenkins before he got out with Waller. The bodies around him didn't bother Kane, not after James had seen his parent's broken ashen bodies or his sister, who was pierced by one of the Kaiser's metal spears.
The boy who started all this was walling and holding his ankle. Asking his parents for help and begging to call an ambulance. Probably boy was in shock, or he would understand that no one would call an ambulance for him.
"Keep him silent. Capes might hear him and come to check if this continues," Kane told Carver while checking dead bodies for phones. Finding them, he checked if anyone mentioned anything about the gun they took from Cho. He found a message in one of the phones that someone named Samuel apparently passed the rite and even had spoils from his labour. They didn't mention what the good spoil was. It was the only message which was somehow related to the gun. Crushing phones with his foot, Kane finally take a look at the gun.
Kane recognizes the gun; it was his personal work. Molorian Arm 3516. He made it for Clarke as a present and symbol of their unity. How Cho stole it was beyond Kane, but he would speak with Clarke about it, or maybe Price should do it.
"Have you told anyone's about the gun?" asked Kane and got in front of the boy.
"Fuck...you", managed Samuel through the sobs. Kane just looked at Carver, who took the boys hand and began breaking fingers.
"Answer the question" instead of answer the boy just shook his head. Kane wasn't sure if it was no. Carver took Kane's silence as permission to continues and took another boy's hand.
"No... I don't... please...stop..." Samuel was a mess. Tears and snot run freely, and he couldn't even say a word without stumbling.
"I think it is all we need to know." before Kane could turn around and leave, Waller took the gun from Carver and gave it to Kane.
"Finish him. If you want to lead us, prove that you are ready to split blood with us too," Kane looked at Waller with surprise. He didn't expect that.
Slowly Kane took the gun from Waller and looked at Samuel. Besides giving orders today to kill someone, he never took life in both lives he has lived.
"I will change, man. You don't have to do it" Samuel took all his strength and started begging. He didn't stutter anymore. His eyes were still red with tears, and snot was still running. In a word, he looked horrible, especial if you examine his ruined ankle and a broken finger.
"I have family, parents and brother. They would be sad if something happened to me. I am not a bad guy!" the last part Samuel screamed like he wanted to force Kane and people around him to believe in it.
All those efforts were pointless in the end. Kane remembers Cho and what Samuel did to him. Samuel passed the rite, which means he was a gang member, and Kane has only one solution to most Empire members.
Before Samuel could continue begging Kane raised his gun and shot him in the head. Molorian have enough firepower to take half of the boy's head apart.
"We are done here" with that words, Kane goes back to the car, leaving bodies behind. Someone will find the bodies in the morning, but citizens will write it off as gang violence. Another week in Brockton Bay, nothing unusual.
Their ride back was a silent one. No one bothered to speak with Kane, which he found alright. People say that you should feel guilty or remorse when you kill someone. Kane didn't, only emptiness. Nothing changed in him or around him.
Price waited for him when he got to the entrance to the first level. He wasn't angry, just tired, which was usual for him ever since their organization got bigger.
"We need to discuss this," he said when Kane and squid seven got close enough.
"Later, first gather everyone. I need to say something." Something which bothered Kane ever since he learned that Cho stoled the gun.
"Kane", there was an iron in Price voice. Now he was talking with Commander, but Kane will not be moved. He needs to speak with members of the Brotherhood.
"We will discuss my action, but first gather as much as possible and turn radion on.", Kane and Price looked each other in the eyes for few minutes until Price finally moved. He gave a Waller last glance before giving orders on the radion for everyone to get on the first floor.
In thirty minutes, everyone on the base gathered around Kane, who was standing on a fast build stage. His speech will also be heard through their radio channel.
After taking a deep breath, Kane looked at those who had gathered. Soldiers, workers, medics and everyone who lived under the Brotherhood of Nod banner.
"Tonight, five Empires goons attacked one of our members. Cho, a simple man, a homeless who joined us to get protection." Kane took a slight pause before continuing, "We failed Cho. I failed him. Brotherhood of Nod promised to protect and empower weak and forgotten members of society. Peace through power, this is our motto, our promise for future generations, but we didn't give power to Cho."
People whispered between each other, unsure what to do with his revelation. Still, Kane continues.
"Because of that, Cho stole the gun I made to protect himself' Kane raised the gun so everyone could see it. "He didn't know how to use it, and in the end, the gun wasn't enough to help him in time of need. This is also partly my fault. I should have done this sooner."
Some people now looked angry. Kane wasn't sure at who, but anger was good. Now he needs to direct it. "We are members of the BROTHERHOOD OF NOD", Kane stressed with his voice the last part. "It means we are brother and sisters in struggle. If you need my help, you don't have to steal it from your fellow brothers and sisters. Ask, and you shall receive."
The crowd nodded and agreed with his statement, so Kane went on.
"The time when you were alone is over!" Kane's voice was strong and overwhelming."Our group shares one vision, One purpose, and it can't be achieved if we continue to mistrust each other. Do you want to fail!"
"No" someone screamed from the crowd.
"I do not believe you! I ask again do you want to fail? Do you want NOD FAIL?" Kane was demanding an answer from the crowd, and they answered his call.
"NO!"
"Who do you trust!" asked Kane
"NOD!"
"Who you will fallow!" Kane's green eyes looked at his followers with pride. They shine with unnatural emerald lights.
"KANE! KANE! KANE!"
'Now, this is more like it should be', thought Kane and smiled. His hands raised to greet his brothers and sisters.
A new chapter and it is enormous!
I still don't have a beta, so I can just say that I am trying to be better. If you see mistakes, then it means I still fail.
Kane building his power base and ensuring his role can't be jeopardised by Price or Clarke. They are allies for sure, but you can't be too careful when you are a political-religious cult leader.
New OC or kind of new OC's. I like those characters and decided to add them here, but they might be the last one, not sure. If you want to see someone in here mentioned the character and I might think about it.
Left review or ask questions. Whatever, just feed my ego and muse. You would be surprised how much comments help writers with inspiration.
Time to answer some reviews
Blaze1992: It would be easier to lay low and build his force in secret. The problem is that it is quite hard to achieve. He is building factories to produce ammunition, guns, tanks and mechs in the possible future. Someone is going to notice sooner or later, which is why Kane wants to force announce the existence of Nod on his own terms.
Why kill merchants? It is not a simple question, which I will answer in the following chapters. Also, why does he need Squealer? Her powers are useless compared to the technologies available to Kane. It is not the main reason why he will not assimilate merchants, but just one of them. I hope it satisfies your curiosity and thanks for the review.
BuhBuhButtStuff-This chapter answered your question.