Chapter 5 - Kane's attention

Edward sat in the command chair of the rumbling MCV, watching the status monitors. The life signs of his escort squad had all flatlined.

They died as the first of their kind, Their sacrifice proved that my theory holds. A human body can not only survive Tiberium but thrive on it.

He checked his diagnostic pad. The GDI was likely scouring the site, and he knew Granger well enough to know the general wouldn't give up.

Steel Talons, most likely. Granger loves his heavy armor. Let them bring their walking tanks. By the time they arrive, the Forgotten won't be a ragtag group of outcasts—they'll be my primary combat division.

The MCV slowed as it reached a secluded valley, its massive hydraulic legs beginning to lock into place to form the construction yard.

Deploy the yard. Begin the refinement of the phase three serum. If Granger wants to see how far my 'modifications' can go, I'll show him a world where his metal giants have nowhere left to stand.

In the shadows of the Australian Outback, Kane watched the tactical feeds through the glowing green eyes of LEGION. The mission to destroy the Liquid Tiberium Facility had been a success—the catastrophic explosion turning much of Central Australia into a toxic Red Zone. Yet, the expected outcome—a crippled Steel Talons division and a GDI budget in freefall—had not occurred.

Kane's voice hissed through the darkness of his command center.

LEGION, explain why GDI's treasury is suddenly flowing into Australia instead of retreating from it. My data predicted a total decommissioning of their walker projects.

The AI's interface pulsed. LEGION bypassed GDI's secure uplinks, revealing a flurry of communications between General Jack Granger and the High Council. The reason was a single name: Edward Green.

(Staring at the screen) Edward... my geneticist. I sent him to the Yellow Zones because I thought his 'morality' would make him useless for the hard work of the Black Hand. I thought he was too soft to walk the path of the flame.

Kane watched the drone footage of Edward's "Crimson Cape" supersoldiers. They weren't the mindless Marked of Kane cyborgs he intended to activate later, nor were they the twisted monstrosities of the Forgotten. They were something Kane had only dreamed of: a new humanity that had truly shed its weakness without losing its soul.

He didn't just understand my vision. He finished it. And in doing so, he has panicked GDI into doubling their military spending. They aren't defunding the Steel Talons; they are reinforcing them twenty-fold to hunt him down.

A rare flicker of self-doubt crossed the Prophet's face. He had nearly lost his most brilliant asset by dismissing him.

Kane commanded, his voice regaining its messianic edge.

LEGION, Cancel your sleep cycle. You will not be deactivated. I am giving you a new directive: Priority Alpha. Find Edward Green and his Crimson Cape. Ensure they survive the Steel Talons' arrival.

In the distance, Brother Marcion—freshly "persuaded" back to Kane's side—watched the same data. His Black Hand zealots were already prepping their Purifiers. To Marcion, Edward wasn't just a scientist; he was a living miracle—the physical proof that Kane's Prophecy was more than just words.

The Architect must not fall, the Black Hand will march. If GDI wants to test their steel walkers against the Prophet's chosen, we will show them what it means to be purified by the truth.

In the heart of the newly fortified Construction Yard, Edward watched the final calibration of the Dark Troopers. These were the ultimate manifestation of his "New Humanity"—former Forgotten whose bodies had been purged of mutation and rebuilt into something terrifyingly superior.

The Dark Matter Beam Rifle. A masterpiece of compressed physics. It's a pity I couldn't push the output higher, but a weapon that can erase a GDI zone trooper in a single burst while melting the internal systems of a walker is more than enough for now.

The weapon was a terror on the battlefield:

Anti-Infantry: Guaranteed one-shot kill against any infantry, including heavy power-armored units.

Anti-Armor/Air: Causes severe structural and system damage, though it requires multiple pulses to fully down a heavy vehicle.

The Trooper: With superhuman strength and Personal Stealth Generators, these soldiers could scale cliffs that Steel Talons would have to blast through.

The Problem: Sadly, the dark matter beam rifle was short range, but given, it's strength, it is still more than enough.

Edward reviewed the latest intelligence briefings. He knew that the Black Hand had officially returned to the Prophet's side, reuniting the Brotherhood.

So, Marcion has finally knelt again. Good. It's better for the Brotherhood to stand as one. But I can't count on them yet. They're halfway across the globe, and the Steel Talons are on my doorstep.

He had no idea that Kane had already tasked LEGION and the Black Hand with his rescue. For Edward, this was a solo stand for the Crimson Cape.

Edward's tactical officer called out.

Doctor, the Steel Talon transport ships have touched down. Titans and Wolverines are offloading. They're moving in a standard search-and-destroy formation.

Edward checked his lines. Scorpion Tanks were dug in, Venoms were circling low to avoid long-range radar, and his Assault Squads were primed.

Let them hunt for 'monsters'. When they find us, they'll realize that the only monsters in this valley are the ones they brought in cockpits. Signal the dark troopers to move to the high ridges. I want those Titans blinded before they even see my base.

Seeing the former forgotten, who are more than willing to save their benefactor, even if it cost their life, Edward smiled.

Edward thought, checking the charge on his own sidearm.

If I survive this, the Prophet will have his New Humanity. And Granger will have a very long report to write about why his 'Heavy Metal' failed.

The battle has begun, though Edward has no idea that help is on the way.