Temple Prime
Near Sarajevo
Yellow Zone
Temple Prime.
Built upon the old Temple Prime that was destroyed in the Second Tiberium War, It stands as a symbol of Nod's power and influence over the world for many years.
It was a fortress, with monumental towers overlooking the battlefield located on thick, titanium walls with ground carved in stone on which Nod facilities were located. Three Ion Disruption installations were located at key points around the temple to prevent the Ion Cannon from striking against Kane should they be discovered by GDI. The central structure of Temple Prime, his command center, is located in the center of the base, surrounded by the most important Nod buildings- the Construction Yard, Liquid Tiberium research labs, a missile complex and gateways into the subterranean part of the facility. The inner ring housed Air Towers, most of the temples power plants and the primary Tiberium Chemical Plant. Finally, in the outer ring, War Factories, Hands of Nod, as well as Tiberium refineries were located. The towers themselves held SAM sites for air defence. The site was built near the city of Sarajevo, where Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Black Hand terrorist group, assassinated the Duke of Austria and triggered World War I.
Some people believed that the Brotherhood of Nod was founded after Tiberium entered the Earth in 1995. However, during the First Tiberium War when GDI captured Temple Prime from Nod, they found out about the Brotherhood's history, spamming almost a millennia, around 1800 B.C. The Brotherhood's earliest alleged activaties dated back to the Second World War.
The name 'Brotherhood of Nod' came from the Hebrew word Noded (נודד) which means 'wanderer' and is also the verb of the word Nod. It refers to the biblical Land of Nod, in which Cain is exiled in the Hebrew Scriptures. "Cain went out from Yahweh's prensence, and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden."
During the First Tiberium War, the Brotherhood of Nod was widely regarded by its detractors and opponents to be a quasi-state, quasi-terrorist organisation seeking to unite the third-world nations under a religious political platform with imperialist tendencies. According to the group's own claim they were a religious Brotherhood of ancient origin which strived for a world of 'peace', 'unity' and 'eternal brotherhood' in which all the peoples of the world could 'face the struggles of life as one', and that human society's full embracement of the alien substance of Tiberium was the key to this revolution. Although they failed in the last two wars, They still thrive not only as an organization, but a way of life. They recruit people within poorer districts in the Yellow Zones or underdeveloped countries.
In a way, the Brotherhood would never die, even if Kane is dead.
The interior of Temple Prime has traditional red stained glass windows and metalwork depicting Tiberium in plant-like ways. It also contains bizarre mechanism which look like Red Tiberium crystals with screens covered in scrolling jargon, but have no discernible purpose. Kane's headquarters, housing the mainframes and the command center has a large circular chapel with towering red stained glass windows and two adjacent crescent-shaped towers enclosing the chapel between them. Underground, a large cavern filled with Liquid Tiberium was located, along with regular Tiberium.
Inside a room in Temple Prime, a man was siting in an office chair. He has a short black beard and is wearing a black robe. He held an air of authority and righteousness. He is a dedicated leader, a visionary and a prophet.
This is Kane, the leader and messiah of the Brotherhood of Nod.
Lots of things had been said about Kane. Some say that he is the real 'god' who guided Man when they first came out of the caves. Others claimed he's an alien from another planet to guide Man itself. Some call him a terrorist while others call him a hero. Whoever he is, he wasn't like any other terrorist organizations that only promised world terror, Kane was dedicated to uniting humanity by spreading Tiberium in the world.
After all, he never died in the last two wars.
Kane looked at the report that was received by his most loyal commander, and other Nod commanders. It was the same, ponies from a nation called Equestria attack Yellow Zones and Blue Zones. Wether they be GDI or Nod. Even now, the ponies are establishing a beachhead in Northern Croatia, stomping out any Nod outpost or bases in the area. They are already marching out to Temple Prime, determined to Crush Nod in one fell swoop.
Kane was furious, but he didn't show it. It didn't even matter to him. Once the Liquid Tiberium Bomb is delivered to Temple Prime, things will change, for better or for worse. Nod will be the victor in this war, GDI and Equestria will be crushed, and humanity will finally ascend to the stars above.
Kane was interrupted by someone knocking on his door. "Enter." he said. The door opened to reveal an old officer.
The officer saluted to Kane. "There's an incoming message from Commander Kaiden. He said it's important." The officer handed him a tablet, showing the traditional Nod symbol on the screen, a scorpion tail inside a black-rimmed chamfered triangle with black spikes at the edges.
Kane took the tablet from the officers hands. He waved to the officer, dismissing him. Once the officer left, Kane tapped the screen with his finger. The screen soon change to his most loyal commander, inside the Montauk that was currently enroute to Temple Prime. "Ah, commander. I was hoping to hear from you again. Tell me, do you have what I requested?"
Kaiden nodded on the screen. "Yes, Kane. We have the bomb. It wasn't easy to smuggle out with both GDI and ponies fight each other, but we have it. We are currently on route to Temple Prime."
"Good. Make sure the device is intact and don't let it fall to GDI or Equestria."
"Understood." With that the screen has returned to it's original state.
Kane put the tablet away at his desk and smiled. Things were looking up for the better. Once the device is here, never again would the bow before GDI or these new invaders. They would make history for years to come.
And it's all according to plan.
Several hours later
Just as Kane predicted, Temple Prime is under attack by ponies.
If one were to describe the Siege of Temple Prime, it would be along the lines like 'The Battle of Gondor from Lord of the Rings.' Ponies charged at the Temple, trying to slaughter or convert any Nod units. It took all of available Nod units to defend the area. However, Temple Prime is also surrounded by Kane's loyal armies, willing to die for their Messiah. Nod Militias shot any ponies that charge their way. The Black Hand entered the battle, roasting any unfortunate ponies within it's range. Obelisks of Light guarded the entrances to Temple Prime, its laser defenses cut through even the simplest of shields conjured by unicorn ponies.
A Equestrian camp was set up in a canyon outside of Temple Prime. The ponies were either arming themselves for the attack or nursing the wounds in battle. The bottom half of the camp was consider of tents the guards were sleeping in. The top left had an armory while the center left had a medic station. The very center itself had a command tent for generals to gather for strategy. The bottom left, outside of the camp, was covered in Tiberium. Three ramps led to the entrences of Temple Prime.
The Montauk came rolling in behind the camp, nopony noticing it since they were too busy fighting Nod. A small escort was with it which consisted of two Scorpion Tanks, two Militant units and two Raider Buggy's, and the Devil's Tongue. Onboard the Montauk, The remaining Nod soldiers, along with a few GDI counter parts dressed as them, readied their weapons for a long defense of their holy site. Along with the trooper, a women wearing a black armored jump suit with a rebreather on her face, carrying a laser rifle walked along the corridor of the vehicle.
Her name is Natasha, one of the most well trained assassins/saboteurs in the Black Hand. No one in the Brotherhood could best her, even in infiltration. This was proven when Natasha infiltrated Hampton Roads during the beginning of the war. She destroyed the largest Naval Base in the world and destroyed an aircraft carrier like it was nothing. Her last assignment was with Kaiden's army when they attacked a GDI base in No Man's Land. She was supposed to sneak into the GDI base and assassinate Commander Andrew, but the arrive on the ponies halted her plan. She got as much ponies killed before retreating back to the Montauk, which was heading to the outskirts of Slovenia. The mission was declared a success due to GDI defending against the ponies, which made it easier to smuggle the bomb out.
Natasha continued to walk along the hull of he vehicle, no one dared to stare at her. The sounds of the convoy attacking the ponies can be heard through the Montauk riding to Temple Prime. She continued walking until she reached her destination, the cockpits.
Inside the cockpits is Commander Kaiden and a few of his officers. Kaiden is siting in his command chair, directing the convey escorts as they proceeded up the right ramp, along with his vehicle. Natalia went up to the front seat. "The bomb is secured, Kaiden" She said in an Eastern Ukrainian accent. She was born and raised in a Yellow Zone in Ukraine before the war started. After joining the Black Hand, she is required to spoke English to most troopers.
Kaiden swiveled his chair and looked at her. "Good, good. We should be in Temple Prime in a couple of minutes." He turned back to the screen, which a Pegasus guard was trying to break open, only for it to meets it's demise at a Raider Buggy. "Tell the men to get ready, and stick around Natasha. I may need you later."
She nodded and went back to her seat. Kaiden watched as the Equestrians were trying to assault a ramp that led to Temple Prime, but they were destroyed by Nod vehicles coming down the ramp. He watched as an earth pony was struggling to get up, only for its hind legs to get crushed by a Scorpion Tank.
'I've got to admit, they are crazy to assault Kane's holy site like that, or they have a death wish.' Kaiden thought. He slumped in his chair as a devious smile crossed his face. 'No matter, they will learn to fear the Brotherhood soon enough.'
The Montauk passed the main gates to Temple Prime without any trouble. Although there were a few casualties on his side, the bomb was still safe. Once they reached the temple inside the base, The Montauk unloaded the truck carrying the bomb from it's back door, some militants exited soon after. A few GDI troopers that accidentally retreated to Nod's base came out with militant uniforms on. Commander Kaiden exited out soon after, along with Natalia and his officers. The truck went into a tunnel next to the Command Post.
Kane was there at the entrance to the temple with two Black Hand bodyguards. Kaiden went up to Kane and saluted. "The bomb is being transported underground."
Kane smiled. "You have done well, my son. You have recovered the Tiberium device in one piece. Now, you must defend the temple and drive out the Equestrian invaders while I assemble the device." Kaiden nodded and turned around to the Command Post. "And one more thing, Commander." Kaiden turned his head to Kane. "Spare no one. Let them know the true strength of Nod. Let their last thoughts be of us, when we slaughter their kin. Drive them to hell, Commander."
With that last lecture, he walked towards his new base, but first, he needs to pay a certain doctor a visit.
The underground section of Temple Prime is a complex of tunnels and doorways. It was large enough to hold three Orca Command Vehicles, if such a thing can be obtained by the Brotherhood. Vehicles were stashed here, ranging from Scorpion Tanks to the Avatar War Mechs, a new machine created by Nod that is a humanoid walker with two cannons on its arms, alien-like feet that can crush even a Mammoth Tank, and a pilot seat in the mech itself. Along with the vehicles are Basilisk Beam Cannon, A step up from the original.
The tunnel is buzzing with activity, with military personal, engineers and trooper going to their assigned stations. Commander Kaiden walk down the large corridor, with military personal saluting at him as they pasted. he kept on walking until he met his destination, a metal door with the words 'Laboratory' above. Knowing what to expect, he turned the valves and entered.
The room he was in looks like a surgeon room in a hospital or in horror films he watched when he was a kid. Dark walls give off an ominous feeling, along with the red linings that ran to the side of the room. Creepy surgical equipment lined the small table next to him, some had blood on them. Corpse lined up the beds on the left, all of them were ponies that were part of some recon team or were captured from earlier in the campaign. The room itself smelled of blood and piss, that much was certain. He
A scream came from an Unicorn mare strapped to a hospital bed was the first thing Kaiden heard as her horn was removed from her head like a lose tooth. The man removing the horn has black brown air comb to the sides, brown eyes that can be seen from the surgeon lamp next to him. His mouth was covered by a mask strapped to him. He had wrinkles on his face, indicating that he was in his 30's. But that wasn't the disturbing part. He had a line that ran to the side his forehead all the way to the back of the head, like in Frankenstein.
This is Doctor Wilhelm Von Wolfe, a Nod scientist who's thirst for knowledge can be paid in blood.
Dr. Wolfe is unlike any other scientist in the Brotherhood. He was the first person to combine man and machine into one body, making the first Cyborgs.
He was once a Nazi scientist working for the Thule Society. The Thule Society was a German occult that chases mythological artifacts like the Ark of the Covenant. They believed in a 'True Aryan Race' in which German people are like gods while others who were inferior were slaves. He was a man of science, he didn't believe in fairy tail superstition, but he was still loyal to the Third Reich and it's vision of a Germanic Order. He experimented on thousands of subject, whether they were 'inferior men' or his own. His diary, which was later recovered in Munich, says that he invented earlier cybernetics to make the Nazis more invincible. He called them 'The Knights of Germania.' Although the Allies pushed back the Nazis in France, he still continued to work in secret.
When the Russians were at Berlin in 1945, he retreated to a bunker that was under the Reichstag. He thought this is the end, until a member of the Brotherhood disguised as a German soldier came to him and offered him a deal. In exchange for safe transportation out of here, he would continue to work for the Brotherhood.
He accepted the deal, seeing as what would happened if the Soviets found him.
They escorted him out of Berlin and put on a plane to the United States, where he would continued working for the Brotherhood until it entered it's first Tiberium War in 1999.
His body grew old over the years after the First Tiberium War, when the brotherhood was forced into hiding once again. The doctor was so crazy that he transferred his brain into another person. Many years later, he lives in Temple Prime to continue his research.
The unicorn mare tried to free herself from the binds. Dr. Wolf looked at the mare in the bed, an innocent smile on his face. "My dear Fraulein, stop struggling. Ve will only make it worse for yourself."
"KILL ME!!!!! PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF CELESTIA KILL ME NOW!!!! The unicorn was in tears right now, having her horn removed from her body. Right now, she felt like a woodpecker was drilling into her brain.
The doctor chuckled. "Ahh, but my little Mädchen, we've both know that won't happen." He grabbed a scalpel from the small table next to him. "Und very curious of how your species breaths, see's, eat and all ze other three senses. Also, I'm very curious about this 'magic' thing you keep speaking of." He lowered the scalpel just an inch above the abdominal. "Don't worry, zis won't hurt.....much."
Kaiden coughed in order to get the doctor attention. Dr. Wolfe looked at the Commander before turning back to the Unicorn. "Excuse me, I must meet with the Commander. Don't go anywhere, not that you can." He chuckled at his own joke while the unicorn continued to struggle.
Doctor Wolfe walked up to the commander and shook his hand. "Ah, Herr Kaiden. I've been expecting you. Tell me, did you acquire a sample of Tiberium?"
"I have." Commander Kaiden said plainly. He reached into his pocket and fished out a medium capsule containing three Tiberium crystals. He was able to procure some Tiberium crystals from the fields during his assault in No Man's Land. He ordered some cyborgs to harvest some Tiberium since they can't be effected by it's symptoms
When Tiberium entered the Earth in 1995, It not only affected the ecosystem, but the body as well. Anyone that was in the Tiberium fields without power armor were mutated into Visceroid or Mutants. This was called Tiberium Toxemia. The effect of Tiberium on humans is still not yet fully understood. Common symptoms of Tiberium poisoning includes breathing difficulties, suppressed immune system and Tiberium crystal growth on the skin. Long-term low-level exposure to Tiberium causes illness in all terrestrial lifeforms. This was not all bad, as further study indicated that they tend to be faster, stronger and more agile than pure humans, and the presence of Tiberium is not harmful to them, on the contrary, it actually accelerates their healing
When humans mutate, they are shunned and evicted from settlements or cities to prevent the spread of Tiberium. The mutants soon banded together and formed a confederation known as The Forgotten. During the Second Tiberium War, they operated in North America and would often raid GDI or Nod bases for equipment or supplies. The Forgotten were soon disbanded in the early days of the Firestorm Crisis when Tratos was assassinated by Nod under CABAL's orders (which angered Anton Slavik for acting without his knowing). Nod forces under CABAL's command assaulted the main base for the piece of the Tacitus. Unable to unite without a leader, they went into self-exile, unable to live a normal life. In an act of good faith, GDI developed several hovels for them to live in. Some mutants still live in these hovels while others still went into exile. By the beginning of the Third Tiberium War, the mutants serve as mercenaries for GDI or Nod.
Dr. Wolfe took the crystals from Kaiden's hand, his eyes were filled with excitement,as if a child walked through a candy store. "Good, very good. This will be valuable to my research."
"And what research would that be.....?" Kaiden questioned the doctor, thinking he'll just use them to torture someone instead of researching.
"A simple experiment." Dr. Wolfe began lecturing the commander. "Ze magic that the ponies use have a large quantity of Carbon Monoxide und Atoms that they can manipulate. However," Dr. Wolfe turned to the mare strapped in the chair. "if I can combine Tiberium with this 'magic' that they speak of, I can create newer weapons, new tanks, indestructible walker, the possibility's are endless." He walk towards the strapped ex-unicorn with a scalpel still in his hand.
The mares eyes went wide when he approached her. She began to speak, even when her throat is dry for screaming. "Please, I don't want to die like this. I just joined the guard so I can get a better payed job, not this."
"Shh, my little friend it will be all over soon."
The Commander left the doctor to his own devices, seeing as he doesn't want to stick around. He has forces to command, and he would waste no time in standing around and hoping that the ponies would kill themselves.
The last thing he hear was a painful scream that echoed in the tunnel.
Several Pegasi ponies were attempting to dive bomb into Temple Prime, they we're closeting in on they're target. Suddenly, two SAMs emerged from the two titanium towers. The SAMs fired their missiles at the Pegasus. They didn't have enough time to react before the missiles met their target, leaving a bloody shower raining down.
Kaiden arrived at the Command Post without any incident. The Commander went inside and went directly to his chair. The top view of Temple Prime is on the screen thanks to a stealth satellite that Nod launched at the beginning of the war. The camp that the ponies are located are also on the screen. There, they are getting ready for a big offensive, with swords sharpening at the forge and armor being put on. How they even manage to make weapons and armor with just hooves was Kaiden's guess.
Then again, they are an alien race, and if watching cheap sci-fi movies when he was younger had taught him anything, its that aliens don't make sense whatsoever.
Kaiden sat down in his command chair and typed something in the left arm rest. The screen changed to a man with a 5'o clock shadow, long hair that hung on his shoulders and green eyes like Kaidens. "Ajay, how are you holding?"
The man, Ajay, smirked. "These pony creature are as lazy as they are at fighting. We just took down a crazy charge with few casualties on our side." He chuckled. "I hope those little ponies keep coming down on us, 'cause I'm killing for some target practice."
"Well, they are preparing for a large assault again, so maybe your wish will come true."
"Well, dreams do come true, do they?" The screen went back to its original setting. Kaiden opened up the unit tab on his console and ordered another army to defend Temple Prime. Engineers deployed hubs to deploy Shreder Turrets or Laser Turrets. Kaiden grinned.
"This war just got a lot......interesting."
A Few Hours Later
"ALRIGHT YOU MAGGOTS, LISTEN UP!!!!!!"
Iron Helm, an earth pony stallion with a grey coat and a blue mane and tail, stood with his recruits at the campsite that lead to the temple. Already, ponies were preparing for the next assault to happen. They were the third wave.
Iron Helm continued his speech. "As some of you know, the invasion of the human city of 'Santa Cruz' was a complete and utter failure. However, the barrier the Princesses created did destroy the city, but the humans already evacuated everyone, including themselves. This next attack would cripple their morle, as we were told."
"The Humans are split into two factions, GDI and NOD. The ones that beaten us in 'Santa Cruz' is GDI. The one were attacking is a religious faction called NOD. They think there leader is immortal and that they are superior on this world. Truth is, they aren't. Ponies are the true superior species to ever walk the earth. We've defeated countless enemies. Separatist pony states, changelings, caribou, and griffons. These humans will be no different."
"I know what your all thinking, the are advanced beyond anything we encountered before. But I tell you, brave stallions and mares, that the Goddess Celestia and Luna will protect us in this coming battle, and the humans will see the error of their ways."
"Now," He unsheathed his sword that was by his side and drew it, pointing at the enemy. "TO BATTLE. FOR EQUESTRIA!!!!!" A magical flare was fired by a unicorn, signaling the beginning of the third wave. He was meet with the war cry of thousands of stallions and mares, ready to do what is necessary for the Goddesses.
"Sir, they started their attack!!!" An officer interrupted Kaiden, who was busy building his forces for the defense. Kaiden press the screen in front of him, which changed to a sky view of the battle. He saw ponies charging at the temple with nothing but swords and crossbows.
Kaiden continued to stare at the screen before he spoke up. "HADES, what do we have for defense?"
"Kane has turned over defense of Temple Pime to you, Commander."
Kaiden smirked. "Excellent." He pressed a few buttons on the console. "Lets give them a warm welcome."
They charged towards Temple Prime, their hooves pounded the Earth itself. If anyone was near, they would have thought an earthquake was happening. The ponies ran down the path that lead to Temple Prime. Iron Helm lead the charge, his heart was racing a hundred miles an hour. They almost made it to the entrance, they did not stop for a second. Iron Helm hear one pony commented "Look at the size of that thing" and he was right.
Suddenly, something came out of the ground next to the gates. Two strange machines with tubes at each end that glowed green started firing at the ponies. The strange substance that it shot out melted a nearby pony, reducing it into nothing but a skeleton. Iron Helm was surprised but continued the charge. One by one, everypony was meeting the same fate. Iron Helm screamed a war cry before he saw a bright green light, then nothing.
"You got to admit, they won't back down." Kaiden said as he watched pony after pony getting slaughtered by the Shredder turrets. With the Tiberium Beam upgrade, they were dropping like flies, which made Kaiden happy if he were facing a worthy adversary.
The battle was under way as he raised his forces to combat the ponies offensive. Militiants were rushing out, meeting the ponies at the entrances to Temple Prime. War Factories were pumping out units, ranging from Scorpion Tanks to Avatars. SAM sites shot down any Pegasus ponies foolish enough to come close to the holy site. Ajay is holding the Northside entrance while Kaiden holds the other two entrances. It wasn't a hard job since the ponies all try to hit the entrance with everything they got and all get obliterated. However, there were some casualties from his side. Granted they were few, but they need every single men and women to defend Kane while he works with the Tiberium Bomb.
But he a plan for this. The ponies continued to charge in, like in the Great Patriotic War, when Order 227 prevented Soviet soldiers from retreating. He will continue to hold back wave after wave until they can't send anymore. Once the ponies were weakened, he would send his forces to the camp and slaughter every single pony he saw. It's simple, cunning and brilliant.
Course, he would use the nuclear arsenal in Temple Prime to blow them to kingdom come, but with the camp so close to the temple would mean radiation would kill the men in the temple.
And with a large patch of Tiberium underneath the temple, he wasn't taking any chances.
"Commander, something is coming up on the radar." An officer interrupted his train of thought. Kaiden pressed a few buttons on the console to bring up the holographic display of Temple Prime. Red dots indicate the enemies assault while the blue dots were his allies. He looked around the map until he saw what was coming.
Bombers.
"WHAT THE.....BOMBERS?!?!?!." A brotherhood militant spotted it coming, telling his comrade in arms about it. Soon everyone looked at the fast approaching objects that were heading to the ponies camp. The objects were black and had a smooth surface.
The militant who spotted them let out a sigh of relief. "Oh thank god, our brothers have returned." Vertigo Bomber dropped there payload on the enemy. They bombarded everything, from the armory to the hospital tents. The whole entire camp was destroyed. The ponies that were charging the enemy now turn tail and ran. The Brotherhood cheered, for the day was theirs.
That point was soon short lived.
The reinforcements arrived just outside the Temple, but something was wrong. They soon started setting up a base, both were located on the left and right side of the entrance. SAM sites were set up, tanks were rolling out of the War Factory that was set up and air units circled the base as well. "Now there building bases. What the hell is going on?"
A Black Hand member put his two to his ear. "Who's in charge here? In the name of Kane, reveal yourself."
At first, there was silence. Then a voice rang out on all channels.
"Brothers, you have been deceived. We have come to right an unholy injustice. Kane does not uphold the Brotherhood as he would have you believe. We serve the true cause of Nod. Surrender Temple Prime or DIE!!!!"
