September 29, 1998, 8:00 PM, Eddie's Private Laboratory
The smell of gun oil and ozone mingled in the sterile air of the lab. Under the cold light of a work lamp, Eddie's hands moved with near-unnatural precision, assembling the components of a gun. It was no standard weapon. Every piece had been modified, lightened, balanced. A Beretta 92F—the same he had given Jill—but this one was for him. A prototype, a lethal work of art he would christen "Samurai Edge." It was a hobby, a way to release tension, to apply his genius to something more tangible than the invisible dance of molecules.
Tap!
Tap!
Tap!
The familiar sound of high heels on the polished floor reached him from outside. Annette.
"What are you working on?" she asked, entering. She saw the weapon parts scattered across the bench. Is he assembling a machine? she murmured to herself before moving to the cabinet to prepare coffee.
"Just something I wanted to try," Eddie replied, sliding the magazine in with a satisfying, sharp click. "By the way, Sergei is putting me in the Raccoon City Tactical Team. From next month, I might not return to this lab."
He spoke the truth with calculated calm.
Annette, pouring hot water, froze mid-motion. Her eyebrows knitted. "Why so suddenly? Did Sergei discover something about the G-Virus?"
Eddie shook his head. "Of course not. Yesterday, I gave him part of my research. As for Spencer… I don't know where that old man is, so all matters go through Sergei." He paused, his tone lightening, almost teasing. "Shortly after, he told me to join the Tactical Team. There are tasks I need to complete. And no one will oversee your project anymore. Aren't you happy?"
Annette handed him the coffee.
"It's just so sudden… You in the Tactical Team? I hope you didn't give Sergei any critical information."
"Uh… Do you mind that I'm leaving this lab soon?" Eddie's eyebrows lifted, a broad smile playing across his face.
"You think too much. Of course not…" Annette replied, tilting her head. Strangely, her hands began fiddling with her delicate blonde hair.
"Annette, I want to help you one last time before leaving this lab," Eddie said suddenly, his tone serious.
Hearing this, Annette felt a twinge of confusion. "Help me? What do you mean?"
"You need an upgrade. My advice is that once you're done with the G-Virus, you'd better disappear from here. Otherwise, Umbrella will target you." He paused, concern creasing his expression. "You know Dr. William's personality. He'll never hand the serum to Spencer. I'm just worried about your safety, Annette."
At first, Annette felt uneasy, but her skepticism began to fade. She believed this one friend would never betray her or attempt to forcibly reclaim the G-Virus data.
"You mean your personal T-Serum, right? I don't need it. As long as you don't disclose anything about us, I won't try to cause trouble for you."
"As you know, perfecting the G-Virus in a short period is impossible. Unless Alexia herself helps with the project, don't expect too much." Eddie sipped his coffee. "Dr. William is brilliant, but it's impossible for him to fully test the G-Virus's effectiveness. Not to mention mapping all the side effects it will cause."
Hearing those words, Annette was at a loss. A mix of gratitude and irritation. "I appreciate your advice, Eddie. But I don't need to enhance myself with your serum." She still refused.
"No. As a friend, you've already helped me more than I could ever repay. Trust me, if something critical happens suddenly, at least the serum could save your life." Eddie held firm in his stance.
"My affairs are my own. I'll take care of myself." Annette turned away, struggling to accept the help offered by her friend.
"There's no other choice. You can refuse, but I will do it anyway."
Without further hesitation, Eddie moved with blinding speed. In an instant, he was upon her, pinning her against the wall. Before she could even scream, his fast fingers snatched a single lock of her hair—a motion so quick and precise it was almost surgical.
With another motion, the lab door clicked shut, and the containment chamber hissed open.
Eddie's physical resistance had increased by dozens of times. He no longer needed to wait outside the door as Annette had during her first fusion experiment.
He pushed her inside. The chamber door sealed behind them. Through the glass, their eyes met. Hers were wide with shock and betrayal. His were cold, determined, almost regretful.
He activated the protocol. The soporific gas filled the chamber. Annette collapsed to the floor, unconscious.
Eddie stayed, watching her through the glass as the serum he had synthesized in mere minutes was automatically injected into her system. He wasn't just helping her. He was recruiting her. He was transforming her.
Annette Birkin was no longer just a friend. She had become one of his assets. A queen on his personal chessboard.