Paving a way through hordes of monsters using my newly acquired abilities, I ran into a dead end. And if it were just a wall ahead, but no, in my way stood an almost whole and unharmed Lisa Trevor.
Thirty years ago, she and her mother visited Spencer Mansion, where they were met by a group of scientists who decided to subject the guests to inhumane experiments. The mother died almost immediately, but the daughter had a resistance to the virus, becoming the subject of research for many years. She lived in a real hell, where she was endlessly broken and tortured, but they could not completely break her. Lisa was able to survive, turning into a monster. A crazy monster, flaying the skin of her victims who shared features with her mother.
I once conducted experiments on her with my partner, Birkin. That was when I was still working for the head of the Umbrella corporation and dancing to his tune; the very thought of those days causes irritation. I hate submitting to anyone. Fortunately, those times are in the past. Soon I will destroy both him and his creation.
— You're alive? — I was a little surprised by the news. — Be a good girl and die.
In the confined space, she is most restricted by the shackles and chains on her hands and feet. And for me, it was not difficult to maintain the necessary distance, continuing a systematic shooting spree. I aimed mainly at her head; every bullet counted, and engaging in close combat with this creature was unnecessarily dangerous. Experiments had been conducted on her for over thirty years; all kinds of virus mixtures were injected into her flesh, thanks to which she acquired functions similar to immortality. Her offensive skills were also high, and at some point, I had to do a somersault on the spot to avoid Lisa's attack. Although the chains restricted her movement, she had not forgotten how to make predictable lunges.
— You were supposed to be disposed of, — I reminded the experimental specimen, which managed to escape and hide from Umbrella mercenaries for a long time. — And I'll finish what was started.
Quickly aiming and using a rapid-fire technique, I managed to incapacitate the creature for a while. Now, in addition to the mansion's explosion, a new threat has appeared. Going around the corpse, I began to make my way with quick steps to the main hall of Spencer Mansion.
This was an amazing place for conducting experiments with a dangerous virus, especially near the densely populated Raccoon City. If I assessed the situation correctly, the choice of this place was far from accidental. The company craved data on the combat features of mutants — real, field, and, preferably, recorded on camera. Umbrella's pharmaceutical activity is just a cover; what they really need is the creation of biological weapons for sale to all dictators and terrorist groups. If a virus leak occurs, the old bastard Spencer will be extremely pleased.
Reaching the main hall, I again encountered Lisa Trevor, who seems to be following me no matter what. The stubborn girl forced me to use my newly acquired strength, ignoring the distance to the second floor. A direct confrontation was too risky: it was dangerous for me to get a new dose of the virus from her, which has such complex interconnections that it caused a slight tingling in my head. After all, the G-virus was derived from her. The most unpredictable and dangerous with its mutations. Mine, however, must be perfect, it must be.
Birkin claimed that my virus is an ancestor of the T-virus, perfected and brought to perfection by him. It seems like the truth, but there are doubts: how did he synthesize it? From the outside? If we talk about who provided him with such a sample, by elimination, the top of the corporation remains.
Why would it infect someone who wants to betray them? To make him stronger, faster, more resilient. I'm losing something; my memories, William's memory, scream about the danger of the situation I'm in. Well, I'll think about that later.
Jumping to the second floor, I kicked the door open with a jerk and headed down a long corridor in search of another exit. Time is running out; Lisa's breathing is felt on the back of my head; it seems she likes me. I'll reciprocate: aiming without looking, I send four bullets into her head. She's fallen behind, which is good. Ah, no, another mutation has occurred in her. Dozens of tentacles in the shape of small intestines came out of her body, apparently sharp and dangerous, judging by their shape. I was right to refuse to get close to her. The tentacles move at a speed exceeding the speed of sound, like the tip of a whip. It's impossible to dodge that.
Running through another corridor, I decided to jump into the armory. Spencer loved the medieval era, ordering real armor and swords, halberds and spears.
The spear will come in handy, however, taking it from the armor turned out to be a difficult task. I couldn't do it neatly, just scattering metal around the room. Throwing a spear… I have no experience, but it shouldn't be something supernaturally difficult with my strength. Smoothly aiming, getting into the right stance according to my understanding, I wait for the creature's head to appear in my field of vision.
Maybe Lisa has fast tentacles, but her reaction is at the level of a sleepy fly. Plus, the mask of human skin limits her vision. She can't counter the spear that pierces her head all the way through. And even more, I pinned her to the wall — with one confident throw of the spear.
— I should take private fencing lessons, — approaching another knight, I replenished my weapon collection with a heavy sword.
— Kiiyaa! — letting out a desperate shriek, Lisa tried to pull the spear out of her head.
I would have played with her a little longer, but instead I ignored her, turning into another corridor. I met a hungry Alpha Hunter; the reptile, as soon as it saw me, rushed into a warm embrace. Too bad for it that I was against close contact with the nauseating lizard. However, my sword did not object at all, cutting through its flesh and stopping only near the spine. I couldn't cut through the obstacle, the creature continued its flight with the sword stuck in it.
Annoying, probably creating a blade suitable for my abilities will require a lot of time and effort. The swords from Spencer's collection are not able to cut through the spines of reptiles, but they can delay them, which allowed me to quickly turn into a corridor with a staircase leading to the first floor.
Two Chimeras… Too weak. Knowing their strengths and weaknesses, I dealt with them in the most suitable way: by ignoring them. Sharply running and making a jump, I stretched my body and flew through the empty space to get behind the backs of the humanoid flies, and continue my retreat.
The Chimeras didn't have time to chase me; they were killed by the jumping Lisa Trevor.
— Immortal and dangerous. I wonder what my level of immortality and danger is? — still not realizing the limits of my own abilities, I turned into one of the passages, returning to the mansion's hall. Last time the specimen caught me by surprise, jumping out from a column near the door, but now I controlled the course of the fight. Aiming at the chandelier holder, I made one confident shot, waiting for her next jump. The creature, having caught up and jumped at me, reacted exactly as I had foreseen, catching the falling chandelier with her body. But not one made of plastic or aluminum — metal.
Time! Running to the doors, I burst outside and rushed at maximum speed into the forest. A deafening sound thundered like thunder in a cloudy sky, expected and predictable. Spencer Mansion ceased to exist, the explosion scattered every chip, raising columns of flame into the air. And the shock wave only gave me a hot breeze, reminding me of the weakness of our lives. We are weak. A few moments ago, I mentally called Lisa Trevor an immortal creature; now she was buried by the explosion and flame.
I need to become stronger than the explosion and flame, otherwise my enemies will destroy me; much smarter, more talented, and more capable. You cannot revel in absolute power until it is confirmed. There are thousands of specimens that have lost their humanity for the sake of efficiency. If I want to become a perfect creation, I must remain irresistible externally and internally. The nature of the ideal is unshakable in its splendor, as Spencer himself said.
Hmm, analyzing myself from the outside, I realize a problem... Spencer influenced the part of me that is Albert Wesker; as if he deliberately adjusted my past personality to his desires and ideals. Does he want to use me? For what? So how would I have acted without the additional memory reel? Joining an Organization that opposes the Umbrella company. It wants to overthrow a competitor in order to independently sell biological weapons on the world stage. It craves Tyrant and Hunter specimens, as well as data on research and viruses. Joining them is an expected step on my part. Or an unexpected one? To find allies to become the one who can suppress the enemy from the shadows.
— I faked my death; not a single living creature on the planet knows about my existence, — I shake my head at this statement myself, stopping after a long sprint. — The Red Queen passed on data about my survival to Umbrella. At the very least, the top brass learned about my betrayal and potential survival in the mansion. Damn it… Only ordinary employees, special services, and my former subordinates will not be aware that I am still alive.
Initially, I needed data and specimens to get a place in the leadership of the Organization, becoming its pillar, not a errand boy. But there is no data, no specimens, everything was destroyed in the mansion. My head. I was able to analyze a lot before my access rights were taken away.
So, I have: a half-chance of getting a leadership position in the Organization due to my accumulated knowledge and skills. Almost accurate information that Umbrella has learned about my survival, which, of course, complicates my future life in the sun.
— Birkin, — I smirked, remembering my rival and friend. He gave me the virus, but concealed its true source, providing false information. We conducted many secret operations for which we could be blacklisted: candidates for elimination. Not the best option, but not terrible either.
Ideally, I should discuss the nature of the virus with him, identify its weaknesses and mutations, and carefully study every cell of the new strain. Who else but him? A young genius, my equal in many areas, capable and smart, with grievances against the corporation. We killed our previous leader to gain a sunny spot in the company. Shared killings bring people together. However, I cannot disclose my data to outsiders. The one who learns how I function will be able to effectively develop methods of resistance to creatures like me.
— My appearance is too bright to be forgotten, — putting my hands behind my back, I slightly stretched my neck, shaking it from side to side.
Changing one's appearance is like changing nature itself. Plastic surgery is not suitable. Control over the body at the molecular level is not yet available. Tying my life to the Organization is a good idea as a backup option. The path to the Corporation is closed; Umbrella clearly set a trap for me. The government is excluded due to the betrayal of the S.T.A.R.S. team and numerous crimes not subject to amnesty.
And yet, how to get a laboratory necessary to study the virus? I also need to develop serums capable of holding mutations in check if they get out of control.
As for the G-virus, derived from Lisa Trevor… Random and uncontrolled mutations of the new virus are not very suitable for creating bio-organic weapons. However much Birkin burns with the desire to study this particular strain, he is doomed to failure. The reason for everything is the lack of control. A similar problem was characteristic of the T-virus, but on a much smaller scale. And yet, "problems" are "problems." Without solving them, it is impossible to predict one's own future.
What path to choose?
Keep your enemies closer, and your friends even closer.
It's worth trying to organize an attack on one of Umbrella's warehouses, where advanced equipment is stored. In addition, I will find a place for a laboratory in Raccoon City, where I will transport this equipment after the theft. Then I can proceed with the research.
In case it is necessary to use especially rare components, I should turn to Birkin for that. He is a key link, and leverage can be used on him. Betrayal on his part is almost impossible.
I can join the Organization at any time, as long as it exists. This is my backup plan, in case my own research reaches a dead end.