Resident Evil: Shattered Memories
Vivian VanDam
Chapter one
It was rough, working as hard as I did to get where I'm at. Right now. I fought tooth and nail, my palms were sweating, my heart was racing. I pulled my short red hair back behind my ears, and I chewed nervously at my bottom lip. For years, I've trained to get accepted into the BSAA. And now here I am, sitting here…staring at the bright multi colored tile floor, sitting in the lobby, pondering if they would ever call my name. I wanted to meet the person who had saved my life, back in China Town. Even if he doesn't remember me, the least I could do, is give him my thanks. That was five years ago. It's 2015, and bioterrorism had gotten ten times worse.
I lean back in the chair, crossing my well-toned legs. The boots I wore (my signature) stopped mid-calf and were lace up. I had them since high school. My thoughts on the entire subject of bioterror, is very single minded. It needs to be stopped. Umbrella was gone, Tricell was gone. At least, what I know of. And now, knowing what poor Claire and Mira went through with Terra save. What else was going to happen? I sighed, closing my light violet eyes. My lips pursed, and I attempted to concentrate. Trying to piece together everything that's happened. Gritting my teeth hard, I had to stand up and pace. It was the only way I could think.
"What's going to go corrupt next? I don't understand any of this. It's just…everything is going to hell, the BSAA was created to counter bioterrorism, but…" I shook my head unsure of how to go about my thoughts. As I go to stand, a pretty woman stepped out of the office, and gave a smile to me. I stiffen, and forced the emotions to drain from my face. She had short cropped blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and a well sculpted face, she had almost looked like Sherry Berkin, the man who had created the T-Virus and G-Virus's daughter. The man was nuttier then candy bar shit.
"Ma'am the captain would like to see you now. He wants to apologize for keeping you waiting." At least she didn't sound like Sherry. Sherry's voice was softer then this woman's. I lifted my chin and gave her a light nod. I picked up my portfolio, straightened out my blue-gray dress, and took a deep breath. My heart was ramming into my ribcage, and I could hardly stand. My knees were too weak. This was a chance of a lifetime, and I couldn't stop myself from sweating.
I never sweat this much, even at the gym.
Nervously I ran a hand through my hair, and I take the first few steps into the unknown. The pretty receptionist, didn't even look my way twice, she was back to typing on the thin computer.
"Wow technology has advanced fast." I thought, watching her fingers fly over the screen. Pulling up pictures, typing away at the notes. I turn back, pushing my glasses up on the bridge of my nose. I gave a soft knock.
…
He kept his head buried deep in the file before him, the woman he was interviewing next was a sharpshooter. Possibly one of the best on her squad. A former S.W.A.T leader, with some military training. She was straight A's and an expert at three different languages. Arabic, Egyptian and Korean. He was highly impressed with her background. But her name was strange.
Clio.
It was different, and he also liked the sound of it. When he turned the page to review the rest of her background, there was a soft knock at his office door. It must've been her. He lifted his head, fixed his posture and cleared his throat. He was expecting some older female, with wrinkles and decent muscles. What he didn't expect, was the young, fire red haired female that stepped through his door. Her eyes, were the strangest color. Almost violet, but too blue to be purple. Chris almost forgot to breathe. This was a young woman! The higher ups wanted to give him a YOUNGER woman? To replace his former partner Jill?
That stung…his heart ached, and he felt his throat tighten. Jill Valentine. His lost partner. He, at one point thought he couldn't have moved on from her. But when the higher ups, told him they needed him on the field, he was expecting someone more…manly then the woman that was nervously standing in front of him. His eyes roamed over her face, her body, assuming she worked out. She wasn't really bad looking, she had a plain face, glasses, short neck length hair that she wore in curls. A tight blue-gray dress, and boots that almost made him chuckle. It didn't even match her dress. It must've been something she had gotten attached too, and thought it would give her luck. His brown eyes scaled back up to her face, and her jaw was tight. Observing her behavior, he could tell the poor women was nervous.
He stood up, gave her the best smile he could muster up and stretched out his hand.
…
I was shocked. He was ungodly handsome, and his muscles were nearly ripping out of the tight shirt he wore. His hair was cut short, and curly. His brown eyes were like a does, and his lips were thin, jaw chiseled…and god, his voice made my knees tremble that much harder.
"I'm going to have to work with HIM?!" my breathing was heavy, clearly my cheeks were flushed, I was praying I just looked scared to death. When he stood and gave me his hand, I smiled and took it. I made sure I gave a nice squeeze and he nearly chuckled at me.
"Nice handshake. Please sit and let us talk." I followed his direction, and sat on the comfortable chair. I watched him lean forward, his hands clasped together, and his long fingers interlocking. He kept looking me over, and I swallowed hard. Unsure, if this was good or not. The man gave a nod and went back to the file he was looking at when I walked in.
"So, you were former S.W.A.T in the military for four years. And then started training for the BSAA." He looked up at me, and I gave him a nod. Keeping my legs tightly closed, and holding the portfolio close to my knees. He grunted.
"It doesn't say much on your background here. You went to a simple college for virology work…" He went silent before looking at me.
"How old are you Clio?" He asked, and I swallowed.
"Twenty-seven." I replied nervously. I reached up, pushing my glasses back up on my face.
"It says in here; you were the number one shot on your S.W.A.T." He leaned forward, eyeing me with his doe brown eyes.
"And you used to live in Raccoon City." He leaned back, and chuckled.
My face blanched, and I trembled. That wasn't supposed to be in the file…that was supposed to be blocked out. I kept my hands from trembling and I only nodded at him. He lifted his head, as if sensing my nervousness and his smile disappeared.
"To have you know, we know everything about everyone. Mainly those who come here, to become part of a bioterrorism task force." He chuckled, and that dimple raised against his cheek. He was starting to have a five o'clock shadow growing, and he looked…tired, the more I looked at him, the more I started to see…this man, had more to hide then anything.
"So…captain, what's your name?" I asked, giving him a light smile. The man raised a brow, and he finally let out a heartfelt laugh.
"My name? Is Chris Redfield. I can't believe my receptionist didn't tell you my name." He stood, slowly. And I watched him, he was tall. Hitting fix five. I would just barely come up to his chest. He walked around his desk, he was dressed in combat fatigues, and the tight workout shirt. He had combat boots, and he looked…god, I don't know. Chris leaned against the front of his desk, looking me over.
"I don't know Clio. We may not have many females on our team anymore." He sighed, crossing his arms against his built chest. My eyes widened.
"Why not?! Women could be just as powerful as men!" I nearly wanted to stand, and show him what I could do. Chris raised his hand, and gave me a hard stare.
"We are not sexist here at the BSAA. I'm simply saying, most of our men end up becoming attached to their partners. And we don't need another incident." I watched him grit his teeth.
He was dealing with something, something deep.
"Sir…" I started and he shook his head.
"Listen Clio. You want this job right?" He asked, and I nodded hard.
He kept taping his arms, thinking.
"I need to see how good of a shot she is, I need to make sure she's as good as the higher ups tell me. And she needs to go through the training…" He thought.
"She might be just as good as Jill." Again that stab. No one, could replace Jill.
"I guess we can take you on. But you must go through boot camp." My eyes lit up, as I nearly jumped with joy. Chris raised his hand, to quiet me.
"You need to understand something. If you're not as good, as the file says. I will let you go, or let you do grunt work." He lowered his hand, and my heart sunk. What if I wasn't as good as everyone said I was? I started chewing on my bottom lip and gave a nod.
"You can start today; I want to see how good of a shot you are." Chris looked me over, and chuckled.
"We have extra clothes in the locker room. Go knock yourself out kid." I watched him turn from me. He was hiding something from me. Scrunching my nose, feeling left out. I sighed, and stood.
"Ask my receptionist to show you the way." Chris said. I mumbled a small yes sir.
…
He turned away from Clio and heard the door shut. He had to force the anger down and away from him. He had to stop reminding himself about Jill. She was gone. There would be no one else to replace her, years of years of romance, sharing of night terrors…. when she would crawl into his bed at night to be held because she was frightened of something. Even if it was a small thump, she would drive the three blocks down the road to his apartment, and crawl into his bed. He never once told her no. But this woman Clio. There was something about her, that was new, fresh, she seemed powerful when he had shaken her hand. She was, something else. He could see that in the way she talked, and in the way she carried herself. She wasn't overconfident, but she knew what she could do. Chris looked through a stack of random papers on his desk, trying to keep his hands busy.
It was something of a tick. Something he had gained over years of anxiety. That night at the mansion, when he and Jill were on the search for Wesker…that hellish night. It was the night, after that mission, they would settle down, and start a new life. Retire, be happy together…but, that didn't happen. She sacrificed herself, instead of letting himself die. Chris had to sit down on his chair, covering his head with his hands. Raking his fingers through his thick hair, quickly becoming gray. Life fighting bioterrorism puts a toll on one person. If it wasn't for the gym, he would have had a heart attack by now. Five hours at the gym, a protein shake, gym again and then work. That's all his life had consisted of since Jill's death.
The kisses they shared, the sweet talk…the sex. He missed her.
"I miss you Jilly…" He laid his head on his desk, feeling the sob escape his throat.
His work, saving the world, was all that kept him going on. He wanted nothing more, then to be in that grave with her. Just where he had belonged. With her, dead, loving her in the afterlife. If that was what was real. Just as long as he had her…had Jill with him again.
Tears were hot streaming down his cheeks, he felt angry at himself.
"I let you go Jill…I let you die…god I'm so sorry…" He choked.
He never once forgiven himself for her death. His heart was heavy, and he smelt something, sweet and soft. It was the softest hint of rosemary and mint. His muscles had started to relax, he lifted his head, through foggy eyes, he reached up rubbing them with thick, rough hands.
He had a trainee to look after. He needed to get his mind in the game.
…
I changed quickly. Dropping from five foot, to four six. It was the reason why I had worn my boots. That way, I wouldn't feel intimidated by all the tall men. I tried squeezing into the tight training shirt. So I went into the locker room, and snagged one of the guy's long tank top. It reached my thighs, and I sighed. Never, ever had anything fit me right. I rolled my eyes, pulled my hair back in a bandana, I reached for my concealed weapon and smiled. It was a simple 10mm berretta. It was my father's favorite and it became mine quickly. The only attachment I had added was very, very illegal. Three round burst. One pull of the trigger and boom. They would be down. Considering my father took me out to the firing ranges a lot…I learned at a very, young age. Aim, and shoot once. If it took more than one bullet to put the person down. You're not good enough to do anything. I sighed, staring at the gun, it was my fathers…and now mine.
"Dad…where are you?" I whispered, putting the gun into its holster. It took me a minute to start thinking right. My heart was still running wild. I wasn't quite hired yet. I had to prove to Mr. Chris Redfield that I can hold my own.
"Now that I think about it, wasn't Claire's last name Redfield too?" I stopped in mid stride, only giving it little thought. Without wanting to waste any more time, I followed the directions that the nice receptionist gave me.
"Though being a little ditzy, she was a nice girl." It was nearly impossible to get lost, all I had to do was listen out for the gun shots. I kept looking at each door, each one was a classroom of some sort.
"You know I really, do miss working with viruses…" I sighed; missing my father even more. He was a scientist, working with those less fortunate, trying to come up with a cure for HIV, unfortunately, after Raccoon, I haven't saw him in forever.
"Did he even escape?" I wondered, stopping outside the shooting range, I hesitated. What if, my father didn't even escape Raccoon? Would all my research be for nothing? Would I just be fighting the wrong side?
"What are you waiting for kid? Get in there." Nearly jumping out of my skin, I yelped. Captain Chris Redfield stood behind me, hand on his holster. Giving me a side smirk again, that dimple deepened. As I gave a deeper look, I could see the sadness, sadness that was so deep, it made me hurt. I chewed the inside of my cheek, unsure of how to approach the situation.
"You to show up Sir." I smiled. He reached over opening the door, and smiled.
"Ladies first." I actually felt myself laugh lightly as I walked in first. Those who weren't aiming at a target stood straight, and saluted Chris. I looked back at him, his tan skin…bulging muscles.
"Calm down girl." I pushed it aside, and turned from him.
"Hey boss! Who's the new girl?" A man standing about five ten, he wasn't as bulky as Chris, yet he still had muscles straining in his tight shirt. Sweat glistened his biceps, he had the front of his blonde hair spiked, and his blue eyes stared at me. I wanted to pinch myself, I was in a room full of men, a few women here and there. He reached out, and I took his hand and shook it. He had a kind smile, no stubble unlike Chris. And he had a friendly tone.
"Nivans. Nice to meet ya." He said.
"Clio." I replied, Chris cleared his throat.
"Nivans, were here to see how good Clio is. I need to see if she would be on Beta, Alpha, Charlie or Delta." Chris's eyes kept on me, and I felt them peering deeper into me, staring at my toned arms, and petite body. I kept chewing the inside of my cheek.
Nivans looked at me, then to Chris.
"Is she replacing Jill?" He asked, others in the room stopped and stared.
It had been so long, since Chris had heard her name out loud from someone else's mouth. He didn't know how to reply. He really didn't. He stood there, staring him down. Nivans returned the glare; as if telling him they would talk later.
"Look, let's get your training started Clio. You can just call me Piers." He gave me the same smile as before, placing his hand on my shoulder. I felt relief, calm, and the nerves calming down. As I turned to ask him something, my eyes went to his right arm…a stump. My eyes traveled over his toned body and I wondered…what had happened, I wanted to reach over, and touch it. Figure out where it had been amputated. Piers shrugged and pointed to the far end of the shooting range.
"Get set up over there Clio. And we shall start."
I followed the order, putting on the headphones, pulling my weapon out, carefully inspecting each part of the gun. An eerie calmness washed over my body. My nerves completely calm, my breathing slow, paced…I kept the gun at hip level, I turned to Chris and Piers giving a nod. Chris turned and flipped the switch, the lights dimmed slightly, giving off an eerie glow, I turned back to the shooting range, taking aim. Elbows slightly bent, my eyes narrowing down the sights. I waited.
"Well isn't she going to shoot?" Said a trainee.
"Give her a second." Said Chris.
I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly.
"In through the nose, out through the mouth. Pull the trigger slowly, focus on one target at a time Clio." It was my father's voice, in the back of my head. I followed through.
I squeeze.
POP
POP
POP
Three round burst, the gun was easy in my hands, hardly jumping.
"Thirty seconds!" Piers shouted from somewhere in the back.
Ignored.
I had ignored him.
Drifting away, I kept staring at the paper target, and I kept squeezing.
Over.
Over.
And over.
Finally, the clip was done, and I sat up straight squaring away my shoulders, and kept my gun at my side. I saw the damage dealt to the paper target, all but two were headshots. The other two, chest, and kidney.
"Damn, she's better then Piers when he had both arms!" One man joked, Chris and Piers ignored the comment as they looked at each other.
"It's obvious, she's in." Chris said, giving me a winning smile.
My heart started jumping for joy, I couldn't believe it.
"Am I really?" I laughed my smile couldn't get any wider. Piers walked over, wrapping his arm around me hugging me close.
"That's right cadet. You are now in the BSAA. Time to start getting you in shape. Your first mission will be here sooner or later. Chris and I agree; Alpha team is best for you." My cheeks flushed in happiness as I looked at them both.
"You're just as good as Jill was." Chris said, a forced smile played out on his lips.
…
He couldn't believe it, her weapon was one of a kind, and she kept calm while under pressure. She took out all the targets with ease. Even when she didn't strike a headshot, she got a kidney or a definite kill shot in the chest. She, was just about as good as Jill…and the way he's thinking about it, it wouldn't be long before they would have to go on a mission…she's going to have to train hard, and fast in order to be in top shape. Clio would replace Jill physically, but never in his heart. He loved her…and he refused to love anyone else. Yet, he looked at that fire red hair, and she had the burning passion to go with it. Piers already seemed to have a strong connection to Clio. And why would Chris care? He wanted to chuckle to himself. He could bring Piers with them to their next mission as a communications expert. Chris watched Piers lead Clio out of the shooting range to the next stage of her training.
It was going to be a grueling thirty days, but from seeing her shoot. He knew it would take a lot for her to crack under pressure. Now, it was time for her to bleed, cry, and sweat for her country.
…
"Push it Clio! PUSH IT!" Piers screamed at me, I kept swinging my body, attempting to get the damn monkey bars done. And I looked down, I saw I was about twenty feet from the ground, and I couldn't fall. I forced myself to do a chin up, and I swung the rest of the way across the monkey bars. I landed on the other side with ease, and I climbed back down. My arms, and legs were already aching. And I was three days into the training. The gun part, was easy, the mathematics, and schematic training was even easier…this, this was difficult. I was tired, but I needed to prove to them, I could do this. I needed to prove my worth.
I jogged, to the next part, the part I hated. The wall was a solid fifty feet, and I had to climb, jump, and roll right. If not, I could hurt myself…
"You got this." I thought.
"YOU GOT THIS CLIO!" Piers was screaming.
The thing I didn't mind, was hope supportive he was, I took a running start, and started to climb. My shoulders ached, my legs screaming in protest. The three sports bra's I wore did nothing to bring down my bust. Sweat drenched my arms, back and down my breasts. As I reached the top, I swung my legs over, and I stared. Piers was already there, looking up at me, his one arm in his pocket.
"Come on, jump and roll." He stared up at me.
"Don't be a chicken shit." He continued.
I took a deep breath, let it out slow, and I jumped, landing right, and rolled. I got back up, moving to the ropes. I felt wind, and I climbed, grunting in the process. Piers was beside me, pushing me along the way.
"Come on girl, beat the time! You've gotten minutes left and three stages!" He shouted.
I pushed my body to the limit. Climbing, ringing the bell, and sliding down with ease. The tires were nothing, I got through the seventy tires, and finally, running to the jump ropes.
"Seventy-five. Go!" Piers snapped.
My heart was racing; picking up the jump rope, I started to jump. Hearing pierce count by fives. I couldn't breathe, I couldn't even see. This was intense, and just to think tomorrow will be nothing but weights. Today was endurance…I would hate to see how much more intense these can get.
The rope caught my foot, and I fell face first. Smacking my palms against the ground. My body screamed, yet I still got up, looked at Piers and he nodded.
"I won't start over, I'll start at half, pick up the speed, you got five minutes." He continued, I leaned forward, blood dripping down my nose, over my lips and into my mouth. I grasped the jump rope and continued.
"Seventy…"
"Seventy-five."
"Move, move move! Move your fat ass!" He screamed. He was fierce and kept pushing. Running my arm over my nose, I went at a full sprint to the final stage. I belly slid, and started to army crawl, it was so much harder than I thought. My wet skin, made the dirt and dust turn to mud. And it was sticking to me, I coughed, and kept moving.
"TWO MINUTE WARNING!" He was running beside me, I still had fifty feet left to cover. I kicked it to high gear, and I crawled as fast as I could. Even the military didn't even train me this hard. I kept moving, keeping my eyes on the prize.
A nice hot shower.
It was the end, end of the rope and road. I got up, and sprinted the last sixty feet, Piers beside me, screaming at me along the way.
"COME ON! COME ON! MOVE THAT FAT ASS!"
I turned to him, and I did. I slid to the finish line. He was there, by my side.
"That…holy shit…" I breathed out, blood covered my lips, and chin, smeared across my arm. And he laughed at me, placing a hand on my back.
"Come on lady, take a shower. The captains treating us to dinner." I looked at Piers, my eyes widened.
"Piers, who's Jill?" I asked, and he shook his head.
"A very, very selfless lady. She risked her life to save the Captain, I never personally knew her. But, from the stories I heard, she was the first response to the Arklay incident." Piers's voice crew cold, and I knew I crossed the line.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to-" I stood straight and he shook his head.
Using my dirty tank top, I wiped the blood from my mouth and chin. Piers's eyes stared with intent, and attraction, his eyes cascaded over my pudgy belly, and plump breasts. I chuckled, when he realized I saw him staring. He turned away.
"Sorry, didn't mean to stare. How did you get that scar anyway?" He asked, motioning to the long wide gash across my belly button to underneath my breast. I shrugged.
"I don't know, Too young to remember," I said. Piers nodded.
I wiped my brow.
"How did you lose your arm?" I asked, and he laughed.
"Blunt ant straight to the point. I like that in a woman." I widened my eyes. He was flirting with me? I shook my head.
"In 2010, I was in China with Chris…I got infected, and we cut it off. We thought, for a long time I was infected. Apparently, we got it just in time." He shrugged.
"Doesn't gross you out does it?" He asked, like I was interested in him.
We heard the loud steps before the door slammed open. Chris's eyes were wide.
"There's been an attack. We have to go NOW."
