Galatea Volkova

Biotechnologist, epidemiologist, and combat specialist

Secret agent

Arklay research Facility- 1980

My name is Galatea Volkova, I specialize in Biotechnology, field epidemiology, and hand to hand combat. I was taken from an orphanage by the Russian government at the age of five and was trained in a secret facility to become a secret agent. My only home was the secret facility, my only childhood was training with other children, survive. A man by the name Sergie Vladimir, took interest in my skills and recommended me to the international pharmaceutical supplier, the Umbrella corporation; I was hired within days. However, I was given a task by the secret facility to gather information about Umbrella's true purpose. I accepted the objective with pride, but I was not prepared for the nightmare that would unravel.

Upon my arrival at the Arklay research facility in the Arklay mountains, just outside Raccoon city, I was greeted by Doctor James Marcus, a brilliant scientist and one of the three founders of the Umbrella corporation. He toured me through the facility, explaining what my position would be and want I would be working on. After an exhausting tour of all the levels and laboratory, the doctor escorted me to my dormitory to rest for the night.

The next day, I was handed a file regarding the G-virus by the president of the facility. The virus was discovered a few years ago and I was to be placed under the command of one of the researchers as a trainee. Upon my arrival to the laboratory, the five men who were there paused their movement and stared, soon after, they resumed. One of the chief researchers, William Birkin, approached me as I sat down and gave me another file.

"You will be working under Albert Wesker, chief researcher like myself. You will follow his command without question. You are expected to do the same amount of working as we, and not to fall behind. Errors are not permitted, Volkova." He told me and pointed to the only man wearing dark spectacles. I quickly assumed the spectacles were enhanced.

I read the files twice and memorized it to prevent any errors, but even that was expected of me. I spent the first two weeks in the laboratory, completing an excessive amount of work and analyzing data from the T-virus that Birkin constantly spoke about. I had little to no sleep, Albert Wesker did not allow my dismissal until my work was completed, until he was satisfied. He only spoke to me when it was necessary, often he would stand behind me, stalking my work.

My first task was to gather data regarding the scientists of the Arklay Facility and during the least amount of leisure time that I managed to acquire, I did just that. However, when I secretly invaded the office of William Birkin, I could not find enough information on Albert Wesker.

I worked under Doctor Marcus when Albert did not need my service. To my surprise, the old man was rather pleasant and I acquired his skills. Upon my service with Doctor Marcus and his development of the G-virus, I noticed that there was someone constantly watching doctor Marcus, and that someone was William Birkin. I was suspicious of him and of Albert, the pair seemed... adamant.

My skills and intellect was at their level but even then Albert would not allow me to work in the program directly, instead he would insist I file data samples from the Ebola virus. I dreaded the demand and my commander, Albert, I also despised Birkin and his "know it all" attitude.

Years passed and my mission extended as long as I needed to gather enough data on the facility, the researches and the employees. I made a habit of reporting once a week because Albert wanted my services. I wanted to spend more time with Doctor Marcus because his research seemed interesting at the time, and he remained me of my grandfather. He shared information on his research and entrusted me with several secrets, he was a brilliant scientist. Albert was displeased that I preferred working with doctor Marcus, but I know that what really disturbed him was the fact that Umbrella had a assigned a ten year old girl to be chief researcher of the Antarctic research facility. I know this to be true because it had an effect on Birkin. I was four years younger than Birkin, but he did not care about me because I was not a scientist and I was only assigned to Wesker, but Birkin's pride was ravished by a mere child.

The intense atmospheres, dense working hours, the excessive amount of work, tasks and responsibilities caused me to be stressed, I needed to escape hell. Birkin overworked me and not even Wesker could keep up with him, even if he attempted to be collected, I perceived his irritation and could almost hear his brow furrowing. Birkin was out of control, his test subjects would die with ease and new ones were brought to the facility. I decided to ignore Birkin and sneak out of the facility whenever I could to escape the nightmare. I went into the forest because boarding a helicopter to leave the facility was not permitted. The forest was pleasant and humming with life, there were many animals and a river with a waterfall. I preferred to take long walks during the afternoon, there was so much peace and I could report without the concern of being discovered. I even took it upon myself to train in the forest, it was a perfect target course to enhance my abilities. The targets were rodents, birds, and sometimes deer.

One day, as I stalked a stag that I have been eying for weeks, I noticed a peculiar figure standing over the rotten carcass of a bird that I dismembered weeks ago. I watched him from above the tree I had climbed earlier for what seemed hours and he did not move, I was torn between the stag and him. So I decided to approach him in the most distinct manner. I sneaked behind him and when he noticed, I already had my knife against his throat.

"What are you doing here?" Was the first question he asked me and I could tell he was irritated because I caught him off guard.

"I was using my hours of leisure wisely. And yourself, chief Wesker? I thought your research was far more important than leisure hours." I was aware why he was not with Birkin, extending his research, but I never thought that he would walk in the forest.

"Your hours of leisure seem to involve some serious butchery and dismemberment."

"That does not concern you... Chief." Wesker attempted to knock me down and confiscate my knife but I counteracted his attempt and cartwheeled away to create distance.

"It is interesting how you, a mere adolescent, was able to counteract my intentions. Where did you learned that?" He asked but I remained silent. I needed to leave, my time was running out and even if I have been watching him for years, he was unpredictable. My eyes never left him, minutes passed, there was an unsettling silence between us. I decided to try a different approach.

I created a diversion by throwing the knife at the tree behind him, in the fraction of milliseconds that took him to react, I fled.

After our encounter in the forest, I did not see Albert and Birkin directed my services to doctor Marcus. Perhaps I frightened him or he no longer desired my presence, regardless, I did not care. Every now and then, I would see Albert Wesker standing outside the door. He never approached me, he just stood there, stalking me like a predator, perhaps he knew my real purpose. Even when I looked into the microscope, I could feel those eyes of his, eyes that I have never seen yet somehow I knew.

-1988

Doctor Marcus and I worked on the G-virus, an advance strain of the progenitor virus, he would test and I would collect the data, sometimes we switched roles. One could say that I earned a degree in virology, because I acquired the ability to produce the virus. He was very close to conclude his research and to celebrate, I decided fetch for a pair of glass and some wine. I told him that my absence would be short since the launch room was several corners away and that he should continue testing the slugs. I left for the launch. It was the first time since the day I arrived to this facility that I had some sort of joy. I grabbed a vintage wine from the cupboard with a smile and as I was about to turn the corner, I heard several quickened footsteps barge into doctor Marcus' s laboratory, then I heard gunfire.

I peered from the corner just to see what was happening. There was no one there, I managed to get close enough to peer into the laboratory. There were two umbrella security service commandos pointing their gun at an already collapsed Marcus and over his body, Birkin and Wesker mocked. I was stunned and slightly heartbroken by the sight, but at the same time, I was grateful for not being inside the laboratory, because I would have met with the same fate. Doctor Marcus gazed into my eyes as he took his last breath, he was covered in blood and his laboratory coat was ruined. As he bled to death, I swiftly left the sight without being noticed and retired to my chamber. Hours passed and I decided to return to the laboratory to retrieve a few files from Doctor Marcus's desk. When I entered, nothing seemed out of place, as a matter of fact, everything was organized and impeccable. I inspected the floor to find any trace of blood but even that was impossible, they did an outstanding job.

I searched in the doctor's desk for some files that I managed to store there without him noticing. I hid them in a compartment under his desk, it was there to begin with but he was unaware of that secret. The files that I collected had data on the Arklay facility, researches, illegal testing and employee information. This data was vital for my mission and without it, I had no evidence. I placed the files inside my coat and headed for the door, but Wesker was already there.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Using my leisure hours wisely. And you, Volkova? I missed you hours ago." I was correct. I would have shared the same fate as doctor Marcus if it was not for my urge to celebrate.

"Hours ago, I retired to my chamber. Now, I am in search of Doctor Marcus, I wanted to confirm if he requires my assistance to work on the files regarding his research. Do you happen to know where he is?" I asked him but he did not respond. He stepped into the laboratory and closed the door behind him, then he walked towards me. I could feel the tension, I could feel how much he wanted to strangle me, but I remained calm.

"Doctor Marcus... Retired."

"Retired? That is quite a shame. I was looking forward to working on his research. He was... A brilliant scientist."

"You speak of him as if he were deceased." He was suspicious but he could not make accusations.

"It just seems odd to me that he retired, when yesterday, he shared vital information about his research and wanted me to assist. Do you not find it odd, Doctor Wesker?" I frowned. It was not my business but I could not help it. It was a question I did not want him to answer and as I attempted to leave, he grabbed my arm to prevent me from escaping.

"I was doing a bit of background research and found nothing about you, not even the date of your birth, not even a picture. There is only a number and your name, Galatea Volkova... It almost seems like you don't exist, yet here you are... Gathering data and working for umbrella. Or at least, it appears that way." He said, in a husky yet passive tone. I could not tell if he knew my secret or if he was simply testing me. Regardless, I was not going to fall for his trick.

"Whatever it is that you are attempting to accomplish, cease at once, or you will find yourself failing miserably. And as for my personal profile, that is not of your concern. Soon, I will be out of your hair and hopefully our paths shall never entwine." I said, abruptly. I pulled my arms with force and shoved my shoulder against his chest to part from him. I was trespassing the boundaries but I was unaware that he would react in such way. An impotent force came over him, he gripped me by the throat and bashed me against the wall. My vocalization and oxygen was restricted by his strong hand. His grip compressed my throat as I grasp the sleeve of his coat to release pressure.

"You cannot fool me, Galatea. I have my eyes on you." He whispered. Even if I was pinned against the wall, I had the advantage because he was negligent to my own skills. I pushed his elbow upwards to cause a fault in his grip, then I proceeded to knee him in the stomach, causing him to flinch. As he attempted to attain his posture, I turned him around and shoved his body against the wall. I took a hold of his dominant hand while I placed my forearm against his throat. There was this sudden urge inside of me, the urge to feel the warmth that his body emitted, an urge that caused my body to tremble with the mere thought.

"Enjoy the view." My lips touched his earlobe, I released him, but he did not opposed my acts, despite the fact that his strength was greater than my own. It was an erratic behavior, the way he allowed me to dominate him. Perhaps he had an epiphany, a realization that he was not always in command. Or perhaps he was going to avenge his dignity in the future. Regardless, I was not going to allow him or anyone to walk over me. I patted Albert on the cheek, smirked and exited the laboratory.

The months withered away like the trees in the Autumn and I did not encountered Wesker, in fact, he was not within the facility. I questioned Birkin about Wesker's whereabouts but he was useless, all he cared for was his research. I asked an employee from our section of the facility and she confessed that Wesker departed to join a division of the Raccoon Police Department in Raccoon city. It was a perplexing thought, Wesker was absent, his research ceased for the moment or perhaps completely. I had suspicions of Wesker, perhaps he joined the division for ulterior motives. Or perhaps something inside of me festered...

I received a call from the secret base, it was time for me to part from the facility. I notified Birkin of my departure, but he seemed uninterested. I requested a transfer to Africa to further study the T-virus, management approved, but I had ulterior motives. I wanted to make a sample of the T-virus, to supply my employer and the secret base. I boarded the helicopter the next morning and as the machine ascended, I watched Arklay fade away with the sunset. The placid wind brushed my hair, I was physically free and mentally exerted, overwhelmed with freedom, but I could not help the feeling that something atrocious was going to happen.