December 24, 2012

Edonia, Eastern Europe

3RD PERSON POV.

The BSAA soldiers were gathered around. All of them had sad looks on their faces as they watched how their brother in arms was being put on a stretcher. He was dead. Another soldier walked to the group and everyone let him through, so that he could get a better view of the situation.

- He was running recon. – A young soldier, about 25, said to the soldier that just showed up, who was probably their Commanding Officer. – Alone. – They young one added with sadness and anger mixed on his face.

The soldier looked at the dead soldier being carried away. He was older than the soldier you just spoke by 10 years at least. He was tall and well-built. Obviously he went through a lot of fighting and battles. And his face held the look of hurt and wisdom. His blue eyes looked tired. This man had a lot to go through in his life and it wasn't pretty.

- Listen up! – the older soldier yelled out to others as they watched with sadness how their friend was being carried out. – In the BSAA… - he was interrupted by a voice that came through his earpiece.

- Captain Redfield, this is HQ. Do you copy?

- Yeah. – He answered.

- Be aware that you will get a new member to you team for the mission. The transportation should be arriving promptly. - But the Captain acted as if he didn't hear anything.

- As I was saying. – He continued. – In the BSAA our job is to rid the world of bioterrorism, and the only way we're gonna do that is by sticking together.

- Nobody's expendable. – The younger soldier added.

- Exactly. – Redfield added. – Now each and every one of you may be ready to die for our cause, but it's my job to make sure we all get through this alive. – Another young soldier, with a helmet on his head, started sniffing

- Suck it up, Finn! – The young soldier said. Everyone noticed the sniffing, but none of the soldiers looked at him with disgust, only with understanding. Probably every one of them have been in the same situation at least once.

- Sorry, sir. – Finn said, as he brushed his eyes.

- No one gets left behind, not on my watch. – Captain continued. – Understood?

- Yes, sir! – All of the soldiers said in unison.

- Chris?! – A female's voice was heard and everyone turned around.

MINNIE'S POV.

A few days ago I got a letter from USA. It was from the US government. They said that their BSAA soldiers were fighting in Edonia, and the government asked for my assistance. At first it was a bit odd that the US government was concerned about BSAA soldiers, because these two were completely

Either way, this wasn't the first time that I was asked to help someone concerning Umbrella, viruses, B.O.W.s and bioterrorism. Knowing my past I'm surprised that I am allowed to even walk on this Earth freely, without having my every move monitored.

So, led by curiosity I called the contacting number that was left in the letter. Derek C. Simmons. While talking to him I found out that the situation in Edonia was a very serious one and that the US government and the BSAA are working together. At least he said that they were working together.

And so, now I am in a vehicle that's taking me through Edonia, for me to meet my Team. The government paid for my flight from England to Edonia and all other expenses. I didn't get to meet Simmons personally, but when he called me once my plane landed, he gave me brief information about my objective. To be honest, there wasn't much information, just that I was answering directly to him and not to a Commanding Officer. That's it. I asked him what will I have to do, but he said that my knowledge will be of use. Oh, well. Nevertheless, I knew that I was going to a battlefield, so I got ready for it. My shoulder length jet black hair was up in a ponytail. I had put on my black jeans, along with knee high boots that I wore to almost my every mission, because they are very comfortable to wear and useful when hiding your weapons, like knives and daggers. On top I had put on a purple blouse. Over it I had my trusty black long-sleeved jacket, which went down almost to my mid-thighs. This jacket kept me warm in many missions and during cold nights when I didn't have a place to stay. And of course to top everything off, I had a pair of fingerless leather gloves on. These were the same gloves that Chris gave me when he finished training me. Only because of him I am capable to fight the way I can. *Chris and I go way back.* I thought. *Actually, Chris, Claire and I go way back. If not for them, I'd probably be dead or would have ended as an experiment gone wrong. I still owe them my life for…*

- We're here. – The soldier that was driving the vehicle tore me away from my thoughts. – That's your team, over there. – He said pointing to a group of men standing in a circle in the ruins of what used to be a house. One of them was talking and the others were listening carefully. *He's probably the CO.* I thought. – Here, take this and give it to your Captain. – The driver said handing me a piece of paper. – Your Captain was informed of your arrival and this is your transfer form.

- Okay, thanks. – I said taking the piece of paper and leaving the vehicle.

- Don't know what a kid like you is doing in a place like this, but good luck. – He said as he drove off. *A kid?! Oh seriously, people! I can't understand why people had to always call me "kid" just because I look young. OK, I admit, I'm 22 years old, but look like a 16-year old. What can I do if this runs in my genes? But really, "kid"? This is getting old.* With annoyance etched on my face I made my way to my team. I stood behind my new captain, close enough to hear what he was saying, but far enough not to get noticed by any one of them.

- … our job is to rid the world of bioterrorists, and the only way we're gonna do that is by sticking together. – The Captain said. *Hmm, his voice sounds familiar* I though.

- Nobody's expendable. – said someone. I turned my head to see a young soldier standing at the right of the Captain. Just by hearing his voice, I could say that he was younger than the Captain. Since he was standing a bit to the side I could see a part of his face. He had short brown hair and hazel eyes. He was probably my age, maybe a bit older, but didn't go over 25 years. *Quite a good looking fellow I should say.* I thought to myself.

- Exactly. – Captain agreed with what the hazel-eyed soldier said. – Now each and …

My mind drifted to other men that were standing there. Specifically to a guy that was standing shyly, a bit further from everyone. He was obviously younger than me and new to these things. I didn't know what had happened, but it wasn't something nice, because the shy guy sniffed and brushed away the tears with his hand.

- Suck it up, Finn! – The hazel-eyed soldier barked out. *I'm starting to like you less.* I thought. I've seen many ass lickers like him. They do whatever they can to look good in the eyes of their Commanding Officers just so they would get promoted or something as such. Soldiers like that are acting like little puppies. Whatever their master (the Commanding Officer) says, they'll do it without arguing and would slit anyone's throat open if that person would dare to disagree with his "master". *Oh, this will be a fun mission.* I thought a bit evilly, *I won't let anyone walk over my head.*

At the point when the Captain asked if the soldiers understood what he said, I looked at the piece of paper the driver gave me. I couldn't believe my eyes. There, black on white, was written that my Team Leader was Captain Chris Redfield. When the soldiers answered their Captain in unison, I looked up from the paper and spoke out, my voice full of bewilderment.

- Chris?! – I said out-loud.

All of the men turned to look at me. Some of them were confused to see me there, some were surprised. But Chris was a pool of emotions. There was shock, confusion, anger, happiness mixed in his face. I haven't seen him for more than 5 years. He would call me from time to time, or send me an e-mail, but I haven't seen him in person for a long time.

- M… Minnie? – his voice was full of confusion, but his soldiers were even more confused now, that their Captain had recognized me.

Chris hadn't changed a lot since I last saw him. A few wrinkles, a few gray hairs, but that's it. His blue eyes were still full of warmth, but now the warmness was mixed with all the hurt that he had to endure over his life.

- What the fuck are you doing here?! – Now his voice was full more with anger than confusion. *Yep, still the same old Chris. Protecting me from the horrors of the world.* I started laughing and saw how the hazel-eyed soldier looked at me angrily.

- The Captain asked you a question. – He hissed at me.

- I know. I'm not deaf. – I said as I extended the paper to Chris. – And I'm not talking to you, mutt. - Chris probably didn't even hear me, because he snatched the paper from me and started reading it.

- What did you say? – The soldier gritted his teeth at me and took a step closer.

- You heard me, pup, so…

- That's enough! – Chris yelled at the both of us.

- He started it. – I said nonchalantly, pointing at the younger soldier. But before he could do or say anything, Chris shoved the paper in front of my eyes.

- What the fuck is this supposed to mean? – He asked barely containing himself from grabbing me by the collar and dragging me all the way back home.

- Apparently, I am your new team member. – I said.

- That's bullshit! We don't need a kid to drag along with us! – The hazel-eyed soldier yelled eyeing me not too pleasantly.

- You should put a leash on that puppy. – I told Chris as I smiled at the angry soldier. By now I thought he was going to explode.

- Don't push your luck. – Chris told me in a warning matter. Right then I knew that I had probably crossed the line, but oh well, at least that mutt will know his place. – Since you will be our team member, you answer to your Commanding Officer – which is me, and to my second in command – Piers Nivans. – He said pointing to the young soldier. *Oh, that's just perfect.* I thought sarcastically.* - So you should start treating him a little respect. *So we're going to be all professional, Chris? Fine with me.* I smirked. *Two can play that game.*

- Actually, Chris, I don't answer to any of you. – I said proudly. – I answer directly to the US government.

- Since when does the government involve itself with the BSAA? – One of the other soldiers asked. I just shrugged, because I didn't know the answer and honestly I couldn't care less.

- What is your objective? – Chris asked a bit softer than the last time. – There's nothing written about it in the transfer form.

- I don't know. – I answered sheepishly.

- What? – Chris asked bewildered.

- They didn't tell me anything besides the fact that my knowledge and skills will be needed here.

- Who contacted you?

- Ummm… Derek Simmons, I think.

- Simmons? – Piers repeated the name.

- The National Security Advisor? – Chris asked. – That's odd. Well, either way, your job is to come with us, right? – I nodded. – Then that means you're a part of this team, and even though you don't answer to me or Piers directly, you still have to show respect. *A lecture. Great. Well, you can't win all the battles.* I just smiled and bowed my head in defeat.

- Whatever you say, Captain. – I said. Chris laughed and ruffled my hair.

- Enough with the acting. Everyone, this is Minnie Sledge , our new… team member.

- What use will she be, Captain? – The mutt started again. – I don't mean to offend, Captain, but what will she do? I mean, is she a medic? A sniper?

- The government thinks she needs to be here, that means she stays here. She has very unique knowledge about everything concerning bioterrorism, also she was trained in hand-to-hand combat, so we won't have any trouble with her, Piers. – Chris said reassuringly.

- Yes, sir. – Piers said a bit unsatisfied as he glared at me.

- Don't get on my bad side, pup, 'cause you won't like it. – I told him quietly. Unfortunately Chris heard me.

- I thought I told you… - Chris was about to yell at me, but I cut him off.

- Yes, yes, I know. Sorry. It won't happen again.

- I had a smug look on my face as we all gathered around and Nivans asked Finn to give the update. The young soldier took out some sort of device that resembled a flashlight and pressed a button. In the center of us all, on the ground appeared a green circle and various photographs popped out as Finn spoke.

- The guerillas are using a new species of B.O.W. Command is calling the "J'avo". – The pictures were of people, but their heads and faces were deformed and looked as if they have had a brick thrown at them

- Not your regular zombies, eh? – I murmured not particularly to anyone, but Piers and Chris hear me. Chris kneeled down to get a closer look at the pictures and Piers just eyed me suspiciously.

- They are extremely intelligent, incredibly strong, - Finn continued – and have the ability to mutate in response to physical trauma.

- All right, you know the drill. – Chris said as he stood up. – We split into three teams. Move out!

- Yes, sir! – The soldiers answered. All of them ran to take their places and it was only me, Piers, Finn and Chris left.

- You're the rookie, huh? – Chris asked Finn calmly.

- Yes, sir. – He stuttered. – Finn Macauley, sir.

- I know you're nervous, Finn. – Chris said, putting a hand on his shoulder. But the team's got your back. OK?

- Yes, sir! I'll give this everything I've got.

Chris smiled and tapped his shoulder. I couldn't help but smile at this. Chris was a great leader, he was always treating his team as family. Can't help but remember those times when he trained me. He was ruthless and stern, but nevertheless he knew what I was capable of doing and he tried to show it to me. Even though he used to yell at me every 20 minutes of our training, he still was very encouraging. He's the one I have to thank for my abilities to fight in hand-to-hand combat and all the knowledge on how to survive in a battlefield. And now, when I'm 22 years old, I'm probably more capable of surviving in a war than most of the soldiers that had been trained for many years for it. Of course I can't say that it's all my effort. Oh, no. I have to thank someone else for my certain abilities…

- Let's go, I need to get you geared up. – Chris said as he pulled me away from my thoughts. I smiled encouragingly at Finn and followed Chris.

- It seems that you have a great team, Chris. – I said softly. – They all look up to you. Especially that rookie guy, Finn. - Chris didn't answer me but I could see that he was trying to restrain himself from yelling at me again. *I don't understand. I didn't do anything wrong. The government told me to come here and I did. I don't…* - Eek! – I screamed as Chris roughly grabbed my arm, pulled me behind a destroyed building and rammed into a wall a bit too roughly. He stood in front of me so that I wouldn't have any possibility of running away from him. – Chris, what the fuck… - I started, but he interrupted me.

- What are you doing here, Minnie? – he asked sternly.

- I told you that the government requested my presence here.

- That's not what I mean. Why didn't you refuse?

- Extra money never hurt anyone…

- Cut the bullshit. I told you to never accept these kinds of missions unless you were assured about it by someone trustworthy. And the government, especially Simmons, aren't very trustworthy personas. So why the fuck did you agree?! Didn't Claire and I warn you not to get into these kinds of things?! – Now Chris was furious.

- Chris. – I said calmly trying to catch his attention.

- I can't believe you did this.

- Chris.

- Now you won't be able to get out of all this easily! They will ruin your life with these missions!

- Chris! – I yelled so that he would finally start listening to me.

- WHAT?!

- I didn't have a choice, OK?!

- What… What do you mean? – Chris asked confused.

- I didn't really have a choice. That Simmons guy told that if I don't participate in this mission, he will send people to get me and that he would lock me up, because… - I hesitated a bit, because it was hard to say those words out loud. - … because I am a threat to human kind. – I lowered my head.

- What? – Chris was shocked.

- I don't know how, but he knows about me. About my parents, my childhood, the experiments, the viruses. Everything. So I could either go here or get locked-up.

- And what about your parents?

- They don't know everything. I told them that my help was necessary and that I had to go. They didn't ask a lot of questions. Never do, when the topic goes about these things.

- Damn. – Chris muttered. He took my chin and pulled my head up. – Everything will be fine. You'll get through this and everything will be over. Sorry for my reaction before. I just… don't want you to get hurt. I don't know what Claire will do to me if something would happen to you. Hell, I don't know what I would do to myself. – I smiled at him and he put a hand around my shoulders. – Just stay close to me and don't do anything stupid, kid. You're like a sister to me and I will do anything to protect you. I think that should be obvious to you since Rockfort Island. – We both laughed and started moving towards the place where I would get my gear.

PIERS' POV

- Let's go, I need to get you geared up. – Captain said to that brat and they left.

- Is he always this awesome? – the rookie asked referring to Captain Redfield's speech and all I could do was just shake my head in frustration.

*I can't believe he let her do that and act like that.* I thought. The girl is arrogant, stubborn and God knows she's still a kid. How can she be of help to us? Well, it's obvious that Captain and she know each other from before, but her actions are just intolerable. *Calling me a mutt. Who does she think she is? Unique knowledge concerning bioterrorism, my ass. One minute in the field and she'll be running away like a scared rabbit.* I couldn't argue, the girl was cute. She was small, but had a nice figure. But she gets on my nerves. *obviously this will be one difficult mission. I just hope I won't have to get her ass out of trouble.* With that thought I stopped in my tracks. I saw as the Captain and that girl came out from behind a building. Captain's hand was draped over her shoulders. *Oh, yes. This will be a very long and difficult mission.* I thought.

Hi, guys! Yeah, so this is my first Resident Evil story. After playing the game I almost fell in love Piers' character. And I know that a lot of people think that Chris and Piers are a great couple, but I wanted to try and write a different story, so PLEASE don't be too harsh with me T_T

I will be looking forward to your reviews and any feedback. If you have any ideas further into the story, don't hesitate and tell me your opinion and maybe I'll include your suggested ideas into the story. After all, this story is for you guys to enjoy ^_^

And also, I'll try to update the second chapter as soon as possible, so see ya!

By the way, I tried to keep the dialogues as close to the game as possible. Also, I don't own any Resident Evil characters ^_^