A/n: I would like to separate my story from the similar ones written on this site. While I thought that I was writing a new, unused storyline, I just recently discovered stories that, unfortunately for me, have plots that are comparable to, and probably much better than, mine. So I just wanted to let readers, and the authors of these stories, know that no, I haven't (intentionally) copied any stories in any way. Also, please leave a review if you can. I always appreciate them.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Really.
The Umbrella Civil War
Context Time: Pre-Spencer Mansion Incident; Location: Cleveland, Ohio; Headquarters for White Umbrella; Hour: 2137
"For God's sake, Alfred, why must you always be so stubborn?" A venerable man slammed one grizzled fist onto the top of the large, circular table at which he was seated as he demanded this question of a younger colleague who was seated to his right. Simultaneously, this elderly man, who was known only as Gables, traded subtle glances with the three other gentlemen in the room, who were seated to his left, even though his query was addressed to the lone man on his right.
All four of these men, Gables and the three individuals to his left, were obviously at the top of the social class. Their mannerisms alone, from the way they dressed to the impeccable way they spoke, practically shouted the word aristocracy! These four men were also obviously very close. The way they made similar decisions and jumped to the same conclusions would have made an outsider believe that they could communicate telepathically. However, their close bond was a result of over forty years of working together.
The man on Gables' right was none other than Alfred Ashford. Although he also gave the impression of being a part of the nobility, there was a marked difference in the way he and the four other men acted. Alfred was not as culturally or socially refined as his older partners, but the biggest and most noticeable difference between him and the other four were their ages. While Gables and his friends were all in their late sixties and possibly their early seventies, Alfred could not have been older than twenty-eight.
"Because, my dear Gables, it is the mere principle of the argument. Apparently you four have banded against me, and still wish to implement your decision, rather than mine, even though our policy requires a unanimous," and he put strong emphasis on the word, "decision from the Board members." As Alfred spoke, with a slight grin lingering on his lips, giving off an arrogant impression, he noticed that he was getting nowhere with his argument. This caused him to sigh.
The five total men in this room were the leaders of White Umbrella. White Umbrella was a private division of the international corporate giant Umbrella, Inc. Founded in the early sixties by the Ashford and Spencer families, Umbrella manufactured everything from medicine to car engines. Alfred Ashford was the sole director of this large company because no members of the Spencer family existed, and his own family was not fit to lead. His father was so heavily infected that he was insane, and his sister was still in stasis in her frozen state.
On the other hand, Umbrella, Inc. was only a front for this White Umbrella, which was created by the Birkin family, along with the Ashfords and the Spencers. White Umbrella was dedicated to viral research, genetic engineering, and other illegal affairs. However, unlike its parent Umbrella, White Umbrella was not controlled by a single man, but a Board of Directors. This Board was made up of the prominent Umbrella supporters, which were Gables, Franklin, Magnus, Beaumont, and of course, Alfred himself. And in order to make changes or advancements in the company, the Board had to have a unanimous vote from all five members to ensure equality. Getting Alfred to agree with Gables and his friends was a rare occasion.
"Principle or not, what you request is completely unnecessary, not to mention impulsive. Why should we bother to spend enormous amounts of our hard-earned money to create new Bio-Organic Weapons when the ones we have are not perfect yet? We can have the scientists in the Spencer Estate shift their efforts into increasing the T-Virus/Bio-Organic Weapon compatibility." Gables kept tapping his fingers on the gilded wood top of the round table as he fired questions at Alfred. Embossed in the center of the table, and reaching to the edges of it, was the large red and white Umbrella symbol. However, this particular version of the well-known symbol had a pair of white gloves imprinted in the center of the umbrella, which represented White Umbrella.
"By any chance, Mr. Gables, do you know who our only competitor in the field of genetic weaponry is?" Alfred said this with a slightly lower voice, as if he knew a secret that he was keeping from the others.
"Of course I do, it is the H.C.F. Corporation," Gables replied in a slow tone, as if pondering the question deeply.
"Exactly," confirmed Alfred. "Once they discovered that we had already started testing our precious T-Virus on our creations, they immediately started trying to develop their own virus. Their front is a chemical company, thus ensuring near unlimited supplies for their research. Their virus, I am inclined to add, is nowhere near finished, and probably will not be as good as ours."
"And that is precisely why we should not rush ahead of our schedule," interjected Magnus. "Our funds here in White Umbrella are very strained right now, and since our only competition is failing, why bother throwing away money?"
"I know just where our budget stands as of now, Magnus. You must be forgetting that it is I who leads Umbrella. But the reasons I want to advance our weaponry are because of the short amount of time due to our new competition, and, more importantly, because of my top scientist, William Birkin. He is in the process of developing a G-Virus in our Raccoon City labs, which he promises to be far superior to our T-Virus. With new Bio-Organic Weapons, we will have new mediums in which to utilize this new virus." After finishing this small speech, Alfred sat back in his chair, convinced that he had displayed his point properly.
"You just said that Birkin is still developing this new virus. Why build new creatures when we do not even know if this virus will be successful? We should just improve the designs of our modern weapons, and then test the virus on them. I think that is a more sound idea." Gables was getting very tired of Alfred's obstinacy.
"Alas, Gables, I am sorry that you do not see this my way. While I tried very hard to convince the four of you to accept my sentiments," and here Alfred stared at each one of them in turn as he spoke, "I am sorry to say that I must insist on your agreement. I am, after all, the head of Umbrella, and therefore my ideas carry more weight than yours. Order all of your scientists to begin work on new Bio-Organic Weapons. I want five new models within the new year." While he was speaking, he wore a condescending smile and spoke in a pompous tone that infuriated his colleagues.
"Now see here, Alfred," cried Beaumont, jumping to his feet. "This is a council. Just because you lead Umbrella does not mean you lead White Umbrella! We must have a unanimous decision, or nothing gets accomplished. And as of right now, we make up the majority."
"No, you see here, gentlemen," stated Alfred. "You will do as I say, or I will have you all removed from office. Being here is not a right; it is a privilege, which I alone grant you all. As I said before, this is a matter of principle. The principle is that my decisions are worth more than all of yours. Now, I expect the proper orders given, and we will discuss this matter at another time. Right now, Alexia is expecting my return to Rockfort, and I do not like to keep her waiting. Good day." And with that, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the room.
For the next few minutes, Gables, Franklin, Magnus, and Beaumont could only stare in shock at the closed door of the office, where Alfred had passed through. It was Franklin who finally broke the silence.
"We must get rid of him," he asserted forcefully. "For the past eighteen years, ever since he gained access to the Board, he has done nothing but contradict us. The sole reason why he was brought here anyway was because he was an Ashford. This cannot be allowed to go on."
"I agree," sighed Gables, "but what do you propose to do about it? He is the director of Umbrella. The top workers support him because of his family's legacy with this company."
"Or do they?" questioned Franklin in a sly tone. "They may not show any opposition to him, but that does not mean that they support him. I suggest a coup d'état of sorts. We explain to him that he must stop challenging our collective authority. If he refuses our offer or threatens us in any way, we dispose of him and take over Umbrella, along with White Umbrella."
After pondering this idea, Beaumont, still holding his chin in deep thought, said, "I think we all agree for the need to take action against Alfred and his unwarranted flexes of power. However, we cannot do something so drastic. The consequences would be dire for the company. I suggest making him the offer you said, Franklin, on the grounds that we will split from him if he refuses to grant us equal power. If we split, we would probably retain control over the North American facilities because our headquarters is here, while Alfred's, and Umbrella's, is in Paris."
"Ah, parting ways with Alfred does have appeal." Gables paused as he stared into space. "However, I think that we must…."
And so the four gentlemen plotted into the night; first, how he could redeem himself in their eyes, and then what they would do if he refused, which was the likeliest outcome for the situation.
Kompressor