TIMOTHY D. TUCKER

THE EMPRESS

Chapter 1: The Rich Man

Somehow, I think I'm going home

Even though my friends can't reach me

I don't know how I ended up alone

All I know is that you can't save me

They only asked us to believe

They only wanted us to follow

I think I'm old enough to see

I think I'm going home tomorrow.

I believe in...

Sinners and hypocrites.

Running in the desert for the rich man

Liars and lunatics

Lead us to slaughter for our last stand

Killers and idiots

Dying in the desert for a rich man

Sinners and hypocrites, gather us together for the master plan.

It's good to be a king.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

George Trevor stood before the skeletal structure of the Spencer Mansion. All around him, construction workers clad in orange and hard hats scurried about like ants, each one of them offering the minutest of man-power to complete the overall task.

The Spencer Mansion...this will be my greatest achievement.

George Trevor was an accomplished architect from New York City. His unique style and penchant for design could be seen in some of the most lavish homes in the Midwestern United States. But perhaps his greatest accomplishment to date would be the completion of the Spencer estate, turning a vast confusion of wood and metal into a magnificent edifice.

George could still recall when he had gotten the call to work on the project. Lord Ozwell E. Spencer, president of the newly established Umbrella Corporation, had sent a commission to some of the most respected and sought out architects in the world to build a summer home in the town of Raccoon City. After many months of trial, George was finally able to obtain the order to begin work for Spencer.

He recalled the elation that he and his family had felt. His wife, Jessica Trevor proudly beaming at her husbands accomplishment, and his daughter, Lisa, filled with excitement and glee.

George absolutely loved his occupation and the benefits that came along with it, but nothing could replace the love he had for his wife and daughter. They were his pillars of support and constant use of inspiration in his work. With the money earned from this new project he was sure to be able to provide for his loved ones for a long time to come.

As George continued to marvel at the unfinished structure, a black limousine slowly crept from the dirt path leading out of the Arklay Forest. Even from the distance, he could just make out the red and white octagonal symbol emblazoned on the drivers side. The limo came to a halt behind George, its doors opening to reveal the sleek leather interior. Two men sporting black suits and sunglasses stepped out of the vehicle, with an older gentleman flanked in between: Ozwell Spencer.

There was very little to the man on the outside; a pair of wire trimmed glasses atop a slender nose, finely groomed cropped hair, and a set of intelligent eyes, gleaming with curiosity and intrigue. But what he lacked on the outside he more than made up with his brilliant mind and business ethics.

Spencer extended his hand to George, who happily shook it with a firm hand shake.

"It's good to see you again sir." Said George, letting him see the full breadth of his commitment.

"Same here Trevor. I came to personally check the progress of the construction."

"Everything is going according to plan sir."

Truth be told it would actually be quite a while before the fruits of their labor and Spencer's dream would actually be realized. Spencer was a man of elaborate taste, and was not afraid to toss his money around to satisfy his thirst for elegance.

There were plans for a luxurious Gothic inspired theme for the manor, everything from Medieval suits of armor and fantastic sculptures of beast to the most lavish in paintings and decors . An intricate garden was also being planned behind the site, along with a helipad.

"Truth be told, I didn't chose Raccoon City just for I can stay on vacation." Spencer said, admiring his soon to be new home.

"Oh, What was the real reason?"

"Actually, you will be the first one outside of the company to know this, but we are planning on making Raccoon City the new head quarters for the American branch of Umbrella."

George was taken aback by the revelation. Raccoon City?

"Excuse me for asking, but why here?"

"I can think of no other place that deserves it. You've designed areas around here, right?"

True, George Trevor had designed the layout for the St. Michaels Clock Tower and city hall.

"Well, yes I have."

"Then you know exactly how this city would benefit from having us located here. I can envision great changes for this community. And we will be at the precipice of that change."

"We?"

"Yes Trevor, we. You didn't honestly think this would be the only project I would have you working on, did you?"

George felt a ping of excitement jolt through his heart. He had been under the impression that Spencer had just hired him for this one project, one that he was happy to accept without question. Now, he was being commissioned by one of the fastest rising CEO's in the medical field. George couldn't hide the smile slowly forming across his face.

"I can see that this is going to be the beginning of a beautiful relationship..." Spencer said, the shadow of the ominous structure looming over them both.