The Relationship (Working Title)

Part One: Director Albert Wesker

Section One: A New Assignment

December 30, 1991

Albert walked speedily to reach Umbrella's Security and Intelligence building, blowing into his hands to keep them somewhat warm as he moved along. It had been awhile since he walked through downtown Raccoon City, but this was the location for his new position with the Security and Intelligence Division, about a half a mile away from Umbrella headquarters, in a building that looked like any other. Blowing into his hands again then taking a quick moment to look around him, Albert was grateful he didn't drive in today. Traffic around downtown was a nightmare. Normally he would drive into town, but with the heavy snow the city and its surrounding suburbs had been getting lately, he figured it would be best if he took the train into work; he was satisfied the gambit paid off.

This morning was a very frosty winter morning in Raccoon City. Glacial winds blew through the town wafting old snow all around, while gentle flurries fell from the misty grey sky above. The people of Raccoon City went about their daily business trying to make the best of the bad weather situation, but winter in Raccoon City was very harsh, and this year was no exception. Some very brazen people stood smoking cigarettes in the doorways various buildings, or shivering waiting for the trolley to arrive to take them to their next destination; most hurried along trying not to slip and slide as they traversed the frozen arctic pathways, but Albert hurried along for a different reason. Today was his first day as Director of the Obscure Operations division of Security and Intelligence and he was not sure what to expect.

His promotion through the ranks of S and I came far faster than he originally anticipated. It was only four months ago he officially joined Umbrella's Security and Intelligence Division after spending thirteen years at the Arklay Mansion facility and a several months in the Army as a chemical officer. The leadership training, he received in the Army was second to none, but far more valuable was his newfound knowledge of the Army's bio-chemical weapons program. The subsequent information about that program he was all too willing to share with Umbrella and they profited immensely from it. That more than anything was the reason why his career instantaneously propelled into the stratosphere at the frantic rate it did.

Being a middle-man of the highest order was not exactly the objective Albert set out to accomplish when he gave up his position at Arklay over year ago. He still had every intention on discovering what Spencer's true motives were for the T and now the G Virus projects. In the fifteen months since his transfer to the Security and Intelligence Division was granted, he was still no closer to discovering the old man's motives. The last fifteen months had been a whirlwind. He transferred from Arklay, worked for about two weeks in the S and I's Investigation department before they recommended him to train in the Army. After that, it was ten weeks of basic training, then a rapid rise through the ranks.

Because of his three doctoral degrees as well as his expertise in bioengineering, virology, and secondary virus exposure, he was automatically given the rank of Master Sergeant; by the time his stint in the Army was complete, he had achieved the rank of Command Sergeant Major. While these were notable achievements, they really did not serve his ultimate purpose and he needed to refocus his energies on that original objective; so, he was all too content to resume his position with the Security and Intelligence Division.

For the moment however, he would have to satisfy himself with playing the middle-man and carefully bide his time. This way would be prudent to keep his motives from becoming exposed. Albert would more than happily play this new role for all it was worth. Besides, the middle-man was a position that did not lack in a multitude of fringe benefits. Albert went from being a Chief Researcher to an Executive member of Umbrella's Board of Directors. His already substantial pay increased ten-fold and he was granted an additional ten shares of Umbrella stock every six months.

Albert wasn't the only beneficiary of this new merger- Umbrella and the Army were agog with excitement to profit from each other. Umbrella would strengthen their governmental connections as well as make an obscene amount of money in government contracts; the military too would gain a new weapon of mass destruction to enjoy lording over their enemies. Besides, it was because of this union between Umbrella and the Army that enabled Albert to be honorably discharged after only serving nine months of his four-year contract. Yes, everyone significantly benefitted from this joyful unification.

As Albert walked closer to the Security and Intelligence office building, he felt slightly tense and ill-prepared to tackle his first day, something that was rather uncharacteristic of him. When he made initial inquiries about the position, it was left rather ambiguous what his responsibilities in the Obscure Operations Division would entail. The previous director had died of a sudden heart attack about a month and a half ago, then his successor unpredictably declined the position which seemed rather anomalous. At that point, seemingly out of the clear blue sky, Albert was handed this position without even applying for it. It was all so bizarre and slightly alarming, but Albert was never one to back down from a challenging situation, so he gracefully accepted the position.

In the days leading up to his reassignment as the director of the Obscure Operations division, Albert looked for anyone who could explain the situation of that department. What were their daily obligations? What were their objectives as a department? What was the previous director working on before his demise? But no viable answers were forthcoming. All that was ever said was to Albert was he would be a perfect fit for the position and he should not worry. Albert had no choice but to remind himself that when tenuous moments like this occurred, it was best to have no pre-defined expectations. Just let the day unfold organically and triage each new challenge as it happened. It was a strategy that had faithfully served him over the years and today would be no different.

Pulling the front office door open, Albert stepped in and brushed the cold wet snow from his black coat. He then walked over to the two uniformed men sitting at the reception desk, before he could speak to either guard, a man walked over to him and tapped him on the shoulder. Albert turned and faced the young man.

"You're Command Sergeant Major Wesker correct?" The man said sternly, but with a bit of charm to his deep base voice. "I'm your Junior Director Jerrod Carter, I was told I am to escort you to the twelfth floor."

"Very well." Albert answered, his tone completely devoid of emotion.

Jerrod lead Albert over to a set of elevators then both men walked inside. Hitting a set of button combinations, the door closed and began to take them up to the twelfth floor. Neither man uttered a word between them as the elevator made a steady ascension upwards. When at last they reached the twelfth floor, Jerrod stepped off the elevator with Albert following closely behind him. As they walked through the office Albert looked around and was taken aback by what he saw. This floor was a completely open space with no corners or cubical, just a series of workstations with thousands of dollars of computer and other surveillance equipment at each workstation. Albert was also surprised that the windows weren't covered or shrouded in some way. With a department called Obscure Operations, it sounded like many covert things took place, and seemed like everything should be hidden. Instead the office had a beautiful and practically unobstructed view of most of Raccoon City. This was a welcomed change of pace from his previous position in the Investigation Department and a drastic transformation from the claustrophobic working conditions at Arklay. Finally, the men rested at two glass French doors, which led to a rather large office.

"What do you go by?" Jerrod asked as he stopped walking. "Command Sergeant Major Wesker? PhD. Command Sergeant Major Wesker? Or PhD. Wesker?"

"Wesker is fine with me." Albert answered sternly. "No need for formalities."

"Very well." Jerrod said. "This is your office Wesker. How your predecessor has conducted business would be to have a short briefing before 0700. Afterwards, we would break off into team surveillance until about 10 AM, then do individual reporting."

"What would be in the typical report?" Albert asked.

"Recently our department assisted in keeping several key officials safe during a major international conference. We provided visual support for those security staff members escorting those high-ranking individuals, we also reported all findings to the director." Jerrod replied. "However, we already have a situation we're tackling."

"What situation is that?" Albert asked.

"At around 0300 this morning one of our pharmaceutical silos was breached." Jerrod answered.

"This is a very serious development." Albert said taking immediate control of the situation. "Let's have our team meeting now."

Jerrod and Albert walked over to the center of the room.

"Attention everyone." Jerrod called out.

Everyone paused what they were doing and turned to face Albert and JC.

"Hey everyone." Jerrod said sternly. "This is our new Director, Albert Wesker. He wants to meet about the breach, so instead of wasting time introducing everyone, I'll have you meet with the Director individually later on so you can introduce yourself."

Everyone present agreed.

"For now," Jerrod said. "Let's begin with what we have on the breach so far. As of 0300 hours, our pharmaceutical silo in Bake Street, was broken into by what we believe is a group of men from an organized crime syndicate."

"Do you have any evidence to support this theory?" Wesker asked sternly.

"Yes." A woman's voice rang out.

"I'm all ears." Wesker said.

"Our surveillance cameras were spray painted during the raid." The woman said. "But before the camera in silo 4 was blackened out, I saw a tattoo on the forearm of one of the robbers. I cross referenced it with pictures from RPD's Gang Unit and saw that it was the tattoo from a small group of young Edonian immigrants turned organized crime members."

"What is the name of the group?" Jerrod asked.

"I had to find the English translation, but they call themselves The Warlords." The woman scoffed.

"Do we know anything about these Warlords?" Wesker asked.

"There wasn't much information on them in the RPD's files." The woman answered. "They've been arrested on a couple of minor infractions, but they are speculated to have committed quite a few major felonies, but there wasn't enough evidence to take anyone into custody."

Wesker said nothing to this information.

"Is there anything else we know?" Jerrod asked.

"This may have been an inside job." A man said turning around to face Wesker and Jerrod. "In looking through the electronic key information, it appears that the codes used to get into the silo were from someone on the cleaning staff."

"Whose passcodes were used?" Wesker questioned.

"A woman named Olga Bukov." The man answered.

"Do we know anything about her?" Jerrod asked.

"I'm gathering her information from the INS database right now." The man said.

"Let me know when the file is complete." Wesker said. "Are there any other accomplices?"

"It doesn't appear that way." The man said. "Only one passcode was used and that belonged to the Bukov woman. It seems there were others there at the time of the robbery, though they may have not known this was going on as they all worked on different floors."

"Is there anything else?" Wesker asked.

"Not as of yet Director Wesker." The man said.

"Very well." Wesker said taking control. "Please ask the head of the Housekeeping division to come in with all those who were working at the silo last night, with the exception of Miss Bukov. I would like to interview them; see if they know anything."

"I will get on that immediately Director." The man said turning back around in his chair.

"Jerrod." Wesker began. "Do we have a conference room here?"

"Yes, Wesker we do." He said.

"Good, I would like to conduct these interviews in there, as opposed to my office." Wesker said. "I don't want to make anyone needlessly worried or alert Miss Bukov."

"I understand Wesker." Jerrod said.

"Make it comfortable for them as well." Wesker added. "I need them relaxed when I talk to them."

"Yes Wesker."

Jerrod ran off to go set up the conference room for Wesker's unorthodox interrogation, while Wesker looked outside at the snow still blowing around outside. It appears that his first day in Obscure Operations would prove to be much more stimulating than he originally anticipated.