Disclaimer: I do not own any Resident Evil characters or Resident Evil terms but I do own anything else that is original, Kronos virus, everything about the project and much more coming in the next chps.
RESIDENT EVIL
Anastasis
By Vickie1
Summary: Cape Inacio, a small dangerous island that holds two sides: one brightly colourful community and one dark and sinister secret unknown to most of the islanders. A specimen, a monster in human clothing, will wake up on that island one day and find himself torn with choices the moment he stands on that single dividing line, among people forgotten by the world... How very human his choices become...
Prologue
WHITE AND BLUE.
Below was white. Above was clear blue.
That was all. As far as the eye could see, those two colours stretched on for miles and miles. There wasn't a foreign speck for the passengers to spy - all six of them, including three guards and one pilot in heavy coats and on board the screeching, black helicopter zooming across the white tundra desert after across the Southern Ocean.
It had taken more than sixteen hours and still the large helicopter didn't seem to stop its journey. How much further...?
The Indian man stared out through the window as he tried to rub more heat into his stiff hands. He had lived most of his youth, even his young marriage days in the heart of Ireland and even then, the winter months were more bearable than this first time in Antarctica. Now, he really wished for a shot of whiskey just to warm up his insides.
Prasad O'Hehir was just a simple lead scientist from the necrobiology and the newly-built cryonics divisions. So his invitation on this trip came out of the blues. He wasn't on the same level as the other people on board - he was never the competitive type anyway. And all he was offered was that his expertise on cryonics was needed.
The whole journey had pretty much drained out every means of conversation out of the passengers. As of now, most of everyone was trying to fight the sleep from their legs and the cold from their body.
Several associate directors from certain divisions of the hidden, underwater facility. Two lead scientists he had never met before. Surprisingly, even Director Stein.
And one more, the only woman aboard, her glance never steering away from the white scenery since the second pit stop. Actually, her eyes hadn't torn away for the entire trip - no matter how much the others tried to talk to her, she'd simply give a hum and nothing more.
No doubt she was just fuming from the inside at the one fact. This was a joke - their trip was a sick joke by that one man. Having finally gotten a taste of freedom off their prison only to find out they were still fenced up, their invitation to the frigid land as simply business.
Prasad knew her all too well to take her silence as anger. And he couldn't blame her. He had honestly thought this was their one big chance at screaming out to the world at the drop of an opening.
Tell everyone they've been held prisoners at gun point. Tell everyone to come save his wife and son from this mess he and many employees have signed.
There was no opening. The last two pit stops on two different helicopters were at very isolated places. The company, HELIX Foundations, too smart to let them loose the moment they left the island and to boot, that one man controlling most of the ropes all because he had a free pass.
"Jesus!" One of the associate directors cried out, every attempt at rubbing his arms harder. "How much further till we reach wherever this forgotten place is?"
None of the three HCF guards in black replied - unfazed by the cold at all and hands still gripping at the triggers of their rifles at the first sign of any trouble.
Inhuman, Prasad had to call them. Them and their boss were nothing but human.
"Imbeciles," he muttered quietly. "I can't stand this temperature any longer! Why should we be the ones going there instead of the other way around?"
Yes, it was peculiar but Prasad kept quiet to his own thoughts while the other man ranted on with one of the other passengers. Out of the blues came the call just as he was setting up the Christmas light with his family. It could have been done easily the other way around, bringing whatever was important back to the island. Less risk the scientists could have tried to escape.
No, he thought sadly. They knew they had their staff of Cape Inacio hung tight by nooses - their families as unknowing hostages.
No way would anyone abandon their families...unless someone could really be so heartless.
Their trip off the island was just for mockery, no doubt about it. A means to taunt them just how close freedom could be and yet how very fragile it broke from their grasp.
"Has to be something important to bring us here."
"Wouldn't surprise me if it's another specimen or a virus. Director, you should know what's going on, right?"
The old man shook his head. "I know just as much as you do. All Wesker said was that it'd be revolutionary."
"For the Kronos Project?"
"Perhaps," the British man replied. "If this is Mr. Wesker, then it's very likely to be another virus he discovered. What it is, well, we'll find out sooner or later."
"Ah."
"I see. If that's the case, then it has to be worth this trip. He wouldn't call us to come to the tip of Antarctica for nothing."
"Hmph."
The soft huff broke through the conversation. And every one of the scientists stared at the source.
"You have something to say, McLenlan?"
She didn't reply to the shivering associate director. Not even look back, eye to eye and the lack of communication skills dug deep into his nerve.
"Easy for you to talk about this like any other project. Get a bone thrown and you are happily licking on it for scraps."
"What? You-!" he snapped but ceased to continue, knowing his place among high-rank employees and employers.
"Now, McLenlan," Director Stein started but was quickly stopped by a raised hand of Prasad.
No, his quiet, concerned expression told the director.
The director was firm at times but today, he let it go with a nod and a sigh.
"Idiotic woman," someone hissed, drawing a glare from Prasad that went unnoticed. "Why was she picked to come along?"
"Who would have thought she'd act very differently from her sister."
A cough escaped from Prasad and the rare deepened scorn from him was enough to silence the two men
Don't. Just don't.
Speak out about that one person in front of her was nothing but a death sentence. Frankly, he'd be happy to see one of them accidentally knocked right out of the door if they were willing to push her buttons.
Prasad gazed back but it seemed like the badgering didn't affect the woman much. Her eyes was still fixated to the now changing colours.
She just didn't care anymore.
A cry at the front stirred the HCF guards up from their seats. They were going to land soon.
Finally.
The helicopter shook with a loud thump, shaking the passengers lightly. At long last, one of the guards slid open the door, letting in the sudden burst of bright light, now vibrantly orange, and harsh gust.
"Alright. Get off," ordered one of the guards.
No one objected. There was no other choice. One by one and carefully, the scientists climbed off. One tiny slip-up and there would be the horrifying sight of a headless body from the helicopter's rotating rotors, white damped in red.
On the vast plain of snow, the wind gushing from the helicopter's blades had swept clean on the platform painted with a large white 'H' letter and circle. A small crew hurried to attend to the flying vehicle - maintenance, a good clean up and refuel for the trip back. Far off in walking distance was a small collection of buildings, a outpost owned happily by HELIX Foundations no doubt.
Nothing else for miles and miles. Only thing waiting for anyone of them to sneak off was hypothermia.
The guards split apart - one taking the lead to shepherd the newcomers to the one of the building and the few kept watch, their inhuman glares hawking about.
Only two were taking their time. Or at least one was while the other took notice.
Prasad turned back to the woman. She didn't move, not even by the spit of a HCF guard. She was all too mesmerized at the whiteness surrounding them.
"Never seen snow before, Lassie?" he chuckled.
She was quiet, unable to look away from the pure whiteness. "Never seen this much snow... Kinda miss those days..."
The jolly smile softened into a sad frown on his face. Oh dear. "The incident?"
A slow nod. "...Yeah."
He sighed heavily. The wound was still fresh on the poor woman.
A pat on her arm seemed to awaken her out of her trance of lingering pain. "C'mon. Let's hurry inside before we catch a cold."
It didn't seem to budge her but Prasad knew she'd be urged to go in by the chilling cold one way or another. The Indian man gave another comforting pat before he walked away.
She stayed firm, legs still planted deep in the snow. One more time, she glanced back up to the scenery.
Three months.
It has been three months since then...
*/*/*/*
She was minding her own business, her eyes waving down the printed lines on the papers in her hands. The latest data on the last virus variant. The second one created with HELIX's creation and the G-Virus. But already, her mind was noting a few problems here and there.
So everything else was inferior to her ears right then.
"-the situation in Raccoon City has not improved."
The name rang heavily that she turned away from the files and to the break room. Strangely, many people - scientists, security guards and even the janitor - were staring at the TV like it was a precious campfire. Even her close co-workers.
On the screen, she was seeing what looked like a camera shot into a devastated ruin of fire and flesh.
That couldn't be Raccoon City. As hard as she narrowed her eyes, she couldn't see any familiar landmarks.
"Because of that, the US military have fired what could be a missile, wiping the entire city off the face of the earth at 15:40 pm yesterday. Authority has refused to give an explanation as of this time but-"
Her whole body froze.
Her hand on the papers felt too weak that she didn't even feel the thin contents slip.
That was a lie.
She heard wrong.
No.
No...
Thud.
It was too soft for most of anyone inside the break room to notice. Eventually, only Prasad turned around to notice her having fallen on her knees, with the most traumatised look he had ever seen on the virologist.
It would be only later that he and Gordon would learn about the truth.
Her home...
Their home was gone in a blink of an eye...
*/*/*/*
A deep inhale and exhale to numb out the pain. The chill was getting to her now. No point staying out there any longer.
Wheeling away from the breathtaking sight, she followed after the rest of the scientists entering the small outpost.
Inside that small little metal building, large enough only to keep a few vehicles, there wasn't very much eye-catching.
Only three things.
One was a bulky container sticking out like a sore thumb. A cryogenic pod. Two was a small cluster of boxes at a table, the smell of smoke whiffing from them. A peek at the contents and she could make out small sample containers, heavily preserved by technology and ice.
And the most obvious one standing between two more HCF agents, shielding him like guard dogs. The man in black clothes, his eyes veiled behind black sunglasses as they looked about pleasingly, the same as a hawk stalking its prey.
She sighed bitterly. Very much so did she wish to be very, VERY far away from the likes of him. Sadly, her reputation and skills seemed to be just the target for that man to pick on her. But no matter what, she'd not give in.
She knew just well what his intention was. Just like everyone else who asked her the same old question.
"Welcome, welcome," the blond-haired man greeted, spreading out his arms welcomingly - his winter coat dangling over his right. "Glad for all of you to come."
Albert Wesker.
Their host of the day. Their R&D supervisor. Their warden on the island.
"So will you explain why we've been gathered here, Wesker?" Director Stein spoke out calmly but the tone was reaching its straining limit.
"I apologise for this sudden interrupt on your schedule. But I do have a good reason to bring a selected number of you here. Especially those from the cryonics division."
"Another specimen to the collection, then?" Stein pointed at the pod right in the centre of the building.
Wesker nodded. "And much more. We've recently infiltrated a point of interest just yesterday and uncovered quite a good deal. And I'd like to personally oversee this discovery gets the full intention."
"I'm sorry. But you know your position, Mr. Wesker. Any project you have in mind, you'll have to discuss it with the board."
"Of course. That's why I've brought you all here. I can't do this one alone. And." There was a hum in his voice. "I can see great promises out of this." He then waved a hand to the table like wrapped presents ready to give to them much too early before Christmas. "There was an unfortunate fire, however. Most of the data inside two facilities had been destroyed. My men could only savage so much. Still, I think we can manage to piece all of the puzzles together."
"Wait. Is this an Umbrella facility?" one of the men asked.
Wesker simply grinned. "Why does it matter?"
That was enough to zip his lips.
A few of the other staff were lured to the table and the pod. She however, stood still. Unmoved.
And nuts, that caught Wesker's attention.
"Now, now. Why the long face?"
She curled up her fists. Already was he picking at her when she was still at her most vulnerable. And he knew full well the reason for her state.
He just found it amusing - her chained anguish all because the only physical evidence of her precious memories was easily erased.
"Pointless to be grieving on the past. We have much to look forward to the future, McLenlan. Now chin up and start your magic."
And she glared. Dark and deadly.
Don't push it, Wesker.
He only sniggered. Softly.
"Fine. Stay in your little world. But," he uttered at that word. "Aren't you even a little curious, McLenlan?"
She kept her gaze away from the cruel man.
She didn't want to admit it as she examined more on the human-sized capsule. The phrase, curiosity killed the cat, had been kept check in her many times from past experiences.
It was odd. Normally, many specimens - from Hunters to Tyrants, whether dead or alive - would be locked up in large cages transported to the island by ship. Their enclosures lacked machinery keeping them alive and would tremble as the contents tried to desperately break free from 10-inch thick steel walls.
This one didn't quiver. How could it under ice?
"Go ahead. It might interest you."
She remained still. Just to retaliate against him.
And just before Wesker turned away...
"What's the story?"
He glanced back.
"What's the story behind that pod?"
He smirked. Mockingly. And she hated that.
"He contains the t-Veronica Virus himself."
Astonishment wiped across her eyes, a partial raise of the eyebrow.
She had never heard of that name before. And every strength she had was mustered out to stop her from asking.
But there was one question.
"He?"
Wesker didn't speak back.
She narrowed her eyes. Out of mild frustration. "What are you talking about? Who's he?"
A soft chuckle was thrown. "Oh? Now you want to know?"
"Tell me," she growled.
Every specimen she had ever faced inside the facility had never had an sense of individuality. A sense of humanity. A name pledged out. They were monsters, mutations.
But today, this one was different.
Why?
"Who is he?"
"If you're so curious, why don't you find out?"
She was about to snap out a retort, desperately wanting to smash that stupid grin from his face, get the answer she wanted instead of jumping through his hoops again -
"What?"
The strange response steered the woman to Prasad. He was reading the papers in a very thin folder, picked up from the table. No, re-reading it before he glanced up to the metal coffin.
"He's as young as my son..."
It was...an uncanny comment. And she quickly turned back to the pod.
Her pace neither quickened nor did it slow down. But she most certainly felt heavy, moving close to it.
She wasn't sure what was inside but she was going to find out sooner or later.
Her thickly-gloved hand reached out and wiped away the frost. At first glance, it was just her reflection - the tired, ash-blond-haired half Spanish woman with glasses.
And then she peered more through the porthole.
Her hazel eyes stretched wider and wider - not out of amazement or at the hunt of a new discovery but entirely, out of shock and dread mixed together. For some reason, added with what Prasad had just said, she felt her insides become colder than outside.
Inside the reinforced metal box, bubbles rippled and red hair flowed in a gelatinous liquid, a powerful and miraculous solution inspired by an old sci-fictional novel. More solutions to halt decomposition and a fresh litre of blood was circulating through tubes, some needled into the blue views of the specimen's wrist. The pod was well-equipped and up-to-date, small medical machineries running faint vital signs.
Every attempt to keep a corpse alive...
Iria McLenlan, a skilled virologist, was unable to comprehend at seeing a young red-haired lad in ice.
"What...
...is this?"
Vickie: Helllllllllooooo all! I've started a new fic, a complete revamp of a very VERY OLD RE fic I wrote looooooong ago.
...I got to stop creating new fics. I'm piling too much work on me. :U Heck I wanna do a titbit fanfic on CODE: Kronos characters, both original and RE like how Fortuzula does with her fic, Down Boy! (which I recommend all of ya to go read it).
In any case, YEAAAY! I get to write about the past few years between Santa Compaña and CODE: Kronos. :D And the main focus is poor little Steve waking up on Cape Inacio. Include zilla form too.
Now then, one, again like Santa Compaña, this fic will be a bit slow because CODE: Kronos is my main focus and I'd probably be jumping between fics for ideas like more characters or island locations and such. I'm actually been thinking of revamping a bit in CODE: Kronos, mainly some existing characters (kinda realized how many K names I have like Kent, Katherine, Kailey and now Kwan. Ironic considering the K-Virus). And two, Anastasis, is gonna have a LOT of spoilers that refers to CODE: Kronos so if I've not revealed it in the main fic, then I won't continue until I do. I'm sorry but I don't want to give dead giveaways too early.
Also three. This is more like a lighter story narrative and not horror or action packed, not really much game implementing into this one like my last two fics...unless its like a interactive drama game like Life is Strange or the Walking Dead but Steve being the protagonist. Hm. Maybe. Dunno how I feel about that kind of aim for a Resident Evil game though.
Though that's not to say Steve's not gonna get hard choices on Cape Inacio. Moreover, you'll learn alot more of my OCs like Iria, Kent, and many more.
Anyway, without further ado, here it is. The prologue to Steve's adventures on Cape Inacio. Enjoooooy~! And please review! Feedback is greatly appreciated. :3
PS. Not edited yet cuz rushing to get to work. Will look over later but point out any mistake. :x Also I'm a bit torn to make a longer title like Submerged Anastasis or something catchy but sounds...weird. Ah well, for now that title above is what you get.
