Disclaimer: I do not own RE/Biohazard OR the Terminator franchise, in whole or in part.
Rating: M (Language, Adult themes, Violence)
Author: TheRightToBeGod – f_, cpt_al_
A Meeting of Red Hues
Chapter 2
Wesker had to fight the urge to laugh outright, but a smirk still escaped onto his lips, "And who might you be, o petite and metallic one?" The girl tilted her head at Wesker in a manner sufficiently lacking in all human qualities to give even him a moment of pause, "They call me Cameron. It was my alias when I returned to protect--" The woman, Sarah cut her off, glaring daggers at Cameron, then back to Wesker, "The point is, we came here because we thought you might be someone that needed help. Obviously, we were wrong, in more ways than one." She started to turn away, her stolen handgun forgotten, but Cameron stopped her with one hand, looking her in the eye, "No. He is important." Sarah leaned closer to the cyborg, "He's a fucking asshole." Cameron gave another slight tilt of the head, "So, we only protect people we like?" Wesker heard the entire conversation, despite the hushed tones, "I'm not exactly enamored with you, either, Ms. Baum."
Sarah turned back toward Wesker, "Good to know. I won't have to vomit now." Cameron still stood in her way like a 5 foot 4 roadblock. Sarah gave a shove, but she wouldn't budge, "All right, I'll bite. Why is he so important? And why didn't you mention any of this before?" Cameron lowered her hand and shrugged, "You didn't ask. Albert Wesker. Successfully reformed Umbrella Incorporated, which resumed public trading within world markets in March of 2011. Just prior to--" John cut in, "Judgment Day." Cameron nodded curtly, "Chairman Wesker and the majority of his holdings, which were underground or in reinforced locations survived the nuclear holocaust. For the majority of the war, his assets remained hidden while they developed weaponry and technology, most notably several advances in AI."
Wesker kept his arms crossed, frowning a bit at hearing a narrative of events that had not yet happened. He listened, however, as Cameron went on, "He was able to develop numerous biological agents capable of enhancing humans and other life forms well in advance of their normal evolutionary path. He did not reveal himself until late 2026, when his knowledge of AI hardware and software enabled John Connor to devise a means of flashing a SkyNet CPU." At a confused look from Sarah, she elaborated, "Re-program one of us." Sarah nodded, then looked at Wesker, "Well, he doesn't come off as one of the 'good guys', that's for sure." Wesker smiled darkly, "I'll take that as a compliment, Ms. Connor." Sarah did a double take, at which Wesker finally allowed himself to laugh, "Please. I can think in an abstract fashion, Sarah. The boy obviously must be this John Connor, who clearly these purported killing machines must want to terminate before he can emerge as a resistance leader."
All of the, even Cameron, looked to Wesker in surprise, at which he shrugged, "It would be my logical course of action, given the technology to travel through time actually existed." Sarah grinned, but not out of happiness, "So, you're saying you're just like them, huh?" Wesker removed his sunglasses, and that was when the surprised expressions from the trio returned. His eyes were similar in appearance to those of a serpent; angry red on the outer edges, gold in the center, with a slitted pair of black pupils running vertically down each iris. The reddish orbs gave off a glow, even in the glare of the sun, "I'm not a machine, Ms. Connor. I simply don't act on emotion." Sarah noticed Cameron staring at Wesker with a curious expression and trademark head-tilt. Wow, these two would be perfect for each other, she mused. John hardly looked amused, and spoke up again, "So, what now?" Wesker bowed his head, placing the shades back over his eyes, "You three will be my guests. I'm sure you have many questions, with the exception of your guard dog, that is." He then did something unusual, handing Sarah's gun back. I should shoot him in the back of the head and get back in the car. Then a more logical thought came to her mind, Unless that wouldn't do anything... She followed, and motioned for John and Cameron to do so as well.
After a short elevator ride, they boarded a stainless-steel underground bullet train. Wesker and Cameron were the only two who seemingly had no need to strap in, and stood far to the front of the car. She continued to eye Wesker, at which he became faintly annoyed, practically hissing at her, "What, exactly, is so interesting?" She kept her gaze on him and answered just as quietly, "I've never seen one of you before. The name did not immediately register in my mind, and there was no photo in my databanks." Wesker scoffed lightly, "Am I all that you expected?" Cameron, perhaps in one of her momentary fits of residual odd behavior, simply said, "Yes." Wesker shook his head and reclaimed his cold, emotionless tone, "I have no room for normal, garden variety women in my life. Certainly not for a cyborg. No offense." Cameron looked away, then back to him, smiling oddly, "None taken." She added a bit more quietly, "Things change." Wesker unconsciously felt himself gulp. The very thought unsettled him. A machine, and him? It would be akin to him making a pass at the Red Queen. He banished the thoughts and remained silent for the remaining minutes of the ride.
John's eyes were glued to Wesker and Cameron, even though he couldn't make out what they were saying to each other. What the hell is he? he thought to himself. Deep down, however, he didn't like the idea of them interacting. His dislike of the situation increased almost tenfold when he saw her smile at Wesker. Without realizing it, a frown had formed on his face. Feeling a set of eyes on him, he turned to see his mother, who had been watching him like a hawk, as usual. "John," she spoke softly but firmly, "I may not care much for you having Riley in your life? But, please, don't tell me you're jealous of Cameron talking to that man. I'd say they probably have a lot in common." John tried to shrug it off, "I was thinking about what she said. About what he does in the future. That's all." Sarah gave him a yeah, right smile and nod, and they too remained silent until the train car came to a halt.
***
For the next several hours, Wesker led Sarah, John, and Cameron on a long tour of what seemed to be a mix between an expansive corporate headquarters and laboratory complex, complete with scored of armed guards and numerous security checkpoints. The last point of their tour brought them to an armory, which contained a number of high-end and military-grade weapons, as well as numerous models none of them had ever laid eyes on. Wesker drew one such weapon off of a rack. It was aesthetically similar to a cross between a rocket launcher and a long rifle, but it was finished in gray rather than gunmetal bluing. Wesker held the weapon over one shoulder, explaining, "Also available in compact rifle models. A charged-particle weapon capable of destroying most BOWs, but also effective against light to heavy armored vehicles. The rifle and carbine models are being distributed to my personnel here. I trust that this can put an end to my troubles from this...cyborg?"
Cameron looked the weapon over, analyzing it, "Another product of Umbrella. The Particle Accelerant Matrix used is similar to the phased plasma rifles used by the human resistance forces." Sarah shrugged, "Let me guess. We didn't ask. Fair enough, Mr. Wesker. Without being a halfway decent human being, you and your company make contributions in the background to help the resistance." Wesker hung the weapon back in its slot, and simply walked to the door, holding it open for them to exit. He had gone back to his entirely cold, inhuman demeanor, not even bothering to offer up a biting comment in reply to Sarah's words. He just stood there, very nearly like a statue, and waited for them to pass through, after which he pulled the heavy door closed with nary an effort. He was obviously possessed of incredible strength, and Cameron idly wondered how he measured up to her or a T-888. At some point, she was certain she'd find out.
Wesker offered them each a set of quarters on the executive level, which was only occupied by himself and a sparse few others. He hadn't made the offer so much a show of graciousness as a subtle order. Sarah and John settled in, with John being relieved at having his own accommodations. The "quarters" were like a 5-star hotel room. He was tired, and laid down, fighting to stay awake and think over the day's events. One of the last thoughts on his mind was how long it would take Derek to track them down, or if he'd even be able to. Sarah, on the other hand, stared up at the ceiling in her room, not liking the predicament of essentially relying on this man Wesker and his security to keep them safe. She would stay vigilant, more or less the entire night.
Wesker stepped out of his shower, wrapping a towel around himself before running a comb back along his wet hair, using a mirror in one hand to observe the back of his head while he watched himself in the bathroom mirror. It was a familiar routine, one he never faltered on. His peripheral vision, unencumbered by a set of shades, caused him to turn in a defensive stance, shifting to come face to face with Cameron. She was standing in the doorway, looking him up and down in the same unsettling fashion as before. Wesker didn't bother to inquire as to how she had gotten in to his quarters, but did become more than slightly confused and further unsettled when she began to remove her clothes, beginning with her leather jacket.