Birkin awoke early the next day. It was only 4:00 am. Training started at 7:30 am. He slowly got up and gathered an outfit from his drawers. Slowly walking out the door, Birkin walked toward the showers down the hall. It looked as if he was the only one up. He entered the shower room and picked a shower stall. As soon as he had gotten in the shower, Wesker walked in.

" So he's an early bird to" thought Birkin

Wesker picked the shower next to William's. He quickly got in and began his shower. Birkin finished first and got dressed quickly. He brushed his teeth and began to clean his face. Wesker got out and dressed. He went and stood next to Birkin. Wesker went along like he was on a schedule. Then quickly turned to William.

" I must apologize for yesterday. I was very rude." Wesker said dully

" I'm sure you had a reason" said Birkin thoughtfully

" Your are William right?"

" Yes. Your Albert right?"

" Yes. I must say that I'm surprised anyone else is up"

" I thought the same thing"

" Interesting"

" We should go to the cafeteria"

" Yes. We should"

They left the shower room and put their things away. Wesker waited for William in the hallway. Birkin came out and they walked to the cafeteria. The only people in there were the cooks. Wesker and Birkin walked through the line. There were many different items. This place had better food than anywhere.

" Shall we sit over here?" Wesker asked after they got their food.

" Sure" Birkin said quietly

They walked to the far side of the room.

"This is a good spot" Wesker said

"It is a nice spot" Birkin said

"So how old are you?"

" I'm only 15. How about you?"

" I'm 17"

" So how did you find out about Umbrella?"

" Well I was sent home from the army and found a note in my home from Umbrella saying that they thought I would be a great Umbrella worker"

" I got a letter too but they gave me no choice. I had to come. Although I have always wanted to work at Umbrella."

" Interesting"

" I guess it is"

They ate in silence then walked back to their rooms. They said brief goodbyes and went into their rooms. Birkin started thinking about why Wesker was being so friendly to him. Maybe he was really a friend. Either way Birkin still had to surpass him. Birkin pulled out his favorite book. It was a book on biology his favorite subject. He read for a while then went to the main hall at 7:15am. Wesker was the only other person in the hall. Birkin walked next to him.

" Where is everyone?" said Birkin quietly

" Most likely eating" Wesker said in a dull voice

"Shouldn't they be here?"

" They should be"

Just as Wesker finished talking everyone flowed into the room. The voice of Dr. James Marcus filled the hall and repeated what it said the day before. Everyone was silent. After the voice finished Dr. Marcus entered the room with 3 other men. He began to speak.

" I am Dr. James Marcus. I would like to welcome you to the Umbrella Management Training Facility. You will begin training in 5 minutes. Please show respect and behave. If you succeed you will work for Umbrella. Please follow this man here to your first "class" now" Marcus said

The man next to him started walking towards a door everyone followed. They entered a large room with a podium at the front. Everyone walked to their own table. There were no chairs. In each table there was one small monitor. Wesker took the table next to Birkin. The "class" began. An hour later everyone left and they were lead to a new room. Another "class" began. After the end of the class they were lead to a research room and told to research bioterrorism. Everyone had a look of question on their face except for Wesker and Birkin. They began research. They were given research work to do in their rooms and sent to dinner. Wesker sat next to Birkin. They sat in the very back all alone.

" Did you enjoy the classes?" Wesker asked politely

" I liked the research class but the rest were ok too. What about you" Birkin said

" They were all ok I suppose."

" Yes. I wonder why we had to research bioterrorism?"

" I not really sure why to be honest."

" I guess we will find out"

" I guess so"

The conversation stopped there. They left and went to their rooms. Birkin quickly finished the research work in less than an hour. He then sat down and read for a while. The day was quickly coming to an end. Birkin put down his book and drifted into sleep. The schedule continued the same. Everyday the same classes. One day while retreating into their rooms, Wesker and Birkin were called to the main hall. Dr. Marcus was waiting there with the three other men. They stood in front of the men.

" I'd like to inform you that you to are my top apprentices" Marcus said with respect.

" That's wonderful" Birkin thought

" Thank you sir" Wesker and Birkin said in unison

" I'd like to ask you two for your assistance with something." Marcus inquired

" Assistance with what" Birkin asked cautiously

" Assistance with the creation of a virus" Marcus said slowly

" What kind of virus?" this time it was Wesker

" We are not completely sure but we know you two would be an asset to the team. Of course you will have no more classes from this point on"

Not knowing whether to be happy or sad, Wesker and Birkin nodded in agreement. They were dismissed to their rooms after being told where to go at 7:30am instead of classes.

" Can you believe it? We are both top apprentices." said Birkin in a slightly cheerful tone

" I can and we really must go to sleep we will have a long day tomorrow" Wesker said with a hint of gladness.

" Ok then. See you tomorrow"

" Goodbye"

Birkin entered his room. The thoughts of being the best rolled through his head. He couldn't' stop himself from smiling. Everything was going well. Birkin had to think about what this virus could be for. Was it for bioterrorism or something more? He'd have to wait for an answer. Either way he couldn't be happier. William Birkin was going to be the best.