I continue to work for the secret base, researching and carrying out their wishes. I was often hired as a personal guard, a hitman, a mercenary, an investigator, and an infiltrator, because researching was not enough. I was freed once more, but I had to remain under the radar, because Umbrella was looking for me.
I kept in contact with the female researcher during the summer, she became somewhat of an amiable figure in my life, but I was not attached. She had quit her job at the Arklay Research Facility, to work in the Raccoon Research Center, but she kept in contact with her sister, who work in the security rooms of the facility. It was in early May that her voice began to change, she had shared that a bio hazard had occurred on the Arklay manor, infecting everyone in it and that no one was allowed to leave the facility. After that, she called me on a weekly basis and kept me updated. Then, her sister died, along with other staff. She shared that an accident had occurred in the Arklay mountains, several staff of the facility and civilians who enjoy mountain hiking were victims of cannibalistic murder in the forest.
"No one knows how it happened but we are not allowed to speak about it. Only the promising researchers were transferred to the underground research facility in Raccoon city. The civilians were causing commotion over the mysterious deaths, so the mayor deployed Bravo team to investigate the area but they disappeared."
"I assume another squad was deployed to the crime scene?"
"Yes, the police department sent the Alpha team, but that was a few days ago. I haven't heard anything since Alpha team was deployed to search for the Bravo team. Everyone is panicking, the facility feels unsettling and Umbrella continues to pressure us. I didn't want to say anything but how things are going... " She explained.
"What of William Birkin?"
"Doctor Birkin rarely leaves his laboratory, afraid someone might steal his research. He is somewhat of a paranoiac and he brought his daughter to the facility. If you ask me, this is no place for a child."
"And Albert?"
"I heard that Umbrella declared him dead."
My silence prolonged, I felt nothing yet there was a hint of uncertainty. Years of research under his command stripped to nothing. There was a subtle hollowness within me, I loathed Albert Wesker yet indulged in his demeanor.
"That is... quite a shame..."
"I agree. The man had so much potential and he was handsome too."
After our conversation, I was contacted by the secret base, they assigned me to burglarized data of (B.O.W) from the facility under Raccoon city and confiscate a sample of a new virus that was being developed by none other than Dr. William Birkin. They did not approve of my action as a rouge researcher, and I would be penalized for my failures, but I remained undaunted, because, I had no intentions on failing. I left for the airport to board a plane to Raccoon city.
After my arrival in Raccoon city, I spent several days memorizing every corner of the city and strategizing how I would gain access to the facility under the city. I infiltrated Raccoon City Hall at night and took the sewer map, because I was curious to what lurked beneath the city. I've also lingered around public facilities such as the clothing store, the park, and a cafe to ask discrete questions, and watch for subtle actions, but there was no luck. However, during the nights, I would sit in the bar and listen to the conversations of the men that expressed themselves with the bartender. Most were overweight police men of middle age that idly drank without consent for the public. They spoke of S.T.A.R.S (Special Tactics And Rescue Service) and how their request to investigate Umbrella was denied by the police department. I listened with precision, their conversation peeked my interest, I wanted to learn more.
On my fourth day in Raccoon city, as I prepared to visit Kendo's gun shop, I received a peculiar call from an agent. The moment I heard his voice, I knew what destiny had in store for me, I knew that "they" would place me on a leash; but it was to be expected, because the moment I set foot in Raccoon city, they would get a hold of me.
"We've finally contacted you, Galatea Volkova. You think that after all these years, you can just avoid your responsibility?" Said the strange man.
"Who are you?" I was aware of who it was, but I pretended to be oblivious.
"I am calling from the Umbrella headquarters, to inform you that your contract has not been terminated, and that you continue to work for us. Umbrella can still use you efficient skills However, due to your disobedience, you will be penalized for your actions."
"What is it that you want with me?" I was flattered by the fact that Umbrella needed my skills, but they would not attempt to kill me, not yet. They still needed someone with experience, knowledge and wit.
"We want you to work as a scientist in the research facility under Raccoon city and secure a sample of G-virus from Dr. Birkin. We also want you to interact with him and avert his attention until we send our Security Service Unit to retrieve the sample."
"Why am I needed for that? Headquarters can give him a call and ask for the virus. He works for you."
"Dr. Birkin has descended into madness and he no longer trusts Umbrella. He plans to sell the virus to the government as well as information regarding our bio organic weapons and illegal testings."
"That does not concern me." They had it coming, and it was about time.
"Volkova, if you decline this mission, you will be framed for Dr. Marcus's death and the incidents in the Arklay mountains, as well as the disappearance of Raccoon City's Bravo team." I remained silent, embracing the fury that boiled within me. I placed my pride aside and accepted, it would be foolish to decline, not because of the threat and possible death, but for the direct access to the facility.
"I accept..."
"Wise decision. A black car will pick you and take you to the outskirts of Raccoon city to access the private train station that will take you to the facility. Once inside, go to B7F, one of our trusted member will be waiting for you. He will provide you with equipment to communicate with our headquarters and execute the plan."
"And what about Birkin? If he is the administrator, will he not become suspicious?"
"Everything is taken care of, Dr. Birkin placed someone else to review your files. He doesn't know that you trained in our military facility, or that you went rouge. However, he will be waiting for you and he will be under the impression that you are returning from Africa."
"Should I silence anyone that becomes an inconvenience?"
"Yes, but do it in secrecy. We don't want you causing havoc. Now, go." I gather my belongings, left the hotel and boarded the black car, but before the driver took me to the destination, I told him to stop at the boutique in uptown, to purchase clothes for my stay in the research facility.
I closed my eyes and listened to the screeching sound of the train. The underground cable cars linked the facility to the sewers beneath the Raccoon city police department and the research center. This would have been my second option, as difficult as it may seem; I had already memorized the sewer map. It only took minutes to arrive at the underground research facility. The train platform was near to empty, only a few personnel, who scurried at the sight of their watch.
My heels echoed as I boarded the elevator and ascended to B7F. I walked through the storage rooms in which chemicals were stored. The Arklay Research Facility could never compare to this, such immensity. I met with the man, Umbrella trusted employee. He was reluctant at first, towering over him, he must have felt intimidated, but he was average and muscled.
"Miss Volkova?" His voice was soft and pubescent, almost innocent.
"Please, call me Galatea." He was young, I noticed the moment he addressed me; perhaps early twenties. A child puppet Umbrella raised to only serve them.
"Miss Galatea, I was told by my superiors to provide you with a throat microphone, and files of the laboratories with the working hours of the personnel, as well as a card to access areas of the facility." He placed the throat microphone on my hands and a choker to hide it. I strapped it around my throat and loosened my hair to cover the earpiece. He played the access card with my photo inside the laboratory coat and handed it to me with the files over it.
"Where is Dr. Birkin?"
"In his laboratory on B5F. His wife, Annette, tends to roam around, if she sees you, just tell her that you have to report. Don't allow her to grow suspicious of you."
"I understand." We shook and then I was on my way to see Birkin.
No one seemed to mind my presence, they just stared as I walked down the isle to reach Birkin's laboratory, but I knew that there was someone watching me. I knocked on the metallic doors of the laboratory and smirked to the camera outside of his door, seconds later, they opened. Birkin hunched over some files that were scattered on his desk and constantly looked through the the microscope.
"You remain the same, Dr. Birkin." I said to draw his attention. He gazed at me entirely, and smirked to himself, then he returned to his work.
"And you have changed, Volkova. You've grown into a beautiful woman, and I like what you've done to your face. Tell me, where did you get that scar?" I would had forgotten that the scar that HUNK had given me was there, if it was not for his sarcastic question.
"I got it during my stay in Africa. It is a reminder that I should not always be adamant and that I should not bark at an old tree." I could never tell him that I was part of Umbrella's military service, nor I wanted him to suspect.
"Ah, yes, I heard about your research in Africa. How did it go?" At this point, he just wanted information, but I knew just what to give him.
"It did not go as planned and even if I wanted to learn more about the progenitor virus, I met my limit as a researcher. I am not as brilliant as you are, Dr. Birkin." I elevated his ego and I could almost hear his smirk. He turned and walked to me, taking my hand in the process and shaking it.
"It is in your best interest to not fall behind. I will assign you to the low temperature experiment room on B4F, after you settle in. There are a few of bio organic weapons that need testing, you are now chief researcher. I place you in charge of testing, recording data and reporting to me."
"Is it not taking it a bit far?" I have never dreamed of such position.
"You have the experience that I require and I don't trust the other employee, they are easily manipulated. But you, Volkova, you are adamant, and I like that. The files are already in the experiment room, now go. I have work to do." I did not expect to win him over so easily. I could not help but to smile, I had Birkin's trust, and it was not difficult to gain.
I ascend to B4F and accessed the experimental room. The soothing cold brushed my cheeks as I approached several of the staffs, I made my presence be known. I walked through them and picked the files on the table, then I read them carefully, analyzing and deducing.
"Are you... Our new senior researcher?" Asked a quiet and reserved girl that was sitting on the computer monitor.
"New? What happened to the former researcher?"
"He died in an accident two months ago." She said and I smiled.
"He must have been someone careless... My name is Galatea Volkova. And yes, I am your new senior researcher. I have been working on this field since I was fourteen years old, therefore, I have much experience, but I can still learn a few tricks." It was not my best act, but I had to gain them over for information purposes.
"My name is Yoko Suzuki, I am in charge of computers." Said the reserved girl.
"I'm Monica, researcher." Her first impression had a negative effect on me, she seemed to be the type to flow against the tide.
"I'm Frost. I work the temperature control console." A nice man with a beaming smile.
"Is this it?"
"No, there are a few coworkers in the break room." Said Frost.
"We should star without them, time is precious."
We worked for hours, testing the MA-125 or "Hunter R" as the others liked to call it, against T-0400TP or "Tyrant R" for short. They enjoy naming the bio organic weapons, I assumed it was because they had nowhere to escape and their minds needed a break from the work. I had the idea to modify and adjust the MA-125, but I decided that it was best to focus on the real task at hand. When the researchers took a break, I stayed in the laboratory to access their personal files, and searched in their desk for any vital information, but found nothing of my interest.
On my second day, I reported to Birkin and while in his laboratory, I observed him. Analyzing where he kept the samples. I saw that his wife, Annette, had a few extra G-samples. It was not difficult. I met with Umbrella's trusted man to tell him of my plan and he agreed to aid me. While he was in the monitor room of B5F, caused a diversion on the Area C passageway by creating a fire and causing the alarms to go off. Birkin panicked, and he left his laboratory to communicate with the personnel in the monitor room. It was at this time that I took the advantage and searched his laboratory. I could need read his files, but I had enough time to take possession of two samples. My objective was completed, I reported to Umbrella' headquarters but they commanded me to stay put, until the arrival of Alpha team. I did as such.
Birkin did not suspect of me, and I continued to work in the facility until mid September. I was told by Umbrella to return to surface and wait for further commands. The others researchers notified me of Yoko's sudden disappearance when one of the experiments failed. I convinced them that I would search for her, despite being a lie, they believed me. I spoke to Birkin and told him that I was returning to the surface to breath fresh air, he was somewhat hostile towards anyone that approached him. He was satisfied with my work, but he did not approve of the idea of returning to the surface. Regardless, I boarded the train and left.