AN: Ah, good evening and welcome to your latest fix of Living Like A Disaster. Your body needs our sugar.
Obviously thanks to everyone who reviewed, you are all acceptable and we will spare your lives when we rule the world. And let's face it, it's only a matter of time. Either that or get murdered horribly.
Please ensure that you review and tell us how fantastic we are (or not as the case probably is).
Shak and Claudia x
-
Dr Albert Wesker
In the past near-century now, Albert Wesker had only enjoyed a handful of good days, and there was a fresh expectancy that today would be one of these. Things were looking as though they were about to take a direction that had always been his favourite: his way. The time was ripe at last for him to lay his hands on the precious creation of Dr Daniel Lancaster...no, he corrected himself, the now deceased Dr Lancaster, and as if by some ungodly bonus, the presence of his Shakahnna would force his hand in a not unpleasurable way, to rebuild the barriers of communication which he himself had destructed.
Unlike Lancaster's virus, he had known where she was all along, but there had always been more satisfaction to be derived from a game of cat and mouse rather than a quick kill. And he was much too fond of his sweet redhead to eliminate her from the festivities so unceremoniously.
There was a low growl from his side as the scent of blood filled his nostrils. He looked down with a twisted fondness at the large, grotesque reptilian monster which followed at his heels. Hunter Alpha's, as he was aware, travelled in twos, and this particular specimen's partner was currently engaged on a little errand he had assigned to it based on a rather interesting scent he had picked up a few minutes previously. It had been difficult to place at first, a stark reminder of that day, but once the proverbial penny had fallen it had increased his conviction that today would most certainly be a relief from the mundanity of his regular routine.
A shrill scream interrupted his inner feeling of tranquil superiority, the owner of which was satisfyingly familiar, and he slowly turned its head in the direction of the source.
Albert Wesker had some business that required his attention.
-
Dr Claudia Graham
"Bloody Herrison, bloody OCRC, bloody cretins, bloody Lostenberry...has no one here ever heard of infection control? This would never have happened if I'd been in charge. But of course, oh no, we couldn't have that now could we? Cretins..."
Claudia Graham muttered to herself as she walked through the deserted wards, her hands shoved deep in her pockets and her shoulders slumped. A throaty snarl and the scuffling of clawed feet detracted her gaze from her shoes and caused her head to jerk up nervously.
Oh god, not more survivors. I really hope it's not Herri...oh. It's just a BOW.
She watched warily as the hulking form of the Hunter came into view, the artificial light refracting off its greenish hide.
Oh wow! Is that the new Hunter Alpha?! I don't remember it having claws like that....I wonder if it's a new phenotype of the latest generation or if they were grafted on surgically? This is so exciting! They've managed to make it...
Her thoughts were cut short as the beast opened its mouth and began to growl and slaver, baring a set of enormous teeth as it eyed her voraciously.
Oh...dear.
The solitary doctor let out a tiny squeak and began inching backwards until she felt the wall at her back as the hunter began to prowl forward. "Um...please don't eat me..." she whispered anxiously.
Don't be ridiculous, Claudia. Everyone knows the Hunters don't respond to...AAAARRRGGGHHHH!
"Ohgodohgodohgoditsahunter!" she whimpered, flapping her hands uselessly before letting out a high-pitched, panicked scream as it charged for her. She fired her gun once, dropped it and sank to her knees, covering her head with her hands and bracing herself, her eyes screwed shut tightly.
She was too busy squealing to hear the casual sound of footsteps near her head, or the fact that the Hunter had stopped moving.
What a coincidence, Miss Graham. If I remember correctly the last time I had accosted you, you were in a similar position.
After a few interminable minutes where the OCRC operative simply curled up and shook, she opened one eye, then the other as she gradually came to the realisation that she was not, in fact, being mauled to death.
Wesker's mouth hardened in impatience as he waited for her to regain her composure sufficiently to become aware of his presence, the second of his pets now perfectly content at his heels. "You seem somewhat unnerved, Dr Graham. Are events not unfolding in your favour?" he enquired calmly.
At the sound of this very familiar voice, Claudia rapidly uncurled and scrambled to her feet, pushing her spectacles back up her nose and looking at him with a dumb astonishment. The emotions which played across her face were plainly obvious, not least to Wesker, as her expression went from shock, to puzzlement, to horror and finally to blind, outraged indignance. She opened her mouth to say "Hullo, sir," but unfortunately what came tumbling out, complete with accusing finger outstretched, was "You put me in OCRC!"
As soon as the words had come tumbling out, she turned pale and clapped her hand over her mouth, slowly taking a few steps backwards with wide eyes.
"Most individuals," he rebuked her gently, "Would have expressed some form of gratitude by now, Dr Graham, or even considered giving a polite greeting."
Relief at the older man's apparent lack of anger gradually coloured her cheeks, and she began to squeak out an incoherent cross between a greeting and an apology.
Wesker's expression did not change as he continued, "I myself am very surprised to see you. I was informed that you were...inactive. After we stopped receiving your reports, our field agent had reported that you were no longer in our services. Such a tragedy at the time...Dr Lancaster was most distraught..."
Claudia let out a gasp of abject horror, "You thought I was dead?! But...but...but I sent meticulous reports! Every month!"
Yes, and they made excellent kindling...
"As I mentioned before," he explained in a soothing tone, "None of these were received. It is genuinely distressing to think that one of our best researchers has had her talents wasted so..."
She flushed slightly red and bit her lip, "Y...you mean...I wasn't supposed to stay at OCRC...?" she stammered in slow comprehension.
"Not at all. You were only sent there for a month as punishment, then we had to leave you there for your own protection. Umbrella had already instigated their hostile takeover of HCF, as you know, and a number of our top employees lost their lives. I am surprised you were not briefed on this." It had been a long time since he had chosen to exercise his silver tongue, but Claudia's wide eyes told him that he was far from rusty.
It's no wonder this race is so easily lead when they choose to follow like cattle.
"So I can come back now?" her words were eager to the point of being desperate.
"Dr Graham, it could not possibly be any other way," he said simply.
At this point the lump which had been building up in Claudia's throat since the beginning of her ill-fated mission finally took its hold on her composure and she rushed forward in a flurry of tears, buried her face in his chest and began sobbing uncontrollably, her cries interspersed with muffled thank you's.
Wesker felt his skin crawl with complete disgust for the near hysterical child. Placing two large hands on her shoulders, he lifted her off her feet and set her back a few paces away from him. For his part the action was necessary to prevent him losing his self control and tearing her throat out, but Claudia took the gesture to be vaguely paternal and wiped her nose on her sleeve, sniffling gratefully.
If I was not intending to provide you with a slow and torturous demise previously, it is most certainly appropriate now.
"Come now, this behaviour really is most unbecoming of a future head researcher," he said with a forced gentleness which was a complete mockery of the homicidal thoughts coursing through his head. She looked up at him with a look of undiluted rapture on her pale face as the last of her hysteria subsided, her aquamarine eyes shining damply at his words. It was as though someone had actually been listening to her silent prayers. She did not care about money, wealth or prestige in the slightest, she simply wished for the opportunity to indulge her life's obsession with scientific discovery without being held back by those around her. Had this conversation taken place five years previously it would have made her life utterly perfect; even now she was in a state as close to nirvana as she would ever have thought possible. "You don't know what this means to me..." she began but was cut short by Wesker, who continued talking as a way of forcing down the urge to garote her.
"However," he interjected, and her face fell a little, "There are two minor issues which must be resolved before you can be appointed. Firstly, this hospital contains a very important sample which must be retrieved," In reality, Wesker was aware that the chances of the sample being in that building were very slim, but if his plans were to come to fruition it would be better to have the doctor remain in St Appollonia's for at least the time being, and it could not possibly hurt to have one more agent searching for the virus.
"You can count on me, sir!" Claudia babbled breathlessly as he pressed on, trying to block out her voice for the sake of maintaining his facade.
"Secondly is a matter which I believe will be of great personal interest to you also. A common foe, so to speak. I'm sure you recall whose fault it is you are here..."
Yours?
She looked at the floor with a bitter expression and shrugged awkwardly. For the past five years her resentment had been privately directed at the man who stood before her. It had not ocurred to her that another party might be to blame.
He arched an eyebrow at her as though he was surprised at her lack of forthcoming, "She's here, you know." The words were almost, imperceptibly a taunt, designed to rile her without incurring any of her anger on himself.
Claudia turned white and bit down on her lip, understanding all at once. "The...the policewoman?" she hissed.
The blonde haired man nodded approvingly, "We both have cause for grievance," he said slyly, "She cost us your potential. Years wasted. We never could find a replacement for you."
Slowly, the perceived reality of the situation shifted as a realisation dawned on Claudia, the colour draining as her mouth fell open. Wesker smiled to himself as the emotions played out across her face.
Oh god. I've hated him for five years and he only wanted to help me. How could I have been so stupid? It's not his fault at all...it's hers! I've been in complete hell and its all because of HER!
How delightfully easy, the opportunity to crush two birds with one stone. A competent researcher for when dear Jonathon ceases to be useful, and to bring our mutual friend back into the fold. Still, I fear your blood may be cooling before the day is out, Claudia.
She wavered for a few seconds, utterly beside herself before managing to choke out, "That bitch!"
It took him all his iron composure not to laugh out loud; Wesker was always laughing inside. "Perhaps as a show of good faith, I could suitably dispose of her. Assuming, of course, you are confident enough in your abilities to..."
He was interrupted by the sound of a neck snapping and a wild holler of "Fuck yeah!" from the floor below. This was something which Claudia's human senses had clearly not picked up, and so she furrowed her brows in puzzlement as he trailed off, his eyes flashing red behind his dark glasses.
"Sir?" she enquired meekly.
"As I was saying before I was so rudely interupted," he frowned at her and she looked positively distraught, "We have a new base, not far from her in the next town of Achma. If you are able to lure our lovely STARS captain, Officer Taylor as I believe she is called, I will take care of the rest. Then you may start work immediately and I will be able to justify your appointment to our board of directors. As I am sure you are aware, management can be...arrgravating."
Of course that is not a strictly accurate statement. They would be irritating, were they not all currently dead.
At this point, with something so precious dangled in front of her, Claudia was willing to accept any conditions that Wesker might throw at her. She simply nodded vehemently in agreement, a complete determination in her eyes. When it came to her work, Dr Graham never failed. A thought ocurred to her and she became rather flustered, "I don't remember...much. What she looks like..."
Unless she's still covered in blood...that would be a big hint.
There was a few moments where Claudia was aware that Wesker was looking at her from behind his sunglasses. but did not know whether his stare conveyed any sentiments of irritation. This peturbed her and she began to panic a little; the proposition he had made was too precious to her to risk upsetting her benefactor.
"I'm sorry!" she blurted out hastily, "It was a long time ago and I was upset and...and..."
Wesker did not dignify her ramblings with a response as he reached into one of the many pockets that lined his attire and produced a small envelope. Wordlessly he handed it to the nervous scientist, who fumbled with it as she looked down.
Oh god, what is this? Have I really ticked him off...? This can't be good...oh dear oh dear oh...
She tore open the envelope, with her face screwed up in trepidation and pulled out a bundle of surveillence photographs, all taken of a woman with broad shoulders, bright red hair, and a look of perpetual mania on her brutally scarred face.
Oh...dear.
"This is...her?" She was sure that there was a perfectly good reason for him to be carrying about a handy folio of pictures of the STARS captain, but it did not seem wise to comment.
Wesker simply looked at her as though she was a complete ingrate as she suppressed any further questions. He held out his hand expectantly and she frowned.
"I...I don't have any money,,," she faltered, staring at him nervously for a few moments. His jaw tightened in annoyance as finally her eyes were directed back to the photographs. "Oh." Sheepishly avoiding his gaze she thrust the pictures back into his upturned palm, turning red.
-
Captain Shakahnna Taylor
"Wheeeeeeeeeee!" she squealed in delight as another zombie was felled. Pierce shot helpless glances to the other members of the team, who were frowning in distaste, not least Deborah who was positively outraged at her captain's conduct.
"You know," he told her, half jokingly, "You're really lucky that I'm about."
"That's cause you be being my wife," she beamed back. Not many things working under Shak in his career had thrown the blonde STARS officer with the pony tail, but this could most certainly be considered one of them. He wasn't quite sure if this new unconcessional marriage arrangement was something he should be pleased with or utterly dismayed at.
He was about to reply when a shout went up from Officer Fitzpatrick, "Oh...my....gawd!" she shrieked, pointing to a pool of crimson in which appeared to be laying a mauled human form. A twitch and a groan from its general direction informed the captain that the injured person was still alive, if only barely. The wounded man was clutching his stomach, absolutely drenched in his own blood. The letters 'OCRC' were barely visible, embroidered on the breast of his combat clothing. At once Shakahnna's demeanour became professional, "Shit! Deborah, get on that," she ordered, pointing as she knelt down beside the OCRC operative, reading the id tag that was fastened to his uniform. "Mr Norton, what attacked you? Where are the rest of your team?" she demanded.
"Hey! Give him some space!" Deborah exclaimed, pulling out her medkit.
"Well hurry up then!" Shak blasted back.
If there's a civilian unit running around here, they MAY just need our assistance.
As the team medic fussed and fretted over Timothy, he began to claw at Shakahnna's sleeve. Without thinking she slapped his hand away, before looking at the downed man expectantly. "What happened?"
"Ice maiden!" he wheezed, barely coherent, "Upstairs! Bitch...Ice maiden..."
Suddenly things became much more interesting to Captain Taylor, "What be's that?" she quizzed, "Some new type of tyrant?"
"I'm going to have to sedate him," Fitzpatrick interjected briskly, sliding a needle into Timothy's bloody arm.
Ah sedation...I remember this one time I had to...no you didn't...
"How bad is he? What are his chances? Should we just shoot him now?" Shakahnna's lack of tact was never more legendary.
Deborah glared at her boss angrily and was about to launch into a speech on the sanctity of human life when there was a wet slapping sound from behind the team. The redhead whirled round instantly to see a wounded doctor hauling himself towards them, using the wall for support.
"Help...me...I've...been...bit..." he did not finish the sentence as his knees gave way. His eyes seemed to glaze over as his skin seemed to visibly putrefy.
"Another one! I can..."
"False." Shakahnna was having none of that as she raised her gun and fired a single shot into the still-human doctor. "You may not have noticed, Fitzpatrick, but see those things that are walking around and look like people? Those are zombies. They want you dead. You're the medic. Do your job, make him better. Fraiser and McPhillips, you stay here with her. We'll continue the sweep."
There was a burst of static from her hip as her radio spluttered to life. She raised it to her ears, listening intently before replying with a curt "Yes Sir," and replacing the communications device in her pocket. "Right," the officer addressed her remaining team, "New orders from HQ. OCRC are here. It's frankly insulting that we were not consulted to accompany them anyway, but I digress. This guy is now your priority, all OCRC members have to be taken under protective custody. Pierce and I will try and get to the surviving members before this new monster does," she looked thoughtful, "I wonder if it's like the Nemesis parasite, sent specifically to hunt people. Either way, we have to find it first. Come on Pierce."
Shakahnna gave her partner a positively wolfish grin as she rubbed her hands together in glee, "Let's go bag us an Ice Maiden."