"STOP IT!" A high-pitched voice yelled behind the door when I pushed the trigger. That scream made me jump and my bullet drifted into the wall just beside Leon's head, then I realized what I just did. I was ready to shoot Leon; I was ready to kill him! What the Hell was wrong with me? I lowered my gun, shaking and avoiding Leon's gaze. What was wrong with me, gosh?
"I'm sorry Leon" I whispered. He lowered his gun. "I don't know what happened… I- I… It wasn't me…I-" I dropped my nine-millimeter on the floor and buried my face in my trembling hands. I couldn't believe what was happening; I was so ashamed of myself. What was wrong with me, why did I try to shoot Leon? I owed him so much and there I was, aiming a gun to his head. I leaned back on the wall and slid along the wall to the ground. "I'm so, so sorry, Leon. I don't know what happened I'm so sorry…"
"It's okay, Hana" He crouched in front of me and took a deep breathe. "I wasn't myself for a moment either, I'm sorry, too" My face still buried in my hands, I nodded. He was in shock too. We were clueless about what made us so much angry we were ready to kill each other. I did try to kill him…
"What is wrong with you, guys?" The voice behind the door asked.
"What a first impression" Leon sighed. I laughed slightly. He took my hands and helped me getting up. "We are so close to get out of here, so let's go" I nodded and grabbed my gun. Leon opened the door. There she was, standing in front of us. She seemed nervous, well, I can understand why. "Shelly, that's right?" Leon asked the girl.
"Yes, that's me… You're the one who are going to bring me back home, eh?" She wasn't older than 17 years old with long light brown hair and dark brown eyes and she was a bit smaller than me.
"Indeed. I'm Leon and this is Hana. You are safe now" He said. "We should move on and get out of here" Shelly nodded.
"Where do we go, now?" I asked Leon.
"We go back to Alanti's study; he's waiting for us there."
"He better be there" I said.
Leon opened the hatch and we climbed in the study. No scientist. "Of course, nobody" I said, putting my flashlight in my pocket.
"Let's wait a few minutes, okay?" Leon asked. Why did he trust that man so much? I sighed and nodded. Shelly started talking with Leon, telling him how grateful she was that he saved her and blah, blah, blah. I went to look again at the painting of Alanti's father and tried to remember where I could have seen that man before.
Ten minutes passed and no sign of Alanti. We had to move on; I wanted to complete my mission before the end of the year… "I should go" I said, taking my nine-millimeter.
"Where?" Shelly asked.
"Complete my mission. I'm wasting time right now"
"Wasn't saving me your mission?"
"No. It was Leon's mission" I walked to the door and opened it.
"Good luck" Leon said. I didn't answer and left Alanti's study. Deeply inside me, I wished Leon would offer me to help me complete my mission. I was on my own with no Leon to protect me. But it was better like this; I wouldn't his and Shelly's life in danger. He achieved his mission; he can go home, now…
The corridors were all empty and all the security cameras were broken. That's what Alanti was talking about when he said he would deactivate them. But he sure did ask the guards to leave this-
There was a bloodbath in the next corridor. There was so much blood it sickened me and I did a really big effort not to throw up. A dozen of guards where lying on the floor in their blood, all shot in the head or chest. The walls were covered of that red liquid that was once flowing in their veins. I zigzagged between the corpses, trying to not look too much at the dead bodies. The smell of the blood was really making me sick. One of the dead guards at the end of the corridor had a radio. It was intact: not broken and not splashed of blood. "Sorry, sir" I whispered to the dead man before taking his radio. It was the same model as the one I had when I began my mission. "Awesome" I smiled as I found the right station to communicate with my 'researcher'; my only contact with the Secret Service I had for my mission, Davis. He was my best friend, the first to ever talk to me when I entered the Secret Service. He was also designed to assist me during missions to help me completing them and researching information on places and people I needed to know more about… People! "This is agent Whitlock, I need help. Does anyone read that?" Nothing, only static noises. Maybe I couldn't have contact in that place of the building. I continued to walk into the many corridors, trying to make with somebody and then I got tired. "Davis, I know you can hear me, it's Hana. I need your help, jeez… copy that?" I sighed about to cry. I was exhausted and I just wanted to go home. Static noises again.
"Hana, is that you? Come in" A voice said from the radio.
"Oh god, Davis. I'm so happy to hear your voice" I sighed in relief.
"I'm glad to hear yours too; our last contact was 48 hours ago… Are you alright?" Davis asked.
"Yes, I am, don't worry. I ran into some troubles, but everything's fine now. I need you to find three things for me, copy?"
"We all thought you were dead, I'm really happy to hear you" I smiled. "So, what can I do for you?" He asked.
"I need you to say to me where the sample is again and I need information on a certain guy, he says he's a scientist working on a development thingy… His name is Alanti" I said.
"Alright, what is the third thing you want to know?"
"I want information on a US Federal Government named Leon Scott Kennedy."
According to the description I gave to Davis about the building, I was at the right place and the sample I needed to get was really close to me, in the labs on the level right under me. I just needed to find an elevator or stairs to go down there. I needed to find the sample of a new virus the last Umbrella's scientists still alive were working on. More powerful and more destructive than any other viruses they ever created, and they didn't plan to do an anti-virus for it. The Secret Service scientists, yes. And they need that little flask with that dangerous liquid as fast as possible. And we never know when that virus could 'accidentally' get out of those labs…
"Hana, do you read?"
"Yes, Davis, come in"
"I got info about an Alanti Terrence, he was a scientist with a specialization in B.O.W. that stands for Bio-Organic Weapons for the army… you copy?"
"I copy that… but what do you mean 'he was'?" I asked.
"Alanti's Terrence died ten years ago…"
"Oh… I see..." So he was working with the army. There are big chances that I saw him at some army's ceremonies my brother was attending to. "Anything else?"
"His son followed his path…"
"I knew it! Listen Davis, I'm going in the labs to get the sample. Send a helicopter; I want it to be on the roof in an hour, over!" I put the radio on my belt and ran into the corridors, looking for a way to get down in the labs. That man was working on the viruses and Leon trusted that man. I knew he was hiding something, I knew it!
After a few minutes running, I finally came across an elevator and stopped a few feet away; the lights above the doors were illuminating, indicating on which levels the elevators was and it was coming up! I took my nine-millimeter, ready to fire. The elevator stopped the level I was and the doors opened on Alanti.
"Miss Hana" Alanti smiled, walking towards me.
"Leon's waiting for you in your study" I mumbled walking past him to get in the elevator.
"If I were you, I wouldn't go to that level" Alanti said, grabbing my arm. "You might not get out of that building alive for real" He grinned.
"I know you are planning to kill Leon and me. But it won't be easy" I snapped out.
"Are you daring me, agent Whitlock?" He tightened his grasp around my arm.
"How do you know my last name?" I asked.
"I know a lot about you, my dear"
"Oh really? I know how to destroy the entire work of your father…" Alanti's expression changed, he was starting to be furious. I felt something pressed on my ribs cage. I looked then and there was a gun. Alanti loaded it.
"If you try to enter that elevator, I'm blowing up your heart. Did you hear me?" My nine-millimeter was loaded. I just had to shoot him in the knee and I would be able to run in the elevator and get to the labs level. It was my chance! I shot his right knee and kicked him. He fell on the floor with a loud cry of pain and I entered the elevator. I pushed the button to close the doors and then the one of the level of the labs. I heard three shots on the door, but the bullets didn't pass through. Those doors must have been bulletproof.
The elevator stopped and the doors opened on a big and poorly lightened lab. I loaded my gun and clear the section of the place I could see. At my left were plenty of tubes big enough for a grown man to stand in there. At my right, there were computers and piles of books and papers. I need a sample of that virus and something was telling me it wouldn't be easy to find one. I put my nine-millimeter in my belt and I started searching in the computers if there was any data of the New Virus; it was its name. Supposed to change the world and create a new one. More like destroying it and creating more zombies. Nothing in the computers, so I switched to the piles of papers that were right beside it. A few documents later, I found the inventory of the lab; all the substances down there were on that list. "New Virus, where are you?" I mumbled as I shuffled through the pages. At the sixth page, I found it: 'New Virus case number 0962, Area 3'. I fold the sheet in four and put it in my back pocket; time for a little research.
The areas were enormous bookshelves covering all the walls of the lab. Area 3 was at the back where all the experiences were done. According to the numbers of cases at the bottom, 0962 must be at the top. "Awesome" I sighed. I spot a rolling ladder that was reaching to the ceiling of the lab. Perfect! I slid the ladder in front of the 0900's cases and started climbing. 0910, 0911, 0912… That will be long…
My radio beeped. I stopped and attached it to the collar of my t-shirt. "Davis?" I asked, and then continued to climb higher.
"Hana, I've got some information about that Leon Kennedy"
"Alright, go ahead"
"He is working for the Federal Government, but was a police officer of Raccoon City"
"Isn't that city destroyed?" I asked, stopping. Gosh, that case was sure high… I was only at 0934.
"Exactly… So after his first day as a police officer, he entered the Federal Government because he had the skills to be one of their agent-"
"Skills?" What skills was he talking about?
"You know that the T-Virus outbreak happened in Raccoon didn't you…?" The T-Virus outbreak, the whole town was infected… That's why Leon could handle all those zombies.
"Well, I remember now… Anything else?" I started to climb faster.
"Federal Government doesn't want anything to be revealed, I couldn't find more information than he completed his mission with success… there's also a report of a mission of two years ago, but I can't read it, they deleted it when I tried to open it. He has nothing to do with your mission" My contact said.
"Thank you, Davis. I'm glad he wasn't a bad guy in the end" I said as I stopped in front of the case 0962.
"Why are you saying that?" Davis asked.
"I stick with him in the past 48 hours. He helped me to go through a few obstacles. Now Davis, I will have to end our conversation; I found the sample and I needed to climb some giant bookshelves to get it. I'm going back down, now, over" Carefully, I took the case and went back down to the ground. Jeez, it was so heavy. I started to open the case when I heard the sound of a gun being loaded behind me and then felt something cold being pressed against the back of my skull.
"If I was you, I wouldn't open it, Miss Hana" Alanti's voice gave me a shiver.
"Why shouldn't I?" I closed the case. I couldn't take my gun without Alanti blowing up my skull. I was so close to the sample.
"If you open it and take the sample, I'll explode your brain" He replied in a harsh tone. I sighed and slid the case behind me. Alanti's took his gun off my head and he grabbed the handgrip of the case. At the same moment, I turned and hit his jaw with my elbow, then kick him in the stomach before pushing him away from the case. I grabbed it and started running to my right, in the rows of tubes. Damn, how many tubes were there? It wasn't long I was lost. "Give me back that case, Hana and I won't hurt you!" I heard Alanti yelling. He started shooting the tubes making them shattered one after one. I ran in the opposite direction of the shots.
Silence.
I stopped running and saw the computers and books at the end of the row. The elevator was right beside it. I wanted to run towards it but the tube at my left shattered. "You're dead" Alanti said as I turned to face him. He punched me in the face and I dropped the case. I tried to take my nine-millimeter and dropped it too. As I crouched to take it, Alanti grabbed my hair and pushed me inside one of those tubes. He locked the sliding door. The glass wasn't bulletproof, but was sure hard enough to not brake if I tried to kick it. A gas started filling the tube and I was soon feeling dizzy. I was so close to get out of that building alive…
The door of the tube slid open and someone grabbed my arm and got me out of it. I fell on the floor and gasped for oxygen. I lift my head up and my gaze met dark brown eyes. "Shelly?" I whispered.
"You're alive!" She said, smiling. "We gotta go, here" She handed me my nine-millimeter. I nodded and took my gun. I got on my feet and followed Shelly in the rows of tubes. I was still feeling dizzy and running was a bit difficult for me. We arrived at the end of the rows and I saw Leon and Alanti aiming their guns at each other.
"Stay behind" I said to Shelly as I gently push her behind me. I loaded my gun and aimed towards the scientist. He was holding the case 0962. "This case belongs to me, Mister Terrence"
"How come you know my name, Miss Whitlock?" Alanti asked, grinning.
"I know a lot about you, my dear" I smirked. "We are two against one, you can't win this. Just give me the sample"
"Unfortunately, I can't. That sample is unique. If I let you go with it, we won't be able to achieve our plant to create our new world-"
"New world infected of zombies, yeah, what a wonderful project. I won't let you-"
"You seriously think you'll be able to stop me?" Alanti asked, now aiming his gun at me. I glanced at Leon; he was still aiming at Alanti' waiting for an opportunity to shoot him. "I can control this whole building. You can't win. You three are going to die here, believe me" I looked back at Leon and our eyes met. I had Alanti's attention, Leon could make his move. I nodded and Leon shot Alanti's in his leg. He dropped the case in a cry of pain and I ran to get the case.
"Shelly, get in the elevator!" I heard Leon shooting. I grabbed the case and ran towards the elevator; Leon was already in it.
"Shelly!" Leon shouted and get out of the elevator. The doors closed and I turned: Alanti was holding Shelly by her arm, his gun on her temple.
"How about an exchange?" Alanti said. "I let you leave with the sample, but I keep this beautiful lady?"
"Leon, help me" Shelly cried. I looked at Leon; I could see panic in his eyes. I looked at Shelly, then at my case. I needed a plan.
And I had one.
"Leon" I whispered. "I need a diversion" I looked at him and slowly opened the case.
"Why?" He whispered back.
"So I can take the sample without Alanti noticing, and then giving him the case and we get Shelly back… That's the only way, I can't give him it back, I need it… My mission is almost done" I tried to figure out a plan to get out of here with Shelly and the sample and I could only think of one solution. "I propose an exchange" I said, turning to Alanti.
"What do you mean 'an exchange'?" He asked.
"I'll take Shelly's place" Leon grabbed my arm and made me turn around.
"Hana, you can't do that; he will kill you-"
"Leon" I cut him "my job is to complete missions even if they cost my life"
"But saving Shelly isn't your-" Leon started.
"I know! But she's there because of me. I won't sacrifice her or you for that sample. My mission is now to get you both out of here alive and I refuse your help from now…" I sighed. "Thank you for everything, Leon" I smiled gently. He let go my arm and I closed the case of the sample, and then walked towards the scientist. He let go Shelly who ran into Leon's arm. I gave the case to Alanti and he grabbed it firmly.
"Good girl" He smiled to me. Leon was ready to aim at Alanti and shoot him. I slightly shook my head. From now, I didn't want any help and risk anyone's life. That man was really dangerous.
Beep, beep
Alanti aimed is weapon at me and took my radio attached to my collar. "Come in" he said in a cold voice.
"Hana? Is that you?" Davis asked worried.
"No, Hana is busy right now, living the last minutes of her life. She says hello by the way" Alanti threw the radio on the floor and shot it two times. "You'll be dead soon enough, my dear" He looked at Leon and Shelly. "Take them" A door slid beside the elevator and five guards ran into the lab. I heard loud footsteps behind me and a dozen of guards appeared in my sight, aiming at Leon and Shelly. "Get them out of here" Alanti switched the case to his hand holding the gun and grabbed my arm with the other before dragging me to the door where the five guards came from. Guards grabbed Leon and Shelly. The young girl started to cry and Leon tried to escape from the men.
"Hana! If you follow him, you won't get out of here alive!" Leon shouted. The door slid close.
Leon was probably right…
