Disclaimer: I do not own Jonny Quest or Resident Evil. I am not making any money from this story.

Author's Notes: Thank you for all the positive reviews so far. I am glad that some people out there are enjoying this little story or mine so far.

As Nightmares End

Chapter 7

By: Sigokat

Adrian Baker fumed as he scanned the documents one more time before slamming the packet down on his desk. The young scientist that stood opposite of him flinched at the sudden move. He averted his eyes and waited for his superior to speak.

Baker clasped his hands behind his back as he raised his eyes towards the scientist. "How long has this been going on?"

"We just recently discovered it, Sir." The young man choked out. "It only just started."

"What other findings have you discovered?"

"We are still analyzing the dead parasites to determine what exactly killed them, however it appears that some sort of toxin was introduced into their systems."

"Poisoned?" Baker asked.

"Yes, Sir…at least that is how it appears?"

"Where did these samples come from?"

The young man, his face covered in pockmarks did not reply. Baker watched as the man's brow furrowed in confusion.

Baker lowered his voice, angered at the man's hesitation, "Which lab?"

Prompted by Baker's second question the scientist looked up and smiled inadvertently, "From the research and development lab on level three."

At that moment Baker knew the source of the poison, even he was still unsure of what toxins were actually used, "Quest." He mumbled.

"Sir?" The young man stuttered.

Baker shook his head, "Nothing. That will be all for now, but as soon as you discover any more information you are to report directly to me. Do I make myself clear?"

The young man gulped, "Yes, Sir. Of course."

"Now leave."

The man nodded and quickly scurried out the door, leaving the reports. Baker sunk back into his chair with the realization that he should never have trusted Doctor Benton Quest. He should have seen that Quest would attempt to destroy the project from within and Baker had given the man the means to do so. Gritting his teeth Baker reached for the phone, "Not anymore, Benton, not anymore." He said to no one at all as he dialed the necessary number. After a few rings the other line was connected. Baker did not wait for a response, "Send a security detail to meet me outside the R&D lab on level three at once."

Hanging up the phone, Baker stole one last glance at the documents that had been provided to him. "You've chosen the wrong man to cross, Dr. Quest. Now you will pay."

Baker headed for the door.

JQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQ

Benton had been secretly injecting live Las Plagas parasites with a mixture of chlorine, diesel fuel, and arsenic. The combination proved to be difficult to detect and it killed the parasite within a matter of hours. Benton was surprised by the creatures' resilience and was enthralled as he observed how the parasites physically reacted to the injections of the deadly concoction. He had been forced to use whatever he could find that he hoped would possibly kill the parasite and after numerous attempts had settled on this particular cocktail. Now the current issue that presented itself was actually killing all of the parasites. Since he had only been granted access to this particular lab, Benton had no way of actually knowing how many parasites has been cloned and where they were all located within the building or even if all the samples were still at this location. If some had been shipped to other facilities then Benton had no way of actually killing off every last parasite.

As he pondered this newest problem over in his mind he jumped as the metal doors to the lab slammed open and crashed against the inner walls. Benton turned in the direction of the noise and saw Baker with three armed security guards heading straight in his direction.

Benton stood to meet his opponent, knowing he had been discovered, but quickly developing a plausible story that might convince Baker it had all been a mistake. After all, Baker was not a scientist and Benton might be able to confuse him with as much technical formulas and scientific theory as he could muster.

One of he guards quickly seized Benton by the arm and held him firmly in place. Baker strode up the scientist, his face only inches away from Benton.

"What the hell do you think you've been doing?" Baker growled.

Benton acted confused, "I do not know what you are talking about."

"The Las Plagas parasites that you've been working on; you've been killing them."

Benton shrugged, "Unfortunately while I was testing means in which to make the Las Plagas stronger and more resistant to outside influences some perished."

"Some?" Baker spat. Benton tried to hold his breath from the foul stench of the man's breath, "You've killed over two dozen of them."

"I…" Before Benton could explain further the doors to the lab slammed open once again and another guard bolted in.

"Sir," The guard exclaimed as he ran up to Baker. "Sir, we have a problem."

'Now what?' Baker thought as he turned to face the guard. "I'm rather busy at the moment. Can this not wait?"

"Sir, the boy…"

"What about him?" Baker asked.

"He's gone, Sir. The boy's gone."

"What do you mean gone?" Baker shouted.

"He's escaped somehow."

Benton felt his heart skip a beat. He knew they were talking about Hadji. Knowing that his son was alive and currently out of grasp of these men gave Benton a newfound sense courage and strength. Benton felt the grip on his arm loosen as the guard that held him turned his attention to his superior. Benton immediately saw his opportunity.

With his free hand Benton seized the wrist of the guard that was holding him. Pivoting his body away from the man he twisted the guard's wrist backwards. A cry of pain escaped the man's lips as bones crunched from within. Without releasing the grip Benton turned and delivered a swift kick to the side of one of the injured man's knees. As the man crumbled to the floor Benton let go of the man's wrist and bolted for the door.

"After him." Baker shouted as the injured guard lay helplessly on the ground.

Luckily for Benton, the doors to the lab swung both ways and with full force he crashed into them. The momentum of his speed caused Benton to crash into the wall opposite the door; pain shot through his shoulder and he staggered, but did not fall completely. Benton really had no idea where to run, but knew he had to keep moving. If he could find his way out of the building or at least find a spot to hide he would be in a better position then he had been.

Benton gathered his thoughts, chose a direction, and ran. He dared not glance back as he heard the doors of the lab crash open from behind. Benton came to the next hallway and quickly turned right. He ignored the looks and stares of the other scientists as he ran, even pushing a few to the side that did not extract themselves from his path fast enough. Shedding his white lab coat Benton came to another intersection. He tossed the lab coat down one hallway, but made for the next. His eyes shone with hope as he spied a door with an exit sign above it. The thumps of booted footsteps and shouting rang out behind him as he stepped through the door and into a stairwell.

The stairs led both up and down and since Benton did not know what level he was currently on, the landings were not marked, one direction was as good as the other. Benton chose down. He took the steps as fast as he could, some even two at a time. As he rounded the next landing his right foot came down wrong and he felt his ankle give out. Grimacing he forced himself to continue to move through the pain. 'If you don't keep moving Benton you are as good as dead.' He willed to himself. He silently thanked Race for all his years of training; knowing his bodyguard had taught him these lessons for just such an occasion.

Benton had made it to the bottom when he heard the door he had entered, numerous levels above him now open.

"Split up." Baker was saying.

As Benton heard the men spread out he quietly opened the only door available to him and slipped inside.

JQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQ

Jonny hadn't spoken much on during the flight back to Intelligence One headquarters. He knew that Race was upset with him and even though Jonny still felt that his actions were justified the guilt of upsetting Race and the others continue to gnaw away at him. He was glad Race hadn't grilled him too much because he was in no mood to talk anymore, at least not with Race or Phil.

Back in Phil's office Jonny sat on the couch, arms crossed over his chest, head down low. Now that Jade was gone, and so far, no word had come back from the I-1 agents that had been tasked to track her, they were back at square one. No leads, no information except that Jade had appeared to be heading west.

Race paced back and forth in the office as Phil half-heartedly examined the documents that had been left for him.

Race sighed and slammed his fist into his other open palm. "Damnit, we were so close."

Phil looked up from his files, stole a glance in Jonny's direction, and then looked back at Race, "How close were we really, Race? I mean, she didn't really tell us anymore then we already knew and she didn't give Jonny much more information either."

Race hesitated and he knew that Phil, no matter how true his statements were, was really speaking for Jonny's benefit. "I know, but where does that leave us now?"

Before any of the men could answer the door to Phil's office burst open and Jessie came to a running stop. "You're back." She exclaimed.

"It would appear as such." Phil remarked.

Jessie shot the man a playful smile, mumbled what sounded like 'smartass' and turned to Jonny.

"Hey Jonny, how you feeling?"

Jonny shrugged, "My head still hurts."

"What happened?" Jessie asked as she sat down next to her friend.

"Nothing I want to remember." Jonny quipped. "Basically Jade got the better of me and got away."

Jessie saw how distraught Jonny was over the issue. She wanted to talk to him, get him to open up, but she knew he wouldn't in front of Race or Phil. "Hey want to go get some pizza or something?"

Jonny turned his gaze in Jessie's direction and smiled. He could always count on her to try and cheer him up. He knew Jessie was dying to hear what happened and that she was really just trying to get him alone.

"You two should stay in the building." Race stated. "Hey, Jess, where's your mother?"

Jessie turned her head away, obviously upset. "She left for the airport already."

Race glanced at his watch, "But her flight doesn't leave for a like twelve hours or something."

Jessie shrugged, not wanting to tell her father about the fight she had with Estella in the restaurant. "She said something about trying to catch an earlier flight, I think."

"I should call her." Race said, reaching for his phone.

Phil glanced at the two kids. He still felt uneasy about having them so close to danger, but he knew they wouldn't want it any other way. If Race and Benton were unable to stop them from tagging along there was nothing that he, a non-family member, could do to stop them. "Race is right," He said to the kids, "You shouldn't leave the building alone."

"Technically we won't be alone since we will be with each other." Jessie interrupted.

Phil smiled as he stood, placing his hands in his suit pants pockets, "Now who's being the smartass, Jessie?"

Jessie shrugged innocently.

"If you go to the cafeteria they can make you whatever you want to eat." Phil said.

"Really?" Jessie asked.

Phil nodded, "Just tell them to put it on my bill…seeing as how I'm all out of cash at the moment."

Jonny hung his head, "Sorry, Phil. I'll pay you back."

Phil shook his head, "Don't worry about it."

Race hung up his phone, "She's not answering."

"Maybe she's already on a plane." Phil said.

Race shook his head and was about to shove the phone back into his pants pocket when it rang. Without glancing at the number he flipped it open and answered it, "Bannon."

"Is this Race Bannon?" An older man's voice asked.

Race straightened up and the other three in the room zeroed in on it. Phil immediately grabbed his phone and placed a call, "Run a trace on the number that Race Bannon's cell phone is currently connected to." He said and quickly hung up his phone.

"Yes, this is he. Who is this?" Race asked.

"A friend."

"Who is this?"

"I'm trying to help you, Mr. Bannon. I work for Umbrella."

"If you work for Umbrella then why are you helping?"

"Because I don't want to work for them anymore. They are evil. I can help you, but you need to help me first."

"Where are you?"

"I will have the coordinates of my location sent to your superior now. He is there with you, correct?"

Race glanced in Phil's direction and pointed to his computer. "Yes, he's here now."

"Good. I need him to grant me immunity."

"I don't know about that."

"If you want to get Doctor Quest back alive then he has to grant me immunity."

Race noticed the man said nothing about Hadji. "I'll tell him and see what he can do."

"He can do it and he knows it. Just tell him; I will wait."

Race covered the phone, "Phil this guy is from Umbrella. Says he will help us, but he wants immunity."

Phil cringed at the request. "Race, tell him…"

"Phil, if you can do it then do it. He says he knows where they are." Race demanded.

"Fine." Phil said and picked up his phone to make another call.

Back to the mysterious caller Race said, "Ok he said he's working on it."

"Good. I will send the coordinates now."

"How do we know this isn't a trap?" Race asked suspiciously.

"You will see when you get here."

"That's not good enough. Tell me your name at least."

"I have something better then my name, Mr. Bannon."

Race listened as he heard the caller pass the phone to someone else. Race almost collapsed when he heard the new voice. "Race, is that you?"

"Hadji…yes it's me. Are you ok?" Race stammered. Jonny and Jessie were on their feet and at Race's side within seconds. Phil almost dropped his own phone as he heard Race speak the boy's name.

"Yes, Race I am fine. You can trust this man. He helped me escape and there are others here as well. But you have to come quickly so we can get my father out safely."

Race felt a lump forming in his throat as he listened to Hadji speak so calmly about his predicament. There was no hint of fear in the boy's voice. "Ok, Hadji. We will be there soon. Just hang in there alright."

"I will, but please come quick." Hadji said and then the phone was handed back to the other man.

"Is that good enough for you, Mr. Bannon? You can believe me when I say the boy is safe. If it helps at all tell Agent Corbin that the woman who contacted him in regards to Spain is here as well. Perhaps that information coupled with knowing Hadji is alive and well will help me gain your trust."

"I will tell him."

"How long till you can arrive?" The man asked.

"We can be in the air within minutes." Race responded.

There was a pause and then, "Our coordinates have been sent and hurry. Once Baker finds out that Hadji is gone I do not know what he may do to Doctor Quest." Then the line went dead.

"So Hadji is ok?" Jonny asked impatiently.

"He sounded fine." Race said. "Phil, did you get the coordinates?"

Phil nodded as he typed at his computer. "Yes, I'm imputing them now." He paused as the software searched for a location. After a few minutes Phil shook his head, "This can't be right."

"Why?" Race asked, feeling his heart drop into his stomach.

Phil stood back up, glancing back and forth from Race to the computer. Finally he spoke, "Race, these coordinates…they're for Raccoon City."

JQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQ

Benton knew that he had chosen the wrong direction to flee as soon as he stepped through the door. He was in a dark hallway; the only light coming from bulbs that were protected by steel grating placed about twenty feet apart. The bulbs were low watts so much of the hallway was still hidden in shadow. Benton moved forward, holding his breath against the new smells that entered his nostrils. A mix of raw sewage, stale blood and something else engulfed him. He couldn't make out the third smell; it wasn't human nor was it animal. Benton bit his tongue as he continued forward. In the distance he heard a loud shriek and what sounded like something being thrown against steel. Benton shuddered at the images that entered his mind as to what could have made such an unearthly cry. As he came to the next intersection he found rows and rows of empty prison cells. The steel cage doors of most had been ripped from the hinges and dried blood and feces smeared the walls. As he continued the next cell he glanced into was occupied by a corpse. Benton covered his mouth and nose with his arm as he advanced into the cell. The corpse appeared to have once been a man, but it was so badly decomposed that even the flies and maggots that may have once attempt to feast off the body were now gone. The body's neck appeared to have been snapped in half and it was missing its lower left arm. Benton knelt down and examined the tattered remains of the prison uniform. It was similar to the one that he had worn, but with one other feature. It had the markings 'RCP' stenciled onto the pocket.

"RCP?" Benton said as he stood back up. "What the hell happened here?"

Benton heard the unearthly cry of the distant creature again, but this time it was answered by a similar, yet not as distant call. As Benton stepped out of the cell he heard a door open and close and knew the guards must have determined he was down here.

"Doctor Quest?" Baker called as he entered the lower level cells. No one, not even Baker himself, wanted to come down here anymore. "Where are you, Doctor?"

Benton turned and ran. His muscled ached and burned but he continued to run, praying he did not run into whatever it was that had produced the earlier screams. Benton heard his pursuers closing in, but he continued to run blindly ahead. He turned one corner, but found himself at a dead end.

Turning back the way he had come he could now hear the voices even more clearly then before. "There he is." A guard shouted, but Benton did not stop. He ran ahead, trying to find a passage he had not yet tried, his shoes splashing in puddles of sewage and water that had leaked from the rusted pipes overhead.

"After him." Baker shouted.

Benton ran ahead, but found he was running out of options. He heard his kidnappers behind him and in one last desperate attempt he rounded another corner and was faced with another dead end. Benton heard what sounded like the blast of a shotgun and immediately felt a wave of pain shoot through his back as he collapsed to the dirty floor.

'They shot me.' Benton thought, but realized that he wasn't dead. Benton reached behind him and felt his back. His entire body was flush with pain, but he was not bleeding. As he saw the guards and Baker slowly advancing on him he eyed the source of his demise; a beanbag. The guard had shot him with a beanbag round. Benton knew he was in trouble and he chuckled in the face of his dismay.

Rough hands grabbed the scientist and hoisted him into a kneel position. Kneeling in front of him, Benton watched as Baker withdrew a syringe from a bag he had been carrying. Benton's eyes widen in terror as he immediately recognized what it was.

Baker smiled at Benton's misery, "You should have never double crossed me, Benton."

"No…" Benton croaked.

"And you think your boy is safe? I will find him and I will kill him myself; along with the rest of your band of heroes. I don't care what the board says anymore, I'll kill them all myself…slowly….painfully."

Benton watched as the man removed the protective sheath from the needle. "Please, don't do this…" Benton struggled, but the guards held him fast.

Ignoring his pleas Baker continued, "And you, Benton, are going to help me do it."

"No." Benton screamed as he fought to free himself, but the guards held him fast and the pain from the beanbag round was too great.

Baker nodded and the guards forced Benton down onto his stomach. He felt a gloved hand grab his hair and hold his head firmly in place.

"Please, don't do this." Benton pleaded, coughing and choking on the filthy water that pooled around his face.

"You had your chance, Benton." Baker stated. "Now you will do as I say…no matter what."

Every muscle in Benton's body tightened as he felt the cold tip of the needle on the base of his neck and then the needle was plunged into his skin.

Benton squirmed and fought. Gritting his teeth and growling obscenities, but within moments the contents of the syringe were fully injected and Benton's body relax.

Baker stood and removed the needle from the scientist's neck. "Welcome to the Umbrella Corporation, Doctor Quest."

JQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQJQ

To be continued…