Chapter 9
Ada Wong had fallen asleep in her car after a long night. She woke up that early to her surprise with a phone call.
"Ada Wong."
"Hey, Honey, where are you?"
"John." She looked at her clock. She was supposed to meet him for breakfast. Shit.
"I got caught up at work last night. I guess I just overslept. I'm sorry."
"No worries. You want to do dinner tonight? There's a nice restaurant uptown I think you'd love. Say 8 o'clock? I'll meet you at the house?"
"That sounds fantastic."
"Alright then. I got to get back to work. Take care of yourself."
"I always do." she smiled and then dropped the phone into the passenger's seat.
John thought she worked in a government office as a secretary. She would pretend to go to work everyday, when in fact she would continue working for Umbrella. She didn't pry into his life, and he didn't pry into hers. Unless John was suspicious of her fidelity which occurred on more than one occasion. He was very possessive and at times, gave her a few close calls. She looked around and decided she needed to get out of the car, even just for a little bit. Grabbing her purse and shoving her phone in, she began her morning stroll down the streets of Raccoon City. Two days had passed and her bug in Albert Wesker's phone served her no purpose. There were just common conversations to hear; mostly from Irons, A scientist named William Birkin, and office phone calls. The man seemed to have little , if any private life to reveal. No friends, no family, no girlfriends. It was slightly unnerving to Ada, how methodical this man was. Ada was pleased that the Captain hadn't found his cellphone tapped. Apparently he wasn't as clever as Umbrella was led to believe. She, was better. Of course her distraction had helped the situation. Drugging the homeless man before she went into the lobby to wait for her escort. The timing was simply perfect. hallucinogens were always the key to making a scene.
She could hear her phone suddenly ringing inside of her bag.
"Well, well." she said to herself, looking at the caller id. "So you are a player." she smirked to herself.
"Hello?"
"Miss Ahn."
"Yes?"
"This is Albert Wesker."
"Ohhh. Yes. How are you. Thought of another story for me have you?" She teased.
"I was wondering if you'd like to join me for dinner tonight. We could discuss matters after hours, more openly."
Dinner, she thought. How direct.
"Alright.." she said.
"Good." he said as dryly as ever.
"Where should i meet you?" she asked.
Wesker paused. "Corliones, Upper South Street, 7 pm."
"I'll be there." she said smoothly.
"Fantastic." he said. Wesker hung up.
This guy had either no personality, or was one of the strangest men she had ever met.
She had plenty of time before she had to meet John.
This would be an interesting night.
–
Wesker hung up the phone and gave out a sigh; rubbing his forehead lightly, staring once again at the papers in his other hand. How long would he be doing this, he wondered. He laughed to himself suddenly. If he had never met William Birkin at the Training Facility that first day, his life might have been entirely different. He would have been a simple scientist, perhaps the lead researcher of some project for Umbrella. That had been his original plan. Until he saw in his colleague's eyes that first day. In them.. was the most unfamiliar thing. It was the look of unlimited potential. Relentless perseverance. And he wanted it. He needed it. The will to make more. To achieve the impossible. That day, Wesker knew he would never feel his desire for achievement, quenched again. It was unfortunate that the case was the same concerning his patience.
"Sir?, the photographer is here. Are you set?"
He looked up.
"i'll be out in a minute."
Brad nodded and left the Captain of STARS to himself in thought. He had created this situation. He chose his pawns carefully and the board was almost set.
He was exactly where he wanted to be. Minutes later, he got up and made his way to the cage.
"What's your pick, today, sir?"
"M16."
"You got it." the bright eyed youth handed the captain a heavy piece, causing the man to look at it in the most scrutinizing of ways.
"thank you."
The team collected on the helipad at the back of the Precinct courtyard where they lined up accordingly. The day was bright and the spirits of STARS seemed to be strong. There they stood shoulder to shoulder with a trust that seemed unbreakable. They were family after all.
–
Ada Wong walked into Corleiones, alone. She had never been here before and she had been running late. It was a very well decorated and lit place. There weren't any backed up waiting lines winding around the hallways and the conversations were at an even height throughout the floor. The light clattering of silverware mixed in with the peaceful drone of voices. It was relaxing. She looked over the wall to view the occupied tables. Mostly older men and women with their party friends, out for a quiet evening. But there in the corner was a sole individual sipping a water and fiddling with a folded pair of sunglasses lying on the table. His brow was tight, his thoughts elsewhere. He was a handsome man. It couldn't be argued in her mind. His straight, symmetrical features, his unbent figure sitting tall, his calmness... was unfamiliar to her. And she found just then, reminding herself of her current duties. Find out why Donetsk was trying to kill him. Get closer by any means. Even if it meant lying to her future husband. She would do it, for the job. It was the only thing she had.
Ada Wong walked elegantly towards the table with a broad, pleasant smile on her face. Looking up, Albert stood and pulled out the opposite chair for her to sit in; later returning to his own.
"This is a nice place." she said in truth.
"I come here usually when I need to think."
"I can see why. I'm sorry I didn't come sooner."
The waiter immediately came over, seeing the added company.
It wasn't hard for Ada to immediately find something to her appeal, ordering her meal along with a red wine. Wesker simply ordered a salad and stayed content with his water.
"You don't drink?" she asked
"I don't like the feeling of it, but if the occasion calls.."
She looked at him for a moment. He simply stared back, unflinching. Steel blue eyes.
"You're a very unusual character, Mr. Wesker."
"Albert."
"Albert, then. Diana."
"Diana. There's something I've been meaning to talk with you about."
"And what would that be?"
"I've been developing a theory about you." he said in plain with the hint of a smirk as his fingertips touched the cold of his glass.
'He's flirting already.' she thought to herself.
"And what would that be, may I ask?" She purred, curiously.
He paused and took his eyes from his glass, and stared directly at her.
"I don't think you're interested in the RPD."
"No?"
"No. And I don't think you are actually who you claim to be."
Her face filled with a very convincing appalled look.
"what are you implying?" she whispered.
She could see in his face now, that he enjoyed watching this. He enjoyed watching her act. His confidence told her everything.
"I know who you are working for." he said in plain.
"and I'm willing to cooperate completely. In fact, I hope to ..'come clean'.. with you in every aspect."
She was taken aback.
"What are you talking about?"
He sat forward now.
"I am suggesting... that we both stop playing games. This dance can only go so far. I know for a fact, that you are not a journalist, nor were you ever one."
she stared into him. She could either blow everything she had fabricated, or leave the restaurant and start from square one. Wesker's eyes shifted to his cellphone that was lying on the table. He flipped it over and pushed it half way over the white cloth surface, towards her. The back cover, popped off with the single nudge of his finger, revealing the bug she had planted.
Ada felt her heart jump up into her throat. That rare panic she hardly ever felt, was now festering inside her. Her director had known. He had known she would be caught eventually. The man with the callous grin before her, had played her into a trap. Although his features were just as charming as ever, they seemed more malicious to her now. The cold eyes, the perfect hair, the barely visible laugh lines on his face. It was all so different to her now. Less... fantastical. The only thing before her right now, was a man she knew nothing about. One that had bested her. One that was enjoying watching her squirm under his grasp.
"How did you find it." she said darkly.
He closed it back up, casually and put it in his side pocket, now grabbing his water. "You make a very poor journalist. Any decent one, would have been standing at that door, the day that imbecile rushed into the Precinct. You should stop lying while you're ahead."
"You asked me here for a reason." she said. "surely it was for more than an accusation."
"I believe you are the one seeking answers." he said smoothly. "We may have mutual goals."
Fine.
"Alright. Let's start with the reason why Timothy Donetsk wants you dead." she said in a very paced, stern tone.
Surprise dawned on his face.
"You work for Umbrella?..."
He had played her again. But this time, the smirk on the Captain's face was replaced by concern.
"Is this what it's all about? Donetsk?" he inquired.
"Among other things."
"..."
"Well?" she asked, trying to keep calm; wondering if her directness was the most intelligent way to cure her mishap discovery. The director had said not to reveal Umbrella's involvement, but there was no more room for further deception. The man had been right. Albert Wesker was better.
He folded his hands lightly, his figure as steady as a rock as the cogs in his head turned and winded.
"I've been watching him." he began. "He insists on finding ways to leak a project of Umbrellas into.. the public."
"What project?"
"I don't think I should tell you...You're not exactly trustworthy." he mused with a sense of play in his tone.
He gave her some thought.
"Just answer me one thing. Who tipped you off?"
"The director of the Arklay told me to watch you."
She might as well come clean. By the looks of things, it would be easier for her to work with this man than try to lie any further.
"Why?"
"Why I.."
"Why were they having you watch me." he said quickly, cutting her off. She had his complete attention. The urgency in his voice was poorly veiled this time.
"Tell me, first why you have so many enemies."
"Let's call it an occupational hazard. I've had no previous engagements with the man. And I'm being honest, about that." he said flatly.
"Now answer my question." he stated with enough civility.
She cocked her head and took her time, sipping her wine. Watching his anxieties fester inside of him; behind that blank face and cold eyes. He had enormous self control.
"They never gave me a particular reason. They simply told me to assure your safety."
"How so?"
"You know, you really should be thanking me. You might be in several different pieces at the moment if I hadn't shown up."
"A.W."
"That's right."
She could tell he didn't want to thank her and she could also tell he wasn't going to.
He sat back in thought, completely ignoring his salad.
"Donetsk is working for an alternate company at the moment. And plans on selling out whatever he may. He has become aware of my knowing, and has since... become quite aggressive I should say."
"Why haven't you reported him?"
"There is no circumstantial evidence to place the blame as of yet. Reporting him to the Corporation would only further spook him and cause collateral damage to any and all of the Umbrella facilities. He is quite well connected when it comes to information within the firm. I hope you now understand the caution I've taken in the matter. It is... delicate. Ideally, I would like to take the matter into my own hands if possible, rather than involve Umbrella."
"And that implies?"
"It implies whatever needs to be done." he said with a finality that had a bite to it. "Do you have any other questions?"
"...Who are you really." she asked leaning back in her chair.
"Are you a journalist after all?" he smirked. "If they didn't even tell you that, then I am no one of importance. What I am curious about is where we are now. What do you intend to do, now that you know of my current position?" he asked.
He was genuinely interested. In many negotiations Ada had had in the past, many in Albert's position pressed for a direction. They threatened for a more favorable sway in conclusion to their story. Some by gun point. Some with money. This man was different. He sat calmly in his seat, asking something that seemed as important to him as the weather.
"I still have to ensure that you don't become a casualty on my watch." she said. "If I don't report Donetsk, there is still a chance of that happening."
"I will be most careful, I assure you." the Captain smiled.
If she reported Donetsk however, more chaos could come from it than good. She had mentioned damage to umbrella facilities. That could mean almost anything on a scale of 1 to 1 million in severity. That meant John.
It was clear Wesker could handle himself when concerning subtlety and self control. If there was one thing Albert Wesker wasn't, it was rash.
"What do you suggest." she asked.
"I would suggest Time. I will continue what I've been doing and when I discover the information I need, I will fully inform you. You will get the credit of exposing Donetsk as well as fulfilling your original contract."
"I also want access to a project sample."
"Which."
"Can you even get the access?" She asked a little stunned.
"Which."
She was starting think that the Captain was either a liar, or the director didn't fully enunciate to her how important this man was.
"I've been in contact with a scientist.. John Hess. He's apparently been hiding his progress and Umbrella isn't about to throw him a party for it."
He took a sip of his water. Placing it down, he took in the scenery; watching couples filter though the entrance. The place was still filling and the night was still young. Each table was involved in their own spherical conversations. Some serious, some full of laughter, but the continuous chatter was something calming. He motioned for the check and got out his wallet.
"I'll look into it."
"Chatty, aren't you." she said folding her arms.
"One should never plan too far ahead." he said slipping his sunglasses into his inside coat pocket, while paying the bill.
"I'm sure we will see each other quite soon." the Captain smiled as he stood and left.
Ada looked at what little wine was left in her glass and threw it back. She hoped this was the right thing to do.
–
Albert Wesker drove home content. The only thing that had cost him today was dinner. Not a bullet, car, building, BOW, or STARS officer. He was almost suspicious that his house wasn't on fire when his car rolled over the gravel driveway. As he grabbed his keys and jumped up the steps, he began to wonder if it was unhealthy to expect your house to be burning when you came home to it. It probably didn't cross many minds. He had become accustomed to the worst happening around him, but he couldn't remember when he first became comfortable with it.
He was used to living in many places. Whether that meant in a lab, a bunker, or in a house, he was equipped to function in any environment. But that undeniably human part of him had to admit that there was always something about coming home to a carpet and a locked door.
It wasn't important. It was just something.
Albert Wesker didn't have a normal life, and he was thankful that he never would. It wasn't that he was against it, he just never understood why anyone would want it. It was a phenomenon that he didn't care to study. There were more important things to do. The T-line project was drawing near, and Donetsk was going to be found and then put down. Unlike Jill, Wesker considered these things to be infinitely more entertaining than shark week.
He couldn't blame her entirely, though. She had never seen the Neptune series.
–