Hey everyone. Guess what! I DIDN'T DIE! I hope none of you were too worried. The surgery was barely able to be called such. I used the word very loosely. I was just getting an ingrown toenail removed. I was feeling a little evil when I published the last chapter so I decided I would be vague. I hope I can make up for worrying you with this new chapter. If this doesn't make up for it then tough. *Whispering* I'm not really that sorry about this. ANYWAY, I hope you all love the chapter. Enjoy!

Sherry was treating Jake while Chris was brooding in the very back of the truck when Claire and Leon walked in. The redhead announced to the inhabitants of the truck of her findings on the j'avo, informing everyone that if they were to encounter anymore of them, to aim for weak spots that require flexibility to properly move and function. A soldier came into the truck and reported that the truck Jake was in held their supply of C-virus vaccines. Aside from a small number of emergency vaccines that were held in each of the vehicles, their supply was destroyed. If zombies were to overrun the convoy, they'd be unable to save most of the people who get bit.

Everyone knew they needed to move out as soon as possible. They took stock of what they had left after the attack and grabbed any spare ammunition that their dead comrades had on them. They set out for City Hall, speeding through the streets.

As soon as they arrived, men in black armor and masks, armed with HK G36's ran through the doors and surrounded the convoy, watching for any hostiles that could have followed them. A man in a suit exited with them. The man was followed by two of the black armored men. He approached the lead vehicle as Leon and Chris were exiting along with Jake who was being supported by Chris. "My name is Agostinho Sousa. I'm the president's council. You need to come with us now. Our elite guard will cover your men as you enter the building." The man's voice was deep and it seemed as though he had little patience for inconvenience.

"We need to get our injured inside first. Do you have any men who can help us?"

"I'm afraid not. Our men are split between guarding the president and protecting your convoy. Please, make it as quick as possible. The longer we're out here, the more at risk we are."

With that, the man retreated back inside the building, followed by his two guards. Any uninjured soldier helped transporting the wounded inside. It didn't take too long, but it was longer than they would have preferred. With all the injured inside, the uninjured soldiers went back outside to guard the convoy, now that the black clad men were no longer protecting it. The man from before, Agostinho, walked up to Chris. "The president would like to see you now. Bring anyone that you believe is necessary to be there for the meeting, but try to limit your numbers. The less people in the room, the better."

Chris gave the man a distrustful look. He turned around and called for Jake and Leon to follow him. With that, they followed Agostinho up a flight of stairs to a room with large doors. He opened one of the doors and gestured for them to enter. As they did, they saw another man in a suit standing with several people in lab coats. They spoke in portuguese, discussing something about isolating a virus within the host, or at least that's what Jake could make out.

The man in the suit turned around and smiled. "You must be the men that the BSAA sent."

"Yes, sir, that's correct. My name is Captain Chris Redfield. This is Leon Kennedy and Jake Muller."

"I am President Afonso De Santos. It's nice to make your acquaintance."

"Likewise, Mister President." Chris said. "We need to move out as soon as possible. Our evac team is going to be back at the airport tomorrow in the early morning. If we're going to secure your safety, leaving now would be best."

"I'm sorry Mister Redfield, but right now that may not be able to afford to take such action."

"What are you talking about? We came here specifically to evacuate you from this area." Chris was becoming somewhat annoyed as well as confused.

The president was unfazed, as if he expected the outburst. "I understand your confusion, but my scientists are very close to what we believe may be the cure we have been looking for."

"So bring them along with us."

"I'm afraid that is not possible Captain Redfield." The president shook his head. "All of our research as well as our equipment is here. We cannot afford to risk losing it all."

Before Chris could reply, Leon stepped forward. "I understand your hesitance, sir, but this isn't negotiable. We can leave your scientists here along with a group of our men to protect them until their research is complete."

"I'm sorry, but that is not an option either, Mister Kennedy. I may be the president, but I am also a scientist. The scientist who has the most relevant virological knowledge in this room. Staying here will allow this research to be completed sooner and more efficiently."

"Sir, we have no means of communication as of this moment. Whoever released this outbreak is jamming our communications so it's impossible for us to reschedule an evac."

"How long is it until we are scheduled to be evacuated?" the president asked.

"The evacuation team is scheduled to arrive at 0700."

"Then we will be done by 0600."

"With all due respect Mister President, don't make promises you can't keep."

"I'm doing no such thing. Our research is promising, and if you assist us in its completion we will be able to finish the cure sooner."

"We're not scientists, Mister President." Leon said bluntly.

"No, but you can help in a different way. My scientists need specimens in order to conduct their research. If you would be so willing, we need you to go out and collect some of the infected using non-lethal measures."

"You must be joking?" Jake chimed in.

"Not at all. We will equip you with more suitable body armor to prevent bites from the infected."

"Out of the question." Chris said sternly. "I will not be endangering the lives of my men for a cause that is unlikely to succeed."

President De Santos sighed. "I understand. It is no large loss. I can send my own men to do so."

"If you are so insistent on it, then I recommend sending them out in small groups of men to avoid unwanted attention."

"I will keep that in mind. Thank you Captain Redfield. You can return to your men downstairs and perform any duties you wish. If you need to speak to me again, please notify Agostinho so as to avoid any abrupt disruptions in our work." With that, the president turned around and joined his scientists once more.

Chris, Jake, and Leon began walking back to the entrance. As soon as they were out of hearing distance, Chris spoke. "Keep an eye on the President as well as his right hand man. Something isn't sitting right with me."

"You were getting that feeling too, huh?" Jake replied.

"Yeah. I hope to God I'm wrong, but I just don't feel good about that guy."

"Agreed." Leon said.

"I'll try and listen in on any of the conversations those black masked guys have," Jake offered. " My Portuguese isn't the best, but I know enough to understand if they're planning anything."

"Just be careful. We don't know if they're up to anything, and if they are, I doubt they'll like you listening in." Chris said.

"Don't worry, Captain Steroid, I know how to be covert."

It was silent for a moment. "...I don't take steroids."

Hey everyone sorry for the long wait. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Big thanks to my amazing editor Xaori. You're the best. Go read the stuff she writes. If you don't, I will...do… something. I don't know yet, but go and do it.