Chapter 20: It's Not So Easy

Ada walked into the satellite room five minutes later than normal. Her high heels echoed throughout the dim room as she walked. Last night she was restless for hours. Wesker was busy so there was no point for her to go to his room. She hardly got any sleep, and now Ada was craving some coffee.

She instantly woke up when she saw Nicholai over at one of the computers watching the surveillance cameras. He looked almost ready for action, except for his left arm being in a sling. The cuts on his face were almost healed, and his bruises were gone.

"Nicholai!"

He whirled around. He instantly held up his right hand, smiling. "Don't hug me. I still hurt in spots."

"I was hoping you were going to come with me," Ada sighed. She smiled at him. "It's good to see you up and around. Oh, and you really need to shave."

"Thanks…I totally agree. That was hell laying in that bed," Nicholai replied, rubbing his hand along his face. He had bad five o'clock shadow. "I still have a week or two before I'm completely back, but at least I get to hang out and do small jobs."

"That's great! I'm sick and tired of Krauser!"

"I love you too, hon."

They looked to see the large soldier walking over. His scarred face revealing that well placed smirk as usual. Ada glared at him, but also heard Nicholai laugh beside her.

"This is what I have been missing," the Russian chuckled.

Ada rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "Anyways, back to the subject. What are you doing now, Nicholai?"

"Watching Steve Burnside. Take a look."

Ada walked over to the screen. Nicholai had one camera pulled up to show the large picture of Steve in his holding cell. He was cramped and nervous, and he was shivering as if he was cold. Ada couldn't tell if he was slightly rocking his body to get warm or to assure himself.

"Wow, he's a mess."

"The T-Veronica virus was wiped out by his own antibodies. Wesker says that while Burnside was in a coma, his body worked to counteract the virus. When he awoke, it was because his body had finally destroyed it. Rendell, of course, is thrilled. This means that Burnside is the only human alive that is immune to the T-Veronica strand," Nicholai explained.

This caught Ada's attention. She was sure Wesker was just as thrilled as Rendell about this natural immunity. Ada was reminded of Sherry. Sherry's body was going through the same exact thing with the G-Virus. Eventually, she would be the only human immune to her own father's creation.

"He's useless other than that," Krauser snorted. "The poor sap doesn't even have a clue who he is."

"Amnesia?" Ada grunted.

"We don't know how severe yet, but he doesn't know his name, and he sure as hell don't remember Antarctica or Rockfort Island," Nicholai heaved, watching the screen. He then turned to Ada. "I hope I never have to go back to Antarctica."

"You and me both. That was miserable."

It was the coldest cold ever. Ada and Nicholai had to gather the few other HCF members they took with them, gather Burnside's body, and head back to the helicopter. Then they had to wait for Wesker to have his fun with Chris all the way up until minutes before the facility went up in flames.

Ada thought Antarctica was far worse than Rockfort Island. Nicholai couldn't say the same, only for the fact that he didn't get to experience the island. He only flew in to pick them up in Antarctica.

They barely heard the sliding doors open. The three of them saw Wesker walk over to them. He had a cup in his hand, one that immediately caught Ada's eye. Wesker must have noticed her eyes on his cup, because he held it out to her.

"Krauser, aren't you supposed to be at the Agency?" Wesker asked, as Ada took a drink.

Ada spit it right back out, gagging. She got it all over Krauser too, which made up for the nasty taste in her mouth. Still grimacing from disgust, she handed the cup right back over. Wesker took it with the tiniest smirk on his face. Krauser was grumbling something low as he brushed off the liquid she sprayed on him.

"That's whiskey!" she spat.

Wesker shrugged. "Trust me. I needed it."

Ada heaved a sigh. So much for coffee. She would have to go get her own cup this morning. Nicholai was sniggering at her side, the surveillance cameras forgotten. Krauser gave one last glare to Ada before focusing on Wesker.

"I'm leaving in about an hour."

"How is it coming along with Kennedy?"

"Oh, it's coming," Krauser sneered. "The guy's got skill."

Ada could believe it. Back in Raccoon City, Leon was quite the survivor and the fighter. To see him come such a long ways, Ada was not surprised at all.

"Nicholai, did you brief Ada?" Wesker asked.

"No, I sure didn't."

Wesker didn't say anything, just cocked his head towards the middle of the satellite room where the computer chair sat silently. It was Ada's cue to follow him and he walked that way. She hardly glanced back at Nicholai and Krauser as she trailed behind Wesker. He pulled everything up on the satellite feed.

"This should be a simple assignment for you. This here is one of Alexander Ashford's safe houses," Wesker informed. Ada studied the building. It wasn't much of a house…more like a huge mansion surrounded by forests and mountains. "It's located in Hungary."

"Wait, Ashford? He's dead, and so is the whole family. What's the point?"

Wesker glared at her. She kept the gaze, smiling at him while having her arms crossed. "If you would let me finish, maybe you would understand."

"Oh. Well then, by all means, please finish."

"Corporation S has been watching it closely for awhile now. The safe house has been taken over by some of Umbrella's leftovers. They have been using all of the data stored there to sell in the black market."

"So what am I stealing?"

"Nothing. I just want the man in charge dead." "Wow, what a surprise."

"Before you kill him, however, I need for you to interrogate him on Spencer's whereabouts. If these are all Umbrella dogs, then I have no doubt that he knows where Spencer is located."

Ada nodded, "Alright. What's his name?"

"Jasper Howard." Wesker pulled up the man's profile on the screen. Ada scanned through it quickly, remembering his appearance and his stats. Jasper Howard was tall, skinny and pale skinned. Though he had these cold brown eyes and dark hair, to Ada he looked like he was going to be easy to handle. Of course, Ada also wasn't one to judge a book by its cover.

"Jasper Howard. Got it. Now let's get going. I have a long trip ahead of me!" Ada said with feigned amusement.

Wesker didn't take it so lightly. He glared at her, and stalked off. Ada smiled and followed him. He always got this way when she was going in alone. He just hated to admit that he worried for her on missions.

***

Ada wandered throughout the laboratories beneath the Spencer estate. She was heading for John's lab, going through her head all the things she needed to gather for him. John was having such a bad day, and he had to leave for a meeting in another city. Ada offered to print off some of the papers he needed, and to get his things he had left.

She checked her cell phone for the time. It was almost two o'clock in the morning. The underground was completely deserted. Spencer ordered a night's rest for all staff members. She found it odd that he would do such a thing. Then again, he was always flustered whenever his workers were too tired to work.

She rounded the corner, only meters away from John's lab. She bumped into another being in the process. She jumped back to collect herself, and to see exactly who she had ran into. Ada saw Dr. James Marcus before her, smiling softly with his wise eyes. He wore a nice, beige suit, one of his many expensive attires, other than his lab coat and slacks.

"Miss Wong, fancy seeing you down here. Is there anything I can help you with?" he greeted.

"Thank you, but I'm fine. I'm just getting some things for John."

"I'm surprised that Albert isn't with you. He always comes around when John is away."

"Excuse me?" Ada asked, suddenly anxious. She had no idea where Wesker was. Dr. Marcus was just trying to make her uneasy about the affair. Even though she hadn't exactly slept with Wesker yet, that's really what it was.

"It's alright. I know why you haven't told John yet. It's not that you are scared or don't care about his feelings…you just want to protect yourself, correct? You don't want to let John go because you know that Albert will eventually move on."

Ada grunted in shock. She was taken aback, and she gawked at William and Wesker's mentor. His eyes never left hers. Ada couldn't believe it. She never understood why she was being such a coward to face John, but now she understood. There was a part of her that knew Wesker could turn on her.

She composed herself. "Do you not trust Wesker, Dr. Marcus?"

Marcus's eyes flicked away for only a moment, and she saw his lip twitch. "No, I don't. I never have. Do you trust him, Miss Wong?"

"Do you fear him, Dr. Marcus?"

There was a long moment of silence. Marcus's eyes lowered to the floor. Ada stared at the older man hard. Marcus sighed long and even. "Yes, I do. He is a man to be feared. You should fear him too."

Ada took a moment to let his words sink in. She slowly nodded at him. Marcus was able to look at her again, and he eased a weak smile. "I will be in my lab if you need me. I'm just going to finish up."

She nodded. "Okay. Thank you."

Ada moved around him. She walked the rest of the way into John's laboratory. She went to his computer first, signing on with his passwords. She knew them easily. John always used her name as the passwords. She started to go through the documents that John needed for tomorrow. She set the printer to print them all, and then got up to gather his things.

Suddenly, she was hearing cries of pain. It was quickly followed by small crashes and noise that seemed to echo down the halls. Ada felt her heart skip a whole beat, and then this feeling hit her chest with cold dread. She darted out of John's lab, heading for Dr. Marcus's own laboratory just down the hallway. She had no idea if he fell or hurt himself or what. Just in case, she drew her hidden knife sheathed on her thigh. It was the only weapon she had on her.

She rushed into the laboratory, knife ready. Her body came to a shocking halt as she beheld the scene before her. Dr. Marcus was on the floor, broken glass and utensils all over him from the nearby counter. There were bullet holes all over his body, and the old man now lay twitching on the floor. Dark blood was already spilling into a puddle around him.

Ada felt herself grow sick to the stomach. The two murderers were two people she didn't want to believe were doing this. William and Wesker slowly looked over her way. Wesker was the one who pulled the trigger, for he still had the pistol aimed at his mentor, a silencer covering the barrel.

William looked at her, his smirk fading into a frown, and then he lowered his eyes. Ada didn't know if it was out of shame or for the fact that he knew Wesker had the gun, and he could easily re-aim it at her. She saw William swallow hard, and he avoided looking at Marcus's body.

Wesker stared her down only yards away. Ada's heart was beating too fast, and all she could do was stare back. She now realized that her life was in Wesker's hands. Did he shoot her to keep her quiet? Or did he let her go out of trust and more? She could actually see him thinking about it, and she felt fear slither into her ribs.

Ada swallowed, trying to calm herself. She couldn't run; Wesker would shoot her before she got out the door. She also knew she stood no chance in facing him. All she could do was wait for Wesker to decide whether he was going to let her live or not.

Marcus jerked on the floor, still not dead. He was coughing blood up, and trying to move. Ada could hear the agony in his voice as he tried to speak. "Albert…William…why…"

Wesker looked back down at his old mentor. Ada saw this cold smirk slowly spread on his face. "Time to die."

He aimed the pistol at Marcus's head and shot one last time. The blast to the skull made Marcus silent for the rest of eternity. The body fell limp, and more blood spilled onto the floor. Wesker wasted no time. He glanced over at his partner.

"William, now is your chance to get the research Marcus has kept from us. And don't forget to get the waterworks going when this reaches the surface."

"Of course," William mumbled, stepping over Marcus's body to get to work.

Ada hardly watched him. Her eyes came straight back to Wesker when she saw him slowly walking for her. He didn't have the pistol aimed, and Ada wasn't sure if that was good or bad.

She couldn't believe how shocked she was. She knew all along that one day Wesker was going to do this. Now that it actually has happened, she found herself realizing that she had just walked into the worst predicament of her life.

Ada could see William in the back of the lab, hacking through Marcus's most secret files to steal. He was glancing their way, and the look on his face told Ada that he was worried for her life. Ada knew, however, that William was not going to get in Wesker's way. Not in this situation, anyways.

Wesker slipped his sunglasses off, this barely noticeable smile growing on his lips. The gun didn't move in his other hand as he stared her down. He eased his shades into his lab coat pocket, eyes steady.

"Well, my dear, you have walked into quite the predicament." His tone was cool and calm, but his grey-blue eyes danced with an unknown flame.

She glared at him. "Are you going to kill me too?"

"Why would I want to kill you?"

"Are you not worried that I am going to run to Spencer?"

"Are you going to run to Spencer?" Wesker asked, slightly cocking his head. Ada didn't answer because she knew it was a rhetorical question. Wesker slightly chuckled at her. "It would do you no good to go to the lord. He already knows. He allowed me to do it, and he made sure William and I led it out."

Then it all came to Ada. Her eyes flicked to the dead body of Marcus, and then to William, who was working in the back. She then looked back to Wesker. "That's why he made all the workers take off tonight."

"Correct."

It was still surreal to Ada. Lord Spencer and James Marcus were lifelong friends and partners. Still, if Spencer knew he could be better off without Marcus, then Ada wasn't surprised he let Wesker deal with it.

"I can only imagine Spencer's reasons. How about yours? Why did you do it? Why did William?"

"I was tired of him always looking over my shoulder. There was no way we would be able to do exactly what we wanted with him there. Wesker made me realize that," William said, walking over to them with Marcus's secret research.

"And you, Wesker?" Ada knew Wesker had a long history of killing people. Would there be a different reason why he killed Dr. Marcus, his own mentor and godfather?

"Things change. There are many reasons why we do things," Wesker answered, then turned to his partner. "Let's go. We have four hours before someone will discover the body."

William nodded, and slipped by them to go ahead. He smiled weakly at Ada as he passed. Ada realized how calm she felt now. The shocked death over Marcus was replaced by a sparked interest in exactly what Wesker was up to. He was watching her closely even while she thought.

"Would you like for me to take you to Lord Spencer?" he asked. "He can give you more answers if you wish to hear them."

"No," she said, shaking her head. "I don't need anymore answers. If you aren't going to kill me, then let's go."

She turned and left Marcus's laboratory. Wesker hesitated for a moment, and then he followed her out. They walked together back out of the Research Facility, and took an elevator to the surface of the Spencer estate.

As they caught up with William, Ada realized exactly how long of a night this was going to be. What she did not know, was that in the next two days, while John was still gone on business, and while things were settling after Marcus's assassination, that the affair was really going to begin.

***

For once on a mission, the night was clear and easy. Ada successfully broke into the huge mansion in the middle of nowhere and was on her way to finding Jasper Howard. Nicholai guided her through the numerous rooms and winding halls. It was similar to Spencer's estate back in Raccoon City. Wesker would get on her headset once in awhile or call on her cell phone to tell her some information or anything else on his mind.

Jasper Howard was supposedly located on the second floor of the mansion in a large library. That made Ada cry in joy. For once she didn't have to go down into a stinky, dark underground facility. It seemed easy enough. All that was here were normal Umbrella scientists. No soldiers, no monsters…piece of cake!

By the time Ada got onto the second floor, her stomach was getting that cold feeling like something was going to happen. Nicholai told her that the route to the library was clear, and to go for it. Jasper Howard was alone in the library, and so this assignment would be over quickly as long as she didn't screw it up.

The library was huge too. There were ladders on all four walls that were covered in books almost two stories high. The library even had an upper floor walkway for more books lined higher. The smooth stone of the floor was gorgeous and so were the pillars that held the ceiling up. The mural depicted on the ceiling was an old, mesmerizing portrayal of the Celts. Large windows were also on each wall, showing the vast wilderness surrounded the secluded mansion.

Ada was in awe. She had never seen so many books in her life at once. There were rows and rows of normal bookshelves lining the library, to where there was only a large, circular opening in the middle. She saw Jasper Howard in the center, sitting on one of the luxurious furniture that surrounded a wood table. He was reading while drinking something. Ada got her gun ready, and knew that this was it.

"Jasper Howard, put your hands where I can see them," she said, aiming her gun at him.

He looked up from his book, and his eyes flashed upon seeing her. He didn't say a word, just put the book aside and stood up. He held his hands up. For a moment, he seemed to study her. Ada walked until she was only a few yards away. She waved the gun to the side.

"Move over here."

"Who are you?" he growled, moving away from the furniture.

"Ada Wong."

"Spencer's old agent?"

"That's me."

The sleazy man snorted a laugh. "What in the world do you want with me? Who are you working for?"

"I work for Albert Wesker now."

Jasper's eyes widened, and his smirk was quickly wiped off his face. He seemed to grow uneasy for a moment, only for him to quickly mask it with anger. "Wesker? Hmm, well then this must be serious. How can I help you, my lady?"

"Tell me where Ozwell E. Spencer is located."

Jasper smirked again. "And you think I know?"

Ada eased her own smile. "Yes, I do." She then glared at him, and she cocked the gun. The sound barely made Jasper flinch. "Now tell me."

"Or else what? Are you going to kill me? Considering you were sent by Wesker, you are going to kill me anyway. So…why speak at all?"

Ada didn't like this man at all. His smile was disturbing, and his eyes were much worse. She knew it was going to be harder than she thought to get her answers.

"I don't have to kill you. I can take you straight back to Wesker if you want."

Jasper laughed loudly this time, and it echoed throughout the library. "You think that I would fear him? He's nothing but an attack dog that turned on his owner. Pathetic."

Ada kept the gun on him. "You don't really think that. I think you need to work on your lying skills."

She was going to have to go in and make him tell her. Ada had a few tricks up her sleeve in order to get him to talk. She just hoped he would, otherwise she would have no choice but to just kill him.

Before she could make her move, there was this sudden blast of glass shatter. Ada looked over, saw black ops soldiers slinging into the library. Many more were coming in from the other windows.

"Ada! Get out of there!" Nicholai called on the headset.

She left Jasper Howard, and spun to escape through the library doors. It was too late, and she slid to a halt. More soldiers were aiming their gun while coming through the double doors. Within seconds, Ada and Jasper were surrounded. Two soldiers grabbed Jasper and hit him to his knees, keeping their weapons on him.

Shit, she thought as she saw the leader come through. His soldiers moved out of his path. The gas mask was enough for her, and Ada knew exactly who it was even before he removed it.

"Ada Wong, long time no see," Hunk said after he pulled off his gas mask.

His cool, grey eyes locked with hers. Now that she had a chance to study his face, she realized exactly how similar he and Nicholai did look. Hunk smiled, rubbing his hand along his five o'clock shadow. Ada could see all the little scars that he had earned over the years on his face.

"Well, good evening, Mr. Death. You still go by that nickname, don't you?"

Hunk chuckled softly, "Of course, my dear. And what brings you here to this old, broken down Umbrella casket?"

"I was just about to ask you the same thing," Ada purred.

Hunk nodded to one of his officers. The man moved in and snagged Ada's gun right out of her hand. He also tore off her headset and broke it. Ada had no choice but to let them do it. Hunk was not a man to mess with, not in this situation.

Hunk came closer now. And this time, he took a hold of Ada's cell phone strapped to her thigh. Ada clenched her jaw hard. Hunk looked it over, his plan already set in his head. He dropped the phone onto the ground before her, and crushed it with his boot.

"I hope Wesker doesn't get too worried about you," Hunk sneered.

"If you are smart, then you would be cautious over those words," she growled. She was entirely cut off from HQ. She was in trouble if she didn't get away.

Hunk's grey eyes danced while he stared her down. "Your loyalty to him will be the death of you."

He moved a strand of her hair behind her ear. At that moment, Ada was restrained from behind. Hunk walked around her towards Jasper, who was going on and on with talk. Hunk's men dragged her over towards Jasper and Hunk. She tried to fight the men, but it was no use.

"Jasper Howard. One of Alexander Ashford's top scientists reduced to this?"

"What about you? You held your loyalty to him as well!" Jasper spat.

"Yeah, Rurik. What happened?" Ada chided.

Hunk flashed her a glare. He apparently didn't like being called by his real name. He ignored her, and went back to Jasper. "There comes a time when you realize that what you are doing is wrong. It's a simple correction purpose. I am merely righting the wrong of my actions."

"By destroying and killing more people?" Jasper barked, glaring up at Mr. Death.

"Only the ones who deserve it."

"How chivalrous of you," Ada sighed, shaking her head.

Hunk chuckled softly. He slowly raised his handgun to Jasper's face. Jasper stared down the barrel for a moment before glaring back up at the Russian. "So, you're just going to kill me? I can help you. Is there not any information you need?"

"No, I have all the answers. I just play the game," Hunk replied, cocking the gun slowly.

Jasper's eyes widened. He tried to fight his restrainers, but it was no use. Ada couldn't believe it. Hunk was going to kill Jasper, and she still hadn't been able to get the answers from him.

"I…I can tell you where Spencer is…or, or Sergei! I can tell you! If you let me go, I will tell you!"

Ada didn't even see Hunk respond to such an entrancing deal. He merely popped his neck, and smiled softly. "Sorry, Mr. Howard. I already know their location."

Ada looked away just as the shot was fired. When she heard them drop Jasper's body to the floor, she looked up, this time glaring at Hunk as he came towards her. His eyes locked with hers, and for a moment, it was hard to keep his gaze.

"Well, Miss Wong. It is your turn," he said, aiming the gun at her face. "Any last words?"

"Any last words? That's such a cliché, Rurik."

Hunk twitched a smirk on his handsome face. "I guess not then. You should be grateful. I'm giving you a quick, painless death. I'm sure Wesker would give you quite the opposite."

Ada tried once more, but the men held her good and tight. She stared at the gleaming barrel, her mind going a million miles a minute. She had no backup, and so there was no use to what the outcome would be. She swallowed hard.

Just as Hunk was about to pull the trigger, the library doors burst open. More soldiers were piling in. Ada saw Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, Billy Coen, and Rebecca Chambers among them in the lead. It was the distraction Ada was praying for. The two groups whirled on each other, and Hunk left her quickly to go to the front.

Ada kicked up her heel, striking one man in the groin. His hold immediately loosened, so she rounded on the other. An elbow to the face knocked him startled, and Ada flipped him over onto his back.

She was able to swipe his gun in the process. She shot the soldiers that came after her. Ada saw the gaping window across the library. She bolted for it, even as she heard more gunfire erupt. Chris's group was working with Hunk's to try and kill her.

She felt a bullet graze her leg, but she kept going. She didn't even hesitate, and leaped out of the window. The two story fall could hurt her, but luckily Ada had brought her grappling gun. She shot the grapple, its hook catching into the brick of the mansion. It wasn't the most gracious fall, but at least she landed safely. She coiled the grappling gun, and sprinted for an escape towards the forest. Bullets were still chasing her by only inches.

There were some vehicles parked by the building, but most were military. Ada wouldn't know the codes to start them. The forest was her best option. Then she noticed the motorcycle. Ada changed direction. More soldiers were already chasing her from out of the front of the building. Ada leaped onto the motorcycle, relieved the keys were still in it, and fired it up.

She took off on it. Hunk's men and Chris's men were already getting into their own vehicles. Ada didn't relent on the throttle until she was sure she lost them. Once she reached a Hungarian town an hour later, she realized she needed to be careful. There was no telling where Hunk and Chris had more men. She needed to find a phone and contact HQ. The only problem was that she didn't know how to speak Hungarian.

Easy assignment my ass, she growled in thought, and then sighed.

Geez! Finally! This chapter was bugging me while I typed it, lol. I had it going one way, and then I decided to go with another way. Anways, I hope this chapter was an intriguing one. Yes, I made Wesker murder Dr. Marcus almost a year before the Mansion Incident, instead of in 1988! It was a good way to make Ada and Wesker's beginning story interesting. Eventually, you will get to read Wesker's POV in Dark Evenings on that same incident, hehehehehe! I had to bring Hunk in...I couldn't help myself! I wonder what's going to happen to Ada now that she is lost in Hungary with no way to contact Wesker...hmm...Guess we will have to wait and see!!!!! XD