A/N: Attention all readers! I am posting the poll on the merchants theories! At long last, you, the reader, can ultimately decide which theory concerning just how the merchant gets around becomes true. Since there is a lot of theories, you may choose more than one. At the end of the chapter, I'll show you the choices if you don't want to go check out my poll... I would prefer if you went and checked the poll... (smiles evily)
Resident Evil 4: A Twist in Reality
Chapter 35: Snap, Crackle, Pop! Watch 'Em Drop!
The Iron Maiden was definitely not dead. It's shiny, slimy spikes extracted for a few seconds as it let out a shriek that almost turned Sheila's red hair white. Almost is the key word here, folks. Luis, noticing the red head just standing there like a lump on a log, clutching the lever with a death grip, sprung into action. Wrapping his hand around the lever as well, he quickly pushed up, opening the gate.
There was no time for the two professionals to draw their guns. Instead, Leon and Chris put an arm each around the lovely Claire, and holstered her up while they followed the others through the gate. This time, Sheila didn't freeze up as she closed the gate. The monster hissed as it did it's famous walk toward the closed gate, it's spikes extracting again.
"Girls, get in the dumpster." Chris ordered.
Sheila and Ashley quickly did as they were told while Claire reluctantly was placed in there by the meddling two worry warts. All three gave a shaky smile up at the men. Leon whispered for the women folk to stay quiet, then he closed the lid and followed Chris and Luis out the other open gate. After Leon got his sniper rifle ready and Chris and Luis got the grenades out, the gate was closed.
Sheila couldn't stop shivering, not all due to the chilled damp air in the metal dumpster. To her ears, her breathing sounded just as loud as the Iron Maiden's. Only, less weird. The loud clanging sound of the monster banging against the bars of the gate startled all three as they sat in the darkness. Doubt creep-ed in as the the monster roared with frustration with each clank! Clank! Gun fire soon followed. The rifle was loud, yet clearly welcome. It was all Sheila could do to stop herself from cheering Leon on.
The sound of metal groaning was eerie and knew to Sheila. Ignoring Claire and Ashley's whispered pleas, Sheila slowly and slightly opened the green dumpster metal lid. Unlike the game, this freak didn't figure out to use the lever. Instead, it beat and pulled on the rusted bars till they began to bend sideways, then out. Once the Maiden made the opening large enough, it crept in gracefully, it's spikes on its head seemingly rippling with pleasure. It began it's eerie walk toward the men on the opposite of the other gate.
Leon stopped to reload, taking his time. Chris and Luis didn't look so happy about that.
"Kennedy, what the-"
"That barrel is a flammable one, right?"
"What?"
"Luis, are those gasoline barrels still used recently?"
"I suppose. Why ask that now?"
"Old gasoline isn't flammable once it doesn't have fumes anymore. In reality, the fumes is what actually starts fires and explosions. One spark near fresh gasoline and you're dead. " Leon replied calmy as he carefully aimed again, looking through his Infrared scope. "If this is recent, then all we have to do is ignite it once the damn thing gets close which right now would be a good time, guys."
"Oh." Chris said as he pulled the pin and threw the grenade at the red barrel.
Apparently, the gas was new because a giant fire ball engulfed the Iron Maiden as the barrel exploded. It roared and almost toppled over. Lots of the tentacles erupted as it tried to repair it's damaged flesh. Leon fired again as Luis threw his grenade. It's body began to swell as spikes extract with vigour. Then... KABOOM!
"I guess it was new." Luis muttered as Leon opened the gate. Leon whistled, letting the ladies know that all was well for the present time.
"Wait!" Sheila exclaimed loudly as she grabbed Ashley's arm. "Um, maybe you guys should check the rest of the area out.. You know, just in case there are more of those things."
"Yeah, I guess that would be the smartest thing to do." Leon said after some thought. "Just lay low until we give you the signal."
With a sigh of relief, Sheila and the others settled back in the smelly dumpster.
"Hm, I wander if this is another intuition." Luis remarked casually.
"Don't start." said Leon. "She's right. I should have thought of that."
It didn't take long for the three to push the dumpster container into the empty space in the sewage, completing the makeshift bridge. Since Leon had the special scope, he took the lead while Chris and Luis followed closely with a grenade each. The lighting was dim, but it wasn't hard to find the creature, what with the heavy breathing. Nothing needed to be said as they began to take down the creature. Several bullets and a grenade or two later, the monster was exterminated. Checking out the rest of the area showed that all was well.
Luis quickly began to track back to get the women folk. As he crossed the metal dumpsters across the sewage, another unlucky moment happened to our dear Spaniard. Taking into consideration that he's supposed to be dead, not running around with Leon, well, you can see why it seems that the game is trying to kill him. Or the grim reaper. Whatever it was, it now decided to take another shot at poor Luis.
Bursting from the stinky sewage came one of the soldiers that Sheila had dropped with her crane. In place of his head was the fully grown parasite.
Hearing Luis's screams, Leon and Chris rushed back. The parasite hissed as it tried to yank him inside the filth with it. It only succeeded partly due to Chris and Leon's quick actions. With both legs half inside the murky liquid, the two men were holding on to Luis's upper half of his body, having sort of a tug of war with the Las Plagas. It took all of their strength to keep a hold of what they got as the strong specimen pulled effortlessly.
Sheila, Claire and Ashley were now out and watching dumbstruck as Chris and Leon fought for Luis's life, who was previously cursing rapidly in Spanish. Seeing that neither men could spare one hand to grab his weopan, Claire hobbled over to the opening, with Sheila and Ashley following closely behind. Sheila took out the Blacktail that was loaned to her by Leon, and aimed. Luis managed to get a glimpse of the red head and the gun, his eyes growing wide.
"No! Don't shoot!"
Who could blame the guy? Sheila wasn't an expert marksman after all. She knew that, but the tone in his voice had her more determined to try and save him, even if he didn't want her to. Claire, thankfully, told the guys to close their eyes as she threw the flash grenade at the monster. The monster screamed, releasing Luis as it fell back. Luis was quickly pulled fully back on top of the dumpster.
The guys laid their in a daze, recuperating from the flash grenade. The girls went and helped them back to their feet. Ashley crinkled her nose as she stepped back from Luis. The Spaniard sighed as he looked down at his pants and shoes. He refused to let his mind dwell on the fact about the sewage and what was in it. Looking on the more positive side of life would do... If he could find what was so positive on having sewage soaked into your socks, shoes, and the lower portion of your pant legs.
"Is it just me, or does the Grim Reaper have something against you?" Sheila half jockingly asked. Her chuckles quickly died out as silence dominated the moment.
"Sometimes I wander." Luis admitted. "I wander..."
As if an answer to the puzzle, the grown, spider like parasite crawled out of the murkey sewage. It lined its sites on Luis, then leaped in the air. A couple of shots was heard. The creature fell to the ground, then melted. All eyes turned to Claire, who was holding Sheila's smoking, borrowed gun. Sheila's eyes were glazed over with hero worship as she grinned.
"Claire, you're an insperation to all of the female race."
R
GV-23 sat alone in his tiny room, staring off into space. His dark eyes seemingly seeing nothing. To the observers who watched him through the two way mirror, he was doing just as he was programmed to do. He was nothing but a weapon, a shell of the young man that had died. The only one who knew that Steve Burnside was still in there, was himself and Heath. Though the young, arrogant scientist thought it was just memories, mimicked of a life gone by, much like the zombies who could open a door occasionally, performing a task that was somehow left in the remnants of its brain.
But Steve was still there, lost, and alone. He didn't remember who he was during his wakeful hours, but in sleep his soul alowed memories to merge with dreams. How he wanted to sleep now, to go back to the forgotten dreams! But he couldn't allow himself the luxury. Something was up. His inhuman eyes briefly glanced at the clock. It was far too early to be awake, yet, he wasn't tired in the least. The virus within him kept him rejuvenated, especially after a training exercise he just went through. The power that literally coursed through his veins was intoxicating. Yet, with all that power, he was still just someone else's weapon. Good for so long till a bigger, better weapon was made.
His locked door slid open, catching his cold, one tracked mind. Two men entered, one elderly and the other young, like him. The young, slim man with the large glasses smiled st him as two more people entered, dressed in black tactical suits and armed with machine guns. The Umbrella signia stitched on their arms faintly resignated within GV-23.
"Good morning, GV-23. I know it's too early to discuss things, but orders are orders. It's time for you to get ready for your first field assignment."
GV-23 said nothing as his black eyes watched the young man, not blinking. The older man in the white lab coat gulped. "Let's make this quick, Heath."
Without taking his eyes off of the Bio weapon, young Heath smirked. "Don't worry, Jones. GV-23 won't attack us. That chip in his head keeps him... How should I say this... docile. Well, until he's been given a direct order. The wanders of technology!"
Jones didn't look convinced, but as far as orders go, they had some that came directly from Albert Wesker. Taking a deep breath, the elderly scientist walked over and began to take the young monstrosity's blood pressure. Heath Cliff was busy scribbling notes down on his clip board. Despite the late (or early hours) Heath felt so energised with excitement that he just knew that after the experiment and Wesker leaves, there will be no going back to sleep for him. That was why he personally volunteered to be one of those who would be keeping track of them as they went on their field exercises, not to mention picking up Ada from her mission... IF she lives that is.
"Blood pressures high-"
"That's normal for him." Heath replied, rolling his eyes.
Jones ignored the sarcasm as he took out a tiny flash light and moved it back and forth across the red head's black eyes.
"Well, he's alert enough, can't tell if pupils dilate due to the coloration of the eyes. I have to admit, he's pretty focused for someone who only slept for one or two hours."
"It's the virus. His metabolism has accelerated more since that training exercise. The miracle of it all is that any further mutation will be slim. Looks like the data from Alexia Ashford combined with my brain came in handy after all."
GV-23's eyes shifted up to look at the mad scientist's face. That name... So familiar. Flashes of a beautiful woman began to flicker in the deepest regions of his mind. A gorgeous women standing over him, her long blond hair that could be almost described as white, flowed down in waves, caressing her crimson dress. Her lips curled into a sadistic grin as she pulls out something from behind her. The light from the ceiling sparkles on the shots thin needle. Her blue eyes, so very much like her dead brother's, looks down at him with hate and almost satanic glee.
"Father was too weak for my creation. Though the coward proved useful for study of my beautiful virus. Let's see if you're made of better genetic material then he was."
As young Steve began to be swept up in his horrific memories, the chip performed in it's duties. The only one who notice a slight difference in Steve's demeanor for the moment of memories resurfacing, was the scientist Jones. Those death like black orbs had flickered to his natural green state. Then they returned to the bottomless pits.
Jones blue eyes met Heath's brown confused ones. "What?"
Being a man who took his job seriously, Jones would immediately be the one who sound the alarm. But, from a previous conversation before with the young brat scientist, his old but very clear mind refused to let his mouth voice his concerns. Heath already knew the dangers of a subject with any kind of human memories, how unstable they could become. Clearing his throat, Jones came to a decision. Let young Heath Cliff carry on with his arrogant ways, it was high time for his fall to come. Suppressing a shiver of pleasure, Jones stood up and nodded at the impatient young man.
"I say this freak show is ready."
Heath snorted. "Of course he is! GV-23 is more than capable for what Mr. Wesker has in mind for him. Now, if you're done wasting my time, I will be getting it ready."
Jones smiled as he left them. What was that old bible verse that his mother taught him as a child?... Pride goes before the fall. When operation B.O.W. is in motion, he'll be there to watch Heath's world come crashing down upon him.
R
The Ganados on the way to the Incinerator room was easily taken down. Once Leon and Luis popped a few heads, the injured Claire threw a flash grenade to finish them off. Little was spoken as they climbed into the cylinder chamber in the next room. Now, the others looked out through the broken giant fan into the heated room of the Incinerator. A large circular pit of the hot steaming liquid caused sweating to be an issue. Wiping the sweat from around his eyes, Leon looked around the empty chamber. All was quiet... Too quiet for comfort.
He jumped down, Striker ready. Seeing nothing, though he definitely was sensing that he was being watched, the agent warily signaled for the others to join him. Luis, Ashley, Sheila, then Chris and Claire came down. He sighed as he pointed at the basement passage. It was blocked, but lucky for them, that good ol' wrecking ball was there.
Sheila tensed as they began to walk toward the control room. On cue, the crazed soldier Ganados burst inside the room through a door from the right. Sheila's covered her ears as Leon fired his Striker shotgun. The blasts combined with Luis's red-nine and the Blacktail that Claire confiscated from Sheila earlier was enough to get both her and Ashley running toward their destination. Sheila got a good glimpse from over her shoulder as some of Leon's blasts from his gun sent the bad guys into the burning pit. Soon, the rest followed to what seemed to be a bad spot to be. From both sides, Ganados and those scary spiked Ganados entered the control room from both sides.
"How do you work this thing!" Ashley screamed as she looked over the controls.
Without a single word, Sheila pulled on the lever on the right side. The huge wrecking ball slowly lifted, then swung across the room. Everything vibrated as the ball connected with the blockage.
"Damn! It didn't work!" Chris spat out before shooting one of the Ganado's in the knee cap. The dirtied soldier fell to his knees with a grun. Chris quickly kicked the creep out of the control room. "There's too many of them!"
Sheila tried reusing the lever. Too her disappointment, the same time frame as before in the game seemed to be the same in reality. "Dang it!"
"Give it some time," Leon shouted as he shot at one of the spiked, armored jerks as he filled the right door on the side of the control room. Being shot in the head made the big lug stumble back.
With a growl, the bald Ganado launched himself in the cramp quarters of the control room, knocking Leon back against the wall. Chris tried to intervene, but wound up being knocked out of the protection of the control room and into the throng of the Ganados. Grabbing Sheila, who was waiting for the stupid wrecking ball to back up, was grabbed yet again by her hair and lifted up high. Taking Ashely under his other massive arm, the Hercules wanna-be began to trot toward the door the ganados came from.
"No! This isn't how it's supposed to go you idiot!" Sheila screamed, kicking her feet in the air as she was carried out by her hair, cave man style.
Shots were heard, the armored lug nut grunted as he stumbled, then fell down on one knee. Sheila caught a glimpse of one of his knees, the knee cap was destroyed from the bullets. The Ganado's head blew up as Chris pointed the weapon point blank at the large Ganados head and fired. Ashley and Sheila were both released as he disintegrated. But the danger was far from over.
Sheila took out a knife from her boot, though inwardly she knew that there was no way she could inflict any damage, not like Leon anyways. Chris ordered for her and Ashley to grab some Blacktail magazine from his pockets. Quickly they did, that way, when he had to reload, the girls had it ready to lock and load.
With the three of them now the targets for all the Ganados, Leon, Luis, and Claire covered them with open fire. But as the famous Chris Redfield predicted, there was just too many to really do any damage. Seeing that something had to be done, and soon, Claire pulled on the lever again. The wrecking ball swung down with a groan, directly toward the three.
"Oh crap, get down!" Chris shouted as he pushed the girls down, then lying down as well.
The ball swung over them, the breeze ruffling their clothes and hair. With a loud boom, ball connected with the last remnants of the blockage. The basement door was now accessible. Without a second word, Chris forced the girls up and dragged them toward the doors. Leon and Luis followed while helping Claire move quickly. By some miracle, they made it to the door. As they ran in, the rest of the unstable rubble from above collapsed, almost crushing poor Luis in the process.
Panting for air, the group looked behind them. Nothing but rubble was left. For now, it seemed that they were safe.
"How long do you think that will keep them out?" Luis asked.
"Don't know. But I'm not sticking around to find out." Leon replied.
Knowing what laid ahead, Sheila knew that finding safety first for her and Ashely was a must. With two Regenerators in this basement passage, the odds of her and the blond wander getting in the way was very high. Besides, she had enough of Regenerators and their cousins, the Iron Maiden, for a life time.
"Can we catch our breath first?"
"Yes, catching... breath... sounds nice." Claire gasped. Chris was instantly by her side.
Concerned, Leon nodded. "Over there, in that room. Let me check it out first."
Sheila moaned with frustration. "It's fine! The Regenertor ain't in there!"
Not caring aobut that little blunder, Sheila stumbled toward the west room. The others fallowed, Chris carried Claire who by now was finding it difficult breathing.
"See? No freaks in here... Well, other than Blondie, that is."
"Hey!"
"What did we say earlier about you not following orders?"
"Technically, you didn't give me an order, Leon."
"Claire!"
The little spat between the red head and video game character was interrupted as Chris set his baby sister on one of the crates in the back. Her face was turning red as she gasped for air, clutching her chest. She was sweating horribly as she let out a short scream of pain.
"My chest! Oh God, it burns!"
Luis shoved Chris over as he told him and Leon to grab her arms as she began to convulse.
"She can't be!" Leon exclaimed, as Claire went through the motions of being one of the infected. "Saddler couldn't have-"
"Who cares the when or how! Give me one of those pills!" Luis ordered.
Leon released one of Claire's arm and pulled out the bottle of pills. With shaking hands, he managed to open the bottle and get a pill out. Luis grabbed it and forced Claire's clenched mouth to open. She chocked and tried to spit out the offending medicine, but together with Chris and Leon, Luis managed to get the young woman to swallow. Claire nearly jerked off the crates as she began to move wildly. Then, just as sudden as the convulsions began, they stopped. Her breathing was ragged as she slowly relaxed, her blue eyes closed with exhaustion.
"Luis..."
The Spaniard looked at the older brother. Chris's face was almost ashen as he gazed at Claire's pasty complexion.
"I honestly don't know how, other than maybe during the time of one of her abductions..." Luis's voice trailed off. "Salazar did tell us that he... that they... She would become one.. of them."
Leon looked at the two quiet younger women, and asked grimly, "Girls, do you remember anything during your time alone with Salazar at the castle that might explain this?"
Both shook their heads. Sheila felt horrible. "I... I don't remember exactly. When Ashley and I were meeting Salazar's precious queen freak, things kinda went... blurry. Hazy. Ashley, you?"
"Sorry, same here." Ashley answered mournfully.
"It was after you girls were... whatever that thing did to you." Claire whispered, her eyes still closed. "I remember it perfectly now, though strangely, it comes and goes. The pain, that little creep gloating over me as that... that monster stuck it's tentacle in my neck. Then.. Then... How could I forget that?"
"Claire, shh. It's alright. Don't cry." Chris whispered, cradling her limp body as she sat up. As she baried her face in his broad shoulder, his eyes met Luis's in a silent question. Luis shrugged, shaking his head. Who knew if they stopped the parasite from hatching. Only time will tell.
"I'm sorry! I was going to tell all of you, but with all the life and death situations and pain, I really did forget."
The sound of the shutter door outside in the basement passage way was faintly heard. Nobody paid much attention as they tried to wrap their mind around this new predicament. It wasn't till the tell tell sign of heavy breathing outside the door with the bars covering window did they notice something wasn't right. Turning around, Ashley and Sheila squealed as the door was slammed open.
"Oh, sh-t!" Leon hissed as he handed Chris his Striker as he prepared his Sniper rifle.
Chris aimed the weapon and fired, agitating Mr. Chomp-Chomp. Leon quickly took his position beside his friend while ordering Luis to stay with the women folk, just in case he and Chris couldn't take it down. With rednine in his hand, Luis waited, ready to fight. Sheila shivered as she pulled herself up on the crates with Claire, glad that the rest of the junk in the room kept the sight of the Regenerator blocked. Claire weakly put an arm around her shoulders, her breathing still ragid. The shots continued till the sound of the Regenerator exploding filled the room.
"God, I hope that's the last one I see." Chris announced hoarsely.
"Don't count on it." Sheila grumbled. Claire didn't seem to pay attention to that little slip.
Chris walked back to the back of the room, face still slightly pale. "Luis, stay here while Leon and I scout out the rest of the area."
"Take this." Luis said as he tossed a flash grenade.
With a deep sigh, Chris left them in the room as he joined Leon for the hunt. Running down the south passage, they stopped when hearing that icky, wheezing perverted sound. Sharing a look with the agent, both braced themselves to the task at hand. The Regenerator soon came into view, it's hypnotic dance causing an eerie shadow on the tunnel's wall. Leon tapped him on the shoulder, nodding back. Chris nodded and quickly retreated down the other path up north. Kicking the door open, both entered backwards as they waited. The door was kicked open by the unwelcome intruder not much time later. The loud crackling sound of Leon's Sniper rifle had his own ears ringing, but that didn't stop Chris. He played his part well. Throwing the flash grenade, both men turned their heads as the bright flash filled the room.
The Regenerator gave an eerie howl as it literally doubled over backwards, a move that would have any contortionist to wince. Chris calmly aimed hithe Striker and resumed firing at any part of the disgusting freak. Leon kept up on eliminating the camouflaged parasites. Once the last parasite was destroyed, the Regenerator began to swell rapidly, the tell-tell sign of the coming explosion. Brown and yellows goop splattered the walls, some of witch landed on their shoes. Chris shivered as the monster's lower half continued a few steps, then disintegrated.
"You know, after all I've seen and experianced, watching that bag of puss explode is just... wrong."
Chris heard his friend chuckled, patting him on the back while taking his Striker back.
"Yeah, well, be grateful that you weren't right next to the creep."
Chris eyed Leon's appearance from head to toe, not to mention the smell that came from him. "I wasn't goin' to say anything."
Leon shrugged. "Well, it's better than being covered by zombie parts."
Chris nodded, smiling, despite the fatigue that suddenly gripped him. It's been over twenty four hours without sleep. He hoped this journey would soon be over before he collapses all together.
"Come on, let's get outta here." Chris said as he forced himself to jog out of the room. Leon followed closely. Their path was soon halted when reaching the south end. A shudder blocks any further traveling. Leon pressed the button beside it, but nothing happened.
"It's locked." Leon muttered.
"There must be a switch or something." Chris looked around. "I'll go back to the room to look around."
Chris's mind instantly went back to his sister as he searched for the button. How could she forget about what happened to her? Why didn't she tell him right away? Sure, he gets how this thing can really mess with your brain, hell, even Leon didn't know until he started having convulsions. He knew that blaming Claire for something that was out of her control was wrong. In fact, he didn't blame her, but the anger of the hopelessness of the situation just wouldn't fade away. Did they get the medicine in her system on time? Or did the monster hatch? Punching the cement wall, Chris allowed himself to concentrate on the physical pain then the emotions that was threatening to choke him.
Counting to ten, he managed to put a lid on his growing rage that had started when Sheila was kidnapped. Justice will come for those who screwed around with nature and all that crap. Salazar got what he deserved, and Saddler would soon face the same fate. That tiny vow itself had his head clearing enough to notice the very noticeable switch in the southeast corner of the room. After pressing it, he called out to Leon as he went back to check on the others.
Upon entering the room, he heard whispering. Quietly, he crept to the back of the room. The tightness in his chest eased more when seeing more color in Claire's face, though she still looked tired and pale. Sheila had her head lying on her shoulder as Ashley was on the other side in the same position. Chris smiled. His sister always had a knack with younger people and children. Just like their mother, Claire could make a two year old in a full grown tantrum suddenly stop and sigh with contentment. One day, he knew that she would be the best mother that lucky kid or kids ever had. That is if she doesn't...
Claire's eyes found his, looking relieved to see him whole and not dead. "I guess you two took care of the nastiness?"
Chris nodded. "Yup... Has Luis here been a good boy?"
"A perfect gentleman." Sheila giggled, wiggling her eyebrows.
"Where's Leon?" Ashely asked, trying to find that elusive Kennedy.
"Waiting for us. You feeling up to move?"
Claire rolled her eyes as she slid off the crates. "As much as somebody who's got an injured leg and possibly a... Well, I'm ready."
The girls left, with Chris and Luis lagging behind. Chris leaned up against the crates, his muscular arms crossed over his broad chest. "What's the verdict, Sera?"
"I'm not sure. Usually, the sign of the egg hatching is convulsions and spitting up blood. With Claire, there's no blood showing up... yet."
"And that means?.."
"It means that we won't know for sure if we gave her the medicine on time untill her condition worsens or not."
"Well, that's just dandy!" Chris exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air as he began to pace.
"Look, Redfield, I can't give a diagnosis without the proper equipment. And besides that, the medication may not work if she is too far along. Either way-"
"She becomes one of them? Just like Sheila, Leon, and-"
"I told you much earlier that I might can cure them with my special machine on the base. We won't know for sure till we get there."
"Are you guys coming or not?"
Chris looked at the door as Sheila's screeching echo had them both wincing. "We don't have much time... do we?"
"Time's against us. Always has been."
"Wow... Did you read that off of a fortune cookie?"
Luis snorted, following Chris out. As they rounded the the last corner, they managed to see Ashley crawling under the partially up shutter. Seconds later, the shutter was opened. The blond smiled dreamily as Leon patted her on the shoulder for her cooperation.
Chris noticed as Sheila immediatly headed for the door in the southwest side of the room. "Sheila?"
Opening the door, she gave everyone a pleased grin. "Hey, Mysterious Merchant guy, what's happenin'?"
R
GV-23 looked at himself in the two way mirror. He wore a simple black tactical shirt that hugged all his muscles and muscular chest. No body armor for him, considering his regenerating genes could take care of any knife or bullet wound. In fact, losing a limb wouldn't even slow him down. His black jeans was just as simple. You could say that he looked like a normal twentish guy, especially since that pale tint of green seemed to have vanished. But we all know that Steve (aka GV-23) will never be normal ever again.
"Your weopans will be ready for you once you've landed." Heath explained as he hooked up Steve's leg weopan hoslters to his thighs. "Of course, Wesker may want to see hand to hand combat first. Whatever the man in black is in the mood for, you'll be doing it."
Steve cocked his head as he checked out his equipment. Some more gun holsters, ones that cops wore under their coats in the movies was applied. Whatever was going on, today was the big day for something big and testing. Everyone was buzzing in the wee hours of the morning. His body tensed as he thought about the thrill of the kill. What would they have him hunt today? Thoughts like that were reigned in by the chip in his brain. Too much emotion would be a hazard after all. But even that chip couldn't stop all feelings, not the ones buried so deep that even Steve himself couldn't yet reach or acknowledge them.
"There! Now you're looking more like a soldier." Heath sighed with pride. "But don't forget GV-23, you're better than that."
I'm better than that.
"That's why I refused to have you garbed up in that cliche Umbrella uniform. No offense, boys."
The two guards neither acknowledged or cared what the scientist said.
"No, that tactical armor and crap would only get in your way. You don't need all that stuff that the frail humans need."
Humans?
"And if Wesker decides that he wants to see your full potential, then any of these clothes won't be an issue." Heath chuckled. "Now, I'm going to leave you to rest. You're leaving in about... ten to fifteen minutes. Make me proud as you kill and destroy, GV-23."
Kill... Destroy...
Heath and the two mysterious soldiers left our poor BOW weapon in the dark. For awhile, he stood there and gazed at himself. The killing machine breifly wandered who he was? A freak? A man? Both? A pang of loneliness washed over him. Even monsters felt the icy chill at times of being alone and feared. For this monster, he didn't relish in that fact.
Shaking his head, he went back to his bed, lying down, keeping his new combat boots on. He closed his eyes and rested, for sleep wouldn't come.
R
"Can I have the gun back, Claire?"
"Oh, sorry. There you go."
"Hey, you already have one!"
Claire smirked at the red head. "Sorry, my brain went out the window when that thing came out of that sewage."
Sheila grumbled, hating how for some reason, nobody like her handling a gun. Sure, she's tired and her aim probably wouldn't be that good, but dang it! She needed something for when Saddler makes his stinkin' appearance!
"I'll be taking that back, thank you." Leon replied as he took his gun from her.
"Hey!"
"I'll sell ya one for half price, little Stranger."
Sheila glared at the merchant. "Half price? How about for free?"
"Ha! Sorry, lass, but my time of giving anything for free is over."
Grumbling, Sheila managed to buy the 9 mm handgun, along with a box of ammo. It took all that she had left of the pesetas, but at least she had something other than that pocket knife.
"Since you're determined to take all of my money, can you at least give me a hint on how you just pop up out of the blue like this?"
The merchant chuckled as Chris dragged her out of the room. So much for info. But time was wasting. Sheila yawned as Leon and Luis figured out that trick with the levers and the big metal gate. She inwardly chuckled when Leon became a little too hasty. The second try was succesful. The guys did a quick once over, which wasn't needed. The area with the bulldozer was clear.
"Man, now this is what I'm talking about!"
Claire smiled at her brother. "Guess we have transportation now."
"So, who knows how to drive this thing?" Leon joked. Like anyone in this room had experience-
"I do!"
Four shocked pair of eyes turned on the excited blond. Sheila paid no attention as she managed to crawl up into the flatbed, pointing the gun at the President's daughter. Ashley looked down at the laser dot on her chest and scowled.
"Then get up here and drive, cowgirl."
"Don't point that thing at me! Didn't your mother teach you that guns were dangerous?"
Sheila rolled her eyes. "The safety's still on, ya dumb-"
"Shut it, both of you!" Chris grumbled as he put his sister up in the bulldozer's flatbed. Chris joined them, his legs dangling of the edge as he sat. "How much experience do you have with a bulldozer, Ashley?"
Swinging back in forth with her hands behind her back, the blond gave a happy giggle. "Well, daddy worked in construction years before he got into politics. Even after being elected President, he would take on projects for the family. Anyways, all my life I would visit him at the site. He'd let me sit in his lap and show me the gears and what did what."
"There's a difference between being shown and actually doing it." Luis spoke up, unsure if he was wanting to let this girl who was barely out of her teens, drive this heavy machinery.
Ashley's brown eyes narrowed with a cold look that could have frozen the ocean. "I did more as I grew old enough. So yeah, I can drive this thing. No problem."
"Hell, she's got my vote." Claire replied. "Leon?"
"I'm not crazy about the idea. That would leave you out in the open if the enemy attacks."
"Oh come on, Kennedy. I think she can do it." Sheila retorted. Noticing Leon's icy stare for using his last name like a certain Redfield does, she tried giving him an innocent smile. "I mean, Leon dearest."
"I can do this, Leon." Ashley said confidantly, taking his hand in her own.
Sheila snorted as she laid her head on Chris's broad shoulder. Luis shook his head as he joined them, though sitting all the way at the other side of the flatbed.
Leon sighed with an unsure smile. "Alright, Ashley. But only because none of the rest of us knows how to work this thing."
Grinning, Ashley hurried over and took her place behind the wheel. As Leon joined the others on the flatbed, Ashley turned the big machine on. It's engines roared to life, diesel fuel filling the air. As she popped the clutch, Sheila couldn't resist commenting on this new development.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, buckle your seatbelts 'cause the Peroxide Blond is driving!"
"Shut-up, Sheila!" Ashley growled as the bulldozer jerked forward.
Pulling out of the garage was very tense. Leon and Luis stuck near Ashley, guns raised. Sheila looked over her shoulder and frowned.
"Uh, Leon? You might want to use that TMP of yours."
"Why?"
Sounds of angry shouts was the answer. Ganado soldiers began to invade the tunnel, moving quickly toward the slow moving Bulldozer. Chris's curses filled the air as he quickly scrambled back with Sheila. Guns were drawn as everyone (excluding the driver) fired at the smelly menaces that threatened to ruin their traveling plans. Leon didn't have time to take out that TMP as more Ganados appeared after the first crowd was killed. Many more appeared out of the side area and began to leap inside the truck. Leon and Chris switched from firing their guns to hand to hand combat. Claire and Luis kept the rest at bay. Well, as much as they could. Sheila, managed to nail a few, but they just kept coming.
"Oh God! What's going on back there!"
"Just keep driving!" Leon shouted, breaking the neck of one of the Ganados. He quickly flung the body over board as the parasite imerged.
And just as suddenly as it began, the Ganados stopped their chase.
"Had enough, you bags of-" Chris's little taunt was interrupted by the blast of a truck's horn.
Sheila's blood turned cold as they began to go on the wide curve. Which meant...
"GUYS! LOOK!"
All eyes turned to look at the back as the large, rusty military truck came barrelling up from behind. The Ganados realised their comrade wasn't going to stop even though they were in its path. Many of those Ganados were mowed down by the out of control vehicle as it got closer and closer.
Sheila curled up in a ball as her instincts warned her to do, though she knew (well, hoped) that the others would stop the dangerous collision course that would happen if somebody didn't shoot! Gun fire erupted as Leon opened fire with the Striker. Allowing one peek, Sheila smiled with relief as the vehicle began to blow up as it stalled. The place shook, though it didn't stop the armored bulldozer on it's course.
"Guy's, there's no more road!" Ashley squealed as they entered another room.
"Up there!" Leon said as he pointed at a switch.
Chris leaped down and frantically began to climb the ladder. As always, the Ganados came out on their mark and attacked. Leon urged Chris to hurry as he knocked a Ganado off of Ashley. They were everywhere! Throwing caution to the wind, trying to avoid the head area was no longer an option. If a parasite decided to emerge, then the thing was kicked off and had to eat a flash grenade. Simple.
The ground began to move up, causing the Ganados own attacks to stop. Chris leaped aboard, joining his sister, guns ready. Leon eagerly passed the Striker to Luis as he took out his case and took out the TMP. Loading the weapon, Leon kept his position near Ashley.
"I'll hit 'em high, you get them low."
"Sure thing, cop." Luis replied.
True to his word, Leon fired at those in the high places. A few narrow misses as debris was thrown at them, but none of the tiny band of survivors were majorly hurt. In fact, it seemed that they might just escape. Only Sheila knew that this would not be so. As soon as Ashley tore the metal gate down with the bulldozer, strong blasts of another truck coming filled the air.
All the guns firing at once was deafening. The truck's explosion was much louder, though. As the now lifeless truck came rolling down, Ashley panicked and swerved. The truck collided against the side, sending the bulldozer crashing into the cement walls. Sheila faintly remembered hearing Leon telling everyone to get down as they crashed. Then the world went black yet again.
R
"I don't trust her, sir. She's up to something."
"Ada's always up to something, Krauser. That's why she's so useful. Otherwise, I would have killed her long ago." Wesker replied to the computer monitor.
The rivaly between the two was amusing, and efficient in Albert Wesker's eyes. In fact, he actually counted on some sort of confrontation between the two. The chance to see if Krauser would actually go a long way in data was greatly welcomed. What with the T/Veronica-Virus and the Las Plagas combined, Krauser would make yet another invaluable accet to Wesker's collection of freaks. Of course, he didn't tell Ada about that part of Krauser's hunger to be even more powerful. It was something that had to be kept to keep the vixen on her toes.
"She's a liability to the cause, sir. Her history with Leon could put a wrench in the plans."
"Yes, I have heard your misgivings on Ada Wong already. Don't be a broken record, Krauser. I know both the benefits and possible harm our little spy could cause."
Krauser's scarred face looked insulted, even some of the rage began to breach the surface. Wesker sighed on the inside. No, the one who could really cause any damage would be the big, hulk of an ex-soldier. Though he had a fantastic military mind, his emotions could get in the way.
"Besides, friend. She's not the only one with history with a certain, annoying agent."
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
Wesker's cold, hard, lips slightly turned into a smirk. "It means that emotions can be a tricky thing. Both of you have some link to Leon. Though in your case, it leans toward competition and jealousy."
"My past is dead, along with any... old grudges."
"Yes, well, let's hope they're not completely dead."
Krauser face crinkled as he looked at Wesker with confusion. "How so?"
Wesker's smirk turned into a malicious smile. "If Leon and his band of heroes get any closer to your location, I want you to personally take care of the problem. Understand?"
Krauser grinned. "Understood, sir."
"But remember, Krauser, I want the siblings alive. Their use has not yet expired."
R
Pain... Lot's and lot's of pain... Sheila could feel every part of her body, and those parts were not feeling pain free. Her head in particular. How she wanted to slip back to unconscious, but voices urged her to open her eyes. Those persistent voices that really needed to shut-up! Then something cold was sprayed over her hot, throbbing head. That spray began to sizzle and... and...
"OOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUCH!"
"Hey, she's alive!" Chris joked as he began to bandage her head. She had taken a nasty wound to the side of her forehead. Hence the sticky red wetness dripping down her cheek.
"That hurt!" Sheila growled. She noticed Luis smiling as he put the first aid spray back in Leon's case.
"Pain is good, beautiful. Shows that you're alive." Luis commented.
"Well, right now, I'd rather be dead... Okay, not dead, but dead to the world. As in unconscious."
"Suck it up." Chris replied, finished with gauzing her head. "There. Looks like you have a concussion."
"Great. Now I have two concussions that was caused by Ashley."
"Too bad it wasn't her mouth that was damaged instead." Ashley grumbled as she and Claire helped Leon stand back up.
"Everyone okay?" Leon rasped.
"We're all alive. That's good enough for me." Luis replied.
"Yeah, except for the bulldozer. Looks like our ride is canceled." Chris sighed.
Sheila looked up at Chris as he helped her to to her feet. "I guess we're walking again."
"Are we even close to that machine with the miracle cure of yours?" Claire asked Luis.
Luis sighed. "No... Yes... We still got some ground to cover, I'm afraid."
Leon could only shake his head. "Well, let's do what we do best. Walk."
That was easier said then done. As with all car crash victims, shock is a dangerous enemy. The human body goes through stages when just going through something as traumatic as what they just did. But with the herbs that was passed out, shock was stopped, though their shaking limbs was hard to move as they slowly exited the destroyed room they crashed into.
The next room was a small but kinda clean mess hall. They couldn't help but look through the cubbards for food or water bottles, only to find them empty. This dampened their spirits even more.
"Man, I'm hungry." Sheila whispered, touching her stomach and head gingerly.
"Me too." Leon replied. "I've got maybe... two energy bars left."
Everybody had their eager eyes on Leon as he split those two, small bars between them all. Sadly, the tiny, meager, early breakfast only aroused their hunger even more. Leon passed the canteen of water around, which had to be rationed as well. Sighing, the agent tried to encourage them by saying that they'll get out of there in no time. It didn't work.
"Um, can't we rest a little, Leon?" Sheila asked as she looked at the doors that would lead to yet another kidnapping.
"Sorry, Red, but we can't. That crash will be attracting a lot of attention."
"But... I just... I don't think we should go that way."
"That's our only way, Sheshe." Claire said as she gingerly hugged the teenager. "Don't worry, we're not letting anyone get to the two of you girls again."
Sheila bit her lip as they entered the next room. Last of the moonlight as it slowly began to set gave light into the dim room. As far as the human eye goes, they were alone. But of course, Saddler was waiting for them, still blending in with the shadows. Sheila held on to Claire's hand tighter as they proceed to enter further. Saddler chuckled.
Everyone froze as the predater stepped into the light coming from the windows. In his hand was his living staff. Tentacles were waving back and forth from the top as Saddler smiled at his guests.
"Your performance has been very... admirable. Surviving this far is truly an achievement, my friends. Each of you would be more than welcomed into my new kingdom under normal circumstances."
"Under normal circomstances, you would be in an insane assylum." Leon retorted.
"Ah, still unaccepting my gift, I see. No matter, you're not the one I want."
Eyes turned on the girls. Both were hanging their heads with their eyes closed. Saddler smirked as he raised his free hand.
"Come to me, my dears."
"You can't have them!" Chris growled as he raised his handgun and fired, emptying his gun.
Everyone was silent. Saddler looked down at his body, his robe now filled with bullet holes. Pushing the hood back from his head, the leader of this grotesque monster propaganda looked at his adversaries with annoyance.
"I rather liked that robe."
Suddenly he began to growl, his attention taken away from the girls. Both opened their eyes and looked around them with confusion, as if waking from a dream. Claire told them to back away as Saddler's growl grew. Suddenly, his growls turned into laughter as he raised his hand again, this time dropping all of the bullets that was in his body.
"You've gotta be joking." Chris spat as he and the other three heroes backed away.
"No, this is no joke. As you can see, nothing you do against me will work. I will have the two girls. Ladies?"
"Girls, run!" Claire shouted. But neither of them moved.
Luis tried to push them toward the doors, but what he saw took his breath away. Their eyes were now the same crimson red as with the other Ganados.
"No!" Claire screamed as they began to walk toward Saddler.
Claire tried to grab Sheila's arm, but was quickly stopped as a large tentacle with a boney spike on the tip swatted her away. Luis's eyes bulged, recognizing the tentacle, the one that belonged to Saddler who almost killed him hours earlier. He raised his gun but soon was slammed against the wall by the appendage. It went after Chris so fast that he had no time to fight or recoil. All that was left was Leon.
Leon easily leaped out of the way, fireing with his TMP. But as you and I know, Saddler would get what he wants. Raising his hand towards Leon, he snorted with disgust.
"How can you fight when you are one of us, Leon?"
The agent screamed, clutching his chest. The parasite within wiggled and began to send charges through his entire nervous system. He wasn't even able to brake his fall as he collapsed, howling in pain. This amused Saddler to no end.
"Oh, my dear boy! You cannot defeat me! The parasite within you grows stronger with each passing minute, coming into its full potential. Soon, you will not be able to resist. And when the time comes, you will kill your friends with your bare hands."
"Never!" Leon screamed as he tried to fight.
Saddler chuckled as the girls met him atop the steps. "It's a losing battle, Leon. You will not be able to save your precious country, friends or this toxic world. Not even yourself."
Smiling down at the two, Saddler felt his chest swell with pride. The queen parasites within them were growing normally. No deformities or weaknesses. On other occasions, he would allowed their progress to grow naturally in a nice, sterile environment. But now, with these human bugs that pestered him every step of the way, not to mention that spy that was hanging around the facility, the plan would be altered slightly. It was a gamble to do what he was going to do, but he believed that it would be the best method considering his options.
"Come, my little ones. There is much to do."
Leon looked up and tried to stand, but the pain was just too great. As he slipped into unconsciousness, he felt the waves of despair threaten to overwhelm his optimistic mind. He failed them again.
A/N: And there it is, friends. We're are getting closer and closer to the end. I'm excited about finally finishing this, at long last! Now, as I promised, the theories for you to vote for. I repeat that I would prefer if you went to the poll to vote. The poll will not close till we reach the last place where the merchant sells his goodies. Now, here they are. I hope I didn't leave out any theories. I really did look through the chapters. Oh, these theories were submitted by those who kindly took the time to submit them to me. I would put all their names down, but it's hard work remembering all the names. So instead, I put the name of the character of the story who told it by each one. Those who have checked back on this fic know which theory belongs to them. Give yourselves a cookie for taking the time to make this fic funnier than originally planned!
1. (Character theory: Sheila) He has this super advanced, special bicycle that he flies with, like E.T. the alien. He rides it to get to place to place without being seen or heard.
2. (Character theory: Leon) He has tunnels that leads everywhere in the town and castle area. Old forgotten ones that only the Merchant knows about.
3. (Character theory: Chris) The Merchant is actually someone else each time you see him. In short, he is... sextuplets! And all of them look exactly alike. Oh, and for those who don't know what sextoplets are, they are actually six kids born together by the same mother. Poor woman, pregnant with six kids at once!
4. (Character theory: Sheila) Nothing but a bunch of clones.
5. (Character theory: Chris) Our friendly neighborhood Merchant is the result of shadow cloning transformation... Cool!
6. (Character theory: Claire) He's actually an Anamorphic being that likes to turn into those crazy black beetles that whack into everything. He morphs into the beetle, then flys to to place to place without being seen... Cause he's tiny.
7. (Character theory: Sheila) He met up with Triple H at a wrestling match. The guy comes up to the audience where the Merchant is sitting and reaches for the empty seat to beat up his opponent with. Well, Mr. Merchant tries to sell it to him for a very high price. Needless to say Triple H gets really, really, really angry. Top that with how much he was screwing up the match, Triple H walks away to grab a sledge hammer that was reserved for a different match. Next thing the Merchant knows, he gets whacked on the head by the heavy weopan, which causes his brain to rattle around till that part of the brain we don't use suddenly kicks in. Whammo! Super speed Merchant!
8. (Character theory: Claire) He met up with Taki and kept passing out from massive nosebleeds, so he had to learn to teleport to get away. He's Mr. Teleport Merchant Guy!
9. (Character theory: Sheila) He met the Scissors man from Clock Tower three and got so freaked out at how stupid the freak looked, that he jumped and learned how to fly... Seriously!
10. (Character theory: Chris) He met the Scissors woman and flew the coop when she wouldn't stop taunting him. Wouldn't you?
11. (Character theory: Leon) The blue flames from his torches is the key. Inside each torch is a teleportation device that teleports him from one set of blue flamed torches to another.
12. (Character theory: Sheila) He got caught playing ding-dong ditch at Kane's mansion while he had Undertaker and Shawn Micheal's over to hang out. First time, he gotta away safely. But eventually, he was caught by all three guys at once. The three wrestlers began to chase the poor Merchant, trying to tombstone and body slam him. So, the guy learned tai jutsu to avoid a major butt kicking. With the skills from that, he can get anywhere without being seen!
13. (Character theory: Chris) He's actually a big organic weopan trained to sell crap! Ain't that wonderful.
14. (Character theory: Sheila) Uh-Oh. The Merchant had to run from Jazz Master Saddler because he was trying to have his way with him. (Must be the Merchant's animal magnetism) So, he had to learn teleportation Jutsu Karate to avoid being turned into a fairy child. Handy technique, don't ya think?
15. (Character theory: Luis) The Merchant is actually a alien with an invisible spaceship! He flies around, finds a spot to set up shop and then, he teleports himself down to sell his junk, seemingly coming out of thin air!... I want a invisible spaceship. Sounds cool.
16. (Character theory: Sheila) One day, the Merchant got really hungry. He spotted Mendez's expensive cheese, and sneacked insde and ate the entire thing! Once the tall freak got home and saw the Merchant just sitting there, with an empty container that once had his cheese inside. Mendez went berserk and tried to kill him. NOt able to catch him, he put a bounty on the Merchant's head, declaring that he must be killed. So, he had to learn to become invisible to save his own skin! Invisibility rules!
17. (Character theory: Leon) He's a ninja, people! a super ninja with super stealthy moves. The guy follows the characters around, listening in and skipping up on ahead to get his stuff ready to sell. Unfortunately, the characters in the story has become paranoid concerning him and his stealthy, ninja ways...
18. (Character theory: Sheila) Like in Star Trek, the Merchant is actually a intergalactic space explorer from the future! He travels through different point in earth's history to sell his goods to those who need it. Right now, he's currently set up to help those who oppose Saddler, the guys who's trying to spread his crappy parasites everywhere. Unfortunately, he, the Merchant, has been injected with one of those things. Because of this, he's not aloud back on the ship, which is currently parked behind the moon. But, he was given serum by his people to keep himself from turning into Saddler's slave, at least long enough till the characters find the cure. The crew beams him from place to place as the characters get further along in the story.