RESIDENT EVIL 2: The New Blood
Raccoon Times
July 25th, 1998
Umbrella Properties Lost In Mysterious Explosions
It was around 5:30 A.M. when the residents of the Emerald Gardens community found themselves awakened by an explosive shockwave which thundered across the neighboring woodlands. These powerful shockwaves were reported to have resulted in minor damages throughout several of the smaller neighborhoods around Raccoon Forest. It was discovered within the hour that the source of the explosion was the Spencer Mansion, former landmark and prominent property of the Umbrella Corporation. Investigating officers have produced the theory that the ancient estate was contacted by the recent brush fires, which burned through the woodwork and eventually reached several flammable chemicals which had been stored in the basement of the abandoned mansion. Responding firefighters suffered extensive problems with the police barricade surrounding the forest perimeter and found themselves confronted with the hopelessness of the situation. The explosion and resulting flames had completely consumed the crumbling mansion and the adjacent buildings, leaving the uninhabited estate beyond recovery.
The Spencer Mansion is known as the personal property of Oswell E. Spencer, internationally known as the Umbrella Corporation's original founders and the company's longtime CEO. The magnificent building was also considered to be the final masterpiece of the famous architect, George Trevor, whom personally designed and oversaw the construction of the mansion. The lavish estate was original intended to provide Umbrella VIPs comfort and security during extensive business meetings amongst other dealings which would remove executives from their European Headquarters. However, the mansion was deemed uninhabitable following the mysterious disappearance of the master architect and due to these unfortunate circumstances, the mansion was never inhabited and has been abandoned for several decades.
The investigating officers have since discovered the smoldering remains of another unaddressed building belonging to the worldwide pharmaceutical company, whom have since confirmed this second property to be the Umbrella Training Facility. Originally constructed to provide training to potential security personnel, the isolated compound has apparently been utilized toward handling corporate business in place of the condemned mansion. Although having remained important toward training security personnel, the compound has become increasingly underused by local branch offices. Umbrella was expressing plans to reopen the facility following some necessary upgrades, but seem reluctant towards rebuilding the isolated complex.
The destructive explosion remained unnoticed due to the isolated nature of the compound and there was apparently nobody present within the compound at the time of the explosion. It is suggested to have occurred around twenty-four hours before the explosion which claimed the adjacent mansion, around seven miles south of the compound. It shouldn't be surprising that the Umbrella Corporation has launched their own investigation into this matter.
Raccoon Weekly
July 30rd, 1998
War Criminal Suspected Deceased
Alongside the investigation currently being conducted by the Raccoon Police Department and the Umbrella Corporation, several investigators from the Marine Corps have recently been conducting another investigation regarding a different matter. According to the current officer-in-charge, who shall remain unnamed, there were suspicions that there might have been a mass-murderer and war criminal running loose in the nearby mountains. However, recent evidence and testimony suggests that the military prisoner might be dead, and officials have stated that the manhunt will be called off unless further evidence suggests otherwise.Ex-Lieutenant Billy Coen was court-martialed on July 22nd, having been found guilty alongside three other soldiers for the murder of twenty-three innocent civilians and sentenced to execution in three weeks. The other three prisoners arrived and have been incarcerated since, but the military vehicle transporting Billy Coen apparently experienced an accident which drove it from the forested backroads. The remains of the vehicle were discovered, but the two military police and the condemned prisoner were nowhere to be found and remain missing following an extensive search.
Rebecca Chambers of the S.T.A.R.S. Bravo Team recently stepped forward with further information regarding the inhabitants of the military vehicle, having originally discovered the vehicle during the unfortunate operation which claims several of her teammates. Officer Chambers insists that when Bravo Team stumbled upon the wrecked vehicle, there were three bodies strewn around and began searching for additional possible survivors. The Alpha Team would eventually join the Bravo Team and discovering several individuals who were suspected to be the cannibal murderers, which ultimately resulted in an explosive firefight.
It is believed that these individuals might have recovered the bodies and carried them off. Considering the abnormal murders that have been plaguing the countryside and the testimony of the recently suspended officer, the investigation is expected to be closed in two weeks. Our prayers go out to the families of those innocent soldiers who have passed away fulfilling their patriotic duties, but our concerns remain upon Billy Coen. Without having witnessed further appearances of these cannibal murders, it would appear that in attempting to commit another heinous crime, they have removed another heartless murderer which the world will no longer suffer.
Raccoon Daily Record
July 30th, 1998
S.T.A.R.S. Removed From Murder Investigations
There is some intense pressure building within the Raccoon Police Department, especially following the recent developments which are threatening the existence of the department's tactical response unit. It was announced yesterday afternoon that the Special Tactics And Rescue Service (S.T.A.R.S.) has been officially removed from the investigation concerning the cannibal murders which have been appearing around the countryside within recent months. Readers might remember the S.T.A.R.S. being dispatched shortly following the tenth brutal murder and their assignment to search northeast Raccoon Forest for the alleged cannibal murderers.
Their removal from the investigation remains unexpected, the city council considers their primary reason to be the unbecoming behavior presented by the members of the department's special response operatives. Internal investigations have accused the members of displaying blatantly unprofessional conduct and gross incompetence eventually resulting in one wrecked helicopter, department issued equipment and seven casualties, including the unit's founder and commander, Captain Albert Wesker.
Police Chief Brian Irons has absolutely refused to discuss the unfortunate events or to release official documentation regarding their unsuccessful assignment, claiming that there is nothing to produce. The surviving officers of the S.T.A.R.S. will remain suspended pending further notice, although termination remains an obvious possibility. These responsibilities have been returned to the officers and detectives of the Raccoon Police Department, several of which remain anxious to solve these crimes.
Raccoon Daily Record
August 7th, 1998
Umbrella Suspects Corporate Sabotage
The detectives of the Raccoon Police Department and the private investigators representing the Umbrella Corporation have recently announced their suspicions of corporate sabotage, believing an accidental explosion to have been possible following an extensive investigation. It has become apparent that high powered explosives were used to demolish both the Spencer Mansion and the Umbrella Training Facility. Several unused packets of C4 were discovered around one hundred yards away from either building and investigators also discovered a wireless detonator around the nearby river. It is suspected somebody infiltrated these buildings, searched for anything valuable and then demolished the building with the planted explosives.It currently remains unknown what those responsible were attempting to accomplish by destroying two abandoned properties, but the Raccoon Police Department has become increasingly vigilant considering the presence of high powered explosion. The Umbrella Corporation has recently begun bulldozing whatever remains of the buildings away and have expressed ambitions of rebuilding upon the damaged sites. With the investigation having been closed until further notice, the Raccoon Police Department is currently searching for the source of these explosive devices. Anybody possessing any knowledge involving the smuggling or illegal selling of explosives is urged to step forward.
Raccoon Daily Record
August 18th, 1998
S.T.A.R.S. DISSOLVED!
Former Members Awaiting Reassignment!
Brian Irons believes that with only seven members remaining and recent developments in their personal lives, the tactical response unit cannot possibly survive, especially when the former officers seem doomed to obscurity. Chris Redfield and Barry Burton have recently been accused of threatening and assaulting journalists attempting to obtain their testimony, although these allegations have remained outside the judicial system. Brad Vickers was accosted outside his apartment by an outraged citizen, witnesses claim that the attacker eventually retreated and Vickers never pressed charges, apparently emotionally overcome regarding whatever happened back on July 24th.
Following this shocking announcement, Brian Irons delivered another by announcing that there would be no reason to terminate the surviving officers considering their acceptable evaluations. Sergeant Andrew Maxwell believes that the remaining officers will be subject to immediate reassignment, but will remain under an undetermined period of unsupervised probation. At the moment, it remain unknown how the damaged police department is going to reorganize and supplement for the disbandment of the S.T.A.R.S. Team.
The Raccoon Times
August 29th, 1998
SELECT POLICE FORCE
Raccoon Police Department Welcomes Newcomers
The city council recently approved the Raccoon Police Department's proposal concerning the establishment of another paramilitary unit to supercede the recently disbanded Special Tactics And Rescue Service (S.T.A.R.S). This newest group, called the Select Police Force (S.P.F.) will become the foundation from which another tactical response group might be constructed through advanced training. The commanding officers of this special response unit will be drawn from the department's experienced veterans, while the lesser positions are to be filled with younger officers and promising academy graduates. The Raccoon Police Department is expected to be bringing in around twenty-seven officers within the next several weeks from thirteen different academies and departments.
While the ultimate ambitions for the Select Police Force currently remain unknown, it has been announced that during the next several months these officers will be participating in standard police operations and have been outfitted to support other divisions of law enforcement in the event of an emergency. The officers qualified to remain within the group will receive additional training around the department, rounding out to around twenty hours every week. It is the department's hope that having higher trained officers prepared to immediately address emergency situations will become instrumental in eliminating the various dealers and smugglers which have been appearing in Raccoon City.
Raccoon Today
September 6, 1998
Ghost Sightings In Raccoon Forest
Several sightings of a mysterious masked figure wandering the forested outskirts of northwest Raccoon City have recently been reported from various sources. The police officers have investigated following two campers alleging that somebody screamed and chased after them wielding an axe. Responding patrol officers reported discovering the bloody remains of crows and wild dogs nearby, which remains consistent with the remains which have also been washing up on river banks in the area. With the cannibal murderers suspected to be dwelling in the deeper regions of the forest, the whole region seems to have been swept up in the hysteria and a mood of fear and paranoia is prevalent. The investigating officers haven't reached conclusions of their own, but long-time residents insist that this masked stranger is the tortured spirit of a patient from the nearby hospital that closed down 5 years ago. Are these bizarre sightings just a taste of things to come?
Raccoon Today
September 11th, 1998
UMA in the Arklay Mountains?
Several campers recently reported sighting an enormous insect measuring an estimated 6 feet and sporting formidable pincers somewhere in the western region of the Arkley Moutains. The sighting campers report having witnessed three of these creatures near their tent, crawling low to the ground and making distinctive skittering sounds. One of their hunting dogs was apparently attacked and has spent two weeks under a veterinarian's care. Several other campers have come forward reporting similar sightings of different animals in the nearby mountains. Graham Barrows (52), an entomologist and assistant professor at Raccoon University, insists that the existence of such an insect is absolutely impossible. Despite these various claims, he has referred to these sightings as mass hysteria from individuals with nothing better to do than provoke commotion.
Raccoon Today
September 13th, 1998
Monsters Inhabiting Raccoon Forest?
Elliott Blackstock(24) approached the police department yesterday afternoon regarding another mysterious sighting of an unknown creature skulking within the nearby Raccoon Forest. The native resident explained that some monstrous creatures approached their campsite around midnight, describing them as carnivorous monsters resembling gorillas and possesses several reptilian characteristics. Blackstock explained that himself, his older brother and their mutual friend attempted to escape form their campsite and these monsters chased them. Blackstock was discovered by an unnamed resident on the roadside, having tumbled down the nearby hill and broken his right shoulder. Repeated attempts to contact Thomas Blackstock(26) and Andrew Ryan(23) failed and provoked an investigation.
The investigating officers were shocked to eventually discover the remains of both individuals, both of them having been completely eviscerated and requiring dental records to manage positive identification. Elliott Blackstock might seem like an obvious suspect, but the RPD's forensics department is doubtful considering the inhuman amount of physical force and excessive violence used in these killings. Considering these mysterious sightings, the police department should probably rethink their barricade around the perimeter of the Raccoon Forest.
Author's Commentary: It has been around sixteen months since I originally promised this second novelization, following the conclusion of the novelization on the Mansion Incident and my promise to continue revising it to meet my newfound standards. I have recently remembered my original enjoyment of novelizing this wonderful series and have managed to acquire considerable inspiration from several of the recent releases, including Umbrella Chronicles and Resident Evil 4. This rewritten novelization will involve an excessive amount of confrontation and , completely eliminating the seemingly pointless puzzles which are scattered throughout the police department. The overall storyline and starring characters will remain intact, there will be several manipulations and original elements featured throughout the chapters. I've already decided upon having the novelization follow the ClaireA/LeonB scenario, although neither characters will have an easier predicament than the other. The opening chapter should be posted within the next week, in the meantime I will remain attentive to the suggestions and criticism provided by the reviewers.