delicateweapon; Don't worry! I've got several chapters already written out for this story that are ready to be posted but I space them out, I plan to finish it and either it's sequel (or a separate story depending on how this one ends).
This is actually one of the longer chapters thus far so enjoy the extra little length!
Also HAPPY OCTOBER EVERYONE! My favorite month (my birthday is coming up).
The starting song lyrics are from Rise Up by Smash Into Pieces; talking about it in the prior chapter reminded me of it and I felt it fit this chapter a bit closely.
Young hearts take all the deep cuts
Old scars here to remind us of who we are
How far we've come
We fall so, we can get back up
Fall down, down on our knees with our face straight up
Piece by piece, we will pick ourselves back up again
Tearing down these walls
Dreaming of a new horizon
Throw us to the wolves
And we'll show you what we're made of
Out of ashes we will rise
We rise up
Spending time with her wasn't surprisingly difficult. It felt easy. I didn't have to manipulate or guard myself and my assets. Hell, I didn't even have to interrogate or scrutinize. Sure some things she said sometimes threw me off, unexpected statements or questions. Sentimentality over practicality even.
Most people were more fascinated and curious about my projects, my achievements, my position. But Dear Heart? More concerned about if I stargazed in my spare time. I'm sure spending time with her would ground me to more human traits and simple luxuries that I ignore or take for granted.
As much as I wanted her gone at the time Jill was up and moving I knew otherwise. I'd want to keep her around. Despite my better judgement and awareness that she would cause me much trouble I wanted to take that risk, see what fruits it would bear.
My world for so long had been schemes, projects and corporations. It had been awhile since I had enjoyed another's presence who didn't have a deep personal history to me such as Birkin.
I ran a hand down my cheek, unsure for the first time which path I should take. Each had pros, each had cons, each had risks or losses but also had benefits if pursued.
For the first time I chose to take that risk. I had decided. I would try to sway my Dear Heart to my side, even if just an ally. There was no more debating that matter.
I had left her in the garden with my trench coat, knowing it would keep her warm however long she decided to stay outside and stargaze.
The thought of that simple question made me smile. Not a sarcastic smile. Not a cold and calculated smile. Not even a biting, mocking smile. A genuine twitch of the lips.
I made my way down into the lab that I mainly inhabited. This lab was on sublevel 6 and the only ones with access to it were either Krauser, Shalfet or Birkin. Sherry and the rest weren't allowed here. If I was in this lab it essentially meant to everyone not to disturb me.
One of the good doctor's had left me a gift here it seemed. A vial sat in a carrier case which I had opened to inspect it as it was sitting atop the desk in the little connected office. A note beside it in the case read in clear printed handwriting; A gift for you, Birkin informed me of the party and recent troubles. This serum will strengthen you for a day when taken. There's enough in vial for five doses. I'll have your system balanced soon.
Leave it to the good doctor to leave me a present. It pleased me to know he was an ally I could rely on, as odd as that was for me to admit. He was not only preparing for me the perfect gift of them all but this little token of loyalty was a refreshing item after recent events. Both Christopher and Viztec were becoming an issue for me. Chris had always been one but not on the caliber he was presently. Viztec would be handled by HUNK and his colleagues. Chris? I would have to deal with him soon.
Both would be out of my way.
Yet.. I found myself debating how to do so to not lose the one person I was interested in.
Several hours later night had fallen and it was almost 2am before our helicopter touched down a mile from our objective. Our Intel said our target was in an abandoned warehouse by where we had been dropped.
For the mission I had grabbed more ammo and another pistol to my collection. HUNK carried his favorite rifle with a sniper slung across his back. He had two pistols tucked into various places as well as a few other lesser items such as frag grenades, knives and extra ammo.
Linul, however.. ugh the man was clearly eccentric. He didn't dare put on any actual protection aside from the kevlar sewn into the inside of his clothes. He did carry a lever pump action slung across a shoulder and a katana strapped to his hip. The man clearly preferred close combat while HUNK and I favored a bit more distance.
HUNK had stressed how dangerous this mission was and how unpredictable our target would be. Linul had let it go through one ear and out the other with a twisted grin. The man was cocky and cocky would get you killed if you didn't have the skills to back it up. Granted I knew Linul was a damn good fighter. I had seen him take down four men twice his size at a bar once in Costa Rica while absolutely smashed.
"Mm.. 'ont this bay feelin' e'say?" Linul's soft murmur startled me.
We were currently situated on a hill covered with bushes that overlooked three identical warehouses. They had dark grey metal roofing with concrete walls and flickering outside lights. From what we could see through our binoculars there wasn't any movement. No guards, no snipers on the roofs, not even a passed out hobo. The place was eerily quiet. The warehouses didn't have windows so it was hard to gauge what activity was occurring inside.
"Eyes sharp." HUNK grunted before jumping over a bush to slide down the little slope that ended before a little sidewalk by one of the warehouses. He covered the distance in a few strides and pressed his head against the door.
Linul and I shared a glance, I'm sure my gasmask merely reflected the small moonlight we had. We nodded before following suit, stealthily pausing beside our technical boss. Despite all three of us being respective mercenaries (though in Linul's case he preferred 'assassin') HUNK had seniority in missions regarding Umbrella or Albert Wesker. Judging by their professional relationship and the fact that HUNK chose him over other potential employers meant the man was credible and had deep pockets.
HUNK was driven by money just as he was driven by a sense of loyalty to those he felt had earned it.
That told me all I needed to know and so I willingly assisted on jobs.
Linul was a different factor. He never said his true motivations for aligning with us but I got the impression he was amused by us. His reputation always spoke of how thuggish he was, how above teamwork he was, how he prided himself as skilled enough for any mission regardless of type.
I wasn't sure what to make of him but I knew that if he did something he went all in. So if he chose to help us I knew without a doubt he'd see the task until the end. He was stubborn like that, he claimed. I chose to call him prideful.
HUNK had briefly told me the man had been part of a mission where his team could be saved if he just told a location to some company and he smiled, spat blood on his interrogator and told them to basically kill them, he wasn't giving them shit. When the interrogator had slit their throats he had chuckled, unfazed. It had given him time to undo his bindings and the rest of the story is unclear. How he killed a building full of people was uncertain but he had been covered in blood.
I both feared and was interested in the man. But habit never allowed me to inquire. It was none of my business.
Eccentric and prideful but incredibly intelligent.
My focus shifted as I noticed a camera angled towards the second warehouse. I adjusted my arm, pointing it at the object before tapping a little device attached to my wrist. The camera sparked for a second before the light blinked off.
"Neat lil'o track." Linul whispered from my back.
"Velt, scan." HUNK ordered as he had been picking the lock. He pushed it open and it didn't so much as squeak.
I scooted past him to the other side of the entryway, tapping the side of my mask to activate the secondary sight. Much like infrared I had what I liked to call temp splash. It was a way to see heat signatures and the specific degrees they permeated. This helped to determine if someone was infected, really hot or with an abnormally low temperature. Super cold objects registered differently since it excluded inanimate objects such as fridges, freezers, fans, air conditioners and the like. The same worked for super hot objects such as stoves, a fire pit, whatnot.
It had a certain radius and so I turned my head, scanning the building. I couldn't see separate floors with this particular sight but I could tell a general direction based on how high up it was or how far from me.
"Two above, 30 feet forward, must be on the second floor. Also below, 20 feet right but 45 feet forward, four of them, one is abnormally hot, likely infected judging by temperature reading." I adjusted the specs using my wrist device, a modified object that looked like a small phone that was part of a watch, which was connected to my mask. "Uhm, what the fuck.."
HUNK tilted his head, demanding an answer through the action.
I cleared my throat as softly as I could.
"The specs I'm reading right now.. match what I know about a Tyrant-class infected, HUNK." I turned my head towards them. I could only see Linul's deep frown since HUNK wore his trademark specialized gasmask. "It's directly below us what I presume is three floors."
"And this is just one of the three warehouses. Who knows what else is lurking in the other two." HUNK grunted, annoyed from what I could tell. "Hold on, let me relay the Intel to Wesker before we proceed."
He turned away to slip out his phone, sending a quick text. A moment later a text came in.
"He says to proceed. Our priority is Mr. Sin first. If we pass the Tyrant and any infected to put them down on the spot."
"E'say." Linul gave a gleeful smile before he turned to the open doorway beside him before shifting on his feet, propelling himself through it at a crouched sprint.
God, the man was fucking fast.
One second he was there and then gone. I followed suit with HUNK taking up the rear.
The night passed and day drew it's curtain over the world in a golden haze. I yawned, stretching as I tore off the sheets sluggishly. My eyes paused as they fell upon the trench coat I laid at the foot of the bed, the night prior coming back to me full force.
Wesker had kept me company but.. wait.. there was more. Oh god, Chris.
I got up to my feet and was in the bathroom swiftly, throwing the lid up to empty my stomach's content into the bowl. I dry heaved for a few minutes before the nausea left me just as fast.
I flushed and brushed my teeth, rinsing my mouth with mouthwash to get the taste out. Despite that random sickness spurred on by the thoughts and images of my brother ruthlessly killing I was feeling incredibly hungry.
I needed to visit Jill and tell her, even if she might not be able to hear me. First I needed to drop off the coat to its owner.
Now that I thought about it I didn't know where Wesker's room was since I never asked and he never showed me. Despite having his number programmed into my phone I settled on just delivering it to William and letting him return it since I'm sure the two spent considerable time together.
My phone vibrated with a text from Sherry, which read: I've got two hours before I have to return to my work, wanna get breakfast?
She had read my mind. I texted her to let me shower and I'd join her. I quickly showered and dragged on something from the provided closet. Normally, in any other circumstance, I would have ignored all provided luxuries but I was indulging in them because there wasn't a price tag or condition attached to them. They were just there, whether I used them or not. Might as well, that was my logic.
I selected dark blue jeans, a dressy blue shirt that had little ruffles on the sleeves and pulled on my boots. I snagged my hair up into its respective ponytail before grabbing my phone and heading out with the coat draped across my arm.
I found my way easily to her shared home with her dad and knocked twice. Sherry answered and beamed a big smile, ushering me inside. She closed the door and pointed at the coat. "Why do you have my uncle's coat?"
"Uh, it was chilly last night and he lent it to me so I wouldn't get cold. I brought it in the hopes of having your dad pass it back to him."
"They're both in the labs right now. I'll text uncle that it's here." She accepted the coat and placed it onto the coat hanger by the door. She sent a quick text to the man in question, though what she said I didn't pry.
"Thanks. I don't really.. know how to talk to him." I confessed.
"To Uncle Albert?" She tilted her head a little before she reached for her purse she had laid on the couch's armrest.
"Yeah. I know I said I'd give him a chance to prove he's not what I've seen and been told but even a chance doesn't change the way he makes me incredibly nervous."
She wiggled her brows in an amused way before snorting. "Just be yourself."
I deadpanned and stared at her for a moment. "You know what I mean. He makes me very uncomfortable. One moment he's got my shoulder ground into the floor by his boot and another he's telling me he was putting on an act." I scowled.
She rolled her eyes before taking my hand and lifting it up in the space between us. "Look, Claire, there's a lot of stuff you just don't know. Uncle Albert isn't some villain. Sure, he's done some bad things, we all have at some point or will do. Those things don't define us however. Albert isn't responsible for the mistakes of old decrepit fucked up Spencer. He's taking Umbrella in an entirely different direction."
"I can't just trust words, Sherry, I need to see the proof."
There was a telltale twinkle in her eyes. "At the party you'll start to see." Then she dragged me out the door, locking it behind us.
"Now, what are you craving? There's a burger joint we've not tried as well as that little Italian diner- oh, oh, there's also the all you can eat buffet. I remember they had some amazing sushi. People always claim buffet sushi is nasty but when it's made by those who can actually cook it's astounding. Trust me, the chefs are amazing."
"You pick."
"Sushi buffet it is then! Ugh I really want a sushi ship- is that even what they call it?" She paused in her rambling, her eyes shifting as she searched for the right word. "No, wait, it's a sushi boat."
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Wesker had been right, she was a handful when she got excited. I remember Chris being just as spontaneous growing up but he had mellowed and transformed that energy into his work. Sherry just always had that childlike wonder.
"Now, the first thing you wanna get is the spring roll- Claire, are you even listening?"
I blinked, realizing we had stopped in the courtyard outside the castle building and she was expectantly looking at me for an answer.
"Sorry, I was just thinking about my brother."
Her eyes lit up. "What's it like having a sibling?"
"It's.. I couldn't imagine life without Chris. He stepped up to raise me when our parents were killed. Sure he's bull-headed, obnoxious and snores but.. he's someone I deeply care for, love and admire." I answered honestly. "Even though he's my brother he was always my best friend, I could tell him anything. Though dating was hard sometimes with the threat of big brother and his beloved baseball bat." I chuckled at that particular memory before everything had changed, namely Raccoon City.
"Since mom died.." She paused herself, tugging me forward so that we walked down to the little city below to where we were heading. "Dad was distraught. He hasn't forgiven himself, not for hurting me and not for being a reason mom's gone." She heaved a sigh, growing serious. "He won't even discuss a future relationship, says he'd rather commit himself to his work. So I'll probably be an only child."
"Does it ever feel lonely?" I asked softly, trying to gauge her response to this train of thought.
"Yes and no. I'd love the chance to have a sibling but.. no one can replace mom. She was dad's everything. I think I'd get mad if he even dated another woman, like.. like it'd be forgetting her."
"Moving on doesn't mean letting go of someone you held dear, Sherry. We should celebrate the dead, not mourn them. They wouldn't want us to live where they went. We have to continue, for them as well as for ourselves."
"Very astute words, Miss Redfield." The voice behind us startled us both. We had been almost to the store but we froze on the sidewalk, spinning to see Albert Wesker dressed head and toe in black. He lacked any form of coat but he did have his shades on. He wore a form fitting long sleeved shirt, trousers and boots. The sleeves of the shirt were rolled to the elbows. I tried not to stare.
"Uncle! Are you joining us for breakfast?" Sherry let go of my hand and was happily jumping up and down where she stood.
"What's on the menu?" He asked, lifting a brow at his godchild.
"Kalco Buffet! I was telling Claire about the sushi and how it's amazing."
He scrunched his nose and half turned his face away. "You mentioned breakfast, I expected something with actual breakfast, not dinner selections. Sushi isn't a breakfast food, Sherry, you must realize that."
She started to pout her lips a little. "Yeah, I know, but I have this craving and-"
He flicked his eyes to me and, despite his sunglasses concealing his inhuman eyes, something seemed to pass between us. Our own separate understanding of something we each came to terms with.
For him it was allowing me to be part of his life. For me it was giving him a chance.
Our eyes locked and I knew then I would take the risk. There was no more denying it. I would lure the redhead to my side. As for what, I wasn't sure yet. I didn't have 'friends' with the exception of Will but he was more of a long-time colleague that I favored over everyone else and tolerated. I suppose that was as close to a friend as I could allow. Sherry, on her end, was essentially my godchild by default.
In the first couple of years while Sherry was with the US government I had been rebuilding Birkin, restoring him to humanity. Once I retrieved the young girl I had to help raise her as Birkin came back to his humanity. I had always had a soft spot for her given in our youth I had dealt with her frequently.
I remember the times when William, Annette and I would be down in the Arklay Labs and Annette would pass off the infant Sherry to me while she went to fetch coffee after a grueling night of failed progress. At times during her youth when both elder Birkin's were locked away in the labs for long stints she'd end up with me during my off days when I was the S.T.A.R.S. captain.
So of course I couldn't deny that I allowed her to be one of the few I tolerated on a personal level.
HUNK was one of my best employees and mercenaries of the lot. Sure, the rest were selected due to various skill sets, capabilities and did their jobs to the fullest but HUNK was loyal unlike the rest. His more humble nature kept his confidence in my presence as he respected me and I respected him. We had a mutual understanding as allies.
Jack Krauser was like a loyal hound I had since birth in a way. Despite only knowing him for a few years he had dedicated himself to my every whim and that was why I chose him for his position. I gave him power and he was thrilled with his position.
Perhaps at one point I might even have considered the S.T.A.R.S. as cherished but those days were faded memories and most of them were deceased. Our ties had long since been severed, those bridges burned due to the interference of Spencer.
I didn't allow my thoughts to prevent me from trailing behind the two women as we made our way to the buffet Sherry mentioned. Normally I didn't eat but I had wanted to get my coat at first. Knowing Claire was involved I took the next option available.
Sherry had texted me that my coat was in the Birkin residence and so I would retrieve it later. She had asked if I wanted anything and so I took it upon myself to indulge in human consumption. I was perhaps in need of food, one of the few times I did eat.
"Claire, did you know Uncle Albert never loses at chess? I've tried to beat him. I almost think he cheats." I tuned back in to hear Sherry discussing board games as we walked.
"You simply do not know how to strategize." I reminded her. "Sacrificing your pieces unnecessarily won't give a favorable outcome when you instead need them for later moves."
She lifted a hand and mimicked my words by moving her hand as a makeshift mouth gesture. Childish.
"I was never good at board games." Claire grumbled. "But the moms who attended my college would sometimes have to bring their kids and I'd volunteer to entertain them so they'd keep quiet."
"You're good with kids, Claire, you helped me stay calm when everything was crazy." Sherry brushed her knuckles against Claire's nearest arm.
"Yeah, I think honestly I'm channeling my own mom, she was amazing. Never a fussy baby around her dad used to claim." She laughed and I found myself analyzing the sound. It wasn't like the laughs of my enemies who had a mocking edge to their deeper tones while hers was soft and genuine, even if a bit reserved. Probably because I was present.
I knew she was still relatively guarded around me. I expected nothing less. If she dropped her guard she'd have been gullible and if she chose to instantly trust me she'd be naïve. I found her rationality of it to be the wiser choice and it gave her credibility very few garnered from me.
I wouldn't treat her like a sheep when she was not one. Perhaps not a wolf like those such as I, but hardly someone who followed others by mere simplicity.
"My mom loved board games, she was good but dad was always the better one. Then Uncle Albert just blew them both away!" Sherry threw her arms up dramatically to emphasize the mental image she was portraying. Claire laughed again.
Soon enough the restaurant door was opened and so we stepped in. Everyone stopped immediately, whether eating or working, at the sight of me. Everyone on the island who was an employee knew who I was. Those who didn't knew my name at least and so whispers of who the blonde that walked in was the silence told me they were aware the Chairman of Umbrella had come down to the city.
I inwardly smiled while outwardly I merely turned my head to the baffled waitress standing four feet away. "Booth."
"Y-yes, sir!" She scurried over to a table and laid down menus if we wanted to order anything. We took our seats; Claire and Sherry took a bench seat while I took the other. "W-what can I get you to drink?"
I steeled every emotion of irritation starting to brew when it came to human interaction in the public. "Bourbon."
I made sure each restaurant had an alcohol permit so that at any place it could be served.
"Water!" Sherry stated as she started to skim her menu as if she was new to the place.
"Mountain dew, no ice please." Claire said, smiling at the clearly nervous waitress.
The woman nodded and went to go fetch our drinks.
"I'm gonna have the buffet, ugh, I can't wait to stuff my face with so much sushi." Sherry groaned happily at the idea of all the different sushi that would be on the buffet.
I glanced down to the menu and took note of what I wanted.
Claire seemed to agree with Sherry on the buffet but not the sushi part.
So when drinks were placed down my two companions went to put various foods onto a plate.
I ordered a steak a bit on the bloody side with a side of a loaded baked potato and a full salad. I was in the mood for some vegetables and so I told her to add in different peppers, tomatoes and slices of cucumbers.
While she went to tend to my own meal I watched the women pick from the bars. Every now and then I caught Claire glancing my way and I merely smiled at her.
She seemed to bristle at being caught and would turn away.
The girls rejoined me and began to dig into their plates. Claire seemed to favor a variety as she had vegetables like cantaloupe, watermelon, cherry tomatoes as well as mashed potatoes and brown gravy, macaroni and cheese, some meat they put on sticks. Sherry was the opposite. Half her plate was different sushi rolls along with fried rice and a small helping of bourbon chicken judging from the look of it.
When my meal was put before me the waitress left us alone aside from refills.
I drank my bourbon sparingly between bites, enjoying the rare meal I had.
Claire, for all her curiosity, had been eyeing my steak with a frown. I couldn't help but tease her a bit. "Care for a bite?"
She seemed taken aback that I had offered her a piece before she realized I was teasing and she scowled.
"I like mine well cooked with A1 sauce."
I smirked.
Despite all the eyes on us and the unusual silence that seemed to often fill the restaurant, as if people were holding their blasted breaths, it was a peaceful meal.
"So Claire, did Uncle Albert ask you to go with him to the party?" Sherry's question out of the blue almost caused the redhead to choke on a piece of cantaloupe she had just bitten off.
She hit her chest with her fist before glaring at the younger girl.
"I did." I answered for her since she seemed content to leave the question hanging.
Sherry lit up. She was a helpless girl when it came to her feelings and being expressive with them. She, like Claire, often wore her emotions on her sleeves. Though unlike Claire the younger girl was also a scientist and thus knew when to place her feelings onto the back burner though she didn't do that as often.
"Claire you'll have to wear the new dress you got, it'll look so gorgeous on you. Uncle Albert, is Miss Wong going too?" She directed her attention to me.
Claire made a face at the name as if trying to connect it with a person and failing.
"No, she has business in China and will be away. She sends her regards and will visit as soon as she has time." I didn't express just why Miss Wong was in China. The information wasn't relevant and for Wong it was more personal. Claire, if she decided to, could do nothing with that information as it didn't pertain to myself or Umbrella.
"Aawwww! I can't wait to go swimming with her again. She's really fast at it, did like two laps on me by the time I did one. Granted that was two years ago and I've improved." Sherry explained to Claire as if she needed to for context.
"Miss Wong?" Claire seemed to fish for a first name to connect with the last and I smiled at her attempt.
"Yes, an employee of mine Sherry favors."
"She used to do my hair when I first got back to being with dad and uncle." Sherry had a gentle smile on her face. "It was so much fun. She doesn't have a lot of time anymore so when she is around we make the most of it."
A soft expression came over Miss Redfield's face, one that whispered of compassion and understanding. Both of which were rare in my world.
"I wish you had gotten to experience stuff like a normal girl. Go shopping, prom, do stuff with your close friends, sleepovers. Binge Harry Potter in a single weekend." She chuckled.
"It's ok. I wouldn't change things, especially now that I'm home where I belong with the people that matter to me."
I gave Sherry a glance, noting the genuine smile. Sherry was much like her mother, easily content. She didn't have the same dangerous or detrimental ambitions like her father. That brought up the memory of when Alexia Ashford first came to Arklay and Birkin was furious his 'rival' was there.
"You must really love them both." Claire mumbled, her gaze showing an emotion I couldn't decipher as she peered at me. I arched my brow as if to demand an explanation in my own silent way but she merely stared a moment before getting up to go get herself a second plate.
Sherry watched Claire go before blinking her eyes at me. "Did I say something wrong?"
"No." I flicked my gaze to the redhead at the bar. "Miss Redfield, from my understanding, must find it highly unusual for someone to be happy around someone such as I." I remarked. "Her opinion of me, Sherry, stems from my past and the stories Christopher and the ragtag bunch have shoved down her throat over the years. Don't give it much thought."
She furrowed her brows before poking her chopsticks at a tuna roll on her plate before picking it up as if she intended to eat it but paused.
"Are you going to hurt her?" She whispered so softly anyone else would have not heard but I did and I slowly tilted my head.
"The actions of my past do not reflect the present nor the future to come. I did what I did for a reason. That reason is over and I never had ill-intentions towards Miss Redfield."
She seemed to perk up, grinning wildly. "So is she going to stay with us for a while?"
"Until Miss Valentine is up I'm sure. Once she is, as I've told you prior, she'll depart."
She deflated. "I'll have to keep in contact with her through texting so we can still schedule hangouts every couple months."
"I'm sure she'd like that."
I returned my attention to my plate as the silence returned. Claire came back with a plate and soon enough we had eaten our fill and were heading our separate ways. I tipped my head toward the pair before making my way back to my personal quarters.
The rest of the night was relatively calm and peaceful. At some point I made sure to keep to my word and texted Claire the time to be ready (by 10am sharp was when we'd leave for the party).
I didn't know what was about to happen when the sun rose or I'd have prepared myself for the trouble it brought with it.
First perspective is Wesker, then it shifts to our lovely mercenary Velt, then Claire, then back to Wesker.