Disclaimer: Resident Evil may belong to Capcom, but this story belongs to me.
Resident Evil: Armageddon
Part I- Prelude to Destruction
Chapter 10- Rally Point Set
Written by: Striker
"This is just what we need." Chris said as he pulled the BMW in front of the elevator. He looked at himself in the rear-view mirror. "Look at it this way Chris, at least you were right about Umbrella knowing where you live," he uttered to his reflection. He got out, leaving the motor running. He had left Claire in the apartment, she had enough guns to keep her safe if anyone else decided to drop by. He had taken one of the MP5s from one of the bodies. He didn't know if there was anyone else waiting for him in the parking lot. His plan was to get the car close to the elevator door so they could load it up as quickly as possible. He wasn't going to waste any time.
"Claire, let's go."
"Right." Claire picked up as many bags as she could carry. While Chris was gone, she had moved everything into the living room. Chris grabbed as many as he could and the two them placed them in the elevator. Two more trips, and they were ready to go. "Hey Chris," she asked as he pushed the button for the bottom level, "How do you think those guys got in here. They couldn't have come in the front door. That would have caused to big a scene. The only other way would be through the parking lot. If they had come in that way, Jack would have seen them."
"You know Umbrella. They would have snuck in through some other place. They wouldn't risk being seen and reported. I'm sure they avoided Jack as much as possible, either that or they made a bullshit excuse and had the proof to back it up."
Chris knew Claire was worried for Jack's safety. He was worried too. There was no telling what Umbrella would do to make sure he and his sister died. He wasn't surprised that they didn't infect the whole apartment with the T-virus. The elevator stopped and the doors opened. Claire kept them from closing as she handed Chris the luggage. He in turn stuffed them into the BMW. After a few minutes, they where ready to roll. They got to the gate, but Jack wasn't in the booth.
"I got a bad feeling about this." Chris knew something was wrong. Jack would never leave the booth. If he did, he would leave a sign to let people know.
"I'll go see what's wrong." Claire got out before Chris could say anything. She walk to the door in the back of the booth. She saw it was opened. As she walked in, she saw why. "OH GOD. JACK!"
Chris heard his sister scream and was at the door in seconds. He walked in to find Claire kneeling next to Jack. He was slumped against the wall, a trail of smeared blood showing that he his had slid down the wall.
"I can't believe they would do this." Claire sobbed, tears falling down her face.
Chris just closed his eyes. He couldn't believe how Umbrella didn't value human life. The sickening thing was that Jack was innocent. He didn't pose any threat. Still, they had killed him. "Don't worry Claire, we'll make Umbrella pay for this."
The two began to mourn their fallen friend when the were startled by a groan. Chris opened his eyes to see Jack start to move! Claire couldn't believe it either, her sadness disappearing as it was replaced with joy.
Jack opened his eyes and looked up. "Chris? Claire? Thank God you two are alright. Some people just came through here to get you. Hey, why so glum?"
Claire spoke first. "Jack, we thought you were dead. We saw the blood on the wall, and it looked like they had shot you in the back of the head."
"No, they didn't. Some black van pulled up with a red and white umbrella thing on the side. They started asking about you, but I had figured it out. I tried to distract them, but they did it instead. All I remember was hearing the door open. Before I knew it, someone whacked me in the back of my head. I guess I fell against the wall and blacked out.
"Well," Chris said, "we sort of met those guys. We managed to get them all. I'm surprised your not dead."
"It'll take more than a bump on the head to take me out" Jack said as he started to get up. Claire helped him, as he was still to disoriented to do it himself. "Thanks Claire."
"Don't mention it." She replied.
"Where are you headed?" Jack had noticed Chris' car in front of the booth.
"We're leaving London." Chris answered. "We just found out where our friends are. We're going to meet with them, and then take out Umbrella."
"Well then, I guess this is goodbye. It's been great knowing you. I hope to see you someday." Jack was sad to here that his two friends were leaving.
Claire put her hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, we'll come back to see you after this. I promise." She then kissed him on the cheek and went to the car.
Chris walked up and shook Jack's hand. "You better call the police and tell them what happened. Also, call the landlady and tell her we're gone."
"I will Chris." Jack let Chris' hand go. "Just do one thing for me."
"What's that?"
"Give them hell."
Chris nodded and walked back to the car. Jack watched as he got in. He then raised the gate. Both Chris and Claire waved before taking off.
"Give them hell Chris, give them hell." Jack said as he lowered the gate.
Jill was standing in the hotel lobby. Carlos was paying for their rooms at the counter. She looked at her watch, only an hour and fifteen minutes before the plane was scheduled to leave. Barry had called a few hours ago to tell her he had reserved their plane tickets. At least they were guaranteed seats on the flight. They hadn't bothered to change and had called room service for some snacks. Now they were ready to head for the airport.
Carlos walked over to Jill. "The cab should be outside waiting for us. You ready?"
"Yeah, let's go."
They walked out to the cab. The driver put their luggage in the trunk as they got in. The driver got behind the wheel and the car pulled out into the street.
"According to the driver, it should take us a half hour to get to the airport," Carlos explained, "we then get the tickets, check our bags, and get to the gate. Since we arrived at this airport, we know where everything is. If we do this quickly, we should have about fifteen minutes to spare." Carlos was right. It had been a luck-shot that Barry had picked this airport. Their familiarity would make this an easy task.
"That was why Barry probably choose this one. It'll feel so good to be with Chris again."
"The old partners unite." Carlos said, waving his hand with flare.
Jill started to blush. "Oh knock it off. It's not that big a deal."
"Sure it's not. I just hope he trusts me."
"I know he will. Anyone opposed to Umbrella is a friend of the S.T.A.R.S. I'm sure Barry told him all about you. Who knows, you two may get to be like brothers."
"Thanks Jill. Now I'm worried about the others."
Jill smiled. Of all the people that would be at Barry's, Carlos had the most reason to be nervous. The fact that he was once with the enemy would make his help a hard sell. Jill knew that would change as he proved himself to the team. It had been fifteen minutes before she noticed that a car was following the cab.
"Carlos, do you see that car behind us?"
"Yeah, why?"
"It looks like it's following us. It's been right on our tail for a while now."
"Jill, you're just paranoid cause Umbrella's HQ is here. Try to relax, we'll be there soon."
Jill knew she was acting paranoid, but in her line of work, paranoia was healthy. Besides, she had a feeling that something was wrong. Usually when she had a feeling, it was right.
The cab pulled up to the main doors of the Charles de Gaulle Airport. Carlos got the luggage while Jill paid the driver. Just as the cab pulled away, the car that had been following them drove slowly by. Jill's eyes followed as the passenger stared at her.
"Come on Jill, we only have forty-five minutes to go."
Jill turned and walked into the busy airport with Carlos. They made their way to the main desk. Carlos stepped up to the counter.
"Jill Valentine and Carlos Oliveira."
The clerk checked the computer. "Yes. I have you two down for flight 499 to Atlanta."
"How much are they?"
"Your tickets were already paid for. Here you are. The flight will leave from gate 10."
Carlos took the tickets and together, he and Jill headed to the luggage check counter.
"Boy, I wonder who paid for the tickets?" Jill asked with a smile.
They checked their bags at the counter. Jill had kept a small bag with her as a carry-on. She was waiting for Carlos when she saw four men looking around. She froze as she recognized one them as the man from the car. She turned to Carlos as he walked up to her.
"What's wrong Jill?"
"Come on Carlos." she said as she grabbed his arm and began to pull him along.
"What's your hurry? We have plenty of time to get to our plane."
"Look behind us. That's the reason."
Carlos looked back to see that the four men had seen them. They were now in pursuit. "Awe shit." he said, looking forward again. "I think we better pick it up."
Jill looked at Carlos. "Now do you think I'm paranoid?"
They quickly made their way through the crowded airport, Umbrella's agents still behind. They passed gate 7 and rounded a corner. They then saw their goal, gate 10 in the distance. They quickened their pace, while the men behind them started to shove other people out of their way. Jill kept glancing back to see their pursuers progress. The agents were getting close. Jill began to panic until she looked back to see the men break off. Suddenly Carlos stopped her. The next thing she knew a woman was asking for her ticket. She handed her ticket over along with Carlos. Together they walked onto the ramp to board the plane. Jill took one last look back to see that the men were gone.
Barry had just gotten back from the store. He had run himself ragged all day trying to get everything ready for tomorrow. He'd had made the beds, cleaned the house, and had just gotten back with the food. It was nearing six, which meant that Chris and the others in Europe were on their way. He didn't have to worry Rebecca and her group. They would be spending the night at some motel in South Carolina. That's what Becky had said when she called at five to tell him their status. One thought had been running through his mind almost as fast as he had been running all day. 'How is everyone going to get along with each other?' He knew he would see tomorrow.
"I just hope we don't end up killing each other instead of Umbrella. I also hope Chris can trust everyone else." He knew Chris would get off to a rocky start with most of the people coming. He was really worried about Chris' reaction to Carlos. "Just don't do something your gonna regret."
Leon lay down on his bed. He was exhausted from the trip. No one had slept well and everyone was up by three. It was decided they should leave then and there. Leon and Sherry went in his jeep. Ark and Rott were in his Explorer. Rebecca got to take Lily in her Beetle. Leon had covered the broken window with some clear plastic wrap he had bought the other day. The three cars had left and headed for the highway. It was warm out, which meant that Becky and Lily wouldn't suffer. Besides, it was only going to get warmer the farther south they got. They had got on 84 West and continued until they had hit 81 South at Scranton, Pa. They had stayed on it through every state. They had stopped for a brief breakfast and a few more times for gas and snacks. They had pulled into a Comfort Inn a few miles South of Charlotte, S.C. They decided to keep the room arrangements the same as the driving arrangements. Leon looked at the clock. It was six. Rebecca had told Barry that they would be there at ten-thirty tomorrow morning. That was tomorrow. Now all he wanted was to sleep.
"Leon." It was Sherry.
"What is it kid?"
"Are you anxious about tomorrow?"
"Of coarse I am. Tomorrow we meet our new friends and put a stop to Umbrella."
"I just want to see Claire. I don't really care about the others."
Sherry had been jumpy the whole way down. It was either Claire this or Claire that. He knew she missed Claire. He did too. "I'm sure she's just as anxious to see you. Now try to get some sleep. You look like the living dead."
Sherry giggled. Any other time she wouldn't have, but she was just so happy to know that she would finally be with Claire again. "OK Leon. Goodnight."
"Goodnight Sherry." Leon said. He turned out the lights and got comfortable. Sherry was out like a light, Falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. He knew everyone else had the same feelings of anxiety. Ark, Rott, and Lily were fearful of not being accepted. Rebecca was excited about being reunited with her old partners. What they were all anxious about was the war to come. This war was more important than any other battles they had fought before. This would determine the fate of the whole world. But right now, all Leon could think of was Claire.
'I hope your safe. I also hope you may have the same feelings for me that I have for you. Please God, just make everything come out right.' Leon let out a sigh and fell asleep.
Charles Spencer sat at his desk. It was midnight in Paris, but he didn't feel like sleeping. Sleep was for the weak. He was strong. Besides, he had a very comfortable couch in his office. He would stay here until his problems were eliminated. He heard a knock on his door. "Come in and make it quick."
The same man that had come before stepped inside. He saluted and gave his report. "Sir, the party that was sent to the Redfields' apartment has not checked in. We assume they are dead, based on the fact that the Redfields were spotted at a nearby airport boarding a plane. We check and found out the destination was Atlanta. The time of arrival is nine o'clock Eastern Standard Time."
"I can't say how disappointed I am at ALL THESE FAILURES!" He began to yell. "FOR YOUR SAKE, THERE BETTER NOT BE ANY MORE PROBLEMS!"
"Well sir, I have two other things to report. One is that we still cannot find Miss. Chambers. The second is that we found Miss. Valentine and Mr. Oliveira."
"Where are they?" Spencer had regained his composure upon hearing this news.
The man swallowed hard. "They were here sir."
"WHAT!? YOUR TELLING ME THAT WE'VE BEEN SEARCHING ALL OF EUROPE FOR THEM, AND THEY WERE RIGHT UNDER OUR NOSES!?"
"Ye, Yes sir. They were spotted yesterday in front of this building. They were seen leaving the hotel they were at ten-thirty. We followed them to a local airport. Our men tried to catch them before they got on their plane. The men failed. That flight is also heading for Atlanta. It will arrive at ten-fifteen tomorrow morning."
Spencer was seething. "Very well. Send Nicholai the flight numbers and times of arrival. Tell him to get ready. Now leave."
"Yes sir." The man saluted and quickly left.
Spencer turned in his chair to look at a huge portrait of his grandfather. "You better hope for your sake Nicholai that you get your job done. Otherwise, you will suffer the consequences."
Jill read one of her true crimes books she always brought with her. She decided to catch up on some reading before sleeping. Next to her, Carlos was fidgeting in his seat. "Worried?"
He looked at her. "Yeah, I should be nervous. I'm and ex-Umbrella/ ex-mercenary that no one is going to trust and will be watched like a hawk by this Chris guy."
"Don't worry, I'm sure he'll understand your situation. And if he doesn't, I'll make him."
"I'm sure you can." He tried to force a smile, only to fail miserably. "I just hope he doesn't think we're an item and hates me more."
"I fully intend on telling him our relationship. I also plan on telling him the truth, I just hope he hasn't found someone else." Jill looked towards the window, hoping she was right.
"If what you told me about him is true, I'm sure he's hoping the same thing. I'm also sure he loves you too. Anyway, I think we'll feel better if we both get some sleep." Carlos turned off the lights above their seats and fell asleep.
Jill rested her head against the head rest and adjusted her body so she was looking out the window. She thought about what Carlos had said. 'I hope your right. Tomorrow, I'm going to tell you Chris, I'm going to tell you what I should have a long time ago. I'm going to tell you I love you. I just pray that you love me too.' Jill slowly drifted off to sleep.
Chris sat next to Claire. She was staring out the window at the dark sky.
"What's wrong sis.?"
"I'm just worried about Jack. I wonder if we'll ever see him again."
"Believe me, when this thing is over, we'll pay him a visit. I made a promise Claire, I always keep my promises."
"Then we better get this over quickly." Claire smiled and turned back to the window.
Chris sighed. It had been hectic ever since they had left the apartment. Chris' biggest worry was the guns. He had unloaded the clips from the Berrettas and fired the loaded rounds into a pillow. The man at the baggage check was understanding. Chris explained that all the guns were unloaded and the ammo was in a separate bag. He also had the permits ready. Everything had gone smoothly. They even had some time to pick up some souvenirs. Claire bought Sherry a model of Buckingham Palace and Leon a hat like the one the guards wore. Chris had bought Barry a lighter in the shape of a magnum, Rebecca a teddy bear, complete with a shirt that had the British flag on it. He had also bought a diamond and ruby necklace for Jill. He had stuffed the necklace in the side pouch of his carry-on bag, keeping it a secret from his sister. Now he could relax. His mind, however, didn't get the message. It was working fast and furious. He rested his head on is left hand.
Claire wasn't doing any better. Her mind swirled around two people, Sherry and Leon. She closed her eyes as she remembered the last time she saw Sherry. There were tears in the girl's eyes as she waved goodbye. 'Don't worry baby, I'll be with you soon, and I promise I will never leave you again, no matter what.' Her thoughts then turned to Leon. She had developed feelings for him before she had left to find Chris. Now with the death of Steve, she didn't know what to do. 'Leon, I know I had feelings for you, but I just don't know if I can ever feel for you what I felt for Steve. I just hope you understand if I push you away.'
Chris leaned back against his seat. He had gotten his thoughts as ordered as he could. Three thoughts now ran through his head. 'If only I hadn't of left, we wouldn't of had to do this. I could have been there to help my friends when they needed it the most. I hope that now we can finish what we started. We have to, or we have no future. It's time for this to end.' His final thought was of Jill. He looked down to his bag, remembering the necklace he was going to give her tomorrow. 'Jill, I'm going to finally do it. I'm going to tell you what I should have before this whole mess started. I'm gonna tell you I love you, I just hope you haven't fallen for this Carlos guy. I don't know if I could go on without you.' Chris closed his eyes and fell asleep, not knowing what the future held for him.
That's how it all began. This was just the start, the beginning. I didn't know it then, but the events of those couple of days were just a prelude of the war to come. As I look back on this, I could help but see how fate worked to bring us back together. It also showed us the dangers of what we would be facing soon. Each of us had also found our inner demons. Our mixed feelings about each other would only prove to make the impossible task we were to undertake harder. I guess time does change a person. I didn't know it, but I had changed a little. It was the fact that for the first time I actually plan on telling Jill that I loved her was proof enough. In that way, we all changed during those times. We had also developed the will to fight to the end, due to our own trials we had to endure. The only question was while we were physically ready to fight Umbrella, were our hearts ready as well?
Author's Comments: What a way to end this part. huh? Well, that concluded Part 1. Now comes Part 2. We are one step closer to the final war. We are one step closer to Armageddon. Now the pace quickens and the heat gets turned up. The emotional states of the survivors are clear. Now their problems will play center stage in the next part. Will the group be able to overcome their inner struggles and emerge a strong team, or will they be ripped apart by their own demons. You'll have to read the next part to find out.
In the next chapter, survivors finally
come together. Old friends are reunited and new friendships are formed. But
will this meeting bring on hostel feelings and breed mistrust? Find out in RE
Armageddon: Part 2, Chapter 1- Overdue Reunion.