Disclaimer: I do not own Resident Evil in any way, shape, or form. Capcom does. This story I do own. Got a problem with that?
Resident Evil: Armageddon
Part II- Hands of Fate
Chapter 6- Breakdown
Written by: Striker
"HUNTERS! You never said anything about Hunters." Carlos said.
"The route I planned out won't take us by the holding pens." Chris replied. "Besides, I didn't count on this guard here cutting off the power." He kicked the dead guard laying at his feet.
"So now what do we do?" Leon asked. "The whole building knows we're here, and we've got Hunters down in the basement. This mission is starting to look bad."
"Listen," Barry said, "If we just move fast and stay alert, we'll be fine. We all know how to kill Hunters, and the guards will be more concerned that those creatures are loose than us being here."
"Barry's right. This is no different than the situations we've been in before. At least this time we have more people and more firepower. If we managed to get through those other places with less, this should be easy. Let's go." Chris finished his pep talk and headed for the elevators.
The others looked at each other before following Chris. The hall continued for twenty feet before it turned left, then right, making a sharp S-curve. Chris motioned for Claire. Together, they checked the hall. Claire gave an all-clear sign as Chris moved on. The team continued for another thirty feet before they came to the elevators. There were two set side by side. Chris pushed the button for the right one. The doors dinged as they opened. Everyone filed in, with Chris being last. On the way down, he gave directions.
"As soon as get off, to our right will be Genetics Lab 003. To our left will be the Main Lab." Chris traced his finger along the path he had picked. "Before we get to lab 001, we turn right. This hall will take us to a left turn. It then continues past Labs 002, 003, the Computer Lab, and the Weapons Locker. At the end, it turns left again. The second door on the right is what we want. This path will take us around the Hunter pens, avoiding them altogether. This is a straight coarse. We should be in and out in a few minutes."
"Are there any guards we should worry about?" Jill asked.
"There's a security lounge just before the main security room. We'll clear that as we go by it. We'll also have to hit the security office and see if we can't get the security card we need off of whoever's working there. With our luck, the Hunters will have done it for us. We just have to kill them."
"How many of these things are down here?" Claire asked her brother.
"From the looks of this floor plan, there are three pens. Each one looks like it can hold five, so we could have fifteen down there, less if the guards killed any of them."
"In that case, it's time for Hunter 101." Barry said. "First they're fast. Second, avoid their claws. Third, shot them in the head. It's the fastest way to kill them."
The elevator came to a stop. The door opened, and Jill and Carlos took point again. When they had checked, everyone got off. The floor was the same as the first floor. The only difference seemed to be that the door to the Genetics Lab 003 had a card reader next to it. Everyone drew their weapons, ready to face any Hunters stalking the halls.
"Here." Chris handed his MP5 to Barry. He then drew his shotgun from his back holster. He pumped the handle once and started down the hall. "Let's go."
Ahead the team could see a set of double doors at the end of the hall. This was the main lab. Chris had said that there was a hall before this, and he was right as they came up on it. Chris peered around the corner. He signaled that it was clear. The team walked down the hall. It was plain, with no doors along the walls. Quickly approaching the corner, they stopped as Chris signaled Jill to check it out. She looked to see nothing there, except the bodies of two dead guards on the floor.
"Chris, I think we've got trouble." She said, waving for him to come over.
Chris moved up to Jill. He leaned around her and looked at the bodies. She felt safe with Chris next to her, hoping that she was wrong. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"What's wrong Jill?" Chris asked. He had heard her breath in.
She thought up a lie quickly. "It's just that this reminds me of the Spencer Estate, that's all."
"Yeah, well, at least we know what's out here. We better check those bodies for anything we could use."
Chris called for the others to move. As the group came around the corner, they saw the corpses on the ground. They passed the door to Lab 002 and came to a junction. Leon knelt down for a closer look. One man had his throat ripped out, his eyes still frozen in terror. The other had been gutted, what was left of his intestines hanging out of the gaping hole in his stomach. Both their weapons looked empty. They must have ran out of ammo.
"From the way theses guys are laying, they must have been firing at something coming from that direction." Leon pointed down the hall to his left.
"That hall runs in front of the Main Lab and goes to the Hunter pens. If these guards were shooting at Hunters, the things had to come from that direction." Chris said.
"I think you're right." Barry said. He had spotted three bodies on the floor a few feet away. They were dark green and looked like they had been running at the men. Greenish blood was spattered on the floor and walls of the coriander. "From the way things look, we have three less to deal with."
"But where are the ones that killed the guards?" Carlos said. Suddenly, a high pitched scream filled the halls. Everyone started to search for the source of the sound. It seemed to come from everywhere.
"You just had to ask, didn't you Carlos." Claire scolded.
"Oh no." Rebecca froze as she saw two Hunters come around the corner the team had just come from. Their red eyes reflecting in the low light. Their claws were still dripping with blood, signifying that they had just killed. The monsters let out a high war cry before they began to run at the group, strong muscles pushing them along.
"BECKY, DON'T JUST STAND THERE, SHOOT!" Jill yelled.
Rebecca raised her grenade launcher at the charging creatures. After finding out about the Hunters, Becky had loaded flame rounds into her launcher. "Take this." She fired a round at the left one. It let out a scream as it was knocked back. It thrashed around wildly as its chest and stomach burst into flames before finally laying still.
The second Hunter leapt, its powerful legs launching it down the hall. It landed right in front of Rebecca. She ducked as it almost beheaded her with a swipe from its razor-sharp claws. She looked up as it stared at her; its face seemed to have a grin as it raised its claw. Becky watched as it suddenly looked up to a clicking noise, then as its head exploded seconds later. She shielded her face as blood, bone, and brain tissue rained on her. The Hunters headless body fell backwards as blood spurted from its neck. Rebecca looked back to see Carlos standing with his Desert Eagle drawn, its barrel smoking.
"Thanks." She said.
"Your welcome." He replied. "That was a great shot you had too." He smiled as he winked at her. Becky couldn't help but giggle as she stood up, brushing parts of the Hunter's head off of her body.
"I think you should save that for later. We've got another one." Claire saw a Hunter at the far end of the hall. It made a pitched scream, trying to intimidate its opponents.
"More like three." Jill said. Two more were standing next to the door to the Computer Lab. They both roared, as if they were answering the other's call.
Chris began to direct the team. "We've got hostels, one at nine o'clock and two at twelve o'clock. Leon, Barry, who guys take the one at nine. Jill and I got the ones at twelve. Carlos, you, Claire, and Becky make sure we don't have any on our six. Let's take them out."
Leon drew his Custom Western and pumped it quickly. Barry pulled his Colt and took aim. The Hunter sprinted at them, covering the distance quickly. Barry kept his sights on the creature. He waited until it passed the other fallen Hunters before he aimed low and fired. The round hit the Hunters right knee, shattering the kneecap. It fell forward and rolled across the floor. It stopped in front Leon, who had followed its path. He looked down at the thing before firing almost point-blank into its chest. The Hunter was sent skidding back a few feet before it stopped, dead.
Chris and Jill, meanwhile, had their Hunters to contend with. Jill readied her MP5 as Chris held his Remington at his side.
"Just like old times, right Chris." Jill said.
"Just like old times." He said.
They both began to walk towards the Hunters. Both weren't scared of the beasts in front of them. They had battled enough of those freaks to know how to kill them. The couple stopped in front of the door that read Lab 003, their eyes narrowing on their targets, their faces grim. The Hunters started towards their prey, walking methodically, as if picking the right moment to attack. Suddenly, they both stopped and crouched down to jump.
"Like hell you will." Chris muttered. He brought the shotgun up and fired, catching one of the creatures by surprise. It was knocked back, its throat catching a load of buckshot. Jill quickly brought the wounded monster down with a short burst from her gun. The second one rushed Jill and Chris as its partner fell. It leapt between the two ex-S.T.A.R.S. members, dividing its attackers. Chris dodged a claw as Jill pumped some rounds from her Berretta into its back. The Hunter whirled around. Jill jumped back, but not before its claw grazed her midsection. Chris looked to see Jill clutch her stomach. He slammed the butt of his shotgun into the Hunter's back. The beast turned and swung. Chris ducked as he pulled his Colt. He aimed up and fired. The bullet entered the Hunter's chin and exited the top of its head. Blood and brains erupted from the hole as the monster swayed and fell over. Chris ran over to Jill.
"Are you hurt bad." There was concern in his voice.
Jill lifted up her torn shirt. Blood began to slowly seep from a thin line across her stomach. "It's just a scratch. I've had worse." She pointed to a scar on the right side of her abdomen. "I'll be fine." She looked into his eyes, smiling at the fact he had saved her again. He returned her gaze and managed a weak smile. The moment was broken by Barry's frantic voice.
"JESUS JILL, ARE YOU ALRIGHT!?"
Jill turned to Barry. "I'm fine. The Hunters are a different story."
"Let's go. Those Hunters came from the security office." Chris' face had changed back to a serious one. "Three were killed by the guards, so far we've killed five. That makes eight. Hopefully those were the only ones left. Let's pick it up."
"Wait a minute." Rebecca said. "I think I should patch up Jill." She quickly pulled out some first-aid spray and some gauze. "This will sting a little." Jill grit her teeth as Becky sprayed the cut and wrapped the gauze around Jill's waist. "That'll do for now."
"Thanks Rebecca. I don't know what we would do without you." Jill said.
"Don't mention it Jill, I'm just doing my job." She replied. Jill's encouragement combined with Carlos' comment made her feel better. 'I guess I don't have to prove myself. I just have to be part of the team.' She thought to herself.
The group walked pass the dead Hunter and rounded the corner. They stopped when they found another body. The guard's arm had been sheared off at the elbow, the hand still gripping the gun it held. The body had a deep stab wound through the heart. Parts of the corpse were eaten.
"Well, it looks like the Hunters you two just wasted had a last meal." Carlos said to Jill. She just rolled her eyes at him.
"I'll check the Security Office." Chris said. "Leon, Carlos, watch our backs. Jill and Barry, check the lounge. Claire, take Rebecca and go clear anyone or anything away from the Main Security Room. Make it fast."
Leon nodded and ran to the corner with Carlos. Claire and Rebecca headed to the Main Security Room, turning into the hall across from it. Jill stood ready while Barry opened the door to the lounge.
"Shit." Barry gasped when he saw the room.
"What is..." Jill didn't finish her question. She almost turned white from the scene before her. The bodies of four men dotted the room. One was sprawled on a poor table, his heart ripped out. One was face down, reaching for a gun. Parts of his spinal column protruding from his back. Another lay in a chair against the right side of the room. He had been decapitated, his head lay in his lap. On the left side of the lounge was a small kitchen. A pair of legs stuck out from behind the counter, still twitching. Jill had seen some nasty things, but this topped them all.
"I think I'm gonna throw up." Barry said. He couldn't take this either.
Jill started to say something, but froze when two Hunters rose from behind the counter. Intestines hung from ones mouth, while the other held an arm in its claws. Jill and Barry had obviously disturbed them as they were feeding. The one Hunter dropped the arm it had and leapt onto the counter. Barry didn't waste any time shooting it with his Colt. He fired two shots, hitting the creature in the gut and then in the heart. It toppled backwards off the counter. Its counterpart watched, then turned its attention to Jill. It opened its mouth, allowing the intestines to fall out. It then leapt to the pool table. The monster hissed at her. She responded by blowing its face off with a burst from her MP5. Once it hit the floor she turned to Barry.
"Let's leave this morgue." She said.
"You got it." Barry turned and held the door for Jill.
Chris stepped into the office. He closed the door and looked at the desk. It appeared to be covered in blood.
"Great."
Suddenly, a Hunter poked its head up from behind the desk. Its mouth was covered in blood. It let out a screech before it leapt at Chris. Chris aimed his shotgun and waited for the abomination to almost reach him before he shot it. The thing was sent flying back. It landed on the desk, the wood splintering from the impact. He had an evil grin as he walked over to it. He stared into its eyes for a second, seeing fear.
"How does it feel to be scared." He asked. His grin turned a scowl before blowing its head off. He looked at the body of the once security chief. Chris quickly searched the corpse, pulling an ID card from a pocket. "Bingo."
Chris emerged from the office just as Barry was closing the lounge door.
"Well," Chris said, "What did you find?"
"Four dead guards and two Hunters, also dead." Barry said. "What about you?"
"I found this." Chris held up the card. "Jill, get the others."
Jill nodded and ran towards Leon and Carlos.
Chris turned to Barry. "Let's get the girls." He just finished when they both heard some explosions and screeches come from the girls' direction. Chris heard one of them yell "Damn." He recognized it as Claire's voice and took off. He nearly plowed into her as she rounded the corner.
"What the hell happened?" He asked.
"LOOK!" Claire shouted, pointing to a green stain on her jacket. "This will never come out. My jacket's ruined."
He felt like smacking her in the back of her head. "Claire, you scared the hell out of me. I thought you were hurt."
"Believe me Chris," She grabbed his arm and pulled him to a right bend in the hall, "They didn't have a chance to hurt us."
Chris saw Becky standing by the bodies of four Hunters. Two were burning from the flame rounds they were hit with. The other two had gaping holes were their innards had been. "We smoked them all." Becky said, a big grin on her face.
"Good job. I got the card, let's set this place to blow and get out." Chris said as he walked back to the Main Security Room. He got to it just as Leon, Jill, Barry, and Carlos reached him.
"What happened?" Leon asked.
"Nothing." Chris took the ID card and ran it through the card reader. The red light turned green as the door unlocked. "Stay out here and cover this room." He walked in and approached the console at the back of the room. He tapped a key on the keyboard. A screen can up with an option.
ACTIVATE SELF-DESTRUCT SEQUENCE YES/NO?
Chris hit the Y key. He then followed the directions on the screen. When he had gone through the steps, another option appeared.
WARNING, SELF-DESTRUCT SEQUENCE CANNOT BE STOPPED ONCE ACTIVATED. PROCEED YES/NO?
Chris hit the Y key one more time. A female voice came over the floor. "Fifteen minutes until detonation. Please evacuate the facility."
"We have to move now." Chris said, exiting the room. Everyone took off down the hall. They followed the same path they took before. They ran passed the dead bodies that rested on the floor. They soon reached the elevator in a few minutes. Chris hit the button. The doors opened and everyone piled in. The elevator arrived at the first floor. No one wasted any time getting off.
"Ten minutes until detonation. Please evacuate the facility."
Everyone broke into a mad dash down the hall. Carlos and Leon lead the pack as Chris and Jill took up the rear. They reached the power box intersection, making a hard right. Rebecca turned to say something to Barry when she screamed. Everyone turned to see a Hunter standing at the far end of the hall.
"Get out of here." Chris commanded. "I'll take care of this one."
The others began to sprint to the door they entered the building through. Jill turned to watch Chris. She didn't like what she saw.
Chris pumped the shotgun and turned around. He saw the Hunter coming right at him, clearing the distance with a mighty leap. It landed in front of him and backhanded him into the wall. Chris fell forward, his shotgun knocked from his hands. He dropped to his stomach, disorientated from his head hitting the concrete wall. He pulled himself to the Hunter's feet, looking up at it. The beast reared back a claw to strike a death-blow.
"Do it." Chris said, daring the Hunter to kill him.
"No."
Chris saw the Hunter looked up, and then watched as its head exploded. He looked over his shoulder to see Jill standing with his Remington in her hands.
"The hell are you doing here?" He asked.
She ran up to him. "Saving you." She replied as she tried to help him up.
"Get out of here. Do waste your time with me." He pushed her away from him. "Leave me."
"Fine." Jill got up and started to turn. She waited until he looked away before bringing the butt of the Remington crashing into the back of his head, knocking him out cold. "Sorry, but I'm taking you with me, whether you want to or not."
"Jesus Jill, why did you do that?" Barry said, running up to her.
"I had to. It's the only way to get him out of here. He almost let the Hunter kill him."
They were interrupted by the female voice. "Five minutes till detonation. Please evacuate the facility."
"We don't have much time. We have to get him out of here." Jill had tears forming in her eyes.
"Alright, get going, I'll catch up." Barry grabbed Chris and threw his unconscious form over his shoulder. "The shit I go through for you Chris." He groaned as he ran for the door.
"What happened to my brother." Claire asked as Jill and Barry came flying out the door.
"No time to talk." Jill said. "We have to move now."
The team took off into the woods. They reached the copter as the building exploded behind them. The shockwave forced everyone to the ground. They covered their eyes as dust rushed at them. Jill looked back to see a gigantic fireball shoot up into the sky.
"I say we get out of here." Barry said. Everyone agreed and got in the helicopter. Barry and Carlos climbed into the cockpit while the rest of the party climbed in the back. They took the same seats they sat in on the trip to the factory. The only exception was Chris. He was laying on the bench, his head in Jill's lap. She stared into his face while the others looked on.
"Hey Jill." Barry said from the cockpit. "What do you think Chris will be pissed at more, the fact that you saved his life, or that you nailed him with his gun?"
"I don't know and I don't care." Jill said, running her hand through his hair. "All I know is that someday, he'll thank me for this."
The copter flew towards home base, leaving behind a flaming crater that was once an Umbrella factory.
Author's Comments: Take about brutal. You may be asking yourself two questions right now. What the hell was Chris talking about with nine o'clock, twelve o'clock? And why were there sixteen Hunters when Chris said there were fifteen? First, in any branch of the military, direction is referred to by using the position of the numbers on a clock. Twelve o'clock means straight ahead, three o'clock is to the right. Six o'clock is behind. Nine o'clock is left. If an enemy is at eleven o'clock that means the enemy is ahead and to the left. Second, Chris said that there COULD be fifteen. He didn't know how many there would be, he guessed. Who knows, the Hunters could have made it to all the floors. My suggestion, don't think about it. Well, Jill kept her promise to herself, she didn't let Chris kill himself. Sure it took a blow to the back of the noggin to do it, but he's still alive. Guess Jill can be as stubborn as Chris. Also, I put in that little romantic scene to show that Chris still cares about Jill. Hell, that scene just happened. I didn't intend on writing that, it just sort of came out. Basically, I make this stuff up as I go along. Don't worry, like always I'll make sure it plays into what happens later. I seem to have a gift for doing this. Enough bragging, time to see what happens next.
Get ready for a storm, and I'm not
talking about the ones that knock out your power. Jill may have saved Chris'
ass, but don't think he'll be happy about it. Chris finally shatters and does
something no one thought he'd ever do. Find out what it is in the next part of
RE Armageddon: Part 2, Chapter 7- Storm of the Heart.