Frank stepped out of his office as the helicopter came in fast and landed next to a fuel truck. "HEY, WHAT THE HELL? THIS IS A PRIVATE ARIFIELD! I DON'T SERVICE MILITARY AIRCRAFT! GET AWAY FROM THAT FUEL TRUCK!" He roared.
Chris ran around the front of the helicopter. "Frank I'd love to talk, but we need fuel fast."
"What happened to the other helicopter you brought here the other day?" Frank asked.
"Where's that guy named Bobby?"
"Will you believe that bastard disappeared on me. I haven't been able to call his house. This happened right after you and Barry left."
"Well he was an Umbrella agent." Chris said. "He sabotaged our other copter. We stole this one from Umbrella. We need fuel."
Frank pointed to the truck. "Help yourself. You seem to be in a big hurry."
"We are." Chris motioned to James, who started filling up the copter. "Umbrella attacked our hideout. We got split up."
"Shit, did everyone make it out?"
"Yeah. We split into four groups. We're going to regroup Northeast of here. With any luck we may be safe for a while."
Frank looked at the copter. "I guess I won't see Barry for a while. Tell him his friend told him not to go and get himself killed."
"I will." Chris saw that James had finished fueling up. "I have to go. Take care." Chris ran back to the cockpit and got in.
Frank stepped back as the copter rose up and flew away. "Take care of yourself Chris. I hope you beat Umbrella's ass good."
The copter flew silently through the sky. No one talked, instead recalling the events that happened just a few hours ago. Barry finally broke the ice. "You think the others will find the place."
"I gave Jeff, Carlos, and Ark directions before we left." Chris replied. "Unless they run into trouble, they should get there."
"Chris, do you think this will be the way we'll operate?" James said. "Moving from place to place, evading Umbrella."
"I don't know. Until we beat Umbrella for good, we may be running for the rest of our lives." Chris stared grimly at the passing scenery.
"As long as we're together, it won't matter where we go." Jill said. "Besides, we have a trump card that Spencer doesn't know about."
"Leon's deal." Barry said.
"Why don't you take that deal?" Ada asked. "We could use government help."
"Because I don't completely trust their intentions." Chris answered. "Lately I find it hard to trust people I don't know."
"Do you trust me?" James asked.
Chris turned to him. "I trusted you enough to know you wouldn't shoot us. You earned my trust. Even if I didn't trust you, we're both in the same situation. Umbrella wants all of us dead. We need to work together."
James looked out the window. "It must have been hard to find out that someone you trusted with your life was just using you."
"You have no idea." Barry said. "Especially when they use your family to get you to betray your friends. I'll never forgive Wesker for threatening Kathy and the girls. If I see him again, he's dead, superhuman or not."
Jill turned to Ada. "It must have been tough to find out you were working for the wrong people."
"I guess we'll get the chance to make up for that." Ada scratched her head. "You know, for someone with your build, you sure are strong."
"That's from years with Delta Force. With them you have to be strong, or you don't cut it." Jill replied. "You're not to bad yourself."
"That came from Jim." Ada scrunched up next to James. He in turn put his arm around her.
"I guess we learn a lot from each other." Chris checked his position and then checked the map he had brought with him. "We should be there in a few more hours." The copter continued on its coarse, flying through the afternoon sky.
Ark pulled into a rest stop off of Interstate 85. They were already in South Carolina. He checked his watch. It was two-thirty. He pulled into a parking space. "Alright guys, make it fast."
Rott and Lily bolted from the Explorer and ran to the bathrooms. Ark got out and walked towards the vending machines. He needed something to eat. He approached the soda machine and inserted a dollar. He punched the button for Pepsi and a bottle came banging into the tray. He retrieved the bottle and took a drink. He had been going at least eighty most of the way. Between watching for cops and calming the children it had been a hectic ride. He pulled out more money and began to buy snacks for the others.
Eliza stood by a tree. A gentile breeze past over her, blowing her hair. During the trip she remained silent. Rott and Lily were panicky, as most kids would have been. She too was terrified from the Umbrella attack. During the firefight she cowered in the bathroom. "What am I doing with these people? I'm not a soldier." She remembered how Rebecca, who she learned was eighteen, was shooting at the enemies. "I shouldn't even be here." Her thoughts were interrupted by Ark walking up to her.
He handed her a bottle of Pepsi and a bag of potato chips. "You look like you could use something to eat. I got you these things from the machines. It should do until we stop at a restaurant."
Eliza took the soda and chips. 'Dammit, you don't have to be so nice to me.' Her mind said. What she said was different. "Thank you."
"You OK?" Ark noticed that she was a little tense. "You didn't say anything in the truck. Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm just fine." Eliza responded. "I guess I'm still shaky from this morning. Honestly, I'm not used to all this chaos. I prefer to be in a lab studying cells. I can't understand why you would want me around. I'm not a fighter, I'm a scientist."
"That's exactly why Chris wants you. If anyone can find a cure for Umbrella's bugs, it's you. I know you have doubts, we all do. Just know that we will get through this."
"But will we have to keep running like this?" Eliza asked, her voice shaky.
Ark wrapped his arms around her. "Hopefully, not much longer." They stood there for a few minutes, both wondering how long they would have to run. "Let's head back to the truck." Ark led Eliza back to the Explorer. Rott and Lily were already inside waiting. He helped Eliza get in, and then walked around the Explorer and got behind the wheel. "Buckle up. We don't need to get pulled over." The Explorer pulled out and got back on the interstate.
Eliza looked out the window. Ark was nice, too nice, to her. When she had had her nightmare earlier that morning, he had been there. He had let her cry on his shoulder, calming her down. Ever since Gabesville she had felt safe around him. He had saved her life, saved her from the Hunter. He had given her his jacket; he had shielded her during the standoff. During the battle with the Tyrants, he had made sure she was safe. Even now he was comforting her. 'I only hope I can pay you back for all your kindness.' She thought as she watched the trees flash by.
The van pulled into a Burger King in Hickory, N.C. Carlos got out and scanned the parking lot. Not many cars were parked, which meant there wouldn't be a crowd in the restaurant. It was about four. The sun was setting, almost below the treetops. Carlos banged on the door. "Come on, we have to make this fast. Get your orders to go."
The side door opened and everyone filed out. As they approached the restaurant, Rebecca asked Carlos a question. "How long do you think it will take to get to the base?"
"I don't know." Carlos replied, holding the door open for her. "We're more than halfway. I say a few more hours." Before the team had left, Chris had given both Carlos and Ark instructions. Ark was to take Interstate 85 through South Carolina and then get on Interstate 40. Carlos was to take Interstate 75 into Tennessee, get on Interstate 40 around Knoxville, and continue to the base. It had been a long drive and everyone was hungry. There was no line, so Carlos' group was in and out in a few minutes. When everyone was in the van, Carlos pulled out. "Don't drop any food. Barry will kill me if you make a mess."
"Don't worry." Rick said, talking a bite of his whopper. He chewed and swallowed. "We won't drop anything."
Kelly stuffed some fries into her mouth. "What's up with you and Janet? You'd be at each others' throats by now."
"We made peace." Rick said. He held up his hand like he was under oath. "I will no longer tease or insult Janet unless she deserves it."
Max almost spit out the soda he just drank. "You two made a truce? I don't believe it."
Janet gave Max a blank look. "You find something amusing about it?"
"Not to sound like a jerk, but there is no way in hell you two can co-exist without fighting."
"Care to make a bet Max?" Rick asked nonchalantly. "Cause if you do, you'll loose. I'm a changed man." Rick took another bite.
"When did this come about?" Rebecca asked, sipping her Coke.
"Just before Umbrella paid us a visit." Janet replied. "At first I thought he was joking. But since he hasn't said anything stupid for the last couple of hours, I think he's sincere."
Carlos saw a sign flash by. It read STATESVILLE 22 miles, WINSTON SALEM 67 miles. According to the map he had, after Winston Salem was Greensboro. Greensboro was the last major city before the base. He figured that they had three more hours to go. He remembered something he wanted to ask Janet. "Hey Janet, how's your nose?"
"It's fine. According to Max it's not broken." Janet rubbed her nose. "Where did you learn that trick? They don't teach that in the military."
"What, the foot stomp? I learned that growing up in a rough neighborhood. Where I lived, you had to be able to defend yourself. Either that or you're screwed."
"I grew up in the country." Kelly said. "I used to take walks in the woods all the time. My nearest neighbor was ten miles away."
"I lived in the suburbs." Max said. "My family used to go swimming at a huge lake at the edge of town. Sometimes I remember how much fun I had with my brother and sister. That was before I joined Umbrella."
Rebecca looked glum. "My family died in Raccoon City. The last thing I told them was that I was going away for a while. After that, the T and G-viruses infected the city. I got a call from my mother that my father was in the hospital with some strange disease. That was the last time I heard from them."
"That just gives you one more reason to fight Umbrella." Carlos said. "Hell, we all have our reasons. I lost some good friends that day. I swear Nicholai will pay."
"We all have a score to settle with Umbrella." Rick said.
"Those bastards caused so much suffering that it makes me sick." Max said.
"We will stop them." Carlos said. "Or die trying." He drove on, passing the exit for Statesville.
"Where are they?" Jeff kicked the side of the copter. His group had landed at Fort Collins at four-thirty. Now it was six. The place was small for a military base. He had parked the copter in the middle of a field that was probably used for PT. There were several barracks and a few mess halls. Set away from the barracks was a large garage where military vehicles used to be kept. Various roads shot off from the barracks, leading to other parts of the base. The buildings looked run down, like they hadn't been used in years.
Leon scanned the buildings. "This sure looks homely. I hope we don't stay here for long."
"It'll half to do." Claire said. "If you don't like if, you can sleep in the helicopter."
"Only if you sleep with me." Leon wrapped his arms around Claire and started kissing.
"Get a room." Sherry said.
"I agree." Jess added. "No one wants to see you two swap spit."
"Jealous?" Jeff asked sarcastically. He knew Jess' last girlfriend dumped him in a bad way. It was around New Years that she dumped him in front of at least fifty people. Jess never lived that down. Now whenever he saw a couple he would get depressed.
"So what if I am." Jess responded bitterly. "I just don't think that this is the time to be thinking about screwing someone."
"Jesus Christ! There's a little girl here." Claire snapped. "Watch your language."
"Sorry." Jess walked towards one of the barracks.
"Excuse him." Jeff said. "He's just stressed out. I am too. I wish Jimmy would get here soon." Just as he said that, the sound of an approaching copter echoed through the air. "Speak of the devil."
The helicopter landed next to Jeff's copter. Chris got out, only to have Claire clamp on to him. "I'm so glad you're here."
"Claire, it's not like you haven't seen me for years. It has only been a few hours." Chris broke free from her grasp. "Relax."
"It's just that I thought you may have been shot down."
"We would have shot back." James said. "Hey Jeff, miss me?"
"For a minute I thought we were at the wrong place." Jeff walked up to Chris. "Please tell me we're not sleeping on the floor."
"You won't have to." Chris replied. "When they closed this place down, they had intentions of opening it again. The mattresses are still here, but there are no blankets. We don't have any electricity either. It won't be pleasant, but it'll do until we find another place."
"When do you think the others will get here?" Jill asked, still clutching the laptop.
"Don't…" Chris was cut off by the sound of a vehicle coming down the road. "Well, that's one."
The Explorer pulled up in front of one of the barracks. Ark got out, along with Eliza, Rott, and Lily. Ark looked around. "Umbrella sure won't think about looking for us here. This place looks like one of those ghost towns."
"What a dump." Rott said.
"Glad you like it." Chris said. "This is temporary. After we find a better place, we'll move. Good to see you again."
"Same here." Ark replied. "This place wasn't hard to find. So which shack do we get?"
"Just unpack your stuff." Chris started back towards the copters. "Once Carlos and his group arrive, we'll set up."
"Come on kids." Ark opened the back of the Explorer and began to unpack.
It was two hours until the others arrived. The van drove down the road towards the lights. Leon stepped out in front of the van. "Halt, who goes there?"
"Someone who's hoping that we're not sleeping in there." Came Rebecca's voice.
Leon had a smirk on his face. "Sorry Becky, but this is our new home."
Carlos shut off the engine and got out. "God, this place is abandoned."
"I've been in better hovels than this." Janet said.
Max looked around. "Homely, isn't it?" Kelly just giggled.
"If you guys are done admiring the place," Chris said, "You can help us."
Carlos nodded and started to unpack the van with help from the others. It took a good twenty minutes to finish. When it was all done, Chris called everyone together.
"I know this is not as nice as Barry's place, but it will do. None of us signed up for this without knowing that someday we may find ourselves in a place like this. Hopefully we won't have to stay here."
"Yeah Chris," Ark said, "We can stay here until we contact the government. They can find us a better place to stay."
"We're not calling the government." Chris said. "We'll find another place to go. Even if we have to live in motels, so be it."
Ark was getting angry. "For God sakes Chris, we were attacked by Umbrella. If this isn't a good time to call in that favor they owe Leon, I don't what is."
"Listen, what do you think I did all the time I was in Europe. I had to stay in worse places than this. I had to sleep on floors with only my coat to use as a blanket. We'll find another place."
"Maybe Ark is right." Jill said. "We could use the governments help."
"NO!" Everyone jumped back from Chris. "With our luck, they'll tell us to keep our mouths shut and sweep this whole thing under the rug. I don't want to here anything else about this topic. Now let's get ready for bed. It's getting late."
"What's with Chris? Why doesn't he want to take that deal the government made with Leon?" James asked Jill.
Jill shook her head. "After the Spencer Estate, he tried to launch an investigation. He even filed an internal investigations report with the Federal Police Dept. They never sent a response. No one would listen to us, so Chris decided that we could do this ourselves. I also think he doesn't trust the government. After Wesker, Chris found it hard to trust anyone else." She turned to James and looked him dead in the eye. "I suggest you don't bring this up with him. I've seen him when he's mad, pray that you never do."
James watched Chris walk over to one of the barracks, forcing open the door. 'I don't blame him.' James thought to himself.
Ark left the group and walked behind one of the mess halls. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number. "Hello, Ark here." He said in a low tone. "The whole group has just arrived. We're at Fort Collins outside of Raleigh, N.C. I don't know how much time we have. I understand. I will. Goodbye." Ark hung up and stuck the phone back into his pocket. He walked out from behind the mess hall, almost slamming into Eliza.
"What were you doing back there?"
"Just taking a piss. I should have gone when we stopped at that gas station. Let's go, the others might worry." Ark led Eliza back to the group, who were already deciding where they would sleep.