Chapter 5
Leon stepped out of the laboratory hallway closely followed by Jill. Leon stood for a moment, rather than continuing towards the dormitories.
"What is it?" Jill asked.
"Nothing really. I just...maybe we should check the meeting room before we go to the others." Leon replied hesitantly.
"Well...I guess it would be pointless dragging everyone along, especially since it won't take us long...okay, let's check it out." Jill replied.
Leon nodded & made his way to the meeting room. A quick sweep of the room would tell them whether the control room key was in there & accessible, or in the hidden laboratory, which would make things much more difficult.
Chris looked at Claire, wondering what he was supposed to do. Claire's hurt, Leon & Jill are by themselves somewhere in this complex. I don't know what that thing was that attacked Claire. Maybe they've found something but they don't know it's important, I should find Jill & Leon.
"Barry, look after Claire for me, I'm gonna check on Jill & Leon." Chris said as lightly as he could.
"You've got it Chris." Barry replied.
"Be careful Chris." Claire said as he was leaving.
Chris left the dorm, closing the door behind him & headed for the other side of the hallway. He stopped as he reached the door, noticing that there was another room with an open door. Maybe I should try door number two...Chris turned & entered the open doorway.
"Jill! It is you two." Chris said in a surprised manner.
"Chris? Is something wrong?" Jill asked startled.
"Well...It's Claire, she's hurt." Chris replied.
"What happened?" Leon asked calmly.
"Some giant bug bit her..." Chris trailed off after Jill & Leon exchanged a worried look.
"What kind of bug?" Jill asked slowly.
"A...gnat or something...I guess." Chris replied hesitantly.
"Chris...I think you should read this." Leon said, his worry showing.
"Shit...Where did you find this?" Chris asked.
"A lab. We were looking for the key to the control room, maybe we'll find more out there." Leon replied.
"Looking? How do you know to look?" Chris asked almost hesitantly.
"Long story...huh? This would be our key." Leon stated.
"Chris...we all need to check it out." Jill continued.
But how did they know to look here for the key? Chris! Claire is in trouble, it doesn't matter right now. Chris sighed & nodded before leaving the room & heading back to the dormitory where he had left Claire.
Leon walked behind Jill feeling lousy for not telling everyone what he knew about the base. Chris was going to ask a lot of questions & although Jill had been fine with his explanation, he had a feeling that Chris wouldn't be so trusting. But then, he wouldn't be wrong not to would he? By the end of this, regardless of whether we take Umbrella down or not, they're all gonna hate me. Leon sighed & caught up with Chris, who had just entered a room. Chris was giving Barry instructions when Jill & Leon entered.
"How are you feeling Claire?" Leon asked sincerely.
"Well enough to get to the control room." Claire replied lightly.
Leon nodded in response & left to unlock the control room.
The room wasn't how Leon had imagined it. One wall was lined with TV screens as Leon had expected but the rest of the room was lined with filing cabinets & small tables with separate monitors. Leon looked around the room when something caught his attention. Bingo! Another document. Leon walked over to the document & read it.
LM-V13 Report
The LM-V13 is an antitoxin vaccine, which is in the form of a liquid medicine. We decided that it would be more appropriate for this to be synthesized & by doing so, it increases the security of the vaccine.
The LM-V13 will cure the poison & swelling caused by the In-05 bites, as will a blue herb. Unlike a blue herb however, the LM-V13 will also destroy any implanted eggs. It is always better therefore, to take the LM-V13 if bitten by an In-05.
The LM-V13 is stored in three parts: subsidiary, base & medium. These are located in three different laboratories. The synthesis machine is located in a forth laboratory.
It is advisable to administer the vaccine within 30 minutes of being bitten, since the pupation time is 30 - 60 minutes.
Head Researcher
Amy Thompson
Oh shit...Lets see, four labs, Alpha had the synthesis machine, so Beta, Gamma & Delta must have the three parts. Since there's no way they would store it in Epsilon. The last puzzle...S.M=name to code...could S.M stand for synthesis machine? If so, we have to find a code to translate LM-V13 into.
"Leon, did you find anything?" Jill's troubled voice asked from behind.
"Hmm...the follow-up document of the In-05 report." Leon replied.
Chris took the document from Leon & started reading through it.
"Anything else?" Jill asked.
"Nothing good, just a theory." Leon replied half-heartedly.
"So, what is it?" Jill asked.
"S.M=name to code. S.M is an abbreviation for synthesis machine, so to use the synthesis machine we have to find a code to translate the name...as well as three base components." Leon replied.
"Shit. That could take forever." Jill said.
"Well we have 25 minutes." Chris stated.
"We should give 5 minutes to these CCTV recordings, if we can't find anything then we'll have to rely on the labs for an answer." Leon suggested, more to Chris than anyone else.
"Hmm, I'd rather not wait but this could be our only way to find the code." Chris agreed.
Everyone searched the room for something labeled LM-V13 or In-05. When time was almost up, Jill found an on-line surveillance camera labeled 'Bathroom - In-05 progress'. Everyone crowded round the small monitor & watched in horror as the picture came into focus. A man had locked himself in a shower cubicle, whilst the rest of the room was full of In-05s & the occasional corpse. Suddenly, the man started to convulse. Only moments later, maroon liquid started to emerge from the stomach area of the man's screaming body. A minute after, flesh & clothing peeled away to reveal a small, pale larvae. The screeching, pallid creature exited from where the intestines & stomach should have been. It then scurried across the corpse & into a corner, leaving a trail of blood across the floor, yet more blood slowly oozed from the man's wound. The sickly, unearthly being then proceeded to wrap itself in a silky mesh, a cocoon from which it would emerge a fully-grown In-05.
"Oh shit..." Claire barely whispered, her fear & the fear of everyone else in the room was more than apparent.
"It's okay Claire. All we have to do is go to the lab. You don't have anything to worry about. Chris, you should take Claire to Alpha, we can get the parts." Leon said calmly.
"If you're right, there's still the puzzle." Claire replied.
"Don't worry about that. It'll be as easy as the rest." Leon replied.
"You seem awfully confident." Barry said, confused.
"Maybe...Anyway, we should get started." Leon replied.
Leon left the room & headed back towards the labs before anyone else started with questions. Claire doesn't have time for them to question me, then again, they don't have time for it either...Leon ignored his nagging conscience & continued to the lab hallway, his guilt would have to wait because the In-05 larvae wouldn't. Leon entered the lab corridor & turned left. He encountered a door labeled Beta Laboratory just around the corner. Leon took out a notepad & jotted down the code above the door before continuing to do so with the others. He then walked back to Beta & entered it to find the first of the vaccine parts.
Chris sat with Claire in Alpha lab. He was paying close attention to his watch, silently praying that they would make it in time to save Claire.
"You think Leon's right? That it'll be easy?" Claire asked.
"I think Leon knows more than he's telling. When we have this antidote for you we have serious questioning to do." Chris replied.
"You really think so? Leon wouldn't betray us."
"I really hope you're right Claire but either way, he does know more than we do, that much is obvious. His confidence with all the puzzles here is strange as well..."
"Well, if you're that convinced then I'll back you. I guess he has been acting weird throughout the mission. I just...he hates Umbrella too, so he can't be a traitor."
"Who says its Umbrella? That woman wasn't with Umbrella & neither was Wesker. Maybe he's joined up with that girl, he cares a lot about her after all."
"I hope not Chris, I really do. Leon is a good guy..."
Chris didn't respond, realizing how much the conversation was upsetting Claire. He had just checked his watch again when Leon, Jill & Barry entered the room. Still got 10 minutes, hopefully they've got everything.
"So, do I get cured like you promised?" Claire asked lightly.
Leon nodded. "Yeah, like I said, no problem."
"So get on with." Chris said harshly.
Leon casually walked to the synthesis machine & typed onto the keypad before placing in the 3 vaccine parts, much to Chris' disgust. How can he be so calm? Doesn't he care that she's sick?
"There, all done. Take this Claire." Leon said casually as he handed Claire the vaccine.
"Thanks. Hope this thing works..." Claire replied.
A minute later Claire had fallen to sleep & seemed to be getting better.
"Now that's over...you have some explaining to do Kennedy." Chris said harshly.
"What is your problem? That a rookie's out doing you?" Leon snapped back.
"My problem is the knowledge you have, how calm you are about everything here, you know a damn sight more than what you've told us. Not only is that a problem but so is how you got the information." Chris retorted.
"As I explained to Jill, there's a guy at the base who used to work here, that's why I know more than you about this place, as for my attitude, well, I learnt a few with the group." Leon replied almost smugly.
"You expect me to buy the first part of that? The second part is questionable but more possible. Why keep it from us then? Why not warn us about everything? Claire wouldn't be hurt then."
"I didn't say that I knew everything. Just the puzzles & 3 possible locations of the control room key. That's it."
"Chris, I know you're worried an' all but Leon is one of us, a good guy, trying to take down Umbrella." Jill said pleadingly.
"Fine, I'll drop it...for now at least." Chris said reluctantly.
There's more to this, he feels guilty, I can see it in his eyes, he's either sold out, or he's being black mailed. Either way, we have to be careful.
The door opened & a young man entered.
"Chris Redfield right? I don't think we ever got introduced." The man said sarcastically.
"Who are you?" Chris asked feeling very confused.
"My name is Steve Burnside, not that it matters." The man replied.
"Claire's friend from Rockfort? No, you can't be..." Chris asked.
"You've forgotten what you were told already?" Steve continued.
"Did Wesker do this? Are you working for him?" Chris asked, more than a little concerned.
"Yes, that's right. He wanted to see you personally but he has more important things to attend to. Though I'm sure he'll see you as soon as he can. I'm here to say hello in his place, as well as my mission of course."
"Did Wesker set this up? Is he the one that sent us the information?"
"Not directly but yes, he was behind it all. It's a game of cat & mouse you see. One that will end when you both meet next."
"What about Claire?"
"...What difference does she make to this?"
"Don't you realize how upset she'd be?"
"It's tough. Quiz master, I've been watching you, the answer to Epsilon if you please."
"Don't say anything." Chris said forcefully.
"Let me put this in an other way..." Steve trailed off & grabbed Jill by the throat before continuing. "I'm enhanced in the same way as Wesker, I get the answer, or your friend loses her head. Which will it be?"
"Chris?" Leon asked.
"All right. We have no choice." Chris replied.
"I haven't seen the puzzle, so I don't know for sure but I think its Extirpate." Leon replied.
"After the Tyrant...Will it really be that simple? You're coming with me in case you're wrong. Got it?" Steve ordered.
Leon walked towards Steve.
"Leon!" Chris called.
"We don't have much choice Chris." Leon replied.
Steve pushed Jill away & grabbed Leon, pulling him out of the room.
"Shit...Are you okay Jill?" Chris asked.
"Fine. What about Leon?" Jill replied, asking a question of her own.
"We'll look for him when Claire wakes up." Chris replied.
Chris stood in front of his sister hoping that she would wake up soon, before anything happened.
Leon stepped out of the laboratory hallway closely followed by Jill. Leon stood for a moment, rather than continuing towards the dormitories.
"What is it?" Jill asked.
"Nothing really. I just...maybe we should check the meeting room before we go to the others." Leon replied hesitantly.
"Well...I guess it would be pointless dragging everyone along, especially since it won't take us long...okay, let's check it out." Jill replied.
Leon nodded & made his way to the meeting room. A quick sweep of the room would tell them whether the control room key was in there & accessible, or in the hidden laboratory, which would make things much more difficult.
Chris looked at Claire, wondering what he was supposed to do. Claire's hurt, Leon & Jill are by themselves somewhere in this complex. I don't know what that thing was that attacked Claire. Maybe they've found something but they don't know it's important, I should find Jill & Leon.
"Barry, look after Claire for me, I'm gonna check on Jill & Leon." Chris said as lightly as he could.
"You've got it Chris." Barry replied.
"Be careful Chris." Claire said as he was leaving.
Chris left the dorm, closing the door behind him & headed for the other side of the hallway. He stopped as he reached the door, noticing that there was another room with an open door. Maybe I should try door number two...Chris turned & entered the open doorway.
"Jill! It is you two." Chris said in a surprised manner.
"Chris? Is something wrong?" Jill asked startled.
"Well...It's Claire, she's hurt." Chris replied.
"What happened?" Leon asked calmly.
"Some giant bug bit her..." Chris trailed off after Jill & Leon exchanged a worried look.
"What kind of bug?" Jill asked slowly.
"A...gnat or something...I guess." Chris replied hesitantly.
"Chris...I think you should read this." Leon said, his worry showing.
"Shit...Where did you find this?" Chris asked.
"A lab. We were looking for the key to the control room, maybe we'll find more out there." Leon replied.
"Looking? How do you know to look?" Chris asked almost hesitantly.
"Long story...huh? This would be our key." Leon stated.
"Chris...we all need to check it out." Jill continued.
But how did they know to look here for the key? Chris! Claire is in trouble, it doesn't matter right now. Chris sighed & nodded before leaving the room & heading back to the dormitory where he had left Claire.
Leon walked behind Jill feeling lousy for not telling everyone what he knew about the base. Chris was going to ask a lot of questions & although Jill had been fine with his explanation, he had a feeling that Chris wouldn't be so trusting. But then, he wouldn't be wrong not to would he? By the end of this, regardless of whether we take Umbrella down or not, they're all gonna hate me. Leon sighed & caught up with Chris, who had just entered a room. Chris was giving Barry instructions when Jill & Leon entered.
"How are you feeling Claire?" Leon asked sincerely.
"Well enough to get to the control room." Claire replied lightly.
Leon nodded in response & left to unlock the control room.
The room wasn't how Leon had imagined it. One wall was lined with TV screens as Leon had expected but the rest of the room was lined with filing cabinets & small tables with separate monitors. Leon looked around the room when something caught his attention. Bingo! Another document. Leon walked over to the document & read it.
LM-V13 Report
The LM-V13 is an antitoxin vaccine, which is in the form of a liquid medicine. We decided that it would be more appropriate for this to be synthesized & by doing so, it increases the security of the vaccine.
The LM-V13 will cure the poison & swelling caused by the In-05 bites, as will a blue herb. Unlike a blue herb however, the LM-V13 will also destroy any implanted eggs. It is always better therefore, to take the LM-V13 if bitten by an In-05.
The LM-V13 is stored in three parts: subsidiary, base & medium. These are located in three different laboratories. The synthesis machine is located in a forth laboratory.
It is advisable to administer the vaccine within 30 minutes of being bitten, since the pupation time is 30 - 60 minutes.
Head Researcher
Amy Thompson
Oh shit...Lets see, four labs, Alpha had the synthesis machine, so Beta, Gamma & Delta must have the three parts. Since there's no way they would store it in Epsilon. The last puzzle...S.M=name to code...could S.M stand for synthesis machine? If so, we have to find a code to translate LM-V13 into.
"Leon, did you find anything?" Jill's troubled voice asked from behind.
"Hmm...the follow-up document of the In-05 report." Leon replied.
Chris took the document from Leon & started reading through it.
"Anything else?" Jill asked.
"Nothing good, just a theory." Leon replied half-heartedly.
"So, what is it?" Jill asked.
"S.M=name to code. S.M is an abbreviation for synthesis machine, so to use the synthesis machine we have to find a code to translate the name...as well as three base components." Leon replied.
"Shit. That could take forever." Jill said.
"Well we have 25 minutes." Chris stated.
"We should give 5 minutes to these CCTV recordings, if we can't find anything then we'll have to rely on the labs for an answer." Leon suggested, more to Chris than anyone else.
"Hmm, I'd rather not wait but this could be our only way to find the code." Chris agreed.
Everyone searched the room for something labeled LM-V13 or In-05. When time was almost up, Jill found an on-line surveillance camera labeled 'Bathroom - In-05 progress'. Everyone crowded round the small monitor & watched in horror as the picture came into focus. A man had locked himself in a shower cubicle, whilst the rest of the room was full of In-05s & the occasional corpse. Suddenly, the man started to convulse. Only moments later, maroon liquid started to emerge from the stomach area of the man's screaming body. A minute after, flesh & clothing peeled away to reveal a small, pale larvae. The screeching, pallid creature exited from where the intestines & stomach should have been. It then scurried across the corpse & into a corner, leaving a trail of blood across the floor, yet more blood slowly oozed from the man's wound. The sickly, unearthly being then proceeded to wrap itself in a silky mesh, a cocoon from which it would emerge a fully-grown In-05.
"Oh shit..." Claire barely whispered, her fear & the fear of everyone else in the room was more than apparent.
"It's okay Claire. All we have to do is go to the lab. You don't have anything to worry about. Chris, you should take Claire to Alpha, we can get the parts." Leon said calmly.
"If you're right, there's still the puzzle." Claire replied.
"Don't worry about that. It'll be as easy as the rest." Leon replied.
"You seem awfully confident." Barry said, confused.
"Maybe...Anyway, we should get started." Leon replied.
Leon left the room & headed back towards the labs before anyone else started with questions. Claire doesn't have time for them to question me, then again, they don't have time for it either...Leon ignored his nagging conscience & continued to the lab hallway, his guilt would have to wait because the In-05 larvae wouldn't. Leon entered the lab corridor & turned left. He encountered a door labeled Beta Laboratory just around the corner. Leon took out a notepad & jotted down the code above the door before continuing to do so with the others. He then walked back to Beta & entered it to find the first of the vaccine parts.
Chris sat with Claire in Alpha lab. He was paying close attention to his watch, silently praying that they would make it in time to save Claire.
"You think Leon's right? That it'll be easy?" Claire asked.
"I think Leon knows more than he's telling. When we have this antidote for you we have serious questioning to do." Chris replied.
"You really think so? Leon wouldn't betray us."
"I really hope you're right Claire but either way, he does know more than we do, that much is obvious. His confidence with all the puzzles here is strange as well..."
"Well, if you're that convinced then I'll back you. I guess he has been acting weird throughout the mission. I just...he hates Umbrella too, so he can't be a traitor."
"Who says its Umbrella? That woman wasn't with Umbrella & neither was Wesker. Maybe he's joined up with that girl, he cares a lot about her after all."
"I hope not Chris, I really do. Leon is a good guy..."
Chris didn't respond, realizing how much the conversation was upsetting Claire. He had just checked his watch again when Leon, Jill & Barry entered the room. Still got 10 minutes, hopefully they've got everything.
"So, do I get cured like you promised?" Claire asked lightly.
Leon nodded. "Yeah, like I said, no problem."
"So get on with." Chris said harshly.
Leon casually walked to the synthesis machine & typed onto the keypad before placing in the 3 vaccine parts, much to Chris' disgust. How can he be so calm? Doesn't he care that she's sick?
"There, all done. Take this Claire." Leon said casually as he handed Claire the vaccine.
"Thanks. Hope this thing works..." Claire replied.
A minute later Claire had fallen to sleep & seemed to be getting better.
"Now that's over...you have some explaining to do Kennedy." Chris said harshly.
"What is your problem? That a rookie's out doing you?" Leon snapped back.
"My problem is the knowledge you have, how calm you are about everything here, you know a damn sight more than what you've told us. Not only is that a problem but so is how you got the information." Chris retorted.
"As I explained to Jill, there's a guy at the base who used to work here, that's why I know more than you about this place, as for my attitude, well, I learnt a few with the group." Leon replied almost smugly.
"You expect me to buy the first part of that? The second part is questionable but more possible. Why keep it from us then? Why not warn us about everything? Claire wouldn't be hurt then."
"I didn't say that I knew everything. Just the puzzles & 3 possible locations of the control room key. That's it."
"Chris, I know you're worried an' all but Leon is one of us, a good guy, trying to take down Umbrella." Jill said pleadingly.
"Fine, I'll drop it...for now at least." Chris said reluctantly.
There's more to this, he feels guilty, I can see it in his eyes, he's either sold out, or he's being black mailed. Either way, we have to be careful.
The door opened & a young man entered.
"Chris Redfield right? I don't think we ever got introduced." The man said sarcastically.
"Who are you?" Chris asked feeling very confused.
"My name is Steve Burnside, not that it matters." The man replied.
"Claire's friend from Rockfort? No, you can't be..." Chris asked.
"You've forgotten what you were told already?" Steve continued.
"Did Wesker do this? Are you working for him?" Chris asked, more than a little concerned.
"Yes, that's right. He wanted to see you personally but he has more important things to attend to. Though I'm sure he'll see you as soon as he can. I'm here to say hello in his place, as well as my mission of course."
"Did Wesker set this up? Is he the one that sent us the information?"
"Not directly but yes, he was behind it all. It's a game of cat & mouse you see. One that will end when you both meet next."
"What about Claire?"
"...What difference does she make to this?"
"Don't you realize how upset she'd be?"
"It's tough. Quiz master, I've been watching you, the answer to Epsilon if you please."
"Don't say anything." Chris said forcefully.
"Let me put this in an other way..." Steve trailed off & grabbed Jill by the throat before continuing. "I'm enhanced in the same way as Wesker, I get the answer, or your friend loses her head. Which will it be?"
"Chris?" Leon asked.
"All right. We have no choice." Chris replied.
"I haven't seen the puzzle, so I don't know for sure but I think its Extirpate." Leon replied.
"After the Tyrant...Will it really be that simple? You're coming with me in case you're wrong. Got it?" Steve ordered.
Leon walked towards Steve.
"Leon!" Chris called.
"We don't have much choice Chris." Leon replied.
Steve pushed Jill away & grabbed Leon, pulling him out of the room.
"Shit...Are you okay Jill?" Chris asked.
"Fine. What about Leon?" Jill replied, asking a question of her own.
"We'll look for him when Claire wakes up." Chris replied.
Chris stood in front of his sister hoping that she would wake up soon, before anything happened.