Sheva's brown eyes squinted as the light change struck her. Having made it through the mysterious garden site, the pair had followed a series of old mine shafts that led deeper underground. The dark tunnels had finally given way unto what she and Redfield had been guessing all along. A hidden experimental facility lay deep below, farther than most would have gone. The final tunnel had given way into a scaffold that led directly into a large cylinder tunnel that vertically burrowed downwards.

There were many other scaffold bridges, leading to a giant center conduit computer. Rows upon rows of coffin-like structures lined the containment area's walls with yellowish liquid obscuring what could be inside the pods. Stepping into the center area of the bridge, Alomar suddenly felt horrifyingly small, the room opening up to what seemed an endless expanse. Chris turned himself into a 360 spin, taking the view of his surroundings like one does in a bad dream, a look of mixed awe and fear in his emerald eyes.

He sounded hoarse and hollow in the expanse, voicing only what the pair thought inwardly already.

"They must have been kidnapping people from all around the world to experiment on."

Both pairs of eyes turned to look as one of the structures began to detach itself from the wall. It opened slowly, a sickly, yellowish fluid falling from the container. The body of a humanoid male lay within, gravity pulling at the dead weight of its corpse into a fall. It slowly cleared the coffin, and plunged into the dark abyss below. The smell of formaldehyde fluid hung heavy in the air.. Alomar believed she would never forget those still open eyes, sunken deep within a gray, shriveled skull. Gasping in horror, the normally brave woman fought the urge to vomit. She swallowed the acid back bravely.

"What have they done.."

Redfield could not answer the question, but merely sprinted towards the main computer in the center. Skidding to an abrupt stop, the gloved fingers started to fly over the keyboard in desperation. His partner followed closely behind, merely watching as the files began to narrow down the subject by the name of Jill Valentine. Within seconds, a file and picture drew itself to the center of the screen. Sheva looked at the picture closely. It resembled the one that had been on the flash disk..

"Is that her?"

Nodding excitedly, Chris's eyes stayed glued to the screen momentarily. He had

come so far for her, and for so long... Typing once more, he began to locate the floor number.

"It's her..she may still be here!"

The scaffold started to shake, forcing the man to draw himself away from the computer. Moving like a giant elevator, the bridge began to lower itself to the subject Valentine's floor. Only problem was ..Chris hadn't pushed the button..

—-

Excella's beautiful face twisted into a frown. After trying to locate what in the world Jill had meant by the "BSAA are here." , the woman had discovered that not only the surveillance feed had glitched, but the comm. system as well. No matter, she was resourceful and had them up and running within a matter of fifteen minutes.

Two BSAA operatives were now within the lower section of the facility, and that posed a problem. Evidently that little bitch Albert kept around knew what she was talking about after all. She hated that he kept his pet around.. Excella was unsure as to be threatened by her or feel pity for the blank face she had to stare at day after day..

The frown the woman wore began to curve upwards as an idea began to form. Gionne tapped her communication ear mite, sending a signal to the lower bay operator.

"Open the south loading door, darling. We shall feed U8 Early today."

Leaning back into the plush desk chair, a satisfied grin enveloped Excella's luscious mouth. After Redfield was dead, Albert would know how loyal she was to him. He would make her his queen, and she would rule by his side..forever.

—-

Chris kept his eyes wide for anything, a nervous feeling churning within his gut. His partner was pacing, evidently his emotions being felt by empathy. The scaffolding began to tremble once more, coming to an abrupt stop. Sheva shot him a warning look, the two of them keeping a ready hand for their sidearms. A sign in a different language splayed over Jill's picture upon the computer screen, Signaling the obvious. They had stopped. Redfield walked over to the machine once more, trying to ascertain what was the reason. Shrugging gently, Chris' brown eyes blinked.

"It's stopped.."

Rolling her eyes as he overstated the obvious, Alomar stepped next to him. She was looking increasingly alarmed. Her biceps curled as her hands hovered over the guns she had strapped to her hips.. Sheva sensed something was off.

"But Why?"

The metal flooring beneath them shook almost in answer. The two whirled, weapons drawn. What met their gaze was another horror of unearthly proportion. A beast that nearly covered half of the structure clamored at the edge of the bridge, its massive crab-like claws digging into the outer walls for support of its grotesque girth. The gargantuan creature heaved what looked like a scorpion tail from the abyss below, a harsh scream emanating from its dripping jaws. Crimson veins streaked the flesh.. If that is what you could call flesh, that wrapped about its claw. The stench was horrific, making the pair wonder what kind of feed sustained the great animal.

Redfield swallowed hard, fear staining his eyes as they never left the horrid sight. Shakily he answered his partner's question as he armed himself with the double barrel shotgun from his back.

"Oh..uh..that's why.."