Chapter 5: Avalanche.


-As always, none of these characters belong to me, they are the sole property of Capcom and its associates. On a different side not, I'm debating if I should raise this fic to an R for coming violence; please comment.-

Ada did not have much time, if she was going to do what she thought she was going to do, even a slight hesitation could be the razor thin divider between death and freedom. Freedom... and I thought I was too smart for that., she thought smugly. Yet, to tell the truth, Ada felt happy for some reason, despite her almost idiotic decision to leave the agency. And just where are you going to go after you escape?, she berated herself. Besides normal undercover missions that she was assigned, much of her work also revolved around tracking the anti-Umbrella organization the surviving S.T.A.R.S. belonged to. It had only been a couple of months ago when she had actually stumbled onto a lead that gave her specific locations of the organizations strongholds. For an unexplainable reason, she had kept the information to herself, not even telling Wesker about her find. Such insubordination would have surely led to arrest, and subsequent punishment; but something had told her to keep it a secret. Some part of her must have known she was going to attempt to escape H.C.F.; her entire plan counted on being able to reach the closest stronghold. Thank God for woman's intuition., she commented to herself. She looked at her watch. 4:30 PM, the lab shuts down in thirty minutes. Ada steeled her resolve. I've got to get in and get out before anyone notices I'm gone.
Her current assignment as Lily Chen' had led her to yet another Umbrella facility, this one being on the outskirts of Winnipeg, Canada. This was one of Umbrella's semi-important labs, her assigned mission being normal spying. Normally she would have been angered by being given such a simple assignment, but this time she was totally appreciative of the fact her superiors had thought this was all she could handle. Losing my edge?! Hah, they'll wish they never under-estimated me!, she triumphantly thought.

It had been an extremely fortunate twist of fate that her next assignment had placed her so close to the American border. Around a couple of hundred miles to the South-West lay her next destination: the outskirts of North Dakota. Around the most isolated and uninviting geography was one of H.C.F.'s secret facilities; the base that held the young woman known as Sherry Birkin. If I can even get past the fence., she reminded herself. Using her last resources she had managed to find out where Sherry's current prison was. Besides feeling some guilt about having been part of the girl's incarceration for the past six years, Ada knew that she needed Sherry in order for the S.T.A.R.S. and their organization to trust her. I'm just using her the same way Wesker used her, an offer for amnesty.. She quickly dismissed the thought. No! I'm freeing her from the prison I helped put her in! I'm not a controlling manipulative monster– Her thoughts froze as she said the last word. Her sources had also told her that Albert Wesker had been seen at the facility. And just when I thought this was going to be easy. Ada was fully aware of Wesker's less than human status. Hopefully, he won't suspect a thing., she tried to console herself; but she knew there was going to be a confrontation. Oh well, I knew this was going to probably get me killed. She grinned. It truly felt good to be living for herself, even if it was a suicide mission she planned on taking. Her watched suddenly beeped. Time to go!

Ada quickly glanced around, making sure no one was in the public restroom with her. She had gotten past the security no problem, her credentials and ID flawless. She had already remembered all aspects of her identity's life, like, My mother's maiden name was Fong, or my social security number is 372-98-4483' and other routine methods of checking her authenticy. Although, now more than ever, Ada felt that she wanted to be Ada' and not some alias H.C.F. assigned her. If all went well, she would never have to leave Ada' again. She slowly brought a hand to rest over her concealed scar. I promise myself that much., Ada declared.

Adjusting her make-up and wig, she confidently walked towards the lab entrance. According to her papers, she was supposed to be a substitute technician in the microbiology department. Routine and legitimate stuff. She was supposed to go nowhere near the labs that did the actual, not to mention illegal, research. H.C.F. had sent her here to merely observe Umbrella's routine actions; a truly insulting assignment to an agent of Ada's talent. The agency had only gone to the trouble of forging documents that gave her access to the most rudimentary sections of the lab. Ada had other plans. What she wanted was going to take a lot more skill than flashing a fake ID and fingerprints. She headed towards the heavily guarded door that led to the lab. The security guard winked at her as she slid her card through. How's your first day?, he asked warmly.

She gave her best seductive smile. Oh, everyone here is so nice and helpful., she beamed. So ready to oblige my needs. . ., she licked her lips as the man's eyes widened, his eyes were busily running up and down her tight fitting lab coat and low cut blouse. Men. . ., she thought to herself. But then again, this makes things a lot easier. Normally the guard was supposed to scan her down with a metal detector, but Ada was flirting with all she was worth in order to avoid discovery. Pretending to drop something, Ada gratuitously bent over, giving the guard the full show. Then man was clearly thinking of everything other than his job, the metal detector laying forgotten on his side. Ada grinned. Oh, you forgot to open the door for me., she said. The man quickly blushed and pressed the button. The heavily reinforced metal slid open.

, he tried to cover up his leering.

Oh, it's all right. I'll be seeing you around., she said as she groaned inwardly. This was definitely the part of the whole secret-agent/femme fatale thing she hated. Oh well, you gotta admit, I'm good., she thought as she walked passed her designated laboratory. In front of her, a sign read. Warning! Restricted Access! Viral Storage! Taking a deep breath and fully making sure she was ready to do what she came here to do, Ada brought out the concealed hand gun from her boot. She also took out a small metal cold storage cylinder she had been hiding in her lab coat. It was the type of equipment used when transporting living tissue culture and other micro-organisms. Even viruses.

Here goes nothing., Ada said out loud.

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This place is a mess!, Chris exclaimed. This isn't even a tunnel or anything! It's just a crack in the ground! The team had entered the entrance they had created after the C4 had detonated; the explosion opening a small entrance into what looked like an underground room. The room had then progressed downward, there were remnants of broken stairs, but it wasn't usable. As there was no power, the only light, which was minimal at best, came from the flash lights they carried.

We just need to go down a little further!, Alice called from up ahead; soon disappearing out of the others' light radius. Everyone else groaned at the thought of more walking.

You said that 20 minutes ago!, Rebecca muttered. And why doesn't she have to lug any of the one-ton back packs we do? All the members minus Alice were strapped from head to toe with equipment critical to their mission.
Because she's the guide., Jill said as she rolled her eyes. Although I guess it's good that the steel doors that sealed the entrance were dislodged by the Mansion's destruction.

I don't see why you're defending her., Claire whispered softly in Jill's ear. Aren't you afraid she's after your man?

He's not my man!, Jill said a little more loudly than she intended. All eyes fell on her. Jill laughed nervously. Oh, I said, you can't use my walkman'., she said weakly. Claire smirked. Despite a few strange side glances, the others ignored her as they continued through the ruined tunnel.

It's amazing that this tunnel is intact. Barry said, changing the subject.

I wouldn't go that far., Chris muttered.

What I meant was, we all saw the explosion as we flew off. Claire and Carlos both raised their hands, but Barry interrupted them before they could say anything. Yeah, yeah, we all know you two weren't there.

Carlos and Claire both snickered, enjoying teasing Barry a bit. But Mr. Burton, what's so significant about the explosion?, Claire asked. Carlos followed suit. Who cares? When's this field trip over?

Barry ignored them. , he muttered under his breath, although even he said it in good fun. He returned to his observation. From the schematics Alice showed us, the tunnel we're in started at the mansion and leads to an underground station. After the Mansion detonation, I'm surprised this whole place didn't cave in.

Well, so far the super structure seems pretty badly damaged., Rebecca noted. Let's just hope the station part is still there.

The group continued in silence for another ten minutes. From up ahead they suddenly realized that there seemed to be light emitting from a partially blocked passageway. They all jumped when a silhouette suddenly appeared in front of the light. Within a second all weapons were trained on the figure, the instinct to shoot a unavoidable.

Calm down, it's only me. The shadow said as it moved away from the backlighting. Alice raised an eyebrow. It's almost impossible that there would be any active B.O.W.'s down here.

Sorry, you fight Umbrella long enough and almost any shadow seems to hide a zombie. Chris said. Is the station in one piece?

More or less., Alice replied cryptically. I was surprised to find the train car still there, even the rail still seems usable. I guess Umbrella left a lot of stuff when they pulled out.

You mean we can ride to the Hive in style?, Carlos asked. Sweet! Now we can sit down for a change!

I wish., Alice replied. The power's been out for more than six years. Unless we can get the generators started, we going to have to walk. . .and it's going to be long walk.

This mission keeps getting better and better!, Claire complained. The younger Redfield, having no formal training, military or otherwise, still had the most casual attitude when it came to discipline. I say we take a break for a while.

, Chris surprised his sister. I think we could all use a break. Set up lamps in a perimeter so that we can see; we can never be too careful.

The group filed individually through the entrance into the station. As Alice had said, the room was surprisingly intact, although some parts of the ceiling had caved in. The air was stale, at least devoid of the smell of anything rotting. There were some empty crates littering the platform, but other than the that and the dust, the station was completely empty save for a large black train car on parked on the side of the left platform. The group shuffled into the center of the station, laying their heavy equipment packs to the ground carefully. Rebecca and Claire immediately unpacked a tarp and threw it on the ground where they both quickly took up comfortable napping positions.

, Chris said to his sister. Who said we're sleeping?! We're only resting for five minutes!

Chill out, Mom., Claire stuck out her tongue. Besides, neither Rebecca or I is any good with machines; we're just going to get some rest while you guys get the train up and running.

, Chris asked in protest, hoping the younger but more mature medic would side with him.

Sorry Chris, I'm not getting in between a sibling spat that involves you two. I'd rather face Tyrant armed with a stick of chewed gum., she waved him off. Claire's right anyway, we'd just be wasting energy. With that young medic lay back and closed her eyes. Within two minutes she was sound asleep, Claire following her lead.

Chris made a frustrated growling sound and stormed off, almost bumping into Jill. Woah! Sorry!, he said nervously, their faces just inches from each other.

What are you getting flustered for, Redfield? Jill asked, although her eyes were filled with mirth. Stun you with my beauty? Chris's face turned beet red and he mumbled something and walked off, leaving a slightly confused Jill Valentine. Why was he acting so embarrassed? Did I do something?, she wondered.

Jill! Over here!, a voice suddenly called her. Alice motioned for the former S.T.A.R.S. machine specialist. She had pried off some plating underneath the station. There was a sign that said: Caution! Extremely High Voltage! Do Not Touch If Not Authorized.

You found the rail control strip?, Jill asked.

Yeah, but it's been switched off. We need to re-couple some of the circuit breakers and replace a couple of fuses. It seems Umbrella wasn't very thorough, they should of just destroyed the controls completely. Alice pointed to the control panel. I can hack past the security and get the the rail charged, but power for the rest of station, such as the lights, won't be possible.
We're not staying right?, Jill asked. I'll start fixing the circuits, you prep the cart. She brought her machine repair kit and some electrical parts from a compartment in her bag. Jill's brown hair soon disappeared completely under the platform as set to work, flash light held in her mouth. Alice meanwhile was using her hacking device to over ride the terminal's security, programming it to cue the train for departure.

, the both heard from above. Chris was eyeing the front of the train. Who the hell would name this thing Alexi-5000?! They should've called it the Fu– He was momentarily drowned out by a sudden spark as the power came on. Twins With Gender Issues-5000!, he finished. Oh! The powers on!, he said oblivious to what had happend. Alice and Jill both rolled their eyes as they climbed back onto the platform.

Carlos and Barry returned from the patrol around the station. The tunnel's clear!, Carlos called. Thanks to us!, he chimed in.

Thanks to me you mean, you soft-shelled taco!, Barry corrected.

Well, that's really politically correct for a man of your age., Carlos rebutted.

You little– Barry was interrupted by a loud buzzing sound that came from the train.

On track 1, we have the Hive Express, read for departure., Chris yelled through a standard issue megaphone. Rise and shine!, he yelled specifically at Rebecca and Claire.

, Claire jumped up, startled from her relaxing slumber. Great! I was just having this really great dream and then suddenly it was this nightmare that I was being forced to walk and walk and– She rubbed her eyes. Great. One more nightmare that needs to be true., she said groggily, shaking Rebecca awake.

–but I don't need to go to school Mom, I already graduated–oh! Rebecca sat up quickly. Are we going now?

Common, genius. Claire said hastily, lugging her equipment towards the train. Rebecca quickly followed, momentarily pausing to messily pick up the tarp she and Claire had been sleeping on. You never know when we want to take a nap., she shrugged.

All aboard!, Chris yelled as the others shuffled into the car. Strangely, Alice was the last to follow. She seemed fixated on strange holes that lined the car. She slowly ran her fingers around the edge of one, her face deeply troubled by something. She jumped and spun around when she felt someone touch her shoulder. , Chris's face was in complete shock. Alice looked down and realized her hand was around her throat. She broke eye contact with him.

Sorry, instinct you know. . ., she said softly. Her gaze drifted back towards the torn metal.

What's wrong?, Chris asked, his face filled with concern. Something wrong with the train?

Alice shook her head forcefully. Nothing. . .it's just. . .those holes were made by the Licker. She inhaled slowly. I didn't think they'd still be there. Chris suddenly held her hand.

I know what you mean., he said seriously. You're up to going?

Of course., Alice replied, her voice suddenly cold again. She walked forward, breaking their contact. She stopped.

Chris, you staying or what?, Jill called from inside the car, not witnessing what had just happened. Chris stood there and suddenly shook his head. What the hell am I doing?, he wondered, his mind confused. First Jill and now her? I don't understand woman. Resigned, Chris walked into the car as it began to move towards the dark tunnel.
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L-lord Spencer?, the chief scientist asked timidly. His face appeared on the main view screen, his large eyes bulging out from his small head. It was quite comical to see him stand there, literally scared out of his wits.

Yes, Dr. Ivanov?, the pale man answered calmly. He lowered a blood red drink to the table.

There's been a problem at our facility in Japan, it was ransacked by members of the Agency. Some of the more sensitive experiments were apprehended. I'm s-sorry sir., he said, his face turning even lighter than Spencer's own with fear. Spencer chuckled. I see, have security branch analyze where the experiments were taken. In the mean time, continue with your current project. It is all that matters.

But Sir, some of our most crucial research was going on there–, the man asked.

I said that it was not relevant. The man became silent immediately as the image link was severed.

So, Albert's starting mischief again., Spencer thought to himself. It doesn't matter, he's unimportant now. He paused and pressed a button on a side panel with his albino-white digit. A beautiful young woman's face appeared on a small screen. How may I help you, Lord Spencer?, she asked as she bowed. His current secretary was proving to much more tolerable than last week's.

I would like another glass of 98' vintage Cabernet, I leave the brand to your excellent choice, Sophie. He said. And some music would be pleasant, Mozart, or perhaps Bach.

Shall I arrange for some companionship?, she asked in complete seriousness.

That won't be necessary., he replied.

At once sir., the image flashed off. Finishing his current glass, Spencer brought the image of the lab on-line. The condition was unchanged within the holding pen, the mass still not moving within the specimen tank, umbilical lines and sensors indicating no change in condition.

It's time to wake up Lisa., he said absently. You are after all, the mother of the future.
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Okay, the only action came from Ada's part, and that wasn't even action. Oh well, Ada begins to enact her plot to escape. . .with a virus container. . .The S.T.A.R.S. (who encompasses all of the good guys) manage to enter the Hive, or at least on their way to. More mystery from Spencer.