Chapter Seven: Awakening the Queen

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-You know the drill, none of these characters belong to me;they all belong to Capcom

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It had taken an hour to blast through the reinforced steel doors that protected the Hive. It was evident that Umbrella had not wanted anyone to enter the secret facility; all of the locks had been fused, making anything other than using high-yield explosives void. The team had left the train cart at the terminal platform, making sure that it would remain there until their return. The actual transportation had been rather brief. Besides tearing off some of the yellow tape that was strewn about the interior, the cart had been left largely untouched. Alice had pointed to the areas where the Licker had torn through the hull, retelling her final battle before being taken prisoner.

We're in!. Barry yelled through the dust and grime that had been kicked up from the detonation.

Any lights?, Chris asked as he checked the battery level on his flash light. I've only got two hours worth of batteries left.

The older man shook his head. Nothing. All the power's off, it looks like its been like that for a while.

Alice overheard and walked toward the two, glancing over the destruction that had been caused. I hope that didn't trip some sort of monitoring device. She glanced at the smoldering locking mechanism. I guess they didn't want to risk anyone hacking through the door.

Will we be able to get to the computer in two hours?, Chris asked. I don't want to be wondering around in the darkness.

, Alice asked, a wry smile over her face.

Chris met her gaze. With good reason, you never know what Umbrella keeps in the shadows. Alice raised an eyebrow and nodded.

Then let's go before we get stuck in the dark. She began to walk towards the jagged and still smoldering entrance but Chris quickly grabbed her arm. Trying to hold me hand?

Chris blushed and let her arm go. You should wait, knowing Umbrella there's bound to be some traps.

What's that about traps? Chris jumped as he heard Jill walking towards them. The former cat burglar stopped when she saw how close Chris and Alice were standing. Uncomfortably adjusting her dark green cap and goggles, she couldn't help but feel jealousy. Am I interrupting something?, she asked tersely.

Chris stammered. Damn! Why does it have to get so complicated?!

Nothing, Chris didn't want me going in without checking for traps. Alice said normally. Anything wrong?

Jill stiffened, purposely looking Chris in the eye. I'm fine. By this time the rest of the group had all gathered and were listening to the discussion.

Hey, what happened?, Carlos asked. Looking at the three a sly smile formed. A love triangle perhaps. He was quickly silenced by a swift jab from Rebecca and Claire to his stomach.

Ignore him. Claire said quickly, trying to change the subject to the obviously blushing Chris and Jill.

Yeah, don't we have mission to complete? Rebecca chimed, quickly lifting up her watch. Our batteries aren't infinite you know.

Yeah–uh–let's go., Chris stammered. Think it's safe?

Barry lifted a scanning device. Nothing powered in there. It's dead.

Turning to Alice, Chris quickly turned all of his focus to only the mission. Any built in traps we have to worry about?

The ambiguous woman pointed what looked like a video camera on the ceiling. If the power was on those would be following our every movement. It's a good thing. If the Red Queen saw us we'd be dead about now.

Umbrella and their traps?, Chris asked. Alice nodded.

All the employees were killed when the oxygen was depleted from the air. Other traps include laser grids and nerve gas.

Carlos raised an eyebrow. That's quite an impressive immune system the computer has.

Rebecca glanced around at the metal around them. In a way then, this is her body. We're like the invading virus trying to restart her brain... now that's irony.

I'd say it was poetic justice., Claire muttered. The commanders younger sister seemed a bit agitated. What happens if we turn her back on and she doesn't want us there.

Alice looked her straight in the eye. Then we're dead. However, we're just trying to get her data, not her.

, Claire said as she rolled her eyes. When am going to learn to never get involved with Umbrella. I should just go stick my head in the sand and enjoy a normal life.

You don't mean that and you know it., Chris said to his sister.

She sighed and nodded. I have too much vengeance I need to exact. It was true for all of them.

Well, let's go visit the Queen. Barry said, trying to lighten the mood. He aimed his flash light into the dark tunnel. How far down do we need to go?

Very far. Alice said. It's probably going to be as close to Hell as possible.

Just as long as I don't need some stupidly shaped key or a dumb crest or emblem., Jill muttered.

Too true. Everyone else said except for Alice who gave them a strange look.

, she said. Did I miss something?

The others burst out laughing as they began their trek into the Hive.

It's a long story., Jill said with a look of disgust on her face. It's amazing Umbrella's work force gets anything done with the sheer amount or ridiculous traps and puzzles they use for security. Did they fire the guy who designed this place?

None of the groups noticed a small red dot on the side of the room opposite them; they weren't supposed to. The digital tripwire that began to alert its masters of an unwanted incursion into the Queen's lair.
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Nearly an hour and a half later, after bypassing several sealed doors and navigating through forcefully opened air ducts, the group had finally managed to enter the laboratories. The area was literally a war zone, there were even still stains of dried blood on some of the room surfaces that Umbrella team had failed to clean. Yet despite the six year abandonment of the place, much of looked just as how Alice remembered it.

So that empty warehouse room we passed through was where they were keeping frozen B.O.W.'s? Rebecca's voice called Alice back.

Um, yeah. She refocused her thoughts. I wonder if any more of those abominations escaped... that would explain some of the battle damage in that room–besides the bullets the commando team I was with made. Alice shook her head in dismay. I can't believe they were sent down here even though Umbrella was fully aware of what had happened.

Amen to that!, Carlos made a mock salute. They did the same thing to my U.B.C.S. squad. Although in our case, we were told to rescue survivors when it was actually our commander who had sent us in there to get combat data. He made a face. If I ever see that bastard Nicholai again, I'll infect myself with the T-Virus and eat him!

Jill nodded, remembering the hardened soldier who had betrayed and tried to kill her. I'd join you, but I have that whole T-Virus vaccine issue.

Alice paused, looking at Jill in amazement. You were infected? The vaccine worked?!

Jill looked a bit uncomfortable. I was infected by the Nemesis... I was unconscious for two days while Carlos searched for the antidote. Jill glanced it Claire. Just about when Claire and Leon escaped–oh god, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to!

Claire shook her head. It's okay, you can say Leon's name. I've accepted it by now, but it just hurts sometimes. Same with Steve. She gave a sad smile.

Alice's eyes reflected a momentary pain but it was quickly suppressed. I see... it's too bad the vaccine we used didn't work for my team. This perked Rebecca's interest.

Perhaps the vaccine was different? An older version maybe? The medic asked, intrigued by the biology.

Alice paused. It was green... that's all I remember. It didn't help Rain.... She shrugged. Science isn't my specialty.

Rebecca had more questions but saw that the subject was obviously painful for Alice to recount. She fell silent beside Claire.

Chris and Barry looked back from the front, wondering why everything had gotten so quiet.

How much further? Chris called to Alice. Our lights are probably going to die in 20 minutes.

Alice shined her light around her, revealing suspiciously empty offices and rooms that had once been laboratories. There was no indication of what had gone on there, save for occasional places where there was cracked glass.

It's down the end of this corridor and then some stairs. There will be a big metal door that leads to a triangular shaped room. From there, it's one hall way to the Queen's chamber. I hope that the power is completely dead, or we'll be treated to a laser show.

How come these rooms are all empty?, Barry asked. The others seemed to have been hastily sprayed down.

Alice paused. I guess if its one thing Umbrella is good at, it's getting rid of evidence.

That's been bothering me., Jill suddenly spoke. If they didn't want anyone to come down here again, why didn't they just fill the place in with concrete or at least demolish it? I would think the computer would be the first thing to go.

Claire spoke before Alice could. I guess that you could say that Umbrella gets rid of evidence, but at the same time, they're kind of stupid in that they always make the same mistakes. Besides, I'm sure if they detonated something this massive underneath the city, it would cause too much attention.

Jill seemed to momentarily rearrange her mental image of how she saw the Hive. Okay, that's possible, but why would the computer, with such valuable data, be left intact?

Now Alice responded. The reason I even approached your organization was because of some files I found after trying to dig around Umbrella; after I escaped Raccoon. One of them mentioned the fact that the Red Queen A.I. was too valuable to permanently dismantle, and that they intended to retrieve it after altering its personality.

You mean so it wouldn't go Hal-9000?, Chris spoke up.

Alice looked thoughtful. In a way. Although in the Queen's case, it wasn't so much malfunction as it was extreme response. She wanted to contain the biohazard; the most effective way being the lock-down of the Hive and execution of the infected., she said bitterly.

If they intended to take it back, why would it still be here? Rebecca questioned. Wouldn't we find an empty room?

Alice gestured around. All of this was to cover up the true nature of the research, however, before they could retrieve the Queen, the Raccoon City outbreak happened. Following the nuclear strike and then the T-Veronica incident, the Red Queen was pushed to the back of their priority list. Like I said before, the recent uneventfulness at Umbrella only indicates that they're up to something big. However, as your organization no doubt noticed, finding any of their facilities has been virtually impossible. With the Red Queens data, we would be able to find out their top priority labs.

Chris muttered. He shined his light forward, revealing two large metal doors. Is this the place?

Alice walked slowly to the doors, running her hand slowly over the frame. It's... it's been a long time. , she said slowly. We're going to need the torch, the door's been soldered to the wall.
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I see. And this incursion occurred at? The voice was not pleased.

15:00 hours sir., the subordinate soldier replied quickly. Should we alert head quarters?

The commander scoffed. No need; they'll be dead if they manage to do anything.

But the anti-Umbrella operatives have–

You mean the terrorists? Who cares? The older man snorted. If it causes that much of a commotion, why don't we send an operative down to deal with the situation?

But sir, it is believed that the ex-S.T.A.R.S. and even ex-U.B.C.S. members are involved. Would it be safe to only send one man? It's suicide! Perhaps a preliminary B.O.W. deployment

Enough! Lieutenant, if it distresses you so much, then why don't we send Mr. Death in?, the Captain condescendingly snarled.

You mean Agent Hunk?! Are you certain that some of the more recent Hunter-Epsilon series would be more effective?, the officer asked.

And risk having some of our more expensive pets scratched?! I think not. Besides, if Hunk dies, then that makes it easier than trying to terminate him ourselves. The Captain slowly exhaled the smoke from the cigar he was smoking. Tell Hunk to get ready; orders are to kill. He'll probably enjoy going back into that Hell hole.

Yes sir.
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The Red Queens chamber looked more like a tomb. Even the emergency lights weren't active, yellow warning tape plastered over the computer. Luckily, there was no sign that the laser grid was active and Jill and Carlos had quickly set to dismantling the particle focusing lenses. If the lasers tried to fire, the only problems they would cause would be from the electrical bill. The actual door to the chamber had been surprisingly easy to remove; a simple hack through the locking mechanism slid it wide open. Alice supposed that at this proximity to the central processor, Umbrella hadn't wanted to risk causing any structural damage.

Set up the servers next to the main motherboard. She walked up and looked at the controlling mechanism. The circuit breaker Kaplan installed has been removed. The furrowed her brow. I guess we should reroute the power cables to the servers.

What about these?, Chris motioned to some blackened pieces of mother board that had been hastily thrown to the side of the room.

Alice quickly held up the discarded machinery. I guess the second squad they sent down had orders to repair.... Her eyes suddenly widened. That–that would mean they basically finished repairs... then why isn't Umbrella down here?!

Hey, I found this in the room we came from!, Claire suddenly called. Everyone turned towards her.

What is it?, Rebecca asked. It looks like a piece of paper.

Claire nodded. It looks like a mission log. She began to read it out loud.

September 6th, 2000
Following the destruction of the Raccoon facilities both located at the Spencer Mansion and at the chemical plants and factory, HQ has assigned us to reenter a previously undisclosed facility known as the Hive. Apparently there was a biohazard caused by terrorists. Stupid terrorists! The first team sent down here was decimated I hear, the second team was sent in to clean up and investigate, but didn't get a chance to repair the Red Queen with all of the other biohazards. Apparently some of the storage tanks were compromised so I hear they had to deal with some nasty B.O.W.s; at least they managed to move all of the research out. So I guess that makes us the first visitors here in two years. Our mission is to finish the repairs on the computer, but it's pretty bad. Most of the mother board was fried. After we finish repairs, our job is to begin cleaning up the mess. Yuck. Oh well, back to work.

It goes on...., Claire said slowly. She paused as the others all saw the expression on Alice's face; one of pure confusion and slight shock.

So there was a third team sent down.... Alice nervously glanced around. Maybe we shouldn't be here. Something must have gone wrong, or why else isn't this another Umbrella lab.

Go on., Chris turned to Claire. What else does it say?

Here it goes, it's marked six days after the first., she said as she glanced over it.

September 12th, 2000
We've been down here a while now, giving the system a major overhaul; I must say I'm impressed with the work we've been able to do so far. Our saving grace was that the actual A.I. mother board wasn't too damaged, maybe a couple of circuits and chips needing repair. However, the whole relay and subsystem has been totally fried; we're still trying to scrape out the blown wires. Why did the first team try to frag the computer? Who knows? At least the amount of U.S.F.U. soldiers have been decreased as HQ has deemed the place more secure. Those guys give me the creeps; it's like they're ready to kill at the drop of a pin. In about ten minutes we'll be bringing the computers online. Hmmm, that's funny, this memo says I'm supposed to load this MO disk filled with new software. Strange.

The date on this one is smudged... I can't read it. Here's the log though., Claire commented.

Sept–
Oh God! What the Hell is going on down here?! Almost all of the programmers are dead, most of the soldiers too. There's no way out of this maze unless she allows; and the only thing she wants is our heads! We tried disabling the traps but she bypassed our encryption! What type of A.I. is this?! As soon as the personality was loaded, it basically began to systematically attack us for repairing it! All of the communications have been jammed... all of the doors locked. The only reason she can't drain the very air from our lungs is because we hadn't finished incorporating those systems! I managed to hack part of her system, she's locked all the entrances also! Any rescue squad is going to fail!

Claire silently held her hand to her mouth, the others all looked around them with a new kind of fear.
So she killed the people who were trying to fix her?! What type of messed up computer is that?! Chris asked.

Alice seemed to be the most nervous. I was wrong then... if only I'd been able to gain access to higher security files, I would have known.... I just assumed they sent a team down after us and then sealed the place. It seemed like such a good opportunity to get some hard evidence.... She slowly sank to the ground. I'm sorry for endangering all of your lives....

It's not your fault.... Chris said slowly. The question is, however, do we continue?

Leaving might be problem, Chris.... Rebecca suddenly answered. We're almost out of power; we'll be wondering around in the dark unless we can find some batteries, and I don't think that's likely. She looked back towards the entrance. All of the supplies were stripped; I doubt we could even find anything....

, Chris said with anger. If we turn her on, she'll probably try to kill us; our original plan may not work because they updated her software....

Hey, I found another log! Claire said. It was scribbled on the back.

Sept?
Who knows how long it's been? I don't know, I've been hiding in the air ducts with a couple of other survivors, writing my last testament and praying she won't regain full monitoring functions. If she does, she'll see us no matter where we go. It's our last chance; all relying on a suicide mission. The last U.S.F.U. soldier, a particularly crazy one that everyone calls Mr. Death' seems to think he can stop the Red Queen. He says he's not afraid to die. At least he can die heroically. Still, we gave him the blue prints to the main circuit conductors. If he can remove those plugs, all power will be cut. There will physically be no electrical charge whatsoever, even back up power will be cut, at least until the plugs are reinserted. If anyone is stupid enough to do that, they should be used as guinea pigs over at the viral labs! What was that?! OH HELL! She's found us! She's–

Claire slowly let the note fall to the ground. The rest of it was smeared with blood.

What type of defenses did the computer have in the air duct?, Carlos said with no signs of distress.

Who cares?, Alice said. She inhaled deeply. At least now we know why the power is off and why Umbrella sealed the place. They didn't want to come back in here in case the Red Queen reactivated. She suddenly laughed. Now that's irony, they were actually trying to keep people out for their safety. She returned her gaze to everyone. How much time?

Rebecca shook her head. We only have a ten minutes. After that, we could try use signal flares, but they won't last long enough to get back to the surface.

I think it would have been easier collecting keys and pushing statues., Carlos muttered. Hey, where's Jill? Concern immediately filled his brown eyes. He began screaming at the walls. If you took her you demonic toaster, I'll tear you apart with my bare hands!

Calm down, Carlos. The latino suddenly froze when he realized who had said it. Jill! You're alive! He suddenly swept her into a passionate embrace in front of a horrified Chris Redfield. Oh my little chica! Carlos is never letting you out of his sight while were in this evil place! Ow! Carlos's face turned a strange shade of blue as he let out a faint whimpering sound.

Jill impassively raised an eyebrow. Had enough Jill for one day? she asked sarcastically as she lowered her knee from his groin. I was looking for some more files, but then my battery was running low so I came back. I found this. She held up a set of wrinkled blue prints. It was on the ground by a maintenance door, I checked inside but it seemed to go into the actual superstructure. My guess is that this is where the actual power room is... what?

Everyone looked from the diary back to the blue prints.

All right! Here's the deal!, Chris's voice was both forceful and urgent. It's a risk, but it's the only way we can get out of here without being lost! Alice and Barry are going to cut all the circuits that tie the A.I. into the Hive's defense systems. We then transfer her through the servers we brought, hopefully we can hack past her security protocols and keep her stunned. While we set her up, Jill and I are going to try and reinsert the conductors to get power! Any questions?

What about us? Claire gestured to Carlos and Rebecca.

You three get as far as your lights will last. If our plan doesn't work, make a break for it and see if you can get out. Tell the others what happened. Chris said sternly.

No way!, Carlos shouted. I'm not letting you guys get all the glory., his humor didn't hide his volition.

We're a team!, Rebecca said. We can't just leave you guys back here! What if the computer really does try to kill you?!

Barry suddenly interrupted. We don't have time! You three aren't imperative to getting the power back up! Leave now! He knew his words sounded harsh, but he also knew their escape counted on it. Get going., he said in almost a whisper.



, Chris said this time. He gave Claire a hug. We'll be fine.

There were slight tears in her eyes. I don't want to lose you... I don't want to lose any of you.

I know., Chris said softly. But right now, if we don't try this, either we all make it out, or none of us do. I would rather some of us did. He gently nudged Claire back towards the entrance to chamber. He turned to Carlos and clasped his shoulder. Watch over her if anything happens.

He nodded and turned his head. Take good care of Jill, amigo. He quickly ran up to Claire and tugged her towards the exit.

Chris turned to Rebecca. What are you waiting for?, he said playfully. She gave him her best cheerful smile.

We've gotten out of way worse. I know I'll see you guys. She hugged Chris and waved to Jill and Alice before running after the other two. You have a less than a minute!

Immediately Alice and Barry ran towards the central computer and began finishing the work they had begun earlier. Simultaneously Jill and Chris ran out the entrance towards the maintenance hatch.

Scared, Redfield?, she asked as they ran next to each other through a series of metal grating and exposed bulkheads.

Nah, like Becky said, we've faced a lot worse than some over priced GameBoy. He smiled back at her.

She pointed towards a stairway that led down to a large metallic construct that formed a circle in the ground.. It had several warning labels engraved in its surface. In its center, were two empty slots, each marked, Conductor Coil: Warning, Excessive Movement May cause Detonation. Authorized Personal Only!

Just like old times., Chris said remembering the Mansion. They were both about to run down when darkness suddenly engulfed them as the flash lights sputtered Damn! I'm out of batteries! It was impossible to see anything.

The radio on Chris's chest suddenly popped and came to life. We're ready up here Chris! The other three are still getting through the office area! It's now or never!, Barry yelled through the static.

This is really a crummy day!, Chris fumed as he tried to make his way through the dark. There was a sudden crackle and hiss as Jill lit a signal flare. The light was minimal and cast everything in a strange orange glow, yet at least it was light.

Yeah. Now where are the conductors themselves?, he scratched his head. I didn't think about that....

Redfield, you never cease to amaze me with your incredible lack of foresight., she said playfully. Good thing for you, Agent Hunk didn't bother taking them with him. She pointed to two large cylindrical objects that lay at the foot of the stairs. We need to stick those in these holes.

Are you trying to talk dirty to me, Valentine?

Why not, it'll be your last wish. Her gaze turned serious. You ready?

He gulped as they both bent down to pick up the conductors. Yeah... Hey, Jill?

, she asked as she positioned the conductor.

I-uh-I didn't mean to get you upset about that thing with Alice., he said softly. His heart was beating more at the thought of confessing to Jill rather than the death they could face.

Why would I be upset?, she said. Why did I have to say that?!, she screamed at herself mentally.

, he said sadly. He was about to push the cylinder in when she suddenly spoke. The flare was dying and the darkness crept in and out like an omnipresent heart beat.

I know Chris... thanks for getting jealous when Carlos was flirting with me., she said almost softer than he had been.

Chris's heart felt relief. Any time... ready?

On three., she replied. Ready? One.



The flare sputtered its last glow.



The flare was lost.
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A tremendous echo reverberated through the Hive as long dormant machines came to life again. The massive electrical jolt had literally performed the same actions the T-Virus did to dead cells. The humming grew bigger as generators finally began to run and produce their power. The emergency lights flashed on, illuminating the Hive in a dull colors.

In the main chamber, Alice looked over at Barry through the mass of circuits they had reconnected or severed. It's the moment of truth!, she said. There was a slight hissing sound from some where. What was that? She turned to the old veteran. Hey, have an aneurism from the stress? He didn't respond.

, she said a bit more loudly. He fell over, there was a small dart in his neck.

An icy chill passed over Alice as she saw the room suddenly begin to flicker with a strange red tint. The hairs on her neck stood up and the air was becoming colder. Turning slowly, she saw the source of the light.

The childlike face of the Red Queen smiled back at her.

Ah, I remember you.
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Okay, admittedly, I kinda changed the story a bit; not quite sure why. Originally it was going to be, they go down, reload the Queen, and then leave. Now its kinda like the movie again. Oh well, we'll see what happened. I hope the continuity shift between the whole There were actually three teams sent down wasn't too confusing. I promise that the next chapters will actually be more R.E. and actually feature monsters. On a side note, can anyone describe to me Nicholai and Carlos in detail? I don't really know either character that well.