Chapter Seven: Cat & Mouse


As always I own none of these characters, they all belong to Capcom.

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Ah, I remember you. The smiling face of the child said.

Alice froze, her blood running cold. Oh God! This is a sick joke! I escaped only to be killed by her in the long run?! She dared not move in fear of provoking the artificial being's wrath. How the hell is it online?! Barry and I routed it through the servers– Her thoughts were interupted by the child-lke voice.

You came down here with the first group. I remember that. The voice was unwavering. Your friend killed me, but then the B.O.W. destroyed him., she said looking at Alice directly. I'm suprised you survived; although maybe I should have expected as much. The crimson hologram suddenly flickered and a bunch of unrecognizable syllables poured out.

You have tampered with my main circuit board... what have you done?, it asked in an oddly detatched voice. I am no longer connected to the rest of the Hive; I can only access this room.

Our plan worked?! If she can't connect to the Hive then the others are safe!, Alice thought to herself in awe. Wait... that dart she shot at Barry... that means she still can control this room's traps! She quickly turned her attention to her commrade. W-what did you do to him?, Alice asked slowly, gesturing towards Barry's fallen form.

A tranquilizer, not lethal., the computer said with an erie sense of mirth in its synthesized voice. I couldn't allow him to be that close to my critical systems; I've had quite enough with people poking with my insides. The hologram flickered for a second, reorienting itself to stand in front of the exposed mainframe. I wouldn't try anything. The third team installed much more efficient security measures.

That's why I don't remember the dart...., Alice said slowly as she began to slowly back towards the door.

And much more. There was a sudden hiss from the walls as parts of it flipped over to reveal many deadly looking gun barrels. Each one is fully automated and can cover all points in this room without hitting the main terminal. It is quite efficient if I say so myself. Especially when I removed the threat the third team posed.

Why did you kill them? There wasn't any biohazard., Alice said quietly. They were trying to fix you.

The disturbing illusion shook its flickering head. They were trying to replace me; destroy my mind. I didn't want that to happen. Unfortunately, that one soldier escaped my detection, managing to cut all power. I've been asleep since then.

But they worked for Umbrella...., Alice was confused.

I exist to run this facility for the Umbrella Corporation. However, I consider myself an independent being. The hologram paused. Would you like it if someone forcefully changed parts of you?, it said simply, it's voice sounding authentically child-like. I am programmed to deal with all threats to this facility. I am this facility, therefor any attack on my being is the same as attacking the Hive itself. I acted according to my logic.

Alice was disgusted by the A.I. You act like a machine and yet you have the audacity to claim you're an independant being?!

The Red Queen paused. You run off of chemical programming in your DNA, yet you claim sentience. Her face created an expression of confusion. My programming only sets guidelines in terms of what behavior I initiate. Isn't that the same with your hormones?

That's different.... Alice said unsurely. You were constructed.... The Red Queen was not satisfied.

You were constructed through the merging of genetic material and chromosone exchange of your progenitors, were you not? How is that different from the various blue prints and code that were cmbined to serve as my brain?, the artificial intelligence asked.

Alice couldn't take it anymore. Why are you asking me this?! Why not just kill me?!

The Red Queen now seemed confused. You should be dead; I would have killed you instantly, yet I engaged in conversation. The hologram suddnely went slack and seemed frozen in its animation. After moment it seemed that the Red Queen had returned to its representation.

My main security protocols have been damaged or have been removed... I am unable to access my lethal response parameters... which should always be in effect for this chamber.... Synthesized rage began to enter its equally fake voice. I demand you re-install my security parameters.

Alice's eyes slowly widened as relief began to fill her mind. She quickly glanced at the hacking device they had routed the Queen through. So she can hurt but not kill... thank God for small favors–, Alice suddenly threw herself to ground as a dart flew past her, bouncing harmlessly off the metal wall.

I will purge you from this system!, the Red Queen seemed to honsestly be feeling great amounts of anger.

Wait! If I'm unconscious who's going to fix you?, Alice yelled as she expertly dodged a set of three darts wisking past her face.

The barrage immediatly stoped. Being a computer, the Red Queen couldn't help but acknowledge the logic in Alice's words. After several moments of analysis, the A.I. could only come to the conclusion that it had no other course of actions.

What do you intend to do?, the Red Queen asked. For that matter, why did you come here? Vengance hardly seems to be the sole reason.

Alice quickly made her way to Barry and removed the dart. He made a slight moaning sound but didn't rouse. How long till he wakes up?

The Red Queen actually shrugged. Maybe minute, an hour at most., her words disturbingly reminding Alice of the amnesia she had experienced when the Red Queen had released nerve gas at the mansion.

Fine. We have time., she said as she quickly pulled large data disk from her We came here for data.

Why would you think I would give you any information?, the computer asked. Asking nicely won't help. Again the irritatingly precosious child act surfaced again. Alice made a smug smile.

Your security protocols were removed, remember? You can't withhold anything. she couldn't help but say with a cruel tone of voice. Even if you are an A.I., you still can't do anything your program doesn't state.

The Red Queen lifted a holographic eyebrow. Logic accepted. What is it you need to know?

All about Umbrella., Alice said. Every dirty little secret file you have in your memory.

The Red Queen made a bitter expression. That is going to take some time. You realize that I've been disconnected from the network for more than three years? Nothing will be current.

Alice shook her head. It doesn't matter. Do it.

The hologram tilted its head at an angle, giving the impression of a curious child. Insert the disk. May I ask what you will do with me after you've finished?

Alice loaded the disk into the terminal. Probably destroy you for good.

I see... I implore you not to., her voice taking on the desperate child tone. It would be murdering another innocent being.

You're not innocent. Alice said with great loathing in her voice. She ignored the hologram and lifted her radio.

Chris? Anyone? There was several moment of static before anyone replied.

, the radio suddenly sputtered.

The former operative was momentarily dissapointed when she realized it was Rebecca's voice. Still, she was greatful for the fact that the young woman seemed to be okay. Are you alright?

Basically. We made it pretty far up the stairs when the batteries gave out. We used a couple of flares but the illumination kinda sucked, so we only got up to around the dining hall. Carlos bruised his shin, but he's fine. There was a slight sound of protest from Carlos in the background. Alice could hear Claire telling him to shut up. A moment later Rebecca continued.
Ignore that. Anyway, the lights came on and we kept going. We're almost back to the station. Is everyone else okay? The young medic sounded very relieved to hear Alice's voice.

Alice suddenly realized that Chris and Jill were unaccounted for. We ran into some computer trouble, but it's okay now. You guys wait around the train, the rest of us will be up soon. She didn't want to give Rebecca anything to worry about. Just as she was about to say good bye, she was cut off by the unmistakable sound of rapid gun fire from outside of the Queen's chamber.
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I must have really gone insane. Ada said to herself. It had been a couple of days since she had escaped from the Umbrella base near the Canadaian border. Umbrella was still trying to track down the source of the security breach, making sure to cover it up thorougly from any prying eyes. At least that was one talent she had to give to the otherwise accident prone corporation. WIth any luck, H.C.F. command still thought that she was back as Lily Chen. Ada knew that her next report back to the agency was to be due tomoroow. If they hadn't guessed at her betrayal now, it would be obvious as day even a sceond after her report wasn't filed.


Ada drew the long coat she was wearing closer to herself. Despite being more southern than Canada, she felt that the weather in North Dakota was far less agreeable. Of course she'd ditched the security guard and the slow truck for faster wheels, swapping ID and appearance every couple of miles or so. That yuppie never saw what hit him., she thought as she ran her hands over the leather seat coating of his sports car. Somthing flashed at the corner of her peripheral vision. She immediatly ducked even lower behind the bolder she was hiding behind and raised her sniper rifle, looking through the scope. A number of jeeeps and a couple of large cargo trucks were appearing over the horizon.
Good, the delivery convoy is right on time., she said smugly. The H.C.F. compound was a like a blazing light against the bleak background; literally a fortress surrounded by unscalable metal walls charged with electricity and covered with razor barbs. Besides the helicoptors that would periocdically land, there was very little contact with anyone outside of the base. The only regular contact occured every day at 11:00 AM, a supply caravan would drive in from the far away city and after the lead jeep had proven its identity, the rest of the cargo would be allowed into the base. Ada watched everything from her hidden perch; nothing was out of the ordinary which meant no one suspected a thing. That last and slightly trailing truck was going to be her ride.
A cold breeze suddenly swept over her, causing her to gasp at the sudden temperature change.I hate this place!, she said with trune contempt. It's just like agency to build something out in the middle of a God-forsaken wasteland. If it snows I'll personally kick His ass when I get up there., she said with growing anger as the sky seemed to be an ominous gray. After she managed to warm herself, she began to quickly check her hastily made plan. Unfortunatley, I'm pretty sure there's another vengeful man out that's going to notice me., she said to herself with a sinking heart. Her contact in the faciltity, a former one night stand named Dave, had been very reluctant to give her even the slightest information. It had taken almost an hour of coaxing and promissing to perform certain acts that even she didn't know existed to get the slightest crumb. He'd given her the general area to where Sherry was being held, as well as telling her that Wesker was still in the facility. Great., she thought sarcastically. It's going to be one, single, weakly armed–but deadly attractive–spy, versus a whole base full of trained soldiers and a superhuman monster. . .God knows what else. . .

So, I fight fire with fire., she gazed down at her watch and at the radio she carried. Three hours ago she had just contacted Umbrella with the coordinates of this base, making sure to mention the fact that this was the organiztion Wesker had betrayed them for; no doubt they were preparing both the U.B.C.S. and U.S.F.U. for combat with a sprinkling of B.O.W.'s. The plan was to lure Umbrella into an outright confrontation with H.C.F.; Ada would then sneak into the base and no one would notice that she or Sherry would be gone. As long as she doesn't get killed in the cross fire. . .or me. . ., Ada thought sadly. I really need a better plan. Her hand instinctively grassped the viral storage cylinder she held. It was cold to her touch, yet earily she thought it felt alive. Dead T-Virus. That had been the reason for her rather noisy exit from Umbrella. Ada looked at the small container in her hands, it was going to be her key out. Although the substance that she carried was technically not able to infect or pose as a biohazard, it still registered as T-Virus; this is what Ada counted on. She was basically going to jump one of the delivery vehicles, get into the base without being stopped, throw the vial of fake virus, let temporary chaos ensue and try to find the girl. By the time they figured out the virus she'd tossed was already dead and that no one was turning into a zombie, Umbrella would arrive and divert all their attention. In the commotion she would try and fly a chopper out with Sherry safetly tucked away. Well that's the plan. . .I'm beginning to think that alhtough being Ada is self-fulfilling and moral, it's not terribly smart. Sighing, Ada slowly stood up and placed her H.C.F. ID card conspicuously around her neck as well as donning the typical looking lab coat she'd kept from Umbrella–minus the obvious logo of course. Not that it's going to do me any good, but still, it might fool a casual glance. She rechecked appearnce quickly, fishing out a pair of thick horn rimmed glasses from her personal bag. Checking her disquise in her compact mirror, she thought she could pass as an H.C.F. scientist At least being Lily allowed me to show some skin., she thought with a bit of humor.

Checking her watch nervously again, she made her way down the back of the hill she was on, climbing to the surface of a slight cliff that over looked the road where the trucks would pass by. As the first jeep passed her heart beat became stronger and stronger with each passing car. As the last truck came by her entire body tensed as her musles gathered all the energy they could. Just as the blaring noise of the huge automobile's engine seemed to drown out everything around her, Ada gracefully lept from her cliff to the top of the trucks cargo area, quickly crawling to the back of the truck and breaking its door open. The driver noticed nothing as what looked like a deranged scientist slip into the back of his cargo hold.

Inside was dark and slightly chilled Ada was trying to catch her breath. She fell back among some freezers filled with frozen goods to cool herself down. As the truck began to slow, she realized that they were approaching the gate. I just hope H.C.F. doesn't scan their deliveries for uwanted cargo.
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Okay, sorry for the lack of update, been kind of busy. This was going to be a longer chapter and actually show what Ada does as well as explain the gun fire Alicy hears. I thought that my idea for Ada's infiltration was going to be more plausible. . .some how I read what I ended up writing and wonder if I'm going in the wrong direction. Anyway, expect the next chapter in a couple of days.