Chapter Four: Start

The air in the city was cold, midday traffic was so heavy that there was no way to see where one crowd of people began and the other ended. Each group of people moved like an entity, one single organism with many cells. They were like silent companions, each one doing their part to keep the other groups and traffic at bay.

            In the middle of these groups, about two blocks down from Time's Square, Justin moved alone. A lone cell in the middle of the sea of people, he moved slowly, with his head down he thought about the last two weeks.

            Three weeks ago if someone had said, "You'll get a partner you want to keep." Justin would have called them crazy. He hated being responsible for anyone else and their safety, normally. But this was different, he'd been forced to put his recklessness aside for her.

            He stopped, something was wrong about the air around him. There was a bad feeling that he couldn't seem to shake—maybe it was just that, a feeling. But there was more to this feeling than the normal 'false alarm'.

            With his stride stopped, people just passed around him—in total disregard for him being there. He let them pass and soon they blurred into the scenery, became part of the sidewalk he stood on. Then the cars changed, he could see them in the street, mangled and torn; cabs, squad cars, even a news van. Blood was all over most of them and the others were tangled together from wrecks.

            He sighed and shook the illusions away—that's what this place will look like if that virus gets free. His mind was on some kind of odd spell, then he felt something vibrate against his chest—it stopped, then started up again. "What's that?" he asked himself.

            He grabbed the spot and instantly remember his cell phone, he grabbed it out of his coat and answered it. "Yo." He remarked casually.

            It was Kerrie's voice on the other end, "Hey, we just arrived at the Hotel, where are you?"

            "I needed to take a walk."

            He could hear Kerrie sigh into the phone, "Well try to get back here pretty soon."

            "Alright," he had to shout over the sound of a honking taxi cab.

            He turned back and started walking towards the hotel, there was still a lot on his mind and no resolutions in sight—he would have to play by ear.

 Trent worked up a good pace as they all set around the room, a group that had not been assembled in the same place for what seemed like—never: Kerrie, Megan, Tiffany, PJ, Scott, Mitchell, Marie, and Dena. Trent paused momentarily right as he started to talk.

            "I'll be brief as possible when explaining this because I realize that all of you need to rest in order to be in top shape for our event. Trent started with his voice cool and calm. "First off, the entrance to this place is hidden within this very hotel, but the place itself is about a mile's walk from here—once we're underground.

            "For the first time ever I will be accompanying you. I'll need to split you up into groups, and one person will have to come with me." Trent said.

            PJ piped up, "I'll go with you." He said.

            "Well you do realize that only two of us are needed for the tasks I have…"

            "Yeah, and I'm willing to go." PJ added.

            No one said anything, Tiffany tightened her grasp around PJ's arm. He looked over at him and she kept her eyes locked on Trent who then said, "Okay, then PJ it is." Trent made a face they had never seen him make, somber—almost nervous.

            Kerrie looked over at Scott, silently cursing for being forced to sit in the same building with him. She pulled her arms tight around her slim waist line and sighed. Her eyes narrowed, Trent walked over to where he had placed a television in preparation for this meeting. He bent down and spoke softly, "This tape will show you what the creatures that might be there are like—I doubt any of them will be there though." He hit the play button on the VCR and automatically the lights in the room dimmed.

            One the screen there was an image of a man strapped to a vertical exam table, the man was shirtless and wore only underwear. He shook as he hung there, seaming with energy. All of his movements were unintelligent to say the least. Drool ran down his mouth and across the room someone could be heard on the tape, "Release the clamps."

            The clamps opened and the man dropped down to a hobbling walk across the metallic floor. As the man on the video stumbled around the lab, two men held a conversation in the background. "The experiment should be oblivious to pain," said the first voice, a male.

            "Why don't we fire it up with the electric shocker." Said a second voice, a female. A few seconds passed and suddenly a bolt of electricity hit the creature. It recoiled some, but did not fall or shake.

            "The experiment's nervous system has been compromised…" said the male. "I wonder how it would do if we blew off a leg?" There was a click, and then a loud thoom, and one of the man's legs was blown off. Blood splattered and leaked all down onto the floor.

            The female piped up, "Don't do that," she started. "I have to clean that shit up." She said.

            Megan was appalled, she shook her head in disbelief. How can anyone treat other humans like this, She thought.

            Trent cut the video off and the lights refilled the room, "That's the caliber of creature you could be against."

            "By creature, do you mean the Scientists?" Asked Marie from her side the room.

            Mitchell mumbled, "That sounds about right."

            Trent looked them all over, he ignored Marie and Mitchell, he had been one of those creatures. "I think it's time we made the rest of our arrangements." Trent begun.

            "Just a minute, I think it's best I do that—I'm responsible for these people—me being the senior officer here." Dena said.

            Tiffany nodded, "Dena's right." Kerrie leaned over to Tiffany and whispered in her ear. Tiffany looked at her with an odd glance and then said, "I think that Kerrie, Justin, Megan and I should handle something together—"

            "I can handle that." Dena said.

            Trent agreed, "You'll have to go in first and shut down the main computers, until that time Scott, Marie, Mitchell and Dena will be needed to sneak into the Security Control Room and isolate the systems of that—after which, PJ and I will proceed to the Main Control Room and start to erase the files on the research—copies will be made to turn over to the government." Trent said.

            Justin stood up, "I think we can handle this—if I can get some sleep." He buried his thumbs in his pockets, letting the rest of his hands hang out.

            "Good, then get a good nights rest—" Said Trent as he walked off with his hands drudged into his pockets of his trench coat.

Ever so slowly the entire group was lowered into the depths of the city. There was a nervous ambience in the air. They had all headed down in their teams, Justin, Kerrie, Megan and Tiffany taking the lead.

            Megan stood to the side of the elevator, using her index finger to curl her soft brown hair. She looked from side to side at the others; Justin was right next to her staring at what little of the floor they could see in the darkness. To her right was Kerrie, who seemed oblivious to the whole situation. 

            There was a square of light that leaked in through the glass of the elevator. Tiffany was at the far end the elevator holding her SIGpro pistol by both ends. She looked over at the others in turn, tapping her foot at a rapid pace as she did. Then she broke in, "Okay, Justin, you take point, Kerrie hang back by me—Megan hold together in the middle."

            All of the group nodded in agreement, and just then light streamed down from the ceiling as each row of lights came on, starting at the far end of the room and coming towards the side where the elevator would be stopping.

            On the ground various pieces of equipment, such as boxes and forklifts could be seen. There was a clear path between the rows of crates, around some of them were papers and other elements of debris.

            The lift came to a rest on the ground, Kerrie stepped out first onto the concrete floor, there was a caution area marked by yellow and black paint. She slipped her gun free of her holster and moved a slightly further out of the lift. "Looks safe." Kerrie informed the rest.

            Justin stepped out behind her, he looked back to see where Megan was standing in all of this. Tiffany closed in behind Megan, causing her to move forward. The air was cold as they stepped out of the lift and into what seemed a hostile environment. "Get in a straight line behind me for now, no need for a search line in this—"

            Megan nodded, although Tiffany was in command, there were times when Justin had proven himself to be a great strategic thinker.

            "Let's hurry and get out of here," Kerrie said. Everyone stopped and looked at her before lining up. "The sooner we get out, the better." All of them finished up by filing into the isle between the boxes.

            There was nothing to see in the labyrinth that was the abandoned Umbrella complex. Unlike most of the other settings Umbrella created there was no lavish décor or any kind of comforts of home. It was apparent that this was a strictly research place. Justin lead all of them down the isle, he looked back after a while to see if anyone was preparing the radio.

            Everyone returned his glance and Tiffany got the idea. She lifted her walkie-talkie, and held the button down on it to speak, "We're in Dena, there appears to be nothing down here but old files—"

            And somewhere in this dark hive, a bode of vampires.

            "Over," Tiffany finished.

            Dena's voice came across with spotty static. "Copy that, Jodie's hacked the system; she's attempting to disengage the security parameters of this place."

            "Gotcha," Tiffany said. "Over and out."

            Megan crossed her arms and looked at Kerrie, "I think I should have brought a coat," Megan jeered in the mist of all her nervousness. Her smile was fake, manufactured.

            She started like she might talk again, but Justin took her by the hand causing her to fall silent. Justin looked from Megan, to Kerrie, and finally to Tiffany. "Does anyone else here that?" He asked.

            "I do now—" Tiffany said. Megan and Kerrie nodded, there was noise in the distance—faint like thunder. But the sound vibrated the floor around them.

            Justin's expression was frantic, "Kerrie, Megan, tightened up in the middle and try to stay out of sight—"

            "What the hell is it?" Kerrie asked.

            Tiffany caught on, "Forget what he said, just run—"

            Before they could even get in a half stride, the boxes next  to their right burst into rubble, causing them to drop back to the crates on the other side. The dust didn't clear quick enough. Screams could be heard over the massive melee.

            "Grab Megan, and split up!" Tiffany hollered. Kerrie was already ahead of Tiffany, she ran to catch up with her.

            Justin looked around, the dust was thick and sticky. He could hear Megan coughing somewhere. Then she rose up out of the dust, with a dark ominous figure behind her, looming at them both. He reached out and grabbed her arm pulling her to himself. "Watch your step," he told her as her pulled her over some rough ground.

            "There's going to be more than one way in—" Megan said.

            Justin didn't hear anymore than that—what he had been denying became undeniable with one rumbling roar, a creature that he wanted to forget had ever existed was there with them.

            He forced Megan in front of him and stopped, "Go on, run—"

             She came back past him and stood in his view. "I don't get all of this—" Megan said, but almost every time they tried to talk their voices were drowned out some what by the rumbling. The first time it might even had been a distant subway train.

            Then Justin stared past Megan, right behind her the dust was falling away. The creature finally loomed out of the fragments and debris. It was worse than Justin could have even remembered, the Nemesis was more menacing now than ever.

            It towered a full two feet above Justin, bring it to a whole eight feet tall. It's skin was wrinkled, gray and red—like spoiling hamburger meat. This time around there was no trench, no cover in the way of clothes at all. It's face was horrid, whoever had worked on it had decided to leave out all of the things that seemed unimportant—lips, nose, and one eye. It's teeth were fully exposed, each of them greenish brown with tarnish.

            From right behind it's shoulders two tentacles arched up into the air, in an attack position. All down both arms and shoulders were stitches and other signs of damage, perhaps made during surgery, which had been repaired over time with the creature with the creatures bodily defenses. Between it's legs it was sexless, no organ or even sign of one.

            It moved slowly towards them with the scream of a terrible soulless monster that needed to be released somehow. Megan backed towards Justin, the astonishment hadn't worn off with him yet, but it had to soon.

            The Nemesis took off into a dash, must to fast for it's impossible size. It reared one arm back, ready to strike the first thing it came to, Megan. Justin grabbed her by the arm and pulled her away quickly. "Come on," he yelled.

            He was towing her along now; but he could see that the Nemesis wouldn't relinquish it's pursue; he knew it wouldn't. He stopped and pulled Megan up even with him. He looked her over once, "Megan—" I can't have the last things I say to her sounding like shit— "whatever happens stay alive," he was cut off by the sounds of the creature behind him. After the noise had passed he grabbed her around the small of her back and hugged her.

            She just stood there, and then he turned around. He started towards the Nemesis, "Run, get out of here Meg!" She stared on feeling weak, unable to help. Justin met the hulking creature halfway and ducked one of it's punches artfully. "Remember me you big ground chuck bastard-Kool-aid man wanna be!"

            He ran around to the side of the Nemesis, trying to stay away from both of the tentacles—and knowing all too well their effect. Behind him Megan yelled. "Don't do this." He ignored it.

            The Nemesis, all the while, became enraged with the fact that it couldn't catch him. Taking the time to show anger, it spread it's muscular legs, and howled out it's rage with fists clamped like vice grips. The sound reverberated off the walls of the room.

            Justin, however, mistook this as a distraction to the monster. When he thought the monster was off guard, he went down and got his pistol, the .357 Desert Eagle and readied himself to shoot. No matter what he did he was reluctant to look back for fear that Megan may be there.

            Without any prior warning the Nemesis wrapped its cold slimy tentacle around Justin's neck and lifted him clear off the ground. Justin couldn't breath—he kicked his feet struggling to free himself. Finally he took aim with the gun and fired into the skull of the creature. The monster let him drop to the floor.

            "You like that?" Justin hacked catching his breath, "come get some more."

            Nemesis gazed down at him for a few moments through his single red eye. Then the creature looked up and saw Megan. She locked gazes with it, her face a picture of fear as Justin went to get up. "You go through me to get her!" he said.

            The creature took one last look at him and then squatted down. It's powerful legs launched it up into the air, sailing like a giant humanoid frog. It cleared Justin and landed right behind Megan with a thundering tremendous force that reduced some of the concrete to pebbles.

            She shook her head, as she watched the impossible land behind her. I should have just run like Justin said. She went to run, but this time back towards Justin, her mouth was open for her to say the words, but none came.

            Just before she could get half way Justin was back on his feet, he couldn't run however, the fall had jammed his knee, the same one he had hurt falling off a truck one time. He limped at Megan, "Stay away from her."

            The Nemesis arched it's back in an almost pleasured way and strutted it's tentacles out in front of himself. It let one of them shoot off like a projectile rocket. The tentacle sailed through the still slightly dusty air of the room. It found it's mark in Megan's left shoulder, with its back end hanging out some. Blood sprouted from the wound openly and she moaned in blinding pain.

            Justin hopped on one foot towards her, the pain in the knee never seemed to last long; but it didn't matter. He got to her and the creature was roaring at it's seemingly flawless victory. Justin grabbed the half unconscious Megan and lifted her. His leg was just good enough now.

            Luckily, at least for the time being, the Nemesis was only toying with them. After watching them struggle to get their control over the situation and re-growing his lost tentacle; the hulking juggernaut launched himself expertly over the tops of the boxes, maybe to find Tiffany. She could handle this on her own, Megan needed help now.

            He lowered her back down, the sound of destruction now gone from the room, the only sound a distant and faint subway train. Justin cradled Megan lightly and looked for her blue eyes to return. Please God, let this be the slow strain of virus—give me some chance to save her.

            "Justin—" she mumbled. Her hand searched for the ground to help her stand. Justin took one of her hands and then lifted her from the side with the other. "Thank—"

            "We have to get you out of here." Justin ordered her.

            "We need to find Tiff—" Megan was cut off by her own excruciating scream of pain. She looked to her side at her shoulder, blood was running free down it. "How did it—" she pointed with her mouth wide as another onslaught of pain assailed her.

            Justin grabbed her, "It's a virus—your infected, and if we don't get the cure you'll be like the creatures we saw in that tape."

            Megan gasped. "But—"

            "No time now," Justin said. He pulled her along, "If the Nemesis comes back we won't stand a chance with your current condition."

            He drug her clear to the other side of the room where the door was, and stopped. His hand hit the button and he set his watch for three hours, if he took any more time than that Megan wouldn't be herself anymore.

Kerrie dropped her back into the concrete wall and huffed in the air with greedy anticipation. Her eyes rolled up towards the sky a she sighed, "I need a cigarette," Kerrie moaned. The end of each strand of red hair was saturated with sweat. The run to make it a safe distance had been long.

            On the other side of the room Tiffany had dropped back and sat on the ground against the wall. Her head was rolled to one side and she let out a short painful groan. In her mind she could think of a ton of worried now, now what do we do? We're separated from the rest of our group—Justin and Megan are separated from the radio. I'm going to need to call—

            "Should we go out and get them?" Kerrie asked.

            Tiffany gave Kerrie a sharp glance, "You don't know what that thing is like."

            "What thing—"

            On the other side of the room there was a door, it was just opposite of the one they had come in. There was nothing to hold them back from getting through there. Tiffany got to her feet and looked at Kerrie, who was still waiting to have her questions answered. Tiffany just continued on, "Let's see what's over on this side."

            Kerrie pulled the radio out, "I'll call in first," she said. She pressed the button down and spoke, "Dena, this is Kerrie."

            "I copy," came Dena's voice.

            Kerrie nodded and pressed the button again, "We lost Justin and Megan, Nemesis attacked us…"

            There was silence on Dena's end.

            "We're going to press on—they probably got away." Kerrie said.

            "We'll keep an eye out for them," Dena said. "Over and out."

            Kerrie put the radio away and stood to follow Tiffany. They both proceeded through the new door, it opened into a room that appeared to have once been on of the labs. Now there were papers strewn about the floor and broken jars and beakers from experiments. It was easy to see that the occupants had evacuated in a hurry.

            As they moved further into the dark room Tiffany hunted on the wall for the light switch. When the room became illuminated, they could see that the state of disorder was much worse than they first thought. "This place has been cleaned out," Tiffany said.

            Up in the corner of the room the camera moved, it caught Kerrie's eye as Tiffany glanced around. She looked to Tiffany, "Did you see that?"

            Tiffany raised her head and looked to where Kerrie was pointing. She studied the motion of it for a while. "It must be on."

            "Then let's keep moving and stay out of sight," Kerrie said. The camera locked onto her and stopped.

            "Too late—" Tiffany aimed her SIGpro up and fired at the camera lens, her shot was right on—the lens shattered causing glass to rain down onto the floor. The camera dropped as the power going to it was cut. "I don't think that Vampires have had time to see us on that…"

            "Yeah, let's just keep on moving." Kerrie said.