EPILOGUE-YAY! RamenKitty Finished, she finished-she finished- and now she can start the sequel! At least after I finish this. * Wink *
Music: I listened to a lot of music while writing this-I recommend a lot of these songs totally:
Taproot: Myself, Fault, Poem (Three different songs)
T.A.T.U- All the things you say
Chevelle-the red
Disclaimer: copyright Capcom, all rights reserved * super huge grin *
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Chicago Branch
Umbrella Corporation
Two months after "The Accident"
Once again the board members met to consider.
"Lets hear an update on the Arklay situation." The chairman folded his hands, "Joel?"
Joel Alleman took a deep breath, "Personnel reports that once again Arklay is back to full-standing research compacity. William reports-"
"William?"
"Dr. Birkin." Joel corrected, "Reports that they've begun plans to move into a third stage of project T-" here he paused and re-read William's words over in his mind, "A Soldier that could be used as a biological weapon, given express commands, and trained to follow orders."
"They're calling it the Tyrant."
"How apt." someone down at the end of the table laughed, "What is Dr. Wesker's view on this project?"
"Wesker's view is the same as Williams." The chairman said curtly, "And Arklay is currently occupied for the nonce, seeing as they have a wedding going on today and most of this week."
"Wedding?" the black woman blinked, "Who's getting married?"
"Dr. Birkin and one of his staff members." Joel said, "William granted Dr. LeDour-I mean Dr. Birkin senior staff privileges. Apparently, she'll be working with him on the Tyrant project."
"I didn't think Dr. Birkin was the type to marry." Cowboy hat put in, "He always struck me a bit like Marcus-"
"Yes." The chairman said, "But we've all learned from that haven't we?"
Silence around the table.
"In any case-" Joel continued, "I've suggested that we prep a few of our candidates here for training at Arklay." He pulled out a list of names, "Sandra Silverman, Jack Bernard, John Howe-"
"Howe? Isn't he the guy who came up with using Behavior Modification in the penal system with some of the more extreme cases? In the case of the mental patients-"
"One of the reasons why we think he'll get along quite well at Arklay." Joel said quietly, "of course the transfer will take a few years, but we believe that it will be successful."
"Excellent." The Chairman said smoothly, "Now then, anything else to report?"
"Paris now is offering their assistance in relation to the Arklay matter."
"Those bastards." Cowboy had snorted, "What the hell are they doing over there?"
Often, there would be little or no communication between company employees-particularly higher ups and lower staffers.
"Something called the "Nemesis" project."
"Doesn't sound all together cheerful." The Englishman said finally, "But I guess they don't sit around do they?"
"Nope." The black woman said. She picked through her files and came to a single sheet with pictures of food, "Shall we order lunch now?"
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Suburbs.
"Ah." Kevin Redfield looked out into the suburbs, and the city that glimmered in the distance, "The wonderful silence of suburbia."
Callista appeared on the porch beside him and slid her arm through his. She rested her petite chin on his shoulder and brushed her shoulder length brown hair behind her head.
"Thinking deep thoughts?"
Kevin stirred under her touch, "I guess."
"Bout what?"
Kevin sighed and scratched his brown head. His green eyes were serious when he wrapped his arm around his wife's waist and held her close against him.
"Do you ever regret marrying me? I mean I'm not home most of the time-I'm on duty-"
Callista pulled away from him and stood arms akimbo, "Fuck you Kevin-did you honestly think that would bother me?" she smiled, and the tomboyish girl that Kevin had met on the base in German came back in an instant, "It bothers the kids sometimes-daddy's gone, where's daddy, when's daddy coming home-"
Kevin sighed, "It pisses me off."
"Don't take it too hard. Chris is getting to the point where he doesn't care, and Claire is…well emulating her brother." Callista patted her husband's arm fondly, "you're a good dad Charlie brown, if not somewhat…morose."
Kevin laughed and playfully punched her on the shoulder, "Morose? Mrs. "writing for the good of mankind?"
The two smiled, hugged, and came together.
Inside Chris stood watching them.
"What do you think Dad's talking about?"
Claire was absorbed in their "Atari game system."
"What?"
"Dad." Chris pointed at their father, "What do you think he's talking about?"
"How should I know?" Claire said stubbornly, "Come over and play Mario with me."
Chris sighed and walked across the light carpet to where his sister sat perched on the edge of the couch absorbed in her game. The little characters jumped across the screen, far more animated then the scene outside-or the scene today at the funeral.
"Are you gonna miss Uncle Mike?"
Claire shrugged and made Mario duck a flaming line of poorly animated fire. He sat beside his sister and gave her a sideways hug as he watched her continue to cheat death in the fictional game.
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Paris Laboratory-
" Le Spécimen est-il prêt?"
"Oui. Le Médecin, prêt quand vous êtes."
The man observing watched carefully as the scientists moved the complicated machinery to the subject's head-ignoring the flopping and wiggling arms of the once human. This project could afford no luxuries like "Kindness" or "Compassion"
He knew.
"Je reçois une lecture positive. Assujettir clairement tente d'éliminer le parasite."
He watched as the assistant pulled the equipment back-revealing a ravaged face. Skin was missing from the exposed area around the teeth and eyes-making it appear that the skeleton was jumping out of its host. The eyes were bulging from the sockets and staring around the room.
Clearly alive.
"Please…"
The American voice seems very out of place here. The man thought, Pity the poor fellow had to get in the way of our examiners. Damn technicians always thought that they had to be a hero-he was regretting it now.
"Administrerai-t-j'une autre dose de résultats de T VIRUS et moniteur?"
"Oui." The Doctor looked bored and turned on his heel, making to leave.
"Wait! You can't leave! Please-please god-"
The man turned away from the window as the doctor approached. He was a thin man, almost pallid-with a long scar running down his face from the top of his forehead to his chin.
"How are we doing?"
"We're keeping him from changing-but just barely." The doctor said in heavily accented English. Inside the glass bubble the American was screaming, "We have your permission to test the Nemesis Parasite on this man?"
"Of course." Perfect that one of the infected from Arklay is one of the ones to test this out. "Do keep me informed of the results will you?"
"Of course Lord Spencer, of course."
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Raccoon City
Clock tower
Wesker twirled the keys about his finger, imagining Irene laughing with him on the bright sunny day, dressed in her favorite violet dress. He would have betrayed Umbrella anyway this simply hastened his resolve.
"You're awfully quiet." His companion said, "Thinking deep thoughts?"
"Not really." Wesker rubbed at his arm and stared out over the city. Sometimes he wished he'd been assigned to a larger place, the buildings looked like blocks compared to other structures.
"Ah." Ada Wong walked across the floor and stared out at the same landscape, "This is where it will begin. Glory and the Future."
"Yeah." And I'll end up being a part of it. There was a certain satisfaction in that. But now he had something bigger to prepare for…
Much bigger.
Ada Wong shrugged and sauntered away from him. He listened to the dim sounds of her retreating before he sighed and straightened his tie for the forth time.
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Church Of the Eternal Light
It was a small ceremony. Somehow working for Umbrella caused people to loose touch with large grandiose operations.
"I now pronounce you man and wife."
William Birkin ignored the polite applause from co-workers and friends as he drew Annette closer to him and kissed her softly on the lips, drinking in her scent and her body.
I got married.
The fact was still shocking, still absolutely unbelievable. He wasn't the kind to have a family, or a wife.
You married her because you wanted a promise of fidelity. You wanted her to be yours
Processional music began to play. William took his wife (How odd, saying that) by the arm and led her down the aisle. Annette swallowed the feelings of unhappiness and guilt at accepting when she felt that Birkin was at his weakest and stood next to her husband outside the churches double doors.
Well…I'm married. Somehow she'd expected different feelings. The ceremony and sacred values that were placed on this particular institution bored her, Why can't you just live with somebody?
That was what bothered her about Birkin…
"Congratulations." Kate McGraw, her longtime best friend from New Orleans was the first to come up, "I expect to see a godchild within the year!" she poked Annette in the ribs and gave her friend a hug. Kate wore a long red dress, her hair pinned up in twin barrettes that looked like roses. Her dusky coloring and long dark black hair made her seem like some exotic lotus, smelling of sin.
"Shouldn't you be talking to me about this?" Annette had gushed about Kate in the two months that they had been engaged-but he'd never met her up until that point. She sauntered over and studied William with a critical eye.
"Can I help you?" He raised an eyebrow. Kate smiled and he perceived a glint of insanity in her black eyes.
"I always figured you'd go for the lab-boy type." Kate smirked, "Jeff back in High school, Michael at med school-"
"That will do." Birkin said quickly, "Annette darling, shall we prepare for the reception?"
Annette's eyes drifted back to the two of them, "what?" sunlight streamed off her hair, giving her a urethral look.
"I'm sorry." She returned to the world of the living, "What did I miss?"
Just a description of every last boyfriend of the last twenty years Birkin thought, angry, This causes her to come off a bit whorish I admit…
But he couldn't admit. This was his wife, and transgressions or no this was the woman he had to love for the rest of his life.
"Where are you going for your honeymoon?"
Annette looked doubtful, "We're not going to have one, we're in the midst of a large project at work-" Other guests streamed by, interrupting them. William busied himself with making the necessary noises of appreciation and thanks. Finally the guests had drifted off to the local bar- (Aptly titled "Jim's Bar") where the reception would be held.
They were alone.
"We should get in the car and drive over." Annette offered lamely, "To the Reception."
"Yeah." William scratched his head, "Uh…was it an okay service for you?"
"Well," the two of them began to walk, "To tell you the truth, I don't understand why there's the need for such ceremony." The car was a sporty little Nissan, Japanese Everything being the rage. Annette stopped at the rim of the curb as William walked over to the passenger side without saying a word, then looking at her expectantly.
Annette stepped over the curb and gingerly stepped into the car. William adjusted the rear-view mirror and put his hand on hers gently.
She flinched, "Something wrong?"
William frowned at her, his blue eyes dark in the light, "No-I just-wanted to do that-That's all."
"Oh William…"Annette's voice broke, "I'm sorry, it's just-I'm nervous-I mean-the commitment we just made-"
William Birkin clenched the steering wheel and relaxed.
"I'm nervous too…does that help?"
Annette shuffled her foot. The engine started with a roar and Annette leaned back into the seat. William's hand rested gingerly on his leg, she reached over tentatively.
You shouldn't be worried about that anymore. He's your husband. The man you said yes to.
Michael, Jack, the others…didn't matter. She sighed and smiled for the first time that day. William pulled into the first light out of the church parking lot and looked over-returning her smile. She took his hand as the light changed green and the car moved foreward gently.
"Thank you."
William blinked. Outside the world shifted as he made a left turn down main street-past the dilapidated police department. He avoided looking at the fire station, remembering Michael Redfield, lying there on the floor…
Jack's Bar was a large open-fronted building with a fake and peeling golden façade that had seen far better days. William parked the car in the parking lot to the side and stared at Annette.
Somehow, his wife had managed to stuff herself into his tiny little car wearing that gaudy monstrosity of a wedding dress. She directed her attention at the brick wall in front of them as she opened the door and sighed glumly.
"I'd kill-literally kill for a pair of jeans."
William smiled, "Can I help?"
"No! No…I can get out." She grunted and pushed all her weight against the doorframe, "Kate can go to hell for suggesting this. Do you think it was appropriate?"
William frowned, "Honestly? I didn't understand why we couldn't have just gotten married in front of a Justice of the Peace…"
Annette sighed and climbed out of the car.
William frowned and pushed at the door. She'd been the one who insisted on getting married in a church-what was up with this sudden bought of religion? Thankfully, they'd agreed that they weren't going to have a honeymoon…
Wesker had been pushing for the past two months to begin the Tyrant project. William snorted; he was such a small-minded man, only thinking about what the company wanted. There was more work to be done with the crimson heads after all. And tests on the virus itself…
"Hey! Dr. Birkin!"
William forced himself to smile, "Hello Rick." He and Annette approached the bar cautiously. Already the area was filled with raucous Umbrella employees. If there was one truth about the mysterious Umbrella Corporation, it was that they could drink when it suited them.
"Congratulations Dr. B!" A Tech leaned against one of the large bay windows-his voice muffled by the fact that he was speaking through glass, "She's one hot lady-yes she is-"
Annette gripped Williams arm and disregarded the pleasure that she'd have seeing this poor man punched out by her husband. She sighed and picked up her skirt with both hands.
"Fuck, I'm going to go put jeans on, or at least take this monstrosity off." Annette told William. She fiddled with her skirt, "I'll be back in a minute…darling."
That felt good. She turned on her heel and walked back to the car. She'd worn shorts underneath the skirt-so it wasn't a problem taking off the dress-and she had one of William's old shirts in the car, Very good…
This might work out after all.
William stuck his hands in his pockets and rocked back and forth on his heels. He glanced around the corner again and turned back just in time to run into Wesker.
"Al-Albert." William stuttered. Where the hell were you?
"William." Wesker's voice was smooth, "I'm sorry I was late."
"That-Well-I guess that's alright." William smiled and tried to be cheerful, "You had a good reason?" If you didn't I'll hang you out to dry by your coattails asshole.
"Actually…I did." Wesker fumbled in his pocket for a moment and William had the brief image that he was going to pull out a weapon. He gasped, completely missing Annette as she came round the corner wearing one of his shirts-and frowned when he saw that All Wesker had was a piece of paper.
"A Letter." Wesker flicked his wrist and the paper unfolded with a flourish, "From my friend Joel Allmen with the board."
"Joel?" William's brows furrowed, "Basketball Joel?" All he remembered about Joel Allmen was that he had an almost unnatural obsession with Basketball (probably why he was removed from the Research department and put in business…)
"Dear Dr. Birkin." Wesker began, "It has come to our attention that you have recently been joined in Marriage to: Medical Supervisor Annette LeDour."
"Wow, they're really poetic and filled with joy aren't they?" William snorted, "Asshole."
Wesker continued as if he had not heard. Ignoring Annette as she slid her arm through her husbands, as if some contact would keep her from-being-affected-by-
"In recognition of your outstanding service to the corporation and in honor of your new status as a "family man" we are giving you one of our lines of property in raccoon city. The property can be located at-" Wesker dropped the letter, "Anyway-because of your work and your marriage the company is giving you a house-I've been to see it and it's actually pretty nice."
"Wait-how did you get in to my house?"
"We get a house?" Annette smiled, "No more living in dark and dreary manor?"
"Nope." Wesker ignored William, "A very nice house-with a pool, five bedrooms-out in the suburbs of Silent Hill. It means a bit of a commute-"
"Commute nothing! We have a house!" Annette grabbed William around the waist, "AN ACTUAL HOUSE!"
"You-honey-that's great-dearest but-uh-" Can't I stay near my place of work?
"A house! Oh that'll be wonderful…"
Unknown to anyone, Annette liked houses.
She really liked them; there was something about houses that reminded her of her days living with Grandma Cassandra LeDour in New Orleans. Sometimes, in driving through the suburbs of Raccoon, she'd gaze forlornly at the happy families holding hands and long for the carefree days of her youth.
"Yeah…" William detested houses. They required nick-knacks, and all sorts of things to make them seem filled. They also required furniture and various appliances. A lot more space then a human being actually needed. Annette was looking at him starry eyed-and he smiled. She was amazing; he'd never known a woman who would get so excited about a building.
"Why don't the two of you head over now."? Wesker put his hands in his pockets, "I can keep the party under control."
"Albert…I wanted-to say-" Annette stumbled, "Thank you-I mean-I'm sorry about-About-"
"Absolutely nothing." Albert Wesker said, "Good day Mrs. Birkin." He turned on his heel and walked back into the bar without looking at either of them.
Annette seemed confused, so William put a hand on her arm and smiled, "Don't worry about Albert…he just needs some time that's all."
" I guess…"
William frowned, "Are you alright?"
Never mind the fact that I feel partially responsible for what happened to Irene. Annette sighed, "I suppose so. The house-we have a house!" she jumped into his arms and continued to bounce, " A house! A Home! We can decorate it-and-and do-"
She began to detail plans for their new home, and William listened despite all his misgivings. A house meant yard work and Matinence, but that was what hired help was for, he could do his research with his wife, his partner by his side-
And for once have a home as well.
Paris France-
The overwhelming silence of a hot lab.
It is completed then?
Yes. The second voice replied in heavily accented English, We are continuing to monitor the subject-but there is no change yet. Only…
The first man looked over at his colleague-features completely obscured by the mask he wore over his face. The subject (It could no longer be called human) lay prone on the table before the two of them staring upward. It's breathing was a loud harsh echoing reminder of its presence, and its determination to beat them and survive.
Are we seeing any kind of development at all?
The brain. The parasite has burrowed into the occipital lobe. It has three fourths of its length wrapped through the brain itself. We believe that we can use that as a method of control.
The first man frowned. They were treading on dangerous ground now, Genetic manipulation was a new science, and horribly undeveloped-if the slightest thing went wrong…
What are we codenaming this project?
First let me ask you something. Is it true that Umbrella US has come up with a project similar to this known as the "Tyrant" Project?
The first man did not know how to answer that question.
It is only just now beginning. I promise to stonewall it every chance I get.
I hope so. The second man said, For your sake. We will not have our research compromised.
The first man clenched a fist and slammed it down between the subject's legs, Do not presume to tell me what I can, and cannot do doctor. The first man raised his arms and exited the chamber-his movement made difficult by the bulk of his safe suit. Assistants helped him out of it, and the familiar face of Lord Oswell Spencer stared back into the room where the doctor was still fuming over his reprimand.
Subject Nemesis is prepared for injection series 122-AB-16K. The doctor said, Nurse? Will you please come in?
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And there's the epilogue! Setting the stage for the sequel-and answering some questions! The Sequel will be coming shortly! Stay tuned! Please! J