Chapter 5: ....The Deeper You Get

Chief Irons double-checked to make sure that no one was coming into the office as he opened the secret door behind his desk. He walked inside and waited for the door to close before he went any further. Stepping into the old elevator, he waited until it reached the bottom floor. The corridor was dark and only lit by flaming torches. He walked casually down the corridor until he reached the door at the end. Pushing it open, he gave himself a start when he almost walked into a middle-aged man in a white lab coat as he walked in the door.

"Oh! Dr Birkin. I wasn't expecting you to be coming up here."

Dr Birkin shook his head, casually brushing his short brown hair back.

"I'm done down there for today. How about we talk in your office. This place is giving me the chills."

"Some of the effects of your research gives me the chills William," the Chief stated, showing him out the door. "But I suppose that's natural."

William was quiet for a moment as they approached the elevator. Chief Irons slid the metal door aside and followed William in.

"Well Irons, the G-Virus is nearing completion, but I'm getting a bad feeling from Umbrella. I feel that they may be planning to steal my research."

"We can't have that," Irons said, opening the door back into his office. "Would you like a drink?"

He nodded wordlessly and Chief Irons produced two glasses and a bottle of whisky from the cabinet by his desk. Pouring two, he handed one to William and put the bottle away. He sat down on one of the chairs in the center of the room. William sat opposite him.

"I have a request for you. I don't want anyone to be allowed into the sewers near the lab without proper clearance. No exceptions. Can you do that for me?"

"I suppose I could," Irons thought about it. "What's in it for me?"

"We'll add it to your next payment," William assured. "I don't want to take any chances. Annette will continue to be your contact. She will inform you when I feel that it's safe again. This will be our last meeting above ground. From now on we will either speak through Annette or meet in the lab."

"There's something I feel I should also bring to your attention, though you may already know. It's about the guinea pigs that were sent to the mansion."

"Oh. Them. S.T.A.R.S. and that troublesome Captain Lanza. We will have to deal with them ourselves, but we will be sure to make it look accidental. Who were they again?"

"Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, Rebecca Chambers, Rachelle McDermott, Barry Burton, Brad Vickers and Danielle Lanza."

"Good. Speak to Annette and she'll arrange something 'interesting' for them."

Chief Irons laughed. "The precinct will certainly be rather quiet without them all around."

Just outside the office, someone was listening in to the conversation. The redheaded secretary grimaced and sneaked away. When she was away from the door, she shook her head.

"Perhaps I should warn them out....."

Danielle stood in front of the shelves by the door in the library, looking through the files on Umbrella. She was standing there silently reading when suddenly the double doors opened and a blonde woman walked in, and tried to step past her quietly. Danielle kept her head down but followed her with her eyes. She looked familiar.

"Excuse me. Are you lost? You don't look like you're from around here."

She froze with a start and after a moment, turned to look at her. The woman looked in about her late twenties, early thirties, and had shoulder-length blonde hair. She glanced around nervously and shook her head.

"No, I'm right thank you."

"You don't look right to me."

She sighed and looked around. "Maybe you can help. I'm looking for the S.F.S. office."

"You don't wanna look at them. They're a bunch of sorry lowlives and even I have no time for them. That's why I'm up here, and not down there in my office where I should be."

"Are you Captain Lanza?"

"Now I really know you're not from around here. Everyone knows me. Yeah, I'm Danielle Lanza."

"You're the person I was looking for then."

"Looks like you're not lost anymore, hey? What's up?"

She extended her hand. "I'm Annette. Chief Irons' new secretary. He wanted me to give you this." She handed her a small sheet of white paper with six names on it. "He said that anyone in your unit not on that list is in the gutter as of whenever you decide to do it."

"Ah-hah. This must be the wonderful final list of who I'm not going to fire today. Thank you very much, I'm going to enjoy this a lot."

She walked out of the library briskly. Annette watched her go and crossed her arms.

"So that's the legendary Captain Lanza? Maybe we should take care of her first."

Danielle sat in her office, contemplating what was about to happen to the S.F.S. with an evil grin. She clamped her hands together and placed them on the table. For a moment, she actually considered not doing what she was about to do, but all the same, if she didn't, someone else was definitely going to do it. She scrolled slowly down the very small list of six names on the piece of paper in front of her and nodded. Irons had made the right choice with these people. She looked up and smiled as six people walked into the office. Brad, Barry, Rachelle, Jill, Chris and Rebecca stood in front of her desk.

"Oh please. Sit down. My God, every time I walk into your office I take it upon myself to sit on the tables and everything."

They grinned and found themselves somewhere to sit. Rebecca looked out of the door at the S.F.S. officers in the room outside.

"They make themselves look like they're busy."

Danielle nodded slowly, standing up. "Operative word, or words, there is 'look like'. They're really running around doing nothing, talking about the weekend past, and such. That sort of activity, I can't stand it. They never do their work. Except for a select few who actually do their jobs properly, as well as the jobs of about 20 co-workers. That's why I'm going to have so much fun doing what I'm about to do."

It was September the 1st. Danielle had been putting up with the incompetence of her squad for several months, and grew more disgusted with them by the day.

"Time to get this over with. Let's go," she sighed and pushed herself to her feet. She walked out of the office, followed by the others. At the door to the outside hall, she turned back to them. "Classroom in 5 minutes!"

Then she walked out.

The entire S.F.S. sat on the green chairs set in the classroom on the 1st floor. Not one had a clue about why they were there. On the side sat the six remaining S.T.A.R.S. members. Danielle appeared out of a room at the back, her little piece of paper in hand, and stood at the small podium in front of the blackboard.

"I suppose you're wondering why I would even bother talking to you. It seems that no matter how much I tell you to, and explain how to do your jobs, you either don't listen or don't care. So I began to wonder why you're on our payroll if you never do your job. Can anyone tell me why that may be so?" No one said a thing. Danielle grinned slyly. "To make this easier on everyone, especially myself, if your name is not; Zoë Lawrence, Jennifer Lowry, Thomas Jackson, Richard Hayes, Maxwell Biggs or Dayna Kadenomi.... You're fired."

The last two words she said bluntly, and seemed to enjoy saying them. There was a sudden uproar in the room. Danielle yelled over the top of them all.

"And everyone else whose name wasn't mentioned, I will be expecting your desks to be cleared and your drawers empty by tomorrow morning."

Jason, sitting in the front row stood up. "You can't just fire us, Captain Lanza. Only Chief Irons has the authority!"

Danielle looked at him smugly. "Who do you think I got the authority from?" she teased. They suddenly hushed. When they learned that it was the chief himself who had ordered their laying off, they had to think about it. Jason looked around.

"How come none of the girls got laid off?"

Danielle shrugged. "Chief Irons comprised the list. It was basically he who told me who should stay. When it all comes down to it Jason, the new team consists of three women, three men plus myself, the captain." Jason began to object again, but Danielle stopped him. "Not another word, or I'll have your last pay-cheque cancelled. You can take us to court if you like and try to claim unfair dismissal-"

"This screams unfair dismissal!" Jason interjected. Danielle shook her head and continued.

"You can do what you like to try to claim unfair dismissal, except we have evidence that justifies the firing of close to all S.F.S. members. You may have forgotten that every meeting has been recorded by Chief Irons, and he can dig up any and every one, as well as security tapes which clearly show you all slacking off. S.F.S, dismissed. And not another word."

The six members who had survived Danielle's onslaught approached her and the S.T.A.R.S. members as the others left the room. Zoë pointed over her shoulder at the former members of the S.F.S.

"What's the deal, captain?"

Danielle sighed. "You must have noticed that you guys were doing your work plus all theirs?"

Dayna, young with straight black hair and oriental features agreed. "Yes," she began in her distinct Asian accent, "They sit and do nothing all day, and we are left to do their work."

Danielle nodded. "They were a burden for the precinct, so Chief Irons had me fire them. We kept you six on, because we have recognised your capabilities as good officers."

They nodded and, talking amongst themselves, left the now quiet room. Jill looked at Danielle.

"You know, that was harsh."

Danielle shrugged. "I've been wanting to do that since I first laid eyes on the sorry bunch."

Rachelle nodded slowly. "You were so blunt."

"I know. But at least our S.F.S. is now functioning properly," she replied, smirking. "Wouldn't you agree?"

Elliot and David watched their captain apprehensively as she went around to certain members and spoke with them. Elliot turned to David and motioned to her.

"What's she doing?"

David shrugged, turning away. "Who knows. Probably laying into them one last time."

"Elliot Edward and David Ford......."

Elliot jumped when he heard Danielle call his name. He turned around to face her, and she handed him and David an envelope.

"Guys, I'm sorry I had to kick you out of the S.F.S, but think yourselves lucky. Because I liked you both, I managed to save your asses, and you still belong to this precinct. Just not the S.F.S."

Elliot and David grinned. "Let me guess. Jason can just-"

"O'Connor? I did say I'd see him in hell, didn't I? Or wasn't it him?"

Elliot laughed. "Yeah. Thanks captain. I guess we owe you, huh?"

Danielle grinned. "Just do me a favour. Turn yourselves over a new leaf and make good waves. Irons does notice, you know."

"Really?" David asked sarcastically. "And I always thought he was a callous bastard."

"Oh, he is," Danielle explained. "Your stuff, just relocate it to the western office. That's where you are now."

Elliot passively saluted her and picked up a cardboard box. Danielle started to walk off, but turned around slowly.

"Oh, and if you see O'Connor on the way out, rub it in for me, will you?"

"Come with me."

Rachelle and Jill looked up. Jill looked blank.

"Come with you where?"

Danielle walked to the door. "To get some lunch. I'm going to pick up something from Kendo, but on the way back I'm going to Emmy's. Besides. There's nothing worth doing around here anyway."

They shrugged and followed her out. When they got into the lobby, Danielle suddenly stopped them. She pointed towards the reception desk.

"That woman. She's supposedly Chief Irons' new secretary but I've seen her somewhere before and it wasn't in an office."

Jill looked up at the blonde woman who was talking to the secretary at the desk.

"She approached me the other day. She seems nice enough."

"That's funny," Rachelle mused. "She's spoken to me too."

Danielle shook her head. "I know I've seen her somewhere before, but I can't remember where....."

"Her name's Annette, right?" Rachelle asked. Jill nodded.

"Hey, I got an idea. Why don't we ask her to come with us. Then we can suss her out."

Danielle nodded. "Okay. We'll go with that."

They walked up to Annette, who turned around with a start as they approached.

"Oh, hello."

Jill smiled. "Made any friends yet, Annette? Do you want to come with us for lunch at all?"

She looked perplexed. Rachelle laughed.

"What Jill's trying to say is welcome to the precinct and we'd like to get to know you."

Danielle kept silent, her arms crossed and a thoughtful but hardened look on her face. Annette's gaze turned to her. They locked eyes for a moment.

"I don't know......" Annette began, an uneasy flicker shooting through her eyes. Danielle raised an eyebrow.

"Annette Birkin..." her uneasiness had struck a chord in Danielle's memory. She'd seen the same anxious flash before. She looked startled.

"Yes.... How do you know that?"

"I know you from somewhere. I can't quite place it, but I do know you."

Annette glanced away uneasily. Jill gave Danielle a light whack on the back.

"Dani, be nice."

"Yeah. Bad dog, Dani. Bad dog," Rachelle scolded with a laugh. Danielle grinned and turned to Annette.

"No worries. Come on. You look like you don't get out much. It'll do you good."

Annette hesitantly agreed. Jill smiled.

"Don't worry about her, she's a real softie. She acts tough but she won't really snap you up for dinner."

Annette managed a laugh. "I'll believe that when I see it."

Danielle ran out the door. "Hey! I'll meet you at Emmy's, okay?"

Annette watched her. "Where's she going?"

Rachelle shrugged as they walked out the door. "To pick up something from Kendo. Knowing her, she'll still be at Emmy's before us. Lead-foot speed freak that she is."

"What's she driving?"

There was the sound of a loud engine sputtering to life and suddenly a blue and white motorcycle swerved out of the parking lot down the side of the police station. It pulled up at the gate.

"I'll see you there. Later!" Danielle chirped, pulling her helmet on. Rachelle laughed and waved as she sped down Ennerdale Road, disappearing around the corner up Flower Street towards Kendo. Jill shook her head.

"She refuses to drive a car because they take up too much space. So she got a motorbike instead. Come on. We've still gotta try and beat her there."

Emmy's was quiet as usual and just as Jill had said, Danielle was there first. She grinned as they sat down.

"Ahh, the brilliance of a tiny and maneuverable vehicle. Though I didn't beat you by much."

Rachelle reached forward and snatched the menu out of Danielle's hand.

"You don't need that, you can probably read it from memory."

Jill sighed. "I'm just gonna have what I'd normally have."

"Hot chips and a caramel milkshake.....you're a dietitian's dream Jill Valentine," Danielle said, rolling her eyes. Jill leaned forward on her elbow and pointed at her.

"You're no better, Danielle Lanza."

"Well at least I don't drink full cream milk."

Annette looked up. "Why's that?"

"Makes me sick."

"Like half the people in the RPD," Rachelle laughed.

"Yourself included," Danielle bit back at her. Rachelle shrugged.

"Well sweets aren't good for dogs, now are they?"

"Don't push your luck," she said. Danielle turned to Annette. "So what were you doing before you came to the RPD?"

"I was an office assistant in Chicago when I lost my job to someone who slept their way into my position."

"Must've been a bloody good position."

"It was. But that's in the past now."

Danielle looked at her, still suspicious. Then she shrugged and turned away as the waitress approached. She smiled.

"Hey girls! Having a good day today?"

"As always Beccy," Jill chirped. Beccy smiled.

"So what'll it be today?"

"The usual," Rachelle sighed. Beccy laughed.

"Hot chips and milkshakes and no normal milk for the Captain," she said, glancing down at Danielle. Beccy turned to Annette. "What about you?"

Annette shrugged. Jill leaned forward.

"The same."

Beccy nodded and walked off. Annette smiled.

"You're obviously in here often."

"Every day. It's sad I know, but that's the way we are."

"Hmmm. Interesting," she said to herself.

Rachelle sat on the park bench watching the kids play with the fountain gears. She smiled as they put in the different patterns and made the water come out of the spouts differently each time. Rachelle thought about what they might say if they put in the combination that drained the pool. The kids were laughing and some were floating little plastic and paper boats in the pool. It was a small-scale activity compared to what was going on in the lake near the other side of the park where they were having the annual model boat race finals.

"Kids. You love to sit and watch them play," she said to herself, "And they're so adorable-"

"Then they grow up into bitches like yourself and make our world hell."

Rachelle looked up sharply at whoever it was that had the nerve to badmouth her on such a beautiful day as this, and was met with the image of a tall woman with curly blonde hair. She was dressed in a navy blue short skirt and business jacket over a white blouse and was wearing black high heels. She reminded Rachelle of one of those girls who even tried to throw up the air they breathed. The force required Rachelle to be thin and in shape, but she could never see herself looking like Daionera O'Sullivan who had the audacity to approach Rachelle, knowing the hatred she possessed for her.

"O'Sullivan. What a surprise. I never would have dreamed you'd have the nerve to actually approach me. What's been going on, huh? Lose your virginity again to shed that extra little bit of weight?"

"No actually, still 50."

"In your bra maybe."

Daionera looked at her smugly. "What about yourself, McDermott? Still sleeping with the enemy, I presume?"

"Fidler actually, Dawn. And Richard was not the enemy."

Daionera shrugged and paced a bit in front of Rachelle, her high heels clicking on the pavement.

"At least not anymore, according to what I've heard."

Rachelle sprang up and grabbed her by the collar, startling her. "What do you mean by that, you bitch?" she snarled. "Because if you mean what I think, you'd better fucking take that back right now before I belt you into a bloody pulp."

Daionera shoved her away and dusted herself off. "Humph. You know exactly what I mean. Umbrella sends its condolences."

Rachelle made a dive for Daionera, but she sidestepped her.

"You traitor," Rachelle accused. "You work for them, don't you!"

"How does that make me a traitor? And to whom?"

"You're a traitor to the human race. Umbrella is evil, to put it simply. And you're just another stupid slut who works for them."

By now, the kids had turned their attention to the two grown women arguing nearby. Daionera swung her fist, striking Rachelle in the jaw.

"Bitch!"

Rachelle ran for her, punching her back. They continued to hit each other as one of the little girls ran off. The little girl ran through the gate and up to the nearest person she recognised. Danielle turned around as she felt a tug at her coat.

"Excuse me Miss Police-person, but there's two ladies fighting over there. They said some nasty stuff to each other then started hitting each other."

Danielle looked through the gate and sighed in exasperation when she recognised Rachelle.

"Oh dear. I guess I'd better break that up. Come on Jill."

She tapped the shoulder of the woman next to her, looking out at the boat race. Jill turned around and followed. Danielle burst through the gate and grabbed Rachelle on one side, while Jill grabbed Daionera. Danielle slapped Rachelle across the face to get her attention. Rachelle went to hit her back, but she ducked.

"Rachelle Fidler! I'm on duty for Christ's sake! You hit me and I have to take you in! Calm down!"

Rachelle suddenly snapped to her senses and nodded, wiping blood away from her nose. Daionera also wiped blood from her nose and mouth, an obvious black eye swelling up as well. Jill let go of Daionera as Danielle released Rachelle.

"Now. What happened."

"She swung first, officers. I was merely defending myself," Daionera said, trying to regain her posh composure.

"You're full of it!" Rachelle spat, fighting every urge to hit her again. "You bloody swung first, you lying bitch!"

Danielle looked at Daionera. "Well, well. Who have we here. If it isn't Daionera O'Sullivan herself. I'm not being biased, but I know you, and I'd be more inclined to believe Rachelle. Even if she did hit you first, I'm sure you were asking for it."

"Damn right," Rachelle said, taking the tissue that Danielle offered her and holding it to her bleeding nose. "I was just sitting here and she comes strutting up with her Armani suit and high heels and starts making comments about Richard!"

Danielle looked up at Daionera. "You know, O'Sullivan, I can pull you in for assaulting a police officer."

Daionera flicked her hair over her shoulder. "I'm surprised she made it as an officer. I believe you could take me in Captain, however how do you know there aren't more Umbrella operatives in the force? I would get away unscathed and you and your friends would be charged instead for a false charge, or taking me in without a warrant."

"You don't need a warrant for a field arrest Daionera, I think you need to go back to academy and read into the law a bit more."

Daionera shrugged. "Not my problem. I think you should be the ones worried. Not me."

Danielle gritted her teeth and looked at Jill. Jill drew a pair of handcuffs and clapped them around Daionera's wrists.

"Daionera O'Sullivan, you're under arrest for physically and verbally assaulting a police officer and attempting to threaten an on-duty officer. Anything you say and do can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney and may have a lawyer present during questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, then one will be provided for you."

Danielle turned to Rachelle. "Look, Shellie, this is the last time I can get your ass out of trouble, okay? Next time it happens, I'll have to bring you in too."

Rachelle nodded. "Thanks, Dani."

"Annette!"

She turned and looked at the door as Chief Irons came bursting through it, an intensely aggrivated look on his face. She had the urge to cower away, but she wasn't going to weaken to him.

"Yes Chief?"

He looked at her sharply. "I want that secretary downstairs dealt with! Lanza's onto us. She's already asking awkward questions. I think she knows."

"If that's so, then shouldn't we be dealing with Danielle, not the secretary?"

"The secretary is the one I think told her. Look at this."

He handed her a blue diary and pointed to the last page. She scanned it quickly and closed it.

"I suppose you want me to handle that."

"I know that they've taken a liking to you. But Lanza's still very suspicious."

"Tell me something I don't know. I get uneasy around her. She says she knows me from somewhere but can't quite remember. I have I feeling I've met her before too, but I'm a bit blank."

"There were a few rumours going around when she first came here from Chicago that she had something to do with the bombing. Apparently she gave that Mafia guy everything he needed to know."

"That's probably where I've met her. If she remembers me before we can do something about her, it's all over. She'll expose everything."

Irons nodded. "That's why I want something done about this secretary. You know what people say about memories. It only takes one little tiny jolt for everything to just come screaming back."

Annette stood up. "I'll see what I can do about the secretary. You're going to have to deal with Lanza. She's far too good for me," she stopped suddenly and turned to him. "Something else you may like to know, they're going to Europe to confront the HQ."

Irons yelled with fury and belted the typewriter off the desk in a rage. Annette left the room with a laugh. As soon as she was out the door she sobered up and shuddered, looking along the balcony. Shaking her head, she began to walk along the balcony when she heard the door open behind her. Quickening her pace, she found herself pulled to a halt when a strong hand grabbed her from behind. She almost fell back with a startled cry, but was pushed quickly back to her feet. She turned around to see that it was Danielle who had pulled her up. She didn't look happy. For a split second Annette was sure she had remembered her, but she didn't say anything insinuating that she had.

"Annette.... I have an important question for you."

"Yes...." she began slowly, "What is it?"

"A few months back, in that whole Umbrella thing in the Arklays, there was something I read which mentioned the name William Birkin. Do you know anything about that at all?"

Annette had to think fast. Danielle was famous for seeing right through a person's lies.

"No.... The only relative I have is a sister... I don't have any brothers or cousins or anything that have to do with Umbrella.... At least not as far as I know...."

She didn't look like she bought it, but she nodded anyway.

"Fair enough.... Just a thought, that's all. Something else. Why did you walk faster when you heard me coming?"

"I thought you were Chief Irons."

Danielle covered her mouth and burst out in laughter, continuing along the balcony. Annette narrowed her eyes and shook her head.

"This is becoming incredibly tedious. Something has to be done about that woman."

It was now the 25th of September. And all was not well. Reports had been coming in of people developing odd illnesses. Now the whole town was becoming overrun. Jill estimated it would be maybe a little less than five days before the entire town was taken over. The doctors had named the illness the 'cannibal disease', as anyone infected developed a lust for human flesh.

The S.F.S. and S.T.A.R.S. were holding a small meeting in the S.T.A.R.S. office about this new development. However, there weren't many there. Richard, Max and Dayna had come down with symptoms of this illness and were at the hospital, Rebecca had left for somewhere they didn't know about, Chris and Barry had gone ahead of Jill to Europe, to confront Umbrella directly at the main HQ.

Danielle sat on a chair for once, telling them about what had happened in the mansion lab. Jill, Brad and Rachelle added their own little bits and pieces in, from their own experiences. The S.F.S. members were listening, gaping at some of the outrageous things the others said really happened. Jill shivered as she walked out the door with the others. Danielle turned to the S.F.S.

"Guys, listen. Do yourselves a favour and leave town. Think of it as an order. Because I'm telling you to leave town."

Thomas, Jennifer and Zoë all nodded, and walked away. Jill turned to them.

"I'm leaving town, too. Take your own advice Danielle, and get out of here."

Danielle nodded. "Already ahead of you on that one, Rachelle and I have somewhere to go."

Brad shrugged. "I'll wander around till I find a purpose."

(Ooohhhh…. What's going to happen now?

Is Danielle spot on in her assessment of this new situation… or is she overreacting?

And what about this new and mysterious Annette?

All these answers and more in Chapter 6: The Ball Drops…)