Chapter 16: Bleak Prospects
Barry crossed his arms contemptibly and sighed as he watched the short, dark-haired woman bustle around, fiddling with the switches on the machines in the small, dimly lit room.
"Are you done yet, Dr Papailia? Being in this place is making me uneasy."
She looked up at him, pulling off her dark glasses. Her manner reminded him of Wesker. She brushed her hair back and looked around.
"Why don't you go ahead, Mr Burton? If I catch up, I catch up. If not, that's my problem."
"Is there something wrong, Doctor? You seem a bit twitchy."
Carah Papailia looked around the room again, a suspicious nervous twitch in her movements. She shook her head briskly and smiled.
"Not a problem at all. Why do you ask?"
Barry caught a glimpse of a gun and surgical set tucked into the pockets of her lab coat underneath so they weren't easy to see. The idea that she was carrying around such a large amount of dangerous items made Barry all the more unsettled.
"Doctor, might I ask why you have such a large multitude of hazardous implements under your coat?"
She looked down quickly, pulling aside her coat so he could see all the equipment perfectly. She looked back up at him, her expression as though she thought it wasn't unusual for her to have so many.
"What, these? Oh that's nothing. Just in case."
"In case what?" Barry asked, giving the items an awkward look. "In case you feel the urge to go on a mass killing spree?"
Carah laughed, leaning forward and closing her coat. "Oh please, don't give me ideas."
Barry raised an eyebrow and nodded slowly, rubbing his beard and then shook his head.
"Okay. I'll see you another time then, Dr Papailia." He turned quickly and walked out the door without another word. As he walked down the hall, he shook his head. "Freak woman."
Rachelle sat on the concrete steps out the front of the Laboratory, thinking. She had just walked off, knowing where she was going. But she knew that any argument turned Danielle around completely, and she lost all sense of direction and co-ordination until it was resolved, or she found someone to legitimately place the blame on. The thought was taunting her more than Wesker, the asshole ex-captain of S.T.A.R.S, had ever done. She knew that Danielle was probably so turned around that she was most likely going in circles, without even considering that it would be the case.
Rachelle looked up and saw two familiar figures run across the Quad in the dim light of dawn. Standing up, one part of her wanted to follow, but another part of her wanted to go back into the labs and find Danielle. Torn two ways, she saw that Annette and Susanna were out of sight now, so she turned and put her hand on the door handle of the Laboratory lobby.
"You'd better God damn appreciate this, Dani," she said under her breath, and threw open the door, running back inside.
Barry ran down the hall as fast as he dared without making too much noise. Suddenly he tripped and landed flat on his face. As he pushed himself to his knees, he heard a soft and distant-sounding voice.
"Oh, sorry Barry, I didn't mean to trip you."
Barry turned around and looked at the figure cuddled against the wall, looking at him as if she didn't know him.
"Danielle? What are you doing?"
Danielle shrugged passively. "Nothing."
Barry pushed himself to his feet. "This I can see," he said. He reached down and pulled her lightly to her feet. "Come on. You can't just sit there like that."
"Why not?"
Barry was concerned. Danielle, despite her attitude, was usually quite sensible, but for some reason, explaining to her at the moment that they needed to escape was like trying to explain quantum physics to a seven year old.
"Danielle, what's wrong with you? You know very well that you can't just sit there on the floor."
Danielle shook her head to clear it, and ran a hand through her hair.
"Oh... sorry Barry. I don't know what's up with me, I'm turned around. I believe I know the way out from here, you do trust me enough, don't you?"
"I never didn't."
Danielle nodded and pointed down the hall. "Come on. There's a service passage that leads to the Higher Machinery building. There's a key card reader for the door, but I have one, so it's no problem. From there, we can work our way around to one of the other compounds, I'm pretty sure Umbrella has the front gate covered, otherwise it's too easy for us."
Barry agreed. "They never were really stupid. By the way, have you ever heard of Carah Papailia?"
Danielle nodded. "Yeah, she works in Research. Why do you ask?"
"I met her a little while ago. She seems to have a few screws loose. The woman is a psychopath. Jittery and very suspicious. Reminds me a lot of Wesker back in the mansion. If you see her, don't trust her. Though I don't think you'd trust anyone who carries about four complete sets of surgical equipment and a loaded gun under her coat," he paused as the strangest look crossed Danielle's face, and she wrinkled her nose at the thought. "I think she may be working for Umbrella."
Danielle nodded in agreement. "She is a bit odd, I don't really trust her all that much either. She's been working for Bio-Counter for about a year now."
"Tell me something, you're usually pretty sensible Dani, so what were you doing just sitting in the hallway considering anything could have crept up on you?"
Danielle looked away. "It's between me and her," she answered flatly.
"Who?"
Danielle looked at him as if it was the stupidest question she had ever been asked. Then she shook her head and began to walk away.
"I can't really tell you, Barry. But you'll find out eventually."
Rachelle ran down the hall as fast as her legs could carry her. She knew her way around well enough to judge that she was probably going to end up hopelessly lost in the halls of the Laboratory, but she felt that she had to find Danielle and make amends. At least then she could go and get out without having to worry about her. That was Rachelle's biggest weakness. She couldn't leave an argument unresolved.
Stopping to catch her breath, she heard something down the hall. Drawing her gun, she edged along the wall until she came to a corner. She could hear rapid footsteps coming her way. When she thought they were close, she swung around the corner and pointed her gun at the figure.
"Freeze!"
The girl stopped dead in her tracks and gasped in fright, dropping a small handgun on the tiles with a loud clatter. Looking past the end of her gun, Rachelle lowered her weapon. The girl relaxed, and jumped when she realised it was Rachelle.
"Mrs Fidler! I didn't know you were here!"
Rachelle put her gun back in its holster. "Same applies. What the hell are you doing here, Rebecca?"
Rebecca Chambers was one of the most shy and polite people Rachelle had ever met. She had short, light brown hair, and was wearing a blue bandanna, jeans and a white shirt with a denim jacket. Rebecca looked around for a moment.
"Looking for my mom," she said distantly, looking down the halls from where she stood. "Have you seen her? Her name's Susanna Chambers."
"I know her. Last time I saw her, she was on her way across the Main Quad with Annette Birkin. But I don't know where she is now. Sorry Rebecca."
"Don't worry about it," she said, disappointed. Then she began to walk down the hall. "Come on, there's an exit this way."
Rachelle shook her head. "I'm not looking for an exit, I'm trying to find Danielle."
Rebecca thought for a moment. "Danielle? I saw her on the monitor a little while ago."
"Monitor? What monitor?"
Rebecca turned and waved for Rachelle to follow her, walking down the hall.
"Come on, I'll show you."
Rachelle shrugged and followed her into one of the rooms further down the hall. Inside was a control system, with a great deal of security monitors on one wall. There was also a lot of scattered office equipment lying around. The room was a mess, but the monitors still worked. Rachelle walked up to them and shook her head.
"I can't see her."
"Then she's not in the compound. These screens, all together, cover the entire Laboratory."
Rachelle whistled. "Wow. That's a Goddamn lot of space to cover. Must be why there are so many bloody monitors."
Rebecca nodded. "Come on, we should go now."
"Yeah, you're right."
They both walked out of the room. As Rachelle closed the door, she heard another door open down the hall. She looked up as Vanessa Clark ran into the corridor.
"Vanessa!"
Vanessa looked up and shot at them, missing. When she saw that she didn't hit them, she ran off down the hall. Rachelle grabbed Rebecca by the arm.
"Come on!"
They chased after her, and caught up just as she ran through a metal screen door at the end of the hall. Rachelle and Rebecca followed her through the door and into the pinkish morning light. They found themselves alongside the east wall of the compound. Vanessa was running towards a door at the other end, which led to the closed off area where the main gate was.
"Vanessa! Stop!"
Just as she reached the door, she turned around and shot at them again. They both caught up, but thought it wise to keep their distance.
"Stop right there, traitors."
"Traitors? Miss Clark, we're not-"
"Don't lie!" Vanessa's hands were shaking terribly. "You work for them, don't you! It's just so convenient that none of this ever threatened to happen until you all arrived!"
Rachelle shook her head. "Oh God, Vanessa! It was going to happen anyway! Umbrella probably picked this time because it would hit two birds with one stone! They want us dead, they want you dead. It was convenience for them!"
"Lairs! Do you really expect me to believe you?!"
Rebecca hadn't been listening. Her eyes were fixated on the odd vine that was twining its way down the wall towards Vanessa. Neither of the other women had noticed it yet. Rebecca tapped Rachelle's shoulder.
"Rachelle, look at that," she whispered, pointing to the vine. Rachelle backed up when she saw it.
"Oh shit. Vanessa, back away from the wall."
Vanessa backed right up to the door and put one hand on the handle.
"No! I'm getting out of here now. You can't stop me. Nothing can!"
As she finished speaking, the vine slowly wrapped itself around her waist. Vanessa looked down as it tightened.
"Wh... what? Get it off me!"
The vine lifted her up, and a huge surging sea of vines appeared over the ridge of the concrete wall, writhing and hissing as it covered the entire top and half of the side. A huge bulb, the head of the creature, rose out of the mass, and loomed over the top of Vanessa, who froze in horror at the sight. The ivy creature lifted her higher, and soon she was level with the top of the wall. Though she tried as hard as she could to squirm out of the iron grip of the monster, it was to no avail.
Suddenly the bulb opened, and a jet of acid shot out, splattering all over her. She screamed in pain as the acid melted her skin and hair. The acid burned the synthetic fabrics of her dress into her skin. Steam rose up from her body, and her hair turned brittle. Rachelle turned Rebecca's head away from the horror. Suddenly the vine let go, and Vanessa's still burning body came crashing to the ground, now frangible bones splintering and cracking on impact. There was hardly any flesh left on the bones. Rachelle put a hand on Rebecca's shoulder.
"We have to run. It's our only chance."
Rebecca nodded and followed quickly as Rachelle ran off. "Even Vanessa didn't deserve that."
Rachelle nodded as they ran. "I know, Rebecca. No-one should have to die like any of this."
They reached the garden in the middle of the Quad. As they ran along one of the paths, they heard something. Rachelle drew her gun and moved slowly towards the sound. When she saw what it was, she quickly holstered her gun and ran over. Lying on the ground in a pool of blood, was Linda Birkin. She appeared unconscious, but as Rebecca and Rachelle approached her, she opened her eyes and looked up at them.
"I... I'm not going to make it," she whispered.
"Don't talk like that Linda, of course you are. All we have to do is get you to safety."
Linda shook her head. "You can't move me Rachelle, it will just make it worse."
Rachelle looked at the wound that had been inflicted on the scientist. Something with very big claws had sliced her up the side and across her shoulder. The cuts were deep and bleeding profusely, and she had lost a lot of blood. Rachelle realised that Linda was right. There was no way she was going to make it. Rachelle shook her head.
"No... I can't believe this!"
Linda looked up at them. "Listen. My brother is William Birkin. I'm sure you've heard from Annette that he works for Umbrella. When you find Annette, give this to her. I would much rather it had gone to William, but it can't. She needs to know this."
She handed her an envelope. Rachelle nodded and put it in her pocket. Linda coughed and closed her eyes.
"Girls, go to Research. It's safe there. I think that Susanna and Annette are there," she whispered, slipping away. "Good luck."
With these last words, Linda drifted into unconsciousness. Even though she hardly knew her, Rachelle felt tears beginning to well up in her eyes. She had to look away. Rebecca covered her face, trying not to start crying. Rachelle sniffled and stood up, wiping tears from her eyes. She looked down at the letter that Linda had asked her to pass on to her sister-in-law, Annette.
"Don't worry, Linda, I'll make sure she gets it. I'll even march right into Umbrella's headquarters and demand they bring William back so that he'll get to see this letter."
Rebecca smiled as best she could. "You're a great person, you know. Not many people would be that dedicated."
Rachelle nodded, feeling tears beginning to appear again. "Just don't mention it, okay? It's no real big deal."
"I guess we should go to Research, huh?"
Rachelle began to walk off, when she heard something that almost made her heart jump out of her chest. A low purring broke the silence. Rebecca came up alongside her.
"What is that?" she whispered. Rachelle shook her head and drew her gun.
"Your worst nightmare. Run!"
Rachelle began to run for Research, followed close behind by Rebecca. They ran along the front of the building and Rachelle thought they were home free as they ran through the open gate. But as they passed the guardhouse, there was a crash, and Rachelle heard Rebecca scream. Whirring around, she saw a giant, human-like cat on top of Rebecca, trying to bite at her neck. Rachelle pointed her gun and began to fire at the monster. The cat stopped attacking Rebecca and jumped back, ready to pounce on Rachelle. She continued to fire on the monster, and it snarled, the bullets cracking into it, yet the monster still stood almost uncaring. It advanced slowly towards her. Rebecca rolled onto her stomach and also shot at it. Yet the monster, though weakening to the bullets, continued to approach them, bent forward with its hunched back and werewolf-like posture.
Suddenly there was the report of another gun, and the black cat disappeared in a burst of sparks, squealing in pain. Rachelle took advantage of its weakness, and ran at the animal, shooting relentlessly. The animal hissed and ran off, looking awkward on four legs. Rachelle ran over to Rebecca and helped her to her feet. Rebecca was shaking a fair bit and was having trouble getting out her thanks. Rachelle hugged her.
"Hey, it's alright, Rebecca."
The sniper appeared alongside them. "You held out well, Rebecca."
They both looked up at Annette. She shifted her grip on the spark gun she was holding.
"It would be advisable to come inside, 'Panther' will be coming back."
She led them into the lobby of the Research building. Rachelle sat Rebecca down in one of the soft chairs in the lobby.
"Th... thank... you," she managed to get out. Rachelle rubbed her arm.
"Don't worry about it. I couldn't just let it kill you."
Rachelle looked up as someone entered the room. Susanna was standing in the doorway that led into the Library. Susanna stood where she was for a moment, before racing over to Rebecca.
"Rebecca! Think goodness you're alright!" she cried, hugging her daughter. "What happened to you? Why aren't you in the Village where I told you to stay?"
Rebecca hugged her back. "I couldn't stay there, mom, otherwise I would've been killed. Cerberus dogs got into the Village. Linda told us to come here because it's the safest place."
"Linda? Where is she, Rebecca?"
Rachelle stood up and put her hand on Susanna's shoulder.
"She... she didn't make it. I'm sorry."
Susanna looked up at her, shocked. "What? What happened?"
"She was fatally wounded by one of those monsters."
Rebecca looked up. "Do you think it was that cat-thing that attacked us before?"
Rachelle nodded. "Probably. I don't think it could have been the plant, because it didn't have claws."
"You mean the 'Panther' and the 'Creeper'. They're two of the B.O.W.s released into the compound by Umbrella," Annette explained. "We know about one called 'Tyrannos'. There's a fourth one, called 'Thorax'. But we don't know what or where it is. The Panther is very dangerous because it's so fast."
Susanna had been pretty quiet up until now. She turned to Rachelle.
"Wasn't Danielle with you?"
Rachelle closed her eyes and looked away. "Was, is the operative word."
"She's not... dead, is she?" Annette asked slowly. Rachelle looked at her and shrugged.
"I don't know. Honestly. We had a fight and went in separate directions. I went back in to find her, but found Rebecca instead. I have no idea where Dani is."
"We need her to get Smokey out of the keeping room. She's the only one with key card access to that particular room who is still assumed to be alive."
Just as she finished speaking, there was a beeping sound from behind the reception desk. Susanna ran over and pushed the intercom.
"Research. Dr Chambers speaking."
There was a fair amount of background noise before there was any answer.
"This is Barry. We're in Higher Machinery. How long will it take you to get down here?"
"About fifteen or so minutes if we take the 5th service tunnel from here and come in via Lower Machinery. What's the problem?"
"We're being tailed by Hunters."
Annette clicked her fingers to get Susanna's attention. She looked over.
"What's this about 'we'?" she asked.
"Barry, who are you with?"
There was a moment of silence before he answered. "Let me guess. Either Annette or Rachelle's there. Tell them that Dani's alright... in a certain respect. She was attacked by a Cerberus. She'll be fine, but she's a bit out of commission for now. We'll take that service tunnel then. We're at the junction."
"You need Danielle to use her key card."
There was a pause. Barry came back. "Yeah, she's fine to do that. She's not like, lights out or anything, just a little on the stamina side."
Annette crossed her arms and looked at Rachelle. "Do you feel better now?"
"What? Why?"
"Well, now that you know Danielle's pretty much alright, you won't feel bad about leaving her behind."
"Don't push it Annette, you're hanging by a thread of trust with me as it is, don't be sharp with me. What makes you think I felt bad about leaving her in the first place?"
Susanna looked up. "Alright, break it up. Rachelle, you're feeling better. Annette, you're shutting up."
Time is running short and tempers are running high,
if they can't work together they'll never survive!
Trapped in Bio-Counter, will they escape before they too are defeated?
Next in Chapter 17: The Rout of the Cavalry.
