Author's Note: As always, thanks to Jediferret, my beta reader.
Standard disclaimer applies. Let me know what you think by reviewing but absolutely no flaming.
Currently listening to: Resident Evil Main Theme by Marilyn Manson. (For inspiration)
Italics denotes thought
Chapter 4
Janus is on her way to the only computer in the facility that can be used to activate the self-destruct program. Naturally, it's located in the bowels of the lab with all the HVAC and electrical equipment.
It's probably poorly lit too.
Recalling the location of the training arena is on the way, she decides to make a stop to see their experiments for herself. She approaches a set of steel double doors leading to the central core of the facility. Preparing her weapon, she opens the doors. After sweeping for possible targets, she walks around the core's interior walkway.
The lab is basically a large wheel with labs around the perimeter; three hallways, one of which she had just come from, act as spokes; and a hub which houses the main elevator. Between the hallways were the maintenance and service areas on the bottom level; experiment containment and training arenas on the third; elevated walkways and observation areas on the second; and staff areas on the first.
Janus moves to the elevator and presses the call button. A computer responds to her attempt in a woman's voice, "Viral contamination is detected. Please enter the four-digit authorization code to activate the elevator."
"But I don't have the four-digit code." Janus mutters under her breath.
Thinking a moment, she decides to try one of the maintenance ladders found around the perimeter.
Should have done that in the first place, but nooo, I decided to take the stupid elevator.
Janus backtracks towards the perimeter. A number of infected staff had somehow made it into the hallway. Dr. Marks had been right, it had been maybe twenty minutes since the virus' release and the dead had already reanimated.
The nearest one senses her presence and lurches toward her. Its sudden movement attracts the attention of the others causing half a dozen of the undead to advance on her. Janus fires into the group and pumps another shell into the chamber as her assailants stumble back. After a few more carefully placed shots Janus surveys the bodies, snapping the necks of those still moving.
I wonder why they detected me. I'm practically one of them.
A search of their clothes yields a high level keycard, a notepad with a few sets of numbers scribbled in it, and, oddly enough, a handful of shotgun shells. Janus reloads and turns back to the hub.
Perhaps one of these numbers is the authorization code.
Returning to the elevator, Janus enters the first set of numbers.
"I'm sorry, that code is incorrect. Please try again." The computer responds.
She enters the next set, the response is the same. Her brow furrows in frustration.
I should be able to get this. I am named for the god of doors after all.
The next set has the same effect.
This last one had better be it 'cuz I'm out of codes.
The computer finally tells her what she wants to hear, "Thank you, the elevator is on its way."
Janus waits impatiently for the doors to open.
Ada searches the lab for anything useful and finds nothing. She stands in the middle of the room, plotting her next move. She needs to find whoever took the sample before they make it out of the lab but they could be anywhere. She rubs the back of her neck to ease the tense muscles and, opening her eyes, sees the dome of the security camera in the ceiling. A smirk tugs at the corner of her mouth.
She checks her PDA for the location of the security office. It'll take a bit of backtracking but it's not too far. Equipping her Punisher, she heads back into the hallway. A few moments later, she is standing outside the door to her destination. Opening the door reveals a dark room; the only source of light is a bluish glow from the security monitors. She checks the lockers near the door and finds a Taser. Reaching in the back of the locker produces a carrying case and extra battery. The battery goes in her waist pouch while the Taser in its case is attached to the pouch's strap.
The smell of blood emanates from around the corner, along with wet sounds of someone eating. Readying her weapon, Ada steps around the corner to find one of the security guards making a snack of his co-worker. He looks over his shoulder at her and begins to rise. Ada aims for his temple and fires. The man collapses, now minus a good portion of his head. Ada approaches the bodies and collects 9mm bullets from the zombie guard. The other guard, although badly mauled, is still alive, though Ada can't see how.
"Help me." He asks, using the last of his strength.
Ada, squats next to him trying to reflect concern in her eyes, "All I can do is end your suffering."
His hand reaches for her, a wistful look on his face. He begs her, "Please…"
As she aims, she witnesses his transformation. His skin tone changes to a sickly gray and his brown eyes cloud over becoming a silvery-white. She quickly pulls the trigger before he turns completely, ending his misery. His pockets contain a lighter, an all-access keycard and a key ring. She adds the items to her waist pouch and checks out the view of the security cameras.
Finding the monitor in the main lab, Ada rewinds the footage. She sees herself, moving backwards, and shortly after that, a woman, dressed like a biker chick with stringy blonde hair. She had left only moments before Ada reached the lab. Ada surveys the other screens and finds the woman in a corridor not far away taking out a gang of undead staff.
I see Alice has returned to Wonderland.
Before leaving, she checks the rest of the room and upon finding a gas can with some gas left; she douses the corpses and sets them on fire.
Better to be safe than sorry, I always say. Don't need to run into any crimsonheads.
Ada leaves the room and heads in the direction of the intruder. She rounds a bend in the hallway and sees the double door that leads to the central hub. The bodies of bullet-riddled undead are strewn across the hall, evidence of the lab's other intruder. Blocking her path are two Cerberus, feasting on the bodies. The animals were at one time Dobermans but now looked skinned and rotten. One is missing an eye and the white gleam of bone can be seen through the shredded flesh of its face. The second's throat and half of its shoulder is missing as if it had been shot away. Ada fires a shot at the nearest one and isn't too surprised when a blue-white static bubble appears around the dog, deflecting her bullet.
Got shields, huh? Let's see if the Taser does the trick.
She equips the Taser and fires. The darts connect with the electric shield and 50,000 volts short it out. The undead animal is unaffected until she shoots it with her handgun. Reloading the Taser takes but a second and she repeats the process on the second canine.
Ada reloads the Taser and her Punisher and walks to the end of the hallway. Opening the door reveals the other intruder waiting for the elevator. She turns as Ada enters the room.
Janus inquires, a smug look on her face, "And who might you be?"
Ada, her voice full of humor, smirks and answers, "No one important." She pulls her Punisher, "I'm going to ask you nicely, Alice, give me the sample."
To Be Continued…