Three: Man in Uniform
Author Notes: Some of you should already know what's going to happen in this chapter, but hopefully it will be fun getting there nonetheless. Some details I messed with but most of the interactions I tried to keep the same. Also, thanks for the reviews I've gotten, I appreciate them! Someone asked about pairings. I know where it's all going but I'd rather not state it. Let's just say I want to take Ada where she probably ended up throughout the games.
Timeline: RE2
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From behind her, a groan. They were closing in.
Ada Wong pressed a full magazine into her handgun, and crouched down behind an abandoned golf cart. Three assailants. Two used to be men, the last a young girl. She still had a teddy bear clutched in one hand, but the soul that cherished it had long since departed the body.
Three clean, easy shots. The men she took in the head, but the girl she merely immobilized at the knee. Even when faced with horror, Ada Wong could show mercy.
And she was still in the outskirts of Raccoon City.
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Perhaps doubting her resolve, Wesker had waxed a long stream of flattery about her combat skills, and how they rarely were put into action. "Capable though you are, Ada, I realized you've never had to kill anyone before. There, you will be able to kill whomever you want. And you probably should."
At the time, she was unaware of just how dangerous the 'zombies' would be. Wesker and she were having lunch together in her kitchen. He had healed rather quickly over the last few days. This was apparently another side effect of the virus he was now injected with. She studied him then, the way he casually slouched against her breakfast counter in a plain black tank top and jeans. Just a normal guy, seemingly.
Wesker had approached Ada and placed their communication device in her ear, carefully brushing her hair over it with his fingers. "I can't go with you because they think I'm dead. But with this, I'll be able to hear what's going on and guide you. You won't be alone."
He lingered near her awkwardly, their eyes locked. Then, he bent down and kissed her between the eyes. "Make my dreams come true, Ada."
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Though they were slow-moving, the sheer amount of enemies in the city filled her with apprehension. Her ammo supply was still strong, but how long could it last?
She was heading to the police station. According to Wesker, a newspaper reporter had information on where the virus might be located. He was supposed to be interviewing the police chief around the time of the outbreak. Ada was unsure if he was still alive, but it was a place to start.
Zombies turned out to be fairly dumb; she could make her way through the streets faster by climbing across cars and over rooftops. Only a few had figured out how to reach her from there. Closer to the station however, she was forced to resort to shooting once more.
"Sounds like you're getting aggressive," Wesker's voice trailed out of the ear speaker. He had begun to say strange things to her on this mission. After his going away party for her, however, she would not mention any discomfort this caused.
"It seems that the whole town is aggressive." She paused to shoot several more creatures appearing out of an alley.
"Are you scared, Ada? Or just thrilled to be killing?"
"Neither." While she found the situation distasteful, her only focus was on retrieving the virus successfully.
"Ada, confirmation. The reporter is in the local jail."
"Alright. It's nearby." Ada had carefully studied a map of the city all of last week. Navigation was one of her strongest talents.
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Entering a parking garage, she spotted an entrance into the police station... blocked by a van. Pressing her body against it did little good; she wasn't strong enough to push it out of the way.
"Some difficulties. I am at the police station, looking for an entrance- hold on-"
The sound of running echoed off the walls. Ada snuck behind a car, gun raised. Her target came into sight; a man. Instinctively, she squeezed the trigger-
No! something in her cried. That's a real person!
Her hand adjusted just enough to miss him, the bullet slashing into the ground with a loud ping. He was unharmed, but now aware of her presence. And judging by the outfit, a police officer. So much for stealth.
Pausing, the man in uniform turned around, and they were face to face.
He was young. That was her first impression of him, although she was about the same age. But from his roughed brown hair to his non-threatening posture, he looked like a kid playing dress-up. His face was clean and currently surprised; probably since she was still pointing her gun at him.
In other words, he was no threat. Her brain clicked ahead, trying to find a way to make the situation useful.
She lowered her gun, and demurely gazed at the ground. "Sorry about that. When I saw you running I thought you were one of those zombies." She stepped past him. The police officer shut his mouth, finally, and lost his dumbstruck expression.
"Who are you?" he asked, his tone something indignant.
Turning back to him, she replied, "Ada Wong." A moment passed while they looked at each other. In the dim lighting his eyes were gray. Her least favorite color. She turned and continued to walk toward the van.
"And... what are you doing here?" he was following her. Poor thing. Trying to maintain authority in a situation like this would be impossible, even if he didn't have to deal with someone like her.
Ada took a deep breath, and decided she could use his help. "I'm looking for a guy named Ben. He's one of those reporter types, always looking for a scoop. I heard he was locked up in the cell block, only there's a wrecked car barring the entrance."
She walked over to the back end of the van, and leaned against it. "If we work together we can move this thing. Will you give me a hand?" Men loved to prove how strong they could be.
Within her ear, a buzzing. "Who is that! Why are you talking to him!"
I can't answer you right now, she thought. How could such a brilliant man not realize that?
The police officer, reluctantly, approached her and helped push the car. He maintained a two foot gap between the two of them. Afraid she would bite him, perhaps.
Once the door was revealed, Ada burst into the building, rushing through the hallway and into a janitor's office. She had to inform Wesker of her progress. From outside the door, she heard her name being called, and waited until her escort passed before speaking.
"I've made contact with a member of the Raccoon City Police Department. He assisted me in getting into the building. Making my way to the reporter now."
Wesker replied immediately. "Dispose of both of them if necessary."
Ada slipped back into the hallway.
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Further along, her mysterious companion was trying to act tough with a caged man. The effect was something like a kitten bossing around a bottle cap.
"Is this the guy?" the police officer said. Ada wondered if he watched cop movies in his spare time to practice looking stern.
She ignored him, turning to the man in the cell. "Ben, you told the city officials that you knew something about what's going on. What did you tell them?"
"And who the heck are you?" Ben might have looked attractive in better circumstances, but now he just looked scared and haggard. He would be just as easy to deal with.
"I'm trying to find my boyfriend, his name's John. He was working for a
branch office of Umbrella based in Chicago but he suddenly disappeared." This was her official excuse in case a situation like this arose. The police officer snapped his head in her direction. "I heard rumors he was here in the city."
Ben folded his arms across his chest. "I don't know anything and even if I did why would want to tell you?"
A slight buzzing in her ear, again. "Obviously lying. Kill him."
The officer slammed a hand into the bars. "Okay, I say we leave him in here. Anyone know where they put the key to this cell?"
Against her will, a smile cracked Ada's face. Was he serious? She wouldn't know, so why not just address one person, instead of 'everyone'?
"Oh, god, what an idiot. Kill him too." A quiet beep indicated Wesker had briefly stopped transmitting.
The two men continued talking, but Ada didn't hear them. Wesker had just given her a direct order. Her obvious plan of action was to take out the officer first, since he had a gun. Afterwards, no one could help the newspaper reporter. She placed a hand on her handgun.
Well, maybe she should confirm no one else was around. Ada slipped down the hallway during the argument. She spotted an air vent up ahead. Maybe if she ducked into it, she could pluck off her targets without them spotting her...
"Ada, I don't think I've introduced myself."
She whipped around. So concerned with planning that she hadn't even noticed him coming up behind her? It was inexcusable. Still, looking at the man before her in this confined hallway, she had trouble believing he would put her in danger.
"My name's Leon. I'm with the RPD." He extended his hand, smiling. So, his eyes really were gray. After a moment his hand lowered, but his smile did not. "It looks like a dead end over here."
An opportunity. "Do you think we can get upstairs through this shaft? Give me a boost, I'll go and check."
Leon looked at her for a moment, then nodded, forming a step with his hands. She used it to climb up, noticing he kept his head downward rather than risk looking up her dress.
Ada climbed through the ventilation shaft and lowered herself on the other side.
What are you doing! she screamed internally. You were supposed to shoot him from up there!
Paying her own thoughts no mind, she called back, "There's nothing over here. I can't reach the ventilation hole so I'm going to have to find another way around. I'll catch up with you later."
Then she walked briskly away from the hole, ignoring the sound of Leon shouting her name. His radio went off; soon after, he retreated.
Finally, her body and mind were working together again. Ada leaned against the wall and slid to the ground. She had just ignored a direct order from Wesker. Why would she do that? How stupid could she be!
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The night before she had left, Wesker had thrown her a "going away" party.
Ada's bags were packed, and she had been leafing through some notes one last time before going to sleep. In reality, she would be awake almost until morning.
A hand on her shoulder. Wesker had let himself into the bedroom. Well, it was his house. She didn't particularly mind. But when she turned her attention back to the desk, his grip hardened.
"Come into the backyard."
Outside, the stars were bright. Ada looked for Mars, but couldn't find it. Astronomy wasn't much use in her studies. The grass was damp with dew, but the crickets were singing within it regardless. Otherwise, the night was quiet; Wesker's mansion was almost entirely isolated in woods.
Wesker slipped his bathrobe off; he was wearing only dark pants now. Gesturing at her to stay back, he stood very still. And then... he changed.
It was dark, so she couldn't see much of the transformation. But what happened was... unspeakable. Her boss was no longer the cold, intelligent man she knew. He was an uncaged animal.
She couldn't follow his movements; he was behind her before she could blink. Raising her hands in a defensive maneuver wasn't fast enough; he gathered her wrists in one hand and pressed her head close to his with the other. She could feel his body, hot with disease, pressed behind her. Anger filled her; never had Ada felt so trapped.
"I may have died and come back, but I can't say the side effects are really that bad." His hand ran down the side of her face, and over her breast. "What do you think?"
She wasn't thinking anything; only that she wanted to get away. Grunting, she pulled against him. It was no good. All of her training was worthless against that stupid virus. Wesker pushed her to the ground swiftly, but didn't hurt her. At least, not physically. He straddled her midsection as she continued to struggle.
Ignoring her discomfort, Wesker ran his hands down her throat. "Let me tell you a secret, Ada. I am a very... bad... person. That means I can't trust anyone. Anyone but an emotionless doll like yourself."
"But you see, that puts me in a position to be vulnerable to you. And I can't have that." He rearranged himself on top of her, his mouth brushing against her ear. "Or at least, I couldn't have that in the past."
She trembled, slightly. Ada rarely felt fear, but she had no choice in this situation. Her entire existence was dependent on this man, and he could utterly destroy her if he wanted to. All she could do was wait it out.
He sensed her feelings, of course. "How sweet. Are you scared?" As he removed her clothes, her body grew colder in the night air. "You really are perfect, aren't you? Scared is exactly how I want you to be."
The two of them must have been out there for hours, but Wesker never satisfied himself with her. His pleasure in the act seemed to come entirely from holding her down and causing her pain. Unable to do anything else, Ada Wong complied with his actions, only to feel a new emotion stirring within her. Resentment.
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Still, despite knowing how strong he was, and how capable he was... still, here she was, sitting in the dirt in a nightmare city, disobeying his orders out of pity for a stranger. What was wrong with her? If she just followed Wesker, there would be nothing to fear.
It's okay, you can get out of this, she tried to reassure herself, but her heart was beating hard in her chest. She could try to find an excuse to keep Leon alive, but if he didn't buy it, there would be no correct option to take. Ada would have to murder someone innocent, or suffer a terrible fate herself.
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Next Chapter: Unaware of personal danger, Leon appoints himself as Ada's bodyguard, but will he really stand by her when he finds out she's a spy? And how long until Wesker discovers something amiss?
