The cafeteria was almost always packed, Doctors and Scientists worked all manner of different shifts and it seemed there was always a group of men and women fresh off a shift sipping coffee or chatting amongst themselves, it was obvious there were cliques even in the secret underground facility of Umbrella. They worked together and dined together rarely letting an outsider into their circle if at all.

"It's just like the lunchroom at High School" Lisa sighed as she pushed her soup around with her spoon swirling the liquid in a circle "All the pretty girls and Preppie guys sit at one side of the table while the nerds and the outcasts sit at the other side"

Adrian watched her play with her soup, the mood he'd sensed earlier from her hadn't dissipated in the least, if anything his colleague's mood had worsened.

"Food tastes the same too" he added with a smile "It's enough to make one nostalgic for the old days isn't it?"

Lisa simply sighed ceasing her hand and watching the miniature whirlpool of soup spin around in her bowl

"It works better if you eat it you know..." Adrian said with a smile as he lifted a spoon of soup to his lips and sampled it, he quickly made a face "Alright maybe not..."he grimaced "Tastes like they dumped the coffee grounds into the soup...ugh"

Lisa looked around the room narrowing her eyes as she saw Samantha and Liam sitting at a table not far from them

"Do you think that means the coffee will taste more like soup? Lisa?"

Lisa turned as Adrian spoke his name "What?" she asked him "I'm sorry, Adrian I'm just not good company right now...I'm..."

"Depressed" Adrian said "I can tell...maybe you can shed some light as to why?"

"I'm not depressed..." Lisa protested

"Homesick?"

"No...it's just...I'm tired...I see the same things day after day...I love the dogs, Adrian they're the highlight of my day, but other then that it's the same four walls of my room...the same lab...this damn cafeteria! It's all the same!"

Lisa dropped her spoon to the table and sighed

"Ahhh then the diagnosis is Cabin Fever then" Adrian said putting his spoon down, he thought for a few minutes the silence stretching out between them like it was a tangible thing "Perhaps I have the cure" he said finally

Lisa looked up at him, observing him he appeared to be mustering the courage to say something

"Let's get out of here" Adrian said simply

"W-What? Just pack up and leave?" Lisa asked surprised "Adrian I may be a little depressed but I'm not crazy!"

Adrian merely smiled

"What I mean, my overanxious colleague is that tonight I talk to Doctor Birkin about going into Raccoon City tomorrow, we get up early, take our samples, and run our tests early and then we have the day to ourselves...just you and me"

Lisa's eyes lit up at his suggestion

"That's a wonderful idea, Adrian!" she smiled and then looking at him carefully "Adrian are you asking me out on a date?

Adrian's cheeks blushed crimson

"Well I was going to call it a mental health day...but if you want to call it a date then I won't argue with that logic" he grinned

Lisa, still smiling, reached out and took Adrian's hand and gave it a squeeze

"You look cute when you blush" she smiled

"And you look cute period..." Adrian countered "But you look better when you smile"

The two talked and made plans for the next day, Adrian was more then pleased to see his colleagues mood had improved, and he inwardly congratulated himself on finally managing to ask her out...something he'd wanted to do ever since he'd laid eyes on her.

So far things were running smoothly between them, he only hoped that tomorrow would bare the same results.

--

The monthly meeting had gotten underway. Liam stood in front of the table with Samantha to his left and Wesley to his right. The three were showing the latest T-Virus developments to their visitors. The long table seated mostly men in suits; older men with wrinkled faces that had the looks of those who had long served. Three people in particular stood out. Albert Wesker along with William Birkin sat near the end of the table. At the head of the table was a man with short brown hair and a black trench coat over his black suit. This man was Trent, the mysterious Mr. Trent who was the biggest mystery of all of White Umbrella.

"As you can see, by altering the amount of enzymes to greater those of the alnico acids, the virion of the virus spreads even faster since the enzymes can reach the host cells quicker."

Liam pressed the button of the "clicker" in his hand and the slide changed. The new virus progress was over and now it was Dr. Wesley Smith's turn to present the latest development on the B.O.W. As he began to speak Samantha looked across the table and noticed the bored and irritated looks on the faces of Wesker and Birkin. The two may have been genius researchers years ago, but they had moved on and new scientists were brought in. They still thought they were better than the current team of Dr. Liam Porter, Dr. Samantha Morgan and Dr. Wesley Smith. She really disliked the two of them for their superiority complex.

"…increased growth and new developments in motor skills and thoughts. Though they are incredibly violent and a real chore for the handlers to feed. I worry if they cannot be controlled their use as a military application may be limited as they might turn on their own people."

The voice that spoke was that of Albert Wesker. His words flowed with a sense of his arrogance and his education. "The use of Ma131s will just have to be altered. Maybe they could be used by dropping them in from above so they have no access to their handlers?"

"I agree. The development of strength, size, and combat ability are too great to dispose of them. Just find an alternate route for them. Besides the "Hunters" have you continued research on any other creatures?"

William Birkin glanced to Dr. Smith and tilted his head slightly. Wesley clicked to the next slide and showed a shark which didn't appear to be that much different from a normal shark. As he went on a droning explanation of T-Virus application to living things Samantha looked to Liam. He stood against the far wall, arms over his chest, watching. He wasn't watching the slides, he was focused on the three special guests; Wesker, Birkin, and Trent. He was studying them, watching their expressions and trying to figure them out.

Liam knew those three men had access cards to the Tyrant level. Maybe he could catch them after the meeting and lure them into a conversation about something random and pick their pockets. There was still no luck with finding the ventilation duct that ran to the sub-basement level so his only hope now was to attempt to steal one of their cards. He was so caught up in his thoughts he didn't hear his name being called. He looked up when he heard Jackson, that old, white-haired bastard from the executive board, calling his name. He shook it off and then stepped forward. It was time for the annual recap and Q&A part of the meeting.

--

"Hey Hazen...Check out the tits on this one!"

Baldwin his feet up on his desk unfolded the magazine's centerfold picture and turned in his chair to show Hazen his find.

"Niiiiiiice..." Hazen replied "Reminds me of your sister...when I fucked her brains out" Hazen grinned

"Hey Fuck You man! My sister's dead you fucking jerk off!" Baldwin growled

"Ahhh" Hazen said looking thoughtful "That would explain why she didn't move or open her eyes...I thought the bitch was just frigid!"

"FUCK YOU!" Baldwin rose from his desk his hand going for his gun

"Baldwin! Hazen! Settle down you Numbfucks!" Ross growled from his desk

"Aww C'mon chief...just having a little fun here" Hazen protested "Calm down you drama queen I was just fucking with you" he shot in the direction of his angered comrade, Baldwin cursed under his breath and sat back down at his desk offering his middle finger in response

Ross understood their unease...it was too fucking quiet around this place, hardly anyone even knew it existed so who the fuck would want to break into it? Not that Ross minded sitting back and collecting a paycheck for doing next to nothing...but it would be nice to see a little action before his tour with Umbrella was up.

Suddenly the phone rang, Ross was quick to answer it, and he listened for several moments before his face split into a grin as he hung up

"Alright gentlemen get your shit together! We've got a perimeter breach...this aint a drill...we're to neutralize the target...shoot first and ask questions later!"

"Yipeekiyay Motherfucker!" Baldwin cried jumping up from his chair and heading for the equipment room

Ross followed him wearing a grin and Hazen was right behind him

"Bout time we got some real trouble" the young recruit said.

Ross couldn't have agreed with him more. In the equipment room Ross, Hazen, and Baldwin began stocking up. They slipped on bullet proof vests and grabbed rifles from the lockers, slipping them over their shoulders. They already had 9mm standard issue side arms with them, but needed something a little more powerful. This was the first time anyone had triggered the alarm and it had to be big since most people didn't even know this mansion existed. After wrapped a bandolier of rifle cartridges around his waist Ross waved his arm.

"Come on, numbskulls! Let's move!"

The three men ran for the door, sprinting down the steps into the entrance hall. Ross yanked the door open and ran out, followed by Hazen and Baldwin. It was almost getting dark, the sun just setting so they still had ample light. The three began their patrol, moving slowly around the outskirts of the mansion. The motion detectors picked up something and they had to find it. They continued to slowly creep around the mansion's side, peering into the distance hoping to see the sorry asshole who wandered onto the Umbrella hideout.

Off to their right was a sudden rustle in the bushes and Hazen and Baldwin both spun to look. The bush rattled again and both men squeezed the trigger of their rifles, sending out four quick shots. There was a blood curdling scream as Ross sprinted up behind them. As the two lackeys high-fived each other Ross stepped forward to examine the target. He pulled the bush apart and quickly stepped back.

"HOLY SHIT! OH FUCKING SHIT!"

The Chief of Security turned to his two lackeys with a look of panic on his face. Baldwin stepped forward and peered in; he too quickly stepped back and looked to Hazen, a look of fear on his face. As Hazen stepped forward to examine Ross cut him off.

"What the hell, man! This wasn't some intruder! There's a dead kid in that bush!"

Hazen suddenly pushed forward past Ross and Baldwin to see for himself. They were right. Lying in the bush was a boy who looked about twelve or thirteen, his white shirt was covered in blood and he had four entry wounds that ran the length of his torso. Hazen looked back to his boss who was panicking.

"Okay! Okay! We take the kid inside and put him in the security deck. I escorted Wesker and Birkin to the conference room earlier; they'll know what to do! You two take him through the back way into the deck and I'll go find them. MOVE! NOW!"

Ross turned and took off in a full on run. Baldwin and Hazen picked up the body of the blonde boy and began to carry him around to the back of the mansion. It was times like this they were glad this mansion was miles into the forest and the only people around were Umbrella employees and they were in the mansion. No witnesses were a great thing for an event like this.

--

Just as Jackson finished frying Liam and Samantha about their research the door to the conference room suddenly burst open and a sweaty Ross Brookes burst in. As all the people turned to him, most bearing angry looks, he gasped to catch his breath. Before any of them could question him he blurted out.

"Captain Wesker! Dr. Birkin! You two have to come with me, now! This is a very important matter! I'm sorry for interrupting the meeting but this can't wait!"

As looks of confusion went through the room, slowly Wesker and Birkin stood and began to walk towards the door. Liam looked to Wesley who looked to Samantha who looked back to Liam. Security was dense around here, but something big must have happened for him to barge in on an executive meeting. Jackson angrily stood from his chair but before the first word could leave his mouth the enigmatic Trent raised a hand to quiet him. Trent's smooth voice flowed through the room.

"It's fine, Jackson. I am certain that whatever business requires those two is of utmost importance. We can finish without them."

The angry man glared at Trent and then sat back down. Trent was their problem solver, advice giver, and general unwritten leader; plus he was right most of the time. As Jackson took a deep, calming breath he looked back to the three people in charge of the T-Virus team.

"Go on…."

--

"Then the shots fired and we found out too late it was a civilian."

Ross stopped in front of the door to the security deck and swiped his access card. The door opened and he led Wesker and Birkin into a room where Hazen and Baldwin stood over a coat where the boy lay. The two men pushed their way past and looked down at the body.

"This is just great…"

Wesker mumbled as Birkin reached down and felt for a pulse on the boy's neck. He felt nothing and pulled his hand away, shaking his head as he turned to Wesker. The two just stared silently at one another as if the same idea suddenly came to both of them. They shared a nod and then Wesker turned to Ross.

"You have no need to worry. Dr. Birkin and I will handle this situation. We'll take the body and deal with it. Don't feel ashamed or guilty, Mr. Brookes. You and your men were only doing your job. Now, can I get your two assistants to bring the body to the labs?"

Ross looked to Hazen and Baldwin, feeling relieved but still a little worried since they had a dead body on their hands and Wesker and Birkin seemed a little too calm.