Kitana- Ok folks this is the big surprise!!! Hope you enjoy it!!! Cos I did!!
37
Claire and Mike walked down the corridor; she glanced down at the map and leaded to the nearest elevator. Mike stood close and quiet, he held his shotgun loosely, "Claire are you-"
"Why does everyone ask me that?!" she snapped.
"Maybe it's because of your expression."
She sighed, tired of everything and of the constant questions, "Do me a favour Mike, please stop asking me that question," she looked at him, "I'm fine."
He nodded his head. They approached the elevator, Mike pulled the metal grate aside and got in, Claire followed. He pulled the grate back and pressed the 'U4' button. He rummaged in his pocket pulling out a few shotgun shells.
The lift moved.
He loaded the shotgun and pumped it up. Claire shoved one of her flame grenades into her launcher. She swung the strap round her neck and arm and adjusted it.
"When we get up there," she said, "We have to spilt up."
Mike gazed down at the map; there were two possible ways towards the security system. One through a lab on the right side of the level and another way through the left side of the level.
"You take left. I'll take right. Agreed?" she looked up at him and saw a very young confident man.
He smiled and nodded, "You're the boss, boss."
She laughed feeling the weight of the pressure seeping away slowly, "Here," she said handing over the map, "I can find my way. You take it. Be in and out."
He stared at her taking the map within his hands, "Ok."
Claire leant back pushing her hair away from her face; she swiped the sweat from her forehead. She didn't understand why she felt so hot; the area was colder than hot. The lift was close to their destination.
"Remember, use as little as you can of the ammo," she glanced at the moving numbers, "We don't have a lot."
With one hand on the hilt of her combat knife and the other cupping the launcher, the elevator stopped. Mike moved forward pulling the grate away. Claire moved out scanning the hall, the lights were on but the monsters were nowhere to be seen.
Her body tensed up.
Her heart was lodged within her throat, she felt as if her brain was going to explode with the amount of adrenaline in her body. She took deep steady breaths and signalled for Mike to move out.
He did, running opposite her to the far wall. He nodded suggesting the hall was clear.
He backed up keeping his eyes focused everywhere; he smiled towards her and darted down his side of the hall.
Claire watched him before seeing herself down the corridor. She pushed her hair back again and tried as hard as she could to relax.
At the end of the hall was a large metal door. Only the red and white Umbrella symbol lay on the metal.
Claire walked closer towards it, always a little apprehensive at first. Her back kept to the wall, just in case there were any little surprises that would suddenly pop out.
She could feel her heat pounding within her chest, getting louder and louder with every step. It felt as if the sound ringing in her head was making her sick, she was scared. It was the truth of the matter, anyone would be. Knowing what she knew would scare anyone, just the thought of some disgusting monster that's only thought is to kill, lurking around the corner would put anyone off.
Claire held her launcher as tightly as possible; it was the only thing that could protect her.
The only thing.
She quickly checked her pockets for the ammo; although it wasn't enough she made sure that they were easily accessible. Especially with everything going on at the same moment and not forgetting Alexia. She opened up her pocket and peek into it, only five fire rounds and six grenade rounds left.
As she stepped up to the door, it suddenly opened. Claire quickly backed up to the wall holding the launcher towards her. She took a few breaths before throwing herself forward into the room.
There was nothing, absolutely nothing in there, well apart from a few computers; there wasn't anything of the fleshing eating kind near…
…well not yet.
As she walked into the room, the lights flashed on and the door closed behind her.
The place was quite small and very cold; she rubbed her arms to stop herself from shivering. By the door were a few lockers, computers and near the back were a few steps leading up to a capsule. Claire jumped back in fright.
"Fuck!" she gasped. She just pray to God that whatever was in the capsule wasn't about to wake up and eat her.
She turned to the computers to see what was exactly within the cylinder. She sat down on the chair and brought a file up, and began reading it:
"26th April 02:12am
Samples from the Antarctic facility were bought back for analysis. What was found was remarkable…
…The T-Veronica virus.
In all my years working with Umbrella, I have never seen such genius. Alexia Ashford knew what she was doing.
Although the samples weren't enough to duplicate the virus, however since the break through in genetic engineering we have been available to replicate the DNA of the samples to produce a clone.
A clone with the T-Veronica virus worked into the DNA!
This means, by my calculations, that the growth of the clone would take five months to become stable enough for extraction of the T-Veronica virus.
However until that day, our knowledge of the virus is still very limited."
Claire sat back; she knew Alexia died in the Antarctic. And this explained her existence. But the thing was, if Alexia was already alive then who or what was in the capsule? Unless it was the Tyrant!
Claire moved from her seat afraid, she hated that Tyrant. It was bad enough knowing that Alexia was back from the grave but the Tyrant too?!
But it died, she killed it. Completely destroyed…however, what if? What if it wasn't the Tyrant? But?
No! She stopped herself. It wasn't him, she was hoping all over again. He was died and that was it!
There had to be more information! She sat back down and frantically searched for any files and came up with one more:
"6th June 06:54am
It has come to my attention that the samples taken from the Antarctic base have been of that of a prisoner.
Prisoner 267. Burnside, Steve.
No matter if the subject was of lowly existence. The T-Veronica virus improves lesser qualities in any subject.
Although the clone will have no memory of what had happen to him until his last moments, he too will not realise that within his DNA is the virus.
What we have learned from the T-Veronica virus is that it changes the 'faults' of, shall I say humans? Yes humans! And evolves them to a 'godlike' state.
Enhanced hearing and sight, agilely and speed will become none that we have ever seen. Ability to rejuvenate miraculous and his strength will become greater than ten men…
…Or even more.
In other words the clone would become indestructible.
However, his mind will be as before he died. Which is such a shame, Umbrella might not be able to control him…"
She jumped up from the chair, shocked. It just wasn't true! She glanced at the capsule; there was only one way in finding out.
Claire moved up closer to the capsule, frost covered the entire glass covering. The glass was thick, about a few inches thick. She hesitated at first, but she made her hand touch the glass. The coolness hit her like a ton of bricks; it was so refreshing and yet feverish. Now all she had to do was look inside, but she couldn't make herself. She backed away and bent down, her heart was overpowering within her chest.
It ached so much.
Claire glanced up at the capsule again and wiped the frost away…
…She staggered to the back of the room mesmerized by the individual within the capsule, she coward to the floor in the corner huddling against the wall in a small ball and sobbed. The cold swept up and down her body like ice-cold fingers. She pulled her hair, tugging and yanking it. She didn't want to believe.
It wasn't true.
It was her again, she was going crazy.
"No you're not Claire."
She looked up and saw Steve; he knelt down and gently wiped the tears from under her eyes. He cupped her cold hands into his and affectionately kissed her fingertips with his soft lips.
"Steve?" she whimpered, "You're alive?"
He smiled then and hugged her close, "Yes," he whispered, "I am. And I've been waiting for you."
She glanced behind him and gazed at the capsule, "You look so peaceful."
Steve stroked her hair from her eyes and kissed her forehead, "Claire it's time." He stood up holding out his hands to her.
She looked at them and didn't know what to do. She laughed in spite of herself, "This isn't real," she stood up backing into the corner. Her face held so much pain and suffering and he knew that she couldn't take any more without giving up her sanity, "I'm losing it again. You're a delusion, I know that, but that," she pointed to the capsule containing the young man with the copper hair, "Is not real!"
"Are you so sure?"
"Yes I am. Very!" He moved closer, his hand still out to her. She frowned, "Stop!" she cried aiming the weapon towards his body, "I'm not doing this any more Steve. Do you hear me?"
"I hear you Claire. That is why this is the end of your torment," he turned to look at the capsule, "He…we are alive Claire. You need to believe that," he turned back to her and moved forward.
"I told you to stop!" Her finger hesitated on the trigger. She didn't know anything any more.
The nozzle of the launcher poked him gently, he looked down and turned it away, "You won't shoot me Claire."
She laughed, "You're so sure?"
Steve grinned, "I am. You love me too much to kill me."
Her laughing turned to sobs, the weapon dropped from her hands to the floor; she lowered her body to the ground crying. Steve bent closer to her and wrapped his hands around her fragile waist. The smell of his fragrance washed over her like a warm breeze, "I missed your smell," she whispered.
He faced her and laid a kiss on her cheek, "And I have missed yours too."
He held her hands and led her to the capsule. He wiped some of the frost away touching his lips with the melted ice.
Steve leant closer to her and simply brushed his warm soft lips against her cheek; he traced them close to her ear and whispered, "Set me free Claire. I want to be in your arms…forever."
Claire opened her eyes; she was only inches away from the capsule. Mist of cool air wafted around her like a cloak. She breathed in and exhaled feeling the tightness within her stomach and chest disappear.
She gazed at the young man she loved so much stand in the capsule; inside was flooded with water, maybe something else. He stood inside naked, and very asleep. His copper hair swayed slowly within the container, his chest moved up and down steadily and it almost seemed that he was about to wake up and gave her that smile she loved so much. He looked like he never died and it broke her heart.
She glanced around the capsule looking for something that could open it up. And there it was a panel with a clear plastic covering over a red button. She moved to it placing her hand around the covering. Next to it was a slot for a card or something. Some red words flashed above the slot.
'Pass I.D card."
Claire shifted through her pocket taking out Watson's card. She passed her thumb over the black code and passed it through. The red words turned green: 'Access Granted'.
She released a breath lifting the plastic covering away from the button. She quickly pressed it eager to see her Steve breathe life again. She turned back to the capsule.
And then she wondered what had he paid to come back from the grave?
Maybe his humanity…
37
Claire and Mike walked down the corridor; she glanced down at the map and leaded to the nearest elevator. Mike stood close and quiet, he held his shotgun loosely, "Claire are you-"
"Why does everyone ask me that?!" she snapped.
"Maybe it's because of your expression."
She sighed, tired of everything and of the constant questions, "Do me a favour Mike, please stop asking me that question," she looked at him, "I'm fine."
He nodded his head. They approached the elevator, Mike pulled the metal grate aside and got in, Claire followed. He pulled the grate back and pressed the 'U4' button. He rummaged in his pocket pulling out a few shotgun shells.
The lift moved.
He loaded the shotgun and pumped it up. Claire shoved one of her flame grenades into her launcher. She swung the strap round her neck and arm and adjusted it.
"When we get up there," she said, "We have to spilt up."
Mike gazed down at the map; there were two possible ways towards the security system. One through a lab on the right side of the level and another way through the left side of the level.
"You take left. I'll take right. Agreed?" she looked up at him and saw a very young confident man.
He smiled and nodded, "You're the boss, boss."
She laughed feeling the weight of the pressure seeping away slowly, "Here," she said handing over the map, "I can find my way. You take it. Be in and out."
He stared at her taking the map within his hands, "Ok."
Claire leant back pushing her hair away from her face; she swiped the sweat from her forehead. She didn't understand why she felt so hot; the area was colder than hot. The lift was close to their destination.
"Remember, use as little as you can of the ammo," she glanced at the moving numbers, "We don't have a lot."
With one hand on the hilt of her combat knife and the other cupping the launcher, the elevator stopped. Mike moved forward pulling the grate away. Claire moved out scanning the hall, the lights were on but the monsters were nowhere to be seen.
Her body tensed up.
Her heart was lodged within her throat, she felt as if her brain was going to explode with the amount of adrenaline in her body. She took deep steady breaths and signalled for Mike to move out.
He did, running opposite her to the far wall. He nodded suggesting the hall was clear.
He backed up keeping his eyes focused everywhere; he smiled towards her and darted down his side of the hall.
Claire watched him before seeing herself down the corridor. She pushed her hair back again and tried as hard as she could to relax.
At the end of the hall was a large metal door. Only the red and white Umbrella symbol lay on the metal.
Claire walked closer towards it, always a little apprehensive at first. Her back kept to the wall, just in case there were any little surprises that would suddenly pop out.
She could feel her heat pounding within her chest, getting louder and louder with every step. It felt as if the sound ringing in her head was making her sick, she was scared. It was the truth of the matter, anyone would be. Knowing what she knew would scare anyone, just the thought of some disgusting monster that's only thought is to kill, lurking around the corner would put anyone off.
Claire held her launcher as tightly as possible; it was the only thing that could protect her.
The only thing.
She quickly checked her pockets for the ammo; although it wasn't enough she made sure that they were easily accessible. Especially with everything going on at the same moment and not forgetting Alexia. She opened up her pocket and peek into it, only five fire rounds and six grenade rounds left.
As she stepped up to the door, it suddenly opened. Claire quickly backed up to the wall holding the launcher towards her. She took a few breaths before throwing herself forward into the room.
There was nothing, absolutely nothing in there, well apart from a few computers; there wasn't anything of the fleshing eating kind near…
…well not yet.
As she walked into the room, the lights flashed on and the door closed behind her.
The place was quite small and very cold; she rubbed her arms to stop herself from shivering. By the door were a few lockers, computers and near the back were a few steps leading up to a capsule. Claire jumped back in fright.
"Fuck!" she gasped. She just pray to God that whatever was in the capsule wasn't about to wake up and eat her.
She turned to the computers to see what was exactly within the cylinder. She sat down on the chair and brought a file up, and began reading it:
"26th April 02:12am
Samples from the Antarctic facility were bought back for analysis. What was found was remarkable…
…The T-Veronica virus.
In all my years working with Umbrella, I have never seen such genius. Alexia Ashford knew what she was doing.
Although the samples weren't enough to duplicate the virus, however since the break through in genetic engineering we have been available to replicate the DNA of the samples to produce a clone.
A clone with the T-Veronica virus worked into the DNA!
This means, by my calculations, that the growth of the clone would take five months to become stable enough for extraction of the T-Veronica virus.
However until that day, our knowledge of the virus is still very limited."
Claire sat back; she knew Alexia died in the Antarctic. And this explained her existence. But the thing was, if Alexia was already alive then who or what was in the capsule? Unless it was the Tyrant!
Claire moved from her seat afraid, she hated that Tyrant. It was bad enough knowing that Alexia was back from the grave but the Tyrant too?!
But it died, she killed it. Completely destroyed…however, what if? What if it wasn't the Tyrant? But?
No! She stopped herself. It wasn't him, she was hoping all over again. He was died and that was it!
There had to be more information! She sat back down and frantically searched for any files and came up with one more:
"6th June 06:54am
It has come to my attention that the samples taken from the Antarctic base have been of that of a prisoner.
Prisoner 267. Burnside, Steve.
No matter if the subject was of lowly existence. The T-Veronica virus improves lesser qualities in any subject.
Although the clone will have no memory of what had happen to him until his last moments, he too will not realise that within his DNA is the virus.
What we have learned from the T-Veronica virus is that it changes the 'faults' of, shall I say humans? Yes humans! And evolves them to a 'godlike' state.
Enhanced hearing and sight, agilely and speed will become none that we have ever seen. Ability to rejuvenate miraculous and his strength will become greater than ten men…
…Or even more.
In other words the clone would become indestructible.
However, his mind will be as before he died. Which is such a shame, Umbrella might not be able to control him…"
She jumped up from the chair, shocked. It just wasn't true! She glanced at the capsule; there was only one way in finding out.
Claire moved up closer to the capsule, frost covered the entire glass covering. The glass was thick, about a few inches thick. She hesitated at first, but she made her hand touch the glass. The coolness hit her like a ton of bricks; it was so refreshing and yet feverish. Now all she had to do was look inside, but she couldn't make herself. She backed away and bent down, her heart was overpowering within her chest.
It ached so much.
Claire glanced up at the capsule again and wiped the frost away…
…She staggered to the back of the room mesmerized by the individual within the capsule, she coward to the floor in the corner huddling against the wall in a small ball and sobbed. The cold swept up and down her body like ice-cold fingers. She pulled her hair, tugging and yanking it. She didn't want to believe.
It wasn't true.
It was her again, she was going crazy.
"No you're not Claire."
She looked up and saw Steve; he knelt down and gently wiped the tears from under her eyes. He cupped her cold hands into his and affectionately kissed her fingertips with his soft lips.
"Steve?" she whimpered, "You're alive?"
He smiled then and hugged her close, "Yes," he whispered, "I am. And I've been waiting for you."
She glanced behind him and gazed at the capsule, "You look so peaceful."
Steve stroked her hair from her eyes and kissed her forehead, "Claire it's time." He stood up holding out his hands to her.
She looked at them and didn't know what to do. She laughed in spite of herself, "This isn't real," she stood up backing into the corner. Her face held so much pain and suffering and he knew that she couldn't take any more without giving up her sanity, "I'm losing it again. You're a delusion, I know that, but that," she pointed to the capsule containing the young man with the copper hair, "Is not real!"
"Are you so sure?"
"Yes I am. Very!" He moved closer, his hand still out to her. She frowned, "Stop!" she cried aiming the weapon towards his body, "I'm not doing this any more Steve. Do you hear me?"
"I hear you Claire. That is why this is the end of your torment," he turned to look at the capsule, "He…we are alive Claire. You need to believe that," he turned back to her and moved forward.
"I told you to stop!" Her finger hesitated on the trigger. She didn't know anything any more.
The nozzle of the launcher poked him gently, he looked down and turned it away, "You won't shoot me Claire."
She laughed, "You're so sure?"
Steve grinned, "I am. You love me too much to kill me."
Her laughing turned to sobs, the weapon dropped from her hands to the floor; she lowered her body to the ground crying. Steve bent closer to her and wrapped his hands around her fragile waist. The smell of his fragrance washed over her like a warm breeze, "I missed your smell," she whispered.
He faced her and laid a kiss on her cheek, "And I have missed yours too."
He held her hands and led her to the capsule. He wiped some of the frost away touching his lips with the melted ice.
Steve leant closer to her and simply brushed his warm soft lips against her cheek; he traced them close to her ear and whispered, "Set me free Claire. I want to be in your arms…forever."
Claire opened her eyes; she was only inches away from the capsule. Mist of cool air wafted around her like a cloak. She breathed in and exhaled feeling the tightness within her stomach and chest disappear.
She gazed at the young man she loved so much stand in the capsule; inside was flooded with water, maybe something else. He stood inside naked, and very asleep. His copper hair swayed slowly within the container, his chest moved up and down steadily and it almost seemed that he was about to wake up and gave her that smile she loved so much. He looked like he never died and it broke her heart.
She glanced around the capsule looking for something that could open it up. And there it was a panel with a clear plastic covering over a red button. She moved to it placing her hand around the covering. Next to it was a slot for a card or something. Some red words flashed above the slot.
'Pass I.D card."
Claire shifted through her pocket taking out Watson's card. She passed her thumb over the black code and passed it through. The red words turned green: 'Access Granted'.
She released a breath lifting the plastic covering away from the button. She quickly pressed it eager to see her Steve breathe life again. She turned back to the capsule.
And then she wondered what had he paid to come back from the grave?
Maybe his humanity…