My apologies for keeping you waiting this long, I swear I'm almost as bad with computers as Phen is with Robots.

Special Thanks to: Darrinx, Godhand's Number, Tangora, YamiDymlos, Zero-Nightmare, Longsworder, Delta Operator, Jak4, DshizNit, swiglo3000, Savior M. Ascend, Mortal Guardian, Cold-Chaos, anarcrothe, Darks00, Jokerisdaking, IncrediRaider8, Otritzi, bahamut9999, Aelis Aisling, no body, hopeless-romantic-nr-one, Chaos Blade, K-R-4-E-V-A, Kei Ikari, KPFan4Life and surfrost for reading and reviewing.

Chapter 15

Getting back on Track

Vin was not happy; he wasn't even close to happy.

As if the Hospital without power wasn't enough now Kim was regaining consciousness, and he didn't know how to break the news.

"Sir?" Steve asked from the doorway, seeing the distress on Vin's face.

There has got to be some goddamned way to get the power on……wait a minute…doesn't the Hospital have back up generators just in case of something like this?

The light-bulb in Vin's head came on,

Of course, the power must have been shut down completely, but how did the backups not engage?

"Ron, you read me?" Vin said into the headset.

"Yeah?" A very defeated sounding Ron replied.

"Listen, the hospital has a back up generator just in case of something like this, someone must have shut it down. I need you to send some people down to the basement in order to get it back online"

"Um, ok. Do you want me to go with them?"

"That's a negative Ron, I need you to stay with Drakken, and everyone else should proceed as a team down to the basement to turn the generator on. Got that?"

There was a pause on the other line, he guessed that the others were not to fond of his plan, he was right.

"Why are we splitting up again?" Bonnie said.

"Look, someone has to stay with Dr. Drakken just in case something attacks him. And that way the anti-virus could be fired up immediately after the power comes on. You guys are going as a group; there will still be safety in numbers."

"Fine, I guess we'll have to go through this then"

"Thank you Bonnie, be quick though. The sooner it gets done, the sooner you get back here."

Vin glanced down at his watch, from picking the group up on the field to now was almost 8 hours, and so far Kim was infected for only an hour. There was still time.

"Sir, Possible is starting to come to" Steve said as he entered the office that Vin set up in.

"Thank you Steve, I have a little assignment for you and Felix."

"What kind of assignment?" Steve asked curiously.

"While the hospital has back up generators, the rest of the town does not. It would make things extremely easier if you and Felix headed over to the power sub station to get the juice flowing again. Think you're up for it?"

Steve snapped to attention, "Yes Sir"

"Steve, as much as I appreciate you showing respect by calling me sir, just stick to first names please, lord numb-nuts might get the wrong idea when he comes back"

If he comes back…

"I'll try sir"

Vin rolled his eyes, realizing the lost cause in the issue.

"Felix should be heading down here now, if he was listening in"

"I'm waiting outside as we speak Vin" Felix said.

"Ok, it should be as simple as turning a switch, good luck guys"

Steve walked to the door and gave a final look back at Vin, and Shego who was still hanging around before he exited the room.

"Well, let's attend to the matter of Kim now" Vin said, trying to cover up how he did not want to do what he was about to.

Will Du led the reluctant team of Josh, Monique and Bonnie down the steps of the hospital. Since the incident between Vin and Will happened, not to mention the trip into the hospital, neither of them wanted Will in charge of anything at all, they didn't even want him around. Yet they allowed him to lead the way down, with the secret hopes that something would grab him.

"This way" Will said, motioning with his gun in a very secretive manner.

"This is stupid, and why are you whispering?" Bonnie asked.

"Yeah, it's not like they could hear us or anything" Monique added.

Josh grunted in what appeared to be an agreement.

"Very well, then perhaps you would like to lead?" Will asked snidely.

"Oh no, you continue leading, just stop with the Rambo attitude" Monique said.

Will growled as he rounded the corner, the staircase they were currently in did not head to the basement; they would have to roam the first floor till they found the correct way down. All the while Will kept his eyes open and moved very slowly, much to the aggravation of the others.

"Ugh, move it loser!" Bonnie spat as she shoved past the slow moving Will.

"Miss Rockwaller, for your own safety I suggest you let me lead."

"Oh right, and take for ever? I'm getting this done with so we could get out of here!"

"I'm going to have to agree with Bonnie on this one" Monique said, crossing her arms.

"Ditto" Josh added.

Will seethed

"If you three think that you-"

"Guys will you keep the yammering down! Kim's Awake!" Ron's voice demanded over their head sets.

Everyone then fell quiet, listening in for Kim's voice.

Shego stood in the doorway as Vin walked into the room; Kim was strapped down to the dentist chair, just in case she tried to get loose while the virus was consuming her.

Sweat was on her brow Vin noticed, apparently her immune system was doing its part as her temp was about 102, and he then placed the reader into her arm and checked her infection rating.

034.15

"Kim, can you hear me?" He spoke softly.

"Vin? Is that you? Where's Ron, and what's going on?"

Vin swallowed, he could feel his heart sink as he finally broke the news.

"You've been infected Kim, Apotheosis infected you with the ST-virus" Vin said as he fought to keep his emotions under control while Shego watched curiously from the doorway.

"What? No that can't be…" Kim trailed off; Vin noticed the tears in her eyes.

"Ron's went with the others to the hospital, they're working on an anti-virus to try and stop it from spreading." Vin said trying desperately to keep his emotions under control.

"But what happens if they don't get back in time?" She cried, the tears rolling down her face as she looked at Vin. His face was grim, he didn't have to say anything, and Kim knew what would happen to her if they didn't get back in time.

"I'm so sorry you had to hear it Kim, but no matter how hard I tried I couldn't find a way to sugar coat this."

Kim could hear the emotion in his voice, knowing how much this was affecting not only her and Ron, but those around them, and that they were trying to save her.

Maybe he isn't as bad as we made him out to be…

"You should get some rest Kim; I don't want to have to……." Vin rubbed his hand over his eyes, he didn't finish but she knew what he meant.

"Excuse me"

Vin quickly made his way past a stunned Shego and burst through back into the office he made his own.

Shego glanced at Kim, who was still crying, then back to the office where Vin went.

Ok what was that all about? Is he going soft?

Since Kim wasn't going anywhere she decided to head after Vin and hopefully find out what the hell is going on around here.

Ron felt sick to his stomach,

He, as well as everyone else on the com heard Vin talking to Kim, and knowing what might end up happening to her if they failed tore at his soul.

We will not fail, I won't allow it!

Rufus sat on the hospital counter, his small mole rat hands rubbing Ron's hand in a comforting gesture which, surprisingly was working.

"Thanks little buddy; I could always count on you"

"No Big" he squeaked.

Will Du was also sick to his stomach, but not for the same reasons Ron was. Will was appalled by Vins handling of the current situation, clearly if he was leading this mission they wouldn't be having this problem right now.

He'll have to listen to me when we get back; he's getting a piece of my mind.

"We're here" Josh whispered back to the three of them,

They now stood before a door which read "Backup Generators" which was closed.

Josh brought his weapon up, keeping it at the door. He saw this move done in movies, and figured it should work here as well, he signaled for Monique to grab the handle.

With a nod she turned the knob and flung the door open, Josh rushed in immediately after she did and started scanning the room. The room was pitch black, meaning he couldn't even make the outline of the gun out. The others followed him in, taking a pseudo 'Charlies Angels' pose in the doorway.

"I can't see a damn thing! Could someone get the lights?" Bonnie shouted as she kept looking around, hoping to see something.

"Found a wall switch" Monique said from one of the corners of the room.

"Well what are you waiting for? Flick it!" Bonnie yelled.

Within an instant the lights came on, and it took that instant for them to realize that they were staring face to face with 10 Hunters.

Steve Barkin stood on the back of Felix's wheel chair as they flew over the zombie filled streets of Middleton.

"Renton, are we almost at the power-station?"

"It should be riiiiiiiiiiiggggggghhhht………………………There!"

Steve looked out to where the kid was pointing, indeed it was the power-station, and more importantly it was still in one piece.

"Set it down right out front kid, I want to look around for anything we may need."

"You got it"

Felix landed right outside of the main gate to the station, upon hitting the ground both he and Steve scanned the area with their weapons at the ready. They approached the chain-link gate door cautiously, expecting anything to jump out at them.

Felix tried the door, it wouldn't budge. He examined closer, and saw the new lock slapped on the door.

"It's locked, we need a key to get in" Felix said, regretfully.

Steve just huffed and brought his Thompson up to the lock,

BLAM!

The lock instantly shattered and fell to the ground in a smoking heap.

"Son, you don't need a key when you got a gun" Steve said as he pushed through the door.

"Let's get going Renton, the power isn't going to turn itself on you know!"

"Um, yes sir!"

Vin sat back behind the desk in the dark dentist's office, his breathing was heavy and his hands were shaking. Only once in his life had Vin experienced the feelings he was having now, and the situation was eerily similar to that too.

This state of his made him extremely jumpy as well, so when Shego stepped into the room and lightly wrapped on the open door, he responded by pulling both of his .45 caliber handguns on her. He didn't shoot, but it was enough to scare the shit out of Shego.

Once he saw who it was he relaxed briefly as he un-cocked the hammers and laid both guns on the desk, his Shotgun, AR-15, and Springfield were resting on the wall near the desk.

"A little jumpy aren't we?" Shego joked nervously, still a little shocked that she had not one, but two guns pointed at her.

"Sorry, it's just…." Vin trailed off again as he collected his breath.

"It's ok, really. What was that with Possible?" She questioned.

Vin shut his eyes, clearly thinking it over before he spoke.

"It, it brought back memories is all" Vin said, the emotion coming into his voice again.

Vin started to do something he hadn't done in 8 years, he started crying.

"Are you crying?"

Vin just nodded, as he tried to take a deep breath through his tears, he shut his eyes, allowing his past to come back from its hidden place in his mind.

"When I joined Umbrella, I was following in my best friends footsteps." He paused to rub his eyes.

"My buddy Rob went into Umbrella a week before I did, he told me how great it was going so I wanted a part of it, figured 'shit why not?' As luck would have it we were placed on the same squad, he had seniority over me during that time in training, but the instructors as well as Rob himself saw how well I took to the whole program. Soon rumors were flying around the area that I was to surpass Rob and be named head of a Squad.

"I thought the whole thing was bullshit really, kept saying Rob had a better chance at it than I did. So I was incredibly shocked when I found out that I was named Squad leader, off of Rob's recommendation. I never got a chance to properly thank him though"

Vin started crying again, harder than before. Shego sensed she touched upon a nerve in their fearless leader, she should have stopped there, seeing how this was affecting him, but her feminine side wanted answers.

"What happened between you?" She asked quietly.

"Raccoon Fucking City" Vin said in between sobs.

"We got the call, it was our first mission as a squad, and with me in command. The entire time Rob stuck by my side, even when our own team was getting ripped to shreds all around us. We ended up being the only two from our entire squad to survive, at least until we were within a mile or so of getting out of the city."

Vin rubbed his shaking hands through his hair, as he took another breath.

"We didn't even see it, but one zombie came out of the shadows and sunk his teeth into Rob's neck………………..He screamed……….I fired……….I killed the zombie that bit him, but the damage was already done. We kept putting it behind us as I insisted we try to get out of that city, it wasn't until he couldn't walk anymore that I realized what had to be done.

"He realized it too, only a lot sooner than I did. I didn't want it to come to what it did, and I told him we could make it, that he'll be alright, but no. He held out his service weapon to me, and told me to do it, to put a bullet through his head. I couldn't do it, I just…………I couldn't kill my best friend! We argued for what seemed like hours over it, both of us coming to tears, he was begging, pleading for me to do it. I was doing everything to not do it; we kept going back and forth till he started to change."

Vin started calming down a bit as he reluctantly finished.

"You know what it's like Shego, to put a bullet through your best friends head? It's the worst fucking feeling in the world, after I did it I made it out of the city, alone. Umbrella sent me psychiatrists and priests to help me come to terms with what happened and what I did, only I shoved them all out, I didn't want their help after what they put me through. I even told the priest before I shoved him out of my apartment "Fuck God, and Fuck his Mysterious Ways!"

"Sorry to interrupt, but I have to ask, again. Why did you stay with Umbrella?"

"I spent what had to be a month straight contemplating what I did; all the while a bottle of whiskey and my sidearm were on the table. When Umbrella called me back in, I threatened to talk about what I saw. They upped my pay, and in the state I was in, I thought that the money would bring me out of what happened; only it never really did"

Silence descended on the room Shego stood there in the doorway just watching Vin as he slowly started rubbing his eyes.

"So, I'm guessing the whole thing with Kim back there brought back some memories?"

Vin nodded,

"Seeing her like that, in that state……….I just don't want to go through it again…………….Christ I don't think I'd be able to go through it again!"

Vin leaned back in the chair as he let out a breath.

"I also don't want anyone here to have to go through what I did either."

Steve and Felix were making their way all over the station, listening to Vin's every word, much like everyone else was probably doing. They found the room to turn the power on, but it needed a coil for the power to go on, so they were searching through the station for the said piece.

"Poor guy, having to do that to his best friend" Felix said as they rounded a corner.

"Harsh, but it had to be done. I'm just glad I never had to do the same thing."

Ron felt even worse than he did before, after hearing Vin's story he definitely was not going to let Kim down, he was so caught up in his own thoughts that he almost didn't notice the screaming that was coming over the headsets.

It took the group a good fifteen minutes before they got themselves calmed down. The Hunters that they though they were facing were encased in glass tubes, suspended in some kind of fluid matter, they were either dead, or just asleep. They prayed that they were dead.

"You guys ok?" Ron asked worriedly

"What is it? What's going on?" Vin shouted over the headset,

Wow, he sounds like he got over it quickly, or he's covering it up really well…Josh thought.

"We're ok, just a little scare that's all" Josh finally replied.

"I don't get it, if the power was off, and the back-up generators are off, how the hell did the lights come on?" Monique questioned.

"Don't know, would like to know, but don't" Bonnie said.

"Let's worry about that later, for now we can get the stupid generators running again" Will said as he stormed past them into the room.

Besides the rather freaky 10 tube incased hunters the room was pretty bare, it wasn't until they rounded a corner to the back room that they saw the back up generators, the key was still in the slot to for them to be activated. Below it was the grizzly remains of one of the maintenance men who probably turned the generators off before he was mauled to death.

"Ewww, that's Sick and Wrong!" Bonnie said as she covered her mouth.

Trying to avoid the sight, and smell of the decaying remains Josh reached over the console to the glowing switch beside the lever, after quickly scanning the panel he pushed the lever forward.

The generator hummed to life as the lights started flickering off and then back on again. Power was restored to the building.

"Ron, We are back in Business!"

Everyone, with the obvious exception to Will started cheering, at least until they heard that sound.

Whooooshh!

"What the hell was that?" Bonnie asked.

Unsure, they all rushed around the corner towards the source of the sound.

Before them, the 10 tanks of Hunters started draining, and the hunters inside started to come to and slam their muscular arms against the glass, which started spider webbing with each impact.

"OH SHIT, RUN!"

I leave you with, a cliffhanger. I might be able to update this again by the weekend, just to make up for my colossal screw up which prevented my posting last week.

Thanks for sticking with it for so long guys and gals!

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