Epilogue: The Next Mission
The explosion was heard in the early hours in Raccoon City. Ten minutes after the sound, the R.P.D.'s switchboard lit up with concerned citizens. Residents closest to the Arklay Forest even reported seeing wisps of smoke faintly above the treetops in the distance. Umbrella, of course, would just say that it was some kind of unfortunate chemical reaction at a plant out there. Wesker could already see the headlines.
The hallways of the R.P.D. were relatively empty, though this part usually was, what with the office of S.T.A.R.S. being deep within the old building. Florescent lighting flickered within the office's corridor, and even with that and orange sunlight from the windows, the concrete gray hallway seemed to absorb any heat. Wesker quickened his pace. It was already late afternoon, and he was still behind schedule. His body still ached from his confrontation with Vladimir and his pet. Still, he had endured far worse before. He reached the office door and placed a hand on its knob when another man approached from the opposite end of the corridor.
"What are you doing here?" Wesker said. The man smirked and straightened his glasses with his middle finger. His hair was parted and perfectly combed, slick and shiny with moose. The man stood just below Wesker's six-foot height and wore a finely tailored gray suit that seemed to match the corridor's walls. An Umbrella pin was attached to his left lapel.
"To pay Chief Irons a visit," the man said, his voice smooth. "After your failure last night, Mr. Spencer needs to ensure that proper security measures are in place."
Wesker's grip tightened around the doorknob. How he longed to punch the man in the face. Now wasn't the time for that. Not yet, at least.
"Do you think that oaf is capable of implementing any kind of 'security measures', Atkins?" Wesker said.
Atkins smirked, but something flickered within his blue eyes—just a flash of anger.
"Careful, Albert," Atkins said in a low voice. "You walk a fine line. Let's hope that your next mission won't end in such a disaster. Goodness knows what might happen then."
With that, Atkins nodded toward Wesker, and then brushed past. Wesker waited until the man opened the door at the end of the corridor before entering into the S.T.A.R.S. office.
One thought passed through his mind as he gave the Alpha team the mission report. It didn't really matter if this next mission was a failure or success.
Either way, it was the beginning of the end.
To Be Continued: The Mansion Incident