Claire and Ashley make it to the research room quickly enough. She holds the key tightly in her hand, never letting it go as they climb down ladders and pass through long halls. The few Ganado they see are taken down swiftly by a quick shot from Ashley's handgun and then they're off again.

Once they make it to the room, they're slightly out of breath and they wait a half-second to rest. Who knows what will be in there. She's expecting lab workers, likely other Ganado that Leon infected. She's also expecting to see monstrosities held in tanks like the ones she saw in Umbrella's labs. A part of her doesn't want to admit it, that Leon would be using those same monsters that make their lives hell, but she knows he can't control it. Can't decide for himself whether he goes to drastic measures or not.

If Claire had something sick and twisted in her mind, telling her what to do all of the time, she'd probably end up just as insane.

Once they've both caught their breath, Claire stands fully and pushes the key into the lock. It twists but doesn't click, much to her confusion. She tries turning in the opposite direction and it clicks that time, but when she tries the door, it's locked. "What the..." She tries again and unlocks it with a click this time. Was...was it open this whole time? But she distinctly remembers it being locked when they passed.

Shaking her head, Claire twists the knobs again and carefully opens it. It doesn't matter. Maybe she'll worry about it later, when she has time for it, but right now, she just has to get inside and stop whatever experiments they find.

No sounds come out of the room when she opens it, so she pushes in fully and stops dead when she sees the mess. Several dead Plaga cover the floor with a yellowish fluid spilled around them. Several lamp-looking objects are hung up above a dirty table. There's a broken microscope on the side table, as well as...wait. Are those the dead Ganado Krauser took? It looks like someone came in and completely wrecked the place. Her heart sinks with the thought that someone might've done just that. What if someone found out where they were headed and took all of the evidence? What if they gathered everything they needed and left? She and Ashley would have to search the entire mansion again.

"What the fuck happened here?!" Ashley is just behind her and Claire turns to see her taking it all in as well. They share a look when Claire doesn't respond because how can she? She doesn't know anything more than Ashley. She's seeing this for the first time as well and the few ideas she's gathered from it already aren't anything good.

Ashley steps further inside, her small hands touching the glass cages. "Did someone already take it?"

"I don't know, but we'll find it. Even if we have to go searching." She sees Ashley deflate, likely just as reluctant to do that as Claire feels, but there's no other choice. After doing so much, they can't let Leon win now. Not when they promised him they'd do it.

Ashley looks up slowly, her eyes sad. "Do you think...when we met Leon in that room, do you think he was just pretending? Do you think he sent us on a wild goose chase so he could get what he needed out?"

Claire doesn't answer for a moment. Honestly, it would make sense. He's tried to manipulate them into helping him before but..."No. That was really Leon back there. I know it was. This is someone else's doing." She's about to add something else, maybe that the encouragement Leon gave them is still real and wasn't fake, but then she gets a strange feeling that she's being watched. But before she can turn, a familiar voice calls out to them.

"Well, well! I didn't think I would be seeing you two running around!" Ashley jumps and Claire can't say she didn't either. They both turn quickly but Claire's already smiling. She knows who it is and once she sees that smug look, she can't help but let relief fill her completely. Luis found them!

Ashley stands from her crouch and she runs at him, her smile just as wide as Claire's. "Luis! Shit! I thought we'd never find you!" She's about to hug him but then she sees something and hesitates. Claire just barely notices it as well and her smile disappears. What the fuck is Ada Wong doing here? And with Luis?

He laughs and just shrugs. "Sorry. My hands are a little full at the moment. Maybe we can do all the hugging and kissing another time, yeah?"

Claire stands, her eyes never leaving Ada's face. She looks tired and so different from what Claire's used to. Well, at least from what little Leon's told of her. Claire never saw her. Claire wasn't with them in Raccoon and Ada "died" by the time Leon got back. But she knows a secret agent when she sees one and the look on Ada's face holds up to that. She also looks scarily pale and thin as she practically lays over Luis's shoulder. "Ada Wong? Why are you here?" She doesn't stop the glare that comes with it.

Luis gives Claire a surprised look, like he wasn't aware they knew each other. And that probably means he has some kind of history with her too. Maybe. Ashley's report never mentioned either of them, so Claire can't be sure.

"It's a long story." Of course Ada won't give a straight answer. "But I'm not here for any kind of job. Not anymore. I want to get out of here just as bad as you, so let's work together on this, okay?"

Claire's eyes narrow but Luis steps in. "Leon has been holding her hostage to find Albert Wesker's location. Trust me, Ada is not helping Leon's plans in any way." He looks almost desperate to get the point across and Claire isn't sure how to take that, but...she does trust Luis. Despite his past with Saddlar and the fact that they've only really known each other for maybe eight hours, he's done more than enough to gain her trust. He was the only one who noticed Leon acting differently in the first place.

There's a long moment where Claire battles with herself before she finally lets out a frustrated sigh. "Fine. We'll work with you, Ada. But just know that I won't be doing any favors for you." And with that, she goes back to the metal tables, returning to the task of finding those Plaga samples. She's glad Luis is back -even if he brought unwanted company- but they really don't have time to make up. They should at least start looking first.

Ashley turns to them, her mind obviously more focused on Luis's return than the task at hand, but Claire can't blame her. They've both been really worried. "Where were you this whole time? We looked everywhere for you!"

"Here." Claire turns around at that. "Leon wanted me to help him harvest Plaga to use on Umbrella." His eyes go wide and he seems to realize something, because he quickly adds, "I didn't do any of it willingly, I promise you! My years of working for bioterrorists are over!"

And Claire believes him. She's reminded of when they first met him, back at the bar, and how miserable he looked just saying he used to work for people like Umbrella. People who hurt others in the name of science and power. People who just wanted to see the world burn. She noticed immediately how kind he is, even if he was difficult to work with at first. Luis wouldn't jump at the chance to do it all again, even if Leon threatened him. But instead of mentioning any of that, Claire just asks, "Where are those eggs?"

"Krauser took them. I have no idea how far he got-"

"We killed him, but he didn't have anything on him." Ashley looks contemplative as she says it, her eyes wandering to Claire for a moment.

Luis's jaw drops. "Qué?! You two..." He looks between them, at a loss for words. Claire almost finds it funny. "For how long?!"

"Just barely. We were trying to get the keys he had but he didn't exactly offer them up freely." Ashley gives him a knowing look. Claire has to say that she's deserved that confidence. She did deal the killing blow after all and...really, Claire was more of a support than anything. Ashley really made some badass moves back there. Without her, Claire doubts she would've made it.

Ada speaks up after being silent for so long. For a moment, Claire forgot about her. "If Krauser took those eggs, then we have to get to the roof of the mansion."

Like that isn't suspicious at all. Leave it to Ada to suggest something like that. "Why the hell would they be on the roof?"

"Because that's where Leon keeps his supply. There's a chest full of the little tubes. I saw it before they caught me." Ada's lip pulls up in a smirk, like she knows she's right and they have no choice but to follow what she says. Claire hates it and she almost flips the damn woman off, but she's afraid Luis will think it's for him.

"Then up we go." Ashley either doesn't see the tension or she doesn't care. "We have to make sure he can't use those Plaga no matter what happens. I wasn't there during Raccoon City, but I know that an outbreak of the Plaga would be even worse." And Claire has to agree with that. The T-Virus only reanimated the dead and as dangerous as they were in large groups, they weren't coordinated like the Ganados are. They couldn't communicate with each other or set up traps. Even the tyrants couldn't do that.

Finally, Claire gives in. It's not like she has much of a choice anyway. "Fine. We'll go up to the roof, but we have to be careful, okay? We're on limited time and I don't have the ammo to be fighting everyone we come across. So we stick together and watch each other's backs, got it?" When no arguments arise, Claire nods. "Good. Let's move out."

They file into the hall, Claire in front, Luis and Ada in the middle, since neither of them can really fight as they are, and Ashley behind. This is a setback, and depending on how easily they get up to the roof, it could be a major one, but she hopes they still have time. The day started a while ago, but they should still have a few hours before dawn sets in.

Claire takes point, as she usually does, but after a while, she slows down so that she's side by side with Luis.

Ashley draws ahead instead of Claire, which she appreciates. It's hard to be the point of the team if she's standing right in the middle. Besides, the girl does it well. Her eyes are focused and her gun is always ready in case something were to happen. Claire trusts her to keep an eye out.

"We found Leon." Claire doesn't look at Luis when she says it, but she can feel him turn to her. "He was acting normal again, but it was only temporary. He said his Plaga was weakened after transferring from Saddlar and now, he can regain control occasionally."

"Really? I didn't know that could happen. After Las Plaga grows into an adult, it's always kept control."

"I don't know the details but apparently it doesn't change too much, because he's still infected and loses control as soon as the sun goes down." There's something else she wants to say. Well, she doesn't really want to say it, but she can't waste the time they have now to get it out before it's too late. Breathing a sigh, Claire turns to Luis, her eyes meeting his. He seems to catch onto the change in her tone and he looks concerned. "Leon said that...that he's past saving. The Plaga's already an adult and there's no way to get it out."

Much to Claire's surprise, Luis nods with easy acceptance. "I know." And it feels a little disappointing, seeing him take in the unspoken parts as well. The parts where they'll have to fight and kill Leon eventually. "I figured it would come down to this when I noticed the signs of infection. Las Plaga doesn't just go away and it's a miracle they survived it before." He gives Ashley a look, though, the girl isn't paying attention to them. And it's probably better that way.

Claire looks away, her ears staying open for anything behind them as she thinks. "Well, I guess it's good this isn't news to you, then. We could use all the help we can get." But as she says it, her eyes wander to Ada. She's still not too comfortable with her being around, usually since it spells trouble for them in the future. Like when she took the G-Virus sample and proceeded to give it to Albert Wesker of all people. Claire can only imagine the things that monster would do with the Plaga as well.

But as Claire watches Ada's -sleeping?- face, she realizes something. "Wait. Didn't you say that Leon captured her to get Wesker's location?" Luis looks at her with a question in his eyes, like he's not quite getting her plan just yet, but he still nods to confirm the statement. "Then that means Leon can't send the Plaga out until he gets that. Which means that if we take Ada away from him, then his plan is ruined."

Luis stops walking for a moment. "You...you're right. Leon may have the eggs he needs, but if he doesn't know where to send them, then he's delayed until he gets it out of her." A smile crosses his face as he looks at Ashley, who's stopped as well. "That means we need to get her out of this village."

Claire nods. She's smiling too. For the first time, things are starting to come together. They have hope again. They have a plan.

But then comes the question of who will get her out. Luis would be the first option, since she's already on his shoulders, but they might need him. He will know how best to dispose of those eggs without letting them come back a few years later or even causing an outbreak. The second option is Ashley, since the girl has the strength to carry someone that far, but she's more trained in combat than Luis, and based on their fight with Krauser, losing her could be fatal. Which leaves...

"I'll take her. You two are better equipped for getting rid of those eggs and Ada obviously can't walk on her own. So, I'll get her to safety and come back whenever I can."

Both of them begin talking at once, their eyes wide and very upset with the suggestion. Claire can't quite get out what either is saying, but she catches a half-shouted "you can't leave" and a "that's a stupid idea". She has an idea of which came from who.

"Guys, there's no better way to do this. Luis could tell us how to get rid of the eggs but if things get bad, I won't know how to safely respond. And we haven't even seen what kind of cased Leon has for these things! If an enemy comes by, Ashley has more than enough experience to take it down and with the additional information, you two are more than fine. And we can't keep Ada with us, so I'm the obvious choice."

Ashley bites at her lip anxiously, her expression telling just how uncomfortable she is with the idea of Claire leaving. It makes her remember Sherry and how scared the girl was when that bastard Irons took her away. But Sherry handled herself until Claire found her and she knows Ashley can do the same.

Luis speaks first, though. "Claire, I am no fighter. I'll hold Ashley back."

And surprisingly, Ashley looks at him with her newfound confidence. "What about when you and Leon were defending the cabin? You seemed pretty good at fighting back then." She's challenging him and this display is enough to cement the idea that she'll be okay. That she might even need this. She can be a strong leader if given the chance.

Luis sputters for a moment, obviously not expecting Ashley to counter his argument. "I...well, that was...different. I just kept them out. Long-range combat is very different from close range. And I don't even have a gun anymore."

Claire slides her shotgun from off of her shoulders and leans it against the wall so she can try to take Ada from him. He hesitates but doesn't fight her as the -definitely asleep- woman easily slides away from his grip and flops onto Claire's back instead. She's very light and it would be concerning if Claire didn't already expect it. She adjusts Ada on her back, trying to avoid those gross sores on the woman's legs as well as trying not to slip a hand under the thin hospital gown. Leon really couldn't have left her in jeans or something?

"Claire, are you sure?" Ashley's hesitant again, but Luis is already picking up the shotgun and holding it tightly in his hands. He looks a little more sure, now and Claire appreciates it.

He takes a step toward the girl and places a hand on her shoulder. When she looks at him, worry surrounding her, she gives her an easy smile. "She'll be okay, Chica. You of all people should know that. We'll keep base until she can return."

"But she doesn't have a gun!"

Claire steps in, her tone sounding a little irritated at this point. "I promise I'll be okay. Just go before you run out of time." Ashley looks ready to protest again, but Luis pulls at her shoulder and the two of them eventually have no choice but to continue whether they agree or not. They've already spent more time than they should've making this decision and who knows what other monsters Leon could send after them.

Once they've turned a corner, Claire lets out a deep breath and starts back the way they came. She should probably avoid that secret exit, just because it's so close to where Diego and the other Ganado were, but the front doors may not be any easier. She wonders if there's some back exit or maybe a window she could sneak out of, when Ada shifts a little. Thin arms wrap a little tighter around her and the woman must realize she's not on Luis anymore, before her muscles jerk away slightly. They go limp soon after.

"Hey there." Her voice is rough and tired and it's weird to hear directly in her ear, but Claire shrugs it off. "I'm guessing we split up and you drew the short straw."

"I volunteered to take you, actually." And Claire can tell Ada's about to make some smart comment. "It's out of logic, okay? I'll take you back to the lower town and then come back up once I have some better supplies." And by better supplies, she means a couple of grenades and a magnum, but she'll settle for any gun at this point.

Ada's fingers tap against her collarbone idly, like she's completely comfortable being carried. "You know, if you really want to get rid of Leon's work, I might have a trick or two."

Claire wants to refuse. She wants to shut out the woman's voice and get this over with as soon as she can, but they still need some backup in case Luis and Ashley don't succeed, so she's forced to play into it. "What kind of tricks?"

"I know where Leon hid my supplies. I had a crossbow, flashbangs, grenades, and anything else you could want. Oh, and some explosives to set up around the mansion once this whole thing's done."

She can't help but scoff at that last comment. "Really? You want to blow up this whole side of Spain just to erase the evidence?"

"That was the original plan, but we don't have to set them all. There's more than enough to just get the mansion and if we ensure all of the Ganados are inside, then the parasite is gone. For good."

Claire wants to refuse. She wants to argue and say that it's stupid to even think of trusting Ada Wong...but the promise of good weapons and a way to completely erase the Plaga is too good to resist. She stops in her walking and closes her eyes for a long moment. The cons would be that Ada somehow finds a way to set this up in her favor and maybe get a sample to Wesker. She'd cause a lot of damage with this kind of explosion and if they don't make it out on time...

But if it works out, they'll never have to worry about the Plaga again. Wesker can't use it, Umbrella can't use it, and no other survivor of the Los Illuminados could revive the religion. It'll be the first virus to completely get wiped away. No traces leaking out to some other greedy and power-hungry maniac that wants to use it.

"Fine. Lead the way, Ada."

Claire keeps her options open and if things go poorly, she's ready to drop Ada on her ass and run for it. But until then, she lets her hope rise. Lets herself believe that things will turn out alright.


The next chapter is very, very long. 6k words. So, if you want to take a break now, it'd be a good idea.