Author Note: Continuation to Secrets and Flies that starts three months after the end. Love, betrayal, suspense and action are on the menu for this story as we watch our favourite band of Umbrella renegades give it their all too hopefully bring a final end to their hellish lifestyle. To do that, assistance will be required from some, unconventional characters...

I do not own the characters & this will be very different from any RE movie and/or video game plot (to date)

Please read & review as you wish!

B.

Update 05-Jul-2021: Minor updates and corrections to match the changes made to Secrets & Flies.

Calm Before the Storm

- 10 -

- Washington, D.C -

Claire opened her eyes as the helicopter jolted to a stop, landing safely back on the ground. She wasn't sure how long she had been out, most of the ride a muddled memory. It felt like someone trying to recollect a dream the next morning. She sat up with ease, the bandages around her ribs now covered by her tank top and red leather vest. The injury that left her barely mobile hours ago was no longer an impediment.

She felt better, stronger even. She was alert, rejuvenated and ready to take on whatever was awaiting them in Washington. Claire tried not to think of what drug concoction was in her IV inside an Umbrella helicopter, instead relishing the fact that she was no longer undead bait on the battlefield.

"Feeling better?" Chris asked, approaching her on the stretcher.

Claire smiled, "Much, I take it we've landed?"

Chris nodded, seeing Alice approaching, "Watch your back, Alice's on her way over." he muttered in her ear before walking off.

They purposefully shoved shoulders as they crossed paths, as if Chris was an alpha male trying to mark his territory. Claire just rolled her eyes at her brother's juvenile attitude. If any of them were going to get out of this alive, they were going to have to put aside their difference and work as a team. No matter how difficult that would be.

"How are you feeling?" Alice asked, brushing away Claire's hair.

Claire jumped up from the stretcher, "Betrayed, but ready to fight." she said, walking past Alice and towards the weapons along the wall.

Alice followed, hovering over the woman she had just surprised with a return no more than 12 hours ago. "I don't know what I can say to fix this."

"I can understand you not wanting to tell my brother, but why didn't you tell me your plan."

Alice spun Claire to make her face her, to see tears already trailing down her cheeks, "If I did, would you of come after me? Would you of stopped me or tried change my mind?" Alice paused, wiping her cheeks, "Be honest."

Claire closed her eyes, "Honestly, I don't know what I would have done."

"Yes you do, and it would have been one of those two things. Both of those were not options." Alice kissed Claire, feeling the woman succumb to her true desires, "Keeping you in the dark was my way of keeping you safe. I promise, it was the only reason I lied," she whispered against Claire's trembling lips.

Claire searched Alice's eyes for the truth behind her words, but it was useless. Everything about the woman had changed now that she was infected once more. Her eyes were hollow and empty, kisses hard and forced. There was no passion, the spark between them gone. She was a robot cloaked in human skin. What guarantee did they have that Alice wouldn't attack her friends and those she loved the closer she got to the epicenter of all remaining Umbrella activity. Chris was no longer the loose cannon, Alice was.

She pushed Alice away, grabbing both an assault rifle and a pistol off the gun rack. "That's bullshit. I knew about you being infected before, I'd seen first hand what you could do with those...powers...you have now. Fucking off in the middle of the night was not to protect me, it was so you could play God and take down the devil even if that meant abandoning The Arcadia, Angie, Jill, and above all, me." Claire snapped, pushing past Alice.

Alice grabbed her arm, squeezing it so tight Claire thought her bones was going to snap, "You're wrong Claire, and I hope you see my true intentions before it's too late." Alice replied letting go of Claire, a five finger bruise was beginning to form in her skin.

"I don't know who you are any more." she breathed, joining the others at the back of the helicopter.

The metal ramp groaned, the back opening up like the gaping mouth. The group stood shoulder to shoulder, with Leon and Ada upfront, Chris, Jill, Luther, and Claire taking up the rear. Over sized floodlights mounted on posts at least fifteen feet in the sky blinded them as a rush of Umbrella uniforms and United States military fatigues marched towards them. Chris and Claire exchanged looks, never had they seen Umbrella and civilians working together. Alice walked between them, seeing they were getting ready to aim with their guns.

"Don't," she commanded, proceeding up front to join Leon and Ada.

"Project Alice?" A tall, buzz cut, seasoned Marine asked.

"Yes," Alice replied, stepping to the front of the group.

"Come with me, President Wesker is awaiting you in the Oval Office."

Luther looked at Jill, "Wesker?"

Jill replied, "President?"

Angela and K-Mart joined the group at last. Angela was looking pale and despondent, standing between Claire and Jill. They watched Leon, Ada and Alice head left through a barricade of tanks and heavy artillery. The sound of rapid machine gun fire and explosions was all around them. The rest of the group stepped out onto the dewy grass, looking around at the men moving like working ants, knowing exactly what needed to be done.

"Holy Shit!" K-Mart exclaimed as everyone looked to where the young teen was pointing.

They had landed on the front lawn to what remained of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The once manicured front lawn and cared for flower beds were flattened by tanks and army trucks. The fountain was still standing, but no water was shooting in a majestic stream. The lights were still on, on the outside of the White House, casting it an eerie glow among the starless night. The white pillars were now chipped and worn down by blasts and gunfire.

"What the hell has Alice gotten us into." Chris muttered.

They made their way left, catching brief glints of Ada's red dress and Leon's blonde hair, trying to catch up with the only people who could give them any answers to what they had just stumbled upon. Claire looked to the left, seeing a fifty foot metal plated wall barricading them from whatever was on the other side. Sparks of light came from constant gun fire while cries of sacrificial lambs sent to the front lines echoed across the nigh sky.

This truly was humanities last stand.

As they caught up with Leon and Ada, two husky men with machine guns held up their hands, stopping the group in their tracks. "You cannot go past this point." The stated in low, sinister tones.

"We're with them," Jill replied.

"You'll wait here for instructions."

"Like hell we will," Chris said, trying to shove past, "Alice! Leon!" he screamed, trying to catch their attention.

Alice turned back, seeing that her convoy of people had been held back. She turned to Ada and Leon, whispering something to them before working her way back. "They're with me." she said to the guards.

They instantly stepped aside, letting the group pass as they resumed following Leon and Ada through a side bunker entrance to the White House.

T.B.C.

Hope you all enjoyed! Please let me know what you think :)
Always open to suggestions/comments/concerns/praise/ etc.