It has been two weeks since Ada returned from her latest assignment; nothing has come up for her. All that energy to be wasted in the office, Ada hated that about being an Agent. All the waiting one would have to endure. Her palm rested on the bottom of her chin in a bored expression as the last needle pulled from her skin. She looked up to see the scientist nod to her.
The purple color would offer little comfort either with the other serums would do.
The youth serum Umbrella developed for the members that prove themselves too valuable to be discarded. It was a lovely perk.
The chart and utensils left her office as she opened up her book for it to be that newest program with the USS. The latest squad reports reflect significant casualty numbers from a war-torn country. In the mist of her boredom, Ada got her hands onto the most recent reports given by the soldiers in the field. It talks about a firefight that happened because a UBCS soldier did not secure his radio channel which gave away their position. Those not killed in an ambush, the rest were butchered.
Ada was content to serve in the shadows than being caught in the front line. She continued to read it. There was a USS soldier by the name of Joel Hoxton mentions how they continued to press onward under lead operative Hunk's orders. It was long and bloody, with firefights, Ada didn't need much help in the imagination. They made it to their target and took care of it, then held off enemy counterattacks until the evacuation helicopters arrived. A clean-up operation was done soon afterward to rid the threat for good.
She shook her head and lifted up her next folder. It was something codenamed the Wolfpack project. It's a collective of members specially designed for covert operations in the deadliest zones on the planet. The leader, a woman named, Karena LesProux, Age 36 was specially selected by Umbrella Command to lead this Wolf Pack. She was part of French Special Forces and later served as a consultant for the GIGN. Afterward, she went freelance then saw combat in the Middle East and all over Asia. She was proven to be the battle test with leadership qualities. Much about her past decorated in black ink, like most involved with the company.
The paper underneath that Ada was an order.
It read. 'Miss Wong, we at the higher levels of management would like to thank you for your continued success with the company's missions. So by keeping this short, you're to see to our best USS agent and possibly assist him in selecting the Candidates for the Wolf Pack project. This assignment is not your main priority because of the fact your assistance may in need at a moment's notice.' Ada looked off the paper of how annoying it was to read, but it was still part of her job. "With your skillset of strong covert skills, it could greatly assist the Agent in charge to finalize his decisions. Please report to level 4 by noon today."
'A consultant job, eh?' Ada thought to herself. It would defeat the boredom. Ada stood up and looked at her analog clock. It was 11:49, she might as well show up early. Ada arranged her belongings in an orderly fashion and left her office. She walked by ignoring everyone that crossed her path to the elevator. She entered it and pressed the button to sub-level 4.
When the doors opened, it was the same cold metal hallways of the upper levels, but here, it was less oppressive. Several USS soldiers were on guard duty. Ada showed her clearance, and they nodded to her. Efficient and cold.
Ada continued and looked at her document again. She walked through the halls to see a large open room with single USS soldier looking over a pile of papers. The soldier lifted their head as Ada's shoes enter the room. It was all vacant space, and she was about to say something as she got a good look at the soldier.
This USS soldier was a woman with dark brunette hair. It was all tied into a bun at the back of her head, and she wore tactical USS battle suit, but she didn't have her equipment. She turned around, and Ada got a good look at her face. She was in her late-thirties with two cyan-blue eyes. She was fit and had a blank expression. From the lack of scars, this woman must wear face gear. Non-overpluck eyebrows and her eye color was a sky blue. Her figure, on the other hand, was athletic as a woman could be without becoming a bodybuilder. A pinnacle to feminity and fitness, which Ada respected and recognized her as Karena LesProux.
"Are you the consultant?" LexProxus asked with a slightly raspy tone to her voice.
"Yes."
"Good, my commanding officer should arrive at any moment." Lupo turned her head back to the table of papers. Firm shoulders with controlled breathing, LesProux is not intimidated by thi
s assignment at all.
"You read my resume?" Karena asked.
"Some of it," After Ada admitted the truth, the sound of heavy boots entered the room as well. Karena looked up then immediately stood up and saluted to the person who entered the room. Ada turned her head to see the Gas mask soldier she met earlier.
He was in the same uniform, and his gas mask securely strapped over his face. He walked into the room. "At ease."
"Sir." Karena looked down and retook a seat. Hunk walked to the table and sat down to watch directly at Karena, and he ignored Ada the whole time as well. Ada didn't care; she wanted to see what was going to happen.
Then Hunk finally turned to Ada. "You're the consultant?" He asked. His mask stared at her without emotion. It unsettled Ada but didn't let it discourage her that much.
"I am." She responded.
"Good." Hun turned to Karena. "Look LesProux, and this project will receive limitless funding for all future operations. The higher-ups may trust you with the documents, but I have the final say, so what do you have to say about this whole project?" His head completely leveled to her height. He was a tall man, and he lowered his head for Karena.
"Sir!" Karena did that to calm herself down in front of her Commanding Officer. "I am ready for orders." LesProux eased her shoulders down and firmly interlocked her fingers in the center of her posture.
"LesProux, you're promoted to Captain, keep your company pager close." Hunk nodded. He reached into his back pocket to pull out a small emblem of two crows ready to claw each other. It was supposed to symbolize the USS is only out to seek the best soldiers. The Crow is a symbol of death for the USS.
"Thank you, Sir!" Karena stood up and saluted her superior. Ada remained quiet as she continued to watch over the two. Ada knew of the command system that all militaries make, and that wasn't much of a worry on her part because all of her life; she didn't need to rely on anyone.
"Miss Wong, you're talented in the form of espionage, something command wants you to assist me in. With my oversight, your input, and Captain Lupo's skillset, the Wolfpack Project is a go. I have a list of candidates for you to oversee, the talented, mentally stable, and efficient are the only ones I will look at." Hunk turned to Lupo. "Captain, you are dismissed, report here tomorrow of papers of soldiers based off your input. Am I clear?"
"Crystal sir." LesProux stood up. It was strange, this soldier was calling Karena by her last name before her promotion, and then when she accepted it, he started to refer her as her codename. Even as he talked to her, he kept his head the same height as hers. A familiar tactic so she wouldn't be discouraged.
"So you're Hunk. I understand that you're one of the best." Ada wanted to test whom she had to cooperate. Lupo turned to Ada and slowed narrowed her eyebrows. Even among USS mercenaries, there is still mutual respect among them.
"I complete the mission, the results are what matters. I expect you to deliver the same." Hunk spat back at Ada. He wasn't going to explain himself to Ada. His mental walls will not breach. Ada didn't look away or back down. It was a tie-in psychological pride.
They both turned to Lupo. "This was what I needed to do today. Like I said, dismissed." Hunk stated. Lupo nodded, and she stood up to leave the room. No evil glances, hidden smiles, or apparent thoughts. She was a soldier all right.
Hunk opened a folder that was on the table. The mercenary's hand glided across the table to pull out a dozen or so printed paper. "I wanted to confirm with your involvement on this new project. Since we just took care of it, you can choose to leave." Hunk said without looking at Ada.
May I choose to leave? Ada let that phrase sink into her thoughts. A soldier that a life to follow orders was enough of a man to offer a choice than to order her out. Interesting. Ada thought as she stood up. She didn't turn to Hunk to give him anyways to observe her. Karena walked out of the room. Ada rolled her eyes as she returned to her office.
3 hours later
Hunk stared at the light's that set in the crimson red, shifting into numbers. It was here that Hunk was ordered to see all the new cadets from where Umbrella brought the new men. The doors opened, and in front of him, was a bright room that also functioned as a training center. He exited the room, and from here, Hunk walked toward his right, overlooking the men practicing their skills.
Hunk walked past Lupo as she was watching the crowd as well. She wanted to get a view of the cadets as part of her orders. Both of them didn't acknowledge each other. He turned his view. Several of the men in black uniforms acted as the judges. On the opposite side of the room, stood the UBCS Commanding Officers as well, and Silver-haired mercenary and his comrade in a green beret. Respected in their division, not that it meant much to Hunk in the first place. The UBCS are the leftovers, soldiers that aren't the ones to be trusted, and don't have the mantle to be USS.
One soldier tackled to the ground; he had his right arm around the stomach of the trainer. They fumbled about with flailing arms and the thumbs of bare fists against one another. Then with open space, the cadet had his left leg become positioned behind the trainer's right leg. He tumbled backward and was pinned to the ground by the cadet.
A soldier with black hair smiled as he was the one next to face off against the current trainer. His hair was long, wavy, and was an ex-soldier to a gorilla group from South America although he was a Spaniard. His name was Carlos Olivera. That morning, Hunk read the names and essential files of the new cadets to arrive.
Hunk watched as Carlos was laughing alongside the cadets. All of them, reckless, stupid, and unfocused. Hunk's lip winced at the sight. Hunk was given full authority from years of being part of the company to do whatever he saw fit when it came to training. Hunk turned to his right, and walked down the staircase when he did so, all longtime members of both divisions watched from above. They knew Hunk was up to something, but none of them knew what.
Hunk reached the bottom of the stairs. The gas mask turned to the eager cadets. The lenses reflected their gazes. Carlos' smug expression finally left his face.
"Do you know why you are here?" Hunk asked. Several of the cadets were too busy talking to each other. Hunk spotted the soldiers talking.
"You." Hunk said calmly. One of the talkers finally turned his attention to Hunk.
"Yes?" He said. He was a man in his early thirties.
"You're name is Michael Fishburn. A man with experience of serving two tours with the French Foreign Legion. Do you know why you are here?" Hunk asked as he walked closer to the cadets.
"The mission is what is at stake, what happens in the meantime matters little." He responded.
"A fair point." Hunk turned his gaze away from Michael. "But that is not correct; you were caught with a body of your wife on the floor with a bloodied knife in your hands." Hunk turned to Michael.
"That makes you worthless in the eyes of the government and therefore the world. You are all worthless, to be worth something, you have to prove it." Hunk leaned to Michael. "So, what are you going to do about it?"
A fist clenched in Michael's right hand, and then as Hunk leaned in, his eyes light up with hate. By his side, the fist was raised up toward Hunk's jaw. It was close, but Michael didn't see the knife eject from the Hunk's left sleeve. In the blink of a second, a knife was all the way through Michael's arm. It was in the opening of the forearm as the blade didn't break any bone. But he was at the mercy of Hunk's will. Hunk tugged the edge causing Michael to take a step forward.
"You are not worthy." Hunk said loud enough for several of the cadets to hear. Hunk drew his sidearm, and a flash of light emanated from Michael's head tossed to the ground. Hunk watched the expressions of the cadets, most of them flinched, and others widened their eyes, but only a few watched Hunk blankly.
"Gah!" Michael moaned as he cradled his arm. Hunk shot a blank bullet to near his ear. It was deafening, but it was a test that Hunk wanted to ensure, as well a display of power. Several of the cadets had utterly new expressions now.
"You are now part of Umbrella's private military. Here, you follow the same rules as any other standard military. Prove your worth, and the rewards will speak for themselves. When you happen to prove you're are the trouble, the consequences are swift. Am I clear?"
As Hunk finished his sentence, about half of the cadets went "SIR!" Other scrambled to do the same and shouted off key with the others. The other half, they didn't know how the military operates.
"Good, now carry on." Hunk walked off to the side. It wasn't that Hunk wanted to be a leader, but he set the prime example of how a soldier should be. A set of standards was what he aimed to accomplish. As he walked away from the cadets, Hunk nodded toward the USS squad leaders, as well as the UBCS. Both sides acknowledged that Hunk was giving them a chance to test the cadets for their divisions.
Ada watched as well. She had to pull her weight as well, so she decided to attend the newcomers as well. The scarlet spy saw every detail that Hunk expressed when he was down there. She looked back toward the cadets; it was from a reflective glass overlooking the training room. So the person that wanted to watch but not be seen to have a place to watch above. Hunk remained standing there for two hours, he didn't move away, and no one interrupted him until a young cadet caught his attention.
What happened was that two instructors from both branches were put down and had to tap out. The last one being a UBCS member, and the cadet that fought him had the instructor in an armbar. The instructor was released from the grip and rolled over. A portion of the cadets divided into their respective branches, so the group was pretty small by now.
The cadet stood up and walked to the group. Only three men stood in the crowd, and they all congratulated the cadet. Iori Kishino was his name. A seventeen-year-old Japanese punk ripped from the streets of Tokyo. Hunk felt it was his time to act. He walked back to the floor as the cadets paid attention to him and aligned themselves in full view. Now, that's better. Hunk smirked under his mask. The last of them were thinned out. Hunk walked to the arena and looked over them with a straight back and calm exterior. He turned to Kishino then to Olivera.
"You two come to me," Hunk ordered. The two cadets looked at each other than compiled. Both were standing several feet away from Hunk. Both had their hands behind their backs.
"Now fight each other. The first one to tap out loses." Hunk took three steps back. Kishino turned to Olivera. Kishino's arms were relaxed and his hands formed into palms. Olivera bent his arms and clenched fists.
It would be Kishino to make the first move. He dashed forward with his head angled downward but still tilted up enough to see his opponent. Olivera did a boxing tactic and sidestepped to his right, then brought his right fist around for a hook. Kishino used his left palm to brush the fist away then his right palm when for Olivera's sternum. Knocked back, and without letting up, Kishino twirled around and round housed kicked Oliver on his left shoulder. He toppled backward.
"Are we done here?" Kishino asked.
Hunk responded blankly "I said tap out." As he finished his sentence, Carlos tackled Kishino from his right side to the mat. Olivera's fists pressed on to pummel Kishino. He raised his arms in time to avoid the onslaught by Carlos. Iori was running out of options, so after enduring a blow to his right cheek, Iori took hold of Carlos' upper body then shoved him to Iori's right side, and he was the one on the offensive. He did several punches into Carlos' chest, and then he was shoved off by Carlos' right leg.
Iori rolled off of Carlos, and the two were back on their feet again. The two charged toward to each other.
"Enough!" Hunk's voice came in sternly. Both men slowly avoided hitting each other and stood at attention. They were both winded and battered.
"I've seen enough." Hunk lowered his head slightly.
"As have I." A second thick male accent added. It came from the right of the cadets. It was one the squad leaders of the UBCS, Nikolai Ginovaef. He walked with a nice bit of pride as he was alone. He turned to Hunk with a sarcastic grin on his face. The two turned to each other, and Hunk was ready for anything.
"This boy is a natural." Nikolai smiled as he walked beside Carlos. "I'm sorry; did you want to speak with him?" Nikolai turned to Hunk.
"No, he was just the test." Hunk took several steps forward to stand in front of Kishino. He had a careless expression. It was mostly just a defensive move he does around threatening figures. Hunk reached into his back pocket. Kishino prepared his body for anything.
"Here, you've just now been accepted into the Umbrella Security Service." Hunk showed his hand. In it was an emblem of the USS. It was a grey circle with four red diamond shapes pointing north, east, south, and west. It was expanding from the ring. It was supposed to mean that the USS is keen for the company. Willing to withstand any challenge.
Kishino took hold of the emblem but didn't show any real emotion to it. He looked back at Hunk.
"Your first order is to report to the USS quartermaster, get a uniform and standard kit. Then report to the barracks to sew that Emblem on your uniform. Wait there until further orders. Dismissed." Hunk turned around and walked back to the balcony where the USS commanders observed. For both sides, they lost interest in the cadets and went about their daily routines.
"Well, my boy. We at the UBCS welcome you with open arms. Come, I want you to meet your new comrades." Nikolai had his right arm around Carlos' shoulder.
"Yes, um thank you, sir." Carlos stammered as he was lead off down the halls with several UBCS soldiers giving the recruit a warm welcome. For the USS, there was no one but one soldier to guide Kishino. He watched with his arms crossed and the USS cadet's confused glares went from the left to the right.
"I'm Corporal Rodriguez. Today, I shall be your tour guide." A Hispanic man nodded as Kishino looked at him. "I understand you need to visit the quartermaster. So please follow me." He turned around, and they walked down the halls.
Hunk stood beside to his fellow commando and helicopter pilot; known as Night Hawk. A red uniform mixed with body armor and equipment. His arms crossed as he turned his visor toward Hunk.
"Breaking in the recruits?" Night Hawk asked.
"Yes, the causality numbers have been increasing in recent weeks, either there's something wrong with the training, or lowered standards into the USS." Hunk turned to Night Hawk.
"I read the new report. You're going to oversee the newest pet project. Congrats. Will you be going on any assignments soon?" He asked.
"Yes and no, it just depends on management." Hunk shrugged slightly. "I'm on standby for now. How's the shooting range?"
"Nice and empty." Night Hawk chuckled. On the days of Hunk is on the base, there is some unspoken rule to never be at the shooting range at 3 pm every day for the next 2 hours. Hunk wanted to go there and see if his weapon upgrades were kind enough to feel a difference.
"See you around Night Hawk." Hunk leaned away from the railing. The pilot did a light wave as to Hunk's back as he walked across the balcony to the elevator on the opposite side. He wasn't bothered on his walk, and he made it five minutes after three pm. He walked to a crate that was sitting there waiting for him.
With a key, the container opened revealing eight weapons that Hunk always kept for himself. For any mission, there was a weapon for the job. Hunk reached in and pulled out his pride and joy. Twin custom TMPs he built himself, the metal parts and all. The TMP was usually a weapon to fire 9mm rounds, but instead, he customized one to shoot .45 ACP rounds. The bullets had better-stopping power against undead targets. This one was named, Elise. Her sister was the one and only Matilda. At first glance, the weapons appeared identical, but just by the feel of the gripe, Hunk could tell the difference between the lovely twins. Elise was a cold woman with an attitude to boot. Matilda was the refined one.
With both types of ammunition, he placed several clips on the table of the firing range. The twins were laid down on the table. Hunk pressed several buttons, and a dozen or so targets appeared down range. All outlined the human figure. He changed it to be that of men in black outfits with guns in their hands.
He adjusted his sight on Elise. Then about before he could fire, a bullet decked the target of a face. Hunk turned his head, but couldn't see the person who made the shot. Hunk never made the rule of being left alone, but he didn't care enough to enforce it. He took hold of Elise and adjusted the buttons on the table. It was set to targets to appear down range, all at random, maximum difficulty, and if you fail to hit the target four seconds, you're dead). The point of the practice wasn't to win, but see how long you could hold out.
Then the first targets appeared. Hunk took Elise and unleashed her fury. Seven bullets in, four targets down. Whenever a target goes down, it calculates where the first shot came landed. Then at the end, there are points to be awarded to the shooters.
Nineteen bullets in, twelve targets were put down. Thirty rounds in, seventeen targets were down. Elise was dry, and Hunk ejected a clip and slammed in a fresh clip and pulled the chamber back. Elise was ready. But during that time, four targets went down from his opponent's fire. So they're using a weapon with a large clip to it. Not bad. Hunk thought as Elise aligned with a target.
One hundred and eight bullets in, eighty-nine targets were downed. Then in the final moments, there was a moment of silence from Hunk's opponent's side. The ultimate target was brought down by Elise. Hunk ejected the clip and placed Elise to the table. She was smoking at the end of the barrel. He looked at his crate to continue to test all of them. Then a voice came from his right side.
"Nice guns." Hunk turned his head to see Ada Wong. She was in still in her usual office attire, a red button-up shirt with black jeans and grey shoes. In her hand was her weapon. A heavily customized Uzi, with an extended barrel, in front of the trigger guard, there was a utility gripe. Ada did a slight smirk as the numbers of the points were about to be displayed.
Sixty-Seven targets went to the scoreboard, and twenty-three targets go to table four. Hunk was at table eight.
"I just know enough to be satisfied with my gun." Ada shrugged off her defeat. Her weapon was one she treasures as well. No one else knew that this Uzi was named Leroy. It also went down as being called the Ammo Box Fifty by the other Umbrella Operatives that make similar weapon designs. Ada walked to the chairs that sat several feet away from the tables.
"Isn't there some documents you're supposed to look over?" Hunk asked as he pulled out his next weapon to try out. A CM901, black painted, with a gun railing, shotgun attachment on the bottom, and a collapsible stock. Hunk checked the chamber and clip. He already knew nothing was inside, but he took weapons safety seriously.
"I did what I needed. So I just decided to come here to blow off steam." Ada said as she clicked Leroy's safety on. I just wanted to see what you're capable of achieving. Ada thought as she strapped Leroy to her shoulder.
Hunk just grunted at her. Hunk fired several controlled bursts of the CM901 rifle. The gun had a decent kick but skill operated in what Hunk preferred in. Having a weapon that's too accurate could lead him to become picky about what he prefers. He unloaded the clip.
"Clear." Hunk said to warn Ada. He turned around to place his weapons into the crate. He walked away from the table and glanced at Ada as he walked to another table that hand several bits of scrap paper of notes Hunk writes in to keep track of his thoughts on weapon maintenance.
On this day, Hunk forgot to clean his gasmask that morning before he did his work. So a tiny particle waved around in the air and flew into his nose.
"Aw, choo." Hunk's head tilted down and backed up. Ada heard the noise and looked at him. Hunk looked forward, and a lone tone muffled growl emitted from his mask. He turned around and walked to his crate. He took out some parts and other assorted belongings, all equipment related. Without warning, Hunk began to unstrap the back of his mask. He pulled out a small disinfectant wipe and removed his helmet. With more straps coming off, he turned around to lean against a wall that bolted to the ground and held the table. The gas mask came off, and Hunk started to wipe down the inside portion of his mask. He did sneeze in it. He didn't pay any attention to Ada until he lifted his eyes.
Ada was surprised in what she saw. When she met the operative, his tone, experience, and role in the company, she didn't expect to see a young man behind the mask. He was in the mid to late twenties, roughly around Ada's age. Not that she's going to tell. He was of Caucasian descent with a light tan; his hair was to a dark brunette but maintained to be kept short. There were several whiskers on the bottom of his chin. Along his forehead was an angled darkened scar. His eyes were of a light emerald, and he looked at Ada.
"What?"