Disclaimer: I do not own the Resident Evil series or the characters, I am just a fan who likes to write the kind of stories I like to read. Unfortunately the words got away with me again and this chapter is way to long, but I didn't want to spread this part of the story over three chapters because that would just be boring! You'll have R&R and let me know what you think. Just a warning - there's nothing warm and festive in this chapter!
Chapter 12 Schism
Chris groaned and sat up slowly. He shook his head as his eyes focussed on the figure that was now standing at the bottom of the stair directly in front of him. He pushed himself to his feet, stumbling at first, but then quickly regaining his balance.
''Wesker.'' he snarled, straightening up slowly while surreptitiously looking for his weapon that he had dropped when he had been kicked down the metal stair. He spotted it half in shadow under a pipe by the wall.
Chris studied the man standing in front of him. Albert Wesker looked no different from when he had last seen him nearly five years ago during an operation to destroy one of Umbrella's last remaining facilities in Siberia. In fact, he hadn't aged a day. Wesker was taller than Chris, with a slim but athletic physique, hollow cheeks and cropped, meticulously styled blond hair. Even though it was dark, he was wearing sunglasses. As always, his chin was held arrogantly high. Time hadn't lessened his vanity, Chris thought.
''I would love to talk about old times, but...'' Chris reached up for the knife that was sheathed by his chest. He grabbed the handle, yanked it free and threw it towards Wesker, while rolling forward towards his gun that was still lying inert on the floor. Wesker casually stepped aside as the knife passed him by and hit the metal stair with a high pitched, metallic ring that echoed down the corridor. Chris picked up his gun and rolled onto his feet so that he was standing directly in front of Wesker, their chests almost touching. He repeatedly fired his weapon point blank into Wesker's chest. Wesker stumbled backwards and grabbed onto the stair handrail for support. He doubled over and began to cough and moan, but the moan quickly turned into a harsh laugh. He straightened up and grabbed the steaming barrel, wrenching the weapon out of Chris's hands. He threw it down the corridor and smiled cruelly, simultaneously shaking his head and wagging his index finger from side to side.
''I thought we had learned by now Redfield.'' he smirked. ''I am better than you.''
Chris went to step backwards to put some distance between Wesker and himself, but a moment later he was lying face down, clinging to the metal grille floor. The pain in his jaw told him he had received a hefty blow. There was a foul metallic taste in his mouth and he spat out a mixture of saliva and blood. Wesker then grabbed Chris by his vest and heaved him up against the wall, knocking the air out of his lungs. Chris wheezed. His legs kicked wildly, but they were either unable to connect or unable to land anything other than a glancing blow. Wesker then effortlessly threw him across the corridor and through the door to the lab. Chris landed heavily on his back on the cold metal lab bench in the centre of the room, knocking away the laptop and papers, and breaking a number of glass beakers. He rolled onto his front, the glass shards cutting into the bare skin on his hands as he scrambled along the surface.
''You know, there's something I've noticed Chris.'' Wesker's voice echoed along the corridor as his heavy, deliberate footsteps approached.
Chris's arms were unable to hold his weight and he collapsed onto his chest on the bench. ''Yeah, what?'' he snarled as again, he pushed himself up to his hands and knees.
''All of our reunions are so... '' Wesker was then standing next to the bench, crouching so that he could look directly into Chris's eyes. ''... emotional.'' he finished after a dramatic pause, removing his sunglasses. His inhuman eyes shone red with excitement.
Wesker then dragged Chris off the bench and threw him against the row of refrigeration units on the back wall. The glass broke, and Chris became swamped in vials of blue and red fluid. He glanced up to see Wesker walking around the perimeter of the bench and slowly towards him, savouring every moment. This whole scenario felt ominously familiar.
''Wesker!'' a voice shouted from the corridor. It was Elisabeth.
Wesker's attention was diverted away from Chris. ''Dr Elisabeth Badley. It would seem recent reports of your demise have been greatly exaggerated.'' Wesker spoke with a sardonic tone. ''It is always a shame to lose one's investments.''
She had retrieved Chris's gun from the corridor, and was now pointing it at Wesker, her finger poised on the trigger.
''That's all I ever was - an investment?''
Wesker shrugged and smiled, cocking his head to the side.
''You son of a bitch!'' She whispered, her finger pressed the trigger. There was a strange muffled sound and the gun recoiled, painfully jolting her arm. She tried to reload, but the mechanism was jammed, rendering the weapon useless.
''Damn it!'' She threw the gun to the floor and removed a knife that was sheathed around her ankle. Wesker merely watched Elisabeth with interest as she ran towards him.
''No - Elisabeth - don't!'' Chris shouted. As good as she was, he knew that Wesker would surely kill her.
Elisabeth raised the knife as she ran, but Wesker grabbed her wrist with ease and squeezed hard.
''Arrrrgh!'' she cried out, trying to pull herself free, but his grip was firm. He continued to squeeze her wrist until she let go of the knife. With her other flailing hand, she grabbed his hair and pulled. This unorthodox move seemed to shock Wesker, who then roughly twisted her arm behind her back until there was a terrible crunching sound. Elisabeth wailed and dropped to her knees.
''I have no time for this nonsense.'' he said, dismissing Chris and Elisabeth with a casual wave. ''Your part is finished, for now.'' He then looked at Chris, fixing him with his fiery stir. ''I have to go and collect my prize, now that that fool Barnes has released it for me.''
Wesker turned to leave the room.
''This isn't over!'' Chris shouted to Wesker's back, pushing himself free of the glass and metal debris from the refrigeration unit. ''Don't you turn your back on me! I said this isn't over!''
''Oh, this is far from over.'' Wesker sneered over his shoulder. ''Give my regards to Jill and your sister.''
And with that, Wesker was gone.
Elisabeth was doubled over on her knees on the floor, whimpering as she rubbed her wrist that was red and already beginning to swell. She then looked down at the clump of blond hair lying on the floor next to her. The corners of her mouth creased upwards into a subtle smile.
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Claire was crouched, re-loading her weapon, beside a large metal container on the deck of the Methuselah. She flinched and crouched lower as a bullet hit the container merely inches from her head. Another bullet hit the lock and the container door slowly swung open, the rusting hinge creakingloudly.
''I think I preferred it ominously quiet.'' she muttered to herself as she shuffled a few metres to the far side of the container. She then lay on her stomach and pulled herself forwards, trying to spot the soldier who was firing at her from somewhere on the quayside. Sparks from the assailant's gun gave away his position in the dark. She aimed and fired. The soldier's head jerked backwards, but he seemed to hang in the air for a second before he fell to the floor.
''Got ya!'' she whispered triumphantly.
She watched for a while, waiting for the soldier to get back up. To her relief, he didn't.
Pressing her back to the container, she scrambled around its perimeter towards the open door. A large white notice pasted on the door read 'Scientific Equipment - Cleared by Customs'. Emblazoned on the notice was an official red customs stamp. Claire looked inside. It was dark, so she flicked on her flashlight. Her eyes widened at what she saw.
''Oh...my...God...'' she breathed, walking into the container. Piled inside were rows of shotguns, machine guns, sniper rifles, grenades, mines... The sight made Claire shiver. ''How the hell did this get through customs?'' she said to herself.
She tapped her radio. ''Leon.''
''Claire...'' Even though Leon was less than two hundred feet away on the other end of the ship, the radio signal was weak. Still, in the background, Claire could hear the sound of bullets ricocheting off metal and burying themselves into wood.
''I'm in the container on the deck.''
''Yeah - I see it.'' Leon replied. ''Be careful you don't get trapped in there.''
''I've found an arsenal in here. They could kit-up a small army.''
''Anything useful?'' he joked. ''I'm having a little trouble.'' There was the sound of bullets whizzing by, followed by Leon cursing under his breath.
''Leon - I'm serious.''
''So am I! Okay, okay. We'd better secure it. Make sure Keller has something to look at when he gets here. Hang tight Claire. I've got things under control over here. I'm going to move back across to the quayside.''
''There's something wrong with the comms. I think something in the ship is interfering with the signal - your signal is really weak.'' Claire said while venturing further into the container.
''Yes - I've noticed.'' he paused ''Claire...''
''Yeah..?'' she said, sounding detached as she skimmed over a number of small metal crates on the floor with her flashlight. 'US Army' was stamped on the side. She opened the clasps on the closest crate.
''Don't take any risks.'' Leon said, suddenly sounding serious. ''Claire - are you still there?''
''Yes, I mean no, I won't.'' She was only half listening while rooting through pieces of foam in the metal box. She found a number of incendiary grenades. Picking a couple of them up, she attached them to her utility belt. It was only then that she noticed Leon was gone.
She tentatively walked back out of the container onto the deck and was greeted by a volley of gunfire. She dived for cover behind the swinging container door as a perfect arc of circular holes appeared inches above her head. She inched to the left, but bullets tore into the deck by her feet. She quickly pulled in her legs and inched in the opposite direction. More bullets tore into the deck.
''I've got you covered Claire.'' It was Carlos's voice over the radio. ''I see two of them. I can take them out from here.''
There were two short, controlled bursts of semi-automatic gun fire.
''Claire - you're all clear. I think there's another one level with you on the quayside, just in the tree line. I can't get a clear shot, you'll have to deal with him.''
''Okay Carlos, thanks.''
''Another speedboat has just turned up - looks like the cat's out of the bag. I think I can see at least eight more.''
''Great. Carlos - where are you?''
''I'm up above the bridge.''
Claire looked across the deck and she could just make out his dark outline against the ship's mast - a perfect sniping position. At the other end of the ship, Claire could just discern Leon's frame, crouching between the wreckage of two lifeboats that had been detached from their ropes and had crashed down on the deck. Periodically, he stood up and fired towards the quayside. For a moment, she watched him. His physical strength and confidence were apparent even from this distance. For just a moment, she wanted to be alone with him. Alone in a normal situation - maybe having a coffee in a diner or a drink in a bar - anywhere that was far away from the S.T.A.R.S. She shook the thought out of her head. It was for just this reason that she had resisted taking things with Leon any further, even though she desperately wanted to. She knew that if they ever got too close, they would put everyone - including themselves - in more danger. She also remembered Jill's words to her a few days ago.
''I know the risks, every mission we go on, we know it might be our last. There are things going on here that are more important than me, you, Chris…we have to accept that.''
In the field, her mind must be on the mission, and the mission alone. She wasn't important. She couldn't be concerned with a lover's wellbeing and vice versa. Claire clearly remembered the pain of losing Steve all those years ago. She would do anything to never have to experience that again. By accepting her role in S.T.A.R.S, she had to forego having anything for herself. No, she didn't like it, but she believed it was the best way - the only way - to protect herself. Chris seemed to have accepted it - in fact, he seemed to have embraced the concept. Maybe that explains why he was so miserable.
Claire was snapped out of her reverie by movement in the corner of her eye - a white blur that moved across the deck without sound, almost ghost-like. She snapped her head around to see a child. It was a girl with long matted hair, running off the ship onto the quayside. Within seconds, she was being chased by the soldier hidden in the vegetation. Even though his radio message was garbled, Chris had said there was a child. This must be her.
Claire tapped her radio. ''Leon, Carlos, Chris...come in.''
Heavy fire engulfed the other side of the ship. Claire realised they probably couldn't hear her.
''Chris? Rebecca?''
No response.
''Leon!'' Claire shouted as loud as she could, but she was unable to get her voice to carry over the sound of machine gun fire. ''Leon!'' she repeated, exasperated. ''There's a girl, a child! Leon!''
He didn't respond. She couldn't let them get that little girl, no matter what. She took one last look at Leon and decided to give chase.
She was not going to let them hurt her.
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''Chris - are you okay?'' Elisabeth asked. She was still on her knees on the floor, cradling her right arm.
Chris groaned. ''I'm alright.'' he mumbled as he pushed himself onto his feet. He cursed as he stumbled forwards with the momentum, crashing into the lab bench. ''What about you?''
''It's just my arm...'' she grimaced. ''He must have come for the girl.'' she said over her shoulder to Chris who was now taking deep heavy breaths. She could tell he was in pain as he winced with every inhalation. ''Are you sure you're okay? You don't look too good.''
''I'm just winded.'' he coughed, and a fine mist of blood descended on the lab bench. '' I need to catch my breath.''
''I think she was Joseph Barnes's daughter. I mean, she looked like the girl in the photograph on his desk.''
''Yeah...'' Chris coughed again. ''I think you're right.''
''What would make someone do that to their own child? I mean, turn them into a monster? What could Wesker have offered in return?''
''I don't even want to think about it.''
Elisabeth stood up and almost cried out as pain like a bolt of lightning shot down her arm and across her back and neck. ''Chris...he dislocated my arm. You have to put it back in for me otherwise I'm useless.''
He looked at her. ''It's going to hurt like hell.'' he said, as he walked across to her and gently feeling the dislocated joint.
''I know.''
''Lie forwards.'' he ordered gently, guiding her to the lab bench. The stainless steel table felt cold on her cheek. ''You ready?''
''Do it.'' she said.
''Okay, one...two...''
''Don't count, just do it!'' she said firmly.
With one hand, Chris pressed her shoulder down to the bench. With his other hand, he grabbed her forearm and pulled, guiding the arm back into its socket with an audible click. Elisabeth gritted her teeth and repeatedly thumped the metal bench with her other hand. Her eyes filled with tears.
''That's it, it's in.'' Chris said as he released her arm.
Elisabeth straightened up and wiped away the moisture around her eyes. She rolled her shoulder. ''God, that hurt.'' she mumbled.
Chris tapped the radio by his ear. There was no response. He pulled the device away from his head and threw it to the ground.
''It's not working. Give me yours.'' he demanded, holding out his empty palm to Elisabeth. Elisabeth obliged, removing the small device from her ear and passing it to Chris.
''Claire, Leon, Carlos - come in.'' He scanned the floor and spotted his sub-automatic machine gun lying under the bench. He picked it up and inspected it, looking for the fault that had caused it to backfire on Elisabeth. ''Claire, Leon, Carlos - come in!'' he repeated. He smacked the gun against the bench. There was a loud click. ''It was the loading mechanism.'' he said to Elisabeth.
''Chris, this is Carlos.'' His voice was distant.
Chris straightened up at the sound of Carlos's voice. ''Carlos - what the hell is going on up there? Why is no one responding?''
''I think there's something in the ship's hull that's interfering with our comms. We're pinned down up here Chris - another group of bad guys has shown up.''
''How many?''
''Eight more.''
''Okay, hang tight. We're coming to help. Now listen to me very carefully. There is a bioweapon. It's a child - a young girl. She - it - got past us. You have to have to kill it on sight.''
''Did you say a girl?' She got past you?'
''Yes, I'm afraid so. Don't be fooled by the way it looks, kill it.''
''You must be getting old Chris!'' Carlos joked. ''Hey - don't be too long...it's getting busy up here.''
''We're coming. Chris out.''
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In S.T.A.R.S headquarters, Jill was still sitting in front of the communications console in the operations room. A young S.T.A.R.S officer placed a styrofoam cup containing a steaming brown liquid in front of her. Jill swivelled her chair around so she could face him.
''Thank you.'' she smiled half-heartedly.
He smiled. ''Any luck?''
''Not yet.''
''Keep trying. They've only been offline for around twenty minutes. I'm sure they'll be back any time now.''
Jill nodded and turned back around to the console. ''SH-1, this is S.T.A.R.S. headquarters, come in. Over.''
The young S.T.A.R.S officer left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.
''SH-1, this is S.T.A.R.S. headquarters, come in. Over.'' Jill slouched forward and her body shook as she fought back a sob. Where were they? What was going on?
''Jill Valentine?'' a rather surprised voice could be heard over the radio.
Jill sat up sharply, knocking the hot cup of coffee over her lap. She yelped as the hot fluid soaked through her trousers and burned her skin.
''Justin? Thank God.'' she said through gritted teeth as she attempted to mop up the hot fluid with a tissue.
''I hear you Jill. What's wrong?''
''You have to listen to me very carefully. There's a bioweapon on that ship.''
''Okay, but how do you know this?''
''Because I've been there before. There's no time to explain. It looks like a child, but it isn't. It's deadly. I've seen it kill. It's not like the others we've seen before - killing mindlessly. This one takes pleasure in it.''
''Right - I'll pass this on. There's a bit of a problem with our comms devices though. I've barely been able to get through to the team. I think there's some kind of jamming device.''
''So they're out of contact?''
''Yes - after Carlos detonated the EMP, I was unable to get a clear signal again. Don't worry though Jill; I can pick up their locations from our satellite.''
''So you don't have a visual contact either?''
''I'm afraid not. There's nowhere close to where the Methuselah is moored that I can safely put down the chopper.''
''I understand. Keep trying to get through to them though. This bioweapon is fast - very fast.''
''I'll keep you posted Jill, don't worry! These guys - you guys - are the best. You can handle anything.''
''I know.'' Jill smiled. ''But I just have a really bad feeling about this...'' she added as her smile faded.
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Claire was leaning against a red rusty metal cargo container at the edge of the quayside. She had run from the Methuselah towards the tree line beyond the quayside where she had seen the girl, closely followed by a soldier, disappear moments earlier. She was amazed at how fast they both ran. Her heart was beating so fast she could hear the pounding in her ears. Her hands were shaking, and she gripped her weapon tighter to steady herself. She leaned around the edge of the container, red rust rubbing off it onto her black kevlar vest, when she saw the soldier struggling with the girl amongst the trees. She checked her weapon and inhaled sharply before jumping out of her hiding place.
''Let her go!'' she screamed, pointing her weapon directly at the soldier who was standing less than ten metres in front of her. He slowly looked up at her and smiled while holding the child firmly to the floor by her wrists. Claire noted that he had the same characteristics as the soldiers she and Chris had encountered a few days before at the facility from which they had rescued Jill - that is, he had almost alien-like red eyes and a fixed, manic grin. Then she noticed that the child's clothes were stained with blood.
She regarded the soldier with disgust. ''What have you done to her? Let her go! I will kill you!''
The soldier said nothing - he just continued to grin. Suddenly, he grasped the struggling girl by the scruff of her neck and slammed her head against the floor. Claire cried out as the girl's body went limp. The soldier straightened up and laughed.
''Show me what you've got.'' he teased, and suddenly ran towards her.
Claire drew the handgun that was holstered by her hip and fired. The soldier dropped heavily and then lay motionless on the dirt floor. Slowly, she inched towards the body. She was aware of the sound of her heavy breathing and twigs breaking under her booted feet. Then she was aware of the sound of a helicopter. It wasn't the S.T.A.R.S helicopter - it sounded more like a gunship. She looked up as its dark shadow passed overhead. Had they called Keller's men already?
Claire was suddenly aware of footsteps approaching her. The soldier was now on his feet and walking towards her, still grinning, his arms stretched forwards. She fired shot after into his body, tearing a whole in his torso. He flinched after each shot, but he kept on his feet and kept walking towards her.
''Why don't you just die!'' she screamed. She was momentarily distracted by the heavy gunfire behind her, back towards the ship.
The soldier's face contorted with anger as his pace towards Claire quickened. Claire reached for her utility belt and pulled out one of the incendiary grenades. She threw it in front of him, and the ground caught fire. The soldier had gained so much momentum by now that he was unable to stop himself careering into the flames. His clothes caught fire and he screamed in agony as his flesh blackened and blistered. He burned so brightly that Claire cast a long shadow across the floor. She stepped backwards as the heat of the flames felt uncomfortable on her skin. Suddenly, he stopped screaming and fell forwards. The flames died down. He was dead.
Claire then looked at the empty space on the floor where the girl was lying a few moments ago. She must have been terrified and run, she reasoned. Slowly walking forward, she could hear gentle sobbing a few metres in front of her, coming from behind a tree.
''Hey! You can come out now! Everything's okay. I won't hurt you.'' she said softly. ''My name's Claire, Claire Redfield. I'm here to help you.'' Claire was hoping to coax the child out of her hiding place.
As Claire neared the tree, the child emerged. Her head was down and her face was covered by her matted blond hair. She appeared to be shivering.
''Everything's going to be okay.'' Claire repeated as she holstered her weapon and held out her hand.
The child looked up slowly and suddenly dived towards her, catching Claire off guard and knocking her to the floor with a heavy thud. Claire barely had time to gather her bearings as the child's face was bearing down on her - although now she noticed that this wasn't the face of a child. There were dark hollows where the eyes should have been, the mouth was twisted with lips curled back to reveal a set of blackened teeth. Twisting, pulsating veins were clearly visible beneath its white translucent skin. Claire grabbed the child's wrists and it struggled hard, trying to bite into her neck. For such a small creature, it was incredibly strong, and Claire didn't know how much longer she could hold on.
Suddenly the girl squealed and seemed to lurch backwards off of her. Claire sat up, slightly confused. In front of her, and illuminated by the dying embers of the fire, was the tall figure of Albert Wesker who was effortlessly holding the wriggling child by its neck. There was a horrifying crunch as the girls head fell to one side and her small body fell limp in his hands. Wesker noted Claire's look of revulsion.
''Oh don't worry, she'll be okay. You can thank your new S.T.A.R.S member for that.''
Claire rushed Wesker, but he casually pushed her away. She fell, head first, into a large, leaf-less bush. The sharp thorns tore into her bare flesh as she scrambled to her feet, ready to run at him again.
''I have no desire to kill you Claire Redfield.'' Wesker said calmly, the tone of his voice stopping her in her tracks. ''Not yet, anyway. Give my apologies to Chris. I'm sure he'll recover.''
Claire's eyes widened. ''What have you done to him?''
''You're older brother is always so keen to jump into a fight. It's just such a shame that he never learns from past mistakes.'' Wesker feigned a yawn. ''Well, it would seem you have two choices here Claire. You can stay here and let me kill you, or you can go and tend to your brother.''
''I swear, if you've done something to him...'' she spat, clenching her fists.
''I rarely give choices Claire. I would make the most of this.'' he warned.
She stared at him and then back in the direction of the Methuselah, back in the direction of her friends that she had just abandoned to chase this creature. She knew that on her own, Wesker would easily overpower her. What she didn't understand was why she was still alive. Why hadn't he killed her already?
''I thought so.'' Wesker said as he watched Claire turn and run in the direction of the ship. He then looked down at the small figure hanging limp in his grasp and smiled.
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''I'm coming.'' Rebecca said breathlessly as she responded to the request from Leon to regroup on the quayside. As she emerged through the trees, she spotted Leon crouched behind a stack of wooden cargo boxes that were being torn to pieces by bullets. She scanned the deck of the Methuselah where she could just make out a number of black-clad figures crouching beside a large metal container. They were firing at Leon, pinning him down. Next to the ship she spotted a small black speedboat.
''Damn.'' she whispered to herself. ''Reinforcements.''
Rebecca then became aware of the sound of helicopter blades. She knew instantly that it wasn't the S.T.A.R.S helicopter. Its black outline emerged from the darkness over her head and progressed with great speed towards the Methuselah. The helicopter circled overhead and fired at the black figures crouched on the ship. Screams could be heard in unison with cracking wood and metallic rings as the bullets tore up the deck and ricocheted off steel.
''Leon, come in.''
There was a brief buzz of radio static, followed by Leon's voice. ''Rebecca!''
''Who sent the signal for Keller's men? I assume that helicopter is one of Keller's...''
''I'm not sure exactly what's going on - we've been having some trouble with our comms.''
There was suddenly an enormous explosion. Leon looked across at the ship to see the munitions container Claire had discovered earlier blow apart, shedding hot debris across the deck and quayside. The resultant fire lit the indigo sky with a soft yellow glow. Leon then became aware of a strange sound - like a rush of wind.
''Leon - look out!'' Rebecca shouted.
He looked up just in time to see the wooden debris of one of the lifeboats land just beside him. He rolled to the side quickly as the lifeboat's ropes and heavy metallic pulley's that attached it to the ship fell out of the sky and landed at the edge of the water.
''That was too close.'' Leon muttered.
''Leon, Claire, Carlos - anyone!'' It was Chris's voice on the radio. He sounded agitated.
''Chris! Where have you been?'' Leon replied as he spotted his S.T.A.R.S companion, accompanied by Elisabeth, emerging from the bridge and running across the deck.
''There's no time for explanations. Did you get the bioweapon? It must have run past you.''
''I haven't seen it Chris. I've been pinned down here for the last ten minutes.''
''Claire - what about you?'' he tapped his radio. ''Claire?'' There was a real sense of urgency to Chris's voice. ''Leon - do you have a visual on Claire? I can't see her on the ship.''
Leon looked around the quayside. He hadn't seen her for a while. He glanced at the burning remnants of the container on the deck. There was no way she was still in there. Was there? He felt his heart pound faster.
''Leon - where's my sister?'' Chris asked angrily.
''She's not here - we separated about ten minutes ago...arrgh!'' Leon grabbed his right shoulder.
''Leon? Are you hit?''
Leon gritted his teeth. ''It's okay - it's just a graze.'' It may only have been a graze, but it stung. He dived back behind the splintered remains of the wooden boxes. Pressing his back against them, he edged closer to the corner where he could see a black clad solider wearing a balaclava running from the deck of the Methuselah and across the gantry that connected the ship with the quayside. He was firing incessantly at the boxes that were quickly disintegrating, offering Leon less and less cover with every second. Leon reached into his utility belt and drew out a flash grenade. He threw it behind him and covered his eyes. Hearing the soldier cry out, he emerged from his hiding place. Click. Click. Click. Leon was out of ammunition. He threw his weapon at the soldier who had quickly recovered from the effects of the grenade and simply side-stepped out of the way. The solider walked slowly towards him. Even though he was wearing a black balaclava, Leon could sense he was smiling. He knew he was practically defenceless. The soldier slowly lifted up his weapon and pointed the barrel at Leon, his finger poised on the trigger. What was he waiting for?
Leon's eyes darted from left to right as he looked for something, anything, which could be used as a weapon. There was a short burst of automatic gunfire that made Leon's stomach lurch. However, it was the masked soldier who stumbled backwards into the wooden lifeboat debris, his outstretched arms revealing a number of bullet holes across his chest. He then rolled clumsily into the sea. Elisabeth appeared level with Leon as he looked down at the black figure disappearing into the dark, murky green water, its arms reaching upward. He glanced at Elisabeth, while suddenly drawing his knife and throwing it in her direction. She looked at him, startled, wide-eyed. She then heard a thud behind her. Turning around, she saw another soldier lying on his back, with Leon's knife embedded in his throat. She looked across at Leon and smiled.
''I guess that makes us even.''
''I guess it does.'' he replied.
Leon suddenly became aware of a ragged, dragging sound. He looked toward the edge of the quayside to see the lifeboat debris topple off the edge into the water. He was suddenly dragged to the floor as the coil of rope he had inadvertently stood in tightened around his left ankle. In an instant, he was dragged across the floor to the edge of the water, his fingers desperately searching for a something to grab on to. Elisabeth dived towards him, grasping both of his hands. She too was dragged along the floor with Leon, as even their combined weight put up no resistance. Leon's face contorted with pain as the weight of the debris pulled on his leg.
He looked her in the eye. ''Let go.'' he said calmly.
''No.'' she said stubbornly.
''Let go, or we'll both die.''
Elisabeth shook her head firmly, but Leon yanked his hands from hers. As he became enveloped by the icy water, Leon struggled to remove the tangled rope from around his ankle. As he got deeper, the rope got tighter. He tugged on it but it passed through his hands, tearing into the flesh. The saltwater stung. Eventually he stopped descending as the debris came to rest on the seafloor some metres below. He reached to his shoulder for his knife to cut the rope - then he was hit by the awful realisation that his knife was still embedded in the soldier on the quayside. The increased pressure with water depth pressed on his lungs, further impeding his breathing. He continued to struggle but he was quickly running out of air.
Elisabeth was watching helplessly as Leon disappeared into the dark water below. She jumped up and then dived down into the water, tracing the length of the rope. Eventually she could make out the shadowy outline of a figure, thrashing madly. When she was nearly level with Leon, she put her hand on his shoulder to get his attention. Immediately he realised she was there and stopped struggling. Elisabeth tried to unwind the rope and loosen its grip, but it was too tight. She squeezed his hand and he squeezed back, seeming to understand that she had to go to the surface for air, but she would be back.
Elisabeth's head appeared above the water. Fortunately Chris had followed her. ''Chris!'' she spat out a mouthful of foul, salty water and scanned the quayside. ''Leon's trapped. I need a knife!'' she shouted.
Chris nodded while pulling out his knife that was sheathed by his chest. He dived into the water next to her.
''Follow the rope down.'' she said as she shivered, suddenly realising the water temperature was only a few degrees above zero. She knew that Leon couldn't last too much longer in water this cold.
Both Chris and Elisabeth took a few deep breaths and then disappeared underwater. Rebecca and Carlos suddenly appeared at the water's edge, looking down at the where they had last seen Chris and Elisabeth take their last breaths. A few bubbles rose to the surface and burst. Rebecca looked at Carlos, her lips quivered as though she was going to say something, but no words came out. Carlos instinctively squeezed her hand.
''I know.'' he said softly. ''They're going to get him out. Don't worry. Then you're going to have to do your thing.''
Rebecca nodded, steadying herself. She looked at her wristwatch. ''They've been down there for nearly four minutes.''
Carlos had no reply. He just squeezed her hand harder.
Suddenly Chris's head broke through the water, quickly followed by Leon and Elisabeth's. Leon's eyes were closed. His skin was waxy and his lips were blue. They hoisted his limp body onto the quayside.
A trail of bullets tore up the wooden floor beside them.
''Merde! Why the hell is that thing firing at us?'' Carlos screamed as he looked up and saw the helicopter circle overhead.
''I don't know - but we've got to get into cover.'' Chris replied as he hoisted himself out of the water and quickly scanned the quayside. ''Over there.'' he said, pointing to a line of stacked metal containers.
Chris grabbed Leon's legs, Carlos held his arms and they moved quickly.
As they reached the containers and gently laid Leon down, Carlos looked around him. ''Where's Badley?''
Chris noticed then that she had slipped away.
''She's gone.'' Carlos said. ''I knew it. I knew there was something wrong about her. She's taken what she was after from that ship and now she's off.''
''She could have gone any time. Why would she stay and save Leon?''
''Look, that isn't important right now.'' Rebecca interjected angrily as she felt for a pulse. She shook her head, frustrated. ''We need to start CPR. We have to keep the oxygen moving around his body otherwise he doesn't stand a chance.''
Chris nodded. He cocked Leon's head back, opening his airway. ''He's not breathing.''
Rebecca tore open Leon's shirt, revealing his bare chest. ''Starting chest compressions.'' she said while placing her hands in the region above his heart and pushing hard six times.
'We've got to get him warm. We need to get back to the helicopter.'' Chris tapped his radio. ''Justin, come in.''
''I hear you Chris.''
''Why is that chopper attacking the ship - attacking us?' We haven't called for Keller's men yet!'
''I don't know - it's a US air force Apache. I've tried hailing them but there's no response.''
''You have to identify us to that chopper - tell them we are friendly otherwise we're going to get hit.''
'I've been trying Chris...''
''We need to get out of here. Now. Leon's in trouble...''
''Can you make it back to the rendezvous point? There's nowhere to land where you are.''
''I don't know...'' Chris looked across at Carlos and Rebecca who were still desperately trying to revive Leon. 'We'll make it back. Somehow. Get prepped, give us ten minutes.''
''Okay, see you in ten, Justin out.''
Chris scanned the quayside around them. ''Claire...'' he whispered. ''Where are you?''
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Claire emerged out of the tree line. The helicopter that she had seen pass overhead a few minutes before was firing both at the ship and at the numerous containers stacked up on the quayside. Bullets tore into the metal hull and a number of small fires raged on the bridge. Weren't they trying to capture the ship as evidence? At this rate, they'll tear it to pieces she thought. She also noted that the arms-filled metal container that she had looked in earlier had been destroyed, its blackened, smoking debris was now scattered everywhere.
As she began to jog back towards the ship, her pace slowed as she saw Carlos and Rebecca in the distance. They were knelt over something - someone.
''Oh no, Chris.'' she whispered as she thought back to Wesker's parting words.
Her pace quickened. There was an awful feeling in the pit of her stomach - almost like an unbearably heavy weight that was dragging her down from the inside. Her throat tightened. She knew something had gone horribly wrong. As she got closer she saw Chris kneeling just beyond Carlos.
''Thank God.'' she said, temporarily relieved. But then who...?
The heavy feeling got worse. She began to run towards them as fast as she could. When she was no more than a few metres away, she stopped dead as she noted a mat of wet blond hair.
''Leon!!'' she screamed.
Chris looked up and sprung to his feet. He ran the few paces across to his sister and held her tightly. Claire struggled and tried to push past him but he held firm. ''Chris...'' she whimpered. ''...what...happened?''
''He was caught in some debris and got dragged in the water...we couldn't get to him in time.''
With a great effort, she pulled herself out of her brother's arms and threw herself to the floor beside Leon's lifeless body.
Chris knelt down beside Claire and gently put his hands on her shoulders.
''Come on Leon!'' Rebecca ordered as she thumped Leon's bare chest, trying to shock him back to life.
Rebecca felt for a pulse. She then lent forward, her ear skimming his open mouth, trying to detect the slightest breath. Her bottom lip trembled. She looked at Chris, and then across at Claire, almost apologetic. ''Nothing. There's nothing more I can do here.''
''No!'' Claire screamed as she pushed Chris's hands off her shoulders. ''Don't you leave us!'' she sobbed. ''Don't leave me Leon! I can't lose you too! How long as it been?'' she said, facing Rebecca.
Rebecca just looked at her sadly, shaking her head.
''I said how long as it been?'' Claire repeated, her voice had become hoarse.
''Over ten minutes.''
''Ten minutes? He can still make it. The water's cold - his metabolism will have slowed down. He can survive.'' she pleaded.
''We have to warm him up and intubate him, but we can't back to the helicopter.''
Again, Chris gently put his hands on her shoulders and squeezed. ''Claire.'' He said gently.
There was a volley of heavy gunfire on the other side of the metal containers, but Claire was oblivious.
''No - you are not going to stop! He's a fighter. He wants to live! Leon!'' she was almost hysterical. She jerked herself forwards, out of her brother's grip. She grabbed Leon's shirt that had been torn open to reveal his bare chest, and shook him violently. ''Wake up! On your feet! That's an order!'' her voice cracked. ''We need you Leon. I need you!'' she whispered into his ear, her whole body shaking as she cried uncontrollably.
Again, Chris gently squeezed her shoulders. ''Claire….'' he began. ''We've got to go.''
''We're not leaving him here while there's still a chance.'' she snarled.
''We've got to get back to the chopper - or we're going to be killed here. This mission is over. We've got to go...''
''I said we're not leaving him here!'' she snapped at Chris.
Suddenly a black speedboat pulled up by the quayside in front of them. Elisabeth was sitting in the front.
''Get in!'' she shouted over the din. ''Quick. That Apache will be back here very soon. We need a decent head start in this thing.''
Chris looked across at Carlos, feeling vindicated. Carlos returned the look and nodded. They picked Leon up and carried him across to the boat, laying him down in the back. They were closely followed by Claire and Rebecca who knelt beside him and recommenced CPR.
Chris stood next to Elisabeth who was preparing to move off. ''Nice work.'' he said, staring straight ahead. Elisabeth simply nodded and they sped off along the coast toward the rendezvous point.
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Jill was curled up and dozing in the chair in the operations room. A pulse of radio static made her jolt.
''This is SH-1 requesting permission to land.'' It was Chris Redfield's voice.
''SH-1 this is Jill. Welcome back.'' Jill couldn't hide her relief at the sound of his voice.
There was a short-lived silence.
''We have one fatality.''
Jill swallowed hard. ''Who...''
''It's Leon.''
Jill looked down and closed her eyes. She knew something bad was going to happen.
''Jill - are you still there?''
Jill sniffed and cleared her throat. ''Yes, yes I'm here. I'll make the necessary preparations.''
''Thank you.''
''How's Claire?''
There was a pause. ''Not good.''
''Chris...are you okay?''
He didn't respond.