S.T.A.R.S Office

Claire walked into the tech room grabbing a few gadgets: PDA, mini disc reader, and laptops. Piling them into a box, she exited them room. She felt a sudden tug on her arm pulling her into room ending up face to face with James.

"What the fuck are you doing?" she asked angrily.

"I got to tell you something," he said, voice hushed.

"What's so important we're going to be late then get bitched out?"

"You know Richard from Deltas?"

"Yea who doesn't?" Claire replied

"He's a rogue agent; he works for a small branch of Umbrella known as C.U.T.S: Clean up Tactics Squad. He was sent there to take care of corporations that are causing the company trouble."

"So Umbrella wants the S.T.A.R.S. out of the game?" Claire asked.

"It looks that way. We need to deal with him."

"Do you have proof?"

"Right here," James said producing a small disc from a jacket pocket.

"Where did you get that?"

"I was getting the guns together when I stumbled onto his backpack. I accidentally dropped it and it fell out," James said trying to mask his face.

"So you're saying you stole his backpack, and being nosy as you are, rifled through it and found this?" Claire said.

"Basically, but put it in the mini disc reader and see."

Claire grabbed the disc reader, pressed a button and a small screen unfolded. Claire pressed another button and the disc tray popped out. Inserting the disc, the screen flickered to life and an image of Richard appeared. He was holding a cell phone and pacing around the room.

"Don't screw this up Richard we are relying on you here. If you fail, this could topple our department."

"I won't, Joseph. I have the S.T.A.R.S in my pocket. A mysterious chopper accident won't let them make the connection to me or our department. It goes like this: I get sick, there's an oil leak, chopper blows, then I move onto Alphas.

"My faith is in you Joseph. Out."

The disc ended.

"What do you think about that?" James asked.

"We have to take this in our own hands. We don't have a lot of time. Both choppers are getting ready to leave," Claire said.

"Agreed. We have to move fast, though. I say we just kill the rat and warn the Deltas."

Justin stepped in from other room.

"Seems like a solid plan but your going to need help. We need to split! Claire and I will take care of Richard. James go warn Deltas," Justin said.

Through gritted teeth James agreed. He thought he might be able to make his move on Claire now, but he had to agree.

"Claire, go take all this equipment to the chopper. Tell Becker we're going to be about 10 minutes," Justin said while grabbing his Berretta and moving up the stairs.

James was in a brisk run down the hallway to the Delta chopper pad. He glanced at his watch. SHIT I got 3 minutes to go across this fucking building. He took off into a break neck run, pushing people out of the way and taking the stairs six at a time. Less than a minute shit hope they're doing better than I am.

Claire was quickly walking towards the chopper, carrying about 10 bags full of weapons and tech. She reached the chopper in about a minute.

"What's going on where's Justin and James?" Mike asked.

"They're going to be a little late captain, 10 minutes. Can you hold for that long?"

"Ten minutes, and not a second longer. We can leave without them. I'm warning you Claire, find them."

"Yes sir."

Justin was trying to remember Richards's room. If he was so sick then he would be there. A23 Justin remembered it with a smile because he was right next to it. He pulled a credit card from his wallet and went to work on the lock. 4 basic tumblers too easy Justin pushed the card in and the door gave away. Richard was sitting on the bed gun aimed to Justin's head.

"Nice for you to drop in Justin you have only made my job easier."

"Fucking traitor, I'll kill you."

"I could kill you before you cocked that Berretta so don't try," Richard said.

Tuck and roll tuck and roll. At that second Justin jumped rolling in mid air. Richard fired 3 shots. 2 hit the stomach and 1 hit the upper thigh. Justin rolled over, pointing his Berretta directly at Richard's head, but at that second Claire dashed in the room.

"I heard shots Justin!"

Richard trained his gun on Claire's head "Don't fire Justin, or she dies," Richard said with a maniacal look.

With a last shot of adrenaline Justin jumped through the air in front of Claire. Richard fired 2 shots, hitting Justin's chest. Claire fired 2 shots into Richards's head; the metal slugs sank into his forehead slamming him back in the wall.

"Justin! Your going to be ok, I promise, it's not that bad," Claire said, eyes tearing up.

"Ah Claire, I'm kind of screwed. 5 shots, it burns like hell. I never been shot before," Justin said.

"You're going to be fine Justin I promise she said taking him in her arms, his blood soaking through his shirt.

"Claire I always wanted to tell you something," Justin said through ragged gasps.

"What is it?" Claire said, tears streaming from her eyes now.

"Claire I love you, I loved you since the first day I met you," Justin said, eyes closing.

"I love you too. Don't die Justin, don't die, please don't die."

Shortly after, the medics came and took Justin to the medical ward in critical condition.

"I'm sorry about Justin, Claire. You don't have to go on this mission if you don't want to."

"Thanks for your concern Mike but I'm not letting you all go alone."

"You're a good member, Claire. Now where's James?"

James ran up the stairs seeing the chopper blades start to whirl.

"Don't go! No oil! Crash! Traitor!" James spluttered.

"What? That's impossible! Everyone's here, except Richard…"

"He worked for Umbrella to sabotage S.T.A.R.S. He's dead now."

"We'll fix this right away. Thank you, James, we're all in your debt."

"It's fine. I'll explain more when I get back, but I'm fixing to get left behind."

Five Minutes Later

"Sweet, I made it back in time."

"Barley, James, don't let this happen again."

"Ok take her up we're off!"