Disclaimer: I do not own Jonny Quest or Resident Evil.
A New Nightmare
Chapter 9
By: Sigokat
Estella leaned over and lightly shook Corbin awake. She had switched off pulling guard with him so he would be able to regain some of his strength that the stab wound and grenade blast had drained from him.
"Phil, wake up." Estella said as she shook him lightly on the shoulder.
Phil groaned and slowly opened his eyes, however upon seeing Estella the sleep that still clung his eyes quickly vanished. "What is it? What's wrong?" He asked, standing up.
"Nothing. It's been quiet the last two hours, but I think we should be going." Estella answered as she glanced back at Jessie, who was still sound asleep in the corner of the room.
Phil nodded as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. "Yes, you're right. I don't know why they decided not to attack us; they know we are in here. We better get out of here before something does happen."
Estella nodded and went to wake Jessie up. Phil moved towards the window and peered out. The rain had stopped, but the darkness still hung over the region like a cloak. Within a few minutes Estella and Jessie joined him at the door.
"Ready?" Phil asked as he checked his rifle, ensuring it was locked and loaded.
The two women nodded and Phil pulled open the door, stepping out into the cool night air. "According the transponder we are only about five miles from the castle. If we hurry we can make it there in less than two hours."
"Yeah as long as no more villagers decide to attack." Jessie added.
"Let's go." Phil headed down the path that led north out of the village. Their eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness; however the blackness of the surrounding forest set all their nerves on end. They could be walking in another trap and wouldn't know it until it was too late. Phil's pace was rapid; however after about half an hour he had to slow down to allow Estella and Jessie to keep up.
"Let's take a break." Estella pleaded at one point. "Just for a few minutes." She sank down onto the ground before Jessie or Corbin could object.
"Only a few minutes." Corbin said, his eyes still scanning the forest around him. He could not shake the feeling that they were no longer alone.
Jessie watched the forest as well and as her eyes attempt to probe the woods she caught glimpse of a man approaching them from the rear, up the path they had just traveled.
"Mr. Corbin, look." Jessie said as she tapped Phil's shoulder, getting his attention. He turned, his gaze following the direction she was pointing.
He quickly raised his rifle at the approaching man. "Stop right there." He ordered.
The man stopped and slowly raised his hands, "But I have been looking for you, my friends." The man chuckled in a deep, gurgling voice.
"What?" Estella asked as she scrambled to her feet, moving next to her daughter.
The man took a few steps forward so the trio could clearly see him. He was dressed like a homeless beggar, his face covered by a dark scarf, only his bloodshot eyes were visible. "I've come to assist."
"Who are you?" Corbin demanded.
"You Americans ask too many questions…and the same questions at that." The man grumbled.
"You Americans? What does that mean?" Jessie asked. "Have you seen others like us?"
The man gazed down at Jessie, his stare almost hypnotizing the girl. "Yes. Your comrades. Two men and a boy about your age."
"So they're alive and alright?" Estella asked, no longer attempting to hide her concern for her ex-husband.
"Yes, at least when I saw them last."
"Who are you?" Corbin asked again, lowering his rifle.
"A simple merchant." The man said as he produced a large bag as if out of thin air. He dropped the bag on the ground between them.
Corbin eyes the man suspiciously as he bent down and opened the bag; it contained a pump-action shotgun and a 9mm pistol. Numerous boxes of ammunition also filled the bag. "Who sent you?"
"The same who sent you." The man replied. "Our mutual friend, who has, for your sakes, taken care of my payment already."
"So when did you last see Jonny and the others?" Jessie asked the man, no longer afraid of his presence.
"Some time ago, before they crossed the lake."
As if on queue, Corbin's earpiece crackled. "Corbin, its Race, are you there?"
Corbin stood and raised a hand to his ear, "Race, yes and its good to hear your voice."
"What's your location?"
Corbin heard concern in the other agent's voice. He glanced at the two women and turned away from them. "Not too far from the castle, according to the transponder. Race, what's wrong?"
Estella and Jessie both turned and stared at the agent when they heard his last question. Unable to hear Race's responses, the women quickly became anxious.
"Phil, we are in the church about two miles south of the castle's entrance. You need to get hear quick. There's a problem."
"Race, what the hell is going on?" Corbin demanded.
"Jonny's been hurt, but don't tell Estella or Jessie. Speaking of, I assume since you're alright that they are as well."
"Yes, they're fine. So, what happened?"
"Just get here quick and you'll see. We have a captive as well; David, the guy from the camp."
"Understood. Hang in there and stay low, Race. We'll be there soon. I'll call you when we are within visual so you know it's us coming."
"Got it."
"See you soon. Corbin out."
Corbin turned back towards the two women who were staring at him. Their eyes demanded to know what was said. Corbin looked passed them at the merchant who standing silent, staring back at him.
"Is there a church close to here? One that is by a castle?" Corbin stepped forward towards the merchant.
"Whoa." Estella quipped as she planted her hand in Corbin's chest, stopping his advance. "First tell us what Race said. What's going on?"
Corbin pushed Estella arm away, "I'll tell you later." He turned back to the merchant. "Where's this church?"
"Follow this path and when it comes to a Y intersection then take the path on the right. It will lead you to the graveyard and the church." The man answered his voice lowering as he spoke as if he were frightened.
"How far?" Corbin demanded.
"Only about three kilometers. Not far at all."
Corbin reached down, withdrew the shotgun and ammo from the bag and handed them to Estella. He took the pistol and its ammo and gave it to Jessie. He then turned back to the merchant, stared the poor man in the eyes and nodded. "Thanks."
The merchant nodded back. "Hopefully I will see you again soon." He turned to leave, but after taking a few steps he turned back. "Beware of the woods. Lord Saddler is looking for you and he has released his "son" after you."
"His son?" Jessie asked as she loaded the rounds into the pistol's magazine.
"Yes. Beware…Lord Saddler is dangerous, but his "son" is deadlier then anything you have seen before." With that last warning, the merchant vanished down the path.
"Ok, now tell us what the hell is going on." Estella demanded, angry that Phil had blatantly ignored her earlier questions, even restoring to physically pushing her hand out his way. "What did Race say?"
"He didn't really say much. They are all alive and that's what matters." Corbin responded, annoyed at the woman's sudden attitude, as if he had to report to her.
"What else?" Estella pushed.
"Damnit, Estella. I don't know." Corbin snapped. "He just said to meet them at the church and that's exactly what we are going to do. Now load that damn shotgun and lets get moving." He stomped off and waited up the path for them to follow.
Estella, taken aback by the man's rough response, huffed and started loading the weapon.
Jessie wandered up to Phil and said, "She's like that a lot."
"We don't have time for this petty crap."
"She's just worried and so am I." Jessie responded. "And obviously you are as well."
Phil glanced down at the girl and realized she was right. He sighed, "Yeah I guess so."
Jessie raised her hand to her mouth to restrain a bit of laughter that emerged from her.
Corbin glanced back at the girl, cocked an eyebrow, and asked, "What's so funny?"
"You two are fighting just like her and my dad sometimes."
Corbin rolled his eyes, "Great, just what I need. Why's that funny anyways?"
"Because it's the only humor I can find out in the awful place." Jessie responded, the laughter already gone.
"You got that right." Rubbing his injured shoulder he glanced back at Estella, "Geesh, what's she doing, getting ready for a date?"
"Mom?" Jessie called back to her mother.
Estella raised her head and then walked up to the others. "Almost done." She said as she loaded the last two rounds into the chamber of the shotgun.
"You ok with that?" Corbin asked.
"Uh, I think so."
"Just make sure you keep it tight in the pocket of your shoulder and make sure I'm no where close to you when you fire it, ok?"
"Yes, dear." Estella quipped
Jessie giggled as Phil sighed, "Women." He mumbled as they headed off down the path.
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Umbrella Headquarters
Mr. Leland stared out the windows at the vast Chicago skyline, worry etched into his already aging face. His concerns reached far beyond Mr. Baker and the younger man's desire to possess the Las Plagas parasite for Umbrella. Leland feared that if circumstances continued down the current path then there may not be an Umbrella left. Too many people were forming against them and if they became powerful enough then Umbrella would surely be exposed.
The paper he clutched in his hands helped confirm those fears that the man felt. He stood and after a moment of composing himself he left his office to find Mr. Baker.
Mr. Leland found the younger Umbrella executive in his office, huddled over recent reports from another division of White Umbrella. No matter what Mr. Leland thought of the young man, Mr. Baker was indeed dedicated to the company.
Mr. Leland cleared his throat and gained the other man's attention. "What is it?" Mr. Baker asked when he saw Mr. Leland standing in front of his desk.
"We've discovered the identity of the woman who tipped off Agent Corbin to the Las Plagas."
"Indeed?" Mr. Baker asked, giving the older man his full attention. "Who is she?"
Mr. Leland handed the paper to Mr. Baker, "Elaine Krumlanski."
Mr. Baker smirked as he studied the paper. After a few minutes of no response, Mr. Leland cocked an eyebrow at the younger man, "I did not know that he had a daughter. Did you?"
"Yes, of course. She's illegitimate, as is her brother. However, I never would have thought that she would turn out like this."
"Her brother?"
Mr. Baker leaned back in his chair and smiled, "Yes. The man we sent to Spain with the archeological team."
Mr. Leland fumed with anger; he did not appreciate being left in the dark on these matters. "This is ridiculous. You knew about these…these…children of Krumlanskis yet you did nothing to control them?"
"No, quiet the contrary actually. I employed them. David seemed rather gifted with his father's scientific skills, however Elaine was not. She was sent to Raccoon City and I thought she had died there, however I see now that I was mistaken."
"She must know that Corbin killed her father, but she's probably holding us ultimately responsible. She wants to use him to bring us down."
"Or else this is her way of ensuring the man who murdered her father is brought to justice. Either way Agent Corbin is nothing more then a puppet to her, I doubt he even knows who she really is." Mr. Baker countered.
Mr. Leland sucked his breath in through his teeth; Mr. Baker always seemed to contradict every statement he made, as if this was nothing more then an amusing debate to him. "I suggest we call the whole operation off. Let the Quests deal with Saddler and then be done with it. We have more then enough projects currently in the works and some ready for further testing. We don't need the Las Plagas."
Mr. Baker shook his head. "No. We need the Las Plagas. I do not expect the Quests to survive Spain anyways and if they do then we eliminate them once our people move in and secure what they have found for us."
"You said that Krumlanski had a son as well."
"Yes. He's was sent to investigate the Las Plagas when we first heard reports of its use in Spain. Unfortunately, the boy was seduced by the power the Las Plagas possessed and he actually joined Saddler's cult. Now he is useless to us. He will be eliminated as well."
"This is so easy for you, isn't it, Mr. Baker."
"Why shouldn't it be, Mr. Leland? This is our business and if you are starting to have second thoughts…" He let the statement hang.
Mr. Leland swallowed harshly, "No of course not, I would just advise we use a little more caution. It seems we have underestimated the Quests and their Intelligence One friend."
"Note taken." Mr. Baker leaned back down and continued to study his previous notes.
"What about the girl?" Mr. Leland asked.
Without looking up Mr. Baker responded, "Kill her. She is no use to us anymore."
Mr. Leland nodded and was shocked to find a small smile forming on his lips; after all Mr. Baker was correct, killing was their business.
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A short way up the path, Phil, Estella, and Jessie found the Y intersection that the nameless merchant had informed them about. The sky was dark, but having been outside for some time now their eyes had adjusted to the darkness. They could not see perfectly, however it was enough for them to get by. Without stopping they headed down the path to the right, in the direction that the merchant had indicated. They had covered almost three-fourths of the distance they were told when out of the silence an ear piercing wail broke their concentration.
"What the hell was that?" Jessie asked as the three were stopped dead in their tracks.
"I don't know." Estella replied; fear creeping into her voice. The two women looked at Corbin; hoping for an answer.
"I have no idea; however I don't want to stick around to find out."
The silence was broken again by another shriek, the direction impossible to ascertain; it seemed to be coming from all around them, but they could tell that whatever it was, it was closer. Phil felt a hint of fear creep into his mind, he tried to shake it off, but it grew larger and larger with each passing moment. His head began to throb with pain as the fear continued to engulf him.
"Come on." Phil managed to say through his gritted teeth. "We have to get to the church. Run."
He took off running, not waiting to see if the women were following him. He wanted to get as far away from whatever lurked in the woods, whatever was causing him to panic. Jessie and Estella watched him take off running and having no other choice they sprinted after him as fast as they could.
Phil saw the graveyard appear in front of him and practically threw himself against the wooden fence that surrounded it. Only when he had stopped had he realized that he had taken off without Jessie and Estella. The fear that had crept into his mind was beginning to subside and he cursed himself for being so cowardly as to leave without the women. Never in his life had he felt fear and terror like he had back on the path and it baffled him as to why it had hit him so suddenly and forcefully. He turned back to the path, intent on going back for the others when he saw them emerge from the woods. They stopped along side him and were breathing heavily.
"Damn you, Phil." Estella lectured. "Don't take off like that again, you bastard."
Phil lowered his eyes, his fear replaced with shame. "Sorry."
"The church." Jessie said as she pointed into the graveyard.
They followed the path of Jessie's fingers and saw a huge church set back on the hill. A small graveyard lay before it. Numerous tombstones appeared broken and shattered and a dead tree sat almost directly in the center. A small footpath led around the interior of the fence line all the way up to the entrance of the church.
"This must be it." Corbin mumbled as he reached for the transmit button to contact Race.
"Dear Lord." Estella breathed, her hands going to her mouth.
Corbin and Jessie both looked to Estella and followed her gaze back to the path they had just left. A few hundred yards away stood a dark figure, silhouetted in the darkness. It was obvious that it was not the merchant they had encountered earlier. The three peered out into the darkness that surrounded the figure, trying to make out any identifying features.
"Are those claws?" Jessie whispered.
As if in response the figure crossed its arms across its chest and then slid them back down to its sides. The distinctive scrapping of metal on metal echoed through the night.
"Shit." Corbin mumbled as he raised his rifle. Before he could fire off a shot the creature titled its head backwards and let out another agonizing cry.
The creature lowered its head and charged, clawed arms swinging in front as it ran.
"Run." Corbin yelled as he fired. Jessie and Estella both ran for the church, jumping broken headstones as they went. Corbin's shots hit the creature, but seemed to have no effect at all. He turned and fled the same direction as the women. As he ran he hit the transmit button.
"Race, open the damn doors. We are outside and so is something else. Hurry."
"I just heard gunshots…"
"Race, just open the fucking door or else we're dead out here."
Corbin cut off transmission, took cover behind one of the tombstones and fired again. The creature barreled through the fence, not slowing its pace. Estella saw Phil stop and she ran back to help him. She threw herself against the tombstone next to him and raised her shotgun.
"That won't do shit. Get to the church." Phil ordered as he stood and pulled Estella to her feet. "Come on."
Jessie was at the door banging her fists against the hard wood at the same time pulling on the large handles. She glanced back over her shoulder and saw her mother and Phil quickly approaching. Not far behind the enormous, clawed creature pursued them.
"Dad." She yelled as she banged furiously on the door. "Open the door." She heard the doors creak as they were being opened from the inside. She stepped to the side as the door swung outwards.
"Come on, hurry." Jessie yelled.
Phil held his rifle in one hand and had pulled his pistol with his other. He fired the pistol blindly over his opposite shoulder; if he took his eyes off the doors to look back he could lose his balance or trip and then he was dead for sure. Estella kept pace next to him.
Jessie was so attuned to seeing her mother reach the doors safely she did not even notice her father step out from the doors next to her.
Race was relieved to see Jessie unharmed, however the current threat to Estella and Phil unnerved him. He saw his boss and wife literally running for their lives towards the church, some creature pursing them, and it was quickly gaining ground. Race pulled an incendiary grenade off his belt and threw it as hard as he could. His aim was almost perfect and when the grenade detonated the creature was engulfed in flames. It immediately halted its pursuit as it cried in pain from the flames ravaging its body. The creature turned and fled back down the path it had come.
Phil and Estella bolted up to the church doors; they all filtered inside Race closed and secured the door.
Relieved that they all made it safely, Race hugged Jessie tightly. Estella walked over to him and gave her ex-husband a warm, reassuring hug as well. "What was that thing?"
Phil was leaning over, his hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath. He shook his head, "No idea. But whatever it was it didn't seem to like us very much."
"Not like that's a first." Race replied.
"Where's Jonny and Dr. Quest?" Jessie asked her father.
Race's face paled as his voice took on a graver tone, "Up there. Let's go." Race pointed to the front of the church and they all followed him to the altar. Jonny was lying on the front pew, with Dr. Quest kneeling beside him.
"What happened?" Jessie asked horrified as she saw her friend laying there unconscious.
"He did." Race said as he pointed the bound and also unconscious form of David. "He grabbed Jonny as we came in to the church from the cellar. He injected Jonny with a Las Plagas egg."
"What? Will he be alright?" Jessie asked as she knelt down next to Dr. Quest. She gently stroked Jonny's hair and noticed that he was beginning to stir. "He's waking up."
"We don't know how the parasite will have affected him." Race said.
"What about him?" Corbin pointed at David.
"It took everything I had not to kill him. But as soon as he injected Jonny he started babbling about an antidote. He's injected himself with the parasite, so I had to knock him out in order to restrain him."
"Do you believe him? About the antidote?" Corbin asked.
"We have no other choice but to believe him." Dr. Quest said.
Race tapped Corbin on the arm and then motioned with a head nod for the other agent to follow him. When they were alone Race said, "We aren't very far from the castle. We should stick together from now on and use that creep over there to lead us to Saddler and the antidote."
Corbin thought about it for a few minutes then nodded, "I agree. Especially with Jonny's current condition. And somehow I don't think that thing that was chasing us is dead."
Corbin took out a cigarette and lit it. He really didn't care if he was in a church; he needed something to calm his nerves.
"There's something else." Race said.
"What?"
"After I knocked him out I searched him. I think I found our Umbrella connection."
"Really?"
"He works for them, or at least he did at some point. My guess is that he was sent here by Umbrella and somehow became infatuated with the Los Illuminados and the Las Plagas."
"How do you know all this?"
"It's obvious that Umbrella doesn't necessarily hire the smartest people in the world. He had his employee identification on him."
Corbin rolled his eyes, "Dumbass. So who is he?"
Race briefly looked past his boss over at the others that were huddled around Jonny who appeared to be waking. "Looks like Jonny's awake."
Corbin noticed Race's attempts to evade his question; he narrowed his eyes, repeating the question. "Who is he, Race?"
Race reached into his pocket and withdrew the young man's ID card, he handed it to Phil without a word.
Phil looked at the ID card and was immediately hit with a flood of emotions. He turned and eyed to young man with newfound hatred.
"It could be a coincidence." Race offered.
Corbin looked at Race, "Highly doubtful."
Race looked into his friend's eyes and was disturbed at what he saw. Within a matter of moments Corbin had changed, all he saw in the man was hatred.
"He's his son, not him, Phil."
"He works for Umbrella. Isn't that enough?"
"Kill him now and its murder." Race countered.
Phil's stare made Race uncomfortable and he turned his head away from his boss' gaze. Phil sighed and walked away, back towards the others where Jonny was sitting up, holding his head. Race followed behind, unsure what to say, but knowing that he now had to keep a watchful eye on the wronged agent.
Jonny groaned as he sat up. "My head is killing me. What happened?" He saw everyone gathered around him, worried looks upon their faces. He felt strange having everyone staring at him like they were. "What?"
Jessie didn't say a word; instead embracing him in a strong hug. "Hey, glad to see your okay, hotshot."
Jonny tried to smile, but was hit with a sudden burst of pain and nausea in his stomach. He hunched over, gripping his stomach. He bit down on his tongue, trying to resist the rising urge to vomit.
Dr. Quest, torn between worry for his son and anger at the man who caused it, gripped Jonny's shoulder tightly. He turned towards Race and Corbin. "We have to find this antidote." Turning back to his son, he watched Jonny's muscles began to relax. "You think you'll be alright to keep going, Jonny?"
Jonny nodded, "Yeah, I think so. We have to keep going so we can stop these people."
Race nodded, "Alright. We stick together now."
Phil walked over to this still unconscious David and lifted him to his feet. Race and the others watched as Corbin slapped the man across the face. The sound echoed throughout the church. David groaned and Corbin shook him until he opened his eyes.
"Time to go, dipshit." Corbin spat as he pushed the younger man towards the others.
Estella winced at the roughness that Corbin used against the other man. Race had not informed any of the others as to the identity of the man.
"Careful what you say to me, you brute." David replied, his head still aching from the blow Race had inflicted.
Corbin gritted his teeth and forced himself not to respond. Obviously the cult member did not know anything about him or his dealings with his father, however Corbin really didn't care. His hatred for David and Umbrella grew with every breath he took. He walked over to Race. "You still good on ammunition?"
"Getting a little low, but we had help, as I see you have as well." He jerked his thumb at Estella's shotgun. "You think it was wise to give her that?"
"I couldn't carry it all myself." Corbin replied. "You better watch him." He gestured towards David. Race had bound the man's wrist behind his back, but his legs were still free for movement. "If he tries to run…"
"I got him, Phil."
"What's going on?" Estella asked. She could not interpret the cryptic talk between the two men. "You both act as if you know him."
"It's nothing. Just being cautious." Race lied. "We need to get moving, the longer we wait here the worse it can get for Jonny."
Dr. Quest looked at his son and helped him to his feet, "Yes, let's get moving."
Jessie took Jonny's arm. "Hey, it's ok, Jonny, I'll take care of all the monsters for you."
Jonny smiled, "Yeah right, Jess. I'm feeling better already."
"Yeah, we'll see hotshot. I'm already ahead of you."
Jonny snorted a laugh. Dr. Quest was glad to see Jonny was regaining his strength, but he knew that sooner or later, when the Las Plagas egg hatched, he would take a turn for the worse.
"Everyone ready?" Corbin asked.
After receiving nods from all around, he nodded as well. "Good. I'll take point. There should be a path that leads from here to the castle gates. Let's go."
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To be continued….