Disclaimer: I do not own Jonny Quest or Resident Evil.
A New Nightmare
Chapter 14
By: Sigokat
Jessie groaned as she slowly woke up. She felt as if thousands of tiny hammers were banging on the inside of her skull. Placing her hands on her head she attempted to recall where she was. The last thing she remembered was being in the main entrance hall of Saddler's castle; nothing else until just now.
Jessie sat up and took in her surroundings. She was alone in a large bedroom. The walls were covered with a dark red wall paper and antique furniture sat against the walls. Jessie found that she was laying on a king size bed; the mattress was soft under her body's weight. The silk sheets were a milky white color and the numerous pillows matched as well. Next to the bed was a nightstand with a single lamp atop it. Inside the nightstand the only thing Jessie discovered was an old leather bound Bible.
Swinging her legs over the edge of the bed, Jessie stood up and explored the rest of the room, looking for clues or more preferably something to be used as a weapon. Her feet sank deeply into the thick black rug that was lain out across the room. Her headache began to subside, but a dull ache still lingered behind her eyes. At the far end of the room she found another antique typewriter, but there were no notes or papers of value with it.
"Where am I?" She thought aloud, trying to remember how she got here and where everyone else was. Agitation and nervousness suddenly began to rush through her body as she realized she was really alone.
As if in response to her question, the large oak doors at the far end of the room opened. Saddler, wearing his dark purple robe, strode into the room followed by one of his bodyguards. Suddenly the memories came rushing back to Jessie.
"Ah, I am so glad to see you are awake, my dear." Saddler said; his hood was pulled back from his head, revealing his pale skin and silver hair. Dark veins could be seen in his neck and face and his eyes were bloodshot.
"Go to hell." Jessie retorted.
Saddler chuckled as he slowly moved toward the girl.
"Where's my family?" Jessie asked, stepping back from the man.
Saddler shrugged, "They have abandoned you."
Jessie gasped, but refused to believe it. "You lie."
Saddler smiled, it was an evil smile devoid of any compassion. "Not at all, but it is of little importance. What is important is that you and I are together now."
Jessie felt as if she was going to vomit. "When my dad fines me he's going to kill you."
Saddler's smile faded. "Your father can do nothing to me. Have you already forgotten how easily I controlled him? He is a weak minded simpleton. He is of no concern to me, nor are the others that are with him."
Jessie shuddered at the wickedness of the man, "What do you want with me?"
Saddler nodded to his mutant bodyguard and the creature produced a box from behind its back. It went and set the box on the bed and opened it, pulling out a long white dress.
"You will wear this."
"You're crazy." Jessie shouted. "I'm not wearing anything that you give me. Besides, it's ugly."
Saddler's anger became visible and he stormed over to Jessie and grabbed her by the arm. His strength was incredible and Jessie grimaced in pain as he lifted her slightly off her feet and dragged her to the bed.
"You will wear it. You will become my bride tonight and then you will receive my gift."
"Screw you."
Saddler back handed the girl across the face, Jessie fell in a heap onto the bed. "You insolent little girl, nobody speaks to me in such a manner. You will do as I say or else you will die an even more horrible death then that of your father and friends."
Jessie bit back the tears that began to well up in her eyes; she looked away from Saddler and said nothing.
Saddler, content that he had gotten his point across to the girl, grinned and said, "Good. When I return I except to see how you look. If you do not have the dress on at that time, you will be forced into it."
Saddler turned and strode out of the room, slamming the door shut behind him.
Jessie curled up into a ball on the bed and let her tears flow. She was scared and alone and she refused to believe that her dad and the others had abandoned her.
"Hurry, daddy." She whimpered, "Please, hurry."
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Dr. Benton Quest found himself in a dark, dank cell. The stench of the place filled his nostrils and he bit back the taste of bile that was rising in his throat. The cell was dark, but Benton's eyes slowly began to adjust to the gloomy blackness. Soon he was able to make out a small metal slab attached to the wall which was probably supposed to be a bed and a dirty sink. The inside of the sink was stained with rust from water dripping out of the faucets at some point, but when Benton tried to turn it on he was met with nothing more then dust and a loud wheezing sound of escaping air. Benton went over to the cell door, thick metal bars, and shook them violently; they did not budge. He peered out beyond the bars and was able to make out similar cells across from him, however none appeared to be occupied; which caused him to wonder where Jessie had been taken. The makeshift prison was set in a deep cavern and off to the right there was a faint light. It seemed as if the cavern opened up into an even larger area; what appeared to be some sort of pit was at the center and the ceiling rose out of Benton's eyesight. Listening intently he could hear distant buzzing noises coming from the area of the pit. Unable to make out the source of the sound he backed away from the bars. He had no idea where he was or what Saddler wanted with him. The fact that he was left unconscious in the cell was not a good sign.
After an undeterminable amount of time, Benton's captors had taken all of his possessions except his clothes; he heard mumbled voices in the distance. Benton got up off the cold metal slab and moved closer to the bars. He could see a faint bouncing light that gradually grew closer. He quickly realized that the voices were accompanying the moving light. Someone or something was coming. Benton quickly lay back down on the cold slab; his body heat was quickly sucked away from the coldness of the slab, however he did not care.
After a few more minutes the light appeared at his cell door. Benton acted as if he were asleep.
"Wake up, Doctor." A high pitched nasally voice said.
Benton did not stir.
"I suggest you get up or else I will force my friend here to get you up and I do not think you would enjoy that very much." The voice said again.
Benton, understanding the seriousness in the voice, obeyed. He peered out beyond the bars. On the other side stood one of the insect mutants that had attacked him in the entrance hall, but Benton could not tell if it was the same creature or not; It held a kerosene lamp above its head. Benton had expected to see Saddler, but was surprised to find someone else entirely, someone he had not yet seen. The other man was small, standing just over five feet, the humongous size of the mutant next to him made him appear even smaller. He had pale skin and white hair pulled back into a pony tail. Thick purple veins could be seen running throughout his face, neck and hands; Benton surmised that it was a side effect of the Las Plagas. The man's clothes, not his size, were his most distinguishing and bizarre feature; he wore a blue and white colonial period outfit, hat and all. He looked more like someone attending a Halloween party then one of the Los Illuminados members. Benton shuddered at the sight of the man.
"Who are you?" Benton asked.
"My name is Salazar." The little man replied. "Lord Saddler is requesting your presence in his lab."
"Oh, so you're another one of Saddler's lackeys." Benton said.
Salazar let out a short laugh, but it was devoid of any humor, "Ah, so you think you are a smart one, Doctor. Let's just hope, for your sake, that you are as valuable as Lord Saddler says you are."
"What do you want with me?" Benton asked.
"You will see."
"Where's my family?"
Salazar snickered, "I am not entirely certain, but if I were to guess I would say they are dead and their bodies being feasted upon by their killers."
Benton snorted in disgust and refused to believe what the annoying little man had said. "I doubt that. When Race finds us, you'll be wishing he hadn't."
Salazar sneered, "I am not afraid of him, a mere powerless human. He cannot fight against the power of the Las Plagas."
"You people are deranged, you know that?" Benton asked.
"Enough of this banter." Salazar turned to the mutant. "Bring him."
The mutant took out a set of keys; Benton was surprised that it could use its pincers almost like real hands, and unlocked the cell.
"It would be wise not to try and resist." Salazar instructed. "I can only control our friend here so much. He may get antsy and kill you if you try and run."
Benton's throat went try and he tried to swallow. He tried to appear calm and unnerved, however his heart felt like it would pound right out of his chest and his palms were sweaty; in short he was scared.
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After finding the doors below the balcony locked, Race, Estella, Jonny, and Phil proceeded up to the balcony. There was a single door set in the back wall; it opened inward with no resistance. The group shuffled through the door and was not met by any cultists or mutant creatures; instead, off to the right, they saw the merchant.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Race asked as he approached the man.
The merchant chuckled as he stared back at the other man, "I see you are having some problems."
"How many of you are there?" Estella asked.
"Just me."
"You work for Saddler?" Race asked.
The merchant's eyes narrowed in defiance. "If I was working for that monster I would not be helping you, now would I?"
"I thought you were afraid of him? How did you get in here?" Corbin asked.
"I have my ways. Saddler cannot detect me like he can you."
"What the hell does that mean?" Race asked; however the merchant remained silent.
Finally, Race sighed and asked, "So, what can you do for us?"
"You'll want to know where he has taken the bearded man and the girl, I assume."
"You know about that? Where are they?" Race said as he took another step towards the man.
"I do not know, however I can assist, in my own small way, in your search for them." The merchant replied.
"How?" Jonny asked.
The merchant reached inside his coat, causing both Race and Phil to tense, but all he produced as a worn parchment. "Here is a map of the castle. It will show you the way to the underground lairs."
"You sure seem to know a lot about this place." Race said.
The merchant nodded, "We all have our secrets, my friend."
"Our weapons seem to be pretty ineffective against Saddler's new batch of minions." Corbin said, "Got anything better?"
The merchant stared at him and then slowly nodded, "You are quickly running out of favors. Our mutual friend has not paid me enough for all of this."
Corbin sneered, "You take credit cards?"
The merchant, not seeming to understand the joke, replied, "This will be my last favor for you. Consider it a gift for ridding our lands of Saddler and his hell spawn creations."
The merchant pulled a large leather backpack of his shoulders, set it on the ground, and opened it. He reached in and produced a scope, two more .357 magnum revolvers, two M203 grenade launchers, and a Thompson submachine gun. He also laid out numerous rounds of ammunition for all their weapons.
"Quite a lot of firepower." Corbin said as he took the scope and proceeded to remove the rear site aperture on his M4 so he could affix the scope.
"Yes and quite a small fortune I am losing." The merchant said.
Jonny picked up one of the .357 magnums.
"Quite a large handgun for such a small boy," the merchant said, "However I can see that you are not an ordinary boy."
Jonny eyed the man suspiciously, "What is that supposed to mean?"
"It lives in you." The merchant replied. "You are cursed."
"Not for long." Jonny said as he began to load the revolver.
Race nodded to the man as he gathered up the weapons and ammo. He gave the Thompson to Estella and the shotgun to Jonny. He and Phil took the grenade launchers and attached them to their rifles.
"Thank you." Race found himself saying to the merchant.
"Kill Saddler; he is the devil." The merchant responded.
"What did he do to you?" Estella asked.
"Enough." The merchant responded cryptically.
Corbin stared at the man or a few moments and he thought he understood. This man was harmed by Saddler in a most vile and intrusive way. He found himself sympathizing with the merchant. The merchant met his stare.
"I see you understand, my friend." The merchant said to him. "We suffer the same."
Corbin continued to stare at the man, transfixed by his icy gaze. Finally Corbin nodded to the man, "We'll make it right."
It was impossible to tell, but it seemed that the merchant smiled under his scarf. "Yes, I hope you will."
"We better get going." Race said as he opened the map.
"Good luck, my friends, you will not see me again." The merchant said and then he stepped back into the shadowy corner of the room. Jonny followed him, but discovered that the man had vanished.
"What the hell?" Jonny said, puzzled. "He's like a ghost or something."
"Maybe, Jonny. Let's hurry, we don't have much time." Race replied.
"Should we split up again?" Estella asked.
"No, I think it best we stay together." Race replied. "We only have one map."
"Good idea." Corbin said.
Estella cocked her tommy gun and replied, "Yeah, let's get to it then."
Race smiled at his ex and nodded, "Yeah."
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Jessie continued to search the room. After Saddler and his goon had left Jessie had tried the door, but found it locked. She moved to the far wall and tried the window. It too was firmly sealed shut and even if she had been able to open it she could not have escaped. Jessie saw that the there were no ledges around the window; it was set into one of the walls of the castle, high off the ground; a jump from this height would surely kill her. She examined the walls and found only one small ventilator; it wasn't even big enough for Bandit to fit in. Finally giving in to the idea that an escape was hopeless at this time, she sat back down on the bed. She glanced at the dress that Saddler had left. She did not want to wear it; the thought alone of it touching her skin made her cringe. She thought back to what Saddler had said about Jessie being his bride and she shuddered.
'They'll find me soon.' She thought to herself. 'I know they'll find me; they have to.'
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"This map is pretty old." Race said as he glanced over it. "I hope it is still accurate."
"It's the best that we have to go on." Corbin replied.
"Guess we head straight. There's a staircase at the far end of this route." Race said as he pointed to the stairs on the map.
"Hopefully we can reach it straight through." Phil said.
"You think that Saddler is holding them together?" Estella asked.
"I have no idea," Race replied, "But he's no fool and I'm sure he knows that is better to keep them separated."
Suddenly an ear piercing cry echoed throughout the room. Race tensed and quickly tucked the map into his pocket.
"It didn't come from in here." Corbin said.
"We better move." Race instructed, "And stay cautious; who knows what is beyond the next door."
The others mumbled in agreement and they moved through the small chamber to the door on the far side of the room. Race eased it open and quickly raised his rifle as he moved inside. They found themselves in a hallway that stretched out ahead of them; at the far end it turned to the right. Race moved forward, rifle at the ready with Jonny behind him. Estella and Phil brought up the rear. The hallway was adorned with a thick read carpet that concealed the sound of their footsteps as they went. Two doors were set into the left wall and one in the right. Race checked each door as he passed, but they were all locked. As they approached the turn, Race heard a click and then a small blue cylinder was tossed from behind the wall.
"Get down. Cover your ears." Race hollered as he crouched down.
The others did the same as the flash bang grenade exploded. The boom was deafening and the hallways quickly filled with smoke. Race was dazed from the blast and he saw that the others were similarly affected. He turned back in the direction of the turn and saw two cultists emerging from behind the corner. They rushed him, maces held high. He opened fire and quickly put one of them down.
Behind the group one door on each side of the hallway flew open and half a dozen cultists filtered out. The two in front held large wooden shields, with long metal spikes attached. The other four cultists were grouped behind the shields.
"Fire." Corbin ordered as he fired at the approaching men. The rounds tore into the shields, but the men continued forward.
Estella also fired and was shaken by the kick of the tommy gun. She released the trigger, tightened her hold and fired again. The automatic fire ripped into the shields and she heard one of the men groan as he collapsed. The others growled and rush the group; swinging their maces in front of them as they charged. Estella let out a small yelp, but continued to fire. The tommy gun's drum contained 400 rounds, compared to the 30 in Phil's magazine.
"Use the grenade launcher." Estella said.
Phil dropped to down into a prone position on the carpet. "Can't; their too close." He took aim and fired at the cultists legs; rounds shattering their shins and feet. Two hollowed in pain and fell.
"Just keep shooting."
Race took out the last cultist in front of him, "Jonny, keep watch." Race turned to help in the back.
Two of the three remaining cultists stopped in their tracks and began to shake violently.
"What the hell?" Estella muttered as she watched.
Phil shot the last cultist in the head, killing him instantly.
The two remaining cultist cried out in pain as blood spurted out of their mouths. The distinctive sounds of bones being broken could be heard. Within moments the two cultists' heads exploded; in place of their heads were some strange, indescribable creatures. Each bore two long tentacles that whipped around in the air; each tentacle ended in a sharp jagged spike. Yellow, cat like eyes stared at the group above a small gaping maw of razor sharp teeth. The cultists' bodies continued to move forward, their new heads screaming and bellowing at Race and the others.
"Jesus." Race said as he fired.
As the bullets riddled the cultists' bodies, the tentacles whipped around in the air. Finally, one of the creatures thrust its tentacles forward, smacking Race across the arm. He flinched from the pain and staggered backwards.
"Aim for their heads." Corbin said as he got up into the kneeling position and fired. Bullets ripped into one of the creature's faces and it shot a tentacle at Phil, who barely was able to duck out of its path. His weapon clicked as he ran out of ammo; he quickly pulled his .45 from his holster, took aim and fired. He fired four rounds into the monster's face, causing it to finally explode. The creature fell only a few feet from where Phil knelt.
Race, quickly recovering from his injury, fired at the last remaining creature. His rapid succession of rounds plummeted into its face, forcing it back. When its head finally exploded, it did so with such forced that the body it was attached to spun off of its feet and hit the wall; it slid down to the floor, leaving a trail or blood and flesh in its wake.
"What the hell was that all about?" Estella said.
"Las Plagas." Corbin responded, his gaze drifting from the corpses to Jonny. "You act like it's the strangest thing we've seen so far, Estella." He stood up and reloaded his rifle.
"That was the Las Plagas?" Jonny said, his voice trembling.
"Don't worry, kiddo, we'll get it out of you." Race said as he patted the boy on the shoulder.
"If there is a cure and if we can find it in time." Jonny said.
Race knew that what the boy said true, but he did not want to confirm Jonny's fears. "There is and we'll get it, along with your dad and Jessie."
"You're bleeding." Estella said to Race.
"I'm fine, it's just a scratch." Race answered as he clamped his hand down onto his cut arm.
Estella eyes him suspiciously, "Just keep an eye on it, ok?"
"Yeah, Stella, I will."
"Come on, let's keep moving." Corbin said. He understood the Jonny's fears, but they could not waste time talking about them.
Corbin went to the edge of the hallway and quickly glanced around the corner. The next hallway was empty, but then again that's what they thought about this one as well. He kept his rifled pointed at the ground and said, "All clear…so far." In one fluid motion he swung around the corner of the hall and raised his rifle to the ready position at the same time.
Race urged Jonny forward and they followed Corbin, who was moving as quickly as he could while trying to maintain some stealth as he kept his rifle pointed forward and ready. Race did the same as he brought up the rear of the group.
At the far end of the hall was another door. "Let's surprise them." Corbin said.
Race nodded as he came along side his boss. "Can I do the honors this time?"
"Be my guest." Corbin smiled. "Besides, it still hurts to when I move my legs…if you know what I mean."
Race flushed, "Yeah, sorry about that."
"Just kick the damn door down." Corbin replied.
Race nodded, took up a sturdy stance, raised his right leg and kicked the door inward. It flew open easily and he was through the door in a matter of moments, quickly followed by Phil.
What they saw before them took their breath away and sent a chill through their bones; all the way to the marrow.
"My God." Race said.
"God doesn't exist here." Corbin muttered.
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After struggling to free himself from his binds, David quickly lost his strength. Even with the Las Plagas coursing through his bloodstream, he could not free himself from his current predicament.
"Damn that agent." David mumbled. "Once I get out of here I'm going to kill that bastard."
In a fit on anger, David struggled against the tape that held him in place, but after a few moments of no success he stopped; dropping his head down onto his chest.
Minutes past and then he heard one of the doors at the far end of the room open and close. David lifted his head and peered at the shadows under the balcony. "Who's there?"
No answer, but he could hear heaving footsteps approaching. "Who's there?" David said again, a little more concern etched into his voice.
From the shadows David saw the source of the footsteps. Slowly approaching him was Saddler's Psion.
"Oh, it's you. Come and untie me, you lug." David said.
The Psion stopped about twenty feet from the bound man.
"What's your problem? I know you're blind, but are you deaf too? Release me you fool."
The Psion growled, "Fool." It said in its deep bear-like grumble.
"What did you call me?" David asked.
The Psion shook its head, "Food." It replied, changing its words.
David's eyes grew in terror. The Psion leaned back, flexed its muscles and let out a horrendous cry. Then it lowered its body and charged. David opened his mouth to scream, but the sounds never escaped his lungs as the Psion slashed the man's throat open in one swipe and then plunged its other claws deep into the man's belly. Blood spurted out of the man's torn throat; he was dead.
"Food." The Psion said again as it removed its mask and sniffed the air, the smell or fresh blood filling its nostrils.
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The Leer Jet with the distinct markings of the Umbrella Corporation landed at Frankfurt International Airport shortly before seven P.M local time. Mr. Baker retrieved his cell phone as the plane coasted to the designated terminal and punched in the number of the person he was supposed to meet. After two rings there was an answer.
"We are at the airport," Mr. Baker said, "Where are you?"
"The Maritim Hotel in Darmstadt."
"What? Why are you there?"
"I had to take the package somewhere safe."
"Fine. We are on our way." Mr. Baker slammed the phone shut.
Thirty minutes later, Mr. Baker's Umbrella limousine pulled into the valet parking area of the Maritim hotel. At the front desk he was informed that he was expected in room number 212. Mr. Baker thanked the woman and proceeded to the elevators, followed by two of his men.
"Be sharp." He instructed the two goons.
He found room 212 and knocked on the door. Almost immediately it was opened. He stepped inside, past his hired henchmen.
"I don't like you assuming you can change the rules." Mr. Baker said.
"You did the same thing by coming here."
"I'm paying you, remember. Where's the package?" He asked.
The hotel room's occupant pointed to the corner on the other side of the bed. "There."
Mr. Baker nodded to his two goons, who quickly moved in, retrieving the package. "Wait for us in the limo." He said.
The goons nodded and quickly left.
"Us?"
"You're coming with." Mr. Baker said. "I don't think you want to miss this."
"When are we leaving?"
"Immediately."
"Immediately?" The other replied, moving closer to Mr. Baker.
Mr. Baker smiled, "Well, I suppose I can give you a little undivided attention for a few moments."
"That's what I like to hear."
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To be continued…