The more geographical distance between himself and Claire the more calm Wesker became. Or appeared to become, at least. His mind was a swirling storm of possibilities. What was she doing? What was she seeing? And undoubtedly, what was she destroying? However, no one, even those who had worked with Wesker throughout the duration of the project, could have identified his discomfort. He still carried with him the unmistakable air of arrogance and power. Something that really never seemed to dissipate. He had exited the helicopter on the roof of their mainland facility, one that was still in use. Wesker had planned on permanently disposing of the island's facilities once they had evacuated a few choice individuals who were crucial to the project. Individuals who were probably huddled underneath examination tables with crow bars. The thought of their pathetic weakness sickened Wesker. Every time there had been an outbreak in one of their facilities somehow it was always the most intelligent scientists in the project who were left behind. Such an inconvenience. Wesker considered just blowing the whole place to hell before evacuating them, but figured such a rash move would show he was losing control. He couldn't allow any of his subordinates to believe or even think that for a moment. Usually it wasn't an issue. Usually he maintained a clear order. However, Claire did have the tendency to steal his power away.
Upon entering the sleek white and industrial facility Wesker made for the first floor offices where he was meeting two of his professionals. He referred to them as thus because they didn't really have an official title. They were efficient. They were effective. And above all else they were successful. Wesker didn't trust either of them...granted he didn't trust anyone, but these two had far more on their minds then the tasks Wesker was charging them with. However, he needed the expertise if he didn't want to traipse around a zombie infested island and track down the intruders himself.
The heavy metal doors slid open for him without a sound. There was no difference from the bleach white walls of the hallway to the inside of the room. Everything was efficient. Industrial. Cold and impersonal. Bright fluorescent lights lined the ceiling, illuminating the metal table and chairs beneath it. Wesker walked into the room staring at the two incredibly skilled insubordinates. He knew they had their own agendas...It honestly didn't concern him.
Ada Wong sat with her legs crossed, the trademark red dress clinging to her body. Her hips. Her thighs, and then the slit all the way up the side showed off long legs. Most men groveled at her stiletto clad feet...Wesker didn't spare her a second glance. The second occupant of the stark white room was Jack Krauser, a former special operative. He was a mercenary now, his skills for sale. Krauser looked so relaxed in his baggy military issue pants and boots he mine as well have been wearing a second skin. Wesker noted that there was no military issued shirt to cover his muscle bound friend's torso. Lack of funds? Yeah...that's probably it.
Wesker addressed them both simultaneously. Speaking frankly, and not allowing for any pleasantries...though there probably wasn't any to be had anyway.
"Krauser, you know your target. The deal has not changed. I have received word that you failed in dispatching Leon." Jack Krauser was about to raise a complaint, or protest against Wesker's denouncement of his abilities but thought better of it when a glowing red glare was shot in his direction. As calm and collected as Krauser attempted to seem, Wesker's very presence sent chills down his spine. The man was merciless, though Krauser had known other's who were the same, but Wesker was different. A true man of the project Krauser assumed...Could Wesker even be considered man? Even human? Krauser pushed those thoughts from his mind. "I expected the problem to be taken care of 46 hours ago." Wesker continued coolly, staring directly at Krauser with a gaze that made even the hardened military man squirm. "Krauser?" Wesker said softly "I want you out of my sight." With as much contempt as Jack could muster he stood so violently his cold metal chair shot backwards. He left the room with no challenge to Wesker's address.
The moment the doors slid closed behind Krauser Wesker turned his attention to Ada Wong. Although Krauser liked to flaunt his muscles and seemed to think he was invincible, Ada was much more of a threat to anyone. She, unfortunately, was not as scared of Wesker as Krauser. She knew her place, yes, but that didn't stop her from challenging him from time to time. Ada smiled at Wesker and tilted her head slightly to the side.
"And to what do I owe this pleasure, Wesker?" Ada asked in her smooth voice. She knew better than to try to charm Wesker...It was now more out of habit than anything.
"There has been a new development on the island facilities. There is an...intruder" Wesker stated factually. He wasn't exactly sure why he had summoned one of the most capable mercenaries he knew to dispose of Claire. Is that what he wanted?
"An intruder?" Ada responded in her mock surprised tone. "Well, well, well, and here I was thinking you just missed me. I thought the island's security was fool-proof." Wesker remembered now why Ada was so skilled. Even though he truly despised her, she knew exactly what buttons to push. The comment was, he knew, to try to discredit him in his own eyes. Make him feel as if he failed. It didn't work. The cold demeanor exclusive to Wesker stayed fully functioning.
"It is Claire Redfield. I don't want her dead. If Chris is in her wake we can use her as bait." Wesker spun the story as he had planned. Although Ada was insightful, not even she could see through the deception.
"It's done. I'll have her by sunrise, sweetie." Ada, though she was never one to overestimate her own abilities, had a tendency to underestimate her foes. In this case it was a crucial mistake. She swept out of the room, her stiletto heels ringing a metallic clank against the floor.
Wesker waited until he could no longer hear that metallic click before he turned and exited the room. He took the elevator up to the top floor, where nothing but his offices resided. He walked over to the wall made solely of windows that overlooked a magnificent view of the ocean. He could barely make out the island as he stood, with his face only a few inches from the glass. "Where are you?"
Claire had investigated what she thought was most of the facility. There were a few minor obstacles. A few of the infected. A couple locked doors. But it was all pretty simple. Since navigating through the mind numbing mazes and puzzles of Raccoon city, this island seemed fairly easy to navigate. Her GPS was back on too, though it had some interference from what she assumed was a satellite. She had almost begun to sink into a rhythm. A feeling of comfort almost came from the routine paths. That is, until she heard the rumbling boom of...of what? It sounded like something walking or...moving? But what could it of been? It was definitely above her, and from what she had gathered from the maps of the facility all that was above her was a room. The building shook around her as another boom reached her ears. It was her experience that an entity above a bioexperimental research facility that was capable of producing a sound like that could not bode well. Although Claire needed a lead, and whatever this entity was she was sure it was an abomination. One of Wesker's pet projects? Probably. She proceeded cautiously to the roof via a worn staircase. Claire pushed the door open a few inches and the horrible boom sounded again, although this time it was accompanied with a blood chilling howl of violent anger. Claire's heart began racing, adrenaline was pouring through her veins. Every fiber of her being told her to turn back, but this was her life. Her relentless pursuit. She took a deep breath and held it, finally she pushed the door open about a foot and looked around it. The sight that met her eyes was a horrible disfigurement. It was huge, at least 8 or 9 feet tall with huge yellow eyes, though luckily they still hadn't sought her out as it was peering over the edge of the building. His body was composed of what looked like 6 insect legs, though they were fleshy and looked as if veins spidered through them. The monster's torso was a hard exoskeleton that outlined hard, pure muscle. However the most horrific attribute was by far the tongue, which extended beyond his own height. It had teeth lining the end of it, and clamped within those teeth was what looked like one of the infected. Claire was frozen, it was as if everything stopped. The abomination kept her rooted to the spot, with no will to move forward but the inability to move back. Her eyes raked over his hideous body multiple times before his head swiveled in her direction. He let out a blood curdling howl of anger and turned his full attention on her.
Claire pushed the door open with a bang and threw herself off to the side, right before one of his insect like appendages smashed where she would have been. She landed hard on her shoulder and the stinging pain radiated through her body, but she ignored it. The monster seemed to become only more angered by her defensive attempts. He turned his deathly pale head towards her once again, locking his yellow eyes onto her. Darkness had fallen over the island, which made it difficult for her to see. The edges of the structure seemed unnaturally close. She shuddered at the thought of being thrown from the roof. However Claire wasn't aloud to linger long on the possibility as the monster made another swipe for her, this time with his jagged tongue. She had moved out of the way just in time. Swiftly, Claire pulled up her striker shotgun and fired three shells into the monster. He seemed unaffected. As if the shots did nothing. She attempted again and still, he barely flinched. Claire all but threw the striker to the side in anger. She hated more than anything when her fire power was insufficient. At this thought she almost laughed. Insufficient? I don't think so. Her second attempt was the use of a high power grenade launcher stocked with acid rounds. One shot and she saw the effects. The monster cried in agony and two of his legs became lame as the acid tore at them. He was further angered at this point though and continued his pursuit. One more shot. Once again that cry of agony. But he continued coming. Claire hadn't counted on that. Especially because now she had to reload the weapon, as it only housed two grenade rounds. She saw an opening between him and the edge of the building. At the last second before the monster dove for her, Claire lept to the side. Once again the tearing pain came over her, stemming from her shoulder. Although it was worth it as the plan had worked a little better than she'd hoped. The monster's momentum had hurled him from the side of the building and out of sight. Claire rose to her feet, panting the rounds useless in her hand. She knew she should go to check to see if he had met his demise, but once again she was rooted to the spot. Claire hadn't even noticed that darkness had fallen over the island. The cold ocean wind sliced at her, as she attempted to make up a decision regarding whether or not to move. Soon however, that decision was made for her.
Claire should have anticipated it. Should have known. The pattering on the side's of the building was inaudible over the sounds of the waves and wind. The insect like body didn't just end at structure. Apparently the monster possessed the function as well. He crawled up the side of the building, surfacing directly behind her, disguised by the wind and darkness. The long, jagged tongue extended slowly towards her and then in a flash it darted for her. It snaked around Claire's torso and neck, the teeth sinking into her skin. She cried out as it lifted her from the ground, the grenades and gun falling from her hand, forgotten. Claire's body was on fire, her nerves standing on end, the pain becoming unbearable. The monster lifted her higher and higher, she was now eye level with the 9 foot tall beast. His hold was tightening, and Claire could feel her life slipping away from her as it had only once before.
Claire was no longer on that roof on the facility on an Island off the coast of Spain. She was in the middle east, facing Wesker. No, that wasn't right, now a different image. It was him, bending over her, a straw inches from her lips as she had asked for water. But no...now she was outside the Ashford mansion? The first time she had met Wesker? He had violently thrown her from the steps of the mansion. Proclaiming his hatred for her brother, and how he had attacked the island. Wesker had mercilessly pinned her to the ground, telling her how much her brother would despair when she died. Wait a minute...the scene dissolved to show her a lake. She was under the water..or at least partly. Her head was rested on Wesker's chest...She heard the thumping of his heart...so he must be human right? Then there she was, back in the facility. Claire had woken up in the middle of the night, and felt a hand lightly holding her's. He had been looking down at her, but Wesker hadn't known she was awake. He left the room minutes later, never saying a word. Her eyes blurred and came back into focus. Back and forth. Blurry. Focused. Blurry. Focused. Until she finally realized what was happening. She was dying. Claire couldn't let that happen. Was it the memory of how his hand had felt in her's that sparked her new found resoluteness for life? The sound of his heart beating? Whatever it had been, Claire forced one arm free and reached to her belt. Squeezing her eyes shut she dropped a flash grenade. It light up the sky as if a star had imploded on that roof. As if it had lived and died in a moment. The monster cried in agony as he was blinded. She was dropped the 9 feet to the ground. Claire stumbled away from the monster. She was bleeding profusely from multiple wounds, her head was becoming light but she forced herself to stay conscious. Claire pulled her broken butterfly magnum revolver from her waist and lifted it...it was so heavy...it felt like a cinder block weighed on her arm. She pointed it at the monster and unloaded a series of well placed bullets. The tore through him, shattering what resolve was left to kill her. He fell from the building, and rolled from the cement platform beneath to the sharp rocks and waters. Claire sat with her back against the ledge that surrounded the roof. She was panting, and scared. Unable to wish the blurriness away, it had come to be permanent. Claire couldn't save herself. It was only a matter of time now...a matter of time.
He had seen the star. It was a brilliant flash of white light. and in it he had seen the monstrous figure. Not in all of it's detail, but Wesker knew it was one of his own creations. One of the most formidable monsters he had created. He stood, shocked for a moment and then spun on his heel. He barked a series of short commands at the nearest pilot to take him to the island. The pilot knew better than to argue. Time seemed to slip into a blurry mess. Blurry. Then clear. Focused. Blurry. The ride was short, he knew, but Wesker kept willing the pilot to move faster. He kept looking down as if to see the roof and his monster...and perhaps an intruder as well. All he saw however was a black ocean. It looked like cement from there...Wesker turned his gaze away from the rolling waves and fixed it on his star. Where had it gone? Did the pilot even know where to take him? Did Wesker even give the pilot instructions? He attempted to recall the last few minutes, but it was far too difficult.
When finally, after what seemed like a year of traveling, they came to the roof Wesker commanded the pilot to land on a nearby building with more square footage. He then climbed out of the helicopter via a rope ladder. After leaping on to the buildings roof he noticed there was no trace of the monster. Not even a distant howl. He had been defeated. But here! Here was where the star had come from! Had come and died. It was then that his worst fear was confirmed. He heard a moan from the corner of the roof. She was concealed in the shadows, but Wesker had heard Claire enough when she was in pain to know the sound. Wesker all but ran to her, but made no attempt to help her.
"What are you doing here?" he asked coldly. While he looked down at her he registered the extent of her injuries. Her torso was bleeding, as was her neck. She looked pale, as white as the star that had alerted him. Claire didn't answer...It couldn't be his voice. She was hallucinating. Her head tilted back slightly so she could look up at him, but Claire made no move to get up. Wesker was torn. Well...no...he wasn't. He had made his decision in a moment, what he was torn about was why he was making it. Wesker sent his pilot the command to circle back and send down a stretcher. The pilot asked who they were evacuating and Wesker instantaneously silenced him, proclaiming it was none of his concern. The helicopter sliced through the air towards them. Wesker finally couldn't stand it anymore. He slowly lowered himself to his knees beside her. He was waging an internal war. Wesker didn't and didn't want to know why all he wanted to do was reach out to her. He stayed still. Until her big blue eyes locked on his red ones and he caved. Wesker took her hand and pulled her gently towards him, wrapping his arms around her. He could feel her blood staining the front of his jet black shirt. He could feel how weak she was. Claire's head dropped to his shoulder and she was unconscious. Wesker's eyes glowed a dangerous red as anger welled inside him. The pilot lowered the stretcher, and he lifted her onto it. Even when they were both safely on their way to the mainland facility his anger didn't deplete. He appeared controlled. Cold. Collected, as he always did. But every time he looked down at her, his chest was once again gripped with an iron hand, and air felt like a luxury he was no longer entitled to.