Chapter Nine
"It seems that your foreknowledge of this problem proved correct, Ozwell."
Wesker's gravely voice seemed grimmer than normal; his forceful release of a file folder sent the packet of information skidding to his superior's grasp across the wide, mahogany desk. William stood by watching carefully, trying to determine whether or not to restrain his own information findings. He had searched, dug, and unfortunately come up with many connections that had led him to the very fact Spencer had told them the day before; Marcus was selling Umbrella information to a new pharmaceutical company in Japan named BioHaz. The stream of data had been masked under junk emails sent to the company's president, hidden carefully under what looked like possible virus attachments. James was smart, but not smart enough. The information had oddly enough started only the week after the training camp was reopened, causing Birkin to wonder of Marcus had found out about his early 'retirement' sooner than anticipated. Was Ozwell trying to pit them against each other?
Shaking his head at the last thought, William watched as Wesker placed both of his palms flat onto the ledge of the desk. His spine looked rigid through his thin, ebony shirt as he leaned over to speak angrily to the still reclining Spencer. Ozwell seemed perfectly at ease, puffing on a rather expensive looking cigar. Flipping through the folder, he languidly waved his free hand. "It confirms what I have told you all along my dear man. He has been hiding research and selling it to the highest bidder. Our discussion a couple of months ago was on this matter, more so than not, and we both knew that …elimination of the problem would be needed." It was so cold and emotionless how the man's words spilled out, his liquid eyes staring expectantly at his employee. Ozwell Spencer was a hard man to read, even for Wesker, and in his mind…that made him dangerous. Azure eyes leveled at Spencer, a sigh cascading out of Wesker's mouth almost accidentally. "Are you sure this…..
…is necessary?" Two and a half months ago Wesker stated the same question, his face a mask of blank ambiguity. Ozwell smiled at him and William with a forced happiness, his hands tightening upon the armrests of the antique chair in which he was sitting. Things had to be set in place before opening the training center, and Ozwell Spencer was about to reveal a defining moment in Umbrella history. The moment when everything…went down hill. Slicking back a stray piece of graying hair, the CEO retorted rather snippily. "I've discussed it with the Ashfords on numerous occasions. We are all having problems with missing funding monies, and it all points to James. I plan to make him aware of termination at the Holiday Quarter." Birkin cleared his throat, leaning forward slightly as he shifted his weight onto his right side. Biting his cheek, the man raised the question that both he and Wesker were both thinking. "And if he does not take the news well? What then if he takes his work elsewhere? There are many companies out there that would die for just a peek into our confidentials….the PR would chew our company into bankruptcy if they knew about our viral experiments…"
Calmly Spencer refilled his crystalline drinking glass with its alcohol. Taking a sip of the amber liquid, he regarded the question posed. He was completely calm, cool even. His tone was monotone, quiet, and serene. "Then, gentlemen, we will Deal with the problem should it arise." Wesker looked up suddenly, his sharp eyes calculating the statement. "What do you mean 'Deal', Ozwell." The CEO cocked his head to the side, a sly smile now hidden by the glass he was drinking from once more. After swallowing deliberately, the man set down the glass purposefully slow. Clasping his hands together as he leaned forwards, Ozwell Spencer sighed heavily. "You and I both know fully well that no matter how close we are to an individual, that we can't put their interests ahead of those of the company's. Now, I am fully aware of both of your relationship to Marcus, and I am not implying he actually would betray us in such a manner. But if he puts his own emotions ahead of what is good for the people we are trying to help, then we must 'Deal' with him. Do you remember what I had Jack deal with in the Okani incident? Our share holder decided to back out with our files…"
Birkin started in his seat. The incident had not been mentioned for almost five years, and only they, the Ashfords, and Spencer knew of it personally. Okani Teska had been their share holder in Japan for almost ten years when he had decided to betray the very company that had built him from the ground up. The man had stolen various samples and file reports on the Progenitor strain that Marcus and Ashford had been refining. Teska's plan was to sell it to the Russian military…
Needles to say, the plan ended in a destroyed facility, and a dead man. To compare James Marcus to such a man was completely outrageous.
William cleared his thick throat, a thin line of nervous perspiration forming under his shaggy bangs. "Do you think it will come to that? He has been with this company since it was first formed. Besides, it isn't like you are completely pushing him out. He will still have his share holdings and the illusion of power within the company." Ozwell leveled his glare at William, his mouth twitching. Was it twitching because of anger…or amusement? Setting his jaw at the young man, Spencer shook his head curtly. "The Ashfords and I have discussed Complete removal. Pulling our resources together, we have come to the agreement that his shares are to be bought out and split between us. The project will be handed over to yourself and Albert, and all illusion of power will not be present. This is why we must have a plan, and I want you both to implement it. He would have a pension, yes, but I'm not all certain he would not do what you are suggesting, William, out of a sense of betrayal on our part. But he is a smart man…perhaps he would not dare to cross Umbrella."
A shiver ran down William's spine as he looked sideways at his business partner. Albert looked transfixed or completely turned into plaster as he listened to Spencer. Wesker's eyes seemed to tell another story however, one of inward conflict. Marcus had been a father, a brother to them both, and now the possibility of having to take that life was weighing in their hearts dually. Would James Marcus betray the only family he had… Spencer's cool gaze looked coyly at his programmed employees, now picking up his drink once more. Leaning back into his luxurious seat, he narrowed his eyes. "Do what you must, but…..
Deal with it or I will have someone else deal with All my problems."
Wesker twitched as he glared at Spencer, partially wanting to take all frustration out on a man who was commanding for murder. The memory from the past still lingered in the back of his mind, teasing, tempting him to merely leave… It had been an entertaining thought for quite some time for the young man, but two things were keeping him back. The company would surely hunt him down as they had down and were doing right now. And William…a loose end that they could blackmail him with at any time. William was his brother, despite no shared blood, and he would never put that man and his family in danger… Straightening himself up, Albert Wesker swallowed back his hatred once more, letting it fester in his inner silence. Smoothing back his hair and composure, the man nodded stiffly before turning for the door. Spencer cleared his throat, causing both men to look back before exiting. "Oh and , Albert, William, I prefer for it to be dealt with during the Christmas Eve ball that will be held in the new facility two days from now. It would be the …perfect opportunity. Good evening, gentlemen."
As they exited into the hallway, William turned to grip his friend's arm feverishly. "We can't do this, Albert. We have to leave…We can just walk away." Wesker's eyes looked up, icy and rageful at the suggestion. Shaking off his comrade roughly, he folded his arms with a look of pure distain. "Walk away? I could, but you? You've built a life within these walls, Will. They know your family, where you live… You can't walk away any more than Marcus could… He's betrayed us, the company, and this will secure our place of power in Umbrella for years to come. Don't be selfish." Taking a step back from his friend, Birkin looked as if he had been slugged in the gut. His face was contorted, his words becoming choked as he realized what Albert was saying….was true. "He was a father ..a mentor to us…" Wesker almost hissed at the statement, his sharp teeth bared as he ground them. "Julius Caesar killed his father on his very throne to claim the crown, Will. History repeats itself at times. We are the sons claiming our birthright; do not make it more complicated than that. He betrayed us and this company, and I for one will not put my neck on the chopping block for a traitor. Marcus chose the wrong decision, and now these are the consequences… Blood for blood." Turning away from his companion, Albert Wesker stalked down the empty hallway with his own thoughts. Did he even believe his own words? …Perhaps not, but either way, his conscience was long dead, and what needed to be done would be done. If only to keep William's family safe. This were going dire wrong in Umbrella, and he was going to find a way out one day…but not today….today he was the wet work…
…
After the phone call had ended and Angelica had somehow managed to get into Wesker's office and to Lisa without even remembering how. The empty threat that she had received the previous evening had actually been carried out, and with the help of Wesker himself. Blood boiled behind her eyes, causing anyone who had come across her on her trek to the room merely to move quite quickly out of her way. Now crouched before a distraught Trevor, Angelica was forced with the task to swallow her rage, and comfort a friend who had been direly misled. Lisa was shaking in her office chair, sobbing quietly into her hands. Her face was red, muddy tear tracks of mascara running down her plumpish cheeks. "Oh, I…I..I can't believe I did this….I can't believe I believed I believed..I…you would never…I can't believe…" Placing a hand on her friend's shoulder, Burrows sucked in a deep breath. "Lisa, Lisa, honey, breathe…It's ok. Corporate plays their little games to find out what the other side is doing all the time. But I want to get something straightened out… And I know…it's going to sound fishy.."
Trent cleared his throat suddenly, making the conversation pause briefly. Angelica looked up expectantly, but the man shook his head in response to signal for her to keep going. He had followed behind to find out why he could hear Lisa crying all the way from across the desk where he had been sitting earlier. Watching their mutual friend closely, a sudden thought popped into his mind. If they were going to terminate Marcus…why would someone like Wesker need an assistant to steal the man's files?
Angelica stood up, squaring off with her friend who was just now starting to calm down. Lisa clutched at a crumpled piece of tissue, her red nose sniffling softly. The other woman looked her in the eye, her voice calm, but authoritative. "Lisa, I have been contacting you this entire time. Have you gotten any of my emails?" Trevor looked up shell shocked, her red eyes blinking ever so slowly. Jerkily her voice answered. "No…have you gotten any of mine?" Angelica took one step back, a deadly thought now dawning on her. Shaking her head likewise, she sighed audibly. "Other than the one last night, no…." Turning to the computer screen in front of her, Trevor typed in her personal email log in with an expert's swift hand. A loading page filled the screen, unanswered and unopened emails sent from the web address filling the screen. Despite Angelica's normal, calm demeanor, she gasped. None of these had come through… For two months, Lisa had dutifully emailed every day….and none had ever been seen by their intended recipient.
"I tried reaching you…I thought I was a fair weather friend…or that I didn't matter anymore…Little did I realize that wasn't true. Wesker just used me to get to you, which in turn got to Marcus…." Angelica sat down hard in the other chair, running agitated fingers through her long, blonde hair. Her azure eyes still couldn't believe what they were seeing… Trent stepped forward, his arms folded as he watched the screen in front of him. "Then how did you get that email to her last night, Lisa?" Trevor shrugged, tapping her finger against her bottom lip. "I did use my company address instead of my personal…Are you saying it may have been a system fluke?" Shaking his head, Charles stepped around the desk. "No…but it would make more sense. It looks like Wesker and Birkin have been playing you both all along to find out what exactly Marcus has been doing. Birkin approached me earlier this week…This doesn't leave the room…but they are looking for a replacement for James. Perhaps they are gathering as much information as possible before he destroys it…or goes elsewhere." Angelica looked up in surprise at Trent, her sapphire eyes narrowing in disbelief. Secrets…everyone here kept secrets, and even an old friend was now withholding valuable information?
Gritting her teeth, she stood up, smoothing down her black pants leg. Casting a glare towards Lisa, she frowned, but not at her poor, misguided friend. She was going to get even with Wesker…"Lisa, where is Albert now? He isn't here obviously…do you know how long he may be gone?" The red faced woman shrugged, her green eyes widening as she understood why Angelica was asking the question. "He told me to clear his schedule…He's been gone for some time, so I'm guessing he took the day…You aren't going to…really…" Angelica shook her head, eyeing the back office wistfully. "No, but I'm working on an idea. If we can get those files back, we can possibly get enough proof to Spencer that those two are trying to steal confidential information under our very noses. That should keep Marcus out of their spotlight for awhile, at least long enough to figure out why the hell they are so interested in our viral research. It's nothing more than low level DNA manipulation; it could never amount to anything other than rejuvenation of dead cells. Like pseudo stem cells almost…" Trent shot a dangerous look at his young friend, his eyebrows shoot upward. "Perhaps it's something more, Angelica…after all, remember what happened in the lab earlier? It's far more powerful than just 'stem cells.'" Shuddering at the thought, Angelica eyed the top email that was displayed across Lisa's computer screen.
Moving the cursor over to it, she reached over her friend's shoulder to double click the application. The page flashed upwards, scrolling text looping gloriously across.
Resident's of the Raccoon Facility.
You are all invited to the Holiday Quarter ball on December 24th, 1988. Dress in your formal attire and celebrate the holidays with your family at the Umbrella Corporation! All project managers are required to attend, but normal employee attendance is optional!
Happy Holidays
Ozwell E. Spencer.
A sly smile began to creep across Angelica's face as she read the message, much to the confusion of her fellow companions. Looking over her shoulder at the two of them, the coy woman finally straightened up. "I believe we just got our excuse to find out whether there's more to this or not, but I'll need both of your's help. And a nice dress…."