Ch. 20: So Long and Thanks for the Ammo
Daniel leaned back against a tree and slid down as he took deep breaths, the adrenaline dying away and leaving him an aching, tired body in return. It's over...I think. Still no sign of Marcus or his leeches. He scanned the rest of the team, resisting the urge to get everyone moving again. Like him, everyone else was taking a moment to catch their breath or grab ahold of their wits. Jessica studied the Tyrant as she nudged it with her foot. The couple were at the edge of the clearing, keeping as much space between them and the (hopefully) dead Tyrant. Tim had an arm around Katelyn and was whispering into her ear. Enrico's attention was divided between checking on Rebecca's eye and keeping an eye on Billy. The convict waited patiently off to the side, seemingly oblivious to Enrico's scrutiny.
Bruce stood next to Kevin, gesturing at the teenager's handgun. Daniel figured out the subject when Bruce pulled out the magazine and tossed it away. He's out of ammo. To Bruce's, and Daniel's, apprehension, Kevin shook his head. "I'm on my last clip."
Bruce glanced hopefully at Daniel. Daniel waved him over as he methodically checked through his legion of pockets. In his left ankle pocket, he found two spare magazines. How long have those been there? He shrugged to himself before handing over one of the clips. "This should get you to Raccoon City safely."
"Thanks," Bruce muttered before he knelt down. "Hey, did you see any clue as to how we got here?"
Guilt assaulted Daniel. He'd been so focused on just getting everyone through Marcus' Madhouse that he hadn't considered that there might've been a hint as to just what brought them here. "I'm afraid not," Daniel whispered back, the shame tinting his voice.
The taller teenager frowned but shrugged it off. "We're bound to find something eventually." He glanced at his cousin. "Might want to talk to him. He's feeling a bit down after that last fight."
Daniel followed Bruce's look. "Did he get hurt?"
The blue jacket-wearing teen shook his head. "He doesn't feel like he helped much."
"Got it. I'll go over to him now." Daniel declared as he climbed back onto his feet, using the tree to help. The couple stopped whispering when they noticed Daniel walking up to them. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah, we're fine," Tim shot back, good-naturedly. "It didn't even get close to us."
"Thank you for buying us time to get away," Katelyn added before she glanced between the two guys. "I'm going to check on Bruce." She gave Tim's a hand a reassuring squeeze before she slipped away.
After she left, Daniel waited expectantly. Tim looked down at his rifle, his fingers drumming on the buttstock. "I, uh, I don't think I was much help," he admitted.
"It's alright; it's my fault," Daniel admitted as he slung his rifle over his back. "I had two weeks to train with this. I didn't even give you a crash course. Let's go ahead and give you one right now. Could be a dangerous walk to Raccoon City."
Tim looked back up at him, surprise written on his face. "We're all going back?"
"Well...not all of us," Daniel lightly corrected as he scanned the survivors. "I think some of us have had enough 'fun' to last the week."
"You're going to send me back with Katelyn, aren't you?" Tim predicted, a note of disappointment evident in his voice.
"Tim," Daniel began as he lowered his volume to a whisper. "I've lost two battle buddies tonight. I know you and Katelyn have seen the movies, but that's not going to help out here. I'm not losing anymore friends out here. I want you to lead Katelyn, Bruce, and Kevin back to the city. Like Enrico said, you need to go get Alpha team out here. After that, I want you three to go with Kevin to the hospital and stay there. We're in a different universe, and I don't know what the rules are. There might be another Daniel living in Tennessee, your Tim might've disappeared when you appeared here. Or, worst case, there's never been a Daniel Sims in this universe. Just try to stay at the hospital and away from the authorities until we get back. Okay? And whatever you do, stay away from Wesker. Don't spend a minute longer than you have to with him."
"I don't remember a Wesker in the movies," Tim replied, puzzled.
"He's easily the most dangerous man in the game series. Stay away from him." His instructions given, Daniel turned his attention back on the rifles. "Alright, now aim at that tree."
Tim nodded before following through. Daniel studied his friend's stance for a moment before he reached and shifted the rifle's buttstock. "Keep it against your shoulder. It'll keep your shooting more stable, and you won't wear out your arm that way. Next..."
Rebecca glanced over at the impromptu training session before she regarded her Captain again. "And that's what's happened so far, sir."
Enrico was silent as he absorbed all of the information she presented to him. His attention shifted to the remaining US soldier. "He said they were on their way to a family day event with their unit?"
Rebecca nodded. "Yes, sir." ...if he is...who I think he might be...then this entire night could be considered a family reunion of sorts. She felt overwhelmed by the possible irony. Not to mention her head hurt from thinking of all of those possible time travel scenarios that had been buzzing around her mind ever since Daniel explained what his parents were like. "What do you think, sir?"
"I'm not aware of a transportation unit stationed at Donnell," Enrico answered as he looked back at Rebecca. "But I'm not too aware of what the unit roster is on base. His friends all speak with a Southern accent, except him. Jessica, in particular, has a very thick accent. I'm curious to why that is."
I can't believe I didn't catch that, Rebecca chided herself. "What should we do, sir?"
Enrico glanced over at the dead giant. "I think it's a given that they're friendlies. As strange as their circumstances are, Umbrella's illegal research into biological weapons takes top priority. For now, we'll continue with my plan: get them safely back to Raccoon City, while I and the rest of STARS move out to the research labs. Once we're finished with Umbrella, we'll investigate their story."
"Yes, sir." She paused before she reluctantly asked her next question. "Are you still going to order me to take them back?"
"Can you see out of your right eye, Rebecca?" Enrico softly asked.
No, she thought miserably. Her eye was swollen to the point where it was stuck shut. If only I had some ice.
Tim's training was cut off when Enrico called out, "Everyone, gather around me."
Daniel stepped back from his friend before he remembered something. "Do you have a spare clip for my rifle? I ran out of spare ammo fighting the Tyrant."
"Yeah, but just the one," Tim replied before handing it over.
So, I have sixty rounds for a bunch of zombies, Z-creatures, another Tyrant, Yawn, giant spiders, crimson heads, Plant 42, and Lisa...no more going all-out, if I want any bullets left by the end, Daniel thought sourly as he pocketed the last clip.
Officer Marini pointed directly behind Jessica after everyone was around him. "Raccoon City is straight that way. Still the same plan as before. Rebecca, you're leading them out of the forest and directly to RPD. Contact Captain Wesker and have him bring Alpha team to these coordinates." The mustached man dug into one of his pockets and produced a piece of notebook paper. "Here are the coordinates. As soon as you've delivered the message and ensured that Mr. Coen has been incarcerated, proceed to the Raccoon City hospital. It's important that Kevin receives follow-up medical care and that Private Sims's health is assessed." His eyes scanned over the group before finishing on Jessica.
The cowgirl had a retort ready. But as she gathered her breath for the oncoming storm of words, she caught sight of Daniel behind Enrico. He shook his head before winking at her. She glared at Enrico for a moment. Fine, I'll play nice. She threw up her arms in the air before she slid her cowboy hat down her forehead so that she couldn't see the STARS captain. "There ain't no reasonin' wit' ya."
Rebecca wanted to argue against Enrico's decision. Yet, when she saw the quick exchange between Daniel and Jessica, she also surrendered. "I understand, sir."
Enrico nodded before he eyed Billy. "Before I leave, you will disarm." Billy didn't hesitate as he handed over his machine gun and his spare clips over, the weapon and ammo making its way to Daniel. "Thank you for cooperating."
Thank you for believing that was my only weapon, Billy silently retorted as he mentally pictured where his knife was.
With nothing left to do, Enrico addressed his squad mate. "Be safe, Rebecca." After his last encouragement, he marched into the forest, taking him on a perpendicular route to the Raccoon City path.
Jessica waited for Enrico to leave hearing distance before she addressed the last soldier. "How long should we wait?"
"Give it another five minutes," Daniel advised as he stepped next to Tim.
"We have our orders," Kevin protested as he frowned at the pair of them.
"I'm not under his command," Daniel casually countered.
"And ya can bet your ass that I'm not goin' to miss out on some more fun," Jessica added with a grin.
"We don't even know if this other Umbrella facility is filled with monsters," The pilot argued back.
"The other site is the main labs," Rebecca pointed out. "There's a high chance that the infection either originated from there or that the infection has made its way there by now. Either way, it's too large of a risk to simply let the Captain go alone, and it'll take us too long to reach Alpha team." She turned to Daniel before pressing the coordinates into his hand. "Still, sooner is better."
Jessica raised an eyebrow. "Uh, Becky, he's coming with us too."
The medic shook her head. "No, Daniel needs to take over and get everyone else back safely. If you've been infected then you need to be at the hospital."
I almost regret skipping all of those other places. We've missed so many files that she doesn't know that there is no hope if I'm actually infected. And now she'll never know the truth about Marcus. ...almost regret it. "If I am not infected? Do you really want to go to this other facility without my firepower and expertise?"
She hesitated. Judging by just how excited Jessica was, it was practically a guarantee that there was another outbreak to deal with at the Umbrella labs. Furthermore, if Daniel was really who she thought he might be, then his help would be key. Still, she couldn't help but notice his arm, remember how the crazed baboon had mauled him. Even with all of his advantages, he was still human. And if he's really my son, doesn't that mean I'm destined to survive all of this? I mean, I have to be alive to have him, don't I? Regardless, so long as the Captain is with me and we find the others, we should be able to survive without Daniel's help. "I'm sure. You're wounded and need to get to a doctor ASAP."
Jessica rolled her eyes. As if Sims'd stay behind. I wonder how long this gonna take. The cowgirl noticed the other expectant looks on the other teenagers before she returned to watching the oncoming show. Daniel watched Rebecca for a bit as he mulled something over. Pickin' the fastest argument, I hope.
Daniel sighed. "Fine."
"What?!" Jessica unintentionally shouted.
"What?" Rebecca replied disbelievingly.
Despite being surrounded by a dark forest infested with monsters, Daniel couldn't stop a smile from breaking out as he saw their reactions. Even his other friends were confused. "You heard me."
"W-well, okay then," Rebecca quickly threw in, trying to capitalize on her easy success. A bit too easy, but I'll take it.
What game is he playing? Jessica wondered. He's comin'. I know that. So, why lie? Is he gonna follow us in secret, like what we're doin' with Enrico? What's the point? He can't stay hidden forever. Is he just doin' this just to make Becky happy? Sims, points for trying to score points with her, but if ya show up later, she's just gonna be pissed off at ya. "I just don't git it," She mumbled to herself.
"Better hurry before you lose track of him," Daniel warned them as he pointed toward Enrico's trail.
"Right," Rebecca said before she took a step that way. She stopped and looked at him and the others. "Be careful."
Jessica reluctantly followed after her, while shooting Daniel more strange looks. "...see ya in a bit...I guess." She walked behind the remaining STARS member and tried a little longer to figure out her friend's strange behavior. After a couple of minutes, the irritation finally convinced her to give up. She looked over at Rebecca and immediately declared, "We should switch."
The medic glanced over her shoulder at the cowgirl in confusion. "Switch?"
"Guns. Here," Jessica said as she held out her shotgun. "Ya don't need your shooting eye to aim wit' this thing. This way, ya can still fight."
Rebecca stared at her new partner with her one good eye. There has to be a catch...right? But if there was one, she didn't see it. Jessica didn't gloat or anything as Rebecca handed over her machine gun. "...thank you."
"No problem. Don't want to leave ya unprotected against the legions of dead, now do we?" Jessica said with a grin. "Besides, now with all of these bullets, I'm gonna make out like a bandit when this is all over."
There's the catch!
City Party
"Later," Daniel responded with a small wave of his hand before the pair disappeared into the woods. He turned to everyone else, all of whom were watching with expressions ranging from expectation to curiosity. "We need to get moving. Tim, take the lead for a moment."
"Ooookay," Tim answered, unsure of what his friend was planning.
"Billy, stay." The Private ordered as he took off his glasses to clean them off with his shirt.
"Hold it," Kevin protested as he eyed Daniel suspiciously. "What are you doing?"
"I need to verify something," Daniel replied politely, taking a moment to see through his scratched lens. "Something with him." He jabbed a finger at the fugitive, who was as perplexed as everyone else. "Go on, we'll catch up in a bit."
"Our orders are to escort him straight to RPD," Kevin contested as he scowled at the young blond.
"This is a security and a health issue. He's not moving, until I verify the situation," Daniel shot back, not surrendering an inch. He put his glasses back on.
"I may not be a STARS officer, but I'm still with law enforcement," Kevin reminded Daniel. Why does everyone insist on ignoring me?
"And I'm a United States soldier. This is a matter of national security, in which case, I have superiority. I'm ordering you to move on while I confirm the situation, and that's all I'm saying." The harsh words didn't sit well with Daniel. But I can't let it happen.
Kevin turned to the others for support, and saw that he was alone in the matter. He glared at Daniel. "If you lose him, you'll have to pay the consequences."
"Duly noted."
The pilot growled before he finally stomped away, the other teens falling in behind him. Daniel sighed, and hoped Kevin would understand one day why he was about to do what he was about to do.
"So, kid, what's this all about?" Billy asked as he studied him.
"You hid it pretty well," Daniel said casually as he took off Billy's old machine gun from his shoulder.
"I did?"
"Yeah. But I've read the files." The soldier placed the weapon on the ground before taking out the spare magazines for it. "Some infected suffer from a terrible itch from right around the bite area. And, when you thought no one's looking, I've noticed you scratching the back of your right leg. Makes sense really. Back in that train hallway, there were leeches everywhere. It would be a little over-optimistic to expect all of us to escape without being bitten."
Billy almost felt the urge to scratch his bite-free leg anyway. He can't be serious...can he?
"I figure, from what I've read, you got about a couple of days before the T-virus runs its course," Daniel stated matter-of-factly as he stepped back from where he placed Billy's weapon. "It shouldn't surprise anyone that you'd try to escape the moment you could. Taking an advantage of a poor soldier's compassion, who was only trying to reassure you that a cure can't be too far away. But no, you just had to punch him in the stomach, leave him to crumble to the ground, taking a moment to take your gun back, before running off into the forest, never to be seen again."
With every word, and lie... No, he's not lying now. He's making up a story. A story he wants me to play out. The marine stared at the soldier, uncomprehendingly. Finally, he simply asked, "Why?"
"Why? Because I know the truth. I know you're innocent of your charges," Daniel explained as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.
He knows? How could he... Billy paused before he knelt down and picked up the machine gun and the magazines. When he stood up, he gave up against his internal struggle and threw out the question that was burning in his mind. "Are you...from the future?"
"Welllll..." How do you explain to a person he's a video character in your reality? "...I think I'll leave that a mystery."
Billy nodded, not sure if he really did want to know. "Fair enough." He placed a hand on Daniel's shoulder and nodded to the younger man. "Thanks...Sims." After a moment of hesitation, Billy's left hand curled into a fist before firing straight at Daniel's gut.
Daniel felt like all the air had been sucked out of him as he fell onto his knees, the pain exploding throughout his torso. ARRGGGHHH! Did he have to make it that convincing!? What idiot thought up this plan?
Well, it seemed like a good idea when we first said it.
I mean, that's how they do it in the movies.
The movies suck!
Billy did an about-face before marching into the forest. "Not sure if God cares for what I think, but I'll be praying for you. Stay safe."
Daniel imagined himself throwing back a witty one-liner, or perhaps a touching last good-bye for one of Resident Evil's most elusive heroes. But all that came out of his mouth was "Hglarrgkklaah." Half-a-minute after Billy departed, Daniel stumbled back onto his feet before he shambled after the others, one hand clutching his aching stomach. Take deep, slow breaths. It didn't take long until he found them. They were walking so slow, a turtle could've passed them.
Kevin took one look and Daniel could almost hear the 'boom' as the pilot's fury blasted out of his eyes. Before a word could charge out of his mouth, Daniel grabbed the initiative. "He's infected. He has two days at most before he succumbs, and he's running directly away from the city. Odds are, nobody will ever see him again." Daniel forced himself to drop his arm and stand up straight. "And I've changed my mind. I'm heading after the others."
"How do you expect to find them!?" Kevin roared at him, channeling his anger. "We're a distance away from the start point, and there's no major landmark to use here!"
After all of his training at Basic, Daniel knew, with an accurate map, protractor, and compass, he could find the Spencer Mansion easily. Now, if only I had any of those things. Wait, I still have the map, but that's worthless without the-
Daniel's thoughts jumbled together as a real explosion shook the forest. Everyone looked in the direction came from, and saw a fireball briefly flying out from where the training facility was. What the - ?! Too soon, it's too soon! Did Birkin set the timer earlier because of us? Wait, if the explosion could happen before dawn here, doesn't that mean it can happen earlier at the Spencer Mansion too? A sudden image of Jill, Chris, and Rebecca caught in a blast of debris and fire popped into his head. ...I hate this. It feels like all I've done is simply remove the guarantees of what will happen, including the 'heroes win' endings. It's all up in the air now. "That's my cue." He looked back at the others. Kevin was too surprised to argue now as he watched the flames light up their portion of the forest. Daniel looked at Tim before handing him the coordinates to the Spencer Mansion. "Get to Raccoon City. Take every precaution you have to. If all goes to plan, I'll see you tomorrow night."
To Be Continued...