A lot has changed for me even in the few years since my last chapter. I now am a troubleshooter specifying and working with personnel regarding very advanced plastics for applications – several military – since I graduated university. I've seen large corporations and entities operated now like Umbrella, first hand. While it helps my story writing as I tie this off in the next 2-3 chapters after 11 years since I started this thing. I do wonder if I've become a small cog in the problem that inspires these stories and games.

December 17st 1967

With his cane, Marcus struggled to keep up with Spencer who was frantically wheeling himself down the back garden of the Arklay Mansion. Marcus was still recovering from Lisa's escape and the injuries he had suffered a few weeks previously. He was an old man, a researcher, and such brute force didn't exactly heal over a few painkillers and a good nights sleep. Spencer had a look of perennial glee on his face, and despite the often "controversial" nature of their fledgling company, Marcus knew Spencer grinned like this when he had plans that made even a collected researcher like himself, stomach turn in disgust.

"Oswald, I understand you want to catch Lisa but isn't a construction built into the mansion too far? We have the research data, the progenitor virus has been well documented and ready for development. This obsession with the Trevor family must end." Implored Marcus.

"No! Never, she is my prize. And she is our best demonstration, our greatest triumph! For her to be simply allowed to roam free like some feral beast is bad for company security, and could cause such a headache for us were she ever to wander into Raccoon City." Responded Spencer.

The men walked up to a fairly non-descript, but thick metal door to the north of the main gate used by researchers leaving the basement labs for other areas of the mansion complex. Spencer pulled out a key, resembling the skeletal 1800's Victorian design that defined so much everything 'Oswald Spencer'. With a heavy clink, the door unlocked and the men walked into a surprisingly modern elevator. It lowered and opened to a giant cavern. Almost silent, but for the sound of water is the distance. Two female statues were located to the left and right of the gate. Spencer again used his key, causing the gate to lift.

The walkway seemed to be a needlessly complex maze, with a large stone…Tomb? In the center. Four large rocks attached to chains seemed to tension the stone coffin shut. But hanging around the walls seemed to be human figures. Figures of flesh…

"My god Oswald! Orderly Philips, …Nurse Adams! What have you done?" Marcus whimpered. Spencer replied, "Bait dear Marcus, they failed in their job of securing my prize Lisa, but they shall not fail us a second time. We know Lisa has a penchant for revenge, her heightened senses will pick up the scent and she will come. Oh will she come, and just to be sure…" Spencer tapped the stone coffin. "Inside is her mother's skull, and whatever else we had left of her. Lisa cannot resist this trap. When she comes, she'll have no where to turn, our best men will be stationed on both sides of my Altar and we'll have her back."

"Altar? Jessica's corpse? Oswald you've gone mad!" cried Marcus

"You never did have the stomach for business, dear Marcus that's what separates a potion-sniffer like you from the rest of us. The lab is the only place you're ever comfortable, a pity, you might learn a thing or two out here. To whatever end, return to your precious lab and I'll handle the real work here."

Marcus had already backed away. "I'm going back to the training institute, god help us if you fail." He warned. "Oh, there will be no failure this time dear Marcus, and I will have my sweet Lisa back. When I do, I expect an apology for accusing me of such madness. Madness? Madness is letting that poor girl wander aimlessly, without purpose or reason, without Umbrella: her guiding light."

Marcus had his finger over the elevator button."Her guiding light? Oswald you make no sense…And what if you fail?"

Spencer replied, "Then we'll destroy her. One heavy shot and she shall tumble into the ravine below, the torturous waters lead straight through the forest to the sluice gates of our new treatment facility's power plant. But, she shall be ours. Do not fret."

Marcus pressed the button, and slumped forward as he stood. He had to brush up on his business knowledge in the library…He knew within hours Spencer would no longer be alive to carry out those duties for Umbrella.

Present Day

The road ended about a kilometer, maybe less, from the Arklay Complex. Limbundo checked his ammunition, and spun the chamber on his revolver. There was a path, filled with signs warning of trespassing, dogs, and other dangers. This was despite a large chainlink fence with razor wire on top sealing off the property anyways. Somebody really, really did not want to be disturbed. However, Limbundo was no stupid man and well equipped with more tools besides mere firearms. His steel cutter made short work of the three (Three!) padlocks on the gate. The path was not well-used, and with daybreak just starting he tripped and stumbled more than hiked.

With a howl he slapped his face. A spider, as big as a dinnerplate, and he walked right into it! Limbundo smashed the foul creature with his foot, squishing green and yellow goo over the forest floor. Limbundo had never seen such a thing in North America, grey and foul. Like some sort of ghost in spider form. Perhaps a bad omen? A superstitious person, Limbundo believed in such signs and became noticeably more agitated. He also noticed the forest was decidedly quiet, unusual as dawn starts to break in the summer.

The forest was becoming more sparse, Limbundo knew he was getting closer to something and that's when he heard it, a helicopter in the distance. Seeing an obvious clearing a hundred or so feet up Limbundo booked it, running at top speed. To his left was a fallow field with what looked to be a cabin…The Cabin. Limbundo knew it meant the final stretch towards the mansion and altar. Limbundo gave himself a brief moment to gratify his curiosity and looked into the sky, "What the hell is a helicopter doing out here?"

It was still fairly high; it had some kind of writing on the side, unusual, like broken up with dots each letter – looked military even? He could almost make it out…With a loud crack even from this distance Limbundo saw an explosion near the engine hub and smoke pouring out of the helicopter. It was kilometers away from him, but Limbundo could tell something was wrong and it was losing altitude. He'd have to radio it in as soon as possible. A train horn sounded in the distance – the Ecliptic Express – call it diffusion of responsibility or what, but those business types would for sure see the crash and call the authorities from their seats. Limbundo had more important work to do.

But for now, the cabin and only the cabin, mattered. The cabin was the waypoint, when he hit it he knew it was just a short jaunt around the mansion to the altar where his prey would be. He was sure of it, this mystery would be solved. He continued on and soon saw the cabin ahead. As he came closer he noticed it seemed more dilapidated, no signs…Any signs…That it had been maintained the slightest since he flew in all those years ago. Limbundo shrugged it off, the cheapskates hadn't given him a raise in years, and so doubtful, he presumed, that those Umbrella suits would maintain a small cabin despite their huge profits.

Despite the lack of exterior maintenance there was activity around the cabin and Limbundo could see now it was the flickering of a fire reflected off the windows. He padded his revolver – still there – but allowed himself to relax. Perhaps these guard types or whoever the hell Umbrella stationed in the cabin would have some important Intel on the beast at the altar.

He approached, couldn't see anyone, but the door was unlocked. He turned the knob and stepped in.