Chapter 51

"Ahh, Mark!" Carole Sindermann greeted me with a smile. "The FBI agent is waiting for someone to meet her in the break room."

"I take it Chief Douglass radioed ahead?" I asked.

"Yes," Carole replied. "He said that you would handle briefing her on whatever was required.

"Alright then," I said with a sigh. "You're armed, right?"

"Yeah," Carole laughed. "Got issued a Beretta a few days ago. I'm still not the best shot, but it's better to have something to defend yourself with. Especially after what the Chief was doing."

"Good," I said as I looked at the receptionist. "Keep it on you at all times. And you might want to see if we can find a vest for you. Things are starting to get hairy out there, and even if you're not out on patrol you might still want the protection."

"I'll see about asking Chief Douglass if we have any to spare," Carole replied. "Now I think you should get to that FBI agent, she didn't seem to be very patient."

"Fine," I sighed. "I'll get moving."

Grabbing a small cup of coffee on my way to the break room, I opened the door and was met by a stunning Asian woman in a red dress and work jacket.

"Special Agent Ada Wong of the FBI," the woman extended her hand. "And you are?"

"SWAT Medic Mark Hall," I replied as I firmly shook the offered hand. "The Chief or another officer would be meeting with you, but they're currently all busy performing other tasks at the moment."

"What could be more important than a Federal Investigation?" Ada frowned.

"We're pretty sure there's some sort of contagion present in the city," I informed her, knowing why she was here and understanding how I had to approach the situation. "And we're trying to coordinate an evacuation and quarantine of the city with the current governor."

Understanding seemed to dawn in the woman's eyes as she eased back and thought for a moment. "Is there any way I can be shown to the records of the RPD?" Ada asked. "I would like to examine them for any potential connection between the Late Chief Irons, Mayor Warren, or anything else."

"You're remarkably informed," I said as I crossed my arms. "I'll have to check with Chief Douglass on the record's front though."

"I assume you have other places to be?" Ada raised an eyebrow. "Otherwise you would not be in your tactical gear."

"Honestly," I replied with a shrug, the M-4 slung over my shoulder rising and falling with the movement. "I haven't been able to get out of my gear in the last day and a half. So I forgot I had it on."

"Well, if you'll point me in the right direction, I'll get started on my investigation," Ada said as she moved forward.

"I'll get you started," I replied. "I assume you're armed?"

"Should I be?"

"Yes," I said bluntly. "Raccoon City is a madhouse on the verge of falling into anarchy. At the moment, the RPD is the only thing standing in the gap and preventing that," I met the woman's eyes, seeing no sign of deception even though I knew it was present. "I hope you don't get caught up in all of it."

2300 hours, September 21, 1998

HUNK glanced over at Alpha 2, confident in the fact that both Alpha and Goblin teams were prepared and ready to complete their objective.

"This is a lot of firepower for one scientist," Goblin 3 observed as he gave his gear one more check. "But, better to have it, I guess."

HUNK nodded approvingly, Goblin seemed to understand that when it came to the job there was always the need to be prepared for more than might be considered necessary.

"Move," HUNK ordered, the Grim Reaper himself taking his place at the front of the group of twelve as they entered the elevator, screwing suppressors onto their submachine guns and sidearms as the elevator began its descent into the depths of the laboratory that their target was located in.

"Ensure that you are ready," HUNK stated coldly. "Goblin will remain behind to ensure that we have an exit, Alpha, you are to move with me and ensure that our target cooperates."

"Copy," Alpha 2 replied, the rest of Alpha moving to the front of the elevator.

"Target is Doctor William Birkin, he possesses samples of a virus that Umbrella has ordered that he hand over. Should he comply, there will be no need for violence. Should he refuse to comply, we will not hesitate to ensure that we secure samples of the virus and return it to our superiors."

As HUNK finished speaking, the elevator doors slid open, allowing Alpha team to push out, HUNK taking the lead as Goblin remained behind as both backup and to ensure that the exit remained secure.

Walking through the corridor, HUNK noted that there were more than a few UBCS mercenaries on standby, most equipped with nothing more than handguns, but he noted that there were a few with rifles and submachine guns and he slightly shifted his right hand to draw his sidearm if needed.

"Haven't seen you guys around in a while," a UBCS mercenary stepped forward to check their clearance levels. "Someone from up top must have something important they want done."

Hunk just grunted as he handed over the key card he had been given, not willing to bandy words with someone who he might have to kill in a moment.

"Everything checks out," the UBCS merc smiled as the door behind him slid open to reveal just the man that HUNK and his team were looking for.

"Doctor Birkin, you are ordered to hand over all of your research," HUNK looked through his helmet at the clearly shaken doctor. "Comply or we will force you to do so."

Birkin looked at HUNK and the rest of the team with him before nodding quietly and gesturing behind him through the door.

"Follow me," Birkin muttered. "I have what you need in there."

Grunting, HUNK and the remainder of Alpha team walked through the sealed doors, followed by a similar amount of UBCS members.

"I'm afraid that I'll not be handing over any of my research," Birkin stated once he was somewhat safely hidden behind the UBCS members and his desk, a briefcase clutched in his off-hand as his dominant one held a pistol. "Kill them, and make sure that there aren't any survivors, we don't want the higher-ups knowing what happened here."

HUNK just sighed behind his helmet, it seemed that it was a day for others to make poor decisions after all.