[START OF CHAPTER 5] Resident Evil 5.5 – Departure
CIA Agent Jacob stood at the door waiting for Chris; instead it was interrupted by Rebecca. As she entered the room, Rebecca reached for her father; General Chambers was ready to intercept his daughter. During the same moment, Jill walked further into the room already seeing by the faces and imagery that something is wrong.
"Hi dad!" Rebecca said grasping his hands
"Hey Becky… I thought I told you to address me otherwise?" General Chambers raised a brow
"I'm sorry, I can't help it…" Rebecca gave a weary smile
"Jill, you are looking much better." Sheva said making contact with her shoulder
"Yeah, Rebecca did a good job." Jill and Rebecca looked at each other with Rebecca at her father's side proudly nodding to one another
"What is going on?" Jill asked
"There is a new B.O.W…" Chris said
"WHAT?!" Jill expressed
Rebecca gasped "Is that true?" asking her father
"Yes Becky." General Chambers said
"To make it worse, it is very intelligent." Sheva said
"What else could we have missed… even I can contest that there was nothing else other than what we faced!" Jill said
"I know; it all seems too baffling…" Chris angrily said
"Whatever 'what' it may be, you need to go back to America; Redfield, Valentine… Jacob here will brief you and give files on the recent incidents. Alomar and Stone will investigate the situation here. Is that understood?" General Chambers said
"Understood…" Chris said as he made his way out of the room
"Understood sir…" Jill said following after Chris
"What about you dad?" Rebecca said
"Becky, you know I wait till my men are done." General Chambers said "Now go with Redfield and Valentine…"
"Okay." Rebecca gives her father a hug before she left the room
Within the moment, Sheva and Josh's attention turned toward the Naval General.
"So… what are our orders… sir?" Sheva asked
"Well, currently we both have BSAA and SEALS mobilized for stabilization and purification of the autonomous zone of Kijuji. Primary objective is to eliminate and incinerate the bodies of the infected; so far the mission went without casualties but, a few minor injuries." General Chambers said
"What about the tanker?" Josh said
"There is already an investigation team on the way; they will salvage whatever they can for us to gain more insight on the situation… You are to get prepped for your next mission in 30 minutes." General Chambers said
"Yes sir!" Sheva and Josh said rhythmically and they exited the room
General Chambers turned back to the monitor looking upward at the image, giving a long drawn out sigh.
"Contact the teams upon their progress and notify the border guards of Alomar and Stone's arrival…" General Chambers ordered
"Yes sir…" Kurt said
"May God help us…" General Chambers said to himself
Outside the BSAA West African Branch, Chris was making his way to the private jet on the runway ready to go along with Jill walking beside him; Rebecca was a few steps behind them and agent Jacob was a few more steps behind. Getting closer to the plane, the sound of it grows louder but, it didn't interrupt on last call to Chris.
"Chriiiissss!" Sheva yelled running towards them along with Josh
"Hm?" Chris turned around as well as the others waiting for her
"Chris… " Sheva coming into proximity "You are not going to leave without saying good bye are you?"
"Oh, sorry about that Sheva… I didn't mean to do so." Chris said
"I know, the sense of urgency comes first…" Sheva said
"Unfortunately… It seems like you just got your next assignment." Chris said looking to his side
"Yes, but don't worry, Josh and I have things covered here… you and Jill go and do what you must." Sheva smirked
"I trust you… also thank you for all of your help Sheva… no words can express how I feel." Chris looked upon Sheva
"I can say the same, Chris, I will never forget this experience… partner." Sheva gives a glowing smile holding her hand out towards Chris
"Next time we meet, partner…" Chris shook her hand returning his manly smile
Jill walked over to Sheva and gave her a sisterly hug; grasping tightly
"Thank you so much Sheva, for everything you've done. For keeping Chris safe and saving me." Jill said
"It was no problem Jill, I am glad that you are reunited with Chris after so long." Sheva returned the embrace
Jill then turned to Josh "Josh, thank you for helping me back at the facility, I am truly grateful. Also I am sorry about your friend Doug." She grasped Josh's hand to comfort for his loss; Sheva immediately turned toward Josh hearing this news for the first
"It's quite alright; Doug's sacrifice was not in vain for we were successful. It has been an honor working with you, Jill Valentine." Josh landed his other hand on top of hers giving it a shake
After they finished, Chris stepped in front of Josh "Josh, you certainly got Sheva and I through some tight spots. I don't know what we could have done without you." he placed his right hand on Josh's left shoulder
"I do what I do to help; there was never a dull moment with you. Thank you for taking care of Sheva… brother." Josh said reaching for a handshake
As Chris grasped Josh's right hand, their grip tightened with their shake bringing each other in for the brother hug; patting one another on their backs. Then Rebecca wrapped her arms around both Sheva and Josh bringing them in towards her; squeezing tightly.
"I know our meeting was short but, I am going to miss you two already…" letting go of the two "Please, be careful out there…" Rebecca held's their hands in her own
"We will Rebecca… and take good care of Chris and Jill." Sheva said and Josh gave a nod
"I will." Rebecca smiled
Once everyone said their good byes', Jill and Rebecca where the first to climb up the stairs into the plane. Then agent Jacob was the third to climb up readily making his way in, then he turned around waiting on the last passenger to follow after. Chris was the last to step onto the stairs and before he made his way inside the plane, he turned back at the two new companions he made; from the distance gave a thumbs up to Sheva and Josh. The two returned the same before seeing Chris disappear into the plane. Still standing there, Sheva and Josh stared at the plane as its staircase folded inward sealing the door. From the plane, Chris, Jill and Rebecca looked from their windows staring back at them. The plane started to move onto the tarmac, as it made its final adjustments, it started to speed on the tarmac. The roar of the engines followed loudly behind the plane as it finally dusted from the ground; soaring into the air.
*thought* "Stay safe… Chris…" Sheva looking up at the sky seeing the plane in the distance
On the plane *thought* "Take care… Sheva…" looking down at the ground from his window
Sheva folded her arms, missing Chris already… as she looked down, Josh gripped her shoulder. Sheva turned back at him.
"Come Sheva, we have to get ready…" Josh said
"Yeah, lets go…" Sheva said turning back to the base to get ready for the next mission
Back inside, Josh and Sheva were getting ready to set out again in Kijuju to assist the clean up crew. Sheva reloaded her HK 45C pistol and HK MSG-90A1 sniper rifle, Josh reloaded his SIG-Sauer P250 and grabbed a Beretta 1201FP from the rack. The two double checked their PDA's and communication equipment making sure it is working properly.
"Ready Josh?" Sheva said
"Ready." Josh replied
The two made their way out of the weapon room and out of the base. Walking in a manner to get the job done, Sheva and Josh stepped into the Hum-V; Josh was on the driver side and Sheva rode shotgun. Josh started the Hum-V and Sheva opened up with the line.
"No rest for the weary…" Sheva said
"Just like old times." Josh said
They glanced at one another giving their expressions, then they rode off from the base. On the way to their destination, the Hum-V was kicking a lot of dirt from behind making a dust cloud in its wake. Sheva looked out from the Hum-V staring at the scenery of the Sahara plain; with Josh driving at a very high speed is giving Sheva a good amount of wind which relaxed her a bit. In the distance, Josh sees the man made border that closed off Kijuju from the rest of West Africa; Sheva turned her head forward, as she did, she seen two border guards in black BDU's at the gates they were approaching. The guards seen the Hum-V coming up who anticipated its arrival, one of them held their hand up while holding their M4. Josh slowed to a halt so that he and Sheva can gain clearance to go through the gates; the guards walked up to the truck.
"Show us some ID please…" the Navy SEAL said from Josh's side
Josh and Sheva both pulled out their ID's giving a clear view for the men to see. The SEALs gave them a good look and gave the OK.
"Alright you're clear to go…" the Navy SEAL said to them, then he turned to the other SEAL "Open the gate…"
The second SEAL walked over to open the gate, Sheva and Josh put their ID's up and drove through the opening gate. Now within the confines of the Kijuju region, the two seen a lot of activity to and fro being done by both BSAA and SEALS; they seen many 7 ton trucks and dirt trucks dumping the infected bodies into an incineration pit. As they passed through, the smell of burning flesh only reminded them of such genocide that took place here; knowing that things like this can never continue.
Closing in on a familiar checkpoint, Josh brought the Hum-V to a halt; as he did, both he and Sheva stepped out of it. Seeing before them are three Navy SEALS in front of their DPV, one of them had dirty blonde hair with shades on and a bit tan on the skin, the other had brown hair with a blue bandana wrapped around his forehead and his skin was lighter than the blonde haired one. The one in-between them was a dark complex woman, as dark as Sheva, had a unique hair color from the rest. It seemed like they were waiting for Sheva and Josh to come; walking up to them.
"Are you Sheva Alomar and Captain Josh Stone?" asked the white haired woman
"Yes…" the two said
"Nice to meet you, I am Elena Imara… these two jokers behind me is Billy and Jimmy." Elena pointed behind herself at the two
As they exchanged handshakes, Sheva looked upon Elena, seeing that she may be 23 years of age or younger than herself; regardless she got to the position that she is in.
"We were ordered to rendezvous with you for the assist of clean up; since you guys took care of the big mess already." Elena said
"We appreciate your assistance… lets get to work shall we?" Sheva said
"I thought you'd never ask…" Elena smirked
Sheva and Josh joined Elena and her compatriots becoming a group of five. They trekked through the slums of Kijuju, both Sheva and Elena covered the front end, Josh covered the sides and Billy and Jimmy covered the back end. Progressing through the sun blazed streets, there was a rattle in the distance, the group turned where the noise was; not letting their guard down for even a second. There was something looking down at them from above and as the group advanced further; the unknown assailant jumped from the roof, it was no other than a Manji remnant.
"Roooaaaar!!" yelled the Manji
The group immediately turned around, but Sheva was the first to shoot it. The Manji fell hard on the ground.
"Nice one…" Elena said
"Where there's one, there is bound to be more…" Sheva said and on que, more Manji rushed in with their murderous intent; expressing themselves with growls.
"Oh boy…" Elena said starting to shoot her XM8 rifle
"Looks like they wanna bring the party to us…" Jimmy said hitting them square in the face with his PSG-1
"Don't get too careless Jim…" Billy said tagging them with his HK MP-5N
Coming from every possible direction and hearing the constant growls, the group's kill count was rising with every dropping Manji; hitting them with pure precision by shooting them in the joints crippling or immobilizing them and finishing them off with lead in their heads. As the numbers started dwindling, Elena finished off what appeared to be the last one, but another jumped out of nowhere.
*click… click click click* "Shit!" Elena said
She realized that she was out of ammo, thinking on her feet, she dropped the gun and intercepted the Manji with a jump crescent kick to the head which decapitated it on contact. Landing from her flip, the headless monster fell on the ground.
"Show off…" Jimmy said as he along with the group witnessed Elena's technique
"I aim to please…" Elena smirked picking her XM8 off the ground
"Impressive…" Sheva said
"Those guys gave us quite the workout." Josh said
"You can say that again…" Billy said "That looks like the last of em."
As they looked around to make sure the coast was totally clear… Elena tapped her ear piece to get in contact with the pickup convoy.
"You guys take a seat and rest for a bit… I gotta make a call to pick this garbage up." Elena said
The group took her advice without hesitation as they rested on the sides of the rundown shacks.
"Reaper, this is Silver Eagle, do you copy?" Elena said
{Reaper here, I read you loud and clear Silver Eagle… *cuuzzt*}
"There is another group in need of your services… over." she said
{Alright, I logged the coordinates of your PDA and I'll be there shortly… over and out *cuuzzt*}
Once Elena finished her message, Sheva couldn't help but to noticed the type of kick that she used, which was related to a well-known style in Africa. During the moment Elena was reloading her rifle, Sheva walked up to her to engage in small talk.
"That was a pretty good move you pulled back there…" Sheva said
Elena's undivided attention was grabbed "Oh… thanks." she looked back at her gun "You weren't bad yourself, only using a pistol is pretty bold; same goes for your partner."
"Well Josh and I go way ba…" Sheva interrupted as she got a transmission
{Sheva, Josh… do you read me, this is Chambers. *cuuzzt*}
Josh immediately stood at attention, listening in on the transmission
"We read you sir…" Sheva said
{We got a fix on the missing helicopter… *cuuzzt*}
"You found it?! Where…?" Sheva said
{Kurt is going to upload the coordinates to your PDA. Your new objective is to get to that site immediately! Take the SEALS with you for back up… understood?}
"Understood sir, Sheva over and out…" she expressed
Josh looked at Sheva and nodded to one another, then they started to walk back in the direction to their Hum-V. Elena and the other two SEALS curiosity was peeked on why they were going back.
"Where are you guys goin?!" Elena said
*turns back* "Come, I'll explain once we get to our vehicles…" Sheva said running back in the other direction and the SEALS followed
The group finally got to their vehicles, soon as Josh and Sheva hopped into the Hum-V, the engine roared as Josh revved it up instantly and rode off; Elena and her crew rode behind them in their DPV. Heading toward their destination, Elena called the duo from the DPV to be briefed on the next assignment.
{Elena here… can you debrief us on the situation? *cuuzzt*}
"Our objective is to investigate the missing helicopter that was sent to the now demolished Tricell tanker…" Sheva said
{Missing helicopter…?! What does that mean? *cuuzzt*}
"It means that the team sent there… was compromised by an unknown B.O.W. and it stole the helicopter…" Sheva relayed
{What the fuck?! So that means… the team sent there, is dead?!}
"Yes…" Sheva said
Silence filled the moment as the SEALS team behind them was told of this news for the first time; then Elena continued.
{Well then… I wonder what awaits us…}
With the conversation ending there, the group was nearing their destination passing many buildings along the way. They had seen something coming up in the horizon of the wave of heat. Closing in upon it, the image revealed itself to be the missing helicopter in an open square market; making a sliding stop ten feet away from the chopper, Josh and Sheva rushed out of the Hum-V immediately pointing their guns approaching with caution. Little after the SEALS DPV arrived and they stepped out in their protocol fashion as well.
Now searching within the helicopter, Sheva and Josh seen a hole where the pilot seat was; as her eyes wandered, she seen an arm slumped on the side of the second seat. Sheva stepped in the helicopter to gain a better look at the body, only to see that it was a man in BSAA BDU's with a hole in his body.
"My god…" Sheva lowered her gun
"Sheva, what's wrong?" Josh questioned
Sheva looked at Josh "Josh, come help me with this…" she said
As Josh stepped in and seen what Sheva seen, he was at dismay to see another fellow pilot a victim to this unknown thing. The two holstered their guns and grabbed the ends of the deceased body; Sheva had the lower body while Josh had the upper body. They carried the body out of the helicopter where the three SEAL members were waiting; as Sheva and Josh carefully lowered the body, the trio got a good look at what happened.
"Damn…" Billy said
"Elena… what happened to him?" Jimmy said
"You're asking me? I don't know… your guess is good as mine." Elena looked up at Sheva "What do you think?" asking Sheva
Still looking down at the body "All I can say is that this B.O.W. is dangerous… and we need to find it immediately
"Question is… where?" Josh said
Suddenly, the group heard a faint crowd noise coming from the north end of the district they was in. Not wasting any more time, the group followed the mysterious ambiance leading them through the town. Rushing through the alleys, they kept in a single file line with Sheva as lead. The sounds grew louder upon their approach, coming towards a gap in-between the ally, Sheva noticed Manji's to her left so she quickly held her gun up to it; the group reacted to her action. As all of them looked, they seen that the Manji's wasn't acting like 'themselves'. Instead, they were walking at a slow pace, moaning and groaning; they turned to their right and seen the same thing going on.
"They sure don't look as peppy as they were before…" Jimmy said
"Regardless, we have to be careful and see what is going on…"Josh said
"Josh is right… Jimmy take the left and Elena take the right as you two cover the high ground. Josh and Billy, stay at ground level and get a cover on their target area; and I will cover the middle from atop the roof." Sheva ordered "Are we good?"
"Yes…" all said simultaneously and started to span out
Sheva was given a boost by Josh upon the building in front of them so she can reach the top. Jimmy takes the high ground to the left getting into his professional sniper position, Billy and Josh takes the lower ground hiding behind the walls as they followed the group, Elena takes the high ground to the right navigating the roofs; and Sheva took the middle building that she was climbing, as she made it to the roof of the twenty-five foot building, Sheva immediately crouched and walked close to the edge. She pulled out her HK MSG-90A1 to scope the activity.
Once everyone took their positions, all had a better view of the masses at the square. Looking through her scope, Sheva couldn't believe the amount all in one place; as she navigated further up, Sheva seen a human like figure standing beyond them. Seeing the figure wearing what looked like Wesker's midnight trench, but in a purple tone and under it even though not clear in view, a suit that looks similar to Jill's; and most of all, it is female. Sheva scopes further up to the head, not looking familiar at first, she double checks by zooming in with her scope.
"No… it can't be…" Sheva in disbelief, still observing to make sure her eyes are not tricking her
During activity, Excella gathered all the remaining Manji, as they all stood dazed, bobbing from side to side making their moans and groans.
"You all served me well my children… now quench my thirst…" Excella said
She held her hands out and tentacles jutted from her finger tips stabbing the first group of ten, then it branched out of the back of their necks tagging the others behind them… Sheva's attention was turned toward the action, observing as all the Manji were getting injected by the tentacle.
"Aaarrg…" the Manji sounded as they were stabbed by Excella's extension
It continued making a web through its hosts till it reached for the very last ones; from there Excella instantly sucked all of their fluids and energy. Her body began buckling to the overflow of rage and hate of these Manji. People who had succumbed themselves to the emotion which lead to their fate.
"Oooh the rage… such rage and anger… fuel my fire… fuel my hate!" Excella harped as her body begins to bump out some muscular structure. Excella threw back her head as she cringes with power.
"Yes… yes… YES!!!" Excella yelled which was heard by the group
All of the Manji fell on the ground withered; as the wind blew their bodies eroded. Excella raised her head back up, overseeing all of the bodies she drained; then Excella looked up towards the sky, and with her sharp vision noticed Sheva on the roof. During that moment Sheva seen Excella looking up in her direction, in woe of being spotted, Sheva checks her scope again but sees that Excella was gone… only to hear that familiar voice.
"Looking for me?" Excella grins widely as she was behind Sheva.
In the instant Sheva was kicked off the roof… falling on other roof tops along the way from the twenty-five foot building. Once Sheva crashed on the ground, Excella jumped down to her; as Sheva was trying to get up, she seen Excella looking down at her.
"Excella! You… you're supposed to be dead!" Sheva said
"Yes… I was just as surprised as you were…" Excella said giving a pondered look
"So it was you who killed those men!" Sheva yelled
*turns back in note* "Mmmm, that's right… and they were delicious too…" Excella licked her lips grabbing Sheva off the ground by the collar of her vest
"What do you plan on doing to me?!" Sheva leered into her eyes
"I dunno yet but…" *sniffs* "Oh my… you smell very wonderful… yes, your adrenaline, your hormones are screaming to me; it smells better than any other. I feel that you are very tough yet confused; you are worried of what I've become…"
Sheva was surprised that Excella was able to read her feelings through her smell, finding it quite disturbing.
"I find it odd that you are alone… but I doubt that you are. Where is your other vigilante friend… Chris?" Excella said
"I won't tell you…" Sheva said
"Well then…" brings Sheva closer "Looks like I have to show you what else I can do…" Excella said "Give me a kiss…"
As she was closing the gap between her and Sheva, Excella is suddenly grabbed from behind
"Chris?!" Excella looking back
"Guess again!" Josh said lifting her from the ground ready to suplex "EERRAAAAAH!!" he yelled
While in mid-flight, the grip on Sheva was loosened as Excella was sailing backwards in the momentum of Josh's power. Coming towards the ground, Excella reversed the suplex by using the momentum to flip back on her feet; in that same instance, she caught Josh and threw him towards a nearby metal shack now indented by his body as he fell on the ground. Excella started to walk towards Josh.
"My my, you almost had me there… such raw power…" Excella now standing over him "Ooooh God, your flesh…" she picks him up by the neck
"I see why you are so strong… you have a lot of testosterone within you… that's why you have these delectable muscles" Excella grab his bicep with her free hand "You don't mind if I…"
*pshooo* a sniper bullet was shot at Excella's left shoulder
"Gah!" Excella let go of Josh
*pshooo* *pshooo* two more shots was fired at her
Being tagged two more times, Excella did not show any great deal of pain from the bullets but her anger was fueled; she immediately spotted the sniper and rushed at him before he could react. Before Jimmy knew it, Excella was right beside him.
"Oh shit!!" Jimmy said
"Hi…" Excella said grabbing a hold of Jimmy
As she did, Excella jumped off the building he was on still holding Jimmy and slammed him on the ground from five stories. A gush of blood spilled out of Jimmy's mouth as the impact injured him greatly, Sheva who was still hurt from her fall stared in horror. Excella continued by dragging him on the ground, tossing him into a statue.
"Gaaah!" Jimmy yelped as his back hit the stone, falling on the ground
Excella made her step towards him and kneeled down by him, once she did, Excella took his shades off to see the look in his eyes.
"Mmmm, such pretty eyes… the expression of your pain is priceless. It looks like you wouldn't need these anymore…" Excella covering his mouth with her hand and immediately started draining his life
"Mmmeerrgh" Jimmy sounded as he squirmed
Everyone looked as they seen Jimmy being succumbed to Excella's action, instantly, Elena came out of the alleyway shooting her XM8 at Excella; screaming out in anger.
"RAAAAAAH!" Elena sounded as she was running toward her
"ELENA NOOOOO!" Sheva expressed
Excella alerted, dodged the incoming shots shadow stepping closer to her, once in range; Excella punched Elena in the gut. A mass of saliva ejected out of Elena as the wind was knocked out of her; she fell on the ground in a slow-motion like fashion. Crippled due to the hard punch, Elena tried to grab her gun, but it was stopped by Excella's boot. Excella took the liberty of taking Elena's XM8 out of her hands, as she held the gun; Excella was pointing with it.
"This is a nice little toy… I will take good care of it…" Excella said
"You… son… of a--" Elena said but interrupted by being stomped on "AAaaahhhh!" she screamed
"My, you have quite the mouth on you… I should punish you…" Excella said
As she was going to stomp on her again, volleys of bullets came from the opposite side coming at her, dodging in a timely manner; Excella seen Billy coming after her. Excella returned fire with her new XM8; shooting his legs which made him fall onto the ground in agony.
"Aaarrggh!" Billy exclaimed taking in deep breaths for relief holding the area in pain; then Excella picked him up, his arms fell on his sides
"I'm going to suck you dry… just like your friend!" Excella raised her right arm in the air
"R-really… well suck on this… bitch!" Billy raised his hand revealing four pin's on his fingers
Once Excella turned her eyes seeing the pins *BOOOOOOM!!* a massive explosion covered both her and Billy in its mist. Sheva finally got up from the ground, not letting the pain keep her from her duty. As the smoke cleared, Sheva pointed her gun, for she seen a figure standing within.
The wind revealed Excella with smoke trailing off of her trench coat and beside her is the formal self of Billy; torn by the martyr act he preformed. She looked down at the corpse and was saddened that her meal blew himself up.
"What a waste… but I give you an A for effort…" Excella said
Then her eyes turned to Sheva, the two stared at one other, not budging an inch; Excella gave a chuckle.
"What is so funny?" Sheva said
"Oh nothing… I just never thought I'd have so much fun doing this…" Excella said "Now I know how Albert feels…" she sighed
"FUN?!... you think this is fun?!" Sheva yelled
"Of course I do my dear…" Excella stretches as she finished healing "Too bad I can't have anymore… I have an appointment with destiny and I can't be late…" she puts on Jimmy's shades
"Destiny…?" Sheva questioned
"Yes… for this is a new life for me… you will understand soon enough. Also, I thank you and Chris for killing Albert for me, I would have done it myself if you died…." Excella turns her back to Sheva "This world has only one throne… and that throne is rightfully mine." she began to laugh
Excella started to walk away and as Sheva tried to shoot her, she vanished quickly as a purple mist. Sheva lowered her gun, still looking in the direction where Excella was, thinking to herself about what she said.
"Destiny… what does she mean…?" Sheva pondered
[END OF CHAPTER 5] Resident Evil 5.5 – Departure
"As the flower blooms and dies, a new life emerges in its place…"