Author's Note: Sorry, this one is super short. But infiltrating Umbrella really needs to be a chapter all on it's own. On a side note, how I'm going to do that without killing Carlos is a bit of a head scratcher…
Silence reigned in Carlos' truck until they reached a gas station poking far enough out of the sand that they could get at the pumps. Although neither was angry, there was still a thick tension between Alice and Carlos, the result of such an emotional tale and the guilt it dredged up, from both parties. Carlos, for not being able to protect Jill and Anglie from the inevitable, and Alice for not sticking around to even get the chance. So it was with some relief that Carlos headed for Claire to help with the refueling and search for supplies and Alice headed for the back of the convoy, determine to maintain a vigil as the convoy braved Vegas.
Alice had been enjoying a contemplative silence on top of the bus, peering out into the waves of sand, when Kmart clambered up the side of the vehicle and flopped down next to her with a sigh.
"Man I can't wait to get out of this city. Gives me the heebee geebees." Alice gave the girl a wane smile before turning her eagle gaze back to the horizon.
"Sooooooo…." Kmart glanced up at Alice and then away. "What's up with you and Carlos? Lover's spat?" Alice snorted. Teenagers. All the grace of bulls in china shops, no matter what the world was like. Still, she had to admire her bluntness.
"Nothing's up with me and Carlos." It was Kmart turn to snort. And she added an eye roll just for good measure. "No seriously. We… had a bit of a loaded conversation on the way here. About our past and stuff. But nothing terrible. Well, nothing to cause any issues anyway. Just… some stuff that was hard to talk about."
Kmart eyed Alice critically.
"Are you sure? Cuz we can trade rides if you need to." Alice laughed.
"Thanks for the offer, but I think I'd rather ride up here on the roof than trapped in a small space with Claire." The girls grinned at each other. "Seriously, Carlos and I will be fine. We just need to breath and bit."
And fine they were. Within half an hour all of the vehicles and been filled up are were ready to go. Now Carlos and Alice just had to enlighten everyone as to where.
"Umbrella just attacked us, and you want to willing drive into one of their facilities?" One of the more senior members of the convoy asked. Truth be told, she wasn't much older than Kmart, but since so many had been lost in such a short time, age wasn't really making much of a difference anymore.
"Look, we already settled on heading to Alaska, and this is the best way to get there." Claire said.
"Claire's right. There is no way we would make it in these trucks. Do you have any idea how much gasoline that would take? And we'd probably have to switch out vehicles at some point. These have been through hell and back lately if you haven't noticed." Alice and Carlos kept to the back, letting Claire and Kmart do the convincing. Alice looked to Carlos suspiciously.
"I know why I'm standing back here, but why are you? This convoy loves and respects you. And I'm sure Claire would appreciate your help." Alice glanced briefly over to Carlos, who was grinning, but moved her gaze back to the argument at hand. Watching Claire really was something.
"I might not always be here to make decisions for them. They need to practice making choices themselves. And I trust Claire and Kmart to help them to make the right ones." His gaze slide over to Alice. "You aren't going to Alaska."
Her gaze hardened.
"I have an… appointment with Dr. Isaacs."
"Well then, so do I."
Alice glared at Carlos for a minute, trying to think of a way to get him to see reason. Carlos glared right back, all stubbornness with just a hint of amusement. Eventually Alice sighed, and decided she would worry about it later. After all, she did most of her best thinking on her feet and in the thick of it.
The group before them was splitting up. Some of them didn't look too happy, but they all headed toward their respective vehicles, if somewhat hesitantly. Claire nodded to them as she moved away, Kmart in tow.
"Looks like we have an Umbrella facility to infiltrate." Carlos said heading back to his own truck.
"Again?" Alice sighed. "We really need to come up with something new to do on date night. This is getting old." Carlos laughed as he and Alice pulled out in front of the line, leading the charge toward Umbrella.