Chapter Five: Spence

Shizuoka Facility, Japan
Umbrella Corporation Overseas Base
2400 hrs_

"Submersion in 3, 2, 1.."

Dryden watched as the virtually unrecognizable mass of flesh was lowered into the glowing tank. He and Wesker were situated on a platform that was directly above the tank; Jill Valentine was standing a few feet behind them.

The alarm sounded as the mass was fully submerged, turning the liquid in the tank a mixture of sickly green and red.

"T-virus injection in thirty seconds," the mechanical voice announced.

Two mechanical arms, which were submerged inside the tank as well, were lifted. At the end of each arm was a thick syringe, filled to the brim with the T-virus. Unlike the T-virus that had caused the global outbreak, the T-virus in these syringes had been genetically manipulated until only the codes for regeneration and reanimation of dead tissue were left. Wesker and Dryden had developed the DNA strands themselves, in the hopes of using them to resurrect key allies who had died years before.

The first on their list was Simon Beck, one of the world's leading military strategists. He had perished in one of Umbrella's underground facilities after Dr. Isaacs had contracted a bite from one of the advanced T-virus mutants.

As the T-virus was injected into Beck's remains, Dryden watched with apprehension. He had added a few last minute tweaks to the DNA strand, and he hoped everything would turn out as he had planned.

A few seconds after the T-virus was injected, the mass of flesh shuddered. Dryden was strongly reminded of a quivering glob of red Jell-O, and he could feel bile coming up his throat. Although Dryden had a fairly strong stomach, he suspected that it was due to the rotting stench that emanated from Beck's remains. Dryden recalled having to retrieve several mangled corpses from the main North American facility a few years ago. He was only physically fifteen at the time, but he recalls the smell that came from the already decomposing bodies.

That same smell filled the room now, and Dryden fought not to cough.

Wesker glanced at him before focusing on Beck, whose body was quickly regenerating.

"A success, it seems," Dryden commented, as Wesker motioned for Beck to be taken out of the tank.

"We shall see." Wesker said, clasping his hands behind his back. "Dr. Isaacs was confident that he had domesticated the mutants, but in reality he had created a whole new strain. We must wait and see."

Dryden acknowledged this with a tilt of his head. By now, Beck's body was already taking form, although some of his muscles were still exposed. Dryden and Wesker waited patiently, until the mechanical voice announced: "Regeneration complete."

"Activate the restraints," Wesker called, and a worker standing behind the console pressed a few buttons. Thick chains whipped across the metal slab where Beck lay, and heavy manacles were shackled around his ankles and wrists.

As the minutes ticked by, Dryden kept his gaze fixed on Beck, who was now a fleshy whole. Just as he was about to consider the experiment a failure, Beck's body jolted up from the slab, his back arching and limbs shaking. This repeated for a few more minutes before Beck flopped back on the metal slab and became still. Seconds later, he sat up.

"Beck." Wesker's voice rang through the chamber.

Beck raised his head. "Albert Wesker," he said slowly, his voice sounding a little slurred.

Wesker shot Dryden a quick glance before turning back to Beck. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I've been run over by an army tank. Whatever Isaacs put in that damn drink must have knocked me out." Beck groaned and swung his legs over the side of the metal slab. He teetered on his feet for a moment before successfully standing up straight.

"What was the last thing you remember?" Wesker asked. Although the rest of the people in the chamber, save for Dryden and Jill, were murmuring their relief over the success of the experiment. Wesker was still making sure that the improved T-virus DNA that had been injected into Beck would hold.

"Isaacs," Beck muttered. "That bastard became one of them, Wesker!"

Wesker raised his hand, and Beck fell silent. "So did you."

Beck's eyes widened. "Impossible! How...?"

Wesker turned to Dryden, who had a satisfied smile on his face.

"It appears your experiment worked, Dryden," Wesker ccommented. "Excellent work, my son."

"Son?" Beck's voice echoed in the chamber. "You have a son, Wesker?"

Wesker ignored Beck's question and turned again, this time to Jill. "Take him to quarantine. We shall keep him there for a week. If he doesn't turn in seven days, you may release him."

"At once." Jill inclined her head and gestured to a couple of guards standing near Beck. They quickly clamped their hands over Beck's wrists and led him out of the chamber, Jill at their heels.

"If he doesn't turn, what then?" Dryden asked in a low voice as he and Wesker exited the chamber.

"We resurrect Special Operative Parks," Wesker replied. "I have his remains in lockdown. He will serve our purposes well."

Nine days later_

Dryden stared at the newly resurrected form of Special Operative Percival Spence Parks. He had dark, messy hair, blue eyes, and a powerful, athletic build. It was understandable why the Umbrella Corporation had hired him to be part of their security agency.

Dryden held the scarab-shaped control device in his palm as he surged forward. He hit Spence with such force that they both slammed to the ground. Spence's palm smashed against his chin, but Dryden ignored the rivets of pain that sliced through his body.

"Get the fuck off of me," Spence grunted, trying to snap Dryden's head back. To the older man's surprise, his opponent held firm. As Spence raised his other hand to slug Dryden on the side of the head, Dryden used the opportunity to slam the control device on Spence's chest.

Spence's eyes bulged and he fought back a cry of pain. Dryden rolled off him and was up on his feet in one fluid motion. A second later Spence lay still, the control device now pulsing, the red liquid pumping through his veins.

Dryden looked over his shoulder and saw his father, whose gaze was riveted on Spence's now still form. Behind him was Beck, who was looking better than he had in days. The T-virus injected into Beck had fully restored his body and mental processes, although he had developed a keen taste for raw flesh. It was a setback that Wesker decided he could live with.

"What are we to do with him?" Beck asked. Although the military strategist looked clean, Dryden could smell fresh blood coming from him.

"He will be the leader of our remaining forces. His fighting prowess, coupled with your military knowledge, will certainly crush the resistance," Wesker answered. A slight spasm flashed through Wesker's face, and Dryden frowned.

His father was having difficulty controlling the mutation, and he knew that they needed to find Project Alice. Dryden glanced at the older man lying near his feet before looking straight at his father.

Wesker was already talking rapidly to Jill, who had silently joined them.

"Arcadia is the most likely place for her to go," Wesker said. "I want you to assemble a team and, once Percival has revived, brief him on the mission."

"Understood." As always, Jill's reply was limited. Something in her eyes told Dryden that the real Jill was lurking beneath the surface, although the liquid was keeping her in check. Dryden wondered how long Jill would fight the effects - based on what he'd heard about her, Dryden didn't doubt that Jill was a fighter.

"Dryden."

His father's voice jolted him out of his thoughts, and he quickly followed Wesker and Beck out of the chamber.

"Bring him to his room," Dryden ordered the guard standing near the door. When the guard hesitated, Dryden shot him a wry look. "He's no longer infected."

The guard nodded and gestured to a couple of other guards. They hoisted Spence to his feet and dragged him out of the chamber, Dryden's eyes never leaving Spence's face.

"He looks like you," Jill commented, her voice devoid of any emotion.

Dryden whipped his head up and looked at her. "What makes you say that?"

Jill glanced at him briefly before turning away. "He just does."