A/N: Within 24 hours, I'm ready to start the next arc of this fic! Some say I'm crazy, a madman, and even pushing myself beyond my limits, but every author has to push past those barriers if they want to become great at what they do. And out of all the fics I've written thus far, I'm the most proud of this one and what I've accomplished thus far, and I intend on going the distance to the very end.

This beginning chapter in the second arc, along with the next two following is based off of the book 'Caliban Cove' by S.D. Perry. If you haven't read the book there will be Spoilers, if you have you'll be able to keep up with it no problem. To anyone new to Resident Evil, get ready for another ride you won't soon forget!

Disclaimer: I don't own Resident Evil.

ARC 2 BEGIN

Chapter 23:

"So what if I piss people off for speaking my mind, It's called standing up for what you believe in when nobody else has the balls to do it!" - Nishan Panwar

Ethan's POV:

...You ever have those moments in your life that you wish you could smash common sense into someone's head?

Raccoon City Times: July 25, 1998.

SPENCER MANSION DESTROYED IN EXPLOSIVE FIRE!

-At approximately 2 A.M. Thursday morning, Victory Lake district residents were awakened by an explosive blast that thundered through northwest Raccoon Forest, apparently caused by a fire that swept through the abandoned Spencer mansion and ignited chemicals stored in the basement. Due to delays from the police barricade set up at the forest perimeter (in connection with the recent string of murders in Raccoon City), local firefighters were unable to salvage any part of the estate's grounds. After a three- hour battle against the raging fire, the thirty-one year old mansion and adjacent servant's quarters were deemed a complete loss.

Built by Lord Oswell Spencer, European aristocrat and one of the founders of the worldwide pharmaceutical company, Umbrella, Inc., the estate was designed by award winning architect George Trevor as a guest house for Umbrella VIPs and was closed down shortly after completion for reasons unknown. According to Amanda Whitney, spokesperson for the Umbrella Corporation, parts of the estate were still being used to store a number of industrial cleaning agents and solvents used by Umbrella.

Whitney said in a statement yesterday that the company would take full responsibility for the unfortunate incident, calling it; "A serious oversight on our part. Those chemicals should have been cleared out of the Spencer house a long time ago, and we're just thankful that no one was hurt."

At this point, the cause of the fire is undetermined, but Whitney went on to say that Umbrella will be bringing in their own investigators to sift through the ruins in hopes of determining the fire's point of origin...

That no matter what you did, what you accomplished, and what you had to sacrifice, the people you were hoping to protect remained ignorant fools to the horrors around them?

Raccoon Weekly: July 29, 1998

S.T.A.R.S. TAKEN OFF MURDER INVESTIGATION!

-In a surprising announcement by city officials at a press conference yesterday, the Raccoon City branch of the Special Tactics and Rescue Squad (S.T.A.R.S.) was officially removed from the investigation into the nine brutal murders and five disappearances of city residents that have occurred in the last ten weeks. City council member Edward Weist delivered the statement, citing gross incompetence as the primary reason for the S.T.A.R.S. removal.

Readers may remember that the S.T.A.R.S.'s first action upon being assigned the cases last week was to search the northwest area of the forest for the alleged cannibal killers. Weist stated that it was because of their "blatantly unprofessional conduct" that their mission ended in disaster, resulting in the crash of a helicopter and the loss of six of their thirteen team members, including the S.T.A.R.S. branch commander, Captain Albert Wesker.

"After [the S.T.A.R.S.'s] mishandling of the Raccoon Forest search," said Weist, "we've decided to let the RPD see this investigation through to its conclusion. We have reason to believe that the S.T.A.R.S. may have been ingesting drugs and/or alcohol prior to their search, and have suspended the use of their services indefinitely."

Weist was joined by Sarah Jacobsen (representing Mayor Harris) and Police Commissioner J.C. Washington to make the announcement and answer questions. Neither Police Chief Brian Irons nor any of the surviving S.T.A.R.S. could be reached for comment...

And that no matter how hard you tried nothing changed? Well...then you know exactly how I felt in the weeks following the incidents in the Arklay forest.

It was a goddamn cluster-fuck if I ever saw one, the games never really depicted what had happened to the STARS after they survived the mansion and made it back to the city to tell their tale. But now I do and regret it.

No one believed a fucking word of it, even with the evidence we had gathered the higher officials just brushed it aside saying that we were crazy, that our claims were beyond belief and that we obviously weren't in our right state of mind to even be on such an 'important assignment'.

I took refuge in the fact that I planned ahead, making copies of the evidence we had gathered and storing the originals in a small safe I kept locked in the back of the closet, behind a wall panel I removed for such an occasion.

Barry had managed to send copy of our reports, and the evidence we had gathered to the STARS' main branch in New York. The only thing we could do was wait for backup to arrive and lend a hand here in Raccoon.

Everyone had hopes, that reinforcements would swoop in and Umbrella would be taken down for good...it was a pipe dream at best.

Cityside: August 3, 1998

SOURCE OF ESTATE FIRE DEEMED ACCIDENTAL RACCOON CITY

-"After an exhaustive investigation by fire officials working with Umbrella, Inc.'s ISD (Industrial Services Division), the fire that ravaged the company-owned Spencer estate in Raccoon Forest late last month was determined to have been caused by carelessness on the part of person or persons unknown, as was announced in a press conference yesterday." Said ISD Team Leader David Bischoff,

"It looks like somebody tried to start a campfire in one of the mansion's rooms and things just got out of control. We've found nothing to suggest arson or foul play of any kind." He went on to say that while the destruction of the property was total, there's no evidence that anyone was caught in the fire or subsequent explosion.

Chief Brian Irons of the Raccoon City Police Department was in attendance at the conference, and when asked whether he believed the fire to be connected to the unsolved murders and disappearances plaguing the city, Irons stated that there was no way to be sure. "At this point, anything I could say would only be speculation-though I will say that the fact that the murders have stopped since the night of the fire seems to imply that perhaps the killers were hiding there. We can only hope that they've now left the area and will soon be apprehended." Said Irons.

Chief Irons refused to comment on the allegations of gross misconduct by the S.T.A.R.S. in their brief assignment to the murder investigation, saying only that he agreed with the city council's decision and disciplinary actions are being considered...

I knew different from everyone else. Umbrella had complete control over Raccoon, their pockets big enough to encompass all the major players in the city and making it so that whatever we brought forward was shot to pieces before it got anywhere. They covered their tracks, throwing money around, blackmailing, doing whatever it took to keep their dirty little secrets from getting out to the public.

It was tense for all of us, most of the city looked at us like a bunch of drug addicts while they ignorantly went about their lives not knowing of the coming nightmares that would turn this place into hell on Earth. Me, Rebecca, Barry, Chris and Jill all carried a weapon with us at all times. Only time would tell when Umbrella made their move to silence us, and with what they were capable of creating we weren't taking chances.

We all stuck together tightly whenever we were in public. Rebecca had all but moved into my place, the two of us settling into a comfortable and happy routine thanks to our relationship and we enjoyed every minute of it. It was our only saving grace from what was occurring around us.

Vickers had skipped town, the chicken-shit not wanting to get involved with what we were getting into. Richard was more than willing to jump in and give a hand, but he was worried about his girlfriend Bridgette and her safety.

He had left town too, at least his reason was better than Brad's ever could have been. He was doing it out of love, not fear.

We all had started preparing for what we knew was the inevitable as the days slipped past. I had started really stocking up weapons and ammo for when the virus leaked from the main labs under us, keeping the truth from my girlfriend and friends was hard, but thankfully they just took it as me getting overly prepared for Umbrella's retaliation.

Things were heating up in the city, and a boiling point was coming fast. It was only a matter of time before it all came crashing in on us...

X

August 27, 1998 - Cider District (Raccoon City)

The dark-blue, Chevy Silverado rumbled down the winding streets, the late summer moon swelling in the warm, clear night sky overhead. Even though it was still relatively early, the suburban streets were deserted with the citywide curfew still in effect, and would remain so until the 'suspects in the cannibal murders' were apprehended.

Ethan kept his gaze forward as he drove the truck past silent houses, checking his rearview every so often as the faint drone of crickets chirping coming in through the open driver-side window along with a warm breeze. His thoughts dwelling over the last month and how things had taken a turn for the worst in their favor.

He kind of expected this. Raccoon City pretty much belonged to the Umbrella Corporation, anyone who even tried to smear their so called 'good image' was bound to be hit with heavy resistance. Even with the evidence he and Rebecca had gathered from the training complex and the mansion wouldn't sway those who were so far deep in the company's pockets that they couldn't see daylight.

Speaking of the young medic, he glanced to the passenger seat and saw her staring at the window at the passing homes. Chin on the palm of her hand as she seemed lost in her own thoughts.

Even with the city against them, and Umbrella most likely gearing up to take them out, the two of them were pretty happy together. A week after the mansion incident they would find themselves staying in either one apartment or the other, to the point where Rebecca had all but moved into his place. Neither wanting to be too far from the other.

That, and the new level of intimacy had the two teens delving into the physical aspect of their relationship...quite frequently. And the traveler had to admit, beneath the sweet, somewhat innocent exterior, Rebecca could be a real wildcat in bed when she wanted to be.

Though nothing could compare to that first time. Thinking back on that day in particular, Ethan's eyes narrowed when he remembered what had occurred later.

X Flashback X

A chime-like ringing roused Ethan from sleep. Blinking his eyes open, he looked toward the alarm clock on the nightstand and saw that it was just after two in the afternoon. The soft, warm body curled up with him stirred slightly but didn't awaken as she got comfortable and continued to sleep.

Gently slipping out of Rebecca's embrace, the girl groaning at the loss of warmth before cuddling against one of the pillows, the traveler pulled on a pair of boxers and went to his closet where the sound was coming from. Going into the back and opening the hidden panel revealing a compartment where he stashed his birth-mother's journal and the communication cube which was glowing and the source of the ringing.

Taking the device, he cast a glance at his sleeping lover before heading out into the kitchen, closing the bedroom door behind him as he flipped the device closed.

"Hello, Ethan. You're looking well despite what you had to endure the last 50 hours." said Oracle in his usual calm demeanor.

"Still alive, along with most of the others." replied the teen feeling a bit solumn at the loss of so many people he had considered friends since he had come to this dimension. "I take it that this isn't a social call."

"Indeed," said the mystery man turning serious, "You are no doubt aware of the events that are to follow what has transpired. Even though you may or may not have acquired evidence against Umbrella, their influence will make whatever you bring forward moot."

Ethan nodded, "I figured that things would go that way. I've got a few plans bouncing around in my head to handle it, but something tells me that you have something similar."

Oracle was silent for a few moments before speaking, "As a matter of fact I do. Given the events that are unavoidable, Raccoon City is doomed regardless of what you do. This in mind, I have garnered the assistance of someone who can help you and the other STARS prepare for the coming war and ensure your survival."

"This associate of yours wouldn't happen to be named Trent would it?" asked the traveler making the man chuckle, confirming his suspicions when Jill told them about the man who had approached her.

"Yes, Mr. Trent and I share similar interests. One being the end of Umbrella and their experiments. He has offered to assist me in anyway possible to make sure that this occurs and that you and your friends are ready." said Oracle.

"So how is he going to help us with what's coming?" Ethan pressed wanting straight answers.

The man leaned off to the side and the sound of keys being typed was heard, the cube in the teen's hands chimed as a small letter appeared on the screen displayed. "I have just sent you a time, date and location of a package that will be left for you to retrieve. I believe that you will find its contents will make your job much easier to manage. For now, just keep going about things as you have been, I'll alert you of any new developments."

The image faded as the communication ended, Ethan selected the file that he had been sent and read it over quickly. He knew the location well, and according to the information listed with it, it wouldn't be at said location until the last week of September. Giving him a lot of time between now and then to prepare himself.

His ears perked when he heard the sound of the bedroom door opening. Rebecca stepped out, rubbing her eyes and wearing one of his t-shirts that barely reached her knees. "What time is it?" she asked after yawning loudly.

Ethan slipped the device between the cushions of the couch out of sight as he pulled the girl into his arms. "Just after two. How do you feel?"

The medic smiled wistfully at him, "A little sore...down there, but I feel great. Absolutely no regrets." she replied giving him a deep, loving kiss.

"You won't be getting any complaints out of me either, darlin." said the profiler as they rested their foreheads together. "Hungry?" he asked making her smile.

"You have no idea." said Rebecca as they went about fixing themselves a big meal since they hadn't eaten in almost two days. They were going to need it with how the rest of the day was going to go.

X Flashback End X

They'd eaten, showered, ended up having sex again which resulted in a second shower, before gathering their gear and heading to the police station where shit just fell apart. Irons had all but called them lunatics after handing in their reports. Everything just played out for the worst from there leading up to this point.

The STARS had escaped death, betrayal and horrors never thought possible only to run into a brick wall of scorn and disbelief. Umbrella fueling the fire to keep their claims as unbelievable as possible so no one went snooping around in their organization any further. It was a rather easy dodge for them, one of the biggest, respectable med-research and pharmaceutical companies in the world, and the primary source for income in Raccoon City conducting bio-weapon and viral research and development?

People back in Ethan's home dimension wouldn't have believed it either. The only consolation that he and the other STARS could take from all this was that the disappearances and murders had stopped with the destruction of the two facilities. Though that wasn't going to last long with what the traveler knew was coming.

In less than a month things around here were going to take a turn for the worst, and they needed to be ready. Which was one of the reasons why they were driving through this part of the city at night.

Barry had gotten in contact with Assistant Director Kurtz of STARS' main branch in New York, sending him a copy of their reports and the evidence they had gathered a little over ten days ago. The older man had called earlier saying that a 'development' had come up and that they all were to show up at his home ASAP.

"Ethan, do you think backup is finally coming?" Rebecca asked, a tinge of hope in her voice. She had hidden it well, but the constant looking over her shoulder and double checking the locks on their door had put a bit of a strain on her.

He could easily make out her holsered Beretta under her red t-shirt from the way she was sitting, resting just above the hem of her denim shorts and ready to be drawn if needed. His Samurai Edge was similarly hidden under his black t-shirt, new combat knife hidden in a scabbard on the belt of his jeans on his lower back for added measure.

"Can't say for sure, Becs. But with how things have been going we could really use some help." he said seriously. 'Even though there's no help coming for us.' he thought bitterly.

Rebecca regarded her lover with a concerned expression, he'd been running himself into the ground the last few weeks. A couple of times she woke up with the bed empty next to her only to find him passed out in the living room of his apartment, the evidence they had gathered along with an array of notes he had taken about the two facilities spilled out all around him.

It worried her, she loved the man next to her and knew that he was taking on way too much. And after talking with Jill, it turned out that Chris was in a similar state. Trying to find someway to get people to believe them and only running into more problems along the way. Both women doing what they could to take the males' attention elsewhere before they collapsed.

As for her, she had taken what spare time she could to brush up on the molecular architecture of viruses. Since the STARS didn't need a medic right now, she thought she would try to crack the code surrounding the T-Virus and understand its replication strategy. Using the data they had on the virus, she began compiling her own notes in how it functioned, survived, and spread so easily.

Despite her medical knowledge, and her combat experience after the two incidents in the Arklay forest, she belonged in a lab. Helping the others by using her vast knowledge as a biochemist to make sure that the T-Virus was no longer a threat. When she had told this to Ethan, he hugged her and said that he respected her choice. That they needed someone to be behind the scenes helping put this thing down since they couldn't stop a mutagen with just bullets and brute force.

Reaching out and grasping her boyfriend's hand in hers as a sign of comfort for the both of them, Ethan gently gripped back as he continued driving. She loved the way their relationship was going and it seemed to be their only saving grace from all the madness, when things got too much they would just lay in each others arms at night and the world seemed just a little bit warmer.

A blush dusted her face when she recalled how things went beyond simply cuddling at the end of certain days for them.

She may have lacked experience before she started dating Ethan, but nowadays she couldn't help but get lost in the pleasure they gave each other when they got intimate. And the profiler was very thorough when making sure that she was satisfied with each session.

The Silverado turned down another street and approached a familiar two-story house that belonged to the Burtons. Pulling up into the driveway and parking off to the side before Ethan killed the engine and they stepped out. After checking around for anything suspicious or out of the ordinary, the couple continued up the walk and up to the porch. They had made good time, arriving almost fifteen minutes after Barry had called them.

Knocking on the door, it opened a moment later revealing Barry in a simple t-shirt and jeans like them, his large frame filling the threshold, his Colt Python in a holster at his hip. Giving them a small smile, he stepped aside allowing them entry. "You guys see anyone on the way here?" he asked closing the door behind them.

"No, mostly stuck to the back streets just to be on the safe side." Ethan replied while looking around the older man's home. He hadn't been there since picking up his own magnum a month ago. The once warm and inviting abode was silent and hollow, Barry having sent his family to his in-laws to keep them safe after explaining to his wife what had happened, making sure that they were out of Umbrella's reach.

The veteran STARS nodded as he began leading them toward the living room, "Chris and Jill should be here any time. Want some coffee?"

"Sure, thanks." Ethan replied, taking notice of his nervous and tense demeanor. He scratched at his beard in a way that he knew the man only did when something was weighing heavily on his thoughts. Rebecca shook her head and opted for water instead as they stopped at the open doorway leading to the living room.

"Why don't you two introduce yourselves, I'll be back in a minute." he said moving toward the kitchen and leaving the two teens alone. The medic shot Ethan a questioning glance at what Barry had meant and got a shrug in return as he turned and led them into the living room.

Only to find that they weren't alone.

A man neither of them had seen was sitting in one of the recliners, standing as they entered the room. His dark eyes narrowing as he began sizing them up. The traveler did the same, gauging on whether or not he was a threat, left hand discretely reaching for the handle of his knife if he made a sudden move he didn't like.

He wore a nice shirt, jeans and running shoes. Standing about an inch or so taller than Ethan and built like an olympic swimmer with short, dark hair with a piercing gaze that held a spark of intelligence. A 9mm Beretta holstered at his hip baring the insignia for STARS on the handle.

"You must be Ethan Mercer and Rebecca Chambers." he said with a british accent, words clipped and polished. "The strategic profiler and the biochemist, am I right?" The teens nodded, Ethan slowly moving his hand away from his hidden blade. "Forgive my manners, please. I hadn't expected...that is, I..."

Ethan could tell that he was a little tense and took pity on him, "We get that a lot, the youngest people to be inducted into STARS kind of makes us stand out since we first joined up." he said holding his hand out to shake.

The man stepped around the coffee table and shook both their hands before introducing himself. "David Trapp, I'm with the STARS branch in Maine."

Relief flooded over Rebecca's face, back up had arrived. "Are you a scout?" she asked getting David's attention. "For the investigation, are there other teams already here? Or did you come check things out first to get dirt on Umbrella?"

Seeing the man's expression turn downcast, eyes glittering with an array of emotions that he knew very well, Ethan nudged his girlfriend's shoulder getting her attention. "There's no help coming, is there?" he asked bluntly.

David shook his head making the young woman gasp softly, "No, sorry. I have reason to believe that Umbrella has gotten to key members of the STARS, either by bribery or blackmail."

"Fuck." Ethan cursed under his breath running a hand over his head. The feeling of light-brown hair barely half an inch long greeting his touch having stopped shaving his scalp weeks ago. "I take it you're here on other business then, regarding what we know about what they're up to. Otherwise you wouldn't be here."

The man was a bit taken aback from the statement, still a bit shocked at seeing how young the couple was. The story Barry had told him about how these two had survived a second Umbrella facility all on their own before helping the rest of their squad survive the mansion coming to the forefront of his thoughts and telling him that despite being close to children, they were more than capable of handling themselves.

His eyes going to Rebecca briefly with the knowledge that she was probably the only scientist they had left on their side.

A shot of anger flashing through him when he remembered the call Barry had given him, the story about horror, treachery and the fact that STARS was somehow apart of it. "You're right, and I'll explain everything once the rest of your group arrives." he said just as Barry entered the room with a cup of coffee and a glass of water for the two.

"I guess he told you, huh?" he asked getting nods from them as they got comfortable while waiting for the others to arrive. Rebecca taking a small drink from her glass and setting it aside as she tried to come to grips with what they had been told. Ethan drank his coffee slowly, eyes never leaving David as they man sat back in the recliner and stared at the floor.

He picked up the subtle flicker in his gaze that kept going toward his girlfriend that he didn't like. There wasn't anything negative or malicious in his eyes, more like curiosity and a hint of worry. "Something on your mind?" he asked bringing attention to him.

"What do you mean?" asked David trying to seem nonchalant.

"You keep sending fleeting glances at my girlfriend. Very subtle, but I can still pick up on it. A normal boyfriend in my position would feel the need to protect, but I'm not picking up anything threatening in your eyes. The micro-movements around your face tell me that you're thinking hard about something, something important, and from the looks of things, it involves Rebecca." the traveler layed out as though he were speaking about the weather.

Rebecca and Barry sent stunned looks Ethan's way before turning to David whose mouth was agape. The younger man had managed to analyze what was going on simply by reading what little facial features he had managed to give away. He had to admit he was very impressed, the kid was every bit the genius Barry had told him about and more. And from the records he had gotten ahold of, it all proved true; for him and the young woman sitting next to him.

Knowing he had been found out, the man simply sighed. "There...is something. But like I said, it's best to wait for the others so I don't have to say it twice. Time really isn't on our side and neither are resources with what's been happening."

Nodding and accepting the answer for the time being, Ethan put his arm around Rebecca's shoulders, allowing her to curl into him just as the sound of another car coming up the driveway could be heard outside. A moment later a knock at the door was heard and Barry left the room before coming back with both Jill and Chris in tow.

"Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, this is David Trapp. Military strategist for the Maine STARS Exeter branch." the bearded man introduced. They three shook hands before they all sat down again. "David's an old comrade of mine. We worked together on the same team for about two years, right after boot camp. He showed up on my doorstep about an hour ago with news, and I didn't think it could wait. David?"

David cleared his throat, focusing on significant facts for a moment before he began; "As you already know, six days ago, Barry placed several calls to various STARS branches to see if any word had come from the home office about the tragedy that occurred here. I received one of those calls. It was the first I'd heard about it, and I've since found out that the New York office hasn't contacted anyone about your discoveries. No warnings or memos. Nothing has been issued to the STARS regarding the Umbrella Corporation."

The group exchanged looks of concern, save for Ethan who had his eyes closed while soaking in what the man had been telling them.

"Maybe they're not done investigating. We did send them a lot of evidence." offered Chris who ony received a shake of the head in return.

"I spoke to the Assistant Director myself the day after Barry called. I didn't tell him about the contact, only that I'd heard rumor of a problem in Raccoon, and wanted to know if it had any merit." said David. "The AD wouldn't tell me anything outright, and he told me I should remain quiet about it until official word came down. What he would say was that there had been a helicopter crash in Raccoon City, and what he implied was that the surviving STARS were trying to lay blame on Umbrella, angry over some sort of funding dispute."

"But that's not true!" Jill exclaimed, "We were investigating the murders, and found-"

"Yes, Barry told me everything." David cut in. "You discovered that the murders were the result of a laboratory accident. The T-Virus that Umbrella was experimenting with was released somehow and it transformed the researchers into mad killers."

"It wasn't an accident." Everyone glanced at Ethan as he opened his eyes. "One of the people that founded the company was betrayed ten years ago, he became infected thanks to one of his pet projects and was resurrected. James Marcus, he released the virus to exact his revenge on Umbrella. Becs and I encountered him at the training facility before we all met up at the mansion."

David leaned in, now very interested. "Were you able to discover anything vital?" the traveler reached into his back pocket and pulled out a data-disk, laying it on the table before him.

"All of the evidence we managed to find at the training facility, the mansion, and the labs beneath it. This is one of many copies I made, the original is secured in a location that only I know of." he said dead serious. "I had a strong feeling that things wouldn't be so cut and dry when we tried to bring things forward, so I took precautions."

All the members of STARS in the room looked at the disk, David picked it up and looked it over as the gears turned in his head. "You were expecting something like this to happen?" he asked looking at the younger man.

Ethan stood from the couch and walked to the window of the living room, looking through the curtains out into the darkness outside. "Wesker was working for Umbrella, had been even before the STARS branch here was established. He played us all. After finding this out, I had my doubts about the higher ups here in Raccoon and even in STARS' main HQ. The corporation has deep pockets and a long reach, I wouldn't be surprised if the had a couple of politicians, senators, congressmen, in their corner as well. If the AD of STARS openly says that there isn't a conspiracy..." he trailed off.

"Then we can assume that our organization has been misled...or there are other members working for Umbrella as well." Rebecca said catching on quick.

There was a long moment of shocked silence as they all tried to absorb this information. David was completely floored, once again stunned by the level of intelligence that Ethan was displaying regarding their situation. Barry had said that it was because of him that they managed to survive the Spencer estate, his strategies and quick thinking keeping them one step ahead of the BOWs contained within the mansions walls and Wesker's plots against them.

If only they knew how much he truly knew about Umbrella and their agenda.

Chris was on his feet and started pacing, his expression twisted into one of anger and frustration, "So what you both are trying to say is that we've got zero credibility with the locals, no backup coming, and we've been branded as liars by our own people. The Umbrella investigation is dead and we're screwed, does that pretty much sum it up?" he demanded.

"Pretty much." said Ethan keeping his back to them. "Though, I believe that our guest has much more to add to this, don't you." he turned facing David with a pointed look, knowing full well that there was a whole lot that he had yet to tell them.

The man nodded seriously, "There's another Umbrella facility on the Maine coast, conducting experiments with this virus of theirs, and just like what happened here, they've lost control." He took in the shocked and horrified looks of those around him as he looked across the room at Rebecca.

"I'm assembling a team to go in and investigate, without STARS authorization...and I want Rebecca to come with us."

A/N: How's that for a kickoff chapter? The next few will be coming rapid quick so be ready at a moment's notice when they start popping up. Reviews and feedback still highly valued, so drop some every now and again to let me know what you guys think.