Chapter 48

"But you just started working here," Principal John Paul protested. "I know that the rest of the city is in a mess, but that's why I hired you in the first place."

"I know," I sighed. "Chief Raymond had promised to personally ensure that the school is secure at all times though. And I'll also be on call for any emergencies. As in, I'll drop everything to make it here if shit hits the fan."

"I want your word that this school will have armed security," John met my eyes with a firm look. "These children are my responsibility and I'll be damned before I allow harm to come to them."

"You have it," I stated firmly. "I'll do everything that I can to ensure their safety as well."

"Alright then," the principal nodded. "I guess I'll see you when I see you."

HUNK nodded to himself as he fired his sidearm at the targets at the range, his accuracy was acceptable.

This team needed work though, their lack of communication when moving along with their lack of accuracy troubled him.

"Damn! That's a hell of a score!" Alpha 2 said as he tried to pat HUNK on the back, only for the USS operative to grab his wrist and break it.

"Fuck, man! You broke my wrist!" Alpha 2 screamed as he cradled the hand.

"No contact was authorized," HUNK said as he tilted his helmeted head at the other USS operative. "A replacement Alpha 2 can be found."

–

–

"That was pretty nasty," Goblin 1 said as she glanced at HUNK. "Was it really necessary?."

"Yes," HUNK replied. "Alpha 2 behaved unprofessionally. And so needed to be educated in his errors."

"Well, we're all set for the mission ahead," Goblin 1 replied. "We're just stuck here waiting for the brass to get transportation sorted."

"Successful extraction of virus samples will be contingent upon proper teamwork and accuracy," HUNK said as he finished cleaning his sidearm before holstering it again. "Both of which Alpha 2 lacked."

"Alright," Goblin 1 shrugged. "I'm not sure I get it, but I'll have to roll with what you say. You are the team lead on this after all."

"Standard kit will be provided, we set out in five days," HUNK turned and his mirrored helmet faced the woman. "Expect things to go wrong, and you will never be disappointed."

September 11, 1998

"We need to accept the offer the feds have extended," Annette said to her husband as they got ready for bed that night.

"I know," William said with a sigh as he buried his head in his hands. "I just need a little more time to finish my work and then I can accept the offer."

"We may not have that sort of time," Annette responded as she sat down on the bed next to her husband. "Umbrella has been pushing for results that just aren't there, and I'm concerned they may try something."

"We'll make it work," William said as he lay down. "I've paid off some of the UBCS members that are in the area to serve as bodyguards should anyone try something."

"And what precautions have you taken in regards to Sherry?" Annette asked.

"She's fine," William said with a wave of his hand. "Her school is close to the RPD's HQ and with that snake Irons gone there shouldn't be any problems with ensuring her safety."

"She needs to see you more," Annette sighed as she rolled over and faced away from the other scientist. "You know that we barely spend time with her as is, and lately you've been almost living out of the office. This is the first night we've had as a family in weeks."

"I know," William replied as he pulled his wife close and kissed her on the cheek. "Once I finish my research I'll start spending more time with you both. It'll all work out in the end, you'll see."

September 12, 1998

"Why are you leaving?" Sherry asked me as we split a massive cookie on the steps of the school.

"Because the police need my help," I replied with a small smile. "And they're going to be sending someone over to take my place tomorrow. I'll show them how the job is done and they'll be protecting you."

"I understand," Sherry said as she finished her half of the cookie. "But the other kids might not."

"Well, if anything happens to the person sent to take my place, I want you to take the other kids and run as fast as you can to the police station," I handed over the last of the cookie. "Work together and make it there and I'll make sure that nothing bad happens."

"You promise?" the girl looked into my eyes.

"I promise," I chuckled as I ruffled her hair. "Better get back to class now," I said as the bell rang. "I've got a few more rounds to make."

"Never thought I'd see this side of a cell after I went cop," Jill remarked wryly to herself as she kept herself busy doing some small workouts.

"Chief Douglas sent me to relieve you," an RPD officer said to Ryman as he walked to the other side of the room. "You can go ahead and head out now."

"You're not one of the authorized people," Kevin said as he shifted his arm back toward his gunbelt. "I'm afraid I can't do that."

"Shouldn't have said that," the other officer muttered as he stuck a stun gun into Kevin's side, giving him an extra kick to the head once he was down.

"We need backup in here!" Jill yelled out as the man moved into her cell with his gun drawn.

"Shh, shh," the man said as he pointed the Beretta at Jill's face. "Don't make this harder on yourself," he said as he got closer to the woman.

Lunging forward, Jill knocked the pistol out of the man's hand and it went sliding across the ground and out of the cell.

"Had to pick the hard way," the man said as he elbowed Jill in the side, causing her to gasp in pain and fall back into the door of the cell, the door locking with a faint "click" as they both stood facing each other.

Darting to the side, Jill grabbed the first that sailed past her face and twisted the arm, driving her knee into the joint and nearly popping it before the man threw her over his shoulder with a pained grunt.

Getting back up on her feet, Jill noted that the man was cradling his arm. Good, she had wounded him.

It was clear this man wasn't professionally trained in martial arts and had probably never been in a fight more important than a brawl as he recklessly pushed forward with a movement to tackle Jill. A move that Jill evaded as she snapped out with a side kick into the man's knee. Considering the man's bulk, her best option was to eliminate the joints and cripple him over time.

Swinging wildly, the man got lucky as he backed Jill into a corner, and shoving her down, wrapped his hands around her throat.

Bringing her arms down, Jill used her elbows to drive the forearms down, but couldn't do enough damage to stop him, her vision growing darker as she slowly lost more and more oxygen.

A sharp crack sounded and the arms around her throat loosened, leaving Jill gasping for breath as she shoved the weight off of her and sucked in air.

"Stupid fucker," Kevin said as he leaned back against the wall. "Should have made sure I was out for the count."