TRIGGER WARNING: THIS CHAPTER INCLUDED MENTIONS OF SELF HARM, ABANDONMENT, SELF LOATHING, AND INCLUDES A MENTAL BREAK DOWN THAT LEADS TO VIOLENCE.
[Normal pov]
Shortly after landing I called Archer and arranged a black S.U.V. arranged to pick up Steve, Irving and I. Archer advised me that given the location it would be about thirty minutes to pick us up from the private airstrip.
"So where are we staying Ms. Lancaster?" Irving asked holding a black and silver case with a Tricell logo on it.
"Oh, my apologies Mr. Irving I forgot to inform you of the arrangements. We will be staying at the Pheonix Core hunting lodge. It's a four-star lodge with full accommodations and to mention it is the location of one of my contacts." I spoke with sincerity.
"Wow, that is better than what Excella normally arranges." He states excitedly.
"I had hoped so. The lodge is a remnant of my teacher's legacy. It should be more homely than a Holiday or Hilton inn." I spoke exhausted from the plane ride and sat on the blacktop.
"Alistar are you okay?" Steve asked.
"Yea just a mix of jet lag and exhaustion. I hate planes." I said shaking my head, " I know they're safe but I never feel right after getting off one.".
"Where are we anyway?" Irving asked starting out at the trees in a distance.
"A forest in the southeast part of Ohio, just over two hours from our transaction location. The lodge is tucked away in the forest. This is a private airstrip from the days the Umbrella facility was active." I spoke pointing out the lights in the distance, "That area is the biohazard zone."
Steve looked very concerned, "Why is the lodge so close to it?"
"Who better to keep it on lockdown than the people my teacher trained to handle B. and outbreak situations. If a biohazard were to happen the Pheonix Corps would mobilize." I said.
At that point, everyone went quiet as a loud howl pierced the silence.
"It seems I may need to have Archer started on that. After all the Ohio base is the one Wesker sent us to, maybe he knows something they don't." I stared out into the forest.
"You keep bringing up Pheonix core and Pheonix corps. Just who the Hell are they?" Irving asked, "I've never heard of them."
"That's by choice." A thickly accented voice said stepping from black Escalade, "Ms. Tabitha wanted to be sure we weren't found by the Connections, the Simmons family, anyone who would want to harm her. She gave her self up to Umbrella by returning to Raccoon city after the mansion incident. She had us up and running after using the money she saved to open a chain of pastry shops and a motel. We were privately funded by a trust she set up without Sergei's knowledge and our profits.
An Indian man in a dark blue collar shirt with swept-back black hair with matching blue lowlights now stood in the headlights. This made me smile in relief. The person who stood there was Archer.
"Archer! You startled me." I smiled pushing myself up and dusting my ass off.
"Ms. Lancaster, I'm relieved to see you unharmed. Is the Angelis stable or do I need to escort you to the lab when we arrive at our destination." Archer look concerned seeing me exhausted.
"No, no I'm alright. I just need some food and some rest. I FUCKING HATE FLYING." I said exhausted, "Sigh, Archer please assist Mr. Burnside and Mr. Irving with loading the cargo. I need a quick rest. We can address your concerns once we arrive, I promise."
"Alistar are you sure you are ok?" Steve asked lifting a large cache case.
"I'm sure, it's just jet lag." I said walking over to the S.U.V. and hoping in the driver's seat.
Steve and Archer looked at each other clearly concerned for me. I was anxious about the state of the nearby forests. Those howls were of Cerberus without a doubt there was activity from the base.
While Archer helped out Mr. Irving and Steve, I decided to make a call to Wesker.
Ring...Ring, "Wesker here." He spoke.
"Agent Lancaster, reporting in sir. We have landed and are heading to the lodgings." I spoke direct and pointed. I was letting my training I received from Sergei show.
"Ah good, Ms. Lancaster I was expecting your report. Ms. Gionne told me she had arranged two suites at a Hilton inn near Pittsburgh is that your destination." He inquired.
"I don't know what you're talking about. Ms. Excella never told Irving, Steve or me about this. Mr. Irving even said that he was told and I quote "That filthy mutt doesn't deserve to use my connections." Do what you will with that, it's not my place to say my thoughts on the matter." I stated as the trunk opened.
"Then where are you located?" He sounded furious.
"Sir calm yourself, we are about two hours and eleven minutes from the deal location and we have full accommodations. Two suites and a personal room for myself, at no charge and off of the books for them." I stated point blankly.
He stopped himself and breathed deeply, "How did you manage..."
"My teacher had deep ties and even deeper pockets. It's the hunting lodge she opened just after the mansion incident. It's her staff that run the place. It's in a forest in Ohio near an old Umbrella lab." I spoke, "Pheonix Core Lodge, location of the Pheonix Corps."
Dead silence from the other end of the line. I had a feeling dropping Pheonix Corps in the conversation peak his interest. The name was bare known of and even more sparsely discussed. What Archer had said was mostly accurate. Ever since Sergei died I mentioned it to a lady named Jessica who I had cornered after Chris told me of her.
"Seems she still manages to still remain prevalent after all these years." He sounded very contemplative over what he just heard.
"Is there something wrong sir?" I asked switching my tone to a more soft pitch.
That shook him out of it, "No I was just thinking that other connections she has. Report before the deal the equipment I've provided Steven with will allow me to view the mission through a point of view camera in the headset. I want to make sure I haven't made a mistake by not just killing you two months ago."
He hung up after saying that and it made me go numb. That tone was terrifying and I had heard it before. When he shot me in Russia. I must work harder to gaining his trust. If I didn't everything will fall from underneath me not him.
"Hey Alistar you're looking very pale are you sure you're ok?" Steve got in the passenger seat behind the driver's side.
"Huh oh, yea I'm fine just reported into Wesker. Hell has no fury like a superhumans scorn." I chuckled wiping the newly formed sweat from my brow.
Irving soon got in and Archer followed suit. He started the engine and drove off. He offered a couple of water bottles to us. We declined and the rest on the ride was silent. Steve was reading a book and Irving was on his PDA.
The drive was relatively short thirty minutes max since we used the private route. One of my orders for Juna was to make sure we had private access to this strip. As much as I hate Umbrella, the funds that came from Albert's life insurance is what started this. A benefit from Umbrella...I'm such a fucking hypocrite sometimes and It sickens me. Archer makes it seem like it was money I earned by saving and giving up on my dreams to save the world. When in all honesty what I wanted to have a place to heal and the money from my husband's supposed death made me feel sick.
Looking off into the forest I shivered at a passing thought. This forest reminds me of the Arkley forest, where it all began. Juna looked over to me. I must off been wearing my heart on my sleeve because he grimaced as he did.
"We can talk in my room later Archer. I can tell something is on your mind, but this isn't the place." I said staring straight ahead.
"Understood Ms. Lancaster, I'll speak with you later then." Archer stated and refocused on driving.
The rest of the drive was silent.
-MEANWHILE (Wesker's P.o.V) -
I was sitting at my desk reviewing some files Ms. Lancaster brought. It was regarding Tabitha and how her mental state was affecting the Angelis Virus. The correlation between the mutations and her anxiety levels were fascinating.
The notes that were there explained Sergei had obtained her and infected her during a psychotic breakdown. The date that was notated for her capture was September 20th, 1998. Which didn't quite match with what Tabitha said in her first log. This made me want to dig deeper. There was a file attached to the notes. It was called NEST CCTV footage 748 before exposure.
"Might as well," I muttered to myself clicking on to the link. It took a few moments for it to load when it loaded it showed Tabitha walking out of the NEST main elevator and being surrounded by an armed forces team. She was wearing a large jacket and was armed to the teeth; however, blood was dripping off her hand.
"Mrs. Wesker, why are you returning? You were instructed never to return unless called upon by Colonel Sergei!" an armed man shouted pointing his assault rifle at her.
She laughed, "Why I'm here to see Dr. Birkin, He has some explaining to do regarding my deceased husband. Now let me through or else."
She stepped forward and the team trained the sights on her chest, "That's not happening now turn around!" the man shouted.
"That is how you want to handle this? That's fine. JUST DON'T SAY I DIDN'T WARN YA FOOLS." she shouted flicking her thumb over a small black plastic item.
She rolled past them and the screen flashed. Shortly after that, it was clear she rigged C4 to the elevator and used the blast to take out the team. When the screen went back to normal it showed four armored bodies scattered and strewn about.
The film switched to show her storming down a hallway the jacket now completely gone more than likely destroyed in the blast. What she was wearing underneath was her U.B.C.S gear and bandages around her wrists which was the source of the dripping blood. The feeds changed again showing her approaching Willam and Annettes lab.
"Tabitha, What are you doing here? I checked on you a few days ago." Annette said walking out and looking concerned.
"GET OUT OF MY WAY ANETTE! I AM NOT HERE TO TALK TO YOU! WHERE IS WILLIAM!?" she shouted.
"Then why are you here?" she stepped backed looking terrified, "And why do you need William?".
"DON'T PLAY DUMB WITH ME! DO YOU ALL THINK I AM A MORON!?" Tabitha shrieked lividly clawing at her left eye, "I'll only ask one last time. Where is Willam?".
"Anette, What's going out here? What's with all the shouting?" William walked into view of the camera probably walking out of his lab, "Oh, hey T how are you? You seem more well kept today are you finally starting to get.."
Tabitha pulled her Samurai Edge out, quickly fired a round at Willam and pointed the gun at his head, "That was a warning shot and it is the only one there will be. NOW, WHERE IS HE WILLIAM? WHERE IS ALBERT?!"
William looked shocked at the way she was acting and went pale, "Anette go, I can handle this. What are you talking about T? He is dead you know that as well as I!".
She walked up to him and kicked him square in the shin as Anette ran off and he fell on to his knees, "DO NOT LIE TO ME, I SAW WHAT YOU AND HE HAD PLANNED. I SAW THE PLANS TO USE AN EXPERIMENTAL VIRUS INCASE SHIT HIT THE FAN. I SAW THE PLANS FOR BOTH TO JOIN THE US GOVERNMENTS B.O.W TEAM. I WILL ONLY ASK ONE MORE TIME!" she cocked her gun, "WHERE THE FUCKING HELL IS ALBERT WESKER!?".
He looked stared at her feet his hands up, "You looked in our private files from just before the Mansion incident then." William sighed, "Yes that was the plan. Spencer gave me the virus. I was supposed to hear from him by yesterday. I haven't. T stop this, this isn't what Wesker would want! You meant the world to him. He wouldn't want you to do this. He never would intentionally try to hurt you! "
"DO WHAT!? GO INSANE!? OR MAYBE HURTING MYSELF!? IS THAT WHAT YOU MEAN! NOT TO MENTION IT DOESN'T MATTER IF HE TRIED TO HURT ME OR NOT! THE DAMAGE WAS DONE! I HAVE NO ONE LEFT! YOU AND ANETTE KEEP YOUR DISTANCE FROM ME! MY OWN BROTHER AND SISTER BLAME ME FROM THE LOSS OF OUR FRIENDS! EVEN I THOUGH I LEFT UMBRELLA IN '93! THE REST OF MY FRIENDS THINK I AM A MONSTER AS WELL! I KNOW I CONTRIBUTED BUT I WAS TRYING TO MAKE THE ANTIVIRUS! I DIDN'T MAKE THE B. !" Tabitha cried out dropping to her knees and holstered her gun, "I have nothing left and it's due to my old association with Umbrella."
William stood up and wrapped his arms around her and embraced her in a hug, "I'm sorry we kept our distance we thought to help by separating you from Umbrella more than you were now. I'll keep you safe."
That was when she went limp, "Unfortunately, Dr. Birkin that is not your place." a familiar thick Russian accent was heard. Sergei walked in to frame with Anette as well as an Ivan.
"Colonel Sergei What did you do!?" William shouted worried holding Tabitha's limp body which now appeared to be foaming at the mouth.
"Taking care of a loose end Dr. Birkin. Just look at what she did to you, to your wife, the facility, even herself." he removed the bandages from her arms revealing deep gashes barely starting to scab traveling up her arm, "It is surprising she even made it this far. Clearly, She was on the warpath and going to bring everything down that she felt was in her way. The medication will make sure she passes from blood loss soon enough."
"But sir!" William shouted.
"No buts Birkin, these were Spencer's orders and nothing you say can change them." Sergei motioned and the tyrant picked up her body and walked out of frame. Tabitha's blood slowly dripping from the wound, "Ivan is taking her body to a gurney over by the medical elevator if you want to go make peace with her I would do it now. It is the last time you will see her.".
The feed ended. That was the last contact Tabitha had with anyone before Sergei had captured her. Vladimir noted he had used a drug to the heartbeat to a near standstill. Which not only slowed her bleed and convinced both Dr. Birkins that she had passed. Sergei had her wheeled to a medical helicopter and placed on life support for transport to the Caucasus facility. Where she was injected with the experimental Angelis virus and kept in a cryo tank until October 5th,1998.
On the day Sergei woke her, her eyes had changed to a striking blue with a bright grey outline and slitted pupils. Her body had accepted the virus. What the Colonel did expect was that was her mental state was the same as it was when she burst into NEST. Her nails turned into claws and her hair turned a ghost white.
Vladimirs last notes made pissed me off, "She is now the monster she always she feared she was and that is never going to change now."
I turned off the monitor and took off my sunglasses. Looking upon my reflection in the computer, I felt my anger rising. These irises nearly matched how Vladimir described Tabitha's eyes, the only difference was that the colors were on the opposite end of the spectrum. While hers were blue and a silverish in color mine were reddish-orange and gold in color.
"Is that what I am looking upon then. Are these the eyes of a monster then?" I let out a chuckle, "For all I see Is a God.".
Hey everyone Sliva here, I hope everyone is doing well right now during these hard times. on a good note, I should have another chapter out by next week. I took leave from work for my mental health. If anyone you know or you are going thru a hard time and are considering self-harm or suicide please reach out to someone. I know it sounds repetitive but there are people that care and would miss you. The U.S.A. suicide 24-hour suicide hotline number is 1-800-273-8255 and if you feel you need to go somewhere reach out to your local crisis shelters. These people are here to help. They help me go through a very hard patch in my life which in turn allowed me to write this story for you all. I hope everyone stays strong. My name is Silfarianhawk and I am not so far away. Please take care.