Joseph gave an awkward laugh. It wasn't that he didn't want to find anyone, but the night was so dark that visibility was almost zero. Searching through such dense forest was nearly impossible without a flashlight.
"They should have come during the day. Waiting until night is way too late. Don't you agree, Barry?"
A middle-aged man in a red jacket seemed distracted, thinking for a moment before replying, "Have you considered how strange it is that Bravo Team disappeared suddenly without even being on the helicopter?"
"Yes… that is strange," said the only female member of Alpha Team.
"If they hadn't died in the crash, they should have contacted the police for backup immediately afterward," a muscular officer added.
"Maybe someone didn't want them to…"
"Ah!"
A horrible scream ripped through the forest, cutting off his words.
Except for the pilot circling above in the helicopter, the other five members of Alpha Team were on the ground. Four pairs of eyes immediately turned to Joseph, only to see him collapsed on the forest floor.
Several mutilated Dobermans were tearing at his body, large sections of internal organs pulled out.
The female officer closest to him froze, gun in hand, unable to process the scene. Even among elite officers, this was her first time witnessing such gruesome carnage.
But her training kicked in. She fired her weapon.
Each bullet struck true, piercing the bodies of the Dobermans.
The mangled creatures barely flinched. When they fell, they quickly got back up. No screams, no sign of pain, only eyes fixed on her and drool dripping from mouths that revealed nothing but insatiable hunger.
"What… what are these monsters!"
Her eyes widened in disbelief. She had never seen a creature immune to bullets. Bloodied, disfigured, some with exposed organs, in the darkness they looked like beasts from hell.
Before she could react further, one of the hellhounds lunged at her.
Bang!
A gunshot rang out, halting the creature in mid-attack.
"Chris?"
"Run!"
The muscular officer shouted urgently, and she immediately followed him.
"This way!"
Another scream and gunfire erupted. Looking up, they saw Wesker and Barry ahead. More hellhounds chased from behind. The group ran frantically until they reached an old, stately mansion.
One hour later.
Accompanied by Rebecca and after a brief health check, Mero, whose agility had fully recovered, arrived at the cliffside mansion named after Spencer.
Oswell E. Spencer was one of Umbrella Corporation's founders and had been the company's true controlling figure for decades. A man of immense wealth, it was unsurprising he had a retreat mansion built in his own name.
The grand building combined Regency and Second Empire architectural styles and was completed in 1966. Even after more than thirty years, the structure still exuded understated luxury.
"That rich old bastard deserves everything coming to him!"
Spencer had overseen all viral bio-experiments, giving Mero every reason to hold him accountable.
Mero handed out energy bars, one each to him and Rebecca, and poured water for both.
While chewing his bar, he murmured, "You didn't mishear me, right? There's not a single person here?"
"The captain said this was the location, and that the executive training facility has a direct passage leading here," Rebecca explained.
"That confirms it. The only lab connected to the training facility is here," Mero said, reviewing his intelligence.
"Either they missed it or something went wrong. I lean toward the latter."
Rebecca tensed. "Why?"
She trusted the agent's words. The truth was, Mero simply had access to more information than she did. After traveling together, she realized he knew things she couldn't even imagine. After all, working for the National Security Council meant he had the weight of the entire country behind him.
"Look over there."
Mero moved to a shadowed corner and picked up a pistol.
"A Samurai Edge, an STARS-issued sidearm, and it still has bullets."
In a place overrun by the undead, even a single loaded gun could save a life. Dropping a weapon would normally be considered gross negligence, punishable by suspension, reassignment, or even five years in prison plus a $250,000 fine.
Mero nodded, and the topic shifted.
"The executive training facility was compromised from the inside, but the mansion wasn't. It's only been affected indirectly."
"Unless Umbrella intentionally spread the infection, there's definitely still virus inside," Rebecca said, standing abruptly.
"And you're curious about why I want the virus?" Mero asked, amused.
Rebecca fixed her gaze on him, thinking carefully before replying, "The National Security Council must be collecting evidence of crimes."
After swallowing her energy bar, she nodded firmly.
Mero shook his head with a smile. Believing that the National Security Council always did good? That was naïve. He only worked for money. He didn't ask what his employer wanted beyond that.
The mansion was two stories tall. Rebecca, still young and idealistic, maintained a childlike faith in her country.
They walked under towering Roman columns and reached the staircase bridge. Behind it was an iron door. Growls and the faint clang of chains came from within.
The danger was immediate. Taking down Umbrella wasn't a school trip; it was a fight for survival.
Though they had already breached one lab, they had no way of knowing how many experimental results Umbrella had produced. After facing tyrants and the Leech Queen, who knew what other biological weapons awaited?
Rebecca, now experienced, calmed quickly. She checked her magazine and ammunition.
If Rebecca was tense, Mero remained completely relaxed throughout. Seeing her slightly flustered, he felt a small sense of pleasure. After all, who didn't enjoy being around an attractive companion? Especially one with a ten-thousand-dollar inheritance!