Resident Evil: Phoenix by Red Hope

Chapter 19

"We have to be getting close," Claire softly commented to her blood partner. She glanced at her watch hooked to her belt loop. She couldn't believe it was nearly twelve thirty at night. They unloaded from the V-22 around seven forty-five.

"We've traveled fairly deep," Jill acknowledge. Earlier she'd shifted positions and now was between Claire and Leon.

"We shouldn't have much further to go before we gain access to the utility tunnels," Alice agreed with the group.

"The utility tunnels run under the facility," Claire recalled. They would plant several bombs in the utility tunnel at key locations. There were gas lines that ran through the utility tunnels and would surely blow the facility to Kingdom Come. "Jill, do you think the utility tunnels will run to where Angie is being held?"

Jill shook her head and admitted, "I'm not sure." She only recalled how to get there through the halls. She ducked under a low point and stepped into another concrete pipe.

Alice gazed up and noted the metal pipes that ran through the concrete pipe. She caught a glimpse of a yellow sticker that read propane gas with an arrow directing down the concrete pipe. She smirked and picked up the pace.

Claire hastened after her partner. She also spotted the propane lines running overhead of them. It was a good sign that made her stomach turn with nervousness. She inwardly prepared for the very dangerous part of their mission.

Alice hopped out of the pipe and entered a large concrete room that had various pipes and power lines overhead. It was a major interchange, but Alice only wanted to go one way. She shifted around with her head up. She was hastily searching, and Claire's headlamp shined on the propane sticker. "This way."

Claire hurried after her partner, who was following the propane lines that fed down into the facility. She pulled up short when her partner approached a sealed wall.

Alice took a step closer and ran her hand over the concrete wall that'd once been open, but it'd been sealed to only allow the pipes and lines to enter it. She was positive it was a quick way down into the utility tunnels that ran under the facility. She narrowed her eyes and gauged the thickness of the wall.

Claire shook her head then scanned their local area. "Maybe there's another way."

"We're running low on time," Jill remarked. She felt too that the pipes went directly to the utility tunnels. "We can blow off that wall."

Alice shook her head and looked at Jill. "The propane lines." She pointed at them in reminder to their sticky situation.

Claire bit her bottom lip.

Leon was off to the side and was studying all the different routes they could go. There were at least four tunnels that went in different directions. "One of these tunnels could get us there."

Alice looked over at Leon. She indicated the two dark tunnels off to her right and argued, "These tunnels just wrap around the facility and feed the utility tunnels." She gazed back at the lines running through the wall. "All the access points will be like this."

Claire had moved into the central location and was looking up at the propane lines, power lines, and plastic pipes. "Then we have to take that wall down." She faced the group and wanted to say more except that a tingle under her skin made her freeze. Her eyes cut to Alice, and she read the shifted in her partner.

Alice reached behind and silently unsheathed her kukri. "Claire..."

Claire clenched her jaw and now heard the very soft taps against metal behind her back. She reached for her handgun.

Alice shook her head at the idea and calmly reminded, "Propane."

Claire was breathing harder as the distant taps grew closer.

"Nobody even think," Alice softly emphasized, "about touching their guns." She took a step towards Claire, who remained as the bait for their predator. She didn't speak now that the creature was within hearing range. But she held out her hand to Claire.

Claire took a few steps and slid her hand into Alice's larger one. She peered up into bright blue eyes that gave her comfort.

Alice inhaled the familiar scent that took her back years ago to the Hive. She instantly knew what was tracking Claire's blood scent. She also deduced the hunter had Claire's location pinpointed. She gazed down at Claire and nodded back at the other humans.

However, Claire didn't move and touched her partner's stomach.

Alice clenched the kukri tighter. Then she sternly studied her partner, who was being stubborn at the wrong time. She knew their hunter and what it could do.

Claire heard the taps closing in from a tunnel behind her. She realized she'd been in the way once their predator attacked them. She slipped past her lover and silently went over to Jill and Leon, who were tucked in an alcove.

Alice canted her head as the familiar creature emerged from the right tunnel. She watched how his sleek, muscular body scaled the ceiling. She smelled his foul odor and caused her lip to curl. His long claws continued tapping against the propane lines as he crawled closer.

Claire gawked at the creature once the headlamps shined on it. She parted her lips but didn't speak. She'd never seen such a foul beast. As it stalked closer, her eyes cut to Alice in the center of the exchange room.

Jill narrowed her eyes at the creature. She hated those damn Lickers ever since her experience in the church at Raccoon City. She knew they'd become Umbrella's favored B.O.W. creatures and suspected that this Licker was planted here for security.

Alice reached for her other kukri and slowly withdrew it so that she made no noise. But it didn't truly matter because the Licker knew of her presence, just like it knew of the humans. A Licker had no eye sight, but they did have superior hearing and very strong sense of smell.

The Licker was only a few feet away from Alice but remained up in the pipes. His head was turned towards the humans, but he shifted his attention to Alice. He could smell her unusual scent that was barely human. He'd never come across another creature with Alice's mixed scent. He was curious, and his long tongue snaked out into the air.

Alice went stiff as the dangerous tongue started towards her. She knew an attack when she saw one, but this wasn't any attempt. She found herself intrigued too so she waited it out. Her grip on the kukris increased as the Licker's tongue brushed across her face.

Claire's eyes slowly grew as the creature's tongue touched her partner's cheek. She closed her eyes briefly and contained her disgust. But she felt her partner's curiosity for the creature.

Jill was stunned by Alice's lack of actions and wondered why she just didn't kill it. She struggled not to retrieve her guns and blow its brain head off.

Alice recalled being first afraid of the Licker in the Hive. But now she understood its purpose in life, undead or not. She allowed it to continue investigating her with its long, dripping tongue. She shut her eyes when the tongue traveled around her exposed neck. Alice looked to her left when the tongue traveled down her muscular arm and to her hand.

The Licker explored the unusual human's hand then rested the tip of his tongue against a pulse point. He tasted the excretion of her scent through her pours. He sharply snapped his tongue away due to the bitter and sour flavor that was anything but a human's sweetness. Now he slowly withdrew his tongue back into his mouth after assessing she wasn't of any interest to him. But he did want the humans that he smelled not far off.

Alice traded her right kukri into her left hand so that her hand was free. She observed the Licker scaling closer to her, but it ignored her. She smirked at its stupidity, but she allowed it to crawl over her head.

The Licker started growling and hissing at the humans. He picked out the one human that had the strongest blood. He became extremely excited and darted his tongue out. But they were still slightly far for him to reach. He didn't waste any more time and crawled faster.

Alice gave a low cry and reached up. She grabbed its protruding spine, and her nails cut through his damp skin.

The Licker roared and couldn't react fast enough. He was sharply slammed into the concrete floor on his back. He rolled onto his feet and faced his enemy, who swiftly jumped on his back. He reached behind and swiped at the unusual human.

Alice ducked away then spun her blades downward. She raised the kukris and hastily drove them into the Licker's exposed brain.

The Licker howled and stood up on his hind feet. He lost his great strength and crashed back to the floor.

Alice twisted the blades then waited until the creature went still under her. She extracted her kukris, sheathed them, and grasped the Licker's bloody head. She stood up, leaned forward, and hotly whispered, "She's mine." Alice wrenched the Licker's head to the right and grinned when its spinal cord snapped.

Claire let out a breath after Alice finished the creature. She cautiously approached her partner and asked, "What the fuck is that thing?"

"It's a Licker," Jill calmly informed.

Leon stared in amazement at the ugly beast. "Is it human?"

"Once upon a time," Alice answered. She kicked it so that it rolled over onto its back.

Claire carefully came over to her partner but kept her attention on the dead creature. "Why didn't it..."

Alice was knelt beside it and taking in its few human features that were left after the mutations. She was grateful that the viruses hadn't mutated her this far. "It saw me as one of its kind," she replied to Claire. She stood up.

Jill grunted and remarked, "It's not far off."

Alice glanced back at Jill Valentine, but she didn't taste any malice in her words. Then she thought she saw a teasing glint in Jill's eyes. She couldn't be sure after Jill turned away. She studied the dead creature and commented, "We need to go." She lifted her head and stared at the dark tunnels. "The others will be here soon."

"Others?" Leon echoed.

"His cries alerted the other Lickers," Alice calmly explained. She touched Claire's side then started around her.

"How are we going to go?" Jill fought. She was staring, bitterly at the sealed wall.

Alice passed Jill and marched up to the wall. She suddenly performed a roundhouse kick and slammed her heel into the wall just under the pipes.

The concrete cracked and started crumbling inward. Several more kicks and punches forced it to break apart.

Alice now grabbed the falling wall with her hands and tore it down.

Jill jumped forward and helped Alice remove the concrete. She gritted her teeth and found it quite a challenge despite her enhanced strength.

Claire felt the tingle return, and she backed up towards the digging pair. "More are coming," she informed them despite Alice already knew it.

Alice hastened and was tempted to use a psionic blast, but she feared it'd be detected by Umbrella. She slammed her fist into the last large chunk, which cracked then broke apart after another hit.

"Alice," Claire heatedly called. She wasn't sure what to do since she couldn't use her guns.

"Finish it, Jill!" Alice sensed two Lickers coming from either side. She jumped in front of her partner. She pinpointed the creatures that entered the central exchange room. Their attacks were instant this time.

Claire clenched her teeth and watched Leon stumble back after the Lickers launched at them. After a few seconds passed, she let out a breath and peered around her partner.

Alice held the Lickers back with her invisible shield. She peered over her shoulder and hotly demanded, "Is it clear, Jill?"

Jill tossed another concrete slab behind her then tore off the last one. "Almost!" she hollered over the load din of growls and hisses.

"Go first, Jill then Claire and Leon," Alice ordered the group. She shifted her glowing blue eyes back on the Lickers.

Jill tore off the last chunk of concrete in the way. She only glanced over her shoulder before she hauled herself into the tube. She pushed her body down the tube and fought to hold down a cry after being swallowed by the darkness.

Claire shoved Leon towards the now open pipe despite she was suppose to go next.

Leon didn't argue and hurried after Jill. He climbed into the utility tube. He shoved his body down and quickly was swept away.

Claire was facing the Lickers but backed up to the opening. "Alice, those damn things might follow us!" she called over the snarling and growling.

"I know. I'll take care of it," Alice promised her partner. "You need to leave first," she ordered.

Claire struggled with staying with her blood partner. She didn't like leaving Alice alone with the creatures.

Alice turned her head sidelong and promised, "I'll be right behind you." She hoped her words would still Claire's worries.

Claire briefly touched her partner's back in silent agreement. She faced the opening and used the overhead pipes to lift her body into the tube. Once she was in it, she retrieved her ball cap and headlamp, which she held over her stomach. She pushed forward using the overhead pipes and began sliding down the tube.

Alice was quickly plunged into darkness after Claire left with the headlamp. Only blue orbs seemingly floating in the air gave off any light.

The Lickers feverishly attacked the invisible barrier between them and the infected human. They were relentless and determined to kill the infected human then feast on the sweet human that'd escaped from them. Just the mere thought of having fresh blood caused them to salivate more.

Alice grinned at the Lickers' persistence. She admired their strengths, but in the end they were inferior to her. They were still beasts and couldn't appreciate the beauty in Claire's blood, like Alice. Nor could they control their hunger. Alice could only give them peace from their hunger.

The Lickers howled in unison then stumbled back and shrunk down to the ground. They shook their heads, but whatever was squeezing their heads was unstoppable. After several swipes, their claws never touched anything that was crushing their skulls.

Alice calmly watched the creatures crumble to the floor. She canted her head and continued increasing the pressure on their brains. She felt how close it was to bursting like an overfilled balloon. She added just a bit more then dual bursts loudly popped in the central exchange room. In the dark, she could see the thick blood fling all over the room and coat the walls, pipes, and floor. But Alice was protected behind her invisible shield. Once she released her shield, the hovering blood in front of her no longer clung to anything and fell to the ground like sleet.

For a long moment, Alice just stared at the dead creatures and felt remote sadness for them. Umbrella had created them and injected them with the virus's hunger. Alice despised Umbrella so greatly and more so as she grew closer to the viruses. She hoped one day that their own creations would turn on Umbrella. But for now, she knew she and Jill Valentine were the only Umbrella projects that had the reasoning and intelligence to fight Umbrella.

Finally turning towards the tube, Alice approached it and inhaled the humans' scent down the tube. She enjoyed Claire's lingering blood scent and grinned in appreciation. She realized in that moment that she would follow Claire anywhere. Alice grabbed the pipes and used her telekinesis to lifted her large frame into the pipe. She had to keep her arms tight against her body, but she used her powers to fly down the tube. She popped out at the other end and straightened up in a flood of light from the three headlamps.

"What took you?"

Alice's now green eyes went from Claire to Jill Valentine. She raised an eyebrow at Jill's soft smirk.

Claire shook her head at Jill then pushed past her and studied the utility tunnel. "It's getting late." She cleared her throat after she caught the slight tremble in her voice. She didn't want to face the next part of their mission despite how crucial it was to them.

Alice was grateful to be in the tall and wide space of the utility tunnels. They took her back to Hive, but she put away those old memories. She instead gingerly touched her partner's tense shoulder. "Let's go," she ordered the team. Briefly she squeezed her partner's shoulder then slipped past her.

Claire fell into step after her partner. She sensed Jill and Leon right behind her.

"Go slowly," Alice instructed the team, "keep quiet and search for any wiring we can tap into." She was carefully scanning the tubes, pipes, and hoses around them. She could smell the propane and feel the electrical currents around her. Her skin tingled from the charge in the air.

Claire had her headlamp shining on the overhead pipes and wiring. She pursed her lips and considered their options. She wanted to get this over with as fast as possible. But her focus was broken by Alice's hand on her shoulder to keep her still.

Jill and Leon halted too and noted Alice's hand signal for silence. They both looked ahead for the problem, but they were unsure.

Alice signaled for the team to remain there. She cautiously move forward several steps until she neared a corner, and the tunnel continued to the right or left. She frowned some, but she gazed up at the camera. She already knew it was inactive and the unlit red light confirmed it further. But she still sensed the electricity that was running to it. No doubt the camera was in hibernation until it was activated.

Kneeling down, Alice listened to her senses and stared at the ground in front of her. She looked at the wall to her left and didn't see anything suspicious. But she still wasn't comfortable and reached behind her back. Alice retrieved a flare from her pack and slammed it on the concrete floor. She brought the flare carefully down and smiled at seeing the red laser forming in the smoke. Now she knew what would trigger the camera to life.

Alice waved for the team to come forward, but she silently pointed at the trip laser in their path. She had Claire go first then Jill and Leon. She stepped over the trip last and noted how Claire and Jill were checking out the left route.

"Look," Claire softly told her partner. She drew Alice down the tunnel, which was a dead end.

Alice realized what had peeked Claire and Jill's interests. She took two wide steps to the dead end then reached out and wrapped her long fingers around the box's cover. She ripped it off without any effort.

Claire grinned at seeing the bundle of wires. All they needed to do was find the right one. "Jill, let me see the tablet." She neared her friend, who turned her back to Claire. Hastily, Claire dug out the tablet from Jill's pack along with a small pouch, which she zipped open.

Alice grabbed the wires and felt the electricity pulsing through it. But it wasn't a significant amount like an electrical wire. She was nearly sure it was what they needed to make their next steps smooth. Alice shifted aside when Claire came closer and started hooking into the wires.

Claire used a tool from the pouch to strip several wires of their sheathing. She grinned at seeing the CAT 5 wires and a few fiber optics too. She had Alice hold the tablet, which was nearly done booting up. Claire hastily hooked up to the exposed wires then hooked the other end into the tablet.

"Let's see what we get," Claire murmured. She was physically connected to three wires and started determining what data was in them. She smirked when a camera's feed appeared on the screen. "We got the cameras." She was checking the other connections.

"See if you can find a diagram of the facility," Alice instructed her partner. She'd had her tour of the Houston facility over seven years ago. Most likely it'd changed significantly since then other than major layout of how each department was setup.

"Working on it," Claire murmured.

Jill peered over her friend's shoulder and noted Claire was hooked up to the network. Her face brightly glowed after a white map loaded on the screen. "Nice, Claire."

Claire clicked her tongue once after retrieving a map from Umbrella's server. "So it looks like we're here." She adjusted the tablet into her left hand and pointed at the screen.

Alice was carefully memorizing the map. "There's the underground hangar." She indicated it.

"The labs..." Claire murmured. She zoomed out of the map and took in the larger view.

"Here." Jill touched the screen where the labs were located. She knew them by heart.

"Where's Angie being held?" Alice prompted Jill.

Jill was scanning over the map and had Claire zoom in near the labs. "They had her locked down in a new sector." She was trying to discern what she'd seen a month ago. "The door was built into stone."

"But you didn't go inside," Claire softly reminded her friend.

Jill shook her head in agreement. She tapped the screen on the left side. "I think here."

"Was there a lot of security?" Alice inquired. Now she finally had a visual aid of where Angie was located and needed more details.

"Cameras... guards," Jill recalled. She sighed and admitted, "I don't think the utility tunnels ran down there."

"It's deeper down?" Claire checked. She turned her head sidelong and barely made out Jill's concerned look.

"Like I said," Jill started, "where they have her locked up was cut out of the ground."

Claire frowned and murmured, "Why would Umbrella build a new holding area for her?"

"I don't know," Jill whispered. She was lost too as to why.

Alice was studying the map but listened to the pair. "They're not just holding her there," she concluded. "It's much too large for just one holding cell."

Claire swallowed hard and murmured, "They're holding other projects there." She peered up at her partner. "We have to..." But her words failed at seeing Alice's dark look.

"We don't know if they're human or not... anymore," Alice softly reminded Claire.

Jill brushed away her blond hair after realizing that Alice was right. "Angie is our focus." She looked at Claire's grim features. "We can't be sure what else is down there."

Claire forced herself to accept Jill's thoughts. She couldn't allow herself to lose focus especially when they were so close. "Alright. Then we need to get these bombs in place." She looked at her partner.

Alice solemnly nodded then gently ordered, "Find me a good opening, Claire." She then moved away from the pair while her partner took care of her request. She moved through the small space between them and Leon Kennedy, who had remained behind them. She slung her pack off and started searching through it for something.

Claire fulfilled her partner's request. She knew exactly what they needed and used a combination of the map and cameras. She softly called, "We are golden." She turned around and gazed up at the ceiling.

Alice stood up with a small tool in her hand. "What you got?"

Claire was carefully studying the zoomed in map and did a rough estimate. "I'd say about ten yards from where you're standing is the exact spot." She looked up at the dark ceiling. "A janitor's closet is located there."

Alice grinned and murmured, "Perfect." She swung her pack on then held Jill's gaze and nodded down the tunnel. "Help me, Jill."

Jill shifted around Claire and quickly joined Alice.

"There's a camera sitting opposite from the janitor's closet," Claire explained to the team.

"Can you tap into the camera and feed a loop?" Alice had her arms stretched up, and she inspected the space between the pipes.

"Right here," Jill suggested. She found plenty of room for an opening.

"Give me a minute," Claire called down. She knelt down onto her knees and placed the tablet in her lap. She hastily worked to create an image loop for the camera perched by the janitor's closet.

Alice lifted the black tool, which reflected its Umbrella logo in Jill's headlamp. She switched it on and heard the low hum. Alice carefully aligned the red dot against the ceiling then pulled the trigger.

Jill had to lower her head when the dust particles fell down from the laser cutting through the ceiling. But she kept her hands up in the center as Alice cut around her.

For once, Alice was grateful for a laser despite how many times it'd killed people in the past. She heard the nearly cut opening give way, and she finished the cut.

"Got it," Jill promised. She felt the hefty weight press against her palms. She knelt down and set the thick slab off to the side. She peered up into the hole but couldn't see much because it was still dark.

"Wait here," Alice ordered. She turned off the laser cutter, attached its hook to her belt, and climbed through the opening.

Jill watched Alice until she was gone. She then looked down at Leon, who had been quiet and motionless. She gave a questioning look.

Leon just shrugged in reply.

Jill was becoming more suspicious about Leon, but she held back her questions for him. She instead looked down at Claire. "How's it coming, RC?" She studied the soft glow over her friend's face from the tablet.

"Good," Claire softly murmured.

Jill's attention was drawn back to the opening over her heard. She was suddenly basked in light because Alice had turned on the single light in the janitor's closet.

Alice retrieved her laser cutter then cautiously cut the dead bolt in the thin gap between the door and doorframe. She had turned the laser's intensity down because she worried about over cutting it. She heard the bolt drop after she sliced through it. She turned off her cutter, stowed it on her utility belt, and very cautiously pulled on the door handle. She was pleased when it moved slightly.

Jill relaxed when she saw Alice's okay signal. She looked down at Claire and informed, "We need a target now."

Claire understood the next step of their plan. She started roving through the local cameras where the janitor's closet was located. She watched the Umbrella employees moving through the halls and was surprised there were so many up at this hour. She suspected that the scientists, soldiers, and other employees worked in shifts around the clock. But a particular soldier caught Claire's attention so she followed him with the cameras.

"I got a target," Claire called to Jill. "It's the soldier."

Jill peered up through the hole at Alice. "Soldier target."

Alice nodded then hastened back to the door. She stood against the doorframe and gripped the door handle. She tensely waited for the signal.

Claire watched the target come around the corner and started nearing the janitor's closest. She hastily hit the button to feed a loop into the camera opposite of the janitor's closet. She prayed it worked right. "Now," she ordered Jill.

Jill repeated the order up to Alice, who instantly sprung to life.

Alice flung open the door and wasn't sure whether to expect the soldier in front or next to the janitor's closet. She was pleased to find the soldier has just passed the door. She brought her arm across his neck, under his helmet and kept him from speaking over the radio. With her left hand, she clutched his small radio and yanked it free so that the headphone's plug popped out. Alice forced him into the janitor's closet and shoved him towards the hole.

The soldier gave a surprised cry, but it was muffled by his helmet. He lost his footing and fell over the ledge that crumbled under his boot.

After the soldier was swallowed by the hole, Alice quickly shut the door and set the radio off to the side for later. She waited for her next target.

Jill moved aside after the soldier nearly crashed into her. She glowered at Alice's lack of warning, but it didn't matter right now. She instead found the groaning soldier at her feet, and she had a job to do. She took away his M4 carbine and tossed it aside.

Leon came over and quickly helped Jill subdue the soldier. He retrieved a thick wire tie and locked the soldier's arms behind his back. Leon hastily fastened the soldier's wrists together.

Jill had forced the soldier's broken leg next to his good leg. She then wire tied his ankles together then helped Leon move him away from the opening.

"I have target two," Claire informed Jill.

Jill tossed the soldier aside and scurried back to the opening. "Target two," she told Alice.

Alice nodded then went back to the closed door. Again she prepared to make a move after Jill told her it was clear. She carefully canted her head and smelled an approaching human's lingering scent in the air coming under the door. She knew any second would be her chance.

"Go!" Jill softly called to Alice. She heard the rustling and was glad their second target didn't have a chance to yell. She imagined Alice was unforgiving and swift.

Alice shut the door with her boot then gave a soft grunt after the human elbowed her stomach. But it only caused her to grin. She kept her hand over the human's mouth. Alice became serious when the human reached for something in her white robe. Alice grabbed the human's left wrist and kept the human from setting off an alarm.

"I'll kill you if you can't be still," Alice hissed into the human's ear. But her promise was hollow because soon enough everybody in the facility would be dead. She wasn't sure why she didn't do herself a favor and snap the human's neck.

The scientist finally stopped fighting her captor and instead took in the janitor's closest. She thought her heart would crash after such erratic heartbeats. She then noticed the dark hole in front of her. She shut her eyes when her captor forced her towards it.

Alice hopped into the hole and took the scientist with her. She found Jill next to her and ready to help her with the scientist.

Claire looked up and saw the frightened scientist in Alice's arms. She inwardly sighed, but she viewed any employee of Umbrella was a coward. They had a choice to continue working for Umbrella after the outbreak, and Claire didn't doubt that many did because they were scared to go to the surface.

Jill helped Alice wrestle the scientist down while Leon zipped tied her.

"What you want?" the scientist demanded after the hand left her mouth. But she wasn't answered by any of them. "I can..." She lost her words upon seeing a familiar face. "Project Kill Jill."

Jill was knelt beside the scientist, but she went still after soaking in the woman's familiar face. "You," she harshly hissed. She remembered the scientist that'd been an assistant to the scientist that'd headed Project Kill Jill.

Alice glanced at Jill Valentine, but she quickly retrieved her gun. She slammed the buttstock against the scientist's skull and knocked her out. "We don't have time for reminiscing."

Jill let out a breath and was relieved that Alice had done it. She stood up, stepped around the slumped scientist, and passed the soldier on her way to Claire. "Show me quickly."

Claire obliged and schooled Jill on how to work through the system.

Alice dragged the scientist against the wall then went over to the quiet soldier. She grinned at his black helmet that hid his face. She reached under it, yanked it off, and was greeted by his scared features. "This'll keep your mind off your injured leg." She retracted her left fist then drove it forward and connected it squarely against his face. She lowered her hand and watched him go unconscious.

Claire shortly stood up after going over things with Jill. She hurried over to Alice, who was nearly prepared to go. She went over to the scientist and first removed the lab coat.

"We're placing nine bombs," Jill reminded the team. She removed her headlamp because it was too bright against the tablet. She took off her pack. "Claire, you have three. Alice has four." She dug out a small earbug, switched it on, and started working it into her right ear. "The gamma shift has already started at midnight."

Claire checked that she had the three small bombs in her pant pockets. She set her utility belt next to her red vest, pack, and weapons. She truly disliked doing this with only one gun, but she didn't have many options. She faced her partner and softly grinned. "Did you use to wear that when you worked for Umbrella?"

Alice jerked the padded jacket down after zipping it up. She already had on the soldier's reinforced pants that were a slightly snug fit, but it would do. On her covered shoulders were Umbrella's distinct logo. "I did," Alice admitted. She'd put on the uniform with old habit.

Claire tilted her head and remarked, "You do look good uniform."

Alice smirked and replied, "Minus the Umbrella symbol." She turned and retrieved two packaged cloths from her pack. "Here."

Claire accepted the sealed wet cloth, which she tore open. She hastily wiped her face down, neck, and hands so that the dirt was gone.

Alice mimicked her partner despite she'd be well hidden by the uniform and helmet. She just wasn't keen on smelling the sewers on herself after she put on the helmet. "Try not to be anymore than thirty minutes."

Claire nodded and was working on putting a bug into her right ear. Once it was seated right in her ear, she tested and heard Jill respond to her. She bent over and picked up the lab coat then put it on.

Alice put the bug in her left ear and then hooked the earpiece from the soldier's radio into her right ear. She had it clipped right and let the wire dangle down until she had the radio. For good measure, she checked that she had the small bombs on her.

Claire clenched her hands a few times. She was nervous.

Alice focused on her worried partner. She offered a soft smile and straightened out Claire's collar. She then lifted the ID badge that was clipped to the white coat. She studied the scientist's face and the name printed on it in bold letters. "Keep this faced backwards," she instructed to Claire.

Claire peered down at the scientist's badge. She curiously peered up at her partner.

"The cameras can scan it," Alice explained. She turned it around so that the black strip on the back was only visible. "Plus you don't want anybody matching up her face with yours."

"Got it," Claire whispered.

Alice's confident smile returned. "You'll do fine," she softly promised. "If you need me..."

Claire dipped her head in understanding. She finally mirrored her partner's smile and encouraged, "Let's blow this joint."

Alice chuckled at her partner's smartass pun. She then called down to Jill to set them up properly. Next she helped Claire climb through the hole into the lit closet above them. She hefted herself through once Claire was out of the way.

Leon picked up the soldier's carbine and helmet then passed them up to Claire.

Alice first hooked the radio to her side and plugged in the microphone. She checked the squelch and volume then finally put on her helmet. She dug the black gloves out from her back pocket, put them on, and velcroed them snuggly against her wrists. Claire held out the carbine to her, and Alice felt ready now.

Leon remained under the hole, but his focus was on Jill. He waited for the signal and quickly alerted Alice and Claire that it was clear now.

Claire stepped out of the janitor's closet first then Alice was right behind her. She stole a glance at the camera on the opposite wall. She noted its red light. But she knew Jill had taken care of it for them.

Alice briefly touched her partner's lower back in silent assurance. She caught Claire's wink then they went opposite ways. She headed in the direction that the soldier had originally came from before Alice had snatched him. She adjusted the carbine's strap on her shoulder and confidently strolled through the halls of Umbrella.

"Alice, you're coming up to an intersection," Jill reported over the earpiece. "You want to go right."

Alice quickly turned the corner and nearly ran into a scientist. But she just nodded at him then continued on her way. She passed three other soldiers, who gave her acknowledgement too.

"Alice," Jill informed, "There's an elevator at the next right turn. Go to it and go down two floors. That'll put you right in front of the underground hangar."

Alice entered the elevator lobby and hit the down button. She waited patiently until the elevator on the left opened up for her. She stepped aside when two men in suits went by her. She entered the elevator and hit the second floor. She grinned at the thought of entering the hangar shortly. It was one of their key locations to place two bombs so that it'd make Umbrella's escape difficult to impossible.

"There'll be soldiers there," Jill explained to Alice. "But your badge will get you through."

Alice grumbled and softly asked, "Where the Hell is my badge in this monkey suite?" She never recalled such a thing when she wore a uniform.

"It's a microchip sewn into the uniform," Jill explained.

Alice rolled her eyes and decided Umbrella couldn't be dumber, but it made her mission easier. "How's Claire making out?"

Jill Valentine studied the map on the tablet and noted the other blinking dot. "She's approaching the labs now." She then switched over to Claire's frequency and reported, "Claire, you're in front of the labs' entrance. You'll need to use the badge to enter it." Jill glanced up from the tablet after she heard a groan from the unconscious soldier. She noted that Leon was keeping careful eye on the Umbrella soldier and scientist. She peered down at Claire's blinking dot on the tablet and wondered why Claire hadn't gone forward. "Come on, RC," she murmured.

Claire Redfield clenched her hands and continued staring warily at the glass windows that overlooked the labs. She licked her dry lips, and her attention was drawn to the metal door that slid open.

A scientist was exiting the lab. He warmly smiled at Claire despite he didn't recognize her. "Evening," he pleasantly greeted.

Claire nodded and watched him go past. She tried fathoming how he could be in good spirits when the world above was in Hell. She shook it off then approached the sealed door. She retrieved the badge, flashed it by the scanner, and was relieved when the door opened up. When she released the badge, she made sure its front faced her chest.

Lab techs and scientists didn't notice Claire Redfield or only gave her a quick glance with a mixture of welcoming and curiosity. Claire kept calm on the outside as she strolled down the ramp into the lab. She had to act like one of them.

"Go deeper into the labs," Jill softly spoke in Claire's ear. "You need to plant that bomb in a central location to make sure we get it all."

Claire brushed her hair behind her left ear despite she wanted to do it on her right. She flashed a warm smile at a man that passed her.

"How are you?" the lab tech inquired.

Claire tried pretending it was a normal day back before the outbreak. She could tell these people had no concept of the real world beyond them. "Good thanks." She took it as an opportunity. "I'm a bit new here," she admitted to him.

The lab tech grinned and put his hands on his coat pockets. "I kind of thought so. Where are you assigned to?"

"Project Tyrant," Jill hastily told Claire.

Claire placed her own hands in her lab coat. "Project Tyrant."

The lab tech nodded and offered, "I'll walk you there." He had a clipboard in hand. He guided the newcomer through the maze of labs, testing rooms, and surgical rooms. "My name is John." He gave his best smile to the beautiful woman.

Claire took a deep breath and fell into her role. "I'm Kelly." She tried acting interested in him. "Have you been here long?"

"I feel like I came with the company," John joked.

Claire nodded then made a right turn at the next corridor. "I started about a year before..." She faltered bringing up the outbreak.

"Before the cleansing," John helped. He could tell that the scientist was nervous to be here, but he assumed that transferring to the Houston facility probably was traumatic. He hadn't been above ground and hadn't met anybody that had until now.

Claire weakly smiled and murmured, "Yes... the cleansing." She cleared her throat after being hit hard by what Umbrella called the outbreak. She toyed with her red hair then looked at her guide. "We can't be much further."

"Just down this hall," John assured. He was about to say more until he was cut off.

"I can find my way from here." Claire wanted to be away from his ignorance. She gave another fake smile and insisted, "Thank you for your help." But her body jumped when he touched her on the shoulder, gently. She faced him and fought not to shove him off.

"If you're free after the shift," John started, "I could show you around the facility." He released her and quickly added, "Maybe have breakfast together."

Claire fought not to let her eyebrows hike up at being offered an informal date. She'd wasted plenty of time fending off men during and after high school. "Thanks but I'm kind of worn out from my trip here." She attempted leaving again until John grabbed her arm this time. She clenched her hands in the coat's pockets.

"How about dinner tomorrow night?" John had a warm smile.

Claire faced him again and darkly smiled after gathering her answer. "Listen, I'm already seeing somebody." Then when John opened his mouth, she hastily cut him off. "And I don't think she'd like you hitting on me." She was smug at his gawk. She finally stepped away from him and casually offered, "Thank you for the help."

John stood rooted there for a moment before his racing mind released his body. He couldn't believe that such a beautiful woman was taken by another woman. He shook it off and headed back to his assigned lab.

Claire heard him leave. She shook her head in disbelief and muttered, "You'd never know the world is in Hell by how these people act."

"Amazing, isn't it?" Jill replied in her ear.

Claire sighed but flashed a smile at two lab techs. She noted the project names posted above the doors. She wasn't sure she was ready for the one called Project Tyrant.

"You're in a central spot, Claire." Jill was studying Claire's location relative to the lab. "I'd duck into a lab and plant the bomb."

Claire hadn't expected this to be so easy. She continued strolling down the long hallway that reminded her of a hospital. She noted an open and lit room so she entered it. She was grateful that it was indeed empty so she went over to the padded chair that was in the center.

After a quick scan, it was obvious that lab was used for testing human subjects. One wall had a mirror that most likely was one-way. Next to the padded chair was different equipment, but they were shut off. After closer observation, Claire noted the heavy duty straps attached to the chair and knew subjects were probably held down by force.

Claire bit her bottom lip and imagined her partner and Jill had probably faced such fate. She swallowed down the vile anger that clawed up her throat. She instead reached into her coat and dug out a bomb. This was indeed a perfect spot. She ran her thumb over a switch to turn it online then planted it underneath the padded chair where it wouldn't be seen.

"Can I help you?"

Claire calmly reacted and faced the woman behind her. "Hi," she greeted. She took in the scientist's rather cautious yet inquisitive look. "I transferred here yesterday." She shifted away from the padded chair and slipped her hands back into the lab coat pockets. She realized the other woman was quite young, probably in her earlier twenties.

The scientist approached the newcomer to the facility. "Where are you assigned?" She glanced at the reversed badge then peered up again. "What's your name?"

Claire warmly smiled and replied, "I'm Kelly." She offered her hand to the scientist. "Kelly Abernathy." She took in the scientist's long, golden hair and slim features. She estimated she was a couple of inches shorter than the scientist.

The scientist hesitated but took the hand and found a confident grip. "I'm Doctor Alexia Ashford."

Claire grinned at the fact that Alexia had to emphasize her position as a doctor. "It's nice to meet you." Alexia's last name wasn't lost on Claire, but she remained friendly.

Alexia visibly relaxed due to Claire's pleasant manners. "I'm the Senior Chief Researcher for Umbrella."

"Claire," Jill softly spoke, "be careful around her. She's incredibly intelligent and could see through you."

Claire put her hand back in her coat. She heeded Jill's soft warning in her ear. "Yes, that's what I hear." She decided to dig deeper and tempted, "Your Alfred Ashford's sister if I'm not mistaken?"

Alexia softened at hearing her brother's name. "Yes... he's my twin." She mimicked putting her hands into her coat pockets. "And the CEO... of course."

Claire chuckled and gave a shrug as if Alfred Ashford's position meant little to her. "I've heard a lot about your project," she smoothly lied.

Alexia showed her pride but grew curious again. "I take it you're not assigned to my project?"

Claire took a wild stab at it and shook her head. "I'm assigned to Project Tyrant."

Alexia's head bobbed and commented, "That's one of the longest running projects and the most successful for Umbrella." She furrowed her eyebrows. "What facility did you transfer from?"

"Miami," Claire replied.

Alexia nodded and mentioned, "I never did make it to Miami before the cleansing." She was rather relaxed now and offered a smile for the first time. "Are you here permanently?"

Claire shook her head and replied, "I'm afraid only temporarily... to help with Project Tyrant."

"They have been short handed," Alexia murmured. "Many scientists have been moved to another project." She took a step aside and offered, "Are you headed to Project Tyrant?"

Claire shook her head and mentioned, "I was taking my lunch break." She shifted closer to the Chief Researcher. "Perhaps you can join me?" If she was right, she knew that Alexia would refuse because Alexia's project was far more important.

Alexia Ashford visibly struggled with the offer. She softly sighed and replied, "I'm needed at the project." She sometimes disliked the demands of her position, but she'd taken the responsibilities with full pleasure, in the beginning. "Perhaps you're free for a date after the gamma shift?"

Claire stiffened at the sudden shift. She hadn't expected Alexia's interests to be focused on her rather than what she was doing earlier. "I..." She knew she was about to stumble over her words.

Alexia grinned at the older woman's sudden flush. She figured her modest attempt was worth it, and she concluded Claire was definitely gay. "That is if you're... free," Alexia emphasized her last word.

Claire managed to regain her composure and decided it was best to go with it. She didn't need the CEO's sister discovering her true nature. "I'd be quite interested." Heat rushed through her body when Alexia Ashford edged into her personal space.

Alexia had a smile that lit up her features. "I would enjoy that." She quickly moved away and started for the open door. Her hands came out of pockets and hooked behind her back on her stroll to the door.

"Do you welcome all your temps so warmly?" Claire played. She joined Alexia on the stroll to the door. She was relieved that Alexia hadn't asked why she was in the room.

Alexia paused in the doorway but faced the older woman. "Only the beautiful women," she softly revealed.

Claire grinned in response and quietly teased, "You won't welcome anymore after me." She easily slipped past Doctor Ashford and was glad for the public space. But she swore she heard a low snicker in her ear and wrote it off as Jill.

Alexia Ashford kept her eyes on the beautiful redhead that was captivating her quite quickly. She gave Kelly Abernathy a devilish smile but couldn't think of a smooth reply. She was too caught up in Kelly's sexy smile.

"Goodnight, Doctor Ashford," Claire purred. She turned down the hall and started her escape.

"See you soon," Alexia murmured to herself. She watched the other scientist until she was gone around the next turn. She was amazed by Kelly's beauty and personality. She was use to employees being very standoffish and removed from her. But Kelly was very different and greatly intrigued Alexia. She felt a draw towards Kelly and hoped to learn more later. But right now she was needed at Project Veronica.

Claire sighed after safely getting away from Alexia Ashford. "Thanks for the laugh, Jill," she muttered under her breath when she was alone in the hallway.

"You did great, RC... you blew her away."

Claire smirked at Jill's remark and was glad to be leaving the labs. The other two locations would be simpler than the labs.

"The mess hall is next," Jill reminded her friend. "Once you leave the lab, make a left and head that way."

Claire exited the lab and made the left down the hallway. She resisted looking through the lab windows at all the people. She couldn't let herself feel any sympathy for them. She kept her head tipped down just so the cameras would have a harder time scanning her face. Alice had already told her the cameras could do a random facial match but couldn't perform one if Claire had her face shielded. For once, her long hair came in handy.

"Take the next right then an immediate left. You'll come to an elevator lobby. The mess hall is on the fifth floor up." Jill observed the blue blink representing Claire beside the elevators. She flicked over to the camera in the elevator lobby and saw Claire's face fairly well. "Keep your head down," she instructed her friend.

Claire bowed her head, which caused her hair to fall around her profile. She reached up and scratched her nose like a nervous tick. "How's Alice?" Her bond kept her better informed about Alice's emotions and distance, but she certainly couldn't discern how far Alice was with her mission.

"She's planted two bombs and working on the third now," Jill replied. "She's doing fine, RC." She didn't want her friend worrying about Alice, who could handle herself fine.

Claire moved forward when the middle elevator opened up. She found two others in the elevator. One was a soldier, whose face was hidden behind a helmet. But Claire's bond told her it wasn't Alice. She took a spot in front of the two and faced the sealed doors. She quickly recalled to hit the fifth floor.

The elevator ride was fast and silent too. Claire was glad to get off and stepped into a large lobby that was peppered with lounge chairs, plants, and different stands that offered drinks and snacks. She nearly goggled at the luxury laid out around her. To her left was the entrance to the dining hall.

Claire was captivated by it and strolled over to the large forum meant to relax employees. She casually crossed through it and surveyed it all. She counted at least fifty people at tables talking or played chess. Some were relaxing in a sofas and enjoyed a good book.

"RC, the mess hall is behind you," Jill ordered.

Claire ignored her friend and finally came to the railing on the opposite side. She was fixated on the glass windows far past the railing. She was briefly mystified by the city lights beyond the glass windows. For a long minute, Claire stared at the city lights and distinctly heard a few car horns then a distant police siren. Slowly her jaw loosened once she realized the degree that Umbrella went to so that their employees not only felt but believed that the world was still alive.

"Claire, you need to keep moving," Jill fought. There was a twinge of concern in her voice.

Claire lowered her eyes over the railing and stared down at the seeming ground floor far below. She glared at the Umbrella symbol staring back up at her.

Several dozen Umbrella employees crossed the mosaic threshold of the Umbrella symbol. They were either headed in or out of the large entrance that led to the residential sector of the facility. There were over three thousand employees that worked in the facility and that didn't include the military sector.

"Claire?" Jill snapped.

Claire shook her head and briefly closed her eyes. "I'm here." She drew away from the rail and started back to the dining hall.

Jill was relieved and instructed, "Try to plant the device as close to the kitchen as possible. We need that explosion to hit the propane."

Claire silently agreed and entered the busy dining hall. She went to her left after assessing that was where the food was located. She had to ignore her stomach's keen interest in the wonderful smells. She picked up a tray and entered a food line. She toyed with her tray but carefully studied the different food locations. She noted there was Mexican, Chinese, Italian, Southern style, and All-American food. But the flames at the All-American stand captured her attention so she beelined to it.

There was no challenge for Claire to mount the bomb under the counter at the All-American food stand. She chose it after seeing a chef grilling burgers and hot dogs. Claire turned away after enjoying the smell of fresh burgers. She felt disgusted by how the humans could remain here while the world suffered so badly. Despite Umbrella offered the lies, it was the employee's choice to accept the lies.

"Next is the residential sector," Jill informed. "You're almost done, RC."

Claire was relieved to hear it too. She wanted to complete her mission then return to the utility tunnels with Alice and Jill. She slid her hands back into her pockets and dipped her head on her way out of the dining hall.

"Where's Alice now?" Claire softly checked.

Jill Valentine switched from camera mode to the map. "She's just leaving the barracks." She watched Claire's movements and informed, "Go to your right, and you'll see an escalator to go down to the foray below. Go straight ahead into the residential sector." Her eyes flickered over to Alice's location on the map. She tapped the radio's channel to Alice. "Claire is almost done, Alice. You'll need to pick up the pace to meet her."

Alice widened her gait, but she didn't want to look like she was in a rush. "How far is the armory?"

"Another five minutes," Jill estimated. She paused and looked up from the tablet when she heard Leon moving around. She watched him shove the soldier back down. She considered why Leon just didn't knock him out again.

Alice turned the corner then climbed a flight of stairs. She recalled this area from her tour from years ago. She paused in front of the locked door, which promptly released once Alice was close enough. She slipped through the door and immediately she was drawn to the heavy steel doors that two guards were posted in front of. She highly doubted the soldier's uniform that she stole would give her access to the armory. But she didn't need it either.

Alice marched towards the armory, which was at the end of the hall but another corridor was off to the right. She briskly nodded at the guards then went to her right. It was a short hallway that turned to the left and followed alongside the armory. Alice walked close to the left wall because the armory was on the other side. She only needed to cave in the halls so that the soldiers couldn't access the armory during the chaos.

"Right there, Alice," Jill suddenly spoke up. "You're between the cameras."

Alice reached to her side, extracted a bomb from a pouch on her hip, and turned it on. She took another step after spotting a fire extinguisher box recessed into the wall. She grinned, jerked the glass door open, and tucked the bomb in it. She shut the door just before she heard approaching footfall of at least six soldiers. Alice slipped away and continued down the hallway. She needed to hurry back to the utility tunnel before she was late.

The journey through the many sectors was long, but Alice quickly covered it. She grew less tense as her bond with Claire excited her. Alice skin warmly burned as she approached an elevator lobby and an elevator door opened up.

Claire Redfield strolled out of the elevator and briefly paused in the lobby. She stared at the helmeted soldier only a few yards away. Claire turned on her heels and went down the left hallway that would take her back to the janitor's closet.

The soldier stayed a few paces behind Claire.

"The loop is playing," Jill informed Claire. "You're good to go."

Claire visually scanned her surroundings, but it was just her and the soldier behind her. She approached the janitor's closet and opened the door. She held it and allowed the soldier to enter first then she followed next. She carefully shut it and let out a relieved sigh after leaning her forehead against the cool door. But a warm hand on her shoulder made her turn around and face her beautiful partner.

"I hear you have a date in the morning."

Claire's lips pulled with a grin at hearing the thin layer of jealousy in her partner's voice. "Yes, I hope I don't miss it." She removed the lab coat and tossed it aside.

Alice grunted and placed the helmet on the floor near a broom. "Am I invited?"

Claire chuckled and moved over to her partner. She huskily replied, "I didn't know you were into that kind of thing." She placed a soft kiss to Alice's flushed cheek.

Alice yanked free the Umbrella earpiece then peered down at her partner. She smirked and murmured, "In a previous life." She was removing the gloves and mentioned, "That's a funny thing about these viruses." She tossed the gloves into the upturned helmet. "They redefine monogamy."

Claire softly hummed and narrowed her eyes in curiosity. She didn't quite follow Alice's thoughts.

"Once I pick a blood partner," Alice softly explained, "it's for life."

Claire was surprised by Alice's confession and hadn't considered that aspect. She made a mental note to ask Alice more about it later. She gazed down at the hole.

Alice agreed with her partner and suggested, "We need to move." She was digging out a last item from a pocket in her pant leg. "Go first while I switch on this repeater."

Claire refocused on the mission and stepped over to the hole. She sat down then carefully slid into it.

Alice switched on the tiny device that would serve as an trigger echo for when she initiated the bombs. She concluded the janitor's closet was in a central location to activate all the bombs in unison. She stretched up and slapped the repeater on the wall above the door. She then followed Claire's cold path back into the utility tunnel.

The team's next objective was to adhere several bombs in the utility tunnels. Then they would find Angie Ashford, which caused a nervous knot in Alice's stomach. She wasn't sure what to expect from Angie, but she certainly didn't imagine a warm greeting after their history. Alice had to rely on Jill's relationship with Angie for their rescue to work out right.

Continued.