Copyright: Capcom owns the Resident Evil franchise, not me.
Notices: This story contains violence and sexual content. Additionally, this story will contain grammatical or other errors. If you're feverish over the errors, feel free to privately message me about what you find and help me improve.
Summary: The Earth is flourishing, happily. But humans are endangered and on the verge of extinction after the greedy corporation Umbrella knowingly releases a viral plague. Small human civilizations survive including a moving convoy led by the strong Claire Redfield. Her solitary world turns upside down when she meets an infuriating yet mysterious woman named Alice. Claire soon learns about an underground survivor camp through Alice and heads there. However, Claire begins to secretly fear losing K-Mart, who has become her only source of strength over the years.
Feedback: redhope@redhope.net
Homepage: http://www.redhope.net
Write a Review: http://www.redhope.net/residentevil/review/oneshotform.html
List: http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/redhope/
Started: November 11, 2011
Series: One Shot
Copyright: Capcom owns the Resident Evil franchise, not me.
Notices: This story contains violence and sexual content. Additionally, this story will contain grammatical or other errors. If you're feverish over the errors, feel free to privately message me about what you find and help me improve.
Summary: The Earth is flourishing, happily. But humans are endangered and on the verge of extinction after the greedy corporation Umbrella knowingly releases a viral plague. Small human civilizations survive including a moving convoy led by the strong Claire Redfield. Her solitary world turns upside down when she meets an infuriating yet mysterious woman named Alice. Claire soon learns about an underground survivor camp through Alice and heads there. However, Claire begins to secretly fear losing K-Mart, who has become her only source of strength over the years.
Feedback: redhope@redhope.net
Homepage: http://www.redhope.net
Write a Review: http://www.redhope.net/residentevil/review/oneshotform.html
List: http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/redhope/
Started: November 11, 2011
Series: One Shot
Trigon
by Red Hope
Chapter 17
Mikey slapped the small desk space next to his keyboard. "Bloody Hell. See?" He spun in his chair, which was bolted down to the van's floor. "It doesn't matter what I code."
Claire nearly spoke but her senses prickled and drew her attention out of the open doors. She spotted Alice emerging from the early dusk light. Staying rather passive, she dipped her head at Alice in silent greeting.
Alice took two wide steps then gracefully launched into the van next to Claire. She noted Mikey's aggravated features then smelled Claire's frustration thick in the air. "You're still not linking up," she deduced.
Mikey didn't confirm it and defaulted to the convoy leader. His eyes steadily on Claire, who was attempting to have any personal space from Alice in the confines of the van.
"No," Claire softly admitted, annoyance bright in her eyes.
Mikey received the silent okay to keep talking about the GPS uplink problem. "Each time I get back in, I get blocked again within three to five minutes." He drew his fingers through his disheveled blond locks. "It's like playing a game of chess and getting checkmate every time."
Alice slotted her eyes then asked, "Exactly what are you using the GPS uplink for?"
Again, Mikey cautiously eyed Claire Redfield until he received a very faint nod of approval. He focused on Alice and explained, "At regular intervals my software scans what's around us."
Alice's lips slowly thinned as she considered Mikey's use of the GPS uplink. "Then you're not simply using it for directions and navigation."
"Hardly," Mikey replied. He leaned back into the seat. "I get real time... live feed from the satellites and can see what's around us."
Alice now understood that Mikey had the ability to access real time satellite imagery from Umbrella's system. She was amazed by his skill to get past Umbrella's security, until now. She looked at Claire. "That's how you know."
Claire bit her bottom lip for a second then nodded. "The perimeter cameras are just... backup." However, now the cameras would become a primary defense without Mikey's scanning software. She put away her thoughts and looked at Mikey. "Keep trying tonight."
Mikey sighed but nodded. He didn't think he could break through Umbrella's suddenly inspired security system. But he wouldn't give up until Claire told him otherwise. Set on his task, he turned in his chair to the monitor.
Claire trailed her eyes over to Alice's thoughtful features.
Alice focused on the convoy leader and knew not to speak here in front of Mikey. She instead twisted on her heels and silently left the news van.
Claire followed suit then was compelled to pursue Alice away from any ears of the survivors. She and Alice came alongside the forgotten theatre and were somewhat cloaked in the beginnings of nighttime. She dug her heels into the gentle rise of the embankment once she faced Alice.
"Umbrella doesn't want you seeing what they're doing," Alice quietly guessed.
Claire fiddled with her hat brim and considered the truth behind Alice's hypothesis. It was a very damn good one too. If that were the case then most likely Umbrella was preparing for something.
"This could get ugly, Claire," Alice whispered.
The leader gazed over at the theatre and slipped her hands into her vest pockets. "I know," she finally admitted. She swallowed hard. "I feel like..." She hesitated then looked at Alice. "We're being watched from all around us."
Alice didn't smell anything unusual in the breezes, but she wasn't sure how far she could pick up undead scents. She analyzed Claire features and realized it was the first time that Alice saw traces of fear from the convoy leader.
"Some part of me just wants to load up in the truck," Claire murmured, "With you and K-Mart and get the Hell out of here." Claire felt so wrong for wanting to leave the convoy like a sacrificial pig for the slaughter. But K-Mart was always her priority and now Alice somehow slipped into that place too. To Claire, the damn valley felt like a pending bloodbath for the convoy.
Claire's confession was unexpected and mirrored Alice's own wishes. Alice stepped closer to Claire but didn't touch. "I know... and I know you won't do it."
Claire bowed her head and hated being so obvious to Alice. But it was true that she wouldn't abandon her post as the convoy leader.
"Listen," Alice softly started, "I can patrol all night. Then at daybreak we should move on."
Claire lifted her head then gave a thin frown. "I can setup shifts so that-"
"I don't need the sleep," Alice cut in. "I only need three hours a day. I can get that in the truck tomorrow." She looked over her shoulder towards the convoy. "If word spreads about the GPS uplink being lost then the survivors could panic."
Claire fully agreed that once she told her managers about the problem then it'd trickle down quickly to the rest of the convoy.
"Does Carlos know?" Alice checked.
Claire shook her head then tugged on her hat. "I told Mikey to keep it to himself."
Alice could tell that the leader had thought it through already. She struggled not to make any physical contact with Claire. She was use to being affectionate once she cared about somebody. But being allowed to touch K-Mart wasn't the same situation with Claire.
"Let me patrol," Alice softly encouraged. She could see Claire weighing it.
Claire was having a hard time making a choice. She knew that Alice could hold her own and that's what Claire was unknowingly starting to rely upon lately. She also debated whether it was better to have Alice with her and K-Mart in the truck versus Alice roaming around the dangerous perimeter through the night. She shut her eyes once she realized how selfish her desires were to have Alice in the truck, protecting them instead of the convoy.
Not able to control her urges anymore, Alice took Claire's hand into hers and was relieved when her attempt wasn't refused. She found hesitant green eyes opening and spoke what Claire couldn't voice aloud. Alice squeezed the cooler hand in hers and assured, "I won't be far from you and K-Mart."
"Just..." Claire swallowed hard before finishing her thoughts. "Just do me a favor and take a radio and guns." She held Alice's beautiful blue eyes with her own. She waited for a response and wasn't disappointed by Alice's slow smirk coming to life. Feeling exposed that moment wasn't enough to describe how Claire really felt in front of Alice.
"I will," Alice promised. Her grin melted away, and she became serious again.
Claire wasn't sure why she let Alice hold her hand. Even worse was the fact she hadn't released Alice's hand. She redirected her concerns by asking, "Where is K-Mart?"
"In the truck until dinner," Alice softly replied. She could tell the leader was considering something.
Claire stared off to the right. Several things were running wild through her head, especially about the conversation in the pump house earlier.
Alice easily sensed it and tilted her head. She carefully tempted fate and murmured, "K-Mart is just trying-"
"I know," Claire sharply cut off. She locked her icy stare on Alice. "You don't have to explain K-Mart to me."
Alice released a low breath after Claire made her point. She instead attempted another tactic that was far more dangerous. "I remember what it was like." She watched the confusion drift across Claire's face. "To be like you."
Claire shook her head and dangerously whispered, "Don't." A bitter tremble thickened her single warning.
Alice dipped her head in understanding and instead squeezed Claire's hand.
The convoy leader was reminded of the contact and allowed their hands to slip free. She took a side step then ordered, "We need to talk to K-Mart about tonight."
Alice turned around as the leader brushed past her. Briefly Alice considered how she'd become a part of the relationship, and it gave her hope. Admiration towards Claire started building in Alice because despite the fights and differences, Claire was valuing Alice's place in the relationship. For most humans, it'd been easier to push Alice aside and keep her outside of the triangle. But Claire Redfield wasn't like other humans.
Claire continued towards the camp and was uneasy when Alice didn't follow. Perhaps she'd made a bad decision in pulling Alice into things. However her hidden concerns were dashed when Alice returned at her side, and they went directly to the yellow F-350 between the tanker and bus.
K-Mart was seated on the rear bench, hunkered down, flashlight on, and knees pressed into the back of the front seat. She was reading her latest book so she could get away from today's upsets. The exciting storyline took her pretty far away until the doors on either side of her opened. K-Mart was shaken for a moment until she absorbed Alice coming in the rear left door.
At the front passenger door, Claire Redfield climbed in and slammed the heavy truck door. She noted the teen dog earring the book. Most likely the expressions on her and Alice's faces were rather telling right now.
K-Mart didn't know whether to sink lower in hiding or straighten up in preparation. It was hard to say what the pair had on their minds, but it was serious. She opted to sit up and shifted the book into her lap from her knees. "What's up?" She flicked off the flashlight.
Claire was positioned in front with her knees into the seat and chest pressed against the seatback. She grabbed her hat brim and pulled down on it. From a quick glance, she noted that Alice was situated in the seat beside K-Mart. "Mikey still hasn't reestablished an uplink with the satellites."
Now K-Mart felt like sinking down after such worrisome news. "Absolutely no luck?" Alice's voice drew her head to the left.
"He can get on for short periods of time before he's blocked by Umbrella again."
K-Mart shook her head and guessed, "Umbrella is blocking us for a reason."
"We're thinking they're doing it because they're planning another attack," Claire quietly told her friend.
K-Mart blew out a low breath then reminded, "All of the attacks have been during the daytime."
Claire hadn't considered that part, but it was true. During the day, the convoy was on the road and the GPS uplink rarely in use, along with Mikey's security program. Claire watched how K-Mart slightly paled at what everything was adding up to for the convoy.
"They're going to attack tonight," K-Mart guessed, and panic filled her features.
"We can't be sure," Alice fought. She heard her lover's heartbeat notching up each second. "But it is possible."
"We should leave," K-Mart suggested. She looked at the convoy leader.
But Claire shook her head and argued, "If we do that then we'll be less prepared for a fight." She narrowed her eyes. "The convoy is better off making a stand here."
"Does Carlos know?" K-Mart inquired. Claire's headshake made K-Mart look down and think about tonight.
"Nobody but us and Mikey know that the GPS uplink is down," Claire explained to the teen. She found hesitant amber eyes on her that glowed from the moonlight pouring into the truck. "We're not telling the managers... nobody."
K-Mart parted her lips but failed to say anything. If the survivors found out then chaos could possibly set in and make it far worse.
"I'm going to patrol all night." Alice touched K-Mart's closest knee.
K-Mart didn't much like the idea of Alice being alone when undead could attack them at any moment. But before she could voice her opinion, Claire was talking again.
"If we are attacked and it's fucking ugly," Claire told, "Then we are leaving."
K-Mart felt she understood exactly who that consisted of, but she couldn't quite believe it. "We... as in you, me, and Alice?" After Claire's low nod, she began absorbing what the meant to the convoy, which included her friends like Mikey, Johnny, and Otto. She shook her head and whispered, "Claire, we can't just..." She lost her argument once Claire's expression went cold.
The convoy leader reached out and snared K-Mart's wrist. "I know you can't... but I can." She slid her hand up until their hands locked together. "Your life far outweighs all these survivors put together." However, Claire held her silence about Alice's uneasy place between them despite they all knew Alice's growing importance.
K-Mart fought against the sting in her eyes. But the squeeze against her knee made her recall that Alice was still comforting her. She dropped her gaze from Claire's fierce expression.
Claire tried softening some. Yet it was a struggle because protecting K-Mart was first, second was leading the convoy. "If there's an attack," she intensely whispered, "You are to stay in the truck."
K-Mart nodded and continued staring down.
Alice removed her hand then reached over and lifted K-Mart's head. She gently pulled until she had K-Mart's eyes fixed on her. "We have to know you'll be safe, K-Mart."
"I know," K-Mart muttered. "I'll stay put." But she planned to get out of the truck if undead swarmed her. Most likely Claire would make sure that didn't happen since the truck was their escape method.
Alice reached higher and stroked the teen's burning cheek. She then looked over at Claire, who was still holding K-Mart's hand.
"What are your plans tonight?" the convoy leader inquired after some silence.
K-Mart knew that question was meant for her. She looked at the leader and answered, "Dinner... maybe visit with Mikey."
Claire considered this because she'd set Mikey to work on the GPS uplink tonight. "If you do visit with Mikey, just tell him I said he can take a break."
K-Mart dipped her head in understanding.
Claire squeezed her friend's hand before letting go. "Keep your radio and Glock on you tonight." She glanced over at Alice and ordered, "I wanna see you before you begin patrol." Opening the door, she climbed out and didn't wait for responses. She had duties to perform before it became any later.
K-Mart sighed after the door slammed shut. She continued staring at the book in her lap and struggled with accepting Claire's plans if an ugly attack happened tonight. "I always thought the convoy was the most important thing to her."
Alice canted her head and listened to the teen. As she studied K-Mart's profile, she felt the same confusion that was in K-Mart.
"I guess some... tiny part of me was jealous about that." K-Mart shrugged and admitted, "It's no different than how I felt about my mom and her job." She tapped her fingers against the soft book. "But now knowing otherwise..." She peered up at Alice finally. "Knowing if it's bad enough that she'll abandon the convoy just to save me... I'm not sure how I feel about it."
"You are her source, K," Alice softly explained. "Can you fault her for wanting to protect you?"
K-Mart lowered her eyes and considered her response. "Can't I? Is my life worth all these people's lives?"
"In Claire's mind, yes," Alice murmured. She hesitated but admitted, "I would do the same as her."
K-Mart sighed and bowed her head. She stared distantly at the book in her lap.
"What would you do to save Claire's life?" Alice whispered. "What's it worth to you?"
K-Mart shut her eyes once she understood what Alice was trying to make her see. Perhaps she was Claire's source but for K-Mart, Claire had become her foundation in life when there was nobody else. If Claire abandoned her then she wasn't sure she could continue life.
"Scary thought huh?" Alice murmured. She leaned closer to K-Mart and placed her hand against her lover's warm stomach.
Natural desire caused K-Mart to shift into Alice's body. A chill traveled down her back once Alice's rather warm hand slipped under her shirt. Alice's affection was hard to ignore and even harder not to reciprocate. K-Mart rested her side into Alice's warmer and stronger body that carried the T-virus.
Nothing about Alice scared K-Mart and that alone filled a gap in Alice that'd long been there. Alice drew K-Mart closer to her body. She related to the teen's concerns about Claire. Despite K-Mart had been around Claire the longest between them, Alice could understand things about Claire that K-Mart may never totally grasp. Alice and Claire shared a darkness that K-Mart had once seen from a distance. But Alice and Claire lived through it and continued to do so nearly every day. They both had caged beasts close to their hearts.
K-Mart rested her temple against her lover's chest. The soft skin felt good to K-Mart and calmed her worries, almost. She shut her eyes and murmured, "What if Umbrella won't stop until all of us are dead?"
"It's possible," Alice whispered, "But the problem is that I won't let you and Claire die."
K-Mart tasted both the sarcasm about it being Umbrella's problem and also the thick ferocity of a promise. Somehow that gave K-Mart peace but not because of her own life. It was merely the fact that Claire didn't have to protect her alone anymore. Alice was stronger than them, faster, and far more powerful. K-Mart just prayed it was enough against any bio organic weapons that Umbrella sent after them.
Alice continued stroking her lover's soft stomach. She tilted her head and studied K-Mart's young features. Even from a basic assessment, K-Mart's level of maturity was apparent to Alice. Then when honey brown eyes focused on her, she waited for K-Mart to speak her mind.
"Why did you provoke Claire today? Why did it have to be her?" K-Mart's soft question hung between them for a minute. Maybe there wouldn't be an answer tonight.
Hesitantly Alice opened her mouth yet a response seemed too heavy. After a sigh, her eyes lowered and broke the contact. "I can't..." She licked her dry lips. "I've..." She searched for the right word then softly confessed, "I've wanted to commit suicide since I escaped Umbrella. But I don't have that luxury anymore. "
K-Mart huffed and bitterly mocked, "Luxury." But somehow it was coldly true, in Alice's case.
"I can't harm myself," Alice explained to K-Mart. "It's the T-virus." She shook her head once then swept a loose strand behind her ear. "I've put a gun to my head plenty of times... but I'm not capable of pulling the trigger. It's reprogrammed me in certain ways and death isn't an option." Alice pursed her lips and simply summed up, "It's either fight or flight."
K-Mart let out a low breath once she realized how much the T-virus impacted Alice's psyche. Undead were relentless in their pursuit to obtain flesh and blood, no matter what it required of them. Most likely that had translated into Alice in many ways. "Why didn't you fight Claire or run from her when she pulled the gun?"
Alice began shaking her head because she didn't have the answer. "I don't know," she whispered.
K-Mart's brow furrowed deeper. "That part didn't matter, did it? It was the fact that she could give you what you've wanted without your fight or flight reaction from the virus."
"Yes," Alice sadly admitted.
K-Mart bowed her head once she understood what happened this morning. She closed her eyes and felt several ugly emotions brew in her stomach. If only she'd foreseen it all before it happened, but it made no difference now.
"I'm sorry, K-Mart for what I said to her." Alice lifted her lover's head.
K-Mart studied Alice's features and realized it wasn't necessarily an apology for an attempted, twisted suicide by Claire's hand. But for using their special night together as a way to push Claire over the edge. K-Mart took the larger hand into hers and threaded their fingers together. She gathered her thoughts then shakily whispered, "Don't ever manipulate us like that again."
Alice held K-Mart's eyes for a moment then finally nodded her promise. It was true that she'd manipulated and used both Claire and K-Mart to get what she wanted in the end. The first time that Claire attacked Alice near Yellow Creek was when she found a chance at meeting death. But actually pushing Claire over the edge to pull the trigger was another matter until Alice saw the perfect opportunity. This morning it seemed like a good idea but tonight it was an extremely selfish one that left Alice reconsidering her uneasy future. Thankfully it'd all failed and K-Mart was forgiving.
However, Claire was another matter.
Thoughts about Alice and the T-virus continued churning in K-Mart's mind. It was clear to her that Alice rejected what the T-virus gave her. After a headshake, she whispered, "Why don't you use your powers more?" She touched Alice's thigh then trailed her hand out to Alice's knee.
Alice intently watched her lover's motions. But she was considering a good answer that'd satisfy K-Mart. Perhaps the answer was already obvious to them both, yet K-Mart wished to keep digging into her psyche. For once that didn't bother Alice because she knew K-Mart openly cared about her. "I killed a lot of humans using my powers," she quietly confessed.
K-Mart bit her lower lip and assumed Alice meant her prior, forced, history with Umbrella after being infected. The black neural interface machine flashed through her mind and made her go cold. Umbrella knew nothing but cruelty to gain power. "You were an assassin for Umbrella."
"I was thee assassin," Alice sadly admitted. Despite she'd been controlled back then, her memories were quite clear including each mission she was sent on to kill well fortified humans that were competitors or enemies of Umbrella. Their faces would forever follow her like lost ghosts that could not find peace in the afterlife.
K-Mart accepted that Alice rejected the T-virus's powers because of what they were meant to be used for by Umbrella. However, she didn't understand why Alice couldn't turn a negative into a positive. She idly ran her thumb across her lover's knee while she figured out how to explain it to Alice. Keeping it simple was the best way so K-Mart whispered, "Now you can save humans."
Alice's eyes fluttered for a second. K-Mart's idea was hard to swallow, right now. She was created to be a killer, not a savior or some storybook hero. She had killed, and she would kill again despite her self control. She hoarsely replied, "I'm just interested in Claire and you."
K-Mart inhaled deeply then shifted so she could peer up at her lover. "That's a starting place."
There wasn't any argument from Alice after K-Mart won that round about her powers. She instead reached for K-Mart's hat and removed it. She hooked it on her knee that K-Mart had been drawing a shape on earlier. Alice leaned forward and captured her lover's soft lips.
A delighted moan escaped from K-Mart once her tongue met Alice's. She tangled her fingers into honey brown hair and deepened the kiss further. She could taste the newness in Alice's recently developed feelings for her. K-Mart withdrew from the kiss with a soft smile left on her tender features. But that smile went slightly bittersweet when she thought about how far she and Alice had come compared to how Claire had grown distant.
Alice's thumb traced the slight downturn of K-Mart's lips. She tilted her head and murmured, "What is it?"
After nibbling on her bottom lip, K-Mart hesitantly started, "She won't..." What K-Mart hoped would bring them all closer could actually become a wedge.
Alice understood what was on her lover's mind and insisted, "Give her time to adjust."
There was plenty of truth in Alice's words, K-Mart realized. In no way was Claire like K-Mart or Alice and would use the emotional distance to work it out. Despite time was a commodity, it was also necessary for change to happen at the right moment. If they were meant for a tri-relationship then Fate would will it when it was right. But if not, then K-Mart wasn't sure where to go in the future.
Alice could sense her lover had accepted her advice. She brushed a sun-kissed blond lock behind K-Mart's ear. "Are you hungry?"
"I can eat." K-Mart shrugged then straightened up. Grateful the serious talks were done, she took the book and put it away in the knapsack on her other side.
"I think I'm going to get a quick shower," Alice mentioned.
K-Mart smirked over at the older woman. "You want to smell good for any undead that might show up tonight?"
Alice couldn't hide her own smirk. "Something like that." Part of her plan was to get the stitches removed from her shoulder before her skin healed over them. She turned and picked up her sheathed kukris that she'd set on the bench seat when she'd first got into the truck. "Meet up with you for dinner?"
K-Mart smiled at the offer. "Yeah... if you think you can endure Mikey and Johnny." She suspected one if not both of them would want to visit with her at the campfire during dinner.
"You attract boys like a moth to a fire," Alice noted aloud. The hat was freed then roughly yanked onto K-Mart's head. Alice was already starting out of the truck.
K-Mart went slack jaw until she had to fix her hat. She then fired off, "I also seem to attract lesbians."
Alice was out of the truck, but she turned on her heels while hooking her kukris into place at her waist behind her back. She had a wicked smile for K-Mart. "Yes... you're the perfect lesbian magnet." She slammed the truck door before K-Mart could be smart back to her. Damn she was starting to enjoy rattling K-Mart's cage lately.
A quick stop at the truck's tailgate gave Alice a chance to get a clean set of clothes. Then she headed to where the ambulances were parked on the other side of the rundown museum. Doctor Green was busy with a current patient so Betty took care of Alice's stitches. Betty also quickly checked over Alice's body and was impressed that everything was normal again. Alice inwardly huffed at the idea of normal, but she politely thanked Betty.
The quick shower should have been rather cold for most humans. However, Alice was rarely bothered by the cold like she use to be before the T-virus. Instead the cool water was refreshing and excited her blood a great deal. She just hoped she wouldn't be taking another one by dawn.
Shortly she found herself at a bonfire and caught up with K-Mart, who was patiently waiting for her. Together they went to Otto's catering van and picked up two plates of dinner, but K-Mart traded off with Alice because K-Mart's was smaller. K-Mart hadn't forgotten that Alice didn't need to eat as much as humans. Upon returning to the campfire, K-Mart found herself between Mikey and Alice. She could tell from Mikey's quietness that he was still troubled by the GPS uplink. It wasn't until Johnny appeared that the jokes and teasing began at dinner.
After eating, K-Mart put her dirty plate and utensils down on ground and contently leaned back in the chair. She spotted L.J. and Carlos coming over to sit on the other side of Alice. Hopefully Carlos was wise enough not to get on Alice's bad side.
"I heard that you survived Raccoon City's nuking?" Alice mentioned to L.J., who was sitting distantly next to her.
L.J. paused after shoveling a mouthful of orzos in his mouth. He swallowed first before answering the outsider. "Yeah... I was there."
Alice merely nodded and decided to hold her inquiry until she could corner him privately.
L.J. didn't continue the discussion further, but he sensed Alice's keen interest. He focused on his meal and Carlos rather than giving Alice any openings to press him more. Or so he at least hoped anyway.
K-Mart had heard the brief question and answer session. She refocused on Mikey and Johnny's chitchat until she sensed the convoy leader's arrival.
Claire Redfield had a small plate of food in one hand then a plastic chair in her left hand. She tossed the chair next to Alice and sat down. She glanced at Mikey and noted his rather dismal expression. She inwardly sighed and began putting her idea in motion. "K, are you and Mikey watching a movie tonight?"
K-Mart acted unsure and questioningly looked at Mikey.
Mikey was uneasy because he didn't expect to get any relaxation so long as the GPS uplink was blocked. "Uuuuh...."
Claire pointed her fork's handle at him. "It's a good night for a movie." She hoped her drop hint wasn't lost on him.
Mikey softened at the convoy leader's unspoken concerns and gazed over at K-Mart. "What you want to watch?"
Claire covered her grin by eating the grilled rabbit meat slice. She'd grown rather accustom to the gamey flavor of meats now that they ate wild animals versus farm raised ones.
"How about The Three Musketeers?" K-Mart posed.
"Seriously, mate?" Mikey had only seen that movie a hundred times because K-Mart was so infatuated with it.
"I like that actress," K-Mart argued.
"Milla Jovovich," Mikey supplied.
K-Mart nodded and joked, "I can never pronounce her last name."
Mikey chuckled but then elbowed K-Mart in the side. "Alice looks a lot like that actress."
Suddenly Alice felt three sets of curious eyes glued to her so she raised an eyebrow at them on her right side. She then heard Claire's amused snort. Alice had no clue who they were talking about despite she'd heard of the movie.
"Yeah but Kate Beckinsale was way hotter than Milla Jovovich," Johnny prodded the group. He knew exactly what'd happened next.
"Oh please," Claire Redfield cut in, "Jovovich did way better at the action movies than Beckinsale." She waved her fork at Johnny. "She was a comedy actress before she did the Underworld movies."
Johnny goggled at the convoy leader's outspoken opinion when she was normally quiet.
K-Mart started chuckling at Johnny's expression.
"Now if those two women had done a badass Sci-fi movie together..." Mikey whistled at the idea. Then he shook his head at the horror of it never happening thanks to the apocalypse.
Claire grinned at the idea but said nothing and continued with her meal.
Alice leaned closer to the convoy leader and softly asked, "So do I look like this Milla Joke-a-bitch?"
Claire joked on her mouthful of white rice. Her face became red once she began coughing severely.
K-Mart hastily reached down, snared the bottle of water, and unscrewed the cap before she handed it over to her friend.
Claire was grateful and sucked down the water that soothed the choke's irritation. She cleared her throat a few times then handed the bottle back to the teen. "Thanks, K."
K-Mart completely sympathized because Alice did that to her all the time. For good measure, she kicked Alice's boot in mild warning, but a wicked grin was returned to K-Mart.
Claire finally found her voice and locked eyes with Alice. She now leaned into Alice's space and huskily replied, "Yes... but she wasn't a jerk like you." She was hardly surprised by Alice's widening smirk.
"Thank you," Alice warmly received. She wasn't at all deterred by Claire's attempt to get at her and found it quite amusing.
K-Mart smirked at the pair then realized how quiet Johnny and Mikey were on her right. She finally looked at them and chuckled at their wide eye stares in Alice and Claire's direction. But it was best to detour their minds before rumors started up in the convoy. "Mikey, you wanna go?"
Mikey shook off his revere and nodded. "Sure, mate." He stood with his dirty plate.
K-Mart was glad and took her plate and bottle. She took a few steps away but turned and waited for Mikey because he was waiting on Johnny. Most likely Johnny would join them for the movie night.
Claire canted her head and noted the radio on K-Mart's hip. Then the Glock's black handle poked out from under K-Mart's leather jacket, which pleased Claire further. She saw the three friends were about to go so she called, "See ya later, K?"
K-Mart had the items in her left hand so she reached up and tugged on the right corner of her brim. "Later." She held Alice's stare for a moment and silently pleaded for Alice not to push Claire's buttons why she wasn't around.
Mikey strolled off and drew Johnny and K-Mart with him. His chatter drifted off once they were far from the campfire.
Alice idly studied the three young friends and noticed how Mikey walked closest to K-Mart compared to Johnny. She crossed her legs then muttered, "He likes her."
"Mmmm," Claire softly confirmed. She ate the last piece of rabbit. After using the linen napkin, she stacked her dirty plate with Alice's on the ground. "He always has." She kept her voice low since L.J., Carlos, and Betty were nearby. They were having their own conversation but still Claire didn't like being overheard or bothered when not in the mood.
Claire had noted earlier that Alice was in a clean set of clothes and now smelled the shampoo. She tried ignoring the tingle it caused in her stomach, but that was difficult with being so close to Alice. "You talk to Carlos about guns?"
Alice turned her head towards the convoy leader. "Not yet." She kept a quiet voice. "He's going to ask why."
Claire considered this problem and nodded. "I'll take care of it then."
Alice smirked at the leader's definite decision.
"Did you get the stitches removed?" Claire checked. Curious blue eyes were on her so she shrugged and reminded, "I know all."
Alice pursed her lips and considered whether Claire did know all or just liked keeping tabs on her like she did with K-Mart. Now wasn't the time to ask so she instead nodded.
"Good." Claire bent forward and took the dirty dishes. She climbed to her feet despite the ache in her body from lack of sleep lately. Gingerly, she touched Alice's shoulder and ordered, "Meet me by the truck in half an hour." She squeezed once then strolled off, her hand slipping away.
At first, Alice wasn't sure what to do for that half an hour until she decided it was best to get a better lay of the local land. She disappeared out of the camp and completed her sweep until she came around the convoy. She reentered near the news van, which was parked in front of the museum. However, Alice was using the trees to move around until she came near the property that once was Carter Family's. There weren't any trees so Alice launched off the nearest tree and easily landed on the museum's roof. She went to the corner closest to the convoy and remained perched there.
The news van's doors were open and allowed for the movie's noise to drift out. After a careful head tilt, Alice was able to hear the voices of the actors and actresses. Remotely startled, Alice didn't expect to hear a woman that did sound similar to her. She shook her head at the oddity of it. But a lone figure moving through the dim camp captured her attention.
Claire Redfield had weapons in her hands and a gun strapped across her back. She was making her way to the Ford F-350, a determined woman on a mission. The steel in her features made her every bit the leader that the convoy had come to rely upon over the years.
Alice placed her hands flat against her knees. She enjoyed the convoy leader's confident stride and gritty attitude that kept the convoy alive. Alice could give orders, but she couldn't lead like Claire Redfield. For nearly forty years, Alice had been a loner like a wolf lost from its pack. But now coming upon Claire and K-Mart, Alice saw a purpose if she could find her place between them.
After a hefty sigh, Alice jumped off the roof's edge and neatly landed a few yards away from the news van. Claire was waiting on her, and it was best not to let Claire wait too long. As Alice passed the news van's open doors, her searching blue eyes locked on K-Mart on the bright green beanbag.
K-Mart broke from watching the movie once she detected somebody passing the van. A grin pulled at the corner of her lips as she quickly tugged on the right corner of her hat's brim. She didn't doubt that Alice understood the silent communication. She was right too because Alice nodded in kind then disappeared into the darkness of the camp.
Alice materialized directly behind Claire and accidently startled Claire. She held up her hands when a damn Beretta Cougar was pointed at her forehead.
Claire easily recalled the last time she had the gun's sight on this same target. She clicked on the safety and swallowed an apology that was already clear in her eyes. Once the gun was stowed in her dual shoulder holster, she suggested, "Don't do that again."
Alice contained a grin and inclined her head in agreement. She lowered her hands as she took the convoy leader's side. They both faced the truck's tailgate, which was down and held a few weapons. She slightly brightened at one weapon and gravitated to it.
Claire wasn't the least surprised and also admired the personal defense weapon that was a cousin to a submachine gun.
"TDI Vector." Alice was clearly impressed by the weapon that used a .45 ACP caliber cartridge. She curiously turned to the convoy leader.
"I thought you'd like it." Claire then indicated the three thirty-round magazines on the tailgate.
Alice opted for the TDI Vector and freed the strap that was hooked up to it. She slung on the submachine gun then adjusted the strap across her chest.
"Two P220 Sports," Claire pointed at the silver handguns that had extra magazines too. "With night sights on them." Next she held up a sheathed bowie knife and didn't have to say anything about it. A quick glance at Alice's waist told her that she made the right choice in getting a few pouches for the extra ammo. "Get this stuff on so you can carry the magazines." She slipped past Alice and mentioned, "I'm gonna get the extra radio."
Without wasting a second, Alice freed her black belt buckle and slid the two pouches onto the right side of her hip. But the bowie knife went to the rear of her right hip. She rehooked her belt before loading the ammo into the pouches.
Claire returned with the charged radio on and set to the channel that only she and Alice would share. She adjusted the squelch.
Alice received the radio but hit the microphone and heard it click on Claire's radio. She hooked that to her front.
Claire slammed the tailgate now that Alice was loaded up. She faced the older woman and ordered, "Be careful out there." She faltered but seriously added, "Don't do anything stupid either."
Alice regarded the convoy leader for a heartbeat before stating, "Nothing is stupid if it saves your lives."
Claire glanced to the right. Without doubt that was in reference to her and K-Mart's lives, nobody else.
Alice didn't press it further and instead promised, "I'll be careful." She didn't need anymore conversation and slipped away from the convoy leader.
After a guilty second, the convoy leader twisted her head to the right and watched Alice cutting across the convoy's camp. She shut her eyes once Alice vanished past the light of the camp. Claire sent a silent prayer that tonight would be quiet for the convoy. But for Claire, it would be a very long night. Like Alice, she would stay vigilantly on duty, protecting what was most important to her from Umbrella's cruelty.