Sublevel D – Cryogenics Vault
The air in Sublevel D was colder than ice, a mist curling low across the steel floors. Rows of reinforced doors lined the corridor, each stamped with Umbrella's insignia. Behind them slept the last vials of the Aegis Virus, sealed in cryogenic suspension.
Ada Wong's heels clicked softly as she moved, her crimson dress a sharp streak of color against the sterile glow of emergency lights. Every step was measured, graceful—the kind of poise only someone trained to slip through death itself could carry.
Her device flickered in her palm, lines of Umbrella's data scrolling across its black surface. She had already confirmed it—the remaining vials were here. The prize she had risked everything to obtain.
Ada allowed herself a faint smile.
"Almost too easy."
Then—movement.
From the corridor ahead, shadows shifted. Ada slid behind a column just as two Umbrella guards rounded the corner. Their rifles swept across the mist, flashlights slicing through the haze.
"...Dr. Weiss said some woman was sneaking into this sector," one muttered.
"She's not getting out alive," the other replied grimly.
Ada exhaled quietly through her nose, drawing her pistol from its thigh holster. Polished steel glinted faintly in the crimson light. She waited, let the first guard step closer, then slipped from cover—swift and surgical.
A suppressed shot whispered. The first guard crumpled silently.
The second spun, rifle rising—but Ada was already in motion. Her heel drove into his gut, knocking him back. She raised her pistol—
CRACK!
A bullet tore across the freezing corridor, ripping into her thigh. Ada hissed, staggering as her leg buckled. Her pistol slipped from her hand, skidding into the mist.
Three more guards emerged from the shadows, rifles trained on her.
"Target down!" one barked. "Securing her now!"
Ada's fingers pressed hard against her wound, blood seeping warm between them. She forced herself upright, refusing to kneel. Her eyes—sharp, defiant—locked on the men surrounding her.
"Didn't… anyone ever tell you boys…" Her voice came smooth, mocking even through the pain. "…you don't hurt a lady?"
They rushed her. One smashed the butt of his rifle across her back, sending her sprawling. She tried to rise, but another jammed a shock baton into her ribs.
CRACKLE!
Electricity tore through her body. Muscles seized, vision flared white. Her breath caught in her throat as her body crashed to the floor.
The guards swarmed. Restraints snapped tight around her wrists.
"Target secure," one reported into his comms.
Ada's head lolled against the cold steel floor, cheek pressing to the frost-rimed surface. Her red dress trailed across the mist as the guards dragged her into the shadows.
Sublevel C – Perimeter Exit
Jack stepped through the last decontamination hatch, the heavy door sealing shut behind him with a hiss. For the first time since he'd descended into this hell, the air didn't burn his lungs. The VSS confirmed it in his vision:
[VIRAL SURVIVAL SYSTEM]
Environmental Scan: Air Quality – Normal.
Biohazard Threat: None detected.
Viral Resistance (Tier 1): Deactivated.
Jack pulled in a deep breath, exhaling slowly.
"Finally… the air isn't trying to kill me anymore."
He willed the VSS to display his full stats.
[VIRAL SURVIVAL SYSTEM]
Subject: Jack Hale
Strain: Aegis Virus
Health Status: Fair
Sync Rate: 43%
Viral Infection: 1.10% → 2.50%
Adaptation Skills
Branch – Soldier's Path
• Enhanced Recovery (Tier 1): Heals faster from minor wounds (cuts, bites, bruises).
• Reflex Response (Tier 1): Slightly improved reaction time, allowing better accuracy with pistols.
• Stamina Boost (Tier 1): Minor stamina boost. Slightly reduces recovery time when fatigued.
Branch – Shield's Path
• Viral Resistance (Tier 1): Passive. Slows infection rate after bites/scratches. (Also works against viral pathogens in the air.)
Branch – Viral's Path
• Viral Instincts (Bullet Time) – Active Skill
Effect: Temporarily slows perception of time.
Cost: +0.10% viral infection per second.
Risk: Prolonged use may result in loss of control.
Hidden Branch – Bonds Path
Ada Wong: Dangerous Alliance
• Cautious Instincts: Passive awareness buff. Jack Hale gains a heightened sense of danger when partnered with Ada (+5% chance to detect ambushes or traps).
(Deactivated: Ada not present.)
Jack scowled at the new branch.
"Damn… this new adaptation shouldn't be used at all. I'll lose my humanity if I lean on it."
The corridor ahead was dim but clean—no blood trails, no claw marks gouging steel. He leaned against the wall, unstrapping the gear he had scavenged from the armory.
Body armor, snug and familiar against his chest.
A standard-issue gas mask, hanging loose at his side.
Pouches filled with magazines clipped tight to his vest.
And strapped to his pack—four compact breaching charges.
Memory hit him. Training days at boot camp, instructors screaming in his ear while he wired live explosives to mock doors.
He allowed himself a faint grin.
"Guess boot camp wasn't a total waste."
He slung the pack tight and checked the M4 carbine slung across his chest—Umbrella's version of the rifle he'd trained with. No rockets, no heavy ordnance, but solid enough.
Jack clicked on the flashlight clipped to his vest and swept its beam across the corridor. That's when he noticed a reinforced door cracked slightly open.
Inside, a man was strapped to a gurney, thrashing weakly against the restraints. His skin was mottled with black veins.
Jack forced the door open and stepped inside. His chest tightened when he saw the name on the file beside the gurney:
Subject #194 – Cpl. Victor Ramirez
Jack's breath caught. His boots felt heavier as he moved closer. A recording device sat on a table nearby. He pressed play.
"Help me… Ross… Danny… don't leave me like this… I don't want to turn into—" The words dissolved into a scream, then sobbing, then silence.
Jack's throat burned. His hand hovered over his pistol, then lifted it. He aimed at Ramirez's head. His hands shook. His vision blurred. But he didn't look away.
The shot cracked sharp and final. Ramirez's body went still.
Jack's breath shuddered.
"...Goddamn it. Always too late."
The silence pressed heavily. Then the VSS flickered to life:
[VIRAL SURVIVAL SYSTEM]
Bonds Path – Ada Wong: Dangerous Alliance
Due to the bonded partner's situation, new features are unlocked
Status: Critical
Jack's chest clenched, his jaw locking tight. Faces flashed in his memory—Chu, Klein, Walker, Okafor, and now Ramirez.
"Every time…" he muttered, his fist trembling around the pistol. "Every goddamn time I'm too late."
The radio on his vest crackled.
"...Target secured. We are taking the woman to Sublevel D, cell holding, for interrogation."
Jack froze, eyes narrowing.
"Ada…" His voice was raw, low.
He slammed a fresh mag into his pistol and tightened the straps of his gear.
"I won't be late this time."