Chapter 112: Resident Evil 1
In the early 21st century, the Umbrella Corporation was the largest company in the United States, with 90% of households using its products and its political and business influence pervasive.
On the surface, it was a world-leading provider of computer technology and healthcare, but even its employees were unaware that its enormous profits actually stemmed from military technology, genetic experimentation, and biological weapons.
Raccoon City was a typical high-tech city in the American Midwest, its economy largely dominated by the Umbrella Corporation. The company generously funded various city projects, thereby cultivating a positive image in the minds of Raccoon City residents. Although 50% of the citizens were employed by this international corporation, most remained unaware of its many illegal activities.
On the outskirts of Raccoon City stood a beautiful mansion,
especially at dusk when the setting sun painted its roof a vibrant red, creating a scene like an oil painting.
A newlywed couple lived in this house; the woman often wore a long red dress, and several male school bus drivers would often linger after school, just to catch a glimpse of the beautiful lady.
What was different today? The sun was about to completely set, and the lingering drivers hadn't seen that figure again.
As the orange school bus drove away, a man in a black suit stepped out from the shadows.
He casually carried a katana in his left hand, and the scarlet tie around his neck evoked a sense of danger.
However, a slight smile on his face completely dispelled this intensity.
This man was naturally Jake.
"Haven't started yet?" He slightly raised his left hand, gripping the scabbard with his thumb, while his gaze fell on the massive mansion directly in front of him.
Suddenly, he felt something was missing. He clicked his tongue and realized that he hadn't eaten any candy.
For some reason, he, who used to enjoy candy, had slowly moved past it. He hadn't eaten candy in a long time. Perhaps this was a kind of maturity; his dependence on sweets was decreasing, which could also be considered a sign of growing up.
He didn't choose to enter the mansion immediately.
The entire plot of the first Resident Evil film will take place in the giant underground facility—the Hive—beneath that mansion. Entering the mansion is certain, but not now.
Inside lies the T-virus he desires, and possibly artificial intelligence data.
The T-virus, short for "tyrant-virus," was originally designed for anti-aging and treating neurological diseases; it has the ability to activate dead cells.
However, after being obtained by the Umbrella Corporation, it was weaponized into a potent virus. The new T-virus, with its recombined biological genetic characteristics, is a dangerous product born for the development of biological weapons.
Viruses are divided into lethal and mild strains, and their infection processes differ. The T-virus is technically a mild virus. It fuses with the recipient, transforming them into one of two things:
A monster with enhanced physical abilities
Someone whose appearance remains unchanged but who possesses superhuman abilities
As for humanity, only one in tens of millions has the natural immunity to withstand the virus's power.
In this movie, the only character capable of withstanding the virus's power is the female protagonist, Alice. However, Jake firmly believes that technology is the most powerful force. He thinks that with a team of scientists under his command, the virus's compatibility issues can be solved.
The reason he chose Resident Evil as his first choice among the new movies is because it contains what he needs.
First, the T-virus, being a potent biological weapon, perfectly aligns with Dr. Simms's expertise, solving the personnel problem.
Furthermore, successful fusion with the T-virus grants superpowers, and no ordinary person wouldn't want superpowers.
Alice gains telekinesis, and the villain Wesker possesses superhuman speed.
This will greatly help Jake break free from his dependence on his combat suit.
Second, the movie is short, only about ninety minutes long from beginning to end. Even with the immediate sequel, it would only take one night.
He completely disregards the threat posed by the zombies.
These zombies might be highly infectious, but they are no match for him; even their teeth can't damage Jake's suit.
Perhaps the only threat to him was the mutated monster, the Licker.
Finally, and this was something Jake wanted to investigate, was artificial intelligence.
In the Resident Evil film series, the artificial intelligence Red Queen eventually broke free from human control and attempted to destroy humanity—almost a standard plot point in all films featuring AI.
While people witnessed the Red Queen's power and wanted to possess one, Jake saw something else.
Since this company already had one artificial intelligence, could they create another?
In the third film in the series, a white-themed artificial intelligence appeared; her system was clearly uninfected.
As for directly persuading or controlling the already mature Red Queen? Jake hadn't even considered that.
It was better not to play mind games with an artificial intelligence.
The sun finally and slowly set, the night as black as ink, instantly swallowing the red glow of the horizon and invading the entire world in the blink of an eye.
The surroundings were eerily quiet; the wind blew, but made no sound.
A strange bird suddenly let out a shrill cry, its location unknown, but its sudden, sharp call sent a chill down one's spine.
Like a piercing scream suddenly tearing through the night sky, it created an ominous atmosphere.
Jake, shrouded in darkness, slowly walked toward the mansion, stopping at a corner to hide.
To enter the Hive, he clearly needed the help of the doomed mercenaries from the original movie; they possessed the access codes.
However, he wasn't planning to go in with them yet. Aside from facing the amnesiac female lead, the heavily armed mercenary squad alone was enough to give him problems.
His head wasn't bulletproof.
A calm, still zone formed near the mansion.
But this stillness was quickly shattered by strong winds overhead, a helicopter hovering above the building.
Jake could hear the leaves rustling in the wind, the rotor blades growing increasingly loud.
He pressed himself against the mansion wall, his eyes fixed on his right; he knew the mercenary squad was about to appear at that window.
Sure enough, a powerful spotlight immediately illuminated the side near the window as if it were daytime. Luckily, Jake was hiding in a corner, otherwise he would have been spotted.
Three ropes were thrown down from the helicopter, and three mercenaries quickly rappelled down and broke through the window!
More mercenaries continued to slide down the ropes and breach the mansion through the broken windows.
The helicopter didn't linger; after circling briefly, it retracted its ropes and flew away.
Jake pressed himself against the wall, only daring to relax when the lights went out.
He gripped his katana in his left hand and quickly moved to the broken window.
Alice, now suffering from amnesia, was clearly clashing with Rain and the mercenary squad leader, just like in the movie.
Jake heard her shouts, questions, and loud protests clearly, but he didn't step in to play the hero.
Although she was a beautiful woman in red, she wasn't worth compromising his plans.
Jake waited a while; the mansion gradually quieted down.
They must have gone to the basement entrance, but he cautiously waited another ten minutes, making sure the area was completely clear before entering.
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