A Star's Descent

By evolution-500

Disclaimer: House of the Dead and Resident Evil are properties belonging to SEGA and Capcom respectively. I do not own any of these characters.

Chapter Twenty-Three: Complications

When William Birkin finally regained his senses, he got off the floor and headed down a catwalk through an archway.

As he navigated the various corridors, he took a look at the pieces of revolver in his hand.

A lump formed in his stomach, slowly rising up his throat, threatening to spill, his hands fidgeting nervously as they tried putting the pieces back together as he gave a frightened glance about.

How was it possible for him, a man with a PHD in virology, to find the process of putting back together a revolver more complicated than genetically engineering a lethal virus?

As he continued to struggle, quietly swearing each time he fumbled, Birkin continued to think about what had happened back there.

Who was this "Roy Curien"? Was that even his real name? How was he able to do the things that he was able to do? How did he know?

There were so many questions running through the researcher's brain.

Birkin wanted to think it nothing more than a prank or a delusion, but he'd be lying to himself.

He saw the impossible. Heard it. Felt it. Curien knew details that no one else had. Not even his own wife Annette knew the origins of G, let alone what he had done to the Trevor family.

Birkin's eyes lowered in contemplation as he reminisced on the exchange, on the man's demeanor and words.

There was something so...enticing about Curien's offer.

Granted, he wanted his own family to be safe, to be sure, but that alone wasn't what attracted him.

The truth was, he just wanted to know!

Curien had done the impossible; the revolver pieces were testament to that, and if he were to be believed, that was only the mere tip of the iceberg of what he could do.

And Birkin wanted to see the full extent of his knowledge and power. He wanted to know Curien's secrets.

The researcher stopped as he heard footfalls.

Someone was coming.

Ducking behind a wall, he watched from around the corner as a S.T.A.R.S. officer entered through a door, a big man with dark hair and a thick mustache.

Shit!

The man cast a glance around, then paused, narrowing his eyes.

Was he spotted?

The police officer took a couple steps toward his position, then picked up something. A note.

What was he reading?

As the police officer lifted his eyes, Birkin caught a glimpse of the note, then checked his pockets.

'Oh shit,' he thought.

It was a printout of Al's orders. They must have fallen out from Birkin's pocket when he wasn't looking.

The researcher mentally screamed a series of profanities.

'Ohhh, this isn't good,' he winced. Al was going to kill him.

* * * * *

Marini read the note, his jaw tightening.

'Mail to the Chief of Security

CONFIDENTIAL

Attn: Chief of Security

Date July 22, 1998 2:13

X Day is drawing upon us. Execute the following procedures within one week. Prompt actions are demanded.

1. Operatives within S.T.A.R.S. are to lure the rest of the team to the estate, and obtain the B.O.W. raw combat data against them.

2. Collect two embryos of each mutated specimen as samples, excluding the Tyrant. Dispose of the Tyrant.

3. Ensure complete disposal of the Arklay Research Facility including all personnel and test animals. Disguise their deaths as an accident.

When the above procedures are executed, report to headquarters for further instructions.

White Umbrella.'

'White Umbrella?' he thought. What was that? And what was "X Day"? "Tyrant"? "B.O.W."? The hell were those?

What especially made him concerned, however, was the mentions of there being a mole within S.T.A.R.S. Multiple moles, in fact.

The Bravo Captain ran a worried hand over his face, wiping away sweat.

S.T.A.R.S. was compromised, and he had no idea who was involved.

'Could it be Wolf?' he wondered.

The albino mentioned that he wanted to join S.T.A.R.S., after all, plus his appearance was very coincidental.

Or perhaps it was Rebecca? It seemed extremely weird that a promising young girl would give up a career in medicine to pursue law enforcement, plus she seemed to be hiding something.

Forest could also be a possibility; what if the reason why he actually left was so that he could report back to his superiors?

What about Richard? Or Kenneth?

Was the entirety of Bravo corrupt? S.T.A.R.S. as a whole? Was there a single good cop anywhere within the precinct? It's very suspicious that no one ever mentioned anything about a lab up in the mountains, not even the Mayor himself.

Hell, what if the government was involved? Something like this couldn't just be built without anyone knowing!

Marini swallowed. He had no idea who to trust, and Umbrella was rubbing it in. His belief in law and order had been shaken, and he felt sick about it.

S.T.A.R.S. was nothing but a lie.

As he stared at the note in his fingers, Marini swept his other hand through his hair as he considered his options. He didn't even know where to even start.

The most logical thing to do, in his view, would be to put some distance between himself and the rest of his team and see if he could observe them from afar, but quite frankly, he couldn't be bothered. He was tired, and quite frankly, he didn't want to go down this rabbit hole anymore. He wanted to see his family again, and he would be damned if he were going to get them involved in this shit. He didn't even think Alpha team could be trusted.

'If you leave,' part of him warned, 'you'll be putting your own team in danger. Lives could be lost.'

Marini paused.

Should he really pursue this path?

As minutes counted away, the Bravo Captain sighed.

'I have no choice,' he thought, his heart filled with regret.

But, that said, though, he had his own wife and daughters to think about. Between them and his team, he'd choose the former every time, as much as he hated to admit it.

Looking around conspiratorially, the Bravo Captain crumpled up the note and stuffed it into his pocket.

To hell with S.T.A.R.S.

With that last thought, Marini turned around and disappeared into darkness.

* * * * *

Birkin waited as the officer departed, exiting through a door. Shakily exhaling, he pushed himself away from the wall and quietly went in the opposite direction.

'Looks like I'll have to take a detour,' he thought in irritation.

As he continued onward, one thing continued to nag at Birkin. It was something that had bothered him enormously.

What had Curien meant when he said that he had suffered?

* * * * *

Rebecca waited in the elevator with Star, the light blinking as it slowly moved up to the fourth floor. She looked at her watch. Five minutes in, and they were stuck in what seemed to be the slowest elevator on earth.

"Star?" she called hesitantly.

"Yes, Rebecca?" the albino answered.

"When we were on the train, you said a line," the medic said. "A quote. 'And the servant said'...where is that from?"

The albino cast a curious glance in her direction. "You've never read the Bible?" he said with a raised brow.

Rebecca blinked. "Oh," she said dumbly.

"I take that as a no?" Star asked.

The medic smiled sheepishly. "I'm a godless heathen."

He regarded her with amusement, then looked forward.

"Who was she?" Rebecca asked curiously.

"She was the wife of Isaac and mother to Esau and Joseph. In life, she was said to have been gentle, reverential and compassionate, unwavering in her loyalty," he explained. "A good woman."

"I see," the medic said quietly, then regarded the albino. "You are full of surprises, you know that?"

The albino chuckled. "So I've been told."

The teenagers felt the elevator shake as it stopped. Once the doors opened, the duo stared in disbelief.

"Oh come on! Really?!" Rebecca said exasperatedly. "Here again?!"

Outside was the Ecliptic Express in all its flaming wrecked glory.

"I can't believe this," the albino said with incredulity. "There had been an elevator here this whole time?!"

There came a series of loud moans as zombies wandered about.

"Let's try Level Two," the medic suggested.

As the doors closed, the teenagers waited as it began its descent. Minutes passed. Rebecca sighed audibly, waiting impatiently.

She then started to hum the theme song for "Indiana Jones", causing Star to give her a quizzical look.

"What?" she said innocently. "I love Indiana Jones."

Star shook his head with a smile as the two resumed listening and waiting.

"...You don't know any good jokes, do you?" she asked, wanting desperately to break the silence.

"I don't," Star admitted. "Do you?"

The medic nodded. "What did the grasshopper say to the mushroom?"

"I don't know. What did he say?"

"That he was a fun guy."

Star cracked a smile. "Ha. Cute."

"Want to hear another one?"

"Go ahead."

"What did the oxygen tank say about the party?"

"You got me."

"It was a gas."

The albino chuckled.

"I have more. Would you like to hear?"

"No thank you," Star said politely.

The medic frowned. "You're no fun," she huffed.

"My apologies."

Rebecca shifted uncomfortably.

"Are you alright?" Star asked.

"Just feeling a little stiff," she answered.

The elevator doors opened a second time.

"Oh for God's sake," Star muttered.

They were now back at the cable car depot.

"I can't help get the feeling that someone is laughing at us," Rebecca said. "I almost feel like this is one great big prank video or something."

"Not a particularly amusing one if it is," the albino said as he pressed the button for Level Four, causing the doors to whirr shut and the elevator to continue its descent.

The two teenagers stared at the door, watching the light blinking.

"You said that you used to be in a circus, right?" Rebecca said.

"Yes," he answered with a single nod.

"What did you do exactly?" she asked, intrigued.

"Many things," Star said simply. "I did some juggling, magic tricks-"

"Really?" Rebecca said interestedly.

He nodded. "It's true," he said. "I am a magician. Also I helped clean up after the animals, fed them, set up tents, fixed equipment, sold candy, did ventriloquism, balloon animals, sword dancing, some tightwire and trapeze work-"

"No way!" Rebecca marveled. "At eight years old?!"

He shrugged.

"Weren't you scared of falling?"

"Not really," the albino replied.

"And you say you're not brave."

"I didn't really spend that much time doing it," Star continued. "Principally speaking...my main role..."

The albino suddenly paused.

"Star?"

He exhaled. "I was an attraction at the sideshow. 'Madame Cornelius' Gallery of Curiosities and Grotesquery'," he said in remembrance.

Rebecca felt saddened by the admission.

"I-I had no idea. I'm so sorry to hear that," she said.

"Don't be," he replied. "It was a long time ago."

The elevator continued to climb.

"So...what is it like being in a circus?" Rebecca asked.

Star shrugged. "I didn't really have long to know," he said. "The circus that I was a part of was in dire financial straits, so when I joined up, I ended up being the final nail in its coffin."

"The people of Arkham didn't take kindly to the idea of a child being exploited for money," Rebecca deduced.

"Correct," he nodded.

"At least they cared," Rebecca said.

Star grunted.

"That sketchbook with the fox...was that your work?"

He nodded. "Yes."

"You're really good," Rebecca complimented.

"Thank you," Star said graciously.

He then tilted his head in her direction. "Do you draw?"

"Only pathetic little scribbles and a passable cross-eyed squirrel with its tongue sticking out," the medic said truthfully.

The albino raised a brow. "A cross-eyed squirrel, you say?" he said curiously. "A cartoon figure, I presume?"

Rebecca gave a goofy lopsided grin.

"My spirit animal!" she declared.

"Spirit animal?" Star said in surprise. "You're Native American?"

"I was just kidding," the medic said. "I'm British on one side, French on the other, with a touch of Irish, I think."

"I see," the albino said before speaking in fluent French. "Pouvez-vous parler francais?"

Do you speak French?

"Pas tres bien," she answered, her accent and pronunciation passable.

Not very well.

"Pouvez-vous parler d'autres langues?"

Do you speak other languages?

"Un peu japonais," she answered. "Vous?"

A little Japanese. You?

"Oui," he said before reverting back to English. "I know seven other languages, including Japanese."

"Show-off," Rebecca said, causing the albino to give a low amused laugh.

They waited as the elevator continued down.

"Do you mind if I ask you something personal?" the albino queried. "That is...if you're willing to answer?"

She hesitated. "What do you want to ask?"

"If your father was such a brute...why did your mother marry him?"

Rebecca frowned. "She was charmed by him," she explained. "According to her he used to be quite a catch. He was a Sergeant at the 4th Engineer Division at Fort Carson, but he got dishonorably discharged for assaulting a senior officer. Now he works as a mechanic."

He shifted uncomfortably. "Your sister..."

Rebecca stiffened the moment he mentioned her.

"Had your mother given her a name?" Star asked warily.

The medic was quiet.

"Rachel," she finally answered. "That was what my mom was going to call her."

She fell back into silence.

"I'm sorry," Star said. "I didn't mean to pry."

"It's only fair," Rebecca replied. "I pried into your life."

"Point taken," the albino conceded, then looked thoughtfully down. "Rachel. Another good biblical name. I take it your mother is religious?"

She shook her head. "No, she just liked the name." Rebecca then mischievously looked at him. "Why? Is this a deciding factor for asking a girl out?"

His eyes widened at the question. "What?! No!" he exclaimed as a blush colored his scarred cheeks and as Rebecca unsuccessfully tried to stifle a giggle. "I was only- why you cheeky little-"

Star cut himself off as the medic laughed.

"Sorry," Rebecca chuckled. "Couldn't resist."

The albino rolled his eyes, then the two fell back into silence, waiting awkwardly as they stared to the door in anticipation.

"In terms of your father...has it always been bad?" Star queried.

The medic sighed. "For as long as I remember," she murmured.

"I'm very sorry to hear," he said quietly.

"It's not your fault," Rebecca replied. "He's just...not a kind man. In truth he hated me as much as I did him."

"He did?" the albino said in surprise and puzzlement. "Why?"

"Partly because he has a warped vision of women," Rebecca said. "He absolutely hates them. He thinks they're all stupid and exist solely to cook, clean and fuck, that they don't need an education and that he's superior to them. That they should be a certain way. Since I don't fit in that preconceived vision, he detests me for it."

"A mental midget with a superiority complex," Star nodded. "I encountered many of that type before."

"Also..."

She paused.

"Yes?"

It took a long time for her to answer.

"...Because I wasn't what he wanted," she said quietly, her voice small as she cast her eyes down.

Hearing that, Star twisted his neck to look directly at Rebecca.

"...Did he actually say that to you?" he said seriously.

She bit her lip, then gave a single, slow sad nod.

The albino clenched his mouth and looked forward.

"...Bastard!" he growled.

Rebecca shrugged. "Well," she said, "at least he was honest."

"Even so, a parent has no right saying such an awful thing to his offspring, especially when they had done nothing wrong to merit such cruelty. What he did to you and your mother is inexcusable and absolutely unacceptable. Unforgivable," Star said lowly. "Would it be alright if I spoke bluntly?"

"I'm not stopping you," Rebecca replied.

The albino cleared his voice nervously as he looked straight ahead. "Even though we've only just met," he began, "...based on...what I know...you...are... a beautiful, kind and intelligent girl."

She blushed.

"I may not know what it means to have a father, let alone what it's like," Star continued, "but...it is my belief that any other man would have been proud to have you as a daughter. I don't know why your father can't see what I see, nor can I understand why he is the way he is toward you. If I were his son, at least it would have made sense for him to view me with such contempt, but you? I...don't understand it."

Turning back to face her, he gave her a considerate look. "...You and your mother both deserve to be happy, Rebecca. Dante himself had traversed the nine circles of hell, met with all manner of unspeakable horrors and countless obstacles...but in the end, he was able to find his way out to see the stars again. Just as he was able to overcome the darkness and find his own paradise, I am sure you will be able to do so yourself and achieve yours. I just...hope that I can attain the same level of strength and courage you and your team have in overcoming my own. Even more...it is my belief that the person fortunate enough to take your hand in marriage someday will be the luckiest person in the world."

Rebecca felt a warmth form in her chest, her eyes watery as she opened her mouth to speak. From the way he spoke and looked at her, the albino wasn't just saying some meaningless empty thing for her to hear just for the sake of it; he had not only meant every word, but he honestly believed in what he was saying, and that sincerity moved her deeply. The medic tried to say something, anything, but words couldn't express what she felt.

* * * * *

Star winced. He hadn't meant to say that last part about marriage aloud, it just sort of...slipped out.

'Idiot!' He mentally kicked himself.

He anxiously waited for a response.

Had he crossed a line?

When the elevator door opened, the albino felt cold wind brush against his face and heard what sounded distinctively like running water and dripping. The medic took notice, then cleared her throat.

"I think you can put me down now," she said.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure," she nodded.

Star frowned. He had overstepped.

'You fool, you bloody fool!' He self-admonished. What the hell was he thinking?! What kind of socially deficient imbecile was he? A gentleman knows that there were certain lines to be drawn, and telling someone he had only known for a few hours something so personal was improper.

Giving Rebecca a nod, Star gently set her down, regretting his mistake. If she didn't think he was a creep as well as a freak already, then no doubt this act sealed the deal.

He needed to make things right.

Once her feet touched the floor, he straightened himself up and turned around to face her.

"Rebecca, I'm sor-"

Before he was able to finish, Star gave a surprised grunt as he suddenly felt something press against his chest.

"Wha?" he sputtered.

Star froze as he came to realize what was happening.

She was hugging him!

A fuse in his brain shorted out as he just stood there.

The albino's mouth uselessly tried to work, his arms awkwardly dangling from his sides. He felt uncertain how to respond, completely taken aback by this. Nobody in his entire life ever embraced him in this manner. It was usually a handshake, a nod, and a forced smile, or any one of the aforementioned acts done on their own. The most common response was for people to suddenly avert their eyes, as if desperately wanting to avoid seeing Star or from acknowledging his existence. A part of him felt a little uncomfortable, unused to anyone aside from his own mother giving this form of affection. Another part of him, however, felt...touched.

Star couldn't say a word, even if he wanted to. He was lost in his own world, trying to make sense of it.

How could such a small gesture, a simple embrace, could have such a powerful effect on him?

'What is this girl?' he wondered.

* * * * *

When she finally departed, Rebecca looked warmly up at the albino, startling him as she placed her hands gently onto his upper arms as he gave an expression of complete bewilderment.

"Wh-why did you...why did you do that?" he asked.

"Because I wanted to, and you deserved it," she said. "What you said meant a lot to me. Thank you."

Star stared at her, looking somewhat perplexed, almost uncomprehending.

"I...was only telling the truth," he said simply, as if it were the most obvious thing to do.

Rebecca regarded the giant with wonder. How was it possible for someone to be so kind and honest? So...good?

"Have I...offended you?" Star asked, looking at her uncertainly.

Her smile grew. "Not at all. You are a good, kind-hearted person, Star. Don't ever change. You deserve to be happy, too. Thank you."

The albino hesitated for a moment, staring at her, then allowed the corners of his mouth to lift into a small smile as he gave a respectful nod.

After a minute passed, Rebecca let go off his arms.

"Now," she began, rubbing a hand against her eyes, "let's see if we can find Billy."

Together, the two teenagers stepped out into the cold.

* * * * *

Stepping out beneath a cloudy sky, Rebecca found herself on a concrete bridge with rails on both side overlooking a dam, while straight ahead of her was what looked to be some sort of treatment plant. 

Underneath was a constant running stream with several broken pillars sticking out from the water, presumably the remains of another bridge, the current washing down to a dark tunnel. 

Turning her attention to the pillars, Rebecca let out a gasp, then rushed toward the rails.

"STAR, OVER THERE!" she called, pointing to one of the pillars. "BILLY!"

The convict was holding on for dear life onto some broken bits of rebar that hung loose, looking absolutely exhausted.

"MR. COEN!" Star called.

"BILLY!"

"MR. COEN!"

"CAN YOU HEAR US?"

"FUCKING DUH!" the convict called back, his voice sounding as if he were out of breath.

"EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE OKAY!" Rebecca called. "WE'LL FIND A WAY TO-"

A dark shadow formed underneath the water, swimming toward Coen.

"BILLY WATCH OUT!"

Something knocked into the convict, causing him to cry out as he was lifted a few feet up out of the water before indelicately splashing back down into the water. Coen struggled against the tide, crying out as the current swept him down into the tunnel.

"NO, BILLY!" Rebecca cried, her hand extended. As he disappeared, the medic dropped her arm and brought up her radio. "Captain, are you there? Over."

She heard nothing but static.

"Captain, can you read me?"

Nothing.

Rebecca then flicked the channel.

"Richard, are you there? Over."

"Richard here," Aiken said from the other end. "Where are you?"

"We're at some sort of water treatment facility. Star and I have spotted Coen, but he's been dragged by the current down a tunnel," Rebecca said. "We're on our way to locate him."

"Copy," Aiken said. "Out of curiosity, have you seen or heard from the Captain? I tried contacting him by radio, but there's no response, and I'm having a hell of a time trying to find him."

"Negative," Rebecca answered.

"Damn," the communications expert muttered. "I'll keep trying to raise him. Let me know the minute you see or hear from him, will you?"

"Ten-four. Over and out." As she lowered her radio, Rebecca gave a worried look, murmuring, "I hope the Captain is alright."

Star nodded. "I am certain that he is," he assured. "We should focus our efforts on finding Mr. Coen."

Rebecca nodded in agreement. "You're right," she said. "There must be a path around here that can get us to him. Come on."

With that, the two teenagers pushed forward through a pair of double doors together.

* * * * *

"Status report," Curien said as his subordinate approached.

"We're still having trouble trying to pin down its location," the latter replied.

"Well find him!" The man in white barked. "The longer he is out there, the more he will jeopardize this operation and put the entire city at risk!"

"Yes, sir," the subordinate replied.

* * * * *

"Got it!"

With that declaration, the lights on the Dam Area Supply Panel flickered green. Machines and generators hummed as various lights flickered back to life. As light entered the darkened control room, Rebecca turned to Star.

"High-five!" She said with hand raised.

The albino raised his hand and clapped it against hers.

"Ow!" She winced as she withdrew her hand.

Star gave a look of alarm. "Are you okay, Rebecca?"

"Yeah, you just hit a little too hard," the medic said as she rubbed her hand. "Hoo, wow, that smarts! You are a LOT stronger than you look."

"My sincere apologies. I didn't mean to-"

"It's okay!" Rebecca placated. "Really, it's fine. Accidents happen."

The albino looked down guiltily. "I swear I never meant to hurt you," he whispered.

"I know you didn't," Rebecca reassured. A mischievous grin formed on her face, "Buuuut, if you feel that guilty, you could always make it up to me by making out a check for a million dollars."

He raised a brow. "Are you blackmailing me?"

"No, just looking for compensation," she said before exaggeratedly making huge sad eyes at him. "You did hurt me, remember?"

He shook his head. "I'm afraid I don't have that kind of money," the albino replied.

She gave a mock pout, pushing out her lower lip. "That's too bad."

Rebecca's eyes widened.

"I know!" she beamed. "Lean forward."

Star gave her puzzled look. "Why?"

"Nah ah," the medic finger-wagged, "just do as I say."

Obeying, the albino leaned. Slowly raising up her hand toward his face, Rebecca curled her index finger against her thumb, then flicked him between the eyes, causing him to jerk his head back, blinking bemusedly.

"Ha ha ha!" Rebecca gave a mock laugh. "Now we're even!"

Star stared at her.

"...You are a very strange girl," he said.

"Why thank you!" Rebecca grinned before reverting back to a more serious demeanor. "Now that's settled, we should look for Billy."

Nodding in reply, the albino picked up his bags and followed her out the control room to a climbing elevator to the left. Once inside, they pressed the button and waited as it descended. 

They were barely two steps off when they heard moaning. 

Ducking behind a large generator, the two teens peered around the corner and saw five zombies shuffling about aimlessly.

"More zombies?" Rebecca whispered.

"I think it's time I put my talents to the test," Star whispered back.

From the other end of the room, a voice called.

"I'm over here!"

Turning toward the voice's direction, the undead wandered toward it, hands outstretched.

"You can't catch me!"

The zombies were now approaching a console.

"Oh where, oh where, could have I possibly gone? Oh where, oh where could I possibly be?" the voice sang.

The zombies were now all pressed up into a corner, clawing furiously at the wall and at the console while the two teenagers quietly snuck past them toward a door further down.

Once the door closed behind them, Rebecca gave Star a look.

"You are evil," she said quietly.

The albino's eyes twinkled with mischief as his form shook, doing everything possible not to laugh. Taking in a deep breath through his nostrils, he straightened his face as he followed her down a catwalk, then headed all the way down to the left, passing by a steel door missing a handle, before opening the door at the end.

Inside was some sort of rest station with a bar at one end, a billiard table in the center and the body of a hard-hat wearing worker lying next to one of the seats, while facing the bar were a flight of steel stairs leading down.

Following the latter down, the teenagers found a bunch of stacked boxes and barrels on a stone floor along with a forklift at one end, a noisy stream of water with overhanging pipes that constantly dripped around them at the front, a peeling wall of concrete at the other end with a grey metal door that had a fluorescent strip that hung by its side.

Star stared to the constant running stream.

"What is it?" Rebecca asked.

"I don't like the looks of this," he said.

"Why?"

He gave her a dark and worried look. "With all these creatures wandering around, is it possible that the water has become contaminated by the T-Virus?" he asked.

Rebecca paled. She had never considered that possibility.

"I...I don't know," she said truthfully. "I hope not."

If so, then Raccoon City was in deep trouble. She prayed and hoped that that wasn't the case.

Through this door, the teenagers entered a room with a control panel on a set of metal steps that overlooked a small empty pool and a sliding metallic door further up ahead. Going through the latter, the duo then went down a flight of stairs toward something identified as the "Reservoir Room". Opening the door, the teenagers found Billy laid out on the steel floor that sat above another small pool, his legs still in the water.

"BILLY!" Rebecca cried as she hurried to his fallen form. She kneeled down over him and checked for a pulse. Before she could, Coen coughed and gasped, spitting out water. As he stirred, he tried raising himself up to a sitting position, groaning as Star and Rebecca helped him.

"Rebecca! Red!" He gasped. "Where am I?"

"You're safe now," Rebecca assured. "Are you okay?"

Before Coen could open his mouth to answer, he stopped, staring at something ahead. Star and Rebecca followed his gaze to the source, the latter gasping.

Helping Coen up, the survivors stared with disgust at the various skeletons piled up in the corner.

"What could have done this?" Rebecca asked.

"They must have been used as test subjects in Marcus' research," Coen said grimly. "He must have kept messing around with the mother virus."

As he said that, a look of horror and remembrance filled the convict's face as he let in a sharp gasp.

* * * * *

Coen recalled the awful events of Africa and its gruesome ending as he stared at the skeletons.

He remembered the oppressive heat of the sun weighing down upon him, the bodies piled altogether, staring up to the sky with bloodied, lifeless eyes, the sun baking their shattered corpses. Flies the size of golf balls buzzing in delight as they feasted, with thick fat crows flying down to join.

* * * * *

"Billy?"

Rebecca watched as the convict stirred, shaking himself off from whatever he had on his mind.

"Are you okay?" she asked in a low voice.

He quietly stared back at the skeletons.

"...Yeah," he said. "Yeah, I'm fine."

Rebecca wasn't convinced, but she didn't press him on the issue. Looking to Star, the medic watched as the albino angrily stared at the remains.

"How about you?" Rebecca queried. "You feeling alright?"

Star shook his head, not once letting his gaze slip away.

"No," he answered, his hands clenched into fists. Rebecca could hear the fabric straining against his knuckles. "No, Rebecca...I'm not."

The trio quietly stared.

"Bastards," Star swore, his eyes glistening, threatening to spill tears, his voice quiet and cracking. "Evil...fucking...bastards."

Rebecca looked to the albino in surprise. Not once had he ever used that particular swear word. In fact, he rarely swore, but it wasn't just that that had caught her off-guard, but the emotion in his voice as well. Star was still trying to restrain himself, but she could plainly hear his distress, his anger. Putting a hand on his upper arm, the medic nodded.

"They are," she agreed as she looked back to the remains. "Umbrella will pay for this. I'll make sure that they do."

She watched as the albino wordlessly wiped his eyes with the back of his sleeve.

"If it's any consolation, Red," Coen spoke, "the people involved in Marcus' experiments were probably just as bad as Umbrella. Possibly worse, even."

Star looked at him as Rebecca lowered her hand.

"Why the hell should I give any credit to Umbrella?!" he snapped.

Coen raised up his hands placatingly.

"Whoa, easy, big guy!" he said. "I wasn't trying to, nor was it meant to. I was just saying."

Looking back to the mass grave, Star shook his head. "Even if that were true," he started, "it doesn't make what they've done any less repulsive. I cannot take comfort in any of this. No one should. Not ever."

The convict shrugged. "Touché," he replied.

The albino suddenly raised his gloved hand to his mouth, then pulled away from them.

"Star?" Rebecca said worriedly.

She watched in shock as the albino stumbled toward a wall, then violently wretched onto the floor, causing her to briefly turn away for fear of throwing up herself.

Once he finished, the albino pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his mouth, then tossed it away and rested his forehead against the wall.

"My apologies," he said weakly. "I didn't mean for that sickening display."

Rebecca stared pitifully at him. "It's alright," she said. "I'd done the same thing. I'm actually surprised that it took up until now for you to throw up. I thought you would have done so earlier."

Star scoffed. "I had," he admitted. "Before you had arrived on the train, I had thrown up into a garbage can."

Rebecca blinked in surprise. "Oh," she said, then gave a small reassuring smile. "Well, no one is perfect. You still held up pretty well regardless."

The albino took in several deep breaths.

"Not going to comment, Mr. Coen?" he asked.

The convict shrugged. "Don't see why," he said. "I'm not the type to bug people for spillin' chunks, kid. Not unless it's on me."

Rebecca winced. "Lovely image," she muttered aloud.

Star inhaled, then exhaled. Detaching himself from the wall, he turned around and approached the other survivors.

"Feeling better?" she asked.

He nodded. "I do," the albino replied as he bent down to pick up his bags, "but I'll feel even more so when we get out of this place. I can't stand the air here."

"Neither can I," Rebecca agreed. "Come on."

As the trio exited the room, the medic raised her radio.

"Richard, are you there? Over," she called.

Nothing but static.

"Richard, do you copy? Over."

Again, nothing.

* * * * *

As she tried hailing the communications specialist, Coen glanced over to Star.

"How did you get the shiner?" the former asked.

The latter blinked confusedly. "I beg your pardon?"

"The bruise on your face," Coen pointed.

"Oh. I had...accidentally scared Rebecca," Star replied.

"Damn! Looks like she gave a good swing," Coen said admiringly.

The albino shrugged.

"So...'Rebecca', eh? You're on a first-name basis with her now, are you?" The convict leered, wagging his eyebrows suggestively. "Way to go, Red."

Star blushed as Coen playfully punched him in the arm. "It's nothing like that!" the albino insisted quietly.

"Sure it isn't," Coen winked.

"It isn't!" Star hissed before casting a nervous glance in her direction, worried she overheard them. "I barely even know her. Besides which, this is hardly the appropriate place or time to start a romance. Even more...she probably has a boyfriend."

"Did you ask?"

The albino glanced at him and raised a brow. "I'm sorry...but since when have our dating lives been any business of yours?" he asked.

The convict gasped. "So you do have a dating life!" he exclaimed quietly.

Star then made a face like he was doing everything possible not to strangle Coen. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, the albino exhaled. "I don't," he admitted. "Given the fact that you are on a first-name basis with her, one could say that you...fancy her."

Coen regarded the medic several feet ahead.

"She's cute," the convict admitted. "A real looker. But she's not my type, kid. Too young for me, plus I like my women to possess a certain...je ne sais quoi."

He outlined an hourglass body in illustration, with a lot of emphasis on the top portion.

"I suggest we shift this conversation," Star warned. "It's disrespectful to her and wholly inappropriate."

Coen laughed. "I'm just fuckin' with ya, Red!"

"Well I'm glad you're amused," the albino huffed.

The two were quiet as they ascended the stairs.

Coen glanced down to Star's bags, then raised a brow. "You've been hauling those things around all this time?"

"I didn't intend on leaving them," Star answered. "I doubt that zombies are complacent and efficient bag carriers."

"True," Coen replied, shrugging nonchalantly.

The albino looked at him. "If you want, I can give you my coat to keep warm," he offered.

The convict waved him off. "Nah, no sweat."

"Are you sure?" Star said uncertainly. "You've been in the water for some time-"

"I'm fine," Coen insisted. "I appreciate the offer, though. I faced worse in Marine Corps training. Besides, I wouldn't want to ruin your coat."

"It wouldn't be any bother," the albino said. "I don't want you to catch hypothermia, after all."

"Hypothermia's the least of my problems, kid," Coen muttered as he cast a worried glance around. He then looked at the bags the youth's hands. "Do you need help carrying them?"

"I'm fine, thank you," said the albino.

Coen stared at him for a minute, then looked away, shaking his head. "I don't know how you can manage to walk around with those without feeling tired."

Star scoffed. "Good genes, I suppose."

* * * * *

Rebecca looked over at her companions. "I can't raise either Richard or the Captain," she said.

"So where to now?" Coen asked.

"We could try going back to the control room or the rest station upstairs," Star suggested. "Maybe see if there's a phone or radio we could use?"

"That's actually a good idea," Rebecca said. "Plus it will give Billy the chance to warm himself up."

"Aw, I feel so special!" Coen gushed.

The medic rolled her eyes. "Come on you."

* * * * *

The survivors searched around the bar.

"See anything?" Rebecca asked.

Coen raised up a smashed phone.

"Just this," he said morosely. "Those Umbrella fuckheads are doing everything possible to keep this quiet. And so far, they're succeeding."

He then violently chucked it against wall.

"I found a note," Star replied.

"Let me see," Rebecca said as she took the note.

Coen and Star waited with anticipation as the medic studied it.

"'Investigator's Report 2,'" Rebecca read aloud. "'We should have finished with this dump long ago. When this all started, did anyone expect there would be guns blazing away like this? We weren't told a thing about these creatures attacking us at the briefing...Guess they were a surprise to the head honchos too. The things in the woods - just starting to attack people. That had to be planned. Someone deliberately scattered that virus, no doubt about it. But the guards, our fellow soldiers, they must still be around...Well, whatever. Don't have to worry about that anymore."

The next part of the note made the medic pause. She opened her mouth to continue, but stopped.

"Go on, Rebecca," Coen said. "What else does it say?"

Rebecca swallowed. "'What-What I've got to worry about is whether to use my last bullet on myself, or on a friend...That's the only decision I have to make.'"

As the note fell away, the survivors stood there in the bar, staring at one another quietly.

"So...that's how awful things have become? That's a choice we have to make?" Star said. "To kill yourself...or your friends?"

"You know," Rebecca spoke up, her arms folded together, a lump forming in her throat, "until now...I never thought for a moment that I would have to make that type of decision."

Star stared despondently to the floor. "This is madness," he said in a low voice.

Coen shook his head. "There's no point in thinking about this," he said. "The fight's not over yet."

The albino exchanged looks with Rebecca and Coen. "Suppose that moment comes," he started, "...would either of you do it?"

"If worse comes to worst and we're faced with no other option," the convict answered.

Rebecca's mouth felt dry.

"I...I don't know if I can go through with it," she said hesitantly. "I'd like to believe we'll find a way out of here."

The trio regarded their surroundings.

'What if it's too late?' Rebecca thought with horror. 'What if there really is no way out?'

Even if they escaped from this facility, there's still the question of getting back to the city. For all the medic knew, the entire mountain had become infected. What were the odds of getting out in one piece?

"Rebecca." Hearing Star's voice, the medic looked at him as he fidgeted nervously, "Could you do me a favor in the event you make it out alive and I don't?"

She nodded. "Sure. What's the favor?"

The albino stared to the floor, troubled. "Could you tell Eleanor...my mother...that I'm sorry for not having lived up to her expectations as a son?...For compromising myself?"

Rebecca gave a sad smile and placed a hand on his arm. "I'm sure she is proud of you," she said. "I'm sure she would understand."

Star raised his eyes. "...If I don't make it...could you tell her I love her?" he asked quietly.

Rebecca was trying to think of something to say, but his request made her think of her own mother, and the more the medic thought about her, the more she felt like crying.

Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply.

Then she raised her arm up and flicked Star between the eyes, startling him.

"What are trying to do, jinx us?" Rebecca scolded. The albino rubbed his hand against the spot, saying nothing. The medic's eyes and tone softened. "Don't lose hope, Star. We can make it out of here. When we do, you can tell her yourself. Okay?"

The albino regarded her, then nodded.

Rebecca watched as Coen went to a fridge and took out a can of beer for himself. "Either of you want anything?"

The medic shook her head incredulously. "You can't be serious."

"Sure I am," Coen replied.

"Even if the food around here has been potentially infected?"

Coen gave her a look as he settled onto a stool next to the bar.

"Honey, for all I know, I'm already infected," he replied. "I've been soaked with infected blood twice. I've been splashing around with a fuckin' zombie monkey in shitty water, and something was clearly swimming around out there with me. If I happen to not be infected, then it'll be a fucking miracle. In the mean time, I'm just going to sit here with my drink and hope it'll help wash away the memories of prison food and make the rest of this damn night more tolerable."

He held up two other cans in offering. "So whaddya say?"

"I'm only eighteen," Star replied.

The convict blinked in surprise. "No shit?"

The albino nodded.

"Huh, I thought you were twenty," Coen said before shifting his attention. "How about you, Becky?"

The medic scowled. "I'm also eighteen, and it's Rebecca."

The convict grunted. "Meh, whatever. All the more for me."

He opened the can with a fizz and gulped it down, then belched.

"Ahhh!" He said in satisfaction.

"You're a pig," Rebecca said with disgust.

The convict grinned. "Heh. Takes one to know one."

The medic winced. She stepped into that one.

Softening her gaze, Rebecca regarded Coen.

"Billy," she said carefully, "...I don't think you have to worry about being infected. This is a treatment facility. I'm sure that the water you've been in had been detoxified."

Coen shrugged. "Here's hoping," he replied. He then took another sip as he glanced over at Star. "Something you want to ask, Red?"

"I was just curious about your tattoo," the albino replied.

"What about it?"

"What does it say?"

The convict was quiet for a moment.

"'Mother Love,'" he answered.

Rebecca gave a small smile.

"Awww, I knew you were just a big softie underneath that rough exterior," she said jokingly.

Coen scoffed. "It's after the song from Queen," he said matter-of-factly.

"'Queen'?" Star repeated, puzzled.

"Yeah. Ever heard of them?"

The albino shook his head.

"Come on, you must have heard them! Freddy Mercury? Brian May? Songs like 'Don't Stop Me Now'? 'My Best Friend'? 'Bohemian Rhapsody'?"

Star stared blankly at Coen.

"You've seriously never heard of them?" The latter said incredulously.

Star gave a shrug. "I'm afraid not," he replied.

The convict shook his head with disbelief. "What were you living under, a rock?"

"Arkham is pretty conservative," Star explained.

Coen looked to Rebecca. "Surely you heard those songs?"

The medic smiled sheepishly.

"Sorry," she answered.

Coen stared in shock, then shook his head in exasperation.

"You have got to be fucking kidding me," he muttered.

"Could you sing us a song?" Star asked. "Maybe we'd be able to recognize it if we heard it."

Coen narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"You two planned this, didn't you?" he said. "Just so you can get me to sing?"

"No! Honest!" Rebecca waved.

The albino shook his head.

Coen shrugged.

"Okay. Fine," he said. "Any requests?"

"The song on your arm. 'Mother Love'."

The convict inhaled, then exhaled loudly through his nostrils. "Alright, here goes."

He waited a few minutes, then started to sing.

"I don't want to sleep with you
I don't need the passion too
I don't want a stormy affair
To make me feel my life is heading somewhere
All I want is the comfort and care
Just to know that my woman gives me sweet
Mother love.

Ah ha."

Rebecca and Star were still as they listened. Coen wasn't a great singer by any means, but there was something within his tone and the lyrics that made it especially melancholic. Powerfully so.

"I've walked too long in this lonely lane
I've had enough of this same old game
I'm a man of the world and they say that I'm strong
But my heart is heavy, and my hope is gone.

Out in the city, in the cold world outside
I don't want pity, just a safe place to hide
Mama please, let me back inside."

Tears spilled from Rebecca's eyes as she heard the last verse, holding back a sob as he continued. Star had a forlorn expression, his features drooping.

"I don't want to make no waves
But you can give me all the love that I crave
I can't take it if you see me cry
I long for peace before I die.
All I want is to know that you're there
You're gonna give me all your sweet
Mother love.

Ah ha.

Mother love.

My body's aching, but I can't sleep
My dreams are all the company I keep
Got such a feeling as the sun goes down
I'm coming home to my sweet
Mother love."

Coen stopped, then lowered his eyes, then sighed.

"I've definitely never heard that before," Star said quietly.

"Same," Rebecca said as she wiped her eyes.

Coen frowned.

"Christ I wish this night was over," he muttered as he took a sip from his can.

"It's a good song," Star said in acknowledgement.

The convict grunted. Finishing up his drink with one long gulp, he tossed it into the garbage, then froze, listening intently.

"What's wrong-"

"Shh!" Coen hissed at Rebecca. "Listen."

The medic stood there with her head tilted to one side. Then she heard it. Footsteps.

"I heard something over here," a filtered voice said.

"Everyone hide," Coen whispered.

Star grabbed his bags as he and Rebecca followed the convict behind the counter and ducked down. Rebecca's heart thumped nervously in her chest as the footsteps came closer.

She then heard the door creak open and close. Someone was in the room with them. Five or six people.

"I swore I heard something," the filtered voice said.

Rebecca peaked around a corner and saw a bunch of soldiers wearing black combat gear with gas masks, all of them marked with the Umbrella logo, each of them carrying an assault rifle with a silencer attached to the barrel.

"Fan out," one of the masked men ordered.

Rebecca felt her heart race as the men searched around the bar. One of them was closing in on their position. He was so close now that the medic felt herself trembling furiously as she tried to tighten herself into a ball, praying to God that neither she nor her companions were spotted.

"HELLO?" a muffled voice called, drawing everyone's attention, including Coen and Rebecca themselves.

The medic heard the group shuffle, startled.

"Is anyone there?" the muffled voice called again.

"Well what do you know, a survivor," one of the filtered voices said. Rebecca could almost imagine a cruel smirk on the person's face as he said that.

"Can anyone hear me? I'm stuck in a room and I can't get out! I'm so very scared! Someone, anyone, please, help me!"

"The voice came from outside," one of the filtered voices said in irritation.

"He must be behind that door with the missing handle," their commander said. "Let's find and terminate him. On me."

Rebecca listened as the footsteps headed back out through the door.

Once they had all departed, she and the rest of the survivors sighed.

"We need to help whoever that is," Rebecca whispered.

"There's no need," Star whispered back.

She whipped around to face him. "What do you mean there's-"

The medic stopped.

"Wait..." she said slowly in realization. "Was that-"

The albino's eyes gleamed at her in amusement, answering her question.

"You little shit!" she said with a smile.

Star ducked his head down and clutched his chest, his scarred eyes tightly closed while a huge sharp-toothed smile spread across his face, straining furiously as he snickered. Taking in a small, shaky breath, he regained his composure.

There was some muffled dialogue followed by a loud bang and a heavy crash.

"Move in," the filtered voice ordered.

Rebecca listened as footsteps receded.

"Okay," Coen spoke up, "it's time to-"

A loud whale-like moan roared angrily outside, freezing the survivors in place.

"WHAT IS THAT?!" one of the filtered voices screamed. "WHAT IS THAT?!"

"TAKE IT DOWN!" the commander ordered.

Gunfire erupted with sporadic pops as the roaring continued, followed by a loud boom.

Rebecca heard wet tearing and splats as men screamed in agony, causing her to cradle herself up and cover hear ears. The medic was now shaking furiously, worse than before, tears running down her face.

Even Star was terrified, his eyes wide with alarm.

When it finished, there came a series of soft booms that receded down the hallway and a crash. When the booms were gone, the survivors shakily stood up, then headed to the door. Pulling it open, Rebecca's eyes widened at the carnage outside.

"Oh my God," she gasped as she wiped her eyes and put a hand to her mouth.

Along the corridor on the steel catwalk were the soldiers and their weapons, scattered, torn, crushed and bloodied. It was like a tank had driven through the whole area.

"What could have done this?" Star said quietly.

Coen swallowed. "I don't know," he said.

"I-I swear I never meant for this to happen!" the albino said. "I-I didn't know-"

"It's okay, Star," Rebecca said calmly. "None of us knew."

The albino looked like he was going to be sick again as he doubled over, clutching his chest.

"Star?"

"Why do you look so queasy, Red?" Coen asked.

Star bent over, closed his eyes and swallowed. "I inadvertently killed someone! Oh my God, I just killed someone!" he said shakily, hyperventilating. "Oh my God."

Rebecca patted his shoulder. "Breathe, Star, breathe. Just take in slow, deep breaths," she said. "It's okay. It's not your fault."

The albino heaved as he tried to control his breathing.

"Don't feel bad about what happened to them, kid. They were going to kill us," Coen replied. "It was either them or us."

"I know that," Star said, "but considering this is my first time with this sort of thing, just give me a second, okay?"

Rebecca nodded sympathetically. "Deep, slow breaths," she murmured.

The albino followed her instructions, inhaling and exhaling slowly. Once he was finally able to calm himself down, he straightened himself.

"Feeling better?" The medic asked.

Star nodded.

Coen stared at the bent bodies and smashed-in door frame. "It looks like the same thing that had trampled through the basement of the training facility earlier," he said. "I don't know about either of you guys, but I'm definitely not anxious to meet it. Let's get the hell out of here before it comes back."

Rebecca and Star nodded as they hurried through the busted door frame.

* * * * *

The subordinate approached his master.

"I'm afraid there are some further complications, my lord. Reports are coming in that the other creatures are getting restless. One of them has managed to escape into the infection zone along with one of the specimens taken from the area."

Curien slammed a hand down onto the console in front of him.

"Damn!" he said angrily. "I was afraid of this."

He looked back at the subordinate. "Which ones made it through?"